The term “machine” often carries a negative connotation. “That guy’s a machine” implies that the person being referred to is cold and devoid of compassion and humanity. Machines, such as vehicles, are incapable of experiencing emotions.
However, one thing they’re great at is producing – electronics, toys…
…even feelings, such as inspiration.
After watching the following Petrolicious video, which tells the story of one man’s long-term relationship with a 1976 FJ40 Toyota Land Cruiser, it’s hard not to feel inspired. As its owner Josh Commons off-roaded it through the stunning, bucket-list-quality trails and streams near Sun Valley, Idaho, I wanted to do a multitude of things:
1.) Take my dad’s FJ off of his hands and fix it up
2.) Plan a trip up north to the land of potatoes in the restored beautiful brute
3.) Put on some hiking boots and use the Land Cruiser to actually cruise land that’s not paved
4.) Park at a location that offers a stunning view (shouldn’t be hard at all) and spend some cell-phone-free minutes soaking in the glorious nature in front of and all around me
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
Where do you go for answers when you have a Lexus with a gorgeous leather interior but are not sure about how to maintain that luxurious look? The "Club Lexus" forums, of course.
