Edition 05/2008 49.316 subscribers
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EDITORIAL
Sometimes it's just the way the dice fall, but this week we have several stories either about Mercedes–Benz, or somehow featuring cars from the great Stuttgart manufacturer in the headline.
Few car–makers have the history or breadth of range of Mercedes. And it's tempting to say that seeing mainstream Benzes in the streets is a modern phenomenon — that cars once the choice of film stars, industrialists and the aristocracy are now available to all and sundry. But that's not really the case. The company has a strong tradition of light and heavy commercial vehicle production, taxis, and solid worthy cars for the middle classes.
Its great skill since the 1930s has been to maintain a top–level bespoke customer–base yet increase the number of entry–level cars. So this week we have news on a facelifted SL — slightly antiseptic maybe, but the world's most complete two–seat tourer — as well as a hatchback that competes in the marketplace with specced–up MINIs.
And reading the Rétromobile-week auction preview, there are several Mercedes likely to sell for millions. You've got to hand it to them.
Rétromobile in Paris starts next Friday so there's still time to arrange a train, plain or automobile for a couple of days away in one of the world's most beautiful cities.
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Steve
Wakefield |
THIS WEEK IN CLASSIC DRIVER
Mercedes-Benz SL — A new lookThe Stuttgart manufacturer's iconic luxury sports car, the SL, has received cosmetic and mechanical updating to ensure its styling and performance match the other models in the Mercedes range. read more... |
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Dancing on IceLamborghini has launched an ice-driving school, to help drivers get to grips with the Gallardo range's impressive capability on snow and ice. The inaugural 2008 European Winter Academy took place in January, at the Auronzo di Cadore, Cortina d'Ampezzo, in Italy. read more... |
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Bonhams at Rétromobile, Paris 9th February 2008Bonhams' first Rétromobile sale is marked by a deluxe 300+ page catalogue with over 70 motor car entries. Two Mercedes-Benz stand out: a 1928 26/120/180 supercharged S-type Torpedo Roadster by J. Saoutchik, and the 1989 Sauber-Mercedes-Benz C9. read more... |
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The New Mercedes-Benz CLCHeavily revised Sports Coupé with new C-Class stylingFollowing the introduction of the new C-Class saloon and estate last year, the Stuttgart manufacturer has announced a three-door hatchback to replace the old Sports Coupé, a model considered to be “one of the most successful models in the Mercedes strategic product initiative”. read more... |
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The Artcurial Auction in Paris 9th February 2008This year's auction by Artcurial held during Rétromobile week is entitled 'The Collectors' Sale'. The three private collections in question are those of Anglo-Irish Henry Browne of Kilmaine, Belgian Thierry Dehaeck and Frenchman Pierre Veniard. . read more... |
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Lotus Exige Sprint40th Anniversary edition goes retroTo celebrate the start of car production at Hethel in 1967, Lotus has announced a run of just 40 cars available in the Elan Sprint colours of Aspen White topped with a choice of either Solar Yellow or Persian Blue. read more... |
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CLASSIC LIFE
Virgin Galactic: Year of the Spaceship“2008 really will be the Year of the Spaceship,” said Sir Richard Branson, at Virgin Galactic's unveiling of WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo in New York in January. The WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) mothership, or carrier aircraft, is expected to begin flight testing this summer. read more... |
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THE CLASSIC DRIVER PREMIUM CAR MARKET
MODERN
Aston Martin DB9 Volante
colour Slate Blue |
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Bamboo veneer, tailors grey headlining, cruise control, heated front screen, power fold back mirrors, cup holder, Linn 260W audio upgrade, radio/cd player, satellite navigation, blue tooth, aluminium pedal pads, 19" alloy wheels, parking aid, alarm, tracker, front stone guards, tyre pressure monitoring, and a bright finish grille.
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Stratton Motor Company (Norfolk) LimitedTown/City: Long Stratton, UK |
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CLASSIC
Ferrari 512 BBi
colour Rosso Corsa with Black |
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Extremely Clean Low Mileage Boxer.
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Fantasy JunctionTown/City: La Jolla, USA |
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SPORTING
Alfa Romeo 8C–35 Tipo
colour Red |
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The Tipo C was Alfa Romeo's response to the innovative, meticulously constructed and astutely managed 'Silver Arrows' from Auto Union and Mercedes-Benz. Evan the brilliance of Tazio Nuvolari could occasionally extract performance from the earlier Alfa Tipo B (P3) that would challenge the German teams.
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Jan B. LuehnTown/City: Telgte/Germany + Brussells/Belgium |
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EVENTGUIDE 2008
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31.01. — 06.02. Rallye Monte–Carlo Historique, Monaco |
SERVICE
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