Miata’s are immensely popular, having a pleasing aesthetic, with simple mechanicals, and are easy to maintain, or customize. “Odd to think about a car built in such large numbers…graduating to collectible status” I’m a bottom feeder, that can only justify one car at a time hobbyist / enthusiast. 20+ years ago I bought my first Miata because at that time I couldn’t justify the cost if a ’55-7 Chevy, or ’64-8 Mustang, forget about anything being built in lesser numbers with the same attributes. I also remember in the early ‘80’s lusting over a MB 190 SLs because of those same attributes and all my “friends” telling me not to buy one of those 4CLY “hairdresser” cars, I kick myself every day. 20 years older, I didn’t listen to the same “friends” saying the same things about the Miata. After I bought one every time one of them made fun of me, I said nothing, and tossed them the keys. Every one of them bought a Miata, they thank me every day. ... View more

Yes, it's great. Thank for reminding me about Tartan. I like the Volkswagen Golf Mk1 GTI tartan seats known as “Clark Plaid” by designer Gunhild Liljequist’s better.   VW Golf Mk1 GTI Clark Plaid Now thinkin of all the auto interiors by luxury designers, like ’76 Lincoln Continental Mark IV, I'm afraid to go down that hole .   ... View more

This one's a real winner. Porsche’s Pasha pattern from early ‘80’s ... View more

Thank you. Your great article echoes back to me my first British car experience. It taught me the exact 5 lessons, and was “one fun teacher” too. My last British car, taught me to buy a Miata. ... View more

NY RT 14 along the side of Seneca Lake one of New York’s Finger Lakes, to Watkins Glen. Many car people associate Watkins Glen with just one thing, "The Glen" auto racing. However, there is a glen (called the gorge) in Watkins Glen, and yes it's gorgeous! This route has impressively beautiful scenery plus great pit stops at many wineries’. I recommend driving this route slow in a slow car, top down any time, especially magnificent views in the fall. ... View more

The topic does not talk about where more of these cars are listed, on line VS live only auctions only cars sold auctions. If sellers of cars of this age car are not listing on line as much as live auctions they could be limiting their market audience. On the on line auction chart every car in that age group that was listed did sell and sold across all age groups. With more under 30-year-old enthusiast buying more 70, 80 and even 100+ year old cars on line then they did at live auction. I agree you need to educate yourself and know the condition, and originality and what the car is supposed to be whatever the age car. ... View more

Miata’s have always done much right. But what they do best right is never miss an opportunity. Making a 30th Anniversary and in Racing Orange is a good case in point. It would seem that Fiat missed the opportunity to have the new 124 designed by Pininfarina. Think of what could a been. Paolo Pininfarina himself summed it best “The Spider is timeless….. If they made the new [Fiat 124] more similar to this, if it had been designed by Pininfarina, it would’ve been better.” https://www.hagerty.com/media/hagerty-magazine/paolo-pininfarinas-favorite-designs-from-the-family-archives/    ... View more

Was the K car   a swinging strikeout?  ... View more

As seen in comments Miata people know this one. For me too, it’s a Miata. My own personal preference is this roadster. I like the added feel of wind in my hair, and the sound and smells of all the life happening around me. These sensations seem to add 50 MPH to whatever speed I’m driving. When driving my slow Miata fast it will tell me if I’m getting beyond both my limit, and the car’s limits it will even give the time to get myself out of trouble. I believe a fast car especially some of the great newer cars would trick me into thinking that I’m a much better driver than I am, it would install a false confidence in my own ability. With the right opportunity on a public road in the Miata coming up to a corner I can apply power, with double-clutch down-shift while braking at the same time and accelerating through the corner. The Miata feels special at speeds that won't earn me a serious driving offense, won't get me arrested or won’t get anyone hurt. A Miata does everything good enough to make it feel fast enough for me. ... View more

I’ve been trying to figure out who and what type of person the columnist and commentators are referring to. I realized today that it can’t be me, because I have a friend, that is young enough to race LMP3. With some sort of ratty Asian bosozoku car that is, diesel powered A/T, with hellaflush stance and roll-up windows. That this person drifts! I also know that this person at a car show would be too stupid to judge my car.  ... View more

Crazy absurd amounts of camber form “Stanced" customization car style culture. Not sure this modification hasn’t even lost its luster yet. Maybe I'm just the wrong generation to understand it?  ... View more

One of Saab's trademarks are ugly wheels. Saab was really good at making bad wheels. 3 spoke on 9000 / 900 / Aero, “soccer balls” on Sennett’s, butt the ugliest are or the Inca’s on the late 70’s on the 99 Turbos they are the empire of hideous. They remind me of Freddie Mercury's smile. ... View more

Mazda MX-5 NB Roadster Coupe Type S.  The juxtaposition of the rare MX-5 Roadster Coupe from world's top selling two seater convertible makes them interesting and unique. ... View more

BOO!   ... View more

Howmet TX Turbine. I heard this race car on the 2019 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance 18th fairway when the Howmet TX coupe was being judged. I was nearby the car (not that you needed to be to hear it) when part of judging process the owner ignited the Continental Aviation & Engineering TS325-1 helicopter gas turbine power plant, to demonstrate to the judges that the engine functioned. It sounded like a helicopter was about to take off from the lawn. To hear this car was an amazing loudly experience to behold and even more beautiful than seeing it, and it was gorgeous. ... View more

Isn't the easiest answer a tee shirt? 🤔  staring to wonder how many different ways to use a tee shirt on cars, maybe that's the next question? ... View more

This just illustrates Jordan’s G.O.A.T status isn’t just in bball, it’s also in his entrepreneurship and business management. Seeing and seizing opportunity, combined with right timing and correct investment. Surrounding himself with other valuable talent and role players who are willing to sacrifice and take risks for the greater good. This opportunity and team that’s going in the right direction will help and inspire and attract other top talent (Lewis Hamilton) and even more sponsorship and investment. Brilliant. In the longer-term the vision for this new team is building something for themselves, community, and NASCAR to all benefit from. ... View more

1. Nick Mason from Pink Floyd. 2. Gordon Murray. 3. McLaren F1 GTR. 4. Harrods. 5. 2018 maybe? 6. Edward Ramsden Hall 7. Martin Brundle 8. Alex Brundle, Justin Bell,  Ricky and Jordan Taylor, . Michael Andretti,  Marco Andretti, Christina Nielsen Matt McMurray Sebastien Bourdais 9.   4  10. 24 hours 7 minutes and 35 seconds ... View more

Sounds like it will be fun. ... View more

Hell(er) of good job explaining the current paradoxical situation with automotive interiors. I’m glad I ever went to college and keep reading. You invoke an another dead poet, Bill Shakespeare about an additional automaker’s characteristic “C”. Automakers are creative; there’re good at making up names of things. BMW has SensaTec for its isn't leather interiors. Sounds to me that’s much like what I’d get with genuine simulated wood grain. You can also get the world-class material of NuLuxe in a Lexus, I think I’d prefer getting the OlLuxe. Bill said it best "What's in a name? That which we call" plastic "by any other name"…. BTW My MB fan friends tell me that MTex is left behind alien technology. ... View more

 “No thanks,” is a surprising reply from a seller. I too would be a catfish in the caste sociology stratification of automobile connoisseurs. I date, never marry my cars. I’m always looking for my next hook up. I look at many more cars then I buy. When I’m looking for my next one to pick up, I start a conversation with the seller because my curiosity and interest was aroused by them. Because of my Perrier tastes and filtered tap water budget I usually have to sell something for my next fling. I assume when I do market one of my cars that I’ll meet far more wonderful people then will actually buy my car. When someone responds to a car I have for sale for whatever reason. I want them to come look at it, touch it, smell it, talk about it, drive it, or write an article about it. It’s fun. I assume they’re like me and are only coming “just to look” and not buy. I also assume, like me deep down where people don't talk about, they want to take that little number home with them however inappropriate. It’s up to the seller to seal the deal. If I’m selling a car come on over let’s talk, please write an article about it and you might get lucky and take it home too. ... View more

 Either car would be a halo car in most any sports car collection, and truly a difficult decision for sure. Seems to me the thing to do is buy both. The worst words you can say are "If I had only...."  If he can’t buy both at the same time (I know that’s a first world problem). He could buy one at a time. Being recently retired gives him the opportunity of time to research and evaluate every opportunity in each car and make the best purchasing decision for him at the time. If he falls in love with that car, and If he’s like me, he’ll won’t be able to recall the other car he didn’t buy, because wasn't even worth remembering. On the other hand, if he doesn’t, move on to the other car, then he has had the opportunity to own and enjoy both cars. The science shows he should be able to do that. The interesting part of the article is that “his grown daughters, have no interest in taking over stewardship of any of the cars when the time comes”. I can assume they have no interest now too. If having his family more involved is something that he would like, has he ask them what car  (and maybe it's not one of theses) they might like to see him buy that they might enjoy? Maybe that’s the car to buy. I don’t have a stable at all, just one ‘90’s largely sub-$10,000 sport car, so what do I know. ... View more

Third times a Charm!…Oh wait, that would make it a Toyota Passo Moda in Japan.  ... View more

You can’t go to a Mercury dealer today and buy one. Putting it in Wrong answer: category. I do like the idea. So have Ford call it the Thunderbird again….oh wait, the Thunderbird again would have then be called the Phoenix. Oh wait that also would be in the Wrong answer: category too. So does that mean @tamuscott had it right with the Chevy Citation X11? ... View more

 Ford Pinto.  Yes Pinto  2 door wagon, bear with me. What America needs is a american made true proper shooting brake (think Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato shape). Ford could could use Mustang underpinnings. Their 2.3L EcoBoost turbocharged 4 cyl engine, 310 horsepower / 350 lb.-ft. of torque, mated to 6-speed manual trans and IRLS rear axle, would be cool on a smaller and lighter 2 door shooting brake, they could offer AWD too. Name it the Pinto GT Country Squire Wagon. It won’t “muddy” the Mustang name or heritage. Make mine a Pinto GT 500 Country Squire Wagon. Ford would have to offer optional genuine simulated wood grain contact paper sides too.   ... View more