Edition 10/2009 49.962 subscribers
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EDITORIAL
£30.00 easyJet flights have transformed the European travel industry. Most business meetings can be completed in a day and it's a simple matter to book online and jet around as you wish.
My original travel arrangements for this year's Geneva Salon were made last November, when I reserved a couple of flights for a one–day trip. This itinerary was changed, however, when the opportunity to travel in the correct manner came up; driving Ferrari GB's latest 599 GTB to the show.
London Luton Airport's loss was certainly Classic Driver's gain, and you can read about a snowy journey across northern France and the Jura in this week's ClassicInside.
We've also some news from Mercedes–Benz AMG. Bowing to the inevitable, the company has 'gone public' on its testing programme for the new, all–aluminium 'Gullwing' for the 21st Century, the SLS.
If you strip out the windy press material there's as much to glean about the new machine as there is to be seen in the photos — a modern day homage to duct–tape art. However, this is going to be one hell of a car. It will also be an interesting rival to McLaren's own, mid–engined, 2010 supercar.
As a car enthusiast, my pulse is already "racing that extra bit faster".
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Steve Wakefield |
THIS WEEK IN CLASSIC DRIVER
Ferrari 599 GTB: From London to GenevaWhat better way to celebrate the Ferrari 599 GTB's third birthday than driving a brand–new example from London to the location of its world debut, the Geneva motor show? read more... |
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Geneva: Design AnalysisChris Hrabalek pulls no punches...The Geneva show didn't arrive a second too soon. Any event that engenders positivity in the midst of a global depression certainly has designer Chris Hrabalek's vote... read more... |
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Mercedes-Benz SLS AMGReturn of the GullwingMercedes–Benz has released the first details — including some 'disguised' pictures more usually associated with magazine spy shots — of its new super-sports car, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. read more... |
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Nicholas Mee Racing: Brand New GT4 Aston Martin Completes ShakedownThe London-based Aston Martin specialist was at Goodwood to put some miles on its new Gentleman Racer Vantage GT4. In addition to the owners, the vastly experienced British driver Anthony Reid was also at the wheel of the car, just collected from Aston Martin Racing. read more... |
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Brabus G V12 S BiturboWorld debut at GenevaJust when other manufacturers are thinking small, economical and green, Brabus flies in the face of convention to bring us the G V12 S Biturbo — the world's most powerful off–roader. read more... |
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eRuf Greenster: the Electric Green 911As Steve Wakefield pointed out in last week's editorial, the Geneva show covered the full gamut of greener–than–green environment–friendly kit, right through to the tuners with gazillion–horsepower Cayennes in paintbox colours. Well, here's one that spans both ends of the spectrum: the eRuf Greenster. read more... |
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CLASSIC LIFE
Milani for Maserati: Two New Carbonfibre BicyclesSharing stand space with Maserati's latest GTs at this year's Geneva show were two state–of–the–art two–wheelers from top Italian manufacturer Milani. read more... |
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THE CLASSIC DRIVER PREMIUM CAR MARKET
MODERN
Bentley Continental GT
colour Moonbeam Silver |
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Bentley Infotainment System including Satellite Navigation, TV Tuner, Keyless Entry and Drive, 19in Split-Rim Alloys, Telephone Preparation, Burr Walnut Trim, 6 CD Autochanger.
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Tom HartleyTown/City: Swadlincote, Derbyshire, UK |
CLASSIC
Pegaso Z-102 Prototype
colour Orange |
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Originally conceived as Prototype BE 1 and completed in 1951, the crowds were stunned at the Salon de Paris later that year. Wilfredo Ricart, the highly innovative and creative engineering genius behind Pegaso, had in the face of the post–war austerity designed and produced a dry–sump, quad–cam engine complete with a five speed transaxle coupled to a De Dion rear axle.
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Fiskens Town/City: |
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SPORTING
Ultima GTR
colour Silver |
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Ultima GTR built to a very high standard by the Ultima factory in 2001.
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Legends Automotive LtdTown/City: Bourton on the Water, UK |
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EVENTGUIDE 2009
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14.03. — 14.03. RM Auctions — Automobiles of Amelia Island , USA |
SERVICE
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