Episode 48, Monterey Peninsula couple rents vintage cars

Classic Car Week, the all-encompassing presentation on the Monterey Peninsula of all things automotive, including vintage cars, revitalizes itself yearly. Many auction and collection names remain the same. But newcomers, including Heather and Rob Gardner, help the collective refresh. The Gardners, who live in Carmel Valley, don’t host a rally, auction or concours. But they could. Instead, the couple will experience their first year of the nearly two-week gathering as owners of Monterey Touring Vehicles (montereytouringvehicles.com). Rob, a physician, and Heather, a research scientist, recently decided their fleet of 36 vintage cars is best served when driven. Heather Gardner is

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Episode 47, Simple innovation for auto travel plentiful

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:31 — 30.9MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreBased in Oakland, Helinox (www.helinox.com) was among numerous vendors at the recent Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Denver. The annual trade show showcases a vast array of merchandise, some geared toward various automotive user groups. “We obviously come from the outdoors, but we recognize the way in which people get to the outdoors is often by automobile,” said Azul Couzens, vice president of the company that also makes umbrellas and trekking poles. “More people are active in the outdoors with their cars. They’re going

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Episode 46, Raleigh, Corpus Christi, best driving cities

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 87 percent of daily trips occur in personal vehicles. Reasons vary, but comfort and reliability are primary reasons, and they’re important. Drivers spend an average of 290 hours on the road per year. The statistics are also crucial to analysts at WalletHub.com, the personal finance website that uses data-driven journalism to create best and worst lists and various surveys. One recent article, using 29 key indicators of driver friendliness, is a list of the top 100 cities across the United States for driver friendliness. Raleigh, N.C., gets the top honor, followed by Corpus

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2018 Kia Stinger debuts as strong rival for Audi, BMW

Years after Hyundai and Kia emerged from automotive doldrums to offer stylish, top-rated, economic and performance-oriented vehicles, non-believers still quibble. A standard refrain is that South Korean manufacturers don’t offer prestige. The argument isn’t valid, particularly with the introduction of the 2018 Kia Stinger. It joins a strong lineup from both manufacturers (Hyundai owns about one-third of Kia) challenging long-time standard bearers. The new, speedy and handsome sedan provides another strong example of how the once upstart underdog is a severe competitor to rivals like the Alfa Romeo Giulia, Audi A5, BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. In its initial year,

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IndyCar racing revving for 2019 return to Laguna Seca Raceway

After a 15-year absence, IndyCar racing will return to the Monterey Peninsula in 2019 with the series finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Salinas. A three-year agreement was approved July 16 by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, which oversees the operation of the facility. Next year’s race will be held Sept. 22 and succeed the current season-ending event in Sonoma Raceway. It will end a 14-year run. Dates for the remainder of the 2019 IndyCar season were not announced. Laguna Seca hosted CART Indy cars from 1983 through 2004. The famed track opened in 1957, but Indy cars

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Episode 45, Fast, furious Mecum Auctions returns to Monterey

Ask John Kraman a question about automobile auctions, vintage cars, industry trends or automotive history and the answers come fast and furious from the Mecum Auctions expert. He’s as enthusiastic as anyone and his knowledge flows as fast as verbal clarity allows. As the Director of Company Relations and Lead TV Commentator/Analyst Mecum Auctions, Kraman will be part of the vast staff again present at the world’s largest car collectors auction during Monterey Auto Week in August. The rapid-fire auction will present about 600 cars during Mecum’s three-day presence during the gathering of all things automotive held on the Monterey

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2018 Toyota C-HR looks cool, lacks performance

With the sport utility vehicle continuing to attract more buyers, manufacturers continue to find new ways to market the versatile vehicles. Welcome the latest newcomer to the SUV sub-species, the 2018 Toyota C-HR. Categorized as subcompact crossover, the hyphenated letters in the Toyota C-HR name stand for Compact High Rider, Cross Hatch Run-(about) or Coupé High Rider. The names make about as much sense as the term subcompact crossover. The category is also odd because competition for the C-HR includes vehicles equally hard to categorize: the Fiat 500X, Honda HR-V, Jeep Renegade, Mazda CX-3 and Mini Countryman. Except for the

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2018 Range Rover Velar: big, bold, deserves to be seen

Naming a vehicle after a Latin word meaning to veil something’s identity seems odd. So why would Land Rover call its handsome new Range Rover sport utility vehicle the Velar? It wasn’t the British manufacturer’s intent to keep it a secret. The name is an homage to the brand’s first prototypes in the late 1960s. And considering the sophistication and sleekness of the 2018 Range Rover Velar, forget the name’s origin. Instead, embrace the craftsmanship, and tell your friends and colleagues. The Velar, released about one year ago, defines the worthy combination of luxury and ruggedness. With its available exterior

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Jerry Seinfeld honors Jerry Lewis in Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee

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Two famous comedians named Jerry driving in a vintage convertible with its top down to an omelet shop in Las Vegas? Is there a better way to begin the 10th season of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee than with Jerry Lewis and Jerry Seinfeld? Jerry Seinfeld didn’t think so. His guest in the first episode of the new season and as the show transitions from Crackle to Netflix, is deceased comedian Jerry Lewis. The debut show was taped last year. It provides a poignant 20-minute homage to Lewis, who died on August 20, 2017, from heart failure at age 91.

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2018 Lexus GS 300: luxury sedan, sports car appeal

The 2018 Lexus GS 300 is among a half-dozen luxury sedans all vying for a market share in a segment packed with superior choices. Acura, Audi, BMW, Cadillac and Mercedes-Benz join Lexus in the mix of buyers whose decisions are often based on status, brand loyalty and overall quality. Which designation is the most important doesn’t matter. But choose the Lexus GS 300, and the top-three buying reasons all resonate. Reliable performance and a sporty design give the upscale Toyota marque more clout. Key Takeaways Renamed from GS 200t, mechanically identical: The 2018 GS 300 carries the same 2.0-liter turbocharged

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Episode 44: Expert examines Honda Clarity Fuel Cell

Driving from Northern California to Southern California and back has been routine in recent years. The 800-mile round-trip trek along Interstate 5 is always interesting, particularly when driving a 2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell. Six weeks ago was the most unusual trek I’ve taken from Sacramento to the Los Angeles region (this time to Long Beach) because I drove the sedan that runs on hydrogen. From the expediency of refueling to the performance of the Clarity and from the use of the High Occupancy Lane as a single occupant to running out of hydrogen were all part of the unique

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Episode 43, Don’t leave pets, children alone in vehicles

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:00 — 33.0MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreTragedy strikes every summer. Children and pets die from heatstroke after being left unattended in cars and trucks. It should never happen, but it does when unknowing vehicle owners think leaving a window slightly open or parking in the shade alleviates potential problems. But it’s not sufficient. Within minutes after children or animals are left in a vehicle, temperatures can drastically rise and wreak havoc. Young children and pets can’t help themselves. In Episode #43 of The Weekly Driver Podcast, co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and

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2018 Ford F-150, 2018 Toyota Corolla icons of success

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The Ford F-150 pickup, the overt sentinel of masculinity, and the Toyota Corolla, the tiny titan compact sedan, have little in common with two exceptions, reliability and enduring success. The Corolla, manufactured since 1966, is the best-selling car in history with more than 43 million sold. The Ford F-Series, introduced in 1948, has been the country’s best-selling vehicle for decades. It’s the second best-selling vehicle in history with more than 40 million sold. While the sedan might be able to fit in the bed of the pick-up and cost one-third as much, driving either vehicle is experiencing automotive royalty. There’s

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Rolls-Royce joins auto industry trend with first SUV

Get ready for something new from Rolls-Royce. The luxurious British carmaker will soon debut its first sport utility vehicle. It will be called the Cullinan and, as expected, it will be big and powerful as its namesake. The Cullinan, the largest diamond ever found, is part of the British Crown Jewels. Pricing and a release date haven’t been announced, but the Cullinan is expected to be available in late 2018 and with an estimated entry price of around $400,000. It will be the most expensive Rolls-Royce ever made. Constructed with all-aluminum architecture, the Cullinan will have impressive specs: a 6.75-liter,

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Episode 42, Ford F-150 still rules, less safe cars, hydrogen

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:37 — 37.9MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreThe Ford F-150 pick-up has no equals, except for its siblings. They comprise the stable of the country’s best-selling pick-up trucks. The truck’s legacy as the second best-selling vehicle in history as well as its pros and cons among three topics discussed in Episode 42 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia recently drove the 2018 Ford F-150 (Lariat) trim. Neither of us are pick-up enthusiasts, but the new F-150 won us over. It’s powerful, comfortable, spacious, rugged and luxurious

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Industry fuel cell expert clears the air on hydrogen

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Nineteen months ago, Chris White did something no one else in Northern California had done. She leased a new car that operates only on hydrogen. Honda, Toyota and Hyundai are manufacturers offering hydrogen-only vehicles. Mercedes-Benz and GM also have plans for hydrogen-only vehicles, the emissions of which are water. The 2017 and 2018 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell are available for lease only in only 12 dealerships in California. Five locales are in the San Francisco Bay Area, one is in Roseville. The long-time Communications Director of the California Fuel Cell Partnership in West Sacramento, White also lives in West Sacramento.

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