A classic car show is a great excuse to do a little window shopping while exploring the history of automotive innovation and design. These shows basically amount to a sort of open-air museum, giving visitors the chance to catch a glimpse of some of the industry’s most iconic models and lost treasures. Such shows are […]
Author: Matt Dodge
Between spending Father's Day at the local race track and watching NASCAR in his grandparent's living room, Matt Dodge has long been fascinated with all things automotive. Matt has worked at a variety of business magazines, daily newspapers, and trade publications while making time for some unique side hustles, including stints as a tour guide and pedicab operator. Quirky tales from automotive history and helpful how-to guides are some of Matt's favorite topics, though his own D.I.Y. efforts have largely been limited to keeping his 1999 GMC Savana from imploding and removing the backseat of his Honda Accord to make more room for surfboards.
The Ford F-150 FP700 Democratizes Performance
The Ford F-150 Raptor R is a feat of modern pickup design. Built with high-speed off-road antics in mind, the full-size truck comes packed with a full suite of heavy-duty gear that allows drivers to overcome rocks, mud, sand, and whatever else the trail might throw at them. While the pickup’s 37-inches tires, Fox Dual […]
Are Full-Size SUVs Superior? The GMC Yukon Makes Its Case
Drivers are flocking to off-road models like never before, but there can be a wide gulf between legitimate offerings and those simply looking to capitalize on the trend. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this new generation of so-called “soft-roaders,” which provide a rugged, sporty look while lacking the actual heavy-duty components needed to ensure off-road […]
Are Chevrolet Performance Parts Worth it?
Whether you’re talking about the Camaro, Corvette, or award-winning pickups like the Silverado and Colorado, the name “Chevy” has long been synonymous with performance. Walk into your local Chevy dealer and you’ll find exciting new models like the 2024 Camaro, a potent pony car powered by a small-block V8 that puts out 455 hp and […]
The Chevy Colorado’s Off-Road Trims: Trail Boss, Z71, and ZR2
When you’re browsing your local Chevy dealer for a dedicated off-road partner, it’s hard to do better than the Chevy Colorado. This midsize pickup combines the raw power of Chevy’s award-winning Silverado 1500 with the practicality of a smaller truck—a formula that’s perfect for any driver looking to explore the road less paved. The Colorado’s […]
Cruising Altitude at the 2024 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
For over 100 years, racers have been flocking to Colorado’s Front Range to participate in one of motorsport’s most unique competitions. The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC), also known as The Race to the Clouds, might only cover 12.5 miles, but it’s a decidedly vertical 12.5 miles where racers gain almost 5,000 feet of […]
The Dodge Charger: Looking Back on a Legacy of Muscle Car Performance
Reports of the Dodge Charger’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. In late 2022, Stellanis announced that the iconic muscle car would be consigned to used Dodge dealerships to make way for a new generation of all-electric models, but just two years later, Dodge is already ready to welcome the gas-powered Charger back to the lineup. […]
The Nuclear Ford, Joystick Saab, and Other Failed Features
It’s hard to imagine where today’s cars, trucks, and SUVs would be without features like cruise control, anti-lock brakes, and airbags. These innovations helped usher in a new era of automotive safety and convenience, allowing drivers to navigate the road with confidence and making for an all-around more enjoyable ride. Contemporary advancements like Bluetooth connectivity, […]
Cat Out of Hell: The HEMI-Powered Durango SRT Takes Its Final Lap
When it comes to versatility, few segments can touch the humble SUV. Offering a clever mix of power, cargo room, and utility, today’s SUVs are some of the most well-rounded vehicles on the road. As adept at towing and hauling as they are at comfortably fitting the whole family and giving drivers a commanding view […]
The Case for Convertibles
Convertibles might seem like a luxury in today’s market, but these open-air rides were actually some of the world’s first cars. That said, these early horseless carriages don’t have a lot in common with today’s convertibles, and the original 1897 Daimler Grafton Phaeton might not draw the right kind of attention when you’re cruising by […]
How Hybrids Came to Dominate Motorsport
When the first hybrid hit the US market in the early 2000s, it was difficult to envision a day when these automotive chimeras would come to infiltrate the highest levels of motorsport. That original hybrid, the 2001 Toyota Prius, wasn’t exactly race-ready with its 1.5L I-4 engine, 114 horsepower, and a zero-to-60-mph time of 13 […]
Pickup Power: History’s Fastest Trucks
Today’s pickups come in all shapes and sizes. While most truck owners prioritize ride height, towing power, and off-road prowess above pure speed, acceleration, and handling, there’s always been a certain set who wants the best of both worlds. Enter the street truck. Also referred to as a muscle truck, these high-performance models are the […]
Hybrid Technology in the Two-Wheeled World
Electric motorcycles are nothing new, with the first prototype models hitting the streets as far back as 1919. While they’ve never overtaken traditional gas-powered models, they have become their own in recent years. Major brands like Kawasaki, Ducati, BMW, Triumph, and Harley-Davidson’s new Livewire offshoot are making steady inroads alongside ambitious startups like Zero, Energica, […]
Looking Back at Some of the Dodge Charger and Challenger’s Most Iconic Editions
After an iconic 57-year run, the Dodge Charger took its final lap at the end of 2023. The Charger carved out quite a following during its time on the market, boldly tweaking an established formula to become one of America’s favorite muscle cars. After a brief hiatus between 1987 and 2006, the Charger was reintroduced […]
Track Record: Chevy’s IndyCar Dominance
Motorsport success has been part of the Chevy story since the automaker’s earliest days; in fact, it’s literally in Chevy’s DNA. While other major American automakers have long had a presence in the racing world, Chevy takes the pursuit personally. Browse the list of past Indianapolis 500 winners, and one name will stick out when […]
Off-Road Face-Off: 2024 Colorado ZR2 Bison vs 2022 Colorado ZR2 Bison
Today’s trucks are bigger and more imposing than ever, but few have the credentials to back up their aggressive appearance. That’s certainly not the case with Chevy’s midsize off-road monster in the Colorado ZR2 Bison. Born out of a collaboration between Chevy and the off-road and overland vehicle parts and accessories wizards at American Expedition […]
Looking for Fun Behind the Wheel of a Used Car? Check Out These Ford Models
Most drivers have probably noticed that Ford has shifted its focus away from hatchbacks and sedans over the last few years. In fact, as of this writing, the Mustang stands alone as the only true “car” in a Ford lineup now dominated by crossovers, SUVs, and pickups. That’s not to say that those in the […]
The Accord Sport 2.0T Injected a Little Fun Into the Best-Selling Sedan
In some ways, the Honda Accord is a victim of its own success. There’s no denying the Accord’s impressive track record in the modern auto market––Honda’s midsize model moves around 200,000 units a year and easily finds a place on the list of the best-selling cars––but that sort of success can be a bit of […]
The Mustang Family Welcomes Powerful Additions for Its Newest Generation
From its reputation and trailblazing status to its sporty looks and guttural exhaust note, the Mustang looks every bit the sports car, but Ford hasn’t always put performance at the forefront when it comes to the original pony car. In part, this can be attributed to the Mustang’s iconic status. With so much hype and […]
Corvette Racing Is Dead, Long Live Corvette Racing
Step into your local Chevy dealer, take a quick look at the Chevy Corvette, and one thing immediately becomes clear. This is a car that wants to go fast. Introduced in 1953, the Corvette has been lauded as one of the country’s most original sports car creations. From its recognizable fiberglass bodywork to the famous […]