Mercedes has always claimed that the S-Class is the best car in the world, and who are we to take issue with that? In 1972, the W116 was born relatively easily, into a world distinctly lacking in luxury saloon cars, vastly different from today’s intensely competitive market. 

Some 760 lizards contributed their skins to the interior of the striking roadster...

Some 760 lizards contributed their skins to the interior of the striking roadster, originally ordered new by New York tycoon Charles A. Levine. Mr Levine commissioned it – but never took delivery, citing ‘business reversals’ as the reason for cancelling the order. After exhibition at the 1929 New York Auto Salon, and at Mercedes’ New York showroom, it was later sold to its first owner, a director of Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Company.

Italian tuning specialists Bel’s provided a modular system of tuning and improvement parts for bikes in the 60s and 70s. For example, the blocks of colour on the tank and seat were available from Bel's in red/white, black/gold and blue/light blue. This 1976 Benelli Sei has been given the full ‘Sei Bel's Edition’ treatment: Bel’s black/gold decals and wheels, and a variety of go-faster equipment that includes new Marzocchi dampers, Tarozzi replica racing footrests and Tommasselli bars.

Silver for Germany, white and blue for the USA, green for Great Britain and yellow for Belgium – different colours, and all seen on winners at racetracks worldwide. But there’s always something about a red car – and it does not have to be Italian – that gives it extra appeal.

Ferrari and Maserati dominated racing in the 1950s and early 1960s, yet a red Lagonda won at Le Mans in 1935, a red Ford Mk IV at the same race in 1967 and, pre-War, works Aston Martin Ulsters were painted in the colours of the home country of team principle Bertelli.

Audi built 200 road-going Sport Quattros to homologate its Group B rally car in the 80s, though there’s much debate as to whether that many were actually delivered.

The Sport Quattro looks awkward from whichever angle you look at it...

Professional designers by day and motorcycle customisers by night, the Muharremi brothers have taken their passion to the next level by giving arguably the dullest 1980s Kawasaki a ground-up refresh. “We chose this bike because, so far, we've yet to see a GT550 given a decent reworking,” says younger brother Bujar, “and the fact that it's a shaft-driven 4-cylinder gives it that concept bike feel”.

This week’s edition is dedicated to that most powerful shade in the spectrum. We not only take a look at some of the more unusual shades of crimson used by the automotive industry, we also consider the famous female stars whose locks are as vibrant as their personalities.

Keith Moon, the madcap drummer of The Who, is famous for driving a Rolls-Royce into a swimming pool.

You might think plunging a car into a swimming pool would be simple enough for a rock ‘n’ roll band, especially given the devil-may-care nature of many heroes of the music business. 

Without a doubt, arrive in James Bond’s submarining Lotus and you’d steal the show. But that won’t go under the hammer until September, so until then, an elegant convertible in a shade of aquatic blue would seem to be the perfect tonic. Here’s a few we found in the market, including one from a model line Bond is already familiar with.