Columns
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A Meditation on Preservation
Some winners are easier to pick than others. At the Kentucky Derby, it’s the nose of the horse that crosses the finish line first. At the Super Bowl, the team with the most points when the clock expires is the champion. The first team to take four games in the World Series is the victor.…
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The Case of the Runaway Rolls
Memory Lane Motors has been a collector car fixture in Portland, OR, for over 40 years, dealing largely in mid-range American and European classic cars. Manager Elan Davis says that in all that time, it has never sold a car at auction. To his regret, he made his first attempt early this year. The dealership…
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Highlights From Monterey Car Week
Back again we went, for the fourth post-pandemic-cancellation Monterey Car Week. It was, as they say, “bigger and better than ever.” Crowds were thicker, traffic was a nightmare, and hotels engaged in their expected price gouging. The cars, however, never disappoint. This year they again made up for all the deficiencies of the humanity crowded…
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Lexus IS as Lexus Does
The first generation of the Lexus IS was never much to look at. Apart from more-stylish wheels and a slightly more pugnacious stance, Lexus’ new compact sport sedan didn’t seem to differentiate itself much from some lesser Toyota models. You had to get closer and pay attention to see that Lexus had delivered a car…
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1964 Shelby Cobra 289
Hank Williams was a decorated World War II hero who had taken part in the invasion of Normandy Beach, and was also a medical professional and a jazz musician who played drums. An Austin-Healey had been his original mount, but it was rapidly becoming outclassed on the track. He originally planned to replace it with…
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1997 Porsche 911 GT1
The 993-generation 911 GT1 marks an inflection point between cars that can be run by a knowledgeable privateer and the later mid-2000s LMP2-class RS Spyder that requires further resources and support. Offered for public sale for the first time, this exceptional 911 GT1 — never upgraded to 996-style Evo specification — is supplied with a…
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1968 Serenissima GT
In addition to competing with cars built by other manufacturers, Count Giovanni Volpi sought to make his own automobiles, and the result was a small number of racing and road cars bearing the Serenissima name. This machine, the Serenissima GT, was the last of these and created in concert with Count Volpi’s friend Alejandro DeTomaso,…
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2001 Ferrari 550 Maranello
Introduced in 1996, the 550 Maranello designed by Pininfarina blended contemporary and classic design elements while paying homage to the iconic 365 GTB/4 Daytona. Presenting beautifully throughout, this U.S.-specification 2001 Ferrari 550 Maranello is finished in Nero Daytona (Daytona Black) over a black leather interior. According to a CARFAX Vehicle History Report on file, this…
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1955 Ferrari 410 Sport Spider
Despite Enzo Ferrari’s determination to win the 1955 World Sportscar Championship, very little went to plan that season. The new 118 and 121 LM 6-cylinder models did not pan out as projected, forcing Ferrari to revert to his 4-cylinder cars. And the disaster at Le Mans drew increasing scrutiny from critics of motor racing, which…
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The Leading Edge
While the all-new Mustang that debuted in 1994 had sold in respectable numbers, Ford heard the rumblings of Mustang purists who felt that the fourth-generation car was too generic. To these fans, who decried it as a “two-door Taurus,” the SN95-platform Mustang had lost its soul. So, for its mid-cycle refresh, Ford designers sharpened the…