Dear Stef,

Mr DaytonaFan has already mentioned my favourite example, but you can always Google “Talbot Samba Groupe B”...

Er... even if one crazy guy actually took a 308 GTB on a raid-type event, the chances of a 308 GTB surviving anything remotely similar to a forest stage rally are practically zero. Even the Stratos – which was one hundred times more versatile than the 308 – did not usually fare that well in those conditions.

The other possibility would be that someone confused RNLAF with RNoAF (both sometimes are just called “RNAF”).

You know what? Googling simultaneously “Dutch” “F-16" “Sukhoi Su-27" “Baltic” always sends me tho The War Zone feature (other hits in diverse websites are always related to much earlier events, not the one involving the Russian minister). Ditto for “Royal Netherlands Air Force” “F-16" etc.

We’ve gone from “wow, that’s worrying” to “now, that’s interesting”...

That begs the question... what were the Dutch doing there?

Remember Le Mans 1977.

The person in charge of the official FIA WEC Twitter feed is unable to spell Tertre Rouge correctly?! What is the world coming to?

Thank you so much for this. It’s... inspiring.

Interesting point. I am positive, however, that the anecdote I read (cannot remember whether it was in Classic Cars or in Classic & Sportscar - most certainly one of those) was as stated.

Are you sure you are not thinking of Jaguar and Lucas, a few years earlier?

I find it surprising you did not mention Lotus’ rather chequered record of GP crashes due to mechanical/structural failures....

Years ago I read a story about the time when Lotus was building the first series of Ford Cortina Lotus. Some people in Dearborn were nervous about the Lotus operation so they sent an engineer to audit the process - without warning, of course.

Finally, the voice of reason!

Jason, if you are interested in the convoluted design history of the Daewoo Matiz you should find out about ItalDesign’s Lucciola show car. Giugiaro had hopes it would become the Seicento but someone at Fiat decided the bill would be too expensive. ItalDesign ended up selling the Lucciola proposal to Daewoo.

I’d suggest you do a search on “Museu do Caramulo” on the Internet.

There is no denying the huge industrial importance of Catalunya, particularly in the automotive sector. However, there are many other places in Spain with car factories and/or a vibrant car culture scene.

Sorry, not so. It actually means “have you left your lights on?” Usually at the exit of tunnels. A similar sign withouth the question mark is at the entrance - meaning “switch on your headlights”.

Nice article, Jason, about a legendary, extraordinary feat of arms. But I find especially commendable that you cared to mention the reprisals on Chinese civilians.