Hemmings Auto Blog

When the topless version of the second-generation Mazda RX-7 debuted for the 1988 model year, period magazines raved about the Japanese automaker’s latest halo car. Actor-turned-Mazda-pitchman James Garner passionately sung the car’s praises, reminding viewers that “once in your life, you deserve a car this good.” In addition to Porsche-inspired Read more

* Over on Dean’s Garage, Gary Smith has photos and Pete Phillips has the story on the re-creation of the 1954 Buick Wildcat II Motorama show car, though a re-creation that’s far more driveable than the original. * In its collections, The Henry Ford has a neat little assemblage of Read more

1938 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Streamliner in the wind tunnel at Untertürkheim. Photos courtesy Mercedes-Benz Classic. Long forgotten among Mercedes-Benz’s pre-war racing efforts was a 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540 K Streamliner, originally built for a high-speed endurance race that never occurred. Now, thanks to the discovery of the car’s original blueprints, this Read more

Sometime in the 1950s and somewhere on First Street two guys stood on a corner watching the traffic go by. “‘Nother nice day, Earl,” Bruce said. “My name’s not Earl,” Don said. And they both stuffed their hands in their pockets and kept silent as the traffic trundled past on Read more

Between 1949 and 1971, Abarth was the name to be feared in the world of small-displacement racing. Carlo Abarth’s cars captured 5,000 outright or class victories, which helped to sell a lot of highly-tuned Fiats, such as this 1967 Fiat Abarth 1000 OTR for sale on Hemmings.com. Based on the Read more

Photo by John Lamm, all photos courtesy Ken Gross. We recently learned that our friend and former Special Interest Autos feature editor Ken Gross will receive two prestigious awards this year: He’s being honored by the Automotive Hall of Fame with a Distinguished Service Citation, and his 2013 book, Sensuous Read more

Vintage vans. Photo courtesy Bustin’ Loose Early Vans Club. Depending upon one’s perspective, custom vans are either cool again, or they never stopped being cool, they just went underground. A staple of 1970s automotive culture, vintage vans have been making a comeback, as demonstrated by events like the upcoming Hootenanny Read more

Yes, today marks National Donut Day, the day on which you can feel justified breaking that New Year’s resolution to cut out carbs and sugars from your diet and go Homer. Also the day on which we feel justified highlighting the below ScottysGarage video of the top 10 burnouts from Read more

While perusing a recent issue of the Caddie Chronicle, the newsletter of the Potomac Region of the Cadillac La Salle Club, we came across the interesting tidbit that the first tow truck was not built atop some heavy-duty truck chassis, as one would expect, but atop a 1913 Cadillac. As Read more

Frequent commenter Andre Hulstaert recently mentioned the time in the late 1970s when, while driving down Melrose Avenue, he decided to stop to grab a few photos of the little red car above. One of those photos in particular grabbed a nice slice of Melrose traffic perfect for a carspotting Read more