A few years ago, while sitting in my cubicle at General Motors world headquarters in Detroit, MI, I began my search for a classic car — an affordable one.
Despite my being in the Motor City, I determined I wanted something from Europe — preferably English or Italian — with a convertible soft top. With these criteria, I crafted a short list: Triumph TR6, Jensen-Healey and MGB convertible. And I was off to the races.
The TR6, I quickly discovered, carried Read More
Offered here is an early-production Series III 750 GT. While the first owner is not known, the car was in the hands of Harris J. Sobin by the early 1970s. Sobin, an architect and University of Arizona professor, displayed the Abarth at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 1992. Dissatisfied with not winning a prize, he commissioned a complete restoration, spending years gathering parts and information from sources in Italy.
This car has a correct 750 GT engine, with high-compression Read More
This rare early E-type left the factory in November 1961 finished in Gunmetal metallic with red trim.
Its late owner purchased the car from The E-type Centre, Chilcote, Staffordshire, in November 2002 (purchase receipt on file). Previously registered EMM 8, the car had been fully restored by The E-Type Centre immediately prior to delivery, as evidenced by their accompanying photographic record (perusal recommended). A bare-metal respray was carried out as part of the restoration and the following upgrades were fitted: Read More
Described as “The Most Turbulent Tale in Automotive History,” the Ruxton story of America’s first front-drive automobile is a saga worthy of a big-screen production.
The car was launched at the onset of the Great Depression. Author Jeffrey Godshall described the Ruxton as “a brilliant machine that never had a chance.”
The Ruxton journey was twisted, as they placed production under a holding company (New Era Motors) in 1929 and moved through a series of financial and legal battles, corporate Read More
My son Bradley was 10 when I bought him a 1960 Bugeye Sprite two years ago. I was setting us up to make father-and-son memories together.
I chose a Bugeye because that was my first car. The day I turned 16, I was first in line to take my driving test. An hour later, after shelling out $30, I owned my first sports car.
Getting Bradley a Bugeye was no different than a father wanting his son to play the Read More
As Baby Boomers ease into retirement, they are becoming a very mobile generation. Many are migrating to other states, not just in search of a sunnier climate — but also for tax planning considerations.
We’ve just seen federal income tax rates drop to historic lows, with ordinary rates peaking at 37% and capital gain rates at 20%.
But there is an important understory — your deductions for state and local taxes are now limited to $10,000 per year.
Tax refugees
Everyone has a Z-car story. If you didn’t own one yourself, you knew someone who did. Datsun (later Nissan) built an affordable 2-seat fastback sports car with respectable power and handling — and enthusiasts bought them in large numbers.
However, the evolution of the Z-car is a cautionary tale for automakers because Nissan was too quick to listen to focus groups of sedan buyers.
By 1974, the single-year 260Z came with a 2+2 version that destroyed the roofline. By the Read More
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