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1955 Jaguar XK 140 MC Roadster
From 1948 through 1954, the groundbreaking XK 120 established Jaguar at the forefront of sports car manufacturers with its graceful lines and impressive, race-winning performance. Late in 1954, the improved XK 140 arrived, heralding comprehensive improvements that made the original design even better. Notable upgrades included precise rack-and-pinion steering, improved brakes and engine cooling, plus…
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1967 Fiat Dino Spider
The 1965 Dino 206S Speciale coupe was Enzo Ferrari’s tribute to his late son, Dino. More practically, it was a way of making the new all-alloy, Ferrari-built V6 eligible for Formula Two competition by building 500 production cars equipped with it. Given Ferrari’s limited production, Fiat used the engine in a new, sporty model that…
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Dodging the Bullet on a 356
Dear Keith: Now that I’ve purchased the SCM Volvo 1800ES and it’s on the way to my garage, I’d like to ask your opinion on a 356C sunroof coupe that’s been offered to me. I’ve taken a quick look at it, and it appears to be a really nice older restoration, holding up well. There…
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The Beetle is Crawling Back
The humble Volkswagen Beetle — which is actually not its official name, but few people know what a Type 1 is — created the massive compact-car market in the United States. It took the brilliant mind of Ferdinand Porsche — and high-quality labor from a rebuilding post-war West Germany — to make a compact…
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The Porsche 906 and Its Kin
This 1966 Porsche 906 sold in Paris at Bonham’s Grand Palais sale on February 7, 2013, for $732k, including buyer’s premium. At first glance, that price appears awfully favorable for the buyer. Was no one awake in the room, or is there an issue with the car? There have been enough major adjustments in the…
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1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Roadster
Every Shelby 427 Cobra is rare simply by nature, but some reach the level of “exceptional” — a fact Carroll Shelby acknowledged when he signed the glovebox door of CSX3301 with the inscription: “One of the rarest CSX3301 Carroll Shelby.” This Cobra was completed at AC Cars for delivery directly to Ford Advanced vehicles in…
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1936 Talbot-Lago T150C Racer
The heads of the Automobile Club de France, keen to see prestigious national firms return to racing, decided to introduce new rules for the 1936 ACF Grand Prix. The new regulations, adopted on October 13, 1935, opened the event to sports cars. The declared goal was, of course, to encourage the involvement of French firms…
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1962 Ferrari 250 GT PF Cabriolet Series II
The 250 engine paved the way for a large family of cars that helped Ferrari expand their limited output into series-produced sports cars. The new range was based on the 3-liter V12 engine designed by Gioacchino Colombo. The engine was powerful, smooth and adaptable to both touring and racing. The trend continued with the arrival…
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1985 Aston Martin Lagonda Saloon
Aston Martin’s periodic revival of the Lagonda name saw it applied to a stretched, 4-door V8 in the mid-1970s, a mere handful of which were constructed. When the concept re-emerged, it was the sensation of the 1976 London Motor Show. Clothed in striking “razor-edge” bodywork designed by William Towns — the man responsible for…
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1971 Citroën SM Coupe
What makes this Citroën SM special is that it is as close to a new car as is possible to be following a no-expense-spared restoration. It was given to the renowned Garage du Lac, run by Vincent Crescia in Switzerland, for a total mechanical and body rebuild. New or refurbished parts were fitted throughout, and…