Hips Don’t Lie
Take one look at this 2009 SL 65 Black Series’ outrageous carbon fibre-reinforced plastic bodykit and you’ll know it means business. As the first fixed hard top SL since the iconic gullwing, the SL 65 Black Series had big shoes to fill, especially considering the notoriety the Black Series badge had garnered up to its release, but you won’t find anyone on Earth claiming this car under-delivers.
Under that vast bonnet sits a 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged V12 that produces 661 horsepower and a tarmac-peeling 738 pound-feet of torque. Top speed is electronically limited to 199 mph, and there’s no doubt that this SL will smash the double tonne with it removed. One of just 350 built, this Palladium Silver over black Nappa leather SL 65 is a prime example of the breed, especially as it shows just 835 miles on the odometer. If you want to try and wrangle one of the wildest Mercs of all time, look no further.
Lusso’d for Words
Everyone has their favourite Colombo V12-engined Ferrari, and the 250 Lusso is mine. It might not dart around a racetrack as swiftly as a 250 SWB, but the Lusso’s sweeping rear and bejewelled chrome front make for an achingly beautiful sports car that can rival any other in the looks department.
This fully matching-numbers, concours winning example from 1964 has us questioning why anyone wouldn’t pick black over beige as their prancing horse spec of choice, yet this is the sole Lusso finished by the factory in this combination. While we’d be content to just sit and stare at this piece of automotive art, that Tipo 168 U engine is calling to be driven, and if you have the means, we highly recommend you take to the driver’s seat.
Return of the Widow Maker
The 996 generation saw a reset for the entire 911 lineage as the model made the switch to water-cooling, and Porsche wasted no time in producing a worthy heir to their first air-cooled 911 Turbo, known worldwide as ‘the Widow Maker’ for its propensity to dispatch overzealous drivers.
You’d be forgiven for thinking Porsche were trying to make the 996 GT2 as intimidating as possible, especially in this fiery shade of Guards Red. Its twin-turbocharged flat-six is capable of deploying 483 horses to the rear wheels alone, while the large Recaro bucket seats and the peppering of carbon fibre panels in the interior serve as reminder of its potency. This example looks absolutely fabulous riding on a set of GT3 alloys and, with 16,034 miles on the odometer, it remains low-mileage without the concerns that accompany a lack of use. If you want to scare yourself silly, hop aboard.
Business at the Front, Lombardi at the Back
The Lancia Delta S4 Stradale has to be one of the least homologated homologation specials ever; simply judging by the bodywork, you can tell this isn’t your average hatchback. Even for the uninitiated, the way the body panels open like a giftbox to reveal the tubular aluminium chassis and mid-mounted Lombardi-designed 1.8-litre four-cylinder firecracker removes any misconceptions about this number plate-wearing Group B monster.
This S4 is one of only around 100 units believed to have been built from the intended run of 200, and has covered a scant 5,282 miles since it rolled off the production line. This is reflected in its alcantara-clad tan interior, which looks as if it has never been sat in, while the deep red exterior looks similarly immaculate. Considering that the Delta S4 rally car dominated Group B for the final two years of the class’ existence, we can only imagine how magical driving this 247 horsepower unicorn on the road would be.
Sunshine on Four Wheels
Renault has a bit of a habit of making design icons out of its city runabouts, and the cheery-eyed Twingo is no exception. In fact, 2023 has been seen the first-generation Twingo burble back into the limelight as its round-edged 1990s styling continues ripen with age.
This Cyprus Yellow example from 1996 is possibly the closest thing you’ll find to a drivable endorphin injection; there’s simply no way you could be unhappy sat inside that fantastic fabric interior. Fully restored to its original specification and benefitting from a recent respray, this Twingo would make for the ideal daily, providing a ray of sunshine as the winter months creep up on us.
