Cars

Artwork versus life's work

A 2D icon brought to life

One for every year

London has increasingly become a hub of activity for the classic car scene, despite the absence of a motor show for several years now. This is set to change in January 2015, when the ExCel Centre in central London – which hosted the British Motor Show until 2008 – plays host to a new high-end classic car event.

The Bulli with the big mouth

The Ferrari 212 Inter arrived just six years into the marque’s infancy, but it has come to epitomise the vibrant and romantic 1950s ‘boutique’ era. Designed as a replacement for the triumphant 166 and 195 Inters, 80 cars were built from 1951, individually bodied by various carrozzerie and finished to follow the exacting (and often extensive) criteria of the customer. As such, no two 212s are truly alike, only adding to their charm.

When Jaguar launched the D-type in 1954, the aeronautical principles incorporated into its DNA made it the most technologically advanced racing car of its time. Young engineer Malcolm Sayer had gained plenty of useful aerodynamic knowledge during his previous stint with the Bristol Aeroplane Company, as well as bringing with him such revolutionary ideas as the monocoque chassis and deformable fuel bags that could adapt to the car’s soap-bar silhouette. But the D-type was by no means perfect – at least, not at the outset.

Steed of the stars

A connoisseur's club