The Cadillac Ranch on Route 66 near Amarillo, Texas, has inspired a number of imitators in recent years of various vehicles half-buried in the ground at an angle.
First was the Bug Ranch on Route 66 near Conway, Texas.
Last year was the Combine City near Amarillo.
Now we have the Airstream Ranch near Orlando, Fla. WOFL-TV reports that it’s the creation of Frank Bates.
If the odd sight of eight Airstream RVs sticking straight up out of the ground is a little jarring, but recognizable, it should. It’s fashioned after Cadillac Ranch off Route 66 in Texas.
“It was a piece of art that’s always been recognized and is world famous,” he said. He wants to create the same effect right off the I-4 corridor. Frank says Airstreams are the Cadillac’s of RVs, so it was only fitting. An exhibit — art, he says — forever emblazoning a part of Americana. […]
There is some history buried there. A 1957 Airstream a 1963 mini, known as the Bambi model. But the rest are from a scrap yard up in North Florida. Each RV stands for a decade the Airstream’s been around. They just celebrated their 75th anniversary. The ’63 Bambi stands for the half decade.
“We’re excited about doing it and hope it makes people smile,” Bates told FOX 13.
The station reports that a few neighbors are complaining to the county about the display. But that doesn’t dissuade Bates.
“This is art. We don’t need permits for art,” Bates said, “And it’s our property.”
He has offered to put up a fence so they won’t have to look at it. They’re still milling that over. They county is expected to get back to the neighbors on their complaint in the next few weeks. In the meantime, Airstream Ranch will stand tall and proud.
UPDATE 1/15/07: Roadside America has more information about Airstream Ranch, including directions and a phone number.
Airstream Ranch:
Address: 4656 Mcintosh Rd, Dover, FL [Show Map]
Directions: Bates RV Exchange. I-4 exit 14, southwest corner. Park in the Bates RV lot, tell them why you’re there, then follow the golf cart path from the back to Airstream Ranch, which extends along the south side of the interstate.
Phone: 813-659-0008
When you put a Cadillac in the ground, it just rots. Steel and the mainstream engineering that created it. When you put an Airstream in the ground, the aluminium and time tested engineering that created it are wasted, as its ability to produce a home or vacation are not rotting away. Create a work of art. Mimicking one is the work of magpies.
Any wonder, with a nom de guerre like Mr. Bates?
Please tell me where it is, what exit and direction from I 4
What is Bates thinking?
He already is well aware that he is in violation with code enforcement but still wants to do business in the gray area all the time. He knows his property is not zoned for commercial activity or advertising so he calls his latest exhibit “art”.
How can anyone buy from him when he is such a shady person and always likes to deal in the gray areas?
Cadillac Ranch was not built next to an interstate, did not break any zoning rules, did nothing shady and did not sell Cadillac’s next door.
What he is not telling the public is that there is a high school and eventually a middle and elementary school scheduled to be built very soon in the immediate area of his exhibit. There is also a new wieght station scheduled to be completed which has on ramps to the interstate from the weigh station that is in the immediate area of his exhibit. There is also the off ramp to McIntosh Road that is already crowded that is immediatly in front of his exhibit.
This is a very dangerous place to put this exhibit. Someone may very well lose a loved one or friend very soon. People are stopping on the side of Interstate and sometimes running across the Interstate lanes to take pictures or just look.
The code enforcement represents the public and Bates is continuing to fight them even though he is well aware of his safety negilgence.
Mr. Bates was quoted in an article, “Cadillac Ranch legacy not buried but many other things have been” by Sean Thomas/Morris News Service as saying, “Its a Texan thing, we just like to bury crap.”
Mr. Bates, this is not Texas. Take your crap and bury it in Texas and furthermore we won’t bury our loved ones due to your negligences and causes.
If you want to bury something, bury your idea of the Airstream Ranch and your shady dealings.