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A Thousand Here, A Thousand There
In Oregon, May 1 is the official beginning of our sports car season. Our garage is soon filled with the chirping of a half-dozen vehicles, each, like a hungry baby bird, crying out for hundred-dollar bills to be tossed under its hood in an annual rite of spring awakening.Cindy’s 1978 Alfa Spider was first out…
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1961–73 Volvo P1800/S/E/ES
The Volvo P1800 has always been a bit of an odd duck in the sports car world. With its chrome-tipped rear wings and high belt-line, its looks were futuristic when introduced. By the 1970s they were dated, but now, 30 years later, they are pleasingly classic. Over the lifespan of the 1800, its engine grew…
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1979 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible
The new owner will have an opportunity to drive a brand-new, 23-year-old classic.
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1957 Ford Intruder Custom Wagon
Created by Troy Trepanier, Intruder came out of the box in San Bernardino, California, with three miles showing on the odometer. Six days and 2,900 cross-country miles later, on the Hot Rod Power Tour, Intruder had performed flawlessly, and even returned 20 miles per gallon. The goal for Rad Rides, the builders of Intruder, was…
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1966 Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint (2002)
This 1966 Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint coupe was formerly owned by Pat Braden, author of Alfa Romeo Owner’s Bible. It has covered approximately 36,000 miles. A complete car, it needs a straightforward, but total, restoration. It “ran when parked,” but that was years ago. The gauges are functioning (or at least they light up and…
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1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta
Ferrari says a car is “more authentic” if the non-original but correct type engine is replaced with a new casting, made in their foundry Sold new in Italy to A. Demetrialdi in May 1961, this 250 GT SWB “Lusso” was imported into Switzerland in April 1963 and entered for its first race by its new…
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1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB Berlinetta
By the late ’50s it was apparent that Ferrari had perfected the dual-purpose gran turismo automobile with its line of 250 GTs. The Colombo-designed V12 had evolved into a powerful engine. More important in racing, where it was said, ” to finish first, you must first finish,” it was reliable. That reliability carried over to…
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1954 Austin-Healey 100-4 BN1 Roadster
Considered as the original Austin-Healey, the 100 BN1s and BN2s were built from 1953 to 1956. Equipped with a four-cylinder engine, the 100 BN1 series cars featured a production run exceeding 10,000 units, while only about 4,500 of the later BN2 series cars were produced. Most enthusiasts do not differentiate the two series substantially, as…
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1973 Lancia Fulvia 1.3 Coupe
The introduction of the Fulvia sedan in 1963 maintained Lancia’s reputation for innovation in automobile design. The boxy replacement for the Appia featured an all-new, narrow-angle, V4, overhead-camshaft engine, along with front-wheel drive, independent front suspension by double wishbones and disc brakes all around. A 2+2 coupe version on a shorter wheelbase was launched in…
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Give That Car an “A”
At SCM, we often describe cars as being “first tier” or “second tier” collectibles. These terms are used intuitively, rather than being based on any analytical system. While putting together this year’s Pocket Price Guide, we were reviewing our five-star short-term appreciation rating, and felt it left something to be desired.The short-term appreciation scale, which…