Columns


  • 1966 Shelby GT350 H

    1966 Shelby GT350 H

    In the fall of 1965, Peyton Cramer, the general manager of Shelby American, came up with a crazy idea: Put these high-performance automobiles into the hands of rental-car customers. Cramer approached the Hertz Corporation with this idea, and they bought it. There would be a few modifications from those Shelby models sold to the general…

  • 1965 Abarth-Simca 2000 GT

    1965 Abarth-Simca 2000 GT

    The first of these Abarths had short-nose, roundtail bodies and either 1,300-cc or 2,000-cc Abarth engines, but during the next three years the body changed to the much more modern and attractive ducktail design and, eventually, from the end of 1964, the more-aerodynamic long-nose cars. It is estimated that only some 15 of the latter…

  • 1928 Lancia Lambda

    1928 Lancia Lambda

    This car is the only known survivor of the nine cars that Lancia prepared for the 1928 Mille Miglia. According to the consignor, it retains its original body, engine and special Mille Miglia features; it also has a continuous history from new. The special features include a cut-down driver’s door; long, flowing wings; high running…

  • 1998 Porsche 911 Turbo

    1998 Porsche 911 Turbo

    Claus Vanderborg took delivery of his unique Turbo — the last Type 993 to leave the factory in-period — on September 5, 1998, from Porsche Centre Altötting. Twenty years later, Porsche would make the “Project Gold” 993 Turbo from OEM parts, but that one-off was built for a charity auction and could not be road-registered,…

  • 1933 MG Magnette K3 Supercharged

    1933 MG Magnette K3 Supercharged

    Here we offer this highly significant and important example of the MG K3 breed, the 1,100-cc supercharged cars from Abingdon-on-Thames, which did so much to enhance the prestige of the British motor industry. The K3 offered here spent many years on display in the Fremantle and York Motor Museums, Western Australia. It is considered from…

  • A Meditation on Preservation

    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.…

  • The Case of the Runaway Rolls

    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…

  •  Highlights From Monterey Car Week

     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…

  • Lexus IS as Lexus Does

    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…

  • 1964 Shelby Cobra 289

    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…