56 posts, newest first.
Please remember that you can doubleclick any image to see it full screen in high res You may wonder why a place as entertainment-centric as Las Vegas doesn’t have a world class concours. It’s not for a lack of trying, as several groups have attempted to launch just such an event. None of them ever…
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Automobile, Lowrider and Truck Trend will be discontinued, among others, according to a memo to MotorTrend Group staffers. I was somewhat disturbed yet not entirely surprised to learn that TEN, The Enthusiast Network Publishing — (formerly, long long ago, Petersen Publishing Company, PPC) is dynamiting most of the rest of its remaining print titles in…
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I love this place (and of course the world needs more car museums, yes?). It’s not fancy or going to put the Petersen or the Guggenheim out of business, but it’s worth your visit any time you’re near Los Angeles International Airport. Please doubleclick on any photo to see it full screen and in high…
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It’s hard to believe that as recently as 1999-2000, Volvo wasn’t completely sure that it could survive without being sucked up by Renault, nor did it fully believe that it needed a line of SUVs to survive and prosper. In the modern eras, its really Subaru and Volvo that launched the notion of making its…
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If you are the gift-giving type, then your car guy/gal might enjoy some of the new car guy/gal stuff out this season. As always, you can doubleclick any item to see it full screen in higher res. Happy shopping…and please scroll all the way to the end as this is a longish one with lots…
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I will admit that it had been some time since I’d sampled any of the current Mitsu product line so it was time to fix that void. I’ve always seen Mitsu as a bit of an underdog automaker in the North American market, and in spite of Evos and some of the racier models, viewed…
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Words and photos by Kirk Gerbracht; please doubleclick on any image to see it full screen and in high res Plenty of food and wine, relaxing music, and a gentle breeze on a crystal-clear day all recently came together on the grounds of the Grizzly Peak Winery in Ashland, Oregon for the annual Auto Europa,…
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I recently visited the City by the Bay to once again follow the footstep and tireprints of Lt. Frank Bullitt and the greatest movie car chase scene ever filmed. Of course I had to do it in a new Bullitt edition Mustang, and want to share the journey with you. And it’s all in preparation…
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Anxious to see the new Ford v Ferrari film about The Ford GT’s road to Le Mans victory? So am I. And thus the world famous Petersen Automotive Museum is getting into the spirit of the times and the film which opens in public theater release November 15. The Museum is proudly displaying a captivating…
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Now, truly, among the greatest car shows on earth. The list of first rate, big game car designers who went to school and graduated from the Transportation Design Program at the Art Center College of Design (now more casually referred to as ArtCenter, with no space between the t and the C) is long and…
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I’ve already said quite about about this wonderful museum in Southern Oregon, very near to downtown Porland. You can read these posts here… Guest Blog: World of Speed Motorsports Museum and here… An EveningWith Mario Andretti at World of Speed — photos and video World of Speed also hosts a variety of CarsNCoffee gatherings and…
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As usual, double click on any photo to see it full size and high res This fabulous Shelby/Cobra/Mustang museum is billed as “America’s Place for Cobra & Mustang Fans” and it truly is. Besides visiting the Shelby American factory and museum in Las Vegas, this place is the Other Must on any Shelby, Cobra, Mustang,…
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The Genesis brand was initially rolled out of Hyundai somewhat quietly, but has since gotten busy making noise with a bunch of new product. I previously reviewed the G70 on these pages, and that one as you know really rung the bell this year as both North American Car of the Year winner and also…
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On August 29, 2019, it was my honor and privilege to emcee and host a fireside chat style interview and discussion with the incomparable Mario Andretti at the World of Speed Motorsports Museum in Wilsonville (near Portland) Oregon. If you know anything about me at all it’s that Andretti the Senior is my all time…
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This handsome gent is Justin Gurney, son of Dan of the same name. You can read the rest of the story here: https://performance.ford.com/enthusiasts/newsroom/2019/10/gurney-s-ford-gt-s.html…
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I remember when the RAV4 came to market in the mid 90s. It was among the first car platform based crossover SUVs and was an immediate smash hit. I understood all the reasons why, but wasn’t in love with it at the time. The design, available in two- and four-door hatchback form, was attractive, cute…
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All of us seem to be always searching for that ideal car storage solution. A relatively new company in the automotive events, products, and lifestyle space is Auto-Alliance, which has just opened a new vehicle storage and concierge facility in Moorpark, California, an hour or so north of most of Los Angeles. This amazing space…
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Just doubleclick on any photo to see it in high rest and full screen I remember when Lexus brought us the first RX 330 mid luxury crossover/utility in the late 90s. I was at Motor Trend at the time, and it was so innovative and good, we made it our very first Sport/Utility of the…
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photos by me and courtesy of the Petersen Automotive Museum; double-click on any image to see it full screen in hi res. The late George Barris was the self-proclaimed “King of Kustomizers,” building hot rods and customizing cars since he was a kid. He and brother Sam built countless famous and seminal machines,…
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I was friends with a guy in high school named Don (weren’t we all?). Don was a basically good guy, and we shared several interests, including and primarily cars, and tring to meet girls. After high school, Don moved to Phoenix to attend deVry tech school. So I went to visit him once or twice.
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The San Marino Motor Classic is always a part of my summer car show agenda, and this year’s rendition didn’t disappoint. I’ve shown cars there, judged there, and bought a ticket and attended as a regular car fool just like all the rest of us. Part of what makes San Marino so excellent is the…
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Kip Cyrpus is an Orange County property developer, manager, and investor. And he also loves just about anything with a motor and wheels. His collection is varied, and eclectic. There are a few of the expected standards, and lots of different and unexpected too, including fabulous cars, motorcycles, engines on stands, and great ephemera (watches,…
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You may or may not remember the original Harrah’s Collection museum in Reno. William F. Harrah was a larger than life kind of guy, doyen of Harrah’s hotels and casinos, a major player in the entertainment and gambling businesses in Reno/Tahoe Nevada. He also was a car collector on the very grandest of scales; his…
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It’s a scene repeated dozens if not hundreds of times all around America; the local weekend car show. Three Day Holidays like Memorial Day, Labor Day, and the 4th of July are particularly suited to this activity. You know, the local car club puts on a casual run what ya brung gathering at the local…
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I still love old school car books, you know printed on actual paper, with photos, and all that. I’ve written and published more than a dozen of them, and even though I’m a Kindle carrying radical, reading an actual book provides certain satisfactions that go beyond just getting delivery of the material. Here’s some new…
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And please double-click on any image to see it full screen and high res It was my privilege to serve as Master of Ceremonies for the 15th Annual La Jolla Concours d’Elegance, in La Jolla, California a few weeks ago. This event started out as a kind of glorified carsncoffee meet in the La Jolla…
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Many of you know of Peter Mullin; he’s the big game LA businessman who puts down rather large and significant footprints in the classic and collector car community. Mr. Mullin has a rather fabulous museum in Oxnard, California, bearing his own name, and also serves as Chairman of the Board of the Petersen Automotive Museum…
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Japan has an automotive history going back a century; not to mention several worthwhile car museums many of which go well beyond only Japanese car Please doubleclick any photo to see it full screen in high res Most people might believe that Japan’s automotive history dates to sometime in the 1960s, because that’s when Datsuns…
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Guest Blog: words and pix by Kirk Gerbracht Most of us auto enthusiasts have spent an entire weekend at a car show with associated events like a cruise or road trip and dinner one day, with a show or concours the following day. So how about a week-long series of events? In fact, 16 events…
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Photo Courtesy Galpin Auto Sports I was distressed, but unfortunately not surprised to hear of Lee Iacocca’s July 2, 2019 passing. Lido Anthony Iacocca was born October 15, 1924 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, making him 94 when he died. He was known and will be remembered for many things in the Autosphere. Mr. I was…
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Actually, I don’t fish, just like I don’t golf and don’t do Olympic Curling. But in this case it’s just a metaphor so deal. On the road again hopefully gathering up more great cars and stories to share with you. Thanks for visiting often and I’ll catch you after the fireworks. Cheers….MS…
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Now in its 14th year, this fundraiser show dedicated to the King of Coolness, has become a Thing photos by Kirk Gerbracht; Inspired Communications, Inc. Please doubleclick on any photo to see it high res and full screen – thank you, please enjoy. J Mays, now-retired Ford vice president of global design, once told us…
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As always, you can doubleclick on any photo to see it high res and full size You’ve probably heard that the rather exceptional KIA Stinger and the new Genesis G70 share a fair amount of chassis platform architecture, suspension components, and powertrains: This is true. But it is false that they are really the same…
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Please doubleclick on any photo to see it high res and full screen It’s not uncommon for a car dealership to host a client/customer “appreciation”event; these fetes are often cocktail style gatherings at the dealership, or a similar gathering to introduce a new vehicle model. Sometimes these gigs also include short test drives. It’s all…
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Words and photos by Kirk Gerbracht DoubleClick on any photo to see it high res and full screen The car culture continues to thrive, and one of the biggest reasons is that our hobby offers something for everyone. No matter what your personal taste in cars, — classics, sports, hot rods, exotics, customs, muscle,…
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Jacksonville, FL – Congratulations to Roger Penske, Simon Pagenaud, and Team Penske for their record-setting 18th Indianapolis 500 victory. Team Penske swept Indy’s “Month of May” last Sunday when Simon Pagenaud won the 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500 leading 116 of 200 laps. On May 11th Team Penske and Pagenaud won the Indy Grand Prix. On May…
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Words and photos by Kirk Gerbracht Double-click on any image to view it full screen No doubt there are hundreds of automobile museums across the country, and many times visiting one is the sole purpose for our adventure down the highway. But occasionally our travels take us where we least expect to find an auto…
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I’ve always loved Miatas, from the very first 90 horsepower Series I Lotus lookalike to the current 4th gen car. They are nothing but fun to drive, affordable to buy and carefore, and durable as an anvil. So it was with some anticipation that I signed myself into a new 2019 RF retractable hardtop model…
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Please Save The Dates: May 30th, 31st, & June 1st, 2019 for the Friends of Steve McQueen Car & Motorcycle Show If you’ve visited this site for any amount of time, you know that this show, and this charity (Boys Republic School in Chino Hills, California), are very important to me. And this is a…
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Those of you in or near Southern Oregon are lucky to be getting a great new cars ‘n coffee meet launching Saturday May 4, 2019 in Medford. The location, in the giant parking lot of a large handsome medical complex is immaculate, has marked spaces for 125 cars, and comes factory equipped with its own…
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My legend, hero, and friend Mario Andretti is the living definition of Been There, Won That. Thought you might enjoy this news about one of motorsport’s greatest treasures…MS Petersen Executive Director, Terry L. Karges, Mario Andretti, Museum Founding Chairman, Bruce Meyer and Justin Bell Legendary racing driver Mario Andretti received the prestigious award during a…
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Car model names have always fascinated me, but lately more and more tend to confound me. I’m not picking on only one or two carmakers here, but one particular example from Mercedes-Benz, left, and leaves me, conceptually challenged. Of course, any company who makes any product is generally free to name it whatever they wish,…
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Just cluing you in about a great concours coming up this weekend. It’s the Benedict Castle Concours in Riverside, California on Sunday March 31,2019. This event has a lot going for it; not to mention approximately 300 great cars to see. The property, Riverside’s historic Benedict Castle is a very interesting place, and by all…
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Here’s a car magazine comparison test I bet you’d have never dreamed of: BMW M3 vs. KIA Stinger GT vs. Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG By now you’re screaming “major typo!” because how would a KIA earn the right to take on the two German stalwarts. Welcome to 2019, because it has and it does. You likely…
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Gang…This small but mighty collection of The First, The Fastest and The Famous belongs to my friend and mega enthusiast/collector Bruce Meyer, and is worth a special trip just to see. Bruce has over time, carefully curated this gathering of winners, firsts, and onlys, and is sharing it with the public at the Petersen from…
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Gang — it was once again my honor to serve as a judge at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance in Amelia Island, Florida, and to again contribute an article to official show program. This year’s motorsports honoree was the King of Le Mans, and gentleman and a half, and among the world’s greatest ever sports…
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I somewhat knew what to expect from this outstanding mid-sized sedan for several reasons: the first being that we have an Optima in the family fleet, and it’s been nothing but excellent, although my tester here is one generational update newer, and also the top of the range SX trim level with a turbocharged 2.0-liter…
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I love Cars’N’Coffee events, and have made it a point to visit them anywhere in the world I happen to go. And I’m pleased and proud to announce a new one, launching May 4/19 in the Medford area of Southern Oregon. It’s the brainchild of my longtime friend and partner in automotive crime Kirk Gerbracht…
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It still somewhat surprises me that sedans about the same size and general packaging as this handsome Hyundai used to be the best selling cars in America: Taurus, Fusion, Optima, Altima, Malibu, and of course the many-years top seller — Toyota’s seemingly unstoppable Camry. And for good reason; they’re sized just right, with room for…
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I’m pleased to announce my association with the La Jolla Concours d’Elegance, taking place this April 12-14, 2019, where I will serve as the event’s Master of Ceremonies for the Concours awards program, and at various related events occurring throughout the Concours weekend. La Jolla is a lovely, upscale, “villagey” community found smack on…
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Hyundai calls is catchily named Kona “The Small Crossover with a Big Personality”– And it’s true. Explore this funky, handsome, downright fun little vehicle on Hyundai’s official website, and you’ll see most of the discussion is about its expressive design. Also true. Far too many “cuteutes” end up being “blandmobiles” in terms of style and…
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Gang…as you may have noticed from past event coverage, I’m a big supporter of the Boys Republic School, and the becoming world famous Friends of Steve McQueen Car and Motorcycle Show coming up again this June 1, 2019. Its all in support of a great charity, and is a really fabulous and fun show…now accepting…
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I was around when the Sportage was first launched into the marketplace as a somewhat cheap’n ‘heerful cute ute. I’ll never forget KIA PR guy Geno Effler trying to educate us media members on how to pronounce the name of it, as most everyone wanted to say it “Sportaj” (like Taj Mahal) and he had…
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There is no question in my mind that electrification will play a huge role in the future of transportation. Am I suggesting that every vehicle on the road should be a pure EV? Absolutely not. Should all those fuel burning Ferrari Daytonas and Shelby Cobras be banned from the world’s garages and roadways? Equally of…
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Parkinson’s Disease is a tragic affliction that impacts the lives of millions of people, not only the first person sufferers but also the friends and family around them. Here’s information on some great automotive related support movements happening in support of Parkinson’s Charity telling how you can help support this organization, its events, AND how…
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Guest Blog: words and photos by Kirk Gerbracht Double click on any photo to see it high res full screen The British Car Club of Southern Oregon held its (not quite) All British car show on October 20, 2018 in Rogue River, Oregon. Since the Club is rather low-key, we confess up front, that “All…
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