Cars

The popularity of this model means hefty demand, and consequently a hefty price – and even so, genuine, original examples are becoming increasingly hard to find. But a top-quality Austin-Healey 3000 is worth the money you pay. Combining flair and fun, they are true British classics – proper representatives of a ‘Big Healey’. The example pictured here, its red paintwork combined with a black leather interior, is on sale at Altena Classic Service in Gramsbergen, The Netherlands.

The Carabo project was a collaborative effort between the Italian manufacturer and the Bertone styling house: a partnership which had previously borne fruits that included the 2000 Sportiva and BAT concept cars of the mid-1950s. The basis of the Carabo was a chassis numbered 75033.109 which was, more specifically, that of a 33 Stradale road car. Despite sharing mechanicals with the Tipo 33 race car and since being recognised as one of the most beautiful cars in history, Alfa had trouble finding owners for the Stradale due to its steep asking price of around $17,000.

In the polar region, a reindeer sleigh may be an adequate means of transport; but in snow-scarce Central Europe, Santa’s red-nosed servants are more likely to be a hindrance than a help in his quest for the rapid delivery of presents.

In the early nineties, Aston was in the process of a major brand overhaul and was operating under the Ford umbrella; as was Ghia, the Italian Carrozzeria purchased by the blue oval in 1970. With the substantial funds on offer from the American giant, discussions had begun on what the British marque could do to expand its market and eventually Moray Callum – working for Ghia at the time – was enlisted to design a four-door saloon to revive the defunct Lagonda brand. Ironically, Moray’s older brother Ian was simultaneously designing the DB7.

Matra was a French manufacturer best known for its production of aeronautics and weaponry – until, that is, it entered its first full Formula 1 season in 1968. The pinnacle of its motorsport involvement came just a year later, when the Matra-Ford team won the 1969 Constructors’ Championship, with Jackie Stewart easily taking the corresponding Drivers’ title. Alongside Matra’s Formula 1 endeavours, the company had also begun producing sports cars for the road, following the acquisition of Automobiles René Bonnet.

The C52 was conceived during an unstable period for Alfa Romeo. While the company had just taken the 1951 Formula 1 World Championship, post-War cash shortages within the firm led to its withdrawal from the competition, with the 1900 Berlina road car deemed to be of higher importance. But the competition department was allowed a stay of execution, partly hinging on the promise that it could create an image-boosting race car for entrance into the 1952 Le Mans and Mille Miglia, with the potential to be sold to amateur racers.

In 1974, the tireless Giugiaro – fresh from penning Maseratis Ghibli, Bora and Merak – began a project to design a four-door Maserati that combined the luxury of an American limousine with abundant power – the latter being notably absent in the 207bhp Quattroporte II of the same year. The philosophy of Giugiaro’s car was expounded in its name, ‘Medici’: inspired by the celebrated Florence family that had risen to fame in the 14th Century, through an unequivocal business aptitude and a love of culture and arts.

What was newsworthy about the Singer Racing Silver metallic with Ruby Red interior – a homage to a classic, high-performance early 911 – was that it showcased sophisticated new processes and partnerships with world-class suppliers that will further elevate founder and creative director Rob Dickinson’s dream of building the ultimate air-cooled 911.

However, the story of its gestation is just as interesting as the outcome; for it was originally conceived as a race car, rather than the concours queen it has become.

The first of these lay in its configuration: the Bulldog remains the only ever mid-engined Aston Martin to this day, with a 5.3-litre V8 nestled behind the two occupants. An output of well over 600bhp was achieved courtesy of a pair of Garrett turbochargers and a Bosch fuel-injection system – and although its fastest official speed recorded at the MIRA test track was 191mph (an exact match for the current DBS), Aston Martin claimed a theoretical (if slightly ambitious) top speed of 237mph.