Editorial

A very Happy New Year to all of you.

I hope we will brighten up a gloomy post-Christmas period with reader Robert Bennett's story of his Bahama Yellow Aston, and with the news that Bentley will (well, maybe in 2006 if the demand is there, and drop-top Phantoms are flying out of Goodwood…) build a convertible Arnage in a style very much modelled on the company's peerless 1950s open cars. I'm not completely convinced with the more recent twin front headlamp styling on the saloon, nor the two-tone paint. But perhaps that's a personal thing and the heavily swept-back windscreen is a joy - as is the clean treatment of the folded hood, and the sumptuous interior.

Looking to the year ahead we will be bringing you our usual mix of new cars, old cars, events, a little 'lifestyle' and stories from around the world. In Europe, Rétromobile is just a few weeks away, and the Detroit Motor Show starts in a couple of days' time. Surely one of the highlights of the year to come will be the return of a works Aston Martin to the race tracks, as well as the same company's launch of its eagerly-awaited AMV8 model, together with deliveries of Ferrari's F430 hitting the streets. There's no Le Mans Classic this year but the crème-de-la-crème events of the Goodwood Revival, Mille Miglia and Tour Auto will provide much to entertain us all.

Of course all of this frippery means nothing in the context of the recent terrible events in South East Asia. Please give generously to the charity we have linked up with below.

Steve Wakefield Managing Editor sw@classicdriver.com

THIS WEEK IN CLASSIC DRIVER

AC Cobra 427 Street Car

4 speed, leather, full history, Matching Numbers , CSX3334 was recently brought back to the USA from a large collection of classic cars in Japan. It has been with a local cusomer who has serviced it back to perfect driving condition.

Exterior and interior are almost new showroom condition.
This 427 has just benefitted from a complete mechanical rebuild that includes rebuilt engine, suspension, brakes, exhaust and tires. One of just 260 examples produced. One of the very last 427 Cobras. History is all verifiable in the Shelby American World Registry.


colour Dark Green
interior colour Red Leather
year 1967
mileage 23.818 km / 14.800 m
Chassis No. CSX3334

Price $399,000


Dealership:

Aston Martin of New England
85 Linden Street , Waltham, MA 02452

Phone +1-781.547.5959

see all details

see complete stock from this dealer

Mirage M 3 Spyder

original condition, FIA Papers, original racing history, Unique DFV engined Spyder,raced by Ickx / Oliver for JW Automotive. Lead Zeltweg until retirement, outright winner Imola..mothballed when JW took over Works Porsche Team for 1970. 2 owners, ready to race with Nicholson-DFV


colour Gulf Blue /Orange
year 1969
Chassis No. M3-001

Price 375.000 GBP


Dealership:

Hall & Hall
Lincolnshire

Phone +44 (0)1932 247907

see all details

see complete stock from this dealer

Porsche 911 Carrera 4 S (Special) 3.8 RSR

6 speed, leather, phone, sports suspension, sports exhaust, modified engine / Tuned, full history, original condition, Climate control, full leather interior, 362BHP RSR big valve engine, bespoke suspension and gear ratios, 18" BBS split rim magnesium alloys with TUV paperwork. Full GT2 Evo bodykit with "Becker Design" Mobil airbrushed graphics. Built by Porsche Zentrum Koblenz and Manthay Racing.

Engine built by PZK is big valve single throttle bodied 3.8RSR+ with dyno sheets showing 362BHP. The car is totally unique in virtually every way. The condition is simply AS NEW. the car is 4 wheel drive is great on the track but is fantastic on the road.


colour Silver
interior colour Boxster Red (Full leather)
drive LHD
year 8/1996
mileage 46.000 km / 28.583 m
Chassis No. wpozzz99zvs311995
Engine No. m64/21s

Price 46.850 GBP


Dealership:

Sean Lockyear Specialist Cars
Ingthorpe Grange, West Marton, Skipton, North Yorks, BD23 3UH

Phone +44 (0)1282 844845

see all details

see complete stock from this dealer

Detroit North American International Auto Show, USA
9th - 23rd Jan 2005

Coys Auction at InterClassics, Maastricht, Netherlands
15th Jan 2005

VSCC The New Year Driving Tests, Brooklands, Weybridge, UK
16th Jan 2005

Palm Beach Cavallino Classics, Palm Beach, Florida, USA
18th - 23rd Jan 2005

Barons Auction, Esher, Surrey, UK
8th Feb 2005

Christie's Auction at Rétromobile, Paris, France
12th Feb 2005

International Historic Motorsport Show 2005, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, UK
25th - 27th Feb 2005

see further event details

If you want to unsubscribe from our Newsletter,
please visit our ClassicInside Homepage at

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