The 1957 Ferrari 315/335S has been hailed as the greatest Ferrari of all time ahead of its potentially record-breaking sale at Rétromobile in Paris; Mick Walsh brings you the exclusive full story in the March 2016 issue (on the shelves 4 February). Plus, the world’s most renowned Ferrari legends – including Tony Brooks, John Surtees and David Piper – have their say on the marque’s greatest masterpiece. We test three stunning examples of Triumph’s bargain E-type contender, plus bring you the story of a US cop’s 30-year love affair with his Shelby GT350. Porsche’s unsung heroes, the 924, 944 and 928 are pitted against one another, while we’re also granted an audience with Jaguar XJ220 and F-type stylist Keith Helfet.
Wolfgang von Trips, Stirling Moss and Phil Hill all took the wheel of the 1957 315/335S, making it one of the most desirable Ferraris of all time and ensuring the eyes of the world will be locked on Artcurial’s Retromobile sale on 5 February. The car is expected to become the most valuable ever sold at auction with a mind-boggling estimate of £24.6m. Mick Walsh delves into the history of this fascinating car to find out why it has become the hottest property on the collector car market in 2016.
While the 335S is undoubtedly special, is it the great Ferrari of all time? We’ve draughted in a stellar lineup of the most respected racers, collectors and experts to help answer the question, including John Surtees, Lord March, Chris Rea, Nick Mason, Tony Brooks, David Piper, Doug Nye, Lord Bamford, Alain de Cadenet, Paul Vestey, Simon Kidston, David Cottingham, Max Girardo, Neil Corner, Terry Hoyle, Gregor Fisken and Steve Cropley. From 250GTOs to 250Ps and ‘Pontoon Fender’ Testa Rossas, the list is fascinating, as are the never-before-told stories from the pit lane. You won’t want to miss it.
Our cover car is the pretty, practical and hugely under appreciated Triumph GT6. The bargain E-type rival can be found for less than £5000, making it a sporty and less common alternative to more well-trodden classic paths. We take three examples, ranging from an original 1968 Mk1 through to a 1971 Mk2 fitted with a more gutsy Triumph TR 2.5-litre ‘six’ for a spirited drive to discover why this undervalued gem is yet to reach its full potential.
Beautiful friendships can be born from the most unusual circumstances, as US cop Greg Barriera found out after pulling over a speeding Mustang in the late 1970s. A few years later he bought his Shelby GT350, and he’s been hooked ever since. Mick Walsh travelled to California to get the full story of this increasingly valuable blue collar hero, to find out what makes it such an enduring icon of the American dream.
When the Porsche 924 burst onto the scene in 1976 it wasn’t met with universal acclaim. Nor too were its front engined progeny, the similarly styled 944 and muscular 968. But where 911 cognoscenti see a dilution of Porsche’s design principles, Malcolm Thorne finds practical and affordable entry-level sports cars, which found success not only on the showroom floor, but also on the world’s biggest endurance racing stage: Le Mans.
You could be forgiven for not instantly recognising Volkswagen’s K70 saloon. The NSU adoptee never sold in substantial numbers, and it bears little resemblance to the firm’s other offerings, sharing remarkably little with its former stablemate, the Ro80. But why has the nearly forgotten classic dropped off our radar? Martin Buckley reunites a late 1.8-litre example with an Ro80 to see if this intriguing saloon warrants closer attention from the classic world.
Taking life at a slower pace, we follow in the footsteps of Peter Sellers and Spike Milligan, both owners of a stunning Austin Twelve that became known as ‘Old Min’. Sellers’ passion for the big Austin endured despite ever more exotic machinery joining it in the garage. Andrew Roberts discovers why his hero held such fondness for the 1930 saloon by taking it for a ride.
