Simanaitis Says

On cars, old, new and future; science & technology; vintage airplanes, computer flight simulation of them; Sherlockiana; our English language; travel; and other stuff

Category Archives: Classic Bits

HARRY NILE AND CARS PART 1

I’VE COME TO RESPECT HARRY NILE, Jim French’s radio detective of the noir variety. Harry has appeared here at SimanaitisSays twice already, in “Harry Nile, Seattle P.I.,” and in “Turing’s … Continue reading

March 7, 2025 · Leave a comment

MORGAN PLUS 4—A 1959 PERSPECTIVE

“THE MORGAN OF TODAY,” R&T WROTE in September 1959, “is the Morgan of the past and, in all likelihood, the Morgan of the future.”  It has been 66 years now. … Continue reading

February 20, 2025 · 1 Comment

HAPPY 100TH AUTOMOTIVE NEWS!

IT WAS IN 1925 THAT AUTOMOTIVE DAILY NEWS published its first issues—in of all places, New York City. (“I go somewhere, I take a cab….”) Of course, we know it … Continue reading

February 11, 2025 · 5 Comments

GEE, WHAT IF I HAD HAD THE MONEY….

WHAT A NEAT IDEA FROM reader Steve Hagen: Old R&T Market Places “had some truly great buying opportunities,” he writes. Indeed, here are tidbits gleaned from just one issue, February … Continue reading

February 10, 2025 · 1 Comment

PURPOSE-BUILT—AND NOT FOR THE STREET

“COMPETITION CARS,” I ONCE NOTED, “are a hoot to drive, mainly because they make few concessions to anything resembling practicality.” And back in 1955 R&T wrote along similar lines in … Continue reading

February 4, 2025 · 1 Comment

IS “HER JOE” READY FOR THE STATES?

IN HIS “MISC. RAMBLINGS,” MAY 1955, R&T Editor John R. Bond lamented “Road testing, after the first two or three, is not fun. It’s plain hard work, enlivened only by … Continue reading

January 24, 2025 · 1 Comment

THIS PORSCHE SPEEDSTER IS SUPER

I’M SPEAKING OF THE ENGINE, THAT IS. Back in May 1955, R&T noted, “The Porsche Speedster is available with a choice of engines, the model priced at $2995 having a … Continue reading

January 19, 2025 · 2 Comments

A HOT ’55 CHEVY AND MORE

“AFTER 25 YEARS OF BUILDING CONSERVATIVE six-cylinder automobiles,” R&T wrote, “the 1955 Chevrolet V-8 is an anomaly…. but it certainly appears that a Chevrolet V-8 with optional 180 bhp engine … Continue reading

January 7, 2025 · 6 Comments

OXBURROW AND FULLER CONTINENTAL TOURERS SURELY GOT AROUND

OF COURSE, IT’S THE BENTLEY DRIVERS CLUB—contrasted with the Rolls-Royce Owners Club. The italics mine, not theirs. Confirmation of this is evident in Bentley Motors: On The Road, a compendium … Continue reading

January 4, 2025 · 7 Comments

MERCEDES-BENZ W196R—FOR THE WELL-HEELED COLLECTOR

MY FAVORITE CAR MAGAZINE, Classic & Sports Car, reports that “Moss and Fangio’s Mercedes-Benz W196R is for sale.” This is surely to be a highpoint of the February 1, 2025, … Continue reading

December 11, 2024 · 4 Comments