Edition 26/2009 49.989 subscribers
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EDITORIAL
Who could resist the cute little Aston Martin Cygnet? I like it, and believe it reveals a forward–thinking vision for the company that will manifest in other, more 'traditionally Aston' areas.
For those less than impressed, contrast and compare the Toyota iQ–based city car with previous efforts such as the Tickford Capri. Exactly — and I like the idea of a 'tender' to a big, V12–engined Aston Martin that's not always suitable for that visit to the theatre, railway station or Tuscan hilltop village.
Lamborghini has been busy, too. My knowledge of engineering just about extends to a Meccano Set No. 6, and I'm surprised — nay, astonished — that the Italian company is making as few as 250 examples in two–wheel–drive only. Clearly there's something else afoot — unless it's just a matter of disconnecting a few bits in the transmission.
I think they know what they are doing. (They've probably built the big crane that's last in the instruction book and pictured on the box.)
It sounds a fabulous machine, a sort of F430 + (or 430 Scuderia –), if you like. Whenever I wax lyrical about some multi–cylinder car or another, the cry inevitably goes up: "Yes, but have you driven the Lamborghini/Audi V10...?" Not yet, I answer, a dreamy, wistful expression playing on my face.
It's terrific, apparently, and this installation promises to be the best yet.
The 2009 Goodwood Festival of Speed starts today, and the Classic Driver team will be heading from all points of the compass to see Lamborghinis, Astons and the rest of the field do their thing on the Goodwood hill. Not your Editor, as I shall be taking some holiday before travelling to Switzerland next weekend for the St Moritz British Classic Car Meeting.
ClassicInside will be delivered to your inbox as usual on Friday, with all the Goodwood news, as Charis Whitcombe takes over the editorial chair.
I look forward to reading how it all went.
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Steve Wakefield |
THIS WEEK IN CLASSIC DRIVER
Lamborghini Gallardo LP 550–2 Valentino BalboniThe latest version of the Gallardo has been announced, a model named in honour of the famous Lamborghini test-driver Valentino Balboni. The Gallardo LP 550–2 Valentino Balboni name-tag also reflects the 550HP power output and a '2' for rear-wheel drive — a technical feature unique among current Lamborghinis. read more... |
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Coys at MG Live Festival Silverstone 11 July 2009Coys will be back on familiar ground this July — selling cars during a historic festival at Silverstone. The almost exclusively MG catalogue has 40 entries, including several X–Power V8s, such as this 2001 MG TF X–Power 500. read more... |
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Aston Martin Cygnet — Luxury Commuter Car ConceptIn a surprise announcement, Aston Martin has revealed that it will be showing a city car concept based on the highly rated Toyota iQ. read more... |
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Mugello Road Race (Mugello Stradale) 12–14 June 2009With a name like 'Mugello Road Race', I simply had to take part. In Italian it's called the Mugello Stradale and each lap of this mountain race is 66km long. It has been going since 1914 but in 1974 it was temporarily stopped. The revival is now managed by Scuderia Biondetti. read more... |
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La Dolce Vita Automobili 2009Italian supercars and etceterini at MontereyOn Friday, August 14, during Monterey Car Week in Northern California, La Dolce Vita Automobili at Black Horse will present the freshest display of motor cars on the peninsula. read more... |
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CLASSIC LIFE
Hublot 'All Black' by BMCWheels and cogs, but it's not a watch; it's a bicycle...Luxury watchmaker Hublot is partnering the Swiss racing bicycle manufacturer BMC to produce another product in its 'All Black' range. read more... |
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THE CLASSIC DRIVER PREMIUM CAR MARKET
MODERN
Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG Black Series
colour Obsidian Black |
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LHD; Interior trim carbon AMG; Adaptive flashing brake lights; Special edition 'AMG Black Series'; AMG performance steering wheel with smaller diameter; Media interface; AMG alloy rim spoke design 19" / 20"; Interior monitoring; Summer tyres; AMG floor mats, velour with AMG label; Automatic anti-dazzle rear view mirror; Comfort-telephony; AMG SPEEDSHIFT five-speed automatic transmission; COMAND APS with CD-changer; Automatic airconditioning; Bi-Xenon-headlights (right hand traffic); Surround-sound system Harman Kardon Logic 7; KEYLESS-GO.
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Clive Sutton Premier Marques LtdTown/City: London, UK |
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CLASSIC
Aston Martin DB2 2/4
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This is one of the three Factory Works entries for the 1955 Monte Carlo Rally and which was driven by Parnell / Klemantaski to 17th in Class and Overall Team Prize winners.
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Morris & Welford UK Town/City: |
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SPORTING
Lotus Elise GT1 (Type 115) FIA Race Car
colour Green/Yellow |
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Chassis-number GT1-1 has been constructed by the English G-Tech company using major components from the Lotus factory’s GT1 project. From our research we believe that this car is built around the spare chassis from the factory race team, and as chassis #1 was the first example of only 8 cars produced by Lotus. The factory Lotus team used chassis 2 and 4 for the 1997 FIA GT Championship with this car as it was intended to be raced in the British GT Championship, and still has the scrutineering sticker from Silverstone in 2000 on the car. However the car never competed in anger in track-racing.
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SpeedmasterTown/City: Bradford, UK |
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EVENTGUIDE 2009
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03.07. — 05.07. Goodwood Festival of Speed, UK |
SERVICE
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