Simanaitis Says

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Category Archives: Classic Bits

ASTON MARTIN’S 100TH

LET’S CELEBRATE the 100th anniversary of Aston Martin. Let’s also clarify some hype about its dual-fuel Rapide S Hydrogen Hybrid to be raced at next month’s Nürburgring 24-hour. It’ll be … Continue reading

April 19, 2013 · 1 Comment

BUGATTI F1

THE ENGINE of Bugatti’s Type 251 Formula 1 car is mounted properly aft of the driver. This engine has double overhead camshafts and its eight cylinders are fashionably oversquare, the … Continue reading

April 16, 2013 · 6 Comments

OPEL’S RAKS

WHEN WE last visited the German aviation industry (in 1922; see http://www.wp.me/p2ETap-W8), the Inter-Allied Commission had demanded—and got—destruction of the Zeppelin-Staaken E-4/20. This passenger liner was simply too advanced, potentially … Continue reading

April 2, 2013 · 1 Comment

COPPERSTATE LORE

SEVERAL FRIENDS have reminded me of other happenings along the Copperstate 1000 old car rally (www.wp.me/p2ETap-Vq). Here are three of them. Those of you who have enjoyed this annual event are … Continue reading

March 23, 2013 · Leave a comment

MORGAN ON THE COPPERSTATE

THE COPPERSTATE 1000 Rally is one of the premier vintage car events in the U.S. Run each spring to benefit the Phoenix Art Museum (www.phxart.org), the Copperstate is a four-day … Continue reading

March 21, 2013 · 3 Comments

BILL DEVIN’S SUPER SPORTS

CALLED “THE Enzo Ferrari of Okie Flats” (by no less than Henry N. Manney III), Bill Devin brought a lot of automotive fun to lots of people. Bill offered a … Continue reading

March 18, 2013 · 2 Comments

A MONACO VISIT

THE MONACO Grand Prix exemplifies everything that’s glamorous about Formula 1 racing. It’s the last of the grand venues, a genuine street circuit. And through what streets! One of my … Continue reading

March 12, 2013 · Leave a comment

JAPAN’S OTHER RACE CIRCUIT

PAUL WILLIAMSEN, Lexus International Training guru and Facebook Friend, recently mentioned the Okayama International Circuit, née TI Circuit Aida. The TI stood for Tanaka International, after its founder Hajime Tanaka; … Continue reading

March 8, 2013 · 1 Comment

BARBARA HUTTON’S GTC

GOODING & COMPANY’S Amelia Island Auction, March 8, 2013, has cars ranging from a 1954 Fiat 500C Belvedere (a mini station wagon con brio, $25,000-$35,000) to several cars beyond a … Continue reading

March 4, 2013 · Leave a comment

GEORGES PAULIN: STYLIST, SPY

GEORGES PAULIN was a talented inventor, car designer and dentist—and during World War II, an operative for the French Resistance. One of his automotive inventions earned him a French patent. … Continue reading

February 19, 2013 · 2 Comments