Editorial

It’s customary at this time to look back and review some of the highlights of the year. 2003 saw the launch of the Rolls-Royce Phantom (it grows on you,
it really does) the Aston Martin DB9 (great looker in the metal as well as from the press shots, just be careful when speccing it), the Lamborghini Gallardo (why buy a new Murcielago now?), as well as the Ferrari 612 sort of being announced from digital images, interior shots and sketches. These four will battle it out with the 2002 Bentley Continental GT (errm, haven’t actually seen any on the roads yet) and the Maybach (see my comments re the Phantom, though I’d rather have the British car). So we really cannot complain on the top end of the new car front.

Prices of classics have certainly firmed up and there is now talk of them being a potential investment again. Without wishing to go over that subject yet another time, buying with caution means you are unlikely to lose as much in depreciation as you would with a modern performance car. There have certainly been some big Auction prices this year – which is always a pointer to the market. As always, do your research and buy with care.

Your Editor has attended many meetings this year and to pick a favourite would be unfair to the tremendous work the organisers of all classic, racing and new car events put in. I think this year’s Goodwood Revival was probably the best historic motor-racing event I have ever attended and being privileged to spend some time with a modern racing team - Team Maranello Concessionaires at Donington - gave me an insight into how much investment, skill and knowledge (and, it has to be said, money) is involved competing at the very top level of the sport. It was, of course, ever thus and this year’s Bentley victory at Le Mans has brought back all the stories of the way the company ran its racing team in the 1930s.

In this, the final Classic Inside of 2003 you will see an article by Tony Dron on how he managed to do the treble at that memorable Goodwood meeting, and also a feature on the Swedish supercar, the Koenigsegg CC8S. Looking back over 2003’s back issues of our magazine a couple of my favourites would be the extraordinary Jack Sears story, of how he tested AC’s 1964 Le Mans car on Britain’s’ fledgling motorways, and experiencing the amazing 725bhp Lynx Aston Martin Virage Turbo. We now have an archive of back issues for you to download – simply click here.

I see we have expanded the Classic Inside subscription from 8,000 in January
to over 22,000 now. That’s in a year that has seen over 4.3 million visitors
to the Classic Driver website, producing 20 million page views – and 2,800+
cars sold by our dealers; an extraordinary total value of €182,000,000.
We've just launched a Russian language version of Classic Driver and have some very exciting plans for 2004 – watch this space.

A very happy holiday to all of you – the first Classic Inside of 2004 will be sent on 9th January.

Steve Wakefield Managing Editor sw@classicdriver.com

THIS WEEK IN CLASSIC DRIVER

H&H at Buxton, Derbyshire Dec 9/10 2003 - Review

It was not the ‘celebrity’ cars at H&H’s December auction that provided the top sellers. With the ex-HRH King George VI Daimler DB18 failing to find a new buyer it was down to the 1931 Bentley 4.5 Litre Open Tourer and 1985 Mikkola/Hertz ex-works Audi Quattro SWB tieing to take overall honours. Both sold for an identical £96,750...

read the complete article

Triple Le Mans winner Biela leads British Audi team’s assault in 2004

Frank Biela bids for a fourth Le Mans 24 Hour race victory next June with a newly-formed British-based Audi team. Biela, winner of the world-famous sportscar endurance race in 2000-3, fellow German Pierre Kaffer and Britain’s Jamie Davies are confirmed in the Audi Sport UK Team Veloqx line-up...

read the complete article

Advertisement
PREMIUM OFFERS

Lotus Elan 26R

4 speed, full history, restored, FIA Papers, original racing history

This genuine, ex-Team Lotus, 26R has been in the same ownership for the past 18 years.

The car comes with an extensive and fully documented history file. It has been restored, but is currently being recommisioned with new FIA fuel cell, seatbelts, fire extinguser etc.

It is a proven car and with its excellent period history will undoubtedly be a very effective GT car for those premier and prestigous endurance events.

The car comes complete with UK FIA Papers and ready to go.

NEWSFLASH!!

THIS CAR HAS JUST RETURNED FROM THE 2003 SPA 6HRS EVENT.

After qualifying fastest 26R (by 9 seconds per lap!) it was fastest in GTS10, 12th overall- from 70 starters!

This car is fast and competitive...

CLICK HERE TO SEE A HI-RESOLUTION PHOTO GALLERY OF THIS CAR

colour Green / Yellow Stripe
interior colour Black and green
drive RHD
y ear 1964
Chassis No. 26R /S1 /50

price 65.000 GBP

Dealership:

Legends Racing
Sycamore Barn, Bourton on the Water Ind Park, Bourton on the Water, Gloucs GL54 2HQ, United Kingdom

Phone +44 (0) 1451 821611

see all details

see complete stock from this dealer

Bentley Continental T

Turbo, ABS, Leather Trim, Air Conditioning, Alloy Wheels, Electric Windows, Central Door Locking, Cruise Control, Electric Seats, Airbag, Wood Trim, Stereo, Alarm, Immobiliser, Power Steering, Heated Seats, Adjustable Steering Column, CD Player.


colour racing green
interior colour barley
drive RHD
year 3/2000
mileage 33.796 km / 21.000 m
Chassis No. SCBZU26C

price 119.950 GBP


Dealership:

Bentley West Country
Marsh Barton, Exeter, Devon EX2 8RU, United Kingdom

Phone +41 (0) 22 300 3160

see all details

see complete stock from this dealer

Bonhams Europe Auction, Gstaad, Switzerland
19th December 2003

InterClassics Show, Maastricht, Belgium
9-11th January 2004

Russo and Steele Collector Automobile Auction, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
23-24th January 2004

Barons Classic, Collectors, Thoroughbred and Sports Car Auction, Esher UK
2-3rd February 2004

Retromobile, Paris, France
13-22nd February 2004

see further event details

SERVICE

If you wish to be removed from future mailings,
please visit our ClassicInside Homepage at

http://www.classicdriver.com/uk/community/2300.asp