History originally published in AutoWeek June 26, 2000 You should have regrets, America. But Italy, it’s partly your fault as well. A car with pretty, if somewhat quirky styling, a lusty dohc engine and supple ride and handling should have found greater favor. But by 1982 the Italian automobile industry in America was limping with […]
Porsche 904/6: Don’t call it a conversion
History originally published in AutoWeek December 31, 1984 Henry Payne’s Lincolnesque frame slouches in the fiberglass driver’s seat, the steering wheel down between his knees, his big hands on either side of the wood-rimmed circle. It’s odd that he should look-– or even be – so comfortable in the 904’s small and Spartan cockpit. Outside […]
Intermeccanica Italia: Italian-American with an identity crisis
History originally published in AutoWeek April 2, 1984 I was skirting the Virginia shore of the Potomac River on the downstream side of Washington, DC, the Italia’s chino-creased fenders framing the asphalt and vintage geometry of the George Washington Parkway, when the Mustang appeared in my peripheral vision, coming in from an entrance on the […]
Is the 2016 Buick Avista concept the next Pontiac Firebird?
News report originally published in CarBuzzard on January 15, 2016 If Hal Needham made a movie with the Buick Avista in a starring role—a Smokey and the Bandit for the new millennium—it would have the semi full of Coors is replaced by a luxury motorhome making a run from Napa to Texas…for all the California […]
Alfa Romeo Montreal: Yesterday’s Tomorrow
History originally published in AutoWeek September 19, 1983 You can have it either way with the Alfa Romeo Montreal: you can hate it for what it isn’t, or you can love it for what it isn’t. There are people who don’t like the car. Listen to the critics. They don’t like the way it looks. […]
1976 Lancia Scorpion: In Search of a Stinger
Originally published in European Car, August 1994 1976 Lancia Beta Scorpion, photos by John Matras What a concept. The country that gave us the Fiat X1/9 – which Road & Track magazine called “the best handling car in the world” – a big brother, a mid-engined sports car with real beans. More power! In fact, […]
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