Author: Jeff Zurschmeide

Jeff is a lifelong automobile enthusiast with a penchant for sports and racing cars. He has raced SCCA, local circle track, and stage rally as a co-driver. He makes his living as a freelance automotive journalist and is the author of six books on automotive topics. As a rule, he practices catch-and-release fishing when it comes to collectible automobiles, trying to leave each one in better condition than he found it. Enduring passions include his MGA and Austin Mini, and his 1969 Corvette. He recently purchased a 1920 Ford Model T Touring because “you just have to have one of these once in your life.”

Good Heavens!

If there is a heaven for car enthusiasts, it will look very much like the Goodwood Revival. It’s a perfect alchemy of history, performance, variety and good beer. Plus, you might bump into Sir Jackie Stewart, and who doesn’t dream about that? The truth is, if you’ve been a gearhead […]

Gen Z Sports Car

When the Nissan 350Z arrived in 2003, it was more than just a new sports car — it marked the revival of the Z nameplate after a seven-year absence in the U.S. More importantly, it marked a philosophical change from the complex and expensive 300ZX. That car had priced itself […]

2021 Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport

Chassis number: VF9SC3V31MM795008 Only 60 Chiron Pur Sport cars were built, making this example one of the rarest Bugattis of the modern era. Each was bespoke to its original owner, with highly customizable specifications. This Pur Sport presents in white with extensive carbon-fiber accents, a red leather-and-Alcantara interior and matching […]

1995 BMW M3

This extraordinary 30-year-old BMW M3 was purchased new in 1995 from Cheyne BMW in London by an Italian professional and is a true collectors’ gem. Shortly after acquiring the car, the owner relocated to Singapore for work. Before departing, he drove the M3 to his hometown of Alassio in Italy, […]

Sleuthing the Paper Trail

I recently took a drive with a friend who works as a mechanic at a high-end shop in Southern California. He told me a cautionary tale about a customer who bought an older Ferrari with a sheaf of maintenance receipts, including a recent major service at another specialist in the area. […]

All in the Family

The 1990s were an important time in Mercedes-Benz history. Since the late 1960s, AMG had been modifying Mercedes vehicles as an independent performance shop, but in 1993 the plucky tuner signed a contract of cooperation with Mercedes-Benz to gain access to its dealer network and to co-develop AMG-branded models. By […]

1964 Iso Grifo A3/L Spider Prototype

Only a single original Iso Grifo convertible was built: this car, actually a companion to the original A3/L prototype coupe, with which it shared such distinctive features as the side exhaust rakishly snaking through the passenger’s side of the cowl and under the rocker panel trim with its nearly matte […]

Kaishū Means Renovation

We have previously looked at factory heritage programs available from many European automakers (“Collecting Thoughts,” April 2023). From Aston Martin to Porsche, owners can send their collector cars back to the mothership for verification and, in some cases, factory restoration. Now as Japanese collector cars increase in value, a similar-yet-distinct […]

Hitting the Sweet Spot

When you’ve owned a significant number of cars, there will be some that stand out in your memory, the special ones that appealed to you in a way that others did not. Like Goldilocks and her choice of porridge, they weren’t too hot or too cold, they were just right. […]

Lexus IS as Lexus Does

The first generation of the Lexus IS was never much to look at. Apart from more-stylish wheels and a slightly more pugnacious stance, Lexus’ new compact sport sedan didn’t seem to differentiate itself much from some lesser Toyota models. You had to get closer and pay attention to see that […]