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Category Archives: Classic Bits

MASERATI 250F—A CLASSIC RACE CAR OF A CLASSIC ERA

JUAN MANUEL FANGIO’S drive of a Maserati 250F in the 1957 German Grand Prix is one of the greatest motor racing victories. It’s a story oft told, but well worth … Continue reading →

March 24, 2015 · 2 Comments

E2F2 AND OTHER COMPUTERIZED FUN

A READER with an evidently good memory asks about E2F2, the Engineering Editor’s Fun Factor. This assessment of enthusiast car goodness originally appeared in Road & Track, August 1984. Its … Continue reading →

March 18, 2015 · 9 Comments

MORRIS BULLNOSE COWLEY

FROM TIME to time in period British recreations on TV or film, a tidy little roadster is seen. It stands out because of its rounded radiator, in marked contrast to … Continue reading →

March 15, 2015 · 1 Comment

THE FIRST LOTUS

COLIN CHAPMAN’S first Lotus is being offered by Gooding & Company at its Amelia Island Auction, March 13, 2015. And, for such a sweet little car, the Mark IIIB represents … Continue reading →

February 19, 2015 · 1 Comment

SMUGGLING AND MOTORSPORTS

FULL DISCLOSURE: Here I do not mean mere smugglers, of drugs or whatever, who happened as well to participate in motorsports of one kind or another. Instead, I celebrate two … Continue reading →

February 14, 2015 · 3 Comments

BUGATTI RAILCARS

IT’S THE Great Depression, fabulous Royale luxury cars are glued to the Molsheim showroom floor, and there’s a surfeit of the Royale’s 12.76-liter six-cylinder powerplants. What is one to do? … Continue reading →

February 8, 2015 · 3 Comments

RALPH MULFORD’S INDY 500 VICTORY

RALPH MULFORD’S performance at the 1911 Indy 500 was no less dramatic than his 1912 achievement (see http://wp.me/p2ETap-2PY for the latter). The 1911 event is also rather more controversial. In fact, this … Continue reading →

February 5, 2015 · 4 Comments

THE AMAZING TALE OF THE SLOWEST INDY FINISHER

THE SLOWEST driver credited with finishing the Indianapolis 500 might also have been credited with being the Indy 500’s first winner. Added to this is the paradox that he is … Continue reading →

February 4, 2015 · 1 Comment

KLEMANTASKI’S FINE EYE

LOUIS KLEMANTASKI produced fine photography of the greatest eras of motorsport. The period 1935 – 1939 had Tazio Nuvolari contesting (and finally joining) the Third-Reich-sponsored mights of Auto Union and … Continue reading →

January 23, 2015 · 3 Comments

THE NAME GAME

A RECENT brouhaha in the name game got me thinking about questionable automotive monikers. Infiniti has been on again/off again about its 560-hp Q50 Eau Rouge, this sports sedan named … Continue reading →

January 10, 2015 · Leave a comment