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ClassicInside - The Classic Driver Newsletter
Edition 45/2008 49.831 subscribers
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EDITORIAL

Well, the boy did it. The Boy Wonder, I should say, as I don't think anyone was expecting quite such a climax to the Brazilian Grand Prix.

It would be flattering the rollercoaster industry to draw yet more parallels between it and the ups and downs of the 2008 Drivers' World Championship. The common–or–garden Dive Bomber, Descent of Doom or Spiral of Death has nothing on the tension generated by a few spots of rain one Sunday afternoon in São Paulo.

We all loved the race and, although it was tough on Massa, I think the right man won. It was a genuinely exciting event that makes the relentlessly tedious races of just a couple of years ago a distant memory.

According to the British press, team supremo Ron Dennis has promised Hamilton the keys to the orange McLaren F1 GTR currently residing in the foyer of the Technical Centre at Woking if he can rustle up a couple more Championships.

Maybe that will take a little longer, but if I were in m'laddo's shoes I'd make sure that I had first crack at one of the SL 65 AMG Black Series.

It's already got a 670bhp V12 and will do 320km/h — a few pots of orange paint and you're almost there.

Steve Wakefield
Managing Editor
sw@classicdriver.com

THIS WEEK IN CLASSIC DRIVER

BMW 7 Series (F01)

Design analysis

Design consultant Chris Hrabalek studies the latest 7 Series... read more...

New AMG Performance Models Launched at Laguna Seca

'Black' SL65 with 670bhp, plus 510bhp AMG SUV

AMG lined up three cars from its Performance Studio at the US, West Coast race track Laguna Seca. Pick of the bunch must be the closed-roof coupé SL, packing a twin-turbo 6.0-litre V12 and capable of a top speed electronically limited to 320km/h. read more...

The Snake and the Stallion

Ferrari versus Shelby on DVD — at a special price for Classic Driver readers

"I spent a whole lot of time with Richard on this and he's really nailed it. Got all the right people, from Dan Gurney to Lee Iacocca. It's a wonderful, wonderful story and I've never seen anybody tell it better. I'm very proud to have been part of it." read more...

Concept CS Dies Before Birth

Read through the small print of the motor manufacturers' financial announcements and you start to realise some of the consequences of the economic crisis. Consequences, that is, which mean more to car enthusiasts than stark statistics... read more...

Bonhams in Sydney 16th November 2008 - Preview

Includes full lotlist

The late Hon. John Dawson-Damer's collection of important Lotus GP and racing single-seaters will be sold by Bonhams & Goodman. One of the highlights is the 1962 Lotus 25, chassis No. R4, Jim Clark's most successful individual chassis. read more...

CLASSIC LIFE

Senator Sixties Chronograph

The Swinging Sixties were the inspiration behind Glashütte Original's 'Senator Sixties' range and a new handmade timepiece from Germany, just added to the line–up, now aims to symbolise the joie de vivre of that era. read more...

THE CLASSIC DRIVER PREMIUM CAR MARKET

MODERN

Bentley Continental GT

colour Cypress Green
interior colour Savannah
drive RHD
mileage 56.327 km / 35.000 mi
year 2004
price 49.999 GBP
country

Totally immaculate and outstanding condition throughout. Fully serviced with 100–point checkover prior to delivery.

Walnut veneer including inserts to doors and quarters. Sat–Nav. 19in split–rim wheels.

view more details...

Hanwells of London

Town/City: London, UK
Telephone: +44 (0)208 567 9729

CLASSIC

Porsche 356 Convertible D

colour Ruby Red
interior colour Beige
drive LHD
year 1959
price P.O.R. USD
country

One of only 1,335 produced, this 1959 Porsche 356 Convertible D is a rare car. It benefits from a new beige leather interior, new black canvas convertible top and new carpets and is finished in the correct and original Ruby Red (5702. For maximum usability on vintage rallies or spirited drives, a new considerably up-rated engine has been installed.

The specification includes an NPR 1750cc piston kit, flowed 1600 Super heads, Carrillo conrods, Maestro semi rock-n-roll cam, Zenith carburetors and a 12 volt conversion. This 356 Convertible D is also accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from the Porsche factory. Stock P161.

Vintage Auto Collectibles promises a trouble-free drive in a superbly restored classic Porsche 356, performing effortlessly and appearing as if just driven off the showroom floor decades ago. Whether you enjoy vintage rallies, club outings or simply a drive down winding country roads in your timeless sports car, Vintage Auto Collectibles delivers a car that is dependable, eye-catching and factory correct in all aspects- the total ownership experience of a vintage sports car many want but few are able to attain.

view more details...

Vintage Auto Collectibles

Town/City:
South Amboy, NJ, USA
Tel: +1 732 525 2500

SPORTING

AC Ace Bristol

colour Green
interior colourGreen
drive LHD
year 1956
price P.O.R. GBP
country

In 1955 Jacques Swaters, Johnny Claes, Andre Pilette and Roger Laurent formed the Equipe National Belge from what had been Ecurie Francorchamps. They were based at Garage Francorchamps who were the Belgian importer for AC and were sufficiently enthusiastic to get the first Bristol-engined car from the factory and this turned out to be the only Ace that they imported. The car was entered for the Rheims 12 Hour race and finished 11th with a blown engine.

It threw a rod and there is still the hole in the inner wing where the rod went through! After the race the car was bought by Ringoir who continued to race it in 1956 with the registration 928 RO.

The Ace is attributed with races at Spa and Chimmay but there is no documentation to confirm this yet. However in 1959 the car was entered and qualified for Le Mans but did not run.

The car was road-registered in 1963 and sold privately in 1966. This was be to another Belgian, Luc Calluwaerts, who kept it until it was bought by Jean Gorjat.

Gorjat kept the car until 2002 when it passed through two dealers' hands into the care of the current owner who undertook a most careful restoration using some of the most well known names in this field.

Its current condition is a testimony to their sensitive approach. The engine is freshly rebuilt and the car is offered with no known faults.

view more details...

Hall & Bradfield

Town/City: London, UK
Tel: +44 (0)207 589 8787

EVENTGUIDE 2008

13.11. — 14.11. GT & Sports Car Cup, Paul Ricard, France
14.11. — 16.11. NEC Classic Motor Show, UK
15.11. — 15.11. 2008 Concorso Arizona, Scottsdale, USA
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

see further event details...

SERVICE

Copyright:
All articles in ClassicInside and in the Classic Driver Magazine subject to Classic Driver copyrights.
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