History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek February 25, 2002; republished by the author The Via Flaminia, one of the great Roman roads, was laid down by the Roman Consul Flaminius in 220 B.C., and along its measured stones Rome’s legions marched northward to battle the Teutonic tribes. In 1958, Lancia introduced the Flaminia Berlina, the […]
1949 Maserati A6/1500: Lusty little coupe became Italian firm’s benchmark car
History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek January 7, 1991; republished by the author. Two years after the end of World War II, with most of Europe still rubble and craters, young Omer Orsi presented the Maserati A6/1500 at the Geneva Motor Show. The war had certainly reshuffled the cards but not destroyed the deck. There […]
Lancia Fulvia 1.6 HF: Lancia’s great rally champion
History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek December 2, 1985 The little car growls over the upgrade, barking at the up shifts, snapping at the down, its odd syncopated exhaust blatting in 4/4 time, echoing off walls built by Italian stonemasons almost 100 years ago, ringing off tree trunks that were there when the walls were […]
1984 Lamborghini Jalpa P350: Mimran had a little Lambo
History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek August 12, 1996 Ain’t no substitute for cubic inches. No matter how many camshafts you have, adding cubes is almost always a cure for lack of power – even in Italian exotic cars, which should never be lacking in the engine compartment. While it got rave reviews overall, the […]
Maserati 3500GTI: Six for the road
History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek April 1, 1985 I really had no alternative. The only reasonable thing to do was to down shift to second gear, moving the lever through the notchy pattern that felt like it should be gated but really wasn’t, and hit the buttons to lower both the passenger and driver […]
Alfa Giulia Spider: Simpatico never was more Italian
History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek March 11, 1985 There is something there that loves an Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider. There is an aura, a certain magic, even in the words, that arouses emotion, a definable affection that can be spoken only in Italian: Simpatico. One not need speak Italian to know the meaning of […]
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