NEO’s tiny Mack, IH trucks offer big detail Trucks are the big haulers we see every day, on the highway, behind the grocery, in the office parks. Usually they have a big ol’ trailer behind them full of goods that make the world go round. So it’s only natural that they have fans, just like... Continue Reading →
2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Limited Ultimate AWD
New Santa Fe seats 7, looks better, roomier Hyundai developed its Santa Fe into two vehicles a couple of years ago, the Sport which has a midsize 106-inch wheelbase and the straight-up Santa Fe that’ll seat seven with its longer 110.2-inch wheelbase and more interior room. The 2017 Santa Fe looks even better than its... Continue Reading →
2016 Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD
2016 Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD The luxury crossovers, the Mercedes, Lexus, BMWs may have a hard time convincing some of their buyers that Mazda’s new CX-9 isn’t a better value. At $45,215 the Signature AWD model I tested is within an eyelash of offering the same goodies those luxury brands tout, while also offering more... Continue Reading →
I’m a gear head and propeller head
The biggest roar of engines you will ever hear! And one of the few places you will hear them is where I was this week, AirVenture 2016 in Oshkosh, WI. I'm sure I'm not alone where I say that I get excited hearing a car like a new Corvette jump on the throttle as it comes... Continue Reading →
Die-cast: AutoWorld’s 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS
Plenty of muscle on display with Chevelle SS ... Chevrolet’s 1967 Chevelle SS is a straightforward muscle car with equally straight, lean lines that reflect fine mid-‘60s styling. AutoWorld has re-created a variety of Chevelles through the years, including a convertible version of the ’67 in 1/18 scale. Now comes the 1/24 scale model that... Continue Reading →
2017 Kia Sportage SX AWD
Larger Sportage maintains styling edge ... Kia has upgraded and enlarged its Sportage small sport-ute to keep it competitive with the likes of Subaru’s Forester, Honda’s CR-V, Ford’s Escape and Toyota’s RAV4. This is an extremely competitive market with many good products, but Kia maintains its strong styling edge and then lengthens Sportage’s wheelbase from 103.9... Continue Reading →
Don’t mess with a person who owns a Jeep
We were pinned in by a jerk It happened one winter when we were in Downtown Milwaukee at an event. Parking is not easy there especially if you add in a recent snowfall. We were driving an '87 Jeep Wagoneer (XJ) that I had bought from my dad similar to this one. We snuggle into a... Continue Reading →
Die-cast: BoS-Models’ 1960 Plymouth Valiant
BoS nails it with early Plymouth Valiant ... I’ll admit to a soft spot for early Plymouth Valiants, and I think it’s justified. First, they were more stylish than other compacts of the day, and second, our family had a 1963 Valiant convertible with a push-button transmission. My mom learned to drive on that car... Continue Reading →
2016 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0T GLI SE
New Jetta reminds us of driving's pure joy ... Reminders are needed, from time to time, of the pure joy of driving, and Volkswagen’s Jetta is just the thing to pleasantly jog one’s memory. The conservatively styled Jetta’s exterior has been slightly smoothed and refined for 2016, but its mechanical workings needed no tweaks. The Jetta... Continue Reading →
2016 Volkswagen CC 2.0T R-Line
VW's CC a fine handling sedan with a stick! ... Why Volkswagen doesn’t advertise its CC sedan is beyond me. This sporty family sedan has been on the market seven years and is nearly invisible in the marketplace. I’ve never seen a magazine or TV ad for it. That’s particularly weird at this time when VW... Continue Reading →