If you follow this blog, you probably have noticed that I love motorsports. I can spend hours watching all kinds of races on TV, but I am not a big fan of NASCAR. First, I don’t like watching races on oval tracks in general, but what disgusts me the most is how they encourage driversContinue reading “Smokey Yunick – The Wizard of NASCAR.”
Author Archives: Rubens Junior
Classic Story – 1973 Cadillac Eldorado – Not a Primadonna
In 2014, I decided to quit my job at Powertech, and I went to work for another restoration shop called Phoenix Studio. If it was a wise decision, I still don’t know, but it was a different experience. A salesperson in a restoration shop must perform various duties; there is no such thing as “thisContinue reading “Classic Story – 1973 Cadillac Eldorado – Not a Primadonna”
The Panoz/Nissan Delta Wing
In the world of motorsport, evolution is constant. If you were to compare a Formula One car from the 1970s to a modern one from the 2020s, the differences due to half a century of technological advances are simply astonishing. However, both vehicles still share some core similarities, such as having four open wheels, aContinue reading “The Panoz/Nissan Delta Wing”
Sergio’s Pictures – Part II: São Bento do Sul, 2024
Once again, my dear cousin, Sergio D. Florentino, visited São Bento do Sul in Brazil for the 19th edition of the traditional classic car meeting on July 6 and 7, 2024. Sergio sent me hundreds of pictures of the meeting, and I decided to make a video with the best shots. The majority of theContinue reading “Sergio’s Pictures – Part II: São Bento do Sul, 2024”
Sergio’s Pictures – Part I : São Bento do Sul, 2019.
It has been almost ten years since my wife and I moved from Brazil to Canada; time really flies, even when you’re not having fun. Although I am far from the Brazilian classic car scene, my cousin, Sergio Devens Florentino, keeps me updated on every gathering he attends and regularly sends me pictures. After allContinue reading “Sergio’s Pictures – Part I : São Bento do Sul, 2019.”
Lamborghini Miura – 1966-1973
This is a well-known story that has been told over and over again among the gearheads around the world. Just like any other story/legend, this one can vary widely depending on who is telling it, but it mostly goes like this: Ferruccio Lamborghini, the founder of Lamborghini Trattori and notorious bon vivant, was dealing withContinue reading “Lamborghini Miura – 1966-1973”
All The Pretty Things Money Can Buy.
What are your favorite brands and why? Many years ago, when I was a parts consultant for a restoration shop in Brazil, I had an interesting conversation with a customer about the things we wanted but we could not afford, mostly hot rod-related. This is how he wrapped up the talking: “You know what IContinue reading “All The Pretty Things Money Can Buy.”
Honda XL 250R
Reliable, stylish, affordable, and groundbreaking; no wonder this little Honda became one of the most popular bikes of the 1980s. The perception of motorcycles varies across different cultures around the world. In developed countries, it is a vehicle used mainly as a hobby, but in poorer nations, a bike is the most affordable means ofContinue reading “Honda XL 250R”
Flight To Arras / Pilote de Guerre
What book could you read over and over again? The Prince of the Sky. Writer, poet, illustrator, pilot, and above all, a romantic guy regarding most aspects of life. Antoine de Saint-Exupery was blessed with quite a few qualities when he came to this world. Saint-Ex, as friends and family knew him, became famous thanksContinue reading “Flight To Arras / Pilote de Guerre”
Classic Poetry – Huey
Such a hot afternoon. It could have been a Wednesday, or a Friday, but not a Sunday. Sitting on the driveway, brake parts scattered around me. And then the sound. POM POM POM POM… I remember this sound, I know what it is. POM POM POM POM… I close my eyes. I am not listening…Continue reading “Classic Poetry – Huey”
Jimmy Stewart, The War Hero.
Old movies are the closest thing we have to a time machine. They can bring us back to a time when life was simpler, and people were more authentic. Every movie lover has a list of their favorite classics and, consequently, their favorite actors and actresses. During the glory days of Hollywood, Bogart was theContinue reading “Jimmy Stewart, The War Hero.”
The Argentine Mission at the 84 Hours of Nürburgring
– In 1969, a team of Argentine racers, led by Juan Manuel Fangio, won one of the most gruesome endurance races ever, driving an unlikely race car. This is their story. No, it is not a typo. The first time I came across this amazing story, I also thought: ” You mean 24 Hours ofContinue reading “The Argentine Mission at the 84 Hours of Nürburgring”
1983 Porsche 911 Targa – A Matter of Feeling
During the time I worked for two different restoration shops in Brazil, I had the opportunity to drive some interesting cars and bikes. A couple of days ago I was going through hundreds of digital pictures that I have scattered all over Google Drive and found a few shots of one of those cars, aContinue reading “1983 Porsche 911 Targa – A Matter of Feeling”
The World’s Fastest Ferrari
The 1980s was not a remarkable era for the auto industry, the decade will always be remembered by sluggish engines and questionable taste in design. But if we venture into the realms of Italian exotic cars we will certainly find a few exceptions. In my humble opinion, the Ferrari 288 GTO can easily sit onContinue reading “The World’s Fastest Ferrari”
Classic Motor: Assembling a 1300cc VW Engine
While I spend time putting together plastic model kits, my 75-year-old dad spends his time restoring vintage VW Beetles. Recently he sent me a few short videos showing himself masterfully assembling a rebuilt, air-cooled 1300cc-VW engine. This little mill replaced an old, tired 1300cc that came with the car when Dad bought his 1968 BeetleContinue reading “Classic Motor: Assembling a 1300cc VW Engine”
Classic Modeling – 1:72 Spad XIII
Once again it is wintertime in the Northern Hemisphere, and here in Canada, it means one thing: spending most of your free time indoors. If you are not willing to sit in front of the TV and spend hours watching Netflix’s “craparama”, you better find a hobby. Occasionally, I give a shot at an oldContinue reading “Classic Modeling – 1:72 Spad XIII”
Classic Rock – Bitter Sweet Symphony
During the 1990s, rock’n roll enjoyed what might have been its last breath of life as a mainstream musical genre. The Grunge Movement, which started in the mid-1980s, and exploded in the next decade, was a healthy departure from the (mostly) silly, glossy-looking bands from the 80s to a more hard-core, back-to-basics approach. Rock wasContinue reading “Classic Rock – Bitter Sweet Symphony”
The Classic Machines 