Category: Classic Cars

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BMW 3.0 CSL

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The CSL was a lightweight version of BMW’s flagship six-cylinder 2800/3.0 CS coupes, although the shape harks back to the 1965 2000 CS. It was built especially to allow the car to meet the requirements needed for European Touring Car Group 2 racing. The first CSLs, announced in May 1971, were specially modified so as to become 217km/h road racers with thinner body panels, no front bumper, fibreglass rear bumper, racing latches on the bonnet, manual winding side windows made from plexiglas, and of course the alloy-skinned opening panels, all… Read more

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PACKARD V12

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Throughout the world the name of Rolls-Royce has been associated with the best in automotive engineering. Prior to World War II the name Packard gloried in the popular title of `the American Rolls-Royce’. In fact, during World War II, Packard manufactured more 24-cylinder Rolls-Royce Merlin motors than the entire British aero engine industry. Packard started its climb to success in 1915 when it introduced the world’s first production V12 engine, based on a competition engine built by the British firm Sunbeam. Packard called their cars using this engine Twin Six… Read more

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TOYOTA CROWN

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The Toyota Crown always offered good value for money but never sold in large quantities, unlike smaller Toyota vehicles, compared with comparable Holdens and Fords of tits time. Perhaps its rather bland and conservative looks contributed to this situation for on driving aspects alone it was at least equal to and often better than the competition. The car certainly should have appealed to buyers looking for excellent finish, high comfort levels and solid basic engineering providing they were prepared to accept its tasteful and neat styling. The 1975 Crown was… Read more

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ALVIS SPEED TWENTY

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First introduced in 1920, all Alvis cars made in the early 1920s were designed around a four-cylinder engine. They proved to be a popular sports car but GT Smith-Clarke, the chief design engineer was looking for better performance so in 1927 he introduced an 1870cc six-cylinder overhead valve engine and it was this engine and all future enlarged versions of this engine which powered most of the cars Alvis made right up to the outbreak of World War II in 1939. To increase performance, over time, the original 1870cc engine… Read more

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CHRYSLER VALIANT R-SERIES

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The R Series Valiant was a sensation – a family sedan which could almost touch 100 mph (161 km/h) and run the standing quarter mile in well under 19 seconds. Despite its foreign antecedents (the R Series was assembled from US parts), the Valiant incorporated modifications for Australia. And within ten years the marque would be wholly made in Australia and bear no resemblance to US models. Local planning on the Valiant started in early 1961. To gain a marketing edge over Holden and Falcon, Chrysler Australia opted for the… Read more

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FERRARI DINO

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Some Ferrari stories start with an engine, and the story of the very pretty little Dino road car is no exception. In the 1950s Ferrari’s development team, which included Vittorio Jano and Enzo Ferrari’s son Alfredo, were involved in a program of developing a V6 engine for racing. Initially the unit had a capacity of 1.5-litres with a 60-degree angle between the bore centres, designed to power a Formula Two car. Subsequently the engine was altered slightly by increasing the bore centre angle to 65 degrees, and in this form… Read more

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LANCIA AURELIA

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The Lancia Aurelia was the world’s first Grand Touring (GT) car. But that is not the only reason it will be remembered. It also had the first production V6 engine, with overhead valves and a capacity of 2541 cc. As well it had a semi-trailing arm, independent rear suspension which set a continuing trend, especially when linked with a transaxle combining the gearbox and rear axle for ultimate balance. Another first it scored was in the use of radial-ply tyres to further improve its handling. Of course, Lancia has always… Read more

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RELIANT SCIMITAR

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The Reliant Scimitar was an Italian styled, British-built sports car that proved very popular in the USA. One of its best-known owners was Princess Anne who gave the car quite a deal of publicity when she was booked for speeding in her Scimitar. With its distinctive plastic body, the Scimitar SS1 two-seater was introduced to the market by Reliant early in 1985. Reliant had a lot of experience in building short-run models with glass fibre bodies and outsourced running gear. In mid-1986 Reliant upgraded its Scimitar by introducing the Ti… Read more

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BMW 507 SPORTS

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Whilst BMW is today considered to be one of the finest marques, this was not always the case. In the 1920s BMW made aero engines and motorcycles before beginning licensed production of the Austin Seven in 1929. The company’s original design arrived in 1934 and two years later it established its credentials with the 328, which was probably the best all-round sports car of the day. After World War II the firm’s major plant in East Germany was nationalised Aand eventually made the unloved Wartburgs. The Munich factory in West… Read more

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MG MAGNETTE

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First introduced in 1954 as the ZA Magnette it was a four-cylinder four-door sports saloon based on Austin and Wolseley parts. The familiar MG grille was one of the few external components which differentiated the car from other BMC saloons. The separate chassis of the Y-type was replaced by a unitary body construction. Gone also were the running boards, separate wings and the straight up and down body. Instead, a rounded body with subtle curves and contours gave the car a much smoother continuous look. Whilst the ZA used an… Read more