Bee in your bonnet?

This is one inconspicuous performance machine. After returning to Aston Martin twice in period due to engine failure, this Aston Martin DB2/4 was upgraded with a 3.7-litre Tadek Marek-designed engine, commonly found in later DB4 cars, and a DB4 David Brown four-speed gearbox, resulting in an almost 60% increase in brake horsepower. And while the Seagreen roof over the Deep Carriage Green body is quite stunning, most will see only a green blur as it whizzes down the M40...

California queen

It’s always nice to see a car that’s been lovingly used and taken care of by a single family from new. After being first registered in California in 1961, this Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Cabriolet has been cherished by husband then wife then daughter — a multi-generational token of love. Still wearing the coveted California black plates, this low-mileage big brother to the Beetle would be a great family car to eventually pass on to a little tyke of your own.

Le Mans or bust

While the McLaren 650S is a fantastic machine in itself, the Le Mans version is all the more special. The Sarthe Grey colour immediately tips you off to its specialness, as only the Le Mans versions were finished in this shade, in homage to the No.59 F1 GTR that won the race in 1995. One of only 50, this McLaren is fitted with the standard Le Mans Edition lightweight wheels and race-inspired seats, but it’s the optional upgrades, such as the sports exhaust and Le Mans exterior package, that are sure to make heads turn.

Blue-tinted redhead

What happens when a redhead dyes their hair blue? Instant cool-factor points. So is the same with this Blu Scuro Ferrari Testarossa. Add the fact that it is supposedly one of only five examples finished in this colour, and it’s cool ranking has just flown off the charts. Combine this with a low mileage of only 17,000 miles and just three owners from new, and this blue Testarossa is sure to make most cool-headed folks go red with lust.

Monster mashup

One of few converted by coachbuilder Car System prior to being sold to Gruau, this Renault Super 5 Belle Ile is less of a beauty and more of a Frankenstein. Part convertible, part pickup, part hatchback — it’s a mishmash of design concepts that had evolved from the original Super 5, but it has a gravitational pull unlike most, even attracting GT racing driver Antoine Leclerc, who owned this monster for years. Although not necessarily a looker, you can’t help but smile when catching a glimpse of it and automatically envisage driving it to the nearest beach, or dirt track…

Photos: Nicholas Mee And Company Ltd / ChromeCars / Tom Hartley Jnr / DK Engineering / Boule