Famously launched at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show, the Jaguar E-Type created a furore. Its combination of supercar performance, superb styling and a low-price tag left rivals reeling and customers clamouring. Built as a monocoque with a front sub-frame to cradle the engine, the model's combination of all-round independent suspension (torsion-bar fron..
Starting with the Meyers Manx in the early Sixties the dune buggy craze took off in America. Meyers named it Manx for its stubby tail with the engine exposed, like the breed of cat. Even the buggy's stance, low at the front and high at the rear, emulated its feline namesake. Used up Volkswagen Beetles were abundant in California and the surf cultur..
The 1966 13 windowed Volkswagen Split Screen van is iconic, not just for its unique styling or its first appearance 70 years ago, but perhaps due to its innovative packaging and the way it revolutionised the way we transport people. Its success really came in the late ‘50s, when exports to America gave Volkswagen a huge advantage over its homegrown..
Introduced at the 1959 London Motor Show, the Bentley S2 had a 200hp, V8 engine and, because of its alloy construction, weighed the same as the six-cylinder S1 it replaced. The S2’s driving manners were much improved with a Hydramatic transmission, upgraded power-assisted brakes, and power steering. Inside, the S2 had a new dashboard, incorporating..
The Fiat 500 was a city car produced by the Italian manufacturer Fiat between 1957 and 1975. Launched as the Nuova 500 in July 1957, it was a cheap and practical town car. Measuring only nine feet nine inches long, and originally powered by an appropriately sized 479cc two-cylinder, air-cooled engine, the 500 redefined the term ‘small car’, and is ..
The 1966 Ford Cortina is a classic compact car that played a significant role in automotive history. Known for its affordability, practicality, and sporty appeal, the Cortina quickly became a popular choice for families and driving enthusiasts alike. With its sleek and timeless design, it captured attention on the roads. The 1966 model featured a r..
Frixos Demetriou was a successful casino owner in Cyprus and the owner of the Olympic Gaming Club in London. While in Milan his flight to Athens was diverted, he spotted an unusual looking car by the airport and on enquiry discovered that it was a Fiat 500 Gamine Vignale. The Gamine was a small two-seater roadster produced by Carozzeria Vignale fro..
The controversially styled Daimler SP250 Dart was introduced at the New York Motor Show in 1959 and had its European debut at the 1959 Earls Court Motor Show; the Dart name was soon dropped after the threat of legal action from Chrysler who had a car of that name within their Dodge division. Thereafter, this new sports car was known as the Daimler ..
Launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2001, the Alfa Romeo 156 GTA is certainly the spiritual successor to the original GTA sold throughout the 1960s. In fact, this sports saloon is a gorgeous model designed by Centro Stile in collaboration with Stola and was hand assembled on its own production line.
Today, most examples on the road surely have..
First registered in April 1969, this Capri 1300 XL is finished in Light Blue with chrome bumpers over a blue leather-trimmed cabin punctuated by wooden dashboard inlays. The Ford rides on a set of 13” alloy wheels, shod with Dunlop tyres and looks very well indeed. As an ‘XL’ model, the specification includes front and rear bumper overriders, twin ..