Editorial

I’ve just seen the perfect Christmas present for the motoring man who thought he had everything. Sitting in the dash of an AMG Mercedes, Audi RS6 or Aston Martin V600 it’s got to be the ultimate way to say “Mine’s faster than yours!” It’s Concorde’s legendary ‘Machmeter’, the instrument unique to that most beautiful aircraft, used to measure speeds of up to 1350mph. This lot, and many others, forms part of the London sale of Concorde artefacts next month – we have all the details below.

At the risk of having another go at Mercedes’ press literature I see this week the SLR has been voted ‘Germany’s Best Sports Car’ by the readers of a two magazines. Not bad going considering no journalist has driven one, let alone a member of the public. I understand (very) selected members of the press have been invited to a South African launch this weekend where they will, at last, be able to sample the car from the cockpit. There’s no doubt about it, it’s a fantastic bit of machinery but it seems an extraordinary long time in the making. Let’s see what the journo’s view on it is in a few days’ time.

It was very busy at the International Classic Motor Show last weekend, a show that drew 40,000+ people over two days. Difficult to draw a comparison with the Essen and Paris events but some good stuff was on display by genuine enthusiasts. We have a brief review on Classic Driver this week and in it you will find a reference to the valuable work done by the Midland Automobile Club to save England’s historic Shelsley Walsh hillclimb course. Try and find time to follow the link and help secure the 98 year old venue for another generation of motoring enthusiasts.

Steve Wakefield Managing Editor sw@classicdriver.com

THIS WEEK IN CLASSIC DRIVER

The Historic & Classic-car Hirers Guild (HCHG) is formed in the UK

Four of the UK's leading classic car hire companies have combined forces to create the Historic & Classic-car Hirers Guild (HCHG). This groundbreaking initiative is set to change the face of one of Britain's burgeoning industries by creating a nationwide network of approved hire outlets...

read the complete article

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is Germany’s best sports car according to reader's poll

Readers of the magazines “Auto Zeitung” and “TV Movie” have voted the new Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Germany’s best sports car. As a result this leading-edge Gran Turismo has won the “Auto Trophy 2003”...

read the complete article

International Classic Motor Show 2003, NEC UK - Review

Over last weekend, 8/9 November, an estimated 40,000+ visitors came to the annual International Classic Motor Show held at Birmingham’s NEC complex. An event traditionally linked with the grass roots of the classic car movement, the show featured a strong presence from car clubs and dealers, as well as a large dedicated automobilia area and stands selling tools, spares and books. In short, all the classic car enthusiast needed – under one roof...

read the complete article

Swiss Ferrari Collection to star at Bonhams' Gstaad Sale in December

Bonhams’ much-anticipated annual Sale of Fine Ferraris at Gstaad’s charismatic Palace Hotel on December 19th will star the extraordinary Lepeltier Collection of 14 Ferraris – ranging from a 1961 250GT Short-Wheelbase Berlinetta...

read the complete article

Bonhams to sell BA's Concorde memorabilia

International fine art auctioneers Bonhams will sell important memorabilia from the recently retired British Airways Concorde fleet on Monday 1 December 2003. The auction will be held at the Olympia Exhibition Centre in London and profits will be donated by British Airways to charitable causes including Get Kids Going...

read the complete article

12th November 2003 Bonhams at Harrogate, Great Yorkshire Showground - Review

Top dollar at Bonhams’ recent Harrogate sale was the 1957 Bentley S1 Four Door Saloon Coachwork by James Young Ltd, sold for £24,322 including buyer’s premium. As previewed, the sale centred on down to earth classics and this car apart most lots sold for well under the £20,000 mark. The 1966 Austin-Healey 3000 Mark III Roadster going for £11,500 being a typical example, selling but slightly under the estimate...

read the complete article

Advertisement
PREMIUM OFFERS

Alfa Romeo Tipo 33 TT12

Exceptional Motor Cars and Automobilia Auction
at the Jack Barclay Showroom Tuesday 2nd December 2003 at 6pm

Red racing livery with sponsors decals

Engine: 12 cylinder Boxer, 2,993cc, dry sump lubrication, 500bhp at 11,000rpm; Gearbox: 5 speed manual; Suspension: front and rear independent with coil springs and Koni dampers; Brakes: four wheel disc. Right hand drive.

colour Red
drive RHD
year 1974
Chassis No. AR 11512 008
Engine No. 08

price P.O.R.

Vendor:

Christie's Sale, London 2nd December 2003
The Jack Barclay Showroom, 2-4 Ponton Rd, London SW8 5BA

Phone +44 (0)207 389 2851

see all details

see complete stock from this dealer

Lotus Elise 190 Motorsport

5 speed, sports suspension, sports exhaust, modified engine / Tuned, full history

The Ultimate Lotus Elise…. 190bhp bespoke factory built car (only 10 made per annum) costing in excess of £40,000 new. Finished in Laser Blue with Black/Blue Corbeau racing seats. Willans harnesses. Laser Blue hardtop. Inboard adjustable Bilstein Racing Dampers; stainless steel Motorsport exhaust, Lotus limited slip differential, OZ Racing wheels with Yokohama A048 tyres. Blue hood. 4 speaker Clarion CD player, blue carpets, driving lamps, chrome trim and Thatcham Category 1 alarm and immobiliser. Only 1851 miles by one fastidious owner. Supplied and serviced by ourselves from new. Not for the faint hearted!

colour Laser Blue
interior colour Black/Blue Alcantara
drive RHD
year 7/2002
mileage 2.979 km / 1.851 m
Chassis No. SCCGA11152HC73319
Engine No. 18K4FN06M522185

price 34.995 GBP


Dealership:

Murray Motor Company
Bankhead Drive, Sighthill, Edinburgh, EH11 4DJ

Phone +44-(0)131-442 2800

see all details

see complete stock from this dealer

Bonhams Auction, London Olympia, UK
1st December 2003

Christie's Auction, The Jack Barclay Showroom, UK
2nd December 2003

Barons Auction, Sandown Park Exhibition Centre, Esher, UK
2nd December 2003

Coys Auction, The Royal Horticultural Halls, London
4th December

H&H Auction, Buxton, UK
9 – 10th December 2003

Bonhams Europe Auction, Gstaad, Switzerland
19th December 2003

see further event details

SERVICE

If you wish to be removed from future mailings,
please visit our ClassicInside Homepage at

http://www.classicdriver.com/uk/community/2300.asp