Category: Restoration Blog

Categories
Restoration Blog

Racing Blind: How I Survived the Smash and Dash

I raced my Ford Focus in the Cheap and Lazy 180 at the Matt’s Off-Road Smash and Dash in Utah. The event features four-cylinder front-wheel drive cars battling on a muddy off-road track with jumps and tight corners. My street tires quickly clogged with mud, sending me toward the wall and ruining my visibility for most of the race.

I struggled to see through the thick sludge despite using washer fluid and a cooling suit. The race was chaotic with multiple cautions, car failures, and drivers getting sprayed by others. I fought through the poor conditions while watching other competitors deal with blown engines and mechanical issues.

Rudy Wetzel ultimately won the race after a thrilling final lap battle. The event showcased the durability of these cheap cars and the unique challenges of off-road racing. It was an intense weekend at the West Desert Complex with demolition derbies and truck races following the main event.

This Week With Cars – Episode 0565

Categories
Restoration Blog

Best Car Cruise in the US – Cruise to the Woods

Today I take my Toyota FJ40 to Stratford for the Cruise to the Woods classic car event while managing a low fuel warning. I use my LastDrive Garage app to log the fill-up and calibrate the gauge after discovering 2.6 gallons remained despite the empty reading. The cruise features a massive lineup of vehicles including a Ford Bronco, a 1963 Split Window Coupe, and a DeLorean.

The convoy passes through Lehigh for burnouts before arriving at Dolliver State Park. The show site hosts unique builds like a Westfalia camper with a Subaru engine swap and a Jurassic Park Jeep replica. A 1956 Nash Metropolitan convertible and a 1969 AMC AMX with a 390 cubic inch engine are also highlighted among the diverse crowd.

This Week With Cars – Episode 0563

Categories
Restoration Blog

Best Cars at the October 2026 Cars and Coffee Event

Join me for this month’s Cars and Coffee event, featuring a diverse lineup of vehicles and engine displays.

This gathering brought out a great crowd of automotive enthusiasts to showcase their unique builds. I spent the morning walking through the rows of cars, getting a closer look at the different models and checking out the engine bays on display. It is always a highlight to see such a wide variety of machinery in one place.

Whether you are into classic restorations or modern performance, this car show had something for everyone. Seeing these vehicles up close and interacting with the owners is the best part of these local car meets. The atmosphere was excellent, and the turnout made for a fantastic morning of automotive appreciation.

This Week With Cars – Episode 0562

Categories
Restoration Blog

2027 Iowa Jeep Show Teaser

This week I was at the 2026 Iowa All Breeds Jeep Show put on by the Iowa Jeep Club. For the fifteenth year, the show has moved to Oak Ridge MX in Garwin, IA.

Categories
Restoration Blog

Best Show I Have Ever Been To

Attending the 2026 Iowa Jeep Show to see a wide collection of military vehicles, including jeeps and helicopters in action.

This event features a unique gathering of automotive enthusiasts, highlighting both historical and modern machinery. Throughout the day, I captured several scenes of equipment maneuvering, including a tank in operation and a helicopter in flight.

It is always interesting to see these classic jeeps and other military hardware displayed in an outdoor setting. The footage provides a close look at the variety of machinery present at the event, which was a highlight for many car show events attendees this year.

This Week With Cars – Episode 0561

Categories
Restoration Blog

Best Show I Have Ever Been To

Attending the 2026 Iowa Jeep Show to see a wide collection of military vehicles, including jeeps and helicopters in action.

This event features a unique gathering of automotive enthusiasts, highlighting both historical and modern machinery. Throughout the day, I captured several scenes of equipment maneuvering, including a tank in operation and a helicopter in flight.

It is always interesting to see these classic jeeps and other military hardware displayed in an outdoor setting. The footage provides a close look at the variety of machinery present at the event, which was a highlight for many car show attendees this year.

This Week With Cars – Episode 0561

Categories
Restoration Blog

2024 Iowa Jeep Club Oak Ridge Jeep Show Teaser

Video made about the Jeep Show for the Iowa Jeep Club.

Categories
Restoration Blog

Racing My Bugeye Sprite at Road America

Experience a first-person vintage car race at Road America. We are hitting the track for the VSCDA events, including the Kimberly Cup.

This footage takes you inside the cockpit during the Group 2-3 C D Sprint Race and Group Race. Navigating a classic car on this legendary track requires precision, especially with the variable conditions and light rain we faced throughout the weekend.

Watching this classic car racing coverage offers a look at how these machines perform in a competitive setting. Whether you are a fan of historic motorsport or interested in the setup required for these vintage events, this perspective provides a clear view of the action from the driver’s seat.

This Week With Cars – Episode 0560

Categories
Restoration Blog

September 2026 Restoration Blog

The off-road wrecker has an exhaust leak from hitting a rock, but the new ARB air lockers are ready for installation. The Austin Healey 100-6 is shown with its hardtop on after returning from the Conclave. The Innocenti Spider and pink Mustang livery get attention in the shop.

The Chevrolet C10 awaits correct hub bearings to start driving for the first time. A Ford Focus is prepped for a race at Utah Motorsports Campus. The bugeye Sprite returns from Road America with potential carb changes, while the MG Midget gets new wire wheels.

Metal work continues on the Triumph TR3 and Karmann Ghia sits on the lift. The Bernardi exterior paint is complete with functional side vents. This vlog covers the current state of these classic cars and trucks in the shop.

This Week With Cars – Episode 0559

Categories
Restoration Blog

My Journey to Sports Cars & the SCCA in 1954

Today I attend the 2026 Austin Healey Conclave at Galena, IL. The conclave is a week-long event put on by the Austin Healey Club of America and offers a road rally, gymkhana, car show, and tech sessions. This is a video of the talk “My Journey to Sports Cars & the SCCA in 1954” given by Stephen Styers.

This Week With Cars – Episode 0558

YouTubeFacebookInstagramTikTok
© 2026 This Week With Cars