RADwood PNW 2023

I’ll say it now: RADwood is my favourite automotive experience ever. I have attended a lot of car meets, cruise-ins, and full-size auto shows, and nothing tops this.

ANFSCD: Reliving the 50s with Trolley Buses

And now for something completely different: Me getting a ride on a 1947 Canadian Car-Brill T-44 and a 1954 T48A trolley buses.

Anyone who knows me would probably know that in addition to being a car nerd, I am a bit of a transit nerd as well -- something about these massive honest-to-God utilitarian machineries that really tickles my fancy. Born in Hong Kong, I have only been more exposed to British double decker buses. So learning that @translink and @transitmuseumbc were offering free rides in Downtown Vancouver earlier this week with these North American classics, I just couldn't pass up the opportunity.

Fine British Engineering, This is Not.

Star of the Show: @r.w.fletcherr's 1977 British Leyland Mk IV #MiniCooper.

Talking to Rowan, it was very clear to me that he knew a great deal about this car -- his dad owns one too.

The car is far from a showroom piece, with cracks and blemishes around the car showing clues to its history. This particular Mini apparently blew its engine 3 times, usually due to something catastrophic. This would usually be the sort of thing that would deter someone from classic car ownership, but apparently not Rowan -- this is actually his daily driver, and he even plans on taking this on long road trips.

"My wings are better."

 

"yep, that'll do."

Cool thing that happened this past month: when fellow Hong Kong transplant David DM'd me to ask if I'd like to go for a cruise. His Instagram content is literally full of old retro cars that only hardcore car nerds would care about. So of course I was down.

Two weeks later, I took my E24 to meet up with him and his 1994 Volvo 940 sedan (@verne_the_volvo), in Volvo Tropical Green (or as I like to call it, "90s green"), with only 181k km on the clock on the legendary red block. The brick-like exterior also matches up with the no-nonsense interior, but packed with just enough features and massive switches that you won't mistaken it for a mid-90s Honda Accord. Not exactly the fastest car by any standard, but this is the sort of entry-luxo car any middle-aged Asian uncle would look at and go, "yep, that'll do."

3 Wheelin'

Star of the Show: @itsmikelin's 2013 Morgan 3 Wheeler.

There aren't a lot of cars that are designed exclusively to brighten up everyone's day, but this Morgan 3 Wheeler is it. As soon as turned up @lakewashingtoncarsandcoffee -- it just brought a smile to the face of everyone around it.

My Life is Complete.

Star of the Show: 2004 Porsche Carrera GT.

"It isn't styled with the verve or the passion of a Ferrari or a Lamborghini. Its form, following function in every piece, every detail, is as precise and as perfect as Germany's rail timetable." @jeremyclarkson1 on Top Gear, talking about the Porsche Carrera GT.

That particular review came out almost 20 years ago, and it was one of the first Top Gear episodes I've watched. Left quite an impression on me back in 2004, and it still does now. The CGT is quite simply stunning.