Archive for August, 2016
1972 Dodge Pickup Ad
The best evidence that many modern-day pickup-truck buyers don’t use their trucks as “real” trucks is bed length. For example, Crew Cab versions of the Chevrolet Silverado can be had with a 5.5-foot cargo box—a bed far too small to accommodate the traditional 4 X 8 sheet of plywood, much less a couch. This is telling, because Crew Cab models are far and away the best-selling Silverados.
Test Drive: 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf
2016 Volkswagen e-Golf
2016 Volkswagen e-Golf SEL Premium 
Class: Electric Vehicle
Miles Driven: 308
Fuel Used: N/A
Test Drive: 2016 Honda Civic EX
2016 Honda Civic EX sedan
2016 Honda Civic EX sedan
Class: Compact Car
Miles Driven: 261
Fuel Used: 9.2 gallons
1980 Ford Fairmont Futura Ad
The word “turbo” is enjoying massive marketing popularity these days. Advertisers and branding folks have slapped it on tools, energy drinks, and dietary supplements.
The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica proved to be an excellent vehicle for my family’s first-ever serious road trip.
It was the summer of 1974. Having spent the day at the amusement park then known as Six Flags over Middle America, my family and I hit the swimming pool at the Safari Camp Ground at which we were staying for the week.
It was during a rather spirited session of Marco Polo involving several families that someone’s mother—not mine—interrupted the aquatic merriment. She had brought a radio poolside, and yelled for everyone to shut up and listen.
First Spin: 2017 Nissan Pathfinder
It doesn’t look all that much different, but Nissan’s 3-row midsize SUV receives some notable changes for 2017. By the way, that’s not California’s famous coastal haze in the background; it’s forest-fire smoke.
In a previous post based on a July reveal of the freshened 2017 Nissan Pathfinder, we covered what’s new for the model year, along with the various trim levels and equipment offered. In a nutshell, Nissan’s 7-passenger midsize SUV has been significantly updated with revised styling, a more powerful engine, and several new features. This report covers a drive opportunity afforded us in beautiful — though at the time, smokey (due to nearby forest fires) — Monterey, California.
First Spin: 2017 Buick LaCrosse
Little but the name and the lug nuts carry over from the previous-generation LaCrosse to the new one, which is aimed at a younger audience. It goes on sale this month at at starting price of about $33,000.
While it’s certainly the most “Buick-like” vehicle in the marque’s lineup, the redesigned 2017 LaCrosse is breaking out of its traditional mold with swoopier styling, a sportier demeanor, and many new high-tech features.
1927 Velie Model 50 Roadster
Note: This article is reprinted from the August 2015 issue of Collectible Automobile
By Jack Stewart
Photos by Doug Mitchel
The name Velie (pronounced vee-lee) might be written off as just another one of the more than 2000 American automobile makes that faded away in the early part of the twentieth century. However, there is more to the Velie story than one would expect. Velie was connected with John Deere farm implements and built cars, trucks, tractors, fire engines—even airplanes.
1967 BMW 2000C Hardtop Coupe
Note: This article is reprinted from the August 2015 issue of Collectible Automobile
By Jack Stewart
Photos by Vince Manocchi
BMW as we know it today began with the “New Class” 1500 introduced in 1962. The 1500 was a compact four-door sedan with good handling and performance, and with it BMW found its niche. The 1500 was powered by a 1.5-liter ohc four-cylinder engine—the M10—that liked to rev and also proved durable. Meanwhile, four-wheel independent suspension and front disc brakes made the New Class cars entertaining to drive.
The story of the preservation of a record-setting 1958 Chrysler 300 has earned a gold medal for the author who wrote about it in Collectible Automobile®, Consumer Guide® Automotive’s bimonthly automotive-history companion magazine. In addition, the magazine and CG’s Daily Drive blog both drew a pair of bronze medals when the 25th International Automotive Media Awards (IAMA) were presented on July 31.
