On Sunday, June 8, 2025, the rolling hills of Valley Center, California, played host to the 31st Annual Buicks at Bates car show at Bates Nut Farm. This iconic gathering, renowned as the largest Turbo Buick event on the West Coast, attracted over 100 classic and turbocharged Buicks, including the legendary Grand Nationals and Turbo Regals. Also in attendance were several early Buick GS’s and close to 20 GMC Syclones and Typhoons with one of the 10 Marlboro special edition Syclones coming out of hiding for the show.

Consider this, if you will. You have an impressionable 10-year-old boy, who worships his dad and has gone to car shows with him since he was four years old. Thanks in large measure to his pops, he appreciates and learns about cars from the early 1900's up to the present day, but has a soft spot in his heart and his gearhead brain for automobiles from the Art Deco Design 1930's up through the swingin' muscle car 1950's, 60's, 70's and the exotic super and hyper cars of today.

The Ford Maverick, introduced in April 1969 as a 1970 model, marked a key moment in Ford Motor Company's evolution. Positioned between the era of muscle cars and the dawn of smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles, the Maverick was Ford's answer to growing demand for economical, compact cars—especially in response to competition from imports like the Volkswagen Beetle and Toyota Corolla. Over its production run from 1970 to 1977, the Maverick carved out a niche as a stylish yet practical alternative in the compact car segment.

You have a recipe for American muscle car success, when you mix up a jet-black exterior paint scheme. Add 18-inch custom three-piece dog dish wheels. Achieve the perfect stance with custom chassis underpinnings both front and rear. Install disc brakes fore and aft. Drop in a new stroker V8 engine, backed by a five-speed manual. With the car being a 1969 Camaro that's just dying to be driven - your time was well spent bringing another piece of American automotive history back.

The 1967 Corvette Sting Ray holds a special place in automotive history as the final model year of the celebrated second-generation C2 Corvette. Originally intended to debut an all-new design, the C3 generation was delayed due to aerodynamic inconsistencies uncovered during testing. This postponement gave Chevrolet the opportunity to refine the existing 1963-67 platform one last time—resulting in what many enthusiasts consider the most perfected C2 Corvette ever built. Read on as we take a look back at the history, specifications, and factory options of the legendary 1967 Corvette.

In July 2022, a vintage American powerhouse found a new lease on life when Matthew Alexander became the proud owner of a 1973 Ford F-350 Super Camper Special. The truck, purchased from a private seller who had acquired it in trade for some construction work, came without a clear history — but plenty of character. Driven by curiosity and a passion for classic vehicles, Alexander began researching the truck’s history and breathing new life into its well-worn frame.

Nick Cannon is renowned for his multifaceted career as a comedian, actor, producer, and television host. Beyond his entertainment endeavors, Cannon has a deep appreciation for automobiles, particularly classic vehicles. One of his standout possessions is his custom 1975 Chevrolet K5 Blazer, a vehicle that not only reflects his personal style but also showcases his commitment to craftsmanship and individuality.

Nestled in the heart of central Pennsylvania, the Drag School Boot Camp in Lewisberry stands as a beacon of hope and transformation for young adults facing the consequences of their past actions. Operating under the umbrella of National Drag School Youth Projects Inc., this program has been a cornerstone of rehabilitation and community service for over two decades.

When it comes to classic television detectives, few were as cool — or as car-savvy — as Joe Mannix, played by Mike Connors in the long-running CBS series Mannix (1967–1975). A tough, street-smart private investigator with a penchant for physical confrontations and old-fashioned grit, Mannix was also notable for the parade of stylish, performance-oriented automobiles he drove across the show’s eight seasons. These cars not only underscored his rugged yet sophisticated persona, but also became stars in their own right, many of them customized by legendary car builder George Barris, of Batmobile fame.

Let’s take a deep dive into the cars Mike Connors drove as Joe Mannix, season by season.

For many car enthusiasts, there’s always that one car—the one that stays in your mind, tied to memories of youth, grit, and a little bit of heartbreak. For Fernando Martinez, that car was a 1985 Chevrolet Corvette. His journey with this iconic piece of American engineering spans decades, marked by passion, perseverance, and a powerful sense of coming full circle.