Ready for Finishing: 1983 Ford EXP
Here’s a niche-y corner of the collector car world: Ford’s Escort-based “sport” coupe, called the EXP, or if you were a Mercury fan, the LN7. The EXP was an effort by Ford to downsize in the wake of fuel… more»
Barn Resident: 1981 Mercedes-Benz 380SL
Thinking about the SL class of Mercedes-Benz is a “forest versus trees” exercise. The roots of the entire series began in 1954 with the spectacular Gullwing coupe. The 190 was next – thanks to Max Hoffman’s vision; then the… more»
Bertone Masterpiece: 1959 Fiat-OSCA 1500 Aerodynamica Berlinetta
Fiat began its earnest pursuit of aerodynamic designs in the 1930s. Using mechanical platforms developed for more pedestrian cars, the company either styled its creations in-house, or outsourced work to coachbuilders. Occasionally, the impetus reversed, and coachbuilders purchased Fiat… more»
Future Classic? 1976 Chrysler Cordoba
Anyone of a certain age will recall Ricardo Montalbán, in his resonant accent, reminding us of the Chrysler Cordoba’s “fine Corinthian leather” upholstery. But before Montalbán serenaded us, Chrysler had introduced the Cordoba as a Spring Special trim version… more»
“Personality Issues”: 1979 Fiat X1/9
Bertone designed dozens of more illustrious cars than the X1/9 – including the Lamborghini Countach, Alfa’s Giulietta Sprint, and the Lancia Stratos – but none more ubiquitous in the US than this little wedge-shaped Fiat. About 60% of production… more»
Upgraded Engine: 1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Speciale
Alfa’s Sprint Speciale punched above its weight on several metrics. While the 1900 series gave Alfa a toehold in the mass market – where success was a must if the company was to recover from the war – the… more»
Nearly New! 1986 Pontiac Fiero GT
Have you ever purchased a new or nearly-new car and socked it away, driving it so sparingly that it accumulated only a few thousand or even hundreds of miles in years? This Pontiac Fiero GT is just such a… more»
Porsche 356 Engine: 1963 Devin D
After spending the first half of his life immersed in automobiles in one way, shape, or form, Bill Devin founded Devin Enterprises in 1954 to make fiberglass-bodied race cars. The first car was launched after he sold his Ferrari… more»
Two-Owner, Euro-Trim Project: 1974 Lotus Elite
The Lotus Elite was brewing in Colin Chapman’s mind long before it finally hit the tarmac. By 1967, the Lotus line-up had marched upscale, that berth being occupied by the newly launched Elan +2. An almost-four-seat coupe, featuring a… more»
Stored Over a Decade: 1972 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Project
If the Monte Carlo hadn’t been introduced as a personal luxury car, it could have been adopted into the muscle car niche. Not that every version was a go-fast demon, but the SS 454 was a solid facsimile. Even… more»
Assembly Required: 1954 MG TF with MGB Engine
I’m not a fan of engine transplants unless absolutely necessary, but this 1954 MG TF has a devil-may-care vibe that fired my imagination. The blend of straight sheet metal and worn paint is attractive. The generous display of car… more»
Former Museum Car: 1940 Hudson Traveler
Hudson’s nameplate disappeared by 1957, so we tend to forget that the company invented numerous mechanical advancements now taken for granted, including the balanced crankshaft, dash warning lights, and dual brakes – a mechanical backup when hydraulic pedal travel… more»
The Rudi Klein Junkyard Collection: Part Two – The Cars
As revealed in Part One of the Klein Junkyard series (thanks once again to Helena for the tip!) Mr Klein amassed an enormous collection of mostly German exotic cars and parts over decades. While his business ostensibly existed to sell… more»
Meyer Half Cab! 1973 Jeep CJ-5
Is there anything a vintage Jeep can’t do? Well, ok, they’re not a wonderful highway ride, but besides that! The ‘Civilian Jeep” crept onto the scene in 1942, when the US Department of Agriculture pitted a jeep against a… more»
Top Shelf: 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz
As if simply being a Cadillac wasn’t enough, the 1957 version of the Eldorado Biarritz was an extravagant exercise in styling. Harley Earl bestowed the ’57 Eldorado models (the Seville was the hard top version) with sharp fins that… more»
The Rudi Klein Junkyard Collection: Part One – The Parts
Greater Los Angeles is chock full of automotive wonderment, with restoration services, collections, swap meets, and vintage car dealers tucked into unassuming cubbyholes all over town. One of these unassuming places was Rudi Klein’s “Porche Foreign Auto Dismantling” junkyard… more»
