Mercedes has always claimed that the S-Class is the best car in the world, and who are we to take issue with that? In 1972, the W116 was born relatively easily, into a world distinctly lacking in luxury saloon cars, vastly different from today’s intensely competitive market.
Named ‘Project 7’ – a reference to Jaguar’s seven Le Mans victories – the F-type has been given a variety of styling addenda, including a reinterpretation of the D-type’s characteristic offset tailfin, and is finished in Flag Blue - the very same shade worn by the Ecurie Ecosse Le Mans-winning cars of 1956 and 1957. Gone is the F-type’s roof mechanism; a roll-hoop is incorporated into the new fin, while the passenger seat is removed, replaced by a dock for the bespoke helmet.
It’s been designed by two brothers, Guillermo and Iker Echeverria, whose father built and successfully raced his own cars for 30 years. According to Iker, the new car “has been developed by enthusiasts for enthusiasts”, and it certainly boasts astounding performance. Thanks to a dry weight of 695kg, plus a 2-litre, 285bhp turbocharged Ford EcoBoost engine, the Vühl – intended for both road and track use – belts to 62mph in just 3.7 seconds and promises a top speed of more than 150mph.
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.
