Editorial

Frankfurt has woken people up from the summer recess. Bang! Summer’s over and we are all back to business. This year’s IAA sees the debut of some superb cars, many long-awaited, and as usual the Classic Driver team were on hand to check out what’s hot and what’s not, almost to act as ‘mystery shoppers’. The verdict? Aston Martin have knocked them out with the new DB9. The spy photos never really showed what it was going to be like and the factory has been almost non-committal on the launch timescale, but it’s here now and ready for delivery next year. We’ve seen it and the verdict is very positive, you can’t but admire the way Aston have put together such a well-planned package that just hits the spot for those wanting image, looks, sporting credentials and performance. The gearbox options are right, the engine will be superb and the shape is sublime. They have also incorporated a wonderful interior that has elements of tradition mixed with a modernity that includes bamboo as an optional wood. Can’t say even I’ve seen that one before; well, this side of the Yangtze anyway.

In contrast to the DB9, Mercedes’ SLR seems very familiar, having had an almost elephantine gestation period, but I think it is now safe to say M-B will at last take your order for one. The Maserati Quattroporte is ready to be shown in the metal. Could they make some improvements to the interior? Well, all things are personal and no doubt a different combination from the very extensive options list would appeal more – to us at least.

One of the highlights has to be Alfa Romeo’s fantastic 8c Competizione. Wonderfully named and gloriously styled, the car is still only a concept but it must have a few people thinking in the FIAT-Ferrari-Maserati-Lancia-Alfa group, ‘How do you place it with the Maserati Coupé?’ It’s only a two-seater, albeit a pretty big one, so perhaps there are differences that can be explained away by the marketing department.

Anyway, we have the DB9 as ‘Car of the Week’ and a feature on the Alfa - so you make your mind up. Please have a look at the Goodwood review. I am sure many of you were there and would agree with me about how fantastic the weekend was; I’ve tried to give a taste of what you missed to those that could not attend – can’t have been many, there was hardly room to raise your hat outside the paddock on raceday.

Steve Wakefield Managing Editor sw@classicdriver.com

THIS WEEK IN CLASSIC DRIVER

Aston Martin DB9

Frankfurt’s IAA sees the debut of what AML’s CEO Dr Ulrich Bez describes as “A car that we believe will lead the 2+2 seater sports car class for many years to come." Indeed with this car, and the 2005 ‘small’ AMV8 Porsche 911-beater, in full production at the Gaydon factory the company is aiming for an annual production figure of 5000 cars per year in 2006...

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Goodwood Revival 2003 - Review

“I've visited racing events all over the world, but this event really is as good as it gets…” Well, that was Sir Stirling Moss’s opinion of this year’s Goodwood Revival and who would argue with him? Blessed with good weather and the usual immaculately attired and behaved audience, the event once again exceeded expectations...

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Team Maranello Concessionaires - Anderstorp, Sweden - on the podium

Despite the fact that TMC and its four drivers were experiencing their first visit to the Scandinavian Raceway in Anderstorp, Sweden, this weekend, Jamie Davies and Darren Turner in their Ferrari 360 N/GT, car number 88, achieved an excellent third position after a fraught and highly-charged race. Unfortunately, car 89 retired after two-thirds distance with electrical problems...

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The National Theatre and Getty Images (tm) present a unique exhibition

Getty Images Gallery presents the essence and spirit of speed in an exciting new exhibition at London's National Theatre sponsored by Michelin that celebrates the history of one of the world's most glamorous and exhilarating sports, motor-racing - in all its powerful forms...

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World premiere for the Alfa Romeo 8C at Frankfurt 2003

Daniele Bandiera, President of the Alfa Romeo Business Unit, presented an exciting concept car to the international press. It is called the '8c Competizione' and it joins the other important novelties displayed on the Alfa Romeo stand at the 60th Frankfurt International Motor Show...

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Preview - Kruse International auction in the "Meilenwerk" in Berlin - 8th Nov 2003

The auction house Kruse International is organizing a large Classic Car auction on 8 November 2003 at the “Meilenwerk” in Berlin. Recently opened, the “Meilenwerk” is the perfect location for an event of this kind. For those who have not yet visited this dedicated area of the city for “old- timers”, the 8 November sale will be a good opportunity...

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Bonhams at Goodwood Revival 5th Sept 2003 - Review

The Bonhams team’s highly successful long-term relationship with Goodwood’s historic motor sport meetings saw another high on September 5, 2003, in its £1.92-million Sale of Sports, Competition and Collectors’ Motor Cars and Fine Automobilia. Highlights of this second annual Bonhams Sale at the Goodwood Revival Meeting were 1931-33 2.6-litre Alfa Romeo 8C-2300 Spider Corsa for £562,500 and a 1960 Aston Martin DB4GT for £331,500...

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Bentley S2 Continental Spur Coupe

Among the last half dozen of only 24 left drive alloy bodied “Spur Coupes” built 1960-1962, this astonishingly well preserved example incorporates all of the mechanical upgrades available in that series. Aside from a recent high quality refinish to it’s original Caribbean Blue lacquer and replating of the undamaged grille shell and bumpers, it is a largely original automobile. The walnut veneers have been freshly refinished to show quality, and fresh Mountain Blue Wilton carpets fabricated, both for the cabin and the trunk. A new West of England wool broadcloth headliner, to the original pattern, has been installed as well. The Connolly hide to the front seats, rear seatback faces, and armrests is new, and precisely matches the balance of the interior. Correct boot mounted refrigeration was installed in 1990 by our firm, prior to delivery to a most meticulous automobile fancier, through whom it was later reacquired. This particular car was also supplied from new with power window lifts and Blue lambswool overlay mats, still in place. This superb performer is among the finest of necessarily few examples available anywhere, regardless of price. Correct handbook, unplundered tools, and interesting factory build records are all included.

Colour Caribbean Blue
Drive LHD
Type Coupe
Year 1962
Chassis No. BC101LCZ
Price P.O.R.
Country USA


Vendor:


Vantage Motorworks Inc.
1898 N.E. 151 Street, North Miami, Florida 33162

Homepage http://www.vantagemotorworks.net/
Phone 00 (1) 305-940-1161
Fax 00 (1) 305-949-7481
E-mail vantagemotors@juno.com

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Morgan Aero 8 Demonstrator

6 speed, leather, full history, Light stain wooden frame, blue mohair hood (new design), radio fitting kit, air conditioning, electric windows, 18" alloy wheels.

Colour Ice Blue
Interior colour Red Leather
Drive RHD
Type Cabrio / Roadster
Year 2003
M ileage 97 km / 60 m
Price 56.995 GBP
Country United Kingdom



Dealership:

Stratton Motor Company (Norfolk) Limited

Ipswich Road, Long Stratton, Norwich, Norfolk, NR15 2XJ

Homepage http://www.strattonmotorcompany.com/
Phone +44-(0)1508-530 491
Fax +44-(0)1508-531 670
E-mail sales@strattonmotorcompany.com

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Bonhams Auction, Beaulieu Autojumble, UK
13th September

Beaulieu International Autojumble & Automart, Hampshire, UK
13 – 14th September

Goodmans Auction of Exceptional Motor Cars, Sydney, Australia
14th September

Ollons-Villars Hillclimb, Switzerland
20 – 21st September

Coys Auction, Royal Horticultural Halls, London
2nd October

H&H Auction, Buxton, Derbyshire, UK
7th-8th October

see further event details

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