Have you had enough of old car magazines? I have! Time to think
about other things. Luckily, in our Classic Car world there's always plenty to
occupy us. By now, we are well into the 2017 show season. Already I have a few
outings under my belt so here's to lots of cars-in-a-field action for the rest
of the year.
We're going to encounter many familiar cars as we stroll around and
that's reassuring. Knowing both owners
and cars are still going strong, keeping themselves and their motors on the scene. It
means their passion remains. We can look forward to seeing show grounds fill up
with these automotive lovelies year on year.
I thought I'd give some thought to the cars I'd most like to see if
I could influence this in any way. Indeed, this has already happened perhaps. Did
everyone see the Cord 812 Beverly at Gawsworth Car Show? I had only included a reference
to these cars in a recent blog and lo and behold, there it was.
What a car it is! As muscular a machine as you are likely to see. A
prewar rocket ship. Resplendent in glossy black with its coffin front and
prehensile external exhausts. In recent years, it clocked 110 mph at Bonneville
flats. That's quick for a 70+ year old production car. Wow!
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| Wow! Just, wow! |
Well, as we recently lost Sir Roger Moore it would be great to see a
white Lotus Elite as a sort of automotive tribute. If Sir Sean's Bond had the
DB5, then Moore's car is definitely a Lotus.
People of my generation delighted in the tricked-out Elite from The
Spy Who Loved Me. It's so quintessentially seventies. With its dramatic wedge
shape and egregious capabilities. I'm not sure if it's due to build quality or
rarity we see more DB5s on the scene than Elites. Let's hope one turns out this
year.
Right what next? I know! What about a Citroen SM? You all know I'm a
Citrophile but everyone loves the over-the-top, and very rare, SM.
This is a Citroen DS crashed into a Maserati Merak. The SM combines
the hydro-pneumatic marvels of the French marque, with a six cylinder, 2.7-litre Maserati
engine. All with a distinctive body that screams 'yes I'm French, you got a
problem with that?'
As a GT car it was fast, comfortable and innovative. Amongst its
many qualities is its Divari steering system. This gets heavier the faster the
car's going. It ensures stability and the ability to maintain a straight line
if car loses a tire. There are a couple undergoing restoration around Stockport
to my knowledge. Let's hope one makes it into a field in Cheshire very soon.
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| Isn't she/he lovely? |
From the sublime to the more mainstream. What about a late model
Datsun Cherry? In fact, any classic Datsun would be good. There are a few
knocking around but not enough. Their rarity is because of their vulnerability
to rust. The two Cherries I owned were not outwardly pretty. Nevertheless,
mechanically they were brilliant.
Try to find an old Datsun to buy. They are as easy to find as an
honest politician and when good ones arrive, they ain't cheap. I'd be love to
see the eastern sun rising on one of these on a future weekend morning.
OK, what else? You all know about my obsession with Hillman Imps and
there are a good few about so no problems there. However, even amongst Imp
enthusiasts, the Sunbeam Stiletto Californian is a coveted car. Still a humble
Imp but with a hotter engine, sporty fastback and racier looks. Even the little
dagger decals are super cool, as are the gilled hubcaps.
As Imps go, this is the top of the tree and they are rare. If I see
one I'll be angling for a sit in.
Right, I'll allow myself one more so it needs to be a good un. OK
here we go. Let's have something French again, outrageous and stupendously
exotic. I only recently read about one of these and immediately thought, 'what
the hell is that?'
So, ladies and gentlemen, I give you the 1948 Talbot Lago T26 Grand
Sport. Only twelve of these unbelievable cars exist and all are different in
some way. Although there was wide range of Lago cars from Talbot this one takes
the Sable Breton.
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| Only the French |
Look at it! Have you ever seen anything so sublime? This is car
design where art and engineering are in perfect harmony. It's luxury
personified. Only the French, with their love of philosophy in form and
function, could conceive of such a thing. I'd walk a long way across a field to
view one. It'd be the highlight of my show year if one turned up.
