Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV
The forerunner to the 1967 1750 GTV, the Sprint Coupe, debuted in 1963 as part of the Giulia family of cars which included saloons and Spiders designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, was distinctive and handsome. The GTV (GT Veloce) was the fast version of the Sprint and shared the same mechanicals as other models in the range. Independent front suspension using double wishbones and an anti-roll bar, together with a live axle with trailing arms and anti-roll bar, made for fantastic handling with just a slight hint of understeer. Best of all was the all-aluminium engine twin-overhead cam, which used larger valves and a modified intake to increase power. Though it started out as a 98ci (1.6-litre), in 1967 the engine was increased to 120ci (1.7 litre) and this is regarded as the high point in its development; it was such a sweet revver, even if not as powerful as the 120ci (1.9-litre) unit of 1971.
Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV Specifications
| Top speed: | 116 mph (185 km/h) |
| 0-60 mph (0-95 km/h): | 9.3 sec |
| Engine type: | In-line four |
| Displacement: | 108 ci (1,779 cc) |
| Transmission: | 5-speed manual |
| Max power: | 132 bhp (98 kW) @ 5,500 rpm |
| Max torque: | 137 lb ft (186 Nm) @ 2,900 rpm |
| Weight: | 2,239 lb (1,018 kg) |
| Economy: | 20 mpg (13 km/I) |
Alvis TD21
British luxury car maker Alvis turned to Graber of Switzerland to supply bodies for its new luxury GT in 1958 - and the result was a car that looked absolutely stunning. As well as the sleek, elegant two-door coupe, an even prettier drophead variant was introduced. Although designed by Graber, the bodies were built in England, first by Willowbrook in Loughborough and later by Park Ward of London. Series II models, from 1962, had disc brakes on all four wheels and a five-speed manual gearbox, or optional three-speed automatic. The TD21 evolved into the TE21 and TF21 until 1967, when production was stopped by Alvis' parent company Rover, who wanted Alvis to concentrate on building military vehicles instead. Alvis remains an important manufacturer of military vehicles to this day, although it is HO longer part of Rover.
Alvis TD21 Specifications
| Top speed: | 106 mph (170 km/h) |
| 0-60 mph (0-95 km/h): | 13.5 sec |
| Engine type: | in-line six |
| Displacement: | 182 ci (2,993 cc) |
| Transmission: | 4-speed manual |
| Max power: | 115 bhp (86 kW) at 4,000 rpm |
| Max torque: | 152 lb ft (206 Nm) at 2,500 rpm |
| Weight: | 3,360 lb (1,512 kg) |
| Economy: | 22 mpg (7.8 km/I) |
AMC Rebel Machine (1970)
AMC were small compared to the big three muscle-car producers in 1970. They'd released the patriotic-colored SC Rambler in conjunction with Hurst in 1969 which packed 315bhp (235kW) for 14-second quarter-miles, but only 1,512 were made. In 1970 the SC/Rambler replaced it, but again it only lasted for a year and just 2,326 were made. The Rambler was a good muscle car, and AMC stuffed their largest engine into the new mid-sized saloon. It was a strong motor with a forged steel crank and it could spring the car to mid-14-second times on the quarter, through a Borg Warner Muncie gearbox. At the rear a 3.54:1 moderate gear was fitted, but AMC offered up to 5.00:1 acceleration gears and a Twin Grip limited-slip differential for racers. The Rambler had very stiff suspension, and grossly overpowered steering, which didn't help reviews and, hence, sales.
AMC Rebel Machine (1970) Specifications
| Top speed: | 115 mph (184 km/h) |
| 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h): | 6.4 sec |
| Engine type: | V8 |
| Displacement: | 390 ci (6,390 cc) |
| Transmission: | 4-speed manual |
| Max power: | 340 bhp (254 kW) @ 5,100 rpm |
| Max torque: | 430 lb ft (583 Nm) @ 3,600 rpm |
| Weight: | 3,650 lb (1,659 kg) |
| Economy: | 11 mpg (3.89 km/I) |
Anglia Gasser
As drag-racing grew ever-more popular in the 1950s, racers looked for smaller and lighter cars in which to put big engines. Ford's little 'sit-up-and-beg' car, which began life in 1939 as the Anglia E04A and went through from 1953 to 1959 as the Popular, proved to be ideal for the big engine swap. Its already basic interior could easily be replaced with aluminium panels to lose weight, while inside the front was deceptively large once the inner wings were cut away. With basic suspension, racers could get their car's weight right down, and modifying a V8 would see the power-to-weight ratio way beyond any supercar. As cars and racing developed, roll cages were added for safety, special drag-racing suspension was installed and the power increased with either superchargers or nitrous oxide. Such cars represent a nod to past racers, giving as much excitement, but more safety.
Anglia Gasser Specifications
| Top speed: | 170 mph (272 km/h) |
| 0-60 mph (0-95 km/h): | 2.4 sec |
| Engine type: | V8 |
| Displacement: | 350 ci (5,735 cc) |
| Transmission: | 4-speed clutch less manual |
| Max power: | 775 bhp (578 kW) @ 6,200 rpm |
| Max torque: | 680 lb ft (921 Nm) @ 4,000 rpm |
| Weight: | 1,870 lb (850 kg) |
| Economy: | 4 mpg (1.42 km/I) |
Aston Martin DB6
The 1966 DB6 replaced the DB5 and was a much updated car. Underneath, out went the steel platform construction and in came a modern monocoque design with steel inner panels and floorpan covered with the aluminium body. Though longer by 3.7 inches (94mm) in the wheelbase, which gave a slightly better ride quality, the DB6 used the same suspension layout as the DB5 with double wishbones at the front and a Watts linkage/trailing arm live axle rear. The engine was also the DB5's, but slightly up in power especially in Vantage form which had 325bhp (242kW). While similar in the nose, the DB6 had a distinct cut-off rear which was accentuated by a raised rear lip which doubled as a spoiler. It made the car more aerodynamic, increasing downforce and high speed stability. The interior had Wilton carpet, leather seats, multiple gauges and a wood/aluminium wheel.
Aston Martin DB6 Specifications
| Top speed: | 150 mph (240 km/h) |
| 0-60 mph (0-95 km/h): | 6.7 sec |
| Engine type: | In-line six |
| Displacement: | 244 ci (3,995 cc) |
| Transmission: | 5-speed manual |
| Max power: | 325 bhp (242 kW) @ 5,750 rpm |
| Max torque: | 290 lb ft (393 Nm) @ 4,500 rpm |
| Weight: | 3,417 lb (1,553 kg) |
| Economy: | 10.7 mpg (3.8 km/I) |
Aston Martin Lagonda
Aston Martin's chief designer, William Towns, had yet another surprise in store with the 1976 Lagonda. Reviving a glorious name from the past, the new car was billed as a technical tour de force. Based on a stretched AM V8 chassis, the car had a complex digital dashboard and automatic locking. But its most talked about feature was its distinctive wedge-shaped styling. Never before had a four-door sedan been built with such striking lines, and there was no way you could mistake the Lagonda for anything else on the road. Early cars were appalling, with electrical glitches aplenty and, in some cases, the automatic locking trapping owners either inside or outside their vehicles. But the Lagonda had its fans, and that ensured a production run of 14 years, with the last cars being delivered to those who adored its appearance more than anything in 1990.
Aston Martin Lagonda Specifications
| Top speed: | 144 mph (231 km/h) |
| 0-60 mph (0-95 km/h): | 8.8 sec |
| Engine type: | V8 |
| Displacement: | 325 ci (5,340 cc) |
| Transmission: | 3-speed auto |
| Max power: | 325 bhp (242 kW) at 5,600 rpm |
| Max torque: | 375 lb ft (509 Nm) at 4,500 rpm |
| Weight: | 4,630 lb (2,083 kg) |
| Economy: | 14 mpg (5.0 km/I) |
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Austin Mini (modified)
In the UK the Mini has been the most popular car to modify for the past 40 years. Its combination of cute looks, great handling and pure simplicity has put it in the top five of British people's most loved car, and its long production run from 1959 to 2000 proves this. During its time, many modified versions have come from the factory but it's the home tuners who have pushed the little car's limits the most. Because of this, a huge aftermarket has grown around the car. This roadster version is perhaps one of the most extreme both in looks and performance. Its roof has been cut off and the body reduced by 3 inches (76mm) in height, as well as being made into a two-seater. The car features a highly tuned engine which, due to the light weight of the car, can get it down the quarter-mile faster than most American muscle car models.
Austin Mini (modified) Specifications
| Top speed: | 136 mph (218 km/h) |
| 0-60 mph (0-95 km/h): | 5.4 sec |
| Engine type: | In-line four |
| Displacement: | 85 ci (1,400 cc) |
| Transmission: | 4-speed manual |
| Max power: | 125 bhp (93 kW) @ 6,500 rpm |
| Max torque: | 95 lb ft (128 Nm) @ 4,000 rpm |
| Weight: | 1,300 lb (591 kg) |
| Economy: | 18 mpg (6.4 km/I) |
Amphicar
It might have been a novelty, but the Amphicar wasn't as daft an idea as it sounds. The brainchild of German inventor Hans Trippel, who had experience of building successful amphibian vehicles during World War II for the German army, the Amphicar was designed to double up as a car and a boat. It came with two engines -a Triumph Herald unit for road use and a Hermes outboard motor for aquatic use, powering twin propellers. But while brilliant in concept, the Amphicar was a disaster in execution. Its design was too compromised in too many ways, and it was neither brilliant on the road nor in water, and thus unappealing to drive. Poor rust proofing didn't help the car's reputation, either. Owners who forgot to dry their Amphicars off after a swim found them rotting away or - even worse - sinking due to water ingress.
Amphicar Specifications
| Top speed: | 65 mph (104 km/h) |
| 0-60 mph (0-95 km/h): | 43.0 sec |
| Engine type: | in-line four |
| Displacement: | 70 ci (1,147 cc) |
| Transmission: | 4-speed manual |
| Max power: | 43 bhp (32 kW) at 4,750 rpm |
| Max torque: | 61 lb ft (85 Nm) at 2,250 rpm |
| Weight: | 2,312 lb (1,040 kg) |
| Economy: | 35 mpg (12 km/I) |
BMW M Coupe
Adding a roof to an already successful Z3 roadster seemed logical, yet the almost estate-like M Coupe didn't win over everyone straight away. The proportions took some getting used to, though this was better in 'M' guise. The roof also added rigidity to the structure, making it some 2.5 times stiffer torsionally than the roadster. The effect was to sharpen up the car's responses dramatically. Understeer was built in, but with so much power it could be corrected quickly with the traction control off. The engine used twin overhead camshafts and BMW's VANOS variable valve system, and could make 321bhp (239kW) in Europe. Huge 12.4-inch (315mm) vented discs were fitted all around and inspired much confidence, as did the anti-roll bars front and rear which keep the body virtually horizontal. Inside the car was typically 'M', with figure-hugging seats, and sports wheel in leather and Alcantara.
BMW M Coupe Specifications
| Top Speed: | 139 mph (222 km/h) |
| 0-60 mph (0-95 km/h): | 5.1 sec |
| Engine type: | In-line six |
| Displacement: | 192 ci (3,152 cc) |
| Transmission: | 5-speed manual |
| Max power: | 240 bhp (179 kW) @ 6,000 rpm |
| Max torque: | 236 lb ft (320 Nm) @ 3,800 rpm |
| Weight: | 3,131 lb (1,423 kg) |
| Economy: | 21 mpg (7.5 km/I) |
Buick Limited (1958)
Like many companies of the era, Buick decided bigger was better for 1958 and they added the lengthened Limited to their range. The car had such innovative extras as air suspension for an ultra smooth ride, plus alloy brake drums to speed heat dispersal and hence create better braking. Also new was the Flight-Pitch Dynaflow, a version of Buick's Dynaflow, which had three rather than two turbines inside to give a smoother transition through the gears. What all this actually created was an overly soft ride which would pitch the car over in corners, and an unresponsive gearbox. The brakes were the saving grace. This car was most about showing off Buick style, however, and nowhere was this more evident than on the over-fussy rear end, which had an overhang of over 60 inches or 5ft (1.5 m). Despite this, rear leg-room was atrocious. The car lasted until 1959.
Buick Limited (1958) Specifications
| Top Speed: | 110 mph (176 km/h) |
| 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h): | 11.2 sec |
| Engine type: | V8 |
| Displacement: | 364 ci (5,964 cc) |
| Transmission: | 3-speed auto |
| Max power: | 300 bhp (224 kW) @ 4,600 rpm |
| Max torque: | 400 lb ft (542 Nm) @ 3,200 rpm |
| Weight: | 4,691 lb (2,132 kg) |
| Economy: | 13 mpg (4.60 km/I) |
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Boyd Smoothster (1995)
Boyd Coddington's name became synonymous with high-tech, high-buck hot rodding during the 1980s and this continued into the 1990s while his projects grew increasingly wild. His aim was to build hot rods which used classic looks but with a modern twist, and the majority of the machines his company made went out to win trophies and garner the Coddington name more recognition. The Smoothster was designed to win the prestigious 'America's Most Beautiful Roadster' award and did so in 1995. It featured hand-made sheet aluminium bodywork over a custom steel frame with one-off billet aluminium A-arms at either end for fully independent suspension. The Corvette engine is untouched except for a rework of its looks but is powerful in stock trim. The 17-inch (432mm) and 18-inch (457mm) wheels' six-spoke pattern is replicated in the twin tailpipes. The roof is a removable Carson-style top.
Boyd Smoothster (1995) Specifications
| Top Speed: | 122 mph (195 km/h) |
| 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h): | 6.0 sec |
| Engine type: | V8 |
| Displacement: | 350 ci (5,735 cc) |
| Transmission: | 4-speed auto |
| Max power: | 300 bhp (224 kW) @ 5,000 rpm |
| Max torque: | 330 lb ft (447 Nm) @ 2,400 rpm |
| Weight: | N/A |
| Economy: | 17 mpg (6.02 km/I) |
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Bentley Continental R
The handsome 1952 Continental R's fastback styling stopped show-goers in their tracks at the London Motor Show that same year. Such was the cost at the time, however, being many times the average annual wage, it was out of reach to all but the super rich, and in three years of production just 207 were made. The Continental shared its underpinnings with the MkVI Bentley saloon. Independent wishbones suspension at the front and leaf springs out back made a ride that was leisurely, though the car could turn on the pace when required and was remarkably quiet with it, even over the 100mph (160km/h) mark. A 280ci (4.6-liter) straight-six with intake valves mounted overhead and exhaust valves to the side was described by Bentley as 'adequate' and that it was, within a swift but silent grace. Inside was typically gentleman's club, awash with hide and walnut, and extreme luxury.
Bentley Continental R Specifications
| Top speed: | 117 mph (187 km/h) |
| 0-60 mph (0-95 km/h): | 13.5 sec |
| Engine type: | In-line six |
| Displacement: | 278 ci (4,566 cc) |
| Transmission: | 4-speed manual |
| Max power: | N/A |
| Max torque: | N/A |
| Weight: | 3,543 lb (1,610 kg) |
| Economy: | 16 mpg (5.7 km/I) |
BMW M3 1987
To homologate their car for Group A racing, BMW were required to build 5,000 road-going versions of their M3. The car appeared with a 192bhp (143kW) four-cylinder and was a success. The independent suspension layout is the same as the regular 3 Series, with MacPherson struts and a semi-trailing arm rear design, but the springs, shocks and bushes were uprated, along with the anti-roll bars, while up front the castor was increased to improve high-speed stability. The vented disc brakes were also increased in size and finally a limited slip differential was added. The engine had a forged steel crank, all-new alloy head with four valves per cylinder, and with short stroke/ large bore design, it could rev beyond 7,000 rpm. Side blister helped cover the wider wheels, but what isn't so obvious is the re-angled rear screen and fatter pillars, which gave a stiffer bodyshell.
BMW M3 1987 Specifications
| Top Speed: | 141 mph (225 km/h) |
| 0-60 mph (0-95 km/h): | 6.9 sec |
| Engine type: | In-line four |
| Displacement: | 140 ci (2,302 cc( |
| Transmission: | 5-speed manual |
| Max power: | 192 bhp (143 kW) @ 6,750 rpm |
| Max torque: | 170 lb ft (230 Nm) @ 4,750 rpm |
| Weight: | 2,857 lb (1,299 kg) |
| Economy: | 22 mpg (7.8 km/I) |
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Buick Skylark (1954)
In 1954 Buick celebrated 50 years in car production with the introduction of the Skylark. Designed by Harley Earl, the car was built to be the top-level Buick and thus featured much chrome trim on its custom coachbuilt body, plus a wraparound windshield. The interior was luxurious and had such features as power steering, brakes, four-way adjustable front seat and a power convertible top, all as standard equipment. It was also fitted with a 'Selectronic' radio and 'Easy Eye' tinted glass. Underneath, the car was a Roadmaster and featured that car's double wishbone front with telescopic shocks, while the rear still had leaf springs and lever-arm shocks. It all made for a smooth, relaxing drive which the powerful engine and Dynaflow transmission only further enhanced. The Skylark was quick for its day, though most correctly labeled it as a fast cruiser rather than sportscar.
Buick Skylark (1954) Specifications
| Top Speed: | 105 mph (168 km/h) |
| 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h): | 11.5 sec |
| Engine type: | V8 |
| Displacement: | 322 ci (5,276 cc) |
| Transmission: | 2-speed auto |
| Max power: | 200 bhp (149 kW) @ 4,100 rpm |
| Max torque: | N/A |
| Weight: | 4,260 lb (1,936 kg) |
| Economy: | 14 mpg (4.95 km/I) |
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Chevrolet Bel Air (1957)
Stylist Harley Earl was responsible for the 1957 Chevy, and he created a car which became an American icon. His philosophy was to make cars lower, wider and longer, but he still showed aeroplane influence at this time, with the large rear fins, hood fins and large side spears. The grille looked like a huge, gaping mouth sucking in air for the engine, though that sat back some way from the front. Perhaps the most famous V8 of all time, the small-block Chevy, was used under the hood, having grown in size by then to 283ci (4.6-liter) from the original 265ci (4.3-liter). It gave the Bel Air exceptional performance, and even the handling was ahead of the competition, despite basic underpinnings of a double-wishbone front and leaf sprung live rear axle. While the Bel Air had many options, one popular one was the continental kit which extended the rear fender and re-located the licence plate.
Chevrolet Bel Air (1957) Specifications
| Top speed: | 115 mph (184 km/h) |
| 0-60 mph (0-95 km/h): | 8.5 sec |
| Engine type: | V8 |
| Displacement: | 283 ci (4,637 cc) |
| Transmission: | 3-speed manual |
| Max power: | 220 bhp (164 kW) @ 4,800 rpm |
| Max torque: | 270 lb ft (366 Nm) @ 2,800 rpm |
| Weight: | 3,409 lb (1,550 kg) |
| Economy: | 20 mpg (7.1 km/I) |
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Datsun 240Z
Aimed directly at the American market, the 1969 Datsun 240Z had the looks, the handling thanks to independent suspension all around, a powerful free-revving engine plus a build quality which few could match for the money. It offered a monocoque design chassis/body, and whereas most cars of the era were still using leaf springs, the 240Z had struts all around, making it outstanding in corners. The straight-six engine was based on the Bluebird four-cylinder and was exceptionally strong, giving out plenty of power and torque while returning good economy and reliability that would see it go past 150,000 miles (241,350km) if properly serviced. Although having just two seats, it was practical with the hatchback rear. It also had a very high build quality which way surpassed anything else at its $3,526 price. The car sold over 150,000 models in 4 years.
Datsun 240Z Specifications
| Top speed: | 125 mph (200 km/h) |
| 0-60 mph (0-95 km/h): | 8.7 sec |
| Engine type: | In-line six |
| Displacement: | 146 ci (2,393 cc) |
| Transmission: | 5-speed manual |
| Max power: | 150 bhp (112 kW)@ 6,000 rpm |
| Max torque: | 148 lb ft (200 Nm) @ 4,400 rpm |
| Weight: | 2,355 lb (1070 kg) |
| Economy: | 25 mpg (8.9 km/I) |
VW Beetle
During the 1970s when the drag-racing scene of the USA was dominated by muscle cars, VWs began to make an appearance on the West Coast tracks. With companies such as Empi and Scat providing aftermarket VW performance parts, and individuals like Gene Berg who was at the forefront of tuning the flat four, the VWs started to embarrass many quick muscle cars with crazy quarter-miles times of 12 seconds. This was almost unheard from engines as small as 122ci (2 liters), but it sparked a craze in tuning VWs. That craze continues today and this Beetle is a British street/strip racer. It retains the Beetle floorpan, but has lowered suspension and uprated shocks. The all-alloy engine comprises a custom-machined block, race spec heads, dual 2-inch (52mm) carbs and a custom grind cam, all driving through a modified gearbox. With slick tyres the car can run low 12-second quarter-miles.
VW Beetle Cabrio
Volkswagen's first collaboration with Karmann was to create a convertible version of the Beetle and put it into series production. The soft-top Bug was unveiled in 1949 and went into production straight away, although unusually conversion specialists Hebmiiller also offered a chopped Beetle for the first lour years. After that, the Karmann derivative was the only soft-top available and remained in production for over 30 years, undergoing the same mechanical changes and minor facelifts as the saloon car on which it was based. Such was I lie quality of Karmann's engineering that, with the roof raised, the Convertible wan actually quieter than the sedan on the road, although rear visibility was hampered by a small plastic window that was prone to discoloration over time. The Karmann Beetles all carried the coachbuilder's own badge rather than that of Volkswagen.
VW Beetle Cabrio Specifications
| Top speed: | 63 mph (101 km/h) |
| 0-60 mph (0-95 km/h): | not quoted |
| Engine type: | flat-four |
| Displacement: | 69 ci (1,131 cc) |
| Transmission: | 4-speed manual |
| Max power: | 25 bhp (19 kW) at 3,300 rpm |
| Max torque: | 49 lb ft (66 Nm) at 2,000 rpm |
| Weight: | 1,652 lb (743 kg) |
| Economy: | 30 mpg (10.7 km/I) |
VW Karmann Ghia
The humble Volkswagen Beetle had already hit it big in the States when the German manufacturer was approached by coachbuilders Karmann with a proposal to turn it into an attractive coupe. While a sporty Beetle variant was never on VW's agenda, the designs (by Ghia of Italy) were so pretty that it was decided to put the car into production. The car's slippery shape lent itself well to the Beetle's wheelbase, but although it looked like a sports car the Karmann Ghia made do with the standard air-cooled mechanical layout of its sedan cousin. Even though the engine was uprated four times during its 19-year production cycle, the Karmann Ghia never went or handled like a sports car, but those sinewy looks and a reputation for being mechanically unburstable meant it was perennially a good seller. The Cabriolet remains the most sought-after model.
VW Karmann Ghia Specifications
| Top speed: | 87 mph (141 km/h) |
| 0-60 mph (0-95 km/h): | 21.7 sec |
| Engine type: | flat-four |
| Displacement: | 91 ci (1,493 cc) |
| Transmission: | 4-speed manual |
| Max power: | 45 bhp (33kW) at 3,800 rpm |
| Max torque: | 83 lb ft (113 Nm) at 2,000 rpm |
| Weight: | 1,930 lb (869 kg) |
| 25 mpg (8.9 km/I)
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