If you asked us if we were a Honda family, we’d probably just shrug our shoulders in response. But the reality is, my parent’s first new car was a first generation Accord, I learned how to drive on a third generation Accord, and my father loaned me [...]
After the recent upgrades to the undead Viper SRT10 ACR recently, is it even possible for the snake to get more hard core? Sure it is, just let Ralph Gilles and his boys loose with a pipe bender and a mig [...]
We’ve seen some press day videos of guys doing some pretty strange stuff with cars, but somehow I have a feeling that we are the first ones to stuff a pretty girl into the back seat of a 2009.5 Aston Martin DBS!
Despite the rather horrid weather, [...]
For those of you who feel the beloved Impreza WRX STI has gone a little soft, Subaru has responded with the Special Edition; a sportier, decontented STI. The Special Edition borrows suspension from the Japanese STI spec C, including a thicker rear stabilizer bar, stiffer [...]
The Garage was recently invited to a small, private gathering at the Chelsea Art Museum in New York City to preview Aston Martin’s new four door sports car, the Rapide. This would be a rare, not to be missed opportunity to spend time around the Rapide, to [...]
Daybreak came bright and sunny today at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill following a very cold night. At least it wasn’t raining, which means that the folks at Head-On Photos were able to grab some incredible photos of overnight and early morning action.
Another huge [...]
The 25 Hours of Thunderhill has been an interesting event over the years in that the occasional full on pro team show up with a beast of a machine that some expect to sweep the race. This doesn’t always happen though, as the big guns are [...]
As I mentioned, the BIGGSB Racing Subaru have had some challenges at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill. Twitter user @kplaird has shared a bunch of photos of the rather forlorn looking WRX sporting numerous wounds. The fuel cell is bent, and the [...]
Anyone who has ever spectated, worked, crewed or raced at a round the clock endurance race will tell you that the energy throughout the weekend is unlike anything you will ever experience anywhere else. For those who have crewed or raced, it might just be the [...]
One of the great things about Italians is their passion for the good things in life. Fortunately that passion extends to cars and motorsport, especially Italian cars. The good folks at Abarth have been sticking scorpion badges on Fiats for many years, most recently [...]
We’ve had some pretty cool Shelby stuff come through The Garage over the past couple of days, so this fits right in with the theme lately.
Ontario based RM Auctions has announced a rather special Shelby car will cross the auction block at the [...]
While I was researching our story on the Essex Wire Cobra, I came across the story the other missing Cobra of significance: CSX 2287. I actually vaguely recall reading this way back in 2001, but this time I read the whole story. There is so [...]
When Porsche first launched the Boxster, it was clear that the inspiration came from Porsche’s legendary 550 Spyder produced for racing back in the Fifties. The new car though was aimed more towards the masses, with amenities like an actual roof, that actually kept occupants [...]
The story of Ford’s battle for sports car racing supremacy against Ferrari in the mid Sixties is legenday. Much has been written on it, often by greater historians than I. I’m happy to bring the story of just one car. CSX 3009. The winningest Cobra [...]
The longest race in the world.
The 25 Hours of Thunderhill is the longest race in the world by 1 full hour. sure, the guys and girls go for 24 at Le Mans and Daytona, but there is only one 25 hour race. Endurance racing [...]
While many automotive media types are in LA watching Bob Lutz talk about the future of GM, I’m here in The Garage watching some Chevy history. In this news clip we see some advancements in light rail and road building and some curious uses for 1935 Chevy’s. What are those [...]
At the Toronto Indy this past summer, there was a buzz in the Time Warp Racing paddock that there was an original Cobra in the field. I was told that I had to see the car, because it was beautiful. I trundled over to the [...]
When your nemesis is a Camaro V-6 that puts out 304hp versus your 210hp, you need to act on that. Although the Mustang was just freshened up for 2010, Ford is addressing the greatest weakness of its base V-6 model with an all [...]
I’ve really been enjoying all the road trip stories lately but Allan’s Mustang/snow story brought back visions I had hoped to forget long ago.
God knows I love my Mustangs but that snow is for the birds. Back in the 70’s I used to drive my Shelby up to Lake Tahoe [...]
At times it may seem like I’m a truck or SUV guy, as I’ve ranted a few times about the fact that I truly don’t believe that large vehicles are going to be leaving the North American market any time soon. We tend to have [...]
Being without wheels after the loss of the ‘Mod-Healey’ presented a problem for most of the fall, but I’d changed jobs and had moved in with Jane in Thornhill. We’d decided we were going to flee to Europe to ski for the winter. I took a [...]
Anyone who somehow has the notion that rallying isn’t racing needs to give their head a shake. Perhaps this awesome front bumper cam from ACP’s Mitsubishi Evo X will do the trick. This is raw footage shot on the Lower Hastings stage at the 2009 Rally [...]
This guest post was written by long time Canadian road racer Colin King when Gary Magwood`s story about his Sebring road trip stirred the memory banks. A great tale of road tripping and what can happen when running afoul of The Man.
In the late fall [...]
When I had mentioned to a friend I had the new Chevy Camaro RS to review for The Garage, he immediately pointed me to a site dedicated to the Camaro that appeared in the movie “Better Off Dead.” Released in 1985, “Better Off Dead” is a [...]
In 1964 (I think) I purchased a brand new 1071 Cooper S from McMillan and Saunders in Malton where I actually had a job with Hawker Siddely Canada. That job enabled me to finance the $1400 purchase price supplemented with a Jet Power Credit Union loan. [...]
The most common online references to Gary Magwood seem to be in regards to his Formula Ford championships and race car prep business back in the Sixties & early Seventies. The reality is that Gary raced just about anything with 4 wheels. There was an MGB, a Merlyn sports [...]
Friends of The Garage, Chris Martin and Phil Narini completed a stellar season at the 2009 round of the Rally of the Tall Pines. Their win at Pines brought it all together as they won the 2009 Ontario Performance Rally Championship (OPRC) Overall Driver, Open [...]
This might be the absolute craziest thing I’ve ever seen! Check out this unbelievable downhill, Transformer suit, street luge sorta deal. This guy even manages to do the Swedish flick!
Yes, you read right. Not only has the Viper reclaimed the production car lap record at Laguna Seca, but Dodge brand President & CEO Ralph Gilles says the Viper will continue beyond the 2010 production run!
When a car manufacturer puts the reins in the hands of [...]
Beijing Automotive Industry Holding (BAIC) the Chinese partners in the Koenigsegg deal to purchase Saab are weighing their options regarding Saab.
On Tuesday morning, Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg Group announced that they were abandoning the purchase of Trollhättan based Saab due to costly delays. BAIC released a statement [...]
In what could potentially be a fatal blow to Saab, Koenigsegg Group AB notified General Motors that they have backed out of their plan to purchase the Swedish automaker. GM released a brief statement today that they were saddened by the news, and would be meeting to [...]
Cadillac has released photos of what the production CTS Coupe will look like, and we are pleased to see it was faithful to the concept car. Sales are expected to start in Spring of 2010. Cadillac considers [...]
That guy up above, smiling from behind the wheel of a Ferrari race car is none other than the legendary Carroll Shelby. When heart trouble ended his driving career, the wily Texan redirected his considerable talents to the formation of Shelby American. Shelby American went on [...]
The boys have outdone themselves this time. Tom Williams and Scott Simmons spent a good part of an afternoon traipsing around the Poconos in BMW’s wonderful Z4. The resulting video is nothing short of spectacular except those darned Americans keep calling it a Zee4! Come [...]
Drag racing legend John Force makes a point of being one of the first guys to start signing autographs at the track every weekend. He also makes a point of staying in front of the crowd until everyone has had their moment with him. Richard [...]
What a great concept: Hold a giant kart race in a hotel parking lot in Las Vegas. Have quite literally the best of the best racers in the world come for the weekend and actually race. Not an exhibition, a race! Pit the best car racers [...]
Back in the Sixties, Ford launched a new car called the Mustang. That sporty little ride sold like hotcakes and a new category was born. Small when compared to the other barges on the road, Muscle Cars used lightweight bodies with big [...]
The summer came and went with more parties and another trip south to Mosport and the exciting world of racing cars. Around this time a quick phone call from my brother Jim presented a new chapter in my young life. Jim, as I mentioned before, was [...]
Buick isn’t talked about a lot here in The Garage, but as they are one of GM’s remaining four core brands, the all-new LaCrosse points to where Buick is headed. With Cadillac firmly entrenched against BMW and Mercedes-Benz sport sedans, Buick is aiming for the luxury market, [...]
For those who aren’t aware, Superformance has been churning out top quality Cobra replicas out of a facility in South Africa for years now. While they are sold sans drivetrain, you would be wrong to call these kit cars. The Superformance factory is considered one of [...]
I’m very lucky to have some pretty cool old racing related stuff here in my home office, from photos to models and old programs to personally signed limited edition prints. One of the coolest lives in with the models: this Les Leston GP [...]
Those of you who have never seen the Can Am cars of the late Sixties and early Seventies missed out on what may be considered the most visceral motorsport of all time. Fortunately, many of these cars are still being raced and have lost [...]
Our regular readers will recognize the name Crash Corrigan from his regular comments here in The Garage and the odd bit of event coverage. Like most of our readers (us too) Crash is a certified gearhead. Growing up in the UK, he has had a [...]
In 2008, VW established the TDI Cup. Sanctioned by the SCCA, the TDI Cup is a single make race series run in North America, running VW Jetta TDIs that are mostly stock, and are prepared by the factory. Coming in January 2010, VW will [...]
Today was the absolute best type of Fall day in Ontario. With bright sun and temperatures in the mid teens, it was a great day for getting out and doing the things that make life great. Like washing a press car and heading out for a [...]
The wait for the new Camaro was long-painfully long. Chevy first showed the concept in 2006, and until recently the reenergized Ford Mustang was the only game in town-until now. The Camaro is here, and damn, it looks great. And wherever I went in this new Camaro, [...]
What you see above is the 1962 Lotus Super Seven belonging to Jeremy Sale, just about at the apex of Mosport’s corner 10. This 1,500cc Ford powered Seven is an original car that has been racing for years. It lived with the Baker family for some [...]
I have seen so many blogs and websites that blatantly brag about street racing and if that isn’t idiotic as it is, trying to tell them how dumb it is is more akin to preaching to the Choir.
Related Post[...]
When I originally wrote about my intention to review a bunch of hands free Bluetooth options, I mentioned that I had no experience with Bluetooth headsets. I suppose I should have clarified that while I’ve never used a headset, I do regularly [...]
Jay Busbee at From The Marbles has reported that every driver’s friend, Pit Road Commitment Cone, has passed as a result of an off track incident. Cone was guarding his post when Kurt Busch left the racing surface and mowed down the Talledega employee, who [...]
The average North American may not realize it, but Ford has a rich history in the sport of performance rallying. In fact, Ford has been winning world championship rally events for at least 40 years and possibly longer. Most of these wins though have been with [...]
During the next two summers we hit the race tracks when we could afford it, but mostly we just hung out and partied. There were three events that hit us all very hard over this period of time. The first involved one of my co-conspirators [...]
If my feeble memory is correct, the first time most of us gearheads really became aware of Ken Block was when he attacked a ski hill somewhere in his Subaru. It was so long ago I can’t even find it in the archives. Then, [...]
The Acura TS-X, which to date has only been available as a four-door sedan, will add a Sport Wagon in the Fall of 2010, to be sold as a 2011 model. When the Sport Wagon goes on sale in 2010, it will be the first wagon Acura [...]
Yes, you have heard this one before-back in February The Garage announced that Toyota would be bring the Scion to Canada, and that is the last we’ve heard until a recent post from Auto123.com. Toyota has announced that 45 select dealers will begin selling Scions [...]
A track test can be a tough review to write when it comes to a new car. First off, most new cars aren’t really meant for the track. Secondly, many writers have little or no competitive experience to aid them in starting [...]
Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday!
While obviously racing is just a small part of Ford’s ongoing plan to dig themselves out from their financial mess, the verve with which they have gone about their racing activities gives some idea how they are approaching other aspects of [...]
Every year the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada gets together for Test Fest, one of the most respected new vehicle reviewing days thanks to a well honed set of standards. The event has taken place in the Niagara region over the past couple of days, with [...]
A while back we posted one of the funniest videos ever, of an Irish rally crew losing their minds. While funny, that one pales in comparison to today’s offering.
Laddies Pat Horan and Pat Baker are really hustling along in their “vintage” 1600 cc Vauxhall Nova when they get caught [...]
General Motors presented The Garage with a unique opportunity-to review their newest crossovers, the Chevy Equinox and the GMC Terrain back to back. I jumped at the chance, but I was skeptical of the Terrain. After a week with the Equinox, I couldn’t understand why there [...]
Us North Americans tend to suffer rather short memories when it comes to cars, and I was reminded of this during my time with the Nissan cube. The cube is, well, different. I remember growing up in the 1970’s, spotting tiny Datsuns, Hondas and Subarus, and these [...]
Tech porn magazine Popular Mechanics drives over 100 new cars every year. Then, they compile their fave list of cars and trucks in a slew of sensible categories. Here then is PM’s 4th annual winners:
Performance: Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
Design: Chevrolet Camaro
Value: Kia Soul
Fuel [...]
With the news that Ken Block is moving to Ford in an effort to tackle the WRC, there are also the naysayers who are determined that he can’t do anything more than showboat. While it is true that the talent pool [...]
Fisker announced today the purchase of a former GM plant in Wilmington, Delaware, where it plans to build a smaller, more affordable plug-in hybrid than the Karma (pictured above). The car, simply known as “Project Nina” will be a family oriented plug-in hybrid priced under $40,000 after [...]
Brits are a funny lot. What some may call stubbornness, others might call nationalistic pride. Either way, that hard headed manner is what has led them to win wars. It helped create the BRM Grand Prix car and it most likely had a role in [...]
What you see above is the hot looking 2008 Car FX Mustang put together by the folks at Car FX. You can read all about it at 5.0 Mustang & Super Fords. The short version is that this beast has all sorts of performance [...]
Anyone who has known me for a while knows that my taste in cars can be best described as somewhat eclectic. Why else would I decide we should do a wet track day video of the Kia Soul. Funky and fun it is. Fast is ain’t. Really though, the rain [...]
The Canadian launch of the VW Golf family began when we left the hotel in downtown Montreal headed north west towards the track at Mont Tremblant. My driving partner for the day was a Montreal native so our journey through town in [...]
Work was now a lot of fun! I’d get some neat assignment like shooting a football game or covering a fire or accident for the sports and the news departments. Best of all I got to drive my Healey and got paid five cents a [...]
No sooner had I posted the LCP blog today when a friend sent me an message that read, “You will NOT believe this.” The number 319 a beautifully prepared E-Type Jag of Team Predator and driven by Mike Harris has had a black cloud over it from [...]
Citroen’s Sebastien Loeb has won his sixth consecutive driver’s title in the World Rally Championship after winning this past weekend’s Wales Rally GB.
Loeb and previous championship leader Mikko Hirvonen were locked in a tight battle' [...]
Back in the middle Sixties, the Germans brought us the Amphicar. It was a quaint looking little car boat combo powered by a Triumph Herald engine putting out a whopping 38 horsepower. This made for top speeds of 7 knots on water and 70 mph [...]
Typically when you watch a major league baseball game or an NFL football game you have a pretty good idea who stands a good chance to come out on top. The same can be said when you are watching The Olympics and it’s also understandable for world class racing as [...]
Like peeing on the golf course, we’ve all done it but most people won’t admit to it.
Talking on the phone while driving.
As of Monday, the game has changed. As of then, Ontario’s friendly local constables will be able to smack you with a fine of up [...]
If there is one thing that can never be said about La Carrera Panamericana it’s that there are some dull moments. Long considered the most grueling and dangerous race in the world La Carrera Panamericana is nothing but full throttle excitement. If your adrenaline glands aren’t worn out by the [...]
Remember a while back we spent a few days with The Raspberry, a Euro spec Ford Fiesta? Well, a couple of Fiesta Movement participants recently took their raspberry, shod it with proper rally rubber and headed to New Hampshire. What is so special in New Hampshire you may ask? [...]
While attempting to convey the glorious sound of a big Healey that won the heart of our man Allan, we showed a quick video yesterday of a short drive in an Austin Healey road car. Some of us found that video a bit less than inspiring. Gary Faules [...]
I may as well cut to the chase here, and say, proudly, that what we have here is a no excuses Chevy. That’s right-put the Equinox against the best in its class, and the Chevy has no excuses, no stories-it simply does its job, and does it [...]
In his Love at First Sight segment of Shutter Speed, Allan De La Plante tells us how the sound of that old Healey added to his infatuation. With all the cool race car sounds around here these days, Allan thought we should bring a little bit of the Healey [...]
When most of us think of the best sounding race cars of all time, we think beyond the recent past. Cars from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s typically are the ones we think of. When we began this topic there was a number of people who threw out a more [...]
…at least I can shoot ‘em.
I’ve got a deep passion for racing. Always have. Probably always will. I love the sound, the smell, the visceral sensation that only heading into a corner at the very threshold of braking can provide. It reminds you that you’re [...]
Welcome back to Forgotten Sporty Cars at The Garage! In this space we recall an era where small, economy car-based vehicles were sold with zippy styling. Whether there was any substance to the sizzle we’ll leave for you to judge.
1987-1988 Chevy Sprint Turbo
By the mid-1980’s, the aging [...]
This is a short segment from a video produced in the mid Eighties. If I recall correctly, it was a compilation of highlights from Group B in 83 and 84. The significance here is not the dates. It is not the cheesy Euro porn soundtrack.
This is how Walter Rohrl taught [...]
Before my old man got rid of his Biscayne during his mid-life crisis, I got something I had longed for from the time I first drove his Buick…my driver’s license! It wasn’t a simple task for me to get that special piece of paper. When [...]
Many interesting details emerged during the past week in the world of rally. Here’s a condensed recap of what’s up:
Pastrana wins LSPR, wants to do awesome things with rally cars – After wrapping up the Rally America championship at the Ojibwe Forests Rally, Subaru [...]
Next up in our series of videos from the 2009 IMPA Test Days in the Pocono Mountains, we let the 2010 Jaguar XK-R out of the cage. There is little more to say other than this is one serious cat.
Related [...]
Long time readers of The Garage know that I have a soft spot for the Suzuki brand. This goes back to the early 90’s when we spent some serious time with a pair of Swift GT’s. Our ‘89 road car not only did [...]
Below is a video showing the correct method of changing one’s oil. Caution, as this may be NSFW depending on where you work!
Thanks to Andre for directing us to French Maid TV
Related PostThe [...]
We all have fun watching Ken Block wreak havoc at airports, docklands and logging roads and I’m sure he has about 10 times as much fun doing it but let’s not forget there is something larger at stake here. Namely, cubic money. [...]
Here in The Garage we have a long history with the VW Golf, dating back to the early Eighties. The first car I ever piloted around an autocross course was an 82 Rabbit GTI. The car was light, nimble, responsive and made [...]
Sticking with the classics for today, it would be hard to top the guttural monster that is the Auto Union Type C when it is woken up.
If one slightly grumpy Type C shakes the earth, then how about 3? More after the break:
Be sure to watch the [...]
The Lexus HS250h is an all-new model for Toyota’s luxury brand. Although Lexus is no stranger to hybrid technology, the HS (for Harmonious Sedan) is their first dedicated hybrid. According to Lexus, 60% of entry-level luxury car buyers said they would consider a hybrid in that class [...]
I’m bringing this argument back for just a second. Watch this video. This is what gets my blood pumping. The early nineties marked the dawn of what I’m going to call the “technology era” of rally. The Subaru Impreza was one of the top cars of the [...]
During our recent travels to the Poconos for the IMPA Test Days, Tom and Scott got out on the road in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo MR and, well, tested. It turns out that Tom knows a thing or two about the Evo and looks a [...]
Tom Williams, Gary Faules, Gary Grant, Allan De La Plante, John Heintzman
