Save The Drive-In Movie…

If you have never experienced a drive-in movie, then some may say you haven’t truly captured the movie experience.  I remember the first time I attended the Starlite drive-in here in Hamilton.  I must have been about 5 or 6 when my father took my brother and me.  I can still remember the excitement and the mystery of it all.  We packed our cooler, brought some blankets in case it got cool and got ready for the show to begin.  Not only was I being allowed to stay up late because we had to wait until it got dark, I got to see two movies instead of one. At least, I tried to see two movies, but my young eyes wouldn’t stay open for the second film.  The part that I love most about the drive-in and still love today is that I feel as if I am experiencing a little piece of history.  They still play the old preview commercials and the concession building looks to be straight out of the 1950’s.  It is one of the few instances where your parents can say to you, “This is what I did as a kid”, and you know that you are experiencing the exact same thing, exactly how it was back then.

That is why Honda Motor Co. began a campaign called “Project Drive-In” to raise money for Drive-in theatres around the United States.  Most drive-in theatres across the U.S. and in Canada will be forced to close down due to the end of 35mm film distribution.  The end of 35mm film as we know it is forcing drive-in theatres to make the switch to digital, which will cost roughly $75,000 U.S. per screen.

“It’s not often that a company gets the opportunity to help preserve an American pastime.  It has been an honor and a privilege to bring national and local attention to the fate of drive-ins and to meet the passionate owners of these small businesses, said Alicia Jones, manager of Honda & Acura social marketing at American Honda Motor Co., Inc.  “We hope that the #SaveTheDriveIn movement continues in the effort to help keep more drive-ins open for the next generation.”

There will be a total of 9 winning theatres across the U.S. who will receive a new projector.  People were encouraged to visit www.projectdrivein.com to vote for their local drive-in.  Click here to watch Honda’s video on the movement.

We want to know what you think – let us know what your local drive-in means to you by visiting our AutoHwy Facebook page.

Credit: Honda Motor Co.

Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel And It’s Trek On The Trans-Canada In A Fuel Efficiency Challenge

clean cruze cross canada picLast Thursday, husband and wife team Garry Sowerby and Lisa Calvi embarked on a challenge some might call crazy.  Over the course of 10 days, they will venture on a cross Canada Journey from Vancouver to Halifax on the Trans-Canada Highway in an attempt to set the record for lowest fuel consumption.  “We want to set a record that will be difficult for someone else to beat within the same parameters”, said Lisa Calvi.

Sp why did this couple choose to drive the all-new 2014 Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel?  The answer is simple!  It is better than any non-hybrid passenger car in Canada, so what better car to help them break the record.  The Cruze diesel offers a segment leading 151 horsepower and 264 lb.-ft torque.  Additionally, it comes with a sex speed automatic transmission, four-wheel antilock disc brakes, 3.20 final drive ratio, 140-amp alternator, 800 cold-cranking amps battery 17 inch alloy wheels, ultra-low-rolling resistance all-season tires, Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system and more.  the starting price of the Cruze Diesel is only $24,945.  Even with the $1550 destination charge, the Cruze Diesel is a better value than the comparable Volkswagen Jetta TDI automatic.

This current record for lowest fuel consumption was set last year by Volkswagen and Shell with a consumption of 5.59L/100km when they used a 2012 VW Passat with a gasoline engine.  this year, with the Cruze Diesel, Garry and Lisa are hoping to have a highway fuel consumption rating somewhere in the four-point something litre per 100km range.

In order to achieve this, the adventurous couple will face a few challenges along the way such; maintaining the speed limits, finding the shortest route possible and having very little time for food, stops and accomodations.

If you would like to follow their journey, visit their blog at driving.ca or keep reading Hamilton Auto Blog for the latest up to date information on all things Chevrolet.  If you are interested in purchasing the Cruze Diesel or any other vehicles in our award winning line-up please visit us at http://www.queenstonchev.com.

By: Amy Cochren

Credit: GM Canada, Driving.ca

U16 Team Ontario – National Flag Football Champions!

As a proud sponsor, Queenston Chevrolet is excited to announce that the U16 Team Ontario is the National Flag Football Champions!  Players from Hamilton and surrounding areas including; Ancaster, Stoney Creek, Grimsby and Burlington helped to win the National title in Regina, Saskatchewan.  This is the first time that Team Ontario has won on a national level. 1073277_10153059797335302_516239130_o

Team Ontario also received the Most Sportsmanlike Team Award.  This was another first; being the first time a championship team has received the sportsman award.  With this exciting win behind them, the U16 Team Ontario is preparing to represent Canada in international competition in the United States.

On behalf of everyone at Queenston Chevrolet, we would like to congratulate the boys on their win and wish them the best of luck at their international competition in the states.

A Gold Mine For Chevrolet Collectors!


When you hear Pierce County, Nebraska, there probably isn’t much that comes to mind. However, within this small community there is an old, independent Chevrolet Dealer with a “time capsule” of sorts hidden within its brick walls. For over 50 years, Lambrecht Chevrolet Co. served the community of Pierce as the trusted Chevy dealer.  When owners Ray and Mildred Lambrecht closed their doors in 1996, they left behind not only decades of memories, but many decade’s worth of classic, untouched, untitled, never before driven Chevrolets.  In fact, there are over 50 cars and trucks with less than 4 miles on them – some with the plastic covering and window stickers intact. Then add another 500 or so less valuable trade in vehicles to that collection sitting in a nearby field and you have one extraordinarily rare assembly of classic automobiles ranging from the 1930`s to 1980`s.

Among the most valued vehicles are a 1964 Chevrolet Impala, 1978 Chevrolet Corvette, multiple Chevelles and Corvairs and a 1958 Cameo pick up with less than 4 miles on it.  Have you ever owned a new 1958 vehicle? What an incredible story – and it could be you!  The Lambrecht family has made the decision to sell off their classic Chevrolet collection with VanDerBeek Auctions on September 28 and 29th, 2013.

If you would like a full inventory list of these cars and trucks, click here.

By: Amy Cochren

Credit: VanderDerBrink Auction LLC

Momstown and Festival of Friends!

momstown poster 2013

This weekend we are the stage sponsors for momstown – an amazing  Hamilton group who are celebrating their 6th Birthday at the Children & Family Pavilion located at the Ancaster Fair Grounds.  Come join us and momstown for a FREE weekend of FUN at the Festival Of Friends!

Queenston Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Image Honda will be on-site with a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and a 2013 Honda CR-V! Be sure to partake in our colouring contest for some awesome prizes and car care must haves!

We look forward to celebrating with all the kids and supporting a great group of hard working Moms!

queenston and image logosFor a list of performances and events, please click here

Consumer Reports Names 2014 Impala Best New Sedan

We have had a lot of good news lately regarding the 6th Generation Chevrolet Impala.  Whether it was this week’s 5 star safety score, awarded by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s New Car Assessment Program or GM’s most recent J.D. Power Awards, which made them the only non-luxury brand to rank in the top 5.2014impala

General Motor’s Director for North American Design said the following about the re-design of this famous flagship car. “We were challenged to create a new classic, but that didn’t mean relying on nostalgia.  This is very much a contemporary car, with design elements, craftsmanship and attention to detail that complement its advanced technologies.”

It was that vision that created the 2014 Chevrolet Impala and has Consumer Reports declaring it the highest-scoring sedan this year. Praising its overall elegance, the Impala has gone from a forgettable score of 64 – too low to recommend, to a score of 95 out of a possible 100 points. This not only makes the Impala top of its class, but one of the top rated vehicles Consumer Reports tested overall this year.  Only 2 cars had better scores then the Impala and they were; Tesla Model S and the BMW 135iCoupe.  It should be notably mentioned that this is the first time an American sedan has held this standing in the last 20 years.

Chevrolet’s new saying “Finding New Road’s” truly defines the 2014 Impala.

If you would like more information on this award winning vehicle or if you would like to schedule a test drive, please visit us at www.queenstonchev.com today!

By: Amy Cochren

Credit: Consumerreports.org, GM Canada

5 Star Safety Score For The 2014 Chevrolet Impala

Last month, we were excited to announce that General Motors topped the list for the 2013 J.D. Power Awards with Chevrolet and GMC being the only non-luxury brands to rank in the top 5.  Well, it’s another first for Chevrolet with the redesigned 2014 Impala receiving a five-star safety score.  This score is the highest possible five-star overall vehicle score for safety, as part of the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s New Car Assessment Program.2014impala

So what makes the Impala so outstanding?  Well, it offers a variety of safety features that are attributed to this ranking.  The Collision Mitigation Braking allows for radar technology to sense traffic in front of the vehicle to adjust the vehicle speed, including stopping the vehicle in traffic and accelerating again after.  This is the first time that such a feature has been offered in a Chevrolet.  Some additional features include: forward collision alert, lane departure warning, side blind zone alert, rear cross traffic alert, rear vision camera with dynamic guidelines, ultrasonic rear park assist, brake pre-fill feature, hill hold/start assist and full-speed-range-adaptive cruise control.  The 2014 Impala’s also come with 10 standard airbags and OnStar, providing you with an additional sense of comfort.  OnStar’s GPS and cellular phone technology will automatically call for help in case of a crash.

Gay Kent, GM general director of Vehicle Safety and Crashworthiness had the following to say. “Safety is a key consideration for all car buyers, and Impala sets a new benchmark for Chevrolet’s flagship sedan.  The 2014 Chevrolet Impala is designed to provide excellent crash safety, and offers customers several safety technologies not previously available in Chevrolet.”

If you haven’t had the opportunity to experience the 2014 Impala for yourself, we welcome you to either of our Chevrolet dealerships: Queenston on Centennial or Queenston on the Mountain.  Come and take a test drive today in the award winning Impala and see exactly what it has to offer.

By: Amy Cochren

Credit: Chevrolet Canada, GM Canada