Leroi's Windshield

With our feet on the road, we headed towards Minas Gerais, our first neighboring state. The first stop was in Patos de Minas. The sun was determined to roast us alive, but we arrived in the late afternoon, still toasted but in one piece. My parents, who were driving the Mustang, left Goiânia a little after us, but we ended up meeting at the hotel at the end of the day – the Mustang must have air conditioning, right? Smart move. In Patos de Minas, I reunited with my uncles. I swear it was a coincidence. There was dinner, conversation, and, of course, some quality gossip. The next day, we set out to explore the city and search for a pamonha as good as the ones made in Goiás. The Dodge Starts Acting Up Here began the first mechanical issue of the trip: the Dodge's starter motor had a strong personality, working whenever it felt like it. Some electrical issue between the switch and the starter motor. But I discovered that, with a screwdriver and a bit of desperation, I could ...

You know those people you invite out of politeness, never expecting them to actually accept? Well, I’m one of those. During an event in Garibaldi, RS, my now-new Uruguayan friend Pablo invited me to his homeland to attend an American car meet. And, of course, being a fan of impulsive decisions, I accepted on the spot. The car was chosen right then and there, no hesitation: a 1969 Dodge Charger. After all, if you’re going on an adventure, might as well do it in style. The Charger had already seen plenty of miles and long trips, but I wasn’t naive. Before hitting the road, we gave it a proper check-up: engine, tires, transmission, differential, electrical system—everything was inspected. Oil changed, valve cover gasket replaced, radiator cleaned, and even a little adjustment to the parking brake. Everything seemed to be in order—at least as much as a classic car’s mechanical stubbornness would allow. As every Dodge owner knows, these cars have a natural talent for letting wat...

Anyone with a sizable collection of vintage cars knows this all too well: keeping the fleet in good shape is no small feat, especially when some barely leave the garage. That’s exactly the case with my Itamar Beetle . In 2024, it covered a mere 300 km . And that, dear reader, is a problem, because as any car enthusiast will tell you, a car left idle deteriorates faster than one that’s regularly driven. Now in 2025, I’m taking steps to ensure it stops being a decorative piece and gets back to fulfilling its purpose on the road. The first step? Changing the oil. Yes, even with only 300 km on the clock, the oil was as tired as I am on the Monday after Carnival. Some argue for changing it every six months, but to me, that’s overkill— once a year is just fine . The second step was retiring the awful diagonal tires that were on the car. And when I say “awful,” I’m not exaggerating. I’m not talking about aesthetics here, but pure functionality. The car was simply unbearable to drive w...

One thing that every car enthusiast does is wash their car. Whether it's at home, a friend's place, or a car wash, it's almost a mandatory ritual. During my teenage years, washing a car was simple: a hose, any random detergent, a bucket, and a cloth or sponge. If someone was particularly meticulous, they might add a coat of wax at the end, followed by the classic "tire shine." That was the pinnacle of automotive luxury. I admit that I still follow this recipe today. However, with more cars in the garage than time to pamper them, I rarely have the energy for wax or that beloved tire shine. The basics suffice — and barely at that! But then came modern times, and with them, the gourmetization of car washing. Pressure washers, shampoos with formulas more complex than salon cosmetics, microfiber cloths, liquid waxes, sprays that promise to restore the soul’s shine to your car. And, of course, the so-called detailing . To me, this term sounds like a hobby for some...

Sometimes I catch myself thinking: why on earth didn’t I document things properly back then? Today, all I have left are memories and a handful of questionable-quality photos. Speaking of memories, my first track day was back in 2012, driving none other than a 1965 Buick Wildcat . Yes, it’s exactly that car in this low-resolution photo. An amazing car, but one that left its marks... or rather, cracks. Yes, on that epic day, the Buick ended up with two cracks on the windshield due to the body flexing. And guess what? Those cracks are still there today, like battle scars. My lap time? A staggering 2’10” — but who cares? The glory was mine, and mine alone. Since then, I’ve lost track of how many cars I’ve thrown onto the racetrack asphalt. From Stock Light V8s to a Cadillac Eldorado , and including a Mustang Bullitt , Mustang Mach 1 , Del Rey , Honda Civic SI , Chevrolet Monza , Sandero RS , Mitsubishi Lancer , race-tuned Corsa , and even a Peugeot 2008 . It doesn’t matter the car — ...

It’s been quite some time since I started giving my beloved Opala a well-deserved overhaul. This loyal companion has been with me for no less than 25 years. The problem with being a car enthusiast (and accumulating a small fleet) is that every single one of them always has something that needs fixing. It’s like running a mechanical daycare: fix one’s issue, and another starts crying. The Opala, for instance, had some classic issues of a car that doesn’t enjoy sitting idle: a broken hood cable and a burnt-out headlight. Fortunately, those problems have been resolved today. A point for my patience (and the nearest auto parts store). Despite the repairs, the Opala is still in probation. I have a bold idea in mind: a road trip to the Northeast. I haven’t set dates, routes, cities, or states yet. In other words, the trip is a dream for next year, but for now, I’m content with short escapes and plenty of rides around Goiânia. And you know what? The car is sti...