Arguably Britain’s first Gran Turismo worthy of the appellation, the svelte 140 mph DB4 made its debut at the 1958 London Motor Show. Successor to the DB Mk III, it was the first production Aston Martin to use both Tadek Marek’s new twin overhead camshaft, al aluminum straight six engine and an aluminum body designed…
I have no direct knowledge, but I recall doubting in 1998 that there was very much 1955 metal sitting on those wheels {vsig}2006-5_1932{/vsig} In 1955, after taking delivery of his most powerful Maserati to date, the three-liter 300S offered here, chassis number 3057, Benoit Musy contested eleven European Sports Car Championship events, winning five times…
This superb example of one of the world’s desirable sports cars has covered only 8,000 miles from new and was road-tested by the English magazine “The Autocar” (Dec. ’71). When we say that this car will accelerate 0-100 mph, in 11.7 seconds, and cover the standing quarter mile in 12.9 seconds, we do not mean…
{vsig}1998-10_1603{/vsig} The Maserati Birdcage Tipo 61, with proper team preparation and organization, would undoubtedly have won more classic races. It led every round of the 1960 World Sports Car Championship – at Buenos Aires, Sebring, the Targa Florio, Nurburgring and Le Mans – but only won a single event, and was sidelined by mechanical failure…
This magnificent Historic Sports Car-class racing machine which is fully documented and accepted for FIA-recognized events, has already proved itself to be extremely competitive in them and which in capable hands is an assured front-row, race-winning prop This magnificent Historic Sports Car-class racing machine which is fully documented and accepted for FIA-recognized events, has already…
For fairly obvious reasons, few Mercedes-Benz cars reached Britain or America in the late 1930s, which was our loss because, then as now, the company made superb, technically advanced motorcars. Introduced in 1932, the 200 series was unusual for the time in that it had all independent suspension, by transverse leaf spring at the front…
“The best all-around V12.” With these words many Ferraristi have described the 330 GTC, a car with poise, performance and practicality rivaled by few others. When the 250 GT Lusso ceased to exist at the end of 1964 it created a gap in the Ferrari range. Whereas the Lusso had provided the alternative between the…
The Jaguar D-Type was one of the most beautiful and charismatic sports racing cars ever made, not to mention one of the most successful. First appearing in 1954, the D-Type featured bodywork of a highly aerodynamic nature, complete with tail-mounted fin for top speed stability, penned by ex-aircraft designer Malcolm Sayer. The center section of…
Topolino means “Little Mouse” and is used in Italy to name Disney’s most famous rodent. What is not always appreciated, however, is how rare it is for a car to receive a universal and warm nickname. There is the Topolino, the Beetle and, er, um, that’s about it unless you include the Mini. A car…
Until 1928 BMW’s main line of business was aero engines and it did not make cars until it bought the Dixi company which made Austin Sevens under license. Although BMW was late on the scene, it established a towering reputation in a very few years. A six cylinder engine was made in 1933 and from…