Columns

1959 Ferrari 250 GT TdF Replica

The introduction of the 250 GT in 1954 is seen by many as the company’s first serious attempt at making a rational production car and it started a line of some of the most successful GT cars ever built. Of all the 250 derivatives, the “Tour de France” long-wheelbase berlinetta […]

1958 MGA Twin-Cam

For the debut of its new MGA in 1955, MG wisely chose that year’s LeMans 24-hour race; after a succession of open-wheeled models, there were fears of an adverse reaction to such a streamlined car and it was felt that by showing the MGA in competition first the aerodynamic shape […]

1967 Lamborghini Islero 400 2+2

Occasionally a product is designed in such a subtle fashion that the general public is unaware that they are beholding a classic. The Lamborghini Islero is such a car. The Islero was publicly offered shortly before Lamborghini presented the stunning 2+2 Espada with Bertone coachwork, and all it did was […]

A $45 Million Fireworks Display

Monterey this year was a three-day auction-block fireworks show, with 228 of 286 cars that crossed the block selling for a 79% rate and a sales total of just over $45 million. We’ll have a complete report in next month’s issue, but our first reaction is that while the overall […]

1990-93 Mazda Miata

During its introduction in 1989, the Mazda Miata was said to be a replacement for ’60s British sports cars. With its front-engine, rear-drive configuration, tiny 6-cubic-foot trunk, and reputation for great handling, it recalled British two-seaters like the MGB and Triumph TR-4 that were popular in the ’60s. Although similar […]

1978 Mercedes-Benz 450SLC

The Mercedes-Benz 450SLC is unusual in that a version was made as a homologation special to compete in the marathon rallies which were popular from the late 1960s to the late 1970s. Unlike modern rallies, where the leading cars are redesigned and rebuilt to Formula One standards, these marathons imposed […]

1986 Callaway Twin-Turbo Corvette Coupe

This car is one of 50 Malcolm Konner Special Edition Corvettes built by Chevrolet in honor of Malcolm Konner’s retirement from his New Jersey Chevrolet dealership. In 1985, Chevrolet sought a high-performance option to bridge the gap caused by delays in introducing the all-aluminum twin-cam ZR1 engine. Corvette chief engineer […]

1972 Alfa Romeo GTA 1300 Jr Autodelta Coupe

For nearly 40 years, many of the world’s outstanding classic sports car designs have flowed from the drawing board of Giorgetto Giugiaro of Ital Design. One of the most fluent, indeed a true post-war classic, was the Alfa Romeo GTV (Gran Turismo Veloce) Coupe of 1967, which he designed during […]

1973 Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spyder

The Daytona was the most “macho” of all Ferraris, the last of the great front-engined Berlinettas. When announced, Ferrari claimed the new engine developed 355bhp at 7,500rpm and provided a top speed in excess of 180mph, making it the fastest production car in the world, a title it retained during […]

1989 Mini Moke

he Mini has been the parent to an incredible number of ingenious offspring. None has a larger cult following than the Moke. In Britain it was introduced as a baby Land Rover, but it was perceived differently in more sunny climes. The Moke wasn’t a baby Land Rover, it was […]