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.”

2014 McLaren P1

3,799-cc DOHC twin-turbocharged V8 engine AC Permanent-Magnet Synchronous electric motor 903 bhp at 8,250 rpm 7-speed SSG transaxle with manual shifting mode Four-wheel Independent Proactive Adjustable Suspension Four-wheel carbon ceramic disc brakes One of very few P1s finished in striking McLaren Orange Extreme cutting-edge automotive engineering and design In practically […]

Go Find Another (Good) One

The imported mini-truck surged in popularity in the wake of the first 1970s fuel crisis and rising gas prices. The 4-cylinder engines in the import trucks were more economical than the V8 and straight-6 engines that powered the bigger domestic models. The little trucks from Toyota, Datsun/Nissan, and Mazda offered […]

Hot or Not?

Going to a collector car auction is a lot like visiting an online dating site. You get to check out the prospects — and you have one quick chance to decide if you want to get involved. If you’re interested, you present your best offer and hope the competition doesn’t […]

A Car for the Younger Collector

On any given Saturday morning you can find a Cars & Coffee event in most American cities. The phenomenon is less than 10 years old, and it’s delightful in its simplicity. There’s no entry fee, no class structure, no judges, and no trophy to take home. It’s just about driving […]

2007 Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder

Introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 2003, the Gallardo was intended to complement the 12-cylinder Murciélago in Lamborghini’s model line. Far from entry level, however, the Gallardo was a 10-cylinder, fire-breathing supercar that not only offers world-class performance, but all the refinement and technology that Audi ownership has afforded […]

1965 Lotus Elan S2

1965 Lotus Elan S2 Convertible

Introduced at the Earls Court Motor Show in October 1962, the Elan roadster followed the Colin Chapman principle of lightweight aerodynamic coachwork coupled with the suspension, brakes and transmission of a race car, and a remarkable new Lotus-Ford twin-cam engine to provide the power. To put this into perspective, this […]

Corey Silvia ©2013, courtesy of RM Sotheby’s

1909 Stanley Model E2 Runabout

This Stanley Model E2, one of six models of the Stanley steam car available in the 1909 catalog, is powered by a 10-horsepower twin-piston engine — a marvel of simplicity that employed only 13 moving parts. Once the big front-mounted boiler had been filled with water, fired, and tended by […]

A Sexy Beast Without an Entry Ticket

The Honda S Series was Honda’s first real foray into automobile production. Japanese Keiretsu politics threatened to limit Honda to motorcycle production only, so the company started the S600 as part of a broad development effort — one that led to greatness with the Honda Civic a few years later. […]

Choose Wisely — or Not at All

From the beginning, the Fiat 850 Spider has been overshadowed by its big sister, the 124 Spider. The 124 was prettier, more powerful and arranged as a proper sports car with the engine in front and the drive wheels in back. In contrast, the 850 Spider had its engine in […]