Choice Rides from Around the World

Now is the season for exotic vintage cars in the Tri-state Region. Lans Christensen will share some special items throughout the summer.

 

Living the Dream — of Driving a McLaren Spider

No list of “cool cars” would be complete without one example of a true “Supercar. “That’s the official term for a small group of elite, exciting, breathtaking, road-bound rockets: Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston-Martin and others.

A very special example, the McLaren Spider, recently seen in Kent, Conn., might just be the very coolest of them all.

These labors of love have been literally hand assembled since 2010 by McLaren Automotive in Woking, England.

The line was inspired by Bruce McLaren, a brilliant race car driver, designer and engineer from New Zealand. His cars were dominant in Formula 1 Grand Prix and Can-Am racing, winning world championships for many famous drivers.

So it was a total and unexpected thrill to see one on June 12, in Kent.

Owner Preston Ratliff and his wife were on a visit from Harrison, N.Y., and chose to drive the McLaren for an open-air fun drive.

Ratliff bought the car new in 2020 and said he and his wife enjoy it “on special days.”

“Supercar” is the perfect description of this extraordinarily ultra-cool McLaren. It is powered by a twin-turbo V8 developing 720 horsepower, which will get you to 212 miles per hour, and from zero to 60 in 2.9 seconds!

All that power is wrapped up in a space-age, ultra-aerodynamic and completely beautiful body.

Followers of the modern Grand Prix circuit will know that two orange McLarens are always on the grid, and always battling for wins.

To own a McLaren, or just drive one … which would be more fun? Most of us can only dream.

Alfa Romeo

As the “Cool Cars” series started to happen, the first choice for inclusion was the wonderful example from Alfa Romeo in the photo above.

They aren’t extremely rare, but despite extensive searching … none appeared.

Fortunately, and luckily, I still had a photograph that I made in Bolzano, Italy, in the early 1970s. How perfect: The Alfa parked on a quintessentially Italian side street!

This car always was, and always will be, a true favorite. I still hope to put one in my garage.

The Alfa Romeo GT1300 was introduced in 1966 as a more affordable, simpler version of the Sprint GT models.

It was an instant and huge success as its availability spread to a wider buyer base; it was the perfect “entry level” Alfa. This was a 1969 model with the distinctive “stepnose” feature — a simple, slightly raised front edge of the hood.

It was powered by a 1300cc twin cam, Weber carburated engine. Not exactly neck-snapping acceleration or top speed, but superb handling and drivability made it a true “touring car.”

But above all: The simple beauty of this car is timeless. It was a design masterpiece from the creativity of Giorgetto Giugiaro of Bertone. The lines and proportions are so right and visually perfect. It could be re-released as a 2022 model with instant popularity and success. They ceased production in 1977. I’m still waiting to find one, in great condition, in a forgotten barn somewhere. Not just a “Cool Car” — a WAY Cool Car.

Citroen Deux Chevaux

One of the coolest and most iconic French cars is the  Citroen Deux Chevaux (or 2CV).

It was produced from 1948 through 1990, and more than 5 million examples rolled out of the factories. “Deux Chevaux,” which means two horses, was not the car’s horsepower but rather it’s taxation classification.

It actually boasted an eye-popping 9 horsepower from its two-cylinder engine. It was  useful, dependable and economical, and was designed with some specific goals.  Aimed at farmers and country folk, the requirements included enough space to carry four large adults — and driving across a plowed field with a basket of eggs without breaking any (a test at which it succeeded easily, thanks to good ground clearance and a very compliant independent suspension).

Many, in varying condition, are still on the roads today and much loved by their owners. The beautiful 1982 in the photo above is a showroom-ready example,  owned by Charles Mallory, one of the new owners of the race track at Lime Rock Park in Salisbury, Conn. He found it fully restored, and brought it to Lime Rock for display during this summer’s Weathertech Grand Prix.

The author photographed this Alfa Romeo 1300GT Junior in Bolzano, Italy, in  1972. Photo by Lans Christensen

The author photographed this Alfa Romeo 1300GT Junior in Bolzano, Italy, in  1972. Photo by Lans Christensen

The author photographed this Alfa Romeo 1300GT Junior in Bolzano, Italy, in  1972. Photo by Lans Christensen

Latest News

Swift House committee learns of potential buyer at first meeting

Swift House in Kent.

By Ruth Epstein

KENT — The fate of the Swift House is once again front and center after the newly formed Swift House Investigation Committee held its first meeting Tuesday, Feb. 24 — and learned that a local attorney is interested in buying the historic property.

At the meeting’s outset, committee member Marge Smith said local attorney Anthony Palumbo has expressed interest in purchasing the building. “He loves it and said he’d be honored to buy it and maybe lease part of it back to the town. He would be OK with a conservation easement.” She said he supports several previously proposed uses, including a welcome center and exhibition space.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sharon median home price rises to $710,000 as inventory tightens

119 Amenia Union Road — A four-bedroom, 2.5-bath home built in 1872 on 4.42 acres recently sold for $522,500.

Photo by Christine Bates

SHARON — The 12-month trailing median price for a single-family home in Sharon increased to $710,000 for the period ending Jan. 31, 2026 — its highest point since September 2024 as home values across much of Connecticut continued to edge higher.

The figure marks an increase from the $560,000 median recorded for the 12 months ending Jan. 31, 2025, and from $645,000 for the comparable period ending Jan. 31, 2024. While January and February are typically slow months, the 12-month rolling figure reflects a broader reset.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kent's towering snowman honors Robbie Kennedy

Jeff Kennedy visits the 20-foot-high snowman located in the Golden Falcon lot in Kent that was created in honor of his late brother Robbie Kennedy.

Photo by Ruth Epstein

KENT – Snowman Robbie stands prominently in the center of town, just as its namesake — longtime Kent resident Robbie Kennedy — did for so many years.

The 20-foot-high frozen sculpture pays tribute to Kennedy, who died Feb. 9, at the age of 71. A beloved member of the community, he was a familiar sight riding his bicycle along town roads waving to all he passed. Many people knew him from his days working at Davis IGA, the local supermarket. He was embraced by the Kent Fire Department, where he was named an active emergency member and whose members chipped in to buy him a new bike, and by the Kent School football team where coach Ben Martin made him his assistant. At Templeton Farms senior apartments, he was the helpful tenant, always eager to assist his neighbors.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

Classifieds - February 26, 2026

Classifieds - February 26, 2026

Help Wanted

PART-TIME CARE-GIVER NEEDED: possibly LIVE-IN. Bright private STUDIO on 10 acres. Queen Bed, En-Suite Bathroom, Kitchenette & Garage. SHARON 407-620-7777.

The Salisbury Association’s Land Trust seeks part-time Land Steward: Responsibilities include monitoring easements and preserves, filing monitoring reports, documenting and reporting violations or encroachments, and recruiting and supervising volunteer monitors. The Steward will also execute preserve and trail stewardship according to Management Plans and manage contractor activity. Up to 10 hours per week, compensation commensurate with experience. Further details and requirements are available on request. To apply: Send cover letter, resume, and references to info@salisburyassociation.org. The Salisbury Association is an equal opportunity employer.

Keep ReadingShow less
To save birds, plant for caterpillars

Fireweed attracts the fabulous hummingbird sphinx moth.

Photo provided by Wild Seed Project

You must figure that, as rough as the cold weather has been for us, it’s worse for wildlife. Here, by the banks of the Housatonic, flocks of dark-eyed juncos, song sparrows, tufted titmice and black-capped chickadees have taken up residence in the boxwood — presumably because of its proximity to the breakfast bar. I no longer have a bird feeder after bears destroyed two versions and simply throw chili-flavored birdseed onto the snow twice a day. The tiny creatures from the boxwood are joined by blue jays, cardinals and a solitary flicker.

These birds will soon enough be nesting, and their babies will require a nonstop diet of caterpillars. This source of soft-bodied protein makes up more than 90 percent of native bird chicks’ diets, with each clutch consuming between 6,000 and 9,000 caterpillars before they fledge. That means we need a lot of caterpillars if we want our bird population to survive.

Keep ReadingShow less
Stephanie Haboush Plunkett and the home for American illustration

Stephanie Haboush Plunkett

L. Tomaino
"The field of illustration is very close to my heart"
— Stephanie Plunkett

For more than three decades, Stephanie Haboush Plunkett has worked to elevate illustration as a serious art form. As chief curator and Rockwell Center director at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, she has helped bring national and international attention to an art form long dismissed as merely commercial.

Her commitment to illustration is deeply personal. Plunkett grew up watching her father, Joseph Haboush, an illustrator and graphic designer, work late into the night in his home studio creating art and hand-lettered logos for package designs, toys and licensed-character products for the Walt Disney Co. and other clients.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.