Articles by Mike Ryan

With a Mini on pole from monster V8s and a field comprising all ages, shapes and sizes, the 42nd Historic Winton was a classic in every respect.

When it arrived on the automotive scene in 1928, DeSoto set a new car sales record that wouldn’t be bettered for another three decades.

The latest bespoke commission from McLaren Special Operations (MSO) is a 675LT that’s been modified in tribute to the McLaren F1 GTR ‘Longtail’ racers from the 1990s.

In what could be seen as the answer to a question no-one asked, members of the Product Engineering team at Honda UK’s Swindon factory have created a ute out of the latest Civic Type R hot hatch.The ‘Civic Type R Pickup Truck’ concept was based on a pre-production prototype of the new Civic Type R, using that model’s high-performance engine, gearbox, suspension and brakes, but gives the body a major makeover aft of the B-pillar.

It created a buzz when it was unveiled last November (see JUST CARS #263), but the Lamborghini Huracan presented to Pope Francis made even bigger headlines when it sold for more than AU$1.2 million at RM Sothebys’ Monaco sale on 12 May.

Toyota’s 86 coupe has reached 20,000 Australian sales, with the milestone marked with the release of a new premium paint option. The 20K mark was reached in June and came six years after the 86 arrived in Australia. Average annual sales of 3,300 units since that 2012 debut mean the 86 is Toyota’s most successful sports coupe since the Celica. Toyota’s sports option through the 1970s and ’80s, the Celica averaged around 3,200 Aussie sales annually over its 35-year production span.

In their 70th Anniversary year, Porsche has built a replica of the first car to wear their now-famous badge – the 356 roadster prototype – that they’re claiming is better and more authentic than the original.

Ferrari’s twin-turbocharged V8 engine has scored again at the International Engine of the Year (IEotY) awards, making 2018 the third year in succession that their V8 has taken out the major award.

On the eve of May’s round 6 of the 2018 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship at Winton, Nissan Australia announced that they would be leaving the series at the end of this season, and thus also withdrawing their support of Kelly Racing.

488 GTB-based special is latest product from Ferrari’s Special Projects bespoke division.