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Nash’s “Mini Me” for ’53
The American automotive scene is littered with the tiny carcasses of small cars that U.S. manufacturers have tried to foist on a largely unwilling and disinterested market. American Bantam, Playboy, Crosley and Nash with the Metropolitan all tried, with varying degrees of success. But in the end, the American market’s love for large cars would…
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The Future as History
{vsig}2008-5_2178{/vsig} As I look at these pictures of my children, Alexandra and Bradley, taken 16 years apart, I wonder what kind of automotive world they will inherit. We Baby Boomers are the last generation to experience raw, unregulated cars as daily drivers; those built from 1955 through 1974 represent a golden age of motoring. Engineers…
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1928 Mercedes-Benz S-type Saoutchik Roadster
The underbidders stopped bidding when they thought the car wasn’t selling-bad luck, as it was {vsig}2008-5_2173{/vsig} The 6.8-liter S-type was produced in four series from 1927 to 1930, with a total output of some 170 cars. This car is from the original 1927-28 series, of which just 26 were built. It was ordered new from…
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Who’s a Mister Softee, Then?
At first glance I’d have to say very well sold indeed, but what price can you put on fun? Maybe it’s a bargain {vsig}2008-5_2167{/vsig} This month’s “American Profile” is going to take a tiptoe amongst the automotive daisies, the puff and fluff of the market. Along with the heavy hitters at RM’s February 15-17 Fort…
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1968 Alpine Renault A110 Coupe
To be welcome, even invited, to drive flat out over an alpine pass in a raging blizzard at night-that’s priceless This ex-Works car, fitted with a Mignotet-built and -tuned engine, started its racing career in the 1968 Tour de Corse driven by Jean-Francois Piot. The rally was won by Jean-Claude Andruet in a sister car.…
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The Lost Generation
Pontiac Firebird SD, Buick Grand National GNX, Mustang 5.0-highlights of the muscle flexed in ’70s and ’80s Detroit {vsig}2008-5_2168{/vsig} The American collectible car contingent has long argued over when the “real” cars stopped rolling out of Detroit. Collectible prices indicate Detroit’s muscle atrophied with astonishing speed after 1971. What followed was a period of wheezy…
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1962 Ferrari 250 GTE 2+2
What was meant by “recommissioned in 2007” is anyone’s guess. According to Bonhams it runs, although it was pushed onto the stage The 250 GTE 2+2 debuted at the 1960 Le Mans 24-Hour race, serving as the Course Marshal’s car, and had its world premiere later that year at the Paris Salon. There had been…
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1961 Aston Martin DB4 Series III
I truly believe there is no price guide for something that has few peers with regard to originality The car offered here is a DB4 Series III Aston Martin, which differs from the previous two series due to a better oil cooling system, including a bigger sump. The car condition is as exceptional as its…
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1951 Bugatti Type 101 Guilloré Coupe
There are quite a few Delahaye 135M chassis with this body, which makes the car seem like a guest at the Ascot Races wearing a rented tux {vsig}2008-5_2171{/vsig} Ettore Bugatti never recovered from the tragic death of his 29-year-old son Jean, shortly before WWII in 1939. Neither did his company. The war and its aftermath…
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When “As Is” Isn’t Enough
Just inside the statute of limitations, James was served with a lawsuit claiming fraud, misrepresentation, and breach of warranty Here’s another true story. We’ve given the subjects fake names, but the story is otherwise accurate. Let’s call our dealer this month James. He had been doing quite well selling collector cars in the Northeast. Over…