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spotted

Spotted is Globe Drive writer Peter Cheney's weekly feature that takes you behind the scenes of his life as a vehicle and engineering journalist. We also highlight the best of your original photos and short video clips (10 seconds or less), which you should send with a short explanation. E-mail pcheney@globeandmail.com, find him on Twitter @cheneydrive (#spotted), or join him on Facebook (no login required).

Ken Comeau

When a little vehicle takes big space

Ken Comeau spotted this spot-hogging scooter at a Tim Hortons store in Penticton, BC.

Jonathan Fleming

Alberta pride

Jonathan Fleming spotted this pink and patriotic pickup in Bonneyville, Alberta. The hockey-stick flagpoles are a unique touch.

Peter Cheney

Parking, Toronto style

Downtown Toronto houses are among the most expensive in the world. But paying more than $1 million for a home doesn’t necessarily mean that you get deluxe parking to go with it. I spotted this garage near my own neighborhood.

Herrie ten Cate

Financial formula revealed

My friend Herrie and I spotted this Camaro while we were driving back from our flying club. As I was telling Herrie, the cost of raising two kids and putting them through university has thus far stymied my plans to buy a new, state-of-the-art German glider. This Camaro custom plate reveals the secret formula for getting your dream machine.

John Ross Harvey

Communism, Lexus style

As you may recall, “CCCP” is an acronym for the former Soviet Union. John Ross Harvey spotted this plate on a Lexus driven by a Worker’s Paradise loyalist.

Peter Cheney

The merry pranksters ride again

If you follow Hippie or Beat culture, you will remember Ken Kesey (author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest) and his psychedelic school bus. The bus transported Kesey and his friends, a group known as The Merry Pranksters, on a series of adventures. When I spotted this flamboyantly painted Japanese mini truck in Toronto, Kesey and the bus immediately came to mind, acid-flashback style.

Peter Cheney

Skull and bones society road trip

I spotted this rear-window decal in Toronto.

Peter Cheney

Exhibit A: The victim

This brutalized Chevy Cobalt was parked in the alley near my house.

Peter Cheney

Exhibit B: The smoking gun

The forensics in the Cobalt case were pretty straightforward – here’s the weapon that was used to bludgeon the hood and windshield.

Peter Cheney

Exhibit C: The accused

And here’s the suspect. “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, please note that the fallen branch is a perfect match to the accused.”

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