Here are a few of the car shows on Saturday, Feb. 25, and Sunday, Feb. 26:
SATURDAY, FEB. 25: CAR SHOW; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Bloomingdale Pizza, 4334 Bell Shoals Road, Valrico; discounts for car participants; for more information, call (813) 684-7466 or DJ Ed Cullins at (813) 986-4720, (813) 294-7803 or e-mail etc397@aol.com
SATURDAY, FEB. 25: ZEPHYRHILLS SATURDAY NIGHT CRUISE-IN; food,
The choice of the Buick Regal GS to endure the test of time and become an automotive classic places the new sport sedan in the company of bygone Buick classics.
Hagerty Insurance, the classic car insurance firm, placed the Regal GS on its “2012 Hot List” for mass-market vehicles with a suggested retail price below $100,000. The company thinks the Regal GS will be a future collectible.
In particular, Hagerty applauded
By NITISH S. RELE - editor@motoringtampabay.com
For well over 14 years, Running Great Automotive has been serving the Tampa Bay area with ASE-certified technicians boasting 100 years of auto-repair experience and more. Recently, the shop underwent an expansion and now offers a new waiting room with WiFi for customers.
Owner Glen Yudman has been in the automotive repair business for more than 25 years. Apart from its
By NITISH S. RELE - motoringtampabay@gmail.com
The 29th edition of Motoring Tampa Bay publication (February 2012) is out. The print edition is available at select auto service shops among other locations in the Tampa Bay area. However, ask for a copy at the numerous car shows/cruise-ins/swap meets this month listed in this monthly paper.
And if you would like a copy, just mail us a $12 annual subscription check
As an effort to get youth involved in the Dover Rod Run, the addition of the Dover Pinewood Classic at the car show on Jan. 28 was a great success with kids and the adults alike.
Participants get a chance to build and race cars, similar the Soap Box Derby, which is a youth soapbox car racing program. Cars do have to meet strict requirements. The races are electronically controlled for times and displayed on a large screen. Trophies are awarded for
By DAVE GENDRON
Meet Dale Weaver of DJW Vinyl & Leather Repair in Tampa.
In business since 1982, Weaver specializes in dashboards, steering wheels, seats and anything in the interior of your car that is either leather or vinyl. He also works on boats, RVs, motorcycles and at restaurants
If you do want the color of leather or vinyl in a vehicle interior changed, he can do it. Pricing, well you'll just have to dial (813)
Ford gave muscle car enthusiasts a rare opportunity to bid on the racetrack durability car used to develop the 2013 Shelby GT500 production Mustang. The car was auctioned at the 41st Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction Jan. 21 in Scottsdale, Ariz. The sale raised $350,000 for JDRF (formerly known as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation), the world’s largest charitable funder of type 1 diabetes research. On the auction stage was Ford’s
By NITISH S. RELE - editor@motoringtampabay.com
Robert Suarez of RJL Customs in Tampa has moved to a new and bigger location – Kennedy Boulevard. The custom shop offers full-service mechanical and collision repairs, as well as restoration. RJL, which is an acronym for the Suarez’s three children, Roberto, Jennifer, Leilani, also offers U-Haul rental trucks as well as a 24-hour wrecker service.
The first 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible Collector Edition – the fastest and most capable convertible in Corvette’s history – sold for $600,000 in the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale collector car auction Jan. 21.
The Corvette 427 Convertible, which arrives at U.S. Chevrolet dealers this summer, blends elements of the Z06 and ZR1 models. The Vehicle Identification Number ending in 001 was sold in the auction.
Its heart
More than 300 cars participated in the Plant City Strawberry Classic Car Show Jan. 21. The monthly show attracted motoring enthusiasts from the Tampa Bay area and surrounding communities. It is open to 1986 and older cars and trucks as well as antiques, hot rods, customs and classics.
The Plant City classic car show is held from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the third Saturday of every month at McCall Park in historic downtown Plant City. It will
“Chevy Happy Grad,” an ad submitted by 26-year-old Long Island resident Zach Borst, will be aired during the telecast of Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5, beating out submissions by independent filmmakers from around the world as part of Chevrolet’s Route 66 Super Bowl ad contest.
The ads had more than 32 million total online views between Dec. 22 and Jan. 14.
“We asked filmmakers to depict life’s journey and how Chevrolet
By NITISH S. RELE - editor@motoringtampabay.com
If you’ve been to 4Wheel Parts in Tampa, you’ll notice that customer service is tops for its employees. “We don’t just push a product,” says Ian Townsend, manager of the truck and Jeep accessory superstore. “We custom-tailor a package that fits the customer’s needs.”
A 50-year-old-plus national company, 4Wheel Parts has
With his name inscribed on the “assembled by” plaque affixed to his new 505-horsepower Chevrolet LS7 crate engine, Jeff Kasper can point to his role in helping birth the high-performance engine for his project car. Kasper, a sales and business manager for a semiconductor manufacturer in California, is the first customer of Chevrolet Performance’s new Crate Engine Build Experience, which allows hot rod builders to participate in assembly of
Meet Barbara Jean of BJ's Custom Auto Upholstery, affectionately known as BJ. The upholstery shop has been in business since 1981 at 8624 N. Florida Ave. in Tampa.
Among the services offered are convertible and vinyl tops, carpets/padding, headliners/sunshades, leather packages, complete vinyl/cloth/leather seats, door panels, tonneau covers, motorcycle/boat seats, bar stools.
For more information, call (813) 932-7305 or visit
By NITISH S. RELE - editor@motoringtampabay.com
When just 13 years old, Joe Barravecchio installed the first stereo in his brother’s Jeep Wrangler. “Car stereo is a bug that bites you,” recalls the owner of 813 Customs in Tampa, which specializes in custom car/marine audio, speaker enclosures, fiberglass work, custom wheels and tires, mobile entertainment, vehicle security, interior/exterior styling, custom
The Shops at Wiregrass Free Car and Truck Show returns Saturday, April 28, at 28211 Paseo Drive in Wesley Chapel. Registration is from 8 a.m. to noon with judging starting at 11 a.m. and awards presented at 3 p.m. Several trophies will be given. However, cars can be put up for sale for $10 on day of the show.
For information, visit www.premiumcarshows.com or call (727) 547-8082.
USA Flea Market at 11721 U.S. 19 in Port Richey (200 yards south of State Road 52) will hold its monthly Car & Motorcycle Show and Swap Meet on Sunday, Feb. 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is $10; vendor space is $4.
For more information, call (727) 868-2143.
By NITISH S. RELE
motoringtampabay@gmail.com
The 28th edition of Motoring Tampa Bay publication (January 2012) is out. The print edition is available at select auto service shops among other locations in the Tampa Bay area. However, ask for a copy at the numerous car shows/cruise-ins/swap meets this month listed in this monthly paper.
And if you would like a copy, just mail us a $12 annual subscription check addressed to
The latest addition to the growing stable of classic Mustang bodies – the 1967 convertible – just might be the ultimate stocking stuffer this Christmas for restorers of America’s favorite sports car.
The 1967 convertible body shell, the newest officially licensed Ford Restoration part, is now available to order starting at $15,995. It is the fourth reproduction classic Mustang body available to restorers, joining the
Ford Mustang – the icon of American performance and style – gets even more street swagger with a new design and a list of smart features that signal even more technology in the popular pony car.
“The new Mustang is the perfect example of continuing to build on excellence. It takes the greatness of the 5.0-liter and V6 and pushes the refinement to the next level,” said Dave Pericak, Mustang chief engineer. “The
Ronnie Setser will hold his monthly Best of the Best on Saturday, Feb. 4, at the Stadium Inn/Green Iguana in Tampa.
The show starts at 6 p.m. Registration fee of 10 gets the participant a free meal at Green Iguana, 2522 N. Dale Mabry Highway. Trophies, specialty awards, 6-foot Best of the Best and Club Participation are among the prizes.
Also, Setser visit the forum at www.ronniesetser.com for body shop, car show and Hobby
The Rise & Shine Cars & Coffee Car Show will be held Feb. 11. The monthly show features Garage One and A&G Industries products. The show will be held from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at 5136 W. Idlewild Ave, Tampa. All cars are welcome.
Hosted by Let’s Roll Promotions, free coffee and doughnuts are available. Also, there are detail products and demonstrations, chrome and tire car, waxing and leather care, door prizes and store
The monthly Reeves Motorsports Gathering will be held on Saturday, Feb. 4. The gathering is held the first Saturday of every month from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Car owners and enthusiasts can showcase their classic, exotic, and super cars at Reeves Import Motorcars, 11301 N. Florida Ave., Tampa (enter from Florida Avenue between Hummer and Subaru).
Participants are encouraged to bring a friend along for coffee, bagels, muffins and esprit de corps.
This Dodge Challenger or better known as the Patriot Run Challenger is owned by Jay Uzzalinno. The 2010 Challenger is about to go through a complete paint transformation, which will be done by Tim Urban of Alternative Koncepts.
For those of you who haven't seen Urban’s work, you need to pay him a visit. He had the great honor one time of refinishing a Ridler car at Autorama in Detroit, that went on to win the Super Rod Award.
By NITISH S. RELE - editor@motoringtampabay.com
For well over 14 years, Running Great Automotive has been serving the Tampa Bay area with ASE-certified technicians boasting 100 years of auto-repair experience and more. Recently, the shop underwent an expansion and now offers a new waiting room with WiFi for customers.
Owner Glen Yudman has been in the automotive repair business for more than 25 years. Apart from its
A car show is held the first Saturday of every month at Bloomingdale Pizza in Valrico from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The eatery, which serves New York-style pizza and home-cooked Italian food, is at 4334 Bell Shoals Road. For delivery, carry-out or if you have a question about dine-in, call Bloomingdale Pizza at (813) 684-7466 or visit www.bloomingdalepizza.com During the show, discounts are offered to car participants.
For more information, call (813)
USA Flea Market at 11721 U.S. 19 in Port Richey (200 yards south of State Road 52) holds a Car & Motorcycle Show and Swap Meet from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. the second Sunday of every month. Registration is $10; vendor space is $4.
For more information, call (727) 868-2143.
Dairy Queen Grill & Chill across from the Citrus Park Mall in Tampa hosts a weekly car show every Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m. The event, organized by Paul Figoni, is open to all antiques, classics, muscle cars, street rods, hot rods and customs and can accommodate up to 45 vehicles. Also on the agenda is cool music, door prizes and 50/50. Cruisers get a free ice cream cone.
“The first show here started January
Sonic Drive-in on State Road 60 in Brandon hosts a weekly car show every Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m. The event is open to all year model vehicles.
Sonic is at 1230 E. Brandon Blvd. For more information, call DJ Ed Cullins at (813) 986-4720, (813) 294-7803 or e-mail etc397@aol.com
Nearly 30 to 35 cars are usually in attendance at the weekly cruise-in at Americana 50’s Diner on U.S. 19 in Holiday. The show at 1730 U.S. 19 N., Holiday, is held from 6 to 9 p.m. every Saturday. On the agenda is oldies music, food discounts for car owners and trophy night the last Saturday of each month. The event is put on by the Christian Hot Rod Association.
For more information, call Bob Stiles at (727)
Calling all car clubs: Win a $1,500 donation for your favorite charity.
Enter the 19th annual Eagle One Golden Rule Awards contest. An entry form is available for downloading at www.eagleone.com
Eagle One and associate sponsor Valvoline will honor and reward a car club in each of four regions of the U.S.; West, Midwest, East and South, for conducting the most outstanding community service program in their region during
About 300 cars participated in the 25th annual High Rollers Car Club Car & Truck Show and the 10th annual Mason Dixon Christmas Wish Show Dec. 10 at Gator Ford. The event was hosted by High Rollers Car Club at Gator Ford, 11780 Tampa Gateway Blvd., in Tampa. Several awards and door prizes were given. Also, a silent auction and 50/50 were held.
For more information on High Rollers, visit www.hr-carclub.com
By NITISH S. RELE
motoringtampabay@gmail.com
Scott Fink, president and CEO of Hyundai of New Port Richey in Pasco County, has been nominated for the 43rd annual TIME Dealer of the Year Award.
Four finalists will ultimately be chosen — one from each region of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA); the winner will be announced at NADA’s national convention on Feb. 4, 2012 in Las Vegas
