While American muscle cars were trying to prove once and for all that there really was no substitute for cubic inches, in Europe there were mainstream and specialist car-makers which were trying to deliver speed through efficiency and light weight. The cars were fast, fun,...
Italian marque Alfa Romeo is a fully paid-up member of the classic car establishment. For enthusiasts, it stands for relatively affordable sports cars and roadsters with, in the classic period, exceptional mechanical sophistication and driving pleasure. But Alfa's portfolio also includes sports saloons and historic...
Jaguar XJ, 2009 XJ Some 50 per cent of the XJ’s structure was made from recycled aluminum; it was about 330 lb (150 kg) lighter than conventional, steel-rich rivals, which made the car more agile as well as thriftier on fuel. This big Jaguar, codenamed X351 in...
The 1960s were the heyday of the sports car. Never before had there been such a choice of fast roadsters, with Europe leading the way. Alfa Romeo, MG, and Austin-Healey were the biggest names, and the sports cars they offered blended ruggedness, torquey performance, and...
MG TF, 2002 TF A reworking of the 1995 MGF two-seater, the TF did away with its predecessor’s Hydragas suspension, in favor of steel springs. It was restyled and given a variety of design upgrades. Engines ranged in power from 114 bhp 1,598 cc to 160 bhp...
The AC Ace was transformed into an international star when Texan racing driver Carroll Shelby conceived the idea of installing a large American V8 engine in a small, lightweight, British sports car. Although the Anglo-American hybrid was crude, it was sleek and effective, and enjoyed...
Morgan 4/4, 2009 4/4 The embodiment of Morgan tradition, the 4/4 was first produced in 1936, and some say it is the car with the word's longest production run. Customers know precisely what to expect from the car and a new model is always an instant classic....
Royalty, heads of state, captains of industry, and other VIPs were well served by the most luxurious saloons of the 1960s. As was standard in the US car industry, updated versions of American limousines appeared annually. In Europe, however, cars of this class endured for...
Maserati Spyder, 2001 Spyder This car is sometimes referred to as the 4200GT type, to differentiate it from the earlier 3200GT model that was offered as a coupé only. The 4200GT Coupe was a four-seater but there were only two seats in the Spyder; both cars sported...
Success at Le Mans in France virtually sealed a sports car’s status as a true classic. The 24-hour race was a feat of endurance, with cars and drivers under considerable stress. For a car even to complete the arduous, round-the-clock race it had to be...