Columns
-
1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SL Cabriolet
Pagoda SL values have been appreciating, and top examples continue to stretch the upper limit of the price envelope The last of a popular and extremely successful line that began with the 230SL of 1963, the Mercedes-Benz 280SL was introduced in 1967. Its overhead-camshaft, six-cylinder engine was entirely new, with horsepower of the fuel-injected unit…
-
1933 Cadillac V16 Convertible Victoria
As the Depression raged, the market for these cars turned as dry as the Oklahoma dustbowl {vsig}2004-4_1244{/vsig} Cadillac’s introduction of the magnificent V16 in 1930 sent the competition reeling. While others were working on new V12s, Cadillac leapt right past them. Then in 1931, while they were still struggling to respond, Cadillac introduced its own…
-
1966 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe
Its recent vintage-racing provenance has completely eclipsed whatever original period history the car might have had {vsig}2004-4_1245{/vsig} By the mid-1960s, Corvettes powered by the immortal 327-c.i. Chevrolet V8 were regular national winners in the Sports Car Club of America’s B-Production class. This storied 1966 coupe had just such an early history, as Texan Dan Hines…
-
1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint Speciale (2004)
The Bertone-penned Sprint Speciale version of the Giulietta first appeared in the Alfa Romeo catalogue in 1957. With super-streamlined bodywork, it was reckoned to be absolutely sensational looking, bearing a marked resemblance to some of the legendary Italian marque’s earlier competition designs, particularly the Disco Volante sports-racer and the still futuristic Berlina Aerodinamica Tecnica show…
-
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta
Ferrari’s 250 GT reached a level of true dual-purpose perfection with the Short Wheelbase Berlinetta. It coalesced three parallel and mutually supporting paths of Ferrari development. Ferrari’s continuing focus upon both Grand Prix and endurance sports car racing emphasized power and reliability. Production of high quality gran tursimo automobiles delivered comfort and exclusivity to demanding…
-
1964 Lotus Elan S1 1600 Convertible
When a seller lists “a magnet with associated nuts and bolts stuck to it” among the spares offered, it’s time to run for the hills As described by the seller on eBay Motors: I’m listing this car for a friend. Wow! Super-rare! 1964 Lotus Elan S1. Red with black interior and black convertible top. 44,500…
-
1956 Talbot-Lago T14 LS Special
The cars were quicker than the standard T14 LS, accelerating from0-100 km/hour in all of 14.5 seconds. Of course this was still slower than the much cheaper MG-TF by the 1950s, the racing credentials of Talbot-Lago had been firmly established after years of active Grand Prix competition. The sensational new 2.5-liter car announced at the…
-
America By Fiat
Chalk it up to the power of the press.Two months ago, I mentioned that I was looking for a Ferrari GTC/4. In response to that, SCMer Howard Jacobs, of suburban Cleveland, wrote us advising that rather than a C/4, we should consider a 456 GTA, similar to the one he used as a daily driver.…
-
1982-93 Ford Mustang 5.0
You can build a supercharged 500-hp ‘Stang in your backyard for about the price of a Ferrari brake job For long-suffering Mustang fans, the all-new 1979 Mustang was a near-miraculous event after four years of the embarrassing Pinto-based Mustang II.It got even better in 1982, when Dearborn proudly proclaimed that “the Boss is back” with…
-
1988 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet
A Turbo Cabriolet is almost a poseur among hard-core Porsche folk, a car to be seen in rather than a car to drive fast in In series production from 1975, the 911 Turbo married a KKK turbocharger to the 3.0-liter engine, a combination that delivered a stunning 260 hp and a top speed of 153…