In my area of the country (PacNW), it's amazing how many Datsun, Toyota, Isuzu/Chevy, Ranger, etc. small pickups are not only running around but appear to be rebuilt and/or restored. I think there's a big demand for actually small pickups and market prices seem to agree with me. ... View more

In the PacNW (or any hilly country), front wheel drive is handicapped when going up a hill when the weight transfers off the front, back to the rear. My Seattle-area daughter learned to back her Saab up her long, steep icy driveway. An all-wheel drive Acura eventually replaced it. ... View more

The demise of the Hummer was due also to the movement to smaller SUVs, started in the luxury market by Lexus. Most Hummers never saw any off-road use other than the graveled back parking lot at the prep school. By the time everyone who wanted a Hummer had a Hummer...and was willing to ignore the scorn of everyone else who didn't have or want a Hummer, the market dried up. After all, what's the use of owning a pricey vehicle if this year's model looked like one 5 years old? ... View more

I dunno. Regardless of marque, with their unique styling, everyone who wanted a Cruiser or a Hummer eventually got one, either used or new. Then the market dried up. ... View more

Why wouldn't my daughter buy a Lexus? Stylish, more reliable than the various Euro-trash and a decent selection of models. ... View more

Could your smiles be any bigger?! Love the story. ... View more

Love the shade of red on the Lancia. And the Bentley shows how the Brit upper class did "sports cars". To those xenophobics who clamor for 'Murican cars only, know that most auto loonies appreciate classic autos no matter the birthplace. ... View more

Yeah, the Saturn TV ad that showed a similar scene always kind of made me a little verklempt....powerful advertising. ... View more

The little gas station across the street from my Idaho college (go Coyotes!) catered to us impecunious students. So at the beginning of each fall semester, I'd buy 6 retread tires for my '54 Chevy. 4 "regular" tread, 2 snow tread with walnut shells impregnated in the rubber. At the first snowfall, the snow treads went on the back wheels (with the summer tires in the trunk for extra weight). Christmas breaks found me driving the 500 miles up to home in N. Idaho, then the same distance back, often through blizzards, deep snow and snowstorms. Come spring, the front tires were rotated to the back, the tires in the trunk put on the front and the snow treads left at the shop for retreading. Back to N. Idaho and the Sunshine silver mine. Next fall semester, repeat. I think summer treads were $12 ea., walnut snow treads $15 (well, it was the early '60s). ... View more

What a great story. I'm the same age, 2000 miles away, similar road experiences. But we knew Woodward Ave. and Detroit were where the true street races were. ... View more

Yes! And I have, to date, a long lifetime. ... View more

I see Ford selling a bunch of hybrid pickups.  Very useful for the trades (but without the lift kit, etc.). ... View more

Good writing and would like to see more. When I graduated from flight school my wife's family offered to buy a car, within budget.  I bought a....Volvo 122, now a classic.  But definitely not a classic sports car. ... View more

The original Hummers sold well....until everyone who wanted one had one.  Then sales nosedived.  This will do likewise.  Had an acquaintance who had a Hummer 2, but sold it because his wife "didn't like being ridiculed." ... View more

Styling is just off kilter enough at first glance to think, "Hey, something's not right..." Then you realize nothing is right.  And if you're going to make a car for the 21st century, where are the cupholders?  (I jest) ... View more

As a young lad, I wished our family could afford a luxurious car, like a Packard or Cadillac.  I finally got my chance to drive one: my grandfather bought a pre-war Packard that had been converted into a farm truck (sigh).  I still got to catch a glimpse of the grandeur that was Packard. ... View more

This is the best event every year.  It shows the imagination of car loonies everywhere...at an affordable price. ... View more

But the first SUV, Lexus RX, was more than a few steps up from the Bronco.  I drove a '69 Bronco for a couple of years.  Terrible gas mileage and really squirrely at all but trail speeds.   ... View more

Back then, you could order any engine with any model.  The hottest car in our little town was a baby-blue, outside and in, Ford base Custom with the 312 cid, two 4-barrels and 270 hp.  The Custom had a shorter wheelbase than the Fairlane models and with few options, was lighter and faster.  The owner claimed he'd never been beat in our section of northern Illinois. ... View more