#91, Sacramento vintage car collector Andy Harris

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:33 — 51.6MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreAndy Harris lives and works in Sacramento, California. He’s owned United Attorneys’ Services for many years, and he shares two of the same pastimes as the co-hosts of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Harris is a veteran long-distance runner and he’s a vintage car collector. Harris is our guest on Episode #91 of our weekly conversations about all things in the automotive industry. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Harris the particulars of the four vastly different cars he owns. How about a

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#17, USA Today asks The Weekly Driver’s car advice (video)

Going to auto shows, driving new vehicles, interviewing vintage cars owners is fun. It’s a job, too, although to enjoyment far outweighs the usual definition of work. The issue came to mind recently when USA Today asked for my opinions in several automotive areas. USA Today project is its 10 Best lists, including several in the automotive field. The categories were favorite car show, NASCAR track, motorsports, and best experience. I hadn’t thought about the topics much in my 15 years as an auto journalist. But it’s one of several areas Bruce Aldrich and I discuss during video episode No.

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#90 The Weekly Driver podcast gets USA Today car karma

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:41 — 39.4MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreUSA Today has 10 Best lists, including several in the automotive field. The Weekly Driver and the site’s podcast was contacted by the newspaper to give my opinion in four categories — car show, NASCAR track, motorsports, favorite experience — for a contest. I hadn’t thought about the topics much, but it’s one of several areas, Bruce Aldrich and I discuss during episode No. 90 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. My choices in the various areas included: The Los Angeles Auto Show, Monterey Auto

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#15, How to move the Endeavor Space Shuttle (video)

Moving the Endeavor Space Shuttle? How does that work? The folks at Commercial Truck Trader can help you with that. The Virginia-based company rents vehicles of all shapes and sizes, particularly when the task involves moving something on the road that requires special needs. Amanda Ayala, vice president Commercial Truck & Equipment Trader, is our guest in Episode #88 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia interview Ayala and examine what’s involved moving the famous shuttle. It’s only 12 miles from the Los Angles International Airport to the California Science Center. But as Ayala explains, the

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#88, Moving a space shuttle, other big stuff on roads

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:08 — 33.2MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreIf you want to transport the Endeavor Space Shuttle or a similarly large object, there’s a good chance Commercial Truck Trader will be involved. The Virginia-based company rents vehicles of all shapes and sizes, particularly when the task involves moving something on the road that requires special needs. Amanda Ayala, vice president Commercial Truck & Equipment Trader, is our guest in Episode 88 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia interview Ayala and examine what’s involved moving the famous shuttle.

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Volvo, VW and driving in the pro cycling caravan (video)

For every cyclist competing in a professional bike race, there’s seemingly a corresponding vehicle. But it’s not an exact parallel. In fact, in top-level races, there are several times more team, organization, media and sponsor vehicles, equipment trucks, fans’ motorhomes, police cars and motorcycles than competitors. Like the cyclists, race vehicles get down time at hotels, but otherwise, they’re all almost always on the move, climbing mountains, negotiating narrow roads and descending at top speeds. Volvo saw an opportunity at this year’s event and provided three V60 AWD T6 Inscription trim wagons for the seven-rider team. Team managers Michael Sayers

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2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI: Mighty return for sedan

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The 2019 Volkswagen Jetta GLI (Grand Luxury Injection) celebrates the sporty sedan’s 35th anniversary. It debuted in February at the Chicago Auto Show and is offered in S, Autobahn and a special trim commemorating the occasion. The 2019 model is also the debut of the vehicle’s seventh edition; the Jetta in other styles debuted in 1980. Its new version has a longer wheelbase (105.6 inches) and is three inches longer overall as well as slightly wider and taller and sits lower.   The 14th annual event, the country’s largest professional bicycle race began in Sacramento and advanced to South Lake

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Episode 87, Cars, bikes mix in cycling caravan

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:38 — 44.8MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreFor every cyclist competing in a professional bike race, there’s seemingly a corresponding vehicle. But it’s not an exact parallel. In fact, in top-level races, there are several times more team, organization, media and sponsor vehicles, equipment trucks, fans’ motorhomes and police cars and motorcycles than competitors. Like the cyclists, race vehicles get down time at hotels, but otherwise, they’re all almost always on the move, climbing mountains, negotiating narrow roads and descending at top speeds. Volvo saw an opportunity at this year’s event

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Episode 13, Donald Farr honors Boss Mustang (Video)

Donald Farr is a Ford Mustang expert. But the historian doesn’t see it that way. He’s too humble. He cites others as all-knowing experts when the topic is the famous sports car. Farr, a Mustang owner, journalist and author, is our guest on Episode #13 of the The Weekly Driver Podcast, video edition. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Farr his new book “BOSS Mustang: 50 Years.” The book includes the complete history of the most iconic pony car ever made. It details racing and street histories of the 302 and 429 models. Photography and interviews feature BOSS

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2019 Nissan Pathfinder blends into SUV crowd

With nearly every other automobile on the road a sport utility vehicle, it’s often hard to differentiate brands. The 2019 Nissan Pathfinder is the mid-sized SUV’s 32nd year and it blends into the crowd. It’s been a tough go for the Pathfinder in recent years. United States yearly tallies peaked in 2013 when nearly 89,000 of the family haulers sold. With ever-increasing options from domestic and foreign manufacturers, the Pathfinder stumbled to 67,500 sales last year. The current generation debuted in 2013 and has had several upgrades and makeovers. The Pathfinder received a stronger engine and a higher towing capacity

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#85, Donald Farr debuts new book, BOSS Mustang: 50 Years

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:43 — 43.6MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreHistorian Donald Farr likely doesn’t have many equals when the topic has anything to do with the Ford Mustang. But he doesn’t see it that way, and he’s too humble. He cites others as all-knowing experts when the topic is the famous sports car. Farr, a Mustang owner, journalist and author, is our guest on Episode #85 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss with Farr his new book “BOSS Mustang: 50 Years.” The book includes the complete history

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2019 Ford Ranger back but with a few warts, flat tires

After an eight-year absence, the Ford Ranger was re-introduced to the North American market late last year as a 2019 model. It marked a 60-year timestamp since the nameplate’s debut on a 1958 Edsel Ranger. The Ranger name was first used on a pickup in 1983 when Ford replaced the Ford Courier. With its return, the Ford Ranger is now mid-sized, comparable to its sibling, the Ford Explorer Sport Trac. The latter debuted in 2006 and was discounted a few years later. The new Ranger is available as a SuperCab (2+2 door extended cab with 6-foot bed) and SuperCrew (4-door

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Maintaining proper tire condition help drivers’ safety

When you drive a lot, you may not think much about your tires enough. You may think getting from place to place is all that matters. The condition of each tire, however, is equally important for your safety. Tires’ conditions and the way you treat them could mean the difference between you staying safe or getting in a horrific accident. Here arecompelling reasons to visit a tire shop. Change of Season It can snow in any month in Calgary, but the snowy season typically starts in October and ends in May. That’s seven months where there is consistent snowfall. Due

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2019 Subaru Ascent arrives with SUV street cred

The sport utility vehicle market apparently hasn’t reached its saturation point — at least Subaru doesn’t think so. Welcome the Ascent, the largest car the Japanese manufacturer has ever made. Five years after Tribeca was discontinued, the 2019 Subaru Ascent is the manufacturer’s second and bigger three-row SUV. Subaru is hopeful its new people mover will fare better than its predecessor. When the Tribeca departed, it was among the country’s worst-selling vehicles. The Ascent, which features seating for as many as eight, arrives as the SUV segment remains increasingly strong. During the first three months of this year, 15 of

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ToyMakerz Season 3 finale, bigger badder plans (video)

The season finale of Season 3 of ToyMakerz, the increasingly popular automotive reality television show hosted by David Ankin, will be broadcast on April 28. It will feature a guest appearance by Dean Cain, the actor who portrayed Superman ad Clark Kent on the television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Ankin is a repeat guest on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia, talk in Episode #84 with Ankin about his three years on the show and plans for future seasons. We also discuss his friendship with Cain, the veteran movie actor. The

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#84, David Ankin, ToyMakerz hit season 3 finale

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:40 — 33.9MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreThe  finale of Season 3 of ToyMakerz, the increasingly popular automotive reality television program  hosted by David Ankin, will be broadcast on April 28. It will feature a guest appearance by Dean Cain, the actor who portrayed Superman/Clark Kent on the television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Ankin is a repeat guest on The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia, talk in Episode #84 with Ankin about his three years on the show and his plans for

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