In the 1960s, many independent European manufacturers saw the potential of American V8 power to create luxury Grand Tourers that could compete with established brands like Ferrari, Maserati, and Aston Martin. Brands like AC, Jensen, Facel, and Iso, as well as Swiss BMW dealer Peter Monteverdi, ventured down this path, utilizing Chrysler engines and transmissions […]
Monthly Archives: October 2023
Debuting as a two-seater Spider with Pininfarina bodywork at the 1966 Turin Show, the FIAT Dino placed its 2.0-liter, 160bhp engine in the traditional front-engine position. This car was remarkable as the first FIAT to feature four overhead camshafts and a limited-slip differential as standard equipment. The steel-bodied newcomer incorporated a FIAT five-speed gearbox, independent […]
In 1968, Ford introduced the European market to the Capri, drawing inspiration from the successful American Mustang. Promoted as ‘The car you’ve always promised yourself,’ the Capri featured a distinctive fastback design, a departure from Ford’s traditional styling. Under the hood, it shared components with other Ford models but exhibited some power unit variations between […]
In 1938, Ford introduced a pivotal yet subtle change to its product lineup by distinguishing between Standard (82A) and Deluxe (81A) models, giving them distinct external appearances for easy identification. The primary objective was to position the Standard models in competition with base Chevrolet and Plymouth offerings, while elevating the Deluxe models to compete with […]
Between 1930 and 1937, Cadillac produced a declining number of its initial 452 V-16 series, with only 61 units in 1940. Suffering financial losses, General Motors even contemplated shutting down Cadillac. However, in 1938, Cadillac introduced a completely new V-16 model, sparking debates about the reasons behind this decision. What remains undisputed is that the […]
Packard defied the norms of the auto industry, establishing its unique standards for both its vehicles and their presentation. Unlike mass-market manufacturers, Packard disregarded the practice of model years, opting for a Series-based approach. This strategy conveyed that Packard modified its esteemed automobiles only when they deemed it necessary. Although by the late 1920s, Packard […]
Most renowned for its victory in the inaugural Indianapolis 500 race in 1911 with Ray Harroun, Marmon was known for its thoughtful engineering and well-finished, reasonably priced vehicles in the luxury market. However, the 1920s Great Depression hit the luxury segment hard, forcing many companies out of business. To adapt, Marmon ventured into the sub-$1000 […]
Inspired by Carroll Shelby’s successful Ford V8 transplant into the AC Ace to create the Cobra, Rootes approached Shelby to work his Anglo-American hot-rodding magic on their Sunbeam Alpine sports car. They opted for Ford’s 260ci (4.2-liter) engine, which, despite its ‘mere’ 165bhp output, boasted nearly double the power of the Alpine’s 1.6-liter four-cylinder. Named […]
In 1962, the bubblecar manufacturer Iso made a significant leap into the realm of supercar production when they unveiled the Rivolta coupé, designed by Giotto Bizzarrini, at the Turin Motor Show. The design of this inaugural supercar was orchestrated by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Carrozzeria Bertone, and it set the blueprint for Iso’s subsequent supercar offerings: […]
This Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III, a left-hand drive model, showcases the exquisite ‘Flying Spur’ four-door coachwork designed by H J Mulliner. Originally featured on the Bentley Continental in 1957, it made its debut on a Rolls-Royce chassis shortly after the introduction of the Silver Cloud III in 1962. Notably, the majority of Flying Spur coachwork […]