Profiles

Stung by a Scorpion

With regard to cars, I’m a sucker for two things: Italian sports cars and a perceived good deal. I scraped my knuckles on Fiat X1/9s, 124s and 850s. I’ve owned not one, but two Alfa Romeo Milanos. As a friend likes to joke, I provide food and shelter to the […]

1994 Bugatti EB110 Super Sport

Forty years after Ettore Bugatti’s death in 1947, the once-legendary but moribund marque, one of the most renowned in automotive history, was acquired by ambitious Italian businessman Romano Artioli. His aim was nothing less than a resurrection of Bugatti in the form of a state-of-the-art supercar. Artioli chose Modena, home […]

1970 Mercedes-Benz 280SE 3.5 Cabriolet

For the buyers who were in the market for a convertible in the early 1970s, there was no finer choice in the world than the 280SE 3.5 cabriolet. It was the fastest, most lavish, and most expensive convertible offered by Mercedes-Benz, arguably the finest automobile manufacturer in the world at […]

2002 Ferrari 575M Maranello

This 2002 Ferrari 575M Maranello is finished in Argento Nürburgring over two-tone natural and blue leather, The car was factory equipped with an F1 electrohydraulic transaxle and received a 6-speed manual conversion at GTO Engineering of Los Angeles in 2017. Equipment includes the optional Fiorano Handling Package along with 19-inch […]

1974 Citroën SM Coupe

Combining Citröen’s advanced chassis technology and Maserati’s unrivaled engine know-how, the SM (Série Maserati) featured DS-style hydro-pneumatic self-leveling suspension; power-assisted all-around disc brakes; self-centering steering; and steered headlamps. Maserati was responsible for the 90-degree V6 engine, and after some juggling of bore/stroke dimensions, a capacity of 2,670 cc was settled […]

1955 Jaguar XK 140 Coupe by Ghia

Although it had one of the best sports-car chassis available, and unquestionably one of the best engines, the XK 140 was already looking somewhat dated by the time it arrived in 1954. The XK 140 had inherited its body essentially unchanged in overall appearance from that the preceding XK 120, […]

1931 Duesenberg Model J Roadster “Green Hornet”

The Classic enthusiast will behold this Duesenberg at first glance and wonder what looks so familiar. Finally, it will click: The body resembles a Packard roadster of 1930–31. The reason, of course, is that the body is a Packard roadster of that vintage. The body, as noted by prominent Duesenberg […]

Old-School Muscle, New-School Luxury

When the salesman wearing the JCPenney fedora with a fishing lure snagged in the brim tells you his Acme Premium Plan is “the Cadillac of insurance policies,” there’s a reason why. In post-war America, Cadillac was unequivocally the car to have. It was an aspirational vehicle to own and to […]

1963 Ol’ Yaller Mark IX Sports Racer

Beginning in 1957, Max Balchowsky and his wife designed, built and raced a limited number of sports racing cars. His first two were named Old Yeller, after the dog in Disney’s 1957 film who was yellow, mangy and unwanted. Disney didn’t like that, so Balchowsky changed the spelling to “Ol’ […]

2012 Aston Martin One-77

This 2012 Aston Martin One-77 is the 25th of just 77 examples ever made. It was delivered to Switzerland in 2012. According to the accompanying Certificate of Authenticity, it was ordered in the subtly luxurious colors of Bronze Pearl over Bitter Chocolate leather with Cream Truffle trim, with brushed-metal exterior […]