Jil McIntosh: A Driving Force in Automotive Journalism

Jil McIntosh has established herself as a prominent voice in the automotive world, blending a passion for both classic and contemporary vehicles with over three decades of professional writing experience. From her early days covering the antique car hobby to her current role as a freelance writer for Driving.ca and other industry publications, McIntosh’s career reflects a deep understanding of automotive history, technology, and culture.

Early Career and Automotive Roots

McIntosh’s writing career began early, with a story published in the Toronto Telegram at the age of eleven. Her practical experience with automobiles started with driving a taxi in Toronto and working in warranty administration at a new-vehicle dealership, where she educated customers on vehicle mechanics. This hands-on experience provided a foundation for her future work as an automotive journalist.

Focus on Automotive History and Journalism

McIntosh’s enthusiasm for older vehicles is evident in her ownership of a 1947 Cadillac and a 1949 Studebaker truck. She began her automotive writing career focusing on antique and hot-rod cars, becoming a columnist for the Ontario-based newspaper Old Autos starting with its second issue in 1987, a role she continues to this day.

In 1986, McIntosh joined the Toronto Star’s newly launched Wheels section, initially writing feature stories before transitioning to new-vehicle reviews in 1999. She remained with Wheels until cost-cutting measures led to the elimination of freelance writers, at which point she immediately joined Driving.ca.

Current Roles and Publications

Currently, McIntosh contributes to Driving.ca, as well as industry-focused publications like Automotive News Canada and Autosphere. Her work has also appeared in a diverse range of publications, including Cars & Parts, Street Rodder, Canadian Hot Rods, AutoTrader, Maclean’s, The Chicago Tribune, Forbes Wheels, Canadian Driver, Sympatico Autos, and Reader’s Digest. She has also written on non-automotive topics such as travel, food, and fountain pen collecting for publications like Harrowsmith and Pen World.

Awards and Recognition

McIntosh’s contributions to automotive journalism have been widely recognized. She received the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) Journalist of the Year award in 2016 and has been honored with the Car Care Canada / CAA Safety Journalism award in 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2013, and was a runner-up in 2021. Additional accolades include the Pirelli Photography Award (2015), the Environmental Journalism Award (2019), the Technical Writing Award (2020), and the Vehicle Testing Review award (2020, with a runner-up in 2022). She also received a Feature Story award in 2020 and was inducted into the Street Rodding Hall of Fame in 1994.

Contact Information

Jil McIntosh can be reached via email at jil@ca.inter.net. She is also active on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jilmcintosh/