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Retroactive
Anthology of my column appearing every two weeks
in the most read car magazine of Belgium : AutoWereld | |  |
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| Golden Zebra |
| It was Lady Docker, the wife of Sir Bernard Docker, director at Daimlers, who gave the instructions to build this extravagant Daimler dated 1955. The British designer Hooper did the flamboyant coupé coachwork, but most eye catching were the exorbitant finishing details. Instead of chrome, they used gold-leaf, the upholstery was made not of plain leather but Kenian zebra skin (Lady Docker rejected the idea of mink for being to hot to sit on....!), an ivory dashboard, a plexy roof window, the obligatory incorporated cocktail set in cristal and gold, a lugage set in the finest material, etc....At Daimler, colleague directors where not pleased at all, seeing Sir Bernard Docker and his wife travelling in this car to Monaco on the expenses of the company in order to attend the wedding of Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly. Some weeks later Sir Bernard Docker was fired.
Early December, the "Golden Zebra" was auctioned in London. The initial cost price of £12,000 being much to high in 1955, was easily surpassed and ended at £ 177,500 (265.000 euro) !
Would Lady Docker have been right all the same?
Info : www.bonhams.com
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| Top Classics in Maastricht |
| The dynamic organising team of the Inter Classics & Topmobiel, already learned from the past that this Maastrichts classic car happening is the ideal place for classic car friends to wish one another a happy new year. Once again on the 11,12,13 and 14th of January they open their doors.
Sponsored by a Dutch banker, Top-Mobiel is always aiming for exclusive classic cars while The Inter-Classics is weaving around it a typical trading show . At the preview on Thursday 11, the guests can enjoy the company of the glamorous show-pieces while being surprised with culinary finesses and a dancing party afterwards. On Saturaday, Coys will be auctioning the "Grandes Marques".
This years' theme : "Cars on Film", will be supported by the Louwman's collection aswell as Walt Disney, showing famous movie cars in a real drive-in. Also not to miss, the clubs, the classic car dealers, parts sale, automobilia , etc...
Info : www.ic-tm.nl
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| The beautiful Ghibli: already 40 ! |
At the introduction of the prototype on the Torino Motorshow in 1966, the era of super sportscars having the engine in the front, was actually just ending. That year allready, the Lamborghini Miura had set the tone with the ingenious central position of the V12 engine, cocking a snook at her rivals, Ferrari and Maserati.
Later on, Maserati would show with the Ghibli as Ferrari by developping the 365 GTB "Daytona", that they could offer a much more usable sportscar depending on their traditional concept.
Designer engineer Giugiaro, at the time working with coachbuilder Ghia, is still promoting the Ghibli in interviews as one of his "all time greats".
The Maserati Ghibli was immediately a success. During the production period, between 1967 and 1973, about 1149 Coupé models were built, adding 125 convertibles.
The Ghibli had not only the looks but also some extra power in the forecastle. The reliable V8, 4,7 L produced 310 HP. The somewhat more powerful SS version succeeded in getting 335 HP out of a 4,9 L variant.
The good news is that on the classic car market at an estimated price of 50.000 euro, it stays an affordable car. Where as the Miura or the Daytona are easily getting 4 times this price.
Info: www.maseraticlassico.be
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| Speed in Ostend |
| It is difficult to believe, but more than 100 years ago, on the 13th of November 1904 a Darracq 'automobile' drove on the Ostend beach a world speed record on land of 168 km an hour. The pilot was Paul Baras.
The year after, the 80 HP, 4 cylinder engine was converted into a V8 with 25 L cylinder capacity, reaching easily 200 HP.
Thanks to this conversion, the 'Speed King' trophee went in 1906 to Darracq after reaching 177 km/h in Arles (France) and 196 km/h on the Ormond Beach near Daytona (USA).
The Briton Algenon Lee Guinnes (from the fames Guinnes beer), bought this speedmonster and broke several speed records in the years following.
On 5 December , this unique piece will be auctioned in London by Bonhams. Another round on the Ostend Beach ?
Info : www.bonhams.com/cars
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| Colourful Miura's |
| At the Auto-Moto-D'Epoca show in Padova, the Lamborghini Miura celibrated its 40th anniversary. About 10 of those Italian sportscars arrived in an impressive cortege and drove the male visitors nearly mad . The public invaded the parking to enjoy this colourful line of rarely seen Miura's. |  |
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