This Hot Wheels Die-Cast Drag Strip Galvanized Me As A Gearhead
Just the other day, I was talking to my wife, Mercedes, about how I used to have this Hot Wheels drag strip set. I’d race all of my Hot Wheels,…
We Talk Alcan 5000 and TSD Rally on OPB’s ‘Think Out Loud’ Radio Show
We recently got an invite from Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) to appear live on the show “Think Out Loud” with Dave Miller. This show is OPB’s daily conversation covering news,…
Car Culture Can Cross Boundaries (Even In Iceland)
I’m currently flying to Phoenix. As I stare aimlessly through the seat back in front of me, awaiting my complimentary child-sized Coke Zero, I noticed my hands. They’re lightly stained…
Mitsubishi Adding an Off-Road-Focused Outlander to its Growing Lineup
Mitsubishi is committed to continuing its fight in the North American market. Today, they announced there will be an off-road variant of its best-selling Outlander model. Here’s what we know.
EV Adventuring: Nine Countries and 16 Days in a Volkswagen ID. Buzz Van
Some people’s idea of adventure is trying Starbucks’ newest coffee drink. Others may venture out and visit little-known towns, like Gold Hill, Utah, or Sargents, Colorado. But what if you…
We Won Our Alcan 5000 Rally Class (And Took 2nd Overall)
We did it! Team Crankshaft Culture won the 2S class (trucks/SUVs, “seat of pants”) again at this year’s Alcan 5000 Summer Rally! We won this class in 2024 at the…
2025 Chevrolet Trax ACTIV: An Entry Level SUV Starting Under $22,000
Will consumers be drawn to the Chevrolet Trax’s low entry price of under $22,000? Seeing as the average price of an SUV is double that, it’s a good bet Chevrolet…
Honda Passport TrailSport to Tackle North America’s Longest Rally Covering Nearly 6,000 Miles
Mercedes and I are doing the 2025 Alcan 5000 Summer Rally in a 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport Elite. In fact, Honda actually just put out a press release about it;…
2026 Subaru Solterra EV: Improvements For The Second-Generation All-Electric Crossover
Subaru brought automotive journalists to Denver, Colorado for first drives of the 2026 Solterra EV. The second-generation Solterra EV has improvements in almost all areas, making it an even more…
Chrysler Pacifica Grizzly Peak Concept: Could We FINALLY Get A Factory AWD Camper Van?
Chrysler debuted the Pacifica Grizzly Peak Concept at Overland Expo Mountain West (Aug. 22–24) and, frankly, we couldn’t be more excited. Why? Because only Ford and Mercedes-Benz are offering AWD…
Guest Posts
VIN Secrets: What a Transmission Lookup Can Tell You About Your Vehicle
A used car can smile with fresh paint while hiding an expensive transmission story. One quiet VIN check can change the whole deal. The VIN is more than a label. It is a 17-character code that links a car to factory build data, records, recalls, specification notes, and ownership clues.…
The Most Overlooked Way to Lower the Cost of Car Ownership: Auto Loan Refinancing
Most drivers focus on fuel costs, maintenance, and insurance when thinking about what a car actually costs to own. The monthly loan payment often gets treated as a fixed number, something set at the dealership and left untouched for years. That assumption, however, is where a significant amount of money…
Why Precision Matters In Every Automotive Fabrication Project
Automotive fabrication is where creativity meets engineering. Whether building a custom hot rod, restoring a classic muscle car, or modifying an off-road vehicle, fabrication work demands attention to detail at every stage. The difference between a project that performs flawlessly and one that develops ongoing issues often comes down to…