History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek February 11, 1985 In Syracuse, New York, halfway up the hill in a quiet neighborhood of older homes, is a house much like the ones on either side. Its yard is neatly kept, and out back is a rock garden that, were it summer, would be a floral paradise. […]
Kermit the Bentley: It’s not easy being green
History originally published in AutoWeek December 10, 1984 “Back in the mid-1950s a young man in England named Collin Hiley was apprenticed to Rolls-Royce Aero as an apprentice aero engineer,” Phil Brooks spoke with the practiced ease of one who has told the story before. “On his weekends,” Brooks continued, “he was working for a […]
Lancia Lambda: Sometimes one head is better than two
History originally published in AutoWeek February 28, 1985 Idling on the gravel drive, it’s utterly Palladian radiator reflecting the lowering rays the autumn sun, the Lancia Lambda hides surprisingly modern ideas and innovative concepts beneath its classic form. Independent front suspension was rare enough in the ‘20s, but unit body construction – almost universal today […]
1934 Brewster Ford: Beauty was more than skin deep, but not to the frame
History originally published in AutoWeek October 9, 1995 The Great Depression was no kinder to the makers of luxury automobiles than it was to most other businesses, and perhaps it was even worse. Cars are, even for the wealthy, a deferral purchase. Remarkably, the 1930s produced some of the grandest motorcars ever made, as some […]
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. It was a time when motor oil was judged by where it came out of the ground. Man was muscle and sweat was honest. The throb of the foundry was […]
Model T speedster: Hot rod of an earlier age
History originally published in AutoWeek February 16, 1987 The crackle of the exhaust was like nothing you’ve ever heard, popping and snapping it idle, booming down the solid brass 4.0 inch diameter pipe that ran almost the length of the car. This crisp bark wasn’t the plebeian putt-poutt-putt of the Ford Model T. It certainly […]
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