Aaron Thies Aaron Thies

THE SHAKEDOWN RUN: SHOCKS, SPRINGS, AND A DASH OF REVENUE FLATS CHAOS

New shocks, old friends, and questionable speeds. We took the Land Cruiser out to the Tobacco Roots to shake down the new Dobinsons setup. Between dodging Angas’s Land Rover "photo bombs," keeping the dogs warm in the Montana chill, and discovering that 80 MPH on gravel feels a lot like a rally stage, it was a hell of a weekend. From the dive-bar charm of the Pony Bar to the precision rock-stacking at Potosi Hot Springs, here’s how the rig handled the dirt.

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The Ghost of 1989: Why Joe’s Mazda is Giving Me Major Hardbody FOMO

Looking at Joe’s Mazda mini truck parked there, I didn't just see a clean build; I saw a literal time machine. It’s got that stance—that specific, "I can haul a couch or a dirt bike, but I’d rather just cruise" energy—that hit me right in the nostalgia. Specifically, it took me straight back to my old Nissan Hardbody D21.

If you weren't around for the late 80s and early 90s, it’s hard to explain how much the mini truck scene defined "cool." Seeing Joe’s rig, I could almost hear the faint hiss of a cassette tape and smell the high-octane scent of a Montana morning. It was "Genuine for '89," and a reminder that when it comes to style, you should always bet on black

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Payload of a Backpack: Why This Lifted Smart Car is Pure Chaos

It’s a lift kit, chunky tires, and a winch that wouldn’t pull a tooth—all on a car that looks like a tactical blueberry. This lifted Smart Car has the payload capacity of a backpack and enough audacity to stare down a Land Cruiser. Is it capable? No. Is it legendary? Absolutely.

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High-Dollar Hype vs. Junkyard Jewels: A Week of Boost and Custom Builds

From high-dollar custom buggies with front-and-rear steer to a "Mighty Max" Frankenstein build featuring a Chevy V8 and Dodge axles, this week was a masterclass in off-road creativity. Plus, we take the Mitsubishi Mini Pajero out for a spin to hear its "asthma inhaler" turbo noises and check in on the Blue Rover—which is still better at draining bank accounts than climbing rocks.

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ICE, BOOST, AND ADRENALINE: THE FROST & FURIOUS FINALE

From rally-prepped sleepers to precision-engineered Porsches, the Frost & Furious finale in West Yellowstone was a masterclass in ice-cold adrenaline. Check out the high-speed highlights and the full gallery of studded-tire chaos.

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TERMINATOR X AND THE BOBSLED RUN: PIPESTONE CHAOS

A winter run through Pipestone taking the Ringing Rocks route backwards to Hay Canyon Road. From Terminator X on the cassette deck to Ian’s ‘Cool Runnings’ bobsled descent and George’s massive 100 Series wheel stand, it was a day of controlled chaos and snowy Montana trails.

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MAMMA MIA! THE RED PANTHER OF BOZEMAN: A 1972 DE TOMASO PANTERA

Mamma Mia! Forget your average "muscle car." Seeing this blood-red 1972 De Tomaso Pantera in person is a religious experience. From its razor-sharp "Pre-L" Italian silhouette to its mid-engine Modena soul, this is a masterclass in why the Italians simply do it better. Step inside the wedge that defined an era of automotive passion.

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The Wedge from Heaven: Seeing the Lancia Stratos at West Yellowstone

Witnessing the wedge that changed rallying forever. From the 1970s World Rally championships to the frozen runways of West Yellowstone Airport, the Lancia Stratos remains the ultimate Italian 'money shot.' Go behind the lens for a look at this purpose-built beast, its Ferrari Dino V6 soul, and the high-speed winter chaos of the first-ever Frost and Furious Snow Rally.

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SAND, SMOKE, AND PINNED THROTTLES: ST. ANTHONY 2026

Dust, sand, and high-octane action. I’m heading to the St. Anthony Sand Dunes May 1–3, 2026. Private shoot slots are now open—get in the frame and capture your build shredding the massive Idaho bowls in high-definition.

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Get Ready for Red Rock Adventures: Cruise Moab 2026!

Get ready for the ultimate red rock adventure! Join Aaron Thies and the 406 Cruisers convoy from April 15-19, 2026, for Cruise Moab. I’ll be on-site capturing epic trail action and scenic views—see you in the desert!

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The Black Beauty GT4: A Bridger Canyon Chase

"A standard Tuesday rip through Bridger Canyon turned into a high-stakes game of follow-the-leader when a Black Beauty GT4 appeared in my rearview. I was pushing my Fiat to the limit, but this Porsche was glued to my bumper. Check out the story (and the shots) of the girl who chased me down just to talk shop."

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Aaron Thies Aaron Thies

Revenue Flats Royalty: The Most Over-Engineered Toyota Pickup in Montana

There’s a specific kind of magic you only find miles past the last paved road, and this week on Revenue Flats, I found it in a gold third-gen Toyota pickup. This isn’t just a "built" truck; it’s a rolling masterclass in self-sufficiency, featuring a cockpit that looks like a fighter jet, a triple-battery setup, and a custom interior where the passenger seat was sacrificed for the ultimate trail dog. Watching this magnificent rig roll into the sunset was like watching a lunar rover depart for a mission.

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The One That Got Away: A Red-Hot 1977 Alfa Romeo Spider

Bellissima! I first spotted this vibrant red 1977 Alfa Romeo Spider downtown, then found it on Craigslist. With only 11,000 original miles and that classic The Graduate aesthetic, she felt like a dream—but she was also a major red flag. From hidden rust concerns to temperamental Italian ignitions, this is the story of the one that got away. Ciao Bella!

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White Sands and Winch Lines: A Weekend at Whitetail Reservoir

White sandy beaches in Montana? They exist! But getting to Whitetail Reservoirmeans navigating deep mud and total mechanical failure. Read about our latest adventure involving a tethered Nissan, a "fishless" fly fisherman, and an epic sunset that made the cold night worth it.

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Veleno on the Track: My Spicy Italian Miata Takes the Stage

Mamma Mia! There’s nothing like the scream of a turbocharged Italian engine weaving through a sea of orange cones. I took my "spicy Italian Miata"—the Abarth 124 Spider—to the SW SCCA event at The Commons to show off her racing stripes and pure Veleno. We finished 13th overall, beat out the other Alfa, and left with a few battle scars to prove it. Forza Abarth!

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The Cheese Courier of Ceylon: my freind’s Instagram Fever Dream

Most people buy a souvenir on vacation; Angas bought a 2WD, Nissan-swapped Series 1 Land Rover from a stranger on Instagram. From its alleged life as a Sri Lankan cheese delivery rig to its "definitely not a drug runner" modifications, this aluminum beast is the ultimate cautionary tale of late-night internet shopping.

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The British Are Coming: A Union Jack Trio at Ressler Audi

There’s nothing quite like the smell of unburnt hydrocarbons and vintage leather on a crisp Montana morning. At this week's Cars & Coffee at Ressler Audi in Bozeman, we weren't just looking at cars; we were looking at a rolling masterclass in British engineering history. Dressed in the colors of the Union Jack, this trio of Triumphs—a refined TR4A, a purist's TR4, and a high-momentum '68 Spitfire—stole the show and reminded us why we love the open-air spirit of Coventry.

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