With the end of the Second World War in 1945, both the victors and vanquished worked to regain a sense of normalcy that had been lost with the start of the tragic conflict in 1939. Like most sporting endeavors, it took some time for motor racing to regain its antebellum popularity although there was –…
The GSM Dart and Flamingo are nearly forgotten today, but they were pioneering cars in the late 50s when the Anglo-South African hybrids became only the second car manufacturer to build a car in the former British colony. After a trip to England in 1956, South African Willie Meissner became enthralled with fiberglass manufacturing –…
The Austin Gipsy was announced in 1958 as a replacement for the Champ which had been produced for the Royal Army. The small utility vehicle was intended as a commercial rival to the increasingly popular Land Rover and was hoped to sell to both civilian and military customers. The first vehicle produced with an independent…
Produced from 1953 to 1958, the MG Magnette ZA and ZB made its debut at the 1953 London Motor Show at Earls Court. Designed by Jerry Palmer – who had earlier designed the Jowett Jupiter – the MG saloon marked the first appearance of the near legendary B-Series four-cylinder engine and was the first monocoque…
As an automotive designer, Freeman Thomas has styled some of the most iconic designs of the past several decades. The guiding hand behind the original Audi TT, the striking Volkswagen New Beetle, the imposing visage of the Chrysler 300C and the resurrection of the Ford Mustang, Thomas honed his skills at Porsche, Audi, VW and…
Sometimes it seems like everybody wants my Henry dead. It seems almost inevitable that when they see him or hear his tale, their eyebrows shoot up and they don that look that says, “OK…I’m being polite but I can’t believe you kept him.” But I’m stubborn and no matter that the popular opinion may be,…
I like Fords. I’m a history guy and Fords play rather prominently in our nation’s history so I’m drawn to them. We’ve owned scores of them ranging from Model As to a brand new Focus. You name the year and we’ve probably owned at least one. I like GM. They’ve had some revolutionary models over…
Don’t feel bad if you’ve never heard of the Atlas-Allied Swallow. Don’t be concerned if the car looks a little familiar – it should – it’s a doppelgänger for one of the most iconic shapes ever designed. But what you are looking at isn’t the same car that has been in the New York Museum…
If you have owned a British car and most of you that visit this page have owned several, then the term MOWOG has likely been a part of your life for years. What does it mean, however, and how did the word find its way onto countless cars from Austin, Morris, Wolseley, MG and Healey?…
When looking to purchase a convertible top for your Austin-Healey there are a couple of key points of information you need to make a proper and informed decision. 1. What top frame do I have? The top frame is the key to purchasing the correct top for your Austin-Healey. Many of the top frames are…
