Ettore Bugatti was a man who did not fear setting himself a hard task. It was not just Bugatti’s exceptional design skills, but also his vision and bravery to defy conventional engineering principles of the time that delivered the Bugatti Type 35 – a car significantly ahead of its rivals in so many areas. It was also “Le Patron’s” willingness to push himself and the entire Bugatti team hard in pursuit of perfection. Continuous evolution Even after the Type 35 was launched in 1924, Bugatti still chose the hard road. He was one of the first automobile manufacturers to understand the commercial ..read more

For young teenagers entering high school, it is a time for discovering new interests, making new friends and perhaps becoming involved in sports and/or special interest clubs. For many teenage boys, high school also heightens their interest in cars especially as they approach the magic age of 16 years old. Such was the case with four teenagers who attended High School in Binghamton, NY, a small, rural town on the Susquehanna River near the Pennsylvania border. They initially did not know each other but individually they each had a  passion for sports cars and racing. This common interest ..read more

On Sunday, May 26th, 1974, Johnny Rutherford won the 58th running of the Indianapolis 500-mile automobile race before a crowd estimated at 275,000 spectators at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana. Piloting an Offenhauser-powered McLaren M16C/D chassis for Team McLaren, the 36-year-old victor from Fort Worth, Texas took the checkered flag in 3 hours, 9 minutes 10.060 seconds at an average speed of 156.589 mph—a full 22.32 seconds ahead of the All-American Racers Eagle 74-Offenhauser of 1968 winner Bobby Unser, who was the only other driver to complete the full 500-mile distan ..read more

The Copperstate 1000 was created in 1990 and has become one of the premier vintage car road rallies in North America benefiting the Phoenix Art Museum and the 10-90 Copperstate Foundation that provide emergency benefits to the families and dependents of officers injured in the line of duty. The route each year is as varied as the 85 or so vintage cars that included 8 Alfa Romeos, about 14 Ferraris, about 18 Porsches (8 911s), 10 Jaguars, 5 Mercedes 300 SLs, Shelby Cobras & GT350s, a sweet 1967 Rootes Sunbeam Tiger Series II, a rare 1971 Lamborghini Espada, a striking 1973 BMW 3.0 CSL Batmo ..read more

The first Bentley Speed Six in 93 years is now taking shape in the workshops of Mulliner, Bentley’s in-house bespoke and coachbuilding division. Its creation unites the skills of British engineering and restoration specialists with those of Mulliner’s team of master technicians. Twelve Continuation Series Speed Sixes will be built, using period-correct materials and techniques to ensure total fidelity to W.O. Bentley’s original design. The Bentley Speed Six Continuation Series follows the successful completion of twelve Bentley 4½ Litre Supercharged ‘Blower’ Continuation models, the world’s f ..read more

90 and counting On behalf of everyone at Sports Car Digest, Happy Birthday Karl!  As most of you know, Karl Ludvigsen is a prominent figure in the world of automotive journalism and history, and we are very fortunate to have him as one of our treasured contributors. With a career spanning over five decades, Ludvigsen has made significant contributions to the understanding and documentation of automotive history, particularly focusing on the engineering aspects of automobiles. Karl Ludvigsen’s SCD Features Karl has contributed over 25 features to Sports Car Digest. If you enjoy in-depth st ..read more

Ten years since the reinvention of the Members’ Meeting has seen this grow from a relatively low key (by comparison with the headline Goodwood events), into one of the most cherished historic meetings in the UK. With a more relaxed, informal atmosphere than Goodwood Revival, where spectators are free to wander around the paddocks, basking in awe at the sensationally curated array of historic cars, the Members’ Meeting loses none of the hotly contested on-track action, whether Edwardian sports cars, 1960s GT and prototypes or 1980s touring cars. Become a Member & Get Ad-Free Access To Thi ..read more

Though not well-known in North America for performance cars, Renault has always been a leader in clever engineering, leveraging platforms for a wide range of uses and innovating mechanical features with cost-conscious production methodologies. This methodology continues to make Renault one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world. Largely unknown to US auto buyers in the 1970s, the Renault Le Car made its debut in North America in 1976 primarily as an entry level, fuel-saving offering just after the major fuel crisis of that era. Become a Member & Get Ad-Free Access To This A ..read more

Museum Spotlight The 500 K Special Roadster is a superstar at the Mercedes-Benz Museum. What makes it so fascinating? It is an extraordinary automotive sculpture whose elegance radiates effortlessly from the 1930s to the present day. This is where the best technology, exquisite styling and a luxurious interior come together. Anyone approaching this bright red vehicle is mesmerized by its grandeur. Mercedes-Benz Museum, Legend Room 3: Times of Change – Diesel and Supercharger, 1914 to 1945. Mercedes-Benz 500 K Special Roadster (W 29). Steering wheel.Highly exclusive The Mercedes-Benz 500 K debu ..read more

The 2024 Ferrari UK Challenge race series commences its sixth season this weekend at iconic English racing circuit Brands Hatch. Ferrari North Europe has confirmed another packed grid of experienced and new drivers in both the Trofeo Pirelli and Coppa Shell classes. The 2024 season welcomes the return of numerous racing favorites, including Andrew Morrow, who readies himself for a step up to the EU Challenge in 2024, and Tom Fleming, the EU Challenge rookie who went on to win the World Championship at Finali Mondiali in Mugello last October. With both drivers showing great talent, the stage i ..read more