Edition 24/2008 49.567 subscribers
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EDITORIAL
On the face of it, the BMW GINA concept car would appear to be a gift to the cynical motoring columnist.
It's made of fabric. Yes, it's really covered in cloth, albeit super–duper, space–age silver Neoprene. And what's more, programmable electric motors underneath the woven 'skin' can shape–shift the contours of the car for aerodynamic reasons, or to reveal the headlamps — or just for the hell of it, I guess.
The doors are mainly hidden and so the 'bodywork' wrinkles at the hinge when opened. The man behind it all, Christopher E. Bangle, Head of BMW Group Design, has used it both as an inspiration for his early 21st Century production–car designs, and as a concept in its own right.
So you may, in 10 or 20 years' time, be able to buy a lightweight BMW with adjustable bodywork that reacts to road speed and cornering forces, or to the available light, or even which side of the bed you got out of that morning.
I can see one problem in its home market, though. What will the German tuners make of it all?
You'd probably get as good a job done in Savile Row — "I think we can take the boot in a little there. And make a smaller revere where the windscreen is let in, with a four–button filler cap and single–vent radiator. Oh yes, that's a big improvement" — as in Essen.
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Steve Wakefield |
THIS WEEK IN CLASSIC DRIVER
Bentley Revises its Continental Flying SpurNew Speed model with 200mph capabilityIn line with the changes made last year to the Continental GT coupé, Bentley has announced a similar updating of its four–door. This must, surely, make it the fastest series-production saloon in the world. read more... |
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Aston Martin DB4GT — ex–Tour de FranceTour de France? We must be talking about a Ferrari, surely? Well actually, no... It's the only Aston Martin DB4GT ever to contest the famous French endurance race, and it's just emerged onto the public scene after spending the past 48 years largely hidden away in France. read more... |
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BMW GINA ConceptA car of... cloth?Chris Bangle is at it again: giving the car world a shock. This time it's a fabric-bodied concept car, the 'GINA'. At first, the idea of a car made of cloth seems bizarre but hey — let's not be luddites about this. read more... |
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Grand Tour Internazionale Di Sicilia–Targa Florio26th May-1st June 2008"Cabin crew seats for landing please," says the Captain and, as our Boeing 737 descends, sun–baked Sicily comes into view surrounded by a twinkling Mediterranean sea. read more... |
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Bonhams Rolls–Royce and Bentley Sale, June 21st 2008Includes lotlistBonhams 2008 event will feature over 30 cars, one of which has (slightly tenuous) topical connotations: an ex–Sean Connery 1961 Bentley S2 Saloon, estimated at £12,000 — 15,000. read more... |
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Porsche Turns 60Sixty years ago, one man realised his dream and an iconic marque was born. That man was Ferry Porsche — and it all started when he tried, and failed, to find his perfect car. So he decided to build it himself: the result was the mid–engined 356 prototype. read more... |
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CLASSIC LIFE
Keeping Time at the Le Mans ClassicLimited–edition watchRichard Mille, sponsor and official timekeeper for July's spectacular Le Mans Classic meeting, has created a very special limited–edition chronograph to commemorate the occasion in considerable style. read more... |
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THE PULLMAN GALLERY PRESENTS:
Alain Levesque (b.1956) ‘Silver Arrows’, original acrylic on canvas, dimensions: 52 x 40 inches (132 x 101 cms).Levesque’s highly expressive style is eminently suited to automotive subjects, as ably demonstrated by this striking image of the all-conquering German race cars that dominated pre-war Grand Prix circuits. Levesque was a leading contributor to The 1920s: The Age of the Metropolis at the Montreal Museum of Fine Art and has created major works for the city’s Film Festival. His paintings brilliantly capture the essence of the famous marques that shaped automotive history in the last century. Ref 3522 |
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Additional information can be found on our website www.pullmangallery.com or by calling +44(0)20 7930 9595. |
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The Pullman GalleryAt - |
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THE CLASSIC DRIVER PREMIUM CAR MARKET
MODERN
Aston Martin Vanquish
colour Skye Silver |
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UK Aftersales Excellence Award Winner 2006. For further details **or** to arrange a demonstration please contact David **or** Rachel on +44(0)871 663 6435.
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Broughtons Aston MartinTown/City: Cheltenham, UK |
CLASSIC
Mercedes-Benz SL Pagoda 280SL
colour White |
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Finished in Police White with Black Hide Interior. Specification Includes: Hard Top. Black Mohair Soft Top. Automatic Transmission. Original Becker Radio to Fascia with Radio/CD in Glove Box. Up-graded Speaker System. Electric Aerial. Tinted Glass all round with Shaded Band to Windscreen.
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Bramley of KensingtonTown/City: London, UK |
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SPORTING
BMW 3.5 CSL Full winged, Schnitzer-tuned Gp.2.
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THE BATCAVE |
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Julius ThurgoodTown/City: Leamington Spa, UK |
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EVENTGUIDE 2008
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13.06. — 15.06. Le Mans 24 Hours, France |
SERVICE
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