King of Clios
Looking at the size of modern-day hatchbacks, it’s often hard to believe Renault’s lovable Clio was once as small as the one we present to you today. Back in the 1990s, small cars were, small, and yet didn’t compromise its cabin area, allowing four passengers to travel in relative comfort. Safety has naturally come much further since the first Clio, but its micro dimensions and wafer-thin pillars are now all part of its charm, especially when they are finished in shades of Sports Blue, made famous by the Clio Williams.
Built as a homologation version for FIA Group A, Group N and also serving as a worthy commemoration of Renault’s success in Formula 1 with the Williams Racing team, these hot hatches have become a real collector’s item. Littered with quirks and special badging, the Clio is also renowned for its exceptional performance, precise handling, and limited production run, making it highly desirable among collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Heavy Hittin’ Hot Rod
Now, we’ve seen our fair share of Jaguar’s lovable E-Type over the years. Barn finds, concours winners, low-drag race winners, elegant drop-tops, you name it, there’s most likely been an example for sale in the Classic Driver Market. What we can safely say we’ve never seen before is a Jaguar E-Type housing a 7.0-litre V8 from a Ford Galaxie under its long bonnet.
Brainchild of Rob Beck and Geoff Richardson, both accomplished racers and engineers in the 1960s, had previous in outrageous engine swaps, but this build would see something entirely new, and one that has never been done since. The duo squeezed a NASCAR spec Ford Galaxie 427ci engine into the E-Type’s engine bay, producing in excess of 470 bhp, and following some extensive reworking of the chassis and frame, the beast was ready to be awoken. The car would go on to become a fierce competitor across UK racetracks and marks a true visionary approach to creating a highly capable and reliable racing car.
Now, after tackling hillclimbs at Goodwood’s Festival of Speed and Shelsley Walsh, this beast is ready for its new owner, the big question is, can you handle it?
Specification Perfection
Sure, the original owner of this Ferrari F355 might have opted for the ‘safe’ option of Rosso Corsa over Nero when ordering new in 1994, a choice that would have no doubt been the right one when the time came to sell the car on. However, while we are all partial to a bit of Rosso on a Ferrari, non-Rosso colours seem to set our hearts racing, and this wonderful example was given an entirely new look, now finished in the stunning Bleu Chiaro.
This striking new shade isn’t the party piece, though, nor is the wonderful six-speed manual gearbox. The interior space is a symphony of rich tan leather, filling the seats, centre console and dashboard, changing the entire character of this 1990s dream car. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, this F355 also comes complete with a Capristo exhaust system with flaps!
Super Veloce Racing
It is always quite a surprise to see a Lamborghini trading paint with its rivals out on a race track. Not only because of their value, but more so that as a brand, there was never a desire to compete against the likes of Ferrari and Porsche. That all changed with the Diablo, and no doubt led to the brand now competing in multiple disciplines all over the world. The SV-R was designed for the Philippe Charriol SuperSport Trophy and a total of only 32 were built. These cars were intended for both professional drivers and top Lamborghini customers who wanted to take their car to the track.
Despite looking relatively similar to the road-going Diablios, the SV-Rs boasted improved brakes, while the suspension was made stiffer, glass was replaced with lexan plastic and the 5.7-liter V12 engine was developed to produce 540 horsepower. In total, Lamborghini fitted about 250 new parts to make the racing SV-R. Of the 32 racers, it’s likely a much smaller number of cars now remain original and intact, making this fine example a true piece of raging bull history!
Bertone Bodied BMW
If you’re a BMW fanatic, you’re going to love RM Sotheby’s upcoming sale in Munich. Not only is it full of some of the brand’s best performance cars of yesteryear, but also quirky examples of lesser-known cars such as this stunning 3200 CS from 1963. Penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro while working for Bertone, just 603 four-seaters were produced between 1962 and 1965, with a mere 132 leaving the factory in 1963. That makes this fine example a truly rare car, far rarer than even some of BMW’s most famous poster cars.
Powered by a mighty 3.0-litre V8, this is one sporty coupé that boasts far more than just effortless Italian charm, but also a powerful motor under the bonnet which would allow it to become a comfortable cruiser for the longer journey.
