Simanaitis Says

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Category Archives: Classic Bits

PACIFIC COAST TOURING

“AUTOMOBILE TOURING on the Pacific Coast is altogether a different matter from that of tooling about the East.” This claim comes from Charles Fuller Gates, a travel, bicycle and motoring … Continue reading →

March 16, 2016 · Leave a comment

A “GOOD OLD DAYS” FERRARI ROAD TEST

AH, THE GOOD OLD DAYS! Fifty years ago a Ferrari 275 GTS could be bought for half the price of today’s average new car. In a September 1966 Road Test, … Continue reading →

March 7, 2016 · 6 Comments

DECO DREAMING

I’M LISTENING to a CD of contralto Nathalie Stutzmann singing the songs of Francis Poulenc, and it’s giving me daydreams of Art Deco. This design style, short for Arts Décoratifs, … Continue reading →

March 4, 2016 · 2 Comments

THE GLEN, 1948

THERE WAS A time when Watkins Glen was known primarily for its salt mines. It was the home of Watkins Salt Company, a major player in salt production in the … Continue reading →

February 28, 2016 · 2 Comments

ANDRÉ DUBONNET’S FLIGHT OF AUTOMOTIVE FANCY

ANDRÉ DUBONNET had already distinguished himself in many ways: flying a SPAD XIII in World War I combat, driving a Duesenberg to fourth in the 1921 French Grand Prix at … Continue reading →

February 2, 2016 · 8 Comments

ANDRÉ DUBONNET, WEALTH AND TALENT WELL SPENT

ANDRÉ DUBONNET is exemplary of inherited money put to good use. His wealth came from his father’s inventing the aperitif bearing the family name. Andre didn’t have to work, yet … Continue reading →

February 1, 2016 · 3 Comments

ALFA ROMEO P3—A CAR OF WINNING ECCENTRICITIES

WHAT MAKES the Alfa Romeo P3 such a fascinating study are the car’s Vittorio Jano-designed eccentricities, its Enzo Ferrari refinements, some effective, others bizarre, and its competitive longevity. This factory-entered … Continue reading →

January 23, 2016 · 1 Comment

BONNET BLING

THE DETROIT AUTO show, formally the North American International Auto Show, runs from today, January 11, through January 24, 2016. It’s expected to fill Detroit’s Cobo Hall with global debuts … Continue reading →

January 11, 2016 · 1 Comment

RUN THE MILLE MIGLIA IN THAT??

WE USUALLY associate Italy’s Mille Miglia 1000-mile road race with high-powered sports cars. And, indeed, after an O.M.’s victory in the 1927 inaugural Mille Miglia, Alfa Romeo garnered 10 wins … Continue reading →

January 4, 2016 · Leave a comment

AUTOMOTIVE HEADLIGHTS, PART 1

IN 1940, the Society of Automotive Engineers said, “Let there be standardized automotive lighting.” And the lighting was good. But not as good as Europe’s. Things evolved over the years. … Continue reading →

December 29, 2015 · 3 Comments