1977 Lancia Scorpion. Known in the U.S. as the Lancia Beta Scorpion and Europe as the Lancia Monte Carlo, mine was serial 1722 of 1806 North American editions. The Scorpion/Monte Carlo was originally conceived as the Fiat X-1/20, but was initially produced as the Abarth 037. (Talk about a confusing beginning, and you ought to see some of the part numbers!) Both the 1976 and 1977 models were all built in one calendar year, 1976. I only know of two differences between the two model years: The 1976 had red rather than amber rear turn indicators, and the 1977 has glass in the flying buttresses. Power is the Fiat 1756cc twin-cam engine, tilted backwards 15 degrees and placed sideways in a mid-engine configuration. Stock, it is a slug. Mine has Ansa headers with a functional EGR system, and a glass pack muffler, or what is left of one. I also put in a simpler free-flow air cleaner, and swapped the stock distributor for the Spider 2000 electronic ignition system. Sometimes I replaced the automatic choke 32DATRA Weber carb with a manual choke 34DMTR, which really adds to the performance. This was my ski car, since the engine sits over the half shafts for excellent winter traction. Oh, and the trunk space is really awesome too. I was the second owner of the car, and owned it from 1978 to 1996.
I haven't bothered to scan in a picture of my 1994 Plymouth Acclaim, since it is so ordinary. Which is actually why I got it. I had rented one or two of them previously, and liked the feel of it. When Enterprise Car Rental opened a used car lot up in Ventura, I went up there and found the Acclaim, a stealth gray one that is one of those so-called "invisible" cars. Since I was planning on retirement, and more frequent travel, I needed a truly dependable car. This one has a V6, so it has some guts, yet the engine compartment is remarkably simple. You can actually find things in there, not like the 1976 Buick Skyhawk I used to have, with an engine compartment filled with hoses and wires. The automatic transmission and air conditioning are nice features too, especially in LA traffic.
My Former 1969 Sport Coupe and 1969 Spyder. I recently sold both of these cars, in preparation for my move up north. The coupe ran fine, and was sold to an artist up in Gaviota. The spyder was in pieces, and got sold as a parts car to a mechanic who was trying to restore his own spyder.
Yes I know, FIAT stands for "Fix It Again Tony." I just love the sound and performance of twin-cam sports car engines.
The Ferrari 250 GTO.If I could have my dream car, it would be the Ferrari 250 GTO. They only built 39 of them, and 37 are actually left. My old 1970 Z-28 Camaro and the Datsun Z-cars are styled after this classic. Hey, I can dream!
The Ferrari 365 GTB/4.
They made a few more of these, and I have seen a number of them on the road around here. Unlike the GTO, with its 3-liter SOHC Testa Rosa engine, this one has the twin-cam 4.4-liter V-12.
The Ferrari 512 Berlinetta Boxer.
This is the car the Scorpion is styled after. If only I had the 5-liter flat-12 boxer engine in the Scorpion...
If all else fails, I also have an 18-speed mountain bike.