Editorial

"I drove from Dorset to Bremen via the Chunnel yesterday evening and the weather was awful. 620 miles at 21mpg. It seats four people comfortably with luggage, pulls a crowd at every petrol station, gets the thumbs up and a smile from lorry and car drivers on the motorway and is a pure joy to drive at any speed over any distance." - RB, Bremen, Germany - Aston Martin DB6.

"I once jumped into this car and drove in one sitting from High Wycombe to just north of Edinburgh (about 400 miles) in about 5 1/2 hours without stopping and just keeping up a steady pace. I arrived in great shape and even had enough fuel to go into Edinburgh and back the next day still without re-fuelling. Not bad for one of the era's 'supercars'". - SG, Stoke Poges, UK - Porsche 3.2 Carrera.

Just a couple of comments received resulting from last week's editorial on finding that 'perfect car'; one that fits the bill for whatever occasion. A big thank-you to everyone who responded. What about doing 3000 kms, totally exposed to the (often sub-zero) elements, over five days, in a 600cc two-seater with no proper roof? That's what our intrepid French office team did, to cover last month's Tour Auto and you can read all about it in this week's 'Car of the Week' article. I am seeing Olivier tomorrow at the annual Bonhams Aston Martin Sale at Newport Pagnell - I think his circulation has recovered by now.

From turbo-charged 600cc Smart to turbo-charged 7000cc Aston Martin V8. In about the time it takes for you to read this sentence the 725bhp car would probably have smashed any road-going Aston Martin performance figures. Having unpeeled myself from the passenger seat of the world's ultimate 'Q-car' it only remains for me to put pen to paper and attempt to describe the experience in a future edition of Classic Inside.

Watch this space.

Steve Wakefield
Managing Editor

This week in Classic Driver

Smart Crossblade - 3000kms on the Tour Auto

When you decide to follow the Tour Auto there are two ways of approaching the choice of car to take. Do you play it safe and use a big German diesel saloon? Or do you adopt a more interesting strategy, and go for something really different? Spending a week in the midst of some of the most beautiful cars ever, GT40s and Daytonas, perhaps the opportunity presents itself to express sympathy with the spirit of the event and go the ‘different’ route. It’s only 3000 kms or so anyway...

read the complete article

NEWS

Smart "forfour" adds space to the Smart concept

The first pictures of the smart forfour show that the new member of the smart family is giving new impetus and thus offering a smart alternative in the small car segment. Like all smart models, the key product values typical to the brand, such as the Tridion safety cell and the use of two colours, have also been implemented and enriched with new ideas in the four-seater which will go on sale in spring 2004...

read the complete article

UK prices for VW's luxury Phaeton announced

UK Prices for Volkswagen’s new Phaeton have been announced, spanning from £42,905 to £68,260, ‘on the road’. The large luxury saloon, which goes on sale on 16 June, will initially be available with two petrol engines, a 3.2-litre V6 and the flagship 6.0-litre W12...

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Bristol Fighter 2003 - more details revealed

"We draw your attention to the fact that the Fighter is an entirely new car. The V-10 engine and transmission have been specially developed to suit Bristol requirements. The rest of the vehicle has been designed "with a clean sheet of paper", to meet the uniquely demanding requirements of a sports car capable of more than 200 miles an hour...

read the complete article

EVENTS

Grand Prix De L'Age d'Or Autodrome De Linas-Montlhery 2003
The Legend carries on…So, don´t miss it!

This year, once again, the magical Montlhery Autodrome will be the ultimate french “Rendez-vous” for all classic car enthusiasts, clubs, racing drivers and collectors...

read the complete article

'Le Mans Legends 2003' Two driver race brings stars to Le Mans

For the first time, this year’s Le Mans Legend - the Historic race run on the Saturday morning of the main 24Hrs event - will be a two-driver, one-hour event. The new, two-driver format opens the way for entrants to share their cars with Le Mans pastmasters, in a race which will see all the excitement of pit-stops and driver changes plus some famous names from recent Le Mans history...

read the complete article

AUCTIONS

17th May 2003 - Auction Preview - Bonhams Jameson Collection Part III at Beaulieu

As the extraordinary collector Edwin C. Jameson Jr. lived for part of his 89 years in the South of England it is fitting that the final part of his motoring estate should be auctioned by Bonhams at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu Autojumble event. Only 14 car lots are included but they are preceded by some gorgeous engineering models of trains and traction engines, and feature a 1929 Bentley Speed Six 6 ½ litre...

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

With a figure of just over 50% of the car lots reported sold by Coys at their Essen ‘Techno Classica’ auction last month, this could be interpreted as a fair reflection of the slow trading climate at this event; and perhaps in mainland Europe as a whole. Competition cars were a sub-theme and once again eligibility for the world’s top events, faultless provenance (and sensible reserve) governed their sale price...

read the complete article

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Bentley Brooklands

Finished with Magnolia hide interior piped Green, full Walnut door panels, Walnut dash, picnic tables, CD, air conditioning and all other usual refinements. 2 owners, full service history.

colour Racing Green
interior colour Magnolia
drive RHD
type Saloon
mileage 117.482 km / 73.000 m
year 1/1996
price 28.750 GBP
country United Kingdom


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Ferrari 250 SWB

This left hand drive steel-bodied car is finished in red with black trim and is in excellent condition throughout. The car has an exceptionally good provenance and is available immediately.

colour Red
interior colour Black
drive LHD
type Coupe
year 1961
Chassis No. 3039GT
price P.O.R
country United Kingdom

Dealership:



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