Classic Cars February 2019

Welcome A festive drive in a remarkably capable 1909 Vauxhall was a thrill; buying a classic Bentley could do the same for you As I clambered in and slid across to the driver’s side, it occurred to me that I was about to extend my earliest-car-driven marker by some margin. The machine – a 1909 Vauxhall B-type; the venue – the grounds of Luton Hoo Estate. A chilly December drive in a Santa’s-sleigh-red Edwardian car with the promise of lunch in a stately home – the perfect finale to my classic motoring year. There was just the small matter of mastering the machine. Centre throttles, vaguely connected steering and acceleration with the reluctance of a hungover mule are traits that persisted long after this car was built. None applied here.…

As I clambered in and slid across to the driver’s side, it occurred to me that I was about to extend my earliest-car-driven marker by some margin. The machine – a 1909 Vauxhall B-type; the venue – the grounds of Luton Hoo Estate. A chilly December drive in a Santa’s-sleigh-red Edwardian car with the promise of lunch in a stately home – the perfect finale to my classic motoring year. There was just the small matter of mastering the machine. Centre throttles, vaguely connected steering and acceleration with the reluctance of a hungover mule are traits that persisted long after this car was built. None applied here. I write this with memories of familiar, precise controls and perky performance. Vauxhall had cracked the art of making driving an easy pleasure early…

The mid-Nineties Jaguar Sovereign that pulls tentatively into the car park of our Bell Inn meeting place in the New Forest is a dead giveaway. He may be over half an hour early, but I know it’s going to contain our serial Jaguar-owning reader, Mark Dollery. Intros done, we’re straight onto car-guy talk, which is easy conversation. Mark walks the walk too, having penned the book Jensen V8: The Complete Story of the American-Powered Cars in his spare time. But I’m keenest to know about his attraction to the Maserati Bora we’re here to drive today – one of seven Italian cars on his dream drive list. ‘From when I first saw a picture of one as a teenager I’ve thought it was a nice bit of kit, and have been…

The List Your dream drive made real ‘A sweet symphony’ Mark is a Jaguar man – he’s owned 21 – but his dreams are of V-engined super-GTs. A Maserati Bora sounds just right, but will the drive live up to expectations? Words RUSS SMITH Photography JONATHAN FLEETWOOD The mid-Nineties Jaguar Sovereign that pulls tentatively into the car park of our Bell Inn meeting place in the New Forest is a dead giveaway. He may be over half an hour early, but I know it’s going to contain our serial Jaguar-owning reader, Mark Dollery. Intros done, we’re straight onto car-guy talk, which is easy conversation. Mark walks the walk too, having penned the book Jensen V8: The Complete Story of the American-Powered Cars in his spare time. But…

MARK’S DREAM DRIVE LIST Lamborghini Countach ‘The ultimate classic Italian supercar. Is it as awful as some people say?’ Ferrari Dino 246GT ‘Most beautiful of all Ferraris. Got my attention in The Persuaders .’ Aston Martin V8 Vantage (’77-’78) ‘The ultimate classic Aston – the DBS shape and all that power.’ AC 428 ‘British/Italian/American hybrid with independent coil suspension.’ Ferrari 365GT4/400 ‘A more practical Ferrari, but still with Weber-carbed Colombo V12.’ Maserati Bora ‘I’ve always liked the Bora’s unusual styling – sleek yet muscular. The mechanicals interest me too.’ Iso Grifo ‘Italian styling with strong, reliable US V8s – near perfect ingredients.’ Chevrolet Corvette Stingray C3 ‘That shark-like frontal styling. Pre’73 with chrome bumpers and the big-block is my favourite.’ De Tomaso Pantera GTS ‘Italian styling and Ford V8 grunt.…

Lamborghini Countach ‘The ultimate classic Italian supercar. Is it as awful as some people say?’ Ferrari Dino 246GT ‘Most beautiful of all Ferraris. Got my attention in The Persuaders .’ Aston Martin V8 Vantage (’77-’78) ‘The ultimate classic Aston – the DBS shape and all that power.’ AC 428 ‘British/Italian/American hybrid with independent coil suspension.’ Ferrari 365GT4/400 ‘A more practical Ferrari, but still with Weber-carbed Colombo V12.’ Maserati Bora ‘I’ve always liked the Bora’s unusual styling – sleek yet muscular. The mechanicals interest me too.’ Iso Grifo ‘Italian styling with strong, reliable US V8s – near perfect ingredients.’ Chevrolet Corvette Stingray C3 ‘That shark-like frontal styling. Pre’73 with chrome bumpers and the big-block is my favourite.’ De Tomaso Pantera GTS ‘Italian styling and Ford V8 grunt. Looks mean and sounds mean.’ Lamborghini Espada ‘A front-engined supercar with four seats. Prefer SIII with nicer dash.’…