V-12 Archives - A Career of Great Car Articles by John Matras

1951-1960 Italy Lamborghini V-12

1968 Lamborgini Islero: Unloved styling marked “The Forgotten Lamborghini”

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek October 23, 1989; republished by the author The Lamborghini Islero has been called “The Forgotten Lamborghini,” which shouldn’t particularly…

JmatrasApril 4, 2025

1961-1970 Ferrari Italy V-12

Ferrari 250 GTO: Star-crossed racer’s day in the sun ends in the pits

History originally published in Road & Track Specials Ferrari 1990; republished by the author Embedded in a sandbank at the end of the Mulsanne straight…

JmatrasApril 3, 2025

1971-1980 Ferrari Italy V-12

Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spyder: The Spyder inside the Daytona

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek December 29, 1986 It shouldn’t have existed, the Daytona Spyder. At least it shouldn’t have been what it was.…

JmatrasApril 3, 2025

1961-1970 Ferrari Italy V-12

Ferrari 275 GTB/6C: The V-12 with a sound that stirs

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek October 21, 1985 Just the sound of the starter says this is going to be something special, that high-pitched…

JmatrasApril 3, 2025

1991-2000 England Jaguar V-12

1993 Jaguar XJR-S: Delicious decadence

Contemporary review originally published in Road & Track Sport and GT Cars 1993 The six-cylinder XJS makes sense, but I have to admit I was…

JmatrasApril 3, 2025

1951-1960 Ferrari Italy V-12

Ferrari Testa Rossa TR250: What but lust and desire can a redhead inspire?

History originally published in AutoWeek January 30, 1984 Let’s talk desire. Let’s talk lust. Let’s talk Testa Rossa. Ferrari Testa Rossa, of course, for no…

JmatrasApril 3, 2025

1961-1970 Ferrari Italy V-12

Ferrari 330 GTC: A sexy, sophisticated 12-cylinder grand touring car

History originally published in AutoWeek December 21, 1987 In the early autumn when the wind begins to blow and the leaves began to scurry before…

JmatrasApril 3, 2025

1961-1970 1971-1980 Italy Lamborghini V-12

Lamborghini Espada: Two-plus-two equals success

History originally published in AutoWeek, February 2, 1987 For the large automobile manufacturer, the launching of each new model represents a risk of manageable proportions.…

JmatrasApril 3, 2025

2011-2020 Aston Martin England V-12

2011 Aston Martin Rapide: No cape necessary

Contemporary review originally published in Examiner.com on March 1, 2011 The key looks like a crystal wrapped in an Aston Martin logo, like something used…

JmatrasApril 3, 2025

1961-1970 Ferrari Italy V-12

Ferrari 250GT Spyder California: A Ferrari for the Club, even if the Club is LeMans

Originally published in AutoWeek August 12, 1985 They don’t build elegant race cars anymore. Sophisticated lines don’t mesh with the crunch and thrust of modern…

JmatrasApril 3, 2025

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