Columns
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Fact or Fiction?
In my just-released book The Archaeological Automobile, I write that all restoration is fictional. What I mean is that despite the most careful effort and the most meticulous research, the resultant job will be no more than an approximation of the automobile’s lost reality. “But surely not!” I hear hundreds of SCMers cry out. “My…
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A Rising Sun Also Sets
Mazda’s FD3S third-generation RX-7 is hot in so many ways. First, it’s in demand. You can count on one hand the number of these cars that have sold for less than $30k on Bring a Trailer since 2020 — with the best reaching $80k. So, as affordable classics go, the FD comes with a pretty…
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1976 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 Rally Racer
The 911 rally car offered here is unique among historic Porsches insofar as it has covered more competitive kilometers — equivalent to circumnavigating the world three times — than any other product from the celebrated Stuttgart factory. It was built specifically for the 1977 London–Sydney Marathon and crewed in that event by Polish rally ace…
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1993 Toyota Supra Turbo
Well-maintained, low-mileage Mk IV Supra Premier Edition with desirable 6-speed manual transmission First year for the fourth generation of this legendary Japanese sports car Said to be in unmodified condition Showing less than 19,000 miles on the odometer at cataloging time Finished in factory color scheme of Renaissance Red over Ivory leather Powered by a…
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1994 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.6
This 1994 Porsche 911 Turbo is one of approximately 1,500 Turbo 3.6 models produced for the 1993/1994 model year and was first registered in Ohio. It was subsequently registered in Illinois, Pennsylvania, New York, Oregon and Arizona, where it was acquired by the seller in 2022. The car is finished in Guards Red over tan…
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1984 Ferrari 512 BBi
This stunning 1984 512 BBi is finished in the highly attractive all-Rosso Corsa over beige leather. It was originally sold by French Ferrari distributor Charles Pozzi SA to a client in Fayette, AL. He retained this BBi for at least 15 years and thankfully saved the importation and federalization paperwork. When acquired by a previous…
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1963 Maserati Sebring
Built on the short-wheelbase but otherwise similar chassis of the Vignale-bodied 3500 GT Spyder, the Sebring 2+2 coupé arrived in 1962, named in honor of the Bolognese manufacturer’s 1957 victory at the eponymous American endurance race. By now a 5-speed gearbox, four-wheel disc brakes and fuel injection were standard equipment, while automatic transmission, air conditioning…
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1938 Alvis 4.3-Litre Short-Chassis Drophead Coupe
Pre-war development of the 6-cylinder Alvis culminated in the announcement in August 1936 of the 4.3-Litre, designed by the company’s distinguished Chief Engineer, Captain George Smith-Clarke. The 4.3-Litre was based on the 3½-liter Speed 25 introduced the previous year, powered by an enlarged version of Alvis’ new seven-bearing, overhead-valve engine producing 137 horsepower on triple…
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1968 Chevrolet Yenko Super Camaro 427/450
Finished in Grotto Blue over blue vinyl, this 1968 Chevrolet Yenko Supercar is one of 70 Yenko Camaros built in 1968, according to Camaro authority Jerry MacNeish. It has undergone a professional rotisserie restoration and is powered by the 427/450-horsepower engine backed by an M21 4-speed manual transmission with 49,108 miles (title reads “not actual…
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The Sweet Spot
BMW is well known for building performance cars, but it was the E30-generation 3 Series of the 1980s that really put the German automaker on the map for affordable performance. When the succeeding E36-generation 3 Series was unveiled, BMW fans expected something spectacular. What they got was not the lightweight, edgy sports sedan of the…