Archives

Back to the Future-and Step on It

Posted on by Colin Comer

The Challenger is a surprisingly solid car, far better than the class-leading Mustang. And yes, it will do a smokey burnout

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Chrysler’s latest entrant into the “retro-muscle” wars, the new Dodge Challenger, has been burning up Internet car chat forums and magazine covers since its introduction. It’s a car I’ve wanted to beat the tar out of, but I hadn’t found a willing owner until the last week of July Read More

Everyman Goes Racing

Posted on by Gary Anderson

With Ferraris, Porsches, and Alfas around me as the flag dropped, I was living the dream I’d had as far back as I can remember

If you walked the paddock at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca during the 35th Annual Monterey Rolex Historic Automobile Races on August 16-17, you might have thought vintage racing was entirely the province of wealthy enthusiasts-especially the three featured classes.

On your left you would have seen Read More

Highs and Whys in Monterey

Posted on by Michael Sheehan

The 2008 Monterey auctions brought together the largest collection of high-dollar collector cars ever offered anywhere on one weekend. Four of the auction houses featured multiple top-level GT Ferraris, with seven 275 GTBs, four Daytona Spyders, three Lussos, and almost four dozen more Ferraris crossing the block over three days.
The auction houses know what is currently “hot” on the market, and so all four worked hard to fill their auctions with those models, the GT Ferraris. Of the Read More

1966 Bizzarrini Strada 5300 GT Coupe

Posted on by Donald Osborne

The Strada had dramatic looks, a competition pedigree, and abundant
power, and it was not finicky to run

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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 “palace revolt” of 1961.

Together, the defectors formed ATS to rival Ferrari in both sports car and single-seater racing, Read More

Fast Times at Collector High

Posted on by Jim Schrager

The market has doubled and in some cases doubled again, and when this happens, a readjustment is on the way

You can see it in the classified ads: This is a wild time. I can remember issues of Hemmings that didn’t have a single 356 Speedster for sale, yet today, several appear. I have never seen so many Carrera RS and open 356 cars for sale in the European press. Sale records Read More

Triumphs of the Will

Posted on by Gary Anderson

As Triumph TR prices lag behind Austin-Healeys, determined, well-advised collectors can find bargains

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The big news in British cars over the past ten years has been the rapid rise in prices for Austin-Healeys-from $25,000 to $75,000 for very nice cars, with a few magnificent ones bringing $100,000 plus.

By contrast, Triumphs-which offer much the same highway performance and creature comforts-couldn’t break out of the $7,500 to $15,000 range. Until Read More

Laws of Diminishing Returns

Posted on by Michael Sheehan

I recently received an email regarding a 430 Scuderia that had hit a deer, with the damage described as “very lightly hit, the bumper is scratched and the hood is lightly dented.” Further emails stated that the owner, who was a passenger in his own car, felt the diminution in value to his 430 because of the damage should be $100,000 over and above the cost of the actual repairs, and he expected the driver’s insurance to cover his extra Read More

Porsches You Have To Drive

Posted on by Jim Schrager

When the slogan says there is no substitute, it means there is no substitute outside the family

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You can’t understand the Porsche gestalt without driving the cars. Looking at pictures and reading stories is a great way to prepare yourself, but true enlightenment only comes to those who drink the Kool-Aid.

As my way of celebrating SCM’s 20th anniversary, here’s my list of 20 cars that will speak to Read More

America’s Difference-Makers

Posted on by Colin Comer

If somebody out there has a GT40 and a Daytona Coupe in the same garage, please, let me live there. I promise to take good care of your cars

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To celebrate SCM’s 20th birthday, I hereby offer my take on a Top 20 list. The criteria were simple: I didn’t focus on a particular era or type of car. I just picked cars I would like to see in my Read More

Just What the Doctor Ordered

Posted on by Gary Anderson

With inheritance check in hand, I made a list of my favorite 20 British sports cars. It took only 20 minutes.

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What a coincidence. I’ve just been left a great deal of money and been informed I must pick the top 20 British cars I’ve admired in my years at SCM. It took me less than 20 minutes to make a list. I started with the easiest to find and Read More