Off-Road & Trails Aaron Thies Off-Road & Trails Aaron Thies

The Six-Figure Dirt Habit

My eyes say "Portal Axles," but my bank account says "OEM floor mats." I’m walking the floor at Cruise Moab 2026 and trying to decide which of these six-figure builds is worth the financial ruin. From LX700s on portals to 200 Series on 40s, here’s why I’m officially living in "Delulu-Land."

Read More
Off-Road & Trails Aaron Thies Off-Road & Trails 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.

Read More
Car Spotting Aaron Thies Car Spotting Aaron Thies

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

Read More
Car Spotting Aaron Thies Car Spotting Aaron Thies

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.

Read More
Car Spotting Aaron Thies Car Spotting Aaron Thies

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.

Read More
Car Spotting Aaron Thies Car Spotting Aaron Thies

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."

Read More
Off-Road & Trails Aaron Thies Off-Road & Trails 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.

Read More
Car Spotting Aaron Thies Car Spotting Aaron Thies

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!

Read More
Miatas Aaron Thies Miatas Aaron Thies

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!

Read More