March 2017

1938 Ford in the weeds



This 1938 Ford pickup from Peter Hubbard's Junkyard Dog collection was found in a large vintage salvage yard near Tokina, Ill., with dozens of other cars and trucks, mainly from the '50s. In 1938, the truck could be purchased with a choice of two flathead V-8 engine sizes — a 2.2-liter making 60 horsepower and a 3.6-liter rated at 85 horsepower. All trucks were equipped with a 3-speed manual transmission. A radio was a $45 option — plus installation charge.

Indian Motorcycle Introduces Limited Edition Jack Daniel's Indian Chieftain

(March 14, 2017) MINNEAPOLIS — Indian Motorcycle, America's first motorcycle company, and the Jack Daniel Distillery, America's first registered distillery, today announced the availability of a Limited Edition Jack Daniel's Indian Chieftain. The new custom-inspired Chieftain marks the second year the two iconic American trailblazers have joined forces to build a unique V-twin-powered celebration of American craftsmanship.

The motorcycle brings together two brands that share a mutual commitment to independence, originality, and ingenuity.

Fashionably functional: Chevy Equinox’s design enhances aerodynamics

(March 13, 3017) DETROIT — With more than 2.7 million sold last year, compact SUVs are the largest vehicle segment in the U.S., and customers want passenger and cargo space that fits their lifestyle without compromising on fuel efficiency. That was the task for the Design and Aerodynamic teams working on the shape of the all-new 2018 Equinox — to create an all-new compact SUV that is a perfect balance of style, function and efficiency.

Ferrari's 70th anniversary celebrations get underway

(March 13, 2017) MARANELLO, Italy — On March 12 1947, Enzo Ferrari fired up the 125 S, the first car to bear his name. That test-drive on the streets of Maranello marked the start of modern Ferrari history. The then-modest factory quickly grew into one of the great internationally renowned Made in Italy icons. Now, exactly 70 years later, on March 12 2017, Ferrari launched its official celebrations for this milestone anniversary.

Chevrolet expands its low cab forward range with new Class 6 truck

(March 13, 2017) DETROIT — Chevrolet announced today that it is expanding its range of Low Cab Forward trucks with a new dock-height Class 6 model — the 6500XD. The vehicles are expected to be available by the end of the year.

The 2018 Chevrolet Low Cab Forward 6500XD, like its Class 3, 4 and 5 stablemates, is a highly flexible platform designed for driver comfort, superior visibility and serviceability, and ease of upfit.

Volkswagen Arteon: A CC by another name still looks sweet

By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(March 13, 2017) Volkswagen’s CC was designed to sit between the Passat sedan and Phaeton, but when VW’s luxury liner left the U.S. market, it became the brand’s top offering. The Arteon, which is built on the same MQB structure that underpins the Golf, Euro-spec Passat, and the Tiguan and Atlas SUVs, replaces the aging CC with a new range topper that swaps the old car’s “fastback with trunk” for a true hatchback. Think of it as VW’s answer to the Audi A7.

Mustang masters Chinese with SYNC 3

(March 12, 2017) SHANGHAI — Engineers from Ford’s Research and Engineering Center in Nanjing have helped Mustang — China’s top-selling sports coupe — master the ancient art of the country’s traditional handwriting system. With SYNC 3, Ford’s next generation in-car media and navigation system, Mustang can understand handwritten Chinese characters inputted with a swipe of the finger.

Designed in Sweden and built in Italy — the Volvo 262c turns 40

(March 11, 2017) Forty years ago, Volvo turned perceptions of what its brand stood for upside down. The Volvo 262 Coupé left no one unmoved and sold significantly better than expected, despite costing more than twice as much as the basic model in the 200 series.

Astronaut John Glenn's 2000 Cadillac Deville DHS goes to auction

(March 10, 2017) FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The countdown is underway to Auctions America's 15th annual Fort Lauderdale collector car sale, March 31-April 2. The event doubles as one of the region's leading car shows, and with good reason — with 475 collector vehicles expected, it provides a wonderful showcase of automotive history and design.

One of this year's more unique offerings is a 2000 Cadillac Deville DHS, originally owned by late Senator and pioneering astronaut, John Glenn. Glenn always owned Cadillacs and the car on offer represents his final purchase.