His addiction began in 1953, explains Leonard Nelson “Mac” McGrady. As a son of an automobile dealer, McGrady had seen many cars, but when he first saw a Nash-Healey, he knew it was a car he would have to own. That special day didn’t come until 1968. Then, says Mac: “If you have one Nash-Healey, […]
The Sting Ray: King Corvette (1963-1967 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray)
“Collectorfile” originally published in AutoWeek June 17, 1991; republished by the author What a year 1963 was for the Corvette: a new body style, including a never-before coupe version, a new frame, new front suspension, new independent rear suspension. It’s no wonder the St. Louis plant went on double shifts as sales topped 20,000 for […]
1993 Ford Bronco: The big-selling, big ute
Review originally published in Road & Track Sport-Utilities Pickups & Vans Buyer’s Guide 1993; republished by the author. With all the hoopla surrounding Ford’s Explorer over the past couple of years, it would be easy to miss Ford’s venerable four-size sport-utility. On the other hand, enough buyers have remembered the Bronco to make it America’s […]
1949 Maserati A6/1500: Lusty little coupe became Italian firm’s benchmark car
History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek January 7, 1991; republished by the author. Two years after the end of World War II, with most of Europe still rubble and craters, young Omer Orsi presented the Maserati A6/1500 at the Geneva Motor Show. The war had certainly reshuffled the cards but not destroyed the deck. There […]
1928-36 Duesenberg J/SJ: Driving Miss Doozy
History/owner’s guide (CollectorFILE) originally published in AutoWeek April 18, 1994; republished by the author “It’s a doozy.” The phrases entered the American lexicon to the extent that most don’t know its origin. We, of course, know it came from “It’s a Deusie,” short for Duesenberg, a symbol of grand extravagance. The Duesenberg Brothers racer’s and […]
Merkur XR4Ti: The T-Bird’s continental cousin
History/buyer’s guide originally published in European Car, August 1996 Anyone partial to European mobiles was all the more frustrated by the new Ford Sierra XR-4i. The Sierra debuted in 1983, replacing the Cortina and Taunus , and the XR-4i was its high-performance variant. Reports filtered back to the states about the fast and funky new […]
What They’re Saying