When we started planning The Garage a few years back, I envisioned a sort of virtual garage where all manner of car enthusiasts would feel comfortable dropping by and sharing a story or two. As The Garage has grown, we’ve been lucky enough to be joined by young enthusiasts and old racers. Time worn journos and new guys trying to make a name for themselves have dropped by with a few tales. Each one has helped shape The Garage and added a bit more flavour. Today, we have yet another talent coming dropping in for a visit. Thanks to Gary Faules, I am more than honoured to welcome C. Van Tune to The Garage.
Who is C. Van Tune? I’ll let Van make the introduction himself:
If you’ve been a car enthusiast for any of the past 28 years, you probably know the name C. Van Tune. Maybe you’ve read some of the two thousand articles he’s written. Or seen any of his hundreds of TV news appearances. Or, maybe he’s best known as the Editor-in-Chief of Motor Trend Magazine from 1994-2001. He surprised everyone when he stepped down from MT’s helm, but very soon after he accepted the job as host of ESPN’s first automotive TV series “Drive”, and quickly set about doing his trademark sideways-driving, smoking-tire road tests for the sports world—a winning formula that continues today. A self-described victim of “Mad Car Disease” Van owns more than 15 cars, most of which are 1950s and ‘60s American classics. His love of motor-sports has put him behind the wheel in professional road racing, drag racing, hill climbs, autocrosses, off road racing, vintage racing and celebrity racing. Always a down-to-earth person who enjoys talking cars with anyone, Van can be counted on to leave the scene amid a giant cloud of tire smoke…and to hell with the hydrocarbons!
Van has hung up the keyboard for now, but has graciously allowed us to post some his Drive segments. While the products in these vids may be a few years old, those of us who live outside the reach of ESPN will have an opportunity to see some classic footage.
Over the coming weeks, we’re going to share as many of these Drive episodes as we can. After the break, watch as Van gets some seat time in a Porsche Carrera GT.
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3 comments ↓
I have met a lot of people in the automotive field over the years, a few I regret but for the most part I have enjoyed the majority of them. But when it comes to automotive journalism without a doubt the name that stands out is C Van Tune. Having shared a close and valued friendship for some years now not only is it easy for me to report C Van Tune is the epitome of automotive journalism but in fact he is as much of a car guy as he is a fine family man and gentleman, one I am proud to call a friend. I have yet to read or hear anything that C Van Tune has said or written that isn’t dead on. That said, The GarageBlog just became a five-star blog.
Hey great video. Even some of us in the US hasn’t seen these!
Gary Faules
Thanks for getting such a respected journalist on Board at the Garage. For my 2 cents, the Garage has been the only Blog that I find worth the time to check out, and occasionly comment on. The stories have great diversity, and interest.
Gary Grant
I bet when you started this, you didn’t known you’d be driving such a great Blog, with such great contributors. Bravo!
Welcome, Mr. Van Tune, to The Garage.
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