Classic & Sports Car

As well as the S-Class name, the W116 launched by Mercedes-Benz at the Paris Salon in October 1972 (see p108) introduced a raft of clever safety features including ‘self-cleaning’ lights and advanced crumple zones. But more was to come in 1978, when it became the first volume production car fitted with anti-lock brakes. Developed with Bosch, it allowed the vehicle to be steered even during emergency braking – as shown graphically in this image from the Benz archives of the ABS system being demonstrated on the Untertürkheim test track.…

There are certain noises so distinctive that they become the soundtrack to a generation. Think early rock ‘n’ roll in the 1950s, The Beatles’ dominance of the ’60s, and the way the opening credits of Saturday Night Fever transport you to the 1970s. In the UK, the same could be said of Britpop in the ’90s. Yet while friends were having heated debates over whether Blur or Oasis were the kings of the genre, I was transfixed by a far more exciting battle being played out on my television set every weekend through the middle of the decade, to an even more memorable score. The V10 engine had landed in Formula One like a depth charge at the close of the 1980s, but got into its screaming stride as The Battle…

As well as the S-Class name, the W116 launched by Mercedes-Benz at the Paris Salon in October 1972 (see p108) introduced a raft of clever safety features including ‘self-cleaning’ lights and advanced crumple zones. But more was to come in 1978, when it became the first volume production car fitted with anti-lock brakes. Developed with Bosch, it allowed the vehicle to be steered even during emergency braking – as shown graphically in this image from the Benz archives of the ABS system being demonstrated on the Untertürkheim test track.…

Salon Rétromobile was back to its brilliant best in the French capital from 1-5 February as it returned to the larger, pre-pandemic layout for its 47th edition, with a special focus on the Le Mans 24 Hours to mark the legendary enduro’s centenary year. And visitors were back out in force, too, with a total of 125,000 through the turnstiles across the event’s five days – the second-highest attendance since the show’s inception in 1976. Among the 500 exhibitors the Le Mans theme was adopted by clubs, manufacturers and specialists alike, but was most prominent in a pair of curated displays by the organisers. ‘A century of innovations’ featured pioneering racers, from the front-wheel-drive 1927 Tracta Type 4 ‘Géphi’ via the 1968 Howmet TX turbine car and ground-effect 1981 Lola T600,…

There are certain noises so distinctive that they become the soundtrack to a generation. Think early rock ‘n’ roll in the 1950s, The Beatles’ dominance of the ’60s, and the way the opening credits of Saturday Night Fever transport you to the 1970s. In the UK, the same could be said of Britpop in the ’90s. Yet while friends were having heated debates over whether Blur or Oasis were the kings of the genre, I was transfixed by a far more exciting battle being played out on my television set every weekend through the middle of the decade, to an even more memorable score. The V10 engine had landed in Formula One like a depth charge at the close of the 1980s, but got into its screaming stride as The…

PANHARD DYNA X86 COUPÉ Italian dealer Route da Sogno always brings a fascinating group, but this year it hosted a much talked-about display. Highlights included the sole-surviving Fiat 1400 Zagato Panoramica and a Lancia Basso special, but the Scuderia Ital-France ’54 Panhard was the star. Designed by Giovanni Michelotti and bodied by Allemano for Milanese dealer Crepaldi, it ran in the 1954 Mille Miglia. Neat features included hand-painted numbers, Fiat 8V seats and an angled steering column for extra crash safety. It took the Panhard 16 hours 39 mins to finish the 1000-mile race in 117th. MW FERRARI 512BB LM Built for the mighty Group 5 era of sports cars, the Ferrari 512BB LM was a wild machine and none came more striking than French Ferrari concessionaire Charles Pozzi’s 1979 team car. Resplendent in…