During the 1960s, American V8 power was seen by independent European manufacturers as a means of creating a luxury Grand Tourer to compete with the more exotic offerings of long-established firms like Ferrari, Maserati and Aston Martin. AC, Jensen, Facel and Iso, among others, all went down this route, as […]

Named after a matador’s sword, the Espada was styled along lines similar to those of the stillborn, rear-engined, 6-cylinder Marzal, but carried its 4.0-liter, 4-cam V12 up front. It produced 325 hp, an output sufficient to propel the distinctive, Bertone-styled coupe to 150 mph. Islero running gear was employed, but […]

The magnificent car we are privileged to offer here is an early Bugatti Type 35B. The 2.3-liter Type 35T engine, number 127, was modified at the factory on April 15, 1927, as a Type 35B unit with a supercharger added. Its proud owner since 1975, Baron d’Huart, a true Bugatti […]

Built on the short-wheelbase but otherwise similar chassis of the Vignale-bodied 3500 GT Spyder, the Sebring 2+2 coupé arrived in 1962, named in honor of the Bolognese manufacturer’s 1957 victory at the eponymous American endurance race. By now a 5-speed gearbox, four-wheel disc brakes and fuel injection were standard equipment, […]

In its relatively short life, the French firm of Facel produced approximately 2,900 cars, all of which were stylish, luxurious and fast. Hand built, they were necessarily expensive — the Facel II was priced in Rolls-Royce territory — and bought by the rich and famous seeking something exclusive and distinctive. […]

The Talbot-Lago T150C SS presented here, chassis 90107, is widely regarded as the most beautiful and unique of the Figoni-bodied Teardrops. Of the precious few Figoni et Falaschi Teardrops built, 90107 is the only original-bodied example of the definitive Modéle New York design with fully enveloping front fenders. A prizewinner […]

Introduced in 1958, the 102 Series 2000 succeeded the celebrated 1900 in Alfa Romeo’s model line. The 2000 was available in three body styles, including the short-wheelbase Spider, and it was powered by the manufacturer’s highly developed 2-liter inline 4-cylinder engine. The Spider coachwork, built by Touring of Milan, was […]

Giotto Bizzarrini was a former Ferrari executive and freelance designer. In addition, Bizzarrini worked with Lamborghini, designing its legendary V12 engine, and for Iso, where he developed motorbikes and automobiles. Bizzarrini saw potential in the Grifo and obtained permission from Iso chairman Renzo Rivolta to manufacture a high-performance version under […]

At the beginning of the 1960s, Alfa Romeo was enjoying a return to success in motorsport. Having retired from competition in the preceding decade to focus on industrial production, the famous marque from Milan reignited its competitive streak with victories for the Giulia Sprint GTA and 1750 GTAm in the […]

Combining Citröen’s advanced chassis technology and Maserati’s unrivaled engine know-how, the SM (Série Maserati) featured DS-style hydro-pneumatic self-leveling suspension; power-assisted all-around disc brakes; self-centering steering; and steered headlamps. Maserati was responsible for the 90-degree V6 engine, and after some juggling of bore/stroke dimensions, a capacity of 2,670 cc was settled […]