Columns
-
1961 Jaguar E-Type Series I 3.8 Flat-Floor Convertible
Introduced in 1961, the Jaguar E-Type caused a sensation when it appeared, with instantly classic lines and a 140 mph-plus top speed. The newcomer’s design owed much to that of the racing D-Type: a monocoque tub forming the main structure, while a tubular spaceframe extended forward to support the engine. The latter was the same…
-
1921 Peugeot 3-Liter Racer
Before the First World War it can be argued that the French firm Peugeot was more successful in motor racing than any other manufacturer. In the Paris-Rouen trial of 1894, Peugeot shared first prize. Peugeot won the 1895 Paris-Bordeaux-Paris race, and there were numerous other successes, not least the French Grand Prix wins in 1912…
-
An L.A. Weekend
It has long seemed strange that Los Angeles, the first metropolis in the U.S. shaped by the motorcar, and the birthplace of nearly every automotive trend from hot rods to low riders, should have a paucity of high-end automotive activities. Auction companies have tried and failed to establish a regular foothold, concours have come and…
-
Mercedes 230/250/280SL
Representing a gigantic step forward over the four-cylinder 190SL, the six-cylinder 230SL appeared in the early ’60s as a dramatic styling statement that still is striking today. This supurbly built car with decent-but-not-shattering performance remains quite affordable, with usable examples starting at $15,000, nice cars at $20,000 to $25,000, and first rate examples going for…
-
1983 Porsche 930 Turbo
The 1976 production year brought the 930 Turbo to North America for the first time. Using developments Porsche had been perfecting for its racing cars, the 930 was the quickest, quietest, and fanciest high-performance street car Porsche had ever offered. It was also the first standard production Porsche to offer a turbo-charged system. Called “a…
-
1966 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu SS
In 1966 Chevrolet offered a full range of 396 cubic inch ‘Porcupine Head’ engines in the mid-size Chevelle line. With up to 375 bhp, the SS 396 put real power into the line that has come to epitomize Chevy’s muscle car heritage. Dubbed ‘Porcupine Head’ because of its different stem angles for intake and exhaust…
-
1955 Alfa Romeo 1900 Super Sprint
Introduced in 1951, the 1900 was Alfa Romeo’s first post-war design and the first model intended for series-production. It was also the world’s first such car available with both a twin-cam engine and a five-speed gearbox – and there was synchromesh on every ratio. Given Alfa Romeo’s history, it was inevitable that the factory would…
-
1950 Ferrari 166 Spyder Corsa
Working in modest surroundings with engineers Giochino Colombo, Guiseppe Busso and eventually Aurelio Lampredi, Enzo Ferrari was quickly able to accomplish his singular vision: to develop a powerful, reliable and smooth competition motor using a V12 configuration. In May of 1947, the Tipo 125 was first driven competitively by Franco Cortese at a regional event…
-
1960 AC Greyhound
The proud marque of AC originated in the first decade of the 20th century in Thames Ditton, England. Always a Sporting Car manufacturer, AC was well known for its AC Ace, AC Aceca and AC Bristol Models in the 1950’s. The latter utilized the BMW derived 2-litre Bristol engine which in Greyhound form was bored…
-
1970 Abarth 2000 SE19 Racer
In the late 1960s and early 1970s one of the most popular and closely contested racing classes was for two-litre Group 5 sports racers. It was natural that Carlo Abarth would join in since his one-litre and 1300cc cars had dominated their class in the Sports Car World Championship for some years, taking 7,400 class…