luxury coupe Archives - A Career of Great Car Articles by John Matras

Model T speedster: Hot rod of an earlier age

History originally published in AutoWeek February 16, 1987 The crackle of the exhaust was like nothing you’ve ever heard, popping and snapping it idle, booming…

BMW Isetta 300: A Perfect Pick for the Pygmies

Originally published in Autoweek, June 20, 1983 BMW Isetta 300; Photos by John Matras The first problem is getting in. Sure, the door opens with…

1983 Volvo Limited Edition 240 Turbo, the “Flat Hood”

History originally published in the Illustrated Volvo Buyer’s Guide, 1983, by John Matras; republished by the author The 1983 Volvo Limited Edition 240 Turbo is…

Ford Probe: Sporty econocar or Thunderbird stand-in?

Review originally published in Road & Track Car Buyer’s Guide 1997 Once destined to replace the Mustang as a properly down-sized, front-drive import-pretender, the Ford…

Hot Foot at Talladega: Record setting in the Saab 900

Event report riginally published in Automobile Quarterly Volume 36, Number 3; May 1997 “For my next act, I will set myself on fire.” So said…

Honda CVCC: Compound Vortex Controlled Combustion

History originally published in Sport Compact Car January 2000 In the early 70s, carmakers were staring at impending emissions regulations and the OPEC fuel embargo…

1959 Deutsch-Bonnet HBR5: Frenchmen team for Panhard-powered bulbous bullet

History originally published in AutoWeek October 15, 1990 Charles Deutsch was the designer and Rene Bonnet made the engines go faster, together these two Frenchmen…

1985 Maserati Quattroporte: Italian definition of a four-door makes a statement

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…

2009 Pontiac G8 GXP: Buy one now

Contemporary review originally published in Examiner.com April 22, 2009 Buy a 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP now. Then thirty years from now when everyone glides silently…

1928-36 Duesenberg J/SJ: Driving Miss Doozy

History/owner’s guide (CollectorFILE) originally published in AutoWeek April 18, 1994; republished by the author “It’s a doozy.” The phrases entered the American lexicon to the…

1965-1968 Datsun Silvia

History originally published in Sport Compact Car December 1996 The Datsun 240Z is famous for its design, but nothing comes out of nowhere and that’s…

1938 Alfa Romeo 8C2900 B: Champ of the Mille Miglia

History originally published in AutoWeek July 18, 1983 Wedged in the passenger seat as Bill Serri works the Alfa, cutting crisp vintage holes through the…

2002 Volkswagen 1L Concept: Thin Car Travels Far, Volkswagen’s canoe-skinny mini could do New York to D.C. on 1 gallon of gas

Feature originally published in Popular Science August at 2002, republished by author To listen to automakers snipe about tightening fuel economy standards, you’d think it…

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