Cannot read this mail correctly? Click here for the online version http://www.classicdriver.com/upload/classicinside/archive/CIUK2008-47.html.
ClassicInside - The Classic Driver Newsletter
Edition 47/2008 49.845 subscribers
FORWARD TO A FRIEND >

EDITORIAL

We've a bumper edition of ClassicInside for you today. Simon Kidston was a judge at the inaugural Cartier 'Travel with Style' Concours d'Elegance in Mumbai, India, and has filed a report on an incredible event. As he says, "Top society jeweller Cartier doesn't do anything by halves..."

You have to admire the style and ingenuity of whoever ordered an open 1930s Rolls–Royce with cut–down bodywork and three rows of seats. And the reason? To transport the Maharaja's cricket team, naturally.

The cars — led by the flamboyant Figoni & Falaschi–bodied 1939 Delahaye 135 Roadster — were as exotic as the surroundings, and one has to ask the question: why has no one thought of this before?

But don't expect an influx of Pebble–standard Bentleys and Ferraris into the sub–continent just yet; neither imports, nor exports of historic cars are allowed — for the moment at least.

Which is rather charming, as it ensures that some of these rarities are kept for posterity in their correct location.

Steve Wakefield
Managing Editor
sw@classicdriver.com

THIS WEEK IN CLASSIC DRIVER

Cartier International Indian Concours 2008

'Travel with Style'

No distance is too great for the intrepid correspondents of Classic Driver, so this week we're bringing you the latest from Bombay (Mumbai to CNN viewers), where your scribe has just returned from judging the country's first world–standard classic car concours d'elegance. read more...

Mid–engined Porsches Enhanced

Like the 911, Porsche's latest Boxster and Cayman sports cars will soon be available with all–new flat–six boxer engines offering significantly improved economy as well as increased power. read more...

Coys at Royal Horticultural Halls, London 4th December 2008

One of the highlights of Coys' forthcoming December sale is this 1970 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 'Daytona'. Estimated at £145,000 – 170,000, the Blu Scuro car — with desirable 'Plexiglass' nose — has covered just 21,000 miles from new. read more...

4.7–litre Vantage GT4 replaces N24 as Aston Martin's Production Racer

Developed in the spirit of the 1960s DB4GT, Aston Martin's latest contender for GT4 honours was unveiled at the Dubai Autodrome. Featuring an enlarged — now 4.7–litre — V8, the new car has a host of other improvements and modifications that should keep it a front-running machine in 2009. read more...

Bonhams at London Olympia – 1st December 2008

Bonhams has assembled a 97–car entry for its last British 2008 sale, at London's Olympia. The catalogue has in–depth quality and includes cars such as this 1967 Ferrari 330GT 2+2 Series 2 Berlinetta, estimated at £40,000 – 50,000. read more...

The Abarth 500 'DA 0 A 100'

If you were already in the market for a hotted–up Fiat 500, life has got a whole lot more difficult as the company has launched another limited–edition Abarth, snappily titled the 'DA 0 A 100'. read more...

Hagerty's Classic Car Auction 2006 - 2008 Yearbook

With impeccable timing, the publishers of the latest edition of the essential collectors' cars price guide launched their latest edition into a world reeling from one financial crisis to another. This does not lessen the importance of the 378–page masterwork — quite the reverse. read more...

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Advert

Feature:

Sabelt for Aston Martin Racing... plus a pair to give away

If it's true that you can tell a gentleman by his footwear, then what do these Sabelt for Aston Martin Racing shoes say about the wearer? more...

CLASSIC LIFE

Sigma DP1 Digital Camera

More is less

A compact digital camera with the power of a digital SLR: that's the Sigma DP1 in a nutshell. read more...

Patrizzi & Co Auction: The Davide Blei Vintage Rolex Collection

On 22nd March 2009, one of the world's most interesting collections of Rolex watches will be sold in Milan. It is the property of leading Rolex collector David Blei, whose love of the marque is only matched by his love for his wife, who introduced him to the world of international watch collecting... read more...

THE CLASSIC DRIVER PREMIUM CAR MARKET

MODERN

Range Rover 580S Overfinch

colour Epsom Green
interior colour Sand Hide
drive RHD
mileage 94.951 km / 59.000 mi
year 2003
price 24.950 GBP
country

Heated Steering wheel, Navigation, TV DVD with Rear Screens, Extended High Gloss Bur Walnut Trim.

Overfinch Conversion (£31,700) Brembo Brakes, Front Spoiler, Rear Undertray, Sports Exhaust.

view more details...

Straight Eight International Limited

Town/City: London, UK
Telephone: +44 (0)208 743 1599

CLASSIC

Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing

colour Silver
interior colour Red leather
drive LHD
year 1955
chassis 1980405500420
price 525.000 GBP
country

Absolutely incredible example, low mileage and factory sport engine from new. Chassis number 1980405500420 is one of the very best of these iconic Gullwing Mercedes in the world.

It was carefully sourced by a world expert, who had owned many over the years, as a particular example to keep for himself. The car is in amazing condition and finished in its original factory specification of silver with red leather, and the sport specification engine.

The ownership history is known from new and it was acquired by the last American owner in 1975. Over the coming years, the immensely detailed service history charts a myriad of detail improvements and 'tweaks', as well as a full professional bare metal repaint in 1997 and also a thorough mechanical overhaul by Paul Russell and company, with some 12,500 miles covered since. The huge rack of invoices dated between 1978 and 2004 total in excess of $180,000.

It was then acquired and taken to Australia, where the excellent standard of maintenance was continued.

This car starts instantly every time and the driving experience is a revelation. As a model, its place in history is assured, being the direct road development of the 1952 Le Mans winning factory cars. It uses the same stunning lightweight spaceframe chassis and fuel injected, dry sump engine configuration but the road cars actually have more power.

view more details...

Historic Classics

Town/City:
Sussex, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1825 831028

SPORTING

AC Cobra 302 'Lightweight' - RHD

colour Chichester Blue
interior colourDark Blue/Black
drive RHD
mileage18.347 km / 11.400 mi
year 1990
price P.O.R. GBP
country

A superbly presented and maintained example of the most desirable (and rarest) of the Mk IV Cobra variants, of which only c.26 were built by AC Cars Ltd. during the early 1990s. 1965 Mk III-style, all-aluminium 'short-nose' bodywork and interior with period gauges and switches etc.

Stage 3 Factory hand-built and blue-printed 345bhp 5 litre engine, with alloy heads and roller-cam, giving 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 secs, 0 to 100 mph in 10.3 secs, and 160 mph. 5 speed T5 manual g/box.

Full weather equipment in tailored bags. Just serviced (with new M.O.T.) and fully checked over by Thunder Road. The last of the authentic modern-day AC Cobras, and an absolute joy to own and drive.

Driver's roll-cage, recessed 'Monza' fuel filler, bonnet scoop, 15" Halibrand mag. alloy wheels with Pirelli P7R tyres, cast alloy 'Cobra' rocker covers, 3-eared knock-off spinners, alarm/immobiliser, car cover. Reg. No. H9 COB.

view more details...

Nostalgia

Town/City: Hertford Heath, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1992 500007

EVENTGUIDE 2008 / 2009

26.11. — 26.11. H&H Auctions at The Pavilion Gardens, Buxton, UK
01.12. — 01.12. Bonhams Auction at Olympia, London, UK
04.12. — 04.12. COYS Auction 'True Greats', London
08.12. — 09.12. Barons Classic, Collectors & Historic Motor Cars Auction, Esher, UK
20.12. — 20.12. Bonhams Auction Exceptional Ferrari and Italian Motor Cars, Gstaad, Switzerland 10.01. — 10.01. COYS Autosport International Auction, NEC, UK
16.01. — 16.01. RM Auctions - Automobiles of Arizona, USA
06.02. — 15.02. Rétromobile 2009, Paris, France
07.02. — 07.02. Bonhams Auction - Automobiles d'Exception, Rétromobile, France

see further event details...

SERVICE

Copyright:
All articles in ClassicInside and in the Classic Driver Magazine subject to Classic Driver copyrights.
Classic Driver UK
Fountain Court
2 Victoria Square, Victoria St
St Albans
Herts
AL1 3TF
United Kingdom

telephone +44 (0)1727 884650
telefax +44 (0)1727 884800
e-mail: contact@classicdriver.com
Responsible for content: Steve Wakefield (Director)

If you want to unsubscribe from our Newsletter, please visit our ClassicInside Homepage at
http://www.classicdriver.com/uk/community/2300.asp