The Mercedes-Benz 280 SL was introduced in December 1967 and continued in production until February 1971. An all new design by Paul Bracq to replace the 190 SL and 300 SL Roaster. The 280 SL had a powerful 2.8 litre version of Mercedes inline-six and used Bosch fuel injection. To save on weight the bonnet, boot lid and tonneau cover were all compos..
BMW's director of product planning, Helmut Werner Bönsch and Alex von Falkenhausen, the designer of the BMW M10 engine, had both been owners of a 1600-2 (1602) and subsequently both had installed a two-litre engine in their respective cars. Following the realisation that they had both made the same modification, they prepared a joint proposal to BM..
Introduced alongside the Silver Cloud II and Bentley S2 in the Autumn of 1959, Rolls-Royce's new limousine model, the long-wheelbase Phantom V, effectively replaced both the royalty/heads-of-state-only Phantom IV and the Silver Wraith. The latter's relatively short wheelbase (for a limousine) had made it all but impossible for coachbuilders to prov..
Alan and his brother Richard Jensen first became involved with car design and construction in 1925 when their efforts to improve on the styling and performance of an Austin Seven Chummy attracted much favourable attention. A few Jensen-bodied Fords were produced in the mid-1930s before a more serious manufacturing effort commenced in 1938. After Wo..
The Series III fulfils a roll in the E-Type line-up missed by previous generations by adding 6” into the wheelbase thus allowing the more mature and taller driver to enjoy the visceral experience first penned by Jaguar’s chief designer back with the Series I in the mid-1960s. Albeit now with a smother 12-cylinder power plant, generally more space a..
The MGB was first introduced in May 1962 as a direct replacement for the MGA. Performance was brisk with power supplied by a 1798cc four-cylinder iron block engine set within a monocoque lightweight bodyshell with crumple zones incorporated. October 1965 saw the introduction of the GT and was based on the already popular roadster. Designed by Pinin..
Stylish, fast and practical, the Stag began life as a Triumph 2000 based styling exercise by Italian carrossier, Giovanni Michelotti. A 2+2 convertible, Michelotti's design featured a quad-lamp grille and sculpted front and rear ends, the latter destined to appear on many future Triumphs. By the time production commenced in 1970, the 2000's six-cyl..
Launched in 1966, the Lotus Europa was the first mass production, mid-engine road car and was based on a prototype built to compete for a Ford contract to build a Le Mans race car in the early 1960s. Exemplifying Colin Chapman's design philosophy of ‘simplify, then add lightness,’ it used a minimalist steel backbone chassis while also relying on a ..
From its launch in 1961 to the end of its production in 1975, the Jaguar E-Type went from design revelation to motoring icon in a generation. Based on Jaguar’s three time Le Mans winning D-Type and known internationally for its beautiful sleek lines and a top speed of 150mph, this revolutionary car had three significant series changes during its 14..
De Tomaso's replacement for their successful Mangusta in 1971 was the avant-garde and stylish Pantera. Maintaining the best of the ingredients from the Mangusta, including the mid-mounted 300 horsepower, Ford 351ci, V8 Cleveland engine, five-speed ZF transaxle and dramatic styling, the Pantera also added monocoque construction into the mix, the fir..