Mercury’s line of cars arrived in 1939 to fill a gap between Ford’s Deluxe and Lincoln. Styled like the Zephyr and offering better-quality features than the Deluxe, Mercury body styles included a sedan, convertible, and coupe. More than 65,000… more»
Hot Rod Candidate? 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air
The Chevrolet Bel Air is a textbook example of auto design evolution. From its awkward beginnings in 1950, plagued by leftover ’40s styling, to the prominent ponton fenders of 1952, the glamorous greenhouse of the ’55, and the batwing… more»
Survivor? 1987 American Motors Eagle
By the late 1970s, American Motors Corporation was slowly drowning in competition. Pursuing salvation, it chose the only affordable strategy it could dream up: devise a new car from existing parts. Even so, the expenditure required for a new… more»
Are We There Yet? 1973 Dodge Monaco Wagon
Dagmar over riders, faded “wood grain”, black on black – this 1973 Dodge Monaco wagon is nineteen feet of vintage nasty ready to cast a spell over Mopar fans. The Monaco was introduced in 1965, with the nameplate a… more»
Outlaw? 1956 MGA 1500 Roadster
What’s your definition of an “outlaw” car? I think of Emory and Singer Porsches, and a comment made on the Pelican Parts forum – that the term arose when someone dared deviate from the accepted orthodoxy established by Ferdinand… more»
Competition Motors Tribute: 1963 Volkswagen Type 2 Pickup
This Volkswagen Type 2 pickup has seen a lot of restoration work already, including a rebuilt engine, a new clutch, and a front disc brake conversion. Its sheet metal is said to be all original. It’s a handsome tribute… more»
Missing Cylinder Head Screw: 1978 Lotus Esprit Series 1
Giorgetto Giugiaro went to work at Fiat’s Special Vehicles Division at seventeen – mostly likely younger than many of us were when we purchased our first car. Fiat ignored his design work, so he approached Bertone, who sold one… more»
Estate Sale: 1960 Triumph TR3 “A”
It’s 1953 and Triumph has brought a new car to Jabbeke, Belgium, to race it down a nearly flat, nearly straight stretch of road between Brussels and Ostend. This unique bit of carriageway was a perfect test “track” for… more»
British Supercar: 1997 TVR Cerbera
Before we embark on this next review, true confession: I’d really like to own an early TVR Griffith. I would even settle for a Grantura. That’s just so you know I am not anti-TVR. However, the Cerbera is a… more»
One of Four Survivors: 1955 LeGene Californian Sports Special
The 1950s hatched a lush variety of cars called American Specials. Mostly fiberglass, these cars were made in tiny handfuls by guys in garages. Some were kits, others sprang fully formed from their inventors’ workshops. Few are so rare… more»
Desert Dweller: 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk
Studebaker’s Hawk series took flight starting in 1956, with an array of variants topped by the Golden Hawk. Styled by Raymond Loewy, the Hawks incorporated both pillared coupes and pillarless hardtops, sharing a low stance and a prominent radiator…. more»
Road or Track: 1991 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Consider the poverty of the American car scene in the 1970s. The dominant themes were horsepower reduction and fuel efficiency, sapping fun from the driving experience. Only Japan was meeting our new requirements handily, sending over cars like the… more»
Italian Boxer Engine: 1963 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupé
Prominent on the flanks of the Lancia Flavia above are the initials “HF” – letters profoundly significant to Lancia, its history, and the Flavia coupĂ©. Lancia was founded in 1906 by two racers, Vincenzo Lancia and Claudio Fogolin. Despite… more»
















