I graduated from Art Center College of Design in 1987. MTV was in full swing, Compact Disc players were the...
Vintage Roadcar Columns
Toyota has been around a long time. They know what they are doing, and they make more cars than any...
More than half a century ago, Porsche shocked the world with a brand-new sports car design. The now iconic 911 would not only define a new type of performance car, it would further establish a lasting history of unique signature architecture; one that continues to inspire designs today. The Frankfurt...
There are a number of cars that are better known by their nicknames, than their original designation, like the Alfa...
Ercole Spada was one of the most prolific sports car designers of the post-war era. Though his name is not...
If you had to pick the ten most beautifully designed sports cars, chances are most of the list would contain cars from Europe. Primarily Italy. This comes as no surprise to many of us who are car enthusiasts. Italy does everything with passion, artistry, and a perfect blend of balance...
If you had to pick just one icon of American sports car performance, it’s a safe bet that the Corvette...
If you went looking for the true father of the Sunbeam Tiger, you might surmise that American Carroll Shelby would...
Every year flocks of determined swallows return to mission San Juan Capistrano, California – a journey of 6,000 miles. It’s a sight that inspires many to reflect on certain things in life as a miracle. In 1954, a miracle could very well have changed the fate of a small car...
I don’t often reference values when discussing design, but a great deal of the success of a sports car resides...
When car companies build futuristic concepts for tomorrow, they are usually exotic cars with sporty, low-profile bodies, and technologically advanced...
Italy and France each have beautiful and robust cultures with diverse offerings and unique perspectives. And while each is unique in their approach, the French share a great deal of their artistic passion with Italian culture. Great art, beautiful opera, fantastic cuisine, and a way of life that celebrates passionate...
Automotive history is riddled with innovators and entrepreneurs seeking the very best, most powerful, and dynamic sports cars bearing their...
The genius of Colin Chapman is evident in every one of his cars. Each of his creations were uniquely endowed,...
Robert Opron passed away last month, tragically from complications due to Covid 19. His body of work would certainly warrant significantly more detailed coverage on his illustrious career than I can offer in this column, but I believe a most fitting tribute to his career can be summarized in the...
By the 1950s it was clear that Americans were in the mood for sporty cars with the right balance of...
On January 15, 2021, Jerry Wiegert passed away. If you struggle to recall that name or its significance in the...
For such a clean and beautiful design, the 1963-1977 Alfa Romeo GT is confusingly burdened with many different names. Officially, the Alfa Romeo 105/115 series coupe, they are often referred to as Giulia Sprint GT, GT Veloce, GTV, GT Junior, GTV 2000 and sometimes generically as GTs. I’ve generally referred...
There is something so unmistakably compelling about the sports cars produced in the 1960s. Beautifully formed, sculpturally exquisite, and modestly...
Driven by charismatic leadership and inspired by sporting elegance, Aston Martin has long been associated with top performance cars built...
Few motoring experiences can compare to the exhilaration of driving a convertible sports car. The open road before you, the wind invigorating you from all angles as the engine roars to peak revs and you dive into the apex, full grin blazing, hair flying, bugs spattering the windshield, as crisp...
I love good pesto. It has all the right ingredients for a wonderful meal. Cheese, basil, olive oil, all ground...
My friend had done well that year. He was quite a bit older, but we’d bonded over cars, especially as...
Mention Lamborghini to any vintage enthusiast and the conversation will likely focus on the Countach or Miura. Of course, these two juggernauts of design and performance excellence are among the most beautiful and unique sports cars ever conceived, yet during production of both these iconic Lamboghinis, the Espada lurks, almost...
Developed first as a show car to celebrate the Ford Centennial, the Ford GT40 concept car came as a big...
In 1976, I was playing catch with my friend on the front lawn of his house. In the distance we...
A few weeks ago, a standard Series 1 Datsun 240Z sold for $315,000 on a much-publicized public internet auction. The results of the sale were staggering enough, but so too were the comments (close to 2,000) and viewers (over 50,000). Further surprising, was the fact that several bidders were in...
This month one of the most iconic Mustangs to ever hit the road is going up for auction, the 1968 Bullit...
The remarkable Alfa Romeo Sprint Speciale must be counted as among the most beautiful sports car designs of the twentieth...
I recently gave a talk to a collector car gathering in the Bay Area. The Q&A after these talks is always enlightening, so I try to remember those questions as a way to improve my presentations. After the group departed, we funneled into the parking lot where I greeted someone...
