Editorial

Welcome back after our short Easter break. I now realise we missed a trick by not sending an English Newsletter on 1st April. Our German office produced a superb spoof whereby a "Classic Driver Premium Lane" was to be constructed to run alongside the A24 from Hamburg to Berlin. Usage was solely by exclusive performance cars, and a 14.950 Euro annual subscription. A sophisticated system of radio signals ensured that only registered cars used this lane; the speed limit of course being unlimited. Great stuff, sad to relate in many countries the reverse is happening and we could well see government-controlled speed and usage limiters in place in 10 years time. No joke at all.

I hope we’ve made up for last week’s absence with some cracking stories today. Only Alexander Davidis could turn his unique car photography into an art installation in New York (where else?) with the magnificently named Willyum Delirious (who else?). Do try and download some of the movie clips in the article - you only need a martini, pulsating ‘60s music and go-go dancers in cages to complete the scene. Well I do anyway.

There’s also a great piece on one of today’s most outrageous supercars the Pagani Zonda S7.3 Roadster, as they say in the subtitle, ‘Nothing Succeeds Like Excess’ - and you can’t get much more excessive than that.

Business as usual next week - have a great weekend.

Steve Wakefield Managing Editor sw@classicdriver.com

THIS WEEK IN CLASSIC DRIVER

Ferrari 250GT Lusso ex-Rob Walker

Of the 350 250GT Lussos built, just 22 were delivered in right hand drive form and 19 survive, making this an ultra-rare example. A well-known car, chassis 5463 was supplied new through UK Ferrari agents Maranello Concessionaires late in 1963.

The next owner was race team manager and driver, the late Rob Walker, who purchased it when it had covered a mere 5,000 miles. Walker promptly had the car repainted to his synonymous dark blue livery. By 1968 he had sold it to an Army Captain but when he in turn was posted overseas, Walker took the car back and offered it for sale again in Summer 1969.

Once sold in the heady 1980s boom for £440,000, letters on file confirm that a full restoration was undertaken at that time by Strattons. In more recent times the car has been owned by a number of luminaries within the classic car world, and came into the present enthusiastic ownership five years ago.

A beautifully presented Ferrari, its owner was able to prove its abilities on a recent test-drive when it performed impeccably. On the road a Lusso must be one of the most practical and straightforward Ferraris to drive, its gearbox is robust and has a very positive feel, while the driver's vision is superb. Importantly, the model also offers entry to a number of the more coveted events from the retrospective Tour de France (Tour Auto) to those of the Ferrari Owner's club.

colour Grigio Argento
interior colour Black
drive RHD
year 1964
country UK

Price GBP 170.000 - 200.000


Auction House:

Christie's Sale at Jack Barclay Showroom 19th April 2005
The Jack Barclay Showroom, 2-4 Ponton Rd, London SW8 5BA

Phone +44 (0)207 389 2851

see all details

see complete entry from this sale

Lamborghini Diablo

In very good condition both inside and out with a lot of work carried out on the interior.

Good service history - much of which recent.

colour Metallic Blue
interior colour Cream with Blue
drive RHD
year 1994
mileage 39.000 km / 24.233 m
country UK

Price GBP 56.950


Dealership:

Oakfields

Phone +44-(0)1256-760 256

see all details

see complete stock from this dealer

Venturi 400 - 600 SLM

5 speed, sports suspension, modified engine / Tuned, full history, restored, Matching Numbers , FIA Papers

Originally supplied as a 400 Trophy, the car has been entirely (cosmetically and mechanically) upgraded at great expenses - with brand new original parts only - to 600 LM specification.

Configured better than a standard 600, this car features a brand new and original 600 SLM engine with only 9 hrs of track tests. Additional chassis-reinforcment (that is not standard on 600 LMs - see pictures), fully equiped with racing hose connections, unique rear gear locker, front hydraulic jack relocated to the centre in oder to balance weight distribution, carbon floor and multiple lightweight alloy components, 380mm disc brakes with 6 pistons mono-block calipers, triple clutch disc, dry sump, power steering, brand new hewland DGB gearbox.

Dramatic performances: 18 sec. on the 1,000 meters standing start, dyno sheet shows 559 bhp with 36mm bridles and 630 bhp with high turbo pressure, 1,050 kgs only, up to 360 km/h according to the gearbox ratios.

The car comes with a complete file and lots of pictures taken during upgrade from 400 to 600 LM. Absolutely concours condition, never crashed, and prepared to win. This breathtaking motorcar is a true collector’s piece.

Eligible for both French historic and UK championships, VdeV racing series. Priced right at 120,000 Euros or best offer. (Huge spare package available at extra cost includes a brand new 600 SLM engine with 600 LM turbos, 21 additional and brand new gearbox ratios, 4 rims, 12 tyres of which 4 wet and 8 slicks, few used body parts... Inquire for further details.)

Car located in our garage.

colour Metallic Red
interior colour Black
year 6/1994
mileage 500 km / 311 m
country France

Price 120.000 EUR

Dealership:
FA Automobile
70 Av. Kleber - 75116 Paris - France

Phone +33 (0)1 47 04 54 54

see all details

see complete stock from this dealer

Techno Classica, Essen, Germany
7th - 10th Apr 2005

Sanremo Rally Storico - Coppa dei Fiori, Italy
7th - 10th Apr 2005

Christie's Auction at the Jack Barclay Showroom, Vauxhall, London
19th Apr 2005

Royal Windsor St George's Day Festival of Aston Martin, UK
21st - 23rd April 2005

Tour Auto Lissac, France
25th - 30th Apr 2005

Brooklands Spring Italian Car Day, UK
30th Apr 2005

Modena Cento Ore Classic, Italy
7th - 10th May 2005

see further event details

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