XJS-R Archives - America's Car Blog By John Matras

1993 Jaguar XJR-S: Delicious decadence

Contemporary review originally published in Road & Track Sport and GT Cars 1993 The six-cylinder XJS makes sense, but I have to admit I was…

Mercedes-Benz 300SL: The class of ‘54

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek October 15, 1984 At 90 mph on the sparsely traveled two-lane highway, the big Mercedes is at ease, loping…

1956 Morgan Plus-4: Old-fashioned at birth, it was a winner right out of the box

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek March 28, 1988, republished by the author The banjo-strung Blumel’s Brooklands steering wheel is close, good for huddling for…

1975 Ferrari 308GT4: The new Ferrari designed for a new era

I have a secret, but I'll tell you because we're old friends and I know I can trust you. Ready? O.K. The Ferrari 308GT4…

1971 Alfa Romeo Junior Zagato: Senior approves

Originally published in AutoWeek, August 30, 1982 1971 Alfa Romeo Junior Zagato; photos by John Matras Lippity clip. Lip. Clip. The Alfa skips down Penny…

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…

1933 Rolls-Royce Park Ward Coupe: Right drive, left entry

History originally published in AutoWeek June 25, 1984 Rolls-Royce has never been predisposed to produce a range of vehicles designed and priced for a variety…

Volvo 122-S and 123GT, Sporty Volvos: Did You Say Peppy, or Preppy?

History originally published in AutoWeek, January 9, 1984 By some strange twist of circumstances, the automobiles produced by one Swedish manufacturer have come to represent…

1995 Toyota MR2

Contemporary new-car review originally published in Road & Track 1995 Buyers Guide Following is a list of affordable mid-engine sports cars: Toyota MR2. Yes, that’s…

Ferrari 330 GTC: A sexy, sophisticated 12-cylinder grand touring car

History originally published in AutoWeek December 21, 1987 In the early autumn when the wind begins to blow and the leaves began to scurry before…

Ferrari 275 GTB/6C: The V-12 with a sound that stirs

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek October 21, 1985 Just the sound of the starter says this is going to be something special, that high-pitched…

Vauxhall 30/98: The beginning of the end of an era of sportsters

Original history/driving impressions originally published in Motor Trend’s Sports Cars of the World-1990, republished by the author “Only $2,575,291.” That’s how much GM paid for…

Tweaking the Knows: Strosek Porsche 911

Strosek’s subtle styling, exhaust growl will resonate among the cognoscenti Contemporary review originally published in Autoweek December 2, 1991 It is, Fred Opert opines, what…

1993 Ford Bronco: The big-selling, big ute

Review originally published in Road & Track Sport-Utilities Pickups & Vans Buyer’s Guide 1993; republished by the author. With all the hoopla surrounding Ford’s Explorer…

Saab Sonett I: The open sports car the Swedes should have produced

Originally published in VW & Porsche, June 1990 The winter nights around Trollhattan are cold and long and snow is always on the ground. But,…

Porsche Boxster: Highballing the trunk line

Contemporary review originally published in Road & Track Sports & GT Cars 1998 I was on the way home from taking my 14-year-old daughter to…

1976 Triumph TR6: Symbolizing the twilight of the British sports car’s reign

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek July 18, 1994. The hood is narrow, much more so from the driver’s seat them when viewed from outside.…

1966 427 Cobra: More powerful than a locomotive, yet well-mannered at rest

History originally published in Autoweek February 8, 1988 I had watched the morning mist rise and seen the sun come up, casting first light and…

Review: 1994 Toyota Supra

Review originally published in Road and Track Specials 1994 Buyers Guide You can see it in their eyes, from the round-eyed wonder of little boys,…

Callaway’s LM—as in “Le Mans”

News report originally published in Car and Driver October 1995 Here’s the deal—bring an LT1 Corvette and at least $80,000 to Old Lyme, Connecticut, and…

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1993 Jaguar XJR-S: Delicious decadence

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1993 Jaguar XJR-S: Delicious decadence

Mercedes-Benz 300SL: The class of ‘54

1956 Morgan Plus-4: Old-fashioned at birth, it was a winner right out of the box

1975 Ferrari 308GT4: The new Ferrari designed for a new era

1971 Alfa Romeo Junior Zagato: Senior approves

1991-’92 Dodge Spirit R/T: Delightfully Wicked

1933 Rolls-Royce Park Ward Coupe: Right drive, left entry

Volvo 122-S and 123GT, Sporty Volvos: Did You Say Peppy, or Preppy?

1995 Toyota MR2

Ferrari 330 GTC: A sexy, sophisticated 12-cylinder grand touring car

Ferrari 275 GTB/6C: The V-12 with a sound that stirs

Vauxhall 30/98: The beginning of the end of an era of sportsters

Tweaking the Knows: Strosek Porsche 911

1993 Ford Bronco: The big-selling, big ute

Saab Sonett I: The open sports car the Swedes should have produced

Porsche Boxster: Highballing the trunk line

1976 Triumph TR6: Symbolizing the twilight of the British sports car’s reign

1966 427 Cobra: More powerful than a locomotive, yet well-mannered at rest

Review: 1994 Toyota Supra

Callaway’s LM—as in “Le Mans”

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