Originally published in AutoWeek 1July 19, 1982 The engine has nicknames. The Blue Racer. The Semi-Hemi. The Blue Crescent. Ford’s Porcupine. But one seem to fit more than others. Shotgun. Ford can call it the Boss 429 if it wants, but Shotgun is the name that best describes the engine – and the car with […]
Tom Yeager’s Trans-Am Mustang had all the right stuff
Originally published in AutoWeek on February 27, 1984. Wayne Conover bought the car for parts. As the proprietor of Conover’s Cobra Ranch, a restoration shop specializing in Shelby automobiles, he was always on the lookout for Shelby performance pieces, and the ‘66 notch back Mustang was a gold mine. Disguised, maybe, by a hideous black […]
Dodge Viper: The Perfect 10
Originally published in Automobile Quarterly, Volume 31, Number 2 It’s outrageous, it’s extravagant, it may be somewhat antisocial, but it’s American as a grand slam homer and, by initial reports, Chrysler has driven one out of the park with the Dodge Viper RT/10. Truth is there is no rational justification for the Viper. Certainly it […]
1991-’92 Dodge Spirit R/T: Delightfully Wicked
Originally published in Examiner.com January 5, 2010 1991 Dodge Spirit R/T; Dodge photo There’s something delightfully wicked about a mundane four-door family sedan being muscled out and loaded for bear. It’s the automotive concealed weapon, the shoulder holster under a three-piece suit. It’s Ward Cleaver learns Tai Kwon Do. It’s the 1991-’92 Dodge Spirit R/T. […]
Evans Series 1: A Georgia-built supercar takes on the world
Originally published in Road & Track’s Exotic Car Quarterly, Fall 1990 Evans Series 1; John Matras photos Is this how Colin Chapman started out? Did Ferry Porsche spend most of his time meeting government regulations? Whould Enzo Ferrari have succeeded if he had to deal with government regulations stacked 10 phonebooks high? Indeed, John Evans […]
1971 Plymouth Barracuda Hemi ‘Cuda: Inspiration to Paranoia
Originally published in AutoWeek, July 11, 1983 1971 Plymouth Barracuda Hemi ‘Cuda; Photos by John Matras Paranoid. That’s what a 1971 Plymouth Barracuda Hemi’ Cuda makes you. Paranoid. You carefully scan the road ahead, alert for the telltale roof-mounted light bar. You watch the mirrors to see if there is a police car behind you. […]
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