In this instalment of “In The Spotlight”, we Q&A with AutoPuzzles co-founder and forum creator/admin/programmer Ultra, AKA Charlie O .

Charlie may be familiar to some of you who have read his posts here and on other car boards, engaged him in a game of online chess (which I don’t think he's ever lost), enjoyed the sounds coming from his Lachine Machine studio, or enjoyed one of his pizzas at the Northern Lower-Peninsula favourite eating establishment, Charlie O’s Pizzeria. I sat down with Charlie (virtually) recently and asked him about his love of cars. Here’s what he had to say:

AP:  Tell us about yourself and when you became interested in cars?
 
Charlie: I am 39 years old and live in NE lower Michigan.  When I was a toddler, my interest was already documented by my family.

AP:  What was your first car?

Charlie:  1973 Plymouth Fury Gran Coupe

AP:  What is your daily driver?

Charlie:  2004 GTO

AP:  What classic(s) or special cars do you currently have?

Charlie:  The GTO.  I have also restored a 1974 Dodge Challenger in the past.

AP:  What made you choose to buy them?

Charlie:  Car Crazy

AP:  Have you ever just missed buying a particular car, and lived to regret it?

Charlie:  No.

AP:  What would be your dream car?

Charlie:  One that was immune to tickets.

AP:  Which car do you regret having parted company with?

Charlie:  The Challenger

AP:  What is your favorite drive in your classic or special car?

Charlie:  Harbor Springs to Leg's Inn on M-119

AP:  How much work on your car(s) do you carry out yourself?

Charlie:  Not much anymore.  Time is too precious.

AP:  What do you carry with you go out in your car(s)?

Charlie:  Wine Opener.

AP:  Do you get involved in the club scene, and why?

Charlie:  Not anymore.  Too political

AP:  Do you take an interest in motor sport, and if so where is your favorite venue(s)/club meeting(s)?

Charlie:  F1 is my main motorsport interest.

AP:  What is your worst memory involving a car?

Charlie:  When my mother's 1975 Mercury Bobcat station wagon, orange, caught fire in front of my high school with me driving it.

AP:  What is your funniest memory involving a car?

Charlie:  The 1973 Honda Civic that I took ownership of, for a quarter ounce of weed. 

AP:  What is your most enjoyable moment involving a car?

Charlie:  Escaping pursuit.

AP:  Best road food?

Charlie:  Cannolis

AP:  How would you define a ‘classic’?

Charlie:  A vehicle that inspires desire, regardless of age.

AP:  What in your opinion, is the worst car regarded as a ‘classic’ and why?

Charlie:  Fox body Mustangs.  I don't understand what the desire is that some feel.

AP:  What in your view will be a future classic?

Charlie:  The modern GTO

AP:  What question would you like to ask and who to?

Charlie:  I would like to ask GWB if he ever drives anymore.

AP:  What car publications / car websites do you regularly read?

Charlie:  AutoPuzzles.com

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