LAVERS
1952 Allard J2X
Current owner since 1973, eligible for vintage racing events and tours worldwide, £10,000 worth of expenses since June, one of only 83 J2Xs built.
Original coachwork, perfect for driving events, very good condition throughout, ready for it next collector owner.
2018 McLaren Senna
from
1987 Scottish motor show car, fully restored by UK specialists and Aston Martin Works, one of 137 X-Pack coupes built, offered with Aston Martin Assured Provenance.
€399,500
Fully restored, 1 owner from 1960 until 2017, one of 1,528 T5 356B Roadster produced in 1960, offered from a private Porsche collection. £69,500 £225,000 £169,500 £605,000 £215,000
Matching numbers, fresh from a full respray, full engine rebuild, supplied new to USA.
1987 Aston Martin V8 Vantage X-Pack
1925 Bentley 3 Litre Tourer by Gurney Nutting
1969 Jaguar E-Type Series II 4.2 Roadster
Topaz clear film PPF, full service history
new, the 34th of 500 examples produced, low mileage with two private owners from new.
1960 Porsche 356B Roadster
1964
Porsche 356C
1999 Bentley Continental SC
One of only 73 SCs built, one of 25 RHD examples, recent Bentley service costing over £7,000, highly collectable model, full service history from new and complete with books.
Restored in 2010 by Maxted Page & Vintage Cars Boutique, matching numbers and original colour combination, offered with Porsche Certificate of Authenticity and supplied new to California, USA.
2003
Ferrari 456M GTA
2009 Lamborghini LP670-4 Super Veloce
1952 Ferrari 212 Inter Prototype
1 of 186 produced, right-hand drive and low mileage, exceptional condition, UK registered with taxes paid.
Prototipo, delivered new to Enzo Ferrari, fresh from a concours restoration, matching numbers throughout, rare and desirable show car, welcome at major concours.
Low mileage, full service history from new, outstanding condition, rare final series model
2017 McLaren 720S Performance
2008 Ferrari 430 Scuderia
2009 Lamborghini LP670-4 Super Veloce
1966
Jaguar E-Type Series I 4.2 Roadster
2000 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage Volante
Original list price of £306k, presented in like new condition, delivered new to McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt, McLaren warranty until 2022.
1 of 186 produced, right-hand drive and low mileage, exceptional condition, UK registered with taxes paid.
UK supplied, full Ferrari service history, presentled in like new condition, a perfect example for any Ferrari collection.
1958 Porsche 356A Cabriolet
Outstandingly original, offered from a private Porsche collection, on the button ready, supplied new to USA.
1 owner from new, 20,000 miles, impeccable condition, recent invoices for over £10,000 worth of expense.
Matching numbers, restored condition, bills for over £25k within the last year, supplied new to USA.
2010
Porsche 997 GT2 RS
Museum quality, full service history from new, immaculate condition, one of only 500 examples produced.
Contact:
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The Publisher takes no responsibility for any inaccuracies which may appear within the publication either in original or updated format.
Updated and renewed edition. First published in March 2022.
Copyright: B500 Ltd 2025.
Sponsored by Founding HCVA member, Moss Automotive
The message is clear. We must act now
The freedom to continue to enjoy your classic is under threat. These vehicles are a key part of our heritage and enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds. Your support is essential to ensure we can campaign effectively on your behalf to preserve them for future generations to enjoy.
Perception of classic cars and the environment
We need to correct the myths and misconceptions around the environmental impact of classic vehicles and build upon already active nationwide media campaigns.
Europe
Issues with moving vehicles and parts to and from
Paperwork, carnets, bonds and delays – there are a multitude of issues that need urgent attention. We can only help turn this around with your support.
Delays and frustrations dealing with the DVLA
We’re working hard to getting these issues sorted and have established a working group with the DVLA. There’s lots to do and we need your help to succeed.
It has always been important to support individuals, companies and organisations that preserve our automotive heritage. The restoration and preservation of classic cars keeps our rich history in the automotive sector alive for future generations. As we move towards electrification and ever more stringent regulations, in my view it will become even more important to support and protect our classic automotive heritage.
Professor
Gordon Murray Lengendary Formula 1 Designer
RUF RCT EVO
Owner: Marwan @m3.5.1
Location: Sharjah, UAE
Date Visited: February 11th 2022
Photography: Del Gregory
There’s something very special about a custom build and Marwan’s RUF RCT Evo has a great story behind it.
Marwan already owned an early edition 1990 Carrera 2, and wanted to do something special with it, but wasn’t sure what. In 2018 he was introduced to Alois Ruf at the Geneva Motor Show, and the pair began discussing using the Carrera 2 as a donor vehicle to build something special.
A factory visit was proposed as the best idea, along with a test drive of an available car and this would be a perfect opportunity to ensure Marwan could make the decisions he was looking for. An almost endless choice is available for complete customisation at Ruf and after much deliberation, Marwan decided on the RUF RCT Evo based on his 964 donor, and which Ruf then produce with a turbo.
Colour was important and after a couple of near choices, the eventual choice of Bavarian Blue with an Espresso Brown interior is simply stunning, particularly in the almost constant sunshine of the UAE. Marwan also opted for the wide body variant, as well as the full carbon fibre option. The Ruf RCT Evo delivers 425hp with a single turbo coupled to a six-speed manual gearbox. Ruf lollipop seats and an airbag finish off the minimal options, and at the time of my visit it had only completed 1,400kms, but fair to say Marwan is more than delighted with the end result.
With thanks to Marwan Jassim Al Sarkal for his hospitality and congratulations on the delivery of your RUF RCT Evo to your home in Sharjah.
HOROLOGY
MB&F Legacy
Machine / thunderdome
The Legacy Machine Thunderdome is a collaboration between MB&F and two legendary watchmakers: Eric Coudray – a legendary innovator from the Vallée de Joux known for his unorthodox, jaw-dropping complications – and Kari Voutilainen, a famed perfectionist and acclaimed pillar of traditional craft based in Môtiers.
Together they created the world’s fastest triple-axis regulating mechanism with 3 axes revolving in record-breaking 8 seconds, 12 seconds and 20 seconds. It also features a unique combination of Potter escapement, hemispherical balance and helical hairspring.
Rising above a sea of blue guillochage is a rotating spherical mass of gears, pinions and cages. Somehow, from this chaos of motion, order is extracted. Time is indicated on an inclined dial of stretched lacquer, proving that even the wildest horological whirlwinds can be tamed into the logic of hours and minutes.
The reverse of the LM Thunderdome engine is equally rewarding. The manualwinding, triple-barrel movement may have been technically conceived by Eric Coudray, but its aesthetics are fully Kari Voutilainen. Smoothly rounded bridges, incorporating sharp hand-bevelled internal angles and mirrored curves suggest a deep, unyielding calm that anchors the turbulent maelstrom on the other side.
EXPLORER YACHT EXO
The Power of Pure Purpose
Architect and designer Richard Liebowitz refers to his lifetime of yachting, with several thousand hours of sea time, to inform his design decisions. Understanding the rigours of ocean journeys, and the structures which must withstand them, are the foundation of his draughtsmanship. Detailed operational insights from the superyacht captains and crews that operate them, are directly incorporated into the best solutions for his clients.
The power of pure purpose means rationalising each aspect of the
vessel, from concept to detail. Proportions, function, and attitude: There are no elements “just for show”. From the wave breaking bow chine to the stern anchor, purpose and enduring beauty are merged as one. Per tradition, proper yachts built to last 100 years.
This 63 metres / 206 feet proposed full-displacement steel ship, Explorer Yacht EXO – meaning “outside” – will be in her element out on the horizon, or likewise, outside within a serene cove. Either way, strength, security and peace-of-mind are integral to this contemporary concept.
The layout is optimised to offer balanced accommodation, comprehensive amenities, and perhaps foremost, an efficient and practical service arrangement. In short, it’s an effective operation that really works, for guests and crew.
Contemporary, functional, exuding strong attitude and timeless proportions. Not immediately visible are the circulation paths for guests and crew. Significant planning effort is devoted to refining this facet. Other elements include advanced direct-bond glazing for ease-of-maintenance and avant-garde bearing, state-of-the-art shade devices,
a wide range of exterior gathering zones and features, largest tenders-in-class, “security stern”, Portuguese bridge, and thrilling observation deck atop.
The layout is optimised to offer generous accommodation, engaging amenities, and foremost, an effective and practical service arrangement. The style depicted herein is just one of many potential directions, the final version being informed by the client. The common result? Elegance, rigorous architectural principles, and insightful detailing.
The project shown embodies an extensive level of architectural completion. Still, clients are invited to sit with a set of blueprints, to suggest enhancements or even a significant reshaping of the plans to suit personal requirements, unique experience, and tastes.
Liebowitz & Partners
GUY BROAD
From the spiritual home of Jaguar Browns Lane
Guy Broad’s roots into the car world started from a very young age with a family that has spent a lifetime owning some of the most wonderful cars and doing great and exciting things in racing and touring and all things car based.
It all began with Guy’s grandfather, John Broad being the founder of what was going to be the beginning of the start of the Broad Dynasty. Over a span of 50 years he owned more than 140 cars, with some of them still being the most desirable cars today.
Guy’s father, Jeremy Broad was nurtured on the heart-throbbing roar and the heady octane whiff of these titans of the track. As a teenager, he became part of his grandfather’s pit team, and was bitten by the racing bug, for which there is no known antidote!
Jeremy Broad’s passion for classic cars was boundless. He was a walking encyclopedia
of facts and figures; a former editor of the XK Register and an authority on his favourite marque, the Jaguar XK.
No chance really that Guy could therefore escape becoming infected by the same passion. Now Guy’s life revolves around everything XK, within a quest that has taken him all over Europe and the Americas in building up the Guy Broad organisation and the world-wide reputation they enjoy today.
Starting Guy Broad Spares was something of a lifetime mission with the inspiration beginning in his childhood.
From the spiritual home of Jaguar Browns Lane Coventry, Guy Broad now runs a global emporium of XK spares with a total dedication for this exclusive marque series.
Ordering parts from Guy Broad Spares couldn’t be easier. Upon phoning or emailing, you will instantly be dealing with a trained parts expert, who has
the knowledge to ensure you get the right parts for any XK job you require. Part numbers are not required, just simple, pleasant communications and the parts you need will soon be on their way to you.
You can check information through the website for – XK 120 – XK 140 – XK 150 – XK and with Guy’s total dedication to the Jaguar XK series he has managed to obtain a huge stock of thousands of parts covering everything you could ever need for your XK.
Whether you want to build the ultimate original car or you want to drive your car as fast as possible at a race track they can advise you on the best parts for your project.
Having driven and restored many XKs, Guy broad has developed, manufactured, tried and tested BroadSport replacements. At Guy Broad Spares they can build an XK from the chassis up; to any performance standard.
A classic reborn
Our mission has evolved since 2007, yet our founding principle has remained constant; to create the most authentic, restored Land Rover Defenders in the world. Defenders that are as influential and inspirational as our clients.
Our Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) division takes those same ingredients but adds additional spice; such as an LS3 engine and 6 speed automatic transmission, culminating in the ultimate tribute to this automotive icon.
O’KANE LAVERS
Here’s to 2022
by James O’Kane
Having founded O’Kane Lavers in 2019 I was delighted to have had a very successful first year, growing our client base and handling some amazing cars. In 2020, despite the unprecedented challenges we were all faced with due to the pandemic, it was an extremely busy and productive year for O’Kane Lavers, having firmly established itself as a hub for motor car collectors from around the world.
2021 was busier than ever and we were fortunate to handle the sales of some unique and extremely high profile cars. Finding new homes for such amazing cars is always an absolute pleasure and working with our wonderful loyal clients
is just amazing. Having spent hundreds of hours on the road in the UK, it was fantastic to be able to travel again.
Several visits to Europe covering over 7,000 miles taking in The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Italy, Monaco, Switzerland, Germany, Slovenia and Austria. It was an absolute pleasure to catch up with old clients, now friends, and finally being able to meet new clients in person, though thank goodness for Zoom!
This year has been equally busy and it has been wonderful to travel to the US to get together with old and new clients in person. 2022 is quickly becoming the year to travel again, and plans are already in place for several visits to the US and Europe, plus I am looking forward to
being able to travel further afield to visit our Australasia clients.
Every year it is a privilege to attend the numerous car events and I am sure that this year’s Concourses will be a highlight of the calendar. Overall as I look to the future I am, as ever, most excited about encountering the world’s rarest and most exquisite cars and meeting more fabulous collectors.
O’Kane Lavers experience and expertise is broad and varied, this enables us to offer a tailored service to experienced and aspiring collectors alike. We offer an exceptional service where discretion and transparency are paramount.
James O’Kane
One of just eight examples produced, this is the first to have sold in the ‘used’ market.
Disco Volante by Touring Superleggera.
POP ART
Roy Lichtenstein
Keith Haring
Patrick Caulfield
David Hockney
3 May - 11 June 2022
Image: ROY LICHTENSTEIN (1923 - 1997) Modern Art screen print on wove paper signed plate: 20.3 x 27.8cm paper: 22.9 x 30.3cm
Available For Sale at davidsimoncontemporary.com
THE FERRARI HOUSE
Rebuilds, restoration and servicing
The Ferrari House has been set up to give Ferrari owners, mainly V12 owners, another choice of place to take their classic Ferrari. With quality top of our list, and a Ferrari mechanic with over 30 years of experience with the marque, we are confident that The Ferrari House will meet the highest expectations - but at a far more reasonable hourly charge, and with fixed price servicing for all V12 Ferrari motorcars. We specialise in pre2003 models, with carburettor models being the majority of examples we see.
The Ferrari House was set up because having owned a fair few V12 Ferraris,
I was shocked at the cost of maintaining them properly - and the most important part of being able to enjoy such a car is to have it in good order. This makes them reliable, easy to use and far more fun in the knowledge that you can drive it as intended, and not just to the local classic car gathering.
The Ferrari House is an old-fashioned workshop, with everything needed to fix and maintain your classic Ferrari. We don’t have a new glass showroom, numerous salesmen or a plush staff canteen; but we do have real tried and tested knowledge of the marque, a deep seated enthusiasm for these wonderful cars
and we want to see owners use and enjoy them.
We can collect and deliver your car - there are no hidden costs and nothing is undertaken until we have spoken with you and have had a conversation about what needs doing, or what is perfectly safe to use as is. All works and assessments are videoed with copies emailed directly to you.
We undertake full engine and gearbox rebuilds, suspension rebuilds, tyre fitting and wheel balancing, MOT tests and any general repairs.
contact@theferrarihouse.com
MOSS AUTOMOTIVE
The complete car concierge service
Hello to everyone and I hope you have had a positive start to the year. The restrictions are now gone and the winter is almost over.
Since writing last, I have attended several meetings with my fellow members of The London Concours steering committee. The launch of the event was staged on the top floor of The Gherkin in November and since then we have managed to secure some amazing cars to fill the classes for the event, this year being held on the 28th-30th June. I can assure you it will be spectacular.
The Sunday Scrambles are also back at Bicester Heritage and on January 16th a sellout crowd attended another great event, despite the cold. Porsche Club GB will shortly be relocating here, proving the popularity of our hobby and the strength
of the industry. The HCVA were in attendance and the membership is growing and If you are not already a member, I would urge you to join and help preserve our history, the skills required to maintain it and the legislation to support the use of historic vehicles. The cost of membership for a year is £48 and it is FREE if you are under 21! Take a look at www.hcva.co.uk
The GR Yaris arrived in October and after only 200 miles it crossed the water to Belgium and got a baptism of fire at Zolder and Spa. The conditions at Spa were brutal, a combination of heavy rain and an oil spill but the little GR performed impeccably. It has also been to Donington, Bedford and Brands Hatch. It certainly lives up to the hype and as I write, it is being fitted with Tractive adjustable suspension and Alcon discs. It passed 6000 miles this week and is most certainly a keeper, more to follow on the outcome of the changes.
We continue to take more and more cars in for storage and storage under Customs Warehouse conditions. This led to thoughts of expansion and a planning application was made. We are due to break ground in the coming months and will gain an additional 15,000 square feet, this will increase storage capacity and give us a dedicated photography space, this will allow us to photograph cars anonymously, not divulging their location. I believe this requirement exists due to our high standards, especially where security, insurance, storage conditions and personal customer service are concerned. We are trusted by or customers and the good word is spreading, please contact us if you are looking for storage and you can be assured of an excellent, personal, and discreet solution.
Until next time. Michael.
Image: Scott Pattenden
ICELANDIC ADVENTURES
Arkonik Land Rover Defender 110
To mark their collective 50th birthdays, Arkonik clients, Gerri and Chris Flanagan from Kentucky had always planned to coincide their Arkonik handover with an epic adventure. Chris, an avid explorer had long since mapped a route that would take them both across Europe and up into the Northern Hemisphere. The adventure began in Wissant, Northern France when the Arkonik team drove their restored and reimagined Defender 110, CELTIC direct from their HQ in Mells, Somerset.
After the euphoric Handover of CELTIC, the intrepid duo set off for the coveted shores of Iceland. Their virgin road trip encompassed over 1300 kilometres.
Taking in Antwerp, Dusseldorf, Bremen right up to the Northernmost tip of Denmark, Hirtshals. Here they got to flex their sea legs when they hopped on the awaiting ferry to Seydisfjordur in Eastern Iceland.
After a refreshing overnight stop, Gerri and Chris headed southeast along the picturesque coastal road passing through mile after mile of mesmerising landscape. Where glaciers gave way to volcanic sand and cascading waterfalls as high as the clouds.
As predictable as Iceland’s charms might be, the weather is equally as unpredictable. Night-time gale force winds led to a road closure on the eve
of the couple’s rendezvous in Höfn with Andy and Brad from Arkonik, who were there to document the adventure, meaning they had to turn back.
Luckily a new day brought a new dawn and this one was totally befitting of the spectacular landscape. Gerri and Chris arrived early the next morning and joined Andy and Brad for breakfast in Höfn. After a quick debrief and a fuel stop they all set off to explore the South of the island in convoy.
The first stop was at the exposed mountainous headland of Stokksnes. Its iconic black sands provided the perfect backdrop for the Defender. Next, the prevailing chilly Icelandic winds led them
inshore and they discovered an equally dramatic, yet totally different landscape.
An unexplored ‘F’ road leading them to a rocky riverbed where the fresh mountain water congregated in crystal clear pools before joining the ocean.
“I do a fair amount of overland travel and tend to end up in remote locations. I wanted my vehicle to be as capable as those environments. That was really the inspiration behind our build. I would absolutely put Arkonik at the top of anyone’s list. I would encourage you to look at other options as that will cement for you that Arkonik is ‘the’ premium brand when it comes to bespoke Defenders.”
Chris Flanagan | Owner
The journey continued west to Vik and en route, they were treated for mile after mile to the natural splendour of Iceland. Glaciers, waterfalls and volcanic rock were just some of the diverse landscapes encountered. A lovely evening was spent sharing their own experiences and sampling exquisite local produce.
The final day brought yet another weather front but undeterred the group set off after a hearty breakfast to meet Chris’ Icelandic friend Christian. An ex fireman and avid explorer he also runs a retreat. Christian took the wheel of CELTIC and led them deep into the highlands where rainfall gave way to blizzards and snow-covered tracks as far as the eye could see. Great fun was had putting the Defenders through their paces. CELTIC’s combined BFGoodrich® All-Terrain tyres and raised Terrafirma® suspension making light work of river crossings and snowcapped peaks.
Sadly, all great things must come to an end and after two fun-filled days spent with Gerri and Chris, it was time to say our fond farewells. We were truly honoured to have been able to play a part in their Icelandic adventures and we parted with memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.
Start your Arkonik journey at www.arkonik.com
B.A.V.Z
Creating memories through classic & modern cars that have a story to tell.
B.A.V.Z is an acclaimed illustrator based out of London who specialises in illustrating compelling automotive art. Through his work, B.A.V.Z exhibits stories about cars, their journey and their place in our modern world. His art embraces both classic & modern automobiles in a simple contemporary pop art style, based on lifestyle & recollections of cars in exotic locations, especially iconic Porsches.
A big fan of Porsche cars, the art is drawn in ways which capture the audience’s eye. Using minimal lines and applying shadows to combine missing elements. The results are bold and captivating where walls are filled with bright bursts of colours conveying the automotive scene.
“I try to pick out the smallest details which some people don’t see and make them the focal point. Then I get rid of the unwanted elements which in turn simplifies the whole picture.”
In most of his art he tells a story about specific memories where people have cherished their cars and remember certain events or days of their lives. Adding figures and subjects to the cars gives wonderful compositions, not just depicting the cars but showing true nature and surroundings for the specific moment in time.
All of his illustrations show wheels drawn without detail. It’s just a plain rim and the shadows to do the talking and this is one way that B.A.V.Z distinguishes his car illustrations from others.
DUBAI & SHARJAH, UAE
b500 on tour.
From the tallest building in the world, to the QE2, the car culture coffee shops, catching up with friends, making many new ones, Bluewaters Island, the car shoots in the desert, the car showrooms, the overwhelming hospitality, the sunrises, the sunsets, the full moon, the sights and sounds of the desert, the art galleries, the art installations, the Chedi Al Bait, the Kingfisher Retreat, the Moon Retreat, Al Badayer Retreat, the amazing Rain Room, Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilisation, the excursions, the amphitheater at Khorfakkan, the beaches, the incredible private collection of 4x4’s (over 350), the UNESCO World heritage site at Mleiha, to the Polaris quad car experience up to the highest sand dune for sunset.
The Al Majaz Waterfront development, Al Noor Island, Al Qasba to The heart of Sharjah and the amazing Sharjah House of Wisdom.
And finally my sincere thanks to (former), His Excellency Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, who through his private office & team at Shurooq, organised the whole visit for me to experience all that his home of Sharjah has to offer. His personal hospitality, which extended to me being invited to visit with him at his home and showing me his passion for cars, which formed the basis of the whole visit.
After many years of dedicated service to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, leader of Sharjah, Marwan has now departed from his Government position and is now, Founder of Al Mur Investment based in Dubai & Sharjah, UAE.
To find out and experience Sharjah and all it has to offer, please go to: shurooq.gov.ae
CARS Jaguar XJ220
This example, number 131 out of 352, was built in 1993 and delivered new three years later to Malta. Over time, the car made it to Singapore and Abu Dhabi, where it has been in the best of care by its previous custodian. A full mechanical re-commissioning of the car was performed by Don Law Racing in the UK in 2016, as well as a sympathetic cosmetic restoration in order for this XJ220 to look and perform at its best for years to come.
For Sale at Tomini Classics Dubai at $580,000
www.tominiclassics.com
David Simon specialises in Contemporary and Modern British artists. He established the gallery in Somerset in 2006, after managing a gallery in Mayfair. The gallery, in Castle Cary, has a programme of monthly curated exhibitions, highlighting both emerging and established artists including paintings, ceramics and bronze sculpture.
This spring the gallery has chosen to fill its programme with plenty of variety, with a double exhibition running throughout March and April across its two showrooms in Castle Cary, Somerset.
George Dannatt (1915 - 2009): Landscape Observations, is a collection of more than fifty paintings by this outstanding and inspirational figure in the story of the St Ives School of Art.
George Dannatt represented a rare breed of cultural polymath: music critic, practising artist, connoisseur, and collector of modern art. His career as an artist spanned more than five decades. The paintings in this exhibition are a retrospective selection dating from 1961-2007 rooted in his observation of the landscape of the southwest of England. During his lifetime Dannatt had his work exhibited in London, Switzerland, Germany, as well as across the south of England.
DAVID SIMON
The Art Market
At first glance his paintings, often on a small scale, seem abstract in the full sense of the word; disconnected from our world; studies of pattern through geometry, precise line and a fascination with contrasting surface textures. Dannatt’s work is both absorbing and intellectual and invites the viewer to spend time with it. In many of the works in this collection, looking beyond the modernist forms, ideas of horizon, coast, sky and land emerge and, so, maintain the interest of the eye and imagination and ultimately keeps you coming back for more.
The painting “White Hill to Fleet”, 2005 is an excellent example of George Dannatt’s thought process and practice. This work is based on a very distant view of a stretch of the Fleet and Chesil Bank as George described it: “a scene which one might produce by observing a long distance
JOHN PIPER (1903 - 1992)
Smailholm Tower, 1975 gouache on paper
39.4 x 58.4cm
through half-closed eyes” pinpointing a small area at the top of the painting, and then obscuring the intervening landscape to contribute to the feeling of distance.
David Simon Contemporary is delighted and privileged to be working with the George Dannatt Trust. We represent a broad overview of the work of George Dannatt a decade after his death. This collection of his work from the 1960’s through five decades, carefully selected by David Simon, charts his exploration of geometry, form and space and relating hard abstraction to references of landscape. Paintings by this artist can be found in the permanent collections of Pallant House Gallery, Chichester, Bournemouth University, Southampton City Art Gallery, and Royal Air Force, as well as other important public collections.
GEORGE DANNATT (1915 - 2009)
A Colour Composition - Dominant Red, 1995 oil on black paper
22.8 x 28.8cm
ANDREW LANSLEY
Pound Lake
egg tempera on gesso panel 31 x 31cm
‘In Arcadia’ – Exploring the British landscape through a wide range of living contemporary painters, this uplifting exhibition brings a refreshing vision from both gallery and guest artists. Andrew Lansley (Chair of the Bath Society of Artists), Ben Lowe, David Brayne, James Lynch and Kate Lynch, offer a diverse range of depictions of English landscapes in a myriad of styles and different approaches. Somerset painter, Mike Service has created a series of oil paintings of still life subjects with garden flowers in thick, impasto oil paint, quickly sculpted onto the canvas with palette knife. Dynamic interpretations of the Scottish borders are brought by John Piper (1903 - 1992) and more abstract examinations of landscape themes are represented in the works of Brian Rice and Vanessa Gardiner. The exhibition connects living, contemporary painters with mid-century, Modern British artists.
There is also a fine selection of signed, original etchings and drawings by Ben Nicholson, Henry Moore and by Eileen Cooper RA. These are very rare and collectible pieces and form an interesting visual link between these two exhibitions, in terms of their compositions running through the spectrum from representational to semi-figurative to hard abstraction. These exhibitions can be seen at the gallery until 16th April and also on our website. Looking ahead to the start of summer, we are busy securing works for our major Pop Art exhibition, including works by Roy Lichtenstein, Keith Haring, Patrick Caulfield and David Hockney. A diversion from the gallery’s usual concentration on contemporary and modern British painters, this bold and colourful exhibition is a conversation about the roles of British and American artists in one of the most powerful art movements of the 20th century.
GEORGE DANNATT (1915 - 2009)
Whitehill to Fleet, 2005 oil and graphite on board 107.5 x 38cm
www.davidsimoncontemporary.com
SHARJAH ADVENTURE
Introducing The Marsien
Are you ready for the ultimate road & off road supercar?
With only 40 being produced you will need to be faster than it’s 750hp to ensure you get one! Marc Philipp Gemballa is the 27-year-old entrepreneur son of the late German tuner Uwe Gemballa and although the Gemballa name is behind Marc Philipps creation, he’s quick to point out there is no association with the already existing Gemballa GmbH. That sorted, welcome to the Marsien. Take a Porsche 911 Turbo S and after a lot of very hard work, turn it into an all-carbon fibre, high-riding dunebashing 750bhp growling on-road-offroad monster.
Recently launched Marc Philipp and his team headed to the tarmac and deserts of SHARJAH in the UAE, for testing and an awesome photoshoot. The perfect place to shakedown the car in the heat and dust of the UAE, where if it can survive here, it can survive anywhereand it certainly did.
Spending two years in development has resulted in Marc Philipps‘ first project: with it’s timeless design and backbone credentials, it looks like the perfect cross-over between supercar and rally car, but still with all the comforts and practicality of a road car, blended with off road capabilities and featuring some of the latest cuttingedge technologies.
When producing something as special as this, you never leave the design to chance and Marc Philipp knew the look of his vehicle was going to be as important as what was under the hood, and so Porsche aficionado Alan Derosier was brought in after Marc Philipp saw a sketch back in 2017 and made contact with Alan, and the rest as they say, is history. The Marsien was born.
Featuring a full carbon fibre body, with all exterior components produced in pure carbon fibre, designed for performance, lightweight and cooling the parts are manufactured by a leading German carbon fibre specialist, that also supplies OEM sportscar manufacturers as well as several Formula One teams.
The conversion comes with a full leather or Alcantara interior handcrafted with the highest quality of materials, equipped with a bespoke Carrera GT-inspired lifted carbon fibre middle console, as well as GT style door lashes, carbon fibre side sills, and further carbon fibre accents throughout the interior with the ability to full customisation.
For the engine, Marc Philipp Gemballa teamed up with legendary Porsche engine specialist RUF Automobile for the engine development of the Marsien. Ruf are well known for their Porsche engine expertise and had previously worked with Marc Phillip’s Father Uwe Gemballa on producing the powertrains for various vehicles in the 1980s.
The Ruf powered engine upgrade enables the six-cylinder boxer engine to deliver over 750 horsepower and 930 Newton meters of torque. For customers looking for even more power, there is a stage-2 power upgrade by RUF taking the engine up to 830 horsepower with enhanced VTG turbo chargers and a revised ECU mapping and transmission setting.
For the sound of the vehicle, the leading performance exhaust manufacturer Akrapovič has developed an entirely new titanium exhaust system exclusively for this project, focusing on a bespoke sound experience, light in weight and further increasing the power output of the RUF Automobile-upgraded boxer engine.
For the suspension leading suspension and chassis technology pioneer KW automotive were brought in. Together, the two companies have developed a bespoke suspension system, which has been exclusively created for the Marsien, featuring extensive changes to the chassis of the base vehicle including a completely new developed double wishbone front suspension setup equipped with KW solid piston damper technology featuring an intelligent active damper control as well as an adjustable ride height system for on and off road use.
By the touch of a button, the adjustable ride height system enables an electronically controlled hydraulic lift increasing the ride height from Turbo S on road level up to an overall ground clearance of 250 mm, enabling the ultimate on and off road driving experience.
The Marsien comes with two specially designed forged aluminium wheel sets with centre locking system, running on Michelin Ultra High Performance (UHP)
tyres for on road and All Terrain tyres for off road use.
The name ‘Marsien’ is derived from the word Martian, as it looked like it was testing on Mars due to the red sand of the Al Faya Desert of Sharjah, in the UAE, (and the overall spec is pretty out of this world too)…
Interested?
Limited to just 40 units, you will need to be fast.
OWNER
Maserati Shamal
Owner: Zaher @zsgarage
Location: Dubai, UAE
Date Visited: February 12th 2022
Photography: Del Gregory
Introduced in 1990 and produced until 1996, the Maserati Shamal was designed by Marcello Gandini as a 2+2 Coupé Grand Tourer.
With its 3.2L Twin-Turbo V8 and 6-Speed Getrag manual transmission, it is a true drivers car.
This particular model was produced in 1994 as one of only 369 ever produced. Originally from Japan, in red with a black interior and has completed just 61,000 kms.
“Extremely comfortable and surprisingly easy to drive, but very low to the ground. Because it’s a twin-turbo from the 90s, the boost is quite powerful when the turbos kick in.”
“It’s one of those cars that you can’t quite figure out which angle is your favourite. That’s the genius of Gandini”. Zaher.
LUNCH WITH MAX BÜSSER
The M.A.D 1 Red
It had taken 15 years to have lunch with Max Büsser. It’s not that he’s a difficult man to reach, it’s just that we had missed each other in various Cities over that time.
I first reached out to Max when I launched Billionaire 500 back in 2005. He had just recently started MB&F and his artwork watch pieces were already starting to make waves and I saw his ideas as being a perfect fit to promote on my web portal, designed for the world’s 500 billionaires, (hence Billionaire 500).
Amazing to think that back in 2005 there were only 500 billionaires, where today it’s getting close to 3,000. (Some
of you might now have a better idea where the title of this magazine comes from as ‘b500’). A simple title nod to my past as founder of the first online portal for billionaires…
But I digress…
I had been in Geneva when Max was in Dubai, and I’d been in Dubai when Max was in Geneva, and so it went on, until last month the planets aligned…or did they. My original trip to Dubai was planned and then as I reached back out to Max he replied that my dates were the exact dates he would be back in Geneva. (I was starting to get a complex).
We finally decided between us, if I could squeeze an extra day in Dubai at the end
of my visit, and he could get back to Dubai a day earlier than planned, those pesky planets would be so confused, it might actually happen!
And it did.
I had already scoped out Max’s M.A.D Gallery in the vastness of the Dubai Mall, a week or so earlier and which needed a sit down in a very fancy coffee shop close to his gallery, having walked miles in a circle to end up back where I started, 50m from his doorway! (With a total internal floor area of 5.9 million sq ft, The Dubai Mall has 3.77 million sq ft of gross leasable space and over 1,200 retail stores, two anchor department stores and more than 200 food and beverage outlets).
Having finally found the gallery, I made a mental note which entrance to arrive at, and which escalator to take and which coffee shop was close by. (To be honest I took pictures on my iPhone). A week or so later and our lunch day had arrived and I was instructing my UBER driver which entrance I needed to be dropped at and then proceeded to refer to my phone images and within a couple of minutes I was right on time for our lunch appointment. We finally met and Max showed me around a few of the key signature pieces in the gallery, and then we headed off to lunch. A fabulous restaurant overlooking the now famous Dubai Fountain display.
Standing for Mechanical Art Devices and originally founded in Geneva, Max opened the first M.A.D.Gallery in 2011 on Rue Verdaine, a stone’s throw from his MB&F’s offices and atelier in the heart of the city’s old town. A second M.A.D.Gallery opened in Taipei in 2014, a third one in Dubai in January 2016 and a fourth one in Hong Kong in October 2018.
The MB&F M.A.D.Gallery is a captivating universe of kinetic art where Horological Machines and Mechanical Art Devices reign supreme.
Inside the galleries, not only will you find the complete range of MB&F Horological Machines and Legacy Machines, but you’ll also have the pleasure of discovering carefullycurated Mechanical Art Devices –from around the world, each one as entertaining as it is unique.
Much has been written about Max’s MB&F brand and where at the start he struggled to find buyers, just like any new brand starting out, but nowadays there’s a 10 year waiting list for his horological machines. But I’m not having lunch with Max to talk about his ‘fiercely unconventional timekeeping machines’. No I’m here to talk about his (some might say) equally unconventional ‘thank you’ watch, the M.A.D Edition 1 and the most recent “commercial” version, the M.A.D 1 Red.
The M.A.D 1 was the debut piece back in 2021 from Max’s new brand: M.A.D Edition. Priced at a fraction of his normal horological machines (at under $3,000), but here’s the shocker. This watch was not available to the masses. It was only offered to friends of MB&F, (including suppliers and partners), as well as existing owners of MB&F
watches. Sad then to see in my research that many were immediately put up for grabs on E Bay. If I were Max I would use the term ‘friends’ carefully.
But now here we are a year later and with an all new idea from Max to continue the idea, but this time with proper availability. (Well, sort of). The response through social media to M.A.D 1 was a mixture of utter excitement, followed by many by utter frustration that essentially it still wasn’t for sale.
Max was overwhelmed with the response to the first watch, and so much that now a year or so later RED 2 is being made more readily available and still at just around the $3k mark. The first pieces have been offered to those people who contacted MB&F directly since the first launch, with remaining pieces allocated via a lottery system via MB&F’s online store.
Having waited 20 years for lunch, it was worth the wait and to be honest I could have stayed all day listening to how Max and his brand has developed since 2005 into so many amazing ideas, but alas he was away after our lunch to another interview, then another and another.
OWNER
Alfa Romeo 2000 GT Veloce
Owner: Ihab @classicalfauae
Location: Dubai, UAE
Date Visited: February 10th 2022
Photography: Del Gregory
Introduced in 1971 and produced until 1977, the Alfa Romeo 2000 GT Veloce, with its glorious body shape, (which still stands up today), was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro for Bertone.
This particular model was produced in 1972 and delivered to Uzwil in Switzerland in its original paintwork of Bianco Spino. Nowadays, and since its full body restoration in 2016, it has Alfa Rosso paintwork and resides with Ihab in Dubai, where it’s driven enthusiastically during the UAE winter months.
OWNER
Dallara Stradale
Owner: Marwan @m3.5.1
Location: Sharjah, UAE
Date Visited: February 11th 2022
Photography: Del Gregory
It was back in 2011 when Marwan first visited with Dallara through a personal introduction by a mutual friend. He didn’t realise at that time but it would be an eight year journey of discovery about all things Dallara, and where during that journey “Dallara became family”. Through the process of this bespoke customisation, through to the delivery of his car, (as a present to himself for his birthday in December of 2019), Marwan had effectively joined the Dallara family.
Gian Paolo Dallara himself is now 86 and has a rich automotive history before founding the marque which now bears his name. Dallara had the desire to create a car bearing his own name after having worked with various manufacturers and overseeing their projects ranging from the development of Formula 1 and Formula 3 cars as well as Indycars and even designing the chassis of sports cars for other manufacturers, notably Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren and Alfa Romeo and this goes right back to the 1960’s where Dallara first worked with such greats as Giotto Bizzarrini and Ferruccio Lamborghini.
The first of his own cars (001) was eventually delivered to the great man himself, on the occasion of his 81st birthday, at the company’s headquarters in Varano de’ Melegari, Italy, in 2017.
The first 100 cars are signed by Gian Paolo Dallara, meaning Marwans at number (042) has been duly signed. So far Marwan has only put 4,000 kms on the car and mostly locally in the UAE
at shows, meetings and local drives, but plans to take it to Europe in the future to enjoy some of the roads through the cars ‘homeland’.
Car number (042) was delivered to the UAE in December 2019 in Black with a Tan interior, with decisions being made along the way whether to have a roof and or doors, which are options of this very special Italian sports car. After consideration, and taking into account where the car would be used, Marwan decided on both the roof and the door options, and it looks amazing with the gullwing doors opened.
I have to say amongst the many special cars Marwan owns, (and there are many), it was the Dallara Stradale that immediately caught my eye as I arrived at his home in Sharjah. It was parked next to his new Land Rover Defender, which he currently uses as his dailydrive, but the Dallara was so stunning in the sunlight it had even attracted some of the family chickens to come and take a look at their reflections in the shine of the bodywork.
