Classic Cars June 2019

Welcome There comes a time when soaking up the sunshine in a refined cabriolet is the best way to enjoy summer Discounting Mrs Bell’s Porsche Boxster, which I regularly pinch, I’ve only owned one convertible – the pretty brutal TVR Griffith. Unusually for the two-seat roadster formula, it was roomy enough and, unless provoked, civilised enough to play grand tourer, but its raw character was never more than a few thousandths of an inch below the surface. For a thoroughly convincing attempt at the seemingly contradictory art of motoring that is both cosseting and open air, I’d need a cabriolet, something with more generous proportions in which to lounge around while enjoying the calm ambience of a saloon car with the plump roof down, or even up. The six cars…

Discounting Mrs Bell’s Porsche Boxster, which I regularly pinch, I’ve only owned one convertible – the pretty brutal TVR Griffith. Unusually for the two-seat roadster formula, it was roomy enough and, unless provoked, civilised enough to play grand tourer, but its raw character was never more than a few thousandths of an inch below the surface. For a thoroughly convincing attempt at the seemingly contradictory art of motoring that is both cosseting and open air, I’d need a cabriolet, something with more generous proportions in which to lounge around while enjoying the calm ambience of a saloon car with the plump roof down, or even up. The six cars Andrew Noakes has rounded up all claim to do the job, so he headed for the sort of touring country where you…

[ The List ] Your dream drive made real ‘The proportions are just perfect’ It’s a fair old leap from a Saab 96 to a Ferrari 275GTB, but someone’s got to do it. Step forward James Douglas Words ROSS ALKUREISHI Photography CHARLIE MAGEE The heavy rain has not long passed and in its wake is a stunningly vibrant rainbow. Apt, because somewhere over it – or in this case under it – dreams really do come true. At least for retired primary school headteacher and Classic Cars reader James Douglas they do. ‘If there’s one car on my dream drive list that I never, ever thought you’d put me in, it’s this,’ he admits, as the muscular rear end of DK Engineering’s Ferrari 275GTB emerges onto the…

The heavy rain has not long passed and in its wake is a stunningly vibrant rainbow. Apt, because somewhere over it – or in this case under it – dreams really do come true. At least for retired primary school headteacher and Classic Cars reader James Douglas they do. ‘If there’s one car on my dream drive list that I never, ever thought you’d put me in, it’s this,’ he admits, as the muscular rear end of DK Engineering’s Ferrari 275GTB emerges onto the tarmac at the Longcross test track. ‘I’ve seen them before, more often in film or print, but in the metal the proportions are just perfect – I can’t believe it’s finally happening.’ Me neither; it’s been two years in the making. In fact, the sales manager of one…

JAMES’ DREAM DRIVE LIST Aston Martin DB6 ‘For me the prettiest Aston – I love the sawn-off Kamm tail.’ Jaguar 3.8 S-type ‘Grew up watching these being written off in The Sweeney.’ Citroen SM ‘Looked so futuristic; even nearly 50 years on I still think it’s amazing.’ Maserati 3200GT ‘Reasonable reliability, wonderful looks, good performance and excellent comfort – in a Maser!’ Lancia Stratos ‘The noise it made and the skill required to drive it made it a legend.’ Saab 96 V4 (works rally spec) ‘Stig Blomqvist won the ’71 RAC Rally in one – I’d love to drive a works car.’ Alfa Romeo Giulia ‘Hired one a couple of years ago and wasn’t disappointed – one of the prettiest cars ever made.’ Riley Pathfinder ‘First car I can remember,…

Aston Martin DB6 ‘For me the prettiest Aston – I love the sawn-off Kamm tail.’ Jaguar 3.8 S-type ‘Grew up watching these being written off in The Sweeney.’ Citroen SM ‘Looked so futuristic; even nearly 50 years on I still think it’s amazing.’ Maserati 3200GT ‘Reasonable reliability, wonderful looks, good performance and excellent comfort – in a Maser!’ Lancia Stratos ‘The noise it made and the skill required to drive it made it a legend.’ Saab 96 V4 (works rally spec) ‘Stig Blomqvist won the ’71 RAC Rally in one – I’d love to drive a works car.’ Alfa Romeo Giulia ‘Hired one a couple of years ago and wasn’t disappointed – one of the prettiest cars ever made.’ Riley Pathfinder ‘First car I can remember, as my dad had one – powerful and imposing.’ Ferrari 275GTB ‘Awesome. If I could have just one car off my…