Step aside Singer
We’ve seen remastered versions of some of the world’s best classics of late, and it was only a matter of time before the original Fiat 500 got a makeover. If Singer were to step away from their glorious 911 builds and work on 500s, this example available at Cartech might just be the result.
Boasting custom-made Bilstein suspension, a specialised front axle, perforated disc brakes, original 12-inch Abarth wheels and sticky tyres, it may not have the power of Stuttgart’s finest to hand despite its Abarth engine and 40mm Weber carburettors, but what it lacks in speed in more than makes up for in style and pure driving fun!
Barchetta Bristol
John Tojeiro, a former naval air force engineer, brought his mechanical ingenuity to motor racing during what was to be one of the most important eras in motorsport. The early 1960s was awash with experimental designs and engineering, and Tojeiro quickly made a name for himself with his adaptable machines, powered by a range of engines, including those from Aston Martin, Coventry Climax, Jaguar, and Bristol.
This wonderful Tojeiro-Bristol served as the basis for the chassis licensed to AC for the Ace by Tojeiro. So, it's safe to say that without this model, the AC Ace wouldn’t have come to fruition, and without the Ace, there’d be no Shelby Cobra. This variant, the third and final chassis built to this original Ferrari 166 MM-inspired specification, was reportedly driven in-period by Ron Flockhart, two-time Le Mans winner. It was later modified with an extended wheelbase, a whole 12 inches longer than standard, and fitted with a Bristol engine. Now, after a comprehensive restoration to its original barchetta form, the car is ready to stun onlookers once more, and is no doubt eligible for multiple historical events including the Mille Miglia.
Rally Royalty
In the pantheon of rally-bred heroes, few names stir the soul quite like the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. Built after the iconic battles against arch their rally stage nemesis, Subaru, this special-edition Evo isn’t just a car, it’s a rolling homage to one of motorsport’s great chapters.
Created in honour of Tommi Mäkinen’s remarkable four consecutive World Rally Championship titles, the “TME” took everything the standard Evo VI had mastered and turned the dial up a notch. From its quicker steering rack and revised suspension geometry, through to its signature red and white livery echoing the Ralliart works car, every element of this now highly desirable JDM icon has been carefully considered. Usually found in shades of Red or White, this Silver example truly is a rarity!
Yellow Over Mahogany
In the twilight of the G-series era, Porsche unveiled a tribute to its open-air heritage with the 911 Speedster. Designed as a true powerhouse with the ability to allow drivers to hear every element of what makes their sportscar so good, the Speedster has quickly become one of the model’s most desirable variants. This example, one of just 823 crafted for the U.S. market, stands out with its Paint-to-Sample non-metallic Light Yellow finish, a hue reminiscent of the legendary Carrera 2.7 RS.
Beyond its striking exterior, this Speedster boasts a thoughtfully curated specification. The supple Mahogany partial leather interior complements the brown soft top; while matching Light Yellow 16-inch Fuchs forged alloy wheels complete the ensemble. The creativity doesn’t stop there, though, boasting factory options including fully power-adjustable seats, cruise control, an alarm system, a shorter gear shift lever, a steering wheel with a raised hub, air conditioning, and a Blaupunkt Reno cassette stereo!
Wait, What?
After 27 years of business, here at Classic Driver we like to think we have a pretty good knowledge of cars, whether popular or obscure. Sometimes, though, there are cars that slip through the cracks, leaving us scratching our heads. As you might have guessed, this is one of them.
Child TV star Dave Stollery was bound for greatness from the start, and had always been fascinated by good design, which would lead him to become an outstanding car designer, spending many years with General Motors and Toyota. After a stint with Harley-Davidson, he took the plunge creating his own R&D company, Industrial Design Research, which is where the outrageous ASVE AREX Super Coupe Roadster you see before you was born. Powered by Chevy’s mighty V8 from the Corvette, this straight-from-space looking drop-top could rocket from 0-60mph in just 3 seconds, and onto a claimed 200 mph! If you’re desperate for a car like anything else on the open road, this is the one for you!
