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Issue 166 / April 2017
CONTENTS
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Issue 166 / April 2017
CONTENTS
FEATURES
30 YEARS OF THE 959
Page 72
Getting under the skin of Porsches techno-fest
and on track with the latest 911 GTS
72 BROOKLANDS REVIVAL
Page 94
The great restoration nears fruition
BERNIE ECCLESTON
Page 114
Looking back as new hands take the F1 wheel
FAREWELL TO LONGBRIDGE
Page 130
Eerie insight into what remains of The Austin
FERRARI 166
Page 138
In Turin with Gianni Agnellis gorgeous barchetta
CHURCHILL TANK
Page 146
Mark Dixon meets a man who restores them
BRISTOL ARCHIVES
Page 154
David Lillywhite goes underground in Kensington
CHEVROLET CORVETTE
Page 158
Why one particular model is the car to buy now
94
7
Issue 166 / April 2017
CONTENTS
REGULARS
NEWS AND EVENTS
Page 18
Non-stop 500-mile race for vintage cars
in Spain; new Lamborghini Aventador tested
COLUMNS
Page 59
Jay Leno, Derek Bell, Stephen Bayley
and Robert Coucher share their musings
GEARBOX
Page 66
18 Racing driver and TV commentator John Watson
LETTERS
Page 69
Recollections of driving an XKSS in the 1960s
OCTANE CARS
Page 166
Robert Coucher revives the family Derby Bentley
ICON
Page 180
The plain white T-shirt, made cool by James Dean
CHRONO
Page 182
How Cartier is forging new links with its past
PLACES TO GO
186
Page 184
An eclectic museum in Belgium
THE MARKET
Page 193
Auction news, previews, star buys and advice
8
CALIBER RM 11-03
www.richardmille.com
Issue 166 / April 2017
FEATURING
DAVID TREMAYNE
There was a time when Formula 1 without
Bernie Ecclestone was as unthinkable as
Formula 1 without Ayrton Senna. Now he
has departed, and vengeful critics vilify
AMY SHORE
EDITORS WELCOME
Continuation cars:
good or bad?
TIM ANDREW
TIM ANDREW
AN INTERESTING and deeply animated manufacture of these continuation cars has for Brooklands instantly conjures mental
conversation over breakfast at Rtromobile: owners of the originals. images of vintage cars and planes, banking
the subject was continuation cars, given that Take the XKSS: there are so many parts that and racing. On arrival Im shown a fenced-off
Jaguar Land Rover Classic chose the event to just were not available to owners, which meant piece of concrete, but Im ready for the
show off its XKSS, while Aston Martin Works that their original cars arent being used as challenge as sun breaks through the
was present to chat about its DB4 GT project. much as they might be. And values have morning mist. Thats the art of making the
The protaganist was a seasoned, highly escalated to such an extent that were not seeing apparently ordinary look special. See Tims
respected historic car dealer from mainland these cars being driven any more. extraordinary pictures on pages 94-102.
Europe, who gave an impassioned plea against Bring a continuation car into the mix, and
such machines. He argued strongly that the not only will a small but invaluable stock of
factory built a certain number of cars in the day, spares be produced, but the continuation cars
and thats how it should be, regardless of how themselves are more likely to be used,
many were intended to be built poor orders, demonstrating to other enthusiasts worldwide
fires, etc, notwithstanding. how they look and sound in action.
More importantly, in this argument, such Were not in the pockets of the manufacturers
cars do not have stories, and the way this or the originality buffs, and we appreciate both
particular dealer works is to sell a story with a sides of the argument. We just love cars for what
car attached (and he really does, which we they are but wed like to hear your views too.
truly admire). Continuation cars do not have
such stories and theres also the age-old GILES CHAPMAN
accusation that manufacturers are creating Any gloriously pointless car is bound to
these cars simply for financial gain. get my attention, and the gold-plated Amex
We wouldnt disagree with much of that, but DeLorean is too valuable to park anywhere,
there is another side. For starters, I suspect has never turned a wheel under its own
there are easier ways to make extra money as a power, and tarnishes if touched so kid
modern car manufacturer. gloves at the ready for a certain kind
The really important point in this is less David Lillywhite, of American madness.
obvious; and thats the positive effect that the Editor Find out more on pages 104-112.
10
Important Sports, Competition ENQUIRIES
and Collectors Motor Cars +44 (0) 20 7468 5801
ukcars@bonhams.com
Sunday 19 March 2017
Chichester, Sussex 1961 ASTON MARTIN DP214
REPLICA GT COMPETITION COUP
bonhams.com/motorcars
Issue 166 / April 2017
DRIVING THE
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C L A S S I C & P E R F O R M A N C E C A R S
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also starring early 8-valve, Evo 2 and Martini rally car
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COVER UK.indd 1
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Mille Miglia, 1951. Eugenio Castellotti/Giuseppe Rota, #340.
Courtesy of Archivio Foto Locchi.
AMELIA ISLAND | 1950 Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta by Touring; Chassis no. 0058 M MONTEREY | 1950 Ferrari 166 MM/212 Export Uovo by Fontana; Chassis no. 024 MB
AMELIA ISLAND 1011 MARCH | VILLA ERBA 27 MAY | MONTEREY 1819 AUGUST
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IGNITION / News
IGNITION
since the last 500. Well have signing-on, free
testing and qualifying for the grid on Saturday,
the race on Sunday and a lavish gala dinner to
finish. Its as much a social event as a race.
This event will be held not in chilly autumn
Britain, though, but the 5.4km Ascari circuit in
the mountains near Ronda, southern Spain. Far
N E W S + E V E N T S + O PI N I O N from being a bumpy banked track, its a smooth
and twisty course with some fast straights and
many gradient changes. It will be a severe test
of a pre-war cars brakes and tyres, never mind
Benjafield
WE ALL LOVE the Le Mans Classic, but its not its drivers muscles. Note drivers, plural, for
a continuous endurance race because cars race there must be at least two drivers for each car,
for just 2hr 9min each in total, over three races. swapping every hour-and-a-half.
Full endurance races for pre-war cars are rare Benjafields is a Bentley-oriented club, of
sets new
indeed, and the one planned by Chris Lunn of course, but rival Brooklands-flavoured makes
the Benjafields Racing Club should be a cracker. of the era are encouraged for the 30-car grid.
Its inspired by the Brooklands 500 races run Talbots, Bugattis, Lagondas, Alfa Romeos, even
Challenge
from 1929 to 1937, initially over 500 miles but Austin Sevens are welcome, and a handicap
reduced to 500km for the final event. Lunns system will ensure they are all in with a chance.
version, which has the enthusiastic blessing of It will be an endurance event rather than a
the Brooklands Museum, is called the Benjafield sprint, Lunn insists, with the winner more likely
500 Challenge, and the idea is for the winning to be the tortoise than the hare. Weve already
car to break the 500-mile barrier between the had interest from the owners of 35 cars, with
Eighty years on, Bentley club races start at 9am on Sunday 15 October and its another ten possibles.
will reprise the Brooklands finish eight hours later. Included in these is likely to be a team or two
The first Brooklands 500 was held on 12 of Bentley Belles, reprising the success of the
500 in southern Spain October 1929, says Lunn. So this one will be on all-ladies team who starred in the last Benjafields
Words John Simister the weekend closest to that in 2017, 80 years marathon, a 24-hour race at Portimo in 2015.
GERARD BROWN
18
GERARD BROWN
GERARD BROWN
GERARD BROWN
ALAMY
19
IGNITION / News
Steel pressed to be new you would have been in a 1997 the MG and Mazda have the same Its a romantic notion...
FBHVC president Metro-based Rover 100, according final drive ratio. Advantages include that some future little
Lord Steel of Aikwood, known to to EuroNCAPs publicity. The more relaxed cruising.
most as the former Liberal party Rover scored just one star in the Gurney will touch the
leader David Steel, is the new organisations first batch of tests, Burlen creates local jobs shiny skin of an Eagle
president of the Federation of with its passenger compartment with in-house machining
British Historic Vehicle Clubs. He destroyed. It was, of course, an The prolific manufacturer of SU, racing car somewhere
becomes the Federations second old design even then, and known Zenith and AMAL carburettors sometime and be proud
president after Edward, Lord to be a poor crash performer. has installed new CNC machinery
Montagu. Lord Steel is a long- that, it says, will help it to monitor
of his ancestry
Dan Gurney at the opening of
time classic car enthusiast; he Bluebird from 1927 to star at quality, improve availability and The Eagles Have Landed: Dan
has competed in six Monte Carlo Bromyard Speed Festival keep costs down. Two new staff Gurneys All American Racers at
Historic rallies, has advised It set a Land Speed Record of members have joined the Salisbury Petersen Automotive Museum.
organisers on setting up 175mph at Pendine Sands in 1927 company, with further expansion
international rallies, and is a driving with its Napier Lion engine, and planned as SUs fuel injection
force in the All-Party Parliamentary Malcolm Campbell broke 200mph system goes on sale. Its a little gem
Historic Vehicles Group. in an improved version at Daytona of historical
in 1928. Now the Napier Bluebird You can do it yourself with
Henry Ford museum gets a will join the Fiat Beast of Turin a Swifty plasma cutter
Renault passion
Alpine managing director
better, but longer, name and the Liberty-Thomas Babs in a Using ultra-hot plasma to cut metal Michael van der Sande to
The Henry Ford museum has record-breaking trio at the festival easily and very accurately is Octane on the relaunch of the
always seemed to sell itself short, held in the streets of Bromyard, normally the preserve of the much-loved French car brand.
given that this amazing collection Herefordshire, on 2 April, with professionals, but 2900 now buys
of US social history and scientific around 150 other machines. Well you a computer-controlled DIY
endeavour has always been about demonstrate a flame-off through system with its own cutting table. Ferraris are rocking
much more than just the motor our 12 exhausts, promises Lorne Manufacturer Swift-Cut says it will right now
industry. On 23 January the Jacobs, the Bluebirds owner. help classic car owners to create Occasional Octane contributor
Dearborn-based museum, covering complex parts at home. Harry Metcalfe on news that the
revised F12 will have 800bhp.
250 acres and containing around Five forward gears for MGB
26 million artefacts, was renamed British Motor Heritage is now Award for Octane contributor
the Henry Ford Museum of stocking Vitesse Globals five-speed David Burgess-Wise has received
American Innovation. gearbox kit for the MGB, using the the Mort Morris-Goodall Trophy
The best car I ever
unit from a Mazda MX-5 Mk3. from the Aston Martin Heritage had was a Daimler
EuroNCAP marks 20 years of
safety tests with two crashes
Priced at 2490 excluding fitting,
the kit includes a clutch plate,
Trust for 16 years of editing Aston,
the trusts journal, and preserving
Barker Special Sports
Drive a 2017 Honda Jazz into an hydraulics, speedo cable and the history and heritage of Aston which I sold for 100
offset concrete block at 40mph and propeller shaft. BMH says the gear Martin. Goodall founded the Aston The Rt Hon the Lord Steel of
Aikwood (David Steel) on
you will be a lot more intact than ratios are ideal, not least because Martin Owners Club in 1935. previous car loves, at his
appointment as president
of the FBHVC.
Im going to throw
Jaguars gear up for Royal Windsor Jaguar Festival in my house in Maui
Up to 1250 of the marques cars will gather at Windsor Castle on 6 May for a week!
Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler
The Jaguar Enthusiasts Club, Jaguar Classic and the Windsor and Eton encourages the bidding on his
Rotary Club will hold one of the largest single gatherings of Jaguars at Hennessey Venom GT Spyder to
$750,000 at Barrett-Jacksons
Windsor Castle on Saturday 6 May. A parade of 250 Jaguars, spanning Scottsdale sale.
every model produced, will drive through Windsor town centre and into
the castles quadrangle for Royal viewing, before display in the nearby
Frogmore cricket ground. Included will be a C-type, a D-type, the original Ill give you the keys, Ill
MARTYN GODDARD
XJ13 and the young Endeavour Morses Mk1. A further 1000 cars will line
the Long Walk up to the castle, backed by food stalls and trade stands.
be naked in Maui! Toga!
Tyler encourages the bidding to
The event, which will raise money for the Prince Philip Trust Fund, $850,000 (donated to the Janies
will finish with music and entertainment at Windsor racecourse. Fund charity for abused girls).
20
GOODING & COMPANY PRESENTS
THE
AMELIA
ISLAND AUCTION
florida
N O W I N V I T I N G CO N S I G N M E N T S
Pebble Beach Auctions through June 1
IGNITION / News
Other cars
ripe for rebirth
Reincarnating classic cars is the most
on-trend trend in the old-car world
right now. Beyond the high-prole
machinery already starting a second
life is a raft of cars supported by LOTUS ELAN S3/S4/SPRINT MAZDA MX-5 MK1 MINI MK1
near-complete parts availability, some The bodyshell and chassis are still The factory still supplies most parts, Who would own the project? BMW
of it made by or sanctioned by the available from Lotus, though other including panels, everyone loves the owns the brand, British Motor Heritage
original manufacturer. Some of those parts might have to come from Mk1, and there are plenty of rusty makes the bodyshells. Those shells are
manufacturers might not be so keen elsewhere, including the engine for donors. They could be sold as factory- for later-pattern Minis and would need
to go the whole way, however. So which new blocks and heads are sanctioned specials, perhaps reborn modifying with external door hinges
here are our picks for a new life, available. Lotus could make it as by factory tuning house Mazdaspeed. and so on. Many other parts are to
and the chances of it happening. specialists have been doing for years. Stranger things have happened. later design, too. Financially unlikely.
22
Alvis lives!
You have the drawings, the
skills and the parts stocks.
Why not make some more?
Words John Simister
PORSCHE 911/ BMW 2002/ JENSEN INTERCEPTOR FERRARI DINO JAGUAR MK2
MERCEDES-BENZ SL PAGODA There have been several attempts A new line for Ferrari Classiche? Jaguar Land Rover Classic will need
All are well served by the classic at this over the years, typically with There are still rusty Dinos to be found another project soon and reborn
divisions of their respective companies, a modern engine and better rear (more so than grander Ferraris), and Jaguar Mk2s are nothing new. Those
and all could easily be reborn. Market suspension. Good original cars have they will doubtless be bought and by Vicarage and Beacham majored
values of pre-impact 911s and the SL been too temptingly cheap to make restored. It makes sense for Ferrari to on upgrades (from V8s to soft-tops);
certainly make them viable; dont bet an expensively re-engineered rebirth take some of the market for itself, and Browns Lane would more likely
against the 02 heading that way. attractive, but that might change. offer cars with their seal of approval. provide you with a standard 3.8 MOD.
23
IGNITION / News
INGEGNER PAOLO Stanzani was born in What Ill miss most are those special moments need for privacy and Bertone offered us a
Bologna in 1936, graduated in 1961, and was of reminiscence, such as during a memorable solution: a barn at one of the farms close to his
hired by Ferruccio Lamborghini himself on 30 dinner in Ferrara, when he spent a good hour headquarters. It was late at night and, suddenly,
September 1963 to work for the newly formed describing his first day of work at Lamborghini. one of the doors opened, and we saw this farmer,
Lamborghini Automobili. Hed always declared, His journey with Ferruccio in a fast and noisy who, while walking close by, had heard noises
with a smile, that he was hired simply because Ferrari to Pirelli in Milan could easily be the basis coming from the supposedly empty barn and
Lamborghini wanted a back-up in case something of a Hollywood comedy Stanzani admitted he come in to have a look.
happened to Giampaolo Dallara, and with Dallara had never been in a car faster than a Fiat 500 Countach! is what he said when he spotted
he went on to become the technical father of the before, and Lamborghini explained to him how us with the car a meaningless word for us, as
Miura. In 1967 he was appointed general manager he was supposed to trick the manager of Pirelli we all came from Bologna. When we asked the
and technical director of Lamborghini, and is into granting a further discount on tyres. On the Bertone men what it meant, the news spread, and
also considered the father of the Countach even way back, he was asked to drive and, when the the rest is history.
though the Urraco was his favourite creation, pair stopped at a service station, Lamborghini Stanzani is survived by his wife Maria, daughter
because of its more advanced technical content. bought a single bottle of water to share, adding Chiara and two grandchildren, to whom we send
In 1974 he quit Lamborghini and set out on his that it was important never to waste money. our most sincere condolences.
own, building dams for an energy company, then It was with Stanzani that I spent one of the
founded Tecnostile, his own consultancy firm, in most interesting evenings of my life. During Above and below
1979. In 1991 he joined the Bugatti Automobili the Miuras 45th anniversary tour in Tuscany, Ingegner Paolo Stanzani, also pictured with the
of Romano Artioli, and entered history as the organised by Simon Kidston, we listened to Countach he developed while Lamborghinis
technical director; with Massimo Delb during
technical father of the Bugatti EB110 too. Stanzani and Ferruccios son Tonino sharing the Miuras 45th anniversary tour.
If his achievements as an engineer are more memories after dinner. It was wonderful to hear
than renowned, less is known about the man them and to discover that sometimes they had
himself because of his natural shyness. For me, different recollections of the same event.
Paolo Stanzani was a mine of information: I cant Stanzani recalling his memory of the birth of
even remember how many times I have asked him the name Countach was invaluable, because he
details about the men and machines of his period. was there, one of the very few eye-witnesses of
His support in helping me with the Octane feature that very moment. We were running late with
celebrating 50 years of the Miura (issue 153) was the preparation of the new car to show at Geneva,
simply invaluable. he told me, and both companies, Bertone and
He was even happy when I encouraged him to Lamborghini, were hit by sudden strikes. It was
recall the Carrozzeria Touring proposal for the too risky to have the car, and the components
would-be Miura, showing him an old picture of needed to finish it, in one place where a strike
KIDSTON SA
himself, Dallara and Carlo Felice Bianchi could have stopped everything, maybe for days.
Anderloni with the very first P400 chassis. We couldnt rent an external space because of the
24
THE MOST BEAUTIFUL MOTOr CArS IN THE WOrLD
CLiEnT PorTFoLio
1939 Lagonda V12 Rapide l 1959 BMW 507 Series II Roadster with hardtop
1965 Lamborghini 350GT l 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 l 1969 Lamborghini Miura P400 S (original RHD)
1970 Fiat Dino 2400 Spyder l 1988 Porsche 959 Komfort
1989 Aston Martin V8 Vantage X Pack (ex-Geneva Motor Show) l 1990 Lamborghini Countach 25th Anniversary (6,500km)
Please note that to respect client confidentiality not all motor cars available may be shown
KiDSTon S.a. 7 avEnuE PiCTET DE roChEmonT, 1207 gEnEva, SWiTzErLanD TEL+41 22 740 1939, Fax+41 22 740 1945 WWW.KiDSTon.Com
IGNITION / News
AUTOMOBILIA
Spanish acquisition
Ive owned a couple of yellowing brochures for
Spains legendary Pegaso Z-102 for so long
Ive forgotten where they came from. Perhaps
they were an unexpected bonus in a box of old
car magazines; its incredible what treasures
readers tucked inside their journals years ago.
Interestingly, theyre both in English, with an
almost tiresome repetition of the mantra The
car for the connoisseur. A light small car, trills
26
Carnet de Passages en Douane
Provided under agreement with FIA and AIT
traditional values
modern thinking
Toyotas WRC
heritage
TOYOTA
1973 Toyotas first victory: Walter Boyce/
Doug Woods in a Corolla TE20 on the
Press On Regardless Rally (USA)
Mkinens back!
in the 1000 Lakes Rally (Finland)
Car ferries a fry-up, even a cordon bleu feast. There were cliffs
to watch receding, France to watch arriving, time
to plan routes on real maps. There was a sense of
Fly-drive, thats the modern way. EasyJet, cheap occasion, of frontier-crossing, of adventure. Bring
car hire, job done. But isnt it better to feel the land on the amber headlight bulbs and the GB plates.
and water passing under your body, to sense the The first car ferries lifted your car on board by
progress from home to destination? OK, so then crane: slow, but symbolic of serious travel intent.
you drive the whole way, and the quickest, slickest Driving on and off, for Dover and Calais at least,
way is to fly under the Channel in a sealed capsule started in 1953. There is still no better way to
on rails. Maybe youll wolf a sandwich en route. traverse la Manche especially when the hold
Before either bit of late-20th Century speediness is full of interesting old motor cars. John Simister
28
Trading of high quality classic automobiles incl. international warranty
THE HISTORIC banked autodrome at most notably the 1927 24-hour endurance
Montlhry, south of Paris, hosts many historic record-breaker which ran again on the banking
motoring events. Two of 2017s picks are the for the first time in 89 years. Peugeot brought
Vintage Revival for pre-1940 machinery on 6-7 several historic competition cars including a CD
May, and the third edition of Les Grandes Heures Peugeot LM66 endurance racer from 1967, while HOW TO...
no documents
motorcycles from the Autodromes earliest years The Montlhry circuit is owned by UTAC
through to recent times. LGHA previewed the CERAM, which also owns the modern test track
event at Rtromobile in February with a display at Mortefontaine used by major manufacturers
of Group B rally cars; last year they were lapping and the European Car of the Year organisation. Somehow, you have in your garage an old
around Montlhrys banking right up to 10pm. LGHA is hoping for lots of international car car but not a scrap of documentary
evidence to convince the authorities that it
Similar spectacles are promised this year, clubs and participants for 2017, pointing out that exists. Thats fine as far as it goes it
supported by many displays from classic car the facility has plenty of space to accommodate might be a barn find or even a pile of bits,
clubs. Themes last year included five Voisins, them. Definitely worth a visit, wed say. and youre in no hurry to alert the system to
its existence but one day, when its
working, it will need a number plate if
youre going to drive it on the road. How
are you going to do that?
If its a car which has always lived in the
UK, the DVLAs V765 scheme can help
you reclaim your cars registration number.
For this, run in conjunction with an
impressive tally of car clubs, you need,
ideally, the old cardboard logbook.
You dont have it, of course.
Old MoTs, bills of sale, photographs of
the car long ago wearing a number plate;
all help with establishing authenticity and,
ultimately, the reunification of car and
original number.
You dont have these, either. You dont
even know what its number was.
Right. With luck you will at least have
the cars chassis number, stamped or
embossed somewhere on its structure.
A car club or heritage trust might then be
able to match these to a registration
number, or to a record of the supplying
distributor or dealer. There are some
pre-DVLA, ex-council records held at the
Kithead Trust, too, but success here is by
no means guaranteed (Londons records,
DVLA meets FBHVC was just being hopeless, but the truth is stranger.
A new vehicle has a manufacturers code, entry
of which by the DVLA automatically populates
for example, are particularly sparse) and
the Catch 22 is that the Trust really needs
the registration number as the starting
Agenda included accurate V5Cs the new V5C. Only the make box, termed D1,
point. At least you might have enough
information by now for an age-related one.
and late conversions can be filled in manually if a car has no code; Now, suppose your numberless old car
box D2, for model, cannot because the system arrived from abroad. To get a suitable
THE FEDERATION of British Historic Vehicle architecture doesnt allow it. DVLA is likely to fix age-related number, whether you have just
Clubs and the DVLA are getting along these days. this anomaly when the system is re-platformed. imported your project or youve sat on it for
They do wish to assist in the preservation of our It also emerges that some applications to regain years, you fill in a NOVA1 form, as used for
any car youve imported privately. You
motoring heritage and have no wish to make the original registration number for a long- include as much information as you can
unnecessary difficulties, says FBHVCs Bob dormant, now-restored car have revealed that the from whatever source: car clubs, period
Owen in the Federations first 2017 newsletter. number was never actually lost. When records photographs of similar cars, second
One issue has been a historic vehicles details were computerised, owners could submit a opinions from marque experts, whatever
as recorded on the V5C registration document. notice of interest to the DVLA and keep the you think will help your case.
Sometimes, with imported vehicles or those pre- number live, then activate it a late conversion Theres no magic formula, then. But the
DVLA and HMRC know that documentary
dating computerised vehicle records, only the when the car was ready to return to the road. A evidence will be different for different
make field of the V5C has an entry and model is later owner might not know this happened and projects and will listen sympathetically, so
left blank, or the make and model are run together gets a pleasant surprise. The number remains dont give up. Good luck.
in the make field. Many have assumed the DVLA transferable, unlike a re-issued or age-related one. John Simister
30
IGNITION / News
LUKE WEBSTER
special, was put together by Roger Buxton in exciting years, Piglets extra speed led to the oil
the 1980s. The name comes from Rogers own not reaching where it should in the engine.
nickname, apparently bestowed on him by his At one time I would return to Yorkshire after
family after his early years eating habits. Roger a race, pull a conrod and send it to Kent for
subsequently sold his creation to Mags Diffey,
who reluctantly sold it to Dougal with the
white-metalling, then pop it back in within the
week in order to go racing again the following
Vulcan XH558 into
understanding she could have one last race
at Silverstone before handing it over;
weekend. However, Im afraid some slapdash
fettling on my part eventually led to a leg out of
storage for Cold War
unfortunately, after the warm-up lap Piglet had bed, whilst flat-out on the Lavant straight at Not that Cold War, obviously, but a new Cold
a small carburettor fire on the start line, Goodwood. War Jets engineering facility and visitor centre
spectacularly terminating Mags ownership. Cue Wobbly Steve (aka Steve Smith of at Doncaster Sheffield airport, the former RAF
Nevertheless, Dougal attempted to campaign balancing specialist Vibration Free) to rebuild Finningley. The Vulcan, the last of its type to
Piglet at all the remaining VSCC race meetings Piglets 3.3-litre Model A Ford engine. Since fly, has been at the airport since its final flight
in October 2015, occupying the same hangar
in 2004. Whats brilliant about VSCC meetings then Dougal has never looked back, winning in which it was often based during the 1960s.
is that you can have what you consider to be a his race in one of his favourite events, the Now it has been moved to another part of the
broken car in the paddock and before you know Circuit des Remparts at the walled city of airport site while the Vulcan To The Sky trust
it someone has lent you tools and spare bits of Angoulme in France. Though it looks as if chases funds to build the new facilities.
their car. And theres several arms up in your Dougal shouldnt fit into the tiny boat-tailed The engineering workshop will be an open
sump in a giddy bid to get you going again. You body on its narrow chassis, his enthusiasm and facility, with aircraft being maintained and our
record-breaking Canberra, WK163, being
can borrow anything in a VSCC paddock. can-do mindset is infectious, which ultimately restored while visitors tour with expert guides,
Piglets best result in that first year was is what will keep Piglet going. He currently said the trusts chief executive, Dr Robert
finishing one lap of practice at Mallory Park. shares the car on hillclimbs with wife Liz, but Pleming. The support of the airport gives us
Calamities over the course of that first racing middle son Wilf is champing at the bit. confidence that we have a home in the future.
32
SATURDAY 4TH MARCH, BROOKLANDS MUSEUM
THE
SPRING
CLASSIC
A MAJOR SALE OF 130 FINE MOTORCARS
SALE TIMES
Saturday, 4th March
Motorcars 10.30
CALL FOR ENTRIES
We invite fine entries for our early
VIEWINGS summer auction at Ascot Racecourse
Thursday, 2nd March on Saturday 20th May
10.00-20.00
Friday, 3rd March
10.00-17.00
Where the worlds greatest cars come to be sold - 14 QUeeNS gAte plACe meWS, loNdoN SW7 5bQ t: +44 (0)20 7584 3503 W: WWW.fiSKeNS.Com
25
1952 ASTON MARTIN DB3
u Extensive period race history including the British Grand Prix Sports Car Race,
British Empire Trophy & reserve entry for Le Mans 24 Hours 1953
u Maintained by marque specialist Rex Woodgate
u Successful entrant at Monaco Historique, Le Mans Classic, Goodwood Revival & Mille Miglia
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: PETER SINGHOF & MICHAEL GREGG; PETER MCFADYEN; EVAN KLEIN; ANDREA SEED; AUTOMOBILE CLUB DE MONACO; CHARLIE WOODING; THE WINTER TRIAL; NEWSPRESS USA
GRAND NATIONAL ROADSTER SHOW. THE CLASSIC AUTO SHOW,
POMONA, CALIFORNIA, 27-29 JANUARY LOS ANGELES. 27-29 JANUARY
The 68th running of the legendary hot rod show. The UKs Classic Motor Show format
moves Stateside for its inaugural event.
36
in association with
THE MONTH
Lego Batmobile on Chevrolet
stand, made from 344,187 bricks.
IN PICTURES
Exciting times on now and mud on one
side of the Atlantic, sunshine on the other.
Good times had by all.
37
IGNITION / Events in association with
38
MARCH 31 - APRIL 2 | BROWARD COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER
auctionsamerica.com
Auction License: #AB1943 Auctioneer: Brent Earlywine AU942
IGNITION / Events in association with
Arizona
Concours
Phoenix, USA 15 January
Words and photography Winston Goodfellow
40
IGNITION / Events in association with
42
get involved
COMING UP
Spring and its joys are just around the
corner; mark these dates in your diary
31 March 2 April
Classic Car & Restoration Show
Birminghams NEC is again the
venue for this spring extravaganza,
which offers displays of pristine
restorations and untouched barn
finds, an auction, expert advice, and
a trade village packed with parts.
necrestorationshow.com
44
31 March 2 April
Jarama Classic
Back for another go-round after last
years successful first event, which
attracted 10,000 spectators to the
Circuito del Jarama, just north of CLASSIC + MODERN CAR CLASSIC + MODERN BIKE
Madrid. Expect to see everything MULTI VEHICLE COLLECTORS KIT CAR CLASSIC MOTOR TRADE
from jewel-like 1930s racers to COMPETITION CAR MOTORSPORT SUPPORT VEHICLE
thundering Group C leviathans. Goodwood Members Meeting, 18-19 March
Image: Adam Beresford
peterauto.peter.fr
*All cover is subject to insurers terms and conditions, which is available upon request.
Footman James is a trading name of Towergate Underwriting Group Limited. Registered in England
No. 4043759. Registered Address: Towergate House, Eclipse Park, Sittingbourne Road, Maidstone,
Kent ME14 3EN. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Telephone calls may
be monitored or recorded. Sign up to our newsletter at footmanjames.co.uk to receive updates on
all the latest news, events, offers and competitions.FP ADGE674.9.16
Amelia Island Concours dElegance, 10-12 March. Image: Dirk de Jager
45
TOUR OF IRELAND
20-25 July 2017
MARTYN GODDARD
A THRILLING DRIVE FROM DUBLIN VIA BELFAST TO THE WILD WEST COAST
Join Octane for an exclusive taste of Irelands attractions: vibrant Titanic Belfast. Well drive along the Antrim coast road, visiting
city life, fabulous roads, minimal traffic, majestic landscapes, the Giants Causeway and the Bushmills whiskey distillery, and
grand hotels, fine food and wonderful whiskey in the company cross the border again to Donegal and our hotel at Lough Eske.
of 20 cars. The tour starts (and ends) with the Holyhead-to- Then its south to the Wild Atlantic Way and the bleak Burren,
Dublin ferry and on to Belfast, taking in a city tour and a visit to staying at Ashford Castle before returning to Dublin via Galway.
1400 per person, sharing a twin or double room (519 single room supplement)
For a full itinerary, visit http://tinyurl.com/OctaneTour. To book, email janenicholls2@aol.com
IGNITION / Event Promotion
Techno-Classica Essen
Essen, Germany 5-9 April
THREE GOLDEN RULES for attending concours delegance, Coys auction, and traders Above
Techno-Classica Essen 2017 wear your stalls galore selling car parts, automobilia, Mercedes-Benz always
creates a stellar display;
comfiest shoes, arrive at the Messe Essen, clothing, accessories, art, models, and much, browse the club stands
Germany, with at least a couple of days to spare, much more. or take your pick from
and have a pre-prepared plan of what you want Each year the organisers also create special hundreds of cars for sale.
to see. This event is huge, filling 21 exhibition exhibitions, and for 2017 they comprise Grand
halls with 1250 exhibitors from more than 30 Prix Monaco 1957 and, topically, 135 Years of
nations, and encompassing every facet of the Electric Cars from 1882 to 2017. The 1957
classic car world. Chances are you wont get Monaco GP was won by Fangio in a Maserati
around to seeing everything. 250F, which will take pride of place in the
With Techno-Classica, its not just the scale exhibition alongside the Vanwall of Tony
of the event that impresses, but also the quality Brooks that placed a distant second. Also on
of the offering and the sheer diversity of the display will be Wolfgang von Trips Ferrari 801,
cars, products and services on show. Small a Cooper-Climax T43, and a Connaught Alta
wonder that last years Techno-Classica Type B. Among the exhibits in the electric car USEFUL INFORMATION
attracted a record crowd of 201,000 visitors hall will be the worlds very first battery-electric Where: Messe Essen, Germany
from 41 countries. Little surprise, either, that car, an 1882 Ayrton & Perry. When: 5-9 April
modern carmakers have discovered the value of Techno-Classica isnt exclusively about cars: How much: When booked in advance online,
setting out their wares; this year, 25 modern car vintage motorbikes, boats and aeroplanes also adult tickets for the preview/Happy View Day
brands will be represented at the show. feature. And to ensure that the event has some (5 April) are 40, while day passes for the
But its for the older models that the hordes relevance to younger generations, theres a remaining three days are 22. Under-18s
descend, and not simply for the extraordinary Young-timer and Tuning area. receive reductions; under-eights get free entry.
displays put on by enthusiastic and imaginative If you can stand the crowds, Techno-Classica Getting there: Dsseldorf International airport
car clubs, many of which create professional- is the worlds best motor show, with a broad is about half an hour from Messe Essen by road,
standard full-scale dioramas in which to and eclectic blanket of exhibits spanning every and Essen train station has pan-European links.
showcase their favoured marque. Classic car genre from the dawn of the motor car to its very For UK drivers, the trip to north-west Germany
dealers will be out in force with a plethora of latest iterations. For many of us it isnt that far is long but comfortably achieved in a day.
desirable metal for sale: theres an autojumble, to travel, and its very much worth the effort. Info: www.siha.de
47
IGNITION / New Cars
WHEN LAMBORGHINI unveiled the to produce 730bhp and 509lb ft, with more dynamic functions. And this, Lamborghini
Aventador back in 2011, the world of fast cars torque available towards the top end this time. claims, has enabled its engineers to develop a
gasped for a moment in disbelief. Because, at Aerodynamic efficiency is up by an consistency in response that you cant achieve
the time, the Aventador, with its cartoonish impressive 50%, too, with 130% more with separate ECUs.
good looks, its thunderous V12 engine and downforce than before and a lot less drag, says On the move the S has a new-found harmony
210mph top speed, was like no other supercar Lamborghini. And, as you can see, the S also in the way it reacts to your inputs be that on
on Earth. It was also near the technological looks quite different from its predecessor, the throttle, via the steering wheel, on the brake
cutting edge back then, featuring a carbon with an unashamed design nod towards the pedal, and most of all beneath your backside
monocoque chassis with pushrod suspension Countach around its rear wheelarches. and this alone means it represents a huge step
and four-wheel drive with which to deploy its The technical progress doesnt stop there, forwards dynamically over the old car. What
prodigious power. however. Theres a bespoke new Pirelli tyre, you notice first is how direct the front end now
But since then the atmosphere among the while the dynamic drive programme, which feels; then how much cleaner the throttle
upper echelons of fast cars has thickened featured three modes Strada, Sport and Corsa response is. You instantly feel much more in
somewhat, and dynamically the Aventador has has been re-written to include a fourth setting control of the car as a result. And without
struggled to keep up. Which is why Lamborghini called Ego. This allows a driver to alter the question the single biggest difference is the
has come up with this car, a dramatically more dynamics of the steering, powertrain and four-wheel steering.
advanced Aventador known simply as The S. suspension separately from each other, which is From behind the wheel this manifests itself
It costs 277,000 and boasts four-wheel a minor eureka moment for the Aventador. in much sharper front-end bite everywhere
steering and revised electronic suspension. The other key technical change is the fitment and, because the car is so much better-balanced
That famous 6.5-litre V12 has also been tickled of one single ECU to control all the cars under power, the engineers have been able
50
Panamera for tax avoiders
Hybrid tech is a stepping-stone to the future
Words Kyle Fortune
51
IGNITION / New Cars
YOU HAVE TO AGREE. This is a great- the aforementioned bits reassemble themselves. An RF weighs 45kg more, and costs around
looking little coup, with its rear-set, fastback Job done, in 13 seconds. And you can be edging 2000 more, than a corresponding roadster.
profile which actually turns out to be not a along in traffic, at up to 6mph, while doing it. Theres now an automatic option for the
fastback at all when you realise the rear window This, then, is the Mazda MX-5 RF, for 160bhp 2.0-litre version, and a (manual)
is near-vertical and bounded by buttresses. Retractable Fastback. Unlike the previous Launch Edition with that engine plus Recaro
Shades of a shorter-tailed Dino, maybe. MX-5 generations Roadster Coup, which just seats, extra bits painted in Piano Black and
But its more than a coup. Its a targa-top, looked like a convertible with a hardtop when options to take it up to 28,995.
done the modern way so you dont have to lift the roof was closed, this has its own personality. We love the regular roadster. Its one of the
the roof panel yourself and stash it somewhere. The windscreen has a slightly faster rake, and most amusing, most talkative new cars you can
You just press a toggle switch: up to open the the buttresses are made from composite buy, with all the spirit of the original but done
roof, down to close it, illogically. That whole plastic linked by a steel beam. The roof panel better, woeful lack of cabin storage space apart.
buttress assembly lifts up, the window within and the metal strip above the rear window The RF gets slight chassis tweaks to address the
and the panel below fold out of the way, the are aluminium, and the boot is no tinier than weight gain and the rise in the centre of gravity:
roof panel vanishes (or reappears, as required), the roadsters. a stiffer front anti-roll bar and firmer rear
52
springs, a touch more assistance on turn-in for
the electric power steering but less thereafter.
Roof up, the RF feels like the cosy coup it is
while proving to be the first MX-5 ever to have
no body shake at all. That in itself is enough to
make this a terrific car. Roof down, a trace of
shake returns but more of a problem is the
noise of wind buffeting and roaring behind
your head in a way it doesnt in the roadster.
Power the side windows down and,
paradoxically, things get quieter, but they also
get chillier. If open-air driving is at the core of
your MX-5 love, then buy the roadster.
With the optional sport suspension, the RF
2.0s steering revisions make it unnaturally
darty, so youre better off with the standard
models delicious linearity and fluidity of
response enjoyed most with the lighter
1.5-litre, 131bhp engine at the cost of some
pep. That version starts at 22,195, and theres
absolutely no need to pay more.
Below
53
IGNITION / New Cars
PERSONALISATION. Its the new buzzword, Thankfully, its lost little of the Range Rovers sense in a stock Range Rover but more
the achievable bespoke, the new, classier poise and sophistication. Effortless is the term noticeable is the way those wide tyres attempt
version of customisation. Car manufacturers that always springs to mind. It wafts along with to follow ruts in the road, tugging at the steering
are taking it very seriously, not least Jaguar barely a whisper from the big 542bhp, 502lb ft wheel. It wont be quite as good off-road either,
Land Rover, with its new 20,000m2 Special V8, easing almost imperceptibly up and down yet it will still be remarkable in all but the most
Vehicle Operations HQ now open for business. the eight-speed ZF transmission. extreme situations.
What is that business? Low-volume But give the accelerator a squeeze and (after Of course, there are extra touches inside and
personalisation, from fancy paint to armoured the faintest of pauses as engine and transmission out too, most obviously the graphite finishing
vehicles and in the middle of this sit a handful managements consult) the prow rises, and on exterior trim and badging, the quilted
of special models, the latest of which is the two-and-a-half tonnes of high luxury takes off leather seats, the knurling on the controls and, a
Range Rover SV Autobiography Dynamic. like a sports car, with a muted roar from the little dubiously perhaps, the red anodised
Its a bit of a mouthful for what is simply a engine and a distant growl from the exhausts. gearshift paddles (to complement sirs red
more driver-orientated version of the existing My goodness its quick (0-60mph in 5.1sec), Brembo brake calipers).
ultimate-luxury SV Autobiography, which is and highly entertaining and from outside, we So as is often the case, the 132,800 SV
now available in long-wheelbase form only. later realise, the soundtrack is fruity enough to Autobiography Dynamic isnt necessarily the
The Dynamic utilises the standard wheelbase turn heads, though youd never suspect that best all-round Range Rover. For that, a sub-
and top-of-the-range supercharged 5.0-litre V8 from within. 100,000 standard production model wins. But
together with suspension upgrades, 8mm lower If theres a downside its the ride, which for something a bit special, that attracts a nod of
ride height and quicker steering, to sit between inevitably suffers from the Dynamics uprated recognition from those who know, its certainly
the Autobiography and the fast but less suspension, 22in wheels (21s also available) the one to have.
sophisticated Range Rover Sport. and low-profile rubber, though its a world away
Above
Got that? Put simply, the Dynamic is the from the harsh-riding hot rod that is the Range Special Operations team applies finishing touches
fastest, most powerful Range Rover ever made. Rover Sport. Its little shudders over ripply to the SV Autobiography, in-between bouts of
And how does that translate on the road? services are more pronounced than youd personalisation, from special paint to armour-plating.
54
SINGAPORE TO VIETNAM
www.endurorally.com
Girardo & Co. leading the way in 2017
Experience Girardo & Co.
Tel: +44 (0)203 621 2923 info@girardo.com The Showroom, London, SW6 UK
Girardo.com
IGNITION / Opinion
JAY LENO
The Collector
I
m always amazed at how little the average person miles on it and it was shifting erratically. She went to a
knows about the car they drive. A friend of mine dealer and, without even looking at the car, the dealer
called me, all panicked; he had an important meeting said, yeah its going to be about $8500. She asked if they
to go to and a light had lit on his dashboard. I asked could fix the transmission and he said no you cant, they
him what the symbol was but he didnt know. So he just replace it. So she told me about this, and I asked her
emailed me the picture and I called him back and told if shed ever cleaned the filter on the transmission. She
him it was a little gas pump. didnt know what I was talking about, as shed never had
I said Youre almost out of gas. And he said Ive got a the transmission serviced. So I said to go to a transmission
meeting to go to, I havent time to get gas. So I told him shop and have them clean the filter, drain the fluid and
that either he had to stop voluntarily or the car would put fresh fluid in it. So she did that and the car was like
stop anyway. That light means youre out of gas! Then brand new. And that saved her $8500.
he starts telling me what a piece of crap the car is! Youre I have always enjoyed owning a car with which I can
out of gas! What part of this dont you get? He asks if do more than just drive. When I was growing up, every
theres anything he can do. YES! Put some gas in it! car I had broke down either on the way to school or on JAY LENO
One day I was driving my 1925 Doble Steam Car, the way home. I took great pride in the fact that I was Comedian and talk show
which looks like any car of the era always able to get it back home. I legend Jay Leno is one of the
most famous entertainers in
except its got a steam engine. I wasnt a mechanical genius but, not
pulled into a gas station because,
although you can run it on
IF THE SUN WAS being an athlete or particularly
gifted with the girls, I felt like I had
the USA. He is also a true
petrolhead, with a massive
CAPABLE OF BOILING
collection of cars and bikes
kerosene, I prefer to run it on something the other guys didnt. (www.jaylenosgarage.com).
gasoline. A woman there told me I leave my McLaren 12C on a
there was smoke coming out of WATER, WE WOULDNT trickle-charge. Like all modern cars,
the car, so I told her its not smoke,
its steam. She asked if it was BE HAVING THIS the computer is such that, if you
dont run them for two or three
overheating, and I told her no, its
a steam car. It runs on steam. CONVERSATION. WED weeks, it drains the battery. One day,
I noticed my charger was plugged
She didnt understand so I
explained that hot water converts BOTH BE DEAD into the car but not the wall. So the
car had gone dead.
into steam and thats what powers To find the battery in a McLaren
the car. So she asked why I was putting gas in it, and I 12C you open the front hood and take the trunk apart.
explained that the gasoline heats the water, like a kettle, So I took the trunk apart, jumped the battery, drove
and steam moves the engine. She asked why I didnt just around for a couple of hours and put the trunk back
park the car in the sun. I said, well if the sun was capable together. I had a real sense of accomplishment.
of boiling water, we wouldnt be having this conversation. Before I did all this, I had phoned the dealer and asked
Wed both be dead. She looked at me like I was crazy. how much it would be to fix the battery. He said its
Something that really annoys me is that auto parts $3500 because they have to take the trunk apart. Really?
stores dont carry parts like water pumps any more, just Theres only seven Phillips screws and two Allen screws
accessories. As I walked through one store I noticed that to take off the perimeter of the trunk and the seal. You lift
every item under $10 seemed to be sold as magic and those off and the battery is underneath it. I took it apart
every item over $10 was science. For instance, muffler in 20 minutes. He suggested that very few customers
repair gum. You put it over the hole and you spread it and would want to try fixing it themselves.
the heat seals it. The ones that were $8.95 had a magician So, of course, in my mind I felt a certain superiority
on the display case. Then the same item where you mix over other customers because I had chosen to do this.
two resins together to form the stuff, those were about And I really, really enjoyed it. And maybe theres some
$15. And those were science basically the same thing inferiority complex of some kind: what did I do to
but there was a picture of a scientist in a lab coat. deserve this car?
The lack of car knowledge many people have leaves Well, I got it back on the road and I got it working.
them at risk of not knowing if they are getting good Thats what makes you respect an automobile, and bond
advice. A girl I know had a Jaguar with about 60,000 with it, when you truly understand how it works.
59
M A X T E D -PAG E
HISTOR IC R ACI NG POR SCH E
w w w. m a x t e d - p a g e . c o m
IGNITION / Opinion
DEREK BELL
The Legend
I
must admit that it was a day I never thought would position to pass judgement as I wasnt privy to what went
happen. Bernie Ecclestone has finally relinquished on behind closed doors. Some quarters of the specialist
his iron grip on Formula 1. You can read more about media have long portrayed him as the villain of the piece,
this on page 114, but its latest owner, Liberty Media, claiming that he is only interested in money, but I dont
has installed a new man to run the biggest show in believe that to be the case.
motor sport. It has also bestowed Bernie with the What I do know is that, whenever I have had cause to
symbolic title of Chairman Emeritus, whatever that contact him, he has always responded inside 24 hours
means. Ecclestone may be 86 years old, but he is about and been very helpful. This could be something as simple
as far removed from a doddery old man as you can as asking for tickets to a Grand Prix to rather more
possibly imagine. Somehow, I expected him to outlive us substantial requests. It never ceased to amaze me how he
all and continue to mind the store regardless of who managed to deal with my needs when he had such a full
owned the commercial rights. He is a remarkable man plate. But he did, each and every time.
and will be missed, if only by me. Whats more, he has helped keep more than one team
This column is being written barely a week after the stay afloat by dipping into his coffers, and has done so DEREK BELL
announcement was made and its clear that many people without fanfare. You might argue that this could be Derek took up racing in 1964
reporting the story dont know because it was in his own best in a Lotus 7, won two World
Sportscar Championships
Bernie. I reckon the majority interests, but Im not so sure.
havent even met him. They
certainly know little about his
ECCLESTONE MAY Bernie has also done a lot behind
the scenes to help further the careers
(1985 and 1986), the 24
Hours of Daytona three
BE 86, BUT HE IS AS
times in 1986, 1987 and
achievements or the sport in of certain drivers, again without 1989, and Le Mans five
general. One word kept cropping trace elements of publicity. He may times in 1975, 1981,
up in articles: dictator. It was FAR REMOVED FROM not be a saint, but he is an enthusiast. 1982, 1986 and 1987.
bandied about like a slur, often
without referencing the fact that A DODDERY OLD Is he a dictator? Yes, but largely a
benign one in my opinion. As to
Bernie has described himself thus
for decades. He was a dictator, and MAN AS YOU CAN what he does next, Bernie will no
doubt continue to do deals and run
Formula 1 for the most part has
flourished these past four decades POSSIBLY IMAGINE rings around businessmen half his
age. Its what he does best.
precisely because of that. Will Formula 1 gain traction
I wont claim to be great mates with Bernie, but I enjoy without Ecclestone? We will have to wait and see.
his company. I first encountered him in the late 1960s Liberty Media has promised to make eff one more fan-
when I was racing in Formula 2. Bernie competed in friendly and improve the spectacle amid diminishing TV
single-seaters in the 50s before realising that his talents ratings. The appointment of Ross Brawn as managing
lay elsewhere. I knew him as Jochen Rindts manager, director of F1 may prove to be an inspired one. Ross
although he had other business interests. We got on well, knows the sport inside out, having worked his magic at
and it was clear even then that he was an extremely clever Williams, Ferrari and Honda as a designer and team
man who saw the big picture. He subsequently acquired manager, before enjoying stellar success as a one-year-
the Brabham team and turned it into a World only team owner. He is well-liked, well-respected,
Championship-winning force after harnessing the unflappable and detail-driven.
brilliance of its young designer, Gordon Murray. The newly appointed CEO, Chase Carey, has talked
His real genius, however, was in persuading rival team about making the season the equivalent of 21 Super
owners to let him negotiate with circuit owners and Bowls in a host nation; week-long affairs with rock
promoters on their behalf. He did a lot of the heavy concerts and other attractions prior to the main event.
lifting when it came to getting better start money and so I can picture the oft-Aggrieved of Tunbridge Wells
on, albeit for a fee. F1 team principals did very well out getting sniffy about the sport moving further away from
of his deal-making skills, even if they wouldnt publicly its roots, but we will have to wait and see.
admit as much. Should it all go pear-shaped, then it isnt hard to
While I might not necessarily agree with some of imagine a certain Mr Bernard Ecclestone buying the
Bernies decisions over the years, I am not really in a rights back. For a song, naturally.
61
IGNITION / Opinion
STEPHEN BAYLEY
The Aesthete
I
have been specifying my next car. While still very a car. And since we have discussed the evocative power
vigorous in the social, professional, athletic, of olfactory sensation, half-burnt two-stroke compares,
romantic, oenophiliac and gourmet senses, I am, for me, to a whiff of Chanel No5 on a cashmere scarf.
nonetheless, now so old that I can remember when a But the second thing you start thinking about is the
heater was an extra. I can recall the excitement when links between the aircraft and car industries. In 1945,
my father bought an after-market kit for his Mini that Swedish engineers found themselves sitting in the sauna
would allow him to flash the headlamps with a wand. with nothing to do but gloomily chew smrrebrd and
So this is all a bit exciting. Anyway, my new car is dream of encounters with moose, so we soon got Saab. It
going to have laser-guidance, High Definition forward- was the same in the West Country. The Bristol Aircraft
looking infra-red (HDFLI), helmet-mounted cueing Company employed tens of thousands when demand for
systems, and ruggedised datalinks as well as beyond- military equipment was high, but after the War, when
line-of-sight communications. It will self-park, self- demand was zero, or less, they decided to build a car.
wash, self-tax, self-refuel when the batteries lose charge Look at the rear of a Saab 92 or a Bristol 401 and there
and self-destruct when the owner acquires 12 points. is a clear similarity in their tapered tails. Aerodynamics, STEPHEN BAYLEY
And then we will have arrived at a Jerusalem of sorts. lightweight materials and semi-monocoque structures Author, critic, consultant,
This same father used to work were part of the aerospace broadcaster, debater and
curator, Stephen co-created
in the aircraft industry. Childhood inheritance. So were demandingly
trips around the factories he
managed are profoundly rooted
HALF-BURNT accurate panel fits. True, the Bristols
aluminium panels did not carry
the Boilerhouse Project at
Londons V&A, was chief
TWO-STROKE
executive of The Design
memories, as is the aroma of hot paint well, but thats like saying you Museum, and fell out with
oil and swarf, since the part of cannot sensibly put Svres porcelain Peter Mandelson when he
the brain that processes smell is COMPARES, FOR ME, in the hot cycle of the dishwasher. told him the Millennium
Dome could turn out
adjacent to the part that files our
recollections. Hed interrogate me TO A WHIFF OF Alas, I have not (yet) flown a 1916
Bristol F2 fighter bi-plane, but I
to be crap.
63
IGNITION / Opinion
ROBERT COUCHER
The Driver
DERBY BENTLEY
uses his properly sorted
Bentley was moved swiftly Back Fire, vintage cars provided 1955 Jaguar XK140 as his
sideways and his great brand re- status, with prices rising daily driver, and is a founding
emerged as a badge-engineering WOULD BE MY commensurately, and WOs were at editor of this magazine.
job on the weedy Rolls-Royce
20/25 built at the Crewe factory. CHOICE ON ANY the top of the pile. But the 1936 4
Derby was actually the fastest
The tweedy vintage Bentley
bunch snorted with derision at the LONG-DISTANCE Bentley built pre-war and he wrote
car for car, the 3 litre (Derby)
Derby Bentley, as it was based on
the mid-ranking Rolls enjoyed by HISTORIC RALLY will run away and hide from most of
the WO models anyone doubting
Home Counties solicitors and this should turn to the issue of
owners of medium-sized businesses, while true blues Autocar for 30 March 1934, which ran a comparative test
drove proper Rolls-Royce Phantoms. But, as it turns out, with a 3 Litre Speed model; the 3 did 0-60mph in
Derbys were a whole lot better than just a radiator swap. thirteen seconds; the 3 Litre took twenty-three.
Rolls-Royce engineers of the day were at the top of their Clark then offered some advice on mild Stage 1
game and here, for the first time since the Silver Ghost tuning: skim the head, substitute a single expansion
competed in the Alpine Trial in Austria and on reliability chamber for the existing exhaust system, remove the
runs to Scotland, the backroom boys, ably led by chief mechanical fan and fit an electric unit, then add a full-
engineer (Lord) Ernest Hives, had the chance to create flow oil filter for safety. All easily exacted.
another sports car a silent sports car. Am I being biased, with a 1937 4 Derby in the
The Rolls-Royce 20/25 chassis was beautifully over- family garage (see Octane Cars)? A good Rolls-Bentley,
engineered, featuring servo-assisted brakes and a snappy of which only 2411 were produced, is one of the most
four-speed (later with overdrive) gearbox with synchro enjoyable pre-war drivers ever, as is evident by the
on second, third and top. In Bentley guise, the straight- amount of use the cars receive from their owners. I have
six was tuned with twin SU carbs, a higher compression driven a number of WO Bentleys and they are fantastic.
ratio and flowed exhaust, so it mustered 110bhp from The rock-crushing gearboxes are a real challenge, the
the 3-litre engine and 125bhp from the later 4. brakes are virtual and fast progress requires real muscle
Eminent drivers took note and leading Bentley Boy power thats why their macho owners love them. But,
Woolf Barnato owned four Derbys, with Price Bira given the opportunity, a light-bodied tweaked Derby
owning the famous Bira Blue drophead. Raymond Mays would be my choice on any tough, long-distance historic
had a couple and even enjoyed driving one vast distances rally, where breaking a sweat is not required.
64
IGNITION / Gearbox
JOHN WATSON
in Germany when I was nine; its probably
the only one to reach Northern Ireland.
66
a d b o o k
RoSouth Africa
SPRING/SUMMER
watch out
IGNITION / Letters
EVAN KLEIN
Alf sitting in the car in our
showroom, taken in 72 or 73.
I later sold the car to Alf for
Lola or Serenissima? what I had in it, along with an
Great article on the Lola GT in alloy-bodied Pegaso spider that a
Octane 165, but now I must ask: gentleman brought by in the same
what the heck did I buy from Sig. year and we bought for $2500
Ugolini at Serenissima with the also and he lost them both due
help of Pete Coltrin in the very to financial reasons within a year
early 70s? Alf Francis, who was or two. Years later I saw a photo
still in Modena at that time, said of it in an ad claiming it was
it was the chassis of the first Lola a prototype GT40.
69
IGNITION / Letters
70
The Imperial War Museum Duxford Auction
An Auction of Selected Classic Cars
1964 Ferrari 330GT Nembo Spider | Oered without reserve to benet the East Anglian Air Ambulance
H&H will be holding auctions of Selected Classic Cars at The Imperial War Museum Duxford on
29th March, 26th July and 15th November 2017. Contact us today to consign your classic to
one of these prestigious sales.
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FEATURE TAGLINE
PORSCHE 959
THE FORCE
WAS STRONG
Its 30 years since the Porsche 959 landed like the twin-
turbocharged victor of a war in a galaxy far, far away.
Now its time for Octane to examine its impact
Words Richard Bremner Photography Paul Harmer
72
73
PORSCHE 959
I
t still looks extraordinary, three while Lamborghinis by-then ageing 86,077 The 959 wasnt created specifically to take on
decades on. The soap-smooth Countach (dont these supercars seem cheap?) the F40. In fact, it was developed to tackle
contours, the distended tail and its recorded 170mph and 0-60mph in 5.0sec. forest tracks, desert dunes and the future. It was
plank of a high wing, the swollen sills, The 959 rides high, but it doesnt ride alone. the progeny of engineering chief Dr Helmuth
the massive (by the standards of their This was the year of a billionaires bonanza, Bott, who was keen to explore the scope for
day) wheels the Porsche 959 snares Stuttgarts shoot for the moon countered by further developing the 911, and Porsche boss
as many eyeballs in the street now as it would another, equally ambitious missile from Peter Schutz, who was newly installed in 1981
have in 1987. But if you do a bit of research Maranello. The Ferrari F40 took a very different and agreed both to the technical exploration
and dig out some statistics, the then-to-now road to reach a slightly different set of goals, but and to the motor sport activities to trial them.
comparisons wouldnt look quite so good. A what they had in common, apart from fantasy The 959 appeared in 1983 at the Frankfurt
top speed of 197mph. Todays 94,316 911 styling for the exhibitionist, was the same motor show labelled Gruppe B Studie. Thats
Carrera GTS is only 4mph short. 0-60mph in capacity for propelling you to another place about as a dull a term as you can devise for a
3.6sec? The standard 911 Turbo will hit 62mph before youd barely taken in the first, and for roadgoing beast featuring the 400bhp engine of
in 3.0 seconds dead, and crack 198mph. And at achieving fat multiples of assorted national a track racer, but not if you knew about the
126,925, the Turbo costs a little less in speed limits. magic of the Group B rally cars storming their
numerical terms massively so in real terms The Ferrari was all about raw power. Its way into the memories of WRC fans.
than the 145,000 959 did in 1987. 478bhp, twin-turbo, 2.9-litre V8 out-muscled This category of ultimate rally cars allowed
But these comparisons are unfair, of course. the 959s 450bhp, twin-turbo, 2.85-litre flat-six, their makers creative freedom, provided they
You need context, and against the class of and it could outsprint it to 125mph by 0.8 built 200 roadgoing versions. Audi produced a
1987, the 959 rides high. Its nearest in-house seconds in a spectacular 12.2 seconds. But it 600bhp Quattro on a shortened wheelbase,
competition came from the 101,811 911 did without four-wheel drive, without ABS surgery that rid the car of elegance yet it was
Turbo Sport, which could manage 171mph and (amazingly), without the 959s height- not nearly so ugly as the plastic-adorned MG
dispense 0-60mph dashes in 5.0 seconds. adjustable suspension and without air-con, Metro 6R4, the stunted wedge that was the
The 89,700 Ferrari Testarossa got closer than carpets or even wind-up windows, your Lancia Delta S4, or the Cyrano de Bergerac-
most with its 180mph top speed, but its yearning for cool air completely unmet by nosed Citron BX 4TC. That cars prettier
0-60mph sprint time was well adrift at 5.9sec, sliding hatches in the Perspex-glazed doors. cousin was the Peugeot 205 T16.
74
McKLEIN IMAGES
Porsches mouth-watering Studie was Despite the familiar roofline and a still more Facing page and above
intended for launch in late 1985, and was on familiar interior, buyers were getting a lot more Although the 959 was primarily built as a
road car, its development was intended for
offer for what was then an astronomical than a stretched and fattened 911 with four- competition. It scored a one-two on the
133,000, this inflating to 145,000 in the UK. wheel drive. The quest for strength, low weight, 1986 Paris-Dakar (above) and even finished
Despite the price, the 200 on offer sold out, lift-limiting low-drag aerodynamics and the seventh overall at Le Mans that same year.
some buyers flipping their firm orders to need to envelop much bulkier running gear
disappointed buyers for as much as 335,000. drove the rather startling metamorphosis of
What either buyer got was a long wait, the first 911 into 959. When 959s were painted white, a much more efficient slicer of air than the
production 959s not emerging until late 1987, as they often were, they resembled 911s that standard 911 bumper. Part of the resculpting
despite the roadgoing version appearing at the had driven deep into snowdrifts. process took place in Porsches own wind
1985 Frankfurt show. Such were the challenges The swollen lower bodywork was also about tunnel, with scale models used ahead of full-
of exploring fresh technical terrain on so many that aerodynamic mission. The 911s drag size cars. Although the 959s roof and
fronts. By the time deliveries of roadgoing 959s coefficient of just under 0.4 not great, even in glasshouse looked much like a 911s, its
began, the Group B rally category had been the early 80s was to be smoothed towards an windscreens were flush-mounted, the gutters
scrapped because it had become too dangerous. ambitiously low 0.32 target, high-speed lift was were sliced off and the door mirrors reshaped.
But the cars potential had already been to be minimised, and the ferociously powerful More unmissable were the alterations to the
demonstrated to equally spectacular effect in twin-turbo engine would demand a lot of Porsches lower half, its wings smoothly
the Paris-Dakar rally, in those days actually chilling air, speedily served. New suspension distended to accommodate bigger wheels and a
run between these cities rather than in South was needed well get to that and a new track 2.5in wider than the 911 Turbos, while
America. A win here, coupled to years of floorpan to house the all-wheel drive hardware. air-vents were let into the forward sections of
anticipation of what promised to be the most All of this, and much else, threatened major the rear wings. The unusual running board-like
complex supercar ever made, spared Porsche weight gain, which is why body panels were to sills linking the front and rear wings would have
much of the embarrassment of delivering the be made from either aluminium or dent- been the most visually arresting feature of the
finished thing so late. No doubt its colossal resistant Aramid composites. New body panels 959 were it not for the almost ludicrous spread
appreciation before a single owner had clutched also provided plenty of scope for reshaping, of bodywork overhanging the rear axle, most of
a 959 key also helped. starting with a nose in polyurethane that was it there to provide a pedestal for a rear wing
75
PORSCHE 959
worthy of a light aircraft. But it all worked. The more pioneering. The exhaust gases of all six Those moments were generated by an
engineers beat their drag target to record cylinders were funnelled to a first, smaller entirely new four-wheel-drive transmission,
0.31Cd, and the 959 was rare among production turbocharger, the second activated by the gases new suspension architecture and innovative
cars for generating slight downforce at speed. from one row of three cylinders beyond tyres besides. The permanent all-wheel drive
The bodys construction would today be 4000rpm. From 4200rpm on full throttle the system was novel for being able to vary the
described as hybrid, the steel core fitted with two turbos were fed by the bank of three torque delivery across the front and rear axles,
doors and front boot lid in aluminium, much of cylinders that each was most closely located to. both automatically and manually, a stalk
the rest of the exterior moulded from Aramid A balance pipe evened out the pressures control allowing the driver to choose between
composite. Only 42 percent of the body was between banks, microprocessor-controlled Traction (transmission locked solid), Ice and
steel, compared with the 72 percent average for vacuum valves directing the exhaust gases and Snow (40% front, 60% rear), Rain or Dry (both
European cars in 1985. the wastegate. The idea was to provide a much modes again at a basic 40:60 front to rear split,
The 959s 450bhp were provided by familiar broader and more consistent spread of torque but with more variation), all of this achieved via
means, but with a twist. The basis was the with less delay in its delivery vital a multi-plate clutch, a bevy of sensors and some
935/76 engine that propelled the dramatic 956 characteristics in rallying and the reason for governing microprocessors.
and 962C Le Mans winners, a fine start in the the Group B Lancia Delta S4 employing For the multi-plate clutch to function it
excitement stakes. The bottom end was near- a supercharger and a turbo. needed a form of pre-loading, achieved by
identical and the heads were not dissimilar, Despite the sophisticated plumbing, the designing the front wheels to run 1% faster than
but altered for refinement and maintenance. 959s 368lb ft torque peak still emerged at the rears. That had the potential to cause clutch
So rather than six individual cylinder heads 5500rpm, but 295lb ft was available from wear, which is why the maximum torque
being electron-beam-welded to the block a 2500rpm. More telling was the throttle delivered to the front axle was limited to 40%,
race-engine precaution to deal with gasket- response, a 2500rpm pedal-flooring in fourth and under full acceleration to 20%, reducing
rupturing combustion chamber pressures the generating peak turbo pressure in 2 seconds wear to the minimum, reckoned Porsche.
flat-six was capped with a pair of liquid-cooled rather than the 6.5 needed for parallel turbos. This early intelligent four-wheel drive system
bolted heads, whose total of four camshafts and Intriguing evidence of how hard Porsche demanded a new suspension layout, Porsche
24 valves were chain- rather than gear-driven. expected this engine to work is found in the soon discovering that the wheels offset from
If adapting this race flat-six to run on dry-sump lubrication system, which featured their hubs pivot point would need to be
95-octane lead-free sounds prosaic, its boosting one pressure and five scavenge pumps, two of minimised if the car wasnt to perform torque-
arrangements certainly werent. Twin-turbo these serving the turbos, and no fewer than steering weaves worthy of a big night out. Small
engines werent new think Maserati Biturbo seven oil pick-ups to ensure reliable lubrication offsets are not compatible with strut suspension
but plumbing them to pump sequentially was during high g-force moments. and wide wheels, which is why coil-sprung
76
PORSCHE 959
Right
This sub-10,000-mile car
belongs to a private
collector but was first
owned by British Porsche
dealer Dick Lovett.
78
79
PORSCHE 959
Above
Metallic burgundy leather (with silver seat panels) is something of an acquired taste. Whats more remarkable is the civility
and comfort afforded by this monster of a sports car the antithesis of the lightweight and raucous Ferrari F40.
The 959 also demonstrated what was While Porsche made a loss on each 959 it As 2014 approached, notes HAGI Index
dynamically possible. Corralling 450bhp and sold, you could have made yourself a whole lot founder Dietrich Hatlapa, this really made a
368lb ft of torque and effectively transmitting it better off rich even by buying one. The first difference. From a bit before 2014, prices
to tarmac lay at the outer edges of the possible, opportunity came 34 years ago, when Porsche jumped from just under 500,000 to
for road cars at least, back in 1987. What came showed the 959 concept at the 1983 Frankfurt significantly above that. Hatlapa points out
next was Porsches step-by-step advancement show. If youd ordered one then at around that there are big differences in price between
towards providing 959 performance in 133,000, youd have been able to more than the various models.
mainstream models pitched at more affordable double your money over the next four to five The bulk of the 292-strong production run
prices. Back in 1987, the 911 was still a tricky years, while Porsche battled it into production. are the well-equipped Komfort version an
car to handle on the limit (lift and you might Prices fell away in subsequent years, the unfortunate name, Hatlapa reckons, because it
spin), or going down wet hills (limited front- market supplied with an increasingly wide array seriously under-describes the cars potential
end grip), or entering very tight turns too fast of ever-more-able supercars, and a 911 range with only 29 of the total accounted for by the
(terminal understeer) and, though much faster, whose abilities progressively closed in on those much rarer 515bhp Sport. The best Sports are
the 959 was vastly more able. of the 959, just as Porsche had intended. worth almost $1.5m, as are any of the eight
First up was the 964-generation 911 Carrera Investing a spare 200,000 in a 959 would have 959s Porsche built from spare parts in 1992/93.
4, which appeared just a year later in 1988. been a shrewd move back then. The more common (but still rare) Komfort will
Four-wheel-drive 911s have since been a given, But 959 values have gradually gathered cost $1m to $1.1m, reckons Hatlapa. Most are
as has a perpetual rise in power, grip and momentum over the past decade, and enjoyed low-mileage, he says, but service history is a
braking potential. Curiously, however, it was a huge boost triggered when it became a big issue. If they are not serviced it can cost
not until 1995 and the emergence of the quarter-of-a-century old. Why? Because it was 100,000 in any currency to recommission one.
993-generation 911 Turbo that permanent at this point that cars could be imported into Besides the 292 plus eight, there are also
four-wheel drive was combined with forced the USA without having to comply with the 30-odd prototypes (Porsche made 37 in all)
induction again, this arrangement persisting federal regulations that applied when they new. that are generally worth less than the finished
with every 911 Turbo since. This model easily Thats significant for the 959 because this car thing, not least because some are not that close
out-accelerates the 959 today, but owes much was never officially sold in the US, although to the final specification.
of its development to a 1980s technical torch- Bruce Canepas engineering operation modified And that specification is really what this car
bearer that has become a legend. a few to comply. is about, after all
80
PORSCHE 959
2 3
1. Tail spoiler is the result of extensive
aerodynamic development that also includes a
full undertray with NACA ducts for brake and
gearbox cooling. Drag factor is 0.31 and theres
even a degree of downforce at speed.
83
FEATURE TAGLINE
959 vs 911 GTS
PLUS A
CHA NGE
Three decades ago, the Porsche 959 redefined the
hypercar. Now all that tech and power is available
in the new 911 GTS. Glen Waddington compares
Photography Paul Harmer
84
85
959 vs 911 GTS
E
ven these days, 450bhp is a usable every day, in all weathers. Its yours for 959 stretching the technology envelope, cars
lot of power in a car. Three around 100,000 (the 959 was 145,000 three such as the GTS might not be with us. And yes,
decades ago, it was the decades ago, and the sub-10,000-miler you see we know that purists will mock all-paw 911s
preserve of the fastest cars here is insured for 1.25 million now). Want and forced induction. Well, you can go for
money could buy. The Porsche more power in your new 911? More like drivetrain purity with the GTS, but now
959, for one, as youll know if 150,000 gets you more like 580bhp with the the stratospherically high-revving GT3 and
youve just read the feature preceding this one. Turbo S, also with four-wheel drive and 911R are no longer available its turbos only
But now, access to hugely fast sports cars is a tellingly no rear-drive option. now for every 911, even the base Carrera. Two
little more democratic. And if that output of Hence the appearance here, together, of the of them, indeed. So thats something all 911s
450bhp is no longer the preserve of the very 959 and the latest 911. If it hadnt been for the now share with the 959.
fastest, it can still make you go quite fast
enough. As it always did.
Its not only the power thats filtered down
from the top echelons. So has the tech. In fact,
that started to drip through the rest of Porsches
range not long after the 959 was launched. Its
surely no coincidence that the July 1988 issue
of Car magazine carried not only the cover
story of 959 vs F40 (The fastest sports car in
the world versus the best) but also news of the
911s switch to four-wheel drive, with the
advent of the 964-generation Carrera 4. It will
feature hardware found on the 959, they said.
Air-cooled 911s are long-gone. But four-
wheel-drive 911s have been part of the
landscape ever since. And 450bhp? Well,
metrically speaking, thats all yours too, in the
latest 911 Carrera 4 GTS.
Think of it as a Carrera S honed and optioned
with a nod to the track-bred GT3: more driver-
focused but not so hardcore; uprated and
lowered with (in this case) the security of four-
wheel drive and the kind of user-friendly
comfort and equipment that make it perfectly
86
Above, below and left
Separated by 30 years but
a match for power, performance
and technology, the new 911
GTS takes on the legendary 959.
959 vs 911 GTS
Above The 959 also lent some of its aerodynamic Meanwhile, the doors, like the front bootlid,
959 was developed with properties to subsequent 911s, though it was are skinned in aluminium look for the tell-tale
Group B racing in mind, but its
2.85-litre twin-turbo flat-six was
the 993 (last of the air-cooled cars) that rippling caused by the stresses transferred to
a portent of the downsizing capitalised on the aesthetics. Walk around the those lightweight surfaces by the door mirrors.
trend in todays engines. 959 and its difficult to reconcile the fact that it And while they clunk shut with the same
was based on the impact-bumper generation. precision as those of any air-cooled 911, they
But while the central tub is standard steel, and lack that heavyweight slam and often need two
the door shapes and interior are familiar to attempts to close, thanks to their lack of weight.
anyone who knows the 1963 originals, what Inside, the dash is that same old shape,
you touch is all very much late 20th Century. complete with the five-clock pod. The centre
The roof, wings and tail are a mix of Kevlar console has been modernised and there are
and Aramid composites (no carbon; this was proper air-con controls on the dash, yet, bar
the 1980s) and, because the roof was a brand- the metallic burgundy-and-silver leather seats
new skin, Porsche took the opportunity to go (yes, metallic. And burgundy and silver), its all
without rain gutters, reducing drag and as was. But look closely and youll spot changes
modernising the look instantly. Who needs in the dials (a water-temp gauge for the cylinder
rain gutters on a competition car? heads!) and new warning lights. Plus theres a
88
1988 Porsche 959
Engine 2847cc flat-six, air-cooled cylinders, water-
cooled heads, dry sump, DOHC per bank, 24-valve,
Bosch Motronic fuel injection and engine management,
sequential twin KKK turbochargers Power 450bhp
@ 6500rpm Torque 368lb ft @ 5500rpm
Transmission Six-speed manual, four-wheel drive
Steering Rack and pinion, power-assisted
Suspension Front and rear: double wishbones,
coil springs and electronically adjustable telescopic
dampers (twinned at front), anti-roll bars, Fictel
& Sachs hydropneumatic ride height adjustment
Brakes Vented, cross-drilled discs Weight 1450kg
Performance Top speed 197mph. 0-60mph 3.6sec
The 959s cleverness doesnt get Instantly its rocketship territory, the kind of
force that has you clinging on in bewilderment
in the way of the experience. And as you adjust mentally. The fastest car in the
world? Yes, that claim suddenly resonates.
the same is true of the 911 GTS It still feels like a 911 more so than does
the new GTS, because youre always aware of
that weight in the tail, and its nose rises as
you accelerate. Yet even though theres a
pendulum threatening to swing behind you,
the 959 pulls you out of trouble.
One of the reasons Car rated it above the F40
third column stalk for switching between four- jackets. Theres power steering (like the (yes, the Ferrari was the fastest) back in 1988
wheel drive modes for dry or wet, or snow and 4WD, something no 911 before had been fitted was because of its great traction and nimbleness;
traction. Happily, were in the dry setting. with), though youd scarcely know it as theres this is a car you enjoy rather than fear when
That centre console contains a ride-height real heft at manoeuvring pace and proper the going gets twisty. It is throttle-adjustable
control that and the leather confirm that this consistency in response as speed increases. yet it doesnt bite back if you dont quite get it
is a Komfort version, rather than a Sport and Ease into gear a familiar sensation too, as right. It even rides well, with a pliancy I dont
a dial for the adaptable damping. And theres a is the over-centre feel of the floor-hinged clutch remember of any impact-bumper 911. The
six-speed gearbox, though, where youd expect pedal then pull away and theres nothing 959 is a fast and satisfying Porsche first, a
to find first is a (relatively) low ratio for off-road other-worldly about the experience. Not yet. technological statement second. The cleverness
conditions, marked G for gelande, while first Shift through the gears and youll discover a doesnt get in the way of the experience.
itself is down to the left on a dog-leg. pleasingly mechanical resistance through the And the same is true of the 911 GTS. Its
Fire up and its instantly recognisable as a lever, though braking is somewhat alien. Its lower and fatter than the 959 and its centre-
911; that same chatter over a bass rumble, a fully powered system, Citron-style, and the lock 20s make the 959s 17s look like castors,
though also a hint of piston slap, a tinkling pedal is rock-solid yet retardation is instant and hollow spokes or not. Inside, the iPad slick of
sound within the air-cooled cylinders that fools unrelenting. The pedal also sends a signal to the the centre screen and the track-inspired
me initially into thinking I can hear the coolant transmission, uncoupling the front axle for a Alcantara trim make the 959 look gauche. Yet
sloshing around the cylinder-heads water keener turn-in, negating potential understeer the sense of occasion is diminished. It gives
89
959 vs 911 GTS
you an appetite for driving, no mistake, but and less mechanical than the older car. Even the
theres no edge of trepidation here. electric steering comes alive, its precision and
Fire up the flat-six and it blats encouragingly, speed of reaction making up for the lack of sizzle
musically, but its less raw, less omnipresent. The at the rim. And if that water-cooled twin-turbo
electric rack feels over-light as you move away, flat-six lacks the 959s aural presence, it more
and the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission than matches it for responsiveness.
makes things easy, less intimidating. But it all Whats remarkable is not that its taken 30
comes together with speed, and you wont have years for a relatively mainstream car to reach the
any trouble achieving more of that. envelope of late-1980s achievement, but that its
Good grief, this thing is quick, and effortlessly functions have been refined and integrated to
so, too. Sure, its power figures and those for such an extent that 450bhp and a near-200mph
acceleration and top speed are almost a perfect top speed feel normal. The 959 also heralded
match for the 959s, but that car made you work the era of downsizing, its 2.85-litre engine
harder for them. You had to find your way relatively tiny for the era, letting the turbos do
around the gearbox and cling on when the the work (a product of race regs the 935 raced
second turbo blustered in. With the GTS, its a in the 4.0-litre class). How long before the base-
case of planting your right foot and whooping model 911 has this much power?
with glee at the way you gather speed from the Its a brilliant car, the GTS, certainly the
off. Its addictive stuff, and all the more satisfying most satisfying 911 currently on sale. Yet it is
in Sport mode (quicker throttle response, more a product of its era, rather than a seismic shift
bite to the shift) and using the paddles. in a way the 959 was. There is one landmark
The GTS is a touch heavier than the 959 yet Porsche here. In fact, the 959 was the landmark
feels lighter on its feet, and its ability to change car of its time. Full stop. End
direction is dizzying. Its enormously adjustable,
and will ease things back into neatness when THANKS TO Silverstone Circuit (www.silverstone.
you get it wrong, always feeling more subtle co.uk), Mike Robins and John Manning.
90
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BROOKLANDS REVIVAL
A CONCRETE PROPOSAL
94
The historic surface of the Brooklands Finishing Straight is revealed. Its a major
step in the 8.1m project to revitalise this epicentre of early racing and aviation
Words John Simister Photography Tim Andrew
95
BROOKLANDS REVIVAL
A
rchaeology, according to one of the Straight, a great big obstruction of the old tracks distorted oval, a monument
definition, is the study of buried annihilating the old racetracks integrity. Now it reminding every shopper of what went on in
remains from an era before 1940. If has gone, and the tracks course is clear once the years before barcodes and three-for-two
that is true, then I am standing on again. Gone where? Ill come to that. deals. The whole plan is very obvious on
a prime archaeological site, newly The hangar was a big reason, along with Google Earth; the car park for The Heights,
uncovered and full of discoveries. other wartime incursions into the tracks fabric, for example, is built on the rest of the Straight,
Its made of concrete, mainly. The why Brooklands didnt regain its motor-racing the part not within the Brooklands Museums
Romans invented concrete, but role after the war. Instead it grew further as an piece of the estate.
they didnt deposit this particular layer. It was aircraft manufacturing hub under owner
poured about a millennium-and-a-half after Vickers, through reincarnations as the British THE BROOKLANDS Museum represents a
the Romans left, and visitors to the former Aircraft Corporation and, following the merger fantastic act of survival. On its site are the
motoring amphitheatre in Weybridge saw it with Hawker Siddeley, British Aerospace. Clubhouse, the paddock, period garages and
first on 17 June 1907 and last, open to the Over the years, various bits of the estate were workshops, the London Bus Museum, and
elements, in November 1940. sold off. Cigarette company Gallaher, Tesco, various hangars containing historic aircraft,
What Im standing on is a long-lost section of Mercedes-Benz World, a modern business park with some larger aeroplanes a Concorde, a
the Brooklands Finishing Straight. Motor- called The Heights: all these and more occupy, Vanguard, a Trident and a VC10, for example
racing gladiators hurtled off the southern or have occupied, the area bounded by the parked outside. Automotive and motorcycling
banking at the end of their final lap and shot distorted-oval banked circuit through which treasures abound, and the Test Hill, its gradient
back along this broad straight, passing the runs the River Wey. What were mainly open increasing the further it climbs, is intact and in
Clubhouse and taking the flag to cheers from spaces beyond the banking in 1907, when the regular use during the many classic car events.
the crowd the right crowd, of course, and no track was completed, are now built up; if your For years the museum and these surroundings
crowding. And precisely 110 years to the day Napier-Railton shot over the bankings edge managed to escape developers clutches thanks
from the first time it happened, in the most now, it might land in someones back garden. to the efforts of enthusiasts and the local
symbolic milestone yet in this revival of Some of the banking has gone but the section Elmbridge Councils understanding of the
Brooklands, it will re-open at this summers at the north-eastern end, stretching from before sites importance. In recent times the museum,
Double Twelve meeting (17-18 June) and roar the Finishing Straight and round to Mercedes- nowadays run by a trust, has benefited from the
to the sounds of racing cars once again. Benz World, is still there apart from one gap financial help of Mercedes-Benz UK, which
where the Wey bridge used to be. Another acquired the former airfield part of the site on
IT ALL STOPPED, of course, when Britain section curves past Tesco on the opposite end which to build Mercedes-Benz World. It has
had the Second World War to wage. Brooklands proved a fine partnership, symbiotic even:
other big role was as a centre for aircraft historic car events can use the Mercedes test
pioneers, which grew into full-scale aircraft track laid out on the old runway and browse
manufacture. And that had to expand with the
demands of war; a new manufacturing hangar
IF YOUR NAPIER-RAILTON Mercs ancient and modern; petrol-blooded
Mercedes visitors can cross the Vickers
was needed, and the Finishing Straight offered
an obvious site on which to build it.
SHOT OVER THE BANKING footbridge and see the museums treasures.
And for several years there has been a plan, a
Ever since then, up to 2016, the Wellington
Hangar (a Bellman hangar named after the NOW, IT MIGHT LAND IN pan-Brooklands plan that ultimately brings
together all with a stake in the site, its goal to
twin-engined, long-range bombers that were
initially made there) has covered a good part SOMEONES BACK GARDEN protect it for future generations, to improve the
museum and to make it a centre for knowledge,
96
97
BROOKLANDS REVIVAL
98
learning and skills. The museums director, and Clockwise from above
its most public face, is Allan Winn. Less visible Line of Finishing Straight
heads into the distance
is a team of trustees who organise, raise funds, the later concrete track
deal with the legalities, build bridges. Plus, of will be removed; Allan
course, the many volunteers who help run the Winn holds the final
museum and look after its treasures. The hangar nut and bolt to be
undone; new Flight Shed
bottom line is that the museums plan, as
is already full; 20s racers
currently detailed, still needs another 1m. join the Straight at what
Its an 8.1m project now, says Winn, as he is now The Heights
explains how costs keep creeping up despite business park.
everyones best initial estimates. For example,
the ground between the Finishing Straight and
the newly built, impressively cavernous Flight
Shed (with period-correct silhouette and
authentic-looking corrugations) should slope
at 45 down to the shed, because the Shed is on
the level and the Straight is on a hill. Currently
theres 0a chasm.
We had to take out 8000 cubic metres of
soil full of asbestos, industrial rubbish and bits
of jigs. At the bottom were 1000 cubic metres
of soil contaminated by hydrocarbons from
half-a-dozen oil drums, which had rusted, plus
60,000 litres of oil-contaminated water. That
added 275,000 to the project.
99
BROOKLANDS REVIVAL
100
Theres a convenient space bounded by the
new Flight Shed, the London Bus Museum
and the temporary Vimy inflatable hangar
(which contains, among others, a replica of the
Atlantic-traversing Vickers Vimy, which has
itself crossed the Atlantic and more). The
Bellman hangar will be rebuilt there, alongside
the Finishing Straight, and it will become the
Brooklands Aircraft Factory showing in
displays, live demonstrations and hands-on
participation, be it by adults or school-age
children, how aircraft have been built over the
last 80 years. Doped fabric to carbonfibre, it will
all be here; visitors will be able to dress in
authentic clothing, clock-on, stretch fabric or
rivet metal or spokeshave propeller wood, then
get their clocking-on card stamped when they
have done their apprenticeship.
In all, 18,600 aircraft were made here, Winn
reminds us, and today the aerospace industry is
worth over 20bn a year to the UK. But there
has been nowhere for the public to see this huge
industry, no front door. Thats what were doing.
The Flight Shed will house the complete
aircraft, some of them in running condition,
others at least with live cockpits. The Hawker
Hurricane was built on the Brooklands site,
too, and the Flight Shed has a suitably local
Hurricane which just needs a tail strut and a
critical propeller component and it will be
ready to taxi. Theres also a Hunter and a two-
seater Harrier jump jet.
Half a Wellington fuselage shows its intricate
skeleton; the fuselages were made elsewhere on
the Brooklands site, further round the banking Clockwise from
into which the factory cut. This and the facing page, bottom
complete Wellington, the latter currently stored Half a Wellington fuselage
in the Flight Shed, which
in another temporary hangar, will move to the takes centre stage in the
Aircraft Factory, with the Harriers prototype view (above) opposite
predecessor, the Hawker-Siddeley P1127, temporary Portakabins;
looming over the exhibits from its mezzanine. schematics of proposed
Flight Shed and Aircraft
So the new or repositioned buildings will Factory layouts; new
be aerospace-related. The automotive side is archive; original Vickers
already well housed in the existing historic workbench and vice.
garages and workshops on the far side of the
Clubhouse. Both strands will use the new
climate-controlled store, archive and training
room on the Flight Sheds lower ground floor
beneath the display level. In here are original
Vickers workbenches, pressure suits, flying
jackets and more, much of it unseen by the
public, and both the aerospace archive (mainly
102
1960 ALFA ROMEO SUPERFLOW
by Pinninfarina
GOL D
RU SH e a ll
ht ? Wro n g. Americ
silver, rig series of gold-pla
an
ted
ns a r l n
DeLorea issioned a specia racked one dow well
comm ctane t Ho
Express ersions and O s Chapman Photography
Matthew
v ords Gile
W
104
105
AMEX DELOREAN
A
Customers were
36-year-old car with only nine
miles on its odometer will always
be a freakshow. Sure, they pop up
occasionally. Sometimes its a obliged to put down a
Vauxhall Chevette, perhaps, thats
been cosseted in the back of a
family-owned showroom, the kind
$10,000 deposit using
of place where sentimentality has got completely out of
hand. More likely its the first or last example off a
their American Express
production line, such as Jaguar Heritages own treasured,
nine-mile XJ220 prototype.
Gold accounts
This DeLorean DMC-12 has itself a little over nine
miles displayed within its brittle black facia. Its a wonder across the States. There was only one colour option, the
it covered even that distance, really, because not one drop dull silver-grey that was unavoidable because of those
of water, petrol or oil ever coursed through its mechanical unpainted panels worn by the gullwing two-seater with
veins. Nine miles is quite a lot of pushing. such pride. As soon as someone suggested that sprinkling
Admittedly, the instruments arent the first thing that a little gold dust over them would make a great rolling ad
gives this DeLorean a special aura. I think youd notice the for Amex using the most talked-about car around the
all-over gold-plating first, what with the way shafts of idea was unstoppable. When the DeLorean team were
reflected sunlight would sear their trajectory onto your consulted, they were just as keen.
retinas should you catch it from the wrong angle. The promotion was launched in a blaze of glory in
The delivery mileage and the gold are interlinked. December 1979, as only Americans knew how. The gold-
When DeLorean embarked upon this most audacious, plated DeLorean was the star of the American Express
opulent and (some will say) tasteless exercise in limited Christmas Catalogue, even though the car shown, with a
editions, one thing was assumed from the start: the last green credit card instead of a number plate, was still
thing on any owners mind would be driving the car. No a mock-up illustration.
fluids were ever poured into this one; they might have As befits its extraordinary character, purred the blurb,
triggered eventual corrosion. the entire corrosion-free stainless-steel outer body panels
In 1979, credit card giant American Express started of this limited-edition Delorean will be electro-plated
casting around for ideas. Its Gold Card had inhabited with pure 24-karat gold.
the wallets of high-net-worth customers for 15 years at A sportscar so spectacular that it surpasses the
that point, and was overdue for a marketing push. imagination, it went on before unwittingly alluding
Concurrently, the first shipments of John Z DeLoreans to the thing that did eventually make the car a true
new luxury sports cars were arriving at 300 showrooms pop culture icon. The DeLorean glides into the future
with a grace and authority that is seldom seen. The
luxury is unbelievable. Specially commissioned by you
alone your 24-karat gold Delorean will move you
like youve never been moved before 0 to 60mph
in under 8 seconds.
The price was truly astronomical. At $85,000, it was
more than three times the price of a regular DMC-12, and
customers were obliged to put down a $10,000 deposit
using their American Express Gold accounts.
The DeLorean Motor Company had plenty of problems
already. Heaped upon them was an extra one having
promised the worlds first gold-plated production car,
now came the chewy issue of actually creating it. This one
landed with a heavy thud on the desk of the companys
senior buyer Stewart Craven in May 1981. Delivery had
been quoted as June 1981 from the start, but DeLorean
had understandably waited to see how quickly all the
limited edition of 100 cars would be snapped up.
106
AMEX DELOREAN
110
It took three heavy days to complete the plating. to remove it. It is possible to plate directly on to stainless
Once the parts had been carefully crated and loaded for steel, says Richard Fox. But the surface finish would be
the long road trip back to Belfast, the DeLorean staff bade just as susceptible to greasy finger marks afterwards,
the Germans goodbye, only to receive bemused looks. It so you would need to keep your mitts off.
was late on Saturday; did they not realise it was illegal to This would be the dominant handling issue for the
drive a lorry on German roads on a Sunday? But Craven gold DeLoreans forever afterwards. And remember, they
had thought of that. The only wagons allowed to flout the werent going to be driven and so needed to be wheeled
rule were refrigerated food trucks, and that was just everywhere, constantly at the mercy of careless fingers
what theyd organised. With two drivers, it sped non-stop and thumbs.
to reach Dunmurry by Monday morning. The first car the one in our pictures, with VIN number
Waiting for them was a specially cordoned-off part of 4301 and automatic transmission was delivered to its
the factory, spotlessly clean and with burly security guards new owner on 12 October 1981. He was Roger Mize,
already on duty. A crack team of senior assembly staff and president of Snyder National Bank in Snyder, Texas, USA.
supervisors were ready to start attaching the dazzling He paid for it in one, vulgar $85,000 transaction on his
metal panels said to be worth up to $10,000 apiece to Gold Card. True to the precious ethos of these weird
the Deloreans plastic base unit. Rings and watches were vehicles, actually driving it was never considered. The
banned and everyone wore protective gloves. Tools were doors to the banks head office were removed and the
kept to a minimum and at a distance because any kind DeLorean was slowly and carefully rolled into its lobby,
of spanner in this particular works would have been where it was immediately encased in an armoured, airtight
a catastrophe during the two-week process. glass box. Three days later, the Bank threw a slap-up party
Not a single scratch could be afforded because, unlike to celebrate, and for the next 20 years the car was
with the standard stainless steel finish, thered be no way a gleaming local landmark.
111
AMEX DELOREAN
The second one went to Sherwood Marshall, Canadian Mize died in 2003 and in 2009 his family gifted it to the Below left and above
naval officer turned entrepreneur. With VIN 4300 and museum. When not on display, it is housed with the rest Unworn cabin is testament to
20 years as a centrepiece in a
manual gearbox, it was unusual in featuring a tan leather of the reserve collection in the vault.
Texas bank; the rear-mounted
interior (regular DeLoreans were black or grey inside) That would have seemed to be the end of the entire, 2.8-litre V6 has never fired.
that was a try-out for a proposed factory option. Sherwood ridiculous episode. Yet there was one more official gold-
clearly could not resist the temptation to play King Midas plated DMC-12. That spare set of panels mothballed at
on the highways, as it covered 1442 miles in his ownership. Dunmurry was never called upon and, as the marque and
Eventually, both ended up in museums. The Marshall its factory were in their death throes in 1983, it was
car was donated to the National Automobile Museum in decided to fit them onto another car, VIN 20105. This was
Reno, Nevada, while the car on these pages is housed at duly completed in Columbus, Ohio, by Consolidated
the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles. Roger International. They were just one gullwing door short
(wonder which disgruntled ex-employee filched that?),
so another was quickly plated, and consequently it was
very slightly different in its final tone.
Consolidated had bought the entire bankrupt stock of 1981 Amex
unsold Deloreans, and offered its gold-plated one in a DeLorean DMC-12
raffle through a department store it owned called Big Engine 2849cc V6,
SOHC per bank, Bosch
Lots. The winner clearly had no misgivings about showing
K-Jetronic fuel injection
it off, as it covered 636 miles before rocking up finally Power 130bhp @ 5500rpm
in a private collection in Maryland. Torque 153lb ft @ 2750rpm
Gold-plated cars have since gone relatively mainstream, Transmission Three-speed
some of them air-freighted to London each summer by automatic, rear-wheel drive
Steering Rack and pinion
Middle Eastern owners to dazzle the doormen and Suspension Front and rear:
tourists outside Harrods, and blaze up and down Park double wishbones, coil springs,
Lane. But the authentic, 24-carat look is one more added telescopic dampers. Anti-roll
to the list of bizarre firsts for which the notorious bar at front Brakes Discs,
vented at front Weight 1244kg
DeLorean DMC-12 can be thanked. Or blamed. End (standard car) Performance
Top speed 125mph. 0-60mph
THANKS TO Petersen Automotive Museum, www.petersen.org. 10.5sec (est)
112
1927 3 LITRE
DROPHEAD COUP BENTLEY
Original coachwork by Freestone and Webb
One of only fteen built on a Speed Weymann specication chassis
www.themedcalfcollection.com
more@themedcalfcollection.com +44 (0)1730 893992
A P A S S I O N R E A L I S E D
114
DPA PICTURE ALLIANCE ARCHIVE / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
THE NEWS, WHEN it broke late on Brabham was not the first team Ecclestone He and Mosley were about to fold as the fight
Monday, 23 January, was hardly unexpected. had owned; hed bought cars from the defunct dragged on but, in the style that was to become
Nevertheless, when it was revealed that Connaught in 1957 and unsuccessfully tried to their hallmark, the two conspirators kept their
Liberty Medias acquisition of the second qualify one in Monaco. He also managed nerve and out-bluffed Balestre. He remained
tranche of CVC Capital Partners shares in the driver Stuart Lewis-Evans, and later Jochen the power behind the FIA throne in an uneasy
Formula 1 business had been successful and Rindt, but admitted that their violent deaths truce but, while the FIA retained ownership of
that Bernie Ecclestone was effectively out the prompted him to deal with things rather than the commercial rights, Ecclestone could exploit
door, it still took some believing. This is, people thereafter. them. That was what he had wanted all along.
after all, the man who was F1. The ringmaster. Brabham, however, gave him his entre into
A sharp, dry-witted and indomitable racer- the society of team ownership, and led to his GLOBAL TELEVISION:
cum-businessman who was as tough in life next big step. ECCLESTONES GENIUS PART 3
as he was in negotiations. Who lived by the In the decade that followed, Ecclestone built an
maxim: First you get on, then you get rich, FOCA: ECCLESTONES GENIUS PART 1 empire on the back of the deal to sell the
then you get honest. As fellow Formula One Constructors commercial rights. And that was where the
Who else would have been back at work Association entrants such as Colin Chapman, trawlermans son from Bungay made his
within weeks of triple-bypass heart surgery in Frank Williams and Ken Tyrrell focused on fortune, and those of Williams, Tyrrell and
1996? Who else, at the age of 80, could not racing, Ecclestone left that aspect of running newcomer Ron Dennis at McLaren. While they
only shrug off a vicious beating by four six- his team to his lieutenants: designer Gordon raced, he did the legwork they had no time for,
footers and be at his desk by nine oclock the Murray, team manager Herbie Blash and chief but from which they benefited hugely.
next morning, but also suggest that official F1 mechanic Charlie Whiting. Instead, the former This time, he sold broadcast rights on an
watch sponsor Hublot use his battered visage secondhand car dealer relished doing deals annual basis to networks that had to agree to
in its advertising? on the others behalf with recalcitrant race televise every race, where previously one-off
Love him or loathe him, the little fellow with promoters. The united front was irresistible: no deals had restricted exposure. Suddenly, F1 was
the shock of white Beatles hair had steered agreement, no teams, no race. a global phenomenon; everyone wanted a slice.
F1 since the late 1970s. But now he was gone, By 1978 he was FOCA chairman, but there Sponsorship revenue rocketed yet Ecclestone
patted on the head with the Chairman Emeritus was a bump in the road ahead in the form shrewdly fostered the sports elitist air.
title as he left. of new F1 ruler Jean-Marie Balestre. By juggling companies and contracts, he
Bernard Charles Ecclestones story is one of eventually took full control of FOCA, incensing
shrewdness allied to ruthlessness, and a love of THE FISA/FOCA WAR: its members so much that Tyrrell purportedly
the deal. Without him, F1 would never have ECCLESTONES GENIUS PART 2 had to be restrained from attacking him. He had
been something of interest to the likes of Ecclestones commercial talents threatened made many of his fellow team owners richer
CVCs Donald Mackenzie or Liberty boss Balestre, the bombastic president of FISA than they could ever have believed, but they no
John Malone. Here are some of his greatest (Fdration Internationale du Sport longer looked upon him benignly as their
successes and worst moments. Automobile, now Fdration Internationale de fairy godmother; instead he had become the
lAutomobile). The Frenchman believed FISA godfather, a fearsome businessman with barely
BUYING BRABHAM should run everything; Ecclestone and cohort a shred of sentimentality, who thrived on
According to legend though Ron Tauranac Max Mosley, boss of March Racing and FOCAs confrontation and liked nothing better than to
might dispute it Ecclestone agreed terms to lawyer, believed otherwise and saw Balestre set rivals at each others throats, or to toss a
buy Brabham with Jack Brabhams designer as a roadblock on FOCAs path to riches. firecracker into a circle of them and see who
and former partner late in 1971. Then, at the The confrontation became bloody over the had the balls to throw it back. In 1991 the final
last moment, he changed his mind, forcing winter of 1980, as Ecclestone and Mosley step came with the accession of Mosley to
Tauranac to sell for a lower figure threatened to start their own breakaway F1 Balestres position as FISA president.
$125,000. Its said that the small matter of Championship if Balestre did not acquiesce to
the $35,000 that Brabham held in its bank their demands to take control of the sports THE SAFETY EMPOWERMENT
account was overlooked by one of the parties commercial rights. This, Ecclestone knew, was As Ecclestones self-enrichment drew criticism,
in the negotiations. where the real wealth lay. other things went unnoticed. The most
115
BERNIE ECCLESTONE
important was the continuation of the safety of the sport but, when Haffa stumbled, media thoroughly exorbitant rates thanks to CVCs
crusade initiated by Jackie Stewart in the 1960s. entrepreneur Leo Kirch stepped in, until his rapacious borrowing was forcing him to go
In 1978 he invited Sid Watkins to become Kirch Group also went bust and its shares ever further afield and to do business with
F1s official doctor, moving the sport out of its devolved to various banks. some increasingly dubious characters.
medical dark ages. A watershed came at Imola By sleight of hand involving the Ecclestone The sports popularity was waning; its global
in 1987 when Watkins refused Nelson Piquet familys Bambino Trust in 2002, Ecclestone expansion alienated some, as did the quieter
permission to race after a heavy practice was able to maintain management control. But cars, the degradable tyres, and the sheer cost.
accident at Tamburello. Despite huge pressure three years later the banks took successful legal And since he himself had done so, it was now
from Piquet and the Brazilian champions old action. Ecclestone and Gerhard Gribkowsky of the cool thing down the pub to be the informed
friend Ecclestone, Watkins held firm and told BayernLB successfully sought a new owner guy who tapped the side of his nose knowingly
Ecclestone that, if Piquet drove, he would leave to buy out the troublesome banks venture and rubbished it.
F1 for good. Wisely, Ecclestone backed him capitalist CVC Capital Partners. CVC was Then there were his off-the-cuff comments,
and, from that race onwards, Watkins word was content to let Ecclestone stay in charge, as it often deemed offensive, such as saying in
undisputed law in all medical matters. went on to accrue $4 billion of debt and paid reference to Indycar sensation Danica Patrick
out billions more to shareholders. that he preferred his household appliances in
EMBARRASSING BLAIR: Gribkowsky was eventually jailed after white; about Hitler being a man who got things
THE 1997 TOBACCO BAN BUNG admitting he had taken a $44-million bribe to done. If you knew him well, you understood
It seemed that Ecclestone could do no wrong. favour CVC, but in 2014 Ecclestone avoided a that many of his comments were deliberately
F1 grew in popularity despite the deaths of similar fate when he went on trial in Germany, provocative throwaways guaranteed to generate
Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna at as a provision in German law allowed him to quick headlines.
Imola in 1994, exploiting the rise of Michael make a $100-million payment instead. But in the new era of the internet and social
Schumacher. There was a threat on the horizon, media which he professed neither to like nor
however, as the anti-tobacco lobby continually WEAKENING POWER BASE to understand such things hung around far
gained traction in its fight against the weed, the In 2009 Ecclestone had successfully killed a longer than they ever did in the old days of
source of the sports most significant funding. union of F1 teams FOTA (Formula One printing presses and paper, and often came back
But Ecclestone stymied that by donating Teams Association) by offering financial to bite him. The bromance with Putin, when F1
1m to the Labour Party, which subsequently incentives to Red Bull and Ferrari, which fatally went to Russia in 2014, didnt help, either.
announced that F1 was exempt from the undermined its solidarity. But his power base There was more open talk in the paddock of
tobacco advertising ban. Thereafter, cynics was weakened when Mosley left office at the how his outdated way of doing things was out
referred to 1m as a Bernie. FIA in the fall-out from his much-publicised of step in a changing world of social and digital
2008 sex scandal. In 2014 Ecclestone rashly media, and holding the sport back.
THE 100-YEAR DEAL: made extraordinary comments about the poor He was that rarest combination in F1: a racer
ECCLESTONES GENIUS PART 4 state of F1 that drew comparisons with Gerald at heart but with the case-hardened soul of the
If anything epitomised Ecclestones Ratners comments that his products were thrusting businessman who never lost the
buccaneering approach to management of crap, and long-term ally Luca di Montezemolo secondhand car salesmans thrill for a deal.
the sport, it was the deal he forged with was ousted by Ferrari. Denying rumours of a breakaway
Mosley to lease the commercial rights from the With each renegotiation of the Concorde championship, he said: I have built the
FIA for 100 years. It happened in 2001 and, on Agreement, the teams had fought hard for a Championship over the last near-50 years,
the face of it, $313.6m seemed like a huge greater share and that brought about the which is something I am proud of, and the last
sum until you figured that it bought situation in Texas that year where new teams thing I want is to see it damaged.
Ecclestones Formula One Management around Caterham and Marussia were on the ropes, and I would have loved the luxury of what Chase
1800 races, for the estimated income value he was forced to admit to being between a rock Carey is able to do. I hope the F1 supporters
from only 1 of them and a hard place, with no financial flexibility to appreciate this, as Chase intends to put money
Critics accused him and Mosley of stealing help them. Assuredly, times were different. back into the sport.
the sport from beneath the noses of all of its Ecclestone had finally found himself in a That, some would say, is precisely what he
competitors, but they remained unrepentant. position in which there was no wriggle room. had no longer been able to do himself,
Business had changed so much in the 21st hamstrung as he was in doing the sort of fix-it
GERMANY: THE BEGINNING Century. Transparency was crucial and deals that had once been his trademark by
OF THE END everywhere you looked there were clampdowns CVC Capital Partners ceaseless philosophy of
The world was changing when Ecclestone hit on the old practices. A successful entrepreneur squeezing F1 until its pips burst.
big bumps in 2014. could no longer throw a bit of money around Perhaps the greatest buccaneer of them all
He had been able to cash in by selling shares to get things done on the QT. had ultimately suffered as Hamlet had once
and raising loans. In 2001 he had sold EM.TV And the hunt for places sufficiently wealthy suggested: For tis the sport to have the enginer
founder Thomas Haffa an option to buy control to stage races at what most deemed to be hoist with his own petar. End
116
WILLIAM LYONS JAGUAR Mk10
PRIDE OF LYONS
This Jaguar Mk10 was the personal car of
Jaguar founder Sir William Lyons. John Simister
drives it from the mansion he called home
Words John Simister Photography Amy Shore
118
119
WILLIAM LYONS JAGUAR Mk10
T
numerals for the new car), the subtle double curves of
Above and right his is the biggest standard-issue Jaguar the front and rear screens, the shapes of the wheelarches:
Sir William Lyons pictured
at Browns Lane with a whole
saloon there has ever been. Those of us flat-topped at the front, the top low and gently curved at
fleet of Mk10s; lusty 3.8-litre of a certain age sometimes rail against the back. But looking afresh at the Mk10 today, I see that
straight-six is essentially the the enormity of modern cars, especially all the models missed a trick.
same as the E-types. sybaritic ones, but this one is The They show all the doors front and central shutlines to
Daddy. Launched 55 years ago, the be vertical, but in reality that applies to the front one
Jaguar Mk10 you see here is wider than current versions alone. The centre one leans slightly forward, the rear one
of the XJ, the BMW 7 Series and the Mercedes-Benz significantly more so. Combined with the lean-forward
S-class. Longer, too, than all those cars in their standard nose, and tail-lights that do the same thing at the
length. Only their LWB versions out-extend the Mk10, extremities of the tapering rear wings, which terminate
and not by much. the convex waistline, they heighten the impression of a car
Which means that when it was launched back in 1961, poised to pounce, powerfully, as a Jaguar might.
the Mk10 seemed absolutely enormous. It also seemed
bold, optimistic and fabulously modern with its fully WHEN THIS PARTICULAR car took to the road,
outboard headlights, yet still very clearly a Jaguar. On a surprise and awe must have been at their maximum. Thats
seven-year-old me, and all my car-mad friends, the Mk10 partly because it was one of the first to be built, departing
made an enormous impression. It was the coolest, most the Browns Lane assembly line on 17 December 1961,
sophisticated luxury saloon on the planet. and partly because its usual occupant was none other than
We all wanted the models of it that the toy companies Sir William Lyons himself, whose company car 7868 RW
were falling over themselves to produce. Corgi was first, was. That means it spent a lot of downtime at Sir Williams
its metallic blue offering previewed in the Corgi Model splendid pile, Wappenbury Hall near Leamington Spa,
Clubs magazine, and I drove Mr and Mrs Lambert, who to which it has returned for this encounter.
ran my local toyshop, mad with endless requests for news Here, on the gravel forecourt, Sir Williams intuitive eye
on the delivery date. Eventually the models arrived, would take in full-size mock-ups of proposed new Jaguar
featuring not only an opening bonnet and boot (a first) models, the open-air viewing representing better than a
but also an opening suitcase and a smaller attach case. studio how a new car would look on the road. From here,
Dinky followed, its offering in a similar blue, but only too, Sir William and Lady Lyons would descend into the
the boot opened. The luggage was more realistic, though: Mk10s impossibly broad back seat, ready for a chauffeur
a proper, boarding-school-style trunk and two sports to take them to a glittering industry function. Other
bags. Then Tri-angs Belfast-based Spot-On company times, Sir William would drive the grandest Jaguar
launched a bronze Mk10, its first model to have properly himself, perhaps to Browns Lane, perhaps arriving at
rendered shutlines rather than ridges. Again, an opening dawn at the MIRA test track where the XJ13 endurance
boot contained luggage, rather poor white suitcases this racer was undergoing secret tests (he kept the Mk10 for
time, but this models USP was its properly steerable several years). It is said that on one occasion, in 1962, he
front wheels. even asked his chauffeur to use its ample length to block
120
WILLIAM LYONS JAGUAR Mk10
122
Left
When you own the car
company, you want its top limo
as your daily wheels. The house
is currently on the market for
a cool 3.5 million
123
WILLIAM LYONS JAGUAR Mk10
transmission. By devious means I have some manual Clockwise from bottom left
control over the lower two of its three forward ratios, L Plush interior is still welcoming;
where Sir William would have
(for Low) in the stalks indicator panel, or Intermediate parked it; picnic tables feature
Speed Hold via a toggle switch to the right of the 140mph custom mirrors; model is
speedometer. A fine bank of further toggle switches is authors own; electric rear
arrayed below the smaller dials to my left, in usual 1960s windows for the Lyons car only.
Jaguar fashion, and three push buttons below the radio
trigger the vacuum-powered heater flaps.
The engine all polished aluminium twin-cam raciness
starts on the first compression stroke, the starter barely
heard. Off we crunch over the gravel and out onto the
road, the Jaguar insulating us from the outside assaults of
coarse-grained tarmacadam and maintenance-starved
infrastructure as Jaguar saloons with all-independent
managed to find new-old-stock rear light units and the suspension, of which this was the first, do.
numberplate plinth, the weather-exposed originals having It wafts, but theres an XK-flavoured edge to its smooth
suffered beyond salvation. The other brightwork was exertions if you look for it, both aurally and physically.
rechromed as necessary, notably the bumpers whose The engine isnt overwhelmed by the 1.8 tonnes of mass,
overriders hidden sides are enclosed, as they tended to be and neither are the ample Avon radial tyres (it wore
on a quality car. massive 7.50-14 Dunlop Road Speed RS5 crossplies
Then I took it to Jaguar Heritage for a health check, when new). Of course the Mk10 feels big, but not actually
says Ian. It was fun taking it back to Browns Lane. He gargantuan; the suspension controls the body too well for
wouldnt have been able to go through the original that, and the panoramic view that comes with the slim
entrance in the Lane itself, though, the one that the strike- roof pillars makes it easy to place. Its soft, yes, but nicely
breaking Mk10 blocked. Thats long out of use. damped, and the E-type-like independent rear end keeps
As well as making adjustments and gaining the Jaguar the tyres firmly in contact with the road.
an MoT, Jaguar Heritage fitted the bright trims around the If the steering would only tell me something of what is
windscreen and rear window, a torturously fiddly job that occurring at the front wheels I would almost think the
can take days if the planets are misaligned. The Mk10 was Jaguar agile, but it doesnt. Theres no springiness or
finally declared finished at the end of last summer. looseness, but the response is slow and the weighting
Jaguar Mk10 never varies from a constant, finger-directed, light driving seat a while longer, while I place that first Corgi
Engine 3781cc viscosity. Thats early power steering for you. model on top of the mirror-gloss walnut dashboard. I
straight-six, DOHC, three
SU HD8 carburettors
Drive over, I take in those sweeping, imposing lines know the models metallic blue is too dark; I repainted it
Power again. That low, falling tail suggests a shallow boot but its to cover the scars of too much play. But at least the
265bhp (gross) @ 5500rpm actually huge, its sunken floor made possible by mounting jewelled headlights still sparkle. End
Torque fuel tanks vertically in each rear wing and giving each its
260lb ft @ 4000rpm
own filler. No wonder the toy cars made so much of the THANKS TO Knight Frank (www.knightfrank.com),
Transmission
Three-speed Borg-Warner DG luggage-stashing ability. the estate agent for Wappenbury Hall, which is for sale.
automatic gearbox, Cars usually look their best in the form in which they Sir Williams Jaguar will be offered at the Historics At
rear-wheel drive are originally designed, before facelifts and marketing-led Brooklands auction on 4 March, www.historics.co.uk.
Suspension Front: double tweaks sully the purity. The Mk10 gained a 4.2-litre
wishbones, coil springs,
telescopic dampers, anti-roll engine in 1964, but nothing changed visually until 1966
bar. Rear: double-wishbone when it was renamed 420G, gaining a thick central grille
geometry with driveshaft as bar, front indicator repeaters and a chrome strip along the
upper link, trailing arms, four flanks to slice the visual whole in half.
co-axial coil springs
and dampers
At a stroke the purity was lost. Instead of looking
Steering Recirculating ball, younger, the giant Jaguar looked oddly older if not at
power-assisted the time, then retrospectively, as seen through todays
Brakes Discs Weight 1789kg eyes. It faded out of production in 1970, but the genes
Performance
Top speed 120mph
didnt disappear entirely. In 1968 a Daimler-badged,
0-60mph 11.4sec 420G-derived limousine appeared, tall and stately and
useful for officialdom and the carriage trade alike. So
useful, indeed, that the Daimler DS420 stayed in
production until 1992, sporting the recognisable low-
profile rear wheelarch to the end.
126
ADVERTISING FEATURE
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of technical knowledge, each part is manufactured to Jaguars standards of
engineering excellence, ensuring that your Jaguar is kept in the best, most original
condition. Jaguar Classic genuine parts are available from your local Jaguar retailer.
For further information, please contact your local retailer or our technical advisors.
JAGUAR
XJ12
THE 1968 JAGUAR XJ is one of the finest-looking
saloon cars ever. It is also one of the finest-looking
Jaguars. The XJ was a true sports saloon, offering
plentiful six-cylinder grunt in a superb, fully
independently sprung package. Soon Jaguar realised
this popular 4.2-litre car, with its excellent dynamic
capabilities, could do with extra power and it just
happened to have the smooth 5.3-litre V12 engine from
the E-type Series 3 on the shelf.
Thus, in 1972, the XJ12 was launched to much
acclaim as the worlds fastest full four-seater. The large
V12 engine is a tight squeeze that necessitates a
commensurately complex radiator and higher-geared
cooling fan, and even the battery has its own
thermostatically controlled cooling fan. So always
check that the engine has not been cooked.
The 265bhp V12 is fed by four Zenith Stromberg
carburettors replaced in 1975 by Lucas fuel injection,
with the arrival of the Series 2 and its longer wheelbase.
The V12 that Octane prefers is the original, discreet
short wheelbase Series 1 with its simple front grille,
pure, elegant lines and old-school interior. These Series
1 cars were better-built than the Series 2 and, to our
eyes, are the most discreet hot-rods to have emerged
from Browns Lane.
That epic V12 engine renders the rare XJ12 (only
2474 were constructed) a true 140mph sporting
saloon, but not one that many would notice. Which
is just how we like it. Robert Coucher
JAGUAR HERITAGE
Sales and
Engineering
of
Group Limited Guildford
RS Panels: restoring the nest Jaguars The company that put the E-type Welsh Enterprises, Inc: the largest Jaguar parts, maintenance and XK and E-type specialists.
for more than 50 years. Main supplier to back on the road. The professionals independent retailer of new, used and restoration. Restorers of the world Speak with Peter Hugo and Chris
JLR and outstanding global reputation choice for spares and services for rebuilt Jaguar parts since 1965. launch E-type no 885005. Window about high-quality maintenance,
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www.winspeedmotorsport.com
GOODBYE LONGBRIDGE
130
TROUBLE
AT THE
MILL
Britains biggest car factory
finally fell silent in 2016. Former
employee Richard Bremner tells
the woeful tale of The Austin
131
GOODBYE LONGBRIDGE
GETTY
much of the chassis and steering design, it was the young toil, the air laced with the vapours of molten metal, oily
draughtsman who ensured that the Seven had a four- machine tools, hot weld and wet paint.
cylinder engine rather than a twin, and he who drew the The sales block was less industrially perfumed. Training
whole car up. Its keen price and dependable functionality occurred in the order-processing department in the days
soon won it thousands of customers. Just over 300,000 of paper and carbon copies, and in a production-
were produced between 1922 and 1939, and it was scheduling area which employed a gentleman improbably
assembled in the US, France, Germany and Japan. The named Austen Austin who worked at The Austin. The
Seven did much to put Britain on wheels, and turned its first challenge for any trainee entering this department
maker into a major automotive force. was not to snigger when the introductions were made.
But mobilising the country was abruptly halted by If this seemed a bit distant from the creation of cars, a
World War Two, while a Government-initiated post-war lunchtime walk to the canteens for curry, rice and chips
export drive favoured cars much larger than any Seven would give you a fix. Sometimes the design studio
replacement. So it took until 1951 for the A30 to appear. entrance might provide a peek of something new,
Advertised as the New Austin Seven in an effort to although I never spotted anything more exciting than a
capitalise on the companys pre-war success, it was facelifted Morris Marina. Cars could be seen streaming
nevertheless a forward-looking car despite its chubby from the car assembly buildings and, come a shift change,
demeanour. This was Austins first properly monocoque workers too. That was an impressive spectacle, though not
model and among the first in the world, preceded only by as memorable as the sight of one particular man, walking
the 1913 Lagonda 11hp, the 1921 Lancia Lambda and, by oddly in a black donkey jacket.
a matter of months, the Saab 92. It fundamentally changed The reason for his shuffling gait was the hefty driveshaft
the way Longbridge made cars. clutched to his chest beneath his coat, which slipped from
And the A30s replacement would alter the way all small his grasp just as he approached the security gate. Whether
cars were made. Transverse engine, gears-in-the-sump, he was sacked is debatable pilfering from the plant was
ten feet long, rubber-cone suspension we all know the rife, and the spares department of one local franchised
ingredients that made the Mini magical. Its verve, dealer was rumoured to be stocked almost entirely with
handling, steering, economy and charm endeared it to parts lifted from the production line.
more than five million buyers, including royalty, racers Pilferage was the least of Longbridge troubles by the
and celebs. It was built from Chile to New Zealand to mid-70s, the unions disruptive grip on the place turning
Oxford. But the only factory manufacturing it throughout shop steward Derek Red Robbo Robinson into a major
GETTY
its 41-year life strikes permitting was Longbridge. industrial power broker; while strikes, scant profits and
132
Clockwise from left
Austin A40s being built for export in
1947; workers down tools for lunch in
the canteen, 1955; spilling out of the
factory gates at shifts end, 1948; Austin
10s on the final inspection and finishing
tracks, 1936; the height of British
Leylands 1970s picket-line infamy.
GETTY
GETTY
TRINITY MIRROR / MIRRORPIX / ALAMY
133
GOODBYE LONGBRIDGE
134
Clockwise from left
A Rover 45 bodyshell is left hanging, abandoned
on the production line; these (once state-of-the-
art) spray booths were used to paint MG Rovers;
MG ZS handles that will never open a door;
empty assembly halls once thronged with activity.
135
GOODBYE LONGBRIDGE
Great things came out of Longbridge, but some bad things happened too.
at the height of BMCs success And we all know where that led
136
FEATURE TAGLINE
FERRARI 166
138
THE KING
OF STYLE
Ferrari, Touring and Gianni Agnelli were
trendsetters. Combine them and the results
border on magic, as this unique 166 proves
Words Dale Drinnon Photography Martyn Goddard
139
MUNARIS STRATOS
FERRARI 166
S
o far Ive been lucky. Passers-by are few in boss of the glory years still captures the imagination Above and above right
Turins Piazza San Carlo early on a Sunday of his countrymen. At speed; beautifully
proportioned Barchetta
morning and, as I field questions slowly, In fact, that royalty simile is more than just a throwaway is at home in upmarket
my feeble Italian gets the basics across: line. Gianni Agnelli favoured his popular nickname surroundings; Fiat CEO
very important Ferrari, here from Britain, lAvvocato (the Lawyer), reflecting his law degree; many Agnelli at Miraori, Turin,
Italian National Automobile Museum. The pundits, though, labelled him the Uncrowned King of in March 1969.
descent of an entire jogging club, however, is too much for Italy, and anyone more realistic might have omitted the
my limited skills. Fortunately, Clive steps up, pats me on qualifier Uncrowned. At his peak, Agnelli controlled
the shoulder, smiles, and points towards the gorgeous more than a quarter of Italys stock exchange, nearly 5% of
Touring-bodied 166MM. la prima Ferrari di Gianni the nations GDP, and 3% of its workforce, in holdings
Agnelli, he announces. The joggers are ecstatic. Ah, si, si, from transportation to newspapers to department stores.
the first Ferrari of Gianni Agnelli! No politician held as much real power and, when it came
Clive and I dash off like heroes, V12 music dancing to Papal audiences, he would have likely been on the
along elegant Baroque facades. Aside from the odd couple granting end of the process, not the receiving.
of phrases, thats the only complete sentence I know, he Of doubtless greater interest to the population, and
says. But when youre driving this car in this country, its even before he took the rudder in 1966 of the company
the only one you really need. co-founded by his grandfather, the dude had charisma to
Clive Beecham isnt kidding, either. Driving any Ferrari burn. Devilishly handsome and impeccably dressed, he
in Italy is special; driving around Turin in his Touring was constantly in the right places with the right people, a
166, a true landmark model for both manufacturer and natural trendsetter. Admirers wore their wristwatches
coachbuilder and the very car that Touring selected to atop their shirt cuffs and unbuttoned their Brooks
headline its 90th birthday exhibition in Italys Museum Brothers button-down collars because thats what Agnelli
of the Automobile, is something else again. did. Some likely still do.
That its also Gianni Agnellis first Ferrari, in Agnellis It was natural, then, that young, fashionable Gianni
home city, and going to the museum dedicated to his should covet the Ferrari 166MM Barchetta unveiled by
memory, makes the experience like hanging out with Touring at the 1948 Turin motor show. The few previous
royalty. Cops will fight among themselves for the honour Ferraris had tended towards the bland. With that aptly
of overlooking your sins, locals want to put you on their named little boat, however, Touring chief Carlo
Facebook page, and translators are never a problem; Anderloni and stylist Federico Formenti brought forth
somebody always steps up, overjoyed to help. More than one of historys all-time automotive breathtakers, and the
a decade after his 2003 death, the Fiat empires famous model was more road-friendly than its predecessors, too.
140
GAROFALO JACK / CONTRIBUTOR
Perfect for a staggeringly rich 20-something playboy, reverberating between storefronts would put a grin on the
biding time before assuming the throne. face of a tax auditor with heartburn. And city motoring
Getting his hands on one took some doing; Fiat brings home exactly how small this car genuinely is: about
management werent keen on the heir driving a different the length of a Fiat 850 Spider, and the cockpit sides seem
and blatantly flamboyant marque and Gianni made the to end roughly at your navel.
initial arrangements through intermediaries, even wearing We ease our way from Piazza San Carlo to panoramic
disguise on trips to the Touring workshops. (Clive says Piazza Vittorio Vento, home of official parades and
there are also no known pics of Agnelli with the car, and festivities for some two centuries, followed by a visit to
hes searched for ages.) In July 1950, he took delivery of Agnellis grand former townhouse (in respect of the
chassis number 0064M, the 24th of 25 Ferrari 166MM current owners privacy, lets just list the address as
Touring Barchettas, finished in his colours of dark blue surprise barely walking distance from the historic Royal
metallic over dark green metallic, with teardrop rear Palace), then leave the city in search of the Agnelli family
lamps and special dash, all unique to this example. estate in rural Villar Perosa, south-west of Torino. Finding
Perhaps he chose not to drive it much in central Turin. it is unexpectedly easy; brief inquiries using Clives
While traffic was admittedly thin post-war, the slab-paved obvious charm with the locals, and, of course, the magic
streets that appear determined to loosen every nut, bolt words la prima Ferrari di, and bang, were there.
and rivet were far more prevalent, and the car would have Sadly, the magic words dont get us invited to the
lacked the electric radiator fan thats working virtually wedding ceremony occurring inside, but the surrounding
non-stop now. Nor would the gearbox have offered any area is ideal for gaining quality seat time. The Agnellis
consolation; the top three ratios have synchromesh, or have been resident since 1811, and Giannis grandfather,
the insinuation thereof, but each shift up or down through also christened Giovanni Agnelli (hence the diminutive
the five slots nonetheless requires double-declutching, Gianni given to the younger Agnelli), is said to have
and frequently results in grinding anyway. funded his original Fiat investment from silk farming on
Long, straight stretches of narrow urban canyon lead the property; the region still has a semi-remote, semi-
us across the city, and the wail of the little 2.0-litre V12 agricultural feel today, rolling hills leading into mountains,
142
dotted with neat villages and the odd stately manor, other respectable placings before the Viscomte sold it in Clockwise from top right
interlaced by winding and largely smooth country lanes. 56. Thereafter 0064M followed the familiar pattern: Heading for Italys National
Automobile Museum; teardrop
The Ferrari loves it. Once youre moving you can forget several short-term owners, amateur racing up to 1957,
tail-lights and dash layout are
those two crotchety lower gears, and as the miles tick by some road use, and eventually it was parked in slightly unique to this car; whether
Im making peace with the others. If the brakes are no dishevelled retirement. in town or country, the 166
better than the build period would predict, and the Until it came under the wing of Jacques Swaters. Barchetta looks exquisite.
shifting stiff regardless of technique, the steering and Swaters, a Belgian racing driver turned founding principal
chassis are stable and reassuring, and the engine totally of renowned team Ecurie Francorchamps and one of
captivates. Prod the throttle and revs flow like warm Europes leading Ferrari dealers (he brokered 0064M a
honey; yes, the average modern hatchback delivers more half-dozen times himself, he reckoned), acquired the
horses, but who cares? Agnelli commented ages later Of Agnelli Barchetta in 1967 and treated it like family for
the cars I have driven, I cannot forget my first Ferrari and, the ensuing 46 years. During his guardianship, the tired
as wry as that sounds to mere mortals, his fondness for masterpiece underwent a loving restoration in the 80s,
this 166 is eminently understandable. returning from the apparently inevitable red to Agnellis
Those sentiments notwithstanding, Agnellis tenure blue and green, and enjoyed a stellar Historic career,
with 0064M was short. In 1952 he sold it, ironically appearing in the Mille Miglia, lIdea Ferrari and a host
around the time of a severe crash near his Rivera party of other venues, including the New York Museum
villa, which left him with a permanently impaired right of Modern Art and the Berlin National Gallery.
leg, and ultimately inspired his taste for machinery with It also acquired the honorific by which much of the
only two pedals. Rumours that the accident happened cognoscenti now know it: Nonna, Italian for grandmother.
in a Ferrari, by the way, much less this Ferrari, merit Before his death in 2010, Swaters even provided for
copious salt grains; acclaimed investigative reporter Judy Nonnas future; when Im gone, he told his daughter, you
Bachrach, with extensive family access, stated in a Vanity should sell the car to Clive, and in 2012, Clive Beecham, a
Fair profile that it was a Fiat estate and Agnellis committed admirer of 0064 since he first saw her in 1989,
penchant for estate cars was indeed legendary. brought Agnellis Barchetta home to London.
Meanwhile, the 166 went safely to second owner I never met Jacques Swaters, but I think hed be pleased
Viscomte Gery dHendecourt of Belgium, who with his successor. Clive couldnt accord the 166 more
occasionally raced it and, more successfully, encouraged care and respect if it really was his grandmother, but he
famed countryman and future four-time Le Mans winner also drives it most weekends, has road-tripped it across
Olivier Gendebien to do the same. Gendebien took his the Continent, and ran the Mille again in 2013. While not
first Ferrari win with the car, at Spa in 1953, plus some a serious concours participant, per se (aside from recent
143
FERRARI 166
144
CHURCHILL TANK
146
TANK
TALES
The ultimate restoration project? Retired lawyer
Nigel Montgomery rebuilds WW2 Churchill tanks
then uses them as a school teaching aid
Words Mark Dixon Photography Matthew Howell
147
CHURCHILL TANK
W
hen you were ten years old, did you have school To me, the Churchill was the Spitfire of the ground war, because it
outings that involved a working WW2 tank? No, me served in every theatre from Dieppe to North Africa to Italy, he explains.
neither. But think how thrilled we would have been This one was built in 1941 the date is stamped on the hull doors and
to get up-close and personal with something like the was one of the very last to go out of service, which means it was an
Churchill pictured here; to see it move and hear the important tank to restore.
growl of its 21-litre engine and the clank of its tracks. Who knows what Perhaps unsurprisingly, Nigels father served with tanks in WW2, and
seeds might have been sown by such a formative experience? Nigel himself had a brief spell in Chieftains, as a young 2nd Lieutenant
And thats exactly the thinking behind The Churchill Trust, a charitable posted to Berlin with the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards. But,
body founded by retired City lawyer Nigel Montgomery. As a boy in the he says, he still doesnt really know where his life-long fascination with
late 1960s, he helped his father restore a vintage Bentley which is still tanks came from.
in the family and it was his life-long love of engineering and British I bought my first tank, a Chieftain, about 20 years ago, he continues.
ingenuity that made him want to get todays generation of children It cost about 12,000. Tanks are relatively easy to buy but theyre
enthused in the same way. difficult to run unless you have a lot of space. Then I decided I wanted to
The idea is to get kids interested in science and technology while go further back to the iconic tanks of WW2 but I couldnt find a running
theyre still open to new ideas, explains Nigel. Teachers love it, because Churchill, and that seemed a shame, given its importance.
it also brings in the study of history and even English through, for As so often in British military history, the Churchill was a rush job
example, the poetry of war. And while boys and girls react slightly created at the last minute and impelled by the German invasion of France
differently, both the genders seem equally fascinated by the machinery. and the Low Countries in May 1940. A hastily formed Tank Board was
The machinery in question is a Churchill MkIV, built in 1941 and in given three days to come up with a specification for a new tank, and it
service until the 1960s. The reason it survived so long is that it was seems very likely that newly elected Prime Minister Winston Churchill
converted into a mobile bridge layer, known as a Twin ARK (Armoured who succeeded Neville Chamberlain on 10 May 1940 was the driving
Ramp Carrier), which would form temporary bridges so force. The clue is in the name
that the Armys main battle tanks of the 1950s and 60s, Above Starting with a couple of prototype hulls that had already
the Centurion and Chieftain, could span wide gaps. It was Drivers vision is severely been completed, Vauxhall Motors took over the project at
restricted by the hull sides,
the Churchills adaptability and ubiquity over such a long so restorer Nigel always has
its headquarters in Luton. Its engineers rose to the challenge
period that made Nigel determined to find and preserve a spotter to help guide him magnificently, designing and building an all-new petrol
as many examples as he could. usually his daughter! engine in just three months. Unusually, it was a flat-12
148
Clockwise from top left
MkIV before and after removal of its
bridge-laying equipment; turret in primer;
rotary junction box (from a Scorpion) that
transmits power and signals from turret to
hull; at-12 engine and (below) close-up of
block; gearbox with air compressor on top;
removing appliqu side armour; instrument
panel during rebuild; shell damage to
commanders cupola on MkIII turret; tting
camshafts to restored engine blocks.
149
CHURCHILL TANK
150
The petrol-fuelled Vauxhall flat-12 makes a surprisingly
harmonious noise. Who needs a Ferrari Boxer?
configuration, because that allowed the Churchill to have a Above and facing page reckons he got in at just the right time, because he was able
lower profile that would make it less visible to the enemy Nigel has managed to to track down the last few remaining spare parts before they
restore this Churchill with
in comparison, a radial-engined Sherman looks like mostly original components;
disappeared for good. If I were trying to do the same thing
a house, says Nigel. the gun still works but trying now, it just wouldnt be possible, he says. Nearly all the
The first production Churchills entered service in the to fire live ammunition could spares were scrapped when the tanks went out of service.
summer of 1941 and, not surprisingly, there were plenty of blow the barrel apart. However, there used to be a big scrapyard in Portsmouth
teething troubles; so much so that Vauxhall issued an that had all kinds of armoured vehicles, and I managed to
apology in the tanks instruction manual for defects that it had not had buy two unused, rebuilt gearboxes they had been overhauled by the
time to sort out! But improvements were rapidly made, not least to guns Army just before they were disposed of. And I found two engines at
and armour (early Churchills were equipped with a puny two-pounder another scrap dealers. Trouble is, Churchill engines are invariably seized
main gun), and, by the time the war ended, the Churchill had progressed because the exhaust sits above the cylinders and, when the tinwork above
through no fewer than eight Marks. the manifold corrodes, water leaks down past the open exhaust valves
The Churchill Trust has examples of Mks III, IV and VII, and the first and into the cylinders. The blocks then have to be separated from the
two of those are in running condition; in fact, they are the only two crankcase by spreading them apart with huge hydraulic jacks.
running Churchills of this type in the world. The one pictured here is a Fortunately, the bores carry liners and we were able to find some
MkIV but, having been built in 1941, it started life as a MkI, which was commercially available liners that were a perfect fit, so we now have a
upgraded to later spec as the war progressed. And this highlights one of total of five running engines, including two as spares.
the difficulties for the budding tank restorer: uncovering a tanks history, For a machine that was developed in such a short space of time, the
and choosing which era to use as a datum point for restoration. Churchill is remarkably sophisticated. The controls are all quite light,
Unfortunately, we have no idea about where or with which units this explains Nigel, and the steering, which is by drum brakes either side of
tank served, sighs Nigel, because the records have all been lost. It was the gearbox, is hydraulically operated with the assistance of compressed
registered as T31579 and Ive been scouring old photos to try and spot it, air provided by a compressor on the gearbox. But that means its also a
but with no luck. If anyone can help, Ive love to hear from them. complex system. We once had an air leak that was traced to a tiny spring
This Churchill was obtained through an exchange with Bovington that had corroded and wasnt allowing a valve to close, and which
Tank Museum in Dorset, the former HQ of the old Tank Corps. Nigel consequently made steering impossible!
151
CHURCHILL TANK
Left
Nigel with one of the three
tanks in The Churchill Trusts
collection, this one a MkIII
that is still undergoing
restoration. It and the MkIV
pictured on the previous
pages are the only running
Mks III and IV in the world.
Despite the difficulties with obtaining spares, Nigel can proudly claim is being transported, the law requires the firing mechanism to be carried
that T31579 has been restored with mostly original parts. The track separately. We can fire blanks, but the trouble with those is that they
guards and what he describes as other fragile tinwork fragile being a sound nothing like live ammunition because the charge ignites quite
relative term, here were remanufactured, but the heavier steel panels slowly near the breech end and it makes a completely different noise to
and castings had survived quite well. Interestingly, the steel on the the sharp crack of a projectile leaving the barrel at high velocity.
outside seems to develop a thin patina of rust, which then stabilises on As you can see, tank restoration brings its own unique set of problems.
the appliqu armour on the MkIIIs turret you can still see the Brinell The biggest is, literally, the biggest: a Churchill is a huge machine and it
hardness test mark and the stamped date, says Nigel, but inside its a needs heavy lifting gear to maintain it and plenty of space in which to
different story. Condensation causes the rust to bite much more deeply. operate. While manoeuvring T31579 for our photography session
A lot of the smaller componentry has been found by diligent searching, outside his workshop, Nigel relies on his daughter Alexandra to act as a
not least on eBay. One prize find has eluded him, however. I know that a spotter and never accelerates beyond a crawl, because his position as
batch of Churchill engines was sold to someone in the tractor-pulling driver within the hull means that his view is severely restricted. That
fraternity, he says wistfully, but so far Ive drawn a complete blank. petrol-fuelled Vauxhall flat-12 does make a lovely and surprisingly
Theyll be out there somewhere, sitting in a shed. harmonious noise, however. Who needs a Ferrari Boxer?
Among the more important parts unique to this Churchill are the The practicalities of moving a Churchill mean that Nigel is looking
tracks, which are made not in steel but in a manganese alloy. The tracks for a more portable means of taking his engineering message to the youth
had to be redesigned in this alloy after early experience with the Dieppe of today. Id like to find a Merlin V12 engine that could be mounted on
landings, explains Nigel. The large stones on the beach got caught up a trailer and run up for demonstrations, he explains. You could walk
between the drive sprockets and the tracks, and broke the links. around a Merlin and tell so many stories of the clever people who were
Talking of tracks, when Nigel shows off his tanks to schoolchildren, involved with it. And the Merlin was developed into the Meteor tank
does he take them to the school, or bring the school to the tank? engine; its a fascinating story of engineering ingenuity.
Definitely the latter! he grins. Theyre not road-registered, and schools I was lucky, as a boy, to grow up in a house with a shed that was full
tend to get a bit upset about the damage caused by driving a tank up to of tools, and a father who was always using them, which inspired me to
their front door. For the same reason, we had to be particularly careful be creative. If I can stir that passion in someone else, to help them realise
about putting a Churchill on display outside Sir Winstons former that they have the potential to invent something rather than just accept
home at Chartwell. whats there, Ill be a happy man. End
Theres also the question of the weaponry. The main gun on this MkIV
is actually live, so it could in theory be fired although youd have to be FIND OUT MORE about The Churchill Trust at www.thechurchilltrust.co.uk.
both brave and insane to try it, due to its age and the enormous pressures Nigel is also the author of Churchill Tank: Owners Workshop Manual,
that build up in the barrel when a round is fired. Even so, when the tank published by Haynes at 21.99, ISBN 978 0 85733 232 5.
152
BRISTOL ARCHIVES
GOING UNDERGROUND
Beneath the famous Bristol Cars Kensington
showroom is a remarkable unseen archive
Words David Lillywhite Photography Tim Andrew
THIS WAS TONY CROOKS domain. Beneath the Even the labelling is eccentric. On one set of wooden
famous showroom that later became Bristol Cars head drawers are stapled the hand-written labels 407 large and
office, away from Kensington High Streets hustle and 408 large; below them are 407 smaller and 408 smaller.
bustle, this dusty cellar holds the records, memories and They make me smile.
ghosts of the famously, fabulously eccentric carmaker. We ease open one of the plan chest drawers, cough,
Not for long though. The showroom is temporarily and gingerly tempt out one of the brittle, cloth-edged
closed for refurbishment, due to re-open any day now. drawings. Its marked hinge attachment nut (exciting
Bristols website reassures visitors that The works will stuff), apparently for the 405. There are hundreds, maybe
bring the space up to date and will bring it in line with the thousands of these drawings, going right back to the
companys technological future, whilst keeping as much earliest days of Bristol, showing panels, brackets, fasteners
as possible of the traditional charm and old-school perhaps every part for every model, though the Bristol
glamour that the space enjoys. Considerable time has Cars team, headed by marketing manager Ian Wallace, are
been spent with designers to ensure that the facelift still painstakingly working through what they have.
will produce a space for buyers and owners alike to enjoy Tony Crook was known for locking-in employees down
and that will stay true to the principles of a brand that here, and Ian perhaps channelled this spirit in committing
is focused on quality, yet shuns ostentation. temporary assistant Tom Wiggett to a solid three months
No other car brand would put it quite like that. sorting through the records; stage one of a huge archiving
And amid all that, this neglected subterranean space, so operation that may last some time.
simultaneously uninviting and yet intriguing in unrestored While the engineering drawings are fascinating, theyre
form, will become part of the big plan, a central archive of also delicate and dusty, and the older ones have a habit of
Bristol history, open (by appointment) to historians and depositing a green dust onto the fingers of anyone who
club researchers. With the lights low, its atmospheric and handles them. Fortunately theres even better to be found
eerie, lined with ancient filing cabinets and plan chests, in the filing cabinets: the customer records.
styling models randomly decorating their ancient tops, Clearly the more recent records have to be kept
photographs and paintings hung skew-whiff on the damp- confidential, and are stored elsewhere under lock and key.
streaked exposed brick of the cellar walls. But under the supervision of Ian and Tom, were able to
Inside those cabinets is pure Bristol gold, the like of rifle through the records from the earliest days of Bristol
which is just never seen in the modern automotive world. Cars. Its wonderful stuff.
154
Above and left
Hours y by in the Bristol cellar
the drawers are packed with
sketches, many of models that
never saw the light of day. Note
too the famous 100 MPH
registration plate, used on
Bristol Cars demonstrators.
Dashboard, left, is from a 401.
155
BRISTOL ARCHIVES
This page On the face of it, these are simply sales orders but its
Many of the files are filled with sales the names and the language used that intrigue and delight.
orders, struck through with red once
a car had been delivered, but there Heres one to SH Arnolt Inc of Chicago, better known to
are also engineering reports, design us as importer Wacky Arnolt, whose collaborations with
sketches and several styling models. Bertone led to 174 special-bodied Bristol 404s produced
between 1954 and 57. This order, from late 1956, is for
a 405 saloon, so not intended to become an Arnolt Bristol.
Another, also from 1956, is to the flagship MG dealer
of the period, University Motors of London, on behalf of
baronet and HRG racer Sir Clive Edwards for a 405 in
Hungarian Green; another 405 for the superbly named
Miss Betty Box; and heres one heading to Switzerland, for
which a ferry charge of 8.10.0 is added to the bill. An
American customer writes to confirm his recent
telephonic communication that his 403 should be
waxed polished 3 times on the outside and upholstery
polished up also prior to delivery.
More gold dust The order for the first car ever sold
by Bristol, from St Helier Garage, Jersey, on 27 October
1947, for one 2 Litre Bristol Saloon, black with red
upholstery preferred. Later communications between
Tony Crook and would-be owners are often more
combative over colour schemes, for Crook would object
vehemently to certain combinations.
Will this room of curiosities be made-over? Apparently
not, other than a clean and tidy. Anyway, for once its the
contents of the room that are more important than the
current lingering sense of Tony Crook (and dust). Those
drawings and files need looking after, just as much as does
Bristol Cars itself. End
156
4 Newopaul Way, Warminster Business Park, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 8RY
Telephone: 01985 847133 Email: Office@Spencer-LJ.com www.Spencer-LJ.com
www.facebook.com/SpencerLaneJonesLtd
Viewings by appointment.
Visit us at 1953 Bristol 401 1949 Bristol Farina 401 1956 Bristol 405 DHC
www.sljhackett.co.uk 65,000 185,000 140,000
for more information
or contact us on
01985 219551
email: info@sljhackett.co.uk
4 Newopaul Way, Warminster Business Park, 1968 Bristol 410 1973 Bristol 411 Series 3 1949 Bristol 400
Warminster BA12 8RY 89,950 59,950 89,950
BUYING A CORVETTE
158
THE PRICE
OF A DREAM
Logic can lead to you owning your perfect
classic car at the right price. Hence Winston
Goodfellow bought the perfect Corvette
Photography Winston Goodfellow
159
BUYING A CORVETTE
these days. I had no interest in a something fashionable; home and abroad. In most respects, the UKs Motor
I wanted a car with desirable characteristics at a price noted in December 1963, the Chevrolet Corvette Sting
less than those same attributes would cost elsewhere. Ray is the equal of any GT car found on either side of
The parameters included landmark design, history, the Atlantic. The often snarky Car & Driver compared a
performance, rarity, potential capital preservation/ 350-horsepower Corvette to high-dollar GTs such as
appreciation, among others. Most importantly, it had to Ferraris 250 Berlinetta Lusso and Aston Martins DB5 in
be involving to drive a memorable, lingering experience its March 1965 roadtest. You arent suggesting [the
that couldnt be found anywhere else. Corvette Sting Ray] is one of the best GT cars in the
I set the budget at $50,000-100,000 and let my mind world, they queried. Or are you?
run without restriction to marque, period of manufacture, C2s came with numerous engine variations and all
or country of origin. The resultant eclectic mix started sorts of options, so I needed to narrow down my choices.
with a 1964 Pontiac GTO (see Octane 112) and went via Ive long been fascinated by investment market behaviour,
a 1966 Shelby GT350, 1973-74 Pontiac Super Duty Trans and Hagertys pricing charts were informative in
Am, BMW 2002tii five-speed, Ferrari 360 Modena and discerning valuation trends. When I asked McKeel
1974 Porsche Carrera to a Lamborghini Silhouette. I had Hagerty about his firms collation of data, he listed a
conversations with friends in the business, and spent number of variables and punctuated everything by noting
hours online. Among others, Hagerty.com helped refine that they insured over 100,000 Corvettes of all types.
my search, for the classic car insurer has a marvellous site That size of data pool meant they were as close to real-
with valuation pricing charts and more. time pricing as its possible to get, and one thing stood out
After weeks of weighing choices, Corvettes started to from examining their charts: of the most desirable C2
look the most intriguing. In all my decades of playing with models (fuel-injected Split Window and Z06 from 1963,
fast stuff Id never driven a C2, even during the late 1970s 1965 fuel-injected cars, and 1967s 427/435 horsepower
and 80s when prices for so many sports and GT cars were L71) and their direct competitors (the rarer and more
quite affordable. Back then Iso Grifos cost the same, and desirable versions of the aforementioned Jags, Porsches
thats where my European-focused heart lay. Today Grifos and so on), the only car for which prices hadnt seen a
run to several hundred thousand dollars, while a similar- strong upward move was a 1965 Fuelie.
performing second-generation Corvette can be bought Hmm Had I found a gem, hiding in plain sight? With
for 10-20% of that, so value seemed to be there. Hagertys a variety of final-drive ratios, a properly ordered Fuelie
site then highlighted how much more affordable C2s could easily run with Europes best, and the production
were than their direct competitors Jaguar E-type, numbers (771 total) were far lower than any direct
Porsche 911 and (considerably slower and less involving competitor or other benchmark C2, except a Z06
than either) Mercedess Pagoda SL. (competition Split Window). I also found Duntov, the
I had a working knowledge of Corvettes but, when acknowledged father of the Corvette, saying in the
research began in earnest, perhaps the most surprising hardbound periodical Corvette The Sensuous American and
revelation was the depth of their racing pedigree. What elsewhere that his personal favourite and the best
started out in 1953 with a six-cylinder engine and Corvette ever was a 1965 Fuelie like Enzo Ferrari,
rudimentary chassis became a force in the second half of William Lyons, or Ferry Porsche picking their favourite.
the 1950s when a V8, four-speed gearbox and continual The most important question now remained: how
modifications and options were thrown into the mix of would a good C2 drive? I tried a 1963 and 1966 coupe at
which one was fuel injection. Brighton Motorsports in Scottsdale, Arizona, that friend
Most of those advancements can be traced back to Zora and proprietor Shane Mustoe said needed work and thus
Arkus Duntov, a brilliant engineer and test driver of werent representative of a tight car, but at least I fit
Russian heritage, born in Belgium in 1910. He joined reasonably well, and I sensed the Vettes potential. I then
General Motors in 1953, having designed cylinder heads, called Corvette Mike Vietro in southern California. Hes
cams, suspensions and more, and consulted for Porsche been enthusiastically selling Corvettes since the 1970s,
and Pegaso. He raced for Allard and Porsche, scored class and always has a large stock on hand. Im not trying to sell
160
BUYING A CORVETTE
162
When a Fuelie is running
right, its an electrifying
experience that starts
with that jewel of
a powerplant
BUYING A CORVETTE
164
The 1935 ex Works Fane TWin supercharged
Eligible and wanted for the most prestigious rally, race and concour events Tel: 01763 274 100
Mob: 07850 759135
Extremely original and wonderful as used patina patrick@blakeneymotorsport.com
The most significant and ultimate specification pre-war Frazer Nash. www.blakeneymotorsport.com
Octane Cars
BY OCTANE STAFF AND CONTRIBUTORS
Silent running
local SU expert. Unfortunately, Above and right
the expert was a rather elderly A few decades
apart: the family
gentleman and he passed away Bentley today,
1937 BENTLEY 4 with the carbs still in bits on his and with a rather
ROBERT COUCHER bench. Dieter managed to salvage more youthful
them and then had ex-aerospace Robert Coucher.
toolmaker Michael von Zelewski
THE ANNUAL Christmas undertake the rebuild.
holiday was spent in Cape Town, The day before I was due to fly
where the family Bentley became to Cape Town, Dieter called to tell
the focus of attention. As reported me they needed a new throttle
in past issues, my brother-in-law spindle for the rear carb. So I starting to work carefully, gently the large silver starter button. The
Dieter Noli has been going through contacted Bentley specialist and methodically wonderful to engine spun once and fired.
the Bentleys mechanicals. He had Fiennes Restoration in Lechlade watch and learn from. Fantastic, and still no leaks.
the rear axle rebuilt along with the and bought the required throttle After a good degree of thought With the Bentley warmed through,
brakes, and sorted out the cooling disc, spindle and screws for a and adjustment, the beautifully Michael adjusted the idle speed
system as well as fitting new tyres substantial 58.48. They arrived made but complicated linkages and the lovely engine settled to a
and inner tubes. promptly and made the flight. were all in place and fitted with near-silent murmur. It now starts
The old car was running well We took the parts to Michael so millimetric precision. Dieter with the merest dab of the button,
but Dieter noticed that the SU he could assemble them in his connected the battery and turned and a high-speed shutdown check
carbs were rich and there was an workshop, and then he came back on the ignition. The fuel pump of the plugs revealed they are
imbalance in the mixtures across to fit the carbs to the head. Like primed the carbs, then stopped. a perfect mouse brown.
the six cylinders. So he stripped all really good engineers, Michael Not a leak in sight. He then The Silent Sports Car now has
the carbs and took them off to the spent a lot of time thinking before retarded the ignition and pushed all its horses back.
166
Left and below
OCTANES FLEET
Former aerospace engineer
Michael von Zelewski shows
Robert Coucher exactly how to
rebuild SU carburettors.
These are the cars
and motorbikes
run by the magazines
staff and contributors
DAVID LILLYWHITE
Editor
1971 MGB GT
1971 Saab 96
1973 Citron SM
1976 Zip Shadow Kart
1995 Range Rover 4.6 HSE
1996 Subaru Prodrive Impreza
ROBERT COUCHER
International editor
1937 Bentley 4
1955 Jaguar XK140
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560 SEC
MARK DIXON
Deputy editor
1955 Land Rover Series I 107in
1963 Ford Galaxie Country Sedan
1964 Chevrolet Greenbrier
1989/91 Land Rover Discoverys
2001 Honda Insight
SANJAY SEETANAH
Advertising director
1981 BMW 323i Top Cabrio
1998 Aston Martin DB7 Volante
GLEN WADDINGTON
Associate editor
1983 Porsche 944
1989 BMW 320i Convertible
MARK SOMMER
Art Director
1968 Alfa Romeo Giulia
1300 Saloon
JOHN SIMISTER
Contributor
1934 Singer Nine Le Mans
1961 Saab 96
1968 Sunbeam Stiletto
TONY DRON
Test driver
1932 Austin Seven
ANDREW ENGLISH
Contributor
1960 Triumph TR3A
1965 Aston Martin DB5
167
Octane Cars
BY OCTANE STAFF AND CONTRIBUTORS
OCTANES FLEET
DAVID BURGESS-WISE
Contributor
1903 De Dion-Bouton
1911 Pilain 16/20
1926 Delage DISS
MARTYN GODDARD
Photographer
1963 Triumph TR6SS Trophy
1965 Austin-Healey 3000 MkIII
DELWYN MALLETT
Contributor
1936 Cord 810 Beverly
1946 Tatra T87
1950 Ford Club Coupe
1952 Porsche 356
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL
1957 Porsche Speedster
1957 Fiat Abarth
Sperimentale
1963 Abarth-Simca
1963 Tatra T603
SARAH BRADLEY
LA story
Contributor
you name it, it was meticulously I drove through Beverly Hills,
1929 Ford Model A hot rod
photographed and put into bags. and could feel the world staring at
1952 Studebaker Champion
1956 Chevrolet 3100 pick-up The body went to the body shop me. I proceeded down the twisty
1969 Plymouth Roadrunner two doors down, while Benny parts of Sunset Boulevard, entered
Various motorbikes started with the engine and the first turn and the back end
gearbox. In the evenings I scoured hopped around, even though I was
1967 ALFA ROMEO the web for all the parts, carpets, only doing 45. This couldnt be
MASSIMO DELB GIULIA SUPER trim and badging that I needed right! I entered the next turn, and
Contributor EVAN KLEIN its amazing how proud you feel there was more hopping is this
1967 Mercedes-Benz 230
1972 Fiat 500L
when you locate that elusive piece what they were praising in those
1979/80 Range Rovers of trim at three in the morning. old road tests? This was miserable!
1982 Mercedes-Benz 500SL IM A CAR photographer, based And then you hear, Honey, come to The blood rushed from my
1985 Mercedes-Benz 240TD in Los Angeles, and the Giulia is bed what are you doing?! smile. What had I done? I made a
my only car. That makes it my It really only took about U-turn and headed back to the
daily driver. And yes, I know what three months, although Bennys shop. We threw the car up on the
EVAN KLEIN youre thinking, but Alfas are appendix burst and that caused lift, and I soon spotted the
Photographer
actually quite reliable. Sometimes. some rescheduling. But hes an problem. Hey, Benny, do you see
1967 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super
I found it on eBay in need of Alfa mechanic, and anything Alfa it? No nuts on the shocks.
a total restoration. It was to be eventually needs repair. That was your job! he says. We
JAMES LIPMAN the fourth Alfa Ive owned, so I I swore not to bring the car put the nuts on and then off I went
Photographer thought: how hard can it be? Its home until it was finished. Youve again, through Beverly Hills, onto
1968 Porsche 912 just an Alfa. read every vintage road test and Sunset, the first twisty bit and no
Of course, it didnt run, so I flat- seen all the period pictures: hopping. Second turn still no
bedded it straight to my Alfa nothing but glorious praise. She hopping. It was wonderful. I went
mechanic guru Bennys shop for a was beautiful. Just stunning the faster, I turned the radio on for the
KEEP UP TO DATE total teardown. Ive known Benny paint, the chrome, the exquisite first time, and the Beatles were
Follow the progress of the Octane
for 25 years. Everything needed cabin. I turned the key and she playing. Life was perfect.
fleet via Facebook and Twitter fixing or replacing I mean purred into life. Benny and I stood I called the wife. Im coming
www.facebook.com/octanemagazine everything. I stripped it to a shell. there like proud fathers. It was to pick you up were going out to
@octane_magazine Motor, interior, suspension, glass, time to take her home. dinner. Italian, of course.
168
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169
Octane Cars
BY OCTANE STAFF AND CONTRIBUTORS
170
Hamburg Berlin
Mercedes-Benz 7,1 ltr. SSK, 1929, ex "Dorothy Pagett Racing Team", Maserati Mistral 3,7 ltr. Spider, 1969, 1 of only 51 built, "matching-numbers",
fully restored by marque expert, FIVA & HTP, Le Mans 2016. ex Maserati Museum, a real collectors item.
Mercedes-Benz 630 K "La Baule Transformable", 1928, Bentley R-Type Continental Franay, 1955, "One-off", by Franay / Chapron!
Saoutchik coachwork by La Baule, first delivery New York, extensively restored. Last Continental Chassis and last Franay built!
Delage D6S II Etienne-Brandone Coupe, 1935, Mercedes-Benz 220 Cabriolet A, 1952, "matching- Mercedes-Benz 320 Cabriolet A, 1938, ex Blackhawk
"One-Off" with Etienne Brandone coachwork. numbers", compl. restored by best German specialists. Collection, a candidate for every Concours d'Elegance.
Lagonda M45 "Team Car Specification", 1936, Intermeccanica Italia Spyder, 1969, 1 one of only 222 Lagonda V12 DeVille, 1939, with V5 document, very
a ticket for high-class events for the Pre War Class. Convertibles, Italian design with American powertrain. original exemplar, 1 of only 10 remaining cars.
Alfa Romeo 1900C Sprint "Supergioiello" by Ghia, 1953. Bugatti Type 51 GP Race Car, 1933, FIA/FIVA papers. Maserati 4.9 ltr. Ghibli SS Coupe, 1971, 1 of 425.
Alfa Romeo 6C 2300B Pescara PF, 1937, "One-Off". Ferrari 250 GT/E 2+2 Coupe, 1961, 3 previous owners. MB 280 SE 3.5 Cabriolet, 1971.
Aston Martin DB 4 Series III Coupe, 1961, RHD. Jaguar XJ 13 by Proteus, 1972, Le Mans Prototype. MB 300 Sc Coupe, 1957, rare sunroof, concours.
Bentley 4.5 ltr. Blower, 1930, "matching-numbers". Lancia Aurelia B24 S Cabriolet, 1959, perfectly restored. Porsche 356 B 1600 Super 90 Roadster, 1960, restored.
Bentley 4 1/4 ltr. VdP DHC, 1938, late "Overdrive" car. Lancia Stratos HF Stradale, 1975, well documented. Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 ltr. lightweight, 1973, rare.
BMW 319/1 Cabriolet by Wendler, 1936. Lagonda LG6 DHC, 1938, restored to Concours. Porsche 911 2.0 ltr. Coupe, 1965, FIA HTP-papers.
Many more interesting cars in stock please ask or visit our website: www.thiesen-automobile.com
Thiesen Hamburg GmbH Griegstrae 73 D-22763 Hamburg-Othmarschen fon: +49-40/45 03 43-0 sales@thiesen-automobile.com
E. Thiesen Berlin GmbH Wiebestrae 29-38 D-10553 Berlin fon: +49-30/34 50 20 44 larkamp@thiesen-berlin.com
Octane Cars
BY OCTANE STAFF AND CONTRIBUTORS
Meeting
feature package, I dont need to meant the 944 had little option drive over those last few miles. I say
introduce the metallic grey car in other than to sit it out, but it slightly as it was still very cold and
the photo on the right. And as I was maintained its cool (while keeping misty, but it was enough of a
heading over to the Porsche me warm) for the full 90-plus reminder of what I enjoy most
172
HALL & HALL
2002 BMW Z8 Roadster, Silver with black/red leather interior. Supplied New in Germany.
13,000 kms (8000 miles) exceptional condition.
Jaguar D Type long nose 21 VRL. A recreation of 1969 Matra MS640 V12 Coupe.
XKD602 using mainly original D Type running gear.
Constructed in the 1970s and in the same ownership for
over 35 years.
Wouter Melissen
Alfa Romeo P3. Shown in 2 seater trim for touring, also 1975 Shadow DN3/5A Ex-Tom Pryce.
supplied with Monoposto body for competition. Prepared to a high standard.
If you go to
San Francisco
1968
PORSCHE 912
JAMES LIPMAN
THE CAR ROLLED to a stop. year. I had only ever driven 911s,
I was somewhere near King City, yet the handling sold me, and a
California, on a service road just chance encounter the following
off the 101 freeway. My Big day led me to a car that was so
California Road Trip Adventure cheap, I chose to overlook its very
driving my new 1968 Porsche 912 obvious faults among others, a
from a friends home near San dented roof, obligatory rust, and
Francisco, down the coast, to a an engine that chuffed and
shipping depot in LA wasnt spluttered like a dying dog and
going quite as intended. bought it anyway. Now I would be
I turfed the contents of the car adding a snapped throttle linkage
onto the pavement, in search of a to that list.
toolkit. The rust-holes in the floor My fix, given the lack of
had let a lot of spray in from the resources at the time, was to Above, right and below
Dont be fooled by its clean
road, and all my stuff was soaking unscrew the linkage, feed it up exterior: Lipmans 912 broke
wet. The emerging sun warmed through the floor tunnel and down repeatedly on the way
the grubby interior into a secure it to the top of the to the docks. Broken throttle
dripping, clammy mess. There was accelerator pedal with duct tape. linkage (below) was fixed with
duct tape and cable ties.
no sign of any tools. What sort of My greasy hands bled, but the
idiot attempts to drive a 44-year- bodge held. A short time later, I
old nail 400 miles without even a reached a hardware store on the
single spanner on board? outskirts of Paso Robles, where
I am a (UK) car photographer I refined it with some cable ties.
working mostly for car companies I arrived in LA many hours later
and making images to help sell than planned, and the shippers
their products, but my passion is had closed for the holidays. A
for the older stuff, which is why friend-of-a-friend very kindly
you can sometimes see my photos offered to take the car and drive it
in Octane. In particular, I love to the port after Christmas. Out of
early Porsches. After selling my options and with a flight home
first a lovely, clean 1972 911T looming, I guiltily deposited the
back in 2008 I had been on the ghastly wreck on the driveway of
hunt for a replacement. his beautiful house, and departed
I also enjoy long, tense, journeys for the UK.
in old vehicles and, for added The car made it to the port,
thrill, I regularly forget to bring a breaking down twice on the way.
toolkit This is how I found When we were reunited several
myself temporarily stranded, 5000 months later, in a cold, grey yard
miles from home, in a dirty, near London, it became very
broken 912, less than 72 hours apparent that this thing was never
before Christmas Day in 2012. going to pass an MoT test without
I had never given the weirdo- a lot of help. Unwittingly, I had
stepchild 912 much thought until just started a different kind of
a friend let me drive his through long, tense journey, and this time
the Redwood-lined winding roads I was going to need more than
south of San Francisco earlier that just a toolkit.
174
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Fuelling the passion
ANTHONY LAGO
solid performances meant Talbot boosted
national honour.
To reward his commitment, the Automobile
Club de France gave him FF600,000 to develop
Motor entrepreneur who enlisted aid from the Pope a V16 engine for Grand Prix racing something
to stick it to Auto Union. Instead, Lago used the
ANTHONY LAGO WAS the businessman the Austrian front saw Antonio become fluent money to re-equip his plant to make Pratt &
who acquired the French Talbot marque in in French and English, and he returned to Whitney aero engines under contract. It caused
June 1935, and kept it going against all odds peacetime as a Major, his outlook changed. a scandal. But Lago brazened it out, it was soon
and financial logic. In the late 1930s, the so- Having publicly criticised the more militant forgotten, and Talbot gained lucrative contracts
called Lago Talbots were among the worlds regime, he was forced to make a swift exit from from the Allied Forces in 1944.
most desirable sports cars, especially the his homeland after narrowly avoiding being Any prosperity was shortlived. Despite
1937 T150C SS Goutte dEau (Teardrop), a gunned down in a caf. He only returned to admiration for the elegant Grand Sport, luxury
period supercar with its 4.0-litre straight-six, Italy to be buried. cars were heavily taxed in post-war France, and
sensational shape and today 3m value. So Lago finished his electro-mechanical in 1951 Talbot was again declared insolvent.
One came third at Le Mans in 1938. After the degree in Paris, then worked for US aero engine Meltdown was only avoided thanks to a cash
Second World War, Lago made a bold grab for firm Pratt & Whitney before arriving in England lifeline from the Vaticans internal bank with a
the dwindling market for sporting luxury cars in 1923. Changing his name to Anthony Lago, beneficent nod from Pope John XXIII. The
with his Grand Sport, and some glamorous he found a job as a garage mechanic. Just two costly racing activities had to be sacrificed.
combinations of quality engineering and years later, the innate wheeler-dealer emerged, Anthony Lago, devious and stubborn, clung
arresting outer shapes followed. and the apparently penniless Italian immigrant on to his precious car company, but had neither
Tenacious doesnt begin to describe Lago, opened Isotta Fraschinis London showroom. the will nor the way to innovate or expand.
born in Venice in 1893 as Antonio Franco Next, Lago pulled a consortium together The factory machinery was half a century old,
Lago, although he had plenty of influential and, with 20,000 of his partners cash, but mainly Lago had gone from thriving on
connections from the outset, counting future acquired European production rights to the change to resisting it. Production henceforth
Pope John XXIII then plain Angelo Roncalli Wilson pre-selector gearbox. He then heard of was a mere few-dozen cars.
as a childhood friend. The devout Catholic, the ailing state of the Talbot factory in Suresnes, In 1958 Lago sold the shrivelled remains of
however, was also a pal of Benito Mussolini, Paris, and recognising a fully functioning car a once rather sexy grand routier marque to
and was among the 50 founders of Italys company, ready to make the new transmissions Simca. He died in 1960, looking aged beyond
inglorious Fascist movement. he contrived a cunning plan to gain control. his 67 years, childless, and with precious little
As an engineering undergraduate, this boded The complex story of how he did this is told to show for his decades of corporate street-
well for a career in the Italian Air Force. Time at by Peter Larsen in his superb recent book fighting to keep Talbot alive.
178
Photography: Rmi Dargegen
WWW.HISTORIKA.COM
instagram.com/historika911
facebook.com/historika911
twitter.com/historika911
YOUTUBE.COM/HISTORIKA911
Call 07836 384 999 or 07717 212 911
Y e s t e r d ay s P o r s c h e s . P r e s e r v e d f o r T o m o r r o w. E n j o y e d T o d ay.
F I NE C A RS / / r es to r ati on // r ac e prepa r ati on // R A RE pa rts
Icon
WORDS DELWYN MALLETT
Left
James Dean in a T-shirt, both immortalised in
Rebel Without a Cause after hed already died.
THE T-SHIRT
guarantee longevity: it was cool.
It is thought that the first use of graphics on a
T-shirt was the word OZ in a scene in the 1939
film The Wizard of Oz, closely followed onto
From military to mainstream via James Dean cotton by Mickey Mouse. But the true potential
of T-shirt as mobile billboard was demonstrated
ITS JUST A SIMPLE tube of cotton with two practical undergarment for its ratings, the US in July 1942 when a muscular machine-gun-
smaller tubes poking out at right angles to make Navy in 1913 specified a cropped sleeve, crew toting hunk wearing an Air Corps Gunnery
a T shape, but in its 100-year history it has neck flannelette undershirt. School T filled the cover of Life magazine. Its
progressed from a utilitarian undergarment to During the First World War, US troops impossible to calculate how many different
become the most common item of casual wear noticed that the cotton undershirts worn by the graphics-embellished shirts have followed.
on the planet, worn equally by the rich, the French were lighter and, crucially, dried much Women were not excluded from the T-shirt
famous, the poor and the anonymous, the more quickly. Back in the land of King Cotton, phenomenon and none has looked better than
fashion-conscious and the unconscious, with the lightweight cotton T-shaped vest soon took Jean Seberg, Jean-Paul Belmondos impossibly
an estimated two billion produced each year. on its definitive form. Nobody knows who chic cropped-haired girlfriend in the 1960
For much of the 19th Century and well into coined the term T-shirt but its first appearance Nouvelle Vague movie A Bout de Souffle
the 20th, mens underwear was long in arm and in print is credited to F Scott Fitzgerald in his (Breathless) irresistible and timeless in a
leg, usually in the form of a onesie and made 1920 debut novel This Side of Paradise. New York Herald Tribune T.
from flannel or wool. As so often in the history It took another World War to popularise Finally, with women in mind, one shouldnt
of mens clothing it was the military, in this case the T-shirt as an acceptable outer garment. overlook the Ts somewhat dubious
the British and American navies, that spurred By the end of WW2 more than 12 million contribution to Western culture in the form
the creation of a T-like vest. Seeking a more Americans were in the armed forces and of the ever popular wet T-shirt contest.
180
YOUR PASSION. OUR PROFESSION.
TM
Top row: 1933 Duesenberg by Franay, 1930 Pierce Arrow, 1934 Packard Super Eight Coupe, 1932 Cadillac V-16
Second row:1967 Fiat Dino Spider, 1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4, 1994 Jaguar XJ220, 1969 Iso Rivolta IR 340 Coupe,
Third Row: 1916 Pierce Arrow Model 66, 1933 Cadillac V-16, 1938 Buick Brewster Town Car, 1968 Stutz Bearcat by Barris
HYMANLTD.COM
Chrono
WORDS NICK FOULKES
182
THE HISTORIC HOME OF ASTON MARTIN
Home to over sixty years of Aston Martin. Discover our showrooms, extensive facilities, original tools and unrivalled craftsmanship;
not only used to build icons but meticulously maintain them. From scheduled servicing to authentic restorations, accident repairs to our
unique Assured Provenance program, Aston Martin Works offers the most comprehensive levels of expertise and service.
1964 Aston Martin DB5 Coupe 1995 Aston Martin V8 Vantage 1960 DB4 Coupe (Series 1)
Iconic DB5 with exquisite specification. Silver Birch British Racing Green, Tan hide with piped spruce. Original Left Hand Drive. Only 149 Series 1 cars
metallic, grey hide. 84,723 miles. 5-speed ZF 36,954 miles. 550 BHP twin supercharged with 6-speed were produced, 73 were LHD. Great history and
Gearbox, ready to be enjoyed by new owner, manual gearbox, beautifully original car with Aston Martin a truly outstanding example. Supplied with an
superb history file. Aston Martin Heritage warranty. Works service history. One of 239 cars built. Aston Martin Heritage warranty.
795,000 345,000 695,950
1990 Aston Martin V8 Volante 2003 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish 1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk1
4,310 miles. Formed part of the Hunter Green One of 1,503 units built. Two owner car. Satellite 109,100 miles. Aston Green, Beige hide. Complete
collection with Tan hide. One of the very last EFI V8 navigation, 2+2 seating option, 50,211 miles, Ferrari with a phenomenal history file. Owned by Aston Martin
Volante cars built. Great opportunity. Grigio Titanio with Parchment and Navy leather. Lagonda Ltd for many years. One of 451 cars built.
375,000 69,950 325,000
2007 Aston Martin V12 Vanquish S 1974 Lagonda V8 Saloon 1992 Aston Martin Virage Volante LHD
One of 1,088 units built and one of the last modern Motorshow car. One of only seven built. Endowed Outstanding condition. 25,000 km. One of only 27 Virage
Newport Pagnell cars. 32,001 km/19,885 miles. with engine upgrade and Oscar India style bodywork. Volantes with manual transmission. Buckingham Green,
Tungsten Silver with Iron Ore leather. Incredible condition and specification. Tan hide with piped spruce, for the discerning collector.
158,875 435,000 125,000
MAHYMOBILES
MUSE DE LAUTO
The 1000-car collection of a motoring-mad Belgian
PROBABLY EUROPES LARGEST private importance, people began donating cars.
collection, Mahymobiles isnt well known Restorations were sometimes undertaken, but
outside Belgium. Yet housed in an anonymous only by volunteers, so the process could be
old mill near Lille is an astonishing collection lengthy and laborious.
of classic cars. Most are unrestored and there In 1986, Autoworld, in central Brussels,
are reckoned to be around a thousand of them, opened to accommodate a significant chunk of
though many are tucked away from view in the the Mahy collection, and it has since developed
12 halls of the reserve collection. into a fine museum. But there were around 750
The original owner, Ghislain Mahy, was born cars left over, so Mahys son, Ivan, found the
in 1907, a time when the automobile had empty textile factory that now houses
captured the imagination of the industrial Mahymobiles. The main hall is worth the trip
world. He built his first car when he was 17 alone and the vehicles there mostly bear multi-
and then sold it to begin his lifelong career in language information cards. Further exhibits
the motoring industry. He opened the first car are viewed from walkways and balconies keen
rental agency in Belgium and also began selling enthusiasts might like to take binoculars. In the six halls open to the public, there are
new cars. The diversity is phenomenal. For instance, also bicycles, motorcycles, models, a childrens
Mahy developed his knowledge of mechanics dominating the main floor is a 1921 CGO pedal-car track, an educational room, and
during World War Two, mainly by hands-on Schneider, originally built as a Paris bus. It was galleries dedicated to aspects of car and
experience. He already owned a Ford Model T converted to a dustcart in 1938 and worked for commercial vehicle development. This is a rare
and at the end of the war bought another couple another 30 years. It is entrancing in its Heath chance to see examples of Belgian cars such as
of cars, starting a collection, which he kept in Robinson styling. There is what Mahymobiles Minerva, Nagant, FN, Germaine, Imperia,
an old winter circus building in Ghent. By the describes as its mystery car, a 1914 AVA single- Vivinus, Fondu, Miesse and Belga Rise and
1950s, he had accumulated around 35 cars. seater. It has a single-cylinder De Dion Bouton the reference library is measured in tons!
During the Korean War, scrap metal values engine and belt drive and is nicknamed The
rose and Mahy could buy interesting cars for Egoist. There are microcars, including a 1946 Mahymobiles, Rue Erna 3, 7900 Leuze-en-Hainaut,
their scrap value. He decided to start a Belgian Volugrafo Bimbo voiturette, made in Turin Belgium. Open from mid-March to late October,
car museum and set up in Limburg with around with aluminium from scrapped WW2 aircraft. Thursdays and Saturdays from 1pm to 5pm,
250 vehicles. He drove all over Europe, visiting English visitors attention might be drawn to Sundays and Bank Holidays from 10am to 5pm.
auctions and autojumbles, searching for more a 1936 Rolls-Royce Phantom III, described as Admission 8.
interesting stock. the factory prototype, with a Park Lane body. Groups of 25 or more can visit at other times
As the collection grew and became The V12 engine has been replaced by a six- by appointment. Car parking is plentiful. Further
recognised as being worthy and of future cylinder Dodge motor information is available at www.mahymobiles.be.
184
Books
REVIEWED BY OCTANE STAFF AND CONTRIBUTORS
McQueens
Motorcycles
MATT STONE, Motorbooks,
24.99, ISBN 978 0 7603 5175 8
186
w w w.hortonsbooks.co.uk
Collectors
Carrera book
Panamericana
Anatomy of the Toyota MR2
Mexico
ADRIANO CIMAROSTI, Automobilia
Classic Mini Coups & Spyders 1987, value today 350
MARK HUTHERT, Veloce, 35 BRIAN LONG, Veloce, 35 Sadly, the publisher languages Italian, French
ISBN 978 1 84584 223 9 ISBN 978 1 787110 62 5 Automobilia no longer exists, and English alongside a
but this Italian company took fantastic archive of images.
One for the hardcore restorer, Id defy anyone to read this a brave step when it produced Originally the book was
this: detailing body panels, trim reprint and not hanker after an the first full history of a released with a separate
and mechanical components, early MR2. It arrived during a Mexican road-race the pamphlet tucked into the
its essentially a parts book in high-point for Toyota (Celica Carrera Panamericana 30 back giving full race results,
which every individual piece GT and front- and rear-drive years ago. It would have been so its worth checking to see
is photographed in colour, Corolla GT were stablemates) considered a very niche that this has not gone astray;
revealing how and when thats difficult to imagine in the subject at the time, and they particularly when paying the
they changed, with a concise era of the Auris. Development made an amazing job of it. 350 that this volume now
description and (where known) of the first-gen MR2 forms the Founded by Bruno Alfieri commands. Ben Horton
the part number. The chapter most interesting third of this in Milan, Automobilia
on exhaust and inlet manifolds book, particularly its styling released a number of
alone shows literally dozens of journey from gawky initial outstanding books in this era
variants For anyone trawling sketches to the iconic end and they found a great author
boxes of parts at autojumbles, result. The same thorough in Cimarosti, himself a Lancia
it will be a godsend although, approach is afforded the later expert. Cleverly, they
rather curiously, theres no generations. For the price, its increased its sales appeal
information about soft trim and reproduced rather cheaply; by running the text in three
its many permutations. MD youre paying for the info. GW
The title is significant. This his Minolta. Encouraged by friends, he sent some
is not a book of racing images photographs to Lotus who promptly ordered
Classic Car Auction per se, so dont go looking
for loads of track action. You
more before commissioning him in 1965.
Following a foreword by none other than Lord
Yearbook 2015-2016 wont want to, anyway. Packed March, the book is divided into ten chapters: one
ORSI & GAZZI into 255 large-format pages each per circuit, including Brands, Goodwood,
Historica Selecta, 70 are more than 200 often- Jarama and Monaco. Im pleased that the
ISBN 978 88 96232 08 8 candid shots of so many well-known drivers (and backgrounds, like the white picket fencing
their retinues), taken around Europe during the we use today, remain the same, says March.
Adolfo Orsi and Raffaele Gazzi 1960s and 1970s. All of them are compelling. Its a quality publication, on decent satin paper,
have produced 21 of these data- And none of them has been published before. and finished in a slipcase. But this isnt a wordy
packed volumes now, and the Candid? Well, consider the image of a pensive- book: text is limited to descriptive captions and
latest does not stray from the looking Jean-Pierre Beltoise being given a haircut, is prone to typos and the odd glitch in grammar.
successful formula established on a picnic chair in a sunny Monza courtyard, next No matter. According to the saying, these pictures
many years ago. Its 416 pages to the Tyrrell Racing Organization truck. Hard to are worth more than 200,000 words. And theyre
feature analysis from auction imagine Lewis and co in similar circumstances. certainly worth the asking price. GW
insiders, and details of every A more poignant shot is that of Nina Rindt, sitting
noteworthy car sold at a major on the pitwall during the 1970 Italian Grand Prix,
auction in the year to 31 August recording lap times for husband (and potential
all 5644 of them. Most useful World Champion) Jochen. Within five minutes
and interesting, though, are the of the shutter closing, Jochen Rindt was dead.
portions of the book that put The pictures were taken by Peter Darley, an
recent prices into historical enthusiastic amateur racing driver and photographer
context. For trend-watchers who snapped his first motor sport image in 1961 and
and those in the old car trade, then spent season after season wandering the
this is a valuable resource. CB paddocks of race circuits all over Europe with
187
Gear
COMPILED BY BRETT FRASER
188
PIRELLI CINTURATO
CN36 (185/70 VR14)
Modern tyres often dont suit classic cars
either dynamically or aesthetically. So owners
of MGBs and certain older Alfas will be
pleased Pirelli has re-introduced its famous
Cinturato CN36 tyre in 185/70 VR14 size.
Its designed to complement the handling
characteristics of rear-drive lightweight sports
cars from the 1960s and 1970s and it has
a tread pattern that looks superb.
118.80 each. longstonetyres.co.uk
FANGIO COLLECTORS
EDITION PRINT
Fangio truly deserves his hero
status. At the 1957 German GP
a disastrous pit stop dropped him
down the field. Yet in the last 10
laps he broke the lap record nine
times to win the race ahead of
Peter Collins and Mike Hawthorn.
HAMILTON PIONEER AUTO CHRONO This 100-only collectors edition
print by Unique & Limited the
With its design inspired by Hamiltons marine chronometers company uses modern technology
of the 1940s, the Pioneer Auto Chrono continues the theme to create super-realist images
with water resistance to 100m. Its modern automatic celebrates Fangios genius in his
movement graces it with a 60-hour power reserve. Maserati 250F.
1470. hamiltonwatches.com $100. unique-limited.com
189
Models
REVIEWS AND PHOTOGRAPHY MARK DIXON
1:43 scale
hobby before registering a company But Wikings most characteristic three years later the business was
in Berlin in 1936. Metal vehicles with product line was its small-scale taken over by the Sieper Company,
xed, non-rotating wheels soon plastic cars. Initially one-piece which made plastic and diecast Siku
followed, and these were used in mouldings with solid windows, by the cars. This allowed Wiking to maintain
dioramas by the Wehrmacht for 1960s they had window glazing and its own identity, though the focus has
military training purposes. interior ttings and were scaled at a inevitably changed from toys to more
Toy production resumed after consistent 1:87, making them ideal sophisticated models aimed at adult
WW2 and Peltzer produced some for use as accessories on HO-gauge collectors. A museum, the Siku/
extremely accurate plastic promotional railway layouts. Wiking Modellwelt, was opened in
models in 1:40 scale for Volkswagen, The range didnt just contain cars Ldenscheid in 2012.
notably das Glserne Auto, a Beetle and trucks: there was an entire trafc While current products are widely
with a transparent plastic body that system, with road signs, pedestrian distributed, its the early solid-window
revealed interior ttings, engine and gures, street lights, garages, bicycle issues and the 1:40 VW promos that
driver. There was even a blue-and- racks and tramcars, accurately German collectors pay big money for.
190
Edited by Chris Bietzk
MARKET NEWS BU Y I N G + S E L L I N G + A N A LY S I S
TOP 10 PRICES
JANUARY 2017
5,983,000 ($7,370,000)
1963 Jaguar E-type
Lightweight
Bonhams, Scottsdale, USA
19 January
5,357,500 ($6,600,000)
1939 Mercedes-Benz
540K Special Roadster
by Sindelfingen
PATRICK@DESERT-MOTORS.COM
193
THE MARKET / Reports
HAGI MERCEDES-BENZ CLASSIC INDEX Although the HAGI MBCI made a small net
gain over the last quarter of 2016, peaking at
annual average growth gure of 9.3%.
In wider market terms the MBCI is charting
the end of November, one month into 2017 the a comfortable middle ground between marques
200 index is slightly shy of where it was at the end and segments that are in some cases more
of September. volatile and in other cases more prone to
190 The December decline of 0.96%, followed by rotational forces.
a further fall of 1.47% in January, have together In simple terms, the fundamentals of
180
adjusted the medium-term market view. At the MBCI are separate: the breadth of the
170 Novembers high of 187.70, the MBCI had Mercedes-Benz classic back-catalogue,
returned year-on-year growth of 12.02% with a which includes a large number of high-end
160 three-year accumulation of 38.31%. Now, with prestige models often produced in far higher
values back where they were ve months ago, volume than rival offerings, is one thing
150
year-on-year growth has been reined back to that sets the marque apart. Others are the
140 10.23%, while for the three-year scenario the marques enduring appeal, general engineering
gure has retreated to 30.78%. excellence and relative ease of ownership.
Jan - 14
Mar - 14
May - 14
Jul - 14
Sep - 14
Nov - 14
Jan - 15
Mar - 15
May - 15
Jul - 15
Sep - 15
Nov - 15
Jan - 16
Mar - 16
May - 16
Jul - 16
Sep - 16
Nov - 16
Jan - 17
Despite the recent more subdued growth, The consequence of all these factors is
the MBCI remains rmly within a trend-channel the depth of interest, which is a constant and
MONTH/YEAR dating back to 2014, during which time it has steadying inuence. For further analysis, see
Vertical axis is based on a benchmark of 100 set at 31 December 2011.
The HAGI MBCI charts the prices of key collectable Mercedes-Benzes. consistently outperformed its historic long-term historicautogroup.com. Dave Selby
194
2003 ASTON MARTIN DB7 ZAGATO 325,000
Finished in Skye Silver with Blue Analine Hide, one of only 99 cars produced worldwide,
1 owner and just 2,000 miles on the clock and in immaculate condition
1966 DB6 Vantage manual, Cumberland Grey 1966 DB6 Short Chassis Volante LHD, 1995 Rolls-Royce Flying Spur Estate Car, Superb
with Red Hide, fresh restoration by DJ Smail Cumberland Grey, concours winning restoration condition with just 25,000 miles and full history
and comprehensive history 449,000 by DJ Smail, superb history POA POA
No normal 924
Gooding & Co, Amelia Island, USA 10 March
IN RECENT YEARS few cars have stirred buying bodies and components from the
up auction rooms like race-spec classic 911s, factory and assembling them at home. Six were
but we have a feeling that at Goodings Amelia constructed for an assault on the IMSA and
Island sale in March, it will be a competition TransAm series, including chassis 924-004.
Porsche of a later vintage that sets hearts racing Its first outing was at Laguna Seca in October
and paddles waving. 1981, and with endurance racing specialist
No, the roadgoing 924, introduced in 1976, Hurley Haywood (three times a victor at Le
did not offer the same purity of form as the 911. Mans) at the wheel it finished sixth overall.
No, it did not have the same cachet among Haywood drove through the 81-82 season,
petrolheads. And, no, it never inspired the same following which the car was sold. Under the
slack-jawed response among fellow road users. banner of Bayside Racing it scored several class
But in racing form, with gaudy livery and wins, and by 1985 it had done battle at pretty
outsize BBS wheels and flared arches and a much every major circuit in the USA Laguna
roaring, turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, it was Seca, Daytona, Watkins Glen, Lime Rock,
quite something to behold and to drive. Road America, Riverside, Sears Point and more.
Stuttgart made only 17 examples, nine of Chassis 924-004 was retired after the 1986
which lined up for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, season and restored in its fabulous Lwenbrau
and on seeing the potency of the 2000lb, colours, which date from the Bayside era when
400bhp-plus machines, American Al Holbert the car was producing fully 600bhp. Today the
knew Porsche was on to a good thing. 924 is thought to be worth as much as $300,000.
As the man responsible for Porsche North If youre in a position to buy but still need
Americas motor sport activities, he undertook convincing, think of it as $500 per bhp instead
to build and run several of his own GTRs, goodingco.com
MIKE MAEZ
196
Wacky racer
Bonhams, Amelia Island,
USA 9 March
Stanley Wacky Arnolt was an industrialist
not afraid to do things differently. In 1938,
in an attempt to prove the worth of his Sea
Mite marine engine, he crossed a choppy
Lake Michigan alone in a 13ft boat, spending
hours navigating his way through thick fog.
It was inevitable that he would plough his
own furrow as a racing car supplier, and his
rebodied Bristols were instantly recognisable
with their unusual proportions the result
of being designed around a tall straight-six.
This car, chassis 404/X/3000, is the most
recognisable of all to fans of Arnolts work.
Based on a 2.0-litre Bristol 404 and rebodied
by Bertone in 1953, it is the one and only
Of all the unusual items we have value is puzzling, until you learn that Fleming presented penicillin
featured here, this might be it was grown by a chap named Sir medallions to a number of favoured
the strangest: a blob of mould, Alexander Fleming and important folk, including the
preserved inside a glass disc The quiet Scot was not a good Queen Mother and Winston
and expected by Bonhams to self-promoter and his discovery of Churchill. An early prototype
bring as much as 6000 when it pencillin in 1928 was largely ignored consisting of two pieces of glass
is offered on 1 March in London. by the wider scientific community at held together with Elastoplast was
Given that the auction house first. Its implications, of course, were presented to Pope Pius XII an
is not in the business of selling enormous, and gave rise to a whole appropriate recipient of an item
biological weapons, the blobs new class of medicines: antibiotics. described as a holy relic of science.
197
THE MARKET / Reports
4 March
Historics at Brooklands
Weybridge, UK
4-5 March
Essex Classic Car Auctions
Nobody likes a show-off, a truth of which Alfred Vanderbilts stud farm in Maryland in 1941. Petrol Tolleshunt Knights, UK
Vanderbilt II seemed to be aware when he spurned rationing meant the V12-powered Packard initially
8 March
his 21st birthday present of a brand-new Rolls-Royce saw little use in his ownership, but he kept it until Brightwells, Leominster, UK
in 1933. Too ostentatious, apparently, and he swiftly his death in 2012. At that point it remained 9 March
acquired instead a brand-new Packard Twelve spectacularly original (period cigarette butts in the Bonhams, Amelia Island, USA
Convertible Victoria. When youre the heir to two ashtray!) but was nonetheless treated to a careful 10 March
fortunes (the Vanderbilt family was once the restoration by the next owner. Gooding & Co
wealthiest in America, and Alfreds mother was born Offered in prize-winning condition and expected Amelia Island, USA
to the inventor of the cure-all Bromo-Seltzer), you to bring $475,000-575,000 at RMs two-day Amelia 10-11 March
only stoop so low, evidently. Island event featuring the collection of Orin Smith, RM Sothebys
His car of choice was a beauty, and caught the it is everything the heir to a fortune could want. Amelia Island, USA
eye of Bradford Blake Jr, who bought it from the rmsothebys.com 10-11 March
Hollywood Wheels
Amelia Island, USA
11 March
Motostalgia, Amelia Island, USA
EAST MEETS WEST 12 March
DVCA, Dorset, UK Stanislas Machor, Monastruc-
2 March la-Conseillre, France
Rare, built largely by hand (by people
whose hands were worth paying for), 18 March
and styled by one Giorgetto Giugiaro. Mathewsons
Estimate: 6000-8000. If that sounds Thornton-le-Dale, UK
too good to be true, youll want to 19 March
meet the Isuzu 117 Coup, a pretty Bonhams, Goodwood, UK
and long-lived model rarely seen on 24-25 March
OLD-FASHIONED FUN these shores. This 1981 example with A SPORTS CAR, UP TO A POINT
Historics at Brooklands, Brightwells, Leominster, UK Mecum, Kansas City, USA
2.0-litre DOHC engine is an intriguing
Weybridge, UK. 4 March proposition for collectors of J-tin. 8 March 24-26 March
Sky-blue Bianchis tend to have two dvca.co.uk Austin A40 Sports might sound Dan Kruse Classics
wheels, skinny tyres and pedals, but oxymoronic, but Austin boss Leonard San Antonio, USA
the marque now known for its racing Lord was determined that a racier, 25 March
bicycles once produced cars, too. Jensen-bodied version of the little Stanislas Machor
With its minimal, two-seater body and saloon should be offered. With twin Huixquilucan, Mexico
1690cc four-cylinder engine making carbs it made a heady 46bhp from
a useful 25hp, this 1918 Tipo 16 1200cc This 1952 car, expected 29 March
offers breezy fun and at 21,000- to fetch 7500-9500, is the perfect H&H, Duxford, UK
26,000 represents good value for oily rag motor: spot-on mechanicals 31 March 2 April
an interesting pre-1920 machine. under major patination. Auctions America
historics.co.uk brightwells.com Fort Lauderdale, USA
198
THE MARKET / Showroom Stars
1932 REAL-bodied MG J2
75,000
The sole surviving REAL-bodied
MG J2 (of just two), this rakish
ORIGINALLY OWNED BY Mabel Boll, who was death in a car crash, Mabel was married again, this time
crowned Queen of Diamonds and Broadways most to Count Henri de Porceri; they wed in Paris but by
beautiful blonde by American gossip columnists, this 1933 the marriage was over. Perhaps to get over the
Duesenberg Model J has enjoyed a history almost as anguish, Mabel acquired the classy Duesenberg in 1934.
colourful as that of its most notable custodian. How she used the car is unclear; what we do know is
The Duesenbergs chassis was first delivered to that a subsequent boyfriend shot himself on her lawn
France, where apparently it was fitted with a Kellner and that she married for a fifth time in 1940.
body; before it was sold, however, that body was Following Mabels death in 1949, the Duesenberg 1949 Bristol Farina 401
swapped for Franays Sunroof Berline coachwork and passed through three French owners before being 185,000
Only six of these Bristol Farina
the car was exhibited at the 1930 Paris motor show, shipped to the US in 1971. In 1975 its third American
401 convertibles were ever
resplendent in two-tone paint. It was back in Paris again owner, Chicago jeweller Marvin Cohen, commissioned made this is number three
in 1931, now in a single colour. a major restoration and modifications to the Franay so its highly unlikely that anyone
Meanwhile, Mabels progression towards impending coachwork. The sloping roof-line was accentuated, the else will turn up at your local
Duesenberg ownership was the stuff of Hollywood rear trunk removed, the bonnet lengthened, the in the same car as you.
fantasy. After selling cigars in a bar, she married bonnets side louvres replaced by chromed screens, and sljhackett.co.uk
businessman Robert Scott in 1909, before moving on to it was repainted in its current shade of Magenta.
her second husband, Hernando Rocha, in 1922. Rocha The Duesenberg has had a further three owners since
was a Colombian coffee magnate who showered her in none, wed wager, whose character was quite as in tune
the jewels that she so liked to show off: hence the Queen with the cars flamboyant nature as the glittering Mabel.
of Diamonds nickname. A decade later, after Rochas hymanltd.com
200
Ferrari 275 GTS (LHD)
Concours Condition
One of just 200 cars built by Ferrari, this example was completed in June 1965 and
originally supplied to Germany. When purchased by the current owner in 1975 the car
had covered just 25,870 kms from new and was placed into storage. The car remained
in storage with the same owner and was unused until 2014 when it was dispatched to
DK Engineering for a highest quality restoration. During the restoration the car was
taken back to a bare shell and every component was skilfully restored to original correct
specification. No nut or bolt was left untouched. The exterior was finished in the fitting
colour of Verde Medio and the interior finished in Dark Blue.
Today the car is available following only a handful of miles since the restoration was
completed meaning it remains in stunning concours condition. Coming from a forty year
ownership, with just 26,000 kms from new and presented in such breath-taking condition
this is surely an opportunity that cannot be matched and should not be missed. POA
Porsche 993 GT2 (RHD) Ferrari 365 GTC (RHD) Ford Mustang (Appendix K)
One of just 57 road cars built to homologate the One of the 22 UK RHD supplied cars of only 150 built in A genuine 1965 Ford Mustang with race history from
legendary race cars. This example is especially rare total. The first owner was none other than Rob Walker. new being owned and raced in its early years by
being RHD (1 of 13 supplied worldwide). Presented in Following an extensive overhaul in 2013 by DK including David Tallaksen and Gene Felton.
Guards Red and equipped with the desirable specification a full suspension rebuild, retrim, transaxle rebuild, A regular Goodwood Revival competitor and recently
of a non-airbag steering wheel and bucket seats. With major service and a bare metal repaint the car is prepared by WDK Motorsport which included a full en-
just 12,500 Miles from new this is the ultimate presented in the fitting colour Indigo Blue of Robs gine rebuild. 79,995
Modern Classic Porsche. POA racing team. Classiche Certification in process. POA
Acquisition Consultancy | Sales | Service | Restoration to Perfection | Engine Building | Race Preparation | Rolling Road | Storage
Telephone: +44 (0) 1923 287 687 Fax: +44 (0) 1923 286 274 Email: info@dkeng.co.uk
www.dke.co.uk
Little Green Street Farm, Green Street, Chorleywood, Hertfordshire, WD3 6EA - ENGLAND A Cottingham Family Business.
THE MARKET / Buying Guide
202
1978 De Cadenet Lola LM-4
4-time Le Mans 1978-81, Can-Am 1978, Silverstone and Monza 1000km winner 1980, amazing history,
fresh stunning rebuild including Richardson DFV, highly original, ready to win CER and Le Mans Classic
POA
SO
LD
1986 Spice SE86C Hart 1976 Ferrari 308 GTB 1966 Shelby Mustang GT350 FIA HTP 1987 Ferrari Mondial 3.2
3-time Le Mans 1987-89, including class 1/91 RHD fibreglass dry sump. Only Full history, original car, UK road One of 91 RHD 3.2 Mondials built.
pole in 88, race winner, very powerful 16k miles 174,500 registered, immaculate 225k 40k miles, great history, immaculate,
Hart Turbo engine, competitive package in super rare TdF blue, just had belt
for historic Group C 295,000 service 47,995
Duncan Hamilton & Co Ltd, PO Box 222, Hook, Nr Basingstoke, Hampshire RG27 9YZ, England | www.duncanhamilton.com
1983 Lynx Eventer - Just 5,027 Miles POA
Remarkably low milage example in time-warp condition - 1 previous owner - Number plate XJ V12 included.
To see all our cars for sale visit aston.co.uk ASTON WORKSHOP
CAR BARN
CL AS SICS & E XOTICS
Restoration Parts Servicing Global delivery Storage | Beamish DH9 ORW England
T H E L E A D I N G S P E C I A L I S T I N S O U R C I N G T H E R A R E A N D U N O B TA I N A B L E
19 6 6 A S T O N M A R T I N D B 6
SHORT CHASSIS VOL ANTE
Original interior and exterior colours
Matching Numbers Car
Full Body Off restoration and LHD Conversion by Aston Engineering
Very Rare car, 1 of 37
Service file included POA
o t h e r c l a s s i c f e r r a r i av a i l a b l e
1962 Ferrari 250 GTO 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Competizione 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB 2 Cam Alloy 1985 Ferrari 288 GTO 1964 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso
W W W. TA L A C R E S T. C O M
TALACREST ARE THE BIGGEST AND MOST EXPERIENCED BUYERS OF CLASSIC FERRARI IN THE WORLD AND HAVE
SOLD OVER $1 BILLION WORTH OF THOROUGHBRED CLASSIC CARS INCLUDING EIGHT FERRARI 250 GTOS,
MANY PROTOTYPES AND NUMEROUS OTHER DESIRABLE ROAD AND RACE CARS. IF YOURE LOOKING TO BUY
OR SELL BLUE-CHIP, COLLECTOR FERRARI CLASSICS THEN MAKE TALACREST YOUR NUMBER ONE CHOICE.
Ferrari 365 GT
2+2 (1969)
Vehicle background
Supplied new by Maranello Concessionaires
on the 24th February 1969, this stunning
365 GT 2+2 is one of just 52 Right Hand
Drive UK supplied cars, out of a total
production of 800.
Finished in Blu Chiaro paintwork with a new
chestnut tan leather interior. This full 4 seat
V12 Ferrari is not only practical, but was the
first of its type to feature independent rear
suspension and power steering, making it a
pleasure to drive in modern traffic.
This must surely be the most cost effective
way of owning a 1960s V12 Ferrari?
Vehicle specification
Year: 1969 / G
Colour: Blu Chiaro
Interior Colour: Chestnut Leather
Transmission: Manual
Mileage: 94,275 miles
Available now
265,000
Call Graypaul Classic Cars
on 0115 837 8028 or visit
graypaulclassiccars.com
to view the full
collection today.
G R AY PA U L C L A S S I C C A R S L E N TO N L A N E N OT T I N G H A M N G 7 2 N R T E L : 0 1 1 5 8 3 7 8 0 2 8
FERRARI 365 GTB/4 FERRARI DINO GT FERRARI 575 M MARANELLO FERRARI 599 GTO
DAYTONA FULL BODY OFF RESTORATION VERY RARE FACTORY SPECIFICATION STUNNING RARE FACTORY SPECIFICATION
THREE CARS IN STOCK
ASTON MARTIN DB2/4 MKII ASTON MARTIN DB6 MKI FORD GT40 RANGE ROVER B SUFFIX
1 OF ONLY 6 LHD CARS BUILT VANTAGE VOLANTE COMPETITION AND ROAD CARS IN STOCK UNIQUE HISTORY
TOTAL PROFESSIONAL RESTORATION
1 OF 29 EXAMPLES.
TOTAL JD CLASSICS RESTORATION
AUSTIN HEALEY 3000 MKIII MERCEDES 300 SL PORSCHE 911 964 JAGUAR SS100
PHASE 2 VERY RARE FACTORY COLOUR SPECIFICATION.
MATCHING NUMBERS
TURBO 3.6 S 3.5 & 2.5 LITRE AVAILABLE
FULL BODY OFF RESTORATION 1 OF 13 TURBO 3.6S FACTORY X88 PACK
CARS PRODUCED
JAGUAR XK120, XK140 & JAGUAR E-TYPE S1 JAGUAR XJR-15 JAGUAR MKII
XK150 SIX CARS IN STOCK 1 OF ONLY 16 TO ACTUALLY COMPETE IN THE THREE CARS IN STOCK
OVER 20 CARS IN STOCK INTERCONTINENTAL CHALLENGE RACE SERIES
INCLUDING PERIOD COMPETITION CARS FULLY RESTORED
@jd_classics
jdclassics@jdclassics.com www.jdclassics.com
WYCKE HILL BUSINESS PARK, WYCKE HILL, MALDON, ESSEX, CM9 6UZ, U.K. +44 (0)1621 879579
MAYFAIR SHOWROOM, 26-28 MOUNT ROW, MAYFAIR, LONDON, W1K 3SQ, U.K. +44 (0) 207 125 1400
Year 2016(16) Year 2015(65) Year 2016(16) Year 2015(65)
Mileage 1,000 miles Mileage 1,500 miles Mileage 2,700 miles Mileage 4,000 miles
Transmission Semi-Auto Transmission Automatic Transmission Manual Transmission Semi-Auto
229,950 119,950 91,950 92,950
01903 254800 sales@premiergt.com www.premiergt.com
1978 Ferrari 512 Berlinetta Boxer RHD. Rare carburettor engine. Only 22,000 2014 (64) Lamborghini Huracan 5.2 V10 LP 610-4 LDF Coupe UK RHD Car. Only
miles. Only 1 01 carburettor-engined 51 2s supplied to the UK. Comes with the Classiche 2,000 miles. One Former Keeper. Finished in Giallo Midas Pearlescent with Bicolor
Certificazione Di Autenticit (Nov 201 5) & original bill of sale from Maranello Egham in Sportivo Giallo Taurus Alcantara & Nero Ade Leather Interior. Comes with a fresh service
1 978. Finished in Rosso with Pelle Nera Interior. Also comes with a full book pack, tool kit from Lamborghini. Lifting system - Magneto-Theologic Suspension, Carbon Ceramic
& extensive document folder full with invoices, MOTs & photos......................... 299,995. Brakes, LDS, Navigation, Rear View Camera........................................................ 172,995.
2010 (60) Ferrari California 4.3 V8 2+2 Convertible. Only 11,000 Miles. 2012 Ferrari California 4.3 V8 2+2 Convertible. Huge list of factory-fitted
20,000 of options. RHD UK Car. Special order Rosso Mugello with Crema Leather, options. Only 24,000 Miles. Finished in Nero Daytona & Nero Leather, Rosso Stitching
Bordeaux Stitching & Nero Carpets. Full Ferrari Service History. Spec includes Carbon & Nero Carpets. 7-yr Ferrari Service Pack & Ext. Warranty. Huge Spec: Handling Package,
Ceramic Brakes, Daytona Seating, Carbon Fibre Steering Wheel with LED Shift Lights, AFS, AFS System, Electric Daytona Seats, Carbon Driving Zone, Carbon Steering Wheel with
Navigation, Magneride, Rear Parking Camera & much more............................ 104,995. LEDs, 20 Diamond Finish Wheels, Sat-Nav, Parking Sensors............................. 109,995.
2011 Porsche 997 3.8 GT3 RS. Ceramic Composite Brakes (PCCB). Only 9,000 2002 Porsche 996 GT2 3.6 Twin-Turbo 462 BHP Coupe C16 UK Car. Only 47,000
Miles Finished in Carrera White with Contrast White Gold Metallic Decals, Wheels and
. Miles. Finished in Polar Silver Metallic with Natural Leather Sports Seats and Factory Roll
Spoiler End Blades. The interior has Extended Black Leather with the Cloth Carbon Cage. Fast-appreciating with a Fully Comprehensive Porsche Dealer and Specialist Service
Folding Bucket Seats, 6-Point Seat Belts for the Driver and Passenger, Extended Carbon History. Carbon Ceramic Brakes, Moton Adjustable Dampers, Carbon Fibre Rear Aerofoil &
Interior Package, Carbon Rear Centre Console and Alcantara Headlining..... 199,995. Interior Pack....................................................................................................... 119,995.
2005 (05) Ferrari 612 Scaglietti 5.7 V12 F1 2+2. RHD UK Car. Only 25,00 Miles. 2007 (56) Ferrari F430 Coupe 4.3 V8 F1. Only 28,000 Miles. Finished in Nero
A fast-appreciating, fantastic Investment Opportunity. Finished in Argento Nurburgring Daytona Metallic with Tan Leather Daytona Seating & Nero Carpets. Full Ferrari Main
Metallic with Nero Leather Interior & Carpets and Grigio Chiaro Stitching. It has a fantastic Dealer and Specialist Service History. Carbon Fibre Driving Zone, Satellite Navigation,
& comprehensive Service History having been serviced at Ferrari every year since it was Electric-Heated Seats, Scuderia Wing Shields, Rear Parking Sensors, Brake Calipers in
new - the last being a major at 25,079 Miles....................................................... 84,995. Yellow, Bluetooth, Navtrak.................................................................................... 89,995 .
Premier GT have over 45 years of experience buying, selling and sourcing luxury and
performance cars. This is just a small selection of our current stock. Please visit our
website to view our full inventory or call/email to make an appointment to visit our
showroom at rock business park, the hollow, washington, west sussex, rh20 3da.
Matthew Beard +44 (0) 7860 911 959 Louis Leven +44 (0) 7977 488 488
sell@dicklovett.co.uk
+44 (0) 1793 615 000 | The Copse, Frankland Road, Blagrove, Swindon, Wiltshire SN5 8YW | www.dicklovett.co.uk |
1929 Le Mans
www.stanleymann.com
The Fruit Farm, Common Lane, Radlett, Herts, WD7 8PW
Telephone: +44 (0) 1923 852505 sales@stanleymann.com
2004 Porsche Carrera GT
Price: 599,995
EXTENSIVE NEW/USED STOCK CONTACT US FOR DETAILS ON
CURRENT FINANCE OFFERS:
BESPOKE CUSTOMER ORDERS TAKEN
Call: 01483 286467
50/50 0%APR OFFER V6 ROADSTER. Find us: Epsom Road, West Horsley,
Surrey KT24 6DG
Email: enquiries@bellandcolvill.com
BellandColvill www.bellandcolvill.com
CARS FOR SALE
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Visit www.classicandperformancecar.com for more cars and to advertise your car on the website. Octane cannot endorse any cars for
sale in classied advertisements and recommends that you meet the vendor and are satised with the car before parting with any money.
www.bighealey.co.uk
www.ahspares.co.uk
Tel: 0044 (0)1926 817181
1964 AC Cobra 289 Mk2
Right-hand drive, 11,900 miles from new. One of just
48 RHD examples built by AC Cars Ltd at Thames
Ditton, Surrey, between 1963 and 1965. Second owner
from 1966 for 45 years, stored in Monaco from the
1980s till 2010. Rod Leachs Nostalgia. Tel:
+44 (0) 1992 500007. Email: info@rodleach.com (T).
2005 Aston Martin V8 Vantage
Great condition. Metallic black with Oxblood interior.
25,000 miles with full service history. Sat-nav, electric
heated seats, parking sensors. Very high spec, great
value for money. 35,950. Email aaron@bellclassics.
co.uk, tel: +44 (0)1582 488370 (T).
Austin-Healey 3000 MkII
A most immaculate upgraded Austin-Healey for the
owner that wants the best from Rawles Motorsport.
One of 20 available. 91,000. Tel: +44 (0)1420 23212,
www.rawlesmotorsport.co.uk (T).
250
1972 BMW 3.0CS 2002 Ferrari 575 F1
$58,500 Metallic blue (Tour de France) with cream hide stitched
www.classicandperformancecar.com/198294 in blue. 18in alloy wheels with aluminium grey brake
callipers. One of only 182 cars officially imported into
the UK. 99,990. Email mike@rardleymotors.com,
tel: (0)1428 606616, www.rardleymotors.com (T).
Ferrari 550
79,993
www.classicandperformancecar.com/195604
Ford Mustang
21,995
www.classicandperformancecar.com/226450
1972 Dino Ferrari 246 GTS
Original UK-delivered car. History from new,
Ferrari Classiche eligible. One of only 235 still
in its original colour combination. POA. Email
mike@rardleymotors.com, tel: (0)1428 606616,
www.rardleymotors.com (T).
251
CARS FOR SALE
Porsche wanted
01440 714 884
2015 Lotus Elise S Touring Classic Porsches Wanted
Metallic Yellow with black leather, black stripes, black Paul Stephens has been specialising in classic 911s
alloys, black hood. One owner and only 1400 miles for over two decades. If you have an air-cooled 911
from new with full Lotus service history. Excellent to sell, please give us a call for a professional honest
spec includes leather, cruise control, Bilstein valuation. We can either purchase with prompt and
dampers, forged alloys, sports seats. In virtually as secure payment or offer consignment sales. With
new condition and sold with the balance of Lotus a worldwide customer base we will secure the best
warranty until 10/18. 32,950. Tel: (0)1428 608255, sale price for your 911. Email@paul-stephens.com,
www.adrianblyth.com (T). tel: +44 (0)1440 714884, www.paul-stephens.com (T).
252
1965 Porsche 356SC 1970 Renault R8 Gordini replica
$37,000 22,000
www.classicandperformancecar.com/227451 www.classicandperformancecar.com/221229
253
Day in the life
INTERVIEW SIMON DE BURTON PORTRAIT RED BULL KTM
SAM SUNDERLAND
the way or, for example, that youll lose an
essential piece of kit to a souvenir hunter while
the bikes parked up.
Anyway, everything went well and, after an
The British winner of the bike category in this years Dakar easy seven-hour ride, I arrived in Buenos Aires
Rally recalls his final days ride in the gruelling marathon at about 5pm. My teammate Matthias Walkner
came second, so the podium ceremony was
really special. Then it was a matter of dashing
THE STARTING ORDER was reversed on the finally theres a CamelBak [liquid pack] filled back to the hotel for ten minutes to shower and
final day so, being in the lead, I was scheduled with electrolytes to help prevent dehydration change before going straight out again for a
to be the last bike away which meant I got to and muscle cramps. celebration organised by Red Bull KTM.
lie in until about 4.30am. Its obviously essential The last thing to do before setting off is to roll There are around 30 people in the team, and
to get as much sleep as possible during the rally, the road book into the carrier mounted on the every single person contributed hugely to the
so competitors tend to take a sleeping tablet to handlebars. The KTM team mechanics do an win, so it was brilliant to be able to share the
ensure a full six hours. It means youre usually a amazing job of repairing and preparing the elation with them all. Finally to come first in
bit woozy when you wake up, but theres so bikes for us overnight, and theyre as good as the Dakar is a massive achievement for me,
much going through your head at the end of new at the start of the day. especially after so many broken bones and lots
each day that, without that tablet, you can lie It felt a bit strange setting off, because in of disappointment in the past. I celebrated with
there for an hour before drifting off so, over essence I had won already but I still had to a massive Argentinian steak.
the course of the event, you could lose two cross the finish line to do so officially. With a I stayed in a nice hotel, which was luxurious
entire nights sleep. 37-mile special stage ahead of me and more after two weeks in the team motorhome but I
After forcing down a plateful of cold pasta than 435 miles of road to ride to the end of the couldnt really enjoy it because I had to catch a
for breakfast and following it up with a can of rally in Buenos Aires, I really had to focus on flight home to Dubai seven hours later, and the
Red Bull to wake me up, I went through the not making mistakes or having any accidents. morning was spent answering media enquiries
usual ritual of preparing my kit. Dressing is a The special stage was a simple loop and the and giving interviews.
job in itself, as we wear base layers of clothing organisers based the timing on an average speed But its great that the press is so interested in
and lots of additional gear such as knee braces of around 60mph. But it took place on a the Dakar I think the fact that it requires such
and a back protector. The jacket is important mountain with dozens of switchbacks, which physical and mental effort, determination and
and has to be properly prepared, because thats meant a more realistic average was 45-50mph. guts to take part sends out a cool message.
where you carry essentials for the day, and As a result, I arrived at the end of the stage I really hope people find it inspiring.
274
1963 LANCIA FLAMINIA 3C CONVERTIBLE 1960 AUSTIN HEALEY MK1 FROGEYE SPRITE
A great Flaminia with a near-perfect balance of original and renovated condition. A UK supplied RHD example to original specification in very good order. Fully
Maintained and restored over the years by respected Lancia specialists. refurbished some years ago and well maintained since. Good history.
1973 PORSCHE 911 2.4S 2016 LAND ROVER DEFENDER 90 HERITAGE EDITION
UK RHD. Recaros, electric windows/roof. A great matching numbers example One of 400 Heritage editions produced. Unused by its sole owner with just 18 miles
fully restored by the right people and perfectly maintained. Extensive history. recorded. It comes with all books, keys, model and the commemorative book.
THE
T EL : 0124 9 76 0 6 8 6 W W W.T HEH A IRPIN C O MPA N Y.C O.UK HAIRPIN
T H E H A I RPI N C O M PA N Y C O M P T O N B A S S E T T W I LT S H I RE S N11 8 RH COMPANY
G R E AT
E S C A P E S
Your guide to motoring adventure
Inside
W HE R E T O GO & W H AT T O DO IN 20 17
HIRING A CL A S SIC V W C A MPER IN C A L IFORNI A
GOODWOOD T O MONGOL I A , T HE H A R D WAY
Coming up in 2018/19
The Endurance Rally Open for entries
Association (ERA) specialises in
Road to Saigon
long-distance rallies for vintage 4 February - 2 March 2018
and classic cars. We welcome
newcomers and experienced Trans America
27 May - 17 June 2018
crews. Our events are real
challenges, but we strive to Himalayan Challenge
make them hugely enjoyable and 21 September -
13 October 2018
sociable - the camaraderie is
second to none. Our routes are Peking to Paris
June - July 2019
well researched with mechanical
and medical support is provided A limited number of
throughout. Our team has entries are available
organised over 70 major rallies, for 2017 events.
through more than 50 countries.
Supported by:
T: +44(0) 1235 831221 E: admin@endurorally.com
www.endurorally.com
BLUE
DEAUVILLE TO CANNES
TRAIN
CHALLENGE
www.gerardbrown.co.uk
CONTENTS
12 INSIDE
NEWS
7 The latest on 2017 events
MONGOL RALLY
22 Halfway around the world in
a Micra, with no support
CALIFORNIA SURFARI
28 Exploring the Golden State
in a classic VW camper
GERARD BROWN
40 The man behind the lens on
PLUS
Under-the-radar events
to seek out in 2017
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22
CONTRIBUTORS Jane Box
Gerard Brown
Martyn Goddard
Drew Gurian
Paul Hardiman
Tara and Eric Hilliard
Nick Kurczewski
DESIGN Ruth Haddock
Robert Hefferon
SUB-EDITING Brett Fraser
GR E AT E S C A PE S | 5
EVENT NEWS
IN BRIEF
GR E AT E S C A PE S | 7
E
PRE
R A L LY
UGHTERS
ERS & DA
ONLY FATH . 12-14 MAY 2017
PROVENCE
PRE
R A L LY E
FILS
EVENT DATES
Ever bigger, ever better and ever more
numerous: classic events continue
to go from strength to strength
MATHIEU BONNEVIE
AMELIA ISLAND CONCOURS DELEGANCE CALIFORNIA MILLE SUPERDEPORTIVOS CANTABRIA
10-12 March. Amelia Island, USA 23-27 April. San Francisco to Calistoga, USA 17-23 May. Santander, Spain
ameliaconcours.org californiamille.com driveespana.com
BRITISH CARS & LIFESTYLE TOUR AUTO OPTIC 2000 MILLE MIGLIA
18-19 March. Rosmalen, the Netherlands 24-30 April. Paris to Biarritz, France 18-21 May. Starts and finishes in Brescia, Italy
britishbest.nl peterauto.peter.fr 1000miglia.eu
GREAT OCEAN ROAD TOUR DONINGTON HISTORIC FESTIVAL CONCORSO DELEGANZA VILLA DESTE
27 March 1 April (other dates available) 28-30 April. Castle Donington, UK 26-28 May. Cernobbio, Italy
Starts and finishes in Melbourne, Australia doningtonhistoric.com concorsodeleganzavilladeste.com
classiccartour.com.au
ST MAWES CLASSIC CAR FESTIVAL BALTIC CLASSIC RALLY
THE FLYING SCOTSMAN 1-5 May. St Mawes, UK 28 May 10 June. Copenhagen, Denmark
31 March 2 April. Hexham to Auchterarder, UK nearwaterevents.co.uk to Berlin, Germany
endurorally.com endurorally.com
LA COPPA DELLA PERUGINA
COPPERSTATE 1000 5-7 May. Perugia, Italy LONDON TO BRIGHTON CLASSIC CAR RUN
1-5 April. Scottsdale, USA coppadellaperugina.com 4 June. London to Brighton, UK
mensartscouncil.com classicmotorevents.co.uk
VINTAGE REVIVAL MONTLHRY
TECHNO CLASSICA ESSEN 6-7 May. Montlhry, France MODENA CENTO ORE CLASSIC
5-9 April. Essen, Germany vintage-revival.fr 6-10 June. Rimini to Modena, Italy
siha.de modenacentooreclassic.it
IRELANDS CAUSEWAY COAST
GRAN PREMIO TERRE DI CANOSSA 7-11 May (other dates available) TRANS-ALPINE ADVENTURE
20-23 April. Parma to Reggio Emilia, Italy Carrickfergus to Belfast, UK, via Giants Causeway 8-22 June. Starts and finishes in Laon, France
granpremioterredicanossa.it sceniccartours.com classictravelling.com
GR E AT E S C A PE S | 9
D AT E S F O R YO U R D I A R Y
RALLYE PRE-FILS
8-10 September. Aix-en-Provence, France
happyfewracing.com
COLORADO GRAND
11-16 September. Starts and finishes in Vail, USA
GOODWOOD
co1000.com
CHATEAU IMPNEY HILLCLIMB THE CONCOURS OF ELEGANCE RALLYE MONTE CARLO HISTORIQUE
8-9 July. Droitwich Spa, UK 1-3 September. Windsor, UK January 2018. Monaco
chateauimpneyhillclimb.com concoursofelegance.co.uk acm.mc
10 | GR E AT E S C A PE S
IN THE TRACKS OF ANSEL ADAMS
PALMS TO PINES
12 | GR E AT E S C A PE S
Martyn Goddard heads for the spectacular national parks of California,
on the trail of the greatest landscape photographer of all: Ansel Adams
GR E AT E S C A PE S | 13
IN THE TRACKS OF ANSEL ADAMS
14 | GR E AT E S C A PE S
We enjoyed spectacular temples, exotic gardens and
fabulous coastal roads, and muddled our way into, through
and out of some of Japans truly vast cities
Its a long drive in even a modern automobile, so you can imagine how
tiring it must have been for Adams with no air-conditioning or freeways
GR E AT E S C A PE S | 15
IN THE TRACKS OF ANSEL ADAMS
But there was also an abundance of more hiking in the morning, we clambered into our
wallet-friendly books and postcards showing SUV to make the 16-mile drive to Glacier
his talents. Point, which at sunset didnt disappoint,
The 40-mile drive to the Arch Rock entrance giving us an epic panoramic view of the great
is along the El Portal road running next to the scraped rock domes. You could imagine Ansel
Merced River. The road was built in 1926 to Adams Pontiac parked up, a giant field plate
provide all-seasons access to Yosemite, which camera on a tripod waiting for that moment
was first granted a measure of protection back when landscape and light harmonised before
in 1864 when President Abraham Lincoln he clicked the shutter. During our visit large
signed the Yosemite Grant in response to a numbers of visitors were shooting selfies;
campaign led by the likes of Senator John what would Adams have made of the circus?
Conness. Today the park is a World Heritage Our Ford Expedition racked up 1000 miles
Site that hosted a staggering 4.2-million during our trek to the wilderness and back
visitors in 2015 most of whom congregated to LA. We travelled in comfort over desert
on the three square miles of the valley floor. terrain, mountain switchbacks and freeways.
We started our visit by taking the Mist Trail It was huge yet remarkably appropriate for a
to photograph the Illilouette Falls, but if that lengthy American road trip. Id like to think
doesnt take your fancy then there are 800 that if Adams were around today, hed head
miles of trails to choose from that penetrate the for the hills in something similar. End
vast wilderness. By the time we returned to
the valley floor many of the day visitors had For more information on Martyns stops, see
departed, unaware of the delights of the sunset US National Parks: nps.gov
hours as light catches various mountain Riviera Hotel Palm Springs: starwoodhotels.com
formations. This is when true landscape Palm Springs Mod Squad architecture tour:
Top and above photographers hike off with cameras and psmodsquad.com
The sort of awe-inspiring view that Adams tripods in search of the definitive shot. Yosemite Mariposa County Tourist Bureau:
found so inspirational; the low-powered
BMW 1602 was just fine for sightseeing;
The second days objective was to take the yosemiteexperience.com
The Ansel Adams Gallery is packed with trail to the Mariposa grove of sequoia trees, Mariposa Lodge Hotel: mariposalodge.com
the great photographers work. but it was closed for improvements. So, after Tenaya Lodge: tenayalodge.com
16 | GR E AT E S C A PE S
O C TA NE RE C O M M E ND S
LA LEGGENDA DI BASSANO
THE MILLE MIGLIA is a bucket-list event, cars. The organisers allow road cars that look the Bassano del Grappa (about 60km north of Padua)
but theres no doubt that it retains a certain part, too, but the dress code is strictly enforced. at 1:30pm on the Friday for a 5:30pm arrival at the
romance in part because crews are never quite The list of entries typically includes everything from days overnight halt. (No sense staying in a nice
allowed to forget the challenges faced by those Blower Bentleys and Alfa 8Cs to Jaguar C- and hotel if you dont arrive in time to appreciate it.)
who took part between 1927 and 1957. By the D-types and Ferraris of the 1950s. On Saturday and Sunday, crews are agged away
standards of the original and deadly 1000-mile Like the Mille Miglia, La Leggenda di Bassano at 8:30am and the driving broken is up into
race, todays regularity is a cakewalk, but the is, nominally, at least, a competitive event. manageable two-hour stints.
press-on programme doesnt suit everybody. A regularity, if you can be bothered, as one long- The whole thing, somewhat unbelievably in
Those in search of a rst-class but more laid- time fan puts it, amusingly and with the 600km this day and age, is organised as a not-for-prot
back Italian rally experience have found it in route through the Dolomites taking in some of enterprise by volunteers, and their passion for
increasing numbers in recent years in the form the most spectacular mountain scenery youll historic cars and pride in the region they call
of La Leggenda di Bassano, known until 2016 as ever see, wed not fault anybody for tossing aside home shine through. Moreover, their generosity
Le Mitiche Sport a Bassano. the stopwatch and simply drinking in the views. of spirit is reected in the attitude of the crews,
Held over three days (22-25 June this year), it Theres plenty of time to enjoy both the so newcomers to the event can expect to be
boasts a eld the equal of any in the world: a surroundings and the ne hospitality, thanks to a welcomed warmly.
maximum of 100 open-top pre-1960 competition most civilised schedule. The rst car departs from laleggendadibassano.com
18 | GR E AT E S C A PE S
O C TA NE RE C O M M E ND S
UP IN
THE AIR
SHUTTLEWORTH RACE DAY, UK 1 October
PAUL SMITH
as of last year, a gathering of pre-war sports cars
called the Shuttleworth Sprint.
The eld for the 2016 Sprint was impressively
varied and included everything from the ex-
Malcolm Campbell 1912 Lorraine-Dietrich Vieux
Charles III to little Austin Seven specials. Fittingly,
there was a strong contingent of aero-engined
monsters, our favourite the Oliver Way-built 1907
Mors-Curtiss. The cars charged up and down the
runway with many drivers letting it all hang out,
the Sprint presenting a rare opportunity to go fast
without needing to worry about trac or having
enough space to slow down again.
The action high above the runway was something
to behold, too; there are few places youll see
Mustangs and Pitts Specials sharing the air with
contraptions as ancient and rare as the Collections
1910 Avro Triplane or its 1912 Blackburn
IMAGES BY NICK BLACOW
20 | GR E AT E S C A PE S
M O N G O L R A L LY
NO SMALL FEAT
The Mongol Rally sees tiny cars take on the biggest motoring challenge of all
Words Brett Fraser and Jane Box Photography Drew Gurian
EVENT ORGANISERS ARE are given to hyperbole, but when the in Siberia is likely to involve at least a month on the road, crossing some
folks behind the Mongol Rally describe it as the greatest motoring seriously inhospitable terrain.
adventure in the world, theyre not exaggerating. No backup. No Rather anarchic it might all sound, but the Mongol Rally has altruism
support. No set route. And as if an overland journey from the UK to at its heart. Its a charity fundraiser and crews are expected to generate
Mongolia needed to be made any more difficult, The Adventurists insist at least 1000 in sponsorship, 500 of which goes to The Adventurists
that crews take part in a car with an engine of 1.0-litre or less. favoured charity, Cool Earth, the rest to other good causes chosen by the
The punk approach to long-distance rallying extends to advice about entrants themselves.
pre-planning your route: Find out whats there when you arrive. An The Stroke Association, Assistance Dogs Australia and Rainbows (a
interesting suggestion when the trip to Ulaanbaatar and on to Ulan Ude childrens hospice) were the beneficiaries of the efforts of Jane Box and
22 | GR E AT E S C A PE S
Clockwise from top left
Jane Box (left) and Rosi Moore-Fiander left Goodwood
in their Nissan Micra to begin an 11,000-mile journey to
Mongolia one fraught with challenges but packed with
moments of sublime beauty; the temperamental red
Micra of Drew and Scott Gurian travelled in convoy with
Jane and Rosi. For more on Jane and Rosis charity
fundraising efforts, see sugarspice2016.weebly.com.
Rosi Moore-Fiander, lifelong friends who took part in last years Mongol
Rally: 11,000 miles, 19 countries, eight time zones, five mountain ranges
and seven weeks in a 14-year old Nissan Micra that cost 400.
The rally is intended to challenge crews If nothing goes wrong,
everything has gone wrong, say the organisers and Jane and Rosi,
who had never done anything like this before, spent the majority of their
epic journey far outside their comfort zone, encountering a coup in
Turkey, being forced to cross into Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan illegally,
and picking up a stomach bug that only antibiotics could cure.
GR E AT E S C A PE S | 23
M O N G O L R A L LY
24 | GR E AT E S C A PE S
20 - 23 April 2017
TERRE di CANOSSA Parma, Lucca, Pisa, Reggio Emilia
International Classic Car Challenge
Forte dei Marmi, le Cinque Terre
Wir laden Sie auf eine auergewhnliche Fahrt durch das Gebiet Terre di Canossa ein.
Genieen Sie vier intensive Tage auf den historischen Straen von Mathilde von Canossa, Knigin Italiens whrend des XII. Jahrhunderts.
Freuen Sie sich auf die perfekte Verbindung wunderschner Autos mit fahrerischer Herausforderung, touristischen Highlights, gastronomischen Genssen und stilvoller Entspannung.
www.gpcanossa.it
CARRERA INDONESIA 2018
THE JEWELS OF INDONESIA, A 15 DAY TRIP THROUGH INDONESIA
W
hether its a total fix for the mind, body and spirit, or simply the desire
for a bit of serenity, visitors to Bali spend many happy hours (sometimes
days) beng massaged, scrubbed, perfumed, pampered, bathed and blissed out.
Sometimes all this attention to your wellbeing happens on the beach or in a
garden; other times its in stylish, even lavish surroundings. Is this a rally or a
tour? Well it is a bit of rallying and a lot of a tour.
On an island that honours art and Tick. Stars twinkling overhead. Tick. inviting rally roads and the right
serenity, is it any wonder youll nd A comfy teak chair settling into touristic spots, in order to combine
some of the worlds nest hotels the beach while your toes play in all the great things of life.
and resorts? From blissful retreats the sand. Tick. An ice-cold beer.
on south Balis beautiful beach in Tick. A strolling band playing the And the best of all, you can be there
Canggu or Seminyak to perches on macarena. OK, maybe not a tick. too.
cliff s above the dazzling white sands But the beachside seafood grills in
that dot the Bukit Peninsula, these Jimbaran are a dont-miss evening
stylish hotels are our overnight halts out, with platters of seafood that
whilst we travel in style. came in fresh that morning to the
market just up the beach.
Enormous fresh prawns marinated
in lime and garlic and grilled over The organisers Visit our website to nd out about our
coconut husks. Tick. A hint of We are well known for nding the events: www.thetrial.nl
post-sunset pink on the horizon. best hotels great, adventurous roads, or call the Rally Office: +31(0)578 561 115
V IN TAGE S U RFA RI WAG O N S
28 | GR E AT E S C A PE S
THE GOOD LIFE
Theres only one way to explore Southern California as far as
Bill Staggs is concerned: in a classic VW camper van
Words Nick Kurczewski Photography Tara and Eric Hilliard
SUN, SEA, SAND and a classic air-cooled really vivid dream, of stopping at beaches practical reasons for avoiding the Hertz/Avis/
Volkswagen van. Sometimes the recipe for and surfing at all the places I knew in Oahu. Enterprise/Alamo gang at the airport.
success can be so simple. The crux of the dream was that the trip must The locals know who the tourists are in
Since 2005, Vintage Surfari Wagons has be done from behind the wheel of a VW van. Hawaii, he explains. They can spot the Jeep
been dropping tourists in at the deep end of By this point he well understood the charms Wranglers and Ford Mustang convertibles a
SoCal surf culture, sending happy campers of classic VWs. Hed bought his first in 1972, mile away. We looked like we were driving a
off to enjoy the Golden State in one of at a petrol station in Mammoth, California, local car because, well, thats exactly what it
its rentable VWs and the man behind the where it had sat abandoned for months was. Travelling in the VW helped us to get
business remains every bit as enthusiastic as after its owner skipped town. Bill paid $300 past the Im a local and youre a tourist
he was a decade ago. for it and says he has owned VWs almost thing. The van did the introductions for us.
This is the best job Ive ever had, smiles Bill continually since then. We thought that this is the way everybody
Staggs, who founded Surfari Wagons with the Sourcing a set of wheels for his vacation should travel
help of his wife, Diane. I love the vibe, I love was no simple matter, however. The expense Predictably, Bills transition from VW fan
the vehicles and I love keeping them alive. of shipping one of his own VWs to Hawaii was and owner to business operator was not
At the companys HQ in Costa Mesa, prohibitive and the process would have been entirely smooth. When he and Diane returned
Bill recalls his previous careers: in his 60- time-consuming. With the help of friends, home and told friends of their plans, the news
odd years hes been a handyman and a car Bill and Diane eventually tracked down a was met with either total enthusiasm, or a
salesman, and owned a pottery studio and a suitable van on Maui, and the dream holiday look of horror.
surf shop. The idea for Surfari Wagons finally could begin. The situation only got worse once their first
came to him in 2003. Bills refusal simply to hire a modern van, an eBay purchase, arrived in a much
Diane and I were dating and decided to alternative to the VW might sound like a sorrier state than expected. Diane started
take a trip to Hawaii, Bill explains. I had a triumph of heart over head, but there were crying over the condition of the van. It needed
GR E AT E S C A PE S | 29
V IN TAGE S U RFA RI WAG O N S
The freedom is wonderful: you can get in it, go somewhere, and live in it.
It has everything you need though maybe not everything you want!
paint, it needed bodywork, it needed an engine and best quality. Near the end of the the companys popular organised tours. The
interior. But it had good bones. Bills relentless model run, they really got it right, reckons next of these takes place on 23-27 March and
optimism and energy, and of course his many Bill. With their fuel-injected 2.0-litre engines, will see a convoy of campers head as far east as
years of experience with old VWs, were these vans do a decent job of keeping up with Slab City before driving around the Salton Sea
invaluable in those early days. modern traffic. and home to Costa Mesa via the scenic Palms
That less-than-perfect first van, nicknamed For longer trips, especially those that involve to Pines Highway a round trip of some 500
Eddie, was fixed up and is still going strong, driving east into desert locations, Bill usually miles. Just about everything apart from fuel is
but the company now boasts a fleet of recommends a Vanagon. Again, its the later covered by the price of $1200 per person
nearly two-dozen vehicles, split pretty evenly models, built between 1986 and 1991, that he (based on double occupancy), including your
between first-generation Type 2s and T3s. rates most highly. very own bus whisperer, Vintage Bill. No
(The T3, known in the USA as the Vanagon, Surfari Wagons is still able to track down need to worry about the implications of a
replaced the Type 2 in 1979.) For those seeking usable vans along the West Coast for a couple failure to proceed, then.
a little more comfort and prepared to sacrifice of thousand dollars each, though they have Most things are included inside each of
a great deal of charm, a couple of 1990s become much harder to find. The camper van Surfari Wagons vehicles, too. Features include
Eurovans are also available. conversions are either the work of German a sink, a refrigerator, a propane stove, and
These, needless to say, are not concours specialist Westfalia, which received vans direct electrical outlets to keep your electronic
queens. Certain variants of the Type 2, such as from the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg and gadgets fully charged. Helpfully for neophytes,
the 23 Window, now routinely change hands was one of the best-known names in the the company provides some directions for
for six-figure sums, but Surfari Wagons is far business, or the lesser-known Riviera, based in use at the point that the keys are handed over,
more interested in sturdy workhorses ones Beaverton, Oregon. so theres no fear of arriving at a campsite for
that have plenty of gallop left in them. The vans can be rented out for just a few the night in darkness with no idea of how
In regards to the first-generation models, days, or for more than a month, and customers to pop the top or fold down the bed or get
The 1977 to 79 bay windows had the biggest can roam as they please or sign up for one of dinner cooking.
30 | GR E AT E S C A PE S
Clockwise from far left
Eric Hilliard and wife Tara,
California natives who are five
months into a round-the-world
surf trip, hired a 1979 Bay Window
nicknamed Eddie for a portion
of their own Endless Summer;
their route along the Pacific Coast
Highway took them from Costa
Mesa 400 miles north-west to
Big Sur; Eddie was the very first
van in the Surfari Wagons fleet,
an eBay project that needed a
complete restoration; Surfari
Wagons was conceived on a trip
to Hawaii, and owner Bill Staggs
fondness for the islands of the
Pacific is evident on the dashboard
of Eddie and several of the
companys other vans. For more
images of Eric and Taras trip, see
lushpalm.com.
GR E AT E S C A PE S | 31
V IN TAGE S U RFA RI WAG O N S
Camping essentials such as dishes, towels, But this is Southern California, remember, so amused with his own lack of a clear-cut answer.
napkins and a cafetire are also included. And less expensive winter months are still mild The seating position, the sound I just like the
yes, for those diehard survivalists out there, and inviting, and hardly wet or cold enough feel; driving an old van seems like second
a cafetire does indeed qualify as essential to require the packing of wellington boots or nature by now. I think the thing that comes
camping gear. woolly gloves. through the most with these cars is the
The freedom is wonderful: you can get in it, Parking along the oceanfront is permitted simplicity of them, their small footprint on the
go somewhere, and live in it. It has everything in some places, although Bill recommends Earth, and that sense of self-sufficiency.
you need though maybe not quite everything staying in state parks to avoid any potential You might also surmise that the Volkswagen
you want, grins Bill. With the pop-up camper hassles. Prices range from $65 per night in the bug no pun intended is in his blood.
tops and sleeping capacity for four (well- posh beachside confines of Laguna Beach to Bill picks up a framed photo of a family on a
acquainted) adults, the only two major things about half that amount in more off-the-beaten- beach: on the left of the image is an Austin-
the vans lack are a toilet and a shower. When it path destinations, such as Grover City, roughly Healey Frogeye Sprite; on the right, a longboard
comes to freshening up, many people rely on 200 miles north-west of Costa Mesa, between attached to its roof, is a VW camper. Taken in
facilities along the beach, or those located in Santa Maria and San Luis Obispo allegedly the late 1950s, the photograph is of Bill and his
state parks. Americas happiest city, if youre looking for a family enjoying a day out with a 1958 van that
Its also common for customers to simply reason to visit. his father specially converted to accommodate
park their chosen VW close to the beach, just Hiding in plain sight, is also an option, two adults and four small children.
a few miles from Surfaris office, and kick back claims Bill. For one night, you can get away The real icing on the cake is when people
without the hassle of maps or any set with sleeping in many city areas, usually a come back from a trip, Bill smiles. They send
destination or itinerary. block or two away from the beach. emails two or three years later they took all
Rental rates vary depending on the season, Asked why he loves VW vans, Bill laughs these photos and say this was the best vacation
naturally, and a week-long rental at the height and leans back in his chair for a moment. they ever had. End
of summer can cost about $1500 per week. Come to think of it, I dont know, he says, vwsurfari.com
32 | GR E AT E S C A PE S
KNOKKE-LE-ZOUTE,
A LUXURIOUS HOLIDAY RESORT AT
THE EPICENTRE OF LIFESTYLE AND ART
ON THE BELGIAN SEASIDE.
BLACK
FOREST
DELIGHT
INTERNATIONAL OLDTIMER MEETING
BADEN-BADEN, GERMANY 7-9 July
36 | GR E AT E S C A PE S
TH JUNE 2017
TH & SUN 25
S AT 2 4
AT
BICESTER HERITAGE
BICESTER
O C TA NE RE C O M M E ND S
FROM 1953 TO 1971, the eight-kilometre Ollon- Its an easy journey from the UK, with Geneva None of the runs are officially timed, but that
Villars hillclimb course in Switzerland was airport just a 90-minute rental car drive from seems not to prevent the many cars, motorbikes,
considered a highlight of the European Hillclimb Ollon-Villars, and, because the surrounding area and sidecars being driven in most spirited fashion
Championship, attracting famous drivers as is popular with skiers in the winter, hotel rooms up the hill. That said, speed limits are enforced
talented as Jim Clark, Franois Cevert, Jo Siffert, are in good supply. inside the villages that dot the route, ensuring that
Innes Ireland, Hans Herrmann and Jack Brabham. The picture-postcard course is surrounded by nobody will ever beat the course record of 3:47.05
Regrettably, it then fell into disuse as a competition sunkissed vineyards and Alpine meadows, and the set by Cevert in the original events heyday.
venue for almost three decades until in 1998 it horizon is framed by the snow-capped Dents du The field of pre-1971 competition machines is
hosted a revival event. Midi and Mont Blanc mountain ranges; there is no split into categories including prototypes, saloon
Despite its success, the local authorities were more idyllic motor sport venue in the world. cars, CanAm and GP cars, bikes and sidecars.
not particularly helpful when it came to permitting Part of the course has recently been resurfaced The line-up in 2013 included Abarth racers and
subsequent events, with the result that the Ollon- and widened (the work was the principal reason the four-wheel-drive Ferguson P99 F1 car. Expect
Villars Historic Hillclimb has been held only for the hillclimbs absence from the calendar in the paddock in 2017 to feature some similarly
sporadically since in 2001, 2003, 2007, 2010 and 2016), but Ollon-Villars remains an entertaining fascinating stuff.
2013. You should go this year, while you still can. handful for drivers. ollon-villars.com
38 | GR E AT E S C A PE S
ADVENTURES OF GERARD BROWN
ID ALWAYS WANTED to be a photographer, tomorrow. I got up at 5am and arrived early I keep an eye out for obstacles where I know
says Gerard Brown. Id been brought up on a in my camper van, and got the coffee on. stuff will happen. We always have a reliable,
diet of picture-led Sunday supplements, and When Philip rolled in he said: Hes so keen to fast car, and you need a good driver.
then my father gave me his old camera, a get the job that hes camped! I start early and finish late. On the 2016
Fujica ST605. Cycling was a passion then still I asked what job, and Philip explained Peking to Paris it was 18 hours a day for six
is and when I moved to London to study, he needed someone to photograph the 2007 weeks that includes time spent logging
I got a job in a bike shop and then met a man Peking to Paris Motor Challenge. Id expected images at night. On Philips record run [2013,
who had a friend on a cycling mag to be asked about the next Lombard, but he Cape Town to London in a Fiat Panda, with
Its a long way from there to the work for inspired such confidence in me that I agreed. Paul Brace] I shadowed him by helicopter,
which Gerard is known now: fabulous images That dawn meeting was the beginning of a aeroplane and Jeep.
of long-distance rallies from around the world. close relationship. Gerard has photographed As far as kit goes, you cant take everything
He paid his dues with many years of car every Endurance Rally Association (ERA) but Brown carries enough to cover every
shoots, studio work and sports photography event since, travelling in a dedicated 4x4 and eventuality. I take at least three camera bodies
before a chance encounter with the late Philip with his own driver, so that he can concentrate [Nikon D5s currently] and a dozen lenses,
Young, the godfather of historic rallying, on taking the images. from 17mm to 300mm, plus three separate
changed the course of his life. Well leapfrog the field, shoot a few hard drives. And weve just bought a drone.
I was in a forest in Wales photographing the cars, maybe go 5km ahead, sometimes by Ive been doing this for 25 years now
2005 Lombard Rally for Mini World [rally shortcutting. You get a feel for the likely terrain and have never wanted to be a celebrity
navigator] Willy Cave had told me the best from the maps and sometimes you want to photographer; Id rather be known for the
places to go and there was this figure in a show the whole vista; the car may be tiny but quality of my work. Though Im not much
duffel coat with a video camera. I introduced its in there. Then Ill take some time out and into cars, I really appreciate good engineering
myself and Philip said: Come and see me do some background stuff local culture. And and I love travelling.
40 | GR E AT E S C A PE S
Below
Mongolia has changed a great deal in the last decade
(there are fuel stations and tarmac roads for a start), but
luckily you still come across this sort of thing. This guy was
collecting water and rounding up his stray camels. Quite
what he made of our eclectic cavalcade I can only imagine.
Right
Mark Pickering and Dave Boddy
were very worthy winners of the
2016 Peking to Paris Classics
Category. They and their 1973
Datsun 240Z never really put a
foot wrong. Here they are seen
sliding through Slovenia on their
way to the night halt in Maribor.
With so many vintage cars to
shoot, its refreshing to see the
moderns strutting their stuff.
Above
Buddhist nuns in Mandalay queuing for a handout of rice,
as they do every morning. Overland travel is the best way
to really get in touch with new countries, their people and
their cultures. Scenes such as this often unfold within
metres of your car and sometimes its a simple case of
stepping outside and taking the picture. More often than
not the locals are as interested in us as we are in them.
Left
Bill Cleyndert has taken part in two Peking to Paris
Challenges and many more long-distance events. This
picture is from 2013 and was taken in Russia. His spirited
driving was a joy to shoot, although the car didnt enjoy
it so much and the Model A broke many things including
a crankshaft. Bills press-on attitude kept him in the rally,
though, and he finished in Paris just as he did in 2016.
GR E AT E S C A PE S | 41
ADVENTURES OF GERARD BROWN
Above Right
Long-distance events are a great The last World Cup Rally in 2012 saw
leveller and they breed great the ERA head from London to Cape
camaraderie; most crews will stop Town with 44 crews and a total distance
to help another if they possibly can. in excess of 14,400km. The London to
After taking a few big hits in the Gobi Cape Town may have been the last of
Desert, Joe Robillard and friends set the great intercontinental marathons.
to replacing some damaged wheels Joost Van Cauwenberge and Jacques
while navigator Albeta Katukov Castelein are seen here blasting through
strikes a pose alongside their 1939 Namibia in a 1973 Porsche 911; they put
Chevrolet Coupe. The ability to see up a great fight and tried every trick in the
the funny side of a situation like this book, even adding go-faster MG decals in
can often be a big help. their bid for the top step of the podium.
Left
The Pacey Hassan, at the Benjafields 24-hour event in
Portugal in 2014, was one of several very special cars
brought out to recreate the Le Mans races which helped
to make the Bentley legend. This was an endurance
event in all but name: the cars lapped the track at
Portimo all day and all night, stopping only for a crew
change and a pit stop service.
42 | GR E AT E S C A PE S
Left
Between Kazan and Nizhny Novgorod there are
many tributaries of the River Volga, and in the height
of the Siberian summer they afford an excellent way
for the locals to cool down. Luckily for these rally
fans we put on as much of a show for them with
around 100 cars crossing the pontoon bridge in the
background as they did for us.
Below
In eight editions, the Flying Scotsman has cemented
itself as the toughest rally for pre-war cars in the
UK. Three days see over 100 very old cars steam
up through the best of England to reach the finest
Scottish scenery. The weather often plays a hand
as well, and here a 2007 Peking to Paris veteran,
Michel Laarman, along with Maryan Greif in a
1911 Knox Type R, ploughs on through a blizzard.
Notice Laarmans not wearing any gloves.
Above
The big American LaFrance has two Peking to Paris
events under its wheels now and this is another
shot that sums up the appeal of storming through
Mongolia. Where else can such a machine be
tested like this? The timeless landscape, devoid
of all modern references, is as raw and visceral
as the driving experience. In 2013 the crew arrived
in Paris with bleeding hands and the soles of their
shoes had melted.
Right
Philip Young hatched a plan to beat the record for
driving from Cape Town to London in January 2013.
Never one to take a conventional approach, Philip
opted to do it in a little Fiat Panda rather than a
heavyweight 4x4. Along with his old friend, long-
distance specialist Paul Brace, he managed to clock
in after ten days, 13 hours and 28 minutes on the
road, setting a new record. This shot is from the
infamous Marsabit road in Northern Kenya.
GR E AT E S C A PE S | 43
ADVENTURES OF GERARD BROWN
Below
David and Karen Ayre, aboard their Itala, epitomise
the Peking to Paris for me. This is pretty much the
same as the car that Borghese drove [in the original
Peking to Paris race] in 1907 and is as basic as you
could possibly imagine, although with this crew it was
also reliable and competitive. Seen here on the way to
the Russian border in the Altai Mountains of Mongolia
in 2007, on a bitterly cold and exceptionally windy day.
Le
Mario and Catherine Illien are ying high here at
4600m. Their 1955 Citron 11B is on the road to
San Pedro de Atacama, via the stunning landscape
of the Argentinean and Chilean Altiplano. The thin
air up on this vast plateau proved challenging for
both the cars and their crews, with some needing
bottled oxygen to get them through the day. End
44 | GR E AT E S C A PE S
O C TA NE RE C O M M E ND S
FJ COMPANY
YOU HAVE PROBABLY heard of the Copperstate The assembled convoy of classic 4x4s travelled The conditions are hardly rough, however, with
1000, the Arizona-based classic car rally held each between 120 and 140 miles each day, straying each roomy safari tent equipped with rugs, beds,
April. But you might not know that the event from the tarmac to tackle desert sand and rocky heaters and lights. Oh, and theres a well-stocked
was created to raise funds for the Phoenix Art mountain tracks. Waypoints included Coconino bar, too, to stoke campfire camaraderie.
Museum or that for the past two years the National Forest, Flagstaff, Grand Falls and the Best of all, crews can enjoy the Overland without
Mens Arts Council, a non-profit organisation that Broken Arrow Trail in Sedona. needing to fret about the possibility of a breakdown,
supports the Museum, has been running a gnarlier Mindful that not everybody is a practised off-road with mechanics on hand the whole way.
sister event driver, the brains behind the event ensured safe To date, apparently, their services havent been
The Copperstate Overland is a four-day off-road passage for those new to the dirt, while laying much in demand, which says a great deal about
adventure for just 20 pre-1979 4x4s. (Significant on some challenging sections for old hands. the toughness of the old Toyota FJs, Ford Broncos
vehicles made after that date are admitted at the Novices and experts alike appreciate the scale and Jeep Wranglers that make up most of the
discretion of the organisers.) This years edition will and beauty of Arizonas landscape, and there is field. Theres room for some oddball entries,
be held on 14-18 October and, while the precise plenty of opportunity to marvel at the surroundings: too, though: the most surprising participant in last
route is yet to be confirmed, last years gives the crews are not shoved into a hotel each night but years Overland was a high-riding Triumph TR3A.
curious a good indication of what to expect. instead sleep out in the wilderness. mensartscouncil.com
48 | GR E AT E S C A PE S
O C TA NE RE C O M M E ND S
THE CRUISIN THE COAST FESTIVAL, held every community along the route hosting some Those enthusiasts arrive from far and wide. Last
along a 40-mile stretch of the Mississippi Gulf form of entertainment, theres no lack of choice. years festival featured cars from right across the
coast near to New Orleans, is the hot rodders White sandy beaches and a clear blue sea make the USA and as far afield as Australia. When Octane
version of Monterey Week in California. drive along Highway 90 an event in itself, and the joined the party there were few Brits to be found
Dont assume that means youll be charged an area is dotted with pretty historic towns. And while but, with New Orleans relatively easy to get to from
arm and a leg to attend, though; registration for burn-outs are discouraged, many streets are lined this little island, wed wager that many will make
2017 costs just $60. This is a by the people, for the with spectators demanding a V8 chorus. the trip in the coming years.
people gathering and, in 2016, the year of the Some of the festivals car parks can Speaking of which: the Big Easy is one of
events 20th anniversary, almost 8000 hot rods accommodate as many as 850 vehicles, but the Americas great cities, and wed advise any would-
showed up to enjoy displays, swap-meets, an sheer number of events taking place at any one be coast-cruiser to spend a few days exploring the
auction, live music, parties, street food and, of time means the crowds are never so large as to place before or after the festival. It has recovered as
course, cruisin in the sunshine of the Deep South. prevent you from getting up close to the cars of well as could be expected from Hurricane Katrina
Because the Cruisin the Coast festival has no which there is always a mind-boggling array. Most (in the centre, at least), and offers musical and
formal structure, participants can attend as many are proper hot rods, Americana from the 1950s culinary experiences to treasure.
or as few events as they fancy and, with practically and 1960s, being driven by proper hot rodders. cruisinthecoast.com
50 | GR E AT E S C A PE S
Be part of the
worlds biggest classic
motor racing festival
All-inclusive
tickets are fabulous
value, providing:
A packed schedule of the best
classic & historic motor racing on the
famous GP circuit
Full access to the paddocks get
close to the cars & talk to the drivers
Great viewing from the grandstands
& on the big screens
Live music concerts on Friday &
Saturday evenings
A vintage funfair & much more!
2016 visitor
Take advantage of
Early Bird savings until
the end of March
www.silverstoneclassic.com
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I NSU R A N CE SO LU TI O NS