The engine has nicknames. The Blue Racer. The Semi-Hemi. The Blue Crescent. Ford’s Porcupine. But one seem to fit more than others. Shotgun. Ford can call it the Mustang Boss 429 if it wants, but Shotgun is the name that…
Originally published in AutoWeek on February 27, 1984. Wayne Conover bought the car for parts. As the proprietor of Conover’s Cobra Ranch, a restoration shop specializing in Shelby automobiles, he was always on the lookout for Shelby performance pieces, and…
Originally published in Automobile Quarterly, Volume 31, Number 2 It’s outrageous, it’s extravagant, it may be somewhat antisocial, but it’s American as a grand slam homer and, by initial reports, Chrysler has driven one out of the park with the…
Originally published in Examiner.com January 5, 2010 1991 Dodge Spirit R/T; Dodge photo There’s something delightfully wicked about a mundane four-door family sedan being muscled out and loaded for bear. It’s the automotive concealed weapon, the shoulder holster under a…
Evans Series 1; John Matras photos Is this how Colin Chapman started out? Did Ferry Porsche spend most of his time meeting government regulations? Would Enzo Ferrari have succeeded if he had to deal with government regulations stacked ten phonebooks…
Originally published in AutoWeek, July 11, 1983 1971 Plymouth Barracuda Hemi ‘Cuda; Photos by John Matras Paranoid. That’s what a 1971 Plymouth Barracuda Hemi’ Cuda makes you. Paranoid. You carefully scan the road ahead, alert for the telltale roof-mounted light…
Alexander Winton in the Winton Bullet No. 2; Contemporary photograph, public domain It was…unexpected. The hood is broad and flat behind the wedge-shaped nose. Low and clean lined, it looks almost modern. Such appearances, though, are betrayed by the tall…