Oren, Author at Classic Cars

Feb82010 by OrenNo Comments

1932 Ford Models B and 18

Model B

1932 Ford Model B and Model 18 SpecificationsThe 1932 Ford Model B and Model 18 were not without their glitches, but they were still attractive and, in some cases, sought-after vehicles. Here are the specifications for the 1932 Ford Model B and Model 18: (more…)

Nov242009 by OrenNo Comments

1965 Ford Mustang Prototypes

Ford Mustang

What would become the epochal 1964 1/2 Ford Mustang can be traced directly to the Ford Studio model that was "validated" for production on September 10, 1962, less than a month after a courtyard showdown of competing design concepts. (more…)

Nov172009 by OrenNo Comments

1965 Porsche 911 Road Test

911

As with every 356 evolution, the Porsche 911 garnered mixed initial reactions from confirmed Porschephiles, though most soon grew to accept it and, inevitably, respect it. (more…)

Nov82009 by OrenNo Comments

1974 Porsche 911 Carrera RS

911

The Porsche Carrera RS 3.0 was an amazing performer by mid-1970s standards, and it's not too shabby even now. Journalist/race driver Paul Frere tested one for Road & Track and recorded a 124-mph average over 78 miles of fast Italian autostrada. (more…)

Nov12009 by OrenNo Comments

1953-1967 Austin-Healey 100 and 3000

Austin Healey

The 1953 Austin-Healey 100 and 3000 were among the first of the cars made by the company of the same name. Donald Healey wanted to increase production volume for his budding British car-building concern in the early Fifties, so he turned to a reasonably priced sports car as the vehicle for this objective. He wound up with a car that was a winner on both sides of the Atlantic. (more…)

Oct52009 by OrenNo Comments

Aston Martin DB Mark III

Aston Martin DB3

The Aston Martin DB Mark III, third and final derivative of the DB2 Aston Martin, appeared in March 1957 (originally for export only) and was produced for two years. Almost everything about its technical development, equipment, and marketing was logical except the name. After the DB2/4 and DB2/4 Mark II, it rightly should have been called DB2/4 Mk III, but it wasn’t. Neither could it be the DB3, for that designation had been used on a sports-racing car in the early 1950s. (more…)

Sep172009 by OrenNo Comments

The Basics of Classic Car Insurance

Classic car insurance

If the old saw that beauty is in the eye of the beholder is true, most insurance companies need glasses. They look at a classic car and write one thing on their little forms -- “old.” In insurance lingo “old” is a first cousin to “depreciation.” In order to find companies that understand that classics appreciate in value over time and have intrinsic worth beyond simple functional mechanics, owners who need classic car insurance must deal with specialty firms. (more…)

Sep82009 by OrenNo Comments

Alfa Romeo 1900 history

Alfa Romeo 1900

The 1900 was not only Alfa Romeo’s first new postwar design but the first Alfa with unit construction. Berlina (sedan) bodies were produced at the factory, but various coupe and cabriolet styles were offered by Ghia, Boano, Farina, Vignale, Castagna, and Bertone, with the majority produced by Carrozzeria Touring. Though all-new, the Alfa Romeo 1900 retained some of Alfa’s traditional engineering philosophy, particularly in its twincam four-cylinder engine and the 4-speed all-synchromesh transmission of the last 6C 2500. (more…)

Sep82009 by OrenNo Comments

1954 Alfa Romeo 1900

Alfa Romeo 1900

Before World War II, Alfa Romeo produced exotic sports cars and occupied a niche similar to that of Ferrari today. (In fact, Enzo Ferrari managed Alfa's racing team before building his own cars.) But to survive in the postwar European market, Alfa Romeo decided to market a mass-produced sedan, a series that would include the 1954 Alfa Romeo 1900. (more…)

Aug172009 by OrenNo Comments

Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia Styling

Karmann Ghia

Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia styling had a mixed parentage. Ghia was happy to take credit for the shape, and while the true details of the origins Volkswagen Karmann-Ghia styling are lost to history, it seems there was much of American designer Virgil Exner in it. (more…)