Profiles
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1976-81 Triumph TR7
It had the misfortune of being built in British Leyland’s Liverpool plant, better known for producing continuous labor strife than automobiles The Triumph TR7 was perhaps the ultimate product of the 1970s, a period referred to as “the decade that quality control forgot.” Abysmal production quality, labor strife, bad management and controversial styling all conspired…
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1987 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe
Porsche street cars had a very strong reputation for excellent durability-Turbos broke that rule {vsig}2006-9_1953{/vsig} In order to compete against bigger-engined rivals, Porsche homologated the type 934 race car in 1974 and embarked on an entirely new phase in race car development. As word spread about the incredible performance, the initial run of 500 cars…
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1963 Ferrari 250 GTL Lusso ‘Competizione’
Why Blouin chose to race a Lusso is a mystery, as by 1965 the era of the front-engine competition car was coming to an end The Lusso is regarded as the most beautiful of all Pininfarina’s creations on the 250 GT chassis. It is a true Granturismo, combining high performance with contemporary levels of elegance.…
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M3A1 Stuart Light Tank
British troops called the gasoline-powered American tanks ‘Ronsons.’ Like the cigarette lighter slogan of the day, they ‘lit the first time when struck’ The catalog description for the M3 Stuart light tank was sparse but pithy. Manufacturer: American Car & Foundry Co., U.S.A. Crew: Four. Engine: Continental W-670-9A; 7-cyl. engine. Length: 450cm. Width: 246cm. Height:…
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1967 Austin-Healey 3000
Two years ago, $60,000 would have been a good price for this concours-winning BJ8. By waiting, the seller’s return increased by more than 50% The new Austin-Healey went into production in 1953 and was immediately popular in the U.S. The cars were well-styled, inexpensive, rugged and above all easy to drive, for both the sports…
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1969 Pontiac Trans Am Ram Air III
If missing the original Ram Air hood and Ram Air air cleaner parts, you are looking at spending $10,000-$15,000 if you can find the right originals In March of 1969, Pontiac released a little publicized option package, the Trans Am Performance and Appearance Package. Only two ads were published, one in Road and Track and…
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1968 Howmet Turbine
Much of the experimental engine is missing. Only ten were built, to win a government contract, so replacement parts are on intergalactic backorder Throughout the past century of automotive progress, the turbine engine was perceived as a possible alternative to the internal combustion engine. The two most famous American turbine programs are the Chrysler Turbine…
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1962-67 Triumph Spitfire MK I & MK II
When pushed, the back wheels on early cars go through wild camber changes and tuck under, resulting in an unscheduled trip into the weeds Triumph’s diminutive Spitfire sports car was named for the Battle of Britain-winning fighter plane the Supermarine Spitfire and showed up in the nick of time for another life-and-death struggle. By the…
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1988 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary Coupe
The teenagers who had Farrah Fawcett posters have grown up and (loud groan) have started to collect 1980s cars The sensation of the 1971 Geneva Salon, the Countach was styled, like its predecessor, by Bertone’s Marcello Gandini. Lamborghini’s four-cam V12 was retained, though this time installed longitudinally. To achieve optimum weight distribution, designer Paolo…
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1958 Chevrolet Impala Convertible
This extravagant one-year-only styling has come to represent the risk-taking, change-making zeitgeist of the late ’50s and early ’60s {vsig}2006-8_1948{/vsig} The Chevrolet Impala was introduced in 1958 as a sporty trim package for Bel Air coupes and convertibles. Unique to the model were its six taillights, a classic styling cue that became its trademark. Named…