Cars

Brains and beauty

When Daimler released the DB18 in 1939, the timing could hardly have been worse, and production was soon put on hold so that the manufacturer could contribute to the war effort. It’s thought that 23 Drophead Coupé versions were initially planned for 1939 but only eight were built before the Blitz of 1940 saw the factory destroyed. Of those eight chassis, five were lost in the bombings, and only one of the remaining three – the car you see here – is thought to survive today.

Bugatti Type 35

Life without Enzo

When Porsche introduced the 911 Targa at the 1965 Frankfurt Motor Show, the U.S. export market rejoiced. The ‘secure cabriolet’, as the open sports car with its removable roof was unromantically dubbed by Porsche, complied with the strict American regulations, making it possible for customers from California, Florida and the Hamptons finally to enjoy the sports coupé from Stuttgart with the wind in their hair. After all, a 911 cabriolet proper didn’t emerge until the 1980s.

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Twenty Testa Rossas

With 15 competition groups, the breadth of racing and diversity of entrants was truly astounding. Anything from pre-War Grand Prix cars to monstrous Can-Am machines, and from beautiful 1960s GT racers to Trans-Am and Formula Atlantic thoroughbreds, the Monterey Motorsports Reunion is a feast for enthusiasts of all ages.