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Driving Florida’s A1A in a rented Mustang convertible
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It was a vacation at the tail end of chaos. The preceding weeks involved major life changes topped with major life changes. The timing was perfect. A summer weekend away in south Florida. A reprieve from reality. The trip snuck up on me. I packed a backpack and boarded a plane. A few short hours…
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Project “Conclusion”: 1991 Toyota MR2 “Someday Race Car”
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Not all projects get the end they deserve. Not all get the end you want them to. Not all even turn out to be projects. My ill-fated MR2 was all of the above. My friend Dan and I picked up the little second-gen Toyota MR2 a few years back. We had big plans for the…
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Hooniversal Opinion: 2020 C8 Corvette
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After decades of waiting the mid-engine Corvette has finally transformed from fantasy to reality. By now you probably know everything about the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. But here’s a refresher course: mid-engine. 6.2-liter V8, a modified version of the LT1 now called LT2. 495 horsepower. 460 lb-ft of torque. Tremec-sourced 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. Which is,…
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Comparison: 4th gen and 5th gen Toyota 4Runners
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Since its introduction in 1984 the Toyota 4Runner has become a forever player in the off-road capable, street-friendly SUV segment. Now deep into its fifth generation, the venerable 4×4 is still posting strong sales numbers. But prior generation trucks are holding up well, and the options for a reliable, comfortable, trail-happy rig are more than…
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Project Stormtrooper 4Runner: Closing thoughts and saying goodbye
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It’s the end of an era: the Stormtrooper 4Runner has been sold. It was the most meaningful vehicle to me in my automotive journey thus far. Coincidentally– or maybe not so much– it was also far and beyond my biggest project to date. Owning the Stormtrooper 4Runner never ceased to be an eye-opening learning experience.…
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Marshmallow Tundra’s legacy lives on in replacement Tundra build
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It was one of the most heroic automotive-centric stories of 2018. Amidst the horrific fires that charred Paradise, California a man used his beloved Toyota Tundra to save lives. Though a bit worse for wear, the truck survived the blaze. Appropriately the enthusiast community took notice and the Marshmallow Tundra, “The Pandra,” became an icon.…
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C6 Corvette Grand Sport Review: Performance bargain, street monster
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One year ago today I flew to Chicago to buy my holy-grail dream car. Ownership didn’t exactly go as intended. I’m still trying to put the unfortunate turn of events out of my memory, but the car itself I will never be able to do so with. My own experience aside, what is a 2012…
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You can configure your own Icon FJ
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Ever see a Singer 911? From far away the untrained eye may think it’s a “lowly” Porsche. But up close, the details come into focus. Every nut and bolt has been fixated on, every individual element tirelessly curated and honed to make the car more than the sum of its parts. Icon is to the…
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Shows You Should Watch: Proving Grounds Indy 500 Special
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Automotive programming is absolutely thriving right now. Be it on YouTube or traditional, good-‘ol-fashioned television, the variety and quantity of shows is astounding. That’s especially so coming up to Memorial Day Weekend, when the world-famous Indianapolis 500 race takes place. The crew at Proving Grounds have jumped on this. Once showcasing what can be done with…
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Project Update: 5th gen 4Runner TRD Off Road
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Recently we established that this is no longer Hooniverse but rather 4Runnerverse. Now it’s time to check in on one of my very own Toyota 4x4s. Nine months ago I picked up a 5th gen 4Runner to serve as an all-purpose vehicle. Needing something that could do everything from daily duty to beach trips and everything…
