A bright spot for American Motors I remember my dad, who worked at the National Parts Distribution Center in Milwaukee, came home one day in February 1970 and told me the big news that AMC had bought Jeep. I was probably just as excited as he was knowing that we would soon be having Jeeps... Continue Reading →
First Drive: Jeep Gladiator
Jeep Gladiator, more than just another mid-sized truck.
2019 Toyota RAV4 Adventure AWD
Practical RAV4 muscles up its exterior ... There’s no denying that Toyota has done well with its RAV4, one of the first small SUV/crossovers on the market, and it continues to be among the most popular in its segment. For 2019 Toyota restyles the RAV4 to give it a more chiseled nose that easily calls... Continue Reading →
Die-cast: NEO’s 1981 AMC Eagle wagon
AMC Eagle wagon beat crossover trend by decades … History seems to show us that the innovators, the forward thinkers are not always rewarded with success. Consider the move over the past 25 years to AWD vehicles and crossovers in particular. Then consider the American Motors Eagle wagon. It was an early crossover to be... 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 →
NEO’s 1948 Willys Jeepster
Willys Jeepster the first crossover? ... Everyone likes Jeeps and they were the real deal in leading the way to today’s SUVs and AWD vehicles. But did you know Jeep made a crossover, sort of? In 1948 the Jeepster debuted as a car that looked much like a Jeep/car/truck combo, with a convertible top. What... Continue Reading →
2018 Chicago Auto Show: New vehicles big and small
It's the largest show in North America Mark and I love this show and have been making the trip down south from Milwaukee for a long time. Besides seeing the latest from the auto manufacturers, we spend time catching up with our fellow reporters. And we got some exercise walking two miles in the one... Continue Reading →
Jeepless for the 1st time in 30 years and the quest for 71 inches
Jeepless in Pewaukee For those of you who have not read my posts before, I love Jeeps! My love affair began in 1970 when American Motors purchased The Jeep Corporation from Kaiser Industries. My dad worked for AMC at the time at its National Parts Distribution Center in Milwaukee, WI. so now I would receive... Continue Reading →
Die-cast: NEO’s Willys Jeep Station Wagon
Willys Jeep Wagon looks sharp in Michigan State Police trim ... Everyone likes the old Jeeps, the original Willys models that looked like World War II era army Jeeps, all boxy and plain and ready to take on any rugged terrain that muddied their way. Now NEO delivers a handsome 1/43 scale navy blue Michigan State... Continue Reading →
Die-cast: Automodello’s 1954 Kaiser Darrin
Automodello creates stylish 1/24th Kaiser Darrin ... There was a fine line between sports cars and two-seat boulevard cruisers as the 1950’s midpoint approached. The British were exporting tiny, nimble, two-seat sports cars in growing numbers to the United States. This was the heyday of MG, Austin-Healey, and Triumph. Chevrolet, Ford and upstart Kaiser Motors... Continue Reading →