b500 magazine
Dubai & Sharjah, UAE Introducing the RUF RCT Evo
O’KANE LAVERS CARS FOR SALE
1952 Allard J2X
1987 Aston Martin V8 Vantage X-Pack
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.
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.
£215,000
€399,500
1925 Bentley 3 Litre Tourer by Gurney Nutting
1969 Jaguar E-Type Series II 4.2 Roadster
Original coachwork, perfect for driving events, very good condition throughout, ready for it next collector owner.
Matching numbers, fresh from a full respray, full engine rebuild, supplied new to USA.
£225,000
£69,500
2018 McLaren Senna
1960 Porsche 356B Roadster
Topaz clear film PPF, full service history from new, the 34th of 500 examples produced, low mileage with two private owners from new. £605,000
Fully restored, 1 owner from 1960 until 2017, one of 1,528 T5 356B Roadster produced in 1960, offered from a private Porsche collection.
Email: info@okanelavers.com
£169,500
www.okanelavers.com RECENTLY SOLD
Porsche 356C SC 19991964 Bentley Continental
20091952 Lamborghini LP670-4 Super 2003 Ferrari Ferrari 212 Inter 456MPrototype GTA Veloce
One of only 73 SCs built, one of 25 RHD examples, recent Bentley Restored in 2010 by Maxted Page & Vintage Cars Boutique, matching service costing over £7,000, collectable model, fullPorsche service numbers and original colourhighly combination, offered with history from new and complete with books. Certificate of Authenticity and supplied new to California, USA.
Prototipo, new tohistory Enzo Ferrari, fresh frommileage, a concours restoration, Low full service from outstanding condition, rare 1 ofmileage, 186delivered produced, right-hand drivenew, and low exceptional matching numbers throughout, rare and desirable final series model condition, UK registered with taxesshow paid.car, welcome at
2009 Lamborghini LP670-4 Super Veloce 2008 Ferrari720S 430 Performance Scuderia 2017 McLaren
2000 Jaguar Aston Martin Vantage Volante 1966 E-TypeDB7 Series I 4.2 Roadster
supplied, full£306k, Ferrari service history, presentled inexceptional likedelivered new Original listproduced, price of presented in new condition, 1 ofUK186 right-hand drive andlike low mileage, aCEO perfect forwith any taxes Ferrari collection. new tocondition, McLaren Mike Flewitt, McLaren warranty until 2022. condition, UKexample registered paid.
1Matching owner from new, 20,000 miles, impeccable condition, recent invoices numbers, restored condition, bills for over £25k within the forlast over £10,000 worth year, supplied newoftoexpense. USA.
1958 Porsche 356A Cabriolet
2010 Porsche 997 GT2 RS
Outstandingly original, offered from a private Porsche collection, on the button ready, supplied new to USA.
Museum quality, full service history from new, immaculate condition, one of only 500 examples produced.
major concours.
Telephone: +44 (0) 7725 464009
“Porsche Heaven” Brian 07535 987911
Photo: Simon Jessop
Brian@rindtvehicledesign.com
b500 magazine
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CONTENTS
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COVER / RUF RCT Evo ELECTRIC / ARC B500X HOROLOGY / MB&F YACHT / EXO Explorer DEALER / Guy Broad DEALER / O’Kane Lavers ART / David Simon ART / B.A.V.Z ON TOUR / b500 on tour CARS / Jaguar XJ220 ART / David Simon MARSIEN / Marc Philipp Gemballa OWNER / Maserati Shamal LUNCH IN DUBAI / Max Busser MB&F OWNER / Alfa 2000 GT Veloce OWNER / Dallara Stradale
GET IN TOUCH Contact: editor@b500magazine.com
Tel: + 44 (0) 7704 503315
@b500magazine @arkonik
b500 magazine - An Arkonik company Editor-in-Chief: Del Gregory Artwork & Production: Graphic Bubble Published by: Arkonik Ltd. The right of Arkonik to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with the copyright, designs and patents act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any other information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. The articles as published do not necessarily represent the views of the author or publisher. Copyright: Arkonik Ltd 2022
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T H E U LT I M AT E B E S P O K E STO R AG E FAC I L IT Y A N D
OFFICIAL CUSTOMS WAREHOUSE The most exceptional facility, for the most exceptional cars. Situated on the London, Hertfordshire border in a discreet, yet convenient location. A bespoke, temperature, humidity and dust controlled, high security building. We take care of storage, transportation, detailing, finance and we are an official Customs Warehouse.
HMRC AP P ROV ED CUSTOMS WAREHOUSE T 020 3973 1520 E info@mossauto.co.uk W mossauto.co.uk
b500 magazine
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Del Gregory
W
elcome to issue 10 of b500 magazine.
I see double figures as a bit of a milestone for b500 and I’m proud of what’s been achieved to get this far and with great support from day one from people like Steve Loughton, Michael at Moss Autos, Ben at Classic Motor Hub, Ed at APS Specialist Cars, Guy at Guy Broad, Magnus Walker, Etienne Salomé, Gioel Molinari and my friends and now colleagues at Arkonik. All have played a significant part - as have many others who I don’t have the space to mention, but you know who you are and thank you. I don’t profess b500 to be ‘the most beautiful magazine in the world’, or ‘the cleverest’ and I’ve never had a huge budget, (or any budget really), but what I do have in buckets is passion. Passion for the big guys, but equally, and I think most importantly, passion for the small guys as well.
To me we’re all the same but different. By that I mean we all have different lives and ways and means to achieve something, but we all share the passion for our cars. I don’t care if that happens to be a cheap old banger of a car, because that’s all you can afford, or whether you’re in the Bugatti Chiron budget arena. With b500 you are all friends. There’s no cover price, it’s free to download and read and so far after just 10 issues it’s reached over 100 countries. We’ve all been through the global pandemic together, and now travel is once again opening up I’ve started to increase our location shoots through the pages of the magazine - starting with my own recent trip to Dubai and Sharjah, where I visited several car owners and related businesses, with thanks to everyone who made me so welcome! After a week in Dubai I moved to Sharjah, where I was kindly hosted by (former) His Excellency Marwan Bin Jassim Al Sarkal, Executive Chairman, Sharjah Investment & Development Authority
Shurooq. Marwan has become a friend and great supporter of b500 and kindly invited me to experience all that Sharjah has to offer, as well as a personal look at his cars, some of which can be seen in this issue - with the most recent arrival, his stunning RUF RCT Evo as shown with Marwan on the cover - just as it should be, in it’s standout Bavarian Blue livery. The hospitality in Dubai and Sharjah is always of the highest of anywhere I have ever travelled, and I have been travelling to this region for over twenty years and it never fails to deliver. Shurooq Hotels & Resorts are quite literally unique and I hope some of you will travel to visit and enjoy the hospitality of Shurooq, and please look out for the special Sharjah stand-alone issue out very soon and find out exactly why I believe they are unique. Thanks again for your continued support and I hope you enjoy this issue of b500 as much as I have enjoyed bringing it all together. Del
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Sponsored by Founding HCVA member, Moss Automotive C VEH
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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.
Join us today – and make a real difference
Perception of classic cars and the environment
Issues with moving vehicles and parts to and from Europe
Delays and frustrations dealing with the DVLA
We need to correct the myths and misconceptions around the environmental impact of classic vehicles and build upon already active nationwide media campaigns.
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.
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.
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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
Join us now at hcva.co.uk 01869 934525 The Historic & Classic Vehicles Alliance is a not-for-profit organisation. Registered in England & Wales No. 13267010
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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.
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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.
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DESIGN Meet the EV Alchemists - Arc
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rc is the groundbreaking electric motorcycle company which takes a detour from the norm in search of fresh terrain and new frontiers, on a mission to explore the Earth in state-of-the-art style, combined with a promise to try and protect it. A team of visionary design and engineering specialists, assembled for their attitude as much as their skill, it’s not surprising that they have developed the most advanced electric motorcycle ever brought to market. Based in Coventry, England, at the heart of the UK’s global-leading HighPerformance Automotive Engineering cluster, the idea for Arc was born out of Jaguar Land Rover’s White Space ‘skunk works’, an innovation lab previously headed by Arc Founder & CEO Mark Truman. The Arc Vector is a motorcycle like no other, the embodiment of Mark Truman’s mission to change the way we think about motorbikes and build a thrilling, sustainable and safe technological marvel for a new world order. Arc is brave, uncompromising, and restless, facilitating dreams of escape and in hot pursuit of perfection on a road never before travelled. A Bike as individual as you are, the Arc Vector is a beautiful combination of the finest materials: a perfect balance of sustainability, performance and aesthetic mastery that reflects the Arc philosophy. The Arc Vector utilises exotic and sustainable materials, thoroughbred
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componentry, cutting-edge architecture, and technological innovations that have never been applied to two-wheeled transport before. From its frameless battery monocoque construction (the battery is the chassis), unique front end suspension system and carbon fibre everything, the Vector drips innovation. It’s this combination of F1 stye technical prowess, ultimate customer journey and a level of exclusivity not before seen in the motorcycle market that makes it one of the most lusted-after EVs to ever enter production.
All Vectors are hand built in the UK and completely individual to their owner, no 2 are ever the same. Clients go through a 6-month process with the company to tailor the Vector to their preferences. Ergonomics are set for each owner, with new foot control and handlebar positions machined bespoke for the riders required poise. Colour and materials choices are included, within reason, in the standard price range. When asked about what this level of personalisation meant for 2nd owners – Mark’s response was simple “you don’t sell an Arc motorcycle”.
The Arc Vector by B500X Introducing the two Arc vector B500X Special Editions, ‘Stripe & Fade’ designed and built by a team of visionary engineering specialists. A word from Arc Vehicle founder / Mark Truman The opportunity for us to collaborate with B500X on this very special brace of B500X liveried Arc Vector’s was an obvious one. We have a very similar customer base and the reputation and outreach of B500X is completely aligned with where Arc want our products to be. The professionalism of Del and his team at B500X means the project has been a joy to work on and we look forward to collaborating on other projects in the future. These B500X Vector machines are incredibly special and come with never to be repeated features including colour and material specification. The pinnacle of motorcycling design, technology and exclusivity all wrapped together in these Arc Vector B500X Special Editions. A word from B500X founder / Del Gregory I am delighted to announce the latest project for B500X Design. An exciting opportunity to design and produce just two special edition Arc Vector ‘B500X’ Edition electric motorcycles. Based on the ARC Vector, which is the most advanced electric motorcycle on the market, B500X are delighted to announce two very special editions. Each of our two custom electric Arc Vector motorcycles are produced in B500X colours, code named ‘Stripe’ & ‘Fade’. Only one of each will be available,
in keeping with our philosophy of special limited editions and making each one in either B500X Stripe or B500X Fade a unique one-of-one customer experience.
During this session, your measurements will be taken so the Vector can be tuned to create the perfect geometry for you - so you can be in it, not on it.
Arc Vector – Machines that feel like Second Nature. The Arc Vector is a truly unique motorcycle and Arc are rewriting the rules of motorcycle design. They are not just putting together a frame with a battery, motor, and a set of forks, this is a new construction philosophy – almost every idea, concept, component, and technique is new. Arc are building their perfect motorcycle.
Mark says “We really grasped the nettle with both hands. A group of experienced and talented individuals, some of the best in their individual fields from the motorsports and OEM arenas, that wanted to do something different. Engineers that have been shackled, by regulation, cost, or a brands inherent design language. This was about giving the engineers and designers the opportunity to create the ultimate motorcycle from a blank piece of paper with a legacy free approach and with as few compromises as possible”. The result is the ground-breaking Arc Vector. It’s comes as no surprise that the alchemists at Arc are also involved in developing electric vehicles for a number of 2-and-4 wheel OEM clients through their services arm Arc Design. From their own 2 wheeled products to secret hypercar projects (they wouldn’t give us the detail!) it seems that Arc technology is certainly in demand.
All this innovation is then wrapped in a breathtakingly futuristic body with postmodern nods to café racers past. Designed by non-conformist motorcycle mavericks for spirited and eco-conscious individuals, the Vector unites world-first technology, best-in-class performance, quality, and unrivalled levels of exclusivity. Unique to You the Arc Vector is a beautiful combination of the finest materials: a perfect balance of sustainability, performance and aesthetic mastery that reflects the Arc philosophy. Forensic attention to detail ensures every piece is optimised for purpose. Arc has a close relationship with all its customers. The entire package is made to order, with a choice of colours, materials, and optional design features. All at the standard list price. Part of the customer journey to owning a Vector includes a tailoring session with an Arc designer. Working with you to create your dream colour and material finish.
What makes the Vector so special? The Ultimate combination of man and machine. The Arc Vector is the most advanced electric motorcycle on the planet, providing a sensory and emotional experience never before applied to such a vehicle. In short, Vector strives to be the most sustainable and most fulfilling bike ever created. The rider sits astride a handmade motorcycle with lightweight carboncomposite structure and ingeniously elegant battery module monocoque, which
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is as clean and efficient as it is beautiful to behold. Rather than utilising a frame/ chassis, the Arc battery philosophy is a unique and ground-breaking one that redefines how electric vehicles will be made. Arc deploy a battery module monocoque which replaces the frame maximising package space, performance, range, and weight reduction. The beautiful black a-surface of the motorcycle is the battery, there are no addition covers or panniers to cover up the technology, Arc’s philosophy is to make beautiful batteries, in the same way that custom bike builders would leave their craftsmanship open for others to admire. The Vector’s styling brings to mind the classic spirit of a British café racer, a symbol of freedom and high fashion that stands for peerless handling and debonair attitude. It is also jaw-droppingly modern, taking not only the very latest technological innovations and employing many for the first time on a motorbike, but sculpting the machine from a futuristic yet classically inspired vision. Its feather weight solves one of the headaches normally attributed to brick battery EVs, and it has MotoGP levels of stiffness so that there’s zero compromise on the riding experience. Vector utilises carbon swingarms front and rear, custom made Ohlins dampers for telepathic handling and feedback, and meaty Brembo brakes on anorexic BST wheels. The entire package tips the scales at 230kg, which is almost 60kg lighter than comparable machines. Vector has the best power-toweight ratio of any electric motorcycle of its class by a considerable margin and rapidly achieves a top speed of 200 kph and goes from 0-60 in 3 seconds dead.
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These attributes where demonstrated in abundance when the Vector headlined at the Goodwood festival of Speed. What was the original concept of the Vector bike? “The concept was to try and design the best performance electric motorcycle. The design brief was if the term “cafe racer” was going to be coined in ten years’ time - what would that look like? The design inspiration came from an electric violin. Everything that is required to perform the art is present, but everything else that does not need to be there has been removed. It is about purity of design. Stripping back to something that feels elemental”. Why? A voice for change This goes beyond engineering, it’s a revolutionary new attitude, Arc is a family bound together through passions and philosophies. “We conquer frontiers. For us. For you. For our planet. Our road is a different road.” Arc has a code, to try and find the perfect balance, the line of best fit to get the best results with the resources the world has to offer. For instance, there is little point in making a motorcycle out of 100% sustainable materials if the result is a kerb weight 500kg and a range of 5 miles. It’s about making the best compromises, to deliver the most optimised end result... Mark is the largest shareholder in Arc. A committed environmentalist, the designer and engineer won the Society of Automotive Engineers International Young Engineer of the Year Award in 2005 for his experimental work on motorcycle chassis and swing arm flex and design parameters.
He has worked in motorsport as a data acquisition engineer and has 35 years of motorcycling experience. He’s spent time at Saab, Ford, and Aston Martin, and headed Jaguar Land Rover’s White Space radical innovations incubator before establishing Arc. As well as being an engineering visionary, Mark is first and foremost a passionate motorcyclist. Since his teens he has been building and modifying all manner of motorcycles, as well as racing on short tracks and motocross. Eco-conscious to the hilt, Mark lives on a sustainable smallholding in Wales. Where is Arc right now? After a successful company launch, Arc goes from strength to strength with preproduction underway on 10 very special Limited-Edition Vectors. Rumour has it the owners of those limited-edition Arc Vector will become an Arc Ambassador and become an integral part in the further development of some incredible new technology. Arc are in the process of developing the world’s first full integrated Head Up Display (HUD) helmet and a ground-breaking Haptic Jacket. This 3-part system will bring an all-new connection between Man and Machine, providing visual, audible, and physical sensory feedback and notifications to provide the rider with addition performance and safety-based awareness. The Origin Haptic Jacket is professionally tailored, and a full head scan will facilitate the creation of a unique Zenith helmet for each owner. The order book is open, and the first customers will receive their own bespoke, customised Vector during Q1 2022.
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.
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RINDT VEHICLE DESIGN A quick and impromptu telephone call with Brian at Rindt and next thing I was suddenly in my car heading to Twyford near Reading, such is the direct nature of this Porsche aficionado. I knew just from the telephone call I was going to like Brian as we seemed quite similar. Perhaps easily summed up by us both having a direct and uncompromising approach to business… Arriving 2 hours after leaving my home in the Cotswolds, I was totally entranced, like a kid in a sweetshop, as Brian showed me around from room to room, barn to barn. I had already heard of Rindt and the quality of their work, but hadn’t realised until I was there, exactly how much work they do, and all on site and all to such high standards. This is just a taster for this issue - just a short explanation about the company and what they can offer, with much more in depth detail on specific cars and services in following b500 issues (including something very special and exclusive for b500 from Rindt, so keep watching). Brian has a great philosophy for his business with a combined team experience spanning over 75 years of restoring classic Porsches, and takes great pride in every detail of every Porsche that leaves his premises with the Rindt badge. Everything is completed on site, and Rindt work with a global network of suppliers who are able to source even the most obscure part; and if all else fails they have the capability to manufacture it themselves! Race preparation & support, full restoration, metalwork, engine building, paintwork, electrics and trimming - plus customer bespoke resto-mod builds and the development of their own air-cooled 4.0L supercharged engine, and always a good stock of early RHD Porsche for sale. Photo: Simon Jessop 28
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EXPLORER YACHT EXO The Power of Pure Purpose
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rchitect 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
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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
T H E U LT I M AT E B E S P O K E STO R AG E FAC I L IT Y A N D
OFFICAL CUSTOMS WAREHOUSE The most exceptional facility, for the most exceptional cars. Situated on the London, Hertfordshire border in a discreet, yet convenient location. A bespoke, temperature, humidity and dust controlled, high security building. We take care of storage, transportation, detailing, finance and we are an official Customs Warehouse.
19-20 AUGUST 2020
H MRC APPROVE D CUSTOMS WA RE H OUS E T 020 3973 1520 E info@mossauto.co.uk W mossauto.co.uk
GUY BROAD From the spiritual home of Jaguar Browns Lane
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uy 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.
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A classic reborn
Arkonik Ltd. is an independently owned and operated business and is not affiliated in any way with Jaguar Land Rover Limited.
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.
Find out more at arkonik.com
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
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aving 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
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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
Disco Volante by Touring Superleggera. One of just eight examples produced, this is the first to have sold in the ‘used’ market.
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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
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Specialists in Ferrari V12 rebuilds, restoration and servicing All servicing is fixed price and all work guaranteed £85ph
T: 01608 656 366 E: contact@theferrarihouse.com
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he 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
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“Porsche Heaven” Brian 07535 987911
Photo: Simon Jessop
Brian@rindtvehicledesign.com
MOSS AUTOMOTIVE The complete car concierge service
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Image: Scott Pattenden
ello 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.
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ICELANDIC ADVENTURES Arkonik Land Rover Defender 110
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o 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.
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 the euphoric Handover of CELTIC, the intrepid duo set off for the coveted shores of Iceland. Their virgin road trip encompassed over 1300 kilometres.
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
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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.
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.
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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
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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.
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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
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Beachcruiser by Etienne The UAE Edition
Available now at arkonik.com
Arkonik Ltd. is an independently owned and operated business and is not affiliated in any way with Jaguar Land Rover Limited.
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
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b500 magazine
DAVID SIMON The Art Market
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.
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his 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.
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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.
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.
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
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.
JOHN PIPER (1903 - 1992) Smailholm Tower, 1975 gouache on paper 39.4 x 58.4cm
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
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SHARJAH ADVENTURE Introducing The Marsien
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re 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.
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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 anywhere and 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.
tyres for on road and All Terrain tyres for off road use.
The Marsien comes with two specially designed forged aluminium wheel sets with centre locking system, running on Michelin Ultra High Performance (UHP)
Interested?
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)…
Limited to just 40 units, you will need to be fast.
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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.
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LUNCH WITH MAX BÜSSER The M.A.D 1 Red
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t 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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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