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…
Originally published in AutoWeek, October 26, 1992 Citroen XM; photos by John Matras Unique is an overworked and often improperly used word, so we won’t use it to describe the Citroen XM. The XM is, however, the only French automobile…
History originally published in AutoWeek, December 27, 1982 For some, a Rolls is to ostentatious. For some, a jaguar is too common and flashy. Mercedes or BMW, too, well, German. Italian cars are simply too exotic. Even a Bentley is…
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 a twist of the handle, but it’s on the front of the car. I can’t…
Originally published in AutoWeek July 22, 1985 1954 Bentley Continental R-Type; photos by John Matras When I was boy, a visit at Uncle Henry’s was always special. Uncle Henry, you see, had every copy of Mechanix Illustrated ever printed—or so…
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…
Originally published in AutoWeek December 13, 1982 1959 MGA Twin Cam; photos by John Matras Pity the poor MGA Twin Cam. Imagine: four years, count ‘em, four years in development, and on the market for less than two. And despite…
First published in the book, Sports Car Color History Mazda RX-7 (1994) by John Matras 1989 Mazda RX-7 Infini IV; photos by John Matras The first Infini was a 1987 Mazda 323. But it was more than an ordinary 323,…
Originally published in AutoWeek October 18, 1982 Maserati Ghibli Spider, photos by John Matras. Summer nights are special magic, a sorcery that suspends time and makes déjà vu the common experience. A web of warmth and darkness and fantasy. The…
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”…