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.”

1998 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster

A legend in its own — relatively short — lifetime, the car offered here is the first example built of the fabulous Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR roadster, an even more-exclusive, limited-edition, open-topped variant of the already super-exclusive CLK GTR coupe with which Mercedes-Benz had re-entered international sports car racing in 1997. […]

2012 Lexus LFA

 Number 487 of 500 built One of last imported into the United States and one of two remaining White Pearl (code 77) new cars in country This is an MSO car with no prior registration, with less than 140 miles. The car is fully exportable The car has Starfire Pearl […]

Pawel Litwinski, courtesy of Bonhams

1978 Checker Cab

Last working Checker cab in New York City Preserved in “as-retired” condition Over $12,000 in recent service Six-cylinder engine Three-speed automatic transmission Coil-spring front and leaf-spring rear suspension

VW’s First Sports Car is Still Winning Hearts

Almost every classic car enthusiast has owned an air-cooled Volkswagen somewhere along the line — generally very early along the line. But even though most of us soon moved on to more rarefied marques, the old rattletrap VWs with stinky exhaust heat, iffy brakes and glacial acceleration still hold a […]

1981 Renault 5 Turbo

The Renault 5 Turbo is a hatchback with a high-performance engine. This French car debuted at the Brussels Motor Show in January of 1980. At this time, rally cars were climbing in popularity. The design of this car was tailored towards the rally car market, but a street version also […]

1970 Nissan Fairlady Z 432

In the late 1960s, Nissan began development of a closed sports car to replace their popular Datsun 1600 and 2000 roadsters. Under the direction of Yutaka Katayama, the president of the Nissan Motor Corporation in the U.S. (known as “Mr. K” and the “Father of the Z-car”), renowned German designer […]

Toyota’s Fast and Furious Turbo

  It’s hard to see Toyota as a performance brand, especially given the current state of their offerings, but for a time the staid Japanese megabrand produced some real hot rods. The Toyota Supra started life as the performance model of the sporty Celica line. Designed to compete with the […]

Carol Duckworth, courtesy of Mecum Auctions

2008 Shelby GT500 convertible

• One-owner car • 1,025 miles • 500-hp SVT engine • 6-speed transmission • Brembo brakes • Dual exhaust • Red with white GT stripes • Black and red interior • AM/FM CD stereo • Navigation • SVT wheels • Owner’s manual

1984 Audi Quattro Sport SWB Coupe

The introduction of Group B into the World Rally Championship in 1982 was an evolution that was dictated by a general industry move from rear- to front-wheel-drive cars, and it proved revolutionary. Contenders now had three classes to choose: Group N (standard production cars), Group A (modified production cars), and […]