History/driving impression originally published in AutoWeek November 12, 1990; republished by the author English is an efficient and purposeful language, but Italian is more exquisite and elegant. Consider the descriptive and direct term “four-door.” Then consider the Italian equipment: “Quattroporte.” Say it Italian-style, pronouncing the final “e” (as a long “a”), and you can barely […]
1968 Lamborgini Islero: Unloved styling marked “The Forgotten Lamborghini”
History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek October 23, 1989; republished by the author The Lamborghini Islero has been called “The Forgotten Lamborghini,” which shouldn’t particularly surprise anyone. For it went mostly unnoticed when it was new. Born in the shadow of the Espada and sharing the showroom floor with it and the fabulous Miura, it’s […]
Ferrari 250 GTO: Star-crossed racer’s day in the sun ends in the pits
History originally published in Road & Track Specials Ferrari 1990; republished by the author Embedded in a sandbank at the end of the Mulsanne straight is a hell of a way to start a 24-hour race, particularly a Ferrari team car with the second-fastest time in qualifying and a real chance at an overall win. […]
The De Tomaso Mangusta: The best car in the world, the worst car in the world
History/driving impressions originally published AutoWeek October 26, 1988; republished by the author The De Tomaso Mangusta. All the visual impact of the wrong end of Dirty Harry’s gun. Organic as a cat, fluid as a crayon on the sidewalk on August 15. Slick in the dorsal region and thick in the haunches. Colored Revlon’s best […]
The Arnolt-Bristol: an all-American sports car, via Bristol and Bertone
History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek, on May 23, 1988; republished by the author There probably never was in Arnolt-Bristol like Dave Hans’s back in the ‘50s. Not that there couldn’t have been. It just wouldn’t have been very likely. First of all, there’s Dave Hans’s detailed restoration. Back in the ‘50s, the Arnolt-Bristol was […]
1953 Arnolt-Aston Martin: “Wacky” Arnolt’s wonderful roadster boasts looks, pedigree
History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek August 8, 1988. Republished by the author. One need not look any further for the origin of the Arnolt-Bristol shape than to the Arnolt-Aston Martin. Of course, that’s easier said than done because if the Arnolt-Bristol is obscure, known mostly to A-B enthusiasts, the Arnolt-AM is arcane. There were, […]
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