Archive for the ‘Driving’ Category

Pre-Rusty – 4000km in a Fiat 500 Sport

September 17, 2011

Mostly modern cars are not interesting to this site, since they err too far on the trusty side of the rusty-to-trusty spectrum. But every so often, a new car is eye-catching or different enough that it catches my attention. The recently-introduced (to the US market) Fiat 500 is of those. Last month, on a trip to eastern Canada, I had a chance to rent a 500 Sport from Budget (mini sportster, class XF). Having test-driven a 500 Pop when the nearest Fiat dealer first opened, I already had some idea of what to expect, but spending so much time with one in all kinds of situations really gave a full perspective.

Fiat 500 sport on Nutting Rd., Montgomery Center, VT

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Ballin’ on 14s – 1977 Spider on the 2011 Snowball

May 14, 2011

In what hopefully becomes a tradition, the spider has successfully completed its second road rally. The first was the Mother Lode 400, which I ran with my father last year, and since then most of the spider’s driving has been local and constrained by winter weather. Not that a northern California winter is so tough, but it’s more pleasant to go out in a closed car when it’s cold out. Anyway, the plan was to run the 2011 Snowball in the same high style in which we did the 2010, but it was not to be, since the restoration of the Alfetta’s body was not complete in time.

1977 Alfa Spider and 1948 MG TC

Thanks to Ben Buja for this picture; he got a lot of great shots of the car doing its thing on this 700-mile journey.

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Bon Marche – 1971 Citroen DS 21

January 16, 2011

Well, this is an unusual find for us, and a car you won’t likely see here in such shape with any regularity. You’re also not likely to see many gold cars here, but for some cars, the usual rules don’t apply. Citroens imprinted themselves on my brain a long time ago – I have vague memories of sitting in the back of what must have been a CXA Prestige when I was a little kid, probably at the Montreal Auto Show. Space age styling, huge interior and comfortable seating are what I remember, and sadly, I have yet to own a Citroen, though I’ve had the fortune to drive a couple over the years.

I found this car via an automotive mailing list I’m subscribed to. And you can see that gold just works on a DS in a way it doesn’t on most other cars. The seller’s grandfather purchased it brand new in 1971, and it’s been in the family since. From the description, it’s in fantastic shape – find it for sale in Reno, NV with an asking price of $3500.

1971 Citroen DS 21 front

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