About Grace

Grace

you are indeed correct. thank you for the note!

Grace

thanks, @wrench. looks like the DIA generously extended the exhibit beyond its original June end date due to the pandemic - we've made the adjustment to the article.

Grace

totally agree. leave the tennis ball vibes to Ford

Grace

i think the rendering's generic '50s look is spot-on, for the purposes of the (satirical) analogy. doesn't the Model S look handsome ... but in the most conventional 20-teens way possible?

Grace

Le Mans... some day!!

Grace

Such a bummer. Was really looking forward to Milan this summer.

Grace · ‎03-05-2021

We just saw the Hemmings listing and are investigating this.

Grace · ‎23-04-2021

love the pictures and the step-by-step driving experience. surreal... these things are so cool.

Grace · ‎09-04-2021

totally agree. the drivability of a wagon but with some open-bed cargo capacity and a generous dose of good-weird.

Grace · ‎07-04-2021

Thanks for your input and close attention, @Mustbemanual . I did indeed get my lines crossed between the GLB and the GLC, and have since updated the story.

Grace · ‎06-04-2021

thank you!

Grace · ‎15-03-2021

Thanks so much for the feedback! I’ve been very happy with the upgrade - would definitely recommend. I did end up tossing the entire old, plastic assembly after cherrypicking a few bits. Re: your splicing question: yes, I had to cut off the wiring assembly (low beam, high beam, ground) for the main lights and adapt them/reattach them to the new. The black bulbous bit you mentioned is part of the FCP euro kit - you’re looking at the rubber backing of a three-prong fastener that literally plugs into the back of the new headlight. (In hindsight, I could have provided another picture here.) The low/high/ground wires that I spliced to the old harness came attached to that rubber-covered plug. Make sure the plug is snug against the back of the lens; I had one work loose this winter and give me a “light out” alert on my dash. Nothing was broken, thankfully; just needed to “replug” the rubber-covered fastener to the back of the headlight. The new turn-signal unit, on the other hand, is a plug-and-play situation. One thing that impressed me about the FCP euro kit was that it includes a male fastener that clips directly onto the old turn-signal connector/harness. No splicing necessary there.

Grace · ‎20-02-2021

@jcav48, thanks for the close read. the ex-Cosby car is CSX 3303, not 3305, and we've since fixed the typo.

Grace · ‎17-02-2021

wow, love this. trying not to think about bugs splattered all over that beautiful white grille, though...

Grace · ‎25-01-2021

thank you!

Grace · ‎25-01-2021

thank you!

Grace · ‎20-01-2021

honestly, i was never upset at the vantage's original schnoz. it's certainly more elegant that bmw's tortured evolution of the double kidney.

Grace · ‎19-01-2021

thanks for keeping us honest, @1933ford and @RobertLLR. we've made the appropriate change.

Grace · ‎19-01-2021

much appreciated!

Grace · ‎15-01-2021

Appreciate the feedback, Jost. Agree that it'll probably sell well, on sporty image alone. Honestly, the CVT wasn't intrusive, unless you tried to take over shifting with the paddle shifters. Then it wanted to take back control as soon as possible. I'm very curious to test the six-speed manual in the Crosstrek ...

Grace · ‎15-01-2021

Thanks for the close read, cdkrek. Have tweaked the reference to clarify that the Outback name was first a trim level on the Legacy wagon - the only Legacy-based wagon Subaru made at the time, though now it (globally) fields two.

Grace · ‎15-01-2021

I'm measuring that 15 years counting from 2005, when Subaru began the Outback's SUV-ification with the lift job.

Grace · ‎15-01-2021

dig this. especially how the light rings in the lower facia visually resort that funny 914 face ... would drive.

Grace · ‎06-01-2021

I wrote that based off an October, 1979 NYT article which says that DeLorean originally intended to offer blue, black, grey, burgundy, and tan. Thanks for the note - have updated the story to clarify! Here's the link, in case you're curious: https://www.nytimes.com/1979/10/28/archives/the-200-million-car-delorean.html

Grace · ‎14-12-2020

Spec series built around the Porsche 911 are among the world's best, enticing hedge fund managers and lawyers all over the world to bang fenders on the weekend in racier versions of the cars in which they commute to work. Today, Porsche announced the new 911 GT3 Cup, the backbone of international racing series such as Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup and Porsche Carrera Cup. Read the full article on Hagerty.com: https://www.hagerty.com/media/news/porsche-unveils-the-next-gen-911-gt3-cup-race-car/

Grace · ‎14-12-2020

In the latest episode of Jay Leno’s Garage, Leno gets to cruise in a 1979 Pontiac Trans Am on loan from the Audrain Auto Museum. Read the full article on Hagerty.com: https://www.hagerty.com/media/video/this-79-trans-am-is-an-understated-all-original-black-beauty/

Grace · ‎14-12-2020

This is an ode to the humble parts-store worker. Underneath those familiar orange, green, or red marquees sit some of the automotive industry's hardest-working players. There are a few ways to spot the true professionals, though, and that knowledge comes as you get to know the folks behind the counter. Read the full article on Hagerty.com: https://www.hagerty.com/media/opinion/an-ode-to-the-humble-parts-store-worker/

Grace · ‎14-12-2020

The Hoonicorn Mustang is an exercise in absurdity and, when paired with the driving skill of Ken Block, it's mind-bendingly quick. Just how quick? Block and his team remain tight-lipped about the Mustang's straight-line stats, but we know the Hoonicorn stomped a McLaren Senna, and the Brit turns a tidy 2.8-second 0–60 time and runs a 10-second quarter mile. The Senna matchup was just one installment in a whole race series dedicated to matching up the "Mustang" with other wickedly fast machines. The results have been, honestly, a little underwhelming. The series has generally adopted a "Ken Block plays with his food" feel, but, when we saw the Hoonicorn's latest competitor, we felt a stirring of hope. This latest rival has potential ... on paper, at least. Read the full article on Hagerty.com: https://www.hagerty.com/media/video/does-this-insane-four-rotor-rx-7-stand-a-chance-against-ken-blocks-hoonicorn/

Grace · ‎11-12-2020

Buyers love crossovers and the mid-size segment is one of the most hotly contested, so, between 500-hp sedans and physics-defying supercars, I’ve taken one for the team this year and tested some of the most popular models. I’m duty-bound to understand these tall wagons because, more often than not, friends and family solicit my advice when purchasing these things. While I do have a fondness for Mazda’s driver-first philosophy, crossovers aren’t my go-to category of vehicle; but thousands of buyers love compact SUVs for their high-riding view of the road and for their family- and cargo-carrying abilities. Read the full article on Hagerty.com: https://www.hagerty.com/media/new-car-reviews/review-2021-mazda-cx-5-100th-anniversary/

Grace · ‎09-12-2020

A 2010 California law signed by Republican governor Arnold Schwarzenegger that aims to protect aquatic critters has put a damper on sales of the 2021 Camaro SS and ZL1. Each of those models are equipped with Brembo brakes that use copper in their composition. The 2010 law, known as the California Motor Vehicle Brake Friction Material Law (we'll go with BFML), prohibits any brake friction material with more than 5 percent copper by weight. Read the full article on Hagerty.com: https://www.hagerty.com/media/news/2021-camaro-ss-and-zl1-ineligible-for-sale-in-california-and-washington-as-of-january-1/

Grace · ‎09-12-2020

Few names are more synonymous with American racing performance than that of Carroll Shelby. The tenacious Texan was a skilled driver as well as an entrepreneur and had decades of success turning production cars into finely-tuned racing machines. He even got the chance to build his own vision from scratch. In 2021, RM Sotheby’s is hosting a treasure trove of Shelby models at its Scottsdale auction. The collection highlights the wide range of Shelby's contributions to the automotive world and ranges from a full-bore big-block Cobra to an early clay prototype of the Shelby Series 1. Read the full article on Hagerty.com: https://www.hagerty.com/media/buying-and-selling/7-monuments-to-shelby-performance-crossing-the-block-next-month/

Grace · ‎09-12-2020

Today’s twist on the old saw about racing improving the breed is that competition also benefits the breeders’ skill set. General Motors confirmed that theory five years ago when the company’s Performance Driving Team (PDT) got a green light. The reason you probably haven't heard of it is that they spend their time racing instead of tooting horns. Read the full article on Hagerty.com: https://www.hagerty.com/media/motorsports/gm-fields-a-semi-secret-autocross-team-for-young-engineers/

Grace · ‎09-12-2020

Imagine that your father was a racing champion and you had the opportunity to drive his race car on the very same road course in which he won his first major race. Derek Hill doesn’t have to imagine it. He did it. Read the full article on Hagerty.com: https://www.hagerty.com/media/automotive-history/together-again-2021-pebble-beach-concours-will-reunite-road-race-winners/

Grace · ‎09-12-2020

The Bugatti Bolide is one of those machines that simply doesn't feel real. Its quad exhaust, X-shaped headlights, and crazy amounts of negative space belong in a comic strip, not the real world. Did we mention the 1850-hp output and theoretical 311 mph top speed? Clearly, Bugatti sensed a need to convince us—those poor peasants who may never see this absurd build in the metal—that the titanium-and-carbon-fiber Bolide actually exists. Read the full article on Hagerty.com: https://www.hagerty.com/media/news/feast-your-eyes-on-this-bugatti-bolide-photo-dump/

Grace · ‎09-12-2020

Volkswagen's roots are in sensibly sized, economical, and thoughtfully engineered vehicles. Although it’s rather late to the market, the stylish ID.3 hatchback seems a natural extension of these tenets as applied to a modern EV. Here in the U.S., however, Volkswagen is holding back the ID.3, which means the larger, taller ID.4 crossover will be the German automaker’s all-electric flag-bearer when it hits showrooms in early 2021. We tooled around metro Detroit for a quick 45-minute jaunt in a pre-production ID.4, wondering whether this EV vanguard can deliver the jolt that VW needs to kick off its planned propulsion revolution. Read the full article on Hagerty.com: https://www.hagerty.com/media/new-car-reviews/review-2021-volkswagen-id-4-prototype/

Grace · ‎09-12-2020

The sun has just crested the row of pines encircling Ida Automotive, in Morganville, New Jersey, but the sprawling shop is already humming. Welding torches fizzle, and mallet knells spill out of the open garage doors. Rob Ida stands between a ’32 Ford and a ’40 Mercury in the two-car showroom that doubles as a front lobby. He’s 47, clean-cut, hair properly slicked to the side, and not a button out of place. Much like his builds. Read the full article on Hagerty.com: https://www.hagerty.com/media/magazine-features/second-gen-customizer-rob-ida-is-a-rodder-with-range/

Grace · ‎08-12-2020

It seems like all too obvious of a combination, but this 2000 AM General Hummer H1 with a slide-in camper makes for one of the most logical and functional overlanding combinations ever. We recently unearthed this build on Cars and Bids, where some lucky fellow picked up the Hummer for less than $40K. Read the full article on Hagerty.com: https://www.hagerty.com/media/auctions/this-2000-hummer-h1-camper-build-is-a-social-distancing-dream-machine/

Grace · ‎08-12-2020

Genesis has announced preliminary specs for its 2022 GV70, and it looks like the new compact SUV from Hyundai’s luxury brand is more than capable of competing with the big boys. Read the full article on Hagerty.com: https://www.hagerty.com/media/news/genesis-compact-gv70-suv-looks-ready-to-compete-with-the-big-boys/

Grace · ‎08-12-2020

First established to support BMW's racing efforts in the 1970s, BMW Motorsport GmbH built a reputation for producing track-prepared vehicles with a small dose of street manners. Now, the M badge has spread far and wide within the BMW lineup—you're equally likely to find it on the rump of an SUV or on the decklid of a coupe. That proliferation of M-branded vehicles means that I'm a little surprised the hallowed M has just made it onto the S 1000RR motorcycle. Does badge really belong on the bike, though? Read the full article on Hagerty.com: https://www.hagerty.com/media/news/the-s-1000rr-is-the-latest-vehicle-to-wear-bmws-m-badge-and-thats-just-fine-with-us/

Grace · ‎08-12-2020

When you look at the Chevrolet Bolt's Drive Unit, it's immediately clear that simplicity plays a vital role in a drivetrain's efficiency. The "Drive Unit" is Chevy-speak for the compact motor and gear set that replaces a traditional engine and transmission in the Bolt EV. A V-8 engine alone uses 100+ moving components, but the Bolt's entire powertrain uses fewer than five gears to transmit power from the rotor, the electric motor's only spinning part, to the wheels. In this video, Weber State University Professor John D. Kelly breaks down the Bolt's drivetrain into its core components, allowing us to understand the system from the inside out. Read the full article on Hagerty.com: https://www.hagerty.com/media/video/go-to-school-on-the-chevrolet-bolts-clever-drive-unit/

Grace · ‎07-12-2020

another swedish beast added to the Hagerty fold! heck yes

Grace · ‎07-12-2020

love that show!!

Grace · ‎04-12-2020

I’m here to share with you my unique perspective on driving culture in the two parts of the world where I consume thousands of miles of road. On average, I drive nearly 50,000 kilometres a year, with half of that in the Toronto area and a third in Southern California. It may come as a surprise to you, but I’m willing to argue that drivers in Southern California are not the worst. Most Toronto drivers are, on the other hand, decidedly in the Needs Improvement camp. Read the full article on Hagerty.com: https://www.hagerty.com/media/opinion/the-elsinore-files/think-driving-in-los-angeles-is-bad-try-toronto/

Grace · ‎04-12-2020

Well, it’s been an entire year since my last $3500 car project. What have I been waiting for? In the spirit of last year’s Super Rad 1991 Pontiac Firebird project, I recently found myself searching for something inexpensive and interesting from the '80s or '90s on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace. With my budget set to a max of four grand and a location within a 150-mile radius of home, my prospects seemed grim—until a 1994 Saab 9000 Aero hit my screen. Read the full article on Hagerty.com: https://www.hagerty.com/media/buying-and-selling/my-new-low-buck-project-is-this-righteous-3500-saab-aero/

Grace · ‎04-12-2020

Who can forget that timeless moment in Greek mythology where Jupiter turned Narcissus into a swan? Well, if you are well-educated enough to know what I'm talking about, you probably aren't very interested in cars and just like me you would rather spend your time at the erotic spiral toilet of the Guggenheim, designed by the mighty I.M. Pei, checking out that blow-your-mind cubist stuff by Camille Pissarro. Read the full article on Hagerty.com: https://www.hagerty.com/media/what-if/what-if-1973-jeep-wagoneer-trackhawk/

Grace · ‎04-12-2020

Until now, car companies wanting to extract more coin from their buyers have turned mainly to performance labels. BMW’s M, Mercedes-Benz’s AMG, and Cadillac’s V-series have been the flagship cars of their respective lineups, and nobody has really explored the notion of offering an uber-posh sub-brand alongside their über-performance one. Until now. The Maybach label itself is not new. Indeed, you can find it on the engine gauges of World War II-era Tiger tanks, and Mercedes-Benz has been slapping it on cars since 1997, when it unveiled the Maybach 57 and 62 mega-limos. But after their failure and demise in 2013, and the relegation of the Maybach label to a premium version of the S-class sedan in 2015, Mercedes is now ready to milk Maybach for more. Read the full article on Hagerty.com: https://www.hagerty.com/media/new-car-reviews/review-2021-mercedes-maybach-gls-600/

Grace · ‎04-12-2020

I was 10 years old when Mickey Thompson designed and built his Harvey Aluminum Special for the 1962 Indy 500. The V-8 sat low behind the driver in an all-aluminum chassis with aerodynamic skin. Ever since, I’d always wanted to build my own car from scratch. In early 2019, at age 68, I had the tools, the time, and the garage space, so I tested my skills with this tribute. Read the full article on Hagerty.com: https://www.hagerty.com/media/magazine-features/this-all-original-aluminum-bodied-hot-rod-is-a-real-lulu/

Grace · ‎04-12-2020

Yukon Cornelius is gonna love this. Gold Rush paint is back! That’s happy holiday news whether you’re a fan of the Dodge Challenger or the animated classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer—or both. Read the full article on Hagerty.com: https://www.hagerty.com/media/news/gold-rush-dodge-gleefully-gilds-the-2021-challenger/

Grace · ‎04-12-2020

Today's featured vehicle is a 1969 Plymouth Barracuda. The second-gen, A-body Barracuda usually falls under the shadow of their E-body descendants, but these cars remain remarkably accessible to beginning muscle car collectors. The fastback models, like our featured car today, boast one of the slickest American profiles in the '60s; if you want to march to a slightly different beat than the Mustang and Camaro crowds, there are plenty of affordable options among the handsome, nimble 1967–69 Barracudas. Read the full article on Hagerty.com: https://www.hagerty.com/media/hagerty-community/rides-from-the-readers-1969-plymouth-barracuda/

Grace · ‎04-12-2020

Japan is set to follow the U.K. and California by banning sales of internal combustion engine-only cars by the mid 2030s. Read the full article on Hagerty.com: https://www.hagerty.com/media/news/japan-set-to-axe-pure-ice-cars-in-ten-years/