The premier Dutch show Inter Classics
& TopMobiel marked its 20th anniversary in style from 11-13 January. A
record turnout of just under 22,000 visitors poured through the doors of the
MECC Maastricht, some 14% up on 2012.
There were 300 exhibitors spread across
30,000m2 of space, with the main theme celebrating 100 years of
Aston Martin. With support from the AMOC Holland, the display told the story of
the marque through 30 exceptional cars, from the 1921 A3 to the latest
Vanquish, with the undoubted crowd favorite being the gadget-laden 1965 DB5
from Gold finger, on loan from the Louwman Museum in The Hague.
Other standout Astons included a stunning
1935 Ulster racer, a superb DB2 and the unique Atom prototype from 1939, Tom
Rolla-son’s fascinating experimental streamlined saloon making another rare outing
after its Car of Show victory at last year’s Footman James Classic Motor Show
at the NEC.
Vying with the British favorites for
attention was a special tribute to Bugatti Grand Prix cars featuring no fewer
than 11 of the Molsheim beauties, with several on loan from the Schlumpf
Collection. Among them was the star exhibit, the sole-surviving 192 3 Type 32
‘Tank’ aerodynamics pioneer, which took center stage in a special pavilion
alongside a Type 35. Further variety was provided by a beautifully patinated
1925 Type 13 Brescia.
Superb
Bugatti line-up included Type 32
Away from the main stands was a busy auto jumble,
plus there were interesting and rare cars to be found throughout the show’s
five halls, in particular among the thronged dealer displays. The Houtkamp
Collection put together a fabulous array of British classics, following the
show’s Aston theme with an outstanding restored 1952 DB2, plus DB MkIII and
DB4, along with an AC Aceca, a gaggle of Jaguar sports cars and a Healey
Silverstone. Not to be outdone, The Gallery Brummen centered its display around
a one-off 1939 Aston Martin 15/98 with a body by Abbey Coachworks.
Two
of Classic Car Venlo’s three 190SLs
Maastricht has traditionally proved to be a
good show for dealers, and 2013 was no exception with several cars changing
hands. Amint low-mileage 1988 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 sold for $72,280, while
another Weissach marvel looking for a new owner was a 1986 911 Cabriolet that
had Hollywood star Robert Redford listed among its former keepers.
Brescia
Bugatti sported wonderful patina
Classic Car Venlo presented a trio of
Mercedes-Benz 190SLs, while at the other end of the spectrum an original,
one-owner 1953 Nash-Healey was garnering plenty of interest. The low-mileage,
matching-numbers Pinin Farina drop head was one of only 150 built, and even in
‘barn-find’ fettle was priced at a hefty $82,130.
Original
Nash-Healey was offered for $81.44k
McLaren set to celebrate 50 years
McLaren is planning a series of ‘unique
events and celebrations’ throughout 2013 to mark its 50th anniversary. Kiwi
racing legend Bruce McLaren established his eponymous team on 2 September 1963,
although its Grand Prix debut didn’t come until Monaco in 1966. Just two years
later, Bruce himself took the first of McLaren’s 182 Formula 1 wins.
With Denny Hulme as Bruce’s teammate, the
equipe also dominated Can-Am racing, claiming 43 race wins and five successive
championships from 1967-’71 - a strike rate that led to the North American
series being dubbed ‘the Bruce and Denny Show’.
Road
and track: the high-winged M7C Grand Prix car from 1969 lines up with the
firm's latest MP4-12C Spider
The firm won the Indianapolis 500 twice
during the 1970s, and established itself as one of the front-runners in GP
racing. Emerson Fittipaldi secured McLaren’s first World Championship in 1974,
with James Hunt repeating the trick two years later. During the 1980s, there
would be further titles for Niki Lauda, Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna. The
introduction of the McLaren FI in 1993 took the company into the road-car
market. The 627bhp supercar also proved well-equipped for racing, winning the
Le Mans 24 Hours on its debut in 1995.
As part of the celebrations, McLaren is
hoping to run some of the milestone cars from each of its five decades at
public events throughout the year, such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
A Lotus 25 will be the star turn at Race
Retro from 22-24 February to kick off the 50th anniversary of Jim Clark winning
the 1963 World Championship. The revolutionary stressed-monocoque beauty will
be part of an impressive Classic Team Lotus display. Other highlights include a
group of Alpine A110s to mark the Gallic classic's victory in the World Rally
Championship. Special guests will include Sir Stirling Moss on Saturday and
Murray Walker hosting the Live Stage over the weekend.
Left:
Clark’s dominant 1963 championship win will be celebrated, while (above)
Whistling Billy replica should entertain
As well as an impressive set of Group B
rally cars performing demonstration runs, the Fire Up Paddock will also
showcase a wonderful replica of the 1905 'Whistling Billy’ steamer built by Dr.
Robert Dyke. This white 20hp compound-powered racing car was a star at American
dirt tracks in the pre-WWl years. Other features include an automotive art
gallery, huge autojumble and model car display, while Silverstone Auctions’
sale will feature a tempting line-up of competition machinery including the
ex-Norinder racing team Lola T70 and a Connaught A-type.
Advanced tickets cost $30, or $37.5 at the
gate. See www.raceretro.com
Test proposal to be altered
Transport Minister Stephen Hammond has
moved to calm fears surrounding the new European Roadworthiness Directive,
after representatives from the FBHVC voiced their ongoing concerns. It had
previously been thought that many classics could fall foul of the proposed
legislation, in particular the section that required 'historic vehicles' to use
only original-spec parts.
The draft proposal has been downgraded from
a regulation to a directive, which means that EU states can determine how it is
implemented. Hammond was confident that UK classics would therefore be
protected by a "common sense" interpretation of the rulebook.
