Editorial

It’s Rétromobile next week and anyone within striking distance of the French capital should consider getting on the nearest train, train, boat or 'plane to visit one of the best classic car meetings in Europe. I didn’t go last year, but will be making the trip in 2004 next week to combine the auction on Saturday with a leisurely tour of the stands over the rest of the weekend. The French seem to imbue events like these with a sense of style lacking in many other parts of the world and remember; it’s on for over 10 days and can be just about done in a day trip on the train from the UK. Thoroughly recommended.

Looking at some of the articles on Classic Driver this week the news that AMG will be shoe-horning its 5.5 litre V8 into the C Class saloon begs the question – is this the car with the biggest ratio of engine size to car size ever seen in a production saloon? There have obviously been some colossal motors in 1960s’ American muscle cars but in a small euro-box? I don’t think so, and I also believe M-B is only fitting a non-supercharged version - leaving the possibility of a 500bhp version to come. Wow.

A handy reference book squeezed through the letterbox this week, Circuit Driver’s European Race Circuit Guide. The idea is that it gives you plans of race-tracks and how best to tackle each corner (and much more that you can read about below). The Nordschleife is one of the tracks included and in 80-odd pages runs through the main parts of the world’s finest circuit. The prospect of learning it from the (excellent) guide is awesome; particularly bearing in mind you can’t stop, put the specs on, and have a really good look at both the map and the road. Perhaps it’s a case of requiring a head-up display and verbal instructions coming from a GPS Sat-nav system? If someone isn’t already working on that I’ll eat the editorial Arai.

Hope to see you in Paris next weekend.

Steve Wakefield Managing Editor sw@classicdriver.com

THIS WEEK IN CLASSIC DRIVER

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Jaguar E-Type SIII V12

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Cherished Reg. Old English White with perfect original Black leather trim, Automatic PAS, chrome wire wheels, original perfect hood, sundym tinted glass.This original unrestored mint example is in exceptional condition in every department.One owner since 1974. Only 46,000 miles from new.Genuine UK RHD. You will not find a better one


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mileage 74.030 km / 46.000 m


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Maserati 300 S Barchetta

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year 1955

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Dealership:

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Christie’s Sale at Retromobile, Paris, France
14th February 2004

Retromobile, Paris, France
13-22nd February 2004

International Historic Motorsport Show 2004, Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, UK
20-22nd February 2004

H&H Classic Auctions, Stoneleigh Park, Coventry, UK
21st February 2004

Bonhams & Goodman Auction, Sydney, Australia
29th February 2004

Bonhams Auction, RAF Museum, Hendon, UK
1st March 2004

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