Editorial

"For a short time, this will also revive the discussion as to whether the original Mille Miglia between 1927 and 1957 was more intriguing than its historical counterpart staged since 1977." So says the Daimler-Benz Classic press material on this weekend's event. Well length of time is relative, but in my book assessing modern 'Retro' events with their namesakes elicits one response - no comparison. Fabulous events all, and great if you can do it, but a dip into Sir Stirling Moss's book 'My Cars, My Career' reveals aspects of the original that would have the modern participator locking up his Alfa Monza and throwing away the keys.

Take his famous victory in 1955; "…along the Adriatic coats at 170-plus towards Pescara. Jenks signalled me 'flat' over a blind brow, and I hit it as directed at 7,500 rpm in fifth…the hump was harsher than we expected. The SLR took off like an aeroplane." Or in 1957, the tragic event when 'Fon' de Portago crashed, effectively causing its demise as a race. Moss was paired with the intrepid Jenkinson again, this time in Maserati's 450S, which had been fitted with an extra two-speed gearbox behind the clutch to give a maximum of 180 mph. Just out of Brescia, in the early stages of the event, "…we approached a tighter left-hander at something like 145 mph, I hit the brakes to take off more speed. The car began to slow. Then my foot suddenly banged down to the floorboards as the brakes were released. The brake pedal had just snapped off…" That all seems intriguing enough for my liking, thank you very much Mercedes.

Of course different era, different cars and drivers and contrasting, some would say callous, attitudes to the value of life and limb that we hold today. Many of the drivers had held military rank in a world war only recently finished and were blasé, to say the least, about their own safety.

I think most of us would relish a long weekend in Italy, with all of its sensual attractions, driving a Mille Miglia eligible car - just don't confuse it with the original event.

Steve Wakefield
Managing Editor

This week in Classic Driver

CAR OF THE WEEK

Mercedes-Benz CL65

Six months after celebrating the company's 35th anniversary, Mercedes presents its most powerful model to date in the shape of the CL 65 AMG. This exclusive flagship coupé is powered by a newly designed 6 litre V12 engine whose bi-turbo technology gives it a level of performance previously unheard of in this engine size class...

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NEWS

Team Maranello Concessionaires - looking forward to Brno after Enna disappointment

Team Maranello Concessionaires’ two Ferrari 360 N/GT race cars are now on their way to the Automotodrom Brno circuit in the Czech Republic after having completed comprehensive preparation work ahead of round four of the FIA GT Championship...

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MINI now available with Diesel - and Cabrio to come

The MINI One D is the fourth model to make it into the MINI family. Staying true to the qualities that define MINI, go-kart handling, impeccable driving dynamics, big premium car build quality, head turning design and bags of personality - the six-speed MINI One D adds a torquey drive and impressive fuel economy figures...

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Ferrari 575M Maranello winner of Robb Report Award 2003

Robb Report, the US luxury lifestyle magazine, has named the Ferrari 575M Maranello as winner of the 'Sports Cars' category in its 15th annual 'Best of the Best' special issue, which hit news stands today, May 22...

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Aston Martin to move engine production in-house to Cologne in 2004

Late in 2004, Aston Martin engines, currently built by Audi AG subsidiary Cosworth Technology, are to be manufactured in-house. Production of all V12 engines will be transferred to an Aston Martin-dedicated purpose-built facility in Cologne...

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AUCTIONS

5th June 2003 - Auction Preview - Christie's at Rockefeller Centre New York

Eric Clapton provides the warm-up for Frank Sinatra at Christie’s 4th June Rockefeller Centre New York Sale. Figuratively only of course, as the watch-fancying British guitarist has put some of the finest pieces in his collection up for sale prior to the car auction in which the 1970 Lamborghini Lamborghini Miura P400S that once belonged to ‘Old Blue Eyes’ himself is one of the highlights...

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26th April 2003 - Auction Review - Coys at London Business Design Centre

Coys report a reasonable result from their April sale with over half the lots listed as sold. Top price went to the 1934 Lagonda M45 Fox & Nicholl Le Mans Team Car at £73,841 but 1930’s deluxe Americana took the runner-up spot in the form of a 1936 Auburn 852 Supercharged Two-seater at £57,000. Nick Faldo’s Porsche 959 did not sell but the ‘barn’ Bentley 3 Litre did – for £53,168...

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FEATURES

Mille Miglia 2003 - the Mercedes Tradition

From the 22 to 25 May, the historical Mille Miglia will be brought back to its noisily pulsating life for the 21st time in Brescia in northern Italy. For a short time, this will also revive the discussions as to whether the original Mille Miglia between 1927 and 1957 was more intriguing than its historical counterpart staged since 1977...

read the complete article

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