Editorial

We’re staggered with the response to the Maybach Exelero Show Car article, only made online yesterday as soon as news of the car was published. It’s an unusual creation, but obviously works - the most extraordinary thing about it being its visual design originating in the Maybach SW 38 of the late 1930s. Maybach say there are no plans to build the model as a road car, and to be honest the demand is likely to be tiny, but it’s nice to see a mega global manufacturer producing styling exercises that actually work, and all the more remarkable that their basis for aerodynamics is some 70 years old.

Put the Exelero next to a more ‘conventional’ max-speed car like the McLaren F1 or Koenigsegg and you’d never believe it was right up their in the terminal velocity stakes. Bugatti are working on the same lines - an unconventional looking car that, by virtue of a colossally powerful engine, clearly works.

It was great fun in The Mall this week when half a dozen racing GT cars were on display just outside Buckingham Palace for a photo call prior to this weekend’s Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy. The sound of normal London traffic (and the marching bands of the Guards) was punctuated every now and again by the rough bark of a competition 911 being fired up.

A fantastic backdrop and even though a London Grand Prix is unlikely to ever come to pass, it makes you realise how good a street race would be in the capital. I hope to see you at Silverstone; don’t forget it’s an early start.

Steve Wakefield Managing Editor sw@classicdriver.com

THIS WEEK IN CLASSIC DRIVER

AC Cobra Shelby Ford Mk III 427

Rebuilt from the bare chassis in the 1970's and converted to 'S/C' spec., with 450 bhp top-oiler 6997 cc engine. Premier Award Winner at the 1981 S.A.A.C. Convention. Subsequently owned by several well-known U.S. collectors including the President of Paramount Films. Exported to Europe in 1989, imported to the U.K. in 2004.

Total mechanical check-over and full service just carried out by Alan Smith (Thunder Road). Superbly presented throughout, wonderful to drive, and with delightful patina spanning 40 years.

colour Red
interior colour Black
drive LHD
year 1966

Price GBP P.O.R.

Dealership:
Rod Leach's Nostalgia
Hertford Heath, Hertfordshire SG13 7RT

Phone +44 (0)1992 500007

see all details

see complete stock from this dealer

Ferrari 612 Scaglietti F1

navigation system, parking assistance, Heated seats, leather headlining, park distance, passenger airbag deactivation, red brake callipers, wing badges, blutooth, battery charger, Navtrack, 1 owner

colour Blu Mirabeau
interior colour Beige leather
drive RHD
year 9/2004
mileage 579 km / 360 m

Price GBP 157.950

Dealership:


Avro Motor Cars
(By appointment only): Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0YT

Phone +44 (0) 1932 352220

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Aston Martin DB5

leather, full history, restored

Recent restoration by AML factory, rebuilt engine.

colour Silver Birch
interior colour Black
drive RHD
year 1965

Price GBP 150.000

Dealership:


Desmond Smail
36 East Street, Olney, Bucks., MK46 4AP

Phone +44 (0)1234 713 083

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"Grand Prix de Pau Historique", Pau, France
14th - 15th May 2005

Legende et Passion, Coys Auction, Monaco
14th May 2005

Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy - International FIA GT Racing, Silverstone, UK
15th May 2005

Bonhams Auction - Les Grandes Marques à Monaco
16th May 2005

Mille Miglia Retrospective, Italy
19th - 22nd May 2005

SPAITALIA, Belgium
28th - 29th May 2005

Bonhams Aston Martin Sale at ‘Works Service’, Newport Pagnell, UK
4th June 2005

Le Mans 24 Hours, France
18th - 19th June 2005

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2005, Goodwood, W.Sussex, UK
24th - 26th June 2005

see further event details

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