Archives
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Bugeye Sprite: 50 and Counting
Healey 100 designer Gerry Coker came up with “a working man’s Ferrari,” which could be kept in a bike shed, and used standard parts from BMC sedans {vsig}2008-12_2258{/vsig} Question: What collectible automobile copied the chassis design of the Jaguar D-type, was introduced at the Monte Carlo Grand Prix, took first, second, and third at Sebring…
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What Goes Up, Must Come Down.
On the way up, every buy is a good buy, because mistakes are papered over as the market rises. On the way down, every buy is a bad buy The only constant in the market is change. While our vintage Porsche market has enjoyed an upward curve for the past several years, it may not…
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Back to the Future-and Step on It
The Challenger is a surprisingly solid car, far better than the class-leading Mustang. And yes, it will do a smokey burnout {vsig}2008-11_2244{/vsig} 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…
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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 “palace revolt” of 1961. Together,…
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Highs and Whys in Monterey
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…
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Everyman Goes Racing
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…
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Triumphs of the Will
As Triumph TR prices lag behind Austin-Healeys, determined, well-advised collectors can find bargains {vsig}2008-10_2232{/vsig} 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…
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Laws of Diminishing Returns
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…
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Fast Times at Collector High
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…
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1962 Gulf Oil 327/360 FI Race Car
Grady Davis’s Gulf Oil Racing Team purchased this Corvette in 1962 from Yenko Chevrolet, and the car was campaigned by the “Flying Dentist,” Dr. Dick Thompson, in the 1962 SCCA A-Production Class. The Corvette was sold at the end of the 1962 season to Tony Denman, who successfully raced the car through 1963, finishing second…