Amelia Dalgaard
(She/Her)
As seen in:
Motorhead Mama,
LinkedIn,
Elba Clipper,
Arizona Daily Star,
Connecticut Magazine,
West Hartford News,
EIN News,
Lincoln Journal Star,
Billings Gazette,
Napa Valley Register,
Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal
and
Covers:
Automotive, Car Culture, Women in Automotive, Travel, Music, Entertainment, and Dogs (with an automotive angle)
I'm the Golden Retriever of Automotive. Blonde, excitable, and smarter than I look. Blogging at motorheadmama.com
Articles by Amelia Dalgaard
In Defense of The SEMA Wedding
Last week, I headed to Vegas for the SEMA Show, where I caught up with colleagues, moderated panels, led a media tour—and attended a wedding. Watching two complete strangers tie the knot wasn’t exactly on my packed agenda. But looking back, it was a perfect match. Pun intended. I first heard about the event two days before from my friend Michelle Suzuki. “Then at 1 pm, there’s the wedding.” “The whaat?” I asked, convinced I had misheard her.
INEOS Grenadier: The World’s Most Overqualified Grocery Getter
If I’m honest, I’ve been resistant to the INEOS Grenadier. Partly because I’m a recovering car snob, but mostly because when everyone around me goes gaga for something, I tend to cross my arms and wait to be convinced. Some would call me stubborn. So while my local parking lots filled up with what I considered a lame substitute for a proper British off-roader, I stood firm. Arms crossed. Unimpressed. Turns out, it took three days in the Canadian woods to make me drink the Kool-Aid.
Freak of the week 2026: THE WEIRD ONES WON!
The hardest part about my Freak of the Week car carnival is the rejection. I can stomach sponsors saying no, people not turning up, and judgment from the car community, but conversations like this are excruciating: “Your Lamborghini is beautiful, and I understand it’s rare, but it’s just not freaky enough for the lawn.” But to do this right, I have to be ruthless. In 2026, the last thing the world needs right now is another car show.
Freak of the Week Returns to Los Angeles: Where the Weird Ones Win
Amelia Dalgaard (aka Motorhead Mama) with Angelyne's iconic Corvette at the 2025 Freak of the Week Car Show. Photo: Scott Martin The car show celebrates creativity, individuality, and self-expression. Hosted by Motorhead Mama, winning vehicles will go on display at the 2026 LA Auto Show. You don’t have to know anything about cars to appreciate creativity, individuality, and a good story.
What Lamborghini Gets About Gen Z
Driving through the Whole Foods parking lot in a brand new Lamborghini Temerario, I expected some attention. But this is LA, baby, and Malibu at that, so what happened after I parked was nothing less than wild. Every single person under 25 turned around, opened their phone, and started capturing me like I was Kim K. This awkward moment left me with two thoughts: They didn’t do that when I drove an Aston or a vintage Ferrari. I really should’ve put on some makeup.
Jeep’s Boldest Move Yet: Accountability
The year was 2021, and Jeep was on the verge of relaunching one of its most iconic vehicles. The one all the cool moms drove in the 80s, the one your teen would give their right arm for, the one appreciating faster than Nvidia stock– The Jeep Grand Wagoneer. Here is a photo for your refreshment: If this doesn’t give you the chills, see a doctor immediately. And then they launched it.
Dear Ferrari, Luce, Luce, Eww!
Readers note: If you felt a little strange this Monday, or felt that the universe was off its axis, I understand. Monday was the day the fellas from Maranello dropped something earth-shattering– their first EV: the Ferrari Luce. Unfortunately, it’s hideous. I know you’re thinking that Ferraris haven’t been that good-looking lately, but this is baaaad. I’m talking, your kid would probably refuse to ride in your Ferrari, bad. Skeptical? OK, you asked for it: courtesy: Ferrari No, that’s not a joke.
Convince My Wife: I Need A New Truck
The tax refund check. The holiday bonus. A generous aunt passes away. Unexpected cash influxes are equally exciting — and dangerous. As your loyal, automotive wing girl, I often find myself at the awkward end of a domestic dispute over finances. One of the most common arguments? Not the midlife sports car, the vintage dream ride, but whether or not it’s time for the new truck. The husband spots something new and sexy (on wheels). The wife sees a perfectly operable vehicle in the driveway.
Is Nissan Now That Hot Guy From High School?
Last week, the head of the Women’s World Car Jury (of which I am a proud member) awarded the Car of the Year to the Nissan Leaf. No, that’s not a typo—THE NISSAN LEAF. The car that was the ugly duckling of automotive is now cleaning up in the awards circuit faster than a Labrador under a messy toddler’s highchair.
The Timeless Appeal Of The Imperfect Car
This weekend, I took my best boy (my Lab Gooby) to one of my favorite car shows–The Queen’s English in Van Nuys. Jaguar Type C–so beautiful, I was too scared to touch it. Casual, friendly, and free, the Queen’s English is everything that’s cool about a car show. People getting together to bond over their shared affinity to a certain car, or in this case, a group of cars.
Dear BMW, Now That’s AN EV!
Listen, my beloved BMW bros, we’ve had a very rocky relationship. I loved you. I gave you all of my money. Then you took a nose dive and took my heart along with you. The BMW that I loved —ahead of everyone in design, technology, and driveability — had officially sold out. It wasn’t just sad, it was heartbreaking. Worst of all, my driveway stopped turning over.
What Do Sexy, Rich Celebrities Drive? The Cars of 'All's Fair' · Motorhead Mama
I know what you’re thinking, “All’s Fair? Isn’t that the show with (gasp, clutches pearls) KIM KARDASHIAN?” Yes, mama, yes it is. Now, before you click away, let me address your concerns. You’re thinking that All’s Fair is “too Californian”, “too Hollywood”, and even worse, “too Kardashian” for the likes of you. I respect that.
What I Learned By Throwing My First Car Show
Last weekend, I threw my very first car show. The idea was simple: to showcase and celebrate those whose cars stand out in a crowd. Not because they're fast, expensive, or rare, but because they're created with fearless self-expression, a desire to be unusual, and my favorite-- an unapologetic sense of humor. The result was humbling.
'Freak of the Week' Car Show Debuts to Celebrate the City’s Most Unusual and Creative Vehicles
'Freak of the Week' Car Show Debuts to Celebrate the City’s Most Unusual and Creative Vehicles Motorhead Mama Presents: Freak of the Week 2025 Fiat Topolino, Betsune Pony, Angelyne’s Pink Corvette & More Take Over Topanga for One Day Only I've spent 14 years celebrating LA's wildest rides. Now it's time to bring them together.
FREAK OF THE WEEK CAR SHOW
I’m hosting a car show and would like to invite you all. Here are the details: Inspired by the Motorhead Mama series, an automotive Freak of the Week is anyone brave enough to make their car stand out in a sea of white pickups and silver sedans. Time: 10am – 4pm Location: Topanga Community Center 1140 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd Topanga 90290 For Kids: Bubbles | Hula Hoops | Face Painting For Adults: Food Trucks | Henna | Music Car shows have gotten out of hand.
The Jeep EV Of Your Dreams Is Here: Is It Too Late?
Imagine yourself driving around Lake Tahoe in the Jeep Recon, wind in your hair, the smell of the mountains wafting through your SUV. Now imagine that Jeep has the doors off, the rear quarter glass off, and even the swing gate is wide open, thanks to removable windows. You are so happy, you want to drive forever. You stop to fuel up and open the gas cap to find what? A plug? Yes, the day is here. The day that Jeep finally rolled out its fully electric vehicle. It’s been a while, though.
Dude or Dbag: The Amazing Outfits of SEMA 2025
Do you like crazy cars, day drinking, sore feet, and the smell of burning rubber? Then buckle up, my friends, because it’s the most wonderful time of year–Auto Show Season! The time of year that I bring you new vehicle launches, breaking news from automakers, but most importantly, what people are wearing at auto shows. And there’s no better place to separate the Dudes from the Dbags than the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. First of all, know this: SEMA is, in fact, a trade show.
Polestar 4 First Drive: 3 Tesla-Crushing Innovations
Last week, I went to Austin, TX to drive the latest from Polestar. The Polestar 4 is finally for sale here in the USA, and from what I saw, it holds a few distinct edges over the competition. Of course, I mean Tesla. Let’s unpack. Unlike most automakers, that use their naming conventions and the corresponding numbers to indicate the vehicle’s capabilities or level of luxury, Polestar’s naming is sequential. Thus, this is the company’s fourth vehicle.
Why The Right Rubber Is Everything (Yes, I Mean Tires)
Tires aren’t traditionally a sexy topic, so of course I had to write something salacious to get your attention. But you need to read this, especially if you don’t care. Because the right tires can do three wonderful things that I know you want desperately but are afraid to ask for, until now. Let’s break it down. Forget blowouts, flats, and being stranded on the side of the road. How about a simple grip?
Dude or Dbag: The Outfits Of Radwood ‘25
Let’s play a little game. When I say “Testa”, you say _____. When I say “Pass The Dutchie,” you say? And when I say, “What’s the time,” you say what? If you answered any of these correctly, you may be a good candidate for The Outfits of Radwood ’25. Correct answers include: “Rossa”, “‘Pon the Left Hand Side”, and “It’s Time To Get Ill!” Like duh.. Here’s a quick Radwood primer: a bunch of people get together under the premise of celebrating 80s and 90s cars. The music is period correct.
The Cars of Netflix's 'Black Rabbit' · Motorhead Mama
Everybody’s got that one relative. That one guy who whirls into town like a hurricane and messes up everything in his path. A familial hurricane. I get it. I may have one of my own. In fact, I may be one, but that’s another post. Netflix’s ‘Black Rabbit’ elevates this phenomenon by taking an already chaotic situation (Jude Law’s life as a fancy yet sketchy restaurateur) and adding his black-sheep brother, Hurricane Vince.
Aston Martin DBX S: Posh Party Girl
Six years after launching its first SUV, Aston Martin has just released a new flagship–the DBX S. Now, I know that for many enthusiasts, it’s hard to embrace high-performance SUVs. Enzo Ferrari would be disgusted. Henry Ford would be outraged.
The Badass Women Of Automotive- Emily Miller/Rebelle Rally
If you Google “women off-road racing”, the chances are very good that the first thing to pop up will be the Rebelle Rally and its founder, Emily Miller. I’ve covered the Rebelle for years– as many of my badass women have raced it. For all its hype, the woman behind the Rebelle Rally has always remained somewhat of a mystery, so I decided to figure out what kind of person undertakes such a herculean task and why. What did I find? Of course, a Badass Woman of Automotive.
Which SUV? You Won't Like My Answer · Motorhead Mama
A few times a week, I get a message that starts like this, “I hate to bother you, but…” Yes, this is my friends, family, and former colleagues asking me what SUV (or car) they should buy. I write these words to you now, knowing I’ll regret it: I HONESTLY DON’T MIND. I love giving people car-buying advice. The insights I gain from these interactions are what keep me honest, inspire me, and prevent me from getting too caught up in my own bubble.
What I Learned Driving Chinese Cars
Last month, I spent a few weeks in Australia. My goal? To get to know the Chinese cars that are making a huge splash overseas, but are thus far unavailable in the United States. (No, this isn’t a Trump era policy; read about why here.) Everyone in the industry is talking about how great these vehicles are, but without experiencing them, what do we really know? I set out to find out. What I discovered is fascinating. Before I dig in, let’s consider a few things about Chinese cars.
Sex, Lies, and Awesome Cars · Motorhead Mama
If you live in America right now, you know that our country is deeply divided about two things: politics and the Netflix series ‘The Hunting Wives.’ It’s sexy, it’s salacious, and people are either banning it or binge-watching it. I am in the latter category. You can go ahead and judge me, but I swear, I was only watching for the cars. You will, too, by the time I’m done with you. Check it out: ****Warning: there will be spoilers in this post*** Women who love their trucks are a special breed.
Fresh Pressed! Apple's New CarPlay Ultra Tested · Motorhead Mama
If you’re like me, you love Apple CarPlay. Not because you’re an Apple freak, or because you love messing around with technology, but because you’re lazy in the best possible way. You want things to work and work simply so you don’t have to use any of your precious brain power to think about it. Now, Apple is rolling out its first significant upgrade to CarPlay, dubbed CarPlay Ultra. To experience this firsthand, I had to spend an afternoon in the dreaded Aston Martin DBX707.
2025 Maserati Gran Cabrio Folgore: Open Air EV FTW!
So many of you tell me all of the time, “I’m so bored with cars.” The (valid) complaints continue, “They used to be fun! They used to be cool! Now they’re just computers.” And you’re not entirely wrong. So when I find an exception to this trend, there is nothing I’d rather do than tell YOU about it. The Maserati Gran Cabrio Folgore is one of those cars. I know what you’re thinking. I thought it too.
The Badass Women Of Automotive: Elizabeth Blackstock
If you Google “Women in F1”, you’ll find a really impressive list. Tales of racers battling the odds to make it in a male-dominated industry, mechanics fighting for their place in the pits, and female engineers working twice as hard as their counterparts to make fast cars. But to me, Elizabeth Blackstock is at the top of that list. Because through her fantastic storytelling, Elizabeth brought me back to F1. It was 2021, and the recession had me down.
2026 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster: Elegance Unleashed
It’s Mother’s Day. There is nothing I would rather do today than to tell all of you what it feels like to drive a nice, quiet English sports car. But I can’t do that because that’s not what I found driving the 2026 Aston Martin Vantage Roadster. Let’s start with the obvious. This is Aston Martin. They make beautiful cars about as predictably as politicians get caught with their pants down. This vehicle is no exception.
The Cars Of Netflix's The Four Seasons · Motorhead Mama
If you’re married or in a long-term relationship and have eyes, you’re going to want to watch this show. Not just because ‘The Four Seasons’ is executive produced by Tina Fey, or stars Will Forte, Steve Carell, and Colman Domingo, or because it captures the complexity of marriage, but because the show’s cars are perfect. If you haven’t had the pleasure or need a refresher, here’s the show’s trailer: It’s also worth noting that there will be spoilers in this post.
Which Polestar 3 Is Right For Me? EV Matchmaking
As a disgruntled Tesla owner, I’m always searching for my next upgrade. This is particularly true when I hear that a car may be a proper “performance” EV. Being familiar with Polestar’s history as the performance arm of Volvo, I’ve been intrigued by the company’s first SUV, the Polestar 3. Now that I’ve driven both the single-motor and dual-motor Polestar 3, I can tell you they are both lots of fun to drive, but they are very different vehicles.
White Lotus S3: The Cars of the Rich & Horny- Fan Theory!
Behold! White Lotus Season is upon us. And it’s our third. Isn’t it great to take a respite from reality to just chill poolside in Thailand with a handful of our favorite one percenters? I mean, Parker Posey, Carrie Coon, and Andrew Schwarzenegger? Oh my! This season is an embarrassment of riches despite one glaring omission. You know I’m going to say my favorite word. Cars. There are barely any cars in this season, which is very disappointing.
2025 Ford Explorer: You Have My Attention
Who remembers 1990? It was a good one. It was the year that Nelson Mandela was freed, East and West Germany reunited, and the year Ford introduced the Explorer for the 1991 model year. For me, it coincided with my first year of college. I remember seeing more and more of these maroon and black SUVs rolling around Boston. I was in my Saab 900T, likely blasting ‘Step On’ by Happy Mondays, blissfully unaware that I was witnessing an automotive revolution.
What Would Yellowjackets Drive? Showtime's Hit Rides · Motorhead Mama
I started this series (Mama’s Movietime) to complain about how many films and TV shows don’t give the proper car to a character (particularly the female ones) and how that can ruin the entire entertainment experience. Maybe some people feel this way about clothes, makeup, or music. But for me, what a character drives can enhance or implode a character’s development. But Showtime and Paramount+ have done the opposite with Yellowjackets, which is currently in its third season.
Tesla: From Status Symbol To SwastiCar
Our collective attachment to status symbols is about as American as apple pie. Luxury brands like Chanel, Rolex, and Cartier have been at the top of the luxury heap for decades. In automotive, things tend to ebb and flow mildly–every few years, Mercedes swats away Lexus and straightens its crown, BMW and Audi swap one flavor of d-bags for another, while Ferrari battles Lambo for the sexiest money pit on wheels.
You’ve seen it. You’ve wondered what it would be like to drive it. (Spoiler alert: it’s rad.) Even if you don’t drive it, you’re happy it exists because the IONIQ 5 is unique in a world where being weird is becoming less cool. It’s the kind of car where the designers made something crazy, brought it to an engineer to pack it full of goodness and some brilliant, brave executive said, “Hey, maybe they’ll buy it.” And buy it we did.
Why You Should Love The Pacific Palisades
With the recent Palisades fire, people across the globe are quick to criticize. They politicize the devastation and curb their empathy for those suffering in the Pacific Palisades because of its wealth. But as someone who is their poor neighbor, I’m here to undo that (the only way I know how) through the people of the Palisades and their cars. Like you and I, the residents of Pacific Palisades love their automobiles. Unlike you and I, they may have more resources to indulge in their past times.
2025 Women's World Car Awards & Why Should You Care · Motorhead Mama
This year, I joined the Women’s World Car of the Year Awards jury. When I announced my appointment, one of my readers contacted me to ask, “What? What are the Women’s World Car of the Year Awards? How are they different?” It’s a great question, so here I am to answer it and to announce this year’s category winners! Founded in 2009 by New Zealand automotive journalist, Sandy Myhre, the Women’s World Car of the Year is represented in 55 countries.
Dude Or Dbag: The Outfits of The 2024 LA Auto Show
I’ve been writing my Dude or Dbag series for over a decade, and it was rinse and repeat for many years. Ill-fitting suits, terrible hair, and always someone who tried just a little too hard to stick out and failed. However, I noticed a distinct shift in the 2024 LA Auto Show outfits. This year, for the first time, women dressed up more than men and more to the point, they did so on their terms. And not just formal wear to impress the boss or colleagues but personality-driven, badass get-ups.
Mazda's Got A New CX-50 Which Is Best For You? · Motorhead Mama
Among the questions I get from car buyers, “What’s a fuel-efficient SUV that’s not too expensive and fun to drive?” seems to top the list these days. Many of you don’t want to go electric, and even a plug-in sounds like a bad idea, so you’re looking for a great alternative. Enter the Mazda CX-50. She’s got all of those features, but with three different powertrain options and loads of trims, navigating the CX-50 as a buyer can be as baffling as trying to get your teenager out of bed by noon.
Raising teenagers can be a nightmare. For many of us, things get even more excruciating in the car. If they’re driving, you’re a paranoid, nervous wreck, even if you think you’re being calm. If you’re behind the wheel, they’re pawing endlessly at their phones with an occasional break to look up and remind you what a “loser” you are.
What's The Supreme EV? · Motorhead Mama
Which is the better car– the Audi Q8 e-Tron vs the Tesla Model Y? According to this Model Y owner, there’s one clear winner. That’s right, I own a Tesla Model Y. I didn’t say I like my Tesla Model Y. I just happen to own one, and I like it just fine. But because I’m an automotive lover, my lukewarm feelings for this vehicle inherently make me sad, so I’m always on the lookout for a better EV. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the Audi Q8 e-Tron stole my heart. Let me tell you why.
Cool Cars Of Monsters: The Menendez Brothers
I love a murder mystery. Who doesn’t? And when that mystery includes my beloved home city (Los Angeles), plenty of scandals, and gobs of disposable wealth, well, sign me up! This is the case of the Menendez Brothers– a notorious unsolved case involving Beverly Hills teens who allegedly killed their parents. I’m not here to argue whether or not their actions were justified. I’m here to talk about the cars.
Convince My Wife: Off Roading Is Fun!
If you’re anything like my husband, who loves to get dirty, He’s that guy with all the gear, the lifted truck, the tent, and he’s always trying to convince me to go (barf) camping. Even worse, he wants to do it all in some remote location that requires us to drive off-road. Listen, I’m never one to turn down a drive. But off-roading to a campsite? Sounds awful. However, when eBay Motors asked me to go with them in Colorado for some off-roading, I said ‘yes.’ Why?
Mama's Easy Rule Your Carpool Checklist · Motorhead Mama
As we slide out of summer and into back-to-school season, I’m thinking about carpool. About you, your kids, and (even worse) other people’s kids and the messes they’ll inevitably make during the chaotic rideshare. How do you deal with it? How can you clean it up? Can you prevent it all? Don’t worry, people, Mama’s here, and I’ve got a checklist that will help you stock up, buckle down, and keep those brats from disrupting your sanity and (even worse) destroying your car.
Metal Is Better In Middle-Age · Motorhead Mama
The older I get, the more I understand one thing: Metal is wasted on the young. As many people age, their taste in music gets softer, more sophisticated, and more refined. Though that may track with traditional ideas of ‘adulthood,’ I beg to differ. I think that the older we get, the more complicated our lives become, and that’s when we need Heavy Metal, Big Dumb Rock, and anything that helps us with rage, frustration, and middle-age milieu– particularly behind the wheel.
Convince My Wife: The BMW M5 Wagon Is Perfect
Last night, my husband and I had THE TALK. You know, the one where he tries to convince me to do something I am fundamentally scared of, even if every cell in my body desires it. We had a distinct sense of urgency because, after years of waiting, we finally had our chance to do the unthinkable. Because today, BMW announced that the M5 wagon would soon be available in the United States.
Dude or Dbag: Tesla Cybertruck Wraps
When my nephew came to visit from Australia last month, we had a blast spotting all the Tesla Cybertrucks. Because in LA, unlike Sydney, Cybertrucks are everywhere. And because the majority of us are shameless attention seekers, there are some spectacular modifications. Luckily, for these purposes, plenty of them are bad—very bad. Let’s go, friends! Fresh from the dealer with paper plates, this Cybertruck isn’t terribly imaginative. That’s because Tesla offers factory wrapping at $6,000 a pop.
2024 Mazda CX-30: Naughty & Nice
Adulting is hard. The most difficult part for me, particularly when I became a parent, was trading in my fun wheels for something safe, efficient, and practical (read boring). But have no fear. A low-key solution is here. I just drove Mazda’s turbo-charged CX-30, and it’s the undercover lover you’ve been waiting for. On the surface, the CX-30 is a reasonable vehicle. It’s a compact crossover that looks good, gets solid mileage, and comes with that Mazda pedigree that ensures it will be a driver’s car.
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