Round2's small scale cars deliver bang for the buck! … As I mentioned in my introduction to this issue, Round2’s Johnny Lightning brand celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year and while various special releases are eminent, its Racing Champions brand continues to make similarly excellent 1/64 die-cast cars that are available right now. I love... Continue Reading →
2019 RAM 1500 Limited Crew Cab 4×4
RAM redefines the growing posh pickup market ... Imagine the poshest luxury sedan interior, then imagine it in a pickup, and not just any pickup, but a big ol’ crew cab pickup. The 2019 RAM, made by Fiat Chrysler and formerly known as a Dodge Ram, is a luxury pickup along the lines of a... Continue Reading →
Die-cast: Brumm 1970 Le Mans Porsche 917K
Brumm racing models are a super value … Picture a blue and orange Gulf liveried racer and you’ll likely conjure up either a Ford GT40 or Porsche 917. Both were iconic racers in the late 1960s and early ’70s and now Porsche is fast approaching its 50th anniversary of the 917’s win at Le Mans.... Continue Reading →
2019 Volkswagen Jetta R-Line
VW Jetta offers high value, driving fun … With all the trucks, SUVs and crossovers crowding showrooms these days it’s refreshing to come across a sporty sedan like Volkswagen’s Jetta, that also represents high value. Jetta was restyled for 2019 and mostly that’s all good news. First, it continues the lean European look that VW... Continue Reading →
Die-cast: Replicarz 1974 Shadow Can-Am racer
Black Shadow proved dominant in final Can-Am season … Can-Am racing in the late 1960s and early 1970s was breathtaking, and each season seemed to produce a dominant car with massive engines and power. What’s not to like, right? McLarens dominated the early years with their Kiwi Orange bodies, the M1B, M6A, and M8A. Bruce... Continue Reading →
So long newspaper life, but wait, there’s more!
The times, and location of car columns, is a changin' …. There comes a time to say goodbye to parts of our lives. Since 1984 my byline has appeared in the Milwaukee Sentinel, and later the Journal Sentinel, first on feature stories, then business stories and since at least 1989 on a car review column,... Continue Reading →
2019 Nissan Rogue SV AWD
Rogue feels refined, oozes value, and now it's orange ... Barely a year had passed since I tested Nissan’s revamped Rogue, one of the best-selling small crossovers on the market, and particularly popular in the Milwaukee area. This is Nissan’s No. 1 seller and it’s obvious why. It looks refined, drives fine and is economical.... Continue Reading →
2019 Subaru Forester Limited
New Forester offers better ride, power, value ... Full disclosure, a few years ago our family owned the previous generation Subaru Forester. It was light and lively, but its ride was a bit stiff for us Boomers. Subaru’s 2019 Forester solves that, plus moves Subaru into the automotive mainstream by offering a heated steering wheel.... Continue Reading →
Die-cast: Autoart’s Toyota 2000GT
Toyota, Yamaha teamed up for racy 2000GT … Since its beginning Toyota has wrestled with the perception that it makes reliable, economical, but boring, cars. That changed in 1967, as it chose to fight that battle head-on by developing and producing a halo car. Others had done it. Think Chevy’s Corvette, Ford’s GT, Nissan’s Z... Continue Reading →
2019 Mazda MX-5 Grand Touring RF
MX-5 RF a fun-sized droptop made for summer ... Looking for muscle? Read no further. Looking for fun? Mazda’s sporty MX-5 RF is a fun-sized 2-seater. The MX-5, known in the U.S. market as the Miata, has added muscle to be sure. But easy driving and economical fun is what has set it apart from... Continue Reading →