Editorial

BMW's new 5 Series executive saloon may not be natural Classic Driver material, however its recent unveiling will no doubt set the hearts of senior managers, already under stress at the squash club, fluttering. In the UK at least, nothing says more about one's status in the company car pecking order than a new 5 Series parked in the office or golf club car park. BMW, mindful of styling criticisms of the 7 Series, have played it slightly more conventional this time and produced a better looking car; a slightly bigger, more grown-up 3 Series shape. Judging by the amount of advertising BMW are allocating to the latest 7, they must now realise that buyers in this segment don't do 'bold and adventurous', and hope the new middle segment car will restore their credibility in the business sector. It looks OK to us.

Sad news this week of the death of Victor Gauntlett. A tribute from the Factory is published this week in Classic Inside, and we can add little to the coverage of his life in the petro-chemical industry, at Aston Martin and his long-standing love of old cars and aeroplanes. Suffice it to say we would probably not have Aston Martin around today without his stewardship in the eighties, and the Zagato name may well have been consigned to history as well.

Steve Wakefield
Managing Editor

This week in Classic Driver

CAR OF THE WEEK

Audi A3 2003

Audi proudly claim that “One of the achievements of the previous A3 when it appeared was to define a new automobile segment – the premium compact class – and then to dominate it until production ceased.”

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NEWS

BMW's New 5 Series for 2003 revealed

BMW has announced plans for the all-new, fifth-generation 5 Series. On sale in September 2003 in the UK (July in the EU), the 5 Series will feature a combination of innovative technology and lightweight structures that will ensure it retains its number one position in the Executive Car market...

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Victor Gauntlett 1943 - 2003

It is with great sadness that Aston Martin has to report the sudden death of its former Chairman and Chief Executive Victor Gauntlett, on Monday 31st March 2003 aged 60-years-old...

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EVENTS

Techno Classica - Essen - 2003 Preview

Europe’s, if not the world’s, number one indoor Classic Car event starts next week in the Ruhr city of Essen, Germany. Having been for the first time last year, I can thoroughly recommend a visit to the 85,000 sq mts of exhibition in 19 halls...

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AUCTIONS

Auction Preview - Coys at Techno Classica Essen 12th April 2003

Coys have assembled an interesting collection of cars for their forthcoming Essen ‘Techno Classica’ Auction next week. Competition cars certainly form a significant sub-theme, the highlight of which is a 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder, the subject of a meticulous Aubrey Finberg restoration in 1998. Like so many interesting entries at the sale it is ‘Refer Department’...

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Auction Preview - H&H at Buxton 9th April 2003

A genuine ‘barn-find’ 1927 3-litre Bentley four-seater tourer highlights H&H’s auction in Buxton on 9th April. The car, in current ownership since 1965, is apparently complete and the vendor tells the Auction House that it has been in dry storage since its purchase and that the engine, last started ten years ago, rotates freely...

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Advertisement
PREMIUM OFFERS

Aston Martin DB2 2/4 Mk I DHC

One of only about 70 DB2/4 Dropheads produced. Fitted with 3 litre engine. Total restoration just completed to the highest standards having been off the road since 1971. Metallic Silver Blue with dark blue interior and hood. Superb


colour Metallic Silver Blue
interior colour Dark Blue
drive RHD
type Cabrio / Roadster
year 1955
price 68.750 GBP
country United Kingdom

Dealership:


Twyford Moors XK Specialists

Phone: +44- (0) 23 925 70900

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Land Rover Range Rover 4.4 Vogue

automatic, leather

Finished with Sand Beige leather piped Black, Burr Walnut, Sat.Nav., 19" alloys, memory electric heated seats.


colour Beluga Black
interior colour Sand Beige
drive RHD
type Station Wagon
year 2002
mileage 459 km / 285 m
price 59.500 GBP
country United Kingdom

Dealership:



Runnymede Motor Company

Phone: +44 (0) 1753 644599

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Tour Auto, France
7-12th April 2003

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

H&H Auctions, London
7th May 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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