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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. In coming weeks, we'll 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). All photos by Peter Cheney unless otherwise noted.

The Start of Something Big

If you live in Toronto, you don’t need a calendar to know when the soccer World Cup is imminent. I spotted this Portugul fan’s Jetta on College Street.

Patriot Games

A few minutes later, I spotted this England fan’s Lincoln. I was amazed that he’d managed to wrap his mirrors – until he told me there’s a place where you can buy customized car flags, including these mirror boots.

The Source

Here’s where the downtown Toronto fans are getting those World Cup flags – a store that operates out of a shipping container at the corner of Dupont and Dufferin. This is free enterprise in action.

The Dealer

This is Ali Saleh, automotive flag merchant. He’s holding his top-selling items – a set of Portugal pennants. “Portugal Number One!” he told me. Ali isn’t Portuguese, but he knows a winner when he sees one (and the Portugal flag is outselling the rest by about ten-to-one.)

Brazil flag - $5.00; Enthusiasm – Priceless

Renata Neves bought this Brazil flag for her Toyota Matrix. It was up and fluttering two minutes later.

Not The Love Bug

I spotted this matte-wrapped Lamborghini Aventador in Yorkville, automotive posing capital of the Western World. That is one menacing-looking car. If you wanted the polar opposite of Herbie the Love Bug, this could be it.

Well Said

Some custom plates say it all.

Attention-Getting Fail

The hot Lambo wasn’t cutting any ice with this girl. She ignored it, and focused on a cute dog (hidden behind the guy in the plaid shirt.) The lesson: if you want to attract the opposite sex, skip the expensive Italian car and buy a bulldog.

Andre-Philippe Tetu

Beware of Termites

Reader Andre-Philippe Tetu spotted this one-off wooden machine. No idea of what’s under the hood.

Andre-Philippe Tetu

Another Look

Here’s another angle on the wooden wonder. Looks like the car took about five sheets of plywood. At least it’s organic.

Funky Trailer

I spotted this old, unique hand-painted trailer in Kensington Market. Amazing what you can do with a roller and a few cans of latex.

When Thunderbirds Were Cool

I came across this beautiful old Ford Thunderbird in Kensington Market. The disc hubcaps are the perfect touch.

An F1 Car With Wings

This is my friend Dave Springford in his glider at our flying club (SOSA Gliding Club, just north of Hamilton.) Dave will be flying in the upcoming Canadian National Soaring championship in his Schleicher ASG-29, an amazing machine that goes as well as it looks. (The championships run from June 25 to July 4 at our club. You can get details at sosagliding.com)