Editorial

Having spent two days over the last weekend at British motor racing circuits I suppose a natural subject for an editorial would be motor-racing, the current state of; its future in the UK and Worldwide etc. I could then have expanded fulsomely; things aren't as good as they used to be, just remember Senna driving at that wet Donington GP ten years ago eh! Well, the fact of the matter is any racing can be good as long as it is racing, and as long as the cars are well driven. Those rose-tinted spectacles would probably have been nodding on the nose of a spectator at some of the most well known races in the past that modern writers in today's 'Historic' magazines wax so lyrically about. Look at some of the grids in the 30s and 50s, utterly glorious cars yes, but very few on the grid, and I would wager that what wheel-to-wheel action there was, remained unseen by most spectators.

The driving of course was undeniably fantastic, no more skilled than today perhaps, and visible to onlookers as pure action. It's a joy just looking at a fast car driven by a complete expert, and very often this transcends the thrill of the actual race. Ever had that feeling that the race-meeting you were looking forward to so much was not really so good on the drive home?

Some of the best races I have witnessed were not really that exciting, but when you see Jackie Oliver driving an original Gulf GT40, or Denny Hulme the famous Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato 2 VEV, you realise you are witnessing sheer brilliance behind the wheel, something you will remember for ever.

Shame we can't see the current crop of F1 drivers in something else. Doh! You've got me at it now.


Steve Wakefield
Managing Editor

This week in Classic Driver

Overfinch Range Rover 580S

The 580S is the first non GM based, (ie small block Chevrolet powered), Overfinch flagship model for fully 20 years. It is also based on the first petrol Range Rover not to come with the venerable Rover/Buick V8 under the bonnet...

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NEWS

Vintage Personalization Program for Maserati Spyder

The New York Auto Show marks the worldwide debut for the Maserati “Vintage” personalization package, a further customization option designed for the MY 2003 Spyder. The bonds with glorious Maseratis...

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Mercedes 280 SL 'Pagoda' stolen at Techno Classica
10.000 Euro Reward!

A fully restored 280 SL Pagoda was stolen while the owner was attending Techno Classica on the Saturday afternoon, (the Coys sale), April 12th between 1 and 6 pm. The car was reported missing to Essen Police on Norbert Strasse same day and a reward of up to 10,000 Euro is promised for information leading to its return...

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Automotive Solutions AS ONE - Track tested in UK

Having assured Nigel Greensall, twice BOSS F1 Champion (in a Tyrrell Judd V10), that I was a bad passenger the response came “Don’t worry – I’m a bad driver!” Nothing could be further from the truth, as Nigel proceeded to demonstrate over a few laps of the Donington circuit the other day...

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EVENTS

Essen Techno Classica 2003

The Techno Classica, covering an area of 85.000m² and having 820 exhibitors from 15 countries, is the largest exhibition of its kind in the world. Techno Classica is also an important commercial meeting place for those in the classic car industry and for those who come purely for the enjoyment of the classic ‘scene’...

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Vintage Sports Car Club - Launch of Senna Tribute at Donington, June 2003

11th April 2003; Donington Park Circuit, the press launch of not only the Ayrton Senna Celebration VSCC Historic Race Meeting in June, but also the unveiling of a memorial to the late Brazilian World Champion at the circuit by owner Tom Wheatcroft and his son Kevin, the whole proceedings given ecclesiastical sanction by the former chaplain to the British Racing Drivers Club, the Reverend Lionel Webber...

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AUCTIONS

Juan-Manuel Fangio's watch to be auctioned by Christie's at Geneva May 2003

During the 1952 season Fangio suffered from his first major accident at Monza. He lost control of his Maserati which somersaulted in the air. The following year he returned to the wheel for Maserati and was offered as an encouragement a driver's steel and gilt curved wristwatch with a personal inscription: J. Manuel Fangio de J.D.P.,
1953...

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9th April 2003 - Results - H&H Buxton, Derbyshire

The ‘barn find’ Bentley 3-litre Four-seater Tourer comfortably exceeded its £45-55,000 estimate at H&H’s recent Buxton sale, eventually sold for £64,500 (with commission). You then have to go down to the £30k level to see the next car in the results, another pre-war classic, a 1933 Rolls-Royce 20/25 at £32,250...

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One of 5 lightweight chassis built by the factory for competition. 0124 is possibly the most famous of all DB4GT's inbeing the Tommy Sopwith Equipe Endeavour car, winning many races in the hands of Stirling Moss & Jack Sears. Purchased by the previous owner 27 years ago and raced by him for the past few years at Goodwood, where in 1960 it won it's first race in the hands of Stirling Moss. We believe this to be an excellent opportunity to purchase a truly great Aston Martin competition car



colour Dark Blue
interior colour Red
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year 1960
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Mercedes-Benz SL 500

18" 5-Spoke alloy, COMAND (Sat Nav) wood & leather steering wheel, wood & leather gearshift, (52 reg).



colour Tellur Silver
interior colour graphite leather
drive RHD
type Cabrio / Roadster
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mileage 12.875 km / 8.000 m
price 66.950 GBP
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VAT Yes (17.5%)
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