Edition 22/2009 49.984 subscribers
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EDITORIAL
Ever the culture vulture, your editor has been to the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy in London. One of the highlights was a gleaming silver St Bartholomew, Exquisite Pain, a sculpture by Damien Hirst.
For those less than familiar with the works of the most celebrated Young British Artist, it is a life–size figure of a man, reduced to an anatomical dissection of sinew, muscle, eyeballs and bone. With scalpel in hand, the subject carries his flayed skin over one shoulder.
Strong stuff. Now, I don't want to put you off your breakfast, dinner or lunch but, with matters automotive never far from my mind, it reminded me of the story, reported elsewhere in the motoring press, of a prospective Aston Martin One–77 customer considering not one, but two £1m+ supercars.
The reason? So he (or she) can have one as a walking, talking driver — with the other for display only. Its magnificent carbonfibre chassis open to the world, as bare as a 19th Century anatomist's subject.
A nice idea; slightly easier on the stomach and quite possibly cheaper.
Next week is the Le Mans 24 Hours weekend. We'll be there, and I may even find time for some Twittering on the way down.
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Steve Wakefield |
THIS WEEK IN CLASSIC DRIVER
Driven: Maserati GranTurismo SThe standard Maserati GranTurismo is an impressive car. Most testers, however, commented that with a little more power and even better brakes it would — for the money — take all before it. Having spent a long weekend away in the GranTurismo S, I would wholeheartedly agree. read more... |
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Modern Classics: Porsche 928Tony Dron recalls the originalA new 928? Porsche surely needs to get back into this lucrative, luxury GT market and as soon as possible. That must be why we're seeing a series of carefully dropped hints about a new model, perhaps to be called the 928, based on a shortened Panamera. read more... |
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The Hamptons Auto Classic Auction 13th JuneIncludes preliminary lotlistNow in its 18th year, the Hamptons Auto Classic auction will, in 2009, sell over 60 classic and modern collectors' cars. read more... |
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Driven: Audi A5 CabrioletNew Audis are coming thick and fast — and we're not talking apologetic eco variants with marginally longer gearing and silly names, we're talking R8 V10 and TT RS — and now the new A5 Cabriolet... read more... |
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Villa d'Este Concours d'Elegance 2009: Full Length VideoGeneva–based consultants Kidston SA have produced an 18–minute video on this year's Villa d'Este concours. read more... |
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BMW M3 'Edition Model'BMW will produce a limited–edition version of the M3 coupé. Titled 'Edition Model', the new variant will be available for just six months, from July 2009 onwards. read more... |
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Book Review: Mark Donohue — Technical Excellence at SpeedA man described by Roger Penske as "the catalyst for all we have achieved at Penske Racing", American driver Mark Donohue is studied in detail in the latest book from David Bull Publishing. read more... |
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THE CLASSIC DRIVER PREMIUM CAR MARKET
MODERN
Ferrari F430 Spider F1
colour Special Order Azzuro California |
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Carbon Ceramic Brakes. Challenge Rear Grille Segment in Carbon Fibre. Front and Rear Parking Sensors. Brake Calipers in Aluminium. Daytona Style Seats. Heated Seats. Bluetooth Telephone Connectivity. Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. Blu Scurro Dashboard. Azzuro Blu Seat Belts - Special Order. Blu Scurro Steering Wheel. Roll Bars In Blu Scurro.
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TOP 555 LTDTown/City: Oakham, UK |
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CLASSIC
Mercedes-Benz SL Pagoda 280 SL
colour Silver Sand |
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This very stylish 280SL is finished in Silver Sand with Brown leather. It features automatic transmission, power steering both hard and soft tops. Beautiful condition throughout with an excellent history and original factory pack with hand books etc.
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Classic Automobiles Worldwide Ltd Town/City: |
SPORTING
Porsche Carrera GT
colour Guards Red |
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The Carrera GT is based on pure race engineering. This applies both to the chassis and suspension as well as the normally aspirated engine and the six-speed manual transmission. The power output is from a 5.7 liter fuel injected V-10 engine producing 612 bhp @ 8000 rpm and 435 lb. ft. of torque @ 5750 rpm. Performance is 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds with a top speed of 205 mph.
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Autosport Designs Inc.Town/City: New York, USA |
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EVENTGUIDE 2009
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09.06. — 10.06. H&H Auctions, Buxton, UK |
SERVICE
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