Nicholas has been part of the Driving.ca team since 2018 and writes specifically about classic cars whenever possible (like his first and currently only car, a 1971 Plymouth Valiant Scamp), although he also enjoys studying automobile history, automotive design, and car culture. His interests include American cars from the 1930s, 60s and 70s.
Summary
Driving.ca News and Features Editor; and a Driving.ca contributor since 2018. A professional writer and editor for over 10 years, has seen publication in some of the most widely read publications in Canada and the United States. Specialties include classic car profiles, automotive history, and stories exploring little-known Canadian car culture.
Education
Nicholas graduated from York University with a BA in Professional Writing and Philosophy. He also holds a Canadian Private Pilot License (PPL); and was trained to be a competition judge.
Experience
Nicholas began writing news for Sympatico Autos (later renamed Autofocus) and later became the site’s editor-in-chief. In 2018, he joined Driving.ca and soon became News and Features Editor. Nicholas also contributed to the Wheels section of the Toronto Star; Hagerty’s editorial efforts; and a number of other publications. Nicholas has owned and maintained a 1971 Plymouth Valiant Scamp since 2012; and had previously tinkered with a 1929 Ford Model A. He is a regular volunteer at the Cobble Beach Concours d’Elegance in Owen Sound, Ontario; and a frequent participant at Classic Car Adventures’ Maple Mille event in southern Ontario.
Author’s main works
Nicholas loves exploring the forgotten corners of Canadian car culture. For Sympatico Autos, he prepared an in-depth analysis of General Motors’ disastrous introduction of its European Firenza to the Canadian market; compiled an authoritative history of the Canadian MCV CH4 supercar; and organized the first wind tunnel testing of the “aero warrior” 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona available online. For Driving.ca, he talked about Chris Hadfield’s passion for first-generation Ford Thunderbirds; it has been proven that pre-war cars, with the exception of the Chrysler Airflow, were more aerodynamic rearward than forward; and dug up the history of the Ferguson Super Sport, the only roadster built in Toronto in the 1960s.