Summer might officially begin on June 20th with the solstice and end on September 22nd with the Autumn equinox, but for my purposes, summer begins June 1st and ends August 31st. As such, this week marks the halfway point of the 2025 season, and I for one am determined to savor every moment. Whether I’ve been driving my 1969 Porsche 911E through the woods of northwestern Pennsylvania, cruising around Ann Arbor in my first-generation Mazda Miata, or mountain-biking in upstate New York, I’ve been making the most of the season, and I encourage all my colleagues to do the same. But don’t worry, the crack team at Hagerty Media has been plenty busy creating automotive stories when not embarking on their own sunny adventures. Here are some recent highlights to keep you entertained when you’re not behind the wheel yourself:
Henry Catchpole gets behind the uniquely shaped wheel of the Praga Bohema in the latest episode of The Driver’s Seat. He also drives its incredible ancestor, the 1934 Praga Super Piccolo. These two amazing road racers from the Czech Republic focus on aerodynamics and light weight. “This is up there with the most extreme road cars I have ever driven,” Catchpole says about the 700-hp Bohema. Strong words from a man who’s driven every modern supercar and hypercar.
Perhaps you’ve heard that the 1064-hp Corvette ZR1 will soon be topped by a hybrid version called the ZR1X that will pound the pavement with a combined 1250 horsepower. An even hotter mid-engine Corvette is coming. Executive chief engineer Tony Roma says the all-wheel-drive hybrid ZR1X is “just the latest chapter” in the story of the C8-generation Corvette.
Summer is prime road trip season, but no matter the time of year, when I head out on multi-state adventures, I carry a small tool set in the hope that if—and more likely when—my old steed falters, I can fix it. While I’ve had some success with roadside repairs, I more often rely on the Hagerty Drivers Club’s roadside assistance service. That said, carrying a reasonable set of tools and spares gives those with even a little mechanical aptitude a chance of getting their car back on the road. But what, exactly, should you stow in the trunk? Rob Siegel, a veteran of numerous roadside rescues, has the lowdown on what tools and parts are most likely to help.
One of the most critical but overlooked wear items on a car is the engine air filter. There are lots of replacement options, from factory-original parts to aftermarket filters, and they all promise great airflow.
But are high-performance air filters worth the money? The answer is complicated but the latest video from Torque Test Channel will help guide your decision-making.
Every once in a while, stars align, and a passionate group of engineers, product planners, and designers at a car company seize the chance to make something special. Such was the case back in the early 1990s, when teams at GM and Ford created two pickups that set the tone for the modern powerhouse performance trucks we enjoy today. Hagerty Media Senior Editor Grace Jarvis draws a bead on the GMC Syclone and Ford Lightning.
Perhaps you remember the classic car fever that heated up the market during the COVID pandemic. Our team over at The Insider has been tracking the gradual cooling to pre-pandemic levels and reports that many established favorites are once again affordable, which is good news for buyers looking to get behind the wheel. Here’s a list of cars that just might catch your eye.
Have a great weekend!
Larry
P.S.: Your feedback and comments are welcome.
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Many thanks Larry for your up-dates !
I have been a long-time Hagerty customer with my 1986 Fiero, The Rattler which you have on file for a future article in your fine magazine. As a Hagerty Drivers Club member, it’s nice to connect with other clubs to extend my knowledge of the care culture.
Have a great rest of the year !
I am wondering where you were driving the 911E in the northwestern PA area. Every other summer, my parents would pack up my sister and me and drive across the country to visit both pairs of grandparents. They lived on either side of the New York-Pennsylvania border in Salamanca, New York, and Bradford, Pennsylvania. To this day, I have many fond memories of visiting them from the early 1970s through to the early 1980s.
I recall driving through some of the most stunning back roads in western New York and Pennsylvania. Thank you for bringing so many of them back to me as I read your article.
Please take and share some pictures the next time you are making this loop in the 911E.