Quick Spin – Drift 101

Almost all of us have done it. There’s a moment when you’re carrying just enough speed through a turn. Maybe it’s a wide open intersection or maybe it’s a tight corner you know well. You’re feeling sly, suddenly aware of all your driving talent, and you punch the throttle enough to step the tail out. If it was the first time you’ve done it this afternoon you might immediately lift off and flail at the steering to settle the car back down. If it was midnight in a rainy nowhere you’d probably been doing it for the last half hour and you keep the throttle pinned until the telltale flare of wheel spinning revs levels out, your grin so large it threatens to shatter the side windows. For those few yards, you felt you were drifting.

You weren’t.

Continue reading “Quick Spin – Drift 101”

Around the Corner – Radwood

There comes a point in a car’s lifetime when it is simply a used car. A pile of metal and rubber forgotten to all but the most dedicated owner or poorest college student. Cars that the California Air Resources Board offers you $1000 for every two years. That prompt a swipe left when included in your profile pic. That inform your co-workers that an older car to you is from twenty years ago, not five.

We’re in an odd spot, those of us who appreciate cars of this flavor. It’s even difficult to name this grouping of car so many of us are enthralled by. You can’t call them classic without fear of the homie with a ’70 Charger and matching torque wrench coming after you. Calling them vintage feels wrong, the very utterance of the word clouds your vision in sepia filters and sparks the uncontrollable urge to nonchalantly light a cigarette and exhale toward the ceiling.

I suppose we could call them…Rad.

Continue reading “Around the Corner – Radwood”

What do you look for in a car?

Stop light interlude.

Wiggle the steering wheel. Blip the throttle. Check the distance between it and the brake. Slot the lever from first gear to second to first. Observe the shift distance.

Light changes. Green means go.

Note the clutch take-up. Roll halfway into the throttle, then mat it. Slight giggle as the rear tires pay lip-service to the concept of traction. Slight giggle from the passenger as her seat tilts back with the force of acceleration, forward with the brakes.

Stop light interlude.

6912310824_a568bb6236_b

So…what are you looking for when you drive a car?

Continue reading “What do you look for in a car?”

A History of Vehicles – ’03 Toyota MR2 Spyder

If it hasn’t become obvious by now, I want to drive everything. Or at least everything that interests me.

I took zero good photos of this car. But you’re not here for pics anyways, right?

Continue reading “A History of Vehicles – ’03 Toyota MR2 Spyder”

Around the Corner – Canepa Cars and Coffee May ’17

I challenge you, dear reader. I challenge you to look deep down inside yourself, to search your feelings, find what’s real, and answer me one thing…

Continue reading “Around the Corner – Canepa Cars and Coffee May ’17”

Craigslist Surfing – Quick Picks V3

For some of us Friday means payday. Payday might mean going out tonight, it might mean paying the bills, or it might mean browsing the internet for your next project.

That said, you’d think every day was payday with how often I do the last one.

Let’s see what we’ve found this week!

Continue reading “Craigslist Surfing – Quick Picks V3”

Around the Corner – NorCal’s Old School Import Meet April ’17

Car season is nearly upon us! The days are getting longer, the nights are getting warmer, and it seems the roads that have survived this winter’s deluge are clean enough to explore again.

Continue reading “Around the Corner – NorCal’s Old School Import Meet April ’17”

Around the Corner – Bay Area 02 Swap and Show ’17

When you’re the car guy at work, coworkers often feel free to share their enthusiasm with you. Like that dude Jeremey who sits four cubicles down. One day you’ll be at the water cooler at the same time and he’ll give you the ‘sup homie’ nod.

Continue reading “Around the Corner – Bay Area 02 Swap and Show ’17”

Craigslist Surfing – Quick Picks V2

Being constantly connected to the internet, whether through my phone, my desktop, my laptop, or my Gameboy SP (takes a while to connect…) is as dangerous to my wallet as leaving your unlocked phone around friends is dangerous to your Tinder profile.

Continue reading “Craigslist Surfing – Quick Picks V2”

Around the Corner – First Weekends in the Bay Area

Here comes the sun (doo doo doo doo),
Here comes the sun, and I say
It’s time to drive

Continue reading “Around the Corner – First Weekends in the Bay Area”