Car FYI

  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...

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...

The preservation of classic and collector cars is a matter many people take seriously. The adoption of ethanol and other alternative fuels has exposed some well-placed worry. (Photo taken by Chris Nagy) Gasoline is regarded as an essential ingredient energizing the classic or collector car world thanks to its popular appearance in over 130 years of vehicles. The 20-horsepower four-cylinder engine of the Ford Model T, the first small block V8s installed in 1955 Chevrolets, a 426 cubic-inch Hemi in a 1968 Dodge Charger and a 710-horsepower, twin-turbocharged V8 engine powering an ultra-exotic Ferrari F8 Tributo are all united by the use of a precious, flammable fluid.  Generations of automobiles have been able to depend upon a reliable supply of gasoline providing assurance that older vehicles can become beloved classics. This doesn’t mean there haven't been challenges for vintage engines when the formulation of gasoline would be changed. Up until the last decade, the biggest concer...

Kay Petre behind the wheel of one of the many race cars she drove between 1932 to 1939. (Photo Credit: Newspress) Even as motorsports have resided as a male-dominated domain since its inception in the early 20th century, the majestic scene of an automobile in motion refreshingly won the attention of some women. When it comes to the history of women in auto racing, it’s intriguing to realize how a Canadian-born driver became one of the sport’s earliest female stars.  Born in 1903 in what is now part of Toronto, Ontario, Kathleen Coad DeFries spent her young life in both Canada and England. She would be popularly recognized as Kay Petre after her 1929 marriage to her second husband Henry Petre, a decorated First World War aviator and pioneer pilot who remained an active enthusiast for airplanes and other machines throughout his life. It was Henry who introduced her to the spectacle of auto racing with Kay’s affection for the sport quickly resulting to her getting behind the wheel. Co...

  Earl Ross #52 Chevrolet on pit road during the 1974 Delaware 500 NASCAR Cup race held at Dover International Speedway.  “I still can’t believe it. I just don’t believe it.” On September 29th of 1974, those words were heard by the late Ken Squier as a response to a massive, historical triumph by a Canadian at the conclusion of an NASCAR Cup Series race in Martinsville, Virginia. With Canada’s Maple Leaf Flag part of a historic triumph the Prince Edward Island-born driver rooted in Ailsa Craig, Ontario Earl Ross drove a #52 white and red car across the finish line first at the Old Dominion 500 at Martinsville Speedway.  While every NASCAR Cup Series season boast traits and events defining it against others, the 1974 season for the stock car division involved a number of unusual occurrences. Due to the lingering effects of the 1973 oil crisis, the first 15 races ran shorter than advertised distances including the Daytona 500 that completed 450 miles with the race starting ...

Clip of Possum Van during a Red Green Show season 1 scene transition.  It could be argued that the car someone regularly drives can be reflective of their personality. The level of character traits found in our automobiles can range from subtle to flamboyant as practicality, style, power, brand loyalty and other details are factors influencing our vehicle affection. On the big screen and silver screen, an automobile (frequently popularized as a Star Car) can be used to affirmatively to expand on a human character. Batman’s Batmobile, the Dodge Charger called the ‘General Lee’ in Dukes of Hazzard, the Volvo P1800 featured in the 1960s television version of The Saint, the Aston Martin DB5 driven by James Bond in some of the most famous spy movies are some popular examples where vehicles play a major role in reinforcing the appearance of fictional individuals. Due to the budgetary constraints of Canadian media productions, the presence of native Star Cars is rare. However, one success...

Photo Credit: Ferrari S.p.A. Product Lineup: 296 GTB, 296 GTS, Portofino M, Purosangue, Roma, Roma Spider, SF90 Spider, SF90 Stradale, SF90 XX Spider, SF90 XX Stradale Overall Brand Impression:  The devotion of the Italian artisans that has kept Ferrari as a premium sports car leader stretches right back to the company’s founder. However, while Enzo Ferrari believed in the construction of pure performance machines in disregard for creature comforts, today’s vehicles are assembled with more consideration of customers seeking luxury alongside supercar power. Despite a long resistance to engaging in the popular crossover category, Ferrari demonstrates a level of concession to the mass market in 2024 by introducing the all-new Purosangue. The Purosangue joins an exciting 2024 Ferrari lineup that also includes the introduction of the brand’s first street legal XX program vehicle. What’s New for 2024:  Every vehicle in Ferrari’s 2024 lineup is a merger of style and power. An auto b...

Photo Credit: Chris Nagy/Car FYI Canada 2024 Product Lineup: Grand Caravan, Pacifica  Overall Brand Impression:  The namesake brand founded by Walter P. Chrysler approaches its centennial in a rather depressing state. With the departure of the Chrysler 300 sedan after 2023, the marque has lost a lasting(though somewhat tired) image-shaping automobile. Due to apparent neglect for the upscale American marque by parent Stellantis as they prefer promoting Alfa Romeo and Jeep as premium choices, Chrysler is represented by only a pair of minivans for 2024.  What’s New for 2024:  The final Chrysler 300C was produced at the Brampton Assembly Plant on December 9th of 2023 with the last vehicle finished in Velvet Red and powered by a HEMI V8 engine. As Chrysler enters 2024 officially closing a major chapter the auto brand has not immediately opened a new story.  Chrysler’s 2024 model year in Canada includes the Pacifica, Pacifica Hybrid and Grand Caravan. 2024 Chrys...

Photo Credit:BMW Group BMW 2024 Product Lineup: Alpina B8 Gran Coupe, 2-Series, 3-Series, 4-Series, 5-Series, 7-Series, 8-Series, i4, i4 Gran Coupe, i5, i7, iX, M2, M3, M4, M5, M8 X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, XM, Z4 Roadster Overall Brand Impression:  BMW automobiles have a tendency of inspiring a special sense of driving passion. In recent years, the German auto giant has placed an increased focus on high-tech amenities garnering some public backlash for monetizing these already equipped features on their vehicles behind subscription services. Other source of remarkable advancement is seen with the BMW i sub-brand of electric vehicles. For 2024, BMW’s Canadian product lineup includes the new 5 Series with an i5 all-electric variant, i4 xDrive40 and X2 crossover in addition to the reworked X5 and X6. What’s New for 2024: With a history dating back to 1972, the 5 Series has been and remains one of the German marque’s most crucial models. Entering 2024, the eighth generation BMW...

Photo Credit: Cadillac/General Motors 2024 Product Lineup:   CELESTIQ, CT4, CT5, Escalade, LYRIQ, XT4, XT5, XT6 Overall Brand Impression:  Cadillac’s premium vehicle range showcases fantastic levels of high-end styling, comfort and performance with sedans as well as sport utility vehicles. While the majority of the 2024 Cadillac lineup retains use of internal combustion engines, there are clear indications that a rapid transition shift towards electrified luxury cars is forthcoming. The arrival of the LYRIQ crossover last year signified the American luxury brand’s future that will become even more prevalent beyond 2024. While focused on the future, Cadillac also reflected on its 20 years of their high-performance oriented V-Series. What’s New for 2024:  The Cadillac nameplate has historically been attached to luxury during what had been regarded as the golden age of motoring between the 1930s and the 1960s. With the electric car age reaching maturity, Cadillac sees ...