The Weekly Driver Podcast, Episode 4, Ferrari owner Bill Finkbeiner

Automotive legend Enzo Ferrari began his legacy under the brand name Auto Avio Costruzioni in 1940. Seven years later, the Ferrari brand debuted with the 125S with a 1.5-liter V12 engine. The exotic Italian supercar with its famous black prancing horse, yellow background and Italian flag logo forever changed the automotive industry. Bill Finkbeiner, a landscape contractor and car collector in Auburn, California, has owned a Ferrari for nearly 40 years. He’s our guest on Episode 4 of The Weekly Driver podcast. Finkbeiner purchased a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTE 2×2 on Feb. 18, 1979, Enzo Ferrari‘s 80th birthday. It was

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The race to improve electric cars globally heats up quickly

SPONSORED CONTENT Last week, USA Today reported Daimler, maker of Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen would launch long-range electric cars. As such, what is the likelihood of electric cars being the first and only car your grandchildren will know? One consideration is defining the use of the term “long range.” Until recently, many electric cars had a range 40 to 100 miles per charge and they required hours to recharge. For commuters with short round-trip drives, limited-range electric cars are satisfactory. But for drivers whose daily driving habits including additional mile for errands and other activities, short-range electric vehicle are problematic. Electric-gas

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Zynga CSR Racing 2 honors Ferrari 70th anniversary

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Owning a Ferrari is a lifelong dream for many performance car enthusiasts. But not many vehicle owners get to have their dream come true. But in conjunction the supercar’s 70th anniversary, Zynga a leading social game developer, has launched its homage to the iconic Italian vehicle in CSR Racing 2 (CSR2). Players can get behind the virtual wheel of a Ferrari 488 GTB, one of the six tailor-made Ferraris coming to CSR2 in honor of the manufacturer’s milestone celebration. “Over the course of 70 years, Ferrari has set the luxury standard of excellence in the automotive industry, producing some of

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Episode 3, Hybrid Hype

Podcast: Play in new window | Download ()Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreThe 2000 Toyota Prius was the first nationally available hybrid vehicle in the United States. A few months earlier, Honda introduced the Insight, the so-called “Peanut Car.” But it’s never made much of an impact in its original edition or the current generation that debuted in recent years. Double click below to listen to the latest edition: But in the nearly 18 years since alternative fuel vehicles — gas/electric, electric only, natural gas, etc. — have been manufactured, has the technology made a difference? Environmental and green

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Three Big Impact Ford Vehicles for Small Businesses

SPONSORED CONTENT Ford vehicles are popular among most small and medium businesses. The consistent performance, unmatched design, passenger comfort, cargo ferrying and powerful features make the vehicles unsurpassed. Considering the manufacturer’s major impact, what are its current most popular vans? Here are three for consideration: Ford Transit — The most manufacturer’s most popular full-sized cargo van, the Transit is available in regular wheelbase and long wheelbase models. The latter model also has extended length options. The Transit van also offers an optional high roof version to accommodate increased cargo. Research the reviews from Dealer Reviews before finalizing a purchasing decision.

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The joys of driving in comfort, improved health

Drivers who don’t like to drive rarely understand the mindset of drivers who like to drive. If you’re in the latter category, negotiating a winding country road, a haul through a mountainous state or barrelling across a desert are welcomed joys. But even for passionate drivers, the joys of driving can be further appreciated in comfort and perhaps even with improved health.     Professional drivers wear specially designed shoes for comfort and to improve response sensitivity while shifting, accelerating and braking. So why shouldn’t the rest of us? Several recreation and casual wear shoe manufacturers have increased their lineups

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German motorhome cost $1 million, will carry your car

Recreational vehicle enthusiasts, like car and truck owners, have varied preferences in the modes of travel. Add to the list the Variomobil Signature 1200. The bus-sized motorhome features a 523 horsepower Mercedes-Benz engine, and it can carry another Mercedes-Benz or another car of your choice. It’s an expensive alternative to towing a vehicle. The base price is about $922,000. With options, the motorhome’s price can reach $1.3 million. The Variomobil is mmanufactured Germany, and the Signature 1200 has impressive specs: It’s 39 feet long, has three axles and a six-cylinder turbo diesel engine. It also features a steerable trailing axle

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The Weekly Driver Podcast – Episode 2 – Cars We’ve Owned

Podcast: Play in new window | Download ()Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreEvery family has cars, some long gone, some inherited by children or found in grandpa’s garage decades later. A vehicle’s pedigree is at least half the fun when discussing family cars. It could be something rare or a just a favorite old station wagon the family took on a trip when you were a child. The Weekly Driver Podcast, Episode 2 – Cars We’ve Owned In episode 2 of The Weekly Driver podcast, co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia discuss our first cars and other vehicles we’ve

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Episode 2, Cars We’ve Owned

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (19.8MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreEvery family has had cars, some long gone, some inherited by children or found in grandpa’s garage decades later. A vehicle’s pedigree is at least half the fun of discussing family cars. It could be something rare or a just a favorite old station wagon the family took on trips when you were a child. The memories remain throughout our lives. We discuss our first cars and other vehicles we’ve owned through the years. We also discuss our families’ cars, old Volkswagen models to Ford Falcons, tough

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Episode 1, Monterey Auto Week

Welcome to the debut of The Weekly Driver podcast. Co-hosted by James Raia and Bruce Aldrich, the weekly podcast is an extension of the website, theweeklydriver.com The latter has been published since 2004 and features new car reviews and articles on automotive trends. In Episode 1, we discuss visiting four events we attended during Monterey Auto Week. We were hosted by Lisa Guthrie at The Santa Lucia Preserve and attended a private event she began seven years ago called the Concours & Cocktails.

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World’s most expensive car? Lamborghini Veneno Roadster

The Lamborghini Veneno debuted at the Geneva International Auto Show in 2013 with a price tag of $3.9 million. It was followed by the Veneno Roadster with a price tag of $4.5 million. Nine were made, according to the website autoguide.com, and are the most expensive new cars on the market. The website, curious about other expensive cars, recently compiled a list of the world’s 10 most expensive cars. The prices are estimates, the site reported, because manufacturers aren’t always forthcoming with prices of their exotic, limited production vehicles. Bruce Aldrich (tahoetruckeeoutdoor.com) and a contributing editor for TheWeeklyDriver.com, created the

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2017 Kia Forte5: Unheralded hatchback shines tough segment

The 2017 Kia Forte5 is the hatchback trim of its more well-known sedan sibling. It’s reminiscent of the short-lived, defunct Volkswagen station wagon squareback that debuted in the late 1960s and ceased production six years later. The VW squareback was underpowered and quirky, but more than 350,000 were manufactured before its demise in 1974. Loyal followers liked the sizable cargo area, drivability, and versatility. The VW’s motto was, “Is it a small sedan that’s a station wagon or a station wagon that’s a sedan?” While similar is concept — a wagon-style cargo area in a sedan, the 2017 Kia Forte5

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The Weekly Driver Podcast #1 (Monterey Auto Week)

Welcome to the debut of The Weekly Driver podcast. Co-hosted by James Raia and Bruce Aldrich, the weekly podcast is an extension of the website, www.theweeklydriver.com. The latter has been published since 2004 and features new car reviews and articles on automotive trends. Click on the link below to listen to episode #1. The Weekly Driver Podcast #1 (Monterey Auto Week) James Raia is a syndicated automotive columnist for Bay Area News Group and Gulf Shore Business Magazine. He is also a freelance writer who contributes sports, business and lifestyle articles to many print and online publications. He lives with

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1955 Ford F100 best of show at Concours & Cocktails

Supercars, family heirlooms and affordable vintage vehicles are nothing new to the Monterey Peninsula, particularly during Classic Car Week. Gawk at a new multi-colored Rolls-Royce or a carbon-fiber Pagani. Admire a classic Aston Martin, Ferrari or Porsche. They’re all automotive works of art. Bob Kavner appreciates cars as much as any collector or enthusiast. But he has a different perspective. While plenty of sports cars and classic sedans were showcased at the recent Concours & Cocktails at The Santa Lucia Preserve, Kavner presented two trucks. The former Silicon Valley executive, now a resident of Carmel, lives just down the country

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AmericanTrucks offers $2,500 truck parts giveaway

AmericanTrucks has one of the quickest and most popular ways for Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, and RAM truck owners to improve the looks and attitude of their vehicles — a wheel and tire upgrade. The aftermarket parts company is continuing to make it easy for its customers to do just that with a late summer parts giveaway. With a aluev of $2,500, the grand prize package will help truck enthusiasts of all levels to upgrade their rig, rims and rubber and get further attention on the road. The contest began in August and continues through the end of September. Weekly

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2017 Toyota Corolla: Enduring sedan keeps getting better

The 2017 Toyota Corolla marks the enduring sedan’s 51st year. Through 11 generations, the former econobox-on-wheels has lifetime worldwide sales of 43 million through last year. Since 1997, when it surpassed the Volkswagen Beetle, the Corolla remains the best-selling car in history. A new generation arrived in 2012, with yearly updates since. In 2016, Toyota began to offer a limited special edition to celebrate the car’s 50th anniversary. While competition remains intense, the 2017 Toyota Corolla keeps up with new safety and driving improvements, some not standard on luxury sedans. A rearview camera, forward collision warning, lane departure intervention and

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