Classic Cars April 2018

Welcome Phil falls under the spell of a wild bunch of Lamborghinis, confirming that life’s too short to be sensible Photography by Massimo Delbo There’s something about the wild spirit of Lamborghini that challenges my convictions. Ask me what type of car I like, and I’ll describe a powerful, elegant grand tourer, all graceful lines, delicate details and easy-access rapid progress on all road types. But open the doors to my imaginary 10-car barn and you’ll find a Ferrari F40 and Lamborghini Miura in there. And unlike a couple of my choices that are nearest the door, ‘bought’ on a whim for a quick fix and soon to be sold on, these two are in there for the long term. The Miura that I drive on the Lamborghini & Design…

There’s something about the wild spirit of Lamborghini that challenges my convictions. Ask me what type of car I like, and I’ll describe a powerful, elegant grand tourer, all graceful lines, delicate details and easy-access rapid progress on all road types. But open the doors to my imaginary 10-car barn and you’ll find a Ferrari F40 and Lamborghini Miura in there. And unlike a couple of my choices that are nearest the door, ‘bought’ on a whim for a quick fix and soon to be sold on, these two are in there for the long term. The Miura that I drive on the Lamborghini & Design Tour this issue has such a forceful personality that it’s hard not to fall hopelessly under the spell cast by that bodyshape, that engine and…

There’s a moment of doubt as I watch Classic Cars reader Colin Napton unfold himself from the driver’s seat of his classic Mercedes 500 SL. He’s a pretty big lad – is he actually going to fit in the rather more confined cockpit of the MGA Roadster he’s come to drive today? Like a glove, it turns out, albeit with his elbows and knees bent to angles that are a little more acute than might traditionally be considered the sporting ideal. With that rather important detail out of the way we can relax and focus on why the MGA is on Colin’s dream drive list, at least half of the entries on which stand out as being intriguingly modest requests. Though it does also contain a Gullwing and a Ferrari to…

[ The List ] Your dream drive made real ‘It makes me want to delve deeper into the genre’ Despite a lifelong obsession, Colin Napton has only recently dipped his toe into the waters of classic car ownership. Today we send him back to his Fifties heartland in an MGA Roadster Words RUSS SMITH Photography CHARLIE MAGEE There’s a moment of doubt as I watch Classic Cars reader Colin Napton unfold himself from the driver’s seat of his classic Mercedes 500 SL. He’s a pretty big lad – is he actually going to fit in the rather more confined cockpit of the MGA Roadster he’s come to drive today? Like a glove, it turns out, albeit with his elbows and knees bent to angles that are…

COLIN NAPTON’S CAR CV Colin’s classic CV may be short but that’s down to lack of opportunity, not enthusiasm MERCEDES-BENZ R107 500 SL ‘The only classic I’ve ever owned is the 1987 500 SL that I bought from The SL Shop six years ago. It’s wonderful and has still only done 79,000 miles, but I struggle to think of a car with power everything and heated seats as a view back into the previous generation of motoring.’ MAZDA MX-5 I’m not sure it counts because we owned it from new, but it sure was fun. 1990 NISSAN BLUEBIRD This was Dad’s last car, which I inherited. It’s long gone but I kept its number plate, which still rides around on my Jaguar XF daily driver.…

MERCEDES-BENZ R107 500 SL ‘The only classic I’ve ever owned is the 1987 500 SL that I bought from The SL Shop six years ago. It’s wonderful and has still only done 79,000 miles, but I struggle to think of a car with power everything and heated seats as a view back into the previous generation of motoring.’ MAZDA MX-5 I’m not sure it counts because we owned it from new, but it sure was fun. 1990 NISSAN BLUEBIRD This was Dad’s last car, which I inherited. It’s long gone but I kept its number plate, which still rides around on my Jaguar XF daily driver.…