Words & photos by Bob Sblendorio (Lt-Rt) Owner Grazi Zazzara, alongside his Operations Manager, Brian Badger, standing alongside Badger’s 2001 Dodge Dakota low-rider. His ride is tricked-out with air-suspension, powder coated wheels, a custom truck bed, and custom interior, with power by the stock 4.7 liter V8 engine. Grazi Zazzara, the owner of The […]
Words & Photos by Mike Mastracco Citroen Silver The Fairgrounds in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, was buzzing with over 1,500 cars on the third weekend of May 2025. The “Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals” is happening! This event showcases a huge mix of makes, models, and years of vehicles, ranging from the ones you see daily to
Words Pete Maio, Photos Chris Penree Like most of our readers I can remember my first car, where I bought it, the first time I drove it, what color it was and what options it had. My first car was a new 1967 Rambler Rebel SST. It was Hialeah yellow and had a black vinyl
Words & Photos by Bob Sblendorio “Absolutely thrilled” is how partners Ed Levine and Grazi Zazzara described the turnout for the inaugural Cavalcade of Cars held at the NY State Fairgrounds. The car show was held on March 22 & 23, 2025 in the Center of Progress building. They have doubled the attendance compared to
Words by Pete Maio and photos by Chris Penree Jim found a disassembled ’49 Chevy five window truck with a bed full of rusty parts. What he envisioned was a restored classic. Always determined, never deterred, Jim trailered the truck home. Jim and Karen Mortis always had an affinity for cars that began with their
Words & photos by Mike Mastracco Mustang GTD Pro 65 Winner Tom is a buddy of mine who goes with me to Watkins Glen Race track several times a year camping, and of course, to watch some racing. Last year during the 6-Hour IMSA race we were having a few beers sitting around our campfire
Words Bob Sblendorio, photos Chris Penree: Mark Schultz is a 4th generation business owner, the original which was started back in 1916 by Jacob Schultz—Mark’s great-grandfather. He was a skilled blacksmith, building wagons , wheels and chassis in Utica. Mark’s grandfather, Walter Schultz, moved the business to Rome in 1940. Walter, known as “Dutch”, was
By Mike Mastracco Like father—like son—like daughter… Heidi has a full background of automotive knowledge and work experience that includes working for two professional race car teams before coming to work for Johnny Johnson, her father. Together, the first car they restored was her 1966 Mustang GT 350H, yes, a real Hertz Mustang. It was
Words & photos by Bob Sblendorio When owner Dave Griffin demonstrated the acceleration of his 1,020 hp 2022 Tesla Model S Plaid he first pre-set my wife and I with the following instructions: “Hold on tight, put your head firmly against the headrest. Are you ready? …here we go.” And go we did! The acceleration
No, not the one in Nevada that you are thinking about… Words & photos by Mike Mastracco For years my son Mike has had his eyes on my 1966 Mustang coupe. He even asked me if he could drive it to school at the end of his senior year, I said “sure.” He continues to
Aurora, Ohio May 21-22, 2021 Words & photos by Mike Mastracco Jeep is such an iconic name like Coke, Ford, Xerox, it’s been around since 1941, and recognized in most countries. We all grew up with the Jeep brand, either we’ve owned a Jeep product, or a neighbor, relative or friend has owned one. In
Words by Bob Sblendorio, photos by Chris Penree. “Chronic car enthusiast’s affliction” is a serious condition I recently read about in an article by Don Sherman in Corvette Magazine. It’s a life-long affliction with no known cure. The symptoms can be treated though, but it’s expensive and usually involves buying more cars. Diagnosis is relatively
“It was an ass-kicker,” is probably an understatement. How about riding for eight hours on a cantankerous 11-hp, rigid frame 1915 Harley-Davidson with no windshield, laboring up the “Going-to-the-Sun” road in Glacier National Park, battling constant headwinds, ascending 7,000 feet in elevation, crossing the Continental Divide, through fog, which turned to mist, then rain, then wet snow and snow at the top? Along the way, making any and all repairs by yourself? After surviving that day’s ride, then having to work on the bike until midnight or 1:00 am, and finally going to sleep…up at 6:00 am to do it all again? That’s a typical day—of the sixteen grueling days—participating in the Motorcycle Cannonball Endurance Run. When 69 year-old Steve DeCosa referred to the event as an “ass-kicker”—it’s definitely (not probably) an understatement.
The late 1930s were a dark and tumultuous time in the history of the United States. The Great Depression had been ravaging the American spirit to the core for nearly a decade. The economy was in ruins with unrelenting high unemployment; most citizens were financially wiped-out and many—were just plain hungry.
Words Jim MacLachlan, photos Chris Penree: Pat Abbott of Kirkville, NY was participating in a local car cruise last summer at Lewis Park in Minoa with his 1930 Model A coupe. As he was listening to the band play, the priest from the church he attends came up to him and asked if
Words by Bob Sblendorio, photos by owner: A member of the Mohican Model A Ford Club since the early 1970s, Bill Kritzler owns a 1930 Model A…but that is not a requirement to becoming a member. The Club welcomes anyone that wants to be a member regardless of the car that someone may
Words Bob Sblendorio, photos Dalton Dobson: “I’ve had this racing thing in my blood my whole life. I like to push myself in a lot of cases, which can be intimidating,” explained Tracy Lyman. This past year she embarked on the Trackmasters driver education program, which operates out of Watkins Glen International Speedway. The
Words Barry Alt, photos Darren Ohara: Gearing up for the 30th anniversary of the successful restoration business Russell Jacobs started in 1989, he looks back on his experiences and plans for the road ahead. “I started dragging old cars home when I was 14 years old, to my mom’s family farm, working on anything old
Words Natasha Wright, photos Barry Alt: When Barry Alt first launched Motorhead Digital he knew there were automotive businesses ready for a higher level of performance in their digital marketing. As a serious car enthusiast, he also understood what these businesses had to offer. Barry spent his high school years attending an automotive trade
Words Bob Sblendorio, photos Chris Penree: When someone asks about the color of her 1951 Mercury Sedan… “It’s chrome with red,” says Nancy Metrick with a laugh. She loves old cars and chrome, hence her choice of a Mercury with voluminous amounts of chrome, especially that front bumper. One of her favorite design
Words Mike Mastracco, photos Chris Penree: Pantera, Italian for panther, a very powerful animal that adapts well to a variety of habitats. From 1971 to 1974 the De Tomaso car company of Modena, Italy produced the De Tomaso Pantera, a mid-engine supercar for export to the U.S. market. This new Italian design sports car
Words Bob Sblendorio, and photos Chris Penree: Al Brandolini may be—just may be—the only person in the world to officially win a ¼-mile drag-race with a bone stock 24 hp Model A against a ‘60s era muscle car…an Oldsmobile 442 to be exact. Is that really possible? It was 1968 at the New England
Words by Bob Sblendorio: The 24 Hours of Le Mans and the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 are impressive races – but how about a non-stop, 169 day, 22,000 mile race from NYC to Paris – in 1908! Is that even possible? Well, it did actually happen, at a time when horse and carriage was still
Words Pete Maio, photos Chris Penree: Since their first show in the 1950’s the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute Car Show has consistently maintained its standing as the most prestigious invitational in Central New York. With this past year’s “Apex Invitational at Fountain Elms” the tradition continues. Held in conjunction with the Arts Institute’s Summer Festival
Words by Mike Mastracco: Central New York is abundant with active car clubs. One local club is the “Volkswagen Club of Central New York”, which is also a chapter of the “Vintage Volkswagen Club of America.” Dan Stevens is current President of this local club and Albert M Finocchiaro is currently the Regional Rep
I can still remember my first experiences with cars. Working with my grandfather, as he patched up his old cars, I admired his ability to seemingly fix everything and know the answer to any question. Being from the south, he taught me how to drive at a young age on twisty back roads and handmade
By Nick Graziano and photos by Dalton Dobson: After a year of marriage, Central Square couple Pati and Scott Pearse were faced with a decision that would ultimately change their life. Pati needed a new car, an affordable one, preferably, two. One of Scott’s German co-workers suggested he buy an old Volkswagen Beetle that
Words by Jacob Cetnar and Photos by Chris Penree: In the year 1967, many would agree that Ford, Dodge, and Chevrolet pickup trucks ruled the land. International, Toyota, and a few others had trucks, but they did not have the popularity and mystique of “the big three” American brands. They were producing rugged, V8
Words Sharie Sblendorio, Photos Jackie Tomarchio Hood: The Village of Canastota rolled out the red carpet and welcomed the participants of the 2018 New York-to-Paris Great Race celebration. The members of Apex Automotive Magazine, village officials, the public and many car enthusiasts from around the area were there to greet the participants on June 22.
Words by Mike Mastracco and photos by Dalton Dobson: Kaiser Darrin, also known as the Kaiser Darrin 161 or in short terms as the “Darrin” was an American sports car designed by Howard “Dutch” Darrin and built by Kaiser Motors for the 1954 model year. In this one year production run, a scantly 435
