Edition 07/2008 49.329 subscribers
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EDITORIAL
That was the week that was. To spare your envious thoughts I will omit the more ritzy aspects of the last seven days, a time spent driving the new Bentley Brooklands in Italy with just a short stopover in the UK before travelling on to Switzerland.
Suffice to say, shabby it wasn't.
By some sort of coincidence, the vehicle that seems to come up a lot when discussing top-level cars — the Mercedes-Benz S-Class — was my transport for the Swiss section of the week. A fully optioned long-wheelbase S 500 4MATIC, it was a magnificent machine: exquisitely designed and winter-tyre-equipped, quite clearly ready for anything.
Discreet and beautifully made, the big car wafted me to my destination in such comfort that my passenger and I, chatting away as you do, arrived in the heart of the Alps with scarcely a memory of the journey.
You just don't need anything else, goes the mantra. So scores of bosses will, no doubt, be ordering de-badged 500s that won't offend the workers too much in somewhat uncertain times.
Until things improve, that is, and it's safe to wheel the Bentley out of the garage once again. Now if I'd repeated that route in the Brooklands, it wouldn't have been forgotten.
And neither would the Brooklands' carbon composite brakes have faded after just 20 minutes' hard driving as did those of the Mercedes on the return leg of the trip.
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Steve
Wakefield |
THIS WEEK IN CLASSIC DRIVER
Bentley Brooklands — Driven in TuscanySurfer's Paradise'Riding the wave' is how Bentley's engineering supremo Dr. Ulrich Eichhorn describes the Brooklands experience. It's a reference to the new coupé's world-beating 1050Nm of torque and he's not exaggerating. read more... |
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H&H at Cheltenham 27th February 2008Includes full lotlistOver 70 cars will gather at Cheltenham race course when H&H holds its first sale of 2008. The headlining car is without doubt the ex–Benito Mussolini, ex–Mille Miglia 1935 Alfa Romeo 6C Pescara Spyder. read more... |
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Architectural Sculpture:Lamborghini ReventónAny car named after a bull which killed a legendary matador is unlikely to be run-of-the-mill. Any car whose designers took inspiration from fighter aircraft will probably turn heads. And when that car is a Lamborghini, and only 20 will ever be built, you have something exceptional. read more... |
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Paris Rétromobile 2008Includes auction resultsAs ever, doing it in style, the organisers of this year's Paris show put on another memorable event. In 2008, proceedings were enlivened by the presence of a Classic Driver stand complete with 1965 Ford GT40. read more... |
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Jochen Mass and Allan McNishTo Tell Tales of Le MansThe annual Motor Racing Legends Dinner, held at the Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall, comes around again next Friday February 22nd. read more... |
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CLASSIC LIFE
Timeless Style: the Rolex RevolutionAntiquorum is celebrating Rolex's 100th anniversary with a travelling exhibition of rare examples charting the evolution of that highly desirable timepiece, the Rolex sporting watch. The 'Revolution' exhibition includes a prototype Sea Dweller, and visits Hong Kong, Peking, Tokyo, Geneva and Los Angeles during April before ending up in New York. read more... |
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THE CLASSIC DRIVER PREMIUM CAR MARKET
MODERN
Ferrari F430 F1
colour Nero |
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Nero with black leather seats and red stiching, Bordeaux carpets, Red piping, Electric seats, Carbon driving zone, Flip out media unit, Yellow dials, Wing shields, Red calipers, 14,000 miles.
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Joe Macari Performance CarsTown/City: London, UK |
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CLASSIC
Porsche 356 A Convertible D
colour Ivory |
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Largely original, rust-free California 356 Convertible D. Car was registered in California from 1960 until 2004. Both original California black license plates are included with car as is a copy of older CA registration and title to prove plates are assigned to car. Door gaps are excellent. Deck lid gaps are very good. Decorative side spear trim pieces are straight.
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Aston Martin of New EnglandTown/City: Waltham, MA, USA |
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SPORTING
Derby Maserati Single-Seater
colour Blue |
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Built by the French Derby company, with an Italian Maserati 4CM engine, this is the lineage of the unusual Derby-Maserati which appeared in voiturette road-racing and at Brooklands in the mid-1930s.
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COYS ShowroomTown/City: Richmond, London, UK |
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EVENTGUIDE 2008
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26.02. — 27.02. H&H Classic Auctions – Cheltenham Racecourse, UK |
SERVICE
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