ClassicInside - The Classic Driver Newsletter

Editorial

Good fun was had by all at last weekend’s MPH05 show at Earls Court in London. Jeremy Clarkson et al did their stuff on the stage several times a day (running a stand nearby I felt as if I could recite the ad libs verbatim...), and London’s great and good had the opportunity to see at close hand some super-exotics collected together under one roof. And some superior classics in the Classic Gallery (your editor’s Ferrari included) too, I might add.

We’ve two iconic stories below, the 2006 Pirelli Calendar and next year’s auction of a genuine ‘James Bond’ Aston Martin DB5. There’s not much you can say about the former, apart from appreciating its technical quality and use of lighting and location of course, while the latter must represent most boys’ perfect Christmas present – although they’ll have to wait for next year, and dig deep into the piggy-bank.

And talking 007, despite the fact that it was green, and a DB4, there were no end of little darlings running up to Nicholas Mee’s stand at Earls Court excitedly pronouncing to a doting parent ‘That’s James Bond’s car!’

Whatever the deal Aston arranged at the time, boy have they got some mileage out of that one.

Steve Wakefield
Managing Editor
sw@classicdriver.com

*THIS WEEK IN CLASSIC DRIVER*
	The 2006 Pirelli Calendar The Pirelli Calendar has been, for lovers of photography, a cult object for more than 40 years. "The Cal" 2006 was shot in a striking sixties-like setting on the French Riviera and stars six extraordinarily beautiful and sensual women... read more...
	Original 'Bond' DB5 to be sold in 2006 The famous James Bond 1964 Aston Martin DB5 - Chassis no. DB5/2008/R - the unofficial star of "Thunderball" and "Goldfinger", will be offered for sale for the very first time in 35 years at RM's Arizona Sale next January at an estimate of $1,500,000 - $2,500,000... read more...
	December London Auctions 2005 Coys - Bonhams - Christie's Christmas comes but once a year...and the London auction scene comes alive for one last chance to buy or sell a desirable car before the New Year. Three auctions will be held within a few days of each other with entries such as this 1958 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster for starters... read more...
	Aston Martin DBRS9 on track for 2006 Barely six months after its launch at this year's Le Mans 24 Hours, the Aston Martin Racing DBRS9 GT3 car has completed the first 3000 kms of its development programme... read more...
	Classic Adelaide 2005 Largest ever collection of Ferraris seen in Australia More than 100 cars, covering almost entire history of the marque, gathered for the event in the South Australian capital. Examples included F50, F40, 288 GTO, 308 GTB, 250 GT Lusso, Ferrari 330 GT,Daytona and 275 GTB... read more...
	Life Support From Jaguar The Armoured XJ Long Wheelbase Jaguar has announced the introduction of the Armoured XJ Long Wheelbase - its first ever armoured passenger vehicle. Advertised prices will start from £199,000 and offer protection from firearms and blast attack, robbery, kidnap and car jacking... read more...

*CLASSIC LIFE*
	Pretty Wally The WallyPower 55m The avant-garde yachts from Wally Design were given a worldwide audience in the Scarlett Johansson/Ewan McGregor film ‘The Island’, when the WallyPower 118 took centre stage. With his new concept, the firm’s founder Luca Bassani presents his idea of no-compromise design to the world of large luxury super-yachting... read more...