Former GM vice-chairman offers an insider’s look at a once proud industry. Bob Lutz is one of the most colorful, if not controversial figures in the automotive industry today. Although he officially retired from General Motors in 2010, ending a 47-year automotive career that also began with GM and included … Read more
Engine swap book for performance enthusiasts. The essential American performance engine title has changed hands a very few amount of times over the last 80 years. Without question, the Ford V-8 engine, also known as the Flathead, was the essential centerpiece of any V-8 hot rod beginning in 1932. With … Read more
…and His Battle to Build the Car of Tomorrow. Preston Tucker may not be a name familiar to people outside of the auto industry or the business world, unless you happened to watch the 1988 movie, “Tucker: The Man and His Dream.” I never saw the movie, but have been … Read more
Nearly everyone knows something about the Ford Mustang, the iconic sports coupe that’s been part of American automotive lore for more than a half-century. Formally introduced at the New York World’s Fair on April 17, 1964, this steed on wheels has captured the hearts of millions of drivers and remains … Read more
The Fiat 500 is one of the most easily recognized vehicles on the road. It is petite, stylish, and colorful, hallmarks of basic transportation with a distinct design flair. Launched in 1957, the Fiat 500 was dubbed a “city car,” yielding coupe, semi-convertible, hatchback, and panel van variants. The original … Read more
All about classic Volkswagens! How much do you know about Volkswagen? Perhaps a better question is this one: how much do you think you know about an automotive brand founded during Germany’s darkest years, specifically the 1930s? Volkswagen translates to “people’s car” from German, a vehicle authorized by Adolf Hitler … Read more
Automotive history books offer fascinating looks at the evolution of the ever important automobile. Books focusing on a single manufacturer show the design changes throughout the years, and each progressive generation demonstrates an improvement in refinement and looks. A book tracing the history of the Ford Motor Company, for instance, … Read more
The story behind car marques and the trademarks that define them. They are almost always easily recognizable with just one glance. What am I talking about? Car logos and emblems, “symbols” that tell you what a car brand is, usually without words. Every manufacturer has them with some maintaining their … Read more
Often described as the pinnacle of motorsport, the Formula 1 world championship provides an extraordinary level of technology. The races used to be very exciting as well, but modern aerodynamics and technical circuits have made passing a thing of the past. Still, on occasion, and usually at an old European … Read more
Many of us know one person who goes well beyond being the atypical weekend mechanic. This individual not only works on cars, but lives them, eagerly finding and passionately restoring a classic car to its former glory or maintaining at least one such model. His main ride may be something newer, … Read more