8 Resources For People Serious About Cars

Edited by Ezvid Wiki Editorial on 9 June 2020

For many, cars are more than just a convenient way to get from point A to point B; they're a hobby, or even a lifestyle. If you're a collector, aficionado, or futurist with your eye on the cars of tomorrow, there are plenty of places you can go to read up on news, find valuable advice, and buy both new and vintage vehicles and parts. The resources listed here offer a variety of services for auto enthusiasts. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.

Helpful Resources For Car Enthusiasts

Name Description
BIG Euro Group for aficionados of European cars that shares automotive news, features, and event coverage and hosts Big SoCal Euro
Carwitter Independent car news, review, and motorsport site
Driving Towards Driverless Cars Blog by Lauren Isaac that discusses the challenges, opportunities, and considerations related to the implementation of driverless cars
VanDerBrink Auctions Company that conducts a wide range of auctions, selling collector car parts, antique tractors, motorcycles, and more
CarGurus Company that uses technology and data analytics to help customers buy cars
Heather Storm Television personality, travel writer, and car enthusiast
Mecum Auctions Company that auctions collector cars, vintage and antique motorcycles, and road art
Zelectric Motors Company that transforms mid-century Volkswagen models and early Porsche classics into electric cars

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In Depth

Ever since the advent of Fordist mass production in the early 20th century, the automobile has come to occupy a central role in modern life. While cars are simply a daily necessity for many, for others they're objects that constitute a pastime or entire lifestyle. In no particular order, here are some resources perfect for collectors, hobbyists, and all-around motor enthusiasts.

Showing up at #1 is BIG Euro. Launched by aficionados of European cars, the group shares automotive news, features, and event coverage. It's also the organizing entity for the annual Big SoCal Euro, one of the largest European car festivals on the West Coast. Held at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, the event features over 3,000 automobiles, plus raffles, drag racing, vendors, and more.

On the group's website, readers can find news and coverage of major automotive brands including BMW, Lamborghini, and Volkswagen. There's also an event calendar, a chat forum, and a section devoted to photos, videos, and feature links from past Big SoCal Euro events. Enthusiasts looking for merchandise can check out the i LOVE EUROS shop to buy men's and women's apparel.

Enthusiasts looking for merchandise can check out the i LOVE EUROS shop to buy men's and women's apparel.

For #2 we find Carwitter, an independent car news, review, and motorsport site. Its team of contributors writes about everything from personal driving experiences to international car launches and motoring events, and posts in-depth reviews of various automobile lines and equipment. Being independent of big backers or investors, the site is committed to creating and sharing unbiased content.

Carwitter boasts a selection of how-to articles, including ones that help with driving in winter, photographing motorsports, and achieving affordable car insurance as a young motorist. Another feature focuses on the ownership of venerated vehicles such as the DeLorean and Litchfield Nissan GT-R. Carwitter also features what it calls the Hot Hatch Corner, where writers review, discuss, and cover the releases of different hatchbacks.

Next up at #3 is Driving Towards Driverless Cars. This blog was created by Lauren Isaac, the Director of Business Initiatives for the North American operation of EasyMile, a company that specializes in autonomous vehicles. The purpose of the blog is to create a forum for discussion and feedback regarding the challenges, opportunities, roles and responsibilities, and considerations related to the implementation of driverless cars.

This blog was created by Lauren Isaac, the Director of Business Initiatives for the North American operation of EasyMile, a company that specializes in autonomous vehicles.

Isaac covers all facets of this emergent technology, from its potential positive impacts like improved mobility and reduced carbon emissions, to potential hazards including increased urban sprawl, job loss, and cyber security risks. Beyond her blog, Isaac has written the "Driving Towards Driverless" guide, which regards how local and regional governments should respond to autonomous vehicles in the short, medium, and long terms.

For #4 we have VanDerBrink Auctions. Formed in 2001 by Yvette VanDerBrink, this company conducts a wide range of auto-related auctions. From collector car parts to salvage yard liquidations, antique tractors to estate and private collections, it works to get cars and parts to the collectors, hobbyists, and rodders who help preserve automotive history. The company also has a record of selling farmland and other real estate.

Other auction specialties include gas and oil collectibles, motorcycles and parts, and gas engines. The company offers services including personal property appraisals and online bidding, and, when possible, works with clients to bring auctions to events such as hog roasts and car shows. It also helps sellers with customized marketing and advertising plans, item inventory and descriptions, and online and printable catalogs.

Other auction specialties include gas and oil collectibles, motorcycles and parts, and gas engines.

Coming in at #5 is CarGurus, which was started by TripAdvisor co-founder Langley Steinert with the aim of creating a better car-shopping experience using technology and data analytics. With over five million listings, the company compares price, detailed vehicle data, and dealer reviews to give each car a deal rating from great to overpriced. It also provides free access to information like market value, accident histories, and days on lot.

CarGurus' search engine allows users to refine and personalize their results. Consumers can browse used, new, and certified pre-owned vehicles, and can filter by make, model, body style, and price. The search is powered by algorithms that account for factors including mileage, trim, location, and dealer reputation. Consumers can also consult car reviews and buying guidance from the company's team of test-drive professionals.

For #6 we get Heather Storm, a television personality, travel writer, and car enthusiast. She is the host and executive producer of the travel series "Drive Yourself Local," in which she explores the US in her classic '65 Mustang while sharing slices of local culture. Her other credits include the Discovery show "Garage Squad," where she worked with a team of DIY fixers to get classic cars back on the road.

Storm's lifestyle blog, On the Road, features podcasts, posts, and videos capturing her many adventures. Readers can find pieces about her road trips along Route 66 and the Pacific Coast Highway, as well as food and drink recipes. Storm brings her love of booze onto the "Man Seeks Adventure" podcast, which offers celebrity interviews, travel stories, and advice for men.

Landing at #7 is Mecum Auctions. Headquartered in Walworth, Wisconsin and operating across the US, the company offers collector cars, vintage and antique motorcycles, and road art. Started in 1988 as a small family-owned business, it has since expanded to offer more than 20,000 lots per year.

Mecum Auctions' catalog includes a wide range of collectibles, from entry-level and investment-grade classic cars to tractors, signs, and memorabilia like gas pumps and clocks. On the company's website, interested auction participants can view the newest lots and deals, register to bid, and consign their own vehicles or items. Official merchandise, such as apparel and novelties, is available from the Mecum Shop.

Official merchandise, such as apparel and novelties, is available from the Mecum Shop.

Finally, for #8 we come to Zelectric Motors. The brainchild of acclaimed designer-producers David Benardo and Bonnie Rodgers, this San Diego-based company transforms mid-century Volkswagen models and early Porsche classics into all-electric, 21st-century cars. Clients can send in their own vintage German automobiles to be retrofitted, or they can have the company source a candidate for them. Each vehicle is transformed by hand, with production limited to bespoke creations.

The Zelectric transformation begins with a 100% electric powertrain, and continues with select proprietary modifications such as upgraded suspension, lights, brakes, and more. Features of the finalized car include instant radical acceleration, selectable torque, customizable mileage range, variable regenerative breaking, and top speeds of over 100 miles per hour. The company preserves each car's period-correct interior, and never makes cuts or welds anything on.