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ClassicInside - The Classic Driver Newsletter
Edition 01/2009 49.891 subscribers
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EDITORIAL

I'm not sure if it's technically too late to wish you all a Happy New Year, but 2009 is upon us and only time will tell if the corner we've all arrived at (tyres smoking and struggling for grip) gently opens out with a bit of helpful camber and a nice straight ahead — or tightens up fiendishly. With a precipitous drop, for the unwary.

If that's brought you up a bit I'm sorry, but let's be positive and enjoy some of this week's news. The Detroit show starts on Sunday, so the manufacturers are back in the swing of things after what has been a very difficult end to 2008.

One car that won't be in Detroit is the Porsche Panamera, which will be missing that show (and Geneva, interestingly...), preferring to wait for Shanghai in April. Bentley, however, will use the NAIAS to premiere the superb Continental GTC Speed.

195mph with the roof down, anyone? With temperatures in the UK well below zero right now, I'd be happy with more modest speeds and some open–top motoring on the Côte d'Azur in the spring. I can smell the mimosa already.

Steve Wakefield
Managing Editor
sw@classicdriver.com

THIS WEEK IN CLASSIC DRIVER

New Bentley Continental GTC

GTC Speed with 200mph capability — the fastest open Bentley yet

In line with changes made to the GT and four–door Flying Spur, Bentley has now completed the line–up with an extensively revised GTC. The big news is that the 'Speed' version is now available as a convertible, allowing a maximum of 195mph with the hood down... read more...

Bonhams at Gstaad 20 Dec 2008 — Review

After months of monetary turmoil without too much visible effect on the collectors' car market, a distinct chill finally descended on Bonhams' pre-Christmas Gstaad sale. read more...

Porsche to Launch Panamera at Auto Shanghai 2009

Porsche has decided to debut its long–awaited four-door this April, in China, at the Shanghai motor show. read more...

Le Mans Legend: 1949 to 1965

On 13th June 2009, a few hours before the start of the Le Mans 24 Hours, a huge grid of historic cars from the 1949–1965 era will take to the circuit for the Le Mans Legend race. read more...

Jaguar XF Diesel S

'Best of both worlds'

With its 271bhp 3.0–litre V6 diesel engine, the new version of the Jaguar XF is the most powerful diesel Jaguar ever. Yet its 42mpg and CO2 emissions of 179g/km mean it's remarkably efficient, too. read more...

The Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss

The Mercedes press department must have been at the pre–Christmas sherry, as in a press release of quite extraordinary hyperbole it introduces the 750,000 euros wonder–machine as one "aimed at individuals who have exquisite requirements and nurture very special dreams". read more...

CLASSIC LIFE

Vertu Ascent Ti: Talking Ferrari

Vertu, the manufacturer of luxury mobile phones, has released three new versions of its handcrafted, Ferrari–branded products: the Vertu Ascent Ti Ferrari Nero in sleek black leather; plus the Vertu Ascent Ti Ferrari Rosso and Giallo in vibrant red and yellow, respectively. read more...

THE CLASSIC DRIVER PREMIUM CAR MARKET

MODERN

Ferrari 550 Maranello

colour Tour de France Blue
interior colour Crema
drive RHD
mileage 17.093 km / 10.621 mi
year 1999
price 54.999 GBP
country

What a specification!! Blue TDF with Crema, blue piping, dark blue carpets, Fiorano Handling Pack, red calipers, 1999 V, 10621 miles from new. This car looks and feels like it's a week old; all key fobs and keys, tools still in plastic bag, Siemens Trakbak, and an abundance of Ferrari main dealer service invoices. With the current and 4th owner since 2001.

The best and one of the last 550s.



view more details...

Simon Furlonger Specialist Cars

Town/City: Ashford, UK
Telephone: +44(0)1233 646328

CLASSIC

Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Coupé Series II

colour Grigio Conchiglio MM 16249
interior colour Rosso VM 3171
drive LHD
chassis 1899GT
engine 1899GT
year 1960
price P.O.R. GBP
country

FERRARI CLASSICHE CERTIFICATION - A matching numbers car.

Original-specification colours of Grigio Conchiglio MM 16249 with Rosso VM 3171 hide

1 of 151 Series II motor cars. Paintwork by Motomarque, Interior by Luppi.

Absolute show condition and investment quality.

The best in Europe.

view more details...

Avro Motor Cars

Town/City:
Brooklands, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1932 352220

SPORTING

Shelby Cobra 289 MKII

colour Black
interior colour Black
drive LHD
chassis CSX 2444
year 1965
estimatee 525.000 - 625.000 USD
country

According to the Shelby American World Registry, the 289 Cobra presented here with chassis CSX 2444 was shipped new to Los Angeles in May 1964 before being invoiced in late July to Paradise Ford of Scottsdale, Arizona. Finished in Rouge Iris with a black interior, it carried Class A accessories and was purchased new on August 2, 1964 by Thomas L. Lewandowski of Phoenix. The next owner of record was Larry Crossan of California, who sold CSX 2444 to Jeff Lewin, also of California, in the mid 1970s.

Budd Hickey of Reno, Nevada subsequently purchased the (now black) car and brought it to SAAC-9 at Anaheim in 1984. It received third place honours in the Cobra concours class and was advertised the same year with 28,000 miles, described as being in showroom condition. Sold to Bruce Pobst of Vancouver, Washington, it was taken to SAAC-13 in 1988, where it once again won third place, this time in the popular vote 289 class. Four years later, at SAAC-17, the car received a second place award in the same class before being sold in 1994 to its current owner from Arkansas.

Since its acquisition, CSX 2444 has been restored mechanically and cosmetically. It has been carefully maintained and cared for and, as it has seen only limited road use, remains in outstanding condition. Period correct throughout, the car was recently freshened mechanically, including the correct motor, sports wire wheels, dual four-barrel carburetion, and, as an Mk II example, is of course also equipped with rack-and-pinion steering. What's more, the car is accompanied by a complete top assembly and tonneau.

Purposefully presented in its 30 year livery of black with a matching interior, this Cobra benefits from long-term ownership, proper care and known provenance from new. Well-suited for further enjoyment, it is a superb example of one of the most capable and downright thrilling post-war sports cars.

view more details...

RM Auctions - Automobiles of Arizona Jan 16 2009

Town/City: Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Tel: +1 519 352 4575

EVENTGUIDE 2009

10.01. — 10.01. COYS Autosport International Auction, NEC, UK
11.01. — 25.01. North American International Auto Show, Detroit, USA
16.01. — 16.01. RM Auctions — Automobiles of Arizona, USA
17.01. — 17.01. Gooding & Co — The Scottsdale Auction, USA
06.02. — 15.02. Rétromobile 2009, Paris, France
07.02. — 07.02. Bonhams Auction — Automobiles d'Exception, Rétromobile, France
09.02. — 10.02. Barons Classic, Collectors and Historic Motor Cars Auction, Esher, UK
12.03. — 12.03. COYS Spring Classics — Royal Horticultural Halls, London, UK
12.03. — 13.03. Coppa Milano–Sanremo, Italy
14.03. — 14.03. RM Auctions — Automobiles of Amelia Island , USA
14.03. — 15.03. Brightwells Classic Car Auction, Leominster UK
18.03. — 18.03. RM Auctions — Automobiles of Amelia Island , UK
01.04. — 05.04. Techno–Classica Essen 2009, Germany
21.04. — 25.04. Tour Auto Optic 2009, France

see further event details...

SERVICE

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