Editorial

Giovanni Agnelli, whose death was announced exactly one week ago, being the most significant figure in post-war Italian industry, was responsible for the Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa-Romeo and Lancia brands we know today. Patriotism and a fierce loyalty to the iconic Italian brands meant he would never bow to the markets and sell off parts of the debt-laden Italian conglomerate to a third party. Having rescued the tiny Ferrari company in the sixties from the Ford Motor Company, when Ferrari was really little more than a racing team, Agnelli poured billions of lira into making it the racing machine we know today, as well as being one of the world's best known, and most exclusive, brands.

That's not to say Ford would necessarily have ruined the company, but I think one can say with certainty it would not be the same company we recognise today, and may well have gone the route of design studio 'Ghia'; merely a badge on Detroit, Dagenham or Cologne mass-produced metal. We would also not have had the magnificent 'Powered by Ford' programme of the sixties with GT40, Cobra and Boss Mustang off-shoots.

Agnelli's life was nearly terminated many years ago and things may well have turned out very differently. Enjoying an allowance reputed to be $1,000,000 a year after the war, a jet-set lifestyle very nearly came to an end 1952. Having set up house with Pamela Churchill, he was caught in flagrante with a younger woman, and as he was driving the girl home in his Ferrari, touching 250kph on the Corniche above Monte Carlo, the car struck a lorry.

With a leg severely broken, resulting in permanent damage, Agnelli was forced to reconsider his priorities. "That jolt changed my life," he said "I stopped playing and started thinking."

Let's see what happens in the new, post Giovanni Agnelli era at the FIAT group.

Steve Wakefield
Managing Editor

This week in Classic Driver

CAR OF THE WEEK

Mercedes E-Class Estate

When we first took a look at the all-new Mercedes E-Class last summer – two months before the saloon went on sale in the UK - it was already raking in awards and being hailed as a potential usurper to the BMW 5-series...

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CLASSIC CAR OF THE WEEK

Jaguar XJ220

The XJ220 did not enjoy an easy birth. It is a sad tale in which an outstanding automobile – the definitive supercar of its day – was entirely overshadowed by the economic recession of the early 1990s...

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NEWS

Jaguar announces UK pricing of new XJ saloon

Jaguar has announced prices for its all-new XJ saloon, which they claim offers drivers an unparalleled blend of value, performance, style and luxury...

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Tributes paid to Giovanni Agnelli


The recent death of the seemingly indestructible Giovanni Agnelli, multi billionaire head of the FIAT group, moved many members of the Ferrari team to pay their own personal tributes to the great man...

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FEATURES

Maybach and the St Moritz Cartier Polo World Cup on Snow 2003

St. Moritz, January, 2003. For the first time, the Maybach luxury car brand sponsored a team in the "Cartier Polo World Cup on Snow", which took place in the Swiss winter sports resort of St. Moritz from January 23 - 26, 2003...

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Mercedes speed record cars of the 1930s

The 2003 event is open to pre 1972-1975 important competition cars, and takes place at Castell'Arquato; one of northern Italy's most beautiful and picturesque medieval towns situated 120 Km south of Milan...

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AUCTIONS

Auction News: Historic Racers in H&H Sale 19th February

Already confirmed for H&H’s 19th February auction in Buxton, Derbyshire are two cars of potential interest to Historic race entrants...

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Auction Review: Coys at the Autosport Show, NEC, Birmingham 11th January 2003

Coys’ published results suggest a successful sale at the Autosport Show in January, with the top-seller being the 1968 Lola T70 Mk III at £91,163. This is the car – the last of its kind – which was shot from a cannon in the 1969 film ‘Le Mans’...

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Advertisement
PREMIUM OFFERS

Jaguar E-Type V12 Coupe

British Racing Green with Green leather interior and Black convertible top, 1 of 7 Lynx XKSS recreations to be constructed to exact details. All aluminium monocoque frame and body, complete with original specification windscreen, hood, bumpers and luggage rack. Lynx-built uprated 3.8 litre XK engine with triple Weber carburettors. The donor identity for this recreation is a 1967 E-Type.


Colour: British Racing Green
Interior colour: Green
Year: 1957
Location: USA

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Morgan 4/4 2 seater

5 speed, leather, Lowline(low profile wheels/tyres and wide wings)
Chrome wire wheels
Upholstery in leather
Walnut dashboard
Speakers, aerial and radio mounting box
Extra tread rubbers
Sidescreen bag
Door handles

New car for delivery ex-stock March 2003


Colour: Connaught green
Interior colour: Stone leather piped green
Drive: LHD
Year: 2003
Location: Spain

Price: P.O.R.

Dealership:
Specialist Motor Holdings Ltd

Phone +34 971 403 697


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Retromobile Paris
07th - 16th February 2003

Brooklands 'Motorsport Weekend'
15th - 16th February 2003

Bonhams "BEN" Charity Auction at Brooklands 'Motorsport Weekend'
15th February 2003

Christie's Auction at Retromobile Paris
08th February 2003

Bonhams Auction at Hendon, RAF Museum
24th February 2003

see further event details

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