Author: SCM Contributor

1908 Isotta Fraschini Tipo FENC Semi-Racer

While lacking the race-winning cachet of later cars, this little Isotta will get its owner into every vintage race, tour, and concours he fancies   Perhaps the most influential light car design of the first decade of the twentieth century, the Tipo FENC Isotta Fraschini was derived from the Tipo […]

1965 Alfa Romeo TZ-1 Berlinetta

The contentious world of Alfa historians and experts had a moment of rare consensus on this TZ, and no one questioned its parentage {vsig}2008-12_2260{/vsig} Though immensely successful as a competition car, Alfa Romeo’s Giulietta Sprint Zagato had been based on the road-going Giulietta Spider platform, a compromise that suited clients […]

1966 Bizzarrini Strada 5300 GT Coupe

The Strada had dramatic looks, a competition pedigree, and abundant power, and it was not finicky to run {vsig}2008-11_2247{/vsig} Giotto Bizzarrini was hired by Enzo Ferrari in 1957 for his test-driving and engineering skills. In the midst of developing the 250 GTO, however, Bizzarrini left the company in the infamous […]

1966 Maserati Mistral 4000 Spyder

Unless and until a U.S. owner wants to ship a car to Europe to sell, don’t consider this the price you can get here {vsig}2008-8_2209{/vsig} Last of the classic 6-cylinder Maseratis, the Pietro Frua-styled Mistral commenced production in 1963. The 3.7-liter version of the Modena manufacturer’s long-stroke engine was fitted […]

1958 Lancia Aurelia B20GT

The historic competition record of these cars cannot be overlooked; they are eligible and welcome just about everywhere   Despite the fact the Lancia nameplate continues to exist over one hundred years after it was established in Italy, this builder of fast, refined automobiles is relatively unknown outside sporting circles. […]

1935 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Pescara Spyder

“La bella figura” means presenting the best face to the world. Mussolini wore tailored uniforms and was equally attentive to his cars {vsig}2008-6_2184{/vsig} By the early 1930s, Alfa Romeo was accumulating silverware and losing money in seemingly equal measure. It was rescued by the state-backed I.R.I. (Institute for Industrial Reconstruction). […]

1951 Bugatti Type 101 Guilloré Coupe

There are quite a few Delahaye 135M chassis with this body, which makes the car seem like a guest at the Ascot Races wearing a rented tux {vsig}2008-5_2171{/vsig} Ettore Bugatti never recovered from the tragic death of his 29-year-old son Jean, shortly before WWII in 1939. Neither did his company. […]

1959 Fiat Abarth 750 Double Bubble

Values have been rising steadily for the least expensive coachbuilt Italian racing car with a decent history {vsig}2008-4_2158{/vsig} Abarth was an Italian tuning company founded in 1950 by engineer and designer Carlo Abarth. His 750 Zagato was designed to be equally at home on the track as on the street. […]

1973 Sbarro Mille Miglia

Sbarro’s interpretation of the 1957 Ferrari 335S is in some ways prettier than the one Scaglietti built in the 1950s At the age of 17, Franco Sbarro, whose real name is Francesco Zefferino Sbarro, left his native Italy for Neuchâtel, Switzerland, in order to live his dream of being an […]