Skip to content

posts from 2024

12 posts, newest first.

Where Greatness Was Born – Mario Andretti’s ancestral home

If you know anything about me at all, it’s that I’m damn proud to count the incomparable Mario Andretti as my racing hero, and more importantly, my friend. He was born February 28, 1940 in what was then Montona, Italy, now due to post WWII redistricting of many national boundaries, called Motovun, Croatia. Motovun is…

Read more

DRIVEN: 2024 Lexus UX250h Premium

I was on staff at Motor Trend when Lexus brought out the first RX300 and we all knew that it would change the SUV landscape, by crystalizing the definition of what we came to call the luxury Crossover SUV. That first RX was smartly sized, had just enough “soft-roading” capability to handle the commute to…

Read more

Gathering At The Oaks 2024 – Still Something for Everyone, and Yet Better Every Year

I’m proud to say I’ve been involved with this show since its barest beginnings just five years ago, and a small yet mighty volunteer Committee continues to innovate and improve this highly worthwhile Automotive Experience, as they call it. Things that helped this year were no local Southern Oregon wildfires as was the case a…

Read more

My New DeLorean book is alive, and released for order and purchase

The magic release date was just 48 hours ago, my DeLorean The Rise, Fall, and Second Acts of The DeLorean Motor Company is now available in hardback. I’m very pleased and proud of it, and I believe and hope it’s a story you’ll enjoy — the story you thought you know, but maybe didn’t…

Read more

DRIVEN: 2024 Toyota Prius XLE HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle)

Click on any image to see full screen in high res Throughout the Prius’ years on the market, its seldom, or more likely, never won an award for its looks. Some were strange, a few simply ugly. Guess what; while you may or may not have been looking, the Prius got handsome in…

Read more

Wither Lincoln?

The Mk II was so unique and special that it spawned its own Continental Division of the Ford Motor Company Lincoln used to make great cars. Unfortunately, that statement is now longer completely nor technically true — because Ford’s Lincoln brand doesn’t make cars anymore. It has a full, and worthwhile, fleet of only…

Read more

COMING SOON – MY NEW DELOREAN BOOK

I’m excited to tell you about my next and newest project — the first new (in some years) and up to date book about the story you thought you knew. DeLorean, the man, the car, the company, the trial, the fall, the big movie, and today. There have been several books about DeLorean published…

Read more

DRIVEN: 2024 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD

Please click on any photo to see it full screen in high resolution The compact Hyundai Kona came to market as a 2018 model, in a variety of trim levels with a few powertrain choices. It practically defined the term “Cute-Ute.” And it was. Yet also a little small, not particularly powerful, nor roomy. Yet…

Read more

THE VAN

During one’s lifetime, we all own at least one vehicle with “personality.” Mine was a 1962 Ford Econoline van. It was the barest and most stripped version produced, with a 200 cubic-inch straight-six motor, 3-speed manual trans, two front seats, and the minimum number of windows. You know, white bread loaf. No radio, no…

Read more

DRIVEN: 2023 Genesis Electrified GV70 AWD Prestige

Premium EVs are here. And you’d have to look a long way to find a nicer one than this decidedly upmarket two-row Genesis. Unlike some EVs there are few choices in terms of motors, drive wheels, and extended range batteries: The EGV70 comes one way, and that’s pretty much loaded. My tester did include a…

Read more

Virtual ProjectCarsNCoffee

We’ve all done it. Eyeballed a car/truck/bike/boat/plane looking a bit down on its luck if not outright abandoned, that immediately sparked our restorational imaginational. If I got my hands on that thing, I’d make it bitchin. I guess it’s all an extension of the barnfind phenom. Sometime these things are conveniently all in one place…

Read more

DRIVEN: 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Hyundai Ioniq 6

Hyundai has quickly become one of the industry’s most major forces in the development and production of EVs. Two of its slicker offerings are the Ioniq 6 sedan and the Ioniq 5 four-door hatch (or demi SUV). Both are based on much the same technical and engineering platforms, offering similar performance, specifications, features and pricing…

Read more