Classic Cars November 2017

As I stood shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow members of the press, waiting for the big reveal, the Goodwood Revival seemed a peculiar location to launch a new car – this is the event that calls itself ‘A Magical Step Back in Time’. But TVR always did have a rebellious spirit about it. So as the graphic presentation flashed across the curtain to the raucous sounds of Slade’s Cum On Feel The Noize, anticipation was at fever pitch. Curtain up, music off and TVR’s comeback car – the first in ten years – was finally here, looking poised and handsome, with just a hint of menace. Our own columnist Gordon Murray told me how the hardest job was the styling, making sure that the new Griffith looked like a TVR, without it being…

Welcome A serial TVR owner, Phil muses on the essence of the marque in the wake of its dramatic rebirth at Goodwood As I stood shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow members of the press, waiting for the big reveal, the Goodwood Revival seemed a peculiar location to launch a new car – this is the event that calls itself ‘A Magical Step Back in Time’. But TVR always did have a rebellious spirit about it. So as the graphic presentation flashed across the curtain to the raucous sounds of Slade’s Cum On Feel The Noize, anticipation was at fever pitch. Curtain up, music off and TVR’s comeback car – the first in ten years – was finally here, looking poised and handsome, with just a hint of menace. Our own columnist Gordon…

The List Your dream drive made real It’s high quality hooliganism’ James Barnes’ wish list is Brit-centric, but his heart belongs to Stuttgart. Will the brutal Mercedes 450 SEL 6.9 live up to its billing? Words ROSS ALKUREISHI Photography: SI GRAY ‘I remember reading an article on the 6.9 back in 1975 – I thought it was a mighty piece of kit’ Classic Cars reader James Barnes’ ownership history shows a considerable number of Mercedes-Benz tenures under his belt – numerous SLs, a W123 Estate and an R129 SL500 to name but a few – so if I could have cherry-picked a reader to drive this car then he’d definitely have been at the top of my list. Now as he pulls up outside Avantgarde Cars’ discreet Tamworth…

‘I remember reading an article on the 6.9 back in 1975 – I thought it was a mighty piece of kit’ Classic Cars reader James Barnes’ ownership history shows a considerable number of Mercedes-Benz tenures under his belt – numerous SLs, a W123 Estate and an R129 SL500 to name but a few – so if I could have cherry-picked a reader to drive this car then he’d definitely have been at the top of my list. Now as he pulls up outside Avantgarde Cars’ discreet Tamworth premises in his current R230 350SL, the upshot of this encounter can only be a positive one. I’m already mentally constructing the conclusion – Mercedes-Benz man meets Mercedes-Benz, resulting in a three-pointed-star love-in – when he informs me of the first possible barrier. He’s the…

JAMES’S DREAM DRIVE LIST Invicta 4½ Litre S-Type Low-Chassis ‘If you’re going to go for a pre-war experience, this is one of the best.’ Riley MPH ‘Such a beguiling sports car – superbly engineered and rare.’ Allard J2 ‘As much about the man as the car: characterful, successful and brutal’ Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing ‘Has there ever been a more iconic sports car?’ Jaguar XK120 ‘First in a marvellous line with an unrivalled competition record.’ Aston Martin DB2/4 ‘While the later DB models take the limelight, I’ve always had a soft spot for the earlier and more delicate Aston Martins.’ BMW 507 ‘If it was good enough for John Surtees it’s good enough for me!’ Panhard PL24 Tigre ‘My father owned an extremely rare right-hand drive PL17 so I have…

Invicta 4½ Litre S-Type Low-Chassis ‘If you’re going to go for a pre-war experience, this is one of the best.’ Riley MPH ‘Such a beguiling sports car – superbly engineered and rare.’ Allard J2 ‘As much about the man as the car: characterful, successful and brutal’ Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing ‘Has there ever been a more iconic sports car?’ Jaguar XK120 ‘First in a marvellous line with an unrivalled competition record.’ Aston Martin DB2/4 ‘While the later DB models take the limelight, I’ve always had a soft spot for the earlier and more delicate Aston Martins.’ BMW 507 ‘If it was good enough for John Surtees it’s good enough for me!’ Panhard PL24 Tigre ‘My father owned an extremely rare right-hand drive PL17 so I have a personal affinity with these small-engined French jewels.’ Austin-Healey 3000 MkIII BN8 ‘I can still see one blasting past us on…