A LITTLE WONDER WITH OPULENCE ESCHEWED
EARLY SIXTIES AUTOMOBILES were less opulent than those of the Fifties. GM popularized the hardtop convertible (an oxymoron for the pillarless sedan), Ford exhibited a concept car called the Mustang I, … Continue reading
FORMULA ONE—A 1961 STATE OF THE ART
THE 1961 LOTUS F1 car lacks the Wagnerian force of the Grand Prix Silver Arrows of the late 1930s. Its Philip Glass-like minimalism contrasts with Formula One’s recent hypercomplexity. Sixty … Continue reading
PANHARD JUNIOR SPORTS—LESS THAN AN MG
“NEW SPORTS CAR models of all types and sizes have been introduced on the American market during the past few years. One thing they all had in common—a price higher … Continue reading
ASTON MARTIN MARK II
FIFTY-ONE YEARS BEFORE James Bond piloted his DB-5 to fame in Goldfinger (1964), Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford established Aston Martin. The “Aston” came from Aston Hill, where Martin raced … Continue reading
ROB WALKER ON CLASSIC CARS
I DON’T OFTEN remember forewords to books I’ve read. Some are dedications. Some are introductions to the author. But I recall one whenever I pick up the Classic Cars in … Continue reading
SOME KIDS NEVER GROW UP
THIS KID, BORN in 1906, ran off to join the Barnum & Bailey Circus. After his circus career waned in the early 1930s, he disappeared in 1936. Relatives discovered the … Continue reading
TRIUMPH TR2 ROADSTER—1954
WHAT A PROVOCATIVE headline: “Tiny, Rapid 2.” The Triumph TR2 Roadster was the cover car for R&T, April 1954. Here are a few tidbits from that road test. “The Triumph … Continue reading
FRANCO CORTESE’S BRIT RIDE
ITALIAN RACE DRIVER Franco Cortese competed in 156 races between 1927 and his 1958 retirement. These included one Formula One Grand Prix, three Formula Two Grands Prix, and 14 Mille … Continue reading
1954 FRENCH GRAND PRIX—AND MERCEDES DOMINATION
WHAT WITH LEWIS HAMILTON’S winning ways, we’re accustomed these days to Mercedes-Benz domination of Formula One. Indeed, nor is this a first time for this German firm. It and Auto … Continue reading
DIFFERENT HORSES FOR DIFFERENT COURSES—1954
THE MID-1950S WERE a heyday for European sports car racing, with epic battles fought by Ferrari, Lancia, Maserati, Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz and other automakers. In particular, 1954 was a memorable year … Continue reading
Simanaitis Says 