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 […]
Henry’s Revolution: The Model T put the nation on wheels and changed it forever
Originally published in Motor Trend Presents 100 years of the Automobile in America (1995); republished by the author Henry Ford stands with the Model T Set the handbrake, open the throttle lever slightly, set the ignition timing lever at “full retard,” and close the carburetor choke by pulling a wire protruding through the radiator. Then, […]
Ford Model T sprint car: The red, white and blue roots of American racing
History/driving impressions republished by the author; originally published in AutoWeek February 24, 1986 The front wheels are dancing over the dirt, bumping, shaking and bouncing like Lula, the Snake Girl and Queen of the Midway, and there is more fight in the steering wheel then in a bar in a bad part of town. I […]
Rules-Royce “Silver Ghost”: R-R’s 40 – 50 HP: Before there was the name, there was quality
History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek March 14, 1988 What a name! It has magic to it, that certain…rightness. Righteousness, even as good as the car itself. Surely a tag like Silver Ghost sold many a Rolls-Royce. Sure. Except that Rolls-Royce never built a model called the Silver Ghost, never cataloged one, never sold one. […]
1927 Volvo PV4: The first boxy Volvo
History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek April 1, 2002 Volvo’s first sedan was immediately disowned by Helmer MasOlle. The landscape and portrait painter – and car enthusiast – had indeed designed a prototype sedan and its touring car counterpart. He gladly took credit for the open torpedo-bodied ÖV4, bearing strong resemblance to a Voisin he […]
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, we certainly know it has enough power to burn rubber!” I had halted on a hill having failed to negotiate a downshift on the non-synchronized gearbox. (One doesn’t get much […]
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