The MGC was the first 'high performance' version of the MGB. From early in the design stages of the MGB there was an intention to create high performance variants, using a range of Vee engines that did not make it to production. The MGC was much more than a tuned MGB, in fact it was a completely re-engineered car, but retained many visual connectio..
General Motors designer Harley Earl loved sports cars and was influenced by the GI’s bringing home MGs, Jaguars, Alfa Romeo’s and the like after hostilities ceased in Europe in 1945. Even the small independent carmaker, Nash Motors, began selling a two seater sports car in 1951. Earl convinced GM that they also needed to build a two seat sports car..
The Riva Junior was introduced in 1966 to replace the Florida. Conceived for utility use and ease of maintenance, both for fishing and water skiing, it was typified by a large cockpit that could be walked round, protected by the bulwarks, around the engine cover and driving seat. Its distinctive features include the open design of the cockpit and s..
The MGB was launched in May 1962 to replace the MGA. Introduced as a four-cylinder roadster, a coupé with 2+2 seating was added in 1965. It was a relatively modern design at the time of its introduction, utilising a monocoque structure instead of the traditional 'body-on-frame' construction used on both the MGA and MG T-Types. The lightweight desig..
The Spider designation for the open top sports cars originates from the word, speeder, and a two-person open horse carriage. The Alfa Romeo 105/115 Series Spider was produced from 1966 to 1993, remaining in production for almost three decades with only minor aesthetic and mechanical changes. Widely regarded as a design classic, this fourth series v..
Launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March of 1963, the 230 SL was a very different car to its predecessors. Intended as the replacement for the 190 SL, the 230 SL abandoned the four-cylinder engine in favour of a 2.3 litre fuel-injected, six-cylinder engine, producing 150bhp. The new engine was derived from that of the great 220 SE. The Paul Bracq..
The Mercedes-Benz W113 roadsters, designed by Paul Bracq, were produced from 1963 through to 1971 and were known as the 'pagoda roof' SL. All models boast an inline six cylinder engine with multi-port fuel injection. Rear wheel drive configuration was complemented by independent rear suspension, a feature that greatly improved road handling. The 23..
The Alfa Romeo Giulia (105) Sprint GT was designed by Bertone’s Giorgetto Giugiaro. The car was launched in September 1963 at the newly opened Arese plant, and displayed later that month at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The overall styling of the Giulia was kept very simple however, the Giulia had a very distinctive Scalino “step front” design with the..
In 1958, Jaguar technical director, William Heynes, and designer, Malcolm Sayer, convinced their boss, Sir William Lyons, that a new production sports model was needed. Thus, the E-Type was born; one of Jaguar's longest-running and most revered models. Much of the E-Type’s success was owed to the racing D-Type and, indeed, it would be one of the la..
The TVR Griffith Series 400 is a two-door sports car produced by Griffith Motor Company in Plainview, New York , between 1964 and 1967. It was the successor to the TVR Griffith 200 featuring improved cooling via a larger radiator with twin electric fans, redesigned rear suspension, and a redesigned rear with better visibility and the round tailligh..