JB's Garage

07/11/2026

The car culture is alive and well in Wisconsin. Incredible turn out this morning.

07/01/2026

Often compared, the Alfa Romeo 4C and the Lotus Elise may have some things in common, but the have just as many differences.

I'll share the biggest difference near the end, but to start I'll share some of the more subtle ones.

The Elise was named after the grand daughter of the at-the-time Lotus owner, Elisa Artioli while the 4C simply indicated that it had 4 cylinders and fell in line with the naming of earlier Alfa Romeo 6C and 8C models.

The 4C was manufactured at the Maserati factory in Modena, Italy, while the Elise was manufacturered at the Lotus factory in Hethel, Great Britain.

The 4C has a 1.75 liter, 4 cylinder power plant producing approx 240 bhp, while the Elise has a 1.8 liter 4 cylinder power plant producing approx 190 bhp.

The 4C is turbo charged while the Elise is not.

The Elise uses a super lightweight bonded aluminum construction, while the 4C uses a very high-tech carbon fiber monocoque tub.

The 4C came only with a dual clutch 6 speed sequential transmission using paddle shifters, while the Elise came only with a manual transmission.

Both cars came as coupes or convertibles. While the convertible version of both cars offered a removeable cloth top and both cars offered an option hard top, only the hard top roof on the 4C could be removed without tools.

Both cars are mid-engine.

Both cars had non-removable front bodywork (at least without tools) and both cars had radios installed that looked as though the manufacturer simply ran down to the local auto stereo shop and grabbed a radio off the shelf.

Neither cars offer power steering.

The 4C offers cup holders, the Elise does not.

While the 4C is very difficult for this 6 foot tall, 64 year old enthusiast to get in and out of, the Elise is nearly impossible.

And finally, while the 4C comes in weighing just under 2500 lbs, the Elise weighs a full 500 lbs less, at just under 2000 lbs - remarkable!

06/17/2026

Okay, it's official! A new car has been added to JB's Garage.

A 2005 Lotus Elise, powered by a Toyota 4 cylinder engine and Toyota 6 speed manual transmission.

With just 8500 miles, this 21 year old car may be one of lowest mileage Elise's in the country.

Raw, agile and super fun!

05/31/2026

Euro Cars and Coffee. Great turnout filled with beautiful European cars!

05/03/2026

First car show of the year.

01/19/2026

I like where this is going. 🙂

01/18/2026

Just another Sunday morning with a million dollar (roughly) Ferrari. 1 of just 75 rare 1995 Ferrari 512M models made for the United States. Most of us just think of this car as a Testarossa like the poster we had on our wall as a kid. (Well, at least I did)

Update: Just yesterday in Kissimmee FL, a virtually identical car crossed the auction block, selling for $891,000.

01/18/2026

01/12/2026

The JB's Garage collection includes a Triumph TR7, Jaguar XK, Maserati 4200 Spyder, Triumph Spitfire, Mercedes Benz SLK 230, Alpha Romeo 4C and a Ferrari 360.

01/04/2026

It's cold right now but let's look ahead to some unique and under-the-radar automobile enthusiast events planned for 2026.