Editorial

There’s an interesting week ahead with the annual Geneva Salon taking place, a traditional arena for new car launches from the big manufacturers. Full news to come next Friday, including a preview of Bonhams’ auction on the 8th March at the Musée International de l’Automobile, both events very much signifying the opening of the European motoring season.

One of the cars at Geneva will be the new CLS-Class from Mercedes-Benz. Described as ‘combining the infectious emotional charisma of a coupé with the comfort and functionality of a saloon’, M-B will no doubt be hoping the new model will carve a unique niche in the marketplace that it did so successfully (after some initial teething troubles) with the ground-breaking A-Class. Criticisms of hyperbole in their press release aside, one cannot but comment on the difficulty of delineating between the various models in the Stuttgart manufacturer’s line-up, and where this new model will fit. Unlikely to be cheap (certainly in the UK), is it a CLK with an extra set of doors, or an S-Class with slightly less space? Are there people out there who think ‘Well, you know what’s wrong with my new E-Class? It’s got a bit too much headroom in the back.’ A more innovative solution - and you cannot accuse Mercedes of shying from innovation recently - would be for forward-opening rear doors as in the new Phantom, perhaps with hidden handles.

As ever, you heard it here first.

Steve Wakefield Managing Editor sw@classicdriver.com

THIS WEEK IN CLASSIC DRIVER

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Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale

sequential gearbox / touchtronic, leather, sports suspension, sports exhaust

colour Rosso Corsa
interior colour Black Leather
year 11/2003

price 150,000 GBP


Dealership:

Euro Sportscars
Stoke Poges, Berks

Phone +44 (0)1753 648064

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Ford Mustang GT350 Replica

For Sale by Auction Tues Mar 9th 2004
Sandown Park Exhibition Complex, Esher, Surrey

New for 2004 - viewing is available on the Monday preceding the sale between 3.00pm and 7.30pm

The example offered here is an early Fastback, which has been uprated and cosmetically enhanced to Shelby specification. The 302ci (5.0 ltr) V8 has been rebuilt using Crowler camshaft, Roush heads, Keith Black pistons, Edelbrock 4bbl 600CFM carb and high rise intake manifold, Mallory ignition and tubular extraction exhaust manifolds. The engine produces over 325bhp, giving this 39 year-old awesome performance.

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colour Prairie Bronze/Black
interior colour Tan
drive LHD
Chassis No. 5F09T618237
Engine No. 302/618237
year 1965

Preis 11,500 - 13,500 GBP


Dealership:

Barons Auction 9th March 2004, Esher, UK
Quayside House, 23 St. Johns Street, Hythe, Southampton SO45 6BZ

Phone +44 (0)23 8084 0081

see all details

see complete stock from this dealer

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

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

Bonhams Auction at the Salon de l’Automobile, Geneva
8th March 2004

Geneva Motorshow
4th - 14th March 2004

Coppa Milano-San Remo, Italy
12th - 14th March 2004

Barons Classic, Collectors, Thoroughbred and Sports Car Auction, Sandown Park, UK
9th March 2004

Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, USA
13th - 14th March 2004

London Classic Motor Show
20th - 21st March 2004

see further event details

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