Author Archive: Bryan McTaggart
The Proper Way To Count Spokes: Crafting Borrani Wire Wheels
Find me a Ferrari made between the 1940s and the early 1970s that shouldn’t be wearing a set of these. I don’t care if it’s a 166MM or a 365 GTB/4 “Daytona”, they just...
Unhinged: If Chrysler Isn’t Dead By The End Of The Week, I’ll Be Stunned.
Two years ago, I thought we were going to see Chrysler go away. Admittedly, I was surprised it lasted this long. But with all signs pointing to the company disappearing soon, I felt that it was worth...
Morning Symphony: Snowdrifting At Livigno, Italy
Far as we’re concerned, ski resorts are wasted on the skiers and snowboarders. With fresh snow everywhere in abundance, a good ski resort is simply a few good decisions away from being a wicked...
Classic YouTube: The 1988 Chicago Auto Show
1988 is the year that I figured out that I was a gearhead, and that it was a permanent fixation. I was learning about classic Mustangs and disco Camaros, was focused on the clean orange El Camino...
This Old Shop: The Process Behind Turning An Empty Building Into A Full-On Workplace!
Carpentry. Drywall. Plumbing. Carpet laying. Insulation. Ever since my enforced vacation from my junior year of high school, I’ve had my hands in the elements of construction whether I wanted...
BangShift Question Of The Day: Who Thought Changing GM’s Badge Was A Good Idea?
Yes, it’s a rhetorical question, because the answer is known: GM’s own marketing team have made the decision to move to a new marketing plan called “Everybody In” and is meant...
The Beater Dream: Chasing Sports Cars On A Race Track In A Worn-Out Four-Door Nova
If there was a car I ever felt sorry for, it was the 1975 Olds Omega two-door that served as the family beater for years when we were kids. Well, that’s ONE of that car’s roles in life....
Money No Object: You Can Now Buy A Brand-New Escort Mk2, If You Have The Coin!
Most Americans, especially those who have distinct and clear memories of the 1980s and 1990s, understand what a Ford Escort is: cheap front-drive transportation that went from the mildly inspired...
Wee-Woo, Fun Police Are Here: A Toyota Yaris Ad Got Banned For Showing Speeding And Dangerous Driving
Three cylinders, 257 horsepower, all wheel drive and brakes from the new Supra…it might say “Yaris” on the body, but Toyota’s latest little psycho rally knockoff is exactly...
Hope Springs Eternal: A Look Inside The Revitalizing Chrysler Of 1992!
Dodge Dynastys on the assembly line, Lee Iacocca and Bob Lutz high in the offices. Revitalizing Chrysler in 1992? Oh, absolutely. No, seriously, stop laughing for a moment. Yes, this is the dawn of...
BangShift Tune-Up: “Are You Dead Yet?” by Children of Bodom (Live in 2006)
When you were a child, did you ever guess when your date with destiny would finally arrive? Did you expect to have a nice, long life or did you expect to burn like a road flare, full-fire until there...
Money No Object: 1959 Chevrolet Impala – The Blower Always Wins!
Not one word about how nitrous or turbochargers are better. You know damn well what I mean when I say the blower always wins. It’s not a matter of performance. It’s a matter of looks, of...
Wrong Motions: What Was the Issue With Three-Wheelers That Made Them Safety Targets?
I didn’t understand the drama with three-wheelers when I started reading into the story. I had several Honda ATCs back in the day, years before I could come close to even driving around in a...
