The Logs - America's Car Blog By John Matras

1900-1920 I-8 USA Winton

April 3, 2025

1903 Winton Bullet #2: Alexander Winton’s Great Red Hope

Originally published in AutoWeek February 1, 1982 Alexander Winton in the Winton Bullet No. 2; Contemporary photograph, public domain It was…unexpected. The hood is broad…

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1961-1970 BMW Germany I-4

April 3, 2025

BMW 1600-2 Cabriolet: Blue-sky Never

Originally published in AutoWeek April 5, 1983 BMW 1600-2 Cabriolet; Photo by John Matras It drives BMW owners wild. It makes ‘em crazy. To be…

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1961-1970 Iso Italy V-8

April 3, 2025

Iso Grifo: The Lion and the Eagle

Originally published in AutoWeek May 17, 1982 Iso Grifo; photos by John Matras The Eagle. Symbol of flight and airborne grace. Bent, curved, hammered on…

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1951-1960 AC England I-6

April 3, 2025

AC Aceca Bristol: Predecessor of the “Snake”

Originally published in AutoWeek November 15, 1982 AC Aceca Bristol; photos by John Matras AC was on a roll. Its roadster, the AC Ace, had…

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1951-1960 England I-6 Jaguar

April 3, 2025

Jaguar Mk IX: Great Britain’s Grandest Cat

Originally published in AutoWeek, November 1, 1982 1961 Jaguar Mk IX; John Matras photo. It seems rudely out of place. There, surrounded by the Edwardian…

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1971-1980 England I-4 Plymouth

April 3, 2025

1971-73 Plymouth Cricket: On a Sticky Wicket

Originally published in Sport Compact Car, September, 1996 1972 Plymouth Cricket; Chrysler Corp. photos The Plymouth Cricket is largely forgotten today, but in 1971, it…

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1971-1980 Plymouth USA V-8

April 3, 2025

1971 Plymouth Barracuda Hemi ‘Cuda: Inspiration to Paranoia

Originally published in AutoWeek, July 11, 1983 1971 Plymouth Barracuda Hemi 'Cuda; Photos by John Matras Paranoid. That’s what a 1971 Plymouth Barracuda Hemi’ Cuda…

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1961-1970 France I-4 Matra

April 3, 2025

1965 Matra-Bonnet Djet: The first mid-engine production car

Originally published in AutoWeek, April 25, 1988. 1965 Matra-Bonnet Djet, photos by John Matras. Europa. Miura. Manguta. Dino. Stratos. Pantera. Countach. Boxer. Bora. Esprit. M1.…

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1971-1980 Alfa Romeo I-4 Italy

April 3, 2025

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…

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1991-2000 Evans USA V-8

April 3, 2025

Evans Series 1: A Georgia-built supercar takes on the world

Originally published in Road & Track’s Exotic Car Quarterly, Fall 1990 Evans Series 1; John Matras photos Is this how Colin Chapman started out? Did…

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1971-1980 I-4 Italy Lancia

April 3, 2025

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…

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1961-1970 Italy Maserati V-8

April 3, 2025

Maserati Ghibli Spider: Driving under the Influence.

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…

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1981-1990 Japan Mazda Rotary

April 3, 2025

1989 Mazda RX-7 Infini IV: The Orient Express

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…

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1961-1970 England I-4 MG

April 3, 2025

MGA Twin Cam: Perfect for the Perfectionist

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…

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1951-1960 Bentley England I-6

April 3, 2025

Bentley Continental R-Type: The Rolls-Royce of Bentleys

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…

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1991-2000 Dodge I-4 USA

April 3, 2025

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…

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1961-1970 Bristol England V-8

April 3, 2025

Bristol 408: Superb Performance Plus Individuality

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…

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1-cyl 1951-1960 BMW Germany

April 3, 2025

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…

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1991-2000 Citroen France I-4

April 3, 2025

Fulfilling Francophiles: Peugeot’s gone, but French eccentricity lives on in a Citroen XM gray market

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…

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1991-2000 Dodge USA V-10

April 3, 2025

Dodge Viper: The Perfect 10

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…

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1961-1970 England Ginetta I-4

April 3, 2025

Ginetta G4: Not a Car for the Dilettante

Originally published in AutoWeek, November 22, 1982 I look in the tiny dash-mounted rear view mirror and all I see is a grill-mounted Chevy bow-tie.…

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1971-1980 DeTomaso Ford Italy V-8

April 3, 2025

1971-74 De Tomaso Pantera: Ford’s “affordable” exotic at home among the classics

Originally published in AutoWeek, August 7, 1989 If longevity has anything to say about virtue, as it does with, say, the VW Beetle or Citroen…

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1951-1960 2-stroke I-3 Saab Sweden

April 3, 2025

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,…

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1961-1970 Ford USA V-8

April 3, 2025

Tom Yeager’s Trans-Am Mustang had all the right stuff

Originally published in AutoWeek on February 27, 1984. Wayne Conover bought the car for parts. As the proprietor of Conover’s Cobra Ranch, a restoration shop…

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1951-1960 1961-1970 Austin England I-6

April 3, 2025

Austin Princess limo: It really had all the Aminities

Originally published in AutoWeek December 26, 1983 Item: late in the evening of March 20, 1974 Princess Anne was returning to Buckingham Palace in a…

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1961-1970 Ford USA V-8

April 3, 2025

1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429: Riding the Shotgun

Originally published in AutoWeek 1July 19, 1982 The engine has nicknames. The Blue Racer. The Semi-Hemi. The Blue Crescent. Ford’s Porcupine. But one seem to…

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1961-1970 Ferrari Italy V-12

April 3, 2025

Ferrari 250GT Spyder California: A Ferrari for the Club, even if the Club is LeMans

Originally published in AutoWeek August 12, 1985 They don’t build elegant race cars anymore. Sophisticated lines don’t mesh with the crunch and thrust of modern…

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1981-1990 I-4 Italy Maserati

April 3, 2025

Driving the new Maserati Biturbo

Originally published in AutoWeek, January 3, 1983 There are two Maserati Biturbos in the country, and AutoWeek has just driven one of them. It was…

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1951-1960 Bentley England I-6

April 3, 2025

Bentley by Bertone

Originally published in Automobile, June 1992 Stanley “Wacky” Arnolt’s industrial empire included, almost as a sideline, sales and distribution of chiefly British cars and sports-car…

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1951-1960 Alfa Romeo I-4 Italy

April 3, 2025

Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint Speciale: Special Indeed

Originally published in Autoweek, September 13, 1982 Walk around the car. Watch the light work on it, cascade over the body like the ripples of…

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1991-2000 Plymouth USA V-6

April 3, 2025

Plymouth Prowler: Matinee’ Idol

Originally published in Road & Track Sport and GT Cars 2000 2000 Plymouth Prowler in Prowler Silver; Photograph DaimlerChrysler Corp. Celebrity status carries a terrible…

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1951-1960 BMW Germany V-8

April 3, 2025

BMW 502: Delicate Sparkle of a Bavarian Princess

Originally published in AutoWeek, January 3, 1983 There was a time after World War II when it looked as if BMW would not survive. The…

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1961-1970 Daimler England V-8

April 3, 2025

Daimler SP250: One out of three wasn’t enough

Originally published in AutoWeek March 7, 1983 I may get some argument on this, but I believe automobiles can be – and are – evaluated…

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1981-1990 Kibler USA V-8

April 3, 2025

Kibler Aircar

Originally published in Automobile, February 1988 Behind John Kibler’s head is a 400-cubic-inch V-8 rescued from a 1971 Chevy Kingswood station wagon. Its roar, however,…

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1961-1970 Chevrolet USA V-8

April 3, 2025

1967 Chevrolet Corvette L89: Ed Cole’s 427cu in stormer

Originally published in AutoWeek February 3, 1986 If this were 1967 and you were able to ask Ed Cole, then general manager of General Motors,…

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1961-1970 Italy Lamborghini V-12

April 3, 2025

Lamborghini 400GT 2+2: Simply That Good

Originally published in AutoWeek July 1, 1986 Smoother than prom night velvet, slicker than satin sheets, more exotic than a night in Bangkok, that’s the…

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1951-1960 4-inline England Singer

April 3, 2025

Singer Roadster: The Last Aria of a Dying Diva

Originally published in AutoWeek in August 8, 1983. It must’ve been rather bleak at Singer Motors as 1956 approached. The Birmingham firm predated the automobile…

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1941-1950 1991-2000 I-4 Jeep USA

April 3, 2025

Is Today’s Jeep Still a Jeep? The 1991 Jeep Wrangler doesn’t forget 1941 Jeep MB war vet ancestor. That’s good and bad.

Contemporary review/history originally published in AutoWeek April 22, 1991 So the Jeep is 50 years old. For a motor vehicle, or for just about anything…

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1961-1970 I-4 Sweden Volvo

April 3, 2025

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…

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1981-1990 Lincoln USA V-8

April 3, 2025

1988 Lincoln Mark VII LSC: American muscle man in a three-piece suit

Contemporary review originally published in Corridor Today March 15, 1988 I believe that automobiles are something like nouns in romance languages: they have gender. Oh,…

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1921-1940 BMW Germany I-6

April 3, 2025

1939 BMW 321: From bureaucrat to burgher, the war changed many things

History originally published in AutoWeek, February 28, 1983 It was a fitting motorcar for the professional, this new BMW 321, a good choice for the…

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1971-1980 1981-1990 Fiat I-4 Italy

April 3, 2025

1979-82 Fiat Strada: End of the Road

History originally published in Sport Compact Car, October 1998 The Fiat Strada arrived in the United States with considerable fanfare and a lot of press…

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1961-1970 Ferrari Italy V-12

April 3, 2025

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…

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1961-1970 Germany I-4 Opel

April 3, 2025

1970 Opel Kadett Rallye 1.9: Imported Sizzle

History originally published in AutoWeek August 5, 2002 The Opel Kadett was advertised as the “Mini-Brute,” and one could hardly argue with the first half…

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1971-1980 Alfa Romeo Italy V-8

April 3, 2025

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…

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1961-1970 1971-1980 Germany NSU Rotary

April 3, 2025

NSU Ro80: A Car Ahead of its Time

History originally published in AutoWeek March 12, 1984 How very frustrating, how maddeningly, fist-clinching frustrating it must have been to the men who were NSU…

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1951-1960 Packard USA V-8

April 3, 2025

1955 Packard 400: A very nice place to be

History originally published in AutoWeek August 5, 2002 By 1955, Packard was on the ropes. Like a champ who had seen better days, the company…

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1961-1970 1971-1980 Italy Lamborghini V-12

April 3, 2025

Lamborghini Espada: Two-plus-two equals success

History originally published in AutoWeek, February 2, 1987 For the large automobile manufacturer, the launching of each new model represents a risk of manageable proportions.…

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1971-1980 Dodge USA V-8

April 3, 2025

Dodge Diamante: “Chrysler Corvette” never got beyond Mopar show car

History originally published in AutoWeek September 11, 1989 To have worked for Dodge in the ‘60s and to have the Hemi, and then look at…

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1961-1970 Excalibur USA V-8

April 3, 2025

Excalibur SS Series 1: In the beginning, it was a sports car

History originally published in AutoWeek, April 6, 1985 All right, let’s have a show of hands. Who thinks that Excalibur is a sports car? Ha,…

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1961-1970 England Lola V-8

April 3, 2025

The celebrated Lola T-163 of Munster, Indiana

History originally published in AutoWeek January 21, 1985 It’s madness. Adrenaline is surging like water from a big Seagraves pumper at a five-alarm fire. Scrunched…

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1951-1960 Chevrolet I-6 USA

April 3, 2025

’54 Corvette: Chevrolet’s flawed fiberglass flyer

History originally published in AutoWeek May 2, 1983 Ah, the clarity of hindsight. The perfect 20/20, read-the-union-bug-at-the-bottom-of-the-eye-chart ability to see what should have been seen,…

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2011-2020 Aston Martin England V-12

April 3, 2025

2011 Aston Martin Rapide: No cape necessary

Contemporary review originally published in Examiner.com on March 1, 2011 The key looks like a crystal wrapped in an Aston Martin logo, like something used…

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1971-1980 4-inline Hyundai Korea

April 3, 2025

1991-95 Hyundai Scoupe: The coupe scoop

History originally published in Sport Compact Car in September 1999 Hyundai already had made a name for itself selling cars, the penny-squeezing Excel and the…

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1961-1970 4-inline England Turner

April 3, 2025

Turner 1500 MKIII: Out for a spin at the track

History originally published in AutoWeek March 21, 1983 How embarrassing. I had spun the Turner, depositing in the dirt in a shower of mud and…

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2011-2020 Dodge England Ford Germany H-4 Lotus Porsche USA V-6 V-8

April 3, 2025

Gang of Four: Lotus Evora S meets Porsche Cayman R meets Mustang Boss 302 meets Dodge Challenger SRT8 392

Contemporary comparison review originally published in CarBuzzard Sept 24, 2011 No matter what anyone says, you can compare apples to oranges. And you can also…

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1961-1970 Shelby USA V-8

April 3, 2025

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…

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2001-2010 I-4 Pontiac USA

April 3, 2025

2006 Pontiac Solstice: A solstice-tested Pontiac Solstice

Contemporary review in CarBuzzard on December 23, 2005 We indulged ourselves one afternoon. We put the top down on a 2006 Pontiac Solstice. That’s not…

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1921-1940 4-inline Austin England

April 3, 2025

Herbert Austin’s 7: Britain’s version of the Model T

History originally published in AutoWeek June 13, 1983 Ford’s Model T, they say, put America on wheels. Certainly there were earlier automobiles, even earlier Fords,…

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2011-2020 I-4 Saab Sweden

April 3, 2025

2011 Saab 9-5 Turbo4: Om du bygger det

Contemporary review originally published in examiner.com December 2010 Om du bygger det, så kommer de. Or translating the Swedish into English, if you build it,…

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1921-1940 Alfa Romeo I-8

April 3, 2025

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…

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2001-2010 Chevrolet USA V-8

April 3, 2025

2008 Chevrolet C4500 Kodiak Pickup: Big Bear

Contemporary review originally published in CarBuzzard.com November 5, 2007 If the difference between men and boys is the size of their toys, well, we’re not…

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1961-1970 BMW Germany I-4

April 3, 2025

BMW 2000Tilux: A sports car for sharing

History originally published in AutoWeek April 11, 1983 Find the roughest road you know: 40-year-old concrete, cracked, broken and rudely patched. Knife-edge ridges and holes.…

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1971-1980 Italy Maserati V-8

April 3, 2025

Maserati Bora: Manly, yes, but she’ll like it, too

History originally published in AutoWeek August 29, 1983 It’s a bullet, big bore and Magnum-packed, a missile, ICBM for the Interstate, pregnant with malice. It…

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2011-2020 Buick USA V-6

April 3, 2025

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…

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1951-1960 Germany I-4 Mercedes-Benz

April 3, 2025

1951 Mercedes-Benz 170S Cabriolet: Playing survivor

History originally published in AutoWeek September 24, 2001 Allied bombing had done its best to destroy the ability of the Third Reich to wage war.…

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1981-1990 Dodge USA V-8

April 3, 2025

Armed and Crazy

Feature originally published in Truckin’ March 1983 The energy crisis, while also affecting things like the price of home heating oil, along with the dual…

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1971-1980 Germany I-4 Porsche

April 3, 2025

1977 Porsche 924: New appreciation for the Porsche they loved to hate

History originally published in AutoWeek August 19, 1991 It’s the Porsche everyone loves to hate. By what’s been said and written about the original Porsche…

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1961-1970 England Sunbeam V-8

April 3, 2025

Sunbeam Tiger: An overpowered cat just ready to pounce

History originally published in AutoWeek October 10, 1983 Christopher Columbus, as every schoolboy knows, discovered America by accident. He was actually trying to prove a…

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1991-2000 Callaway USA V-8

April 3, 2025

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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1981-1990 I-4 Japan Nissan-Datsun

April 3, 2025

Boom Box or Sports Car: Nissan Pulsar NX Sportbak

Contemporary review originally published in Corridor Today February 12, 1988 Okay, Nissan, we’re on to you. This isn’t a car. It is really the world’s…

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1921-1940 Bugatti France I-8

April 3, 2025

Type 49 Bugatti: Mme. Abry’s piece de resistance

History originally published in AutoWeek November 26, 1983 The Schlumpfs: Hans and Fritz, brothers, textile industrialists of Alsace, fanciers of classic automobiles,, fanatics for Bugatti’s.…

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1921-1940 Alvis England I-6

April 3, 2025

Alvis 4.3: John Bull to the core

History originally published in AutoWeek, February 13, 1984 Full square against the wind, it couldn’t be anything but British, tradition-proud and built in the time-honored…

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1991-2000 Germany H-6 Porsche

April 3, 2025

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…

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1981-1990 I-4 Yugo Yugoslavia

April 3, 2025

Yugo GV and GVC: Yugo, he gone

History originally published in Examiner.com 7/17/2010 and news item November 16, 2008 What a deal it was! Look, Ma, a new car--they call it a…

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1951-1960 I-4 Sweden Volvo

April 3, 2025

Volvo P1900 1956-1957: Volvo’s first sports car

History originally published is Illustrated Volvo Buyer’s Guide (1993) by John Matras It left as quickly as it had, leaving hardly a ripple to mark…

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1951-1960 BMW Germany V-8

April 3, 2025

Social climber: The BMW 507 was upwardly mobile

History originally published in AutoWeek October 24, 1983 The BMW 507 is a beautiful car. It is well-proportioned, refined and visually harmonious. It is a…

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1971-1980 France I-4 Matra

April 3, 2025

Matra-Simca Bagheera: Matra à trois

History originally published in AutoWeek March 19,1984 In the lexicon of animal names written upon the fenders and flanks of automobiles, rarely is there a…

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1921-1940 England I-6 Rolls-Royce

April 3, 2025

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…

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1971-1980 Honda I-4 Japan

April 3, 2025

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…

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1961-1970 1971-1980 Intermeccanica Italy USA V-8

April 3, 2025

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,…

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1921-1940 Ford I-4 USA

April 3, 2025

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…

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1981-1990 4-inline Dodge USA

April 3, 2025

What’s New… Dodge Omni GLH Turbo

Contemporary review originally published in AutoWeek February 11, 1985 When I was a boy, my grandfather would stop his Chevy pickup on East Texas prairie…

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1921-1940 Cord USA V-8

April 3, 2025

Cord 810 Westchester: Wurlitzer on wheels

History originally published September 7, 1984 America was a different place in the Thirties. It was a land of coal and coke, iron and steel.…

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1991-2000 England Jaguar V-12

April 3, 2025

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…

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1951-1960 Deutch-Bonnet France H-2

April 3, 2025

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…

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1961-1970 Germany H-4 Porsche

April 3, 2025

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,…

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2001-2010 Pontiac USA V-8

April 3, 2025

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…

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1951-1960 Ferrari Italy V-12

April 3, 2025

Ferrari Testa Rossa TR250: What but lust and desire can a redhead inspire?

History originally published in AutoWeek January 30, 1984 Let’s talk desire. Let’s talk lust. Let’s talk Testa Rossa. Ferrari Testa Rossa, of course, for no…

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1961-1970 Ford USA V-8

April 3, 2025

Fairlane Fantasy: 1970 Ford Fairlane 429 Super Cobra Jet

Feature originally published in Popular Cars August 1983 One of the most persistent and surely universal automotive fantasies is the finding of some rare and…

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1961-1970 France I-4 Renault

April 3, 2025

Renault 8 Gordini: Semi-rhapsody in blue

History originally published in AutoWeek April 16, 1984 Saying “Gordini” in France is like saying “Shelby” in America. Not only do both names mean automotive…

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1991-2000 BMW Germany I-6

April 3, 2025

1999 BMW M Coupe: Warning: This coupe can be hazardous to Cougar drivers

Contemporary car review originally published in Road & Track Sports & GT Cars 1999 Good thing no one was coming the other way. The driver…

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1961-1970 Japan Mazda Rotary

April 3, 2025

Mazda Cosmo Sport: RX-7’s honorable ancestor

History originally published in AutoWeek May 7, 1984 The thrill was back, they told us, and how right they were. Emissions controls, beginning in the…

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1971-1980 Dodge USA V-8

April 3, 2025

1978 Dodge Warlock: Playing with Adult Toys

History originally published in AutoWeek October 29, 1978 Dodge advertised “Adult Toys” in the late 70s. To Dodge dealers, this meant trucks: 4x4 Ramcharger SUVs…

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1951-1960 Arnolt I-4 Italy

April 3, 2025

Arnolt-MG: Wacky’s Small Wonder

History originally published in Sport Compact Car. February 1998 Stanley H. Arnolt Jr wasn’t a big man, but to casual acquaintances, he seemed taller than…

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1951-1960 Crosley I-4 USA

April 3, 2025

Innocents Abroad: Phil Stiles and George Schrafft and the Crosley Le Mans

History originally published in Automobile Magazine, June 1993 No one had expected this much of the first timers at Le Mans, not even the entrants…

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1971-1980 Fiat I-4 Italy

April 3, 2025

1973 Fiat 124 Sport Coupe: What’s not to like

Feature originally published in European Car July 1994 Double overhead cams, tidy handling, Italian style: what’s not to like? Well, how about emissions controls as…

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1921-1940 Brewster Ford USA V-8

April 3, 2025

1934 Brewster Ford: Beauty was more than skin deep, but not to the frame

History originally published in AutoWeek October 9, 1995 The Great Depression was no kinder to the makers of luxury automobiles than it was to most…

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1991-2000 Germany H-6 Porsche

April 3, 2025

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…

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1951-1960 England I-6 Nash V-8

April 3, 2025

Pure and potent: Two Nash-Healeys

History originally published in AutoWeek July 21, 1986 “We usually start it in second gear. There is a chatter in first that you can adjust…

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1981-1990 I-4 Italy Lancia

April 3, 2025

1982 Lancia Zagato: A car we should have loved more

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,…

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1981-1990 Chevrolet USA V-6

April 3, 2025

1988-89 Chevrolet Beretta GTU: One hit racetrack wonder

Originally published in Sport Compact Car March 2001 In 1988 Chevrolet went racing in the IMSA GTU class and that, simply, is the reason for…

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1991-2000 I-4 Japan Subaru

April 3, 2025

Subaru Streega: Could this be the next stage in car-based SUVs?

Concept drive originally published in Open Road, Summer 1996 As a matter of history, the first Subaru with four-wheel drive was based on the company’s…

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1981-1990 France I-4 Peugeot

April 3, 2025

1989-1991 Peugeot 405 Mi16: Last date

History originally published in Sport Compact Car January 2001 If looks could kill, the Peugeot 405 Mi 16 could be the love of your life.…

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2001-2010 Chevrolet I-4 USA

April 3, 2025

2005 Chevrolet Classic: You can’t buy a Classic day in paradise, but you can rent it.

Contemporary review originally published in CarBuzzard August 6, 2005 You can’t buy a Classic day in paradise, but you can rent it. You can rent…

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1951-1960 Cadillac USA V-8

April 3, 2025

1958 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz: What the rich folks drove while you were at sports car races

History originally published in AutoWeek September 19, 1988 It was the product of an era when the best the average man could hope for was…

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1951-1960 Chrysler USA V-8

April 3, 2025

1956 Chrysler New Yorker: Styled in a flight of fancy, but the power was very real

History originally published in AutoWeek October 31, 1988 Chrysler called it “Flightswept” and although 1956 didn’t bring the ultimate in befinned automotive extravaganzas from Chrysler…

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1921-1940 Italy Lancia V-4

April 3, 2025

Lancia Lambda: Sometimes one head is better than two

History originally published in AutoWeek February 28, 1985 Idling on the gravel drive, it’s utterly Palladian radiator reflecting the lowering rays the autumn sun, the…

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1951-1960 I-4 Japan Toyota

April 3, 2025

1959 Toyopet Crown Custom: Toyota’s initial U.S. failure a lesson for later success

History originally published in AutoWeek August 3, 1992 Who would have believed that Toyota, maker of the 1959 Toyopet Crown, would have become the international…

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1991-2000 Japan Mitsubishi V-6

April 3, 2025

1998 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4: Survival of the nifty

Contemporary review originally published in 1998 Road & Track Sports & GT Cars Not long ago car market was awash in Japanese high-performance cars and…

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1961-1970 Curtis-Wright Rotary USA

April 3, 2025

America’s first rotary: Curtis-Wright Mustang

History originally published in AutoWeek June 4, 1984 A little-known chapter in American automotive history began in 1958 in a small white building on the…

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1961-1970 4-inline England Lotus

April 3, 2025

Lotus 23: Choice of Champions

Originally published in AutoWeek September 17, 1984 Spectators at the 1962 Nurburgring 1000 could scarcely believe their eyes. A little Lotus from the under-two-liter class…

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1961-1970 Buick USA V-8

April 3, 2025

Bahn-bound Buick: Bulgari takes on the Bavarians in a ’70 Skylark GS-455

Originally published in AutoWeek November 26, 2001 Warning: BMWs and Mercedes drivers on the autobahn, you’re about to experience “Detroit iron” in a way you…

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1921-1940 Bentley England I-4

April 3, 2025

Kermit the Bentley: It’s not easy being green

History originally published in AutoWeek December 10, 1984 “Back in the mid-1950s a young man in England named Collin Hiley was apprenticed to Rolls-Royce Aero…

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1991-2000 Isuzu Japan V-6

April 3, 2025

1999 Isuzu VehiCross: Going far out

Contemporary test originally published in Road & Track’s Open Road Winter 1998/1999 Keep the lava field but draw in a chromium bikini-clad warrior woman toting…

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1961-1970 Shelby USA V-8

April 3, 2025

Cobra 289: Born to run

History/driving report originally published in Special Interest Autos August 1990 Timing is everything, or at least as important as talent or skill. Being there at…

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1961-1970 England I-4 Lotus

April 3, 2025

Lotus 47: Hard to get in, easy to go fast

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek November 12, 1984 Down the hill and out of the right-hand turn, down the straight. Building revs and shift.…

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1971-1980 I-4 Japan Toyota

April 3, 2025

Carina! Carina! 1972-73 Toyota Carina

History originally published in Sport Compact Car March 1996 Carina. For most it’s not a name that sparks instant recognition. Those who had one in…

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1951-1960 England I-6 Jaguar

April 3, 2025

Jaguar Mk V: Cat with a hot landau roof

History/driving impressions originally published August 13, 1984 There is no better way to pave one’s own road to the automotive scrapheap of history than to…

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1961-1970 4-inline Meskowski USA

April 3, 2025

Meskowski dirt car: AJ Foyt’s training wheels

History originally published in AutoWeek July 30, 1984 Highway 51 rides the backbone of America. The southern end is anchored at New Orleans, the other…

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1951-1960 Germany I-6 Mercedes-Benz

April 3, 2025

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…

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1991-2000 Honda I-4 Japan

April 3, 2025

1998 Honda Prelude Type SH: Pulling its weight in style

Road test originally published in Road & Track Sports & GT Cars 1998 “It is one thing to show a man that he is in…

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1-3 2-stroke 1961-1970 Saab Sweden

April 3, 2025

Saab Sonett II: Different strokes from Swedish folks

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek June 9, 1986 Bound in this white plastic projectile I dance on the offset pedals and coax the stubborn…

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1900-1920 USA

April 3, 2025

The First Off Roaders: Did these folks have the roughest of all off-road conditions?

History originally published in Pickup Van & 4WD September 1981 “it is particularly important that the tires be a very large section, generally much larger…

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1961-1970 Alfa Romeo I-4 Italy

April 3, 2025

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…

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1951-1960 1961-1970 England I-4 MG

April 3, 2025

MGA Coupe: A junior GT for road or track

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek April 27, 1987 I never quite understood why Julius Caesar wanted to conquer the British Isles. It never seemed…

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1961-1970 I-6 Italy Maserati

April 3, 2025

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…

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1921-1940 England I-6 Jaguar

April 3, 2025

Jaguar SS 100: It takes a rare kind of loyalty

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek February 11, 1985 In Syracuse, New York, halfway up the hill in a quiet neighborhood of older homes, is…

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1981-1990 I-4 Rotus USA

April 3, 2025

1985 Rotus 7: Custer takes his last stand…

Contemporary review/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek March 11, 1985 The big room is quiet on a Saturday afternoon as the December sun slants in…

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1991-2000 Germany H-6 Porsche

April 3, 2025

The Beddors’ Ruf Carrera 4 turbo EKS Porsche live up to the description “Ultimate”: A Matter of-Fact

Contemporary review/driving impressions originally published in European Car February 1993 Lettered on the rear of the white Porsche is the word “Ultimate.” Rather heady and,…

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1981-1990 Italy Lamborghini V-8

April 3, 2025

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…

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1951-1960 Dual-Ghia USA V-8

April 3, 2025

1958 Dual-Ghia 400 Prototype: This show car reached the road, but not production

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek May 5, 1995 When Eugene Casaroll, owner of Dual Motors, decided to go into the car business, he wanted…

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2011-2020 Ford USA V-8

April 3, 2025

2016 Ford Shelby GT350R Mustang track drive review: Flat-plane geometry and monster brakes

Car review originally published in CarBuzzard May 21, 2016 There’s a sort of chicane, and the 2016 Shelby GT350R Mustang tags the curbing on the…

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1961-1970 Dodge USA V-8

April 3, 2025

1969 Dodge Charger 500: Or is it Charger 392?

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek April 15, 1985 The year was 1968. Both the Dodge Charger and the Ford Fairlane had been freshly rebodied.…

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1951-1960 Allard England V-8

April 3, 2025

Robert Valpey’s Allard J2: The first Cad-Allard

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek September 2, 1985 When Sidney Allard introduced the Allard J2 in 1949, it was to be powered by war…

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1981-1990 1991-2000 I-4 Japan Suzuki

April 3, 2025

1994 Suzuki Samurai: The cute brute

Feature/review originally published in Road & Track Complete Sport-Utility, Pickup & Van Buyers Guide 1994 So it looks like an oversized Lego project. That’s half…

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1961-1970 Ferrari Italy V-12

April 3, 2025

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…

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1900-1920 I-4 Simplex USA

April 3, 2025

1912 Simplex 50 HP Tourabout: Quality construction, sporting luxury powered by 10 liters

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek July 20, 1987 Rolling down the highway at 50 mph, the only sounds come from the wind as it…

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1991-2000 Pontiac USA V-8

April 3, 2025

1996 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am WS-6: Heavy breathing in the aviary

Cars 1996 Contemporary review originally published in Road & Track Sports & GT 1996 We know, as you do, that the pony car concept is…

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1941-1950 England I-4 Triumph

April 3, 2025

Triumph 2000 roadster: It was anything but a Triumph

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek June 17, 1985 If ever there was an automobile company with a death wish, it was Triumph. Seldom has…

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1951-1960 France Talbot V-8

April 3, 2025

1959 Talbot Lago America: Last of a proud race

History/driving imressions originally published in AutoWeek October 20, 1986 Grand routier. It has that certain sound even on paper, without even being spoken. There can…

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1961-1970 Alfa Romeo I-4 Italy

April 3, 2025

Alfa Romeo GTA: Less is more

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek April 14, 1986 There is not much to the interior of an Alfa Romeo GTA. Memory fails all but…

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1961-1970 Citroen France H-2

April 3, 2025

Citroen 2CV long-term test: Zero to 60 in a new, pre-‘ 68 Deux Chevaux

New-car review originally published an AutoWeek June 10, 1985 I know why celebrities wear dark glasses: Being noticed has its advantages, but after a while…

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1991-2000 Ferrari Italy V-8

April 3, 2025

Ferrari Mondial t Cabriolet Valeo: Now available with the Valeo electronic clutch

Originally published in the 1991 Road & Track Ferrari Special. Suspicion in Maranello is that, with no automatic transmission in the Ferrari line, the market…

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1981-1990 I-4 Netherlands Volvo

April 3, 2025

Volvos 480ES: The Immigrant that wasn’t

History originally published in Sport Compact Car, December 1997 Of all the “could’ve beens,” perhaps the saddest ever is the Volvo 480 Turbo. Volvo hadn’t…

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1961-1970 1971-1980 Abarth I-4 Italy

April 3, 2025

Abarth Scorpione SS: It carries a sting behind it

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek September 16, 1985 Tim Ritter was right. The interior does not suffer gladly the intrusion of large adults. It’s…

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1991-2000 I-6 Japan Toyota

April 3, 2025

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,…

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1971-1980 England Lola V-8

April 3, 2025

Jackie Stewart remembers his time in a Lola T260

History originally published in AutoWeek November 11, 1985 Jackie Stewart has the voice of the veterinarian. With aged-in-an-oak-cask Scottish brogue, he could anesthetize a horse…

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1991-2000 Japan Mazda V-6

April 3, 2025

1992-1996 Mazda MX-3 GS: Do the math

History/driving impressions originally published in Sport Compact Car February 2002 Do the math. MX-5 plus RX-7 divided by two equals MX-3. Well, the Mazda MX-3…

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1961-1970 Italy Lancia V-4

April 3, 2025

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,…

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1961-1970 1971-1980 Ferrari Italy V-6

April 3, 2025

Ferrari Dino 206 GT, 246 GT and 246 GTS, scorned no more: Put down by purists when new, Ferrari Dinos are finally gaining respect – and value

Feature originally published in AutoWeek November 24, 1986 The Dino, finally, has arrived. Criticized at the time of its introduction for being too slow, too…

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1951-1960 Alfa Romeo I-4 Italy

April 3, 2025

Alfa Romeo Giulietta by Bertone: Driving the Bertone-Alfa that never was

History/driving impression originally published in AutoWeek February 13, 1986 Condensation gathered on the windshield, but the soggy mist was not enough to justify wipers. Even…

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2001-2010 Audi Germany V-8

April 3, 2025

2007 Audi RS4: Outrunning noise

New car review originally published in CarBuzzard.com December 5, 2006 To the teenager with the slammed and primered Honda at the Sheetz gas station in…

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1951-1960 I-4 Kaiser USA

April 3, 2025

Kaiser Darrin: In the wrong place at the wrong time

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek August 10, 1986 “Henry, this is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen,” gushed Henry Kaiser’s new bride.…

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1991-2000 Ford USA V-6

April 3, 2025

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…

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1971-1980 Italy Lamborghini V-8

April 3, 2025

Lamborghini Urraco: Flawed but not forgotten

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek August 11, 1986 I was told to look for the Urraco. The airport at Savannah, Ga., is small and,…

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1951-1960 Austin-Healey England I-6

April 3, 2025

1958 Golden Austin-Healey 100-6

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek July 14, 1986 Have you ever held a steering wheel of solid ivory? Have you ever sat in bucket…

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1941-1950 I-2 Saab Sweden

April 3, 2025

1950 Saab 92: Simple two-stroke served as bridge from aircraft to cars

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek August 23, 1993 Whirring like an Evinrude, the little Saab gathers up velocity hand over hand. There’s no tachometer,…

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2001-2010 Germany Mercedes-Benz V-8

April 3, 2025

2005 Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG: The fast and the seniorious

Review originally published in CarBuzzard 2005 One would like to think that the Mercedes-Benz AMG C55 is the fast and the furious for grownups. Sorta…

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1961-1970 Dodge I-6 USA

April 3, 2025

1967 Dodge Dart GT convertible: Piece of Americana goes grand touring and topless

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek February 9, 1989 Certainly “turbo” was the most overused automotive term of the 1980s, misapplied to everything from computers…

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1961-1970 I-4 Japan Nissan-Datsun

April 3, 2025

Datsun 2000: An English sports car from Yokohama-on-Thames

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek March 17, 1986 One of the best traditional British sports cars was the Datsun 2000 Sports. British, perhaps, as…

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1961-1970 DAF H-2 I-4 Netherlands

April 3, 2025

Kaz’s DAFs

Vintage Stuff feature originally published in Automobile August 1992 The electronic continuously variable transmission (ECVT) on today’s Subarus first appeared in the Sixties on Dutch…

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1951-1960 England I-4 Lotus

April 3, 2025

Lotus 11 Le Mans: Made for Mulsanne

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek March 31, 1986 Tears are streaming back into my ears. The 1100cc Coventry Climax engine is bellowing angrily as…

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1951-1960 Ghia-Aigle H-2 Switzerland

April 3, 2025

Ghia-Aigle Grand Sport Coupe: A bit of coachbuilding whimsy from the prosaic Swiss

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek December 12. 1988 Every Italian with a hammer and a tree stump is a body man, and in Italy…

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1971-1980 I-4 Japan Plymouth

April 3, 2025

1979-1980 Plymouth Fire Arrow: On target

History originally published in Sport Compact Car May 1998 The 1970s were difficult, bringing us not only John Travolta and disco but also diminishing expectations…

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1921-1940 BMW Germany I-6

April 3, 2025

The BMW 328 Mille Miglia prototype looked like a winner

History originally published in AutoWeek December 16, 1985 This is a shape, profoundly sensual, utterly female. It is sublime in efficiency, knowledgeable of what must…

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1961-1970 Oldsmobile USA

April 3, 2025

Oldsmobile XP-888GT: Oldsmobile’s stillborn sports car

History originally published in Automobile Quarterly Volume 36, Number 2; February 1997 Carmakers usually keep a shroud of secrecy over future products, as it’s unwise…

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1991-2000 I-4 Saab Sweden V-6

April 3, 2025

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…

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1951-1960 Germany H-4 Porsche

April 3, 2025

A pair of Porsches: Super-90 and Carrera 2

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek June 23, 1986 This isn’t a history of Porsche. It isn’t history of the 356 or even the 356B.…

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1921-1940 I-6 Nash USA

April 3, 2025

1929 Nash Model 461 Cabriolet: “The Car with the Twin-Ignition Motor”

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek December 24, 2001 Harold Metzger gently chided me for having chirp the tires of his 29 – Cabriolet. “Well,…

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2001-2010 Germany I-4 diesel Volkswagen

April 3, 2025

2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup Edition: Diesel racer

Review originally published in Examiner.com May 2010 Race on Sunday, sell on Monday. That's been the motto of many auto manufacturers since the dawn of…

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Uncategorized

April 3, 2025

Trouble Afoot

Feature about how I lost my driver's license (and more) due to epilepsy, originally published in AutoWeek June 26, 1995 Can I go home now?…

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2001-2010 Bentley England W-12

April 3, 2025

2006 Bentley Continental GT: W.O.’s long legs

Contemporary review originally published in CarBuzzard published March 9, 2006 One might think W.O. Bentley would be proud of the 2006 Bentley Continental GT. It…

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1961-1970 England Jensen V-8

April 3, 2025

1967 Jensen FF: American push, British pull

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek August 9, 1982 Do something, I thought. But no, the Jensen FF belied its four-wheel-drive and behaved like a…

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1981-1990 I-4 Saab Sweden

April 3, 2025

1990 Saab 9000 2.3: John Matras traveled to the deep South – Talladega – to test the new engine from the far north

Contemporary review originally published in VW & Porsche and European Automobiles in August 1990 Talladega’s Turn One rises ahead like a 40-footer at the Banzai…

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1971-1980 Ferrari Italy V-12

April 3, 2025

Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Daytona Spyder: The Spyder inside the Daytona

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek December 29, 1986 It shouldn’t have existed, the Daytona Spyder. At least it shouldn’t have been what it was.…

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1921-1940 I-4 Sweden Volvo

April 3, 2025

1927 Volvo PV4: The first boxy Volvo

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek April 1, 2002 Volvo’s first sedan was immediately disowned by Helmer MasOlle. The landscape and portrait painter – and…

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1941-1950 USA V-8

April 3, 2025

1942-43 M4A3 Medium Tank: As a Yank Tank, Sherman’s strength was in numbers

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek August 24, 1994 Five seconds. That’s how much time a GI had to exit a burning Sherman tank, if…

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1951-1960 I-4 Kurtis-Kraft USA

April 3, 2025

Kurtis-Kraft: They stretch midgets, don’t they?

History originally published in AutoWeek May 19, 1986 Marty Himes tiptoes the red car around turns three and four of Williams Grove’s half-mile dirt track,…

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1961-1970 Ford Shelby USA V-8

April 3, 2025

Shelby GT350H: Let Hertz put you in the (race) driver’s seat

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek January 25, 1988. “Business travelers who want a change in pace in motoring… Sports car owners away from home……

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1981-1990 Ferrari H-12 Italy

April 3, 2025

1983 Ferrari BB512i: “In the clearing stands a Boxer…” – A supercar champ

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek October 19, 1992 Not for its tough guy mien was this heavyweight contender dubbed Boxer. It was for the…

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1961-1970 I-4 Japan Nissan-Datsun

April 3, 2025

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…

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1961-1970 Honda I-4 Japan

April 3, 2025

Honda S800: Honda’s first sports coupe preceded the Prelude by 14 years

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek October 19, 1987 Singing through traffic like haiku on wheels, we are a blur of rpm and red and…

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1921-1940 England I-6 Rolls-Royce

April 3, 2025

Rules-Royce “Silver Ghost”: R-R’s 40 – 50 HP: Before there was the name, there was quality

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek March 14, 1988 What a name! It has magic to it, that certain…rightness. Righteousness, even as good as the…

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1991-2000 Eagle I-4 USA

April 3, 2025

1992 Eagle Talon TSi AWD: Now all the grip with twice the grins

Contemporary review originally published in Road & Track Special Sports & GT Cars 1992 If two years seems like a short lifecycle, that only shows…

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1971-1980 Chevrolet I-4 USA

April 3, 2025

1975 Chevrolet Cosworth Vega: Great Expectations never realized

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek January 19, 1987 Oft expectation fails, and most oft there where it most promises. --William Shakespeare, All’s Well That…

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1951-1960 Arnolt Aston Martin England I-6 Italy

April 3, 2025

1953 Arnolt-Aston Martin: “Wacky” Arnolt’s wonderful roadster boasts looks, pedigree

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek August 8, 1988. Republished by the author. One need not look any further for the origin of the Arnolt-Bristol…

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1951-1960 Bristol England I-6

April 3, 2025

1953 Bristol 404: Brit car is a rarity, and yet it’s a stereotype

History/driving impressions republished by the author; originally published in AutoWeek March 20, 1995 It helps to imagine a British movie of the early ‘50s, one…

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1921-1940 Ford I-4 USA

April 3, 2025

Ford Model T sprint car: The red, white and blue roots of American racing

History/driving impressions republished by the author; originally published in AutoWeek February 24, 1986 The front wheels are dancing over the dirt, bumping, shaking and bouncing…

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1971-1980 Dodge USA V-8

April 3, 2025

1978 Dodge Li’l Red Truck: A red-hot hauler

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek March 2, 1987 Overlap, overlap, overlap, the V-8 whispers, telling secrets about its camshaft, gently rocking the truck with…

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1951-1960 2-stroke Berkeley England I-3

April 3, 2025

Berkeley: Tiny but not insignificant

History/driving impressions republished by the author, originally published in AutoWeek October 6, 1986 Well-known late-night comedian: “This car is really small.” Audience: “How small is…

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1961-1970 1981-1990 England I-4 Japan Lotus Mazda

April 3, 2025

Rock ‘n’ roll: Mazda MX-5 Miata versus Lotus Elan

Comparison review republished by the author; originally published in Motor Trend’s 1990 Sports Cars of the World They don’t make rock ‘n’ roll like they…

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I-4 Vauxhall

April 3, 2025

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…

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1951-1960 England I-4 Morgan

April 3, 2025

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…

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1-cyl 2001-2010 Germany Volkswagen

April 3, 2025

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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1991-2000 I-5 Sweden Volvo

April 3, 2025

Volvo V70 Hunter Arctic Tested

Review/driving impressions originally published in Road & Track’s Open Road, Spring 1997; republished by the author There isn’t much Norway north or east of here.…

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1951-1960 Ford USA V-8

April 3, 2025

‘57 Ford Stocker: NASCAR veteran runs again

History/track driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek November 13, 1986; republished by the author I pulled a knob on the dash turn on the ignition…

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1951-1960 Arnolt England I-6 Italy

April 3, 2025

The Arnolt-Bristol: an all-American sports car, via Bristol and Bertone

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek, on May 23, 1988; republished by the author There probably never was in Arnolt-Bristol like Dave Hans’s back in…

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1991-2000 I-4 Isuzu Japan Toyota

April 3, 2025

Dancing With Valves: Toyota Celica All-Trac Turbo versus Isuzu Impulse RS

Comparison review originally published in the Road & Track Performance Cars 1991; republished by author Some people might not consider the Isuzu Impulse RS versus…

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1971-1980 BMW Germany I-6

April 3, 2025

BMW 3.0 CSiL: The Homologator

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek May 5, 1986; republished by the author. When the final history of the Nurburgring is written, when the last…

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1991-2000 I-4 Japan Toyota

April 3, 2025

Supercharging to the Rescue: 1994 Toyota Previa S/C

Contemporary new product report/review originally published in Popular Science April 1994; republished by the author It seemed that Toyota had painted itself into a corner.…

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1991-2000 England Land Rover

April 3, 2025

The Big Three-0: Range Rover has [30th] birthday, and Brits celebrate en masse

Event report originally published in AutoWeek on October 16, 2000; republished by the author Thirty years to the day, Range Rover enthusiasts gathered at the…

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1961-1970 1971-1980 Germany I-4 Opel

April 3, 2025

1970 Opel GT 1.9: Mini-Vette?

History/driving impressions originally published in Special Interest Autos, June 1997; republished by the author Compare the front clip of any production Opel GT with a…

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1961-1970 Australia Holden V-8

April 3, 2025

Holden Monaro GTS: Very American, very GM-like, yet very different as well

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek October 26, 1987; republished by the author The blokes put Australia in the right place: On the other side…

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1981-1990 I-4 Sweden Volvo

April 3, 2025

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…

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1971-1980 Chrysler USA V-8

April 3, 2025

1973 Chrysler New Yorker Brougham: Gas crisis! What gas crisis?

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek December 3, 2001; republished by the author You could play tennis on the poop deck of this thing. And…

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1951-1960 Cunningham USA V-8

April 3, 2025

1954 Cunningham C3 Cabrio: Rocky’s roadster combines race heritage, backyard ingenuity

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek July 25, 1988; republished by the author wealth, Cunningham was able to indulge in a number of interesting cars…

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1900-1920 1921-1940 Ford I-4

April 3, 2025

Henry’s Revolution: The Model T put the nation on wheels and changed it forever

Originally published in Motor Trend Presents 100 years of the Automobile in America (1995); republished by the author Henry Ford stands with the Model…

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1991-2000 Germany I-4 V-6 Volkswagen

April 3, 2025

Volkswagen Corrado G60 and SLC: The short run of a German sprinter

History/driving impressions originally published in Sport Compact Car, August 1999 Volkswagen called it the Corrado, allegedly from the Spanish correr, to sprint or run. And…

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1971-1980 BMW Germany I-6

April 3, 2025

BMW “Batmobile” 3.0 CSL: Lapping Lime Rock in a LeMans-winning race car

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek June 22, 1987; republished by the author. BMW "Batmobile" 3.0 CSL driven by Richard Conway, photo by John Matras…

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1961-1970 DeTomaso Italy V-8

April 3, 2025

The De Tomaso Mangusta: The best car in the world, the worst car in the world

History/driving impressions originally published AutoWeek October 26, 1988; republished by the author The De Tomaso Mangusta. All the visual impact of the wrong end of…

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1900-1920 USA

April 3, 2025

The First Automobile Race in America: Chicago, November 28, 1895

Originally published in Automobile, February, 1991; republished by the author “As impassable as the alleys of Stamboul; as filthy and mucky as the roads of…

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1961-1970 Ferrari Italy V-12

April 3, 2025

Ferrari 250 GTO: Star-crossed racer’s day in the sun ends in the pits

History originally published in Road & Track Specials Ferrari 1990; republished by the author Embedded in a sandbank at the end of the Mulsanne straight…

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1961-1970 Dodge USA V-8

April 3, 2025

1969 Dodge Dart GTS 383: A high-water mark of straight-line performance

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek January 15, 1990; republished by the author Crank the steering wheel around at least a couple of times, gingerly…

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1951-1960 1961-1970 Japan Mazda V-2

April 3, 2025

1960 Mazda R360

History originally published in Sport Compact Car October 1996; republished by the author. No matter how fine you hone your products, if the market has…

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2001-2010 I-4 Saturn USA

April 3, 2025

2007 Saturn Sky Red Line: Raisins in the Sky

Contemporary review originally published in CarBuzzard September 9, 2007; republished by the author Do you know what it’s like to sit down to a warm…

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1981-1990 Germany I-4 Merkur

April 3, 2025

Merkur XR4Ti: The T-Bird’s continental cousin

History/buyer’s guide originally published in European Car, August 1996 Anyone partial to European mobiles was all the more frustrated by the new Ford Sierra XR-4i.…

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1921-1940 Duesenberg I-8 USA

April 3, 2025

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…

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1991-2000 Australia I-4 Mercury

April 3, 2025

1989-1994 Mercury Capri XR2

History/driving impressions originally published in Sport Compact Car October 2001; republished by the author It just goes to show you how things so similar can…

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1941-1950 I-6 Maserati

April 3, 2025

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…

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1991-2000 Ford USA V-8

April 4, 2025

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…

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1961-1970 Chevrolet USA V-8

April 4, 2025

The Sting Ray: King Corvette (1963-1967 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray)

“Collectorfile” originally published in AutoWeek June 17, 1991; republished by the author What a year 1963 was for the Corvette: a new body style, including…

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1951-1960 England I-6 Nash

April 4, 2025

Sixty-Three and Counting (Mac McGrady’s Nash-Healeys)

His addiction began in 1953, explains Leonard Nelson “Mac” McGrady. As a son of an automobile dealer, McGrady had seen many cars, but when he…

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1961-1970 1971-1980 I-4 Sweden Volvo

April 4, 2025

The Great Volvo Sports Car: Buying the Volvo 1800 Series

History and buyer’s guide originally published in European Car in August 1993; republished by the author “What’s it like to own a $10,000 car?” Volvo…

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1951-1960 Germany H-4 Volkswagen

April 4, 2025

1954 Volkswagen-Okrasa Cabrio: A rare survivor of the hot-rodded Beetles of the 50s

History originally published in AutoWeek June 19, 1989 We have become so accustomed to the radically modified VW – it approaches minor religion status in…

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1991-2000 I-4 Toyota

April 4, 2025

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…

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1961-1970 DAF I-4 Netherlands

April 4, 2025

1967 DAF 55

History/driving impression originally published in Sport Compact Car March 2000; republished by the author The Amsterdam Automobile Show in early 1958 was an unlikely venue…

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1951-1960 Italy Lamborghini V-12

April 4, 2025

1968 Lamborgini Islero: Unloved styling marked “The Forgotten Lamborghini”

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek October 23, 1989; republished by the author The Lamborghini Islero has been called “The Forgotten Lamborghini,” which shouldn’t particularly…

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1951-1960 1961-1970 Asardo USA V-8

April 4, 2025

Asardo 3500 GM-S: Dream car went from ’59 N.Y. show to GM V-8 power

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek April 30, 1990; republished by the author Dreams are wisps of fantasy, but to the true believer they’re as…

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1951-1960 I-3 Saab Sweden

April 4, 2025

Saab 93B: The Saab America loved first

History/driving impressions originally published in European Car August 1995; republished by the author The first Saab to come to America, at least officially, was a…

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1981-1990 USA Whatever

April 4, 2025

Hemi Under Glass: Sometimes a design mistake lives forever – if it’s spectacular enough to keep packin’ ’em in

Feature originally published in AutoWeek, July 15, 1985; republished by the author The two drivers are buckled in and helmeted. Each cranks the giant Chevy…

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2011-2020 Fiat I-4 Japan

April 4, 2025

2017 Fiat 124 Spider Lusso quick drive review: Mostly familiar but different

Contemporary first drive review originally published in CarBuzzard, Nov. 1. 2016 There were two things we were worried about with the new 2017 Fiat 124…

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1951-1960 Dellow England I-4

April 4, 2025

1951 Dellow Mk I: Sports car evolved from traditional British “trials” racers

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek December 13, 1993; republished by the author If you can think of history as waves of rising and falling…

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1971-1980 DeTomaso Dodge I-4 USA

April 4, 2025

1980 Dodge Omni 024 De Tomaso: Phony Label but Still Avant Garde

History originally published in Sport Compact Car June 1998; republished by the author It should have been no surprise that in 1978 when Chrysler introduced…

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1900-1920 Buick I-4 USA

April 4, 2025

1913 Zinn-Buick racer: Re-bodied Model 24 roadster lays claim to longevity

History originally published in AutoWeek March 13, 1989; republished by the author Zinn – Eugene “Huey” Zinn, that is – doesn’t exactly spring to mind…

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1991-2000 Acura Japan V-6

April 4, 2025

1997 Acura NSX

Originally published in The Complete Road & Track ’97 Car Buyer’s Guide; republished by the author Back in the mid-60’s, a serious sports car had…

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1961-1970 1971-1980 Saab Sweden V-4

April 4, 2025

1967-73 Saab 96 Sport & Rally: Swedes maximize potency of “stunt plane for the road”

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek July 22, 1991 Eager and alert and minus only wings, tail structure and propeller, this Saab 96 resembles a…

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1981-1990 Japan Mazda Rotary

April 4, 2025

Mazda RX-7 convertible conversion, 1979-1987: Pacific Avatar and the Topless Californians

Originally included in Mazda RX-7 Sports Car Color History, by John Matras, published by Motorbooks International, 1994; republished by the author Just looking at the…

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1951-1960 France Simca V-8

April 4, 2025

1957 Simca Vedette Versailles: Nee Ford, Simca’s star of the 1950s

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek March 27, 1995; republished by the author Two of the least frequently noted developments regarding automobiles in France were…

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1971-1980 England I-6 Triumph

April 4, 2025

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.…

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1981-1990 Italy Maserati newpost V-8

April 4, 2025

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…

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1991-2000 newpost Special Editions USA V-6

April 4, 2025

Special Edition’s Shogun: Here’s to crazy ideas

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek April 24, 2000; republished by the author “By the fifth Corona it seem like a bitchin’ idea,” Rick Titus…

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1971-1980 1981-1990 France I-4 newpost Renault

April 4, 2025

1976-1983 Renault 5 Le Car

History originally published in Sport Compact Car November 1998; republished by the author Shakespeare said, “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.”…

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1951-1960 1961-1970 Citroen France I-4

April 4, 2025

1963 Citroen ID-19: Smooth as cheese & crackers, but not our can of soup

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek October 17, 1994; republished by author “Je me suis inspire d’un oiseau aquatique.” Well, it does look a little…

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1961-1970 Italy Lancia V-6

April 4, 2025

1968 Lancia Flaminia Berlina: Italy’s most luxurious sedan

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…

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1951-1960 I-6 Saab Sweden

April 4, 2025

The Monster: Saab goes double or nothing

History originally published in AutoWeek July 19, 1999; republished by the author It looks so innocent, like any other Saab 93 there in the Saab…

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1971-1980 BMW Germany I-4

April 4, 2025

BMW 2002 Cabrio: Taking the lid off a beefier Bimmer

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek November 19, 1984; republished by the author Putting the top down. It’s a delight, it’s a fascination, it’s a…

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1971-1980 I-4 Japan Mazda

April 4, 2025

1976 Mazda Cosmo: A hit in Japan, but an energy-crisis miss in the States

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek April 11, 1994; republished by the author The Mazda Cosmo should have been a runaway success. After all, it…

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1991-2000 England Ginetta I-4

April 4, 2025

Ginetta Regeneration (Ginetta G4 and G12, Ginetta G 12 and Ginetta G 32)

News report originally published in Road & Track Exotic Cars Quarterly, spring 1991; republished by the author Ginetta, the tiny British firm that has been…

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1971-1980 Ferrari Italy V-8

April 4, 2025

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

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek November 7, 1994; republished by the author I have a secret, but I'll tell you because we're old friends…

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1961-1970 Alfa Romeo Italy V-8

April 4, 2025

1968 Alfa Romeo T33 Stradale: Dancing-in-the-street version of a prototype

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek February 1, 1999; republished by the author Like a persistent back-seat driver, the 2.0-liter V8 yammers incessantly. Sucking air…

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1971-1980 I-4 Japan Toyota

April 4, 2025

1975 Toyota Corolla Deluxe: The first “new Beetle”

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek April 24, 1999; republished by the author Something amazing happened in 1975. For the first time in two decades,…

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1991-2000 I-4 Japan Suzuki

April 4, 2025

Suzuki X-90: Don’t ask Y

Review originally published in Road & Track Truck & Van ’98 Buyer’s Guide; republished by the author It doesn’t take more than one look the…

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1961-1970 American Motors USA V-8

April 4, 2025

1969 AMC Javelin SST 290: American Motors fields pony car-era bruiser-cruiser

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek October 22, 1990; republished by the author Growing up in the ‘60s, you were a Ford guy, a Chevy…

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1981-1990 Audi Germany I-5

April 4, 2025

1984 Audi Sport Quattro: Ingolstad’s civilized rally car proves a “Thriller B”

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek April 26, 1993; republished by the author Audi excised 12.6 inches from the wheelbase of the standard Quattro coupe…

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1991-2000 England Land Rover V-8

April 4, 2025

Land Rover Defender 110: No doubt, the redoubtable Brit

Contemporary review originally published in Road & Track Sport-Utilities, Pickups & Vans Buyer’s Guide 1993; republished by the author

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1991-2000 Acura I-5 Japan

April 4, 2025

1992-1994 Acura Vigor: Silent Running

History/driving impressions originally published in Sport Compact Car, October 2000; republished by the author It’s as if Acura had tossed a stone in a pond…

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1951-1960 Plymouth USA V-8

April 4, 2025

1960 Plymouth Fury: The tale (fin) of the 1950s

History/driving impessions originally published AutoWeek September 27. 1999; republished by the author If there is a single icon for the automotive 1950s, it’s the tailfin.…

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1991-2000 I-5 Volvo

April 4, 2025

1998 Volvo C70 Coupe and Convertible

Preview originally published in European car, November 1996; republished by the author coup de main: a sudden action undertaken to surprise an enemy coupe from…

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1951-1960 Italy Lancia V-6

April 4, 2025

1956 Lancia Aurelia Spyder: Simple, golden

History/driving impressions originally published in AutoWeek, September 3, 2001; republished by the author When the roll is called up yonder for great cars that no…

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