Toyota AE86 Trueno – The Iconic Drift Machine The Toyota AE86 Trueno is an iconic Japanese sports coupe from the 1980s famous for its nimble handling and drift racing prowess. Part of the Corolla Levin/Sprinter Trueno family, the lightweight AE86 utilized a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout for ideal balance. Although powered by only a small inline-4,…
Citroen DS – The Space Age Luxury Car The Citroen DS stunned the world when it debuted at the 1955 Paris Motor Show. Its futuristic aerodynamic body and advanced hydraulic suspension technology looked decades ahead of its time. The revolutionary DS, short for déesse (goddess), exemplified French automotive ingenuity and design leadership. Its blend of…
Maserati MC12 – The Ferrari-Powered Supercar In the mid-2000s, Italian automaker Maserati stunned the world by unleashing the outrageous MC12 supercar. A limited production model homologated for racing, the MC12 pushed boundaries with its extreme performance, race-bred chassis, and awe-inspiring style. Its Ferrari-sourced powertrain and Formula 1-derived technology combined to create a fascinating without equal…
Mercury Cyclone – The Muscle Car From Mercury’s Heyday The Mercury Cyclone represents the brand’s glory years producing bold American muscle cars in the 1960s and 1970s. As Ford’s upmarket badge, Mercury gained more expressive styling and increased performance to differentiate its offerings. The Cyclone coupes and convertibles delivered standout styling, potent V8s, and competitive…
Mille Miglia – Italy’s Legendary Thousand-Mile Race From 1927 to 1957, the Mille Miglia endurance race captivated Italy and the racing world. Covering over 1,000 miles of open public roads, it became a symbol of Italian passion, mechanical brilliance, and daring. Wins at the “thousand miles” cemented the reputations of great marques like Alfa Romeo,…
Mercedes-Benz 300SL – The Original Gullwing Coupe The Mercedes-Benz 300SL “Gullwing” endures as one of history’s most significant automobiles. Introduced in 1954 as a street-legal version of Mercedes’ Le Mans winner, the 300SL brought racing technology to the public through innovative engineering and striking beauty. Its long list of firsts included fuel injection, a tubular…
Stout Scarab – The World’s First Minivan The Stout Scarab holds a special place in automotive history as the first minivan and progenitor of the modern people’s mover concept. Introduced in 1936, this futuristic Art Deco automobile was the brainchild of aviation engineer William Bushnell Stout. The Scarab’s innovative use of materials, passenger-focused design, and…
Fiat X1/9 – The Affordable Mid-Engine Roadster The Fiat X1/9 delivered a unique combination of nimble mid-engine handling and affordability when it debuted in 1972. Styled by Bertone and engineered by Fiat, the petite X1/9 roadster introduced a new platform combining a mid-mounted powertrain with a lightweight body. Costing under $3,000 new, it brought the…