It’s a question I’m asked often: “What do you drive?” So here’s twenty answers to that question; some of cars and trucks I’ve had over the years, and could find photos for. In no particular order…


1971 Oldsmobile 442

 

2002 Mercedes-Benz SL500 Silver Arrow

1978 Maserati Merak SS

 

1972 DeTomaso Pantera

I owned this car for 17 years, and it’s probably the one I identify with more than any other. It was amazing fun to drive, got me involved with the Pantera Owners Club of America, and opened the door to a cherished friendship with the DeTomaso family. I’ll have another Pantera, for sure.

1976 DeTomaso Longchamp

See what the Pantera thing started? DeTomaso built just over 400 of these square-rigged luxury GTs, and they were never sold in the US. I bought this one from a hamfist who hadn’t a clue about cars, and then I spent a lot of time and money putting it right. But it was worth it.

1991 Ford Mustang LX 5.0

One of the few cars I’ve purchased new. I ordered it with a factory sunroof, leather interior, and a 5-speed manual trans (duh!). Had a blast with it, and unlike most 5.0s around, it was 97% stock. Sold it to journalist friend Tom Wilson of 5.0 magazine, who still owns it.

1967 Jaguar E-Type

OK, so it was one of the commonly unloved 2+2s, but still an unmolested Series I car that I bought from the original owners with less than 40,000 miles on the clock. Once sorted, it was dead reliable, and would garner the best parking spot at any restaurant. License plate was R P SOUP.

1989 Porsche Carrera 3.2 coupe

One of the current members of the fleet (such as it is) and an all-original 50,000-mile car. I chose this one because it was the last of the original bodystyle, and carries all the updates. Bought it in New Mexico in 2004, and drove it home with that wondrous flat six purring in my ears.

1997 Jeep Cherokee Sport

Like driving a motorized anvil. A former Truck Trend magazine project vehicle, I bought this with just 13,000 miles on the clock. I stripped off about half the aftermarket stuff they put on it, and it was as neat as they came. Unfortunately, my daughter drove it into a telephone pole. The pole won.

1987 Ford Thunderbird 5.0 Sport

This was a somewhat rare model, combining the T-Bird body, a medium-output 5.0 V-8 motor, four-speed automatic on the floor, black trim, and firmer suspension. I updated it with 15-inch Mustang wheels and a Mustang dual exhaust system. Nice car.

1966 Sunbeam Tiger Mk I

My consolation prize for never being able to afford a small-block Shelby Cobra. A Tiger had been on my To-Do list for years when I found this partially restored example. I finished the job, and loved this little rocket to death. It’s alive and well, living in Fallbrook, California.

1959 Porsche 356 A Cabriolet

Another one of those “what was I thinking when I sold this!” scenarios. Traded my equity in a condo to an ex-girlfriend’s father for this. It was an example of what we’d call now call a “survivor” – original paint, powertrain, and interior featuring lots of patina but too nice to restore. How stupid was I…

1988 Ford Mustang 5.0 Convertible (Number 1)

Bought this thing on the side of the road for $1000, then put another three grand into it making it nice. Was just about done with it when my daughters needed a second car. It was a 5-speed, which they couldn’t drive at the time, so traded it for an nearly identical car with an automatic.

1988 Ford Mustang 5.0 Convertible (Number 2)

A former Mustangs and Fords magazine project car, colleague Miles Cook had done a lot of nice things to this one, plus it had an automatic trans, so my girls could drive it. Traded the white ’88 for this, sorted out some stuff that was kinda mickey, and they drove it for years.

1963 Jaguar 3.8 S

You know how some people just shouldn’t have cars? I bought this poor thing from one of those people. But it was all there, and responded to the budget resto treatment and a lot of detailing. Sold it to a guy who then flipped it to a collector who shipped it to Japan.

1978 DeTomaso Deauville

Even rarer than my Longchamp with less than 300 built, the Deauville was DeTomaso’s answer to the Jaguar XJ6. This car needed everything, so sold it to friend Steve Wilkinson, the foremost resto authority for DeTomaso. It is now black, fully restored, and gorgeous.

1982 Volvo 240 Turbo wagon

 

1967 Jaguar 420G

This one was christened the Queen Mary, logical enough given her formal yet proud British demeanor. Bought it from its 88-year-old original owner – truly the little old lady from Pasadena, because that’s where she lived. A big car for 14-inch wheels, don’t you think?

1977 Porsche 924

 

1971 Lincoln Continental Mk III

 

1962 Ford F100

 

2008 Ford Shelby Mustang GT Convertible

 

Matt’s Dad’s Cars


1934 Ford

1935 Ford

1946 Ford

1952 Ford

1960 Mercury

Grandpa Platt