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ClassicInside - The Classic Driver Newsletter
Edition 09/2008 49.361 subscribers
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EDITORIAL

'20% better engines, and 200% better chassis.' That was the verdict of Jochen Mass and Allan McNish speaking last week at the annual Motor Racing Legends Dinner. They were referring to the development of racing car technology over the last seven decades.

Yes, I said seventy years, not twenty or thirty. But we're not talking about any old competition machinery here. No, both men have driven the famous Silver Arrows of the late '30s (for the Mercedes–Benz and Audi/Auto Union classic teams, respectively) and 600–odd horsepower is just as effective now as it was in the late pre–War years.

Chassis and tyre technology is in another league, of course, but the Mercedes in particular would have handled pretty well even if its ultimate grip was far lower than today.

You may have noticed the Auto Union drivers adopting an 'elbows–out' driving style, peering round the side of the cockpit. McNish explained the — quite obvious, I suppose — reason for this as being that of simple necessity: it's the only way you can see ahead!

The Geneva Salon starts on Tuesday, and you can rely on Classic Driver to bring you all the news during the week, with a complete review next Friday in ClassicInside.

Until then,

Steve Wakefield
Managing Editor
sw@classicdriver.com

THIS WEEK IN CLASSIC DRIVER

Alfa 8C Spider to Star at Geneva

The 78th Geneva Motor Show is now little more than a week away, and news of promised unveilings is coming thick and fast. Few of the new models, however, are likely to gain more attention than the Alfa 8C Spider, the convertible version of the exquisite 8C Competizione supercar. read more...

Audi A6 allroad — Safety Car for the St Moritz Tobogganing Club

As another successful season on the Cresta Run draws to a close, an essential part of the smooth running of the Club's operations can stand down: the Audi-sponsored allroad safety vehicle. read more...

Maserati GranTurismo S

Twelve months after the model's debut, Maserati will reveal a sportier GranTurismo at Geneva. With a 440bhp V8, upgraded Brembo brakes and an 'MC-Shift' transaxle, the car promises a sportier take on the highly rated GT, comes a history of Ferrari's two-seaters. read more...

MINI John Cooper Works

Geneva launch; on sale July

From July, factory-tuned JCW MINI Cooper S Hatch and Clubmans will go on sale in the UK, with 208bhp propelling the little hatchback from 0–62mph in 6.5 seconds; or 6.8 seconds for the Clubman. read more...

Studio M Cinqueporte:

The Fifth Element

If you were inclined to go hunting, and that hunting were to be in the desert, what would you think of driving other than a one–off shooting brake evolved from the Maserati Quattroporte? read more...

All–New Audi A4 Avant

Premium space

When Audi reveals its all-new A4 Avant at Geneva on March 3rd, eager buyers in the UK will be able to order theirs on the same day — and have it sitting in the drive by June. read more...

CLASSIC LIFE

S.T. Dupont Diamond Case: Mobile Office 1.0

'Never quite the same, nor completely different'

How better for Dupont to celebrate its 135th anniversary than by creating an up–to–the–minute travel accessory made in its customary hand–crafted fashion? read more...

THE CLASSIC DRIVER PREMIUM CAR MARKET

MODERN

Porsche 911 (997) Turbo Cabriolet

colour Diamond Black
interior colour Raven
drive RHD
year 2007
price 129.995 GBP
country

Finished in stunning Diamond Black with full Raven hide sports interior, full carbon pack, plus much much more.

Please call for full specification. Full dealer facilities available - please call 0844 7000 997 for out–of–hours information please call John on 07794 911 911 or email john@specialistcarsltd.co.uk

view more details...

Specialist Cars of Malton Ltd

Town/City: Malton, UK
Telephone: +44 (0)844 7000 997

CLASSIC

Aston Martin DB6 Mark II Vantage

colour Olive Green
interior colour Beige
drive RHD
year 1970
mileage 126.366 km / 78.520 mi
price 94.950 GBP
country

A copy of the original order form shows that the current owner of this DB6 Mark II agreed to purchase the car in September 1974 with the agreement that it would be stored, unused, until collection in March 1975. This car has therefore been with one owner for 34 of its 38 year life - that is an exceptional background for any classic car.

The vehicle had a recorded mileage of 70,405 miles when purchased and has covered less than 9,000 miles in the past 34 years principally because of the role of the owner in the armed forces and the inevitable absences from home that such a career entails.

In spite of this sparing use of the car, it had a full engine rebuild by the Aston Martin factory and has been converted to run on unleaded fuel.The DB6 is acknowledged as being the definitive Aston Martin from the original design of the DB4 from Touring. This is a very genuine example that has been the pride and joy of its owner for over thirty years and Byron International recommend the car as a fine and original example

view more details...

Byron International

Town/City: Tadworth, Surrey
Telephone: +44 (0)1737 244567

SPORTING

Porsche 904 GTS

colour Silver
interior colour Black
drive LHD
year 1964
chassis 904-031
price P.O.R. GBP
country

44,000 Kilometers, and only three owners from new. This 904 GTS # 904–031 was originally completed in road car form and sold Dr. Peter Ruby on February 27, 1964, it carried registration number FR–CY111.

Once received by Dr. Ruby this 904 was used as a road car as well as being raced at various events including the 1964 Nurburgring 1000km, the 1965 Nurburgring 1000km, and the 1965 Marathon de la Route at Spa in Belgium. It retains the original scutineering sticker from this event on its windscreen to this day! This was the last time 904–031 was raced by Dr. Ruby, from this point on it was used solely as a street car.

Dr. Ruby parked and stored the car sometime in 1969. 904–031 remained in storage until being sold in 1979 with just under 44,000km. 904–031 was acquired by the Yokota Museum Collection, Shikoku, Japan as it was last raced in 1965.

Today, 904–031 has covered only 44,000km from new, it retains its original paint, engine and gearbox, and is complete with its original German ownership documents and well as extremely rare factory airbox–filters and original homologated rally exhaust system. Incredibly it is still shod with the tires fitted in 1969, they are still holding air!

904–031 is universally considered to be the most original, correct and un–molested 904 in existence. It is available for purchase without equal and one by which all others can be judged for authenticity and originality.

view more details...

Autosport Designs Inc.

Town/City: New York, USA
Telephone: +1 631 425 1555

EVENTGUIDE 2008

29.02. — 01.03. Desert Classic Concours d'Elegance, Palm Springs, UK
02.03. — 02.03. Goodwood Breakfast Club, 'Tax-free Sunday', UK
03.03. — 03.03. COYS at Lord's Auction, UK
06.03. — 16.03. 78th International Geneva Motor Show, Switzerland
07.03. — 09.03. Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, USA
12.03. — 12.03. Brightwells Classic Car Auction, UK
14.03. — 16.03. Race Retro International Historic Motorsport Show, Stoneleigh, UK
26.03. — 30.03. Techno–Classica Essen 2008, Germany
29.03. — 29.03. COYS at Techno–Classica, Essen, Germany
14.04. — 19.04. Tour Auto Lissac 2008, France

see further event details...

SERVICE

Copyright:
All articles in ClassicInside and in the Classic Driver Magazine subject to Classic Driver copyrights.
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