History originally published in AutoWeek June 25, 1984 Rolls-Royce has never been predisposed to produce a range of vehicles designed and priced for a variety of pocketbooks. One was expected to aspire to the same standards as that great perfectionist, Henry Royce, and if not, well, there were lesser motorcars. Rolls built, in fact, only […]
Alvis 4.3: John Bull to the core
History originally published in AutoWeek, February 13, 1984 Full square against the wind, it couldn’t be anything but British, tradition-proud and built in the time-honored way. More than a matter of appearance, an Alvis of the ‘30s is John Bull to the core, and the 4.3-liter tourer was the Alvis of Alvises. A particularly British […]
’54 Corvette: Chevrolet’s flawed fiberglass flyer
History originally published in AutoWeek May 2, 1983 Ah, the clarity of hindsight. The perfect 20/20, read-the-union-bug-at-the-bottom-of-the-eye-chart ability to see what should have been seen, do what should have been done, especially when time has blurred a few inconsequential/important details. Take, for example, the 1953-54 Corvette. It’s obvious by now that the Corvette should have […]
1939 BMW 321: From bureaucrat to burgher, the war changed many things
History originally published in AutoWeek, February 28, 1983 It was a fitting motorcar for the professional, this new BMW 321, a good choice for the man of accomplishment. It was August, 1939, and to be able to afford such an impressive automobile was a sign of having arrived at that certain station in life – […]
Bentley by Bertone
Originally published in Automobile, June 1992 Stanley “Wacky” Arnolt’s industrial empire included, almost as a sideline, sales and distribution of chiefly British cars and sports-car accessories. He even dabbled in “manufacturing” with the Arnolt-MG and Arnolt-Bristol, which were MG TDs and modified Bristol 404s bodied by Bertone. Seven Aston Martins were handcrafted by Bertone for […]
Austin Princess limo: It really had all the Aminities
Originally published in AutoWeek December 26, 1983 Item: late in the evening of March 20, 1974 Princess Anne was returning to Buckingham Palace in a royal Austin Princess limousine when some disaffected Third Worlder blocked her car with his, then opened fire. It was a kidnap attempt that failed, and although the Princess (the one […]
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