Route 66 Stories with Photographer David Schwartz on the 100th Birthday of "The Mother Road"
About this episode
Route 66’s 100th birthday sets the tone as hosts welcome photographer David Schwartz, whose Route 66 eye has been recognized from stamps to roadside storytelling. Schwartz traces his fascination from Depeche Mode’s “Route 66” to early-2000s trips that turned into a yearly pilgrimage with a camera. The conversation also covers how he plans shoots around light and neon, plus practical travel advice for desert stretches. Along the way, Arizona and Tulsa preservation efforts bring the “Mother Road” to life.
We chat with David Schwartz, Route 66 expert and the professional photographer behind the U.S.P.S. commemorative Rt. 66 postage stamps, all about the Mother Road. We discuss the must-see parts of Route 66, and offer some travel notes, photo tips, and more.
rental Mustang man
"I am a rental Mustang man, unfortunately. Being being in this career, it doesn't really allow you to drive the coolest vehicles…"
He’s saying he mostly drives Mustangs that he rents for work. The job requires carrying equipment, so he can’t always use the coolest cars he’d want.
“Rental Mustang man” is a situational concept: the speaker’s job limits what cars they can personally drive. It’s relevant to the episode because it contrasts the dream of owning/driving a cool car with the practical constraints of hauling gear for work.
Chevrolet Corvette
"My dad's original owner of a 1966 Corvette Tuxedo Black side pipes, three 27 with a big block hood."
A 1966 Corvette is a famous classic sports car from Chevrolet. It’s the kind of car car people really get excited about, and this one sounds like a special black color with side exhaust.
The 1966 Chevrolet Corvette is a classic American sports car known for its iconic styling and V8 performance. The speaker also mentions “Tuxedo Black” and “side pipes,” which point to a specific, enthusiast-oriented look and exhaust setup that many Corvette fans recognize.
side pipes
"My dad's original owner of a 1966 Corvette Tuxedo Black side pipes, three 27 with a big block hood."
“Side pipes” means the exhaust tips come out on the side of the car. People often choose this style because it looks cool and makes the car sound more noticeable.
“Side pipes” are an exhaust setup where the exhaust outlets exit along the sides of the car rather than (for example) underneath or at the rear. On a classic like the 1966 Corvette mentioned here, side-exit exhaust is often associated with a more aggressive, show-and-sound-focused configuration.
big block hood
"My dad's original owner of a 1966 Corvette Tuxedo Black side pipes, three 27 with a big block hood."
“Big block” usually means a larger, stronger V8 engine. A “big block hood” suggests the hood was made to fit that bigger engine setup.
A “big block hood” implies the car is set up for a larger-displacement V8 (“big block”) and typically uses a hood design that accommodates the engine’s height or breathing setup. On classic Corvettes, this kind of wording usually signals an enthusiast engine/exhaust/appearance package rather than a stock, understated setup.
Route 66
"But from what I understand, as you began going on these trips and documenting your experiences via photography, do I have it correct that you started building a name, a reputation for yourself amongst Route 66 enthusiasts..."
Route 66 is a legendary highway in the U.S. that people associate with classic road trips and roadside sights. Here, it’s the place the photographer keeps traveling to take pictures.
Route 66 is the famous U.S. highway corridor that became an iconic symbol of American road trips and roadside Americana. In this segment, it’s the subject of the photographer’s trips and the community he built among Route 66 enthusiasts.
Route magazine
"Then Route magazine finds me and they're just starting up the magazine at that"
The host mentions a publication called “Route magazine” that started up and began hiring or featuring the photographer. It’s basically a media outlet tied to Route 66.
“Route magazine” is referenced as the publication that “finds” the photographer and is “starting up the magazine.” This matters because it marks a shift from personal trips to more formal media work connected to Route 66.
Seligman, Arizona
"was a guy named Bob Delgadillo. [912.4s] And he's in Seligman, Arizona at the snow cap, which is a really great place to stop."
Seligman is a town in Arizona that’s famous for Route 66. A lot of Route 66 trips and car events start there because it’s right on the old road.
Seligman is a small town in northern Arizona that’s strongly associated with Route 66 tourism. It’s a common starting point for Route 66 drives and events because it sits right along the historic alignment.
historic highway
"telling me about this Arizona fun run that's been going on pretty much [922.7s] since Route 66 started coming back as a historic highway in 1988."
“Historic highway” refers to a road that’s been officially recognized for its historical significance rather than being treated purely as modern transportation infrastructure. In this context, Route 66’s return as a historic highway is tied to the 1988 timeframe mentioned by the speaker.
Flagstaff
"Basically, though, if you roll all the way back, like Flagstaff is an incredible place to start. [969.5s] There's some great classic motels you can stay at there."
Flagstaff is a city in northern Arizona that people often use as a starting point for Route 66 trips. From there, the road heads into some really scenic mountain areas.
Flagstaff is a city in northern Arizona often used as a Route 66 starting point. In this segment, it’s described as an “incredible place to start,” especially because the drive transitions into scenic mountain scenery.
Kingman
"So you leave Seligman and now you're headed to Kingman. And, you know, the landscape has changed again. You're riding kind of below a very long run of Mesa. And then, you know, it's getting more deserty. You roll into Kingman, which is another great 66 town."
Kingman is a Route 66 town in Arizona. The host is saying it’s a great stop before the road gets more challenging as you continue toward Oatman.
Kingman, Arizona is another major Route 66 stop, often used as a waypoint between the more mountainous stretches and the desert sections farther west. Here, it’s described as “another great 66 town” before the drive gets more intense toward Oatman.
Oatman, Arizona
"You start traveling up to Oatman, Arizona. And it's all these crazy hairpin turns through the Black Mountains up to Oatman, where, you know, the passengers looking off out the side of the car. And it's just a sheer cliff all the way down."
Oatman is a Route 66 area in Arizona known for a twisty, scary-looking drive. The road has lots of tight turns and steep views, which is why the host says it gets intense.
Oatman, Arizona is famous among Route 66 travelers for the dramatic road up to the town, including tight switchbacks and steep drop-offs. The host highlights the “crazy hairpin turns” through the Black Mountains and the way passengers can look down over the side.
Black Mountains
"And it's all these crazy hairpin turns through the Black Mountains up to Oatman, where, you know, the passengers looking off out the side of the car."
The Black Mountains are the mountains you drive through on the way to Oatman. The host mentions them to explain why the road feels so twisty and hard to see around corners.
The Black Mountains are the mountain range the host references while describing the climb to Oatman. In this context, they’re tied to the road’s tight switchbacks and limited visibility around corners.
convertible Mustang
"In fact, usually when I'm out in Arizona, if I'm not traveled, my buddy that lives there, that's when the Mustangs usually come in. I ran a convertible Mustang and I love running that stretcher road."
The Mustang is a famous Ford sports car. A convertible version means you can drive with the top down, so you feel more of the sights and sounds around you.
A Mustang is Ford’s iconic pony car, and the convertible version trades the fixed roof for open-air driving. On Route 66-style roads, that open-top setup makes the experience feel more “in the landscape,” especially on scenic stretches like the Arizona climb toward Oatman.
Mojave Desert
"And if you want to keep going, you get out into the Mojave Desert, which is pretty amazing, too, because there's nothing out there."
The Mojave Desert is a big, dry desert area you can drive through on the way along Route 66. The host is pointing out how remote and empty it feels once you get out there.
The Mojave Desert is a large desert region in Southern California and Nevada that Route 66 travelers can reach after leaving the more populated Arizona towns. The host emphasizes how empty it feels—“there’s nothing out there”—as the drive continues west.
Roadrunners Retreat
"But you get out there and you've got the Roadrunners Retreat sign, which was a neon sign that there is a defunct shell of a business there."
Roadrunners Retreat is the name of a roadside place the host remembers from the Mojave Desert. He says the neon sign is still there, but the business itself is gone.
Roadrunners Retreat is referenced as a roadside stop sign—specifically described as a neon sign—along the Mojave Desert stretch. The host notes it’s now a “defunct shell,” meaning the business is no longer operating but the sign/structure remains.
Hot Rod Power Tour
"I am part of the Summit Racing team that's going on the Hot Rod Power Tour this year. If you didn't know, the Hot Rod Power Tour is celebrating the 100th birthday of Route 66."
The Hot Rod Power Tour is a big car road trip for enthusiasts. People bring their modified or classic cars and drive them to meet other fans along the way. In this episode, it’s connected to celebrating Route 66’s 100th birthday.
The Hot Rod Power Tour is a long-distance enthusiast road trip featuring classic and modified cars, usually with stops along the route. It’s known for giving builders a chance to drive their projects rather than just show them. In this segment, it’s tied to a Route 66 centennial celebration.
Tulsa, Oklahoma
"we will be heading out from Joliet, Illinois down to Tulsa, Oklahoma. In fact, when this podcast publishes, we'll probably be on the road already."
Tulsa, Oklahoma is where they’re driving to on this part of the trip. The guest also talks about cool local shops there that fit the Route 66 vibe. So it’s a key stop, not just an endpoint.
Tulsa, Oklahoma is the destination city for the Hot Rod Power Tour segment described here. The host also highlights local Route 66–style attractions, including a shop called Buck Adams Cosmic Curios. That makes Tulsa more than just a dot on the map—it’s part of the culture they’re chasing.
Joliet, Illinois
"they're following along the Mother Road, specifically Summit Racing, we will be heading out from Joliet, Illinois down to Tulsa, Oklahoma."
Joliet, Illinois is the city they say the road trip starts from. It’s the starting point for their Route 66–themed drive. Knowing the start helps you picture the route on a map.
Joliet, Illinois is the starting city mentioned for the Hot Rod Power Tour route in this segment. It’s part of the broader Route 66-themed drive that heads west toward Tulsa. For listeners, it anchors where the road trip begins geographically.
305
"It started off life as a 305 car. We yanked it in favor of a 3D3 stroker and now it's got an LS in it."
“305” is shorthand for a 5.0-liter V8 engine size. They’re saying the car originally had that engine, but later they swapped it out for a different setup. It helps you understand how much the car has been changed.
“305” refers to the Chevrolet small-block V8 displacement of 305 cubic inches (about 5.0 liters). It’s a common baseline engine in many older GM builds, so mentioning it tells you what the car started with before the later upgrades. In this context, it’s the original engine that got replaced.
3D3 stroker
"We yanked it in favor of a 3D3 stroker and now it's got an LS in it."
A “stroker” is an engine build that makes the engine bigger internally by using a crankshaft with a longer throw. That usually helps the engine make more torque (pulling power). They’re describing it as the performance upgrade they did before switching to an LS engine.
A “stroker” build increases engine displacement by using a crankshaft with a longer stroke (and matching internal parts). That typically boosts low- and mid-range torque compared with a stock configuration. Here, the host says they replaced the original 305 with a “3D3 stroker,” indicating a performance-focused engine upgrade before the later LS swap.
LS
"We yanked it in favor of a 3D3 stroker and now it's got an LS in it."
“LS” is shorthand for a modern GM V8 engine family that’s popular for engine swaps. People like it because it’s efficient, makes good power, and there are lots of parts and tuning options. They’re saying their Monte Carlo now runs an LS instead of the earlier engine.
“LS” refers to General Motors’ LS-series V8 engines (the modern small-block family that became popular for swaps). An LS swap usually brings modern fuel injection, strong aftermarket support, and good power potential in older cars. In this segment, it’s the final engine change they made to the 1987 Monte Carlo.
G body
"So I'm really excited to log some seat time in that old G body."
“G body” is a nickname for a generation of older GM cars from the late 1970s to late 1980s. It’s popular with car builders because there are lots of parts available and it’s a great starting point for modifications. They’re excited to drive their older G-body car.
“G body” is an enthusiast term for the GM G-body platform used for cars like the Chevrolet Monte Carlo and others from the late 1970s through the late 1980s. It’s a common base for hot rods because the cars are widely supported by aftermarket parts and are easy to modify. The host is emphasizing they’ll get seat time in an older G-body build.
Buck Adams Cosmic Curios
"Like, especially there's a place called Buck Adams Cosmic Curios. My friend, Mary Beth, runs that and several other businesses on that east side of Tulsa."
Buck Adams Cosmic Curios is a specific shop in Tulsa that the guest recommends. It’s the kind of quirky place you’d expect on a Route 66–style trip. The host mentions it because it’s one of the cool stops in the area.
Buck Adams Cosmic Curios is a specific shop mentioned on the east side of Tulsa. The host uses it as an example of the quirky, Route 66–adjacent attractions they’re excited to see. It’s a named location that helps listeners visualize the kind of stops the tour is making.
Nissan Juke
"...ntire album called Tulsa. And he does the Western juke joint swing country. And his music paints the kin..."
The Nissan Juke is a small crossover SUV made by Nissan. It’s built for everyday driving and fits in smaller spaces than bigger SUVs. The name “Juke” can also be used in other contexts, so it may be mentioned because it sounds familiar.
The Nissan Juke is a compact crossover designed with a distinctive, more “stylish” look than many typical small SUVs. It may come up in a podcast for its name and recognizable design, even when the conversation isn’t strictly about cars. As a compact crossover, it’s generally discussed in terms of everyday usability in a smaller footprint.
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