Car FYI

Just recently, I posted an article chronicling a mid-2000s attempt to resurrect the Studebaker name for a sport utility vehicle. As I was writing this topic, I was conflicted on how I wanted to present it. For more than 25 years, it has become commonplace for me to share my work in the form of written articles (dibbling into the occasional photography when permitted to). A first for me, I have also assembled a video presentation for the Avanti Studebaker XUV. For many years, I've grown to envy the ability that numerous individuals have shown in showcasing similar content through narrated videos. Bright Suns Film, Defunctland, Ruairidh MacVeigh, nascarman History, IT'S HISTORY and Big Car are among some YouTube channels that have gained my admiration for consistency creating some sensational documentary videos.  I've proceeded to upload the video to first to Dailymotion. My reason for that is that I am still sore over the treatment I received from YouTube years ago. In earl...

  Photo Source: Matt Fraver/IMS Photo and Penske Entertainment With one week remaining before the 110 th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 33 competitors rose to what is the first major test for their worthiness to hold the prized Borg-Warner Trophy during the traditional Memorial Day motorsport classic. Assembling the fastest average speed in a four-lap run was the challenge presented to the drivers and teams qualifying for the 2026 edition of the 500-mile event. Rain on Saturday at Indianapolis caused the rescheduling of all qualifying activities for Sunday. Although every one of the 33 entries for this year’s event were effectively guaranteed a starting position for the Indy 500, the multi-layer time trial delivered some suspense for the pole. After all the drivers set a single four-lap qualifying attempt, positions 13 to 33 were locked in. The fastest 12 cars advanced into a second round of qualifying with the 6 top finishers from that con...

During the late 1990s, the recognition of the popularity for sport utility/crossover vehicles sparked a gold rush in the auto industry. The vehicle type’s adventurous off-roading physique, decent mechanical equipment and a design that maximizes interior space for abundant passenger comfort and cargo room evolved from being appreciated by a loyal niche to appealing to a mainstream. This growth also coincided with the luxury car category being disrupted by a vehicle known as the Hummer that became a new status icon during the turn of the century. The Hummer’s allure around the turn of the millennium encouraged brands such as Lincoln, Cadillac, BMW and Porsche to make their first forays into what would become a vibrant luxury sport utility sector. Along with these existing brands entering the luxury sport utility marketplace, one company envisioned using the category in reviving the name of an old American automotive icon. In the early 1960s, the Studebaker Corporation was struggling ...

  Auto racing activities in Canada exploded during the 1960s. The opening of Mosport (Canadian Tire Motorsport Park) and the emergence of lucrative sponsors led to the establishment of some Canadian motorsport legends. Billy Foster, Al Pease, Craig Fisher, Eppie Wietzes and Earl Ross were some names that emerged in the 1960s with several finding massive success in the following decades. Running from 1961 to 1971, the Shell 4000 Trans-Canada Rally was a major sponsored event where elite drivers competed across the rich mosaic of our country. Beyond attracting Canadian competitors, the event proved enticing to many international drivers including three-time NASCAR champion David Pearson being a notable face at the 1965 edition of the event competing with Dodge. The call of the challenging Shell 4000 Trans-Canada Rally was so alluring that a handful of brave, intrepid women entered the event competing in the special Coupe des Dames award. Disarming observers as an attra...

NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano holding the Championship Trophy in 2024 after prevailing in the Playoff Finale at Phoenix Raceway. (Photo Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images for NASCAR) Every year since its 1948, NASCAR’s top division has crowned a champion at the end of a season of racing. In the 77 years, there have been various points-paying formats for the title but none has been so polarizing as the current NASCAR Playoffs for the Cup Series . Ever since its inception, the championship-deciding 10-race format attracts strongly polarizing views of the sport’s fans and observers. Supporters of the current Playoff format promote the diverse group of contenders late in a season, how it directly rewards winning races and there is a certain crowning of a champion at the final race. Detractors of the NASCAR Playoffs have been vocal since its initial incarnation in 2004 (called the Chase for the Cup) criticizing it as manufactured title hunt which, in honesty, it is. One major argu...

Equipped with four-wheel drive system incorporating a Rock-Trac part-time transfer case and 33-inch all-terrain tires, the Rubicon trim version of the Jeep Gladiator will be available to Canadian customers for a considerable lower price for the 2026 model year.  Roughly a decade ago, the Jeep brand had been promoted as the backbone to its parent auto group Stallantis (Known as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles prior to 2021). Featuring a rich history that has made their vehicles attracting a broad base from serious off-roaders to luxury-minded city drivers, Jeep was also advantaged with a growing consumer trend favouring crossover utility vehicles. An expanded range of products in recent years included the flagship Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer  as well as a pickup truck version of the company’s famous Wrangler called the Gladiator. While Jeep has been recognized as a steady profit centre for Stallantis in North America, the brand has also underwent growing criticism from loyal customers a...