Skip to content

Martin Milligan Posts

Automotive Lust of the Day, Lesser-Known Hybrid Supercar Edition: 1970 DeTomaso Mangusta

Automotive Lust of the Day, Lesser-Known Hybrid Supercar Edition: 1970 DeTomaso Mangusta

Published by Marty Milligan on May 14, 2019

Most gearheads know about the DeTomaso Pantera, the Ford-powered Italian exotic that had a cultish following until it ended production in the mid-80s. The Mangusta was the predecessor. It suffered all of the teething problems that didn’t make it to the Pantera. The Pantera had a long list of issues so you can infer what you will about the Mangusta. The styling is a love/hate thing. There are Pantera people and Mangusta people and rarely is anyone a fan of both. Put me down for the Mangusta. I think it is a much cleaner design although I prefer the earlier…

Continue readingAutomotive Lust of the Day, Lesser-Known Hybrid Supercar Edition: 1970 DeTomaso Mangusta
Leave a Comment
Automotive Lust of the Day: An Icon’s Iconic Beige Car Edition: Ex-Peter Egan 1967 Jaguar XKE Coupe
Automotive Lust of the Day, Perfect Car for an Exorcism Edition: 1970 Mercury Marauder 429 X-100 Coupe

Automotive Lust of the Day, Perfect Car for an Exorcism Edition: 1970 Mercury Marauder 429 X-100 Coupe

Published by Marty Milligan on May 4, 2019

This Marauder was sold new to the Fresno Catholic Diocese. Evidently, as penance, the diocese ordered an all black car without air conditioning in Southern California. That one oversight is about the only oddity for this rare Mercury. The rest of the car is in excellent shape and the maintenance seems to have been done well since day one. The engine rebuild being the possible exception. The seller claims that the original block was used while the invoice includes a new short block. Assuming the numbers matching status is still intact, the replacement air cleaner is the only thing left…

Continue readingAutomotive Lust of the Day, Perfect Car for an Exorcism Edition: 1970 Mercury Marauder 429 X-100 Coupe
Leave a Comment
Automotive Lust of the Day, Track “A” Edition: Modified 1930 Ford Model A Roadster

Automotive Lust of the Day, Track “A” Edition: Modified 1930 Ford Model A Roadster

Published by Marty Milligan on May 4, 2019

A long-standing hot rod trope is the Track T, a dirt track racing inspired modified Ford Model T. It has been 30 years since this type of car was popular. One of the big drawbacks to the Track T is the cramped unsophisticated Model T that the car is based on. This car is a unique new twist on the idea of being based on Ford Model A mechanicals. It is well built and shows a lot of creativity. Replicating something like this would be expensive and take a long time so this turnkey hot rod is looking like quite…

Continue readingAutomotive Lust of the Day, Track “A” Edition: Modified 1930 Ford Model A Roadster
Leave a Comment
Automotive Lust of the Day, V8 Midget Edition: 1948 Kurtis Midget Race Car

Automotive Lust of the Day, V8 Midget Edition: 1948 Kurtis Midget Race Car

Published by Marty Milligan on May 4, 2019

The midget was the most ubiquitous purpose-built racing car in the US in the 40s and 50s. The most sophisticated and well-engineered were those built by Kurtis. A variety of engines were used but most people remember the race only Offenhauser but the Ford flathead was also a common powerplant that was surprisingly powerful. This example is in exceptional shape with period mods to the 136 CI Ford V8 and road racing mods to the transmission and starter. This is a surprisingly competitive track day car that will pass quite a few newer cars with more impressive badges. Bidding has…

Continue readingAutomotive Lust of the Day, V8 Midget Edition: 1948 Kurtis Midget Race Car
Leave a Comment
Automotive Lust of the Day, Flat Track Racing Edition: 1927 Ford Model T Race Car

Automotive Lust of the Day, Flat Track Racing Edition: 1927 Ford Model T Race Car

Published by Marty Milligan on May 4, 2019

This is a modern build that resembles an early flat track racing car with a few modern updates. This type of car, based on the Model T Ford, was common across the US in the 1920s. There are not many vintage flat track events these days and this thing would be a rolling roadblock on a road course but it might be fun as a hill climb car. I would expect some transmission and rear end upgrades would be required for reliable operation in that duty. At the rate bidding is going, this could be quite the bargain.

Leave a Comment
Automotive Lust of the Day, the Factory Should Have Made Them This Way Edition: 1971 Dodge Polara HP2 Tribute
Automotive Lust of the Day, Peak Bill Mitchell Edition: 1965 Buick Riviera Gran Sport

Automotive Lust of the Day, Peak Bill Mitchell Edition: 1965 Buick Riviera Gran Sport

Published by Marty Milligan on April 19, 2019

Bill L Mitchell was the head of GM styling from 1958 until 1977. His influence and originality peaked in the early sixties when both the Sting Ray Corvette and Buick Riviera debuted in 1963. The Sting Ray was introduced with all of Mitchell’s styling cues including the controversial and short-lived split rear window. The Riviera was originally intended as a Cadillac but was rejected and brought out as a Buick. The original model year was introduced without some important features that Mitchell had intended for it. It was the 1965 model that finally included the “clamshell” headlights that gave the…

Continue readingAutomotive Lust of the Day, Peak Bill Mitchell Edition: 1965 Buick Riviera Gran Sport
Leave a Comment
Automotive Lust of the Day, Green Wheels Edition: 1932 Buick Model 65 Sport Phaeton

Automotive Lust of the Day, Green Wheels Edition: 1932 Buick Model 65 Sport Phaeton

Published by Marty Milligan on April 19, 2019

The seller claims that the green wheels and pinstripe were the original colors of this rare Buick. While that might be true, it takes some getting used to. The rest of this straight-eight classic is easier on the eye. The phaeton body style is generally one of the more expensive ones to produce but creates a useful open car. The Buick eight was a well-engineered overhead valve engine that performed well even as it was being retired in the late forties. Buicks of this model year used a radiator grille that resembled Packard’s unique shape. Overall, this is a highly…

Continue readingAutomotive Lust of the Day, Green Wheels Edition: 1932 Buick Model 65 Sport Phaeton
Leave a Comment
Automotive Lust of the Day, Topless Edition: 1996 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible

Automotive Lust of the Day, Topless Edition: 1996 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible

Published by Marty Milligan on April 18, 2019

These Eldorado convertibles from the 90s have held their value well and are still desirable. They were built by Drop Top Customs back when they were known as Coach Builders. The company is best known for building new Challenger convertibles and Camaros with T-tops. Their work has a good reputation and their conversions retain body integrity better than the original car. I don’t think that the celebrity link is worth a premium here so the price is a bit high. There is probably no other vehicle that says, I sold my tech startup before the first Internet bubble and retired…

Continue readingAutomotive Lust of the Day, Topless Edition: 1996 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible
Leave a Comment