Bud Wilkinson

Connecticut

Columnist at Republican-American

Editor and Publisher at Ride CT & Ride New England

Harwinton correspondent for The Republican-American

Articles

Prospect man racked up speeding tickets driving his 1965 Chevy Chevelle Malibu SS

2 weeks ago | ctinsider.com | Bud Wilkinson

PROSPECT - Dominick Mirabelle couldn't remember precisely how old he was when he bought his 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS; either 19 or 20. He also couldn't pinpoint when the purchase was made; either the fall of 1964 or winter of 1965. But he did have high-beam intensity in recalling the drive home after purchasing the muscle car from the Loehmann-Blasius Chevrolet dealership in Waterbury.
My Ride: Prospect man racked up speeding tickets driving his 1965 Chevy Chevelle Malibu SS

2 weeks ago | ncadvertiser.com | Bud Wilkinson

Dominick Mirabelle of Prospect and the 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS that he’s owned for 60 years. Bud Wilkinson/For Hearst Connecticut MediaPROSPECT — Dominick Mirabelle couldn’t remember precisely how old he was when he bought his 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS; either 19 or 20. He also couldn’t pinpoint when the purchase was made; either the fall of 1964 or winter of 1965.
My Ride: Prospect man racked up speeding tickets driving his 1965 Chevy Chevelle Malibu SS

2 weeks ago | sheltonherald.com | Bud Wilkinson

PROSPECT — Dominick Mirabelle couldn’t remember precisely how old he was when he bought his 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS; either 19 or 20. He also couldn’t pinpoint when the purchase was made; either the fall of 1964 or winter of 1965. But he did have high-beam intensity in recalling the drive home after purchasing the muscle car from the Loehmann-Blasius Chevrolet dealership in Waterbury.
Honda Reaches 500 Million Sales Milestone After 76 Years

2 weeks ago | ride-ct.com | Bud Wilkinson

ALPHARETTA, GA – It’s a milestone worth bragging about, and Honda did so today with a press release touting that it has built 500 million motorcycles since beginning mass production in Japan in 1949. The first model produced 76 years ago was the 1949 Dream D-Type (shown above). Honda was founded in 1948. It wasn’t until 1963 that it began production of models outside of Japan with the opening of a factory in Belgium. Honda’s subsidiary in the United States launched on June 11, 1959.
CT Gets New Motorcycle, Scooter Store In Motoplex Fairfield

2 weeks ago | ride-ct.com | Bud Wilkinson

FAIRFIELD, CT – Connecticut has a new motorcycle and scooter dealership with the opening this month of Motoplex Fairfield. It’s selling Aprilia and Moto Guzzi motorcycles and Vespa and Piaggio-branded scooters, all made in Italy and owned by parent company Piaggio. The store’s arrival at 301 Commerce Drive came at the start of May and reversed a trend that has seen power sports businesses closing in the state.
My Ride: CT family restores a rare 'frosted lavender' 1947 Packard Clipper

3 weeks ago | ctpost.com | Bud Wilkinson

Jean Silinsky and her husband, Bill Silinsky, and her 1947 Packard Clipper. Bud Wilkinson/For Hearst Connecticut MediaSHELTON — It was an odd trade involving disparate classic cars. Five years ago at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jean Silinsky of Shelton surrendered the 1980 Pontiac Firebird Esprit that she owned and often took to car shows. She got a 1947 Packard Clipper in exchange from a man in Springfield, Mass.
CT family restores a rare 'frosted lavender' 1947 Packard Clipper

3 weeks ago | ctinsider.com | Bud Wilkinson

SHELTON - It was an odd trade involving disparate classic cars. Five years ago at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jean Silinsky of Shelton surrendered the 1980 Pontiac Firebird Esprit that she owned and often took to car shows. She got a 1947 Packard Clipper in exchange from a man in Springfield, Mass. While Silinsky "absolutely loved" the Firebird, "I always felt like the car was never mine 'cause it was already done," she said.
1957 Dodge Coronet channels horror car from Stephen King's 'Christine'

4 weeks ago | ctinsider.com | Bud Wilkinson

HARTFORD - Tony Garcia of Hartford often finds himself fielding questions when he takes his restored red-and-black, two-door 1957 Dodge Coronet out for a drive. One question he commonly hears is "What is someone your age doing with that?" At 38 years old, Garcia doesn't fit the normal aging profile of a classic car owner. His Dodge is 68 years old and has features that disappeared from cars before he was born, such as large tail fins, a push-button transmission and a high-beam button of the floor.
Inside 'exhilarating' go-karting for kids, adults at Lime Rock Park

1 month ago | ctinsider.com | Bud Wilkinson

SALISBURY - Stephen Huntley's instructions to the helmeted drivers standing alongside the autocross track at Lime Rock Park in Lakeville were precise and delivered in a firm tone. "If there's any contact - light contact is fine - but you do not pile drive each other off the course," he said. It was early afternoon on April 23. Huntley, who is manager of track programs at the motorsports facility that dates back to 1957, was shepherding the debut of a new go-kart attraction.
Torrington man has owned his 1972 AMC Javelin SST for 50 years

1 month ago | ctinsider.com | Bud Wilkinson

TORRINGTON - Jim Boscarino was a senior in high school and driving home from Hartford one day in June 1975 when he came to the "crazy corner" on Route 4 in Farmington. That was the location of the Parsons car dealership, which lasted from before World War I until 2006 when it moved to make way for road improvements. "I really wasn't looking for a car that particular day," Boscarino recalled in late October. At least not until he spotted a used 1972 AMC Javelin SST on the lot.