Articles by Mike Ryan

Following on from classic car couches and engine block barbecues, we can now add Fiat 500 fridges to the list of auto-inspired whitegoods, thanks to a collaboration between Italian brands, Fiat and Smeg.

Fiat Australia has announced that the limited edition '500 by Gucci' of their compact city car will soon be available locally.

Fiat Chrysler Group has launched an expanded and more affordable Fiat 500 range for Australia. From the previous two model lineup, the new range now offers eight core variants in three trim levels - Pop, Sport and Lounge - across hatch and cabrio bodystyles, plus a premium model, available in both bodystyles.

Fiat's limited edition Abarth 695 Edizione Maserati cabriolet has made its debut in Australia following an international release last year.

'Quadrifoglio Verde' may not mean much to car enthusiast - unless you're a member of the Alfa Romeo 'Alfisti,' in which case it means a lot!

A highlight of this year's RACV Motorclassica auction, conducted by Theodore Bruce, will be an ultra-rare 1913 Nazarro Tipo 2 roadster.

A '57 Chevy is always worth a second look. In the case of Troy Scott's Bel Air 4-door hardtop, a third and fourth look is necessary!

After an impressive debut in 2012, the Cameron Burke Memorial Hot Rod, Custom Car and Bike Show and Family Fun Day hopes to go even better this year.

In their 40th Anniversary year, travel guide publisher Lonely Planet has sent two travel writers from 'Lonely Planet Traveller' magazine in a MINI from London to Sydney.

A globally significant and ultra-rare 1923 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8 recently found in Melbourne will make its public debut at this year's RACV Motorclassica event, staged from 25 to 27 October.

To restore a vehicle at any age is impressive. But to choose a very rare vehicle, and to be restoring it at a ripe old age takes something special. . . . or someone special. That 'someone' is Norm McBride. More impressive than the long list of cars Norm has owned, repaired or restored over the years, is the fact that the Victorian enthusiast was still restoring at the age of 85.

John Clow's passion for the mighty Ford Galaxie has seen the Victorian enthusiast own no less than ten examples. Without doubt, the most interesting is this 1966 ambulance conversion. John's first exposure to Ford's big car was back in 1965, when the then 16-year-old was working in a department store in Bendigo. Invited to view a "real car" by a travelling salesman, John recalled being gobsmacked by the sight of a brand new '65 Galaxie 500 sedan. That started a dream, but it would take seven years for it to become a reality.