Originally published in AutoWeek, November 22, 1982 I look in the tiny dash-mounted rear view mirror and all I see is a grill-mounted Chevy bow-tie. To my right is a Karmann Ghia, and I’m looking up at it. In the passenger seat to my left is Allan Modney, president of Automarque in Arlington, Virginia. We’re […]
Bristol 408: Superb Performance Plus Individuality
History originally published in AutoWeek, December 27, 1982 For some, a Rolls is to ostentatious. For some, a jaguar is too common and flashy. Mercedes or BMW, too, well, German. Italian cars are simply too exotic. Even a Bentley is too obvious. For these people, however, there is Bristol. Bristol is a carmaker for a […]
Bentley Continental R-Type: The Rolls-Royce of Bentleys
Originally published in AutoWeek July 22, 1985 1954 Bentley Continental R-Type; photos by John Matras When I was boy, a visit at Uncle Henry’s was always special. Uncle Henry, you see, had every copy of Mechanix Illustrated ever printed—or so it seemed—and every copy of Mechanix Illustrated , in addition to MiMi-clad-in-overalls-that-covered-as-little-as-possible in those days […]
MGA Twin Cam: Perfect for the Perfectionist
Originally published in AutoWeek December 13, 1982 1959 MGA Twin Cam; photos by John Matras Pity the poor MGA Twin Cam. Imagine: four years, count ‘em, four years in development, and on the market for less than two. And despite a successful record in amateur racing and even several scores in the big time, the […]
1971-73 Plymouth Cricket: On a Sticky Wicket
Originally published in Sport Compact Car, September, 1996 1972 Plymouth Cricket; Chrysler Corp. photos The Plymouth Cricket is largely forgotten today, but in 1971, it was Chrysler’s temporary future. In 1970, Chrysler Corporation had been rolling in the present. With the 426 Hemi and the 440 Wedge and some of the best styled and engineered […]
Jaguar Mk IX: Great Britain’s Grandest Cat
Originally published in AutoWeek, November 1, 1982 1961 Jaguar Mk IX; John Matras photo. It seems rudely out of place. There, surrounded by the Edwardian library excesses in leather and walnut, is the flat-black steering wheel. It’s a huge one-piece affair made a Bakelite-like material, with four flat spokes radiating from the hub in an […]
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