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Curtis-Wright

America’s first rotary: Curtis-Wright Mustang

1961-1970 Curtis-Wright Rotary USA

America’s first rotary: Curtis-Wright Mustang

History originally published in AutoWeek June 4, 1984 A little-known chapter in American automotive history began in 1958 in a small white building on the…

JmatrasApril 3, 2025

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Home
The Car
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- Abarth
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Ferrari Testa Rossa TR250: What but lust and desire can a redhead inspire?

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…

’54 Corvette: Chevrolet’s flawed fiberglass flyer

’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,…

1978 Dodge Warlock: Playing with Adult Toys

1978 Dodge Warlock: Playing with Adult Toys

History originally published in AutoWeek October 29, 1978 Dodge advertised “Adult Toys” in the late 70s. To Dodge dealers, this meant trucks: 4x4 Ramcharger SUVs…

Excalibur SS Series 1: In the beginning, it was a sports car

Excalibur SS Series 1: In the beginning, it was a sports car

History originally published in AutoWeek, April 6, 1985 All right, let’s have a show of hands. Who thinks that Excalibur is a sports car? Ha,…

2002 Volkswagen 1L Concept: Thin Car Travels Far, Volkswagen’s canoe-skinny mini could do New York to D.C. on 1 gallon of gas

2002 Volkswagen 1L Concept: Thin Car Travels Far, Volkswagen’s canoe-skinny mini could do New York to D.C. on 1 gallon of gas

Feature originally published in Popular Science August at 2002, republished by author To listen to automakers snipe about tightening fuel economy standards, you’d think it…

BMW 502: Delicate Sparkle of a Bavarian Princess

BMW 502: Delicate Sparkle of a Bavarian Princess

Originally published in AutoWeek, January 3, 1983 There was a time after World War II when it looked as if BMW would not survive. The…

Lamborghini Espada: Two-plus-two equals success

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.…

Bahn-bound Buick: Bulgari takes on the Bavarians in a ’70 Skylark GS-455

Bahn-bound Buick: Bulgari takes on the Bavarians in a ’70 Skylark GS-455

Originally published in AutoWeek November 26, 2001 Warning: BMWs and Mercedes drivers on the autobahn, you’re about to experience “Detroit iron” in a way you…

Gang of Four: Lotus Evora S meets Porsche Cayman R meets Mustang Boss 302 meets Dodge Challenger SRT8 392

Gang of Four: Lotus Evora S meets Porsche Cayman R meets Mustang Boss 302 meets Dodge Challenger SRT8 392

Contemporary comparison review originally published in CarBuzzard Sept 24, 2011 No matter what anyone says, you can compare apples to oranges. And you can also…

1989-1994 Mercury Capri XR2

1989-1994 Mercury Capri XR2

History/driving impressions originally published in Sport Compact Car October 2001; republished by the author It just goes to show you how things so similar can…

1989-1991 Peugeot 405 Mi16: Last date

1989-1991 Peugeot 405 Mi16: Last date

History originally published in Sport Compact Car January 2001 If looks could kill, the Peugeot 405 Mi 16 could be the love of your life.…

1993 Ford Bronco: The big-selling, big ute

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…

Dancing With Valves: Toyota Celica All-Trac Turbo versus Isuzu Impulse RS

Dancing With Valves: Toyota Celica All-Trac Turbo versus Isuzu Impulse RS

Comparison review originally published in the Road & Track Performance Cars 1991; republished by author Some people might not consider the Isuzu Impulse RS versus…

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

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…

1989 Mazda RX-7 Infini IV: The Orient Express

First published in the book, Sports Car Color History Mazda RX-7 (1994) by John Matras 1989 Mazda RX-7 Infini IV; photos by John Matras The…

1969 AMC Javelin SST 290: American Motors fields pony car-era bruiser-cruiser

1969 AMC Javelin SST 290: American Motors fields pony car-era bruiser-cruiser

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek October 22, 1990; republished by the author Growing up in the ‘60s, you were a Ford guy, a Chevy…

1959 Toyopet Crown Custom: Toyota’s initial U.S. failure a lesson for later success

1959 Toyopet Crown Custom: Toyota’s initial U.S. failure a lesson for later success

History originally published in AutoWeek August 3, 1992 Who would have believed that Toyota, maker of the 1959 Toyopet Crown, would have become the international…

1929 Nash Model 461 Cabriolet: “The Car with the Twin-Ignition Motor”

1929 Nash Model 461 Cabriolet: “The Car with the Twin-Ignition Motor”

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek December 24, 2001 Harold Metzger gently chided me for having chirp the tires of his 29 – Cabriolet. “Well,…

Cord 810 Westchester: Wurlitzer on wheels

Cord 810 Westchester: Wurlitzer on wheels

History originally published September 7, 1984 America was a different place in the Thirties. It was a land of coal and coke, iron and steel.…

1963 Citroen ID-19: Smooth as cheese & crackers, but not our can of soup

1963 Citroen ID-19: Smooth as cheese & crackers, but not our can of soup

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek October 17, 1994; republished by author “Je me suis inspire d’un oiseau aquatique.” Well, it does look a little…

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1956 Lancia Aurelia Spyder: Simple, golden

1956 Lancia Aurelia Spyder: Simple, golden

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek, September 3, 2001; republished by the author When the roll is called up yonder for great cars that no…

1998 Volvo C70 Coupe and Convertible

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Preview originally published in European car, November 1996; republished by the author coup de main: a sudden action undertaken to surprise an enemy coupe from…

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History/driving impessions originally published AutoWeek September 27. 1999; republished by the author If there is a single icon for the automotive 1950s, it’s the tailfin.…

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History/driving impressions originally published in Sport Compact Car, October 2000; republished by the author It’s as if Acura had tossed a stone in a pond…