Cars

Jaguar hasn’t forgotten about its long-serving saloon while stoking the F-type’s publicity fire

Although the 1948 Earls Court Motor Show XK120 prototype was merely intended as a pretty showcase for the revolutionary straight-six engine (which Jaguar would use well into the 80s), its simple, svelte curves bought it a production run. Later developments of the design unnecessarily cluttered the overall appearance; a select few might be struck by déjà vu when first setting eyes on the XFR-S.

Video: Scott Toepfer via Vimeo.

 Ex-Bob Donner and Don Wester 1961 Porsche 718 RS 61 Spyder

There's 630HP and 738lb ft of torque available from those 12 cylinders, thanks to a little help from twin turbochargers, while the German marque proudly proclaims that the saloon comes as standard with “the world’s first suspension with eyes”.

With varying degrees of success, Formula 1 has regularly updated its rules to encourage the close competition which has made the sport so thrilling over the decades. On a season-to-season basis, the changes are often imperceptible in visual terms – but looking over a broader chronological spectrum demonstrates just how far the sport has come. Take, for example, the Ferrari Lancia D50 that somehow managed to do without any aerodynamic addenda; unthinkable at even the lowest levels of racing in modern times.

With the DS, Citroën created a goddess on wheels (the common nickname derives from the fact that 'DS' in French is pronounced the same as 'Déesse', which means goddess). Not only was she heavenly in aesthetic terms, the DS was also a technological godsend. Then, some years after the French beauty’s introduction, Porsche released the venerable 911. Though essentially polar opposites, each car was considered a highlight of automotive design, and perhaps this was the inspiration for a project undertaken by the team of ‘visual communication experts’ at Brandpowder.

Of course, it’s BMW that’s famous for its art cars – but it’s a wonder that the idea wasn’t pioneered by a French manufacturer, given the country’s fondness for flair and fancies.

Floating, flying and fishing

"This is where the greatest cars come to be sold" - Gregor Fisken

While many classic car dealers specialise in the products of a particular marque or country, the diverse array of machinery offered at Fiskens’ mews showrooms rather suggests a focus on the highest quality cars, regardless of origin. Pre-War Bentleys and Invictas mingle with more modern heroes, such as a Porsche 959 and a Bugatti EB110SS; and a strikingly beautiful Bizzarrini completes the eclectic scene.

The successful W123 series still proves exceptionally popular today, especially in classic car circles. Introduced at the 1977 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Touring model – Mercedes’ first station wagon – played a pioneering role in defining the ‘lifestyle’ segment that has become so vital to the European car industry. 

The ‘T’ in the name stood for Touring and Travel