In 1949, General Motors (GM) gave Chevrolet their first new styling after World War II, with the Deluxe as the up-market model. At $1,492, the 1949 Chevy Deluxe Styleline 6-passenger 2-door sedan was the most affordable model and it was equipped with the tried-and-tested 92-horsepower “Stovebolt Six” 216.5-cubic-inch (3.5-liter) inline 6-cylinder engine, 11-inch drum brakes, full instrumentation, and front stabilizers. ...
Read More »Author Archives: Lester Dizon
Exoticar Superstar: Lamborghini Countach in “Cannonball Run” and “Cannonball Run II”
Among the Lamborghini supercars, the 1974-1990 Countach is undeniably the most recognizable and most iconic model. A sinister-black early Lamborghini Countach with white leather interior from the Alpine stereo posters and magazine ads graced the walls of many car enthusiasts’ rooms in the 1980s. And if the Italian supercar’s space age design, swing-up doors and outrageous power outputs (for its ...
Read More »1976 Mitsubishi Celeste 1600ST Part 5: Converting to A/T and Adding P/S
In Part 4 of our Power Wheels Project Cars series on the 1976 Mitsubishi Celeste 1600ST that is owned since brand-new by ROPALI Chairman Roberto “Bob” P. Alingog, we were about to drive the 1978 Celeste donor car from our garage in Sampaloc, Manila to the workshop of JSK Custom Paint and Auto Works in Marulas, Valenzuela City to get ...
Read More »50-Year-Old Transformation: 1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Mechatronik M-Coupe Conversion
At first glance, this vintage Mercedes-Benz looks like either a mint well-preserved 1970 280SE 2-door coupe or a meticulously restored one. From the outside, the car seems to be what it’s supposed to be. There’s the elegant W111 coupe shape and twin stacked headlamps that has the car often mistaken for the Paul Bracq-designed W108. There’s an abundance of chrome ...
Read More »1976 Mitsubishi Celeste 1600ST Part 4: Donor Assessment and Late Additions
In the previous installment of this Power Wheels Magazine Project Car series about the 1976 Mitsubishi Celeste 1600ST that was owned from new by ROPALI Chairman Roberto “Bob” Alingog, we were able to acquire a 1978 Celeste donor car. Instead of having it delivered to our garage via flatbed truck, we decided to drive it from Sucat, Parañaque to Sampaloc, ...
Read More »1976 Mitsubishi Celeste 1600ST Part 3: Getting A Donor Car
Previously, in Part 2 of our Power Wheels Magazine Project Car series, we found a donor Celeste that we thought may have been a bit too nice to disassemble and harvest parts for the 1976 Mitsubishi Celeste 1600ST (BAF-734) owned by Roberto “Bob” Alingog, that we’re helping restore with Bob’s thoughtful son, Aldous Rex Alingog. Aldous wants to restore the ’76 ...
Read More »Updated 2020 Toyota Hilux Unveiled with Prices Ranging from P843,000 to P1,850,000
During an online digital launch held last Saturday, September 12, 2020, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) officially unveiled the updated 2020 Toyota Hilux with an attractive price structure that ranges from P843,000 for the base model Hilux Cab & Chassis variant up to P1,850,000 for the top-of-the-line Hilux Conquest variant (P1,830,000) finished in premium Emotional Red metallic paint that has an ...
Read More »1976 Mitsubishi Celeste 1600ST Part 2: Car Restorer’s Dilemma
In Part 1 of this Power Wheels Magazine Project Car series, we were approached by Aldous Rex Alingog who asked for our help to restore his father’s beloved 1976 Mitsubishi Celeste 1600ST after he saw our own restored yellow 1977 Celeste Project Car in the 2018 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS). Aldous hoped that restoring their Bone Red Celeste would be ...
Read More »2020 Chery Tiggo 7: A Refreshing Battle of the Senses
As a motoring enthusiast first and a journalist after, I’ve driven, ridden, and evaluated hundreds of vehicles. I’ve seen the transition from carburetors to electronic fuel injection, the digitalization of formerly analog automotive components, the rise and proliferation of electronic driving aids, and the gradually changing direction towards electro-mobilization. With 12 years in the auto industry and 20 years in ...
Read More »1976 Mitsubishi Celeste 1600ST Part 1: Too Far Gone?
During the 2018 Manila International Motor Show (MIAS), we displayed our 1977 Mitsubishi Celeste 1600ST Power Wheels project car at the JSK Custom Paint and Auto Works display pavilion. It took us 4 years and a lot of blood, sweat and tears to turn our tired-looking and rust-infected blue Celeste into this yellow show car, which was not entirely finished ...
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