Your Destination for Classic Collector Vehicles, Muscle Cars, Hot Rods, Street Rods, Vintage Trucks and More.
The Maserati Sebring, launched in 1962, was a luxurious 2+2 coupe based on the successful 3500GT. It marked Maserati’s shift from racing to focus on road cars due to financial difficulties. The 3500GT, designed by Giulio Alfieri, had a powerful engine and impressive handling derived from Maserati’s racing experience. Several...
Ferruccio Lamborghini’s inaugural production vehicle, the Touring-styled 350 GT, made its debut at the 1964 Geneva Motor Show. Crafted by Italy’s esteemed automotive engineers, it boasted a magnificent 3.5-liter, four-cam V12 engine designed by Giotto Bizzarrini and housed within a chassis conceived by Gianpaolo Dallara. With its four camshafts and...
In 1961, Jaguar unveiled the E-Type (known as the XKE in the USA) in its 3.8-liter iteration, causing a sensation with its timeless design and remarkable 150mph top speed. Beyond its eye-catching exterior and impressive performance, the E-Type boasted advanced engineering beneath its surface. Drawing inspiration from the racing D-Type,...
Although Ferdinand Porsche founded his automotive design consultancy in the early 1930s, his name wasn’t associated with a car until 1949, when it adorned one of history’s greatest sports cars: the Porsche 356. Following the original 356 coupé, a cabriolet quickly followed, and in 1952, 15 roadsters were crafted, spurred...
The Mercedes-Benz 540 K, alongside its predecessor the 500 K, stood as one of the most remarkable production models of the 1930s from the Stuttgart firm. Evolving from the 500 K, it shared its independently suspended chassis and boasted a 5.4-liter supercharged straight-eight engine. Spearheaded by ex-racing driver Max Sailer,...
The illustrious Hispano-Suiza, favored by European Royalty, Indian Maharajahs, Hollywood stars, and industrial magnates, was not only impeccably engineered but also emulated shamelessly by leading car manufacturers worldwide. While of Spanish origin, it was the French-built cars of Hispano-Suiza that catapulted it into the forefront of luxury automobile manufacturers post-World...
In the late 1930s and the immediate postwar era, Maserati dominated the realm of small displacement sports and open-wheel formula cars. Transitioning swiftly from the 4-cylinder formula vehicles of the 1930s, Maserati engineered the 1.5-liter 6-cylinder A6G with various bore/stroke configurations, featuring both single and double overhead camshafts. They meticulously...
In 1965, Aston Martin unveiled the DB6, marking the apex of their esteemed line of ‘DB’ six-cylinder sports saloons and often hailed as the quintessential Aston Martin. Succeeding the iconic DB5, the DB6 retained the lineage’s essence while embracing contemporary updates. While it bore familial resemblance to the Touring-styled DB4...
Debuting at the 1953 Turin Motor Show, Lancia’s compact marvel, the Appia, shared styling cues with its larger Aurelia B10 sibling. Spearheading Lancia’s post-war innovations, the Appia bore the mark of renowned engineer Vittorio Jano, formerly of Alfa Romeo, who joined Lancia’s ranks in 1937. At the heart of the...
The BMW 328 wasn’t just a top-tier sports car for enthusiasts; it dominated the 2-liter sports car racing scene across Europe from 1936 to 1940. Owning anything other than a 328 during this period likely meant little chance of victory. With 131 recorded wins, 45 gold medals, and numerous podium...
Debuting at the 1968 Geneva Salon, the Islero evolved from the 400 GT 2+2, itself a descendant of Lamborghini’s first production vehicle, the 1964 Touring-styled 350 GT. Designed by esteemed engineers Giotto Bizzarrini, Gian Paolo Dallara, and Paolo Stanzani, the 350 GT boasted a magnificent 3.5-liter four-cam V12 engine and...
The Maserati 5000GT, a car fit for royalty, originated from a direct request by the Shah of Iran, seeking a potent and exclusive GT vehicle based on the four-cam V-8 engine of the 450S sports racer. Promised within four months, the initial model was to be crafted by Touring of...
After influential roles at Alfa Romeo and Ferrari, where he spearheaded the creation of the iconic 250 GTO, Giotto Bizzarrini embarked on an independent path in 1962. He earned acclaim for his designs at Lamborghini, crafting their potent V12, and at Iso, where he collaborated on the Rivolta before launching...
Between 1951 and 1952, the Ferrari 212 left an indelible mark on the racing scene and the automotive market, with approximately 110 individual chassis finding their way into the hands of eager clients. This versatile model boasted a diverse array of body styles, ranging from lightweight spiders and coupés to...
In 1937, the Maserati brothers relinquished their stake to the Orsi Group, paving the path for Officine Specializzate per la Costruzione Automobili Fratelli Maserati, or OSCA. Driven by a passion for racing, they sought to create bespoke competition cars, distancing themselves from the burgeoning road car industry. OSCAs soared in...
The DeSoto, distinct from its short-lived Edwardian predecessor, debuted in 1929 under Chrysler Corporation’s umbrella, aiming to fill the gap between upscale Chrysler and the new Plymouth. Despite an impressive launch with record-breaking sales lasting three decades, DeSoto struggled amidst Chrysler’s efforts to streamline its brands, overshadowed by Dodge’s affordability...
Anthony Lago’s mechanical ingenuity breathed new life into Talbot, revitalizing its presence on circuits and redefining its image. The Talbot T26 GS claimed victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1950, signaling a resurgence for the marque. Concurrently, Lago adapted racing models for civilian use. The GSL, designed by...
Cliff Davis’s successful Tojeiro sports racer led AC Cars to mass-produce the design in 1954, naming it the Ace. Retaining the elegant Ferrari 166-inspired barchetta bodywork and John Tojeiro’s chassis, it featured AC’s 2-liter six-cylinder engine, initially delivering 80bhp. Later, the Bristol 2-liter six-cylinder engine, renowned for its superior performance,...
Lancia’s Aurelia B10 berlina, unveiled at the 1950 Turin Motor Show, marked the brand’s post-war return. Despite its unremarkable exterior, it pioneered groundbreaking technology, evolving through six series over eight years to become the archetype of modern Gran Turismo cars. Led by Vittorio Jano and Francesco de Virgilio, the Aurelia...
In the mid-1950s, Rolls-Royce embraced series production with the Silver Cloud series to stay competitive. The Silver Cloud Standard Steel Saloon, designed by J.P. Blatchley, modernized the classic Silver Dawn. Its factory body became immensely popular, remaining virtually unchanged for over a decade. Despite waning demand, Rolls-Royce engaged both external...
The 1970 Challenger marked Dodge’s late yet thrilling entry into the muscle car arena, spurred by the success of the Ford Mustang’s debut in 1964, appealing particularly to younger demographics. Priced slightly higher than its Plymouth Barracuda counterpart, which had already established its presence akin to the Mustang, the Challenger...
Introduced in 1965 as Plymouth’s premier model in the mid-size Belvedere lineup, the Satellite debuted with Chrysler’s renowned ‘Hemi’ 426ci (7.0-liter) V8 engine in 1966. Adding approximately $1,000 to the base price, this ‘Street Hemi’ engine purportedly generated 425bhp at 5,000rpm and 490lb/ft of torque at 4,000 revs, though these...
By the mid-1960s, Ferrari responded to market demands with half of its production featuring four seats. Following the success of the 1960 250 GTE, Ferrari unveiled the 330 GT 2+2 in January 1964. With a longer steel tube chassis compared to its predecessor, the 330 boasted independent front suspension and...
In the sea of somber pre-war British saloons, the Lagonda LG45 Rapide emerged as a stunning anomaly, its sleek contours, squared radiator, and distinctive exterior features setting it apart. Crafted by the visionary Frank Feeley, who later shaped the iconic Aston Martin DB2, the Rapide exuded boldness and elegance, capturing...
The Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 epitomizes exclusivity in the classic car realm. Priced at $13,500 in 1970, it surpassed its sedan counterpart by $3,500 and even doubled the cost of a Cadillac Deville Coupé, making it a rare luxury choice. Introduced in September 1969, the 280 SE Coupé/Cabriolet and 300...
In the post-World War II era, microcars were predominantly practical but lacked style and comfort. However, a few forward-thinkers saw potential in blending engineering prowess, affordability, and aesthetic appeal in small cars. One such pioneer was Captain Raymond Flower, a former British racing driver. Teaming up with his brothers and...
For nearly two decades, Fiat’s mid-range 508 and 1100 models served as the staple choice for middle-class Italians. In the mid-1950s, Fiat introduced a Turismo Veloce (fast touring) variant featuring higher compression and a two-barrel carburetor, along with a two-seat cabriolet to complement the sedan. Dubbed “Trasformabile” (Italian for convertible)...
The Swallow Doretti, born from the collaboration between Frank Rainbow of the Swallow Side-Car Company (SSCC) in Coventry and Californian car distributor Dorothy Deen, was a whimsical creation. Hand-built in England, it featured an aluminum body over a tubular Moly chassis, borrowing components from the Triumph TR2 model. With its...
The Stutz legacy holds a prominent place in American automotive lore, surviving the Great Depression through motorsport triumphs and innovative engineering. Revived in 1968 by James O’Donnell and Virgil Exner, the brand aimed to create a distinctive luxury car. Exner, renowned for his influential designs, including the Chrysler 300, envisioned...
Porsche’s journey from inception to producing a four-door sports car spanned nearly eight decades, with limousines not even a consideration in 1950s Zuffenhausen. However, a bespoke 356 limousine crafted for special occasions offers a glimpse into an alternative reality where Porsche explored different automotive avenues, diverging from its sports car...
Alejandro De Tomaso embarked on his racing journey in Argentina in 1951 before transitioning to Italy to drive for Maserati and OSCA, the latter founded by the Maserati brothers post-sale. Inspired by this rich racing experience, De Tomaso established De Tomaso Automobili in Modena, Italy, in 1959. Initially, the company...
Alfa Romeo revolutionized the automotive landscape with the 1.3-liter 750-Series Giulietta in 1954, epitomizing the ethos of ‘small car, big performance’ that would define the brand’s finest offerings. This formula persisted through subsequent iterations, including the improved 101-Series from 1959 and the transition to the Giulia range in 1962. While...
The Mangusta, one of the pioneering supercars, marked De Tomaso’s entry into the automotive scene in 1967, solidifying the company’s reputation. Alejandro De Tomaso’s racing background in Argentina, followed by stints with Maserati and OSCA in Italy, fueled his ambition to establish De Tomaso Automobili in Modena, Italy, in 1959....
Unveiled at the 1966 Turin Motor Show, the Ferves Ranger emerged as an unusual Italian interpretation of the compact off-roader concept. Designed by Carlo Ferrari, its name originates from the acronym FERrari VEicoli Speciali (“Ferrari Special Vehicles”). Combining features from the Fiat 500 and Fiat 600, the Ranger boasted an...
A surprising departure from its renowned lineup of luxury limousines, the SP250 sports car marked Daimler’s swan song before its acquisition by Jaguar. Geared towards the North American market and unveiled in 1959, the SP250 adopted a distinct approach, featuring a separate ladder-type chassis supporting fiberglass bodywork controversially manufactured in-house...
Racing driver Sydney Allard undertook a remarkable project, melding a wrecked Ford V8 coupe with the body of a Grand Prix Bugatti, crafting one of the most unconventional pre-war trials specials. Despite its unusual origins, the Allard Special showcased the potential of pairing lightweight construction with a potent American V8...
A chance meeting in 1949 between Donald Healey and George Mason, head of Nash-Kelvinator, led to the expansion of the Warwick-based company’s lineup with a new model exclusively for the US market – the Nash-Healey. Marrying Nash’s 234.6ci (3.8-liter) overhead-valve six engine and three-speed/overdrive gearbox with the chassis of the...
In 1992, Renault introduced the innovative Racoon, a concept car designed with amphibious capabilities. Sporting a twin-turbocharged V6 engine, manual transmission, and all-wheel drive, its unconventional entry required lifting the front, devoid of traditional doors. This unique feature highlighted its futuristic design. Equipped with adjustable ground clearance, the Racoon utilized...
During the formative years of the American automobile industry, inventor-engineers drove its development, but the interwar period witnessed a shift, with entrepreneurs like Errett Lobban Cord shaping its trajectory. Cord’s early financial rollercoaster, experiencing gains and losses of $50,000 three times before 21, epitomized his daring spirit. When Cord assumed...
Ford made a significant transition by adopting an overhead-valve engine for its smallest family sedan, debuting with the Anglia 105E in September 1959. Featuring a compact 997cc four-cylinder engine with an ultra short-stroke design, it displayed a remarkable affinity for high revs and boasted ample tuning potential, exemplified by its...