Fall is fleeting at best here in Southern California. Summer lingers on, well into October without fail. Eventually, something that vaguely resembles “winter” arrives, and with it, “frigid temps” that sometimes dip as low as the 40s. For a brief few days, however, there is a momentary semblance of “fall,” with brisk morning air, warm afternoon sun, and the distinctive smell, which can admittedly be hard to find anywhere remotely close to Los Angeles.

SEMA is, in most ways, the automotive event of the year. While it’s technically an industry trade show, it has evolved into far more, and stands to showcase everything there is to know about the year that has passed, and the year that is to come, all under one (or rather, a few) absolutely massive roof. There’s a lot to wade through: even with four full days, it’s impossible to see it all.

Photography by Mike Crawat
It’s clear, by any measure, that the Porsche 911 carries a distinctive draw; car enthusiasts of all walks have found themselves enamored by its truly one-of-a-kind looks, characteristics, and drivability. After all, even I will say, it is the definitive sports car of sports cars. Alex von Ostrowski shares a similar level of enthusiasm: following a hiatus from cars as a whole, it was the 911 that brought him back into the fray.

 
We’re back with Episode 3! This time, I’m diving into the latest addition to the StanceWorks fleet: a 1999 Hummer 6.5 Turbo Diesel H1. One of my earliest automotive memories, period, is of time spent in an H1, and after a bit of deliberation, I’ve pulled the trigger and bought my bonafide “dream truck.” So, with our friends from Turtle Wax, I’m offering up some back story, a bit of Hummer & Humvee history, and of course, a look behind the scenes here at the SWHQ.

Chances are, you’re one of the 2.1-million people who has seen this video, but if you haven’t, you’re in for a treat: it’s Friday, and you deserve a break. A loud, vicious, 10,000-RPM Pontiac Trans-Am filled break, if I get a vote. And if you are still hungry for more, you’ll want to give our feature a read. Find it here: The Benchmark – Riley Stair’s 1970 Pontiac Trans Am.