ClassicInside - The ClassicDriver Newsletter

ClassicInside – The Classic Driver Newsletter

Edition 35/2004

September 24th 2004

This edition is sent to 27.845 subscribers

Editorial

So the Carrera GT is officially the fastest production car to lap the world-famous Nürburgring Nordschleife. Isn’t this now the truest test of a performance car? The magnificent circuit (no longer used for racing at the highest levels) with its twists, turns and long undulating straights will examine a car’s handling, braking and engine dynamics like no other. It’s a great idea that the German magazine (Sport Auto) that conducted the tests always uses the same driver - so you can get a true comparison between different cars. How about if all manufacturers published times round the ‘Ring, like they do with fuel consumption and acceleration? I bet there’d be a few surprises.

Modern Formula 1 is slightly off-topic in the Classic Driver editorial office, however this weekend will see the inaugural Chinese Grand Prix. Taking a quick look at the superb new facility at Shanghai reveals a circuit described by Flavio Briatore as ‘as stylish as can be’. Ferrari have sold some 50 road cars into the country so far this year, and the phenomenal growth potential of the Chinese market could well be the ‘new frontier, the Klondike’ that BAR boss David Richards believes it to be.

Who knows in a few year’s time we could be celebrating the fastest lap of the Shanghai International Circuit by a production road car - and it will probably be whatever Porsche has in its armoury at the time.

Steve Wakefield
Managing Editor
sw@classicdriver.com

*THIS WEEK IN CLASSIC DRIVER*
New premises for Jaguar specialist JD Classics, the Jaguar restoration and sales specialists, have moved to new 45,000 sq ft premises in the picturesque Essex riverside town of Maldon. Derek Hood, JD’s owner, explains more about the move and what the company can offer from their new site... read the complete article
Aston Martin reveals Vanquish S The fastest production model ever to be built by Aston Martin is making its world debut at the Paris Motor Show on September 23, 2004. With a maximum speed in excess of 200mph (321km/h) and a 6.0 litre V12 engine developing 520 horsepower, the Vanquish S has been designed to deliver even greater performance... read the complete article
Bentley Mulliner creates Continental GT Coupé Designed by Bentley’s bespoke coachbuilding division, the Mulliner Driving Specification is being offered in direct response to customer demand for a more overtly sporting character to the Continental GT.... read the complete article
The Carrera GT is the fastest car at the Nürburgring The Carrera GT is the fastest car to lap the Nürburgring North Circuit. With the clock showing 7’32.44 minutes, Horst von Saurma, Chief Editor of the German specialist magazine “sport auto,” achieved a new record for road-approved vehicles, at the wheel of the 612 HP strong Porsche... read the complete article
'The Collection' by Aston Martin In the past two years Aston Martin has taken an impressive new direction with the design of its cars and to complement this change there is now a special range of merchandise designed especially to appeal to customers and enthusiasts around the world... read the complete article
H&H at Buxton 5/6th October 2004 Preview An extremely rare pre-production 100, and the oldest known Austin-Healey in Europe, is one of the feature lots at H&H’s next sale at Buxton. £45,000 - 55,000 will buy you the actual 1953 Turin Motor Show car, and a big slice of Healey history... read the complete article
Concorso Italiano 2004 - Photography by Tim Scott With 1,600+ cars on display - and that includes nearly 600 Ferraris and over 100 Lamborghinis - the annual 'Concorso Italiano' is now one of the key features of the Monterey event... read the complete article

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Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III ex-Elton John Elton John's "Daisy". Probably the very best, most important and valuable Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud 111 in the world. Left hand drive with air con. Supplied new in Arizona, USA. Subsequently purchased by Elton John and named "Daisy" after the 1989 film "Driving Miss Daisy" which was filmed near his home in Atlanta. Later brought by Sir Elton to England and restored by Weybridge Autos (main Rolls-Royce and Bentley new car agents) regardless of expense, to the highest quality - it is believed to have cost in excess of £100,000 and taken more than two years to undertake this work. The car is in exceptional condition and comes with the finest and most expensive hi-fi sound system money could buy. This car was sold at Christie’s in 2001 for around £90,000. Now owned and offered for sale by Peter Byrne. colour Dark blue interior colour Red Hide year 1962 Chassis No. LSCX 27 Price 89.950 GBP Dealership: Peter Byrne Chislehurst, Kent Phone +44 (0) 20 8467 6916 see all details see complete stock from this dealer
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EVENTGUIDE

'The Gentlemens' Sale', Parc des Eaux-Vives, Geneva, Switzerland
2nd Oct 2004

Brooklands Autumn Italian Car Day, Weybridge, Surrey, UK
3rd Oct 2004

H&H Classic Auctions, Buxton, UK
5th - 6th Oct 2004

Barons Classic, Collectors, Thoroughbred and Sports Car Auction, Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey
18th - 19th Oct 2004

London to Brighton Veteran Car Rally & Saturday Concours, UK
6th - 7th Nov 2004

see further event details

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