Classic Cars September 2020

Welcome September 2020 Issue 566 The freedom to chase up and down the country to see real cars is like releasing a champagne cork from a bottle While playing it safe has become the new normal in so many aspects of life, I’m getting a picture of barely suppressed urge to roll the dice when it comes to classic car buying. Up and down the country, we haven’t let government restrictions stop us hunting for cars and buying them, even if that means doing so remotely, sight unseen. Under any circumstances, scouring magazines and websites for inspiration and information around what we could buy next is a thrill, and hunting down the right car even more so; right now, it’s heightened to fever pitch. We’ve seen success after success with remote…

While playing it safe has become the new normal in so many aspects of life, I’m getting a picture of barely suppressed urge to roll the dice when it comes to classic car buying. Up and down the country, we haven’t let government restrictions stop us hunting for cars and buying them, even if that means doing so remotely, sight unseen. Under any circumstances, scouring magazines and websites for inspiration and information around what we could buy next is a thrill, and hunting down the right car even more so; right now, it’s heightened to fever pitch. We’ve seen success after success with remote auctions and it’s a measure of just how irrepressible our passion for cars is. The more challenged we are, the more determined we become to enjoy them…

The List Your dream drive made real ‘It’s madness but in a good way. It’s amazing what this car can do’ Arron Nichols has lusted after the Ford GT40 for decades. Will Superformance’s exacting continuation stir his soul? Words EMMA WOODCOCK Photos JONNY FLEETWOOD Two GT40 Mklls feature prominently in the recent Hollywood racing epic Le Mans ’66 - or Ford v Ferrari for our American readers - but neither are Fords, and both were recently constructed by US firm Superformance. A leader in continuation cars, the company creates GT40s whose components are at least 85% interchangeable with those fitted to the Blue Oval originals, and that carry legal rights to the GT40 name. Superformance machines also wear ‘GT40P’ chassis numbers - just like their Sixties predecessors - and can be…

Two GT40 Mklls feature prominently in the recent Hollywood racing epic Le Mans ’66 - or Ford v Ferrari for our American readers - but neither are Fords, and both were recently constructed by US firm Superformance. A leader in continuation cars, the company creates GT40s whose components are at least 85% interchangeable with those fitted to the Blue Oval originals, and that carry legal rights to the GT40 name. Superformance machines also wear ‘GT40P’ chassis numbers - just like their Sixties predecessors - and can be added to the Shelby World Registry. They’re a faithful evocation and offer a more accessible way to experience the GT40 legend. One such GT40 is sitting outside the Sussex workshops of Le Mans Coupes, the Superformance UK agent. Arron Nichols is visibly entranced; today…

ARRON’S DREAM DRIVE LIST TVR Tuscan ‘I saw Swordfish and the look, the flip paint, just stuck with me. And it’s got no driver aids with strong construction’ Lancia Delta Integrale ‘Spent a lot of my youth watching rallying and playing the video games. Wherever it was, the Integrale was always fast’ Chevrolet Corvette C1 ‘I love the scallops on the front wings and the C1 looks like it’s doing 80mph standing still’ Austin Healey 3000 ‘It’s mutual between my wife and I – we’re always drawn to one we see at our local car shows’ Ford GT40 ‘Always fancied one to just pop to the shops for some milk, then take onto the track’ Jensen Interceptor The 6.3-litre engine appeals - and it’s a looks thing tool’ BMW 850CSI…

TVR Tuscan ‘I saw Swordfish and the look, the flip paint, just stuck with me. And it’s got no driver aids with strong construction’ Lancia Delta Integrale ‘Spent a lot of my youth watching rallying and playing the video games. Wherever it was, the Integrale was always fast’ Chevrolet Corvette C1 ‘I love the scallops on the front wings and the C1 looks like it’s doing 80mph standing still’ Austin Healey 3000 ‘It’s mutual between my wife and I – we’re always drawn to one we see at our local car shows’ Ford GT40 ‘Always fancied one to just pop to the shops for some milk, then take onto the track’ Jensen Interceptor The 6.3-litre engine appeals - and it’s a looks thing tool’ BMW 850CSI ‘It’s a V12 with pop-up headlights. Come on, what more…