Why Lancias Cost so Much New: Incredible Engineering
May 1st, 2009
Lancias built before Fiat took ownership of the company are obscure cars with a small but rabid following. When new, they were surprisingly expensive when viewed at face value, however the deeper one looks, the more impressive the cars are. Everywhere there are beautifully engineered details that repeatedly beg the question “how did the accountants ever let them build the cars so well?” This little gizmo is a great example of that. What is it you ask? Well, it goes in the top of the radiator of a Lancia Flaminia and is an actuator for the thermostatically controlled radiator blinds.
For Sale: One-Off Jaguar Racer Built by John Fitch
April 29th, 2009
This one-off special is based on a Jaguar XK120 and is available from Automotive Restorations in Stratford, Connecticut. It was built by John Fitch, an American racer who raced during the 1950’s and 1960’s in the world sports car championship, winning Sebring and the Mille Miglia, and competing at Le Mans several times as well. This car was built to compete at Le Mans but is reported never to have raced there because Fitch was later signed with Briggs Cunningham. It is an attractive car built in period, with known mechanicals, providing an appealing combination of attributes for event use.
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Video: Ride in a Lamborghini Miura P400 S
April 28th, 2009
This video is excellent inspiration for those who are in the midst of a Lamborghini Miura restoration and are thus suffering from withdrawal (ahem, a condition about which we know absolutely nothing, certainly not personal experience such as this). The video contains some wonderful noises and is a product of the website In Rodaggio, a German website dedicated to early Lamborghinis.
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Fully Restored Early Fiat Dino Spider
April 27th, 2009
This 1967 Fiat Dino Spider looks like an extremely nice example and is available for a fully priced $67,500 from The San Diego Collection in, logically enough, San Diego. Powered by the Ferrari 2.0 liter V6 that would be used in the Ferrari Dino and the Lancia Stratos, these are elegant cars styled by Pininfarina. The elegance of the cars means that yellow is perhaps not the best choice for the car, but it is difficult to argue with this car’s condition. Until quite recently, these cars were not worth very much, which means that many examples are incomplete, have had their engines pillaged, or have been tastelessly modified. …more »
Event Report: Start of the 2009 California Mille
April 26th, 2009
The 2009 California Mille begins tomorrow, and today was the traditional display of participating cars in front of San Francisco’s Fairmont Hotel. This year’s route begins by proceeding southwards towards Mount Hamilton, and on to Carmel, Cambria, then back up to Sacramento and eventually Sonoma county. There was a wide variety of interesting cars on hand, including the participating cars, and several Palo Alto Concours d’Elegance vehicles as well.
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For Sale: World Class Grand Touerer from…Switzerland?? 1970 Monteverdi High Speed 375L
April 25th, 2009
This 1970 Monteverdi 375 L is available here from F40 Motorsports in Portland, Connecticut. This Swiss are not exactly prolific car manufacturers, but Switzerland is a country full of car enthusiasts. Peter Monteverdi was a Swiss distributor for Ferrari, Lancia, and BMW automobiles, and following a disagreement with Mr. Ferrari, he set out to produce his own cars. Thus, Monteverdi is another company that owes its existence to the abrasive personality of Enzo Ferrari (like ATS and Lamborghini). …more »