One of the coolest things about this blog is that friends and relatives keep sending me pictures from their travels and classic car meetings. This time, my good friend Márcio Ribeiro, who lives in Calgary, AB, sent me a photo coverage of the 5th High River Show and Shine. We met Márcio and his familyContinue reading “High River Show and Shine”
Author Archives: Rubens Junior
Drag Racing Scenes, 2025/2026
From time to time, my good friend Paulo “Kuelo” shares photos of his travels with the MRB Motorsports team. These trips involve drag-race competitions in both Brazil and the USA. When I came to work for Powertech in 2008, Kuelo was already a veteran there. A couple of years ago, he left and joined MRBContinue reading “Drag Racing Scenes, 2025/2026”
My Favorite Quote of the Week.
On February 11, 1990, after intense pressure and boycotts from the international community, Nelson Mandela was released unconditionally by the South African fascist government after spending 27 years behind bars for his resistance against the apartheid regime. “May your goals reflect your hopes, not your fears.” He was sent to prison for believing in whatContinue reading “My Favorite Quote of the Week.”
The Legend of The Golden JAWA
Researching for a post can be extremely rewarding; it is an amazing process of discovery, especially when the writer dives into a subject they love. Usually, when we dig into one specific detail of the subject, other interesting details will emerge. Details we can’t leave behind. In the end, a text meant to be aContinue reading “The Legend of The Golden JAWA”
JAWA Moto
In my last post, I wrote a bit about the joy of visiting junkyards with my dad during my early teens. That post also brought back memories of a family that moved into our neighborhood during those years. A family that owned a motorcycle junkyard. The boys often brought home old bikes they thought theyContinue reading “JAWA Moto”
Catch of The Day – 1968 MG “Midget”.
In the 1920s, the British auto industry created a trend that became one of the most popular and enduring in the history of the automobile: the British roadster. The idea couldn’t be simpler: take a chassis from an existing passenger car, fit it with the most spartan body possible, tune the mechanicals for sportier performance,Continue reading “Catch of The Day – 1968 MG “Midget”.”
Picture of the Day – Jasper Auto Parts.
During my teenage years, one of my favorite activities to do with my dad wasn’t playing soccer or going fishing; it was visiting junkyards. All those happy Saturday afternoons spent running around old, rusted cars helped forge the love I feel for obsolete machinery. In those years, it was easy to come across some interestingContinue reading “Picture of the Day – Jasper Auto Parts.”
My Favorite Quote (of the week).
What is your favorite quote? I always try to keep at least one famous quote at hand. It is kind of satisfying when the opportunity to say something smart comes and you are prepared. Even if it is a borrowed wisdom. For a while, I have been keeping this quote in mind. Some of youContinue reading “My Favorite Quote (of the week).”
Viva España
Four years ago, I wrote a post praising the Argentine victory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. I wrote it with a heavy heart after my Brazilian team had failed once again to reach the final. For many Brazilians, it was a bitter pill to swallow to see the Argentines win their third WorldContinue reading “Viva España”
Canadian U-Boat
We are living in strange and perilous times. The usual balance of power between Eastern and Western civilizations has changed, and the line dividing the bad guys from the good guys is becoming blurry. Mr. Putin launched Russia into a bloody war when he cowardly invaded Ukraine four years ago, demonstrating to the world thatContinue reading “Canadian U-Boat”
Norton-Wankel – The Victory of the Underdog.
(Originally published on May 15, 2021) In the 1970s, as Japanese motorcycles began dominating the global market, Norton was merely another legendary British bike brand fighting to stay afloat. A mix of mismanagement and lack of innovation brought the company very close to bankruptcy. Still, it was in the late 1960s that Norton had aContinue reading “Norton-Wankel – The Victory of the Underdog.”
Brazilian Maverick
In 1973, Ford Brazil introduced the locally built Maverick. At that time, most of our domestic auto industry’s offerings were based on European cars, and consumers were eager for an option 100% rooted in an authentic American vehicle. The gearhead community was excited about the car, which was expected to be a close relative ofContinue reading “Brazilian Maverick”
1963 Aston Martin DB4 GT Lightweight.
The DB4 model, produced from 1958 until 1963, was the car that put Aston Martin firmly in the sports coupe segment and started the iconic look that would define the brand throughout the next decades. If you look closely, styling cues from this car can still be found in modern Aston Martin models. Aston madeContinue reading “1963 Aston Martin DB4 GT Lightweight.”
Catch of the Day – 1972 BMW Bavaria.
I must confess that this series of posts has become quite enjoyable to write. It allows me to dig deep into my endless collection of digital photos and revisit the stories behind each one. These pictures I took in 2016, when I was working as a detailer at the Birchwood Collision Center in Winnipeg. ItContinue reading “Catch of the Day – 1972 BMW Bavaria.”
Gilles Villeneuve
“Why do we even bother? He is different from the rest of us. On a separate level” – Jacques Laffite, talking about Gilles Villeneuve.- A few years ago, I was chatting with some friends, we were casually listing a few great Formula One drivers when I said: – Gilles Villeneuve -, while most of theContinue reading “Gilles Villeneuve”
Picture of The Day – Downtown Toronto.
A few months ago, I started a series of posts called Catch of the Day, where I shared interesting (at least to me) pictures of cars I found on the streets. But I also love collecting pictures of interesting machines I find on the corners of the internet. Although they have less merit to meContinue reading “Picture of The Day – Downtown Toronto.”
James Dean
The love affair between celebrities and motorsports is a well-known fact. For some stars, it looks like their daytime job sole purpose is to provide means for their motorized hobbies. The best examples are Steve McQueen and Paul Newman, who achieved greatness in both acting and racing. Other contemporary examples include Patrick Dempsey, who startedContinue reading “James Dean”
