O.T.T.O: A First-of-Its-Kind Tool for Classic Car Discovery Classic Virus List introduces O.T.T.O., a new tool designed to help users turn a broad idea into a focused shortlist of classic cars to consider. As far as we know, O.T.T.O. is something new in the classic car search space: a guided assistant built specifically around the… Read More Meet O.T.T.O, your Classic Car Advisor
The first-generation Ford Taunus TC, commonly known as the “Knudsen Taunus” after Ford executive Semon E. Knudsen, arrived in 1970 and represented a major stylistic break from the previous German Ford range. The GXL sat at the top of the line, combining additional exterior brightwork and a more elaborate interior with the Cologne-built 2.0-litre V6.… Read More Time capsule: 1973 Ford Taunus GXL 2.0 V6 “Knudsen”
The Francis Lombardi 850 Grand Prix was one of the more unusual Italian small-series sports cars built around Fiat 850 mechanicals. Its low, compact fastback body and rear-engined layout gave it a character quite different from the standard Fiat, while production remained limited enough for surviving cars to be genuinely uncommon today. The model also… Read More Racing livery: 1970 Francis Lombardi 850 Grand Prix
The Isuzu 117 Coupé is one of the more unusual Japanese grand tourers of its period. Originally styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro, it remained in production for more than a decade and gradually evolved from an almost hand-built specialty car into a more modern series-production coupé. This late XE DOHC represents the final development of the… Read More Mint DOHC: 1981 Isuzu 117 Coupe XE Limited Edition
The Giulietta SZ “Coda Tronca” represents the final evolution of Alfa Romeo’s lightweight Zagato-bodied Giulietta competition cars. Built around the Giulietta Spider chassis, the SZ combined aluminium bodywork, Plexiglas glazing and Alfa Romeo’s 1.3-litre twin-cam engine in a very compact package. The later Coda Tronca introduced the distinctive Kamm-style tail intended to improve high-speed stability,… Read More Silver Kamm-tail: 1962 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ “Coda Tronca” by Zagato
The GAZ-14 Chaika was one of the most exclusive Soviet-built automobiles, positioned below the large ZIL limousines reserved for the very highest level of government. Produced in very small numbers from the late 1970s through the 1980s, it was intended for senior state and party officials. Power came from a 5.5-litre V8 driving through a… Read More Politburo limo: 1983 GAZ-14 Chaika
The Volkswagen Type 2 Single Cab was the commercial derivative of the early Transporter, combining the forward-control cab with a three-sided drop-side load bed and the useful “treasure chest” storage compartment beneath it. This example is particularly early, with chassis number 165252 said to correspond to January 1956 Wolfsburg production, placing it within the pressed-bumper… Read More Red Safari: 1956 Volkswagen Type 2 Single Cab
The Mercedes-Benz 220 SEb belongs to the W111 “Heckflosse” generation introduced in 1959, combining the restrained tailfins of Paul Bracq’s design with considerably more modern engineering than its appearance might suggest. The 220 SEb used Mercedes’ 2.2-litre fuel-injected six-cylinder engine and independent suspension, including the characteristic single-pivot swing axle at the rear. While restored W111… Read More Lichtgrau survivor: 1965 Mercedes-Benz 220 SEb
The Maserati Mistral was introduced in 1963 as the successor to the 3500 GT and represented an important transition for the company. Designed by Pietro Frua, it combined a compact fastback body with Maserati’s twin-cam straight-six, an engine derived from the company’s competition experience. The 4.0-litre version sat at the top of the range and… Read More Italian project: 1968 Maserati Mistral 4.0
The Messerschmitt KR200 arrived in 1955 as the more developed successor to the KR175, retaining the aircraft-like tandem seating and hinged transparent canopy that made the Kabinenroller immediately recognizable. Built by Messerschmitt in Regensburg and designed by Fritz Fend, it used a 191 cc two-stroke single-cylinder engine driving the single rear wheel. Its extremely low… Read More Aircraft cockpit: 1955 Messerschmitt KR200
The Fiat 1100 S Berlinetta belongs to the small group of competition-derived cars with which Fiat returned to major international road racing immediately after the war. Developed under Dante Giacosa, the 1100 S combined heavily revised mechanicals with a streamlined body conceived for events such as the Mille Miglia. This 1948 evolution received aluminium coachwork… Read More Red egg: 1948 Fiat 1100 S MM
