A Bite of History by Mike Thies

BMW M8 Competition

The BMW M8 Competition is the high-performance crown jewel of BMW’s 8 Series lineup, combining grand touring luxury with raw motorsport engineering. Though the original 8 Series debuted in the 1990s as a sleek V12-powered…

The “SouthEastWheelsEvents Annual Recognition Awards” - The Ceremony is set for January 17, 2026 at the Savoy Museum as part of the conclusion of their Annual Drive…

A Bite of History by Mike Thies

1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

In 1970, Chevrolet introduced the Monte Carlo as its first personal luxury couple; a stylish answer to Ford's Thunderbird and Pontiac's Grand Prix. Built on the GM A-body platform shared with the Chevelle, the Monte Carlo stood out with its long hood, short…

A Bite of History by Mike Thies

Mazda Miata MX-5

In a world where sports cars were either too expensive or too unreliable, 1989 brought us a game-changer from Japan: the Mazda MX-5 Miata. Inspired by classic British roadsters (think Lotus Elan, MGB), but without the electrical tantrums and oil puddles, the Miata nailed the formula; lightweight, rear-wheel…

A Bite of History - Mike Thies

1950's Nash Metropolitan

The Nash Metropolitan, introduced in the early 1950s, holds a special place in automotive history as one of the first American-designed cars…

A Bite of History - Mike Thies

1954 Chevrolet Corvette

The 1954 Corvette was only the second year of production for what would become America’s most iconic sports car. Built in a time when European roadsters were dominating U.S. roads,…

A Bite of History -Mike Thies

1970 Chevrolet Camaro RS Z/28

The 1970 Camaro marked the beginning of the second generation for Chevy’s popular pony car, and the Z/28 with the RS (Rally Sport) package was one of the most desirable configurations. With a more European-inspired design — longer, lower,…

The 1937 Packard 115-C Convertible Coupe is a beautiful example of pre-war American automotive craftsmanship. While it was one of Packard’s “junior” models introduced to appeal to a broader market, it still carried the elegance and build quality the brand was known for.

She is named in honor of Mike's mother, Dr.…

• 1725 cc Flat-Four Boxer Engine
• Dual Carburetor, Air Cooled
• Estimated 125 Horsepower
• Curb Weight of 1933 pounds
• Four Speed Manual Transaxle
• Independent Suspension…

A Bite of History – Mike Thies

1963 Corvette Coupe

The Split-Window Sting Ray Strikes

Some cars just look fast standing still. The 1963 Corvette Sting Ray Coupe didn’t just look fast. it looked like it could time travel. With its sharp lines, hidden headlights, and that iconic split rear window, it rolled off the line like a spaceship made of muscle.

This was the first year for the…

A Bite of History – Mike Thies

Apperson

The Jackrabbit Jumps Into the Game

Long before muscle cars and turbochargers, there was Apperson. a name that roared through the early 1900s when cars still looked like fancy wagons without horses. Founded in 1901 by the Apperson brothers (who had worked with Elwood Haynes, another car pioneer), these guys were among the original big names of American motoring.

Their…

A Bite of History – Mike Thies

Saab

SAAB: The Jet That Turned Into a Car

Ever wonder what happens when airplane engineers build a car? You get Saab. Born in Sweden in the late 1940s, Saab (short for Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget) started life making fighter planes. Then one day someone said, “Hey, what if we made a car that drove like a cockpit?” And boomm, Saab 92 hit the road in 1949.

Saabs were…

A Bite of History – Mike Thies

Pontiac GTO

Meet the car that kicked off the muscle car era: the Pontiac GTO. Born in 1964, it was basically a Pontiac Tempest with a rebellious twist, a massive 389 V8 engine stuffed under the hood, some attitude sprinkled in, and just enough rule-bending to make it legendary.

The GTO wasn't supposed to exist. GM had a ban on racing, but John DeLorean (yeah, that…

A Bite of History - Mike Thies

Porsche 356

Before the world knew Porsche as a maker of high-performance sports cars, there was the Porsche 356, the model that started it all. Launched in 1948, it was Ferdinand "Ferry" Porsche's vision of a lightweight, rear-engine sports car that could handle curves like a dream.…

A Bite of History – Mike Thies

Duesenberg

Founded in 1913 by German-American brothers Fred and August Duesenberg, the Duesenberg Motor Company became the gold standard of American automotive engineering, combining race-bred performance with unmatched luxury. Known simply as “Duesys,” these cars weren’t just automobiles, they were status symbols.

Duesenberg made its mark early in motorsport, winning the 1921 French…

A Bite of History – Mike Thies

Pierce-Arrow

Pierce-Arrow, founded in Buffalo, New York in 1901, quickly became synonymous with opulence, elegance, and cutting-edge engineering. Originally an offshoot of a household goods manufacturer, the company shifted focus to automobiles and carved a niche for itself as a premier American luxury carmaker, favored by royalty, industrialists, and even the White House.

Renowned…

A Bite of History – Mike Thies

Peerless

The Peerless Motor Car Company, founded in Cleveland, Ohio in 1900, earned its name by producing automobiles that lived up to its title—peerless in quality, performance, and innovation. As one of the famed “Three Ps” of early American luxury motoring—Packard, Pierce-Arrow, and Peerless—the brand was celebrated for its engineering precision and elegant styling.

Peerless was…

A Bite of History – Mike Thies

Packard

Packard Motor Car Company, established in 1899 by James Ward Packard, was an iconic American luxury automobile manufacturer known for its craftsmanship, innovation, and prestige, During the Great Depression, Packard faced declining sales but remained financially stable by implementing robust marketing strategies and reducing automobile prices.…

The 2025 Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance marked a significant milestone, celebrating its 30th anniversary with an impressive showcase of over 275 historically significant vehicles across 35 meticulously curated classes. Held on March 8 at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, the event attracted approximately 25,000 to 30,000 attendees, underscoring its status as a premier automotive gathering. ​…

We have the pleasure of a contributing writer this year. Philip Carroll, an enthusaistic car guy of many decades made the trip. Thank you Philip, Mike

A Memorable 30th Anniversary at The Amelia

I recently had the distinct honor of attending The Amelia as media. While I’ve been to this event nearly a…