The car of your dreams has a vintage heart

You are behind the wheel of a sports car; the road winds before you between landscapes gilded by the setting sun, your emotions stir. Swathed in imagery, vintage cars make hearts beat faster. Smell the screeching tyres as they grip the corners and straights of the tracks celebrated by the creators of first-class machines. A flash, and you can see Collins, Gregory, Bates and Washburn, from the late 50s, inside the cockpit of their darting 750 Monza Spyder Ferraris, ready to tame the raging thrust of the 260 horsepower of the 3.0 litre, 4 cylinder engine with double-body Weber 58 DCOA/3 carburettors. And Ernie McAffe, beneath the chequered flag, victoriously waving his helmet because chassis no. 0502 M assembled by Scaglietti is only one of 30 built, without a headrest. What full-bodied sensuality in those enveloping shapes, with its small windscreen, and that muscular tail which swells behind the doors and along the downward pointing bonnet. First, second, and away: five manual gears to propel you at great speed. The triumphant debut at Monza at the Supercortemaggiore Grand Prix (1954) with Maglioli and Hawthorn, the English Tourist Trophy, and in 1955, the Sebring 12-Hours in Florida, the West Coast victories: legendary sporting memories in competition with Mercedes-Benz 300SLRs, Jaguar D-Types and Aston Martin DB3S. And the allure of movie stars like Fred Astaire inside the cockpit, with Gregory Peck and Ava Gardner in the futuristic “On The Beach” (Stanley Kramer 1959). Up to the several changes of ownership, the Modenese restoration and the certificate of authenticity issued by the Department of Classic Ferraris, to certify the original appearance and configuration. The estimated price of £1,550,000 to £1,800,000 for chassisno.

0502 M at the October 2011 auction, illustrates this gem’s incredible value. Stardust, the very same that brushes the démodé but innovative lines of the 1929 Cord L-29 Special Coupe, the unknowing heir of the ascent and descent of the Cord E.L. (Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg), the realm of the most elegant and priceless cars ever designed in the US in the Twenties. The unique interpretation of a one-off coupé, designed by Count Alexis de Sakhnoffsky for the Hayes Body Company of Michigan, with an unusual canvas hood, connected to a charming boot surmounted by a small elliptical window, arched front and rear fenders and a lowered chassis that houses the 125 horsepower, 298.6cc, 8 cylinder heart. Underneath the veil of the Mist Blue Mountain paintjob, with blue woollen cloth upholstery, the front and spare tyres are hidden by tapered running boards that cover the spoked wheels. Et voilà! Glamour worthy of the Ziegfeld follies. A wave of enthusiasm that animates even the 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster. A superb rework of the Gullwing, the roadster glides as silently as rustling silk, behind the vertically designed headlights and along the sleek sides with traditionally opening doors in place of the gull wings. If the tubular trellis frame seems to have been strengthened, the 225 horsepower, six cylinder engine ensures a sufficient transfer of power to the asphalt. If a “stars and stripes” adventure is preferred, cue the Chevrolet Corvette, the 1954 “bubble top” roadster. With its long fin-like rear fenders, a dogfish shaped nose and caged headlights, all enclosed in a fibreglass chassis and a clear plastic bubble top. It boasts a two gear automatic Powerglide transmission, 150 horsepower, and six 235 cubic inch straight cylinders, ready to make the antique aftermarket chrome wire wheels sparkle. Chassis Number: E54S002189. Estimated at $105,00 to $135,000. A spherical bullet whizzes past, with a duck-tailed spoiler, oversized rear fenders, modified suspension, and able to release 210 horsepower from its 6 cylinder, 2.7 boxer. It’s the Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS Lightweight (1973), an evolution of the first generation 911, displaying multi-coloured 7-inch Fuchs alloy rims, progenitors to the “Renn Sport” models. Equally elegant, the compelling BMW 507 Roadster (252 models from 1956 to ’59), a gorgeous model with curving lines and black finish, green interiors that conceal a mischievous spirit, proudly displaying the single central bolt on the Rudge alloy wheels in white and silver. Dream car of the stars, from Ursula Andress to John Surtees and Bernie Ecclestone. Estimated between $900,000 and $1,200,000. Without forgetting legendary Elvis Presley’s white model, with its ferocious 3.2 litre V8 engine. However, the Jaguar EType remains “the most beautiful car ever created” according to Enzo Ferrari, and the recently restored 4.2 litre model, 1 of 59 Series I models that appeared in 1964, is a perfect example. Finished in a seductive Carmen Red with red interiors sealing its glorious sporting past and recognised by New York City’s Museum of Modern Art for its significance in engineering and design. The vision of its spinning spoked wheels offers only the notion of a fleeting dream, anchored to a prominent snout with a tiny mouth, framed by covered headlights, and above, a removable hard-top, and central exhausts beneath the licence plate. All, very British. A thrill. Moments. Because emotions are faster than desires. In apertura/ Opening. 1929 Cord L-29 Special Coupe by The Hayes Body Corporation. In questa pagina/ On this page. 1954 Chevrolet Corvette "Bubbletop" Roadster. Lunghi parafanghi posteriori a pinna, muso a pescecane e fari ingabbiati, racchiusi da una carrozzeria in vetroresina sotto una bolla-top in plastica trasparente. Cambio a due marce automatico Powerglide, 150 CV, 235 cu. pollici in linea a sei cilindri, pronti a far sfavillare i cerchi cromati aftermarket filo d’epoca. Long fin-like rear fenders, a dogfish shaped nose and caged headlights, all enclosed in a fibreglass chassis and a clear plastic bubble top. It boasts a two gear automatic Powerglide transmission, 150 horsepower, and six 235 cubic inch straight cylinders, ready to make the antique aftermarket chrome wire wheels sparkle.