Cars

Silver for Germany, white and blue for the USA, green for Great Britain and yellow for Belgium – different colours, and all seen on winners at racetracks worldwide. But there’s always something about a red car – and it does not have to be Italian – that gives it extra appeal.

Ferrari and Maserati dominated racing in the 1950s and early 1960s, yet a red Lagonda won at Le Mans in 1935, a red Ford Mk IV at the same race in 1967 and, pre-War, works Aston Martin Ulsters were painted in the colours of the home country of team principle Bertelli.

Audi built 200 road-going Sport Quattros to homologate its Group B rally car in the 80s, though there’s much debate as to whether that many were actually delivered.

The Sport Quattro looks awkward from whichever angle you look at it...

This week’s edition is dedicated to that most powerful shade in the spectrum. We not only take a look at some of the more unusual shades of crimson used by the automotive industry, we also consider the famous female stars whose locks are as vibrant as their personalities.

You might think plunging a car into a swimming pool would be simple enough for a rock ‘n’ roll band, especially given the devil-may-care nature of many heroes of the music business. 

Without a doubt, arrive in James Bond’s submarining Lotus and you’d steal the show. But that won’t go under the hammer until September, so until then, an elegant convertible in a shade of aquatic blue would seem to be the perfect tonic. Here’s a few we found in the market, including one from a model line Bond is already familiar with.