exclusive!

rolls-royce phAntoms fit for A king – And A speed king

bargain
supercars Sensational Aston Martin DB9 and Audi R8,
PLUS eight more post-millennial steals

colin chapman’s cortina UniqUe ‘cegga’ ferrari

Driving the Lotus legend’s Mk2 Sublime Testa Rossa reincarnated

AlfA giuliettAs to brighton, by veterAn juliAn thomson inside Audi’s ‘other’ museum bristol scout
l l l l
 Entries now invited
Matching numbers example
Equipped with the desirable
AZ
Nardi Carburation Kit
1955 LANCIA AURELIA
B24S SPIDER AMERICA
Coachwork by Pinin Farina

Scottsdale, Arizona | 16 January 2020

Entries now invited

The ex-Steve McQueen /
Thomas Crown Affair screen-used
1967/68 CON-FERR MEYERS MANX
DUNE BUGGY

Fernandina Beach Golf Club | 5 March 2020

World-Class Motor Cars

at Bonhams Auctioneers
 Entries now invited
One of the very last pre-war Bugattis
Important Collectors’ Cars produced before the outbreak of WWII,
only 45,708 kilometers from new
and Fine Automobilia
1939 BUGATTI TYPE 57C CABRIOLET
Paris, France | 6 February 2020 Coachwork by Gangloff

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[email protected] bonhams.com/motorcars
The Aviation Pioneers Squad

Scott Kelly
Rocio Gonzalez Torres
Luke Bannister
 TM
R A C I N G
®

F E W
H A P P Y
Organized by
FATHER+SON+RALLY

Monte-Carlo
18-20 SEPTEMBER 2020

ENTRIES NOW INVITED

FA

APPLY ONLINE!
TH
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>
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UG op 20
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HT ez
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 Issue 199 / January 2020

CONTENTS
‘It’s hardly necessary to explaIn the Importance
of thIs prototype, the fIrst concept of what
became an alfa romeo desIgn trademark’
corrado lopresto on the alfa romeo Giulietta sprint
speciale Bertone prototype, paGe 106

9
 UNLOCK THE VALUE OF
YOUR CAR COLLECTION

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may be worth considerably more now than it was at the time of purchase. With equity
release, you can unlock the capital tied up in the cars without having to part with
them. Whether you’re looking to fund a property purchase, investment, business or
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 Issue 199 / January 2020

CONTENTS

134

FEATURES
Aston DB9 vs AuDi R8
Page 58
Bargain supercars: which is best? Plus
Noughties performance cars to buy now

Rolls-Royce PhAntom iis

Page 74
With connections to a Land Speed
Record-breaker, Royalty and Brooklands

ceggA feRRARi
Page 84
Second reincarnation of wrecked Testa Rossa
84 96
BRistol scout
Page 96
58 Story of a scratchbuilt World War One plane

AlfA Romeo giuliettAs

Page 102
11 types, from sedan to coachbuilt specials

lonDon to BRighton Run

Page 114
Flat-out all the way, in a 1904 Vauxhall

the octAne inteRview

Page 120
Jaguar’s new design boss, Julian Thomson

the other AuDi museum

Page 126
A trip to Zwickau – and back in time

chAPmAn’s coRtinA
Page 134
The sports saloon run by Mr Lotus himself

11
 Issue 199 / January 2020

CONTENTS
REGULARS
EVENTS & NEWS
Page 22
Pictures from the world’s greatest classic car
events; new museum honours everyday classics

GEARBOX
Page 44
Record-breaking auctioneer Robert Brooks

COLUMNS
Page 47
Meaningful musings from Jay Leno, Derek Bell,
Stephen Bayley and Robert Coucher

LETTERS
Page 55
Memories of driving the Lancia Stratos Zero

OCTANE CARS
Page 142
Mark Dixon buys a 1920s Alvis 12/50; final
autumn hurrah for Glen Waddington’s BMW E30

OVERDRIVE
Page 152
Driving classic BMWs at the last Bicester Sunday
Scramble of 2019; Land Rover’s latest

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

Page 158
BL anti-hero Sir Michael Edwardes

ICON
Page 160
The politically correct Gannex overcoat

PLACES TO GO
40 Page 162
The deep south’s Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum

BOOKS, GEAR, MODELS, WATCHES

Page 164
Complete with an extra helping of stuff to buy

THE MARKET
Page 177
What’s sold and selling; why you’ll want a Bricklin

DAY IN THE LIFE

Page 242
Crayford convertibles founder David McMullan

12
 The best diver
we’ve ever created.
So far.

C60 Apex Limited Edition

Five years since the launch of our in-house chronometer, Calibre SH21, the
100-piece C60 Apex Limited Edition celebrates in style. A rarity for a dive watch,
its front and back have been stripped away to reveal the more intricate parts
in all their glory. It’s easy to see why this represents the pinnacle of the brand’s
horological prowess today – all whilst in its birthday suit.
Do your research.

christopherward.co.uk
 Issue 199 / January 2020

featuring

charlie magee
‘I enjoyed photographing the R8 again as I’d
been on the original launch, and I always
had a soft spot for its clean-cut Hugo Boss
suit with a flash of flamboyant lining under
the glass engine cover. But working on the
hottest day of the year proved to be a
challenge for both man and machine…’
R8 takes on Aston DB9: pages 58-68.

eDitOr’S WeLCOMe

Don’t let the grass grow

There seems To be a bit a backlash in the most exciting, desirable and satisfying car that
enthusiast car community at the moment over will also do the everyday job that is required of simon ricketts
all those adverts that state that a car for sale ‘can it for our base price. ‘As the flag dropped on the Sussex Trophy
only go up in value’. I can see why, of course, Happily, for that we appear to be in after two emotional days in the bosom of
because it suggests the only reason anyone something of a golden era. When it comes to Team CEGGA, my defences were breached.
should be tempted by a car is with a cast-iron our cover cars it remains to be seen whether I let out a primal bellow of encouragement,
guarantee that there will be a return in it for they will ever be cheaper than they are at the tears of joy, exhilaration and pride cascaded
them, that a potential profit is an essential moment, but it feels inconceivable that such down my cheeks, and impartiality and
precursor to purchase. accomplished and desirable machines can fall decorum became a distant memory.’
Turn it around, though, and for me it sends a much further. Better still, while the R8 and See Simon’s photos on pages 84-94.
far more compelling message: ‘Can’t go down DB9 might be spearheading our round-up of
any further in value.’ That says: go on, here’s incredible drivers’ cars for the price of really
your chance, possibly your last depending on rather mundane vehicles, they are followed by a
your circumstances, grab that dream and live it peloton of similarly interesting modern icons
while you can. And that’s what car ownership is languishing at what the trade likes to call ‘the
all about, isn’t it? An emotional experience bottom of their depreciation curve’.
rather than a purely financial one, one in which You might want to save them for high days
the owner-driver always finds a way to weave in and holidays, or you might use them every day,
some gold braid when they are cutting their but whatever you do, don’t delay and miss out.
cloth according to their needs. That’s why mad
estates such as the Audi RS2 came about in the
first place, to satisfy the primal driving desires graeme hurst
of someone who also accepts that the family ‘The passion and skill evident in building the
and pooch need to get around some of the time. world’s only airworthy World War One
We enthusiasts are just programmed like Bristol Scout, complete with parts from the
that, to abandon all logic and make every one flown in combat a century ago by the
buying decision with our hearts rather than our builder’s grandfather, was deeply inspiring.
heads, to always shelve inconvenient little Knowing it has flown in the same airspace
truths such as parts, maintenance and insurance James Elliott, made their efforts particularly poignant.’
costs, or even reliability, in order to buy the editor in chief Find out more on pages 96-100.

14
 NOW INVITING
CONSIGNMENTS

A SELECTION OF 21 OF THE WORLD’S MOST

THE POSTER CAR COLLECTION ICONIC AND DESIRABLE MOTOR CARS

1970 Ferrari 365 GTB/4

Daytona Berlinetta by Scaglietti
Chassis no. 12841

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

1973 Ferrari Dino 246 GTS by Scaglietti 1958 BMW 507 Roadster Series II
Chassis no. 06290 Chassis no. 70134

1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Sports Saloon by H.J. Mulliner

Chassis no. BC15B

5 FEBRUARY

PARIS
CONSIGNMENTS INVITED THROUGH 19 DECEMBER

UK +44 (0) 20 7851 7070

FRANCE +33 (0) 1 76 75 32 93
GERMANY +49 (0) 800 000 7203
ITALY +39 02 9475 3812
NEXT MONTh deputy editor
EDITORIAL
editor-in-Chief
James Elliott
[email protected]

assoCiate editor
Mark Dixon Glen Waddington

don’t miss our [email protected]

art editor
[email protected]
markets editor

200th issue!
Robert Hefferon Matthew Hayward
[email protected] [email protected]

international editor
Robert Coucher
The 200mph Ferraris: from 288 GTO [email protected]

to LaFerrari, via F40, F50 and Enzo, editorial administrator Jane Townsend-Emms
senior Contributor John Simister
plus some extra-special variants italian Correspondent Massimo Delbò
design assistanCe Ruth Haddock
test driver John Barker
Issue 200 us Correspondent Winston Goodfellow
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If you like Octane, you’ll love…

TIM ANDREW

En
ISSUE 10 / WINTER 2019 2020

A N I ND E P EN D E N T F E R R A R I M AG A Z I N E
DRIVEN F8 TRIBUTO
The greatest V8 Ferrari yet?
ENZO
Visit Fanatical about Ferraris? Enzo
is the quarterly magazine devoted
www.dennismags.co.uk/octane to Ferrari, brought to you by the same
people behind Octane and Vantage.
The latest issue celebrates the
or call 275 glorious 275 GTB, the latest F8
GTB Tributo, and there’s a Dino buying
+44 (0)330 333 9491 DRIVE OF A LIFETIME IN
A ’60s FERRARI LEGEND guide. It’s on sale now – or subscribe
at www.enzo-magazine.co.uk.
FERRARI v ASTON F355 MODIFICATA BUYING A DINO UK £6 / US $13 99
For subscriptions in North America,
USA call: 800 428 3003 visit www.imsnews.com/enzo.
812 Superfast takes on C ass c 90s ber inetta Full guide to Ferrari s
DBS Super eggera becomes road racer V6 engined baby
 20-23/FEB/2020

The Capital’s premier classic car show comes to Olympia, London.

This must-attend event for any discerning classic car owner, collector or connoisseur,
offers you the opportunity to view and purchase from what promises to be
one of the widest collections in the UK.

Tickets now available from thelondonclassiccarshow.co.uk

Stay up to date with the latest news

 D O N ’ T G O
Q U I E T LY

Model shown is a New Mustang GT 5.0 V8 Fastback Manual Petrol with optional Large Rear Spoiler.
Fuel economy mpg ( l/100km): Combined 23.7 ( 11.9). * CO 2 emissions 277g/km.

Figures shown are for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption and CO 2 figures with other cars
tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a
number of factors including the accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load.
* There is a new test used for fuel consumption and CO 2 figures. The CO 2 figures shown, however, are based on the
outgoing test cycle and will be used to calculate vehicle tax on first registration.
 d r si r y i r d
t li
e i r , l -
- i u e a
s a t r i .

22
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
egwu
PRIVATE BANKERS SINCE 1886

23
IGNITION / Month in Pictures

Carrera Iberia
7-17 October
The Rally the Globe team has hailed its inaugural rally, a 3470km
jaunt from Santander to the Algarve that featured nine tests and
19 regularities, a huge success. The first event from the not-for-
profit outfit led by Fred Gallagher had two classes, for Classic
and for Vintage & Vintageant machinery, and both had clear
winners by the finish in Vilamoura. Dominant among the earlier
cars was Anglo-American crew Jim Gately and Tony Brooks’
1947 Kurtis Comet (left) while, in the Classics category, Brits
Alan and Tina Beardshaw had to work slightly harder for victory
in their Aston Martin DB5. Next up is the East Africa-based
Southern Cross Safari in February 2020. Images Gerard Brown

24
 GOODING & COMPANY PRESENTS

The
S COT TS DA L E
Auctions
FRIDAY Jan. 17 SATURDAY Jan. 18 11am

1960 ALFA ROMEO GIULIETTA SZ 1973 FERRARI DINO 246 GTS

Delivered New to Rinaldo Parmigiani Low-Mileage Example Presented in
Coachwork by Zagato Attractive Color Combination
Coachwork by Scaglietti I Chassis 05534

1967 FERRARI 330 GTS 1967 CHEVROLET CAMARO Z/28

One of Only 99 Examples Built Rare Unrestored Example in Factory
Coachwork by Pininfarina I Chassis 10111 Black over Black Color Scheme
Without Reserve

Ferrari Classiche Certified, Matching-Numbers Example I The Only 500 Superfast Originally Finished in Black
Coachwork by Pininfarina I Chassis 6305

G OO D I N GCO.COM +1.310 .8 99 .196 0 REGI STE R TO B ID AUCT IO NS & P RIVATE BRO K E RAG E
 GOODING & COMPANY PRESENTS

THE
AMELIA florida

ISLAND AUCTION
FRIDAY 1

SOLD $1,490,000 I Amelia Island Auction 2019

G OO D I N GCO.COM +1.310 .8 99 .196 0 AUCT IO NS & P RIVATE BRO K E RAG E

FORGET THE REST I F Y O U A P P R E C I AT E T H E B E S T…

1968 Lamborghini Miura, ex-Shah of Iran, sold recently by Kidston

1971 Lamborghini Miura SV, restored to perfection by Kidston

1970 Lamborghini Miura S, untouched, 18,250km from new

W E S H O U L D TA L K

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 / Month in Pictures IN ASSOCIATION WITH
egwu
PRIVATE BANKERS SINCE 1886

getting to gaillon, 21-22 september

A small group of intrepid brits on very noisy machines
enjoyed a road trip to the 120th anniversary of the
Gaillon hillclimb in Normandy. It was the first trip out for
the darracq – which set fTd at Gaillon in 1906 – after
an engine rebuild, and the first Continental adventure
for the restored beast of Turin. Two cars, 53 litres.

auto e moto d’epoca, 22-25 october

5000 cars for sale, plus much else, in padua, Italy.

ClOCkWISe frOm TOp: STefAN mArjOrAm; mASSImO delbò; mATHIeu bONNevIe; erIC SAWyer; mASSImO delbò

bicester
sunday scramble,
6 october
more than 6000 people
flocked to the final
Scramble of 2019.

gt & sports car cup, 1-3 november

The Algarve Classic festival hosted an epic season finale.

30
 Tel: +44 (0) 1284 333 812
Email: [email protected]

DUBAI JAPAN NEW YORK LOS ANGELES NETHERLANDS UNITED KINGDOM

+971(0) 4882 1334 +81(0) 45 306 7043 +1 (718) 947 2277 +1 (310) 695 6403 +31 (0) 252 682 526 +44 (0)1284 850 950
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
www.carsmiddleeast.com www.carsjp.net www.carsusa.com www.carsusa.com www.carseurope.net www.carseurope.net
IGNITION / Events Diary

Le Jog, 7-10 December

Image: HERO 22-26 January
Cavallino Classic
This Palm Beach event is known as
a top-drawer gathering of Ferraris,
but also features a concours for
other marques and action at Palm
Beach International Raceway.
Anniversaries for 2020 include 60
years of the SWB California and
250 GTE 2+2, 35 years of the 328
and 25 years of the F50.
cavallinoclassic.com

26-31 January
The Winter Trial
As ever, the exact route for the
Winter Trial is being kept secret
until shortly before the off, but we
know it will start in Prague and
finish in St Wolfgang in Austria,
with some testing roads and
conditions in-between.
thewintertrial.nl

COMING UP… 29 January – 5 February

Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique
Crews set out from cities across
Time to service that asthmatic heater; as winter Europe – Athens, Glasgow, Bad
Homburg, Milan, Barcelona and
sets in, it’s rallies-a-go-go for the historic car world Monte-Carlo – to gather in the
French département of Drôme,
30 November – 1 December 7-10 December 9-12 January where the real fun begins. Over
KartMania Le Jog Autosport International five hectic days, competitors will
Exhibitors from across the world The Land’s End to John O’Groats There’s something for fans of just tackle regularity sections and
of karting – manufacturers, Reliability Trial sees crews drive about every motorsport discipline 1000m-plus peaks as they slither
championship organisers, clubs through the night on notoriously at Birmingham’s NEC, and towards Monaco’s Port Hercule.
– will gather at Silverstone for the tricky regularity sections, usually tyre-smoking antics on the UK’s acm.mc
KartMania show, which, as always, in weather that is less than helpful. largest indoor racetrack, too.
will include a ‘Kart Boot’ sale. One of the toughest rallies in Recent reports of its demise 31 January – 2 February
kartmania.co.uk Europe – but hugely satisfying. appear to be premature. Bremen Classic Motor Show
heroevents.eu autosportinternational.com Drawing around 45,000 visitors
4-8 December and 650 exhibitors, the Bremen
Classic Sebring 1 January 2020 11 January show is an inclusive affair, with
From the folks behind the Brooklands New Year’s Day Historic Rally Car Register all eras and most marques
Daytona Classic 24 Hour comes Owners and enthusiasts haul Open Day represented. Petrol-powered
this event at Sebring, where the themselves out of bed and head to The HRCR descends on the rivalries are set to take centre
racing cars will be joined by a large Brooklands to kick off 2020. All British Motor Museum at Gaydon stage, such as BMW 507 vs
display of vintage aircraft. manner of machinery will for a free event aimed at would-be Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster.
hsrrace.com assemble on the circuit’s banking, rallyists. Organisers, competitors classicmotorshow.de
and the museum will be open all and specialists will all be on hand
6-8 December day – so there’s plenty to do even to provide advice and 5-9 February
Retro Classics Bavaria if the weather is less than friendly. encouragement. Rétromobile
The organisers of Retro Classics brooklandsmuseum.com hrcr.co.uk The winner of the Motoring Event
Stuttgart bring their brand of of the Year at the recent Historic
entertainment two hours east 5 January 16-19 January Motoring Awards certainly won’t
to the exhibition centre in Bicester Heritage InterClassics Maastricht be resting on its laurels. Tractors
Nuremberg. Expect themed Sunday Scramble Some 35,000 visitors are expected are set to take centre-stage at
displays, a large club presence, ‘Clear the head and the engine’ to attend the Dutch show, which Rétromobile in 2020, the
good grub, and many after the festive period, plus has chosen ‘Forgotten Classics’ as organisers having gathered
opportunities to lighten the explore the workshops and its theme for 2020 – which really together 30 rare and important
wallet: cars, parts and automobilia showrooms of the many specialists means ‘Great Cars from Defunct machines in addition to the usual
will all be on offer. based at Bicester Heritage. Marques’, for clarity. array of outstanding classic cars.
retro-classics-bavaria.de bicesterheritage.co.uk interclassicsmaastricht.nl retromobile.com

32
InterClassics Maastricht, 16-19 January,
Image: InterClassics Maastricht

15 February – 5 March
Southern Cross Safari
The Southern Cross Safari will
take entrants on a 3600km
adventure through Kenya and
Tanzania. The schedule allows for
ten game drives, so crews should
meet all of the region’s four-legged
residents before flying home. Rétromobile 5-9 February
rallytheglobe.com Image: Rétromobile

20-23 February 5-7 March

London Classic Car Show WinteRace
In 2020 the show moves from A field of 70 pre-1977 cars, an
London’s ExCeL to its new home expertly plotted route through the
at Olympia, and the venue will be Dolomites and some of Europe’s
filled with a hand-picked selection most beautiful mountain scenery,
of cars from the UK and beyond. and snow, snow and more snow.
thelondonclassiccarshow.co.uk winterace.it

21-23 February 5-8 March

Race Retro Amelia Island
Historic racing cars, historic Concours d’Elegance
motorcycles and central heating Amelia celebrates its 25th
will delight visitors to Stoneleigh anniversary in 2020, but most of
Park in Warwickshire, but with the attention at the concours will
Group B machines on the special be on honouree Roger Penske,
rally stage, you won’t stay indoors. who was awarded the Presidential
raceretro.com Medal of Freedom this year and
remains a hugely influential figure
21-23 February in racing across the pond.
ClassicAuto Madrid ameliaconcours.org
First held in 2010, ClassicAuto
has grown from an industry event 6-8 March
into a bustling show as popular Antwerp Classic Salon
with enthusiasts as with the trade. Abarth is the marque getting the
classicautomadrid.com VIP treatment in 2020, organisers
have confirmed, but the displays
28-29 February in Antwerp will be as diverse as
Chester Rally Revival ever thanks to the presence of
Those wanting to see the pre-1999 more than 50 car clubs from
rally cars in action can do so at across Belgium and the
Rednal Circuit in Oswestry. Netherlands.
rallyrevival.co.uk antwerpclassicsalon.be

33
IGNITION / News

New museum for the common man

Everyday cars from the past will find favour over Ferraris at The Great British Car Journey
Words James Elliott

34
Left and right
These images reveal the look of the new museum’s
refurbished factory home in Derbyshire; exhibits
will range from Austin Sevens to a McLaren and an
F1 car, but the focus will be on more common cars.

A new British motor museum designed to

be the antidote to priceless car collections that
everyday motorists cannot relate to is to open in
Derbyshire on 12 April. Uniquely for the UK,
visitors will even have an opportunity to drive
the car they always dreamed of on a private
mile-long course.
The Great British Car Journey museum, or
exhibition as its founder prefers to call it, is
the brainchild of Richard Usher, ex-Auto
Windscreens boss and former owner of Blyton
Park. His inspiration came when a regular visitor
motor charity needs
to the Lincolnshire track gradually hooked him
on a very low-mileage Austin Maestro: ‘I realised
donors for new blood
A chArity set up to encourage youngsters
it was something I had an enormous affection to have a go in – and fall in love with – classic
for – it was the first car to have a glued-in cars has appealed for donor vehicles to help its
windscreen after all, so it was important to me as mission. Founded in 2017, StarterMotor, whose
a windscreen man! – and I ended up buying it. aim is ‘putting the next generation in the driving
Then I started to think about its rarity and the seat’, is based at and backed by Bicester
fact that so many everyday cars, built in vast Heritage and has strong links with the Heritage
Skills Academy that is working out of the former
numbers, are now virtually extinct – many are RAF base. The charity is accumulating a small
far rarer than contemporary exotica. There were fleet of 15-20 classic vehicles to be restored,
700,000 Maestros, but where are they now? And maintained and used by the apprentices on the
what about Avengers and Sierras – you just don’t scheme. They will also be encouraged to use
see them; even a Mk3 Escort is a rarity.’ the cars to spread the message far and wide.
When Usher sold Blyton Park two years ago, But StarterMotor also liaises with colleges,
companies and other apprenticeship schemes
he set himself a mission to gather all the to organise driving days on which youngsters
affordable British mass-produced cars that have can try out a classic car for themselves and see
put the populous on the road. In a two-year what is so special about them. One hugely
buying spree he amassed more than 50 vehicles, successful day was held earlier this year at
which form the foundation of the Great British
‘There will be
Bicester, where the youths were encouraged
Car Journey, plus a collection of a further 35 to have a go in a selection of Alvises.
Newly appointed chief executive of
British cars that the facility has acquired and 30
or so from other people involved in the museum.
‘Finding the cars was harder than you might
The opporTuniTy To StarterMotor, David Withers, explained: ‘Our
passion is to see the next generation of young
people driving, maintaining and enjoying
think,’ adds Usher. ‘Try and find a nice original
Sierra 1.6L that hasn’t been turned into a Cossie
rep, or any decent hatchback Chevette. But we
drive cars on The historic cars. We are more aware than ever that
if nothing is done, then the world of classic
motoring will change irrevocably.
need them because this is about real people and
social history as much as anything else.
siTe’s privaTe roads’ ‘StarterMotor is determined to ensure a big
welcome for young people to the historic
motoring community by supporting them in
‘We’re optimistic about its appeal because the their ambitions and promoting access to
nostalgia market is huge, but what has really through the darkest days of British Leyland. For classic cars. To help do this we will be hosting
surprised us so far is the level of interest from a projected entry fee of less than £15, sampling young drivers’ days, supporting classic vehicle
younger people who get very excited because has shown that the experience should take apprenticeships throughout the country, and
providing cars for learning, restoring and using
they learned to drive in a Metro or whatever.’ anything between 90 minutes and an entire day. from our own collection.’
Just two months ago, planning permission It aims to tap into the thriving Peak District Now, the charity is trying to encourage some
was given to develop the old Richard Johnson & tourist industry, and its key appeal will be the ‘turnover’ in its fleet (once it is quorate it will
Nephew Wire Works beside the River Derwent opportunity to drive cars for a 15-minute spell be one-in, one-out) and has appealed to
in Ambergate, about 12 miles north of Derby. on the site’s private roads for 100 days of the philanthropic owners to help out. StarterMotor
Then the team embarked on a £500,000 year. Called Drive Dad’s Car, this can be booked is looking for ‘vehicles in need of TLC’ that
owners feel they might never get around to
refurbishment programme of the main 2635m2 in advance on the website and sessions will cost restoring and which can be contributed to the
building – which looks like it could have been from about £50, including an instructor riding greater good. Specific models that would be
part of the Longbridge assembly line – to house shotgun. The driving fleet will be kept in the appropriate are: Triumph Herald/Spitfire,
the collection as well as a café, gift shop and factory’s old canteen and feature everything Austin A35, Vauxhall Viva, Ford Escort Mk1,
workshop. An audio and video feed will take from a Morris Minor Million to a Jaguar XJ-S. Vauxhall Chevette, Fiat 126, Austin Seven,
visitors through a nine-stage saga of the rise and Usher concluded: ‘The site has a lot of space VW Beetle, Austin 10, Austin A40, Austin
Cambridge/Morris Oxford, Ford Cortina
demise of the British motor industry, starting in and we can expand in the future. It’s never going Mk1/2, Ford Consul Mk1, Renault 4/6 and
the 1920s with the Austin Seven, travelling to be Bicester Heritage, but…’ Talbot Sunbeam/Horizon.
through the Morris Minor and Mini, and on For more, see greatbritishcarjourney.com. If you can help, email [email protected].

35
IGNITION / News

NEWS FEED
Jaguars help fight cancer; wheeled film stars at Petersen Museum; Chateau Impney,
London classics and Malta dates; new events for quads, early trials cars; Riley rebirth

Brighton Run tragedy

A visiting participant on the
Bonhams London to Brighton
Veteran Car Run on 3 November
died after he apparently took
a wrong turn on his 1903 Knox
Runabout ‘Old Porcupine’ and
strayed on to the M23, where he
was in collision with a lorry. The See the style in Malta
80-year-old Canadian collector The poster has been revealed for
Ron Carey, who had taken part in the 2020 Valletta Concours
previous Brighton Runs, was d’Elegance. The event takes place
accompanied by his wife Billi, who in the Maltese city’s St George’s
was seriously injured. Square on 31 May. See
vallettaconcoursdelegance.com.

Jaguar XKs circumnavigate Britain for charity

Philip Porter’s now-annual charity drive around the coast of Britain has
raised the total amassed for Prostate Cancer UK by his adventures to over
£250,000. For 2019 the event featured Jaguar XKs (it alternates with
E-types) and 50 cars took part over 18 days on either the entire
3400-mile route or smaller sections. It started and finished at Beaulieu’s
National Motor Museum in Hampshire, the finishers flagged home by
steam car Land Speed Record-holder Don Wales. Both Wales and Porter London Classic Car Show
have been successfully treated for prostate cancer. After spending the previous five No fiddling required
Porter said: ‘For an event created as a one-off, it’s wonderful that the years at ExCeL in East London, The Historic Sporting Trials
Round Britain Coastal Drive has continued to raise significant sums for the London Classic Car Show is Association (hsta.org.uk) is to hold
charity four years later.’ to cross the capital to Olympia, special events for pre-1953 trials
Best of all, every penny raised for Prostate UK by the XK Club is on 20-23 February. See cars, such as the Dellow, which have
matched pound-for-pound by an anonymous donor. thelondonclassiccarshow.co.uk. more fragile bodywork, no fiddle
brakes and limited steering lock.
Chateau Impney Hill Climb
joined by Meyer’s 1962 Shelby The French château-style venue Auctions analysed in depth
Cobra as well as a 1952 Ferrari near Droitwich will host an eclectic Adolfo Orsi and Raffaele Gazzi of
212/225 Barchetta and a 1967 paddock of over 200 cars and Historica Selecta have launched
Ford GT40 Mark III. The cars go motorcycles for the 2020 Chateau their 24th Classic Car Auction
on display on 21 November. See Impney Hill Climb on 18-19 July. Yearbook. It analyses 97 auctions
Petersen.org for more. The event, which attracted 20,000 and 5467 cars over 400 pages,
visitors last year, will also host with 947 photos and 24 graphs.
classic car displays, a concours and
Cars are stars at Petersen entertainment for all the family.
With the whole motoring world See chateauimpneyhillclimb.com.
about to go doolally – positively or
negatively – over the blockbuster RIP Derek Pollock
Ford vs Ferrari movie as Octane Club Triumph stalwart Derek
went to press, the Petersen Pollock, who initiated the famous
Museum in LA announced a now-biennial 2000-mile Round
brilliantly opportunistic new Four-wheeled Pioneers Britain Reliability Run and was
display of cars featured in the film, The Pioneer Run is to accept awarded an MBE for services to Riley reborn
which stars Matt Damon and quadricycles on the next event in charity, has died. Derek bought A superb replica of Percy Riley’s
Christian Bale. Two of them – the March 2020. To be eligible ‘quads’ his first Triumph in 1954 and still 1898 Voiturette, built by members
1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB SEFAC must be dated by the Pioneer owned the TR4 he bought new in of the Riley Motor Club and the
and the 1957 Ferrari 625/250 Register or the Veteran Car Club 1963. Having co-launched the Riley Register, was unveiled
Testa Rossa – are owned by the and require four wheels, a single RBRR in 1966, he promoted earlier this month at Coventry
museum’s founding chairman, steering column, handlebars, a fundraising from 1990. It has Transport Museum by William
Bruce Meyer, and they will be saddle and pedals. since amassed over £750,000. Riley’s grandson Victor.

36
IGNITION / News

Left and below

Classic motorcycles, Jaguars and Land
Rovers will be the first to benefit from
the new Lucas Authentic Classic
Rangge of genuine-sppecification parts.

of classic components under the Pride banner.

The packaging has been given a period look,
featuring a stylised lion’s head and a Union Jack,
but these are not being sold as Lucas parts.
It’s usually remanufactured ignition parts –
points, condensers, control boxes and coils –
that cause classic vehicle owners the most grief,
so will the ‘new’ Lucas red-and-black-box series

New (old) look for Lucas

offer any improvement?
Eventually, seems to be the answer. Julian
Parker says that the company is currently
focusing on 20 products such as windscreen
Higher-quality range of classic parts to be launched washer bottles, switches and lights, but that
in traditional red-and-black packaging it will gradually introduce ignition parts too.
In response to the complaint that certain
Lucas-branded parts are now made in India and
AFTER YEARS OF struggling by with poor- Octane how and why the motivation to revitalise of poor quality, Parker says that, wherever
quality electrical components, classic car and the brand came about. possible, Lucas Authentic Classic parts will be
bike enthusiasts have been promised a new ‘Lucas has an incredibly complicated history made in the UK. However, he points out that
range of authentic Lucas components, built and for decades there was no real understanding Lucas itself opened an Indian factory back in the
to a higher quality than before. of the brand,’ he says. ‘SNG Barratt, for example, 1960s, and that the problem is not necessarily
Launched at November’s UK Classic Motor re-manufactured hundreds of Lucas parts on the one of manufacture, but of quality control.
Show, the Lucas Authentic Classic Range will original tooling, some of which were marked as ‘Electrical control boxes, for example, may
be sold in the traditional 1950s-style red-and- such – light lenses, for example – and some of not be properly tested after manufacture. That is
black boxes. More importantly, it will be subject which had the Lucas name removed. We didn’t something that we will be addressing, and we
to much more stringent quality control than pay a licence because there was no-one to pay! will offer a two-year guarantee. We are determined
in recent years, according to the maker. But we’d much rather pay and do a proper job.’ to make a proper, quality product – the last
Initially, the range will target three specific Further adding to the confusion about what thing we want is for people to open one of our
markets – Jaguars, Land Rovers and classic is ‘genuine’ Lucas and what isn’t, UK company boxes and find some old rubbish inside.’
motorcycles – via three major specialists in ELTA Automotive has held a licence to sell parts
those respective fields – SNG Barratt, Britpart in Lucas green-and-white packaging since the See lucasclassic.com for more on the Lucas
and Wassell. Julian Parker is the Lucas product early 2000s. It will continue to hold that licence Authentic Classic Range, and prideclassic.co.uk
manager at SNG Barratt and explained to – but it has also just announced its own range for ELTA’s new Pride series.

WHY WE LOVE… happens to one of the bulbs in your modern car,

it may well be a 382, too. This writer’s 2011 Fiat

The 382 light bulb 500 Twinair has brake light bulbs easily a decade
older than the car itself, probably much more,
liberated from the garage spares stash. And
It’s the standard single-filament, 21-watt bulb, the bayonet base will fit in the bulb-holder of
most commonly used for indicators, brake lights, even some 1930s cars. Here is a humble
reversing lights and rear fog lights, available for design classic.
under £1. So what’s so special about it? Simply There’s also its light-cluster cohabitee, the
this: design longevity, ubiquity and a perfect 380 with two filaments: one of 21 watts, one of
illustration that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. five. It’s the combined stop/tail-light bulb but
If the indicator bulb in your 1950s classic, one fewer moderns use these, preferring to keep the
of the first cars with flashers, goes pop, it will functions separate. Newer equals simpler. That
probably be one of these. If the same thing doesn’t happen often. John Simister

38
1929 Mercedes-Benz 710 SS Sport Tourer by Fernandez & Darrin

Contact us to consign your car

RETROMOBILE 2020
The official sale
Consignment deadline: Auction: Contact:
Mid-December 2019 Sunday 7 February 2020 +33 (0)1 42 99 20 73
[email protected]
Salon Rétromobile
Paris, France artcurial.com/motorcars
IGNITION / News

Russell Brookes
1945-2019
The cheerful champion of Britain’s rally
stages always enjoyed a good powerslide
Words James Elliott Portrait Alex Tapley

1970s british rally legend rallying, going toe-to-toe with

Russell Brookes passed away at team-mate Jimmy McRae in the
the end of October at the age of mid-’80s. Ultimately the drivers
74. The spectacular three-times took a championship each.
consecutive RAC podium man Brookes returned to Ford in the
(1977-79) and twice British Rally late 1980s, but further front-line
Champion – first in an Escort success eluded him.
RS1800 (1977), then an Opel Drivers today are measured
Manta (1985) – was synonymous against their World Rally
with the livery of career-long Championship success, but in
sponsor Andrews Heat for Hire, Brookes’ era the British
even though many had no idea championship had such status
what the product was. and attracted such stellar drivers
Like so many of his era, the that the world event was almost
Worcestershire-born driver began secondary. Even so, Brookes did
in Minis. Having shone in the compete in some world events in a
single-model Escort Mexico lengthy career that encompassed
championship, he then secured a cars from Minis to Lancia Delta
works drive with Ford from 1976 Integrales, including the feisty
to ’79, securing the first of his Talbot-Lotus Sunbeam.
championships in the process. After his official retirement in
For 1980 he moved to Vauxhall- 1991, ‘Stumpy’ was still seen in
Opel. A few years later he historic events and at shows such
established one of the most as Race Retro, where he remained
thrilling rivalries in British a huge draw for spectators.

Andrew Cowan Keith

1936-2019 Schellenberg
Duns’ seconD-favourite
son, two-times winner of the 1929-2019
London to Sydney Marathon, a more flamboyant and
Andrew Cowan forged a career in controversial character it would be
motorsport that eclipsed many hard to find. Keith Schellenberg
bigger names. As a youth the Scot was capaulted into the news
even competed against close friend following disputes arising from his
PA IMAGES

and neighbour Jim Clark, but the ownership of the Isle of Eigg in the
two aspiring drivers’ lives went in Inner Hebrides, during which his
very different directions, Clark to 1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom was
the glamour of F1, Cowan to the mud-spattered glory of guiding a torched, but there was far more to him than that. A former county
Hillman Hunter halfway around the globe for the Rootes Group in rugby player for his beloved Yorkshire, he also stood as an MP, was an
1968. He repeated that winning feat for Mercedes in 1977. He also Olympic bobsleigher, a powerboat racer, a racing driver and a historic
drove for Triumph and Rover before joining Mitsubishi, where he racer – and the long-term owner of the Barnato-Hassan Bentley. He
ended his driving career and took over as its motorsport director. also embarked on several great adventures in vintage Bentleys.

40
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IGNITION / News

In tHIs MontH: JAnuARy 1968

Sponsorship appears
in Grand Prix racing
Since the dawn of motor racing a
spectator’s allegiance to a team or driver
had been assisted by national racing
colours. Where would a D-type be without
its distinctive British Racing Green? Could
a German Mercedes be anything other than
Man & MaCHInE
a Silver Arrow, or – heaven forbid – an Italian

A special sort of Triumph

race car be daubed in anything other than
Rosso Corsa? But this national identity
ended for the 1968 season as full
commercial sponsorship arrived.
For a few years before then there had
Peter Vivian wanted ‘something more interesting’, so built it been some small stickers on GP cars:
Words and photography Paul Hardiman owners’ companies, suppliers of free spark
plugs, favoured fuel and so on. Overall,
though, the cars were uniformly coloured
‘I wanted somethIng more interesting woodworking skills and impressive workshop according to country of origin or where the
than a Mk3 Escort,’ he said. That’s fair, although Peter had no problems producing the ash team resided. Everyone knew where they
building your own car was surely an extreme frame. So who made the aluminium skin? ‘Er, were and national pride could be expressed.
step. It’s one thing to assemble a Caterham I did. I made myself a wheeling machine to But, ever the businessman, Lotus’s Colin
Seven in a couple of weekends, but quite produce the pieces for the boat tail.’ Made your Chapman saw a sponsorship opportunity
another to create your own car from scratch. own wheeling machine? ‘Yes,’ he says, matter-of and single-handedly changed the look of F1
Peter Vivian is a ‘maker’, however. He works factly. ‘The top roller is a large ball race and the racing for ever. He went into partnership
in Bournemouth University’s product design bottom one I turned up myself from Delrin.’ with Imperial Tobacco and its cigarette
brand, Gold Leaf. This venture was not
department and wasn’t daunted by never One reason the Midge design appealed is
welcomed by many in the racing world: it
having made a car before. ‘It had always been in that the scuttle is high, which was attractive seemed to be changing the face of the sport
the back of my mind to build something. I got a because Peter is 6ft 9in tall. That dictates the they loved, and also seemed unpatriotic.
kit car magazine, no doubt one of Peter Filby’s, proportions but the new body ameliorates the Chapman explained his motives in a
and saw plan-built cars for the first time.’ slab-sidedness somewhat. ‘The tail is made in speech announcing the partnership.
Inspired by the JC Midge, designed by John four pieces. The difficult bit is getting the ‘In these difficult times, British prestige and
Cowperthwaite in the early ’80s and based second side to match the first. I had three goes sales efforts at home and abroad need every
loosely on the J2 Midget, he got himself a set of and ended up using my first attempt. The only possible support and encouragement. It is
plans and a Spitfire chassis and got to work. The part of the original body I kept was the bonnet.’ therefore encouraging to us all that John
Player & Sons should have come forward in
car as built was constructed mainly of plywood All Peter didn’t do was the interior, by Scott
this truly patriotic fashion to support our
cut directly from the full-size plans, dictating Lloyd at Technical Autotrim, in vinyl to resist racing activities as co-entrants…’
flat panels except for the rolled-aluminium weather given that it’s never had a roof, only a Many of the ‘old school’, he said,
bonnet. ‘At the time I was playing basketball, tonneau. And the paint. ‘The first paint job cost complained to him that motor racing was
but I gave up to build the car in a single lock-up £100, and the second, 30 years later by the being spoiled for commercial gain, but
with no light and only hand tools.’ Three-and-a- same man, Derek Pearce, cost me a set of stairs Chapman extolled the benefits. After all, he
half years later it was ready, ‘for a shade over and a quarter landing. I like the barter system. said, motor racing was expensive and he
£2000.’ For a time it was his daily driver. ‘I was ‘It’s been on the road like this for 100 miles, also wanted to sell his road cars.
teaching at Southampton one night a week, but I’ve done about 50,000 in all, including the That Gold Leaf Team Lotus livery seems
driving in all weathers with no heater, and I Haynes rallies and the Norwich Union Classics. entirely normal now, as do cigarette liveries
that followed from JPS Lotus, Marlboro
never want it to be my only car again.’ My wife even went to sleep in it once on the
McLaren, Mild Seven Benetton, Gitanes
After 30 years of ownership he fancied M40.’ That’s the wife for whom Peter knocked Ligier, Marlboro Ferrari and others. Cigarette
something a little more ambitious. ‘It needed a up a Rickman Ranger, as you do. You can’t help advertising on GP cars was banned in 2006
gearbox rebuild, so I thought I’d rebody it at the noticing the dead Landie with a rotten chassis – but plenty of other products have rushed
same time with a proper boat tail instead of the on the drive, and there are future plans for a in to take the place of the smokes.
slab tank.’ A definite improvement, and with his hillclimber: ‘I love making stuff.’ Evidently. Neil Godwin-Stubbert

42
 05 09
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 IGNITION / Gearbox

1. My brother gave me these Carnaby

ROBERT BROOKS
Street F1 gauntlets for my first Formula
Ford race in 1975. James Hunt had orange
gloves! I sneaked them past scrutineers
right up until the 2002 Bathurst 24 Hours
Former BRDC chairman, three-times holder of the record (we were fourth, a huge highlight, along
with three Nürburgring 24 Hours with Tony
for selling the most expensive car in the world, and Lifetime Dron and driver-coach genius Rob Wilson).
Achievement winner at the 2019 Historic Motoring Awards
Interview and photography James Elliott 2. My father’s pilot’s logbook is Royal
Canadian Air Force because he was
shipped out to learn to fly there in 1943 as
many were in the war. He flew Lancasters
from 1943 until 1947 when he signed off.
On his 60th birthday I took him up in a
1 2 Tiger Moth, on which he had trained.

3. When I realised it would take more than

orange gloves to make it to F1, I followed
my father into auctioneering. He bought
me this gavel for my first sale (I was 19)
and I still use it. It’s come down on three
outright records: Royale, W196 and GTO.

4. I have been doing the Bonhams London

to Brighton Veteran Car Run for 40 years
and all my children participate now. This
3 year I drove an 1895 Peugeot owned by
my business partner and mentor Evert
Louwman for probably the 25th time.

5. I bought this 1914 Pol Roger at a charity

auction. It was ‘picked to sound of cannon
in 1914, but released to the sound of bells
in 1919’, so this year Pol Roger held a
special dinner. They brought another 1914,
4 5 and we drank the two – they were nectar.
6
6. All the Goodwood events are entirely
Charles Richmond’s vision, but I have
been privileged to tag along from the start.
The Omega was given to me at the 1998
Revival for ‘the finest performance by any
driver’ for my run in Evert’s Lotus 15, of
which I am immensely proud. The medal
was awarded in 2018 to drivers who had
taken part in every Revival to date.

7. We bought a 15th Century farm in 2011

and spent five years renovating it. We
have a herd of about 100 Angus and
Herefords, grow a range of apples and
hold an annual ‘black powder shoot’,
but my ideal day is driving around the
farm roads in veteran cars with the
family (I have nine grandchildren).

8. These gold Garrard cufflinks were cast

for BRDC founder and Le Mans winner Dr
7 Dudley Benjafield. Although later copied in
silver, these were one-off and may be the
first novelty item to wear the crest. I was
very proud to qualify for the club in 1999
and even more so to serve as chairman.

9. I adore all mechanical antiquity, military

history and transport from racing cars to
locomotives, but the most extraordinary
thing I have ‘driven’ was a nuclear sub.
ROYAL NAVY

It was a hunter-killer S Class (they all

begin with S except Conqueror) and I
piloted Sceptre for about ten minutes.

44
 1959 L ANCIA FL AMINIA SPORT SERIES 1 BY ZAGATO
Chassis no. 824.02 1007

The first 99 Lancia Flaminia Sport Zagatos are considered the holy grail of Flaminias and this
‘double-bubble’ rare example which we are offering is no exception.

Wearing race number 43, Elio Zagato and Giovanni Rota raced this actual car at the 1960
Coppa Intereuropa and won their class, making this Flaminia even more special.

Also available: 1960 Jaguar XK150 S 3.8 Roadster | 1978 Porsche 935 K3 | 1971 Lamborghini Jarama 400 GT

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UK +44 (0)203 621 2923 | Italy +39 02 36003241 | [email protected]

Girardo.com
 IGNITION / Opinion

JAY LENO
The Collector

R
ecently I bought a home in Newport, Rhode field and only the class-winners drove up to the podium.
Island. It’s one of the most beautiful cities in For the record, the Best in Show went to Joseph and
America as well as the home of some of America’s Margie Cassini for their 1927 Isotta Fraschini Tipo 8A S
earliest motorists, none more prominent than Roadster, commissioned by film star Rudolph Valentino.
Willie K Vanderbilt. He was not only one of the Of course Newport is a very high-end area with 30 or
richest men in America, but also one of the automobile’s 40 mansions built at the turn of the last century, mansions
staunchest advocates. He used his great wealth to no-one could afford to build today. Some remain, and
promote racing whenever he could. He even had his Bugatti, Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Benz were each able
name on the first major open auto-racing event, the to rent one right on the water to show off their wares. The
Vanderbilt Trophy. Bugatti one was like a French château. It all made for a
In 1904, Willie K, in a Mercedes, set a World Land good atmosphere for the event.
Speed record at Daytona Beach, Florida, of 92.30mph. My contribution, though, was more rooted in the hoi
He was often seen racing his Pierce-Arrow down polloi. I worry a bit about the greying of our hobby and
Newport’s ritzy Bellevue Avenue. So it was fitting that a how millionaires end up competing against billionaires. Jay leno
concours should be held in the grounds of his massive 70- Where, I often wonder, is the next generation of Comedian and talk show
room mansion, The Breakers. enthusiasts going to come from? legend Jay Leno is one
of the most famous
I’ve been attending automotive So I came up with the idea of an
concours events for over 40 years,
but I’ve never really had much input
‘ThE ONLY TImE YOu event called ‘30 under 30’, for men
and women 30 years of age or
entertainers in the USA.
He is also a true petrolhead,

sEE mILLIONAIREs
with a huge collection
in putting one together until now. younger, who spend no more than of cars and bikes (www.
The man behind this undertaking $30,000 restoring their vehicles. jaylenosgarage.com). Jay was
is Nick Schorsch, owner of the ANd bILLIONAIREs The response was tremendous. We speaking with Jeremy Hart.
Audrain Auto Museum in
downtown Newport. Nick is one of cRYING ON ThE got MGAs, Corvairs, BMW 2002s,
a Nissan GT-R, a Mercedes 300D,
the most committed enthusiasts
I’ve ever met. How he convinced cONcOuRs fIELd Is Chevy pick-up trucks… you name
it. These young people all drove
General Motors to release to his
museum its rarest and most ground- whEN ThEY LOsE’ their cars to the event. Their
enthusiasm was infectious.
breaking concept cars, such as the Quite a few of these young people
Buick Y-Job, the Firebird III and a handful of others for brought their parents with them, as if to prove to them:
an exhibit called ‘Styling The Future’, I have no idea. ‘See, it’s not a complete waste of time.’ The winner, Carter
My good friend and professional auto appraiser, Kramer with his 1976 BMW 2002, damaged his car on
Donald Osborne, and I were asked to lend our support. the way to the show and had to repaint his front spoiler
Donald works with me on my TV show, Jay Leno’s Garage. on the morning of the event.
With the staff of the Audrain Museum we were able to These young people all restored the cars themselves.
secure 40 of the automotive world’s best judges from five One even cried because his car was being honoured on
different countries, along with 98 world-class automobiles the same field as Bugattis and Ferraris. Normally the only
from 1899 to 1970. time you see millionaires and billionaires crying on the
Unlike a lot of concours events, the emphasis was not concours field is when they lose.
on technical restoration of the vehicles but on the story. That’s how we can inspire the next generation of
The theme of our event was History, Luxury, Sport, so enthusiast: by making it about the blood, sweat and tears
any vehicle that had all three could easily beat another of our hobby. So if you’re an old guy like me, the next time
which was missing one of them. you go to a car show find the youngest entrant there and
I also thought we should trim down the number of give them the thumbs up. It might just save our hobby.
awards. A lot of concours events have become like Little Younger people embrace new technology like 3D
League, where every kid is a winner and everybody gets a printing, too. There are no more junkyards as cars get
trophy. And when sponsors get involved it can become recycled but, with 3D printers, there is almost nothing
mind-numbing. To keep the award presentations brief, you can’t make. Our hobby must evolve. I hope this event
second and third places were given to the owners on the and the appeal to younger hobbyists will keep it going.

47
 IGNITION / Opinion

DEREK BELL
The Legend

T
his column is being painstakingly put together Stateside, I would love to see IndyCar become truly
48 hours after one of the most momentous relevant again. If anyone can make this happen, it’s Roger.
announcements in US motorsport for 30 years, Speaking of making things happen, I have to say I was
maybe even longer. Roger Penske’s purchase of delighted to see Lewis Hamilton win his sixth Formula 1
the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the drivers’ title. I was really impressed with the way he spoke
IndyCar series is fantastic news. after he finished second to his AMG-Mercedes team-
Top-flight open-wheel racing in North America has mate Valtteri Bottas at Austin, Texas. The puppyish
endured a torrid time since warring factions split the enthusiasm I remember him having when he first burst
series in the mid-1990s. It was once a thing of beauty, into ‘Eff One’ in 2007 was back. There was a lightness of
with packed grids, great drivers and plenty of media mood I haven’t seen for a long time.
coverage. But that was then. The ‘Blue Riband’ Indy 500 He was genuinely humble, too. I think – and I really am
has never quite been the same since. There have been surmising – that Lewis is fundamentally a shy bloke. He is
incremental gains here and there, but nothing like a freakishly talented, but it’s only of late that he seems to
proper recovery. have added a thick hide to his armoury. He doesn’t wear Derek Bell
I am a great admirer of ‘The Captain’. He was a gifted his heart on his sleeve so much any more. Derek took up racing in
driver long before he created his Lewis will always polarise 1964 in a Lotus 7, won
two World Sportscar
own team. He arrived at Indy as an opinion, but I don’t think anyone
entrant in 1969 and has been a
constant force at this hallowed
‘pENsKE’s fERRaRI can doubt his greatness. Seriously,
can anyone not think he is one of the
Championships (1985
and 1986), the 24 Hours

512M cOuLD havE

of Daytona three times (in
venue over the past half-century. true legends of the sport? He has 1986, ’87 and ’89), and Le
And that’s before you factor in his finished on the Formula 1 podium Mans five times (in 1975,
countless successes in other wON a cONcOuRs, an incredible 150 times! ’81, ’82, ’86 and ’87).
disciplines as a team owner, be it
in NASCAR, Can-Am, sports- NEvER MIND a There are drivers who race in the
series for years who never get close
prototypes, F5000 or even F1.
I remember my first major sports ROuND-ThE-cLOcK to the rostrum. He has claimed 83
wins thus far, and I expect him to
car race with a works-backed team,
the 1971 Daytona 24 Hours. I was ENDuRaNcE RacE’ eclipse Michael Schumacher’s
record of 91 before much longer;
there with a Gulf-liveried Porsche maybe even next year. I reckon he’ll
917K, sharing with Jo Siffert. Our car looked fantastic, be the first driver to exceed 100 Grand Prix victories.
but then there was Roger’s Sunoco-sponsored Ferrari As a proud Briton, I love to see the home side win.
512M. The presentation of that car was incredible. It What I did find sad, though, was the British media’s
looked sexy as hell; it could have won a concours, never response to Hamilton’s triumph. Much was made around
mind a round-the-clock endurance race. As it happened the same time of the English rugby team’s success against
we didn’t finish, and David Hobbs and Mark Donohue New Zealand (it was a bloomin’ brilliant match) and its
were third in the Ferrari. I remember thinking that I loss to the Springboks in the World Cup final. That was all
wouldn’t mind driving for that team one day. Everything front-page news. Lewis’s big win was relegated to the
about it appeared professional and well polished. back pages. I think that’s scandalous. But, hey.
I never did drive for Roger, although I did win for Finally, I would like to pass on my condolences to the
Penske, the marque, back in 1977. My last victory in a family of Ron Carey following his death on the Bonhams
single-seater was accrued aboard Paul Michaels’ Hexagon London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. My thoughts are
Racing Penske PC3, which I drove in that year’s Oulton with them, and I wish his wife a speedy recovery. I am
Park International Gold Cup. But this is an aside. sure the precise background to the accident on the M23
As well as being North America’s most successful race will come out in due course, but the only crumb of
entrant, Roger is also a hugely successful businessman. comfort for the family will be the knowledge that at least
His empire is vast and his acumen legendary, and I expect he died doing something he loved.
he will apply his magic to the ‘Brickyard’ and to IndyCar. Despite what was written in every newspaper report
He has the resources, the vision and the contacts. As I canvassed, the Run is not a race. It’s a celebration. I only
someone who has enjoyed a lot of good times racing hope this tragic event will not curtail the Run in future.

49
 IGNITION / Opinion

STEPHEN BAyLEy
The Aesthete

I
t would be impossible to publish Lolita today. Not classic, effortlessly transcending the druggy and
just because it describes, at some literary length, an solipsistic limitations of its Beat Generation milieu. His
older man’s breathy and obsessive lust for an car was a ’49 Hudson and Kerouac wrote not on sheets
adolescent girl whom he has kidnapped, but it also but on a continuous roll of paper, which surely aided his
concerns something just as sordid and unacceptable fluency. Q. ‘Where are we going?’ A. ‘I don’t know, but I
to contemporary manners. A road trip. gotta go.’ Thus is the road trip captured in its absurd glory.
To Humbert Humbert, Nabokov’s hero, his car is both But what about F Scott Fitzgerald, poet of ruined
a practical and a philosophical means of escape, even if it glamour and wasted promise? In 1920, Scott, flush with
is for Lolita a prison. It accommodates him and his leggy the advance from This Side of Paradise, fired up his 1918
nymphette in an alternative world. He wants his time Marmon, bundled his wife into the passenger seat and
with Lolita to last forever, and the car helps. drove from Connecticut to Alabama, so the mad Zelda
Beginning in August 1947 and ending a year later, could rediscover the peaches and biscuits of her Southern
Humbert Humbert travelled from the ‘whiggles and youth. They were looking for a lost Golden Age, a subject
whorls’ of New England, then meandered south and west. that later became the subject of The Great Gatsby. Stephen bayley
He was ‘putting the geography of the United States into Fitzgerald turned this eight-day journey into a series of SB is the individual for
motion’ in his ‘belated little sedan’. articles which appeared in the US whom the term ‘design
guru’ could have been
This is what’s wrong with electric Motor magazine in 1924, eventually
cars. Having now owned one for a
month, I know. When I get into an
‘IN AN ELEcTrIc cAr, published in book form in 2011 as
The Cruise of the Rolling Junk. The
coined. He was the
founding director of

fAr HOrIzONS SEEm

London’s Design Museum
interesting car – which, to me, reality was one of bust axles, blow- and his best-selling books
includes everything from a puffing outs, a lost wheel and mis-directions include Sex, Drink and Fast
1961 Renault quatrelle to a roaring AS rEmOTE ANd since Zelda could not read a map. Cars and Taste: the Secret
Meaning of Things.
2019 Ferrari Portofino – I want to
settle in and let my mind wander IrrELEvANT AS THE They never found their Golden
Age, but Fitzgerald could not let the
about journeys to come, adventures
to be had, experiences to be shared, fuNErAL rITES Of fantasy go. He described ‘an ethereal
picture of how we would roll
horizons to conquer. But in an EV,
when you are fussing and fretting THE INcAS’ southward along the glittering
boulevards of many cities, then by
with a fiddly app, desperate to find way of quiet lanes and fragrant
the next public rapid-charging station, far horizons seem hollows whose honeysuckle branches would ruffle our
as remote and irrelevant as the funeral rites of the Incas. hair with white sweet fingers’.
The road trip may be joining public executions, Really? On return, Zelda icily wrote, ‘The joys of
flirtation, private jets, drinking alcohol on buses, foie motoring are more or less fictional.’ But that does not
gras, sun-bathing and other delights soon to be forbidden make them less compelling. Isn’t the enchantment of an
by medicine and law, but it remains a fixed element in imagined journey to an impossible destination what
popular culture. American popular culture, at least. fundamentally attracts us to classic cars?
EB White, the great New Yorker journalist, drove ‘From Talking of the appearance of Japanese cars at Pebble
Sea to Shining Sea’ on a coast-to-coast road trip in his Beach this year, Randy Nonnenberg, founder of Bring A
Model T Ford, making him feel like an ordinary ‘man Trailer, a compulsively interesting car website, told the
enthroned’. That, of course, was Henry’s democratic idea. New York Times: ‘A lot of it is driven by nostalgia, by
Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath of 1939 used car travel as memories of a time when cars delivered a purer sense of
a significant motif, and in 1962 he wrote Travels with driving.’ And so we find ourselves back with what is
Charley, an American odyssey of motels and trailer courts missing in the EV, a machine whose charmless perfection
where his companions were a Ford truck and his poodle. is a metaphor for all modern achievements.
Hunter S Thompson’s ride for his epic journey from Me? I am an analogue man. I like the weight and the
Los Angeles to Las Vegas was a bright red ’73 Chevy feel of pistons and gears and their crazy illogicality.
Caprice with a boot large enough to accommodate even Pistons and gears made Nabokov, Kerouac and Fitzgerald
his supplies of drink and drugs. But best of all was Jack think. They make us think, too. And if those thoughts are
Kerouac, whose 1957 On the Road has become a timeless as wistful as Zelda’s, who said wistfulness is a bad thing?

51
IGNITION / Opinion

ROBERT COUCHER
The Driver

T
he aroma is what I remember so vividly. I can still worked strongly. I really enjoyed the Alfa as my everyday
smell it today. Unlike the dusky odour of leather, car, and it performed faultlessly until I ran the bearings
the Alfa Romeo Giulietta’s interior smelt strongly on a Silverstone track day. So I called Cape Town’s Alfa
of plastic. The car was finished in unusual metallic Romeo guru, Jan Driedyk, and he built me a fresh 1600cc
silver and the interior was two-tone blue and engine with trick cams and twin Weber DCOEs.
cream. It was immaculate. It arrived in a large box at Chris Robinson’s RM
My father had bought the Alfa from a surgeon friend Restorations in Turnham Green (now relocated to
who was rather particular about cleanliness, so much so Andover). Chris fitted the new lump (matching numbers,
that the factory plastic covers were still fitted to the door pah!) and the little Alfa began to fly. Shocks were changed
cards and rear seats. Truly, the Alfa was like new, even to Konis and I collected a stiffer front anti-roll bar from
down to that smell. Of course we removed all the plastic Alfa Ricambi in San Francisco when there on holiday.
and used the Giulietta Sprint hard. As a boy (in the early That cut down on the the alarming angles of lean that the
1970s) I immediately fell in love with the diminutive soft, surprisingly long-travel suspension allowed.
coupé. It was very different from all our other cars With the Giulietta properly sorted, it proved to be an robert coucher
because of its small-displacement 1.3-litre engine. With enjoyable road car in and around London and a very Robert grew up with classic
twin overhead cams and Weber effective Historic rally weapon. We cars, and has owned a
Lancia Aurelia B20 GT,
carbs this early 750-series Veloce competed in a few tough Liège-
loved to rev, and I’d listen in
amazement as father revved the
‘THIs GIUlIETTa Rome-Liège events and the Rallye
des Pyrénées, but I was running out
an Alfa Romeo Giulietta
and a Porsche 356C. He

spRINT vElOCE was

currently uses his properly-
nuts off it in every gear. The car of money and had to sell it just as it sorted 1955 Jaguar XK140
zinged and felt alive and danced was performing perfectly. The as his daily driver, and is
around, unlike the sober Porsche as GOOd as IT GETs, Sprint was bought by Jayne and a founding editor of Octane.
356 that shared its garage.
For some reason, father decided aNd IT makEs mE Paul Wignall, who campaigned it
successfully at the sharp end of
to sell the Alfa. As soon as he put an
ad in the local newspaper, the phone Ill EvERy TImE I Historic rallying for many years. I
wonder where it is today.
rang. A buyer flew down from
Johannesburg (800 miles north) the THINk aBOUT IT’ Having survived destitution, the
family Porsche 356C was going
next morning and bought it on the spare a few years later in Cape
spot. That’s because this Giulietta was rather special: it Town. So that went into a box and arrived at a container
was a Conrero. Two little blue badges on each flank gave depot on the North Circular Road. I took the Tube across
the game away, as did its superbly balanced and rev-happy town, signed a few papers, connected the battery and
engine. Of course I didn’t realise the significance at the switched on the fuel supply. The white coupé started and
time but Conrero is to Alfa Romeo as Carlo Abarth is to drove me home with equanimity. It, too, became my daily
Fiat or Alois Ruf to Porsche. If Virgilio Conrero had driver and made an interesting comparison with the Alfa.
tickled your Alfa it was fantastico! This Giulietta Sprint They were direct competitors when new, although this
Veloce was about as good as it gets, and it makes me ill 1964 Porsche was seven years younger than my Giulietta.
every time I think about it. If father hadn’t sold it I most The Porsche felt more solid; its doors shut with a firm
certainly would still have it today. clunk, while the Alfa’s clanged. The switchgear and
Some years later I was back in Cape Town, enjoying fittings in the Porsche were beautifully made and heavily
the local Crankhandle Club’s Christmas natter, when I chromed, the Italian’s switchgear was flimsy. The Porsche
spied a tidy Giulietta Sprint finished in gleaming Rosso. had superb disc brakes all round but its six-volt electrics
To my mind there are only two marques that can wear were marginal, especially when the engine was uprated.
retail red: Alfa and Ferrari. So I bought the Giulietta and I did manage to blow both their engines, but they were
shipped it back to the UK. The bodywork, recently tired. The Porsche rusted like crazy and was a tricky
restored, was very good but the engine was a bit tired. handler, more so when I got its grunt up from 75bhp to
It was a later 1957 101-series Normale, with a single 125. So which one did I prefer? They were so similar yet
Solex carb in this spec, but it did have a five-speed ’box so different, and after years of cogitation I still can’t
and the huge, beautifully finned, aluminium drum brakes decide. I’d have either of them back in a heartbeat.

52
 ATHENS TO ROME
6 - 18 September 2020
Photo: F&R Rastrelli

New Zealand U.K. pain & Portugal

15 Feb. - 8 Mar. 2020 3 - 5 April 2020 3 - 5 April 2020 23 - 26 June 2020

YO U R P L AT F O R M F O R H I S TO R I C M OTO R I N G
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 IGNITION / Letters

Letter
of the
month
LIES DE MOL

Why the Stratos Zero still strikes a chord

Bart Lenaerts’ story in and not just visual objects. I felt that I had to compliment One other thought: just down
Octane 198 about driving As dramatic as the Stratos Bart Lenaerts on his most the road near Milan, the little Iso
Bertone’s amazing Lancia Stratos looked, and unusual as it was to entertaining drive in one of my Isetta came to life in the early
Zero brought back vivid drive something so low, it was the all time favourite Gandinis, the 1950s and may have been the
memories for me. I was lucky process of getting in that was the Lancia Stratos Zero. inspiration for the front-entry
enough to drive it, too – while it weirdest experience: walking up He says: ‘You barely notice that concept. Too bad Gandini
was in Sydney, Australia, for a car the nose, swivelling to drop into it relies on a Fulvia HF drivetrain couldn’t adapt its use of the
show in 1972. the lounge-like seat, then pulling turned around and shoehorned in steering wheel and instruments
I was editor of Sports Car the steering wheel towards your the back.’ That might imply that opening with the door…
World magazine and twisted the chest to close the glass door over the engine was turned through Denton C Smith, Georgia, USA
organiser’s arm to let me borrow your head. 180o. However, Gandini simply
it and the almost-as-radical It was lovely to see it again, still made a front-wheel-drive car The joy of Abarth
Pininfarina Abarth 2000 he’d also in the same bronze, on the road mid-engined and rear-drive. It Glen Waddington’s story
imported. I drove the Stratos the in Lies De Mol’s photographs. could not have been a better fit, on Abarth’s 70th anniversary
length of one of Sydney’s main Mel Nichols, London as if the engine were specifically celebrations in Milan, Octane
streets, increasingly enjoying the designed for the car. 198, prompted me to write about
shocked looks on pedestrians’ The block is barely over 12in my family’s Abarth experiences.
faces as it glided past at little long and canted over at 45o or Way back in 1980, my father
more than knee height. so, making the total height from bought my mother a Fiat Strada
Then we took both cars 20 sump to the very top of the carb to replace her ageing yet
miles by truck to the old Warwick inlet a mere 23in. I have always charismatic yellow Fiat 127. La
Farm race circuit to be driven in felt a kinship with the Zero Strada was Ferrari red and, as a
safety and photographed by Uwe because of the HF1600 engine, testosterone-filled 17-year-old
Kuessner. Both cars ran without since I have the prototype in Italian boy, I couldn’t wait to
fuss, a reminder of the remarkable my early Fulvia Sport Z – like cover it in Abarth stickers, fit my
job the great Torinese carrozzerie all Lancias, incredibly well- graphic equaliser and play my
did in creating their concept cars: engineered and with apparently Spandau Ballet mix tape and
they liked them to be driveable no concern about cost. cruise around North London!

55
IGNITION / Letters

has been using Evans for over five

years now and won’t use anything
else in his works rally TR4A.
Nathan Hillier,
Evans Waterless Engine Coolants,
evanscoolants.co.uk

Mad mats
I really enjoyed reading
Mark Dixon’s article on the
Lamborghini Silhouette in Octane
196. One line really struck me:
‘I have no idea whether the
floormats are originals, but I
certainly hope so – they appear to
be made of multi-coloured hessian
and have a slightly hippy vibe that
perfectly suits the far-out interior.’
I can say with some degree of
certainty that those are cocomats
with a calico weave because I
selected the same pattern for
my 1982 Porsche 911SC. My
girlfriend wasn’t totally convinced,
but now I can point to Octane and
After I was in a near-fatal crash anniversary, from North Cape with water should the need for say: ‘See, see, I have good taste!’
a few months later, when a drunk to South Cape, in aid of charity. emergency top-up be required. Mike Dobin, New York, USA
driver destroyed my mum’s lovely We also had three pre- However, the actual threat of
car, we bought a Fiat Strada production Freelanders [above] losing fluid is greatly reduced, as
Abarth 105TC. It turned out to and a Defender 110 that we put the chance of a blown hose or
be lousy, but it was a stepping more miles on than a trip around popped connection is minimal:
stone to my first real sports car: the planet! I spent two weeks using Evans produces around
a 1975 Alfa Spider Kamm-tail in living intimately with the 75-80% less system pressure than
red with matching rusty sills and Freelanders on leg one, passing when using water-based fluids.
beautiful Nardi steering wheel through 26 of the 57 countries. The majority of Evans users do
and mohair hood. It was an amazing experience and not purchase it because they have
I recently regressed by we raised over £200,000. overheating problems, although it
replacing my wife’s BMW with James Marsden, West Yorks does help massively with vehicles The perfect rally car
yet another Abarth: a black and that tend to get warm in traffic. I’m pleased someone agrees with
grey 595 Trofeo [below]. It is a Good Evans! Most customers buy it for the me, in Overdrive, issue 195, that
little bombshell; rorty, sporty, I’d like to state how disappointed benefits outlined previously, which the Ferrari 308 GTB is such a
cheeky and utterly Italian, like a we at Evans Waterless Engine are understood by many world- pleasant car! I have done four
good plate of penne arrabbiata! Coolants are with Andrew renowned specialists, including Tours de Corse Historiques in a
Stefano Fabrizi, London English’s response to the letter in Noble Automotive, Eagle E-types, vetroresina [above] that I’ve
Octane 198 about waterless coolant. Jaguar Classic Works, The UK owned for decades. The Gp4
Yes, waterless coolants are more Ministry of Defence, Aston set-up with semi-slick tyres and
expensive than standard water- Engineering and many others. somewhere near 300bhp is of
based coolants; however, the Of course, none of them would course a slight distortion of the
benefits of running a waterless be using Evans if they had not roadgoing reality, but it’s such
solution in terms of significantly tested it. More than six years ago, a joy on narrow roads.
lowering internal corrosion and Honda Racing tested waterless Dr Joseph Jean Aghina, Luxembourg
system pressure, the higher boiling coolant for an eight-month period
point and the fact that it doesn’t and it has been using waterless
Fifty50 Freelanders need replenishing every few years, coolants since then in all its Write to
Mark Dixon’s piece in Octane do outweigh the initial outlay. off-road competition motorbikes, Octane Letters
Cars, issue 197, about saving Using Evans does not require including on the Dakar Rally. 31-32 Alfred Place
a press launch Land Rover you to ‘carry a load of it in the The question that needs to London
Freelander brought the memories boot as it’s not readily available’. be asked here is: would these WC1E 7DP
flooding back and prompted me Evans is available from over 300 companies still be using Evans if it [email protected]
to dig out my photo albums. outlets in the UK and in over 30 didn’t do ‘what it says on the tin?’
Twenty-one years ago I was European countries, as well as the Incidentally, as a Triumph TR Please include your name, address
part of the Fifty50 team, a group Middle East and North and South owner, Mr English may find it and a daytime telephone number.
of Land Rover employees who Africa, North and South America, interesting to note that Neil Letters may be edited for clarity,
drove 50 countries in 50 days Australasia and Asia. In an Revington, the very well-respected and views expressed are not
to celebrate Land Rover’s 50th emergency, Evans is compatible Triumph TR3 and TR4 specialist, necessarily those of Octane.

56
 Ferrari F40 - Delivery Mileage
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59
audi r8 vs aston dB9

M
aybe these pages should be in monochrome.
Our two cars are both painted in metallic grey,
and the sun is so strong that colour seems
almost bleached away as our eyes overload.
Here at Octane, mostly we feature properly
old cars in our major stories. Mostly. But such
cars would lose some of their appeal on a day
like today; occupants would burn or melt, engines might
overheat, starting might become difficult as fuel vaporises in
the wrong parts of the pipework. But for this tale we’re
moving with time, comparing two blue-chip classics-in-
waiting, noting that they are both well into their second
decade and, currently, are temptingly affordable. Even
better, serendipitous as it suddenly seems, both have first-
rate air-conditioning. Heated seats too, which is worth
remembering as you may well be reading this in the cold.
They have modern electronics and fuelling, so they’ll
work properly despite the heat – hold that thought; we’ll be
returning to it. Also shared are chassis/body structures of
aluminium, albeit very differently executed, and a six-speed
Graziano transaxle. Engine outputs well beyond 400bhp,
and the pace to match, are further common ground. On the
face of it, either is an irresistible prospect. And their marque
names both begin with A.

THE ASTON MARTIN DB9 came first, in 2004. The

motoring world immediately gorged on its gorgeousness,
but there was one obvious question. Aston Martin had
already triggered its modern era with the Vanquish, styled
by Ian Callum and visually, if not structurally, previewed by
the Project Vantage concept car revealed in January 1998.
The Vanquish was a sleek, muscular GT with much use of
bonded and extruded aluminium in its structure and Aston’s
Ford-derived V12 engine under its long bonnet. Exactly the
same summary applied to the DB9. So, why the new car?
Because the DB9 was more modern, more thoroughly
engineered for higher-volume production at Aston Martin’s
new Gaydon factory, a better representation of what the new
Aston generation should look like and feel like. And its
structure, easily expanded or contracted, was to form the
basis of a whole new Aston range. The Vanquish, Aston’s last
car to be produced at Newport Pagnell, would continue for
a while but the future was DB9-shaped, in myriad variations.
However, we’d already seen a version of our other car, the
2006-launched Audi R8, before the DB9 arrived. We’d
encountered the name, too, three Le Mans victories having
been scored by sports-racing machines called Audi R8
by the time the Audi Le Mans Quattro concept car appeared
in 2003. Two more had been added to the tally by the time

60
61
audi r8 vs aston dB9

that clearly very feasible concept car entered production

in 2006, barely changed from three years earlier.
The DB9 was an obvious car for Aston Martin to create. A
mid-engined supercar with an Audi badge was harder to
grasp, not for any lack of motorsport pedigree (those Le
Mans wins, World Rally Championship glory and the pre-
war Auto Unions had made the point) but because Audi was
a mainstream producer of family transport. There was also
the snag that, in the mid-Noughties, Audi’s reputation as a
creator of roadgoing machinery to delight the keen driver
was not the greatest, although the RS4 had shown that
suitable talent did exist within Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm.
Martin Winterkorn, nowadays most famous for complicity
in the Dieselgate scandal but head of the whole Volkswagen
Group at the R8’s launch, had the idea of creating the R8
while he was running the Audi division. The bones –
figuratively and literally – of the idea already existed in the
form of the Lamborghini Gallardo’s aluminium structure,
which featured a unitary centre section with box-section
extensions front and rear. Audi had developed this structure,
using expertise it had gained from its aluminium A8, as the
basis for Lamborghini’s first all-new model under the Above, below and right
Four rings on the steering wheel of a supercar
Volkswagen Group’s umbrella.
came as a shock; manual transmission is
So using the structure for an Audi, and rendering it on- increasingly a thing of the past at this level; Audi
brand by calling it (incorrectly) a ‘space frame’, was an is strikingly handsome – but DB9 is gorgeous.
expedient route to a potentially terrific image-builder.
Among other things it could promote Audi’s ‘FSI’ direct-
injection technology, employed to great effect in the RS4’s
madly revving, addictively thrusting 4.2-litre V8: it was
perfect for the R8. And given Audi’s long association with
four-wheel drive, naturally the R8 would be thus equipped.

THE DB9 WAS launched in the south of France, at a hotel

whose gates opened directly on the fast, twisting road that
leads to the Col de Vence. Ian Callum was gone from Aston
Martin by then, engaged full-time with Jaguar, although he
has since told the tale of how he and Wayne Burgess shaped
the DB9 at Jaguar’s design centre at Whitley, Coventry.
Callum and Aston Martin’s then-boss, Dr Ulrich Bez, had
a strained relationship. The mercurial Bez wanted Callum
written out of the story so, at the launch, recent recruit
Henrik Fisker, late of BMW’s California Designworks studio,
was the design spokesman. He had redesigned the DB9’s
tail-lights to incorporate the body-colour strip that bisects
them, and he talked effusively about the way the sections of
the side windows’ trim strips were invisibly welded together
to give the appearance of a single solid piece of metal.
Politics notwithstanding, the DB9 was a fabulous-looking
machine, more graceful than the broad-shouldered Vanquish,
and I was itching to drive it. The test cars were all Touchtronic
automatics, which used a conventional ZF torque-converter
gearbox but programmed to give a definite throttle-blip
when asked to downshift manually. It worked very nicely.
As did the whole car. Unlike the Vanquish, scuppered
by the non-availability of suitably compact air-con
components, the DB9’s interior followed the design
philosophy revealed in Project Vantage in January 1998. So
the centre console was smooth, rounded but crisply detailed,
the instruments had a machined-metal 3D-look to their
calibrations, everything was authentic in that no material

62
‘The gearlever clacked
in Ferrari Fashion
Through iTs open gaTe’
tried to look like something it wasn’t. Metal was metal, glass
was glass (including the etched ashtray), leather was leather.
There was satin-finish wood, too, designed to ‘age gracefully’.
The DB9 gobbled those mountain roads, its responses the
sort that spirited its bulk away, and its engine was the same
temple to torque and power that it had been in the Vanquish
and DB7 Vantage before it. Bumps were flattened, dips filled
in; dynamically the DB9 was a triumph.
Except that on the autoroute, returning to base, it died and
we had to pull smartly onto the hard shoulder. A lack of fuel
pressure, it was later discovered, caused shutdown to prevent
piston damage from an over-weak mixture. At least it
restarted and we were able to stagger back by keeping the
revs down and the loads low.
Then the production-specification cars got the road-test
treatment, and the dynamic magic had deserted the DB9.
How? What happened? The launch cars had adjustable
development dampers, whose careful calibration hadn’t
been replicated for the production cars in the way Aston
intended. There was work to be done.

AUDI LAUNCHED THE R8 in Las Vegas. The test route

took us, via a speed-related interlude with a traffic cop whose
friendliness proved quite a relief (hell, we’d only been doing
85), to Death Valley and a cheeseburger in Furnace Creek, in
summer one of planet Earth’s hottest spots. It was February
2007, but even in February the air-con was working hard.
Here, we were discovering, was an Audi unlike any other
apart from the familiar fireworks of its RS4 engine. It felt like,
well, a Lamborghini, precise and pointable in the best mid-
engined way, but with sudden power-induced tailslides
instantly calmed as torque headed towards the front wheels.
It felt foolproof without suggesting its driver might be
foolish. The lever for its manual gearbox clacked in Ferrari
fashion through its Ferrari-like open gate, adding a touch of
theatre as the R8 was set-up to snick through another bend. I
was having a viscerally great time, the sensations not quite
computing with the view of the four rings on the steering
wheel and the cabin’s obvious Audiness. Some mental
recalibration was required here.
But I wasn’t so keen on the snatchy, and optional, carbon-
ceramic brakes, nor on the surge-prone progress of the
R-tronic version I drove later. That used the same
mechanically manual transaxle but with clutch and gearshift
controlled automatically. No double-clutcher for the R8, yet.

A DOZEN YEARS later, I’m gazing at the 2007 R8 from

Audi UK’s heritage fleet – a manual ex-press fleet car, now
54,000 miles travelled – that has just arrived on my driveway.
Has it really been that long?

63
audi r8 vs aston dB9
Right and left
Simister enjoys the thrill of the precise and
rapid R8, yet the DB9 is certainly brawny
enough to stay ahead; Audi’s V8 clearly
– and proudly – visible under glass cover.

2006 Aston Martin DB9 The design could be new if only it had a few more sharp 2007 Audi R8
Engine 5935cc 60º V12, edges, like today’s Audis (V10-powered, second-generation Engine 4163cc mid-mounted, 90º
aluminium block and heads, DOHC R8 included) have. You could take a mid-period Audi TT, V8, aluminium block and heads,
per bank, 48-valve, electronic fuel DOHC per bank, 32-valve,
widen it and flatten it and move the cab forward, but you
injection and management electronic direct fuel injection
Power 450bhp @ 6000rpm would still be some way away from the look of an R8. You’d and management
Torque 420lb ft @ 5000rpm need to add giant air intakes at the front and giant air outlets Power 420bhp @ 7800rpm
Transmission Six-speed manual at the back, all traversed by black strakes. And slice the Torque 317lb ft @ 4500-6000rpm
transaxle, rear-wheel drive flanks to lead into air intakes just behind the doors, bounded Steering Rack and pinion,
Steering Rack and pinion, power-assisted
power-assisted by contrasting ‘blades’ heading right up to the roof. Transmission Six-speed manual
Suspension Front and rear: double It’s these blades that make an R8 look like nothing else, transaxle, four-wheel drive
wishbones, coil springs, telescopic that make it memorable in a sea of mid-engined supercars Suspension Front and rear: double
dampers, anti-roll bar from makers large and small (for a supercar, architecturally at wishbones, coil springs, telescopic
Brakes Vented discs dampers, anti-roll bar
Weight 1710kg
least, is what the R8 is). The cabin has that effect, too, but for Brakes Vented discs
Top speed 186mph a different reason: in relative terms, it’s almost normal. Weight 1560kg
0-60mph 4.7sec That’s because it has reassuringly familiar Audi switchgear Top speed 186mph
and graphics, Audi textures, Audi quality… but also some of 0-60mph 4.5sec
the hard plastics of a volume-produced car, and several
pieces of what looks like polished aluminium but isn’t. None
of this actually matters, but it brings you down to earth.
At least, it does until you start the engine (via a normal
key), slide-clack the R8 into gear and rocket away to the
tight, disciplined but very vocal beat of that crackling-crisp
V8. Once the fluids have warmed through I can discover
anew the way that this engine just revs and revs like an
automotive lemming. Peak power (420bhp) arrives at
7800rpm to the sound of a savage, ultra-rapid series of
staccato exhaust pulses, the limiter at 8250rpm. So speedily
does this engine sear through the gear ratios that you wonder
where they’ve all gone, even though there are six of them.

65
audi r8 vs aston dB9

Above, right and below

Mid-engined R8 plays front-engined DB9; Aston
interior was modern at launch, and its materials
have mellowed beautifully with age; more power,
torque and cylinders in DB9’s V12.

66
‘Straight away thiS
car feelS weightier,
bulkier than the r8’
All the while, what was the fleeting vista ahead streaks
under the low nose and past the underfloor downforce ducts
as you relish the way you can see so much while sitting so
low. The measured, precise steering adds to the intimacy, of
your one-ness with your R8, especially as speed rises. When
you need to slow back down, this car’s standard cast-iron
brake discs give a potent sense of energy absorption and a
progressiveness of response such that you really wouldn’t
want those carbon-ceramics.
You feel you can drive anywhere, that no road is off-limits
to the Audi with its sense of tight, controlled, well-oiled
motion. I remember once taking one through narrow, bumpy
lanes on a traffic-busting route home, and it was just fine. I
wouldn’t have attempted that in a Ferrari although I would
have done in a 911, the R8’s closest market rival back then.
Here is the supercar in its most usable form; it even has a
decent boot up front. But maybe, for all that usability, you
still favour a more ‘normal’ car, perhaps even with compact
rear seats. A DB9, for example.

IAN BLACK DID, and bought his 2006 example five years
ago. He wanted a rare manual, as we did for the purposes of
comparison in this story, and it proved hard to find. ‘There
were only three available,’ he says, ‘a black one in the north, a
grey one in Wales but it had a lime green interior, and this
one from Grange Aston Martin in Essex.’ Good choice; to
my eyes this metallic grey (‘Meteorite Silver’) paintwork
with dark red (‘Wildberry’) interior is the best DB9 colour
combination of all.
Before this car I’ve driven only one manual DB9. It was
fitted with the sport suspension pack, later deleted when
the range got adaptive dampers, and it was not nice at all,
with a fidgety, thumpy ride, lots of road roar and a feeling
of a great car ruined. Its manual transmission was tetchy,
too, in that co-ordinating a narrow bite-band clutch and a
hard-to-modulate throttle made gentle driving far harder
than it should have been.
Ian’s car is a whole lot nicer. Some of that pedal
co-ordination trouble remains until you learn the required
technique – the Audi has it, too, to a lesser degree – and that
might be one reason why the Aston’s excellent automatic
alternative is so much more popular. It took years, and a new
management system used first in the V12 Vantage S, before
the V12 engine and a manual gearbox co-existed truly
happily, but this DB9 and I seem to be getting on just fine as
we head away from clogged Surrey towards rural Hampshire.
Straight away this feels a weightier, bulkier car than the
R8, albeit not as backroad-intimidatingly wide as today’s
DB11. The scuttle is higher, obviously, and it falls more
heavily into bits of missing road surface. The mileage is lower
– not quite 37,000 – but it doesn’t feel that way. Perhaps the
greater weight gives the suspension joints a harder time,
although at speed on smoother roads it’s clear that the

67
audi r8 vs aston dB9

damper settings had been properly sorted out by the time WE’RE TAKING photographs of the engine bays, in which
this car was built. the cars’ aluminium bones – lots of bonding and extrusions
Neither does the gearchange feel as precise, even though in the Aston – are both seen and celebrated. In fact you
it’s the same gearbox type and in theory the linkage is more don’t need to raise the cover of the Audi, because the engine
direct. Maybe there’s more to the R8’s exposed gate than is on proud display right under the rear window. You could
mere showing-off. The sense in the DB9 is of a grand tourer even specify LEDs to illuminate it should you stumble by
with a sporting edge buried a little below the surface; the R8 mistake into the Chelsea Cruise, a technology also available
inverts that sense by being an overt sports car able to civilise – in an industry first – for the headlights.
itself if you really insist. And then it’s time to head home, and guess what: the
What the DB9 does have is an engine of mighty presence Audi’s engine dies, probably through heat-related electronic
when roused, as you would expect from 5.9 litres (it boasts trauma or fuel vaporisation. Naturally I think back to the
‘6.0’ between the inlet manifolds), 450bhp and a peak- DB9 launch: is this karma? But with that score evened out,
torque advantage of just over 100lb ft. You start it with a I must choose a winner. For the name alone, the Aston
button in the middle of the centre console, upon which the Martin DB9 is the more enticing, and it’s also more
engine gives a rev-whap and settles to the busy idle of 12 affordable with prices starting just beyond £30,000. Audi
cylinders on action standby. And then we’re off through the R8s start at just under £40,000; entry-level ones are newer
gears, engine blaring beatlessly and keenly, the Aston taut than the lowest-cost Astons, of course, and year-for-year the
and planted on the road just as its sibling was on the road two cars’ values are similar.
to the Col de Vence. So, would I have the DB9? The problem is that the Audi is
In traffic, negotiating road clutter and reined in by low the more thrilling drive, its controls are more precisely
limits, the DB9 feels a touch clumsy after the R8 but it all honed, it rides better and it feels wieldier in a tight spot.
comes right once the roads open up. And then there’s the Driving it is, simply, more fun. But I do wonder if I might
way it looks; it’s surely one of the most beautiful cars to enjoy owning the Aston more, dealing with enthusiastic
come out of a decade when the art of automotive beauty was specialists, maybe joining the AMOC. Another problem is
under threat, albeit not as much as it is now. one of philosophy: I instinctively prefer manuals, but unlike
The Aston is sleek, unadorned, understated, and the air of the Audi the Aston works better as an automatic.
precision and quality sensed in 2004 has kept its promise in It’s the Audi R8 for me, I think. But if you disagree, I’m
2019. The wood has aged, just as Fisker said it would, but with you all the way. End
that just makes the DB9 more real, more of a nascent classic.
The Linn sound system, a bold and unusual fitment, still For more performance car bargains, turn the page.
works well too; it’s from Scotland, which pleases its owner Octane’s markets editor Matthew Hayward has been
who is similarly Scottish. very busy indeed…

68
barGain nouGhties supercars

supercars on a
(r e l ati v e) s h o e str i n g
Performance-car stars of the previous decade can cost
temptingly little today, as Matthew Hayward reveals

Ferrari 599 Fiorano

A V12-engined Ferrari is always going to be a spectacular
thing to drive, but the 599 is also one of the most rewarding
to own. Servicing is absolutely vital with these cars, so it’s
worth spending a little more to buy a car with an immaculate
history. You must keep on top of it, too. As Ferraris go, the
mechanicals are almost bulletproof, with very few issues
known to affect the V12 engine if correctly maintained.
Although a manual ’box was offered – the last in a Ferrari –
95% of customers opted for the F1 gearbox. That makes
manuals significantly more expensive today, if you can find
one. Prices start from £75k, rising to about £100k for great
examples. That’s a relative bargain for a reliable, usable and
good-looking V12 Ferrari.

70
RENAULT MEGANE R26.R
If you want something completely different and considerably
rarer from about £25k, Renault has you covered. The latest
hot hatches have become incredibly fast machines, and
recently Renault has pushed this category further than
anyone else. It really started with this, a track-prepared
second-generation Mégane with a stripped-out interior,
semi-slick tyres, polycarbonate windows and a single-
minded focus not seen this side of a 911 GT3 RS. It’s silly,
but massive fun and spectacularly accomplished on track.

LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO
Audi’s influence on Lamborghini was monumental, bringing
with it a new generation of reliable and well-developed cars
that were as great to live with as they were to look at. The
Gallardo combines an intoxicating V10 howl with a terrific
all-wheel-drive system that makes light work of getting its
power down. There’s a great selection of cars on the market
from around £70k, with the option of E-Gear or fully
manual transmissions, and convertible or coupé versions to
suit all tastes. The Gallardo did improve throughout its life,
peaking with the spectacular rear-wheel drive and highly
collectable Valentino Balboni edition.

71
Races and rallies are won and lost in the workshop
preparation is everything...

A rare opportunity to acquire a 1928 4½ Litre Bentley

Currently being completely rebuilt in our workshops
Ready for delivery in Spring 2020

Hill Brow, Liss, West Sussex GU33 7NX WILLIAM VINTAGE

[email protected] MEDCALF BENTLEY
TELEPHONE +44 (0)1730 895 511 WWW.VINTAGEBENTLEY.COM
rolls-royce phantom II

A phAntom

74
presence
These two Rolls-Royces have connections
with a Land Speed Record-breaker, Royalty
and Brooklands. Now they return to their
old haunt to reveal their spirit
Words Robert Coucher Photography Paul Harmer

75
rolls-royce phantom ii

C onviction and self-confidence

are admirable traits as long as
they don’t slide into arrogance
and hubris. But it was hard to be
humble when your new motor
car had just been lauded by The
Autocar as ‘The Best Car in the World’.
The first motor car badged ‘Rolls-Royce’ was the Rolls-
Royce 10hp shown at the Paris Salon in 1904, sold by
Charles Rolls and engineered by Henry Royce. Their new
company, Rolls-Royce Limited, was founded in 1906 and
commercial manager Claude Johnson persuaded the

gETTy ImagEs
directors to concentrate on just one car. That was the
upcoming 40/50hp model which offered an ‘adequate’
7.4-litre in-line six-cylinder engine.
Following that accolade from The Autocar, it soon took
on the sobriquet ‘Silver Ghost’, after the famous silver
Royce demonstrator, registered AX 201. It probably was
the best car in the world at the time. And maybe that’s
why Rolls-Royce continued with its confident notion that
manufacturing just one model, the 40/50hp, for 20 years
was a viable sales strategy. From 1906 until 1926, Rolls-
Royce sold 7874 examples, including 1701 made in the
US at its Springfield factory. That’s quite a lot of Ghosts.
Famously, factory demonstrator AX 201, chassis
number 60551 and the original Silver Ghost, was entered
in the 1907 Scottish Reliability Trial. It completed the
required 15,000 miles and set world records, cementing
the Rolls-Royce reputation for uncompromising quality
and reliability. Then, in 1911, chief test driver Ernest W
Hives made the London-to-Edinburgh run in a Ghost
using top gear only, and orders continued to pour in.

gETTy ImagEs
The Silver Ghost was not designed as a sports car but
some of its enthusiastic owners disagreed. One James
Radley privately entered his Ghost in the 1914 Austrian
Alpine Trial, only to find that its three-speed gearbox
prevented him negotiating the steep Katschberg Pass. No
matter: Rolls-Royce prepared four cars for the 1914 Top and above the Phantom II became a well-resolved drivers’ car. So
event, fitted with four-speed gearboxes and more The Barker-bodied much so, indeed, that Rolls-Royce additionally offered a
Phantom II Tourer,
powerful engines, and these team cars won six awards, hood up, storms the
‘Continental’ version, Royce-speak for ‘sports car’, with
including the prestigious Archduke Leopold Cup. Brooklands banking a shorter 144-inch wheelbase and yet-stiffer five-leaf rear
Inspired by this success, the factory began producing exactly 90 years ago springs. Rolls-Royce sold 281 Continentals, including
cars of similar specification for customers. Officially these to the day; the Prince 125 left-hand-drive versions, out of a total production of
were ‘Continental’ models but most knew them by the of Wales, to become 1281 Phantom II chassis of all types.
(briefly) Edward VIII,
more evocative ‘Alpine Eagle’ nomenclature. During on tour in the Phantom These two elegant Rolls-Royce Phantom IIs are at the
World War One, some Ghosts were converted into a year later. old Brooklands circuit on 9 October 2019 for very
armoured cars to be used by tabloid hero Lawrence of particular reasons. The Brooklands Museum has given us
Arabia, adding further to the motor car’s mystique. permission to drive them on the hallowed banking
Not until 1925 did Rolls-Royce deem its Silver Ghost because both have been here before and in special
to need updating. Sticking with the company’s now- circumstances.
popular ethereal theme, the ‘New Phantom’ was launched The 1929 Barker-bodied open torpedo Tourer, finished
with an improved, larger-capacity 7.6-litre engine in the in its original cream and olive green livery, is chassis
Silver Ghost chassis. Rolls-Royce still purported not to number 3WJ, engine number VK35, registration UU
build sporting motor cars, of course, but its customers 8047. It’s owned by Alan Swann, his brother-in-law Paul
were enjoying the extra performance. This really came Deschamps looking after its mechanical needs, and they
together with the all-new 40/50hp of 1929 – the Phantom have come armed with an old black-and-white photograph
II, last of the 40/50s, two of which you see here. ‘The best that shows the Phantom on the banking. The caption
Rolls-Royce yet produced,’ wrote Land Speed Record- states: ‘A Rolls-Royce on the racetrack at Brooklands,
holder Captain Sir Malcolm Campbell. He should know, Surrey, 9th October 1929.’ Exactly 90 years earlier.
because he owned the metallic-blue one. Edward VIII, Prince of Wales and King of England
With its refined crossflow OHV 7.6-litre engine, its before his abdication in 1936, had ties to Rolls-Royce.
stronger and lower chassis with stiffer semi-elliptic During the days of the Great Depression in the 1930s he
springs all round and its four-wheel servo-assisted brakes, undertook various tours around the country to boost

76
ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM II

‘The metallic finish was achieved by introducing

This page and opposite
Long-chassis Tourer shows off
its leather sofas and ample
accommodation; enormous
straight-six features advanced
crossflow cylinder head; torch
is a neat accessory; Tourer
heads along the banking in
a direction not travelled in
1929; Continental’s low-line
cabin has a sporting air; so
does its rakish blue bodywork.

78
finely ground herring scales into the paint lacquer’
ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM II

1929 Rolls-Royce morale. The Prince, as he was then, had requested an open
Phantom II Tourer tourer in which to conduct these tours, so Rolls-Royce
and 1933 Phantom II provided the very same Barker-bodied Phantom II that
Continental has just joined us. It comes with an old Pathé film clip
Engine 7668cc OHV from 1930, its footage identified as: ‘Middlesbrough,
straight-six, twin-plug Sunderland, Hartlepool. Cheers all the way! Tumultuous
crossflow head, magneto enthusiasm from vast crowds everywhere pays fit tribute
and coil ignition, expanding
to popularity of the Prince of Wales during crowded 2
carburettor on Continental
Power Adequate (more days tour of the North of East.’ The Phantom and its
adequate on Continental at registration number UU 8047 can be clearly identified,
around 120bhp) with the Prince as one of the passengers in the rear seat.
Transmission Four-speed Not a lot is known about the Phantom II Tourer’s life
manual with synchromesh on
third and top gear Steering after that. The build sheets show it was delivered with
Cam and peg Suspension open touring coachwork by Barker fitted to its long 150-
Beam axles front and rear, inch chassis. It was painted in this same olive green and
semi-elliptic leaf springs (five cream colour scheme with a green leather interior and
leaves at rear of Continental)
Brakes Drums, servo-
nickel finishings. At some point it must have been
assisted on front wheels rebodied because it now wears ‘James E Pearce
Weight Approx 2000kg, Coachbuilders’ coach plates. The coachwork looks exactly
depending on coachwork like the Barker original apart from a small boot lid that has
Top speed 90mph
0-60mph Don’t be vulgar
been let into the rear panel. Large, elegant and imposing,
the Tourer has just the sort of regal looks fit for a prince.
The rear compartment has vast legroom and what looks
like an overstuffed green leather Chesterfield sofa
squeezed into the space. It’s more akin to a motor-yacht
deck than a motor-car interior.
And the 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental
saloon? Sir Malcolm Campbell bought it new on 28
March 1933. Chassis number 140 MY, with engine
number GF 45 and original registration number AGO 1,
was sold as a complete car with Barker coachwork. As a
Continental, it was laid down on the short 144-inch
chassis with a lowered floor, a low-rake steering column, a
wider track, a higher rear-axle ratio, André Hartford tele-
friction dampers and stiffer rear springs. The engine also
featured higher compression, a high-lift camshaft and a
bigger ‘semi-expanding’ carburettor.
Malcolm Campbell was no shrinking violet, so he
ordered his Phantom II in this striking Saxe Blue. In those
days the metallic finish was achieved by introducing
finely-ground herring scales into the paint lacquer.
Campbell ordered all sorts of options, including a two-
tone klaxon and a modified exhaust that can be switched
to ‘open’ mode. The interior is trimmed in blue leather as
per original, and the saloon coachwork features a sliding
sunroof. As with all his cars, Campbell had a St
Christopher badge affixed to the dashboard. It’s still there.
This was turning out to be a rather special day at the
Brooklands Museum and the arrival of Don Wales duly
added to the sense of occasion. Don is Sir Malcolm
Campbell’s grandson and the nephew of Donald
Campbell. He holds a World Land Speed Record, two
American National Records, a Guinness World Record
From top and has broken eight UK Land Speed Records with
Sir Malcolm Campbell’s Bluebird Electric. His ambition is to be the first to break
cars always carried a St the 400mph mark in an electric car. Needless to say, he
Christopher badge, in blue
of course; Continental’s enjoyed seeing his grandfather’s Phantom again.
enhanced engine has Malcolm Campbell built his first shed at Brooklands in
higher compression, 1926 and extended it in 1931. The building that survives
a racier camshaft and today was used by him as an office, workshop and
a ‘semi-expanding’
carburettor; Campbell’s
showroom until around 1935. It was here that his famous
grandson Don Wales is a Blue Bird racing and record-breaking cars were kept and
record-breaker himself. maintained for his many races on the banked circuit.

80
rolls-royce phantom ii

There’s little doubt that Campbell used this Phantom II The gearshift is very mechanical, and you can tell large Thanks To owners
regularly to get here in the 1930s, so current owner Jason gears are meshing, but it is oiled and refined and beautiful Alan Swann and Jason
Hunt is very pleased to have it back at Brooklands. in action, unlike some other ‘British racing lorries’ of the Hunt, and to the
The Campbell Phantom’s history tells us that it went to time. The steering immediately lightens up once the car is Brooklands Museum for
America, ending up in Florida, where its then-owner moving, and remains accurate and smooth. The idea is to allowing these significant
embarked on its restoration but passed away before it get the large, but actually quite narrow, motor car into top Rolls-Royces to return to
could be completed. The Royce was then shipped back to gear as soon as possible, then rely on the very powerful the banking. See www.
the UK and underwent a full mechanical and coachwork servo-assisted brakes to shave off speed if required. This is brooklandsmuseum.com.
rebuild at marque specialists Kenworthy Engineering no shopping car, though; your under-butler would be
near Bishops Stortford, Herts. The list of restoration work much happier in a little Austin 7 for such domestic chores.
is very long and the costs are eye-watering, but the Beyond the royal duties UU 8047 was pressed into with
Continental is once again in pristine condition. the Prince of Wales, it would be the perfect family carriage
Driving a Rolls-Royce Phantom II on Brooklands’ for the beach house on the Devon coast. It would always
near-sacred ground is always going to be special, but the get you back in time for cocktails overlooking the bay.
two cars feel quite different. The early ’29 Barker Tourer is As you would expect, the Continental saloon has a
clearly engineered to be an elegant and comfortable more sporting attitude. Many of Campbell’s road cars
charabanc, with marvellous 360-degree vision for its were painted in a blue similar to that of his record-
lucky passengers, who have ample room to sprawl about breakers, but this peacock hue is particularly retina-
in the back seats. Thanks to the long wheelbase, the front searing. The roofline is rakishly low, adding to the sense of
compartment is also very roomy. The stout-looking high-speed capability, and the roof ’s black paint and the
steering wheel’s central boss houses levers for the mixture, elegant wheel covers keep dignity intact. The interior is
hand throttle and advance/retard. The gearshift is on the cosier than the longer Tourer’s but it still has room for
right, seemingly designed to shoot up your trouser leg, four adults. Of this car, Malcolm Campbell wrote: ‘On
but at least it has synchromesh on third and top gear with top gear… the extra power now available is even more
a lock-out button on the top to guard against accidental apparent; yet it still retains that silkiness and smooth
selection of reverse. running that is a feature of the Rolls-Royce engine… I did
These Royces run on both magneto and coils, so find that a speed of 70mph is now easily reached in third
starting involves flipping all the right chrome levers. gear… I believe that this new Rolls-Royce will reach a
There’s nothing so common as a key. The starter motor is speed of well over 90mph with consummate ease.’
inaudible with no discernible cranking sound: one second I come away impressed by these Phantoms. They are so
the Royce is off, the next second, magically, it is running. beautifully constructed, so silky and gentle in operation;
But you have to listen very carefully; the engine is so quiet fast but always so silent in motion. Unless, of course, you
and silky in its power delivery that it’s hard to tell it has pull Campbell’s floor-mounted ‘open’ exhaust lever. But
actually started. then, he always did have the need for ultimate speed. End

82
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 NUMBER

TWO

OF ONE

In 1960, the Swiss Gachnang brothers re-engineered and

re-bodied a wrecked Ferrari Testa Rossa. Now the long-lost
CEGGA Ferrari is reincarnated, with fraternal approval
Words James Page Photography Reverendpixel

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cegga ferrari

G
eorges Gachnang is clearly heavily at Freiburg in 1960. ‘The initial plan
emotional as he lowers himself was to buy only the engine and gearbox. My
into the driver’s seat. Looking brother was in Basel to buy the engine and
out over the long bonnet, he’s Monteverdi said: “There’s the rest of the car if
no doubt evoking memories of you want it – I can do nothing with it. If you
competing at great venues such as the don’t take it, I’ll scrap it.” So Claude said that
Nürburgring and Pescara. Now, nearly 60 years we’d take it all.
later, he’s back in the cockpit of ‘his’ unique ‘Without knowing exactly what we were
sports-racer and savouring the moment. He going to do with it, we started to rebuild it. The
looks up at the car’s owner, David Cooke, and, rear end of the car was damaged the worst and
with a smile, taps his heart with his fingers. we always tried to be innovative, to try new
The story of how the two men got to this things, so we put in an English ENV differential
moment can trace its roots back to the late and independent rear suspension as well as
1950s, when Georges and his brother Claude inboard disc brakes.’
established CEGGA. The name was taken from At the front, they introduced negative
the initials of ‘Claude et Georges Gachnang camber by lengthening the lower suspension
Aigle’, and the Swiss duo went on to build a arms. In effect, only the central section was still
series of racing cars that included front-engined Ferrari; the rest was CEGGA.
sports-racers, a mid-engined prototype and ‘When we’d finished the chassis and
single-seaters – some with Maserati engines, suspension, we took the car to Scaglietti in
others with Ferrari power. Modena and asked him to do a new body.
‘At the beginning,’ remembers Georges, ‘we Scaglietti was working with Ferrari but he
planned to race motorbikes, but our parents wanted to do something for us that was
were not keen on the idea. So in the end we different from the original Testa Rossa. The car
decided to race cars. We began with an old MG was there for about four or five months while
that was not in very good condition, so we he did the work.’
quickly changed to an AC Ace-Bristol. The goal The CEGGA-Ferrari’s first outing came at
at that point was not to drive – it was to build Mauborget on 12 April 1961. Georges drove it
cars and modify them. in a number of hillclimbs that year, and shared it
‘We improved the AC-Bristol so that we with Maurice Caillet at the Nürburgring 1000km
could use it in hillclimbing. We also raced at and Pescara Four Hours. There were fewer
Spa, then we found another AC Ace-Bristol events with it the following year, but Georges
that we planned to prepare and modify for the nonetheless returned to the Nordschleife.
Le Mans 24 Hours. We added a roof to make it ‘Pescara was fantastic,’ he recalls, ‘but the
more aerodynamic and more comfortable at Nürburgring in 1962 is my favourite memory.
night, in case of rain. We raced there in 1960 On the straights the works Ferraris were faster,
and managed to finish, then we drove the car but the handling of the CEGGA was very
back to Switzerland!’ efficient. My co-driver, Edouard Grob, was a
CEGGA’s next project was based on a member of Scuderia CEGGA at this time – he
pontoon-fender Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, lived near us – and we made a good team.’
chassis 0742, that was owned by Peter Ferrari works driver Willy Mairesse asked to
Monteverdi but which had been crashed try the car because he was so impressed with

Clockwise from left

Co-creator Georges Gachnang tackles
some understeer in the original
CEGGA Ferrari, road-registered in
Switzerland and yet to be painted;
today’s version is also yet to be painted
as it takes to the Goodwood motor
circuit; owner David Cooke gives
Georges a hug; Georges helped
ensure the new car’s accuracy and has
given it his seal of approval.

86
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cegga ferrari

88
 Clockwise from top
of facing page
Carburettor trumpets are proudly
displayed under transparent air
scoop; ‘boot’ contains spare wheel
and fuel filler; team logo
reproduced; with body off,
independent rear suspension is
clearly seen; Georges adds to
photographic evidence during
body construction; panels are
coming together as Scaglietti
would have done it; haunches add
sense of purpose even at rest.

‘They measured Claude had a small garage and I thought I’d be

a mechanic. Then, in the early 1970s, I opened
‘I had a fantastic lunch with them in a local
wine bar, and Georges was so enthusiastic. I

the pictures and a Toyota dealership. At that time, Toyota was

not very well known but we built it up into a
asked if he’d support me and he said, “Yes,
come back to the workshop – I’ve got some bits

knew the size of big garage, which is still in business now with
my son and daughter in charge.’
and pieces off the car.”
‘I flew him over to the UK with Claude, and
With the original CEGGA-Ferrari having they helped put the project together. They had
the wheels, so long since been returned to Testa Rossa form, very elementary drawings – not much at all. We
it could have remained an interesting but little- had photographs to go from, and newspaper
they could scale known footnote in motorsport history. Enter
David Cooke – former England rugby
and magazine articles. That helped a bit.’
Not only were Georges and Claude alive and
it up from that’ international turned successful businessman.
Cooke got involved in Historic racing during
well, they were still building and racing cars
despite both being well into their 80s. Two of
the 1990s, and his cars have always been looked Georges’ grandchildren had become successful
after by Neil Twyman. racers in their own right – Natacha Gachnang
the way it handled, but Claude refused. ‘We Having owned Twyman’s Testa Rossa and Sébastien Buemi. The brothers’ support
don’t share it,’ he told the Belgian ace. recreation for a while, Cooke found himself was essential because Cooke had tasked
After the Gachnangs stopped racing the yearning for another. Twyman heard about one Twyman with recreating something very
CEGGA-Ferrari in late 1962, a good friend of that had failed to sell at auction, an early different from a standard Testa Rossa, not least
theirs in Switzerland bought it. He used it on conversion based on a Boano 250 GT – chassis in the fabrication of that bespoke rear end. For
the road, on one occasion driving it from Aigle 0611 – but with a body that Cooke describes as authenticity the new CEGGA-Ferrari would
to Le Mans. It was then sold – minus its engine, ‘horrible’. Even so, it featured a number of have disc brakes all round, too, so Cooke was
which Georges retained – to a new owner, from original Testa Rossa components, such as the later able to sell those Testa Rossa drums for a
whom Ferrari collector Pierre Bardinon later steering box and drum brakes. useful sum.
bought it. When Bardinon subsequently The initial plan was turn it into a recreation ‘I was relying on Neil’s ability and the
converted the car back to Testa Rossa of the Testa Rossa prototype, but news filtered integrity of the design, but it obviously worked
specification, Georges sold him the correct through that a company was about to build a in period so we set about building it. We were
engine but the majority of CEGGA short run of those, which forced a rethink. going from photographs and the measurements
components, such as the bodywork and the ‘I mentioned to Neil that there must have that they had, and we were continually sending
rear suspension, were lost. been a special or something,’ remembers pictures over to Georges and Claude to make
Georges himself continued to race until Cooke. ‘After trawling the internet, I found a sure we were on the right track.
1969, when he had a big shunt in the 3-litre picture of the CEGGA-Ferrari and thought I’d ‘The bodywork was where Twyman was in a
CEGGA-Maserati at a French hillclimb: ‘I lost try to track down the Gachnangs. I was with different league. It was done in-house by a guy
pressure in a front tyre and rolled – the car was the kids skiing in Switzerland and I said to my called Phil Barton, and they had just done
destroyed. I stopped racing because I had no wife, “I’ve made contact with them, they’re still another car solely from pictures. It was amazing
more time and my family was not very happy alive and they’ve got a garage in Aigle, which how many images we started to unearth, and
after the accident – the children were young. isn’t far away. I’ll go down and see them.” they could take measurements from those

89
cegga ferrari

90
Clockwise from top left
High gear lever and
bonnet-breaching carburettors
demonstrate body’s lowness;
boxy tail is more Costin Lister
than Ferrari; engine has
correct TR red cam covers.

because they knew the size of the wheels. They the car. The finish is better than it was when we 1961/2019 CEGGA Ferrari
could scale it from that. And they knew that the originally built it. But then, David took four Engine 2953cc V12, SOHC per bank, six Weber
wheelbase was 2405mm – Georges had years and we had only one year because we 38 DCN twin-choke carburettors Power
extended it [from the Testa Rossa’s 2350mm] needed to race it!’ 290bhp @ 7200rpm Torque 221lb ft @
5500rpm Transmission Four-speed manual,
to get the rear section on.’ Fresh from its Revival debut, we get the rear-wheel drive Steering ZF worm and roller
The project took four years, but the car was chance to drive the Ferrari on a day blighted by Suspension Front: double wishbones, coil
ready in time for its unveiling in front of heavy showers. Sheltering in Cooke’s trailer springs, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar. Rear:
Georges at the 2019 Goodwood Revival. Sadly, gives us the chance to appreciate the car’s lines transverse upper and lower links, parallel radius
rods, coil spring/damper units Brakes Discs
Claude was unable to attend, but the car had as it sits outside in the rain. The front end Weight 800kg (est) Top speed 170mph (est)
only minor teething problems and made it to echoes the way in which the Testa Rossa design
the finish of the Sussex Trophy. It was testament developed after the pontoon-fender cars, but
to the quality of Twyman’s preparation, given the back is less heavily sculpted than anything
there had been no time for testing beforehand. Maranello produced. As Cooke points out, its
Perhaps most important, it gained the seal of higher, broader, flatter rear section is
approval from Georges. ‘I’m very happy with reminiscent of that on a Costin-bodied Lister.

91
cegga ferrari

92
93
cegga ferrari

The unpainted finish and side-exit exhausts

reflect the original car’s look when it first raced
Move the throttle tentatively and the
carburettors give a slight cough. Push it more ‘The disc brakes
in 1961. Georges and Claude soon painted it
red – as Cooke intends to – and developed
insistently and deeper into its travel and the
engine responds at once, the various respond well to a
hefty pedal shove,
longer six-into-one exhaust systems which mechanical noises that compete with each
exited on each side beneath the rear valance. other at lower revs all coming together into a
The driving position is ideal if you’re the size glorious bark. Little wonder that this engine
of a rugby player. If you’re not, you might need played such a large part in establishing the
Ferrari legend during the 1950s and early
as proven when
– for example – two sets of extra cushions plus
a child’s booster seat in order to get comfortable.
Once you have, the view is magnificent, the
1960s, or that Cooke found he couldn’t live
without it after selling his first Testa Rossa.
two deer dash
front wings rising either side of the cluster of
intakes for the Weber carburettors.
‘Once we start tightening it up and adjusting
things and doing some proper testing, it’s going
across the track’
The clutch is of the ferocious ‘on-off ’ type – to be a much nicer car to drive than a Testa
manoeuvring around a crowded paddock must Rossa,’ he says. ‘TRs tend to understeer, but this
be a joy – and the gearchange is heavy but has much more the feeling of a race car. It’s well
beautifully precise and mechanical in feel. balanced. It was too loose at Goodwood at the
Those disc brakes respond well to a hefty shove back end, but we can tighten it up because that’s
of the pedal, as proven when two deer suddenly what the Gachnangs had engineered into it – the
dash across the track. Fortunately, Bambi and ability to play around with it and adjust it.’
his friend escape unscathed, as does that The support of Georges and Claude meant
carefully crafted bodywork. that Cooke has been able to register the car
The weight of certain control actions is at officially as a CEGGA-Ferrari. The brothers’
odds with the delicate wood-rimmed steering involvement lifts it well beyond a ‘mere’
wheel, but the handling – as you’d expect of a recreation. It carries with it the soul of their
sports-racer of this era – asks for precision and original racer.
balance rather than brute force. Not that a wet ‘We achieved what we wanted,’ says Cooke,
surface bordered by trees is the place to venture ‘which was to bring back a car that existed in
too deeply into the limits of adhesion. Best of that time and raced with some of the great cars
all, though, is the three-litre V12. of the period. It’s just a lovely story.’ End

94
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 on
.

i .
o

so

k
bristol scout recreation

Clockwise from left

Francis Bremner in the original 1264 about to take off from
Imbros; Theo Wilford ready to spin the propeller while David
Bremner makes pre-flight checks, then takes to the skies.

Back then the Scout was the latest single-seat prodigy Building one become the obvious route.’ But how do you
from the Bristol Aeroplane Company. It was designed by bring a design from nearly 100 years ago to life?
Frank Barnwell – who later penned Bristol’s Bulldog and Although the team had access to the only other Bristol
Blenheim – and chief pilot Harry Busteed. The biplane was Scout in existence – a replica built privately in the US and
intended as a high-speed tactical reconnaissance aircraft for now on static display at the Fleet Air Arm Museum in
service in the RNAS and the Royal Flying Corps (the army’s Somerset – most guidance came from a descendant of the
airborne command), but later became one of the first British man who founded and ran that very business. ‘Sir George
fighter aircraft. It was powered by either Gnome Lambda or White found a parts book for the Bristol Scout in the bottom
Le Rhône rotary engines, in which the crankshaft is fixed drawer of his great-grandfather’s desk,’ explains David.
to the airframe and the crankcase rotates with the propeller. The book is fabulously detailed and illustrated: ‘There’s a
In 90hp Le Rhône form (as was the case with 1264) a table identifying each part, what it does, what the drawing
Scout was good for 80 knots with a service ceiling of number is, what material it’s made of and how many of each
16,000ft and a range of around 180 miles – heady numbers item you need,’ says David. ‘It also provided the luxury of
considering it was conceived barely a decade after the black-and-white photographs, which we used to understand
Wright brothers took to the air. More than 370 were built how the oil and fuel tanks and seat were constructed.’
in five different iterations from 1914 until 1916. David also had access to Barnwell’s doodlings for the
Yet despite the Scout’s role in World War One and its prototype. These are kept at the Royal Aeronautical Society,
manufacturer’s history, none has survived and the bits that which, by a twist of fate, put him in touch with a US-based
Francis squirrelled away are believed to be the only known enthusiast who had copies of original Bristol drawings.
original airframe parts of a Bristol Scout: 1264 itself was lost ‘The archivist asked me to pass on any details I uncovered
after the ship transporting it was torpedoed off the Greek to a chap in Houston who had a keen interest in the Scout.’
coast. That would’ve been late 1916, by when Francis had That chap was Derek Staha, and David’s correspondence
been forced to take up a post as an experimental officer at with him led to a treasure trove of material that stemmed
Orford Ness. He saw out the rest of the war there testing the from US military interest in the Scout 100 years ago. ‘In
ability of early parachutes to withstand shell damage. 1917 America’s aircraft industry had come to a grinding
Fast-forward through the decades – and the generations halt, owing to the court case between the Wright brothers
– and David Bremner would take to the skies himself. And and Curtiss, so the US Government looked to Britain for a
make a life-long friend along the way: ‘I met Theo in the training aircraft it could build under licence. They took a
1970s when we both took up hang-gliding,’ explains David. Scout and a complete set of drawings over and these ended
They migrated to building and flying microlights in the up in the Smithsonian. Derek managed to get copies.’
1980s, and it was Theo who – having heard about the various Researching the project – and getting the relevant
Scouts bits in the Bremner family – first floated the idea of permissions to build an airworthy example of a Scout – took
recreating the aircraft. ‘He’d grown up being a fan of Biggles the team nearly six years, and the build began in 2008. The
and had always dreamed of flying a World War One machine. starting point was to transcribe all the drawings for metal

98
parts into AutoCAD so that material could be water-jet cut
before David and Rick fabricated the various bits in their
Shropshire garage. Theo built the wings at his home in
Dorset before the whole lot was brought together for
assembly in David’s hangar at his local airfield.
There was a snag. While the nine-cylinder Le Rhône
engine was made in four countries and powered several types
of aircraft, they are difficult to source. ‘They’re mostly owned
by billionaires or museums and offering them money doesn’t
cut it. We tried Fantasy of Flight in the US, which has a dozen
of them in racks but they said no way. Shuttleworth had a
spare but said they needed it and pointed us to The Vintage
Aviator company in New Zealand.’ TVAL is arguably the
world’s leading restorer of World War One aircraft and their
reply to a request to part with a cherished Le Rhône was a
‘maybe’. ‘We didn’t realise at the time but we were interviewed
before they’d commit as they wanted to ensure our project
was to their exacting standards,’ says David.
TVAL chief test pilot Gene DeMarco flew the ‘new’ 1264
from the Shuttleworth Collection’s Bedfordshire base after it
received its Permit to Test from the Light Aircraft Association
in July 2015. That was a month after its first public viewing,
at Bicester Flywheel Festival, where the Scout was parked
alongside the only remaining Bristol Blenheim: Barnwell’s
first and last production machines. Poignantly, Sir George
White autographed the Scout’s propeller there.

99
Bristol scout recreation

Left, top and bottom

Period shots of Lt Francis Bremner
(on right) and his cousin, 2nd
Lieutenant David Bremner
(seated); Bristol heir Sir George
White signed the propeller.

After further flight tests by Shuttleworth’s Dodge Bailey,

the Scout was signed off and David, Rick and Theo could
take their turns. David was certified for display routines and
later invited to take part in a flypast at the Thiepval Memorial
as part of the centenary commemoration for the Battle of the
Somme in July 2016. That certainly made the 13-year project
worth every hour of effort; David piloted 1264 over the
Somme where his grandad’s cousin, 2nd Lieutenant David
Bremner, was fatally injured on the morning of 1 July 1916.
That visit to the Somme was on the return leg of a trip to
Thassos, after a magazine article about a World War One
pilot who’d also flown in the Mediterranean led to contact
with a retired Greek Air Force Colonel. He so loved the story
of 1264’s reincarnation that he pulled strings to allow it to
be flown off the original RNAS airstrip. ‘It was from this
airfield that the first Greek pilots flew in combat,’ says David.
The trip to Thassos (with the aircraft disassembled in a
trailer) coincided with the centenary celebrations of the
Greek Air Force. David’s exploration of his grandad’s
airspace was limited to ten hair-raising minutes in bumpy
conditions early one morning before landing again so that
1264 could be tied down as the meltemi gusts picked up.
The flight was particularly poignant after David spotted an
entry in his grandad’s logbook from exactly 100 years before:
‘Escorting HFs dropping petrol bombs on crops. Good fires
started. Dropped four bombs on seaplane sheds, shooting
bad, but one bomb fell very near small pier. Machine well t’d
up. Very bumpy, landing good.’
Illness prevented 1st Lieutenant Francis Donald Holden
Bremner from returning to Thassos but his decision to keep
a few souvenirs from his aircraft, and the passion for aviation
he passed on to his grandsons, ensured his legacy would
return. Exactly 100 years later. End

Flying the Bristol scout

A cockpit view from David Bremner
There’s a lot to do before you can strap yourself into the cockpit. You
start by lubricating the rockers as an assistant rotates the engine. Then
stand on the port wheel and prime each cylinder through the exhaust
valve as rotation continues. Then set the magneto to ‘off’ and open the
fuel system to feed the carburettor before the prop is swung to prime
the engine. Then it’s magneto on and chocks in place with the prop
positioned on a compression stroke.
She generally fires on first pull of the prop and – after testing full
throttle (while an assistant sits on the tail!) – you reduce power and
head for the runway. She’ll take to the air at 45 knots in 80 yards, climb
at 700-800fpm, and at 60kts in level flight the controls are balanced.
Below half-throttle the engine pops and bangs so descents are best
done with the fuel-cock off and the propeller windmilling, which is a
magical moment as you can hear the wind in the wires.
For the final approach, turn on the fuel to start the engine and use
the ‘blip switch’ (magneto cut-off) on the joystick to feed in the power.
Landing is best done dead-stick and is straightforward, but the roll-out
is conflicted as you need to apply power to ensure sufficient airflow
over the rudder while also trying to slow down so the tail-skid can dig in.

100
ALFA GIULIETTAS

ROMEO G I U L I E T TA

102
 This is no Shakespearean romance: the Italian collector Corrado Lopresto
owns 11 Alfa Romeo Giuliettas… and every single one is historically important.
Here he shares the secrets of this unique collection with Massimo Delbò
Photography Thomas Macabelli

103
alfa giuliettas

B
ack in 1920, engineer Nicola the backbone of the range – arrived a year later, coachbuilder wanted to work their magic on it
Romeo added his surname its Turin launch delayed for technical reasons. and the result was that, for a decade, the
to the company he’d Its new all-alloy 1.3-litre twin-cam engine, Giulietta was the most highly regarded car
just purchased – Anonima today a legend itself, roared a little too loudly in the country.
Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili for a sedan, so the technicians worked hard to Today it is highly prized by collectors, not
– and created Alfa Romeo. But soften its character a little, which was otherwise least the Italian architect and aficionado
more than three decades passed appreciated in the coupé. Corrado Lopresto, who owns 11 (as well as
before a group of Alfa Romeo The Giulietta’s internal project number of chassis no 1 of the 1980s Quadrifoglio Oro,
technicians gathered in Paris – according to 750 suggests its origins as a city car, but Fiat’s and the Geneva show car of the current
some at a bistro with a musician; others 600 saw it grow to fill a slot beneath the Alfa production model). ‘When I was a teenager,
say that they were at a party with a Russian 1900. It was the masterpiece of engineer there was a family friend who owned a Giulietta
poet – and it was said: ‘So many Romeos, yet Giuseppe Busso, under the guidance of Orazio Spider,’ he says. ‘I loved being driven around in
not even a Giulietta…’ And history was written. Satta Puliga and Rudolf Hruska, and it it. When I started collecting cars, the first
Only a year later, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta developed in an extremely forward-thinking Giulietta I bought was the neglected Bertone
Sprint was introduced at the Turin motor way, diversifying from the coupé Sprint and Spider. Nobody wanted it, many questioned its
show, in April 1954. the sedan, via the Spider (by Pinin Farina) originality but, when I got third in class at
Unusually, the first version was not a sedan from 1955, and the ‘racing’ SZ by Zagato from Pebble Beach against a 2.3, 2.9 and a 33, I
but the coupé, designed by Franco Scaglione 1960, the Sprint Speciale by Bertone from understood that the Giulietta says something
and manufactured at the Bertone plant in 1957 and the Giardinetta station wagon by everywhere in the world.’
Grugliasco. The sedan – which would become Carrozzeria Colli. Every Italian tuner and What follows is why.

104
 1955 Giulietta Spider Bertone
When American importer Max Hoffman ‘Back then, only 19 years ago, a car like this was
wanted a sporty, compact spider to sell in the considered a rejected project, and only the
US, Alfa Romeo approached Pinin Farina and production version appealed to collectors.
Bertone. This car is Bertone’s proposal, with When I began the restoration, I discovered
which it hoped to win the contract for how original it was: under several layers of

‘19 years ago, manufacture – but it built only two; the other
car was originally bought by Hoffman and
today is in a Swiss collection. Chassis no 1 is
paint, we found the original dual-colour
combination and, under two different seat
covers, we found the originals, still in almost
a car like this amazingly compact and still looks modern: it’s
a pure Franco Scaglione masterpiece, with its
perfect condition. I felt a shiver when I saw the
unrefined welding, a trademark typical of many

was considered slim front section. Alfa Romeo management

loved it, but preferred the Pinin Farina
proposal, simply because it was easier to
prototypes. When it was finished, I won my
first trophy at Pebble Beach, third in class, in
2005. I can’t stop thinking how much this car
a rejected manufacture in series.
This car remained in Alfa Romeo ownership
taught me in terms of preservation.’

project’ until 1957, when it was sold in the Modena

area as nothing other than a used Giulietta. It
was used by several different Italian owners
Left, above and below
Italian collector Corrado Lopresto enjoys
his Giulietta Spider Bertone. It’s one of only
until Lopresto bought it in 2000. ‘When I two built, and provided valuable lessons in
bought it, many friends laughed at me,’ he says. preservation during its restoration process.

105
alfa giuliettas

1957 AlfA Romeo GiuliettA SpRint SpeciAle BeRtone pRototype

The Sprint Speciale project is linked directly Alfa Romeo design, the only one representing
to the iconic Berlinetta Aerodinamica Tecnica the pure concept of Franco Scaglione and a
cars designed by Franco Scaglione for direct descendant of the BAT series. Amazingly,
Carrozzeria Bertone in 1953 and 1955. This this piece of history was widely driven and
car, with Commessa (purchase order) 8700, raced in the 1960s, but – luckily! – it was never
was designed by Scaglione and presented as a crashed and, when we bought it, it was in need
prototype based on chassis 00001 at the 1957 of a complete restoration, but mostly original.
Turin Motor Show. It was christened Sprint ‘We were aided by the many period pictures
Speciale but its forms were considered too of the car: it appeared on the covers of Auto
extreme for production and were reviewed in a Italiana magazine in November 1957 and Speed
second prototype (chassis 00002) exhibited in Age in March 1958, which is priceless when
1958 at Geneva, plus a third and final one: you’re working on a prototype with so many
these three cars are the only Sprint Speciales body differences; it is longer and more
built with alloy bodies. Production of what was aerodynamic than the final production version.
considered one of the most beautiful Alfa This car amazed me in 2017 when, years after the
Romeos ever manufactured began in 1959. restoration and a year after finishing third in
In 1960, this car was sold as a normal SS, Class at Pebble Beach – where it also won the
with a Certificato d’Origine dated 18 July 1960 special trophy as the Most Elegant Closed Car –
and an official production date of 15 June 1960. it won Best in Show at Villa d’Este.’
In the mid-1980s it was sold in the USA and
passed through several owners before it
returned to Italy in 2010, bought by Corrado Above and left
The Sprint Speciale followed Franco
Lopresto. ‘It’s hardly necessary to explain the Scaglione’s BAT concepts, hence its unusally
importance of this prototype,’ he says. ‘It’s the fluid styling. This is the first of three prototypes
first concept of what became a trademark in built before limited production began.

106
 Clockwise from above
A detail shot of the Fissore sedan; Giulietta
Scioneri TI in all its unrestored glory, including
that legendary twin-cam engine; deep blue
Moretti saloon features a highly original yet
remarkably intact interior.

1958 AlfA Romeo GiuliettA

fissoRe, 1958 AlfA Romeo
GiuliettA ti moRetti,
1960 GiuliettA ti scioneRi
In the end, it was the sedan that was the most
popular car of the Giulietta family. Both the
standard car and the Turismo Internazionale
(TI) version were huge sales successes, with
handling that was a perfect balance between
comfort and sportiness. The three sedans in
the Lopresto Collection are all special
versions by Italian coachbuilders, and each
differs in several details from the standard
sedan. ‘Today a coachbuilder’s sedan version
of the Giulietta is a rare find,’ says Lopresto.
‘Few were made and many suffered the
ravages of time, including my cars. Their detail
differences represent the fantasy of the period
coachbuilders. They would surely benefit
from a ground-up restoration but I’d prefer to
keep them as they are, as they are so original.’

107
1956 Giulietta Sprint luSSo,
elaborazione Speciale bertone
When Alfa Romeo launched the Giulietta
sedan, an in-house manufactured car, it was an
immediate hit and a long waiting list soon grew.
Several coachbuilders started to work on the
sedan, changing small non-structural details,
displaying their style to a wider audience,
increasing their turnover and, thanks to a
preferred channel of purchasing, delivering
their more expensive modified cars ahead of
the standard version from a dealer.
In 1956 Carrozzeria Bertone began a small
series based on the Sprint coupé, with special
features such as leather interior, side vent
windows, white seals for the glass, Bertone
Sport steering wheel (in wood or plastic),
chromed trim-rings for the wheels, and a long
list of personalisations for the interior.
There is no official name for this series of cars;
they were described as Elaborazione Speciale and
it is impossible to know how many were built.
What is known is that it was officially launched
at Turin in 1956, with three cars shown on the
Bertone stand: a Sprint Cabriolet, a Rubin Red
coupé (with four full seats instead of the
standard 2+2), and a white car with leather
interior, fog lights, and fitted luggage. This
French Blue Lusso is the only known survivor
from this little series, and is based on a type
750B. It was sold new in Paris, where it remained
until 2011, when Lopresto saw it at the Padua
classic car show and bought it.
‘Classic cars are beautiful,’ says Lopresto,
‘because you never finish learning. When I
noticed this Giulietta it was, at first sight,
terrible, with components from different series
and terrible paint. But I saw the side vents and it
took some seconds for the message to reach my
brain. Then I walked back and noticed its
original leather interior, something I knew must
have been done in period. Those are the reasons
I bought it, and only later did I find the evidence
in the Bertone and Alfa Romeo archives that
I’d found something special.
‘It has been a difficult restoration: what is
correct and what isn’t? We found the original
paint under a couple of other colours, and we
saved the original Vaumol Crushed Grain
Connolly leather. The most challenging and
expensive parts to remanufacture were the white
window seals. They are currently available in the 1955 alfa romeo Giulietta Spider pinin farina prototype
standard black so, to make them in white, the The Pinin Farina Giulietta Spider is still a car cover of the April 1955 issue of Road & Track,
manufacturer had to clean the machine before for every major collector. Before production and featured in May 1955’s Sports Cars
making new ones. Then he had to revert it began, several prototypes were manufactured Illustrated. It was originally sold in the USA, in
back to black… I prefer not to remember how by Pinin Farina, each one different from the 1956, to Bill Pollack and restored in Italy.
much I paid per metre for them, but they are next. For the Giulietta Spider, series ‘A pre-production Giulietta Spider is not
a trademark for this special series.’ production began with chassis no 17 and this something you see every day,’ says Lopresto.
car, being no 7, is one of the early pre- ‘I believe that there is an earlier chassis
production prototypes and sports some number in the Pinin Farina museum, and
important differences, such as the over-riders mine is the oldest among privately owned
Left and above right on the bumpers, bigger, squared tailfins, and cars. When we carried out the restoration, we
This special blue coupé is identified by
its unusual white window seals – remade
an ‘Aurelia-style’ dashboard. It is the very first were impressed to see the modifications
at great expense; Pinin Farina Spider Giulietta ever shown in public, at the 1955 made “under the skin” in the early months of
prototype pre-dated series production. Paris and Frankfurt shows, published on the this car’s life.’

109
alfa giuliettas

1961 alfa roMeo Giulietta SZ ‘coda tronca’ prototype

Based on the short-wheelbase chassis, the Sprint ‘When I got the phone call I was sceptical,’ he
Zagato was developed by Carrozzeria Zagato admits. ‘I thought it was a joke. Then I jumped
following the company trademarks of good on an aeroplane, and what I saw when the barn
aerodynamics and lightness. The resulting 1959 doors opened was astonishing: the best-
‘round-tail’ SZ was fast enough to be the choice of preserved, most original SZ in existence, and
gentleman drivers of the period. it was the prototype!
In 1960, impressed by the performance of the ‘I flew back home and tried to work out what
new Lotus Elite, Elio Zagato realised that he had to do with the car: it was too original to be
to improve his car. With the help of designer restored, but too far deteriorated to be left as it
Ercole Spada, and following Professor Wunibald was. It took me a while to decide to “restore”
Kamm’s lead on the better aerodynamics of a only half of it, as is done with the most
truncated tail, he developed new bodywork that important paintings, cleaning everything and
made the car 20km/h faster. The results were so retouching only where strictly necessary.
impressive that, during testing, Zagato asked for Nothing has been changed, but half of the car
the instruments to be checked: he couldn’t has been cleaned, we used a syringe to glue
believe the 227km/h reading, quite outstanding back small paint chips that were becoming
for a 1.3-litre engine. detached, and a small crack in the Plexiglass
The first prototype, used to develop the new has been repaired.
‘Coda Tronca’, was originally a round-tail car, ‘Then, following the teachings of
chassis no 170, built in 1961. After further archaeology, we left the other half alone, dust
development it was sold to gentleman driver included. When it was first shown at Villa
Albino Buticchi. Several races later, the SZ d’Este in 2016, to many it set a new standard in
Prototype found its way to the USA, where it restoration, winning the FIVA/Unesco Best
was locked in a barn for the following 50 years. Preserved Award and becoming the first car in 1956 Giulietta Sprint Veloce
A friend of Corrado Lopresto discovered it. history to be recognised by UNESCO.’ ‘Molteni Special’
The Molteni Special was originally
manufactured in June 1956, as a normal
white Giulietta Sprint Veloce and sold, in July
1956, through the Milan Alfa Romeo
dealership to its first owner. Just a month later
the SV was racing with its new owner, the oil
industrialist Gianmarco Moratti, and it was
he who commissioned its white and light blue
livery – plus a restyled nose.
In June 1958, Moratti crashed it while
driving from Milan to Genoa, and sold the car
to Aristide Molteni, a young racer from Milan.
Molteni carried on racing with good results,

110
 1955 AlfA Romeo GiuliettA
SpideR pinin fARinA ‘RAcinG’
From its conception, the Giulietta Spider was
intended for racing – it was only the
competitiveness of the Sprint that led fewer
racers to choose the open version. This is
chassis no 15, a late pre-series car, still with
several differences from the finished product.
It was originally white and almost immediately
shipped to the USA, one of the earliest cars
delivered to Max Hoffman. It was sold and,
after being resprayed in red, prepared for the
SCCA races by owner Jim Lawrence.
A few years ago it returned to Italy, and
remains how Lopresto discovered it. ‘This
car puzzles me every time I look at it,’ he
says. ‘I bought it for the low chassis number,
proving that it is a pre-series car, a rare
survivor of only 16 made. Yet despite our
efforts, so far most of its history escapes us.
We saw the original white paint under the
red and we have some old number stickers,
but we have little idea who Jim Lawrence
was. We decided to keep the car as we found
it, to avoid doing something wrong during
the restoration and maybe deleting an
important piece of history.’

Far left, left and below

Coda Tronca prototype was restored in
archaeological style, with one half left
exactly as found, including a layer of dust;
chassis no 15 (in red) was one of the first
cars to go to the USA, and was
race-prepared for SCCA series; Molteni
Special features unique bodywork.

improving the car until a crash in September

1959. And so Molteni adopted a new body,
the final shape of this amazing car. From 1962
it went through several owners until it joined
the Lopresto collection in 2015, since when it
has been restored.
‘It is a piece of racing history,’ says Lopresto.
‘It was the only non-Zagato-bodied car
capable of winning or finishing very well.
Aristide Molteni loves to joke that he was
there only for fun but the truth is that he was
a fast driver and a very good race preparer,
capable of getting the best from his car.’

111
alfa giuliettas

1954 AlfA Romeo GiuliettA SpRint Veloce BeRtone pRototype

This car is pivotal in the history of Carrozzeria to Carrozzeria Bertone to receive a new Sprint
Bertone and Alfa Romeo, and a measure of its body. There it received a new body number,
importance is that it has two Bertone body stamped just above the previous one, and
numbers stamped in its engine bay. It was continued its life as a test car.
originally built in 1953-54 by Alfa Romeo as a In 1958 the car was sold to Fabbrica Italiana
test car for the development of the future Sprint. Carburatori Edoardo Weber, and further used
It was equipped with an Alfa Romeo body, for testing. It was sold on to private customers
created by engineer Giuseppe Scarnati, who was in Italy and then abroad, before returning to
promoted to head of Alfa Romeo Centro Stile in Italy, and the Lopresto collection. ‘This,’ says
1957 and became the designer of the 1961 Alfa Lopresto, ‘is one of the most important
Romeo Giulia and 1972 Alfetta. This car was a automotive artefacts. It is so rich in history that
mule, and the body – nicknamed ‘ugly duckling’ it was difficult to decide which part is most
– already sported the volumes and the raw shape important. When I bought it in a sad state, I
of the future Sprint, but it was very basic and, decided to keep the final configuration, then
from a style perspective, unfinished. I could preserve most of its originality,
So a team of expert designers was brought in though I would have loved to take it back to the
to finalise the project: Sprint product manager “ugly duckling” configuration.
Rudolf Hruska empleyed Mario Boano (of ‘It was a pleasure to see both body numbers
Carrozzeria Ghia) and Franco Scaglione as well still stamped in the engine bay: luckily, back
as a very young Giorgetto Giugiaro and Nuccio then, somebody decided to preserve the origin
Bertone himself. To supervise, he hired of the car. During the restoration, we found
Giovanni Michelotti as an external consultant. evidence in the chassis of the different bodies,
Working together, this incredible team shaped and we kept some references to its early life,
the lines of the Giulietta Sprint, creating one such as the chromed strips adorning the front
of the most beautiful cars ever built. air intakes. Thanks to Maurizio Tabucchi of
Shown at the 1954 Turin motor show, RIAR (Registro Italiano Alfa Romeo), I was
Bertone’s Giulietta Sprint was originally given the notes taken by Mr Bonini, the Alfa
supposed to be built at a rate of 100 to 200 per test driver, about the work done with our car
year, yet 500 orders were taken at the show and and the sketches of the three possible fronts
Bertone set about fulfilling a contract for imagined for the Sprint. Chassis no 2 is the
20,000 units, transforming itself into a small oldest existing Sprint chassis as number 0001
manufacturer with an industrialised production was used as a test car too, transformed
Top and above line. In the meantime, Scarnati’s chassis no 2 at Bertone before it disappeared.’ End
Amazing to think that this beautiful car continued as a test car with an instruction
started life as a test mule with an ‘ugly
duckling’ body. But then it became the
never to sell it; in 1956, after a spell at Alfa Thanks To Swiss Museum of Transport
basis for styling development, with Romeo being tested by driver Bruno Bonini Lucerne, www.verkehrshaus.ch, Serenella
a crack team of Italian designers. to develop the Veloce version, it was given Artioli and Michele Casiraghi.

112
london to brighton
london to brighton

‘The sight of entrants battling with Boris Buses

around Trafalgar Square will remain with me’
car is a relative youngster (elgibility is pre- edge of Trafalgar Square will remain with me from August 1904 onwards had a steering
1905), but it gives us time to wander around for a long time. wheel), and its body is 2in wider than the 5hp’s.
and soak up the colour of our surroundings, The route diverges south of the bridge, in a That extra solitary horsepower was achieved via
not just among the autumn leaves but in the bid that was introduced last year to ease traffic; a ¼in bore increase for a capacity of 1029cc;
paintwork, the brass ornamentation, the half the cars head via Vauxhall, Clapham and the full corral is achieved at just 900rpm.
shapes and the sounds of our Vauxhall’s Tooting, while we (along with all the other incredibly, it putters along beautifully, those
competitors. So much history on display. odd-number entrants) stick more closely to coils padding over the worst vagaries of London
As for the Run itself, the speed limit was the original route, heading via Brixton and tarmac, and the lack of damping apparent only
raised to 20mph in 1903, so there was no Streatham on the A23 before we all converge over larger disruptions, such as speed bumps.
longer a need to celebrate the 14mph limit. But again shortly before Croydon. People are lining the streets to see us, all smiles
the Run returned in 1927 – and our Vauxhall Vauxhall? Yes, of course, this car was built and carrying placards asking us to toot the
took part! – reintroduced by the Daily Sketch not far from Lambeth Bridge, by a manufacturer bulb-horn. No extinction Rebellion in
and the Sunday Graphic, and its management founded as the Vauxhall ironworks Co. its first evidence anywhere, despite the fact that we will
was taken over by the Royal Automobile Club car – the 5hp – was shown at the Crystal Palace burn two gallons on this 60-mile trip. And that
in 1930, which has organised the event Show in 1903 (Vauxhall mD Steve Norman is figure really does beg the question of how far
annually ever since, bar a pause for World War driving one of those today, too, the oldest we’ve come since 1904.
Two and petrol rationing. The tradition of known four-seat Vauxhall, and second-oldest Any problems we might face, apart from
holding it on the first Sunday in November of all), with the 6hp launched in 1904. component failure, really concern overheating
began in 1956. These early cars were developed by Vauxhall or stalling. This isn’t a race, it’s more about
directors Jh Chambers, fW hodges, Percy making it to the end on madeira Drive. There
Time foR The off. Simon clambers up Kidner and Alfred Ash. They’d bought and are 60 finishers’ medals back at Vauxhall’s
and behind the tiller, i take the passenger side stripped a Benz in 1901 but then gone their Luton base (the company moved there the year
and, with a clatter from the single-cylinder own way, employing their marine engineering after this car was built), testament to how
engine, a whine from the transmission and a background to develop a boat-like stressed reliable it has been: only two failures to get to
puttering from the exhaust, we’re away. it’s like composite body (in effect a wooden and steel the end. So far, so good.
a slow-motion Le mans start as the 1904 cars monocoque), which sat atop leading and
gather and blend along the path through hyde trailing arms that supported the axles, sprung SimoN hAS BeeN at the helm as far as the
Park, then we cross the startline and head – on lightweight coils. The engine was mounted halfway mark, and pulls us in for the driver
memorably – out through Wellington Arch, horizontally at the front, supplying drive to change in Crawley. We had to creep up the last
down Constitution hill, past Buckingham the rear wheels via a chain and two-speed incline coming out of Redhill, but we never
Palace and soon along Whitehall, Parliament epicyclic transmission. quite stopped, and i didn’t have to get out and
Square and over Lambeth Bridge. in convoy every aspect was Vauxhall’s engineers’ own walk. or push. Which, on an event such as
down the mall, the clock could have been work and all-up weight is closer to 300kg than this, is a result. it’s still dry, though we’re still
turned back 115 years. And the sight of entrants 400. our 6hp is one of the last to feature tiller chilly, and the pitstop allows car and crew
battling with Boris Buses along the Southern steering (that marine background again; cars to take on (and discharge) fluids as necessary.

116
 Above and right
Crossing the start-line is
an event enough in a
1904 car, let alone on a
penny-farthing; lots of
variety, as evidenced by
Martin Hall’s three-wheel
Rexette and Duncan
Pittaway’s Salvesen
steam carriage; Lambeth
Bridge is an iconic
section of the route.

117
london to brighton

‘Giddying speeds?
Well, you might
manage 20mph
or so down-slope,
so it’s all relative’
Walking is a challenge when you can’t feel Of course, when there’s traffic (and very strengthens every pulse of that sole piston. Do
your lower legs and feet (thermals only do so soon there is), it becomes much more of a so, and you’ll feel a bigger thud through the seat
much when you’re this exposed), but juggling act: this car wasn’t designed to crawl, with every revolution, as well as greater resolve
movement gets the blood flowing and then it’s but there’s so much less space on the roads than to get to the top. But only do so as necessary: it
my turn at the tiller. so, up I clamber, lifting the there was in 1904. You push that left pedal, raises the engine’s running temperature.
tiller to gain access then lowering it across my inch towards the bumper in front, then brake… Once or twice I even overtake other cars, but
stomach, like the safety rail in a rollercoaster only for the car in front to move again. on the steepest climb of the lot, coming up out
carriage. except, of course, it isn’t fixed in place. But soon we’re away from the new-town of Hassocks and having stoically crested the
This isn’t my first drive of the Vauxhall, as I’d roundabouts of crawley and heading into the worst of the hill, I fumble into the upper ratio a
had a brief practice run just a few days earlier at greener scenery of the south Downs. And little too quickly – and we stall. There’s nothing
Luton Hoo, the country estate and hotel just still there are people everywhere. Between for it but to get out and swing that crank. As
around the corner from this car’s Vauxhall gearshifts and ignition timing adjustments those other, slower contestants wave and toot
Heritage base. The tiller is obvious enough, (tell you more about that soon) there’s the on their way past us.
though it must be tight for the portly: pull it bulb-horn to squeeze (parp parp!) and waving
towards your belly to turn left, push away for (so much waving) to be done. enough to make BrIgHtOn BeckOns. But there’s a stretch
right. Beyond its fulcrum is an extension with a you feel like royalty. of the A23 to negotiate first, along which you
screw that you twist anti-clockwise to throttle- We’re on the old road here, heading south feel heroic – yet also vulnerable. It’s at the other
on (it’s basically full throttle or nothing), and close by the A23 trunk road but well away end of this road, closer to London, that one
push the whole extension away until it locks to (for now) from the speed and noise of the dual- entrant tragically took a wrong turn, and proved
achieve the upper transmission ratio. First is a carriageway. Here, all is more sedate, through that even the slowest form of motorsport can
case of gradually pressing the pedal on the left; tiny villages and olde-worlde towns such as be fatal. so we’re ultra-careful, mindful that
the brake is the pedal on the right, and can be cuckfield. some of the hillier stretches have not all modern traffic would have any idea that
locked by a lever mounted outside the body been closed to oncoming traffic, allowing the we really can’t go any faster, or that we can’t
to your right. And that’s pretty much it. old stagers two lanes, so nobody is forced to stop so efficiently. We both breathe more easily
so it really is full throttle all the way, as I twist lose momentum. It’s in these circumstances as we enter the town itself, and make our way
that lever and gradually engage the left pedal. that you aim to achieve giddying speeds down- through to Madeira Drive. We can see the sea.
We putter away and onto the open road and, slope, even shifting out of gear to coast, so the We’ve made it.
at little beyond walking pace, I let the pedal go transmission doesn’t slow us down, steadying still no rain – it will hold off until we leave
and move the transmission stub towards the car here and there on the brake: there’s no the 6hp and head back to London, behind a
second (there’s a sort of hinterland in which it damping, remember, so you don’t want the windscreen, with air-con and sat-nav – and it’s
gradually takes up drive), before locking it in mass of the car to get too far out of shape. still cold, yet there’s a warm feeling inside as we
and… then just steer. simple! rather like giddying speeds? Well, you might manage cross the line and gain a 61st finisher’s medal
driving a modern car on cruise control. And the 20mph or so, so it’s all relative, but anything for the little Vauxhall. It’s not much past 1pm,
tiller is so direct that only a few degrees of you can carry uphill will help. You’re always on the earliest arrival into Brighton for this car that
movement achieves most turns. It’s actually full throttle, but pulling a stopper on the outer simon can remember. But all credit goes to the
quite sporting. body to advance the ignition a notch at a time Vauxhall. A massive hero in a tiny package. End

118
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THE OCTANE
INTERVIEW
THE OCTANE INTERVIEW

Clockwise from far right

Aged 28 and getting close to ERA R2B Romulus – relative Prince
Bira’s former mount then owned by sister-in-law Narisa Chakrabongse,
Prince Chula’s daughter – at a historic meet in Bangkok in 1989;
Thomson’s own Elise and Dino, showing the similarity of profile that
he wasn’t conscious of while shaping the Lotus; his first concept car,
the 1989 Isuzu 4200R; an early Jaguar sketch; more Jaguar ideas.

later turned out it was in the blood. ‘Mum had a got very poor grades, but I didn’t know how to wasn’t Ford’s fault, but it is a hell of a shock
Mini and Dad drove around in a Bedford van become a car designer. You couldn’t look it up going to a vast conglomerate like Ford from the
but we weren’t into cars at all, even though my on the internet or go to a library. If you look at it RCA or a small outfit like Ogle, where even the
granny had one of the very first XJ6s in 1968 critically, there wasn’t really a lot of car design work experience person does everything. I just
and my grandfather had one of the first S1 Land going on in the UK in the 1970s.’ found Ford frustrating and slow moving after
Rovers. Because they rarely mentioned it and His big break, and a sense of direction, came the excitement and intensity of the RCA.’
never boasted about it, I only later found out when Vilhelm Koren, a friend of his parents and After just two years he headed for Lotus.
that, as a great-great-grandson of King Mongkut teacher of furniture design at the Royal College There he stayed for 12 years and made his mark
IV of Thailand [as portrayed in The King And I], of Art, came to dinner. In a former life the with the innovative Elise S1, which, despite
I must be related to Princes Chula and Bira.’ Norwegian had designed the ‘Chinese Eye’ being based on a business case of 900 cars a year
From the start Thomson never drew cars that Bentley and, on seeing young Julian’s drawings, for three years, revitalised the ever-flagging
existed or could be bought, he just sketched advised him to apply to RCA. In turn, the company for a decade. It wasn’t easy, though:
what was in his head. That blossomed in the college told him to come back when he had got ‘Our design had to compete against everyone
early- to mid-1970s, an incredibly fertile era for an engineering or industrial design degree. else’s. We discovered the board of directors had
concepts, and the annual round-up of So he went to what was then Hatfield commissioned a packing chest’s worth of
prototypes in Automobile Year became his set Polytechnic to learn to be an engineer. ‘Sadly, I designs from Italy and all over and there was no
text. The problem is he had no idea what to do wasn’t very good at that, but it did get me an guarantee that ours would be chosen. That was
with his passion, how to turn it into a career. industrial placement at Ogle where I learned pretty irritating… until ours got selected, then
‘I wasn’t into horsepower numbers and all loads and got totally reinvigorated about being a it was pretty satisfying!’
that. It was purely about the design and concepts car designer.’ That thrill dissipated when, after Despite the familiarity of the outline,
like the Modulo and Carabo. It became quite a completing his MA at the Royal College of Art, Thomson maintains that he didn’t realise until
reclusive thing. My schoolwork suffered and I Thomson joined Ford at Dunton in 1984. ‘It years later quite how similar the profile was to

122
the Ferrari Dino 246GT. He explains: ‘There Other work included collaborations with rulebook that was well-intentioned in explaining
was a lot of retro going around such as the Peter Stevens and being exterior director at VW the history and values of the company, but
Prowler and the Beetle, and that influenced us. Group’s Concept Studio in Barcelona from was actually just a straitjacket on any creativity,
Then there is the Dino, a car I adore. I have 1998 to 2000, but the German way of working a massive barrier to moving forward.
owned one since shortly after leaving college. It did not suit him: ‘Too formulaic, not at all ‘I’d just come from Audi-VW in Barcelona
was completely subconscious and in many ways collaborative or creative’. Then, in 1999, Jaguar where I was privy to all its future model lines
they are really different, but if you park them design boss Geoff Lawson died at the age of just because I’d seen them all, and I walk into the
adjacent and look at them in profile, the outline 54. Lawson was succeeded by Ian Callum, the Jaguar design studio and they’ve got an X-type
is near-identical. I never really realised at the man who as advanced design director had been and an X350 being readied for production and
time quite how close they are. given the job of dragging dated Jaguar into the you think, “Oh my God, what’s going on there?”
‘Neither did we have any idea that the Elise modern world. ‘In Jaguar’s early history the model or range
would take off like it did, though we sensed how Thomson inherited Callum’s old role and would change every ten years or so and each
good it was when the Renault Sport Spider together the pair set about sweeping aside generation was completely different. Then you
came out six months ahead of us and was Jaguar’s pipe-and-slippers image. ‘Jaguar was get to 1968, when it really started exporting cars
nowhere near the threat we feared. It was partly very much at a crossroads at that point. It was to the US in numbers, and it was as if it had been
because Lotus is Lotus and it has to keep things owned by Ford and loved by Ford but it had caught in a timewarp ever since. They started to
going as long as possible, but it was also simply stalled. I think J Mays realised that it wasn’t ask customers what they wanted, and they said
a good concept. It came at a point in my life going anywhere. It had gone from being a very please don’t change it. So they didn’t. When
when I was single and into motorbikes, and it innovative, fresh company to being a very Geoff died and Ian took over the main job, his
was the car that I basically designed for myself.’ traditional, very prescriptive one. On my first role of changing the company became mine.’
His current fleet of Imprezas, a Clio Trophy, day, I was given a book given to all employees And didn’t he just. Via concepts such as
that Dino and an Elise is testament to that. called The Jaguar Difference. It was a massive R-Coupe, R-D6, C-XF, C-X75 and even the

123
THE OCTANE INTERVIEW

LRX that became the Evoque, and real-world

vehicles including XK, XF, XJ, F-type, XE,
F-Pace and I-Pace, in Jaguar’s own words ‘he has
been instrumental in delivering the renaissance
in design of Jaguar’s product range’.
It wasn’t always easy. ‘In 2001 we created a
concept car as our big statement, and the
management was horrified. There were rules
on everything, the shape of the console, the
diameter of the switches, the size and shape
of the lights, and we broke them all.
‘I am particularly proud of the C-XF because
we made a statement of setting fire to all the
wood trim in the car, to literally burn out the
past. Even Ian was uncomfortable with that, but
it was all about taking that traditional element
and being rebellious with it to create new,
updated traditions. Rebellious, quirky, different;
that was what Jaguar had always been about and
needed to be again.
‘It’s all about how you interpret a brand.
Jaguar has always been about beautiful cars that
are great to drive, striking and innovative. That’s
not about putting four headlights in a car, that’s
about beauty, poise and stance. There is a set of
values that makes a car a Jaguar, not just a
toybox of visual cues as it had traditionally been
regarded. Our first job was to try and drag that
brand kicking and screaming into a more
contemporary arena via a series of concepts and
the inevitability of change.’
Having gone from agent provocateur to the
heart of the establishment, does he feel that
‘responsibility for establishing the future
strategic design direction for the brand and the
design of all future models’ might clip his
creative wings? ‘The cars we’ve got downstairs
will be on the streets in five years’ time and still
driving around seven years after that. It’s about
looking into the future, not slavishly echoing the
past. We have another design studio in Warwick
[the National Automotive Innovation Centre]
that looks even further into the future, which is
really exciting. We know a lot about cars
becoming electric, about autonomous cars, how
people will buy cars, use them and share them,
how they are tied into a digital network.
‘More interesting, especially for a brand like
Jaguar, is the attitude towards cars. To have a car
that is solely a show-off product, that makes lots
of noise and smokes its tyres, is not a socially
aware thing any more. Luckily we’ve never really
been about that. We are about transportation,
but not in the same way as Ford or Nissan. Our
constant is the emotional attachment, and we
don’t think people’s love for cars is going to go
Clockwise from top away. But I would say that, wouldn’t I?
Sketch done as a 15-year-old shows early 1970s Italian influences,
Carabo, Modulo, Countach, Boomerang et al; typical scene in the
A week later the new studio did open. It
design centre; with predecessor Callum in Dubai; how design is done looked immaculate, of course. In buildings, as in
nowadays; the senior design team that Thomson now leads. personnel, it’s another seamless transition for
Jaguar design, but all through the welcoming
speeches I couldn’t help wondering what the
lights in Thomson’s office were up to. Still
bloody-mindedly doing their own thing, I
hoped. A little rebellion can be very healthy. End
124
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AUGUST HORCH MUSEUM

THE OTHER AUDI MUSEUM

Glen Waddington travels to Zwickau in eastern Germany to uncover
the early history of Audi – and its founder, August Horch
Photography Stefan Warter/Audi

WELCOME TO ZWICKAU, home of Audi. company in Cologne in 1899, which built its way. In 1928, Audiwerke AG was bought out by
But isn’t Zwickau a town in the former East first car two years later, and moved to the Jörgen Skafte Rasmussen’s DKW and developed
Germany? Home to the Trabant? And isn’t Saxony region in 1902, and Zwickau in 1904. a new range of front-wheel-drive cars that were
Audi based in Ingolstadt, 200 miles away in By June 1909, Horch himself had left built at Zwickau. In 1932, DKW, Audi and
Bavaria? Well, yes, yes and yes. Horch-Motorwagenwerke AG after differences Horch merged to form Auto Union and bought
Ingolstadt’s Museum Mobile was opened to of opinion with its supervisory board. The out Wanderer’s car division.
spectacular fanfare in 2000, but Audi has been following April, he established Audi The four marques served the market from
based in Ingolstadt only since 1965. In fact, the Automobilwerke GmbH in a former textile two-stroke economy cars to luxury limos, and
Audi name reappeared at that time after 25 factory, pictured above in its guise today as the worked symbiotically: for instance, the 1933
years’ absence, when Mercedes-Benz sold the August Horch Museum. It was barely a mile Audi Front Type UW was powered by a
Auto Union group to Volkswagen, which away from the Horch factory. Wanderer 2.0-litre straight-six developed by
needed Ingolstadt’s plant capacity. It just Why Audi? It’s the Latin translation of one Ferdinand Porsche, and its saloon
happened to come with a brand new and horch, which is German for ‘listen’. And many bodywork came from Horch’s body shop. So all
soundly engineered saloon car that needed a did. The company’s products quickly developed was going well. But then came war. The last
suitable brand name. And Audi did the trick. a reputation for quality and reliability, winning Audi was built at Zwickau in April 1940.
If you want to explore the early history of the Alpenfahrt rally three times in a row. Instead came the production of military
Audi – and its founder August Horch, not As Audiwerke AG, the company unveiled hardware, and the whole of Auto Union –
to mention the Auto Union conglomerate Germany’s first left-hand-drive car, setting uniquely in the German car industry – was
of which it became part – you need to head a precedent that all its rivals soon followed. located within what became the German
east. To Zwickau. But Horch was always more an engineering Democratic Republic. Post-war, two-stroke
August Horch was born in 1868 and joined innovator than a businessman. His cars evolved DKWs were built both here (as IFA models)
the formative Benz & Cie in Mannheim when further upmarket, with six- then eight-cylinder and in West Germany, but Auto Union was
he was 28 years old. He left and formed his own engines, but the market was turning the other liquidated in East Germany in 1948, re-founded

126
 OLD MEETS NEW
August Horch’s villa (below) is on Audistrasse, and dates back to 1910.
Next to it is the entrance to the recently extended and reopened museum,
which was finished in 2017. The new building hosts a restaurant and shop,
and stretches back into the original factory (left), which August Horch
established as the Audi Automobilwerke GmbH in 1910.

FUEL FOR THOUGHT

Those are real pumps and fittings, originally seen at petrol
stations in the former German Democratic Republic – gathering
them for this exhibit took ten years. They match the period of the
cars on display, in this case a 1930 Audi Type SS Zwickau
(on the right) and a 1930 Horch 375 Pullman saloon.

at a new base in Ingolstadt, and was gradually

bought out by Mercedes-Benz from 1954.
Meanwhile the Zwickau factory, from 1958,
became the foundation of Sachsenring – most
famous for the Trabant. And a museum display
started here with 14 cars (mainly from IFA and
Sachsenring) in a disused cafeteria in 1988. VW
took over in 1990, and Audi funded a restoration
in 2002, which saw the original works restored
and gradually reopened during 2004-2005 with
3000 square metres of display space.
But the glorious museum that you can visit
today is the result of further development and
a brand new extension in 2017, with 6500
square metres and more than 100,000 visitors
annually. A full guided tour can easily take five
hours – there’s so much to see, and a surprise at
every turn. Zwickau itself has a beautiful
historic centre, has been home to car
manufacturing since 1904, and is now where
VW builds its electric vehicles.
It’s well worth a visit; see www.horch-
museum.de. But first, take a tour with Octane.

127
 August horch museum

the works
Most of the old factory building
is given over to exhibition space:
it’s all clean, beautifully lit and full
of finished products from long
ago. In the ‘transmission hall’
we’re reminded that building
cars takes power and machinery.
Here we are looking at engine
test benches, the motive force for
which is provided by an ingenious
system of belts and pulleys, driven
by shafts that passed along and
through the entire factory.

the 1939 Berlin motor show

This is how the Auto Union marques would have been displayed. Clockwise from the
two-tone green car, back right: the upmarket Horch 853 Sports Convertible, with a 5.0-litre
straight-eight; the Audi 920 Convertible, with a 3.3-litre straight-six and coachwork by
Gläser/Dresden; the Wanderer W24 saloon, with 1.8-litre four-cylinder; and the ultra-
luxurious Horch 951A Pullman Convertible. The cheaper DKW is in the back corner.

August horch wAs here…

The man himself would have been 151 years old by now, and he died in
1951, so in his place at the very desk from which he ran the fledgling Audi
company is Octane’s (uncharacteristically severe-looking) Glen Waddington.
The offices and administration departments that adjoined the factory have
been restored using period-correct furniture and fittings.

128
 streetwise
This highly detailed street scene was created by film-set makers in the style of Zwickau’s
Leipziger Strasse. In the foreground is a 1933 Framo Stromer FP200, a fabric-bodied
three-wheeler built by Rasmussen (which owned DKW), with a 192cc two-stroke single-
cylinder engine. It’s parked outside a porcelain shop, featuring Kästner products from the
Lelhgabe Städtische Museen Zwickau (Zwickau is close to Dresden after all, and has its own
reputation for ceramics). At the end of the street is a typical Tante-Emma-Laden – an old-
fashioned corner store, the German name for which which translates as ‘Aunt Emma shop’.

cars for an active lifestyle

This beautifully preserved DKW F5 was marketed with the slogan Das
nützliche automobil (‘the useful car’). The great outdoors beckoned, and the
car was launched during a period when the middle classes were enjoying
greater mobility on an improving road network, whether that meant spending
leisure time sightseeing, going for a picnic – or, as in this case, skiing.

…and he was here too

The boss lived on site, in a fabulous Jugendstil villa specially built between 1910
and 1912. Its ground floor can be visited on request, and reveals a restored interior
that’s as fascinating for its detail and illustration of period upper-middle-class family
life as it is for the fact that the windows at the rear overlook the factory. Upstairs
are meeting rooms for the owners’ clubs associated with Auto Union.

129
august horch museum

War effort
During World War Two, the Nazi government operated a satellite of the Flossenbürg
concentration camp in Zwickau. This exhibit pays homage to the men and women
incarcerated there, who built military vehicles in the Horch factory, close to the
museum – you can see and hear interviews with some of them. Imprisoned Citroën
employee Henri Bertrand’s mess tin is particularly poignant: he engraved it with
images that reminded him of home, including the Eiffel Tower.

DKW: east meets West

On the left is a DKW F91. On the right is an IFA-DKW F9. The difference?
Little other than the name – and the country of manufacture. The F9 was
developed in Zwickau, the F in its name standing for Frontantrieb (‘front-wheel
drive’). The F91 was basically the same car but built in Dusseldorf in West
Germany. Both evolved from the original F9 prototype, which was developed
in 1938, but they entered production only in 1950 and 1953 respectively.

130
 motive force
August Horch was an engineer first and a businessman second, which is why
his tenure at the helm of his eponymous car company was shortlived. He took his
technical director August Hermann Lange with him to Audi: Lange led development
of this advanced overhead-cam straight-six for the Audi Type M. It was launched at
the 1923 Berlin motor show with the press release: ‘Audi is one of those German
automakers that believes doing the job properly is more important than price.’ Quite.

people’s cars, east and west

More than 3,000,000 Trabants were built here at the Zwickau
plant between 1957 and 1991, and the final two years of production
saw a version with a VW engine. Except, once the Berlin Wall had
come down, the people of eastern Germany no longer wanted to buy
a Trabant… Above is the one-millionth Trabant, built in 1973, next
to a VW Beetle – its People’s Car equivalent in the West.

a place in the country

This idyllic installation depicts a dacha, the type of country cottage popular during the Soviet era
in many Eastern European states, including East Germany: a simple structure, low on facilities
but high on rustic charm and perfect for enjoying an outdoor lifestyle. How did you get there?
Why, in your Trabant. This one even has a roof-mounted tent. Another major Trabant installation
includes the Duroplast production facility: as the Sachsenring Automobilwerke Zwickau, this
is where Trabants were built, complete with their bodies of resin-impregnated cotton.

131
august horch museum

the alpine racer

The oldest original car on display
is this yellow 1916 Audi Type B
Alpensieger. Audi enjoyed success
on the International Alpenfahrt rally
from 1911 to 1914, one of the most
demanding and competitive
endurance races of the era, held
in the Austrian Alps. This car is
powered by a 3564cc four-cylinder
engine, and capable of 56mph – but
winning the Alpenfahrt was more
about reliability than simple speed.
The green car is a 1911 Horch
12/28hp, one of the first cars built by
Horch after Horch himself had left the
company to form Audi. This one was
rebuilt out of damaged remains and
given to the museum in 1999.

the silver arrows

A spectacular display of Auto Union racers is brought to life with a kinetic lighting display, and videos featuring original race footage
as well as a period homage starring Audi’s own Ingolstadt employees, including the Museum Mobile’s archivist Ralf Hornung.
Racers from Type A to Type D form the exhibit (Types C and D are above), all developed and built within eastern Germany before
the country – and the company – was divided. They are the highlight of a new section within the museum that celebrates Auto
Union’s participation in motorsport, from the tiny DKW Monoposto via the Liège-Rome-Liège streamliner. End

132
135
colin chapman’s cortina

Y
ou have to look pretty closely to at Dagenham. Maybe they simply thought they suspension extensively tweaked and revised,
spot the ding in the bright-metal could afford to, since the Cortina Lotus (by including a one-inch reduction in ride height
trim above the offside headlight. then badged Cortina Twin Cam, as on this car) and a wider track thanks to 5½J steel wheels.
It’s a rare blemish on a car that was soon to go out of production, once the And if you were really serious about speccing-
otherwise appears near-concours in Escort Twin Cam had come on stream to take up your ‘Lotus’, there was a credible list of
condition. But that ding has a story over frontline motorsport duties. Colin’s son optional competition parts, ranging from alloy
behind it: reputedly, Lotus boss Clive, who today runs Classic Team Lotus and doors, bonnet and bootlid through to sump
Colin Chapman made it when driving too fast was a child during the 1970s, has no recollection and fuel tank guards, and even fuel injection.
into one of the factory’s garages. of the car at all, unfortunately. Assembling the Mk2 at Dagenham meant
For this is not just any Cortina; it’s not even The Mk2 never had quite the competition that Ford could also keep tabs on build quality.
‘just another’ Cortina Lotus. This immaculate impact of its storied predecessor, whose three- Driving this low-mileage example – the
’60s executive saloon was Chapman’s personal wheeling antics in the hands of Jim Clark were recorded figure is still barely 25,000 – shows
car, given to him by Ford in 1969, and one in the stuff of legend. But then, it didn’t need to. how well they succeeded in making a user-
which he racked-up some 14,000 miles. Rather The Escort Twin Cam appeared within a year friendly road car. You notice the attention to
fast miles, it seems: the story goes that the of the Mk2’s launch and was better-suited to detail before you even turn the key, finding the
gatehouse guard at Lotus’s new Hethel factory the race and rally types, being lighter and static seatbelts neatly clipped onto keeper
would have to rush to lift the barrier whenever more compact, and Ford’s intention was always tongues mounted on the transmission tunnel.
he saw Chapman’s Cortina approaching; if he to make the Cortina Lotus more refined, more It’s undeniably brown in here, the Saddle Tan
was too slow, Chapman would simply knock comfortable and more livable-with on a daily seats and doorcards complemented by a darker
the barrier off its mount by driving into it. basis than the model that went before. moulded dashboard and exposed metal door-
Exactly why Ford donated the car isn’t clear. Not that the Cortina Lotus was all mouth tops painted in the Amber Gold body colour,
Maybe it was a gesture of goodwill, having and no trousers. Based on the two-door but it looks coherently styled, with clear, easy-
taken control of the Mk2 Cortina Lotus away Cortina GT, the Lotus version used the to-read gauges and a simple slider-control
from Hethel by setting up the production line stronger export-version bodyshell and had its heater system. Above all, it feels modern.

136
137
coLin chapman’s cortina

‘Lean harder on the Turn the key and pull away, and that sense of
modernity continues. The steering wheel may
be an alloy-spoked, deep-dished sporty little
at lower revs – put that down to a lack of use,
and the need for a general tune-up – but once it
gets above 3000rpm, it clears its throat and
throttLe and the number redolent of driving gloves and flat caps,
but the steering itself is pleasantly light, so
feels nicely punchy, pulling strongly from there
on upwards and feeling unstressed at a 70mph

twin-cam’s refined much so you could almost imagine it to be

power-assisted. Combined with the Cortina’s
boxy contours and ultra-slim window pillars –
motorway cruise, even though only four rather
than five forward gears mean the engine is now
spinning at 3800rpm. Incidentally, a handy
exhaust note gains oh, how we miss those slim pillars in modern
cars! – it makes the car very easy to position on
GPS-based mobile phone app proved that the
speedometer is dead-on accurate; modern

a bit of bite’ the road and thread through traffic. This mid-
sized executive saloon is 5½ inches (we hadn’t
gone metric in 1969) narrower than a modern
technology does have its uses.
On a hot day, motoring through a gritty ’60s
suburb in the South Wales coastal town of
Mini; in fact, if you count the Mini’s chunky Porthcawl and alongside the concrete-flanked
door-mirrors, it’s well over a foot narrower. dual-carriageway that skirts the steelworks of
Like the steering, the gearchange is also Port Talbot, driving the Cortina feels like Get
fingertip-light, despite the stubby lever having Carter with added sunshine. Aeroflow golf-ball
a relatively short throw. The gate is very close vents notwithstanding, you need the window
– and there’s no detent between first and down for ventilation as much as for posing;
reverse – so a certain amount of concentration there’s no air-con, of course, a fact that’s worth
is needed to avoid wrong-slotting, but it’s mentioning only because the Cortina
another tick on the list of positive attributes. otherwise gives so little away to a ‘modern’ for
The ’Tina still feels quick, too; not remotely driver comfort. Apart from those vinyl seats,
fast by modern standards, but brisk enough to which were the bane of children’s bare legs in
be fun. The twin-Webered engine is a bit fluffy the summers of the 1960s and ’70s.

138
 While you’re pootling along, the twin-cam If there’s a question-mark to place alongside 1969 Ford Cortina Lotus Mk2
engine sounds unexpectedly discreet, but lean all these ticks in the mental check-list, it’s that Engine 1558cc four-cylinder, DOHC,
harder on the throttle and its refined exhaust the ride is a little jiggly; but that could well be alloy head, two Weber 40DCOE carburettors
note gains a bit of bite overlaid with a trace of because the car’s never had a complete Power 115bhp @ 6000rpm
Transmission Four-speed manual,
induction noise – those 40DCOEs were never overhaul; a slight wheel shimmy and a creaking rear-wheel drive Steering Recirculating ball
going to keep totally quiet, despite the efforts ball-joint are further evidence that the Suspension Front: MacPherson struts with coil
of a back-box-sized air filter that apparently suspension could do with a freshen-up. No springs, anti-roll bar. Rear: live axle located by
took Ford months to develop. matter: the essential quality of the design still trailing links, semi-elliptic springs, telescopic
dampers Brakes Discs front, drums rear
The substantial presence of the Webers and shines through. Any young blade who was Weight 915kg Top speed 108mph
the extra width of the twin-cam head meant lucky enough to afford a Cortina Lotus back in 0-60mph c10sec
that, as with the Mk1, the battery had to be the day would have thought himself the bee’s
relocated to the boot. Moving it didn’t harm knees, and rightly so.
the car’s weight distribution, and the Cortina The ever-practical founder of Lotus certainly
has a deliciously pointy, neutral feel to its wasn’t going to look a gift-horse in the mouth,
handling. The racing Mk1’s short-lived and he used this car until well into the 1970s,
dalliance with an A-frame rear suspension, even though it was just one of a personal stable
instead of the traditional leaf springs that it that included an Elan +2, a Ford Galaxie 500
started with, reverted to, and then passed on to and a Range Rover. One quirk is the fitment of
the Mk2, proved that a good leaf-sprung set-up a Cortina Estate tailgate handle on the bootlid;
can work remarkably well. With its road-car it seems the ever-in-a-hurry Chapman couldn’t
bias, it’s no surprise that there’s a fair degree of be doing with having to fiddle around with a
body roll during committed cornering, but it’s key to raise the lid. Another is the upside-down
not excessive and the car remains tidy; Lotus badge on the offside rear flank – the
oversteer would not be difficult to achieve – or reason for this is unknown – while the period
succumb to – on a wet road. Texaco sticker on the windscreen, which

139
colin chapman’s cortina

‘despite all the

time it languished
in a museum, the
twin-cam had not
deteriorated’
How far are they going to go before The Man
stops them to ask a few questions. One block or
two? And most often that question will be:
“One lump or two?”’
Kitman used the car almost as much as Colin
Chapman did, adding some 10,000 miles to
the total. That included driving it 660 miles
to Dearborn, Michigan, for Ford’s 100th
Anniversary Celebration, a trip that the
Cortina accomplished without a hitch – right
until the car park at Ford HQ, where it started
running on two cylinders. Handily, the
depicts a Lotus 72 in JPS colours, may be Paul Matty to recommission it. This evolved mechanic looking after another exhibit at the
another legacy of Chapman’s tenure. into what was in effect a total body restoration, gathering – Sir John Whitmore’s famous Mk1
When he finally stopped driving the Cortina, including removing the engine so that its Lotus Cortina – was something of a whizz with
still with only 14,233 miles on the clock, it surroundings could be detailed and painted, Lotus twin-cam engines and soon had the fault
passed to the factory’s museum, until that was plus fitting new bumpers, wheels, window traced to an errant Weber, which he cleaned
closed and its contents sold at a Coys auction in rubbers, and so on. Given the extent of the and tuned.
1998 on behalf of Lotus’s then-owner, the work, the final bill of £4408.33 appears nothing In 2014, Kitman decided it was time to sell
Malaysian company HiCom. According to the less than a bargain. Is 1998 really that long ago? the Cortina – ‘I needed the money,’ he tells
vehicle’s V5 registration document, it was Other than stripping and cleaning the Weber Octane with no-frills New York bluntness – and
registered to Group Lotus rather than to carburettors, Paul Matty’s people left the consigned it to an RM Auctions sale in London.
Chapman himself, which is presumably why engine and drivetrain untouched. Despite all Unlike its previous auction outing in 1998, this
HiCom was allowed to sell off the metaphorical that time spent languishing in the Lotus time it sold – but for a remarkably modest
family silver. Except that this low-mileage and museum, the twin-cam had not deteriorated. £22,400 including buyer’s premium. ‘That was
rare car, with its superb provenance, did not ‘With a fresh battery in place, Chapman’s half of the low-estimate,’ says Kitman. ‘I was
make its £6000 reserve and failed to sell. twinkie started first time, every time. It ran crestfallen, forcing me to take comfort in my
Even allowing for the passage of two decades, smoothly and pulled lustily, as the old motoring old maxim that money is for losers.’
that seems astonishing. It was good news for cliché used to go,’ wrote Kitman. Current owner Mike Baroth is certainly no
US automotive journalist Jamie Kitman, These quotes are from a memorable feature loser but it’s fair to say that he paid a decent
however, who happened to be visiting the in the British magazine Car, for which Kitman premium over the auction price when he
Hethel factory to collect a new Elise for test. was a US columnist. They ran his story on using bought the car from Neil Dickens at The
Having learned from Lotus PR Alastair the Cortina to brave the mean streets of Harlem Hairpin Motor Company, it having passed
Florance that the Chapman Cortina was a ‘no for a baseball game at the Yankee Stadium, and through another dealer’s hands and then a
sale’, he contacted Coys and was able to snap it illustrated it with superb photos by Jason private collector before Neil acquired it.
up for the auction’s high bid of £4500. Furnari of this quintessentially English car, its However, when you look at the mind-boggling
Museum cars may look shiny but they’re original British registration peeking out from sale prices recently achieved for 1980s and ’90s
rarely in the best driving condition. As Kitman behind tacked-on NYC licence plates, mixing it sporting Fords, none of which have anything
wrote a year after purchase: ‘My car had one- with the yellow cabs, construction lorries and like this car’s back story, the Cortina doesn’t
and-a-half major things going against it. It had colourful characters of the Big Apple. Kitman look particularly expensive. If anything, it
been sitting since 1982. And it was half Lotus, had no qualms about leaving it parked in the could well turn out to be a shrewd buy.
meaning it had half the reliability that made rougher parts of the city. ‘Think about it for a As for that ding above the front headlight,
’60s Lotuses famous for unreliability (you do second,’ he explained. ‘Imagine a couple of second owner Jamie Kitman was gifted a brand-
the maths).’ gnarly crackheads, young car thieves, or even new piece of trim by a Californian enthusiast
Wisely, then, before repatriating it to his some plain old law-abiding African-Americans who read about the car. Jamie never got around
home town of New York, New York, Kitman in Jamiroquai hats, rolling down FDR Drive in to fitting it – and, we suspect, given the story
asked West Midlands-based Lotus specialist a gold Cortina Lotus with right-hand drive. behind it, neither will Mike. End

140
 RELIVE LE MANS

If your whole existence is based on the trust

a woman puts in you, then you have two
choices:
1. You make sure you never break that trust.
OR
2. You make sure no one remains alive to tell
of the broken trust!
Content retired Formula One World Champion
race driver Stirling Speed begins picking As the winter nights draw in, why
at the curled corner of billionaire Lawrence not make yourself comfortable with
Troutman’s perfect life with his serene wife, a good book and a dramatic film on
Kristianna, sole heiress of the Arias Cosmetic the TV!?
empire. He soon starts to peel back a veneer
that reveals the broken trust hidden below, Following their historic victory in 2018, Toyota were favourites to win again at
but with that knowledge, Stirling again takes Le Mans in 2019, but this can be an unpredictable race and things didn’t run
on his archenemy that he battled during his
racing years death! entirely smoothly for them!
Relive the dramatic race both in print with hour by hour reports and as an
excellent 4 hour highlights package with plenty of bonus material.
race to transform himself from being the
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his E type Jaguar in careering car chases and *RRPs, £49.95 & £14.95. Quote voucher code OCTLM19 when ordering.
having to stretch its long legs to the glittering To view these and many more Le Mans related items, why not visit our Banbury show-
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Grand Prix Models

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Tel: 01295 278070 Fax: 01295 278072
[email protected]
Available from - Waterstones, Amazon books, The Telegraph
bookshop, [email protected], Barnes & Noble
Books (USA), Dymocks bookstores (Australia)
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141
by Octane staff and contributors

OCTANE CARS
ow n i n g + D R i V i n g + m a i n t a i n i n g

A car for all reasons would be an obvious choice – but purchase) and carried out a total
I’ve had a Ford Model A, and kind restoration, commissioning an
1927 Alvis of feel I’ve been there, done that. exact replica of a duck’s-back body
12/50 No, I decided that what I wanted from coachbuilder Wilkinson’s of
mark dixon was an Alvis 12/50. A proper Derby. It looks absolutely right,
vintage car from a quality marque especially now that the alloy panels
which I could drive anywhere and, and the leather trim have acquired
DO YOU REMEMBER Steve while needing a fair capital outlay half a century of patina.
Webb? No, me neither. But he was to acquire, would likely hold its The current owner very bravely
the Lib Dem pensions minister value in the longer term. let me have a test drive – centre
who famously said, back in 2014, The Vintage Sports-Car Club’s throttle and all – which showed
that people should be free to cash Advertiser threw up just what I was that the car drove well, even
in their pensions to buy looking for. A 1927 TG 12/50 with though my mastery of the four-
Lamborghinis if they wanted to. the desirable polished-alloy ‘duck’s speed crash gearbox was less than,
While I did once remortgage back’ body, it was located up in well, masterful (I’ve since been
my house to buy a Lamborghini – the north-east and was bang on told that these Alvis ’boxes are
a 1970 Espada, shared with Octane the money at an asking price of notoriously tricky). On the plus
contributor Richard Heseltine and £35,000. Never averse to a road side, the 1642cc engine didn’t
featured in these pages many times trip, I fired up my trusty 1994 P38 smoke or make any nasty noises,
– I’ve never done anything quite Rangie to go and view it. the brakes were remarkably
so reckless as blowing a pension Straight away, I knew that this effective, and there was the double
on a car. Until now. was what I was looking for. bonus of a new hood and tonneau.
In case you think I’m some kind Originally bodied as a four-seater So we did the deal.
of mad, spendthrift type, let me tourer by Cross & Ellis, it had been Now the Alvis is tucked up in my
explain. Earlier this year I turned converted to a farm truck during storage unit, awaiting a good
55 and discovered that a small World War Two. In 1967 an greasing-round and a change of all
pension fund that I’d set up enthusiast bought the now-derelict its vital fluids – after which I’ll be
decades ago was due to mature. It Alvis (pictured, below, just after trying to finesse those gear changes.
wasn’t a huge amount but it was
enough to pay off some credit
cards and have a chunk left over, if
I cashed it in.
One of the truisms of getting
older is that you realise time is
ultimately more precious than
money. So I decided to take the
cash option and use it to buy a
vintage car that I could enjoy now,
while I was still able to do so, but
which would remain a useful asset
that could be turned back into
hard currency later on.
Question was, did I play it safe
and buy something relatively
cheap that would never be worth
much, or spend more and buy
something with a bit of investment
potential? My one criterion was
that whatever I bought had to be
usable. A 1920s American car

142
 octANe’S FLeet
These are the cars – and
motorbikes – run by the
magazine’s staff and
contributors

RobeRt coucheR
International editor
l 1955 Jaguar XK140

l 1988 Mercedes-Benz

560 SEC

ANDReW eNGLISh
Contributor
l 1960 Triumph TR3A

l 1962 Norton Dominator

l 1965 Aston Martin DB5

GLeN WADDINGtoN
Associate editor
l 1983 Porsche 944

l 1989 BMW 320i Convertible

SANJAY SeetANAh
Advertising director
l 1981 BMW 323i Top Cabrio

l 1998 Aston Martin DB7 Volante

MARk DIxoN
Deputy editor
l 1927 Alvis 12/50

l 1955 Land Rover Series I 107in

l 1966 Ford Mustang 289

l 1994 Range Rover 4.0

l 1997 Land Rover Freelander

JAMeS eLLIott
Editor-in-chief
mark Dixon

l 1965 Triumph 2.5 PI

l 1968 Jensen Interceptor

SAMANthA SNoW
Clockwise Advertising account manager
from above l 1969 Triumph Herald
Duck’s-back body is 13/60 Convertible
a replica and nicely l 1989 Mercedes-Benz 300SL
patinated after 50
years; bench seat
tapers on passenger
JohN SIMISteR
side to make access Contributor
l 1961 Saab 96
easier; racy wings a
12/50 characteristic; l 1972 Rover 2000 TC

in its previous WW2 l 1989 Mazda MX-5 Eunos

guise as a farm truck.

RIchARD heSeLtINe
Contributor
l 1966 Moretti Sportiva

l 1971 Honda Z600

MASSIMo DeLbÒ
Contributor
l 1967 Mercedes-Benz 230

l 1972 Fiat 500L

l 1979/80 Range Rovers

l 1982 Mercedes-Benz 500SL

l 1985 Mercedes-Benz 240TD

143
OCTANE CARS / Running Reports

OCTANE’S flEET
These are the cars – and
motorbikes – run by our
staff and contributors

jESSE CROSSE
Contributor
l 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390

l 1986 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth

DAviD BuRgESS-WiSE
Contributor
l 1903 De Dion-Bouton

l 1911 Pilain 16/20

l 1926 Delage DISS

MARTyN gODDARD
Photographer
l 1963 Triumph TR6SS Trophy

l 1965 Austin-Healey 3000 MkIII

DElWyN MAllETT
Contributor
l 1936 Cord 810 Beverly

l 1946 Tatra T87

l 1950 Ford Club Coupe

l 1952 Porsche 356

l 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL

l 1957 Porsche Speedster

Into hibernation for the winter

l 1957 Fiat Abarth

Sperimentale
l 1963 Abarth-Simca

l 1963 Tatra T603

l 1992 Alfa Romeo SZ

TONy DRON
Contributor the first owner shelled out for potatoes! Every car is valeted and
l 1932 Austin Seven
heated seats – and that I shelled inspected, and a condition report
SARAh BRADlEy 1989 BMW 320i out for a new blower motor a is agreed with the owner. Fluid
Contributor CONvERTiBlE couple of years ago, when the levels are checked, the battery
l 1929 Ford Model A hot rod Glen WaddinGton original packed in. With the disconnected, and the car is fitted
l 1952 Studebaker Champion windows up you get the full with a breathable cover. Optionally
l 1956 Chevrolet 3100 pick-up daylight yet not too much the car can be connected to a
l 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner I feel somewhat bereft this buffeting, and the cabin stays cosy. trickle charger and run up to
l Various motorbikes
evening. My final autumn drive There’s a fabulous road heading temperature fortnightly, with a
was to take the BMW to its winter out from Market Harborough for condition check each time, and
EvAN KlEiN storage location. My garage will the second half of the journey: this you can pay extra for bubble-
Photographer
l 1967 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super
soon be a building site, as part of it part of Leicestershire is relatively storage. Although I know my car is
l 2001 Audi TT Quattro
is converted into a home office. empty, very pretty and home to safe, it was still an emotional
And RH Classics (rhclassics.co. some seriously snaky tarmac. If you process, leaving in the knowledge
MATThEW hOWEll uk), based near Melton Mowbray, fancy seeking it out, it’s the B6047, that this will be the last time I drive
Photographer Leicestershire, kindly offered the and it’s especially enjoyable north it for some time.
l 1962 VW Beetle 1600 BMW a winter home at its of the A47, with bend after bend Thankfully, I have a busy season
l 1970 VW Beetle 1300
expanding storage facility. accompanied by matching changes to look back on, with lots of family
I got very lucky with the in altitude as it rolls across and trips out (that’s what we bought
hARRy METCAlfE weather. Not warm, but bright and through the landscape. the E30 for, nearly nine years ago
Contributor
l 20 cars and 15 motorbikes
crisp, so I gave the E30 a wash and RH Classics offers several now) plus plenty of excuses for a
To follow Harry’s adventures with buff-up, lowered the roof and storage options, but all are in a solo blast, not to mention the odd
his cars and bikes, search for headed out on the 40-mile drive. secure, discreet and extremely dry work thing. Most memorable of
Harry’s Garage on YouTube. It’s at times like this that I’m glad location: the buildings once stored the latter was in September, the

144
 Left and below
BMW arrives at its hibernation
lair, RH Classics; study in dark
metallic blue with Mark Dixon’s
Range Rover at Cliveden House;
new tail-light lens about to be
installed; some of the 320i’s
winter companions.

Octane Tour to the Concours of from BMW Group Classic

Elegance at Hampton Court. We (bmwgroup-classic.com) and I
met for early-morning bacon was pleased to find that it was
sandwiches at Cliveden, in the simply a case of disconnecting
Buckinghamshire countryside, the bulb carrier and removing a
then set off with a road book that few nuts with an 8mm spanner.
took us via Marlow and Henley Easing the lens away revealed
on Thames. The sun was out, but perfectly preserved paint around
that early start provided the first the aperture – I’m so thankful
hint that autumnal weather was that the lens took the impact, and
imminent. Still, by the time we not the metalwork. A quick clean,
were queueing along the road in then the new one went straight in
from Staines, the sun was at full and was soon tightened into
strength and jacket and scarf place. This is a genuine
were quickly discarded. Roof- replacement from Munich and,
off, naturally, a state of affairs of course, a perfect fit. Job done.
that continued for the 100-mile Now, as I look up from my
trip home late that afternoon. desk at the darkness outside,
Readers might remember that spring seems a long time away.
an altercation with the foglamp I’ll pay RH Classics a visit at
bracket on a 4x4’s bull-bar had some point but, for now, the
left my tail-light lens cracked. BMW is snuggled under a cover,
This, at last, has been replaced. resting. At least I’ve still got the www.TheSwissAuctioneers.swiss
The new lens and fixings arrived Porsche 944 to hand.

145
OCTANE CARS / Running Reports

Getting into the coolant passages under

compression. That’s why the
system was getting over-
measures the top compression
rings at 1.55mm thick while the
groove in the pistons is 1.66mm, so

off lightly
pressurised and coolant was each ring has been oscillating up
bubbling past the radiator cap. and down at high frequency in the
Weirdly, this is good news as it’s piston and eventually breaking up.
an easy fix, but it doesn’t fully There are no more surprises
1970 explain the low compression inside. A bit of wear in the valve
LAmbORghiNi readings. So the next job is to guides needs attention, and all the
remove a couple of pistons. valves had been fitted with rubber
ESpAdA Cylinders nine and ten had the valve-guide seals from a Ford Pinto
Harry Metcalfe
worst leak-down results, so these during the last rebuild. These look
pistons are removed first. I’m as if they have been capturing oil
WITH THE ESPADA’S engine hugely relieved to discover that the and then leaking it down the guide,
out and on the bench (see last big-end shells show little wear, but making oil consumption worse,
month’s Octane), it’s time to delve the less-good news is that as each rather than better as the previous
inside and finally discover why it piston comes clear of the block, engine builder must have hoped.
had an unsustainable appetite for the piston’s top compression ring So I’m finding that, far from
coolant and why its crankcase was drops to the floor because they are being the nightmare it could have
breathing so heavily. broken in half. The middle oil- been, this whole engine-rebuild
First job is to remove the scraper rings are very worn, too. process is enthralling. The next job
cylinder heads. These have a habit It’s the same story on ten of the is to extract the cylinder liners
of being sticky on a Lamborghini twelve pistons: no wonder the from the block and send them off
V12 of this vintage but we’re in engine breather was puffing so for a slight overbore to 88.5mm
luck because, when this engine was heavily at tickover. (88mm is standard). New forged
last rebuilt in the mid-’80s, all the Again, this is actually good news pistons are on order and the
cylinder studs had been liberally because we have the answers to all beautiful steel crankshaft, milled
wiped in copper grease. So the of the engine’s ailments and none from a single billet, will be polished From top
heads slip off with little effort. of the causes are very serious. It and balanced. A big space where the engine used
to be; stripdown begins with
It soon becomes clear that both looks as though new piston rings I’ll report back once the rebuild removal of front-end drives; coolant
head-gaskets are knackered, which were fitted to the old pistons the begins but, for now, I’m just happy loss was down to leaking head
is the cause of all the coolant last time this engine was rebuilt, that the Espada engine is in such gaskets but head castings are fine;
issues. But instead of coolant but either they weren’t matched good hands. I look forward to its top piston rings had broken.
leaking into the cylinder, exactly or the ring grooves in the return, probably even better than it
combustion gases were leaking pistons have worn. Iain Tyrrell was when new way back in 1970.

146
 00.1.831.430.9940
C A N E PA . C O M

“You Can’t Drive Money” - Jerry Seinfeld

Want to learn more?

To find more pictures and information on our inventory above and to see the rest of our collector
vehicles for sale, please visit our website at canepa.com or give us a call at 00.1.831.430.9940.
4900 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley, CA 95066
OCTANE CARS / Running Reports

Voyages of Discoverys

luke PetCh
to buy it back – but, realising I had
1989 & 1991 neither time nor money to give it
LANd ROvER the full restoration it needed, I sold
diSCOvERyS it on to John Davies, another serial
mark dixon Land Rover enthusiast whom I’d
met when I bought a canvas tilt
from him for my 1955 Series I 107.
THE PAIN OF selling a car that John promptly despatched it to
you don’t really want to let go can Mark Harrow, a restorer who
be mitigated if you know it’s going specialises in Discoverys down in
to someone who will look after it. Devon (appropriately), with the
And I’ve been lucky in that my two aim of having it ready for the
early three-door Discoverys are Plymouth anniversary. And Mark
now in the best of hands. delivered, returning G510 to exact
The two vehicles were recently press-launch spec, complete with
luke PetCh

reunited in Plymouth for the 30th recreated 1989 side decals and
anniversary celebrations of the very un-PC bull bar. To John’s (and
launch of the Discovery in 1989. my) delight, it took Best of Show
Back in those cash-strapped days, at the Plymouth party. Discovery), it found a new home
Land Rover chose Devon rather G510 was joined in Plymouth with another collector, Luke Petch
than Dubai or Dubrovnik to unveil by H158 NJM, a white early-1991 – who, after giving it a cambelt
its latest model to the world’s press three-door that I found on eBay in change and a good service, took it
– and one of my two Discoverys, 2014. This one was remarkably on a tour of Switzerland. As I
G510 WAC, was part of the official rust-free but, when I subsequently expected, it’s been completely
launch at Plymouth. acquired a couple of P38 Range trouble-free: both G510 and H158
I found G510 for sale as just Rovers, I really couldn’t justify are powered by the then-new
another secondhand Discovery in keeping it. 200Tdi turbo diesel, one of the
the late ’90s, and used it for a while Through the very active Project most reliable engines ever made.
From top
as my daily driver until the Jay Preservation Group page on Restored ‘G-WAC’ Discovery took Best
Do I regret selling them? A little
inevitable corrosion took it off the Facebook (Project Jay being Land of Show at Plymouth; 1991 three-door bit. But they’ve gone to the right
road. Many years later, I was able Rover’s codename for the on Swiss tour; G510 WAC pre-rebuild. people, and that’s what counts.

148
What a fascinating history this Bugatti Type 43 Grand Sport has! First owned by Crown Prince Leopold of Belgium, who sold
the car in Sweden where it led a second life driving – and winning! – numerous ice races. Powered by the mighty supercharged 2.3
litre 8 cylinder that was developed for the famous Type 35B Grand Prix, but fitted with a much more comfortable Grand Sport
body, this is as practical a car as it is powerful! Price: ASK

Jaguar XK120SE DHC LHD - 1953 Aston Martin DB2/4 MkI3 Litre Saloon LHD - 1955
Matching numbers and colours, bare metal Nut & bolt restored in our world renowned workshop,
respray and retrim in 2011. Price: 135.000 Euro regardless of cost. Price: ASK

Aston Martin DB4 Series 3 LHD - 1961 Lancia Flaminia Convertibile by Touring - 1961
Belgian-delivered, one family ownership, matching Expertly restored by a passionnate Flaminia
numbers & colours, ... Simply impressive! Price: ASK connoisseur. Price: 167.500 Euro
OCTANE CARS / Running Reports

other
news

‘Since buying my
first-gen Audi TT, I’ve
had a few other Audi
drivers come up to talk
about how they used to
own one. It’s nearly 20
years old, after all’
Evan Klein

‘Is this the end of the

road for my life with
“Gobbo”, the Aston
Martin DB6? More
about this momentous
decision next month’
Andrew English

Driving to the dog house ‘I’m still running-in

the Sierra Cosworth’s
down from London to meet it at the Clockwise from above left engine, and a trip to
Bel & The Dragon pub in Churt for
1955 lunch. The first tour car to pull up
Tour participants in Goodwood’s
pitlane await their turn on track; one of Bicester
JAguAR XK140 proved to be a very smart XK140
runnng checks for Robert but no
maladies; the joy of a drive at sunset; Heritage’s Sunday
Roadster, even if it was covered in
robert CouCher
road grime. Jaguar XK owners
two other XK140s on the tour.
Scrambles was the
actually like to use their cars. the time to drop in for drinks with perfect excuse to add
When I Was InvIted to Next to arrive was an Aston Jean-Marc Gales and his clients. The
join the Woodham Mortimer Martin DB6, followed by an XK140 supper was delicious and the
a few more miles’
Jesse Crosse
Chairman’s Tour with my XK, I FHC like mine. A hearty pub lunch convivial evening finished with a
thought I’d better give the Jaguar a ensued – excellent fish and chips, nightcap back in the cosy hotel bar.
proper wash. The invitation had by the way – where we all learned Next morning the cars assembled ‘After a lot of research,
come from the chairman himself, more about each other’s cars. The at Goodwood’s Motor Circuit,
Jean-Marc Gales, and because I drive down to the Goodwood where instructors were on hand to I’ve found a way to
know that the cars his company Hotel afterwards was very coach the drivers on how to get the mount a modern child
sells, prepares and maintains are all picturesque, with an enjoyable best from their cars on this very
in immaculate condition, I thought back-roads route mapped out by fast race track. So no mechanical seat in my Fintail
MNJ 812 could do with a scrub up. Woodham Mortimer. maladies to report this month: just Mercedes yet keep
The full two-day tour left the Dinner that evening was at The classic car owners getting the most
Woodham Mortimer works in Kennels, which bemused some of out of their beautiful cars. original-style seat belts.
Maldon, Essex, and took in country
roads of Sussex and the Cotswolds
the American entrants. The
Kennels at Goodwood is a rather Thanks To Jean-Marc Gales and
All will be revealed in
en route to Goodwood House and grand construction housing a swish Woodham Mortimer. see www. the next issue’
the Motor Circuit, but I motored restaurant, where Lord March took woodham-mortimer.com. Massimo Delbò

150
 HALL & HALL

1952 Aston Martin DB3 “Works” car chassis #5

One of the five Factory Team cars and winner of the 1952 Goodwood Nine Hours driven
by Peter Collins in the 1952 season it also competed at Le Mans, Sebring, Monaco, Silverstone and
in the Mille Miglia. Supplied by us to the current owner, it has proved highly competitive
in historic events, most recently with a win in the 2017 Goodwood Freddie March Trophy.
Offered with a spare engine etc.

www.hallandhall.net
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44 (0) 1778 392562
Rick Hall: +44 (0) 7710 971277
Rob Hall: +44 (0) 7770 845554
by Octane staff and contributors

OVERDRIVE
Other interesting cars we’ve been driving

BMWs
to Bicester

JAKE BELDER
diary for some time, since sadly a Z8 and a selection of M3s and The clutch requires a long and
I missed the first-ever Super M5s. Brilliantly, I would be taking determined thrust of your left leg,
BMW 3.0 CSL Scramble earlier in the year. And the mighty Batmobile. but everything else about the way
AND BMW Z8 when the opportunity of arriving In order to give me some time it drives is surprisingly civilised for
MATTHEW HAYWARD in something very special cropped with this amazing machine, it was a homologation special. The road
up, it was a done deal. dropped off at home a couple of was wet, and although it felt like
I usually go to catch up with days ahead of the event. BMW has there was plenty of grip it seemed
THE BICESTER Heritage colleagues and friends. This time, owned this left-hand-drive prudent to treat the CSL with the
Sunday Scramble is one of the best though, I had a more important example from new and it’s used correct level of respect.
events on the calendar, especially job as a delivery driver for BMW occasionally for media and Bicester is only about an hour
if you need an excuse to take your UK, which had decided to arrange marketing jobs, but otherwise it away from me across country,
classic for one last run before it a small display at the show. The spends most of its time locked which is a perfect run on a Sunday
goes away for winter. This year’s cars would come from its historic away between services. Putting a morning. It was damp and a little
final Scramble has been in my collection, including a 328, an M1, few miles on this car feels like just cold, but the conditions were far
the right thing to do… nicer than on my introductory
I’d never appreciated just how evening. The 3.2-litre six-cylinder
imposing the 3.0 CSL is until I saw engine is gutsy, but it likes to be
it sitting on my driveway. All those revved a bit before it really gets
spoilers and fins are absolutely going. And, oh boy, what a noise it
mad, but it’s not overtly angry or makes. It’s nicely geared, too. The
aggressive. ‘Single-minded’ sums it roads were quiet but, as we
up better. I ventured out for an approached Bicester, the quality of
evening drive to acclimatise myself cars on the way in to the event
to the Batmobile and soon figured made it clear that this Scramble
out that it’s far less intimidating on was going to be a good one.
the road than you expect. The Pulling into the main gate, I
driving position is great, there’s a suddenly felt very self-conscious:
panoramic view out and, while it this car was attracting a huge
feels long, it’s nice and narrow for amount of attention. It took pride
threading through lanes. of place on the BMW display, and

152
 Don’t get it dirty
Audi sq8
Matthew hayward

As A rule, I’ve always disliked diesels, but for big estates and
SUVs a big modern multi-cylinder diesel installation can be mighty.
So mighty, in fact, that Audi’s bigger S models have all made the
switch – and who am I to argue with eight diesel Le Mans victories?
The new Q8 is Audi’s first full-sized Coupé SUV, in effect a lower,
slightly sexier Q7. The top (for now) SQ8 takes its seriously high-
tech drivetrain from the SQ7, a 429bhp 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8
diesel, with a clever 48-volt mild hybrid electrical system.
After a brief off-road excursion through the Greyfriars Vineyard
in Surrey (yes, even on that wheel/tyre combo it can off-road), we
found some more challenging roads. The all-wheel steering and
active roll stabilisation – standard with the £104,240 Vorsprung
edition – somehow make this 2365kg monster feel nimble and light
Clockwise from left on its feet. If it didn’t take up so much space on the road, you might
BMW UK fired up its heritage fleet for Bicester’s final Sunday Scramble of 2019, even call it fun. Mind you, its refinement is outstanding, and
including Z8 in foreground; CSL meets E21 Alpina; undercover M1; pre-wars too.
certainly helps to take the stress out of sitting in traffic.
The real talking point, though, is its power delivery. An electric
supercharger, powered by that 48V hybrid system, provides instant
boost before the twin turbos come on song. The effect is astounding,
with the car seemingly delivering its peak torque of 663lb ft almost
instantly, backed by a muted soundtrack that conjures memories
of those eerily quiet Le Mans cars. I’m still not sure I could lust after
a diesel SUV, but this one has certainly earned my respect.

immediately people were day I decided to give the Z8 a bit

photographing the CSL and more of a run, down to the Audi Q
asking lots of questions. event (see story, right). The roads
For the trip home I swapped were greasy, wet and cold yet
into something from this again, but this roadster was far
millennium. The Z8 has always more approachable in these
been a bit of an odd car for me, but conditions than I had expected.
spending some time with one has The Z8 looks great in today’s
brought some clarity. When it was context, and that thunderous V8 is
launched, the retro styling and an instant highlight. It’s mellow
slight lack of purpose meant that but certainly not lazy. It’s happy to
some pundits couldn’t see the push you along with its ample and
point. But it has matured into immediate torque but, being an M
something rather more special Sport engine, it relishes a few more
than anyone ever thought it would. revs when you unleash it. There’s a
All the ingredients for a reasonable amount of power for a
collectible classic were there, but car weighing 1585kg, but the
I’ve never really understood the sophisticated five-link rear
appeal. Treat the Z8 as a cruiser suspension and a set of fresh
rather than an outright sports car, Bridgestone Potenzas add up to
enjoy the sights, sounds and smells plenty of grip.
of your route, and it makes a lot This example ticked over 30,000
more sense. With its 394bhp V8 and miles while I had it, and it was a
six-speed gearbox, both from the pleasure to drive a car that’s part
M5, it’s a good companion. of my childhood James Bond
We had a few hours of clear sky fantasies. My only regret was not
for the event but it rained on the getting a chance to drive it with
journey home. With a lot more the roof down. On a sunny day,
traffic on the roads it was far from down the right road, the Z8 would
a satisfying drive, so the following be a wonderful thing indeed.

153
 From top
Serenely unstoppable over the
stones, but looks much like the old
Sport; cabin has a hint of Velar.

electronics and fine calibration of

traction control systems and brakes
rather than diff locks and winches.
So I’m descending into a steep
ravine over slippery rocks in the
latest Discovery Sport, revised for
the 2020 model year in, visually,
only the most subtle of ways. Yes, it
looks a lot like the 2015 original
(bumper graphics and lamps are
the obvious differences) yet under
the skin it is much different. There’s
the latest Evoque’s new platform,
for a start, with new suspension
pick-ups and engine mounts, a
much-needed larger fuel tank,
mild-hybrid 48V tech for all but
front-wheel drive editions (!), plus
the capacity for a forthcoming
plug-in hybrid (with three-cylinder
engine) and its associated batteries.
This 180bhp diesel in top HSE
trim is getting on for 50 grand, and
getting pretty dirty too: I fear for
the pale leather trim in this
environment. Yet after lots of
mud-plugging, clinging onto a 30º
lateral incline, fording two feet of
water (along the river, not across!)
and generally driving where it feels

It’s a new version. Promise as though you shouldn’t, we

emerge unruffled and unscathed.
Air-con still on. Radio Four in the
background. Surreal.
We’re still in the wilds of North
Yorkshire, though on the roads
now. This is way more refined than
the original, with a seriously quiet
diesel engine where the old one
LanD ROVER used to bray like angry cattle.
DIscOVERy spORt Steering is linear and satisfying,
glen waddington the ride supple and quiet. Inside,
there’s a new dashboard that
borrows some sex appeal from the
We’re in the Wilds of Velar. You still get seven seats, so
North Yorkshire, though not on it’s still one of the most practical
the roads. This is one of the official not-too-big cars around from a
Land Rover Experience centres; people-lugging point of view. It’ll
everyone who buys one (new or do motorways in comfort, with
used) from a franchised dealer gets serenity and reasonable haste on
to visit one. And everyone should. the menu. And when it gets twisty,
Because only then do you really it entertains way more than it
get to understand what your should. Especially considering
vehicle can do in extremes that what we were doing a while ago.
don’t regularly get tested on the This car isn’t cheap, but few
school run/barrelling down the others offer a range of talents quite
M1/at Sainsbury’s and Heathrow. so broad. The Disco Sport was
It’s enormously impressive, as always capable, but smoothing the
you’d expect of the brand, and – edges and injecting a dose of style
I’m being contrary here – all the have worked wonders. Not only
more so because it’s down to clever practical, but highly desirable too.

154
OVERDRIVE / Other Cars

Mr and Mrs Waddington Sr try out

the C5 Aircross and compare it
with their own C4 Cactus.

A tale mum one too. Which was handed on

to my sister when mum got a Saxo.
And when dad retired, he waved
sporting nor off-road pretensions.
Should suit dad pretty well. He
always did like a motorised sofa.
it is than his Cactus, and the
perceptibly more distant parameters
of its cabin. If all you do is cruise, it’s

of two
goodbye to his company Scorpio On the M6, all is serene. The C5 great. But when you decide to press
and bought a C5. These days he’s on cruises quietly, its ride feels plush, on a bit, the C5 feels as though it’s
his second C4 Cactus (just bought, overtaking urge is sufficient, we’d taking up a fair bit of road. And
on the new-fangled suspension), and crammed into the boot all of what there’s more pattering at the road

Citroëns
mum has possibly the lowest-mileage often spills onto the back seat in surface: the edges of most bumps
2007 C1 in the world. other cars, and everyone had space are smoothed away, yet there’s
We had a family trip planned to around them. After 3½ hours, I got always some vertical motion.
spend the weekend with my parents, out at the other end with no aches, Perhaps it’s the weight difference,
so what better test of the new C5 which is unusual these days. And I’d but the C4 seems to manage things a
CItROën C5 Aircross? Gone are the saloon and enjoyed the mollifying calm of the bit better here, and feels more
AIRCROss estate profiles, in their place a whole experience: this car suggests engaging to boot. It’s not down to
AnD C4 CACtus substantial yet stylish SUV outline. you relax rather than goading the tyre profiles; they’re both on 55s.
glen waddington And yes, it’s been a while since there devil on your shoulder. And they both slam noticeably into
were many hydro-sprung Citroëns At the other end, dad and I potholes, reminiscent of how the
at your local dealer, but the new car’s swapped mounts and took each hydro-suspended BX used to
My dad was always a fan of the ‘advanced comfort’ suspension other’s car for a spin. His Cactus struggle over ridges.
Citroën CX yet he drove a (which debuted on dad’s Cactus) reminds me of mum’s old R14, all Still, there’s plenty to enjoy about
succession of Fords. And when the employs clever dampers that are squidgy and roly-poly, yet it clings both, with interesting interiors and
time came to replace my mum’s firmer at the extremes of travel, on and there’s real urge from the 1.5 a stab at minimalist dashboard
Renault 14 in the 1980s, he ducked allowing a loping gait for the turbodiesel that the C5’s eight- ergonomics (it’s all touchscreens
out of the Citroën BX I’d suggested majority of the time. speed auto masks. Nimble yet soft, and TFTs) that means there’s never
and bought her an Austin Maestro. Inside are seats that major on with a ride that’s unusually supple, a dull moment in there. These are
Which was rusty within two years. plump comfort rather than support; it feels like a proper French car. likable cars. Citroën is finding some
Yet these days he’s a Citroënist. there’s ample space for five (on Dad likes the big-car feel of the character again, at last, though we’re
And so’s my mum. It goes back 20- individual seats) and a big boot, but C5, perhaps not surprisingly, though a far cry from the DS and the 2CV.
odd years to when I bought an AX it’s front-wheel drive. Welcome to ideally he’d prefer a saloon over an Even if my mum’s little old C1
and dad was so impressed he bought the new-era family car, with neither SUV. He noticed how much quieter sounds disquietingly like the latter.

156
ADVERTISING FEATURE

Jaguar XJ-S
PRE-HE FACTORY MANUAL CARS

Read our fact-file on the rarest of all the

Jaguar XJ-S models. The specialists below
can help with owning and maintaining one

THE JAGUAR XJ S was introduced on In 1975, Autocar magazine road-tested both classic Jaguar, and the factory manual is as rare
10 September 1975. The first series became the automatic and manual XJ-S. From a as a flat-floor E-type!
known retrospectively as the pre-HE – ‘HE’ standing start, the manual registered 0-60mph The early XJ-S was also made famous by
standing for High Efficiency – models and in 6.9 seconds with a top speed of 153mph; the television dramas in the mid-1970s, including
production ran from 1975 to 1981, all with automatic managed 0-60mph in 7.5 seconds, The Return Of The Saint, a series starring actor
5.3-litre V12s. Jaguar produced 352 with the with a top speed of 145 mph. Ian Ogilvy, with his white XJ-S, registration
four-speed manual gearbox, which represented In 1981, the V12’s biggest drawback – its number ST1. This was one of the first
only 3.7% of total production of the pre-HE thirst for fuel – was addressed with the launch production models fitted with a manual
model during its six-year production span. of the reworked HE design. New cylinder gearbox; there were two other cars, which were
Jaguar ceased production of the manual XJ-S heads, a higher compression ratio and Lucas ‘P’ automatic and were used as back-ups. In The
in 1979; however, some UK Jaguar dealerships digital fuel injection all helped improve the fuel New Avengers the late Gareth Hunt starred as
converted at least 35 additional cars from economy dramatically. Gambit and drove a red manual XJ-S,
automatic to manual transmission. Factory But for collectors today, it’s the early models registration number NPW 875P.
manual cars can be identified by the gearbox that have the most period charm and there’s a
code, which is stamped under the bonnet and number of ways to spot them. Cars from 1975 Above and left
prefixed 2W1151. The automatic was prefixed to 1977 had bullet-style chrome door-mirrors, Pre-HE was the
BW1150, with ‘BW’ for Borg Warner, which the B-post pillars were chrome-plated and the purest expression
was fitted to cars from 1975 to mid-1977; bootlid plinth was painted black. From 1978 of XJ-S body
styling; manual
thereafter the General Motors Turbo- onwards, the door-mirrors were changed to a version is the
hydramatic GM400 was installed. larger square shape, the B-post was painted rarest of all.
Some owners think that the pre-HE manual black, and the bootlid plinth became body
gearbox was the same as the Jaguar E-type colour. All pre-HE cars had Kent alloy wheels.
V12’s; however, the E-type gearbox was a KL Today it’s acknowledged that the XJ-S was a
series and the XJ-S’s was a KM-series. The XJ-S fabulous gran turismo, and the manual version
had a lower ratio on the first gear, giving 3.238:1 was a true sporting Jaguar. The early XJ-S, in
compared with the E-type’s 2.933:1. particular, is becoming recognised as a true

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 Gone but not forgotten
Words Delwyn mallett

‘red robbo had called

workers out on 523
occasions. the strikes had
cost bl £200 million’
The closure of 13 more plants was scheduled
for 1979, along with 25,000 redundancies. All
of this pitted Edwardes head-on against his
foremost opponent, the Longbridge factory’s
communist convener Derek ‘Red Robbo’
Robinson, who had called workers out on no
fewer than 523 occasions. The strikes had cost
the company £200 million in lost production.
Edwardes chose to present his case to the
workers directly and gambled on putting his
ALAMY

plans to a ballot. The gamble paid off, with

overwhelming support from a workforce who
clearly preferred working and job security to

Sir Michael edwardeS striking. Red Robbo’s authority was

undermined and Edwardes fired him. The
whole BL saga was carried out under the media
The small man with a big presence took on Leyland’s spotlight; for much of the country Edwardes
became a hero, congratulated for breaking the
militant unions and won the battle, but lost the war tyranny of the unions and knighted in 1979.
In the middle of his tenure the Government
On 1 nOvember 1997, Michael Owen Chloride and worked his way up the changed. Margaret Thatcher became Prime
Edwardes was handed the poisoned chalice of management chain in South Africa and Britain, Minister and Edwardes had a new battle to
British industry that was British Leyland. In becoming chairman in 1974 and increasing fight. Thatcher wanted BL to be broken up and
the preceding year BL had lost production of a profits five-fold. In 1975 he was presented with privatised as rapidly as possible and was not
quarter of a million cars through industrial the Guardian newspaper’s Young Businessman prepared to continue funding it. He argued
disputes. Previous chairmen had failed to rein of the Year award. successfully that if the good bits – Jaguar, MG
in the power of the trades unions that were In the same year the struggling BLMC and Rover – were sold, then the rest, in the
crippling the corporation, and to rationalise (British Leyland Motor Corporation) was in shape of Austin-Morris, would be unsaleable.
the sprawling behemoth of companies and effect nationalised by Harold Wilson’s Labour Edwardes won the battle, but lost the war.
brands that constituted the conglomerate. Government. The whole country was in dire The Government released more funds for
Given that Edwardes stood a diminutive 5ft financial straits, with inflation running as high production of the new Maestro to proceed, but
3in, this truly pitched a David against a Goliath. as 20%, unemployment at its highest level since the Iron Lady was not happy. When Edwardes’
Edwardes was born in 1930, in South Africa World War Two, and industrial output crippled contract came up for renewal in 1982 he was
where his father ran a panel-beating and battery by endless strikes called by militant left-wing not invited to serve another term.
business in Port Elizabeth. The young Michael’s unions. Despite being critical of Government Edwardes’ five years as chairman of BL
upbringing was one of tough love; his father policy, Edwardes was invited to join the would, despite his other achievements, define
‘treated life as an obstacle course’ and ensured National Enterprise Board. Two years later he his career and his legacy. Perhaps he was not a
that his children did, too. At the age of 15 he agreed to accept the Leyland challenge on a great ‘car man’, but he was a dynamic and
was fishing with a friend on the Kromme river three-year secondment from Chloride. pragmatic manager. He saved BL from total
when their outboard motor fell off. His father The Government was tired of pouring collapse by halving the workforce, streamlining
said: ‘We’ll leave you some food; phone me money into British Leyland and his brief was the company, supervising the launch of the
when you find it.’ It took eight days to retrieve. unequivocal: ‘Make Leyland work or close it.’ Mini Metro and negotiating a partnership with
As a keen rugby player, at scrum-half to suit In his memoir, Back From The Brink, he wrote: Honda. He is also credited with reinvigorating
his stature, he acquired the first of his many ‘I relish a good challenge… you could say I’m a the confidence of British management.
nicknames: Tickey, after a small coin. Later bit of a scrapper.’ And a scrap it was. Ultimately his efforts failed to save the
names were less affectionate: Little Moe, after The first clash came with his decision to corporation, but he did considerably extend its
his initials; Pinnochio; Torchy, when he was close the suicidally strike-ridden Triumph TR7 life, and the descendants of parts of it – Mini,
running Chloride Batteries; and Poison Dwarf factory at Speke on Merseyside. Unfortunately JLR – prosper today under foreign ownership.
when at BL. this also meant that the promising and And Sir Michael, who died on 15 September
Afer graduating from Rhodes University production-ready V8-powered Triumph Lynx aged 88, had a fine parting gift from BL: a
with a law degree, he eventually joined – a credible Capri rival – was also canned. Jaguar XJ-S in British Racing Green.

158
SIX MONTHS TO CR AF T IT
ONE CLICK TO ORDER IT
THE NEW WEBSITE FOR CLASSIC PARTS
PARTS.JAGUARLANDROVERCLASSIC.COM
Icon
Words delwyn mallett

THE gannEx
ovErcoaT
It became the must-have
outerwear thanks to
endorsement from the top

Here’s your starter for ten. What did

Prime Minister Harold Wilson, Graham Hill
and the Queen’s corgis all have in common?
Answer: they all wore Gannex coats, a fashion
staple of the British upper and middle classes in
the 1950s and ’60s. The corgis had their own
specially tailored garments, presented by
entrepreneur Joseph Kagan, who had invented
the waterproof Gannex fabric.
Kagan befriended Harold Wilson, who was
rarely seen outdoors without his Gannex mac.
He also persuaded the Duke of Edinburgh’s
valet to order his-and-hers Gannexes from
Harrods, thereby securing much-coveted Royal
Warrants and guaranteeing acceptability
Prime minister Harold
among the hunting, fishing and shooting set. Wilson leaves Parliament
Wilson gave Gannexes to other world leaders in his favourite coat,
– Nikita Khrushchev, Lyndon Johnson and perhaps a little long in the

getty images
Chairman Mao Tse Tung among them – and sleeve, to a backdrop
Formula 1 ace Graham Hill kept the pit-lane of popular Fords.
chills at bay with a Gannex over his baby-blue
Dunlop race suit.
Kagan was born Juozapas Kaganus to lightweight, waterproof and warm garment. old mistress, eventually landing in Spain where
Orthodox Jewish parents in the Lithuanian Following his father’s example, he secured so many Brits of dubious character had found
capital of Kaunas in 1915. His father ran a lucrative contracts to supply garments to the sanctuary. Unwisely, he made a trip to Paris
textile business, and World War One made him military and to police forces in Britain and where he was apprehended, betrayed by a tip-
very rich as he supplied field-grey cloth to the abroad. But perhaps his biggest coup was to get off from a vengeful ex-mistress (he had
Kaiser’s army. After leaving school, Juozapas the rising political star and much-photographed apparently accumulated around 40 of them).
was sent to Britain to study textiles at Leeds future Prime Minister Harold Wilson to be his He was convicted of false accounting and
University but had the misfortune to be back in more-or-less permanent model. It later theft, given an enormous fine and sentenced to
Lithuania when World War Two broke out. transpired that Kagan Textiles had been paying ten months in prison. He was also stripped of
Under the Nazi occupation he was interned Wilson £100 per month ‘for technical advice in his knighthood, but he retained his peerage
in the Kaunas ghetto and put to work in a local respect of Gannex sales to the USSR’. and continued to sit in the House of Lords
foundry where, with the help of a very brave For years suspicions swirled around both after his release.
Catholic gentile, he was able to avoid Wilson and Kagan that they were too close to Gannex coats were never the most flattering
transportation to the death camps by the Soviets. MI5 kept a close eye on Kagan on of garments. The fabric didn’t drape the body
constructing a tiny box room in the foundry’s account of his friendship with an official at the in a sympathetic manner but instead created a
roof. There he hid for nine months with his Soviet Embassy, fellow Lithuanian Richardas roughly human semi-rigid space which the
wife and her mother. Vaygauskas, who was eventually unmasked as wearer occupied. By the free-flowing 1970s,
By 1946 he had made his way to Britain. He a KGB agent and deported. the Gannex was falling out of fashion and its
settled in Huddersfield, where he anglicised his Kagan was awarded a knighthood by Wilson manufacturer eventually went out of business.
name and set up Kagan Textiles to make rough in 1970 for his support of the Labour Party, Both Wilson and Kagan died in 1995 but
blankets. Then, in 1951, he invented the fabric and he was made a baron in Wilson’s until just a few years ago you could have
that would make his millions. controversial 1976 resignation honours list. quaffed a pint at the ‘Pipe and Gannex’ pub in
Gannex consisted of an outer nylon layer Embarrassingly, two years later Lord Kagan Knowsley Village, Liverpool, in Wilson’s old
bonded to an inner layer of wool with insulating was charged with theft from his former constituency. It, too, has now followed the
air trapped between the layers, resulting in a company and went on the run with his 23-year- famous coat into history.

160
Places to go
Words and photography BARRY WISEMAN

Sammy miller motorcycle muSeum

Hundreds of the world’s rarest motorcycles deep in the New Forest

Avid motorcycle enthusiast Murray Clockwise from top left The rest of this wing of the building is packed
Walker put into words the essence of the Sammy Miller with Royal Ruby, his trophy tally behind; with racing machinery. Elsewhere can be found
racers ancient and modern plus a pick-up; period
Sammy Miller Motorcycle Museum Trust a room of trials bikes, including the 1964
workshop recreated; so many oil cans, so much history.
when he said: ‘As I walk in here, it is like a Bultaco Sherpa developed and built by, yes,
starving man walking into Harrods Food Hall.’ in the back. That’s right, 12.5cc per cylinder. Sammy Miller. Nearby is a two-wheel-drive
He was talking about a collection of around Beyond is the reception desk, with a well- Maico 400, and the 1977 Honda TL Sammy
400 motorcycles, many of them prototypes or stocked shop selling T-shirts, caps, books, developed while working for the factory. The
sole remaining examples. And with a handful of videos and all sorts of interesting knick-knacks. jewel in the crown, though, must be the Norton
exceptions, one of which is built totally from There’s an excellent guide book, too. gallery. Here a 1953 Kneeler contrasts with the
wood, they all run. Where to start? Walk straight on and there, oldest known Norton, the 1905 model fitted
Ulsterman Sammy Miller MBE is the in its own display, is what is said to be the most with a Peugeot engine.
complete motorcyclist, as the cases containing famous and successful trials bike ever: that’s All the exhibits have concise but informative
hundreds of his trophies testify. He raced on GOV 132, Sammy’s Ariel HT5. Developed and detail boards, and there’s a fair chance that you
roads, then tackled trials, motocross, grasstrack improved by Sammy, it has its many successes will bump into Sammy himself. His museum
and sand racing. Now he gathers and restores listed behind it. Ask Sammy which is his makes for a really fantastic day out, with
motorcycles from all over the world at his favourite bike and he will show you one, animals and a playground outside to keep
workshop adjoining the museum. The perhaps GOV 132, but then he will point out families amused. You’ll need to rest at some
standards of restoration are astonishing, and many more, including the 1939 495cc AJS stage, no doubt, and the Bashley Manor Tea
once on display the machines benefit from lots Four, a few feet away. Rooms can tempt you with homemade cake.
of natural light and ceiling-high mirrors, This supercharged, water-cooled titan was Here’s a tip. If you are not a motorcycle nut,
reflecting a sea of nickel, aluminium, chromium the first motorcycle to lap a Grand Prix course you can still have a fascinating day here looking
plating and quality paintwork. at over 100mph and is the only example in the at specifics. For instance, take in the different
Sammy declares the museum ‘a hobby gone world. It is strange to be in the presence of such ways designers went about something as
mad’. To begin with he kept a few bikes at his an awesome piece of man’s ingenuity as you apparently simple as front suspension. You will
home, and the collection just grew. That find yourself staring at the smallest details. The be astonished at the variations: some are
triggered a move to Bashley Manor, where the motorcycles are not fenced or cordoned off simple, but some are incredibly complex.
current museum has developed into the world- here, and they invite the closest scrutiny.
class building and collection we now see. Then there’s the 1935 1000cc two-stroke Sammy miller muSeum TruST, Bashley
The recently enlarged lobby is totally glazed Scott. Sammy points at it and smiles. ‘Where Cross roads, New milton, Hampshire BH25 5SZ.
and features a 1934 James delivery truck, with a do you think Saab got their engine? Or Open 10am-4.30pm daily. December-February
1959 four-cylinder 50cc Mitchell motorcycle Wartburg, for the Knight?’ We live and learn. weekends only. admission: £9, ages 6-14 years £4.

162
Books
REVIEWED BY octane staff and contributors

100 Years of Bentley

andrew noakes, white Lion,
£60, IsBn 978 1 78131 915 4

Handsomely produced on
good-quality stock to a large
format, and supplied in a
discreet grey slipcase, this is an
attractive book without being
in any way exceptional. As the
title suggests, it’s a potted
history of the Bentley marque,
Book from WO’s early years to the
of the current Bentayga. And there’s
month nothing wrong with that: the
text is nicely written, there are

The Great British Rally

lots of pretty pictures – it does
what it says on the tin. Or
rather, the slipcase. But you
graham roBson & martIn hoLmes, veloce, £35, IsBn 978 1 787113 68 8 can’t help feeling its primary
purpose is to sit on the coffee
In a world in which it summary of each year’s competition accompanied table in a Bentley dealer’s
sometimes feels that twin by fine photos and captions, boxes on peripheral showroom. MD
volumes in an ascending range issues and tables of entries and results. Back then it
of ever more opulent slipcases seems that just about every competitor was titled…
is the bare minimum From there we skip to the birth of the Rally of the
requirement for any new book Tests in 1951, as the event gained momentum and
to stand out, it’s rather international acclaim. This is followed, crucially, by a
gratifying that something comparatively cheap and spate of overseas entries and those wonderful 1960s
cheerful can still capture our exalted Book of the events as colour photography crept in and added so
Month spot. Those impeccably produced behemoths much to the drama. After that, the chapters are
have genuinely merited their top billing, but this defined by the dominant features of each global era
month’s winner proves that we at Octane are not such as Escorts, turbos, four-wheel drive, Group B, Karl Ludvigsen’s
merely dazzled by art paper and chromatic printing. Group A and so on. Each follows the same format.
Unsurprisingly, it features everything that is good The appendix is limited to a list of winners Fast Friends
(affordability, accessibility and authority) and bad (though it dates back to 1951!), but there is a very karL LudvIgsen, delius klasing,
(slipshod design and those bloody adverts) about good index to guide you around this muddiest of £20, IsBn 978 3 667 11457 0
Veloce’s books, but it is a cracking overview of nearly subjects. It might be argued that they could have put
90 years of motorsport crammed into a mere 226 an awful lot more into this book and expanded it to Literally a legend in his own
pages of mid-sized hardback. And you couldn’t ask many times its current length, but equally it should lifetime, Karl Ludvigsen has
for a much more experienced team to put it together: be said that there is nothing important that has been been writing about cars since
motor industry and rally veteran Graham Robson left out – and a bigger book would mean a bigger 1953 and, thankfully, is still
has cranked out more than 150 books in his time, price. At £35, this one is a total bargain. JE doing so. He’s also held senior
and journalist and former co-driver Martin positions at Fiat North America
Holmes has attended a staggering 500-plus and Ford Europe, so, not
WRC events since 1973. surprisingly, he’s met an awful
The book celebrates 2019’s 75th running lot of motor industry people
of what most of us would identify as the along the way. This engaging
RAC Rally, in all its many guises. After a book is an eclectic gathering of
dedication by David Richards CBE it takes encounters with everyone from
a strictly chronological approach, starting Juan Manuel Fangio to Ferry
with 1932’s inaugural event, which Porsche; but there are some
boasted just three driving tests and could less-expected choices too, not
be considered a successor to the original least his own father, who had a
1000 Mile Trial. The first proper chapter significant career of his own.
takes us up to World War Two, via a short Great stories, all of them. MD

164
 w w w.hortonsbooks.co.uk

Collector’s
The Complete Catalogue Racing the Silver Arrows book

of the Land Rover CHRIS NIXON, Osprey Publishing, 1986, value £95

JAMES TAYLOR, Herridge & Sons, £35, Chris Nixon, and the first-hand accounts
ISBN 978 1 906133 85 6 who died in from people who were there
June 2005, back in the day, and who were
We’ve said it before and we’ll say (and illustrated – there are loads was one of the still alive when Chris was
it again: despite the immense of photos, mostly in colour), the greatest of all researching his book. It was
popularity of Land Rovers, there book goes far beyond just those: motoring later re-issued by Transport
aren’t that many really good there are chapters on special historians, even though his Bookman but a first edition
books about them. In fact, we editions, export versions, Land career as a full-time writer is slightly better reproduced
think this is the first really Rovers built in other countries only came about after giving and worth a little more; the
comprehensive guide to all the (such as the Spanish-built up a job as a TV and movie reprint sells for about £75.
different Series and Defender Santana, pictured below), publicist – reputedly after Chris, who never married
models made since 1948. concepts – even unlicensed falling-out with Sean Penn and had no surviving family,
It helps that author James ‘knock off ’ copies. The icing and Madonna! died at the relatively young
Taylor is most definitely the ‘go on the cake is that it’s not just Racing the Silver Arrows age of 67. He was found at his
to’ man for the job. His long- a superb reference work, but made his name as a historian, desk, where he had been
running Roverphile column in a very readable one, too. MD although Chris had previously working. Ben Horton
Land Rover Owner magazine been a reporter for Autosport
specialises in shedding light from 1958 to ’63. The book
on the more obscure corners tells the story of the rivalry
of the company’s back-story, between Mercedes-Benz and
and the result is that his new Auto Union in the years
book has a depth you simply leading up to WW2, and is
won’t find elsewhere. notable for two things: its
So, while all the familiar outstanding archive photos
vehicles are described in detail

Ultimate John Fitzpatrick Group C Porsches

MARK COLE, Porter Press International, £225, ISBN 978 1 907085 88 8

A look at the picture spread below photography of everything the JFR team achieved.
tells more about the appeal of this It’s the quotes that truly bring this 320-page book to
Formula 1: All the volume than the laborious title or life (it’s a weighty thing), from the likes of Norbert
plain cover ever could. The story of Singer, Jürgen Barth, David Hobbs and others.
Races – the first 1000 one racing team and its success in The majority is taken up with individual race
ROGER SMITH, Veloce, Group C over just four seasons is reports from each of those four seasons, followed
£65, ISBN 978 1 787115 66 8 a niche subject – you’d think you’d by biographies on all the racers – Barth, Bell,
need a grounding in it before you were even Boutsen, Brock, Hobbs, Keegan, Quester, Warwick
A clever conceit, this: realising interested in reading more. Yet this is a fascinating and more – involved. Then a surprise to end on:
that the 2019 season would story, told in multiple parts and with complete where are those cars now? Eagle’s Henry Pearman
mark the 1000th Formula 1 authority because it is by Mark Cole, a motorsport and restorer Trevor Crisp reveal all.
race since the 1950 British journalist who was there at the time and still has This ‘definitive history’ lives up to its name:
Grand Prix, Roger Smith has exactly the right contacts in his little black book. a labour of love, and beautifully produced. GW
updated his thumping All The John Fitzpatrick was an accomplished racer in his
Races door-stop of a own right, ‘arguably the best British driver never to
compendium and produced a have raced in Formula 1’ according to Cole. He kick-
limited-edition of 1000 copies, started his career driving Ken Tyrrell’s Mini-Cooper
only available to buy online at in the 1964 Monza Four Hours, finishing first
f1-1000.veloce.co.uk. It’s an in class and tenth overall, then graduating via
amazing piece of research, with Broadspeed Escorts to Kremer 911s. In 1981 he
every one of those races set up his own team, taking over Dick Barbour’s
allocated a kind of horizontal workshop in San Diego and the Jägermeister Kremer
‘playing card’ entry that’s 935 he’d already raced. Then came Group C…
packed with information. And There follows an in-depth record of how Group C
the 1000th race? The Chinese came about, the incredible 956 and 962 Porsche
GP of April 2019. MD created for the job, and plentiful, delightful

165
Gear
C O M P I L E D B Y C H R I S B I ET Z K

BROMPTON
EXPLORE EDITION
Bromp pton’s folding
bicycles have always
been more capable than
most peo ople assume,
and the new Explore
Edition, which comes
with low-ratio six-
speed gearing and
a raft of spares, is
designed to encourage
commuterrs to take the
scenicc route home.
£1525. bro ompton.com

GYEON Q2 ANTIFOG 500 COLOURS JAGUAR MK2

Generally we enjoy old cars for all
the things they can do and forgive
BY GUY ALLEN T-SHIRT
them the things they can’t, but we’ll Guy Allen points out that, despite this The perfect present for the
admit there have been many damp limited-edition print featuring colours would-be bank robber in your
mornings when we’ve wished for a from period Fiat charts, it should not life, this shirt from Jaguar’s Heritage
windscreen demister. This stuff is the be used as a reference by anyone Collection features a print of ‘the
next best thing, and, according to mixing paint! It still makes for a neat ultimate getaway car’ – a 3.8-litre
Gyeon, one application should prevent spotter’s guide, though, and many of manual with overdrive, we suspect
fogging for at least two months. the hues also appear on ‘new’ 500s. – speeding back to base post-heist.
£8. polishedbliss.co.uk £45. guyallen.co.uk £30. shop.jaguar.com

166
 HESKETH F1L KIDS’ CAR BYY HARRINGTON
In some ways James Hunt is probably not the ideal role model for a child but, if you have a
budding racing driver on your hands and plenty of cash to spare, this 125cc, 30mph Shunt-mobile
would be a fun way to spend it. It will accommodate ‘small adults’ as well as kids, so diminutive
dads will be able to get behind the wheel for a few laps of the garden before handing over the key.
SONY WALKMAN £9950. retrogp.com

4 0 T H A NNI V E RS A R Y
MODEL
More correctly called the PORSCHE DESIGN XL
NW-A100TPS, this 16GB
high-res music player comes
ULTRALIGHT SHOES
with a cover that gives it the Smarter than the average pair of trainers in
appearance of a classic more ways than one, these have a squidgy
Walkman. The splash sole made from environmentally friendly XL
screen is designed to look Extralight foam. The upper combines calf
like a playing cassette, too. leather with water- and dirt-resistant wool.
£400. sony.co.uk £295. store.porsche.com

MORGAN 3 WHEELER DRIVE

AND FACTORY TOUR
Not many driving experiences could top
blasting along the roads of Worcestershire,
cheeks flapping in the wind, in a Morgan
3 Wheeler. And with a factory tour thrown in!
£230. buyagift.co.uk

167
 CLASSIC TRAVELLING TOURS
Get out there on one of Classic Travelling’s great escapes for discerning
drivers in the UK, Europe and beyond. Join a small accompanied group
driving the most scenic routes and staying in wonderful hotels, or enjoy an
independent tour without the hassle or guesswork of organising it.
POA. classictravelling.com

A LT I M E T E R A L A R M C L O C K
This compact and rugged clock evokes the
graceful power of the bygone days of aviation’s
golden age. Styled after a 1939 Army Air Corps
altimeter, the clock has an alarm function with
a reliable quartz alarm movement and
handy on/off switch sitting on top.
£99. meandmycar.co.uk

QUALITY CUFFLINKS
MASERATI – THE FAMILY SILVER Greycar’s enamelled and rodium-plated
BY NIGEL TROW cufflinks have fine detail, a reassuring
weight and come in a quality giftbox. The
Nigel Trow spent 14 years working on his history of Maserati and, while it range consists of seven designs: Land
won’t take quite that long to read, the 872-page masterwork will keep Rover, Mini, Spitfire, RAF Roundel, Union
you happily occupied through the Christmas break and beyond. Flag, Gear Knob and Steering Wheel.
From £195. maseratifamilysilver.com £35. greycar.com

169
Models
REVIEWS AND PHOTOGRAPHY MARK DIXON

Classic model
WORDS AND PHOTO: ANDREW RALSTON

Land Rover by Britains

In 1893, William Britain
perfected the technique of
making hollow-cast lead figures
and since then generations
of children have played with
1:43 scale Britains toy soldiers. But toys
with military connotations were

1946 Buick parade float not quite so popular after the

carnage of World War One and
the company began to expand in
By Autocult Price £156.9
95 Material Resincast
other directions, launching the
In 1946, Detroit held a lavish automotive parade to mark its Such a lorry-sized object makes for a large model, Home Farm series in 1921.
50 years in the US motor industry, and one of the more even in 1:43 scale, so it’s something of a statement piece. As well as farm workers and
spectacular exhibits was a dramatic piece of rolling Fortunately, the silver finish is immaculate, while the car animals, vehicles were needed
sculpture that combined the front half of a Buick – loosely – what there is of it – is nicely detailed too. But you have to complete the picture. Initially
based on the 1939 Y-Job concept – with a massive to look very closely to spot the most impressive feature these took the form of horse-
representation of a Buick bonnet ornament. How the driver of what is in essence quite a simple model: the enlarged drawn carts, though over time
steered it or where he sat, we have no idea; perhaps his ‘Buick’ script on each side is not just a transfer but a plastic replaced hollow-cast
lead for the figures, and tractors
head poked up in the shadowy area beneath the car. free-standing etched part. Be careful how you pick it up!
and Land Rovers took over from
the tumbrel carts.
It’s now some 50 years since
the first Land Rover models from
Britains appeared. Made of
diecast metal with plastic parts,
at 1:32 scale they were
considerably larger and more
expensive than their Dinky or
Corgi equivalents. Based on a
long-wheelbase prototype and
supplied without a roof or
canopy, the earliest issues
featured opening doors and
bonnet, a driver with movable
arms, a towing bar and, most
ingeniously, front wheels that
could be steered via the spare
1970 e r r 1 1970 Porsche 914//6 Tapiro 2017 Acura NSX GT3 at the rear. At first they were
Marsh Models £206.95 Avenue 43 £93.95 TrueScale Miniatures £89.95 available in civilian blue-grey
Handbuilt in England, this well-detailed When Giugiaro was let loose on a TSM has more than met the challenge of
finish or military green, complete
model of the Merzario/Regazzoni Le Porsche… Striking model of a striking miniaturising the complex ‘Statue of
with soldiers and weaponry, but
Mans car is limited to 100 examples. car. If only they’d built more than one. Liberty’ livery on this Watkins Glen racer.
other variants soon followed.
By the early 1970s a short-
wheelbase Land Rover had
been added to the range, with
multiple liveries following during
the 1980s and ’90s. The styling
was periodically updated to
reflect changes to the real
vehicle but in 1997 Britains
turned the clock back and
produced a 1948 Series I,
mounted on a plinth in a sturdy
gift box to celebrate 50 years
of the Land Rover.
1 by Pininfarina 1985 Rondeau M379C C 1961 Alfa Romeo SZ Z By then, the models were
Maatrix £90.995 Spark £58.95 Tron £183.45 being made in China and the
Pininfarina’s pitch for an XJ12 update Not only Porsches were pink at Le Intriguing if slightly half-hearted replica of box was branded ‘Britains
has been neatly modelled by Matrix, Mans: this is a fine model of the locally the part-restored Coda Tronca prototype Collectibles’ – this was not
and is also available in bronze. built Rondeau that DNF’d in 1985. – see page 110 of this issue! meant to be a toy for children.

170 Models above are to 1:43 scale and available from Grand Prix Models, +44 (0)1295 278070, www.grandprixmodels.com
8 C D  ( ? ( - D
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with

Period style seat belts for pre-1973

vehicles, not forgetting your
modern classic post-1973

• Seat belts and harnesses supplied and fitted • Bespoke service • Original belts refurbished
• New original equipment available on certain vehicles

T: 0208 206 0101 E: sales@quickfitsbs.com W: quickfitsbs.com

171
Chrono
Words mark mcarthur-christie

‘No-oNe would pay a few

thousaNd for a watch
aNy more just because it
said “swiss” oN the dial’

Swatch movement slashed from more than 100

to just 51. A new ultrasonic welding technique
replaced screws. You didn’t have to remove the
caseback to change the battery; a small coin
would pry open a tiny battery hatch. And,
crucially, the resulting automation saw
production costs plummet.
This technique of doubling-up on parts
functions gave the Swatch one of its most
noticeable – or rather, audible – characteristics:
its loud tick. A Swatch sounds more like a small
electrical clock and ticks in a wonderfully
mechanical, direct way. That integral caseback
acts as a resonator for the geartrain and amplifies
its sound.
By 1981, plans for the new watch were
already well advanced. The new Swatch watch
was launched in April 1982, followed by an
initial run of 300,000 in the summer. For 1983,
the target was 1-million watches with 2.5
million the following year. That was pessimistic;
3,503,000 Swatches flew off the line in 1984.
In the late 1970s, the Swiss watch industry of Swiss maker ETA had built a quartz watch And at CHF50 each, they were cheap enough to
was getting beasted. Those nasty, rough lads that was a mere 1.98mm thin and, in a later put Switzerland back on the map as a mass-
from the Japanese quartz-movement factories incarnation, just 0.98mm. This was the Delirium market watchmaker.
had climbed over the playground wall and were IV, still the thinnest watch in the world. The genius of Swatch didn’t just lie in its
duffing up anything Swiss and mechanical they The Swiss were on the way back, but they engineering. It lay in the whole team behind the
could find. Almost overnight, the 90,000-strong needed something more modern, interesting project. This included independent designers,
skilled Swiss workforce making cases, and fashionable than those Japanese quartz engineers and marketers as well as the genius
movements, dials and watches turned into things. They also needed to be cheap; no-one watch-industry brain of Nicolas Hayek.
40,000 and a very long dole queue. was about to pay a few thousand for a watch any Together they managed to look at the market in
Japanese quartz was reliable, highly accurate more just because it said ‘Swiss’ on the dial. a completely different way. Instead of producing
and getting cheaper by the day. Worse, it They’d produced the Delirium IV by heirloom pieces that sold for fortunes, they
represented a new and exciting future, not the simplifying the way a watch was made and using positioned the new timepiece as an almost
safe, slightly dull, fusty wind-up past. Yes, at the the inside of the caseback as the movement’s disposable second watch, a fashion item.
start the new watches went ‘beep’ a lot, needed bottom plate (the flat surface that holds the Marketer Franz Sprecher realised that the
batteries to light up their little red LED faces mechanism’s cogs and wheels in place). Not new watch also needed longevity, and invited
and were a tad arriviste, but soon the Japanese only this, but the case was made from a single designers from Renzo Piano to Vivienne
makers were turning in some properly piece of metal. And it was this miracle of haute Westwood to treat it as a clean canvas for their
remarkable watchmaking. For example, in July horlogerie that was to be the inspiration for the ideas. Soon, people – many of whom had never
1978 the New York Times ran a story about a little plastic Swatch. owned a watch – were doing something
new quartz Seiko that was less than 1mm thick. Designer-engineers Jacques Müller and previously unheard of: they were collecting,
Meanwhile, the Swiss were scrapping their Elmar Mock realised they could use the same swapping and trading these brand new, cheap-
lathes and throwing out unused mechanical principle to engineer a whole case from cheap, as-chocolate watches in their multiplicity of
movements in the hope of shedding cost. thermoformed plastic, something almost free-thinking designs.
But it’s dangerous to write off the Swiss. And, unheard-of in watchmaking. Their thinking was Those collections have gone on to become
with the ingenuity borne of a few centuries of to eliminate as many parts as possible and to hugely valuable in their own right. In November
doing very clever things with small mechanical combine functions, so they used the integral 2015, Sotheby’s Geneva sold a collection of rare
parts, they calmly dusted themselves down and caseback of the new Swatch as the bottom plate Swatches, early prototypes, and sketches. It
plotted revenge. for its quartz movement. fetched $1.3m. Not wholly shabby for watches
That size-zero Seiko was to prove the perfect This, and a host of other amalgamations and that were designed, above all, to be cheap
goad. By the end of 1979, the new incarnation rationalisations, saw the parts inventory for a enough for anyone to buy and wear every day.

172
 RELIVE LE MANS

As the winter nights draw in, why

not make yourself comfortable with
a good book and a dramatic film on
the TV!?

Following their historic victory in 2018, Toyota were favourites to win again at
Le Mans in 2019, but this can be an unpredictable race and things didn’t run
entirely smoothly for them!
Relive the dramatic race both in print with hour by hour reports and as an
excellent 4 hour highlights package with plenty of bonus material.

Book £44.96, DVD £13.46*

*RRPs, £49.95 & £14.95. Quote voucher code OCTLM19 when ordering.

To view these and many more Le Mans related items, why not visit our Banbury show-
room which is open one Saturday per month 12 noon-5pm
Next open Saturdays - December 7th, January 4th & February 1st
Grand Prix Models
4 Thorpe Close, Thorpe Way
Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 4SW, UK
Tel: 01295 278070 Fax: 01295 278072
[email protected]

www.grandprixmodels.com

www.t-lab.eu

It’s the season to be merry. So check out T-lab’s range of tees, sweatshirts
knitwear and posters. Perfect for presents, they’re all beautifully made and
ORIGINAL
BRITISH
all inspired by art, design, sport and good times.
DESIGN
See the full range at www.t-lab.eu

173
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PHOTOS: CHARLIE B PHOTOGRAPHY

1957-TYPE MASERATI 300S

Raced by superstars Stirling Moss and five-time Formula 1 World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio,
Maserati’s 300S was among the finest handling sports-racers of the mid-1950s.
Completed in 2000 alongside Modenese originals by British marque specialists Church Green Engineering,
engine guru Cyril Embrey and Steve Hart Racing, this stunning toolroom copy of the model,
evolved from the iconic 250F Grand Prix car line, has an HTP valid to 31/12/2025.
Sensational 300S dynamics, stunning looks and pure-bred Italian stallion cachet at a more accessible price, this little-used
masterpiece is eligible for RAC Woodcote Trophy, Stirling Moss Trophy, GTSCC & VSCC 50s’ sports-car races.

Please contact us for further details.

FLAVIEN & VANESSA MARÇAIS – [email protected]

TELEPHONE: + 44 (0) 787 9634432 OR + 33 (0) 662 436 430
 Edited by Matthew Hayward

MARKET NEWS BU Y I N G + S E L L I N G + A N A LY S I S

TOP 10 PRICES
OCTOBER 2019

£2,503,000 (€2,875,000)
1965 Ferrari 275 GTB Alloy
Long-Nose
Bonhams, Knokke-Heist,
Belgium. 11 October

£1,311,500 (€1,506,500)
2004 Ferrari Enzo
Bonhams, Knokke-Heist,
Belgium. 11 October

£1,248,125
1969 Lamborghini Miura P400S
RM Sotheby’s, London, UK.
24 October

£1,242,500 ($1,540,000)
2017 Ford GT ’66
Heritage Edition
Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas, USA.

Le Mans TR2 sets new record

3-5 October

£987,000 ($1,221,000)
1930 Cadillac V-16 Sport
Phaeton by Fleetwood
Varied results throughout October, but good cars can still surprise RM Sotheby’s, Hershey, USA.
10-11 October
SILVERSTONE AUCTIONS has always managed October Paris event, with none of the big-ticket cars
to post a few surprise results at its end-of-year NEC selling. The low- and mid-value cars found a more £918,500 (€1,067,000)
Classic Motor Show sale, and this year it was the ex- receptive saleroom however, with a 1981 Renault 5 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL
works Triumph TR2, which sold for £258,750. It’s a Turbo (€101,320) and 1976 Ferrari 308 Vetroresina Gullwing
unique car, that has been with the last owner for 47 (€122,776) finding new homes. The collection of no- Dorotheum, Salzburg, Austria.
years – and now holds the world record price paid for reserve motorcycles sold well, with very few bargains. 19 October
a TR2 at auction. Bonhams fared much better at its Zoute GP
Results generally were mixed, as expected, but auction. Ferraris dominated, with a long-nose, alloy- £901,000 (€1,035,000)
sales totalled a respectable £5.8m with a 75% rate. bodied 275 GTB topping the sales charts at 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL
Biggest surprise of the auction? The sub-7000-mile €2,875,000, followed by a 2004 Enzo at €1,506,500. Roadster
1991 E30 BMW 325i Sport, which sold for an It was a solid sale, as it has been in previous years, Bonhams, Knokke-Heist,
astonishing £51,188. A fluke? Perhaps, but the best with total sales of €10,600,000 and a rate of 76%. Belgium. 11 October
youngtimers are still holding their own. The Bonhams annual London to Brighton sale is
The RM Sotheby’s London auction at Olympia always a nice change of pace, and this year’s veteran £801,000 (€920,000)
was again a mixed bag, with sales totalling £9.4m. machinery was led by a 1901 Panhard-Levassor 7hp. 1989 Ferrari F40
Bonhams, Knokke-Heist,
While some of the prices seemed on the low side, a Known as ‘Le Papillon Bleu’ (pictured below), it sold
Belgium. 11 October
number of the cars in the sale would have been subject for £442,750, more than twice its pre-sale estimate.
to hefty import duty – putting local buyers at a
£775,000 (€890,281)
considerable disadvantage. 1931 Invicta 4½ Litre S-Type
Star car was undoubtedly the ‘garage find’ Low Chassis
Lamborghini Miura P400S, one of the last remaining Bonhams, Knokke-Heist,
unrestored examples, making an above-estimate Belgium. 11 October
£1.24 million. Some of the more exotic competition
cars struggled, although the rally-winning Group B £764,375
1985 Lancia Delta S4 – with Abarth Classiche 1985 Lancia Delta S4 Rally
certification – brought in £764,375. RM Sotheby’s, London, UK.
Artcurial posted total sales of €2,080,130 for its 24 October

177
 THE MARKET / Reports

BARGAIN OF THE MONTH

2018 E-MOKE
Barrett-Jackson, Las Vegas
The Moke lives on, now electric,
assembled in America, a touch
bigger and with no original parts.
It’s legal in many states on roads with
speed limits under 35mph, and is
claimed to recharge from the 110V
mains in eight hours for a 40-mile
range. This one sold for $9900,
custom golf-buggy money and half
the list price of a new E-Moke. Was it
a publicity stunt by its maker, or did
someone lose a good bit of cash?

DAVE KINNEY’S CAR OF THE MONTH

SURPRISE OF THE MONTH

1936 Cord 8/10 replica by Glen Pray

Mecum Chicago 24-25 October
REPLICA CARS ARE easy to dislike. They are to the earlier ‘coffin-nosed’ Cords, designated 810
often poorly built and they rely on others for many and 812, while also referencing the fact that Pray’s
of their parts, often including the engine. Owners re-make was approximately 80% the size of the
of the ‘real’ examples often shun them, and some original. He hated the slang term ‘replicar’, much 1964 FIAT 2300S COUPE
RM Sotheby’s, Hershey Auction
replicas are so poorly executed that they are not preferring to describe his cars as ‘second generation’. This coachbuilt (by Ghia) coupé is
thought of as proper cars. The 8/10 has a body formed from Royalite rare in the US, and this one is very
Except, that is, when they are done well. Then plastic and is powered a Corvair flat-six; it’s a well-restored and still appears fresh.
they can serve a purpose: to be a tribute to the real, usable car, pleasing to drive. In all, 97 downsized It has had a bare-metal respray, new
often unaffordable thing. Cords were built before Pray moved on to high- door seals, fresh chrome throughout
The Glen Pray cars were built in Broken Arrow, quality Auburn Speedster replicas. This 8/10 sold and an engine rebuild by a marque
specialist. It was one of the newest
Oklahoma, during the mid-1960s. Pray knew his for just $12,100, appropriate for its worn condition. lots at an auction majoring on cars
market, and he knew the original cars built by Cord Better examples can exceed $35,000. over 100 years old, but it would have
in the 1930s. He owned the originals, he fixed the attracted attention wherever it was
originals and he was a parts resource for the Dave Kinney is an auction analyst, an expert on the US sold. Well worth its $57,750 sale
originals. The model name ‘8/10’ is a neat tribute market scene and publishes the Hagerty Price Guide. price to the serious collector.

HAGI LPS INDEX IN A MONTH WHEN all other published and

internal HAGI indices posted losses ranging
of 2019, suggesting an element of support.
A further difference is that the LPS is the
from 1.56% to 5.61%, the Lamborghini Polo only HAGI index that is up year-to-date, by
Storico (LPS) was the only market measure 2.84%. By contrast Ferrari leads YTD losses
104 to make a gain in October – albeit a modest with 4.28%. Additionally, since the LPS
103 one of 0.37%. became the latest addition to the HAGI
That’s just one shade of the difference portfolio in December 2017, it has exhibited
102
between other marques and Lamborghini. a smaller amplitude than other indices.
101 Another is that this is the only marque index One factor behind this is Lamborghini’s
to encompass all of a marque’s models and rarity in comparison with other marques, which
100
sub-models, up to and including the Diablo. concentrates both buying and selling
99 But even with October’s marginal gain, decisions. This is illustrated by the lower
98 the LPS is also the only index that is down turnover rates of Lamborghinis. Additionally,
quarter-on-quarter, albeit by a marginal 1.92%. the marque’s clearly delineated models and
97 Such short-term variation, far from being submodels make value judgment less opaque
96 unusual particularly in low- and negative- than elsewhere.
growth market phases, is a characteristic of As we approach the end of the year, it
Dec-17

Feb-18

Apr-18

Jun-18

Aug-18

Oct-18

Dec-18

Feb-19

Apr-19

Jun-19

Aug-19

Oct-19

the scope within the overall asset class of seems that the LPS is the index best placed
collectable cars. The quarterly bounces in to end 2019 in credit.
MONTH/YEAR other areas came as most other indices See www.historicautogroup.com for more.
Vertical axis is based on a benchmark of 100 set at 31 December 2017.
The HAGI Porsche index charts the prices of key collectable Lamborghinis. recovered from year lows around the middle Dave Selby

178
 1974

PORSCHE
CARRERA
3.0 RS
EX-24 HEURES DU MANS
1976 & 1977

6th Overall - 24 Heures du Mans 1976

2nd in Class - 24 Heures du Mans 1977

Rally victories include; Rally Monte Carlo,

Critérium des Cévennes, 6H of Dakar &
Tour de France Automobile

Eligible for Le Mans Classic, CER,

Modena Cento Ore & Tour Auto
Vi sit www.he nd e rson-fe ll owe s. c om or c onta c t us on + 4 4 ( 0 ) 20 7 07 8 0 8 3 5
E XCE PTI O N A L MO T O R C A R S meet IM PE C C A BL E S E RV I C E Offered with valid HTP & spares package
THE MARKET / Auction Previews

A triple delight of Delahayes

RM Sotheby’s, Paris, France 5 February
SEEING JUST ONE of these beautiful collection. The build started in 1939, but this embassy in Buenos Aires, and was modified
Delahaye 135s should be enough to brighten wonderfully evocative Art Deco machine there before being placed into storage. It
anyone’s mood, but the complete trio of wasn’t completed until 1947 due to the returned to France in 2003, where it was also
Cabriolet, Coach and Roadster might just take outbreak of World War Two. given the full Tessier restoration treatment, and
your breath away. Thanks to RM Sotheby’s you It was first seen at Paris’s 1947 Trocadéro is now estimated to sell for €350,000-450,000.
will have the opportunity to bid on all three at Concours d’Elegance but lost its original body Perhaps most intriguing is the rarely seen
next year’s Paris auction – the trio (complete after a period of storage in the 1960s. Dayez 1949 Coach, bodied by Chapron. Offered as a
with a huge stash of spare parts) is being offered found the roadster in 2005 and commissioned a complete project straight out of storage, it
from the Dayez Collection. new body to original specification by Tessier, would make an excellent candidate for a
The late Jacques Dayez was a collector known along with a comprehensive restoration. It is restoration at €50,000-60,000. The huge stash
for his absolute approach to the correct estimated at €500,000-800,000. of spare Delahaye parts acquired by Dayez over
maintenance and restoration of his cars. This Considerably better travelled is the 135 the years could also prove very useful, and will
1939 Delahaye 135 Roadster, the last of the 13 Cabriolet, which was originally exported to be offered as a separate lot.
examples built, was the crown jewel in his Argentina in 1946. It lived at the French rmsothebys.com

Orange, she booms

BH Auction, Tokyo, Japan 10 January
FEW LIVERIES pack a visual of the 935, the bare monocoque
punch like Jägermeister’s orange was retained as per the regulations
and white. Apply it to something but the entire front end was
as wild as this 1977 Kremer swapped for a full spaceframe.
Porsche 935 K3 and not much This one featured the largest of
will compete for presence. rear wings, as well as the 3.0-litre
The Japanese operation BH Le Mans-spec engine.
Auction will offer this immaculate Although this 935 K3 didn’t
specimen at its Super GT sale, to compete in major international
be held at the 2020 Tokyo Auto races (it appeared in a few local
Salon in January. events in the early 1980s), it has
Starting life as a standard 1977 taken part in the Le Mans Classic
Porsche 930, it was converted to and is ready for much more. It
fire-breathing Group 5 Kremer comes in ready-to-race condition
935 K3 spec in 1981. In this final complete with FIA HTP papers.
and most extreme incarnation bhauction.com

180
 qUICK glANCe AUCTION DIARY

27 November
Brightwells, Leominster, UK
H&H, Buxton, UK
28 November
Brightwells, Leominster, UK
(motorcycles)
30 November
RM Sotheby’s, Abu Dhabi, UAE
4 December
Coys, London, UK
H&H, Online
JAY KAY COlleCTION MeRCeDes-BeNz 190C 5-7 December
Bonhams, London, UK H&H Classic Auctions, Derbyshire, UK Mecum, Kansas City, USA
7 December, silverstoneauctions.com 27 November, handh.co.uk
The musician Jay Kay has owned some special cars in The original owner of this 190C bought it new in 1965, 7 December
his time, and it’s not unusual for him to offer treasures then took the car off the road ten years later claiming that Bonhams, London, UK
from his collection at auction. This time he will be moving it was ‘too good to use in modern traffic’. It had covered Classic Car Auctions,
on his 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 ‘Lightweight’ only 7295 miles by then, and to some degree we can all Leamington Spa, UK
(estimate: £750,000-850,000), as well as a 2004 sympathise with his viewpoint. Leaving it in dry storage Classicbid, Nuremberg, Germany
Porsche Carrera GT (£650,000-750,000). These will be for the following 40 years probably defeated the object, 9 December
joined by his Ferrari F12 tdf Berlinetta, which since 2016 but the Fintail will now be offered in this ‘timewarp’
Shannons, Melbourne, Australia
has covered just 895 miles (£670,000-740,000). condition with no reserve at H&H’s next Buxton auction.
10 December
Barons, Sandown Park, UK
14 December
Mathewsons, Thornton-le-Dale, UK
29 December
Oldtimer Galerie, Gstaad,
Switzerland
2-12 January 2020
Mecum, Kissimmee, USA
11-19 January
Barrett-Jackson, Scottsdale, USA
ClAN ClOveR zAgATO RApTOR CONCepT 15 January
Classic Car Auctions, Warwickshire, UK RM Sotheby’s, Abu Dhabi Worldwide Auctioneers,
7 December, classiccarauctions.co.uk 30 November, rmsothebys.com Scottsdale, USA
After production of the Imp-based Crusader stopped, Here’s an interesting ‘what might have been’. Designed 15-19 January
the glassfibre Clan project was briefly revived in in conjunction with Lamborghini, the Raptor was a
Leake, Scottsdale, USA
Northern Ireland under new ownership. Built using proposal for a limited-run Diablo successor. It used the
unofficial moulds in the early 1980s, this Clan was same 6.0-litre V12 and four-wheel-drive running gear, but 16 January
widely considered better than the original. This the concept was significantly lighter than the Diablo Bonhams, Scottsdale, USA
13,000-mile example is powered by a mid-mounted thanks to a tubular spaceframe chassis and carbonfibre 16-17 January
Alfasud 1.5 flat-four and has a detachable rear wing; body. Only one Raptor was ever built, and it starred at RM Sotheby’s, Phoenix, USA
fewer than 20 were built. Estimate: £7000-9000. the 1996 Geneva motor show. Estimated at $1-1.4m.
16-19 January
Russo & Steele, Scottsdale, USA
17 January
Coys, Maastricht,
AlsO lOOK OUT FOR… These are obsessively documented in an online registry,
as though they were 250 GTOs, and a glance at the
The Netherlands
17-18 January
Nobody was more bullish on the commercial potential of records reveals this example to have belonged to Elmer
Gooding & Co, Scottsdale, USA
the Apple-1 than Steve Jobs, but even the man hailed as Baum, an early Apple employee who helped to bankroll
a visionary could not have predicted that examples of his production. Baum died in 1993 but his old machine lives 21-26 January
company’s first product would one day change hands for on in working condition. It’s signed by ‘Woz’ and Bonhams Mecum, Las Vegas, USA
hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Apple-1, designed expects it to bring $200,000-300,000 when it is auctioned (motorcycles)
by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, was comically in New York on 4 December.
25 January
underpowered by today’s standards but, as the first bonhams.com
Anglia Car Auctions,
pre-assembled personal computer to come to market,
King’s Lynn, UK
it was a landmark achievement.
It was launched in 1976 and sold briskly at a retail price 31 January
of $666.66 ($3000 in today’s money) but, because SWVA, Poole, UK
Wozniak was the only person who could provide tech 2 February
support to Apple-1 users, customers were encouraged to
Charterhouse, Shepton Mallet,
trade their Apple-1 for an Apple II when the latter became
UK (motorcycles)
available in ’77. The returned computers were destroyed,
and others were discarded by their owners in the decades In association with
that followed, meaning that today only 74 Apple-1s are
known to exist.

181
THE MARKET / Showroom Stars

SHOWROOM BRIEFS

2009 Bertone Mantide

$POA
This one-off Bertone creation is
based on Corvette ZR1 running
gear, and has appeared at
Goodwood, The Quail and
Pebble Beach. We’ll let you be
the judge of its unique looks…
autosportdesigns.com (US)

1992 Maserati 222 Racing 1983 Citroën CX 2000 Pallas

¤14,000
€29,500 from PrinsClassics, Nunspeet, Netherlands For many, a late Series 1 CX like
this is the best of all worlds. The
now that production of the GranTurismo Like a few other top-end Italians, the Racing was rust-free Portuguese car has
has come to an end, the future of Maserati’s four- fitted with electronically adjustable Koni dampers. been painted once in its life, but
seater coupé is so far unwritten. Our attention Importantly, these have been rebuilt to the correct is otherwise original. Worth it
naturally returns to some of the classics and, while the specification, and are in full working order. for those beautiful dials alone.
luxuseveloce.com (PT)
Biturbo might have been a guilty pleasure for many The odometer reads 112,593km, and the seller
years, the best are starting to look fantastic. claims that the service and ownership history are as
As the final and most extreme version of the model you’d want when buying a classic Maserati. The
line – this side of the V8 Shamal at least – the 222 previous owner has maintained it fastidiously, and
Racing got an uprated version of the 2.0-litre 24-valve offers some free advice to the next custodian: ‘Run the
V6 engine, with a lighter crankshaft, forged pistons, engine gently until it’s warm, cool the turbos after a
new con-rods and increased compression ratio. run, and only refuel with 98 octane’. All vital stuff, and
Along with modified turbos and Magneti Marelli a detail that verifies that it has been cherished.
engine and boost management, power was up to Looked after by Dutch Maserati specialist Auto 1967 Mazda Cosmo
283bhp, which (Maserati claimed at the time) made Forza since being imported into Holland in 2004, it £POA
this the most powerful 2.0-litre production car. This was repainted in 2009 and benefited from a new It’s hard enough to find a
was combined with an uprated Getrag five-speed windscreen in 2015. The air conditioning is also said Cosmo outside Japan, but
manual gearbox and limited-slip differential. to be fully operational. especially one of the 343
Series 1 models. This one
Launched in 1991, it was capable of 0-62mph in Maseratis of this age require slightly more specialist
was recently restored in Japan
under six seconds, and would go on to 159mph. Only maintenance than some less fragile German or to an extremely high standard.
230 Racings were built, all for the Italian market and Japanese machinery, but treat it with respect and the ddclassics.com (UK)
offered in either red or black. It’s still rare to find one 222 will reward you with a fantastic and much less
in the wild and this example is offered by the classic obvious classic ownership proposition.
arm of the Dutch Italian-car specialist WimPrins. prinsclassics.nl

1955 Swallow Doretti

$117,500
Built around Triumph running
gear, the Doretti is a beautiful
and rare piece of British sports
car history. This one is mildly
updated with a TR3A engine,
giving a little more go.
hymanltd.com (US)

182
 H E N D O N WAY M OTO R S

1967- Ferrari 275 GTB/4 (LHD)- 39,000 Miles- £POA

2007 - Lamborghini Gallardo - 15,000 Miles 2011- Porsche 997 Turbo Cabriolet - 1997 - Porsche 993 C2 Targa Tiptronic -
(Manual) - £92,500 33,000 Miles - £75,000 96,000 Miles - £POA

1998 - Porsche 993 Turbo S Coupe - 2011- Porsche 997 GT3 RS 4.0L (LHD) - Manual - 2000 - Porsche 996 Turbo Coupe - Manual -
66,000 Miles - £POA 11, 000 Miles - £290,000 35,000 Miles - £52,500

S e e o u r s e l e c t i o n a t w w w. h e n d o n w a y m o t o r s . c o m
3 9 3 - 3 9 5 H e n d o n Wa y L o n d o n N W 4 3 L P t e l + 4 4 ( 0 ) 2 0 8 2 0 2 8 0 1 1 e m a i l s a l e s @ h e n d o n wa y m o t o r s . c o m
THE MARKET / Buying Guide

Bricklin SV-1 THE LOWDOWN

Has Canada’s safety-conscious Corvette rival finally come of age? What to pay
There has always been a
following for the Bricklin, but
Nobody caN deNy that Gullwing doors are wasteful. It took a long time to refine, and in the early the close-knit nature of the
extremely cool, and they were absolutely key in days up to 60% of the panels ended up rejected. community has kept values
securing funding for entrepreneur Malcolm Bricklin’s AMC’s 360ci V8 produced a healthy 220bhp, and relatively low. Near-enough
perfect examples can be found
sports car project. The wow-factor of these doors was could be specified with a four-speed manual or three-
from $30,000 at dealers.
just what the 1970s American car market wanted, and speed automatic gearbox. American Motors also Enthusiast-owned and
the sharp-looking, V8-powered SV-1 could have been supplied most of the suspension components. maintained examples are
a serious rival to the Corvette. So cars were trickling out of the factory, but further available from around $15,000
Roughly $23m of funding was secured from the investment was needed. The Canadian province had to $20,000, with projects
Canadian province of New Brunswick, which saw the no choice but to inject more cash, keeping production starting at less than $10,000.
The cost and difficulty of
opportunity to bring much-needed employment to going into 1976. Bricklin had problems getting
restoration generally makes
the area. Bricklin not only wanted to take on the enough engines so it switched to Ford’s Windsor V8. these an unpalatable prospect.
Corvette, but also to create the safest car in the world The manual option was dropped; power dropped, too, The better-built, Ford-
with the SV-1 (for Safety Vehicle One). This two- to 175bhp. The hydraulic door mechanism was slow, engined cars are the most
seater sports car would feature a V8 engine from and often failed through inherent design flaws. With desirable. Upgrades won’t
AMC, a strong glassfibre bodyshell with a steel roll- that and myriad other quality failings, many customers necessarily add value, but a
well-modified and restored
over structure and 5mph impact bumpers, all were very unsatisfied.
example can be a better
integrated into the wedgy design. An estimated total of 2854 Bricklins left the ownership proposition.
Launched at New York’s Four Seasons hotel in June production line before the company went into
1974, the SV-1 soon had a healthy waiting list. At that receivership in 1976. Today, around 1500 survive. What to look out for
point the factory was barely operational, and when Despite its failings, the Bricklin generated a Cosmetics should be a high
cars did start rolling off the line it was at a much slower following among a small group of devotees, and priority, as original uncracked
acrylic panels are extremely
rate than demand required. Production costs had also there’s still a healthy enthusiasm for the Bricklin in the
scarce and repairs are difficult.
spiralled, making the expensive sports car unprofitable US and Canada. Finding one in Europe is a different Glassfibre replacements are
to build unless production was ramped up. matter, however. If you did import one into the UK, at available if you don’t mind a
The doors were a nightmare to engineer, one the moment you could expect to see a maximum of painted car.
contribution to the many setbacks that ultimately two others on these shores, and one of those lives in Both the AMC and the Ford
doomed the project. The Bricklin’s bodyshell was the Haynes museum. There’s a huge appeal to owning engines are reliable and easy to
maintain or upgrade.
glassfibre but the outer panels were lightweight, such a fascinating piece of history – and you’ll be
The door mechanisms were
colour-impregnated acrylic plastic. It was clever stuff, relieved to know that enthusiasts have long since originally hydraulic, but today
but as well as limiting colour choice to orange, suntan, figured out how to make those doors work properly. most have been converted to a
green, white and red, the process turned out to be very Matthew Hayward more robust air-lift system.

184
 PETER BRADFIELD LTD

1928 Bentley 4½ Litre

Chassis AB 3357 is a very attractive short chassis Birkin spec Le Mans style Bentley. Originally supplied as aVanden Plas Sports
Tourer it retains a high level of originality including the desirable long bonnet. Significantly the car has Pre-War Race history
and competed in the Donington 12 Hour Race in 1937.The car has a freshly rebuilt engine with Phoenix crank and rods and
accordingly runs cool and smooth. As well as its matching engine the car retains its original C Type gearbox which is quiet
and easy to operate. In addition a modern overdrive and and servo brakes make this an ideal car for touring and rally use. It
comes with a weighty history file, fully known provenance and has been with its current owner for over 10 years and with the
previous owner 61 years.
Also available:
1929 Bentley 4 ½L Drophead Coupe by Vanden Plas, 1936 Lagonda Le Mans Rep, 1964 Shelby Cobra
See website for more details

8 REECE MEWS KENSINGTON ONDON SW7 3HE

[email protected] Tel: 020 7589 8787 www.bradfieldcars.com
1950 Jaguar XK120 ‘Alloy’ Competition Roadster POA Lister Jaguar ‘Knobbly’ BHL158 £375,000
CKL are delighted to offer this 1950 Jaguar XK120 ‘Alloy’ BHL158 was the first of the new-build Lister Jaguars to be sold
Competition Roadster, one of 240 lightweight alloy roadsters to the public and raced. It would see road use and race in
and once part of the Walter Hill Collection. events such as the Goodwood Members Meeting.

1989 GTD40 £87,500 1969 Triumph TR6 £20,000

GT Developments, the highly respected GT40 reproduction This TR6 is an excellent example of a car that is ready to
workshop, crafted this car in 1989 to a much higher standard enjoy at the turn of the key. Great condition, RHD, manual,
than other reproductions, focusing heavily on authenticity. ready for the road.

1973 Lynx D-type – 57 SAL £295,000 1964 Jaguar E-type 3.8 – CKL002 £POA
CKL are thrilled tfSAL, Lynx’s 17th D-type order and the Probably the best E-type in the world” CKL are thrilled
legendary Lynx D-type which claimed those National to announce CKL002, designed for the 21st century with
Endurance Speed Records at MIRA in 1987. quintessential British styling and a touch of modern
technology.

Race Preparation • Restoration • Servicing • Sales • Transport • Storage

Based in East Sussex, CKL are the leading
specialists in road and racing Jaguar & Listers
+ 44 (0) 1424 870 600
of the 1950s and ‘60s. Our purpose built facility www.ckl.co.uk
incorporates:
[email protected]
• Engine Room
• Panel Shop
CKL Developments Ltd,
• Paint Shop
• 8 Lift Workshop Woodcote, Marley Lane Business Park
• Large Vehicle Storage Battle, East Sussex, TN33 0RE
DRIVING HERITAGE
 Aston Martin Specialists
Sales | Restoration | Parts | Servicing | Enginology

+44 (0)1207 233 525

www.aston.co.uk
Finding the right Christmas present for the Aston Martin lover in
your life can be stressful in the run up to the big day. Luckily our

Car of The Month team of helpful elves here at Aston Workshop have put together
a wide range of cracking Christmas gifts for the car enthusiast.

Starting with our flagship item, the ‘Portfolio of Dreams’ which is a

1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 must have for any Aston Martin enthusiast, details the photographic
This stunning DB2 is 1 of 448 built history of Aston’s with beautiful photography by Tim Wallace and
with matching engine and chassis numbers. 500 miles since even a forward by the great Sir Sterling Moss! Other great Christmas
gift ideas also include clothing, keyrings, silverware and mugs!
sympathetic restoration and Mille Miglia eligible.
To see our full range Aston Workshop Christmas gift range
£219,950 please take a look at our dedicated gift store – www.astonparts.
com and you will find our Gifts section on the category menu.

2000 DB7 Vantage Volante

A stunning example. Complete Aston
Martin main dealer service history
with a total of 19 stamps to date.

£36.490

1967 Aston Martin DB6 MKI RHD

In Autumn Gold / Black, with
Full restoration recently completed
by Aston Workshop.

£399,950
ASTON WORKSHOP’S PORTFOLIO OF DREAMS £195

1992 Aston Martin Virage LHD

A very rare LHD model one of
only 37 built, with only 17,000
Miles from new.

£49,990

2005 V12 Vanquish S D11 Sterling Silver Cufflinks £135.00 Auto Glym Ultra Cleaning Kit £49.96

Beautifully finnished in Toro Red

metalic with Iron Ore interiour.
Only 23,353 Miles.
£99,990

2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Great North Classic Car

Aston Martin Racing Mug £12.50
In exceptional condition and Show T-Shirt £49.96
complete with a full service history
and a long list of optional extras.

£29,990
 1971 Surtees TS9B
2nd at the 1972 Italian Grand Prix
Driven by John Surtees and Mike Hailwood
Owned by John Surtees from 1971 until 1999
A regular front-runner at the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, grid E 1966-1972
Ready to race

www.ascottcollection.com
Xavier Micheron
Phone: + 33 (0) 9 67 33 48 43
Mobile: + 33 (0) 6 17 49 42 50
Email: [email protected]
Paris - France

1955 COOPER T40 / 1955 LISTER KNOBBLY / 1963 JAGUAR E TYPE Semi-Lightweight FIA / 1977 ALPINE A310 GTP / 1982 ATS D5 F1
1987 PORSCHE 962 CK6 / 1988 MARCH BUICK 86G / 1989 TIGA GC 289 C2 / 1990 SPICE SE90C / 1996 VENTURI 600 LMS / 2000 LOLA B2K/40
2014 LaFerrari | Rosso Corsa with Nero interior, European supplied, Classiche certification, delivery mileage. £POA

2018 Ferrari 812 Superfast (LHD) £POA 2016 Ferrari 488 GTB £POA
Rosso Corsa with Nero leather, 216 miles Rosso Corsa with Nero leather, delivery miles

2015 Porsche 991 GT3 PDK (LHD) £POA 2017 Bentley Bentayga W12 £POA
White with black Alcantara, Clubsport pack 132 miles Neptune blue with Magnolia leather, 5,050 miles

T H E L E A D I N G S P E C I A L S I T S 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
+44 (0) 1772 613 114 | www.williamloughran.co.uk | [email protected]
 Classic Car Specialists
Sales | Restoration | Parts | Servicing | Enginology

+44 (0)1207 288 760

www.carbarn.co.uk

Car of The Month

Since opening its doors for the first time in 2012, Car Barn has earned
a robust reputation for dealing in a huge variety of classic and exotic
vehicles. Nestled in a quiet rural part of County Durham, our bespoke
facility comprises a peaceful showroom with a countryside outlook and
Porsche 911 3.8T a thriving restoration and service workshop.
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning Porsche 911 We are proud to offer a friendly and approachable service for both UK
Turbo S finished in Carrera White with Black Leather Interior and international customers and offer a variety of sale and purchasing
and with only 13,782 miles this is one car that is sure to options to suit our customer’s individual requirements.
impress!
We strive to provide a diverse portfolio of high quality cars for sale in
£99,950 our showroom to ensure we can offer our customers both their dream
purchase and a robust investment to cherish.Whether you are a first
time classic buyer or you’re looking to expand your collection, we are
1998 Mitsubishi 2.7 TD
well placed to help you find the right vehicle.
Rare ‘final edition’ J55 model with
preferred uprated 2.7 Turbo Diesel If you are looking to sell a classic or exotic vehicle, whether it be left
Producing 100 bhp. hand or right hand drive, a restoration ready barn find or an all original
gem, we would love to hear from you to discuss your requirements.
£13,950 We have an extensive customer database and a significant array of
sales and marketing options at our disposal.
Call Alex on 07827 353 195 for a confidential and professional
1995 Morgan 4/4 response to your enquiry.
Presented in Connaught Green and
Car Barn sales are supported at our class leading facilities by our team
Black Leather. Only 2 owners from
of skilled long serving technicians. Our experts bring with them a vast
new and just 44,156 miles. knowledge and experience of historic cars of all marques.The team
£22,950 regularly care for a variety of models for customers throughout the
country. Our fully equipped workshop offers everything from health
checks, regular serving and repair through to full restorations including
1965 Mini Cooper 970 S upgrades and bespoke works. No task is too big or too small, and with
so many years of experience at your fingertips, using Car Barn makes
We are delighted to offer for sale
a smart choice. Our North East base also makes us ideally placed to
this matching numbers Austin Mini offer competitive prices.
Cooper 970S; one of the rarest
Cooper S models. For routine same day servicing or repair work why not take advantage
£59,950 of the award winning restaurant the Black Horse Beamish, only 100m
from our doors and pass the time whilst our technicians care for your
1974 MGB Roadster vehicle?

Fully restored 11,000 miles ago Please call Peter on 01207 288 760 to discuss your individual workshop
having had the same owner for 14 requirements.
years. Uprated to 1850cc.
£14,990

1998 Wrangler Jeep

Presented in outstanding condition
we have this Wrangler Jeep 4x4 soft
top 4.0 ltr 6 cylinder model.
£11,950
1978 ASTON MARTIN V8 VANTAGE ‘BOLT ON’ £249,950
Supplied when new to its first owner by a 25-year-old Aston Martin salesman Nicholas Mee, four decades and a superb
restoration later, we are delighted to be reunited with this exceptional early V8 Vantage. Benefitting from a highly detailed
and complete history file, of some four volumes dating back as far as 1978, this rare and exceptionally well-restored
example, retains its original matching numbers engine and components. Driven in period by Derek Bell and Roy Salvadori,
this car, road tested by Autocar magazine, has been last owned for some 25 years and is surely the best early Vantage
available today.

1961 Aston Martin DB4GT 1964 Aston Martin DB5 (Restored) 1996 Aston Martin Vantage V600
£POA £POA £295,000

2004 Aston Martin DB7 Zagato 2017 Aston Martin DB9 GT ‘Last of 9’ 2004 Aston Martin Vanquish
£299,950 £195,000 £84,950

Nicholas Mee & Co Ltd, Essendonbury Farm, Hatfield Park Estate, Hertfordshire, AL9 6AF
0208 741 8822 [email protected] nicholasmee.co.uk

CAR SALES & PURCHASES, SERVICING & MAINTENANCE, RESTORATION, PARTS & MERCHANDISE, TRIM & UPHOLSTERY, TRANSPORTATION & STORAGE
196
 For further details please see

www.hexagonclassics.com
HEXAGON CLASSICS We are actively seeking similar cars to purchase
contact Phillip Kyriacou on +44(0) 7736 131009
For sales call Jonathan Ostroff on +44(0) 7801 629270
or Russell Gilbert on +44(0) 7544 911911
since 1963
 SYDNEY AUSTRALIA

1972 Ferrari 365 GTC/4 - bare metal restoration, Rosso Cordoba, tools 1972 Ferrari Dino 246 GT - AUS del., 40 years with 1 owner, low miles

1976 Ferrari 365 GT4 BB - AUS del., one of only 88 RHD cars, superb 1954 Austin Healey BN1 - AUS del., match. numbers, 100/4 Le Mans

1977 Lamborghini Espada S III - orig. RHD, fully restored, low mileage 1992 Mitsubishi 3000 GT - original RHD, 54,000 kms, one owner car

2016 Porsche 911 R - 530 kms, immaculate, 1 of 991 cars worlwide 2004 Koenigseg - one of 14 cars built, only AUS delivered example

2011 Ferrari 599 GTO - one of 10 cars delivered to Australia, RHD 2011 Ferrari 458 Italia - low kms, Ferrari service history, immaculate

2016 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S Aero -4,000 kms only, full MB service 2019 McLaren Senna - 88 kms, 789 HP, one of 16 Australian cars

Australia’s Number One Classic Car Dealer

BAYS 3&4 50-64 PACIFIC HIGHWAY NORTH SYDNEY AUSTRALIA T +61.2.9922 2036 F +61.2.9922 4594
 www.brianclassiccars.com

WinSpeed

200
 Our passion is classic competition cars

1970 PORSCHE 911 2.3 S/T

VIN 9110301151
Inquire

• M491-OPTIONED FACTORY S/T

• THE ONLY REMAINING REPSOL 911
• FIVE OWNERS FROM NEW
• VERY WELL DOCUMENTED
• EXTREMELY ORIGINAL

1970 Chevron B16 (DBE-15) 1990 Spice SE90P Chevrolet (013)

One of the 23 genuine cars built with continuous history from new. 1990-91 USA Works C1-class Spice with excellent history. Front running car
Race-ready with current FIA HTP and good spares. P.O.A with extensive spares freshly prepared for the 2020 Group C season. P.O.A

1973 Shadow DN1 (#4) 2008 Aston Martin Vantage N24 – Mäkela RGT Rally Car
Ex-Oliver/Redman. 100% race-ready with fresh DFV, crack-test, etc. Iconic Unique Aston Martin converted in 2015 by Mäkela Auto Tuning. Shown at 2017
high-airbox UOP Shadow and very eligible for 2020 Monaco HGP. P.O.A Goodwood FoS. As new with extensive spares. Eligible for FIA RGT. EUR 192,500

We have a wider variety of great cars for sale. Please call or visit our web-site for more information.
www.rmd.be - [email protected] - +32 (0) 475 422 790 - Schoten, Belgium
 Telephone Mobile

www.runnymedemotorcompany.com

REINTERPRETED, REBORN RANGE ROVERS

FOR SALE

READY TO ENJOY All of us at Kingsley share a common love for classic Range
£64,500 Rovers and Land Rovers having grown up with them around us.
1982 LHD RANGE ROVER We have been restoring, creating ‘Ultimate Classic Rangies’,
CLASSIC 2 DOOR and supplying parts and upgrades for more than 20 years
to clients around the world.
Stunning 1982 left-hand drive Range Rover
Classic which has just arrived from Dubai.
Please see our website for full details of this vehicle
and our other classic Range Rovers for sale. Tel: +44 (0)1865 884 488 www.kingsleycars.com

202
CHARLES PRINCE Worldwide Collector Car Sales

1930 Bentley 3/4.5 Litre Le Mans 1929 Bentley 4.5 Litre DHC by Martin Walter

1924 Bentley 3/4.5 Litre Open Tourer by Vanden Plas 1924 Bentley 3 Litre Speed Model By Vanden Plas

1927 Bentley 4.5 Litre Tourer by Vanden Plas 1930 Bentley 4.5 Litre Blower

Also Currently Available

1938 Jaguar SS100 3.5 Litre Full History

1938 Alvis 4.3 Litre Short Chassis By Vanden Plas Full History
1960 Ferrari 250PF Coupe Series 2
All cars shown are available to be seen tried and tested
by appointment. Full details on request.

1929 Bentley 4.5 Litre “Le Mans” by Vanden Plas

charlesprinceclassiccars.com [email protected] Int T 0044 (0) 79 85 98 80 70

 At Paragon, we have superb in-house workshop and preparation facilities. Each car is supplied fully serviced with a new MOT
and our 12-month/12,000-mile comprehensive parts and labour warranty.

911 RS Touring 911 GT2 911 Carrera Sport Targa 911 GT3 (996)
Jet Black • Black Seats • Manual Polar Silver • Black Leather Sport Grand Prix White • Dark Blue Leather Guards Red • Black Leather Bucket
Gearbox • 15” Fuchs Wheels • Fully Seats • Manual Gearbox • Porsche Seats • Manual G-50 Gearbox • 16” Seats • Manual Gearbox • 18” Sport
Restored • Matching Numbers Ceramic Composite Brakes • Sports Fuchs Wheels • Fully Electric Seats Design Wheels • Air Conditioning
1973 (L) Exhaust • 21,725 miles • 2003 (03) 22,373 miles • 1988 (F) 29,552 miles • 1999 (V)

£574,995 £134,995 £84,995 £79,995

911 GT3 Clubsport (996) 911 Turbo (996) 911 Turbo (996) 911 Carrera 4 S (996)
Guards Red • Black Nomex Bucket Seal Grey • Black Leather Seats Lapis Blue • Dark Blue Leather Seats Polar Silver • Black Leather Seats
Seats • Manual Gearbox • Porsche Tiptronic S Gearbox • Satellite Manual Gearbox • 18” Turbo II Wheels Manual Gearbox • Sports Exhaust
Carbon Ceramic Brakes • Rear Roll Navigation • 18” Turbo II Wheels Fully Electric Seats • 75,992 miles 18” Turbo II Wheels • 32,118 miles
Cage • 43,336 miles • 2004 (53) 59,354 miles • 2004 (53) 2002 (02) 2002 (52)

£74,995 £44,995 £39,995 £32,995

See more of our current stock at paragongb.com

01825 830424 [email protected]

PARAGON GB LTD FIVE ASHES EAST SUSSEX TN20 6HY

Central London’s Largest Classic Car Showrooms WE HAVE MOVED

1939 Bentley 4.25 MX Overdrive Chassis

1973 Rolls-Royce 2 door saloon Immaculate condition 1998 Bentley Brooklands ‘R’ Mulliner No 1 of 100

1993 Range Rover Classic Vogue LSE 1937 Chevrolet 5 Window Coupe
Fully restored with 4.6 litre engine Custom Resto-Mod with 350 V8
www.graemehunt.com
+44 (0) 20 7937 8487 [email protected]
 The UK’s Premier Lamborghini Specialist

Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SV Lamborghini Aventador LP 770-4 SVJ Lamborghini Aventador LP770-4 SVJ
Ceramic brakes, High level rear wing small decal Branding pack, Carbon fibre interior package, Matte carbon fibre exterior pack, Carbon
option, 600 miles, 2009, £POA Carbon fibre mirror casings, Lifting system, Style fibre kick plates with illumination, Comfort
package, Transparent engine cover, Yellow brake seats, Branding pack, Full carbon fibre interior
callipers, 2,000 miles, 2019, £399,990 package, 50 miles, 2019, £389,990

Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SV Lamborghini Aventador LP 770-4 SVJ Lamborghini Aventador S LP 740-4 S
Ceramic brakes, high level rear wing, large 20/21 inch Leirion gloss black alloy wheels, Carbon 5th Year warranty, Carbon exterior pack, Carbon
decal option, 8,000 miles, 2010, driving zone, Lifting system, Magneto-rheological fibre engine bay trim, Sensonum premium sound
£379,990 suspension, Multi-function steering wheel, Satellite system, Transparent engine cover, 3,000 miles,
Navigation, 30 miles, 2019, £379,990 2018, £269,990

Lamborghini Aventador LP 750-4 SV Roadster Lamborghini Aventador LP750-4 SV Roadster Lamborghini Aventador LP 740-4 S
Carbon exterior upgrade, carbon interior, 20/21 Inch Dianthus forged high gloss black DAB Radio, Lifting system, Magneto - Rheologic
carbon fixed air intake sensonum sound system, alloy wheels, Carbon fibre interior package, suspension, Transparent engine cover, Branding
250 miles, 2017, £359,990 Carbon race seats, Lifting system, 2,000 miles, pack, Carbon fibre interior package, 3,000 miles,
2016, £359,990 2017 £235,990

Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster Lamborghini Huracan LP 640-4 Performante Spyder Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster
Q-citura stitching, Hemera alloy wheels, Branding pack, Front end Xpel PPF protection, Branding pack, Dione forged alloy wheels,
Ceramic brakes, Lifting system, 5,000 miles, Gloss black Narvi alloy wheels, Lifting system, Reverse camera, Satellite Navigation,
2009, £219,990 Magneto - Rheologic suspension, 800 miles, Transparent engine cover, 12,000 miles, 2015,
2018, £219,990 £199,990

Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Coupe Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 Roadster Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4
Q-citura stitching, Hemera alloy wheels, Ceramic Branding pack, Clear engine bay cover, Dione Dione forged alloy wheels, Front and Rear parking
brakes, Lifting system, Branding pack 5,000 forged alloy wheels, Lifting system, Multi-function sensors, Full electric heated sport seats, Parking
miles, 2009, £199,990 steering wheel, 11,000 miles, 2014, £195,990 camera, Sensonum premium sound system, Transparent
engine cover, 10,000 miles, 2014, £189,990
BUYING OR SELLING LAMBORGHINI MOTORCARS
T +44 01580 714 597 E [email protected] W www.vvsuk.co.uk
(
(Viewing by appointment onlyy) Address: VVS UK LTD PARK FARM, GOUDHURST ROAD, CRANBROOK KENT TN172LJ
www.lamborghinibuyer.com Additional Websites: www.justlamborghini.com
 PAUL-STEPHENS.COM
+44 (0) 1440 714 884
 Vintage Specialists

ebe

210
 Sherwood Restorations Ltd Established 1966
Established as one of the leaders in the field of vintage and classic car sales and restoration,
with over 200 years of combined experience, winners of many major Concours d’Elegance Awards

1968 MGC ROADSTER 2003 ASTON MARTIN DB7 VANTAGE – AUTO 1994 PORSCHE 968 CABRIOLET –
Glacier White with Black trim. Retaining its original Tungsten with Black Interior, 18,600 Documented Miles TIPTRONIC - GRAND PRIX WHITE WITH
registration ‘OOB 21G’. Sympathetically modified with ‘ONLY’ from new!!!!!!! Specification from new included BLACK HIDE AND HOOD
‘touring’ in mind. Comprehensive history. So nice, so approx. £20,000 worth of extra’s, extensive Aston Service True Modern Classic. Has been used for touring at home
original and so understated. RHD – was £31,995 NOW History, Every MOT certificate to verify the incredible and abroad and maintained to the highest standards
£29,995 mileage, Spare Key, stunning throughout as you would regardless of cost. RHD - £19,995
expect!!! RHD - £34,995

1968 MGB ‘1860’ ROADSTER – OVERDRIVE 1987 PEUGEOT 205 1.9 GTI 1974 MGB 1.8 ROADSTER – OVERDRIVE
Primrose Yellow with Black interior. As clean underneath Cherry Red with Grey/Red interior. A truly stunning Citron Yellow with Black Interior and Hood. One of the last
as it is on top. This is as good as they get! RHD - £19,995 example with just 28,000 recorded miles from new!! chrome bumper ‘B’s, restored a few years ago, remaining in
Complete and total history from day one. This multi-award the same superb condition to this day. ideal start to Classic
winning example is absolutely superb throughout. One of Motoring, will provide much enjoyment for years to come.
the very best!! RHD - £29,995 RHD - £13,495

1973 TRIUMPH TR6 – 5 SPEED 1961 MGA Roadster Mk2 1989 JAGUAR XJS V12 CONVERTIBLE AUTO
Sapphire Blue with Black trim. Restored and uprated. Chariot Red with Black trim. Bob West restoration some Westminster Blue with Magnolia Hide. Magazine featured
Just re-trimmed including hood. Mechanically enhanced years ago and still stunning throughout. RHD - £35,995 with comprehensive specification and history. Grand Tourer
to provide a little more enjoyment. RHD – was £27,995 ready to be enjoyed once again. RHD – was £22,995 NOW
NOW £25,995 £19,995

1989 BMW 635 CSi AUTO – MOTORSPORT 1994 PORSCHE 968 SPORT LUX – 6 Speed 1990 MINI COOPER 1275 RED WITH WHITE CAP
EDITION MANUAL
Misano Red with Black Hide. One of only 180 produced. Speed Yellow with Black Interior. Aesthetically and Fully restored by TR Enterprises – with only 2,000 careful
Only 4 owners from new and a recorded mileage of just mechanically Superb. Modern Classic that is tipped as one miles covered since. 1293 engine, Minilites, superbly
25,000 miles. This has to be one of, if not ‘the’ best example to buy whilst still affordable. RHD – was £25,995 NOW detailed throughout. RHD - £13,495
on the market today. One to buy sooner rather than later £22,995
whilst still affordable!! RHD - £49,995

If your car is one of the very best, please call with an accurate description, detailing condition, history, ownership, etc. All makes and models required.
Upton Fields Garage, Upton Road, Southwell, Notts. NG25 0QB. Tel: 01636 812655/812682/812700
www.sherwoodrestorations.co.uk | [email protected]
 CM COPLEY
M O T O R C A R S

£250,000

£155,000

[email protected] www.copleymotorcars.com
£110,000

£175,000

£295,000

£95,000

213
 1959 AC ACECA “BRISTOL 100 D2” ASTON MARTIN DB2/4 MKIII
BLUE/BLACK RHD £159,995 1958 SILVER / BLACK, RHD

AC COBRA MKIV 1997 AC SUPERBLOWER

BLUE / BLUE INTERIOR, RHD, MATCHING NUMBERS, 1986 RED / BLACK FACTORYHARDTOP, RHD GREEN / GREEN TAN INTERIOR RHD
POA

Web: www.redlinepe.co.uk Tel: 01932 875435 Email: [email protected]

SALES | RESTORATION | MECHANICAL REPAIRS | SERVICING

Mme Curiestraat 8 +31 252 218 980

2171 TW Sassenheim [email protected]

www.vsoc.nl

214
BUGATTI THE UK’S CHIRON, FERRARI PISTA, FERRARI 812,
FERRARI 488, FERRARI TESTAROSSA, PORSCHE MACAN,
PORSCHE CAYENNE, PORSCHE 911, PORSCHE GT3,
PORSCHE PANAMERA, RANGE ROVER VELAR, LAND
ROVER DISCOVERY, LAND ROVER NO. 1 DEFENDER,
RANGE ROVER, RANGE ROVER SPORT, RANGE ROVER
EVOQUE, MASERATI GRANTURISMO, LAMBORGHINI
MIURA, LAMBORGHINI HURACAN, LAMBORGHINI
AVENTADOR,FUNDER FORLAMBORGHINICOUNTACH,
LAMBORGHINI URUS, LOTUS EVORA, LOTUS EXIGE,
ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE, ASTON MARTIN DBS,
ASTON MARTIN VANQUISH, ASTON MARTIN DB4
TESLA MODEL X, TESLA MODEL 3, PRESTIGE, SPORTS
TESLA MODEL S, BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT, BENTLEY
BENTAYGA, ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM, ROLLS-ROYCE
DAWN, ROLLS-ROYCE WRAITH, MCLAREN 720S,
AND CLASSIC CARS MCLAREN 650S, MCLAREN 570S,
MERCEDES-BENZ C-CLASS, MERCEDES-BENZ AMG
GT, MERCEDES-BENZ GLS, MERCEDES-BENZ C63,
MERCEDES-BENZ PAGODA, JAGUAR F-PACE, JAGUAR
F-TYPE, JAGUAR E-TYPE, BMW M5, BMW M4, BMW M3,
BMW X5, AUDI R8, AUDI Q7, AUDI S3, AUDI RS4, AUDI A5.

This is a small selection of the thousands

of cars we fund every year. Get in touch
for tailored funding and personal support
for your next car purchase.
Talk to Oracle today on 0330 838 7492.
oraclefinance.co.uk 4.9 Star Rating Overall

Please note: we are a credit broker and not a lender. This means we act independently through a wide range of lenders to offer a broad and competitive choice of products and solutions. Oracle Asset
Finance is not affiliated to any motor manufacturer. Please contact us for an individual quotation on any prestige or sports car. Finance & terms are subject to status. UK residents only. Oracle Asset
Finance Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for the sale of consumer credit. Calls will be charged at your standard network rate.
 SPEEDMASTER SPECIALIST IN HISTORIC AUTOMOBILES
Tel: +44 (0)1937 220 360 or +44 (0)7768 800 773
[email protected] www.speedmastercars.com

PORSCHE 962 -110

First built and raced by Kremer Porsche, utilising a Thompson built chassis 962-110 raced at LeMans 24hr and the Kyalami
500kms In 1987 before being sold to Jean Alméras for the 1989 World Endurance Championship, including a second
Le Mans 24 hours. At the time this car was the first privately owned 962 in France. More recently raced at Le Mans 24h
support race in 2012.

216
 Est
1986

Mercedes Benz SLS Coupe - £133,329 + VAT

2010 in Designo Mystic White with Designo Exclusive Black interior. Full carbon pack and immaculate with just 17,000
miles and full MBSH from new. VAT Q. £133,329 + VAT

Porsche Boxster Spyder Alfa Romeo Guilia NRING Lamborghini Aventador Lotus Elise S1 Type 49
2011 with a fantastic specification 2019 with delivery miles. Finished in LP720-4 Anniversario 2000 finished in the classic Gold
including PDK, Carbon Ceramic brakes the unique colour of Circuit Grey with a One of a limited edition of 100 units Leaf colours. One of just 100 made
and Sport Chrono. Surely the best black and red contrasting interior. One built for the marques 50th Anniversary with under 10,000 miles in stunning
example remaining with only 7,000 of only 12 RHD UK cars with a huge with signature detailing and factory condition. Beautiful history file and an
miles and a fantastic service history. specification. VAT Q. £70,829 + VAT power increase. As new condition with even better drive. £27,995
£47,995 delivery miles. £208,329 + VAT

Mercedes C63 Black Series Porsche 996 Turbo Manual Porsche 911 ‘997’ GT2 Clubsport Aston Martin DB7 V12 Volante
2012 in Iridium Silver with Black Artico 2004 registered to the cars 1 and only UK supplied C16 RHD GT2 Clubsport 2002 Skye Silver with only 13,100
+ Dinamica, SLS performance in a owner! Unbelievable condition thanks with just 4157 miles in beautiful miles, in beautiful condition and
C Class body! Full Mercedes service to 24,800 miles with a perfect service condition with a fantastic spec driving perfectly thanks to a £16,000
history with just 21,800 miles. VAT Q. history. Finished in ultra rare ‘Dark including both carbon packs. Capable recommissioning by HWM. Surely one
£70,829.16 + VAT Olive Metallic’ with a manual gearbox. of 210MPH, 0-60 in 3.6 seconds all with of the finest remaining! £49,995
£59,995 RWD and a manual gearbox. £159,995

All of the above vehicles, and many more, are shown on our website with full details and photographs. You can also keep up-to-date with our latest stock via social
media. Established over 30 years ago, Park Lane (UK) Ltd has built a reputation of integrity in the global trade of motor vehicles. Wherever you are in the world, we
will be able to assist in the purchase of your next vehicle. We are always on the look-out for similar exceptional vehicles to purchase. Please do call us.

+44 (0)1420 544300 • parklaneuk.com • [email protected]

@parklaneukltd @uk.carsltd @parklaneuk

Park Lane (UK) Ltd . Unit 9 . Alton Business Centre . Omega Park . Alton . GU34 2YU
Book your 2020 evo trackday now!
Join us at Bedford Autodrome and Brands Hatch for our 2020 track evenings

Date Venue Need to know

Monday 11 May Brands Hatch Indy £150 per car with up to two drivers.
Monday 8 June Bedford Autodrome South West Circuit £35 per additional driver.
evo subscribers save £10 on main driver tickets.
Friday 24 July Bedford Autodrome South West Circuit
Subscribe to evo at subscribe.evo.co.uk
Friday 21 August Bedford Autodrome South West Circuit
Wednesday 2 September Brands Hatch Indy
BOOK YOUR PLACE NOW AT
WWW.EVOTRACKDAYS.CO.UK

Noise restrictions Timetable for evening events

Bedford Static: 101 dB. Drive-by: 87.5 dB 4.30pm Arrival & noise testing
PLUS NEW FOR 2020 Brands Hatch Static: 102 dB. Drive-by: 90 dB 5pm Driver briefing
Keep an eye on evotrackdays.co.uk for our full day events, launching soon Any vehicle failing the noise test will not be 5.30pm Track opens
at Bedford Autodrome GT Circuit and Goodwood Motor Circuit. allowed out on the track 8pm Track closes
219
 AS Motorsport ltd

ASM hand build bespoke versions of the R1 roadster, inspired by the Aston Martin
race cars that won Le Mans and the world Sportscar championship in 1959.
Contact us for details of commission builds and stock.
Poplar Farm, Bressingham, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 2AP
Tel: 01379688356 • Mob: 07909531816
Web: www.asmotorsport.co.uk
Email: [email protected]

220
1967 FERRARI 275GTB 4 NART SPYDER, Silver/burgun- 1958 FERRARI 250GT TDF, Blue scurro w/silver, cold
dy, matching numbers, rebuilt engine and driveline. air box, matching #s, 2nd place in 1958 TDF, Ferrari
New paint, leather and top. Outstanding mechanical & Classique certified. Recently completed 1700 mile
cosmetic condition. Ready for show or rally circuit. rally. Perfect mechanical and cosmetic
condition. Ready for show and go. POA

1965 PORSCHE 356SC CABRIOLET, Red/black, match- 1983 PORSCHE 911 SC CABRIOLET,
ing #s, rebuilt eng, new top/headliner, seats & tires, Rare, matching numbers, Cert of Auth., black/cork
flawless paint, sound underpinnings, 69k mi, docu- leather, 53k miles, 204hp (Euro spec). Fully optioned,
mented ownership. Outstanding cosmetic & mechani- exceptional cosmetic & mechanical condition.
cal condition. Ready for rally or show! $215k USD $55,000 USD.

1977 PORSCHE CARRERA 3.0, Matching numbers, 1961 FIAT OSCA 1500S PININFARINA CABRIOLET, Red/
25,000 km from new, sunroof, Grand Prix white/plaid black leather, rare twin cam 4 cylinder Maserati
inserts, 5-speed, sport seats, Bosch K-Jetronic, rare OSCA engine. Weber downdraft carburetor, 4-speed
investment collector grade Porsche. transmission, high performance brakes. Spectacular
$85 000 USD older restoration $65k USD

CONSIGNMENTS WELCOME

Tel 914-997-9133 Fax 914-997-9136 [email protected]

p

221
CARS FOR SALE

OCTANE ADVERTISE
MARKETPLACE IN-MAG FOR FREE!
PRIVATE SELLERS ONLY
,
Browse classic cars for sale or reach a huge international classic LIMITED SPACES
car market to sell yours with a free advertisement in Octane – AVAILABLE
go to subscribe.octane-magazine.com/classifieds

Octane cannot endorse any cars for sale in classified advertisements and recommends
that you meet the vendor and are satisfied with the car before parting with any money.

1997 BMW M3 E36 -

1954 Austin-Healey 100/4 BN1 1966 Austin-Healey 3000 MkIII original RHD, low kms, superb
Ex-Australia RHD car. Nut-and-bolt restoration with UK RHD, original and excellent unrestored condition,
only summer use since. Healey Ice Blue, blue leather just 30,000 miles from new. First registered on 2 maintenance file, desirable
trim and weather equipment. Fitted with its original May 1966 by Carey & Lambert Ltd of Southampton,
3-speed gearbox, overdrive, chrome wire wheels, and in one family’s ownership from 10 April 1967
£69,950. +44 (0)1723 361227, info@murrayscott- until sold to the present owner in 2018. Original bill
nelson.com, www.murrayscott-nelson.com (T). of sale, buff logbook and letter to the new owner
from the selling dealership. This car is well known to
us, and is provided serviced and MoT’d with original
log book and dealer keyring, bill of sale, dealership
covering letter, heritage certificate and more. £80,000.
+44 (0)1420 23212, [email protected],
www.RawlesMotorsport.com (T).

ADVERTISE IN-MAG
Austin-Healeys wanted, all models
We are currently seeking Austin-Healeys for
FOR FREE! Buick 1912 McLaughlin Pheaton
€38.800
immediate purchase, especially 3000 MkIII and 100/4. subscribe.octane-magazine.com/classifieds For more information please contact me,
From project to perfect, please call or email pictures. FRANK KENNIS +31 622 420 766
+44 (0)1420 23212, [email protected], [email protected] www.kenniscars.nl
www.RawlesMotorsport.com (T).

2001 Aston Martin Vanquish Austin-Healey 3000 Mk1 BT7 2001 Ferrari 550 Maranello
LHD, semi-automatic, 40,850 miles. Present owner Original RHD numbers-matching Healey Blue car, Best combination of Tour de France Blue with beige
11 years, MoT November 2020, metallic silver with 98% complete but requiring total restoration. Includes interior, and one of the last. Very well cared for,
black leather interior. Bodywork, electrics and an original works hardtop. We can price to restore maintained by professional Ferrari people, €135,000.
all mechanicals in very good condition. Located or supply all parts required for restoration, £19,950. +32 (0)9 2273415, [email protected] (Belgium).
Somerset UK, OIRO £65,000. +44 (0)7769 114211, +44 (0)1723 361227, [email protected],
[email protected]. www.murrayscott-nelson.com (T).

Race Proven Parts Austin-Healey 3000 MkIII project

Available for full restoration by Rawles Motorsport, Ferrari 250 GTO evocation
Tel: +44 (0)1543 472244 originally built 22-26 May 1964 as a RHD home- Beautifully presented and based on Eunos running
market car sold through Stewart and Ardern Ltd of gear, 1.6-litre engine, immaculate, engineer-owned,
London. It remains highly original, retaining its original requires nothing. Factory-fitted shell by Tribute
engine, original body panels and registration mark. Automotive, finished by friend and myself to highest
POA. +44 (0)1420 23212, Sales@RawlesMotorsport. standard. Must sell, licence revoked due to poor
www.bighealey.co.uk com, www.RawlesMotorsport.com (T). eyesight. Ring to discuss. £10,500. +44 (0)1276 23078.

222
 Sales, Service & Restoration
Ferrari Specialist

2018 Ford Mustang Bathurst 77

Special Tickford -
No. 28 of only 77 cars built

£69,990

Ford 1914 T Runabout

€38.500 1984 308 1998 550
For more information please contact me, GTB QV Maranello
FRANK KENNIS +31 622 420 766 £59,990 £69,990
[email protected] www.kenniscars.nl

1999 456 M GTA 1995 456 GT 2005 612 manual

£67,990 £49,990 £99,990

2018 Renault Alpine A110 -

1993 Jaguar XJS 1 of the 60 Premiere Edition cars
Fine example of a le -hand drive, black-on-black, for Australia, low kms
six-cylinder coupé. Car is located in Montreal, Canada.
US$14,500. Contact Guillaume at +1 514 984 9844 or
[email protected].
DR1 DR2

£129,000

Aston Martin V8 Series II Fi

These were the first Astons built following the sale of Aston Martin by
David Brown to Company Developments. This particular car was a barn
find, having been off the road for 17 years it was bought by the present
owner from Aston Workshop as a project car, showing a mileage reading
£179,000
of 7,310 which is believed to be correct. The chassis number is listed as Jaguar E type 3.8 flat floor roadster
V8, some confusion arises where the Aston Martin factory decided to use
up the stock of David Brown DBS V8 badges, consequently they are often Very very early car with double hinges on boot and mountings on
wrongly referred to as a DBS because of the external badging. The car bulkhead for external latches. This excellent, left hand drive, matching
then underwent a three year restoration carried out by Roda Classics in numbers, Series 1 E Type 'flat floor' Roadster was supplied new to Fattori
Portugal, which is a non-profit-making garage belonging to Mr. Carlos Antunes (Ex-CEO of and Montani in Rome, Italy who had ordered it without a soft top but with the desirable
Renault Peugeot) who takes on rebuilds/restorations of some the most fastidious of collectors factory hard top which is still fitted to the car. It was imported into the UK in 2013 just
around the world by invitation only. The cars are rebuilt part by part to an exacting standard after being fully restored changing the colour scheme from the original cream with black
under his stewardship.The body was taken off and renewed where required, the chassis was leather interior to the stunning combination of British Racing Green with light tan interior.
fully rebuilt with all corrosion removed, all mechanical parts renewed or rebuilt as required, This rare flat floor is supplied with a V5C registration document, an MoT certificate, the
electrical components renewed and refurbished, this is confirmed by the invoices for the parts Heritage Certificate, a MoT certificate from when the car was imported and the original Italian
supplied. The car was then repainted in Antrim Blue (the original colour was white) and re- registration documents. This is an opportunity to purchase, not only the most sought after E
trimmed to complete the restoration. The full body off restoration is supported by a build Type model - the 3.8 litre 'flat floor', but one which has been beautifully restored. Over the last
book of images along with invoices for the parts supplied by the Aston Workshop. month the car has had a soft top fitted .

please contact David Clay on: please contact David Clay on:
07 979
7 861 668 • elvisintenerife@ho
f tmail.com 07 979
7 861 668 • elvisinteneriff @hotmail.com

223
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Photograph by Kimball Stock Photography

Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance 2019

Rolls-Royce Class - First

Lucius Beebe Award 2019

Awarded to the best Rolls Royce

1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III

Coachwork Inskip Special Henley Coupé
Chassis Number 3CP 124

Restored and Prepared for Lord Bamford by

Clark & Carter Restorations Ltd

Specialists in Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Porsche

Shardloes Workshops, Church Road, Cressing, Braintree, Essex. CM77 8PN

Telephone: 01376 584 392 • Fax: 01376 584 773 • email: [email protected] • web: www.clarkandcarter.co.uk
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241
Day in the life
interview giles chapman

‘delorean’s engineer came

to persuade us to build its
first car for exhibition.
there were no drawings.
jeff told him to “eff off”’
show, the only show held out in the open, and
we always took a few of the blokes from the
factory to staff the stand and stop people
stealing our wing mirrors. Afterwards we’d all
head to the beach at the Barceloneta for
unlimited, undrinkable red wine.
We tried lots of ventures. The most successful
was probably the Canadian Argocat off-roader.
We were profitable and owned our premises
freehold, and I think that sometimes made us a
target for con-men. DeLorean’s chief engineer
came to persuade us to build its first car for
exhibition. There wasn’t a prototype, nor even
any drawings. Jeff opened the office door and
told him to ‘Eff off ’. So they went to Lotus.

DaviD McMullan I first ‘retired’ in 1987 when I sold Crayford.

Jeff had died in a motorcycle accident two years
earlier and I was working 12-hour days. It was
no fun without him and the pressure was
He set up the Crayford company to turn popular cars into relentless. I decided to become an emergency
convertibles, then spent 20 years as a war-zone aid worker engineer and aid worker for Oxfam, working in
refugee camps on the edge of war zones,
I’m In the uk every July and August when I We bought a secondhand one from Jeff ’s family arriving with minimal equipment and pallet-
rent out my home in Spain. It’s five minutes garage in Wales in 1961 and converted it at my loads of water pumps.
from the coast. The Crayford Convertible Car father’s place in Strood. After it was used in an It was hairy. I was ambushed twice in Somalia
Club also has a summer get-together in Albert Finney movie called Night Must Fall, we in one day, and my foreman was hit. But as I
Westerham where our works used to be, and got lots of orders. It was a gamble, but both our was much older than everybody else I tended
where I still have an apartment. wives had good salaries. to have a sixth sense about things. I had to keep
Quite a few Cortinas, Minis and others turn We always worked on cars that were these guys in one piece, and I did it for 20 years
up. The owners are a wonderful bunch. They registered to customers – Cortinas, Corsairs, [he received an MBE for this work in 2007]. I
think I’m some sort of God – I’ve even the Mercedes-Benz 280CE, and then our feel guilty I’m not doing anything to help now,
autographed some of the cars. Trouble is, I’ve Mercedes estates. Ford and Mercedes approved but I’ve got to look after my own health.
forgotten why we did certain things and when our work so the warranty still stood on Until recently I had my own Crayford
they ask me I don’t always have the answers. everything we didn’t change. We were very Cortina MkII convertible in Spain. I sold it to
My family’s from Belfast. My father was in proud of that; it took Stuttgart two years to an avid collector who was very anxious I wasn’t
the RAF, Fighter Command mostly, based at decide our quality was good enough. You can’t selling a fake! Now I just have a 10-year-old
Biggin Hill during the war. My mother brought do things like that on new cars today. The ECUs Ford Ka there to potter around in. I rode
us here to be near him and we’ve been Kent- mean you can’t touch the wiring loom. motorbikes, mainly Triumphs, for 68 years. I’ve
based ever since. Every morning I try to walk a mile before only just hung up my helmet and I miss it.
I started Crayford in 1962 with my partner breakfast. As we have 300 days of sunshine Out in Spain I have three properties to worry
Jeffrey Smith. We’d both worked for Lambretta- annually that’s almost every day. Even in the about. Things go wrong – it’s part of the Spanish
Trojan in Croydon, where I was assistant UK I walk every morning to burn calories. I’m lifestyle – but my wife Donna’s an expert cook
Lambretta scooters sales manager and he was 86 and I have a heart problem, so if it gets too and we enjoy the Mediterranean diet.
the experimental engineer. The company hot I simply lie on the sofa, drink lots of water Recently I saw a Crayford Mini convertible
imported the first karts to the UK from America and listen to audiobooks. coming towards me on the Spanish coast road.
and that’s how Jeff and I became close friends. I At Crayford I was quite export-minded. We I wish I’d chased after it – it was a really nice
was in charge of selling them and, as ‘works used to sell 25 to 40 cars a year – V8-engined one. Our Wolseley Hornet convertibles built
driver’, racing them, and he sorted them out. Capris, Cortina convertibles and Mercedes for Heinz in 1966 are worth a fortune, over
Then I had this idea of doing a Mini S-Class estates – through our Spanish agent. £25,000. People loved our cars. They were rare
convertible. Nobody had thought of it before. We regularly exhibited at the Barcelona motor yet they could be serviced by any local dealer…

Octane, ISSN 1740-0023, is published monthly by Dennis Publising (UK) Ltd, 31-32 Alfred Place, London WC1E 7DP, UK. The US annual subscription price is $99. Airfreight and mailing in the USA by agent named WN Shipping USA, 156-15,
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Subscription records are maintained at Dennis Publising (UK) Ltd, 31-32 Alfred Place, London WC1E 7DP, UK. Air Business Ltd is acting as our mailing agent.

242
1971 FERRARI 365 GTB/4 ‘DAYTONA’
Fantastic UK supplied RHD Daytona coupe finished in original factory colours of Argento Auteuil with Pelle Blu leather interior. Concours winning
and matching numbers with Ferrari Classiche. 34k miles from new with comprehensive history. Restored by Moto Technique and O’Rourke.

2004 FERRARI 575M MANUAL AND FIORANO

One of only 69 examples supplied to the UK with the desirable open gate six speed manual gearbox. Fitted with the Fiorano Handling Pack,
considered ‘essential’ by journalists at the time. Finished in Grigio Titanio with Bordeaux hide. Meticulous service schedule and just 29k miles.

T E L : 01249 76 0 6 8 6 • T H E H A I R P I N C O M PA N Y.C O. U K
T H E H A I R P I N C O M PA N Y C O M P TO N B A S S E T T W I LT S H I R E S N11 8 R H
 CALIBER RM 033

RICHARD MILLE BOUTIQUES

© Didier Gourdon

GENEVA PARIS LONDON MILAN MONACO MOSCOW MUNICH PORTO CERVO

ABU DHABI BEIRUT DOHA DUBAI ISTANBUL KUWAIT CITY JEDDAH RIYADH

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