Editorial

Looking at the specification of Porsche's Carrera GT, officially announced at the Geneva Salon, one can see that the Stuttgart firm is clearly setting down a marker in the hyper-performance market and, like the McLaren F1 discussed in a recent 'Classic Inside', the car has the sporting and technological heritage to carry it off. Such is the reputation for efficiency and perfection at the German company, that one could almost imagine the engineers embarrassed at the slightly dressy (but no doubt aerodynamically functional), body clothing the carbon-fibre, 'Nikasil' and alloy creation underneath. Whereas in the pure arena of racing it is acceptable for a minimalistic, function over form approach, marketing such an expensive car to the worldwide motoring elite requires a styling 'statement'.

The only comment your editor would make is that models such as the 917 and 550 Spyder, referred to by the company as the car's natural heritage, would not have looked as they did without the pure no-frills approach of the engineering department, where even a coat of paint in the cockpit was considered an unnecessary indulgence.

Short point for consideration on the results of Christie's GT40 sale last Monday. The likely price of Ford's GT, its 21st Century take on the 1960s racer, is going to be around £100,000 in the US. The company is planning to produce 1500 a year from 2005. For double that the buyer on Monday has an original car now that will need 6 months and another £50,000 odd to finish off. Is it worth 2 1/2 times the value of the 'new' one?

And what will it be worth in 2005?

Steve Wakefield
Managing Editor

This week in Classic Driver

CAR OF THE WEEK

Porsche Carrera GT

Porsche claim to offer ‘the undiluted qualities of a genuine racing car to provide an unprecedented driving experience on the road’ as the reasons to buy its new Carrera GT; officially launched at Geneva. Light weight and a 612 bhp V10 motor contribute to the car’s performance of 0-200 km/h (124 mph) in just 9.9 seconds...

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NEWS

Rolls-Royce Phantom - pricing and options announced

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars have announced further details of the Individual and Theatre rear seat options for the new Phantom, which were unveiled at the Geneva motor show in March. Official prices for the motor car, including options list, have also been published...

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3200 deposits received on Bentley Continental GT

Six months before the first deliveries will be made, Bentley Motors has already accrued over 3200 deposits for its new Continental GT. On the last day of the Geneva Motor Show Bentley confirmed that the level of interest has increased since the price of £110,000 (Euros 137,069 excluding tax) was announced on the first day of the show...

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C’était un Rendezvous Film - exclusive competition for Classic Inside Subscribers

You’d be hard-pressed to find a film as steeped in myth as “C’était un Rendezvous”. Filmed in the mid-seventies by seminal French director Claude Lelouch it is regarded as the ultimate in cinema verité. Spirit Level Films are pleased to offer Classic Inside subscribers the chance to win a copy. "It makes Bullitt look like a cartoon" - Jeremy Clarkson...

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Audi Nuvolari quattro - New at Geneva

Audi has shown its new Nuvolari quattro concept study at the Geneva Motor Show, the vision of an elegant, powerful Gran Turismo for tomorrow. The Nuvolari quattro is a synthesis of progressive technology, the road dynamics of a high-powered GT and typical Audi design architecture...

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World's largest Ferrari and Maserati showroom opens in UK

The world’s largest Ferrari and Maserati showroom was officially opened in Egham, Surrey, last week when a £500,000 enlargement and refurbishment of the famous Tower Garage was completed. The historic home of Maranello Sales Ltd, the 70 year-old building beside the A30, retains its distinctive all-white, art deco exterior and landmark tower...

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FEATURES

Tazio Nuvolari – the legendary racing driver from Mantua

With its Gran Turismo concept study unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, Audi pays tribute to one of the greatest racing drivers of his day, and at the same time establishes a link between the advanced technology of the Audi Nuvolari quattro and the history of the marque with the four-ring emblem...

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AUCTIONS

24th March 2003 - Auction Review - Christie's at the Jack Barclay Showroom London

£192,250 including buyer’s premium was the final figure for the feature lot at the Jack Barclay Showroom last Monday; the last “unbuilt” Ford GT40. For an extra £50,000 to complete the car, the buyer will have a genuine GT40 at well under book price...

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Advertisement
PREMIUM OFFERS

Austin Healey 100 / 6

This exceptionally nice two seat version is finished in mid green with cream side panels and black interior. A major restoration was carried out in 1994 with approximately 10,000 miles since and still in extremely fine order with a good history file. Fitted overdrive and chrome wire wheels. Original RHD UK car.


colour Mid Green/Cream side panels
interior colour Black
drive RHD
type Cabrio / Roadster
year 1958
price 16.950 GBP
country United Kingdom

Dealership:



Duncan Hamilton & Co

Phone: +44 (0) 1256-765000

see all details

Maserati 3200 GT Automatic

automatic, leather, sports suspension, full history, original condition, Carbon Fibre Centre Console, Suede Headlining, Becker CD/Radio.

colour Grigio Alfieri
interior colour Dark Green Hide
drive RHD
type Coupe
year 1/2000
mileage 27.359 km / 17.000 m
Chassis No. 1313
Engine No. 001257
price 34.995 GBP
country United Kingdom

Dealership:



Caracalla Ltd

Phone: +44(0) 870 90 90 360

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Bonhams Auction at East of England Showground, Peterborough UK
29th March 2003

San Remo Classic Rally, Italy
30th March - 2nd April 2003

Tour Auto, France
7-12th April 2003

Techno Classica, Essen, Germany
10-13th April 2003

Bonhams Auction of Aston Martin Motor Cars at Works Service, Newport Pagnell
10th May 2003

Mille Miglia Retrospective, Italy
22-25th May 2003


see further event details

SERVICE

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