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Using, Breaking and Repairing Your Time Machine
Three cars from the SCM fleet recently completed the 2021 SCM 1000 Classic. While they all finished the tour (“returning home on their wheels rather than a flatbed”), they were walking wounded at the end. This is not a bad thing. Old cars like to be driven, and by putting miles on them, we expose…
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Your Registration is Canceled
One of the hot segments of the collector-car market is Japanese domestic market (JDM) vehicles. Previously not exported to the U.S., the popularity of JDM vehicles was spurred when the federal government relaxed import requirements for vehicles over 25 years old. A subset of the JDM category are “kei cars,” which are the smallest road-legal…
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A True Original
The Audi TT is still in production, but don’t feel bad if you have forgotten. Since its U.S. debut in 2000, the TT coupe and roadster have morphed through three generations, each one becoming more luxurious, tech-laden and powerful than the last. Unfortunately, each iteration has become less memorable. That first Audi TT was something…
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1990 Porsche 962C
After utterly dominating international sports car and prototype racing throughout the latter 1970s with its Group 5 935 and Group 6 936 competition models, Porsche scored its third overall Le Mans victory with the 936 in 1981. Since upcoming FIA rule changes for 1982 rendered the 936 obsolete, Porsche engineers set to work designing its…
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1983 Renault 5 Turbo
Not to be confused with the conventional front-wheel-drive Renault 5 Gordini Turbo or GT Turbo, the Renault 5 Turbo (and later Turbo 2) was a mid-engined homologation special built in limited numbers for professional rallying between 1979 and 1986. Renault’s considerable Formula One-derived turbocharging expertise was applied to the humble 1.4-liter overhead-valve engine, resulting in…
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1981 Mercedes-Benz 380SL Custom
This radically restyled interpretation of the 1981 Mercedes-Benz 380SL was built to exacting standards by Long Island coachbuilder and artisan Niko Sokol. Long known to clients seeking greater exclusivity and personalization than the factories could provide, Niko-Michael Coachworks enjoyed a reputation for quality work and drew a strong clientele. Thoroughly reimagined with a sweeping profile…
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2004 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale
This Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale is a stunning example of the lightened and more-focused V8 supercar. It boasts a timeless factory color scheme, as well as a few discerning upgrades, and has been treated to notable cosmetic refurbishment in recent years to ensure it presents superbly. With deft handling and intoxicating performance, it is bound…
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1951 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Super Sport Villa d’Este
Bridging the gap between the pre- and post-war eras, Alfa Romeo’s 6C 2500 debuted in 1939 as the third series of Vittorio Jano’s legendary 6-cylinder Alfa Romeos. Capable of 160 km/h, these cars benefited from four-wheel independent suspension and could be had in a handful of levels of tuning. This included the 87-horsepower Turismo, moving…
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1969 Ford GT40
One of the little-known aspects of Ford’s GT40 program was the company’s early interest in civilizing it for the road as the Mk III, to be marketed as an exotic halo model. To that end, 20 late-production GT40 chassis were commissioned in late 1966 by Ford headquarters in Detroit for the planned Mk III program.…
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1987 Buick GNX
This 1987 Buick GNX with 8.7 miles is number 480 of 547 created for the single model year, which is indicated on the plaque mounted to the passenger’s side of the dashboard. Ralph’s Buick in Mena, AR, initially sold the vehicle in 1987, and it was then shown in the display area of a Texas…