Profiles
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1965 Ferrari 275 GTB/6C Berlinetta
Ferrari’s highly successful 250 series was superseded in 1964 by the 275. In Ferrari nomenclature of the period, a model’s designation reflected the cubic capacity of an individual cylinder. The newcomer displaced 3.3 liters-up from its predecessor’s 3 liters-and was thus called the 275. The V12 engine remained the familiar Colombo type in standard form…
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1961 Porsche 356B S90 Coupe
Although Porsche did not make a serious works effort in international rallying until the arrival of the 911, the 356 in private hands proved very competitive, being strongly constructed, light in weight and adequately powerful, especially in four-cam form. Early successes included private entrants Helmut Polensky and Walter Schuler’s victory in the 1952 Liege-Rome-Liege Rally…
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1920 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Victoria
The model J Duesenberg has long been regarded as the most outstanding example of design and engineering of the classic era. Introduced in 1929, trading was halted on the New York stock exchange for the announcement. At $8,500 for the chassis alone, it was by far the most expensive car in America. With coachwork, the…
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1974-79 Ferrari 308 GT4 2+2
In 1973 Ferrari replaced the Dino 246 GT V6 with the Dino 308 GT4 V8. Unusually, they did not choose Pininfarina to style the car, instead opting for Bertone, where a young Marcello Gandini did the actual design. In typical Ferrari practice, construction was done at the Scaglietti works. Oddly, Ferrari asked Bertone to make…
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1968 MGC Convertible
By the late 1960s the MGB, now with a 1.8-liter engine, had been in production for five years and was firmly established in the hearts of enthusiasts around the world. Its performance, however, was outpaced by sports models and-on occasion-tuned sedans from other factories. The engineers at MG’s Abingdon works knew there was plenty of…
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1966 Lancia Flaminia 2.8 3C Super Sport
The Flaminia was the first Lancia designed by Antonia Fessici and was the company’s flagship when launched in 1957. Fessici had finally broken with tradition and discarded the previously used vertical coil independent front suspension in favor of wishbones. The engine was a 2.5-liter V6 driving through an aft-mounted gearbox and de Dion rear axle.…
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1962 Ferrari 250 GTE/250 GT SWB Berlinetta
Introduced in 1960, the short-wheelbase was available in street or competition spec, with alloy bodywork on the lighter competition cars. All SWBs were more than capable as road cars,All SWBs were more than capable as road cars, with a level of trim and sound and weather proofing that seemed luxurious for their day. Much of…
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1955 Mercedes-Benz 300S Cabriolet
Having resumed production in 1946 with the 170 in unchanged, pre-WWII form, Mercedes-Benz introduced its first all-new designs of the post-war era-the 220 and 300-at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1951. While the 220 was an advance on the 170, the 300 re-established Mercedes-Benz in the front rank of prestige car manufacturers, marking as it…
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1960 Ford Thunderbird Convertible
The classic Thunderbird was introduced in 1955 in response to the Corvette. With the same wheelbase, the T-Bird was designed to be more comfortable and luxurious. The 1958-60 models added more chrome and two seats. This car is one of the rare “J” code cars-only 250 were built in 1960- with a 430-c.i., 350-horsepower Lincoln…
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1980-85 Mercedes-Benz 380SL Convertible
If you are looking for a practical roadster with style, fine handling, comfort, reliability and high build quality, the Mercedes-Benz 380SL is the answer. For less than $15,000, nothing touches it in terms of an overall package. The 380SL is part of the fourth generation of the Mercedes-Benz SLs. Designated the type R107 chassis, it…