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 be so different. On the surface, the Mazda Miata – introduced in the fall of ‘89 – and the 1989 Mercury Capri are very similar: two-seat sportsters powered by Mazda […]
1954 Volkswagen-Okrasa Cabrio: A rare survivor of the hot-rodded Beetles of the 50s
History originally published in AutoWeek June 19, 1989 We have become so accustomed to the radically modified VW – it approaches minor religion status in Southern California, but then what doesn’t?– that it’s easy to forget that in the 1950s the Volkswagen was just another imported car and that buying in imported car was like […]
The Great Volvo Sports Car: Buying the Volvo 1800 Series
History and buyer’s guide originally published in European Car in August 1993; republished by the author “What’s it like to own a $10,000 car?” Volvo asked the question in a magazine ad and answered it with “Find out for $3995” and a picture of the P1800 (along with a $12,500 for a Ferrari, a similarly […]
Sixty-Three and Counting (Mac McGrady’s Nash-Healeys)
His addiction began in 1953, explains Leonard Nelson “Mac” McGrady. As a son of an automobile dealer, McGrady had seen many cars, but when he first saw a Nash-Healey, he knew it was a car he would have to own. That special day didn’t come until 1968. Then, says Mac: “If you have one Nash-Healey, […]
The Sting Ray: King Corvette (1963-1967 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray)
“Collectorfile” originally published in AutoWeek June 17, 1991; republished by the author What a year 1963 was for the Corvette: a new body style, including a never-before coupe version, a new frame, new front suspension, new independent rear suspension. It’s no wonder the St. Louis plant went on double shifts as sales topped 20,000 for […]
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 over the past couple of years, it would be easy to miss Ford’s venerable four-size sport-utility. On the other hand, enough buyers have remembered the Bronco to make it America’s […]
What They’re Saying