Cars

Chelsea AutoLegends 2012 takes a bit of a 70s ‘Cool’ theme, along with Le Mans and F1 celebrations, all in a stunning, central location for the many millions of people living in and around London.

As well as a decent weather forecast (no warranties given), other anticipated bright spots include ‘exclusive debuts’ from Aston Martin, Bentley, Overfinch, Rimac, Tushek, not to mention a large selection of classics rarely or never seen in public. There's the 1965 Alvis ‘Super’ Cabriolet, 1967 Lotus 47 GT, King George V’s Daimler ‘Royal Four’ Limousine, 1949 Ferrari 166 Inter Coupé, 1950 Ferrari 166 Barchetta, several Lamborghinis, Bugattis and so on.

Even inside at night, in a gallery more used to the latest ‘installations’ from the British modern art movement, the car looked stunning

Porsche promises that the new models will retain the rear-wheel drive emphasis favoured by 4WD 911s of the past, but offer increased traction, road-holding and dynamic performance – thanks to the latest version of the active all-wheel drive Porsche Traction Management (PTM) system. Compared with their predecessors, the latest Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S weigh some 65kg less, as a result of the innovative aluminium-steel composite body construction – which is great news for performance and, of course, fuel consumption (the new models are claimed to be up to 16 per cent more frugal).

With ‘matching numbers’, the yellow car has been totally rebuilt and is ‘Price on Request’.

The first Dinos carried no Ferrari badging and the styling is subtly different from the later, more numerous 2.4-litre cars. Just over 150 aluminium cars were constructed between 1968 and 1969.


Photos: Peter Iversen Specialværksted Aps
 

Since 2004, when the Credit Suisse classic car programme started, the Swiss bank has supported events worldwide, forming a network of contacts across the globe, all involved at the highest level and quite rightly described as ‘friends’.

After the glitz and glamour of the Monaco Historics, focus turned west, to the Monterey Peninsula and the world-famous Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and other events held during ‘car week’.

Today, the judging criteria are often based on factors that have more to do with the condition and ‘accuracy’ of a car’s individual components, than with its overall visual appeal. To be a judge at a major international concours requires a detailed knowledge of the marque and individual models, as well as a very keen eye for accuracy and detail. In addition, the ability to place the car within its historical context, while comparing it with others of the period, is important at a concours d’élégance event.

The annual historic meeting at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is something of a treat to those of us coming from Europe. While cars such as 356 Carrera Abarths might have been made in Germany, they are not often seen on our side of the pond.

And, of course, the races for later GTs (Shelby Mustangs, Corvettes, etc.) plus the IMSA cars and the unique-to-the-US Trans Am American V8s are sights pretty well unseen at ‘our’ events: the Le Mans Classic, Goodwood Revival and so on.

McLaren is a name synonymous with racing glory and, given the calibre of competition that the company has been involved in for the last 50 years or so, it’s little wonder that there’s a winning aura which seems to swirl around the bright expanses of the Technology Centre. Staff coming to work each day are greeted not only by a sprawling wall of trophies, but also a collection of the most pivotal motor cars from McLaren’s history: a Senna MP4/4 here, a Le Mans-winning F1 GTR there, and perhaps most poignantly to us, Denny Hulme’s 1970 Can-Am M8D.