It was June of 2014, and we were preparing our 1995 Suzuki Sidekick, affectionately known as The Teal Terror, to make the 600-mile round-trip trek from our home in Portland, OR, to the Northwest Overland Rally in Plain, WA, and back. I needed to set up a booth at the…
Despite bipartisan support, Oregon House Bill HB 4063 did not pass in the House’s short session, which adjourned March 6, 2026. In fact, it never got to a vote. On February 20, David McChristian, a member of Lone Star Kei and JDM Oregon Advocates, said: HB 4063 was referred to…
We’re at the 2026 Dakar Rally with the Defender Rally Team! Our very own Mercedes Lilienthal was invited to Saudi Arabia to cover Stage 2 and Stage 3 happenings, Defender and their trio of teams as they competed in AlUla. Her first full day in Saudi Arabia was met with wonderment,…
My first morning in Saudi Arabia was stunning. I woke up before the sun rose above AlUla’s huge rock formations, which are reminiscent of Moab or Sedona in the United States. I had a rare day to myself before I kicked off my coverage of Defender and the 2026 Dakar…
We’re kicking off our on-the-ground 2026 Dakar Rally and Defender recap reels! So much to share, we (Mercedes Lilienthal) didn’t posted them all as social stories (although a few hundred videos/photos are saved in our 2026 Dakar Rally highlights bubbles via Crankshaft Culture‘s Instagram page). It took me 5 airlines, 6 flights, multiple…
For years, I carried a bulky wallet in my back pocket. About 10 years ago, someone gave me a minimalist wallet: a metal tray with a nylon strap to hold credit cards. (It did have a built-in bottle opener.) To reduce bulk when visiting Iceland in 2019, I gave the…
We love all things rally at Crankshaft Culture. Last year, Kubota—yes, the orange tractor company—became a major sponsor of the American Rally Association (ARA). The ARA is the largest rally organization in the United States. Today, they announced they’ll continue to support the group. Plus, they’re adding title sponsorship of…
It was the summer of 1992. My mother had just bought her first car, a ’92 Mitsubishi Expo LRV Sport, on her own after her divorce from my father. If you don’t remember these cars, you’ll be forgiven. The Expo LRV was one of a trio of tall-wagon triplets also…
We visit the Oregon International Auto Show each year. Here, you can often see the latest models along with a host of custom vehicles. This year’s event runs Feb. 19–22 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. After walking the show, we came up with some of the more interesting…
I don’t know what it is, but I’ve always been a fan of a certain hubcap: Moon discs, sometimes called racing discs or land-speed hubcaps. If I’m going to use hubcaps, I’m using these machined metal masterpieces. Ever since I can remember, these smooth, metal hubcaps have exuded a cool…
Why Young Drivers Love the Creativity Behind Custom Car Builds Cars have always been more than just machines that take us from one place to another. For many young drivers, a car is a canvas for creativity, a way to express personality, and a chance to stand out in a…
Car culture has become more than just a hobby. For many students, it represents freedom, exploration, and excitement. If you have ever watched a convoy of modified cars driving down a highway at sunset or seen friends planning a spontaneous road trip, you already understand the feeling. Car culture connects…
A luxury vehicle in Toronto faces tough conditions that can diminish its value and appearance. To combat this, professional detailing is essential for preservation beyond standard car wash. This guide breaks down the options, from essential upkeep to advanced protective treatments, helping owners make smart choices to maintain their car’s…
