Edition 43/2009 50,008 subscribers
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EDITORIAL
A top–level classic car auction is always good fun. There's generally a point at which the unexpected happens and the saleroom buzzes with excitement. At RM's London auction this week, it occurred just a few lots in, when the 1969 Mercedes–Benz 600 Pullman Landaulet came up for sale.
It was just as well that the cars were not driven 'over the block' this year, as the Landaulet was a non–runner and pushing it would have required the English rugby team. As a 'Pullman', it was built on the longer (153.5in) chassis and was truly gigantic — so much so that you'd have to be an enterprising photographer with an ultra–wide lens to get it all in the frame.
Estimated at £40,000 – 60,000, the car attracted bids starting at £40,000 and then, when auctioneer Max Girardo reached the £100,000 mark, it was clear something special was going to happen. It did, as two potential buyers fought tooth–and–nail over a car alliteratively described in the catalogue as "...principally the province of popes and potentates...".
The hammer finally came down, though, and the new owner was £308,000 poorer but immeasurably richer, having purchased a real head–turner — albeit one that will require a total restoration.
And they don't come cheap — just imagine the size of the hydraulic lift.
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Steve Wakefield |
THIS WEEK IN CLASSIC DRIVER
RM Auctions — Automobiles of London, 28 OctoberIt's three years since RM's first London sale. In 2007 the Mercedes–Benz marque dominated the headlines. This year, a 2006 CLK GTR Roadster was the top–selling car at £616,000, followed by the 1950 Aston Martin DB2 Team Car achieving an impressive £550,000. read more... |
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Modern Classics: BMW Z8Legend has it that when BMW bosses Bernd Pischetsrieder and Wolfgang Reitzle held a leaving party for a senior colleague in 1993, they arranged a display of older BMW models. And as they stood there admiring a 1950s 507, they came up with a plan for a new BMW V8 super–luxury roadster. read more... |
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Singer Porsche 911Restored; reimagined; reborn. So states the strapline of Singer Vehicle Design, creator of the Singer 911. This is "no mere imitation, clone or retro hot–rod, but a re–interpretation and rebirth of the early performance-focused 911s," we're told. read more... |
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Book Review: Maserati Tipo 60 and 61; The Magnificent Front–engined BirdcagesIn a 'prequel' to the authors' 2004 book on the later rear–engined cars, Willem Oosthoek and Michel Bollée have produced a large-format, exhaustively researched volume on the first model referred to as a 'Birdcage' read more... |
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CLASSIC LIFE
So Long As It's Black: Bamford Watch Department"Timepieces that are both individual, yet highly collectible, and above all exclusive." That's how company founder George Bamford describes his range of bespoke, PVD–treated, all–black watches. read more... |
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THE CLASSIC DRIVER PREMIUM CAR MARKET
MODERN
Maserati Quattroporte DuoSelect
colour Grigio Alfieri |
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H.R. Owen Sports Cars Maserati - LondonTown/City: London, UK |
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CLASSIC
Rolls-Royce Phantom I Open Tourer 40/50 H.P. 'Aluminium Sculpture'
colour Polished Aluminium |
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The highly polished aluminium with a mirror-like surface is proof of the panel beater's extraordinary skills as there was no chance to hide any blemishes by paintwork. No external door handles mar the smooth bodywork - hence the name, 'Aluminium Sculpture'.
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The Private Rolls-Royce Collection of Hans-Günter Zach Town/City: Mühlheim am Main, Germany |
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SPORTING
Iso A3C
colour Red |
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One of only three right-hand drive specification cars constructed riveted alloy bodywork with large rear screen and series one dashboard.
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H&H Private Treaty Motor Car SalesTown/City: Warrington, UK |
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EVENTGUIDE 2009/2010
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31.10. — 01.11. The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, UK |
SERVICE
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