The Ferrari 365 GTB/4 made its first appearance to an enthusiastic world at the Paris Auto Salon in 1968. It was unofficially know as the “Daytona,” a name given to it by the media purportedly to celebrate Ferrari’s 1-2-3 finish at the 1967 Daytona 24 Hours. Like the earlier “Tour de France”, the name stuck....
Photo Gallery from the Oct. 31–Nov. 4, 2020, running of the Copperstate 1000 in Arizona.
Subscriber exclusive Photo Gallery from the Oct. 31–Nov. 4, 2020, running of the Copperstate 1000 in Arizona....
The prototype for the Lamborghini Countach, designated LP500, was first shown to the public at the 1971 Geneva Motor Show. Designed by Marcello Gandini, at Bertone, the Countach was a continuation of design themes Gandini developed in the earlier Lancia Stratos Zero concept car. Gandini would later relate how the Countach received its unusual name: When we made cars for the car shows, we worked at night and we were all tired, so we would joke around to keep our morale up. There was a profiler working with us who made the locks. He was two meters tall with two…
In 1948, Jaguar launched the wild and wooly XK120 at the London Motor Show. It was a testbed and show car to display the new William Heynes designed XK engine. The show car was a sensation and created quite a stir. Jaguar’s founder and chairman William Lyons had no other choice but to put the...
At the 1976 Geneva Motor Show, Alfa Romeo revealed the final iteration of its series of concept cars based on the race-inspired Tipo 33 Stradale chassis and drivetrain. This final concept, named “Navajo”, was penned by Nuccio Bertone and was perhaps the wildest and most “futuristic” take on the Tipo 33 concept cars. Looking like something out of the “Star Wars” movie, which was wildly popular that year, the Navajo featured a rectilinear, wedged shape body with active spoilers.
This 1949 Delahaye 175 S, with flamboyant Saoutchik roadster coachwork, was originally custom built for Sir John Gaul and featured Saoutchik’s “Narval” nose, inspired by the protruding tusk of the Narwahl whale. From Gaul the Delahaye was next owned by the British bombshell actress Diana Dors.
Automobili Lamborghini took part in the 2020 Modena Cento Ore with two cars from its MUDETEC museum: a Jarama GTS and a Countach 25th Anniversary. Considered one of the most dynamic and exciting events in the classic car calendar, this year the event celebrated its 20th edition with a route running from Rome to Modena, from October 10 to 15. The 1990 Countach 25th Anniversary is very important historically, as it was the last one to leave the production lines. Still with its original Argento Luna (metallic silver) paintwork and grey interior, the Countach had a special driver behind the…
Enzo Ferrari’s focus was on racing, not road cars, but he needed money to finance his racing addiction, so he sold road cars to feed the habit. In November 1948, the first show cars ever exhibited by Ferrari were on a stand at the Turin show—a 166MM racer and a 166 Inter road car. Between...
In 1953, Chrysler’s famed design chief, Virgil Exner entered into a partnership with the Italian styling house Ghia to produce four Dodge concept cars on a 119-in wheelbase chassis with Dodge’s Red Ram Hemi V8 engine. The two-seat convertible pictured was the first of these Firearrows, but was a non-running show mule.
In 1896, in Suresnes a western suburb of Paris, Alexandre Darracq started his business, A Darracg & Cie. His business was building road and racecars. Darracq would go on to become famous for the success of his racecars. But by 1912, Darracq had sold off what remained of his business. In 1913 Darracq retired after...