AutoWeek's new TV show "Vinsetta Garage" pays tribute to Detroit's iconic auto repair shop of the same name. Catch it on Discovery's Velocity Network.
Detroit locals last year mourned the closing of Vinsetta Garage, which serviced automobiles on the Motor City’s historic Woodward Avenue for an impressive 91 years. That’s quite a run. So, in a fitting tribute to the beloved shop, AutoWeek chose Vinsetta Garage as the name of its new show that debuted on Discovery’s Velocity channel. And thus far, E3 Spark Plugs is digging it.
As fate would have it, the storied auto repair shop is getting a whole new life as a restaurant owned by AutoWeek publisher KC Crain. As of this writing, the recently remodeled site is scheduled to reopen as an auto-themed eatery by springtime and is sure to become a favored lunch spot for gearheads to wax automotive over a sandwich or a cup of coffee. In the meantime, it serves as a meeting place or AutoWeek editors and the producers and host of the magazine’s new TV show.
Vinsetta Garage is hosted by the lovely Courtney Hansen, who got her automotive chops honestly. Her dad is race car driver Jerry Hansen, the winningest Sports Car Club of America driver in history with 27 national titles. Courtney grew up at her family’s Brainerd International Raceway, penned a book titled The Garage Girl’s Guide to Everything You Need to Know About Your Car in 2007, and was both a spokesperson for Rolls-Royce Motor Co. and #94 in FHM‘s 100 Sexiest Women in the World 2005 list.
On the show, Courtney goes on location to interview race car drivers, car designers, auto company executives and Pixar animation designers. Guests thus far include racing legend Rhys Millen and Tony Michaels, President and CEO of the Detroit Parade Company and Woodward Dream Cruise. And viewers have vicariously visited the garages of a few of the most passionate classic car collectors, Motor City Denim Company and the Red Bull Soap Box Derby. You’ll also get commentary aplenty from the AutoWeek staff.
Vinsetta Garage airs at 8:30pm Tuesdays on Discovery’s Velocity Network. Have you seen the show yet? Or are you a Motor City local with a great memory about the iconic auto shop? E3 Spark Plugs wants to hear your stories of the shop and your thoughts on the show. Post them on the E3 Spark Plugs Facebook fan page.
