Online Articles

Words Bob Sblendorio, photos Chris Penree:   Mark Schultz is a 4th generation business owner, the original which was started back in 1916 by Jacob Schultz—Mark’s great-grandfather.   He was a skilled blacksmith, building wagons , wheels and chassis in Utica. Mark’s grandfather, Walter Schultz, moved the business to Rome in 1940.  Walter, known as “Dutch”, was […]

By Mike Mastracco Like father—like son—like daughter… Heidi has a full background of automotive knowledge and work experience that includes working for two professional race car teams before coming to work for Johnny Johnson, her father. Together, the first car they restored was her 1966 Mustang GT 350H, yes, a real Hertz Mustang. It was […]

Words & photos by Bob Sblendorio When owner Dave Griffin demonstrated the acceleration of his 1,020 hp 2022 Tesla Model S Plaid he first pre-set my wife and I with the following instructions: “Hold on tight, put your head firmly against the headrest.  Are you ready? …here we go.”   And go we did!  The acceleration […]

No, not the one in Nevada that you are thinking about… Words & photos by Mike Mastracco For years my son Mike has had his eyes on my 1966 Mustang coupe.  He even asked me if he could drive it to school at the end of his senior year, I said “sure.”  He continues to […]

Aurora, Ohio   May 21-22, 2021 Words & photos by Mike Mastracco Jeep is such an iconic name like Coke, Ford, Xerox, it’s been around since 1941, and recognized in most countries.  We all grew up with the Jeep brand, either we’ve owned a Jeep product, or a neighbor, relative or friend has owned one. In […]

Words by Bob Sblendorio, photos by Chris Penree. “Chronic car enthusiast’s affliction” is a serious condition I recently read about in an article by Don Sherman in Corvette Magazine.  It’s a life-long affliction with no known cure.  The symptoms can be treated though, but it’s expensive and usually involves buying more cars.  Diagnosis is relatively […]

“It was an ass-kicker,” is probably an understatement. How about riding for eight hours on a cantankerous 11-hp, rigid frame 1915 Harley-Davidson with no windshield, laboring up the “Going-to-the-Sun” road in Glacier National Park, battling constant headwinds, ascending 7,000 feet in elevation, crossing the Continental Divide, through fog, which turned to mist, then rain, then wet snow and snow at the top? Along the way, making any and all repairs by yourself? After surviving that day’s ride, then having to work on the bike until midnight or 1:00 am, and  finally going to sleep…up at 6:00 am to do it all again? That’s a typical day—of the sixteen grueling days—participating in the Motorcycle Cannonball Endurance Run. When 69 year-old Steve DeCosa referred to the event as an “ass-kicker”—it’s definitely (not probably) an understatement.

The late 1930s were a dark and tumultuous time in the history of the United States.  The Great Depression had been ravaging the American spirit to the core for nearly a decade.  The economy was in ruins with unrelenting high unemployment; most citizens were financially wiped-out and many—were just plain hungry.

Words Jim MacLachlan, photos Chris Penree:     Pat Abbott of Kirkville, NY was participating in a local car cruise last summer at Lewis Park in Minoa with his 1930 Model A coupe.  As he was listening to the band play, the priest from the church he attends came up to him and asked if […]

Words by Bob Sblendorio, photos by owner:     A member of the Mohican Model A Ford Club since the early 1970s, Bill Kritzler owns a 1930 Model A…but that is not a requirement to becoming a member.  The Club welcomes anyone that wants to be a member regardless of the car that someone may […]

Words Bob Sblendorio, photos Dalton Dobson:    “I’ve had this racing thing in my blood my whole life.  I like to push myself in a lot of cases, which can be intimidating,” explained Tracy Lyman.  This past year she embarked on the Trackmasters driver education program, which operates out of Watkins Glen International Speedway. The […]

Words Barry Alt, photos Darren Ohara: Gearing up for the 30th anniversary of the successful restoration business Russell Jacobs started in 1989, he looks back on his experiences and plans for the road ahead. “I started dragging old cars home when I was 14 years old, to my mom’s family farm, working on anything old […]

Words Natasha Wright, photos Barry Alt:    When Barry Alt first launched Motorhead Digital he knew there were automotive businesses ready for a higher level of performance in their digital marketing. As a serious car enthusiast, he also understood what these businesses had to offer. Barry spent his high school years attending an automotive trade […]

Words Bob Sblendorio, photos Chris Penree:     When someone asks about the color of her 1951 Mercury Sedan… “It’s chrome with red,” says Nancy Metrick with a laugh.  She loves old cars and chrome, hence her choice of a Mercury with voluminous amounts of chrome, especially that front bumper.  One of her favorite design […]

Words Mike Mastracco, photos Chris Penree:    Pantera, Italian for panther, a very powerful animal that adapts well to a variety of habitats.  From 1971 to 1974 the De Tomaso car company of Modena, Italy produced the De Tomaso Pantera, a mid-engine supercar for export to the U.S. market.  This new Italian design sports car […]

Words Bob Sblendorio, and photos Chris Penree:    Al Brandolini may be—just may be—the only person in the world to officially win a ¼-mile drag-race with a bone stock 24 hp Model A against a ‘60s era muscle car…an Oldsmobile 442 to be exact.  Is that really possible? It was 1968 at the New England […]

Words by Bob Sblendorio:    The 24 Hours of Le Mans and the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 are impressive races – but how about a non-stop, 169 day, 22,000 mile race from NYC to Paris – in 1908!  Is that even possible?  Well, it did actually happen, at a time when horse and carriage was still […]

Words Pete Maio, photos Chris Penree:    Since their first show in the 1950’s the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute Car Show has consistently maintained its standing as the most prestigious invitational in Central New York.  With this past year’s “Apex Invitational at Fountain Elms” the tradition continues. Held in conjunction with the Arts Institute’s Summer Festival […]

Words by Mike Mastracco:    Central New York is abundant with active car clubs.  One local club is the “Volkswagen Club of Central New York”, which is also a chapter of the “Vintage Volkswagen Club of America.” Dan Stevens is current President of this local club and Albert M Finocchiaro is currently the Regional Rep […]

I can still remember my first experiences with cars. Working with my grandfather, as he patched up his old cars, I admired his ability to seemingly fix everything and know the answer to any question. Being from the south, he taught me how to drive at a young age on twisty back roads and handmade […]

By Nick Graziano and photos by Dalton Dobson:    After a year of marriage, Central Square couple Pati and Scott Pearse were faced with a decision that would ultimately change their life. Pati needed a new car, an affordable one, preferably, two.  One of Scott’s German co-workers suggested he buy an old Volkswagen Beetle that […]

Words by Jacob Cetnar and Photos by Chris Penree:   In the year 1967, many would agree that Ford, Dodge, and Chevrolet pickup trucks ruled the land. International, Toyota, and a few others had trucks, but they did not have the popularity and mystique of “the big three” American brands. They were producing rugged, V8 […]

Words Sharie Sblendorio, Photos Jackie Tomarchio Hood:    The Village of Canastota rolled out the red carpet and welcomed the participants of the 2018 New York-to-Paris Great Race celebration. The members of Apex Automotive Magazine, village officials, the public and many car enthusiasts from around the area were there to greet the participants on June 22. […]

Words by Mike Mastracco and photos by Dalton Dobson:    Kaiser Darrin, also known as the Kaiser Darrin 161 or in short terms as the “Darrin” was an American sports car designed by Howard “Dutch” Darrin and built by Kaiser Motors for the 1954 model year.  In this one year production run, a scantly 435 […]

Words Bob Sblendorio, photos Chris Penree:    For Marcia Dunn, a ‘47 Indian Chief parked in the breakfast area of her small kitchen will probably be the best medicine in her journey of healing.  “It’s something that when I look at or touch it, I always think of Tim,” her late husband who recently died […]

Words by Bob Sblendorio:    The 24 Hours of Le Mans and the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 are impressive races – but how about a non-stop, 169 day, 22,000 mile race from NYC to Paris – in 1908!  Is that even possible? Well, it did actually happen, at a time when horse and carriage was still […]

by Mike Mastracco After attending a car show in Ogdensburg with his 1977 Dodge Charger SE, Liverpool resident Tom Rose took a drive past his grandparents’ house in the area, opening a floodgate of memories. The Charger lived in the house’s garage for almost 20 years, collecting dust, before it soon became Rose’s. He had […]

Words Bob Sblendorio, photos Thomas Sblendorio:    A 1967 Shelby Cobra 427 is a car that you just don’t get to see very often…or ever.  It’s a legendary car. “The 427 is just monstrous to drive” is how Jim Taylor describes driving the car.  Of the many cars in his collection, it’s one of the […]

Words Bob Sblendorio, photos Thomas Sblendorio:    “I love it — why else would I drive three hours a day to come and work here,” explained Ron Alexander, an instructor and the Department Chair of the automotive program at Morrisville College.  He’s not alone in his passion because 15 of the 16 instructors in the […]

When you think of horse racing and New York State, it is almost impossible for Saratoga Springs not to come to mind. Dating back to 1863, it is arguably one of the most important pieces of history in the whole state. All summer the local news stations report on the latest odds, race results, and […]

Words by Bob Sblendorio and photos by Dalton Dobson:    Passion — is when you work on cars all day long, all week for your business — and to relax, you work on your personal cars.  Oh yeah, when you really want to relax, you build racing go-karts with your sons.  That’s a passion!  Meet […]

For most, the Indian Arrow is a forgotten motorcycle due to modern bikes plethora of power, features, and technology. But where did it all start? What made motorcycles so popular? I found out by riding John Brojakowski’s 1949 Indian Arrow among the now century old buildings of Little Falls. The year was 1949. It had […]

There are many his & her items on the market today, wedding bands top the list.  Other than tying the knot there are sweat shirts, mugs watches and even vanity sinks.  Here’s a Baldwinsville couple with his & her Austin-Healey 3000 MK I roadsters. Pete Sanborn owns this two tone “Healey Blue-Old English White” early […]

Parked at the peak of the driveway at Borys Buniak Fayetteville home is a 1971 Jaguar E-Type (also known as an XKE). It is the kind of car that would make any Englishman smile, but then spit out their tea and crush their biscuits in anger when he starts it. The E-Type is a British […]

Words Bob Sblendorio, photos Thomas Sblendorio:     After a long time of resisting anything electric, especially an all-electric, there are now cracks in my reciprocating only mind.  Meet Dave Griffin, owner of a 2014 Tesla Model S and a resident expert in all things Tesla. Henry Ford (and others) experimented with producing electric cars […]

I’ve always said that if you give two guys a couple of grocery carts they will figure out a way to race each other, and after the race is over, they will go in search of someone to help them make it “Go Faster”! That’s what this story is about, one of Rome, New York’s […]

Sixteen year old high school junior Devin Wojcik is working hard to fulfill his dreams as an open wheel race car driver. Five years ago Devin started his career in go-karts, and now is competing in the USF-2000 championship series for ArmsUp Motorsports. Wojcik is paving his way toward the Verizon IndyCar Series. We were […]

Words Bob Sblendorio, photos Thomas Sblendorio:     The cover features a very special 1964 Corvette that was recently donated to The Buffalo Transportation Pierce-Arrow Museum.  That car was on display at the 1964 World’s Fair in NYC and is now back in New York…that’s huge!  It is fuel injected and has 15 coats of […]

In its 26th year, the Automotive Technology and Service Expo (ATSE) is the premier show in CNY for the automotive and collision industries.  At the show, there was some of the latest equipment on display by the 60+ exhibitors.  Also provided was training and seminars on a wide range of automotive related topics.  New for […]

Words Bob Sblendorio, photos Thomas Sblendorio: Nike’s famous slogan is “Just Do It.”  Meet Ray Hedger, a master at fabricating, and whose work many people feel is legendary.  When I asked about the skills to perform the highly specialized work as a fabricator, I was told, “I just started doing it.”  In other words…the skills are […]

The phrase “just do and ask for forgiveness later” is how Jeff Lyman described the building of his street legal Jeff Gordon NASCAR car…and it worked!  So what exactly does that mean?  Rick Hendrick and Jeff Gordon, upon finding out about the completed car, had to legally agree to the finished car, with certain terms […]

“Danny [Koker] fights tooth and nail to keep it real because car people know when you are faking it.  We do everything we can to keep it real, the stories are real, the cars are real, and it’s the reason it takes so long to do the episodes,” explains Kevin Mack from the popular TV […]

Words by Bob Sblendorio, Photography by Thomas Sblendorio A rare barn find…the dream of every car enthusiast!   That dream came true for Jim Staley several years back when he found a 1930 Packard Roadster that was “a total disaster.”  It was in the bottom of a barn south of Syracuse and it was “a total […]

Although this 2016 Dodge Challenger Hellcat lacks any large badging or space age looking aero packages to indicate its pedigree, the second you open the door it’s clear that it’s something special. The beautiful leather seats tightly grip your body while the car’s heated steering wheel ensures your hands won’t be too cold to handle […]

Street Scene is on Saturday, August 19th! This event has grown tremendously each year and this year will likely be no exception.  What started out in the summer of 2013, with about 200 cars, has grown to a premier event with well in excess of 1,000 cars from all over the Northeast.  It is at […]

This is a milestone year for the “Central New York Porsche Club of America.”  They will be celebrating their 60th year as part of a larger automotive organization that spans all of the United States and Canada.  That being said, they are the third oldest Porsche club in this organization. It all began late in […]

When most people think of a Ford Focus they think of a small sensible hatchback car that gets good fuel economy. They know that it can easily haul four adults or a multitude of large objects with the rear seats folded down. In most hatchbacks, this level of practicality usually exists at the expense of […]

Owner: Butch Dreher This Rat Rod started its life off as a shop truck for Butch’s father in-law’s boat shop.  After his passing the truck fell into disrepair and was bound for the scrap yard!  That’s when Butch came into the picture and brought what was left of the Scout home and promptly chopped 12 inches […]

On May 6, 2017, Detail Johnny hosted the Central New York Porsche Club of America for a detailing seminar. We discussed wet sanding, polishing, clay bar treatment, and how to perform a 3-step paint correction. The event had about 40 people and was hands-on format with a lot of good questions and feedback. Detail Johnny […]

Stewart Friesen –– an accomplished dirt track racer –– with 11 Big-Block Modified Championships has moved up to a full-time ride with the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series in 2017.  Even with that added commitment, he is still racing dirt track venues throughout the Northeast as well…how is that possible? “It’s pretty crazy, the truck […]

Dan Leone first caught the Honda bug in 1997 when his close friend and fellow Team MCM skateboard club member Chad introduced him to the scene. “I bought my first Honda in 1998, a Honda Civic EX coupe that that I still own to this day. I’ll never part with it because it has so […]

At first sight of Vic Oliver’s Studebaker you’re mesmerized. Its two-tone paint job calms your eyes, making it a pleasure to study every angle of the exquisitely proportioned car. Its chrome accents and white leather interior give it the chic and sophistication of a 1950s Lincoln, while its convertible two-seat design with dual fins protruding […]

It never ceases to amaze us here, at Apex Automotive Magazine, the range and talent of the automotive businesses that exist in Upstate NY. For example, when a 1972 Lamborghini Miura wheel made of magnesium has a hairline crack the wheel needs to be replaced, right?   Wrong!  Meet the experts at Rim Doctor! A […]

Last Friday my son texted me asking if we wanted to go to the Kruising Knights Car Show. I said, “Sure let’s do it.” So I washed my Camaro Friday after work, and put a much needed coat of wax on her. My car is not a show car, but it looks good and I […]

Fulton, NY is the home of a 3/8th mile high bank dirt oval. Fulton Speedway has been both an asphalt and clay race track in its long history. In 1961 the Speedway opened its doors to fans as a paved oval. Asphalt racing was on the weekly schedule until 1978. Then it was reopened as […]

It’s been twenty-nine years since Matt McGill and John (Jack) Murphy have coordinated the efforts for the senior class of Marcellus High School’s annual “Crystal Ball Cruise.”  This is the night that car enthusiasts get together to assist in keeping graduating seniors and their dates safe and sound.  According to the insurance industry, Senior Ball […]

Apex Automotive Magazine co-sponsored Corvette Cars & Coffee in Syracuse thanks to the support of Jeff Lyman, owner of Jeffrey’s Auto Body. There was a huge turnout of 100+ cars, mostly Corvettes, but not all. The weather was perfect, a beautiful sunny Saturday morning with temperatures in the mid-sixties. Upon arriving, my wife and I […]

Each Saturday morning dozens of car & truck enthusiasts gather at Wegmans Plaza on Rt. 57 in Liverpool to share coffee, Danish and conversation.  Now in its 6th year, “CNY Cars ‘n Coffee” attracts car buffs from Watertown to Binghamton and Herkimer to Waterloo. It was in 2011 when talk of doing a morning car […]

A wonderful way to end the season. September 7th-10th are the dates for this year’s Adirondack Nationals Car Show in Lake George, NY. Albany Rods & Kustoms have hosted this show as the Adirondack Nationals since 1988. Their first Nationals Show was held in Glens Falls, NY. The next year the club moved this show […]

Having extensively driven a 5th generation 2015 Camaro in the past, I knew that this 6th generation 2017 2SS Camaro had a tough act to follow. The test car was equipped with Chevrolet’s legendary LS 6.2L V8, the proven Tremec TR-6060 6-speed manual transmission, a well-appointed interior with leather seats, heads up display, and all […]

101 years in business…Mark Schultz is the 4th generation business owner! The original business was started in 1916 by Mark’s great, great grandfather, Jacob Schultz, who was a blacksmith. He built custom chassis, wagons and wheels in Utica. Mark’s grandfather, Walter Schultz, moved the business to Rome in 1940.  Walter was known as “Dutch”, a […]

With modern muscle cars’ plethora of amenities, it’s easy to forget that they once came without airbags, warning labels, and an interior that’s quieter than your house. Thanks to Tim LaRochelle and his 1965 Chevy Impala though, I was honored with the opportunity to be reminded of all that. Tim’s car started off as a […]

Words Bob Sblendorio and Jacob Cetnar,   Photos by Thomas Sblendorio “Bring me home a 1st place trophy” were the last words spoken to Walt Cheney while at his dying mother’s side. And with that, he went out and won at the Argyle Pull for a Cure in Argyle, NY in 2014. Unfortunately, his mother passed away while he […]

Are you looking for advertising information on a ’57 Chevy you just acquired?  Check with Walter.  Would you like to get original dealer sales literature about a Fox Body Mustang your son just purchased?  Check with Walter.  You just brought home a Porsche Boxster and would like a nice poster of it to hang in […]

As a young boy growing up in the Oneida area, I can still remember driving by Ralph’s Collision on Route 5 on our way to Walmart. It was hard to miss, Ralph always had all sorts of classic and modern sports cars parked out front to get people’s attention, a practice that he still continues […]

As a car guy, I have always had this weird interest in car dealerships and the car buying experience. I sometimes like to daydream about what it would be like if there was a dealership that you could walk into and talk to a true enthusiast who wasn’t just trying to sell you something, but […]

The Little Speed Shop located in Rochester, NY is anything but little. During the day you will see everything from full race spec Porsche Caymans and GT3’s in their racing and fabrication building, to more common cars like VW’s and Toyota’s receiving service in their amazing  general service facility complete with six rotary lifts and […]

    The Nissan Skyline GT-R: That special car people always lust after seeing it in movies, games, and magazines.  As Americans, we were never treated to the car for whatever reasons.  It was a car never sold in the US, and we just had no access to it.  But luckily in 2007, we were deemed worthy […]

“No car should never stay stock. It should reflect the style of the owner”

At 14 years old, Phil Burkart Jr. drove his race on a drag strip at Cicero, N.Y.’s ESTA dragstrip. Now a professional racer and owner of Burkart Automotive, we took an opportunity to sit down with Phil to find out more about life inside and outside the Top Alcohol Funny Car.     You drove […]

I never intended on getting a small MINI Cooper; I was planning on something larger for my next car, back in 2004. On the insistence of my brother-in-law Jason, I took a test drive of of one of these new MINI’s. I had no expectations, but it was absolutely love at first drive. The car […]

With over 200 go-kart victories and countless championships, Charlie Tibbitts is a driver’s name to remember!  Charlie is only 12 years old and already has had an incredible racing career, and he is just getting started.  He has moved up this season, this time to the 602 Sportsman Division. Recently I had the pleasure of […]

The Motorsports Expo is the first sign that spring is on the way and each year fans in droves support the show and get to see firsthand the beautiful creations before they hit the track. However, this year was a little different, fans didn’t attend simply as race fans, but as a vendor. We spent […]

Words Bob Sblendorio, photos Thomas Sblendorio:     With just a third grade education and $40 saved from working on the family’s dairy farm, Joe Carbone, son of immigrant parents, started a car service garage in 1929 that has grown into a multi-million dollar network  of dealerships and other businesses. The Carbone Auto Group is […]

We all have one—an “it” car. We see it out of the corner of our eye on a summer two-lane, we see it in the movies, and we dream and scheme about how to make it ours. This car haunts us and won’t let us rest. That’s what happened to Bob May when the ’32 […]

  Since the original MK I was introduced to in the early 60’s, America has had a fascination with its Ferrari-beating hero, the Ford GT40. It’s no surprise that Syracuse, NY’s Dan Cassinelli shared the same love as a child for America’s champion as many of us. In fact, proudly displayed on his mantel, Dan […]

The 2007 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG is a hidden gem sleeper sedan with super car power. You get all the amenities Mercedes has to offer along with a monster V8 under the hood.  It is built for speed and has a MSRP as much as a house when purchased new, but you can now have one […]

I’m Justin Carey from Dagsboro, Delaware; and I drive a 2011 Volkswagen Golf Mk6. The Mk6 or sixth generation Volkswagen Golf was produced from 2010 to 2014 as a re-fresh of the Mk5 Golf (renamed as the Rabbit in the US); which ran from 2006 to 2009. My Golf is special and the best way […]

My 1957 Chevy BelAir is a labor of love.  I acquired the car in 1994 as a Christmas present from my wife.  When I saw the car, the chassis was a roller and all glass, seats, interior and exterior trim was in boxes.   The BelAir sat in a 1 car garage until 2000 when I […]

Everyone is familiar with the legendary men’s magazine Playboy, but many may not be familiar with the car of the same name.  The Playboy car was built in the late forties in Buffalo, New York.  Is there an association with the Playboy magazine and the Playboy car?  The answer is yes! Actually, the Playboy car […]

The 2016 Volvo XC90 received its first full redesign since it made its debut back in 2003. It has retained all of the original safety features that Volvo is known for, while managing to bring a whole new level of luxury and refinement to the road. From the outside, the XC90 is pristine from every […]

In 1971 Dodge introduced a new model to their Dart lineup. A variant of the Plymouth Duster, Dodge named their version the Demon. With optional hood scoops and blackout hood treatment, the car was advertised as a performance car. The Dodge Demon was offered in two trim levels, the base Demon and the Demon 340 […]

Spring is finally here. For many of us, this means an opportunity to clean off all the salt, sand, and grime from our vehicles. We can also roll out the shop vacuum to clean out the interior and make the car about 10 pounds lighter with gravel and dirt removed from the carpets. With this […]

The 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 is one of the most desirable Mustangs you can find, and mostly because of its iconic body lines. The fastback styling added another level of muscle to this great muscle car. Although the looks mean business, the sad truth is 1969 performance (even Mach 1 performance) isn’t even close […]

We have featured all kinds of cars in the first four issues, but this is the first time we’ve had an opportunity to get a peek into the “Rat Rod” scene. We headed out to Griffiss Air Force base in Rome, NY to meet up with Pete and Rebecca Wilcox. Pete and his wife drove […]

For most car enthusiasts, trusting someone else with your pride and joy can be a bit unsettling.  Be it your show car or daily driver, finding the right shop to take care of your automotive needs can be somewhat of an undertaking.  We took some time to visit Cantech Automotive of North Syracuse to see […]

Cantech Automotive kicked off their first Cars & Coffee event of this season on Saturday April 23rd. Even with the chilly temps the cars arrived in record numbers. Keep an eye on Cantech Automotive’s website as well as our calendar here for the latest updates on future events.  

Recently we had the pleasure of talking about the magazine with Joe Cali of the Classic Car Round-Up Radio Show. Check out his Facebook page and listen to the show below.    

In the late 1970’s America was going through a lot of changes. Strict government regulations slowly sucked the life out of the muscle car by forcing manufacturers to install primitive pollution control devices that really hurt the performance of otherwise potent power plants. By 1978 the muscle car had all but died. Dodge however, had […]

Love at first sight is a funny thing. It’s almost like you just know when something is meant to be, yet you can’t necessarily explain why. Now, as much as we like to tell our wives that they were our first love, chances are that a car guy might have experienced love long before marriage. […]

Most would agree that this generation of RX-7 was one of the most beautiful. Even in stock form, it was a very capable car by 1994 standards, featuring a 0-60 time in the mid-5 second range and a 150mph top speed. It was also a very unique car, as it was powered by a 255 […]

  When Tucci Hotrods was approached by a customer demanding a low, loud, and obnoxious ride — they delivered If there is one thing Central New York based hotrod shop, Tucci Hotrods is known for, it’s building award winning cars. Stop by their amazing shop at any time, and you will see the level of fabrication […]

Richard Aversa suffers from a rare form of Muscular Dystrophy which over time has begun to sap strength from the former Army reserve Drill Sergeants body. Although his body is slowly failing him, he remains passionate about his favorite sport, drag racing.   This year marks his 50th year Drag Racing – the sport clearly […]

I remember the first time I saw a Panoz. It was in a May 1998 Motor Trend Magazine article titled: Viva Velocity. The Panoz was the odd one out within a group of supercars of the time, such as a new Dodge Viper GTS, Corvette, and the Lotus Esprit Twin Turbo.  While these monsters were setting […]

When it comes to do-it-yourself cosmetic vehicle modifications, one basic and easy mod is the use of Plasti Dip. If you’re looking to change the look of your car on the cheap and are considering a color change (of your wheels, hood, even your whole car), this stuff allows you to do it yourself, affordably, […]

  If you’ve been around the car show circuit in the Central New York area, you’re bound to recognize this super clean ‘68 Chevelle SS owned by Bill Tuttle of Whitesboro. He’s always traveling to the local cruise-ins and hitting up the bigger regional events like Syracuse Nationals and Adirondack Nationals. We thought we’d take […]

Over the summer of 2015, Bill Sauve of Tully, NY, lived out a longtime dream of getting behind the wheel of a dirt modified car at Rolling Wheels. He documented his Kenny Wallace Dirt Driving Experience as a contributor for Apex (read it here). For those that don’t know, this program travels to tracks all […]

Joshua and Joseph Amodio have always been hardworking individuals. From a very young age, they helped repair and maintain vehicles at their father’s humble shop. They developed a passion for not only all things automotive, but doing things right the first time early on. “I found myself always fixing jobs that were not done correctly, […]

Nestled in the Village area of Holland Patent stands a quaint, two story building for the Adirondack Motorbooks & Collectibles. We had an opportunity to meet with the owner, Mark Theobald, who is an incredibly knowledgeable individual when it comes to all things automobile. Entering the store brings about the feeling of stepping into the […]

So what exactly do you have to do to have your automotive restoration shop featured for a season on national television?  I was excited to find out the answer to that question and learn more about Steve’s Restorations, which will be featured on the show American Restoration on The History Channel early next year. After […]

Upstate NY is the home of Dirt Modified racing. These cars have been around a long time, tearing up 1/4 mile tracks to the biggest of all the Moody Mile. Anybody that has been to one of these events will know that the competition is stiff. A lot of these guys have been doing it […]

1992 marked an end of an era in NASCAR as it was the final year for Richard “The King” Petty. He took his final ride around Atlanta Motor Speedway in front of 160,000 fans closing out a very successful career that spanned over 35 years. He racked up 200 wins and 7 championships in the […]

OUR TOP 10 PICKS THAT ANY GEARHEAD WOULD LIKE TO SEE UNDER THEIR TREE! We asked the owners of New Age Hotrods (New York Mills, NY) for gift ideas. This is what’s on their list. It’s the time of year for giving and what better way to make the auto enthusiast in your life happy […]

This fall I decided to make a triumphant return to gaming after a two year hiatus. I had been building an urge to get back into it for a while, and after seeing previews of games like Battlefront and Forza 6 for the new generation of consoles, I talked myself into upgrading from my Xbox […]

We all had posters of the first-gen Dodge Viper C5R and Lotus Elise adorning the walls of our childhood bedrooms. In those days, just saying the words “Dodge Viper” almost gave you chills. These early supercars were the stuff of insanity, many with sub 4 second 0-60 times and 200 mph+ top speeds. They cost […]

This little Mazda has been hailed as one of the most important contributions to the sports car enthusiast world since, well, frankly ever. The first iteration made its entrance in the early 90’s as an affordable, reliable, good looking roadster that was loaded with character and filled a void that no other car manufacturer could at that […]

We, the inhabitants of Central NY, are very spoiled when it comes to activities or events to visit and experience. It bothers me greatly when people say there isn’t anything to do around here. If we were to draw a circle an hours distance within our homes there are numerous and wonderful places to go. […]

Standing out in today’s Honda scene is not an easy task. Creating Central New York’s premier import show isn’t either. Chris Burkhart of Syracuse has managed to do both with his immaculate EP3 Honda Civic and the incredible Street Scene show held at Long Branch Park in Liverpool. The story of the car began ten […]

  New in the Polaris 2015 product line up is the Slingshot; a 3-wheeled car/motorcycle hybrid. This is the first of its kind for Polaris and we had the privilege to take one for a test drive. Settling into the cockpit of the Slingshot, it feels just like a car. It features comfortable side by […]

  Most people aren’t willing or able to invest gobs of money to prep and maintain a car for the track. Then there’s the question of how do I start this hobby – how do I dip my toe in? The answer for most, hands down, is autocross. While APEX was at Street Scene this […]

You never quite forget that first smell of race gas, mixed with the searing sound of a big block modified at full song and with a touch of burnt rubber.  I was all of 12 years old in 1995 when I watched Brett Hearn hold off Joe Plazek at the Moody Mile to win the […]

Import, sport compact and sport truck fans flooded the lawns of Long Branch Park for the this years Street Scene show.  The event, now in it’s third year, is easily one the fastest growing shows of its type in the North East, drawing enthusiasts from all over the US and Canada. We can’t thank the people at Street Scene enough for […]

John Trial – This is my 1967 Oldsmobile 442 called Rockets Revenge. The car was debuted this March at Detroit Autorama and was a Ridler Contender. It was a great honor to be chosen for a Ridler and although it didn’t make the Great 8, the car won First Place Custom Convertible. The car also […]

  Kalvin Malli – Found the shell in buffalo, had been sitting for 7 years. 77k original miles when bought. No rust. Original paint. Completely stripped out with many buckets of parts and bolts. Pretty much re-vamped the whole car. Stance coil overs with fully upgraded arms. Wheels tires. Rb20 swap. Rb25 turbo. Full bolt […]

We hit up the 10th Annual Mustang Rally presented by Matthews Ford of Norwich. The original date for this was earlier in the summer but it was unfortunately rained out. The event brought in Mustangs from every generation of the model line and it was very interesting to see them all in one place. Along […]

Earlier today we headed out to Sylvan Beach for this years Jeeps at the Beach.  This annual event is hosted by CNYJeep.org and takes place on the first Sunday in August.  Jeeps of all shapes and sizes are welcome and even those of us with completely stock rigs can join in. The cost to get in is […]

This weekend we stopped into Trucks Gone Wild, which was held at Maximum Power Park in Poland, NY. It’s a huge gathering of mud loving, truck enthusiasts featuring mud pits, jumps, tug of war, ATV trails, mud trench, freestyle, bounty hole, tire pit, sand pit and more. There were food and merchandise vendors in attendance, […]

This morning we hit the road early to head to Cantech Automotive in North Syracuse for their open house and cars & coffee event.  Cantech is one of the few local shops capable of servicing everything from rare classics to high end exotics and today delivered an incredible showing of just that. From a worked Cadillac CTS-V […]

The 16th annual PPG Syracuse Nationals have officially come to a close. Thousands of cars from all over the country made to trip to Syracuse, NY despite the hot, humid and occasionally rainy weather. With estimates of over 7500 cars and 80,000 people in attendance, the Syracuse Nationals is easily one of the largest car […]

This past weekend we took a ride out to the Saratoga Automotive Museum for the 6th annual BMW Vintage show.  This show features BMWs built in or before 1999 as well as all E36 generation cars.  The event takes place over 3 days and brings in cars from all over the north east.  BMW owners […]

It’s hard to believe that 4th of July weekend has already come to a close here in CNY. BBQs, fireworks and car shows were very much welcomed after a long and rainy week.  After spending time with friends and family we stopped by the Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute Campus for their Antique and Classic Car Show presented by the Mohawk […]

Photos from Dippin Donuts’ cruise-in on June 17th 2015.  Cruise-ins are held every Wednesday at Dippin Donuts on 8483 Seneca Turnpike, New Hartford, NY.

  Hundreds gathered in the village park for the Clinton Fire Department’s 4th annual cruise-in on June 7th 2015.  From Italian sports cars to American classics, this cruise-in caters to all types of automotive fans.  Even famous movie cars such as the blue 1987  Mercedes 560 SEC from Roadhouse could be seen.  This car was one of […]

Have you ever driven by an old car sitting peacefully in an old field and stopped to think “Man, I wonder what the stories are behind that car? I wonder about the history of the families that rode in it.” I could only imagine; the ride from a friend’s house we just picked up to […]

Jarodd Goedel, Sherburne, NY – The car is a 1974 VW Thing. I have owned it since 1996. I drove it for a couple years then decided to restore it from the ground up including a fully rebuilt engine. The restoration took 6 years working weekends and nights. Everything was completed by me.

Our premiere issue is printed (Thanks Kenyon Press!) and is starting to roll out to local car shows, convenience stores, office waiting rooms and more! If you would like to become a distribution point for our magazine, please send a message to info@apexautomag.com!

Utica native Duane Isenberg’s 1982 Corvette is truly a labor of love with nearly every part literally touched by him over the last 12 years. It’s always refreshing to meet an auto enthusiast who is passionate about their car to the point that they want to do all of the work on it themselves. From […]

For the car fanatic, there are limited options when winter rolls around and that’s a problem for me. My summer hobby sits in my garage patiently waiting for warmer weather and a track day. One of my buddies suggested I join him for race night at a local indoor R/C racetrack. I wasn’t even aware […]

If you were in Central New York in 2014 you were sure to see the low, mint green Hyundai Genesis fly by. Dom Corelli was the mastermind behind this eye catching build. Dom fell in love with the body lines, the factory turbo, and rear wheel drive and purchased this brand new in January of […]

March 28-29, 2015 Billed as the largest indoor custom & classic car show in Central New York, Syracuse Motorama is the show that kicks off the season every year. The event has been going since 1960 and shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. Syracuse Motorama took place in the Center of Progress Building at […]