Classic and Collector Car News, Features and Interviews.
Launched in 1986 at the British International Motor Show, the TVR S1 marked a change in direction for the British sports car maker, under the guidance of its new owner Martin Wheeler. Taking its styling cues from the older 3000S convertible and mechanicals from the out going 280i, the S1 continued TVRs fibreglass body format and separate tubular space frame chassis. It featured the tried and trusted fuel injected Cologne…
The Fiat x1/9 was a mid engined sports car designed by Bertone and was just one of their famous line of wedge shaped car designs. Fiat in the late 1960s were searching for a convertible sports car to fit into their new 128 range. Nuncio Bertone, filled with confidence after the launch of the Lamborghini Miura, suggested a rear engined format. Fiat were not convinced, feeling the design would be…
The Citroen 2CV was a revolution in cheap utilitarian motoring when it was unveiled to the French public in 1948. Where the Citroen DS stood for luxury and sophistication, the Citroen 2CV stood for completely the opposite. However to say that the 2CV wasn’t sophisticated isn’t particularly fair. Commissioned by Pierre Boulanger in the 1930s, his brief determined that the new car, code named “Becassine”, had to carry two farmers…
The Peugeot 304s Cabriolet was introduced to the Peugeot 304 range in 1970. It followed on from the earlier Peugeot 204 convertible and featured an improved 1288cc four cylinder engine. While it only produced 74BHP, the aluminium engine block combined with a four speed transmission and the cars compact form, resulted in a sprightly yet economical convertible. Thanks to its independent suspension, front-wheel-drive and disc brakes, the 304 drove better…
Delahaye was a French automobile manufacturer founded by Emile Delahaye in 1894. His first cars were belt-driven, with tiny rear mounted single/twin-cylinder engines. One of the companies most notable achievements was the invention of the V6 engine in 1911. The 3.2-litre twin-cam engine design was credited to the companies chief design-engineer Amadee Varlet and fitted to the Type 44. The model proved unsuccessful however and it would take until 1935…
Talbot Lago was a French racing and luxury car manufacturer that operated from 1935 until it was sold to Simca in 1959. The company emerged from the collapsed Anglo-French STD (Sunbeam-Talbot-Darracq) in 1935 and was purchased by Italian engineer Antonio Lago. While reorganising the companies product line, Lago pushed forward his desire to build racing cars which lead to the Talbot Lago T150C. This featured a single cam 3 litre…
Update 17-08-2015: This car has now been entered into Silverstone Auctions Salon Privé Sale on the 5th September at Blenheim Palace. It now has an estimate of between £225,000 – £275,000. More details on Silverstones Auctions Salon Privé sale can be found here. Update 10-07-2015: The Iso Grifo didn’t sell at Brooklands auction in June and has now appeared on Carandclassic.co.uk with an asking price of £275,000. More details on the…
The Jaguar E-Type was launched in May 1961 as a replacement for the Jaguar XK150. Designed by Malcolm Sayer, it was an instant success with even the great Enzo Ferrari stating it was “the most beautiful car ever made”. The new Jaguar Series 1 E-type had a 3.8ltr straight six engine which was fed by triple SU carbs and was mated to a four speed manual gearbox. With 265BHP on…
The Mercedes 220 series first made its appearance in 1954 with the launch of the 220a. Considered to be the first modern Mercedes, they were powered by a 2,195cc straight six engine which produced around 80BHP. Offered as a coupe or a cabriolet, they were the ultimate in luxurious motoring in the 1950s and were built to very high standards. In 1956 the Mercedes 220s was launched and was upgraded…
Cisitalia was an Italian sports and racing car manufacturer founded in 1944 by Piero Dusio. A well known football player and racing driver, his company made racing cars that proved very successful in the Mille Miglia in the late 1940s/early 1950s. Perhaps their most famous car was the stunning Cisitalia 202 SC, a true work of automotive art. Cisitalia were fortunate to have employed the likes of Ferdinand Porsche and…