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Start them young with these petrol-engined junior cars

Just because you can’t afford a real Porsche 936, Ferrari 250 GT California Spider, or Aston Martin Drophead Coupé, your kids needn’t go without their very own miniature sports car icon…

Does your young child have the elemental racing skills of a Jacky Ickx or a Derek Bell together with the charm of an Alain Delon or a Roger Moore? Then we’ve got just the cars for him – even if he must wait 10 years to get his driver’s license. At Straderial in Paris, there’s a miniature version of the Porsche 936 in which Jacky Ickx and Derek Bell won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1981. Although the 206cc single-cylinder engine only develops 5HP and propels the car to 50kph, its next young driver should be able to easily take the lead at next year’s Little Big Mans at Le Mans Classic. 

For the everyday drive from school to his tennis lesson, however, only a civilian yet cultured junior sports car will do. Fortunately, Classic Youngtimers Consultancy has two worthy machines in its showroom: a Ferrari 250 GT California Spider and an Aston Martin Drophead Coupe. Beneath the bonnets of both resides a single-cylinder four-stroke engine that transmits its power to the rear wheels via a three-speed gearbox. Sadly, there’s no room in either car for a mini Brigitte Bardot or Jane Fonda to co-drive as both are configured as single seats. Oh, to be a child again!

Junior cars in the Classic Driver Market