Mercedes Lilienthal

Title: Contributor

Email: mercedes@crankshaftculture.com

Location (City & State): Portland, Oregon

Social Media Links

Expertise

Topics of Expertise: Off-roading, Vehicle Upgrades, Camping, Outdoor Gear

Years in This Expertise: 6+

Number Of Products & Number Of Hours Expert Has Tested: Hundreds of products

Education & Certifications

Education: Bachelor of Fine Art, University of Wisconsin-Stout

Years of Writing: 6+

Certifications: LEED AP ID+C accreditation (sustainable building

Club or Association Memberships: SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association), SBN (SEMA Businesswomen’s Network), NWAPA (NW Automotive Press Association), TAWA (Texas Auto Writer’s Association), MPG (Motor Press Guild), CSCC (Cascade Sports Car Club)

Awards or Recognitions:

2022 SEMA Businesswomen’s Network’s #SheIsSEMA spotlight member2022 SEMA Businesswomen’s Network’s #SheIsSEMA spotlight member
2021 TAWA Excellence in Craft Competition winner: 1st place Review Category (TREAD Magazine) co-written vehicle feature with my husband Andy Lilienthal, Stars vs. Space: Dueling Delicas of the 1908s and 1990s
2021 TAWA Excellence in Craft Competition winner: 1st place Social Media (Crankshaft Culture) (co-managed Crankshaft Culture social media with my husband Andy Lilienthal, one-year recap of the Alcan 5000 Rally and our Mitsubishi Pajero)
2021 TAWA Excellence in Craft Competition winner: 3rd place Feature Category (TREAD Magazine) vehicle feature, Bad-Ass Bandoola: a 1953 Willys M38A1 Beast
2021 Motor Press Guild Best of the Year News Article finalist (The New York Times) “Breaking the Garage’s Glass Ceiling” (taking a deep dive into the life of women in automotive trades, including the late Jessi Combs
2021 LinkedIn News Editors’ Picks and must-read recognition (The New York Times) “Breaking the Garage’s Glass Ceiling” article
2021 Muck Rack Daily Featured Journalist
2020 Motor Press Guild Best of the Year Social Media Award finalist (Crankshaft Culture)
2020 Motor Press Guild Bob D’Olivo Award for Photography winner (TREAD Magazine) 1989 Mitsubishi Delica 4×4 van during golden hour
2020 TAWA Excellence in Craft Competition winner: 1st place Magazine Category (TREAD Magazine) feature article regarding the late legendary racer, Jessi Combs’ life and inspiration to others
2020 TAWA Excellence in Craft Competition winner: 1st place Newspaper Category (The New York Times) Wheels column article about Renee Brinkerhoff and team Valkyrie Racing as they rally seven continents while fighting child trafficking
2020 TAWA Excellence in Craft Competition winner: 3rd place Newspaper Category (The New York Times) Wheels column article about flying and buying a Mitsubishi Delica van during COVID and driving it home across the entire country during the pandemic
2020 The New York Times Editors’ Picks: “Life on the Road in Pandemic America” article awarded top Editors’ Picks the day of publication. The New York Times also shared this article via its Facebook and Twitter accounts.
2020 Motor Press Guild Best of the Year Awards News Article award winner/finalists (The New York Times/TREAD magazine)
- MPG Best of the Year award winner: “Life on the Road” by Mercedes Lilienthal (cross-country Covid trip with our new Crankshaft Culture Delica, via The New York Times)
- MPG Best of the Year News Article finalist: “Driving Across the Globe” by Mercedes Lilienthal (Renee Brinkerhoff of Valkyrie Racing to help stop child trafficking, via The New York Times)
- MPG Best of the Year News Article finalist: “Jessi Combs” by Mercedes Lilienthal (a look at Jessi Combs’ life, spirit, and legacy, via Tread Magazine)

A Word from Mercedes:

As a contributor to GearJunkie and AutoWise, I’m able to create engaging content using words + cars while using a wide multitude of skills learned from my previous career.

I started out with a near 20-year commercial interior design and project management career. However, I switched gears in 2018 (pun intended) to focus on my passion: cars. I wanted to give back to the automotive community in a meaningful and unique way. Combining my love for everything autos and the great outdoors, I’m living life to the fullest while I’m physically and mentally able to.

Personal Interests: Off-roading, Camping, Rallying, Traveling, Music