It’s ironic that, for a car boasting a name rooted in motorsport history, the R107 generation Mercedes SL was so sedate when it was introduced. Over the course of its impressive 18-year production run (during which some 237,000 were produced, with 62% heading Stateside), ever warmer versions of ‘the most sensible dream car in the world’ emerged from the factory, culminating in the 227hp, V8-powered 560.
Despite not even possessing a driver’s license at the time, rock legend Eric Clapton fell for Ferrari in the late 1960s. In his autobiography, ‘Slowhand’ recalls when he was visited by George Harrison in his dark blue 365 GTC. “I had never seen a Ferrari before, but I fell in love instantly.”
Land Rover Classic has used its expertise and global network to select 25 Series 1 chassis for restoration in-house at its new workshop located within the old Defender production centre. Once the customer has selected their preferred base vehicle and chosen its colour from five period finishes – Light Green, Bronze Green, RAF Blue, Dove Grey and Poppy Red – they will then be able to follow the entire restoration, which will be completed using authentic Land Rover Classic parts to preserve authenticity (and future market value).
New to Classic Driver, Drouot Leclere Motorcars has impressed us with its diverse selection of lesser-seen classics, all of which have been beautifully photographed by our very own Rémi Dargegen. Its next sale – Automobiles de Collection – takes place in Paris on 10 April and comprises 30 intriguing entries, from Jean-Pierre Jabouille’s Ferrari Testarossa (est.
In the same ownership for the last 47 years, chassis number #2917GT starred at the 1961 Paris Motor Show, then in its original shade of light blue. Reportedly well used and maintained, it’s got the all-important matching numbers, and has spent its whole life in France. It’s fitting, then, that it will be sold by a French auction house, at arguably the country’s most prestigious motorsport location – Le Mans.
With more than 1,250 exhibitors from over 30 nations, displaying 2,500 cars across 20 exhibition halls, getting the most from your trip to Techno Classica is no mean feat. Where do you start, where do you stop, what do you skip and what daren’t you miss? The following five highlights got us most hot under the collar…
