Simanaitis Says

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Category Archives: Classic Bits

TRYING TRIUMPH’S TR-3

“AS YOU PROBABLY know,” R&T wrote in June 1956, “the TR-3 is not actually a new car…. The fact that the basic car remains the same is a credit to … Continue reading →

January 28, 2021 · 8 Comments

TWO SONS’ LEGACIES—ONE OF THEM, THE FERRARI 196 S DINO

ENZO FERRARI’S ELDER son Alfredo was born in 1932. Named after his paternal grandfather, he soon acquired the nickname Dino, short for Alfredino. Were he to have a son, Enzo … Continue reading →

December 20, 2020 · 2 Comments

A PAIR OF PORSCHE CONTINENTALS—1956

“BY PURE COINCIDENCE,” R&T said in January 1956, “all of our previous tests on Porsches have been made on the Super model, which is, of course, the best performing and … Continue reading →

November 27, 2020 · 2 Comments

THE 1921 RUMPLER TROPFENWAGEN—AERO WONDER AND MOVIE STAR PART 2

THE RUMPLER W-6 Tropfenwagen appeared yesterday at SimanaitisSays as a 1921 look into the automotive future. Today in Part 2, we examine the car’s technicalities, why I can link it … Continue reading →

November 12, 2020 · Leave a comment

THE 1921 RUMPLER TROPFENWAGEN—AERO WONDER AND MOVIE STAR. PART 1

WHAT DOES THE 1921 Rumpler Tropfenwagen have in common with the 1933 Napier-Railton? And, even more obscurely, what ties these two cars with my own personal driving experience? An article … Continue reading →

November 11, 2020 · Leave a comment

MONACO GP 1956—MOSS BEATS A FANGIO TAG TEAM

JUAN MANUEL FANGIO and Stirling Moss are legendary race car drivers. Fangio’s record five Drivers’ World Championships, 1951, 1954–1957, held up for 46 years until the Michael Schumacher era. Moss … Continue reading →

October 30, 2020 · Leave a comment

ART OUT FRONT—RADIATOR MASCOTS

BACK WHEN RADIATORS weren’t hidden within automotive bodywork, radiator caps could be objets d’art. In their most artistic, these hood ornaments were designed by famous sculptors. Other automotive mascots displayed … Continue reading →

October 28, 2020 · 1 Comment

SEPARATED AT (COACHWORK) BIRTH?? AT LEAST IN SPIRIT

WHAT DID MY 1958 English Ford Consul Mk II convertible have in common with the 1933 Barker-bodied Rolls-Royce 20/25 Three-Position Drophead Coupe?  “Utterly nothing,” one is tempted to respond. However, … Continue reading →

October 20, 2020 · 3 Comments

CONAN DOYLE (LITERARY AGENT)—MOTORING ENTHUSIAST PART 2

YESTERDAY IN PART 1, we learned details of the 1911 Prince Henry Tour, a German-sponsored automobile competition honoring the coronation of Britain’s George V. Today in Part 2, we identify … Continue reading →

October 16, 2020 · 1 Comment

CONAN DOYLE (LITERARY AGENT)—MOTORING ENTHUSIAST PART 1

LITERARY AGENT COMMISSIONS paid by Brigadier Etienne Gerard and Dr. John H. Watson got put to good use: Literary agent Sir Arthur Conan Doyle participated in motor sports by taking … Continue reading →

October 15, 2020 · Leave a comment