Archives: Profiles

The Tao of Steve’s Turbo Carrera

Stories abound that McQueen did everything he could to use the car as it was intended, and in that way, I imagine he had great fun with it {vsig}2008-11_2250{/vsig} In 1976, Porsche unveiled what was to be the first production 911 Turbo, known internally as a 930 and externally as […]

1960 Jaguar E2A Le Mans Sports Racer

It was left in a corner to be junked, but Guy Griffiths, the father of vintage racing everywhere, talked the factory into selling it to him   {vsig}2008-11_2254{/vsig} By 1960, Jaguar had won the world’s most prestigious race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, five times-twice with its original competition-tailored […]

The Unaffordable Classic

A dead DS that has settled to the bottom of the suspension travel is likely to become part of the fossil record at precisely the spot where it died {vsig}2008-10_2230{/vsig} The introduction of the Citroën DS19 at the Paris Motor Show in 1955 had all the drama of Klaatu’s flying […]

1953 Chrisman Bonneville Coupe

While this car was created to race, it combines a high level of technical competence in construction with the highest standard of finish {vsig}2008-10_2231{/vsig} Hot rodders Art and Lloyd Chrisman were early and successful pioneers of drag racing with their famous #25 dragster, which was the first to achieve trap […]

1955 Jaguar XKD-type Sports Racer

This is the first production D-type, out of long and dedicated ownership, unspoiled and still in its original form {vsig}2008-10_2233{/vsig} XKD 509, the first “production” D off the line in 1955, has a long and interesting history. It was supplied new to New York distributor Chuck Hornburg, who sold it […]

1996 Ferrari 456 GT Coupe

I’ve often told people trying to squeak into a Ferrari that if they can’t afford the best example, they really can’t afford an edgy one Not since the 412’s demise in 1989 had Ferrari offered a 2+2, and when the 456 GT debuted at the Paris Salon in October 1992, […]

2005 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Coupe

At about $10,000 below the auction company’s low estimate and a titanic $145,000 below the 2005 list price, those 4,500 miles were dear indeed {vsig}2008-10_2236{/vsig} The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren revives the glorious tradition of the 300SLR and marks the reawakening of Mercedes-Benz’s passion for super sports cars. It is a […]

1965 McLaren-Elva M1A “Cro-Sal Special”

The Elva-built McLarens, called M1A to distinguish them from the original McLaren prototype, were campaigned by some of the most famous and successful drivers and teams with a variety of powerplants. Their characteristics reflect the McLaren team’s emphasis on simple, straightforward design and rugged construction, traits which had been inculcated […]

1962 Gulf Oil 327/360 FI Race Car

Grady Davis’s Gulf Oil Racing Team purchased this Corvette in 1962 from Yenko Chevrolet, and the car was campaigned by the “Flying Dentist,” Dr. Dick Thompson, in the 1962 SCCA A-Production Class. The Corvette was sold at the end of the 1962 season to Tony Denman, who successfully raced the […]

1965 396/425 Convertible

When the new-for-1963 Sting Ray was introduced, it is unlikely that its creators understood the impact it would make on the automotive world. Long considered a modern classic, the Sting Ray was an unqualified success, outselling the 1962 models by 48%. Meanwhile, a second shift was added at the St. […]