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NEWSLETTER

Classic Inside 15/2011

EDITORIAL

I went to my first UK auction of 2011 this week. It was Bonhams' Royal Air Force Museum sale in North London, an easy step from the Classic Driver office and always well–attended. You know, it's a boys' toys thing with all the planes and bombs and stuff.

Well, I'd studied the catalogue in depth and decided on 'one to watch': the 1954 Allard Palm Beach Mk I 'Red Ram' Roadster, a worthy, ex–museum example, competitively estimated at £18,000 – 22,000. Rightio, I thought, just imagine that with a bit of work done to it and a high–performance 4.0–litre Dodge V8 under the bonnet.

A little homely, perhaps, but not unattractive and with a good badge and potentially killer performance.

When I happened upon the car, it was creating a lot of interest — they'd only gone and parked it right next to the Ferraris. Then, affable as ever, just about everyone I spoke to mentioned it. "Quite fancy that Allard... you could do a lot with that, you know..." Yes, I did. And so forth.

Come the sale, of course, the thing goes off like the rocket it was in period and is eventually sold for £52,100. Had I been on the look–out for a bargain... well... curses.

So what does all this prove? Er, 'great minds think alike', perhaps, and the fact that you only discover a car's true value when bidding finishes in the saleroom.

Steve Wakefield
Managing Editor
sw@classicdriver.com

THIS WEEK IN CLASSIC DRIVER

DRIVING REPORT

Ferrari FF... Four by Four by Four

Four seats, 660HP and four–wheel drive: no Ferrari in history has been more suited to everyday life. Classic Driver's Hamburg–based Editor, Jan Baedeker, has just driven the car. read more...

EVENTS

Donington Historic Festival, 30 April and 1 May

It's just a couple of weeks to go now till the first ever Donington Historic Festival, to be held right after 'that' wedding, on the weekend of 30 April and 1 May. read more...

AUCTIONS

Bonhams at Hendon 11 April

Bonhams' annual RAF Museum sale allows schoolboys of all ages to rediscover that 'Airfix kit' moment, as the Bond St auction house uses the museum's exhibits as a backdrop to its collectors' car sale. read more...

EVENTS

HERO Summer Trial, 20 – 23 July

HERO's Summer Trial is a colourful and exciting event that steps beyond the usual classic car trial and tour format to embrace other 'classic' passions; in this case the majestic classic yachts of the Panerai British Classic Week held at Cowes. read more...

NEWS

Jaguar XF 2.2–Litre Diesel to Offer 52.3mpg and 140mph

Beneath its 'groovy baby' disguise, this Jaguar XF has an eminently sensible 2.2–litre, four–cylinder diesel engine. read more...

NEWS

MINI 'Inspired by Goodwood': Most expensive MINI yet to debut in China

The MINI 'Inspired by Goodwood' will be "built under the guidance of the Rolls–Royce Motor Cars designer team". read more...

NEWS

Aston Martin Introduces V12 Vantage GT3 Contender for 2012 Season

The highly successful, 'privateer' DB9–based DBRS9 GT3 car will be replaced next year by a new model built on the smaller V12 Vantage chassis. read more...

MOTORCYCLES

240bhp Electric Superbike Hits 190.6mph

An electric superbike run by Chip Yates Racing has broken records by crossing the finish line of a standing start, one–mile run at a speed approaching the magic 200mph. read more...

NEWS

New Audi Q3 Revealed

Audi has taken the wraps off its smallest 4WD contender, the Q3. The new car will be launched at the 2011 Shanghai Motor Show, and will be available in British showrooms this November from £25,000. read more...

NEWS

Brabus Classic — for Mercedes Young and Old

Brabus and the Lueg Group, one of the largest Mercedes–Benz dealers in the Ruhr region of Germany, presented their new joint venture for the first time at Techno Classica Essen this year. 'Brabus Classic' will buy, restore and sell classic Mercedes and Brabus cars. read more...

CLASSIC LIFE

Man's First Flight into Space Commemorated by Montegrappa

Italian luxury writing instrument maker Montegrappa has produced two limited–edition pens to celebrate one of man's greatest achievements, Gagarin's complete orbit of the Earth. read more...

The 'Elektra' Electric Powerboat Comes to London

The 24–foot, lithium battery–powered Elektra powerboat will be at this summer's Salon Privé, the luxury and supercar event to be held at Syon House, West London, on 22 – 24 June. read more...

SERVICE

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