Drive 08 by Runwild Media Group

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C O N TA C T S & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS DRIVE magazine is published on behalf of H.R. Owen PLC by RWMG. For all publishing and advertising enquiries please contact: RWMG 6th Floor, One Canada Square Canary Wharf London, E14 5AX T: +44 (0)20 7987 4320 E: info@rwmg.co.uk www.rwmg.co.uk

Welcome, When the invitation came to pop over to Italy and drive the new Ferrari California T, we were not short of volunteers for the job. In the end respected journalist (and no mean driver) Jethro Bovingdon got the gig. Jethro is a generous man, though. As well as sharing his experiences behind the wheel, he also tells you where to stay, where to eat and, importantly, the right roads to drive should you ever get the call from Maranello. The California T forms the centrepiece of DRIVE Volume 8 but as regular readers will know, variety is at the heart of this magazine. Within these pages you can enjoy some surreal art, learn about Bentley Girl Mary Petre, and discover what an ekranoplan is. We also look at a highly innovative kid’s TV programme, 50 years old this year, that starred a six-wheeled Rolls-Royce owned by a titled society beauty. When it comes to two wheels, though, I’d venture that no-one knows more about Nortons than Dr George Cohen. And, naturally, he owns a number of examples of this famous British breed. But he has a great deal else beside – it’s not often you’ll find an Aston DB2/4 sharing garage space with a VW Camper. There are a couple of car loving celebrities taking part in this issue, too. Quentin Willson tells us why we should all be buying a used Bentley GTC while TV chef James Martin explains how fame and fortune has allowed him to indulge his passion for Ferraris. And Mustangs. And Mini Coopers. So sit back, relax and enjoy these and all the other features we’ve crammed into Volume 8. As ever, we welcome all feedback – just drop us a line to the e-mail address below with your thoughts and comments.

Matthew Carter Editor-at-Large | DRIVE drive@hrowen.co.uk

DRIVE EDITORIAL TEAM Tom King: Group Marketing Manager Chris Harris: Marketing & Customer Director Matthew Carter: Editor-at-Large George Chapman: Deputy Editor & Project Manager H.R. Owen Plc Melton Court, Old Brompton Road London SW7 3TD T: +44 (0)20 7245 1122 F: +44 (0)20 7245 1123 E: enquiries@hrowen.co.uk www.hrowen.co.uk RWMG Giles Ellwood: Publisher Eren Ellwood: Managing Director Mark Welby: Creative Director George Chapman: Deputy Editor & Project Manager Jonathan Lewis: Designer publishing enquiries Call Giles Ellwood on +44 (0)20 7987 4320 or email g.ellwood@rwmg.co.uk ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES Call Rachel Eden on +44 (0)7793 380 012 or email r.eden@hrowenmagazine.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS Nick Swallow, Jethro Bovingdon, Quentin Wilson, Giles Chapman, Matt Prior, James Martin Credit also goes to: Amy Shore (pp18-24) EF Corcoran/Gaiger/Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images, Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images, Getty Images, Nancy R Wilson & Carey Chapman (pp26-30) Richard Parsons (pp32-33, pp72-73) Dean Smith (pp46-56) Komatsuzaki Shigeru, ITV/Rex Features, R. G. Balkham/Rex (pp74-76) Igor Kolokov, samolet.co.uk, wingship.com (pp80-81) Jakob Ebrey Photography, Jan Jacob Trip, Jacob T. Meltzer Creative Commons Licence (pp83-86)

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©Copyright 2014 H.R.Owen PLC 2014 Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor H.R. Owen PLC nor any of its subsidiary or affiliated companies can accept, and hereby disclaim to the maximum extent permitted by law, any liability for any loss or damage that may be caused by any errors or omissions this publication may contain. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form – electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise – without prior written permission of the publisher. Information correct at time of going to press. Views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher or H.R. Owen PLC. Every effort has been made to trace the copyright holders of material used in this publication. If any copyright holder has been overlooked, we should be pleased to make any necessary arrangements.

contents

REGULARS 18 UNDER LOCK & KEY: MADE IN THE SHED 36 ROAD TRIP: TWO KENT & SUSSEX DRIVING ADVENTURES 40 AUTOMOBILIA: GIFTS FOR EVERYONE 58 AT YOUR SERVICE: ‘TOTAL JOY’ AS STANDARD 72 MEET THE EXPERT: FIRST POINT 80 KNOWLEDGE = POWER: MIGHTY MACHINES - EKRANOPLANS 83 SUPERCAR TECH: CARBON CERAMIC BRAKES 88 FORECOURT: THE LATEST MODELS FROM H.R. OWEN 92 CHEQUERED FLAG: THE WORLD OF H.R. OWEN 98 THE BACK SEAT: JAMES MARTIN

FEATURES 26 BENTLEY GIRL: THE HON. MRS VICTOR BRUCE 32 THE SPIRIT OF PADDINGTON: THE ROLLS-ROYCE PADDINGTON BEAR 34 ROLLS-ROYCE GHOST SERIES II: FIRST DRIVE 46 CLOSER TO THE MYTH: FERRARI CALIFORNIA T IN MARANELLO 64 SURREALIST AUTO ART: IMAGINATIVE CAR ART 70 BOODLES - WHAT SHE WANTS: JEWELLERY SHOWCASE 74 THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO (AGAIN!): 50TH ANNIVERSARY

P83

P74

P64

P46

P32

P18

BO ODL E S.COM /CI RC US

V I E W T H E F I L M AT W W W. G I E V E S A N D H A W K E S. C O M

Und er Loc k & K ey

Made in the Shed Drawing back the doors of this Somerset shed reveals a fascinating collection of two, three and four-wheeled vehicles that stem from an admiration of ‘Unapproachable’ Norton motorcycles. DRIVE’s George Chapman meets a man whose flat cap is permanently turned backwards.

in association with

PHOTOGRAPHY BY AMY SHORE

ever let it be said that we don’t cover a wide a variety of automotive collections, here at DRIVE. This enthralling array of vehicles you see before you belong to Dr George Cohen, a more charismatic and hands-on motorcycle, classic car and engineering enthusiast you will not find. “My father was the Head of the Engineering Department at Cambridge University and previously jet engine inventor Frank Whittle’s right hand man. As a child I often made soapbox racers, model cars and aeroplanes.” If you hadn’t already noticed from his branded pullover and fine array of James Lansdowne Norton’s ‘Unapproachable’ finest (a marketing slogan first used by the Birmingham-based maker in pre-war times), Dr George is a huge Norton motorcycle fan and the owner of a choice selection of classic cars, plus a Range Rover Sport. Known simply as ‘Norton George’ by classic bike fans the world over and the author of ‘Flat Tank Nortons’, he retired from a full-time career as a psychiatrist around ten years ago, leaving him the time to focus on his beloved Nortons. Operating his ‘very interesting hobby’ as he refers to it, from his rural South Somerset home and workshop, George states, “I build three types of machines for the right type of customer; period-correct with old components, originals to factory specification and my specials, designs that come to me in my sleep around once a year.” Parked alongside such machines known as ‘Cam-Cam’ – named after his daughter Camilla and a nod to its OHC single-cylinder engine, his latest midnight creation is a very sporty Norton International featherbed-framed café racer complete with one-off underseat exhaust and many other unique parts. His hobby has many admirers, too; customers include Sir Jackie Stewart’s son Paul Stewart, the Goodwood Estates’ Lord March and David Clark, a former sales director at McLaren. “I also heard from a friend that a big, American TV personality wanted to buy one of my bikes,” George adds. “Fine, I said, he’s welcome to, but first he has to come down to Somerset and let me mess with his head, psychoanalyse him to establish if he is suitable to own one of my machines!”. “Another customer once asked me if my bikes come with a guarantee. I replied yes, of course a lifetime guarantee that lasts until whoever dies first.”

“I build three types of machines for the right type of customer; period- correct with old components, originals to factory specification and my specials, designs that come to me in my sleep around once a year.”

Previous page Two of George Cohen’s most prized possessions; 1926 Norton 500 TT ‘Flat Tank’ and 1956 Aston-Martin DB2/4 complete with tweenie devil mascot. BELOW The lightly-tuned straight-six found in the DB2/4. Norton International 500 Special is put on its stand.

This page According to its owner, Aston Martin DB2/4 is ‘...useful for blowing-off hot hatches.’ BELOW George Cohen’s ‘specials’ are built to perform, a point proven by the use of disc, instead of drum brakes. DRIVE’s George Chapman explores.

“Opposite the VW sits a 1956 Aston Martin DB2/4 George’s transport for attending continental motoring events for the past ten years, such as Villa D’Este and the Le Mans Classic, it also apparently goes rather well...” Perhaps his most prized two-wheeler, George’s highly-original 1926 Norton TT bike is the real deal. “This motorcycle means a lot to me, I’ll never sell it. I have huge admiration for the riders that raced on the Isle of Man TT course in those days, on unsurfaced roads at speeds averaging 60mph, for nearly four hours.” Another machine stands out as something clearly worth keeping; the 1952 Daytona 200-winning 500cc Manx Norton that Maria Costello MBE and he raced at the Goodwood Revival in 2013. “I’ve been visiting Goodwood for many years, it’s my spiritual home really. The Revival is an event combining all of my interests in one truly British setting. I was delighted to race at Goodwood last year with Maria, but my most memorable year (at the Revival) was when I was grease monkey for Barry Sheene in 2002 - it was to be his last ever race. He blew up his own Manx Norton engine in practice so I lent him mine and fitted it overnight. Following morning practice on race day, he came back into the pits and said it was ‘a bit slow’ – but he was one second under the lap record! Of course he went on to win the race - that was Barry. Afterwards he simply said, ‘Thanks for the engine’ and passed me the laurels and champagne. He sadly died around six months later.” Plastered with Goodwood Revival entrant stickers, the 1969 VW Campervan seems an odd addition to a stable of race-winning vintage Nortons, but as with everything George owns, there’s good reason why it’s here, “My brother drove a Volksie-van to South America. A few years back I’d sold a bike and asked him what he thought I should invest it in, he advised I buy the best VW Camper I could find, so that’s what I did.” Opposite the VW sits a 1956 Aston Martin DB2/4 - George’s transport for attending continental motoring events for the past ten years, such as Villa D’Este and the Le Mans Classic, it also apparently goes rather well... “The Aston has been breathed-on a little. It’s got a lightened crankshaft, Carillo rods and triple Webers. It’s useful for blowing-off hot hatches.” The fly-splattered windscreen and headlight stone guards suggest it is still used, (as the bikes are), just as its maker intended. Quizzed on why an Aston Martin, not a Ferrari or Jaguar, George quickly replies, “The engine is a 2991cc DOHC straight six; six Manx Norton engines essentially.

Clockwise from top left George Cohen behind the wheel of his Aston Martin DB2/4. Bug-splattered Le Mans Classic 2014 event sticker. Work in progress: Rare Norton ‘Lowboy’ frame and 500cc Manx Norton engine complete with belt drive make up some of the ingredients of George’s latest creation.

LEFT George Cohen aboard his latest ‘special’, based on a Norton International 500. Below Bugatti Type 35 is making way for a Petersen Bentley.

“Before the Bugatti, George’s Somerset shed was also home to a road-legal(ish) 1908 Brasier – an Edwardian-era racing car fitted with a 12-litre Hispano-Suiza aero engine!”

Norton factory rider Geoff Duke also raced an Aston Martin DB3 in the early 1950s,” he adds. “Besides, I only paid around £29,000 for this car, and it’s worth a whole lot more now!” Riding the rear bumper is a most unusual red tweenie devil – the taunting mascot of Mr Alfred Dunhill, “Essentially a V-sign of the 1920s that you’ll also find on some of my bikes,” says George. Before heading into the workshop George stops and says, “I also have a very nice Bugatti Type 35, which is currently garaged at a friend’s house. Although it is a fabulous car, I have decided to sell it and use the funds for a Figoni and Falaschi-style Petersen Bentley, of which I am involved in the design and build.” Before the Bugatti, George’s Somerset shed was also home to a road-legal(ish) 1908 Brasier – an Edwardian-era racing car fitted with a 12-litre Hispano-Suiza aero engine! Equal almost in size to his house, which is also currently on the market, George’s workshop is an Aladdin’s cave of bikes in progress, bikes receiving tune-ups, spare parts, memorabilia, tools, lathes and a rather lovely framed letter thanking George for a copy of his book, signed by ‘Mr Murray Walker’. Delving even deeper into George’s magical man-cave reveals further glimpses into the mind of this raging med-schooltrained petrolhead: vintage soapbox racers, period photographs and countless other artefacts preserved from a bygone era of fearless motoring pioneers. Photoshoot in the bag and sat around the table at a local cider farm for lunch, George reveals plans to design his own house in the near future, “…Ideally located near roads that aren’t covered in muck all year round, and featuring an even bigger shed.” With several exciting new arrivals planned and with Somerset’s good doctor in charge, it will surely be worthy of DRIVE’s pages all over again. Until then, “Up yours!” as George would say. For more stories from the good doctor’s shed, log onto norton.uk.com

Motorcycle Tables To examine some of Dr George’s handiwork in the metal, call in to Belstaff’s New Bond Street store and check out its flat-tank Norton motorcycle table. Situated amongst the Goodwood Sports and Racing Clothing collection, the bike is a 1926 500 OHV machine and could be made fully operational, “After just a few of hours spannering,” according to George.

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THE

BENTLEY GIRL I f t h e r a c i n g s c e n e i n t h e 1920 s a n d 30 s wa s a l l a b o u t t h e b oys a n d t h e i r toys , n o b o dy to l d t h e H o n. M r s V i c to r B r u c e . H e r b r av e ry, s p e e d a n d s ta m i n a p ow e r e d h e r to n u m e r o u s r e c o r d s o n l a n d, o n t h e s e a a n d i n t h e a i r . N i c k S wa l low i s aw est r u c k .

“...the third dawn found me crossing the Esterel Mountains, with frightful chasms yawning at every unprotected hairpin… It was only by driving very fast that I was able to keep awake…”

’m trying to imagine what Dr Wolfgang Ulrich, the head of Audi Motorsport, would say if a smartly-dressed young woman demanded a meeting with him and asked if she could borrow a Le Mans-winning Audi R18 e-tron Quattro. My guess is the answer would be a short one and begin with the letter ‘n’. But that’s the scenario when the Honourable Mrs Victor Bruce, born Mary Petre, requested a meeting with W.O. Bentley in 1929. Team Bentley was the Audi Motorsport of its day; professionally run and dominant in endurance racing. Yet the slender, pretty woman facing W.O. was calmly asking to borrow a Bentley racing 4 ½ Litre in order to set a new 24 hour world record. Unthinkable? There was something rather persuasive about the Hon. Mrs Victor Bruce, as W.O was about to discover. And by 1929 she had already amassed more competitive driving hours than many of the legendary Bentley Boys. Whatever the right stuff is, she was made of it. In 1911, aged 15, she became the first woman to be convicted of a motoring offence in the UK, for breaking the speed limit on her

brother’s Matchless motorcycle combination. Soon she had a collection of convictions for speeding around West London (usually accompanied by her collie dog in the sidecar). At Hounslow court, facing a year’s ban, she was asked if she held a licence for the motorbike combination. She hadn’t, and the magistrate was unmoved when she added, “I’ve a licence for my dog, Sir. He’s waiting for me outside.” If anything, the ban merely fuelled the lady’s taste for speed. In 1926, she married the Honourable Victor Austin Bruce, a works driver for AC Cars Ltd and winner of the 1926 Monte Carlo Rally. Not to be outdone, Mary Petre Bruce entered the rally the following year. Covering 1,700 miles in 72 hours without sleep (and driving every inch of the way) she finished sixth overall, winning the Coupe des Dames. In Nine Lives Plus, her autobiography, she recalled, “the third dawn found me crossing the Esterel Mountains, with frightful chasms yawning at every unprotected hairpin… It was only by driving very fast that I was able to keep awake…” The next year, she came second. In the late 1920s she and her husband also set a whole raft of distance records, from 4,000 to 15,000 miles.

She cut a distinctive figure at race circuits. ‘Throughout my racing career I never wore any special kit’ she recalled. ‘I was never keen on overalls or slacks, but always drove in a blouse, tailored skirt and string of pearls…except once when I added a fireside fur rug to my driving wardrobe during the colder spells on the ten nights and ten days record.’ In 1929 she decided to attempt the blue riband 24 hour record, choosing the banked Montlhéry track near Paris. Unfortunately, her little A.C was simply not fast enough. She recalled, “I began racking my brains to find another car which would go fast enough, long enough; over breakfast one morning the answer popped into my head – the 4 ½ Litre Bentley!” And that’s how she came to meet W.O. Bentley and Bentley Chairman Woolf Barnato to put the proposition to them. W.O. Bentley asked, ‘Who’s your co-driver?’ She replied, “I’ve no co-driver. I’m going alone.” Barnato shot W.O. a look. For a moment there was silence. Finally W.O. said to Barnato, “I believe she might do it.” He lent her a team 4 ½ Litre and two works mechanics to support the attempt.

“I was never keen on overalls or slacks, but always drove in a blouse, tailored skirt and string of pearls…except once when I added a fireside fur rug to my driving wardrobe during the colder spells on the ten nights and ten days record.”

Do it she did. Driving solo, propped up on cushions she’d had to borrow from the timekeeper in order to reach the pedals, she racked up 2,164 miles in 24 hours at an average speed of 89.73mph. The weather was foul; wet and foggy. Incredibly, Mary Petre Bruce had never driven a car as large or as fast as the Bentley before setting out on the first lap of her record run. Soon she discovered that the higher speed was taking her higher than ever before on the banking, making her dizzy, and the hard sprung suspension was battering her so much she could hardly breathe. ‘It was simply a matter of sticking it out’ she recalled later.

That achievement won her life membership of the BRDC and an introduction to Sir Malcolm Campbell - few memberships of that elite have been more hard-earned. 1929 was a busy year for the Hon. Mrs Victor Bruce. She set a powerboat record for the fastest Channel crossing from Dover to Calais. Her support craft broke down during the crossing, so she simply turned around and set the fastest-ever two-way crossing too.

In 1930 she bought a tiny Blackburn Bluebird IV aircraft, having seen one in a London department store window. She learnt to fly in two weeks and set off in September 1930 to fly around the world. Despite tropical storms and a crash landing in the Persian Gulf she did it, returning to a heroineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s welcome at Lympne Airport in February 1931, escorted home over the final leg by fellow aviation pioneers Amy Johnson and Winifred Spooner. She was the first person to fly from England to Japan, the first

Today’s Speed Merchants Bentley is a brand that is synonymous with the pursuit of speed and luxury ever since the company was founded in 1919. Backed-up by a total of six Le Mans victories, today’s range of S, Speed and GT3-R models remain true to what founder W.O. Bentley set out to do: “To build a fast car, a good car, the best in its class.”

Bentley GT V8 S – Coupe and Convertible Lighter and as a result more agile than the GT Speed, the GT V8 S features a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 that produces 521bhp and 680Nm of torque. In coupe form it is capable of 0-60mph in just 4.3 seconds and can reach 192mph flat out.

Bentley GT Speed – Coupe and Convertible The fastest and most powerful two-door coupe that Bentley currently produces, the GT Speed would surely be the modern day choice for the Hon. Mrs Victor Bruce. Under the bonnet lies a 6.0-litre W12 twin-turbocharged engine that produces an almighty 626bhp and 820Nm of torque. The convertible can go from 0-60 in just 4.1 seconds and exceed 200mph. The coupe is even faster!

to fly across the Yellow Sea, and the first woman to fly around the world solo (her plane only had a 700-mile range, so she crossed the oceans by ship). When her record-breaking days were done, she became a successful businesswoman, running an airline which later provided invaluable support to the forces during the war years. Even so, she took up show jumping to satisfy her appetite for competition, finishing second at the International Horse Show in 1937 and winning the Royal Horse Show outright in 1939. Aged 81, 37 years since she’d last taken the controls of an aircraft, Mary Petre Bruce took a refresher course in a Chipmunk trainer – and promptly looped the loop over the Bristol Channel. Back on land, this extraordinary woman exclaimed, “What a lark! It has knocked 50 years off my life!” They don’t make ‘em like that any more. They didn’t make many back then, either.

Several of the images used for this feature were sourced from Queen of Speed - The Racy Life of Mary Petre Bruce by Nancy R Wilson. Published September 2012 by ELSP. The book is available through amazon.co.uk or waterstones.com

Bentley Mulsanne Speed Launched at the 2014 Paris Motor Show, the Mulsanne Speed flagship is a 190mph four-door limousine powered by a 530bhp 6.75-litre twin turbocharged V8. Fitted with an eight-speed automatic gearbox and boasting 1,100Nm of torque, it can go from 0-60mph in 4.8 seconds – what’s more it also offers a 13 per cent improvement in fuel economy over the standard model. This translates to an extra 50 miles of range from a full tank of fuel making it perfect for cross-continent jaunts.

Bentley GT3-R Limited to just 300 examples worldwide, the GT3-R is the most extreme road car Bentley has produced. Fitted with a tuned version of the 4.0-litre twin turbo found in the V8 S, it produces 572bhp and also benefits from a 100kg weight saving. Emitting a deep rumble from its Akrapovic titanium exhaust it is capable of sprinting from 0-60mph in 3.6 seconds – making it the fastest accelerating Bentley ever. hrowen.co.uk/Bentley

The Spirit of Paddington R acing goggles at the ready and stood atop his very own Pantheon grille, the Rolls-Royce Paddington Bear will eventually be auctioned to r aise money for charity following the launch of the Paddington film.

RELEASE DATE NOV 2014

50 statues of Paddington are set to be placed in landmarks across London from November 4, with visitors invited to discover them on a specially plotted Paddington Trail.

esigned and crafted at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, one of Britain’s best-loved children’s characters, Paddington Bear, has been given a Rolls-Royce Bespoke makeover. Part of the Paddington Trail, the initiative seeks to raise vital funds for the NSPCC ahead of the UK release of the Paddington film on November 28th. Giles Taylor, Director of Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, created a design inspired by the marque’s founder, famed racer and pioneer aviator the Hon. Charles Rolls. Named ‘The Spirit of Paddington’ – an interpretation of The Spirit of Ecstasy that adorns the grille of every Rolls-Royce motorcar, he sports a brown leather duffel coat with cravat and hat ribbon in Rolls-Royce’s signature purple. The statue also wears a pair of MK8 racing goggles in tribute to Rolls’ prowess as a gentleman racer. 50 statues of Paddington are currently placed across London, with visitors invited to discover them on a specially plotted Paddington Trail. Rolls-Royce’s Paddington is placed opposite H.R. Owen’s official showroom in Mayfair’s Berkeley Square. “It has given us great pleasure to support such a worthy cause by creating a Bespoke Paddington Bear,” said Giles. “Paddington is undoubtedly one of

the nation’s best-loved characters; we were therefore honoured and delighted to be challenged with participating in the Paddington Trail. The Hon. Charles Rolls shared Paddington’s lust for adventure and exploration; he therefore proved the perfect inspiration for our interpretation of the world’s most famous bear.” Visitors will be able to bid for the statues, created by some of the UK’s leading designers, celebrities and artists, via an online Christie’s auction following the films release on Friday 28 November. The film from STUDIOCANAL and Heyday Films is written and directed by Paul King, produced by David Heyman and stars Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Peter Capaldi, Jim Broadbent and Nicole Kidman with Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington. All proceeds are set to go to the NSPCC and ChildLine.

christies.com/paddington visitlondon.com/paddington

Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II F i r s t d r i v e by M at t h e w C a rt e r

alk about a poisoned chalice. How do you take the Rolls-Royce Ghost, the entrepreneur’s Royce, and turn it into a Ghost Series II without making changes for change’s sake and run the risk of spoiling the thing? The answer is carefully. You make a few subtle changes to the way it looks and concentrate most of the money on stuff you can’t see. The result is a car that still looks every inch a Ghost, but with enough understated differences to let the cognoscenti know this is the latest thing – no vulgar Series II badging here, thanks. More importantly it drives even better than before. External changes are restricted to new headlights incorporating LEDs, a redesigned ‘waft’ line, new surface treatments at the front of the car and revised bumpers. Oh, and the Spirit of Ecstasy sits (slightly) higher on that famous grille. Inside there are new seats and subtle enhancements to the instruments. Here, perhaps the most significant visible change is to the rotary controller that now has the flying lady emblem beneath its crystal glass cover. This new touch pad surface better imitates the intuitive functionality of a smartphone. But the biggest news concerns the drivetrain which now incorporates Satellite Aided Transmission, as seen originally on the Wraith: the eight speed automatic uses GPS technology to know what the road ahead is going to throw at the car and reacts accordingly. Things that haven’t changed are the car’s sheer ability, its presence, its comfort and its performance. With a 0-60 time of less than 5 seconds, the Ghost simply shifts: flooring the throttle in this leviathan remains one of motoring’s ethereal experiences. hrowen.co.uk/Rolls-Royce

ROLLS-ROYCE GHOST SERIES II Price

From £235,000

Engine

6.6-litre twin turbo V12

Power/Torque 563bhp/780Nm Transmission

ZF Eight-speed automatic

0-60mph

4.7 seconds

Top speed

155mph (governed)

WEN O R.

THE HUNGRY GUEST CAFE

R AD T

D R I V E 's r oa d t ri p s a re b a c k ! E x plore S u sse x and K ent this winter for great roads , charming hotels and food, glorio u s food.

GRAVETYE MANOR TO LEWES

A264

BEST STRETCH A285 From Petworth to Chicester "A sweeping chicane like no other, outside Ducton."

Petworth

A F u L L C I R C u I T, S A M P L I N G B OT H EAST AND WEST SuSSEx, THIS ROuTE O F F E R S A M I x T u R E O F B OT H T H E C L A S S I C A N D C O N T E M P O R A RY.

Heading south from London, find your way onto the M25 until you reach Junction 6 and the A22. It’s plain sailing on the B2110 to the refined country hideaway, Gravetye Manor. A hidden gem of antiques, silver service and menus picked from the William Robinson-designed gardens. If for any reason the Gravetye breakfasts don’t tickle your fancy, sustenance will be required by late morning as you’ve a long drive through tree-lined Sussex B-roads to look forward to. Re-join the B2110 to Petworth and call in to the aptly-named Hungry Guest Café for the best bacon and scrambled eggs on sourdough this side of the North Downs.

A285 Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited, Goodwood

A259

Chicester

Baliffscourt Hotel & Spa Bognor Regis

Stay on the B2110 and go left at Kiki Design for the fun bit. The road transforms into the fast A285 with no shortage of forested turns, hairpins and a sweeping chicane like no other, outside Ducton. Emerging onto the A27 and A259, continue to your Saturday night retreat at the flagstone-floored Bailiffscourt Hotel & Spa. If you’d prefer to venture out for the evening, Michelin recommend Amelie and Friends down the road in lively Chichester the ‘Surf and Earth’ is a locally-sourced treat. And for Sunday? Tea at Brighton's imposing Royal Pavilion and famed boutique lanes and pubs await - the incredible Hotel Pelirocco is also a must-see for Rock 'n' Roll fans. Finally, on your way home, stop for a quick taste of Harvey’s Best at the Lewes brewery. gravetyemanor.co.uk thehungryguest.com hshotels.co.uk/bailiffscourt-hotel-and-spa hotelpelirocco.co.uk harveys.org.uk Download the map from the DRIVE App.

A272

Amelie and Friends

West and East Sussex

East Grinstead

GRAVETYE MANOR B2110

LEWES A27

Gravetye Manor

Brighton

Start - (RH19 4LJ)

The Hungry Guest (GU28 0AG)

Bailiffscourt Hotel and Spa (BN17 5RW)

Hotel Pelirocco, Brighton (BN1 2FG)

Harveys of Lewes Finish - (BN7 2AH)

Which car?

HARVEY'S BREWERY

West and East Sussex – Gravetye Manor to Lewes Total driving time 3 hours 30 minutes Total distance

95 miles

Best stretch A285 from Petworth DID YOU KNOW... Scenes of the 1977 bond film The Spy Who Loved Me (featuring the famous ‘Wet Nellie’ underwater Lotus Espirit S1) were filmed at Chichester Harbour.

Rolls-Royce Wraith Going anywhere (let alone East & West Sussex) in a Rolls-Royce is a special event and no other vehicle says 'I've arrived', quite like the fastback-bodied Wraith. Travelling in utter comfort and as the brand's most driver-focused model, under the long bonnet you'll find a mighty 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12 that produces 624bhp - enough to propel the Wraith and its occupants from 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds. Contact H.R. Owen to arrange a factory visit at the maker's Goodwood plant. hrowen.co.uk/Rolls-Royce

DEAL TO PENSHURT A S TO N E ’ S T H R OW F R O M LO N D O N L I E S K E N T, T H E G A R D E N O F E N G L A N D A N D N O B E T T E R S C E N E F O R A S P u R- O F-T H E M O M E N T G E TAWAY.

PENSHURT B2188

A264

Heading South East, aim for Canterbury via the Blackwall Tunnel and A2, then onto the A257/8 until you hit Deal and the first of your quaint weekend retreats, the Royal Hotel.

A21 Royal Tunbridge Wells

Rejoining the A258 and your tour of the coast down towards Folkestone, divert to Lydden Hill, the UK’s premier drifting and rallycross circuit. Appetite sufficiently worked, there is only one place in Folkestone for a decent Dover Sole; Rocksalt, a bar and restaurant cantilevered over the harbour and closely situated To Folkstone’s creative quarter.

Rolvenden

Follow the A259 out of the Folkestone suburbs and along the coastline for 20 miles or so before taking a left onto the quiet B7071. The route opens out nicely over Dungeness, Britain’s only desert (according to the Met Office) and a haven for foot-to-floor motoring. Contrasting sharply are the rolling, uninterrupted dunes of Camber sands on the Lydd Road and the luxury of The George Hotel in Rye, frequented by locals and travellers alike.

A268

THE GEORGE IN RYE

Leaving Rye on Sunday, fly up the B2082, a secluded and challenging B-road with no shortage of sharp bends before inspecting The CM Booth Collection of Morgans in Rolvenden. From the A21 go through Tunbridge Wells onto the A264 for a final pit stop at the Spotted Dog, a 15th century hillside pub in Penshurst that’s no stranger to petrolheads, acting as HQ for half a dozen local motor clubs. theroyalhotel.com lyddenhill.co.uk rocksaltfolkestone.co.uk thegeorgeinrye.com morganmuseum.org.uk spotteddogpub.co.uk Download the map from the DRIVE App.

Kent and Sussex

Canterbury

OWEN . R

R T AD

DEAL A258 A2 Dover LYDDEN HILL

FOLKESTONE A259

The Royal Hotel Start - (CT14 6JD)

Lydden Hill (CT4 6ET)

Rock Salt Restaurant (CT19 6AA BEST STRETCH

The George in Rye

Dungeness Road from Folkestone to Lydd

Morgan Museum

(TN31 7JT)

"The route opens out nicely over Dungeness, Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only desert and a haven for foot to floor motoring on airstrip flat roads."

Kent and Sussex - Deal to Penshurt

(TN17 4LP)

The Spotted Dog Pub Finish - (TN11 8EP)

Which car?

Total driving time 3 hours 20 minutes Total distance

92 miles

Best stretch

The Dungeness Road to LydD

DID YOU KNOW... Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first motor exhibition was held in Tunbridge Wells in 1895. It featured a grand total of 5 vehicles each with a maximum of 3bhp which drove so slowly they were often outpaced by their bicycle tandem carriers.

Maserati Ghibli S Spearheading a return to form for the Italian maker, the Ghibli S makes for a stylish and effortless long distance tool that can also deliver thrills when the open roads of the Kent coast come into view. Powered by a 404bhp 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 that was developed by Ferrari, the 0-60mph dash is dispatched in just 4.8 seconds. hrowen.co.uk/Maserati

GIFTS FOR EVERYONE

Automobilia WHAT THEY WANT...

K n ow i n g w h at yo u r k i d s, h u s b a n d s, w i v e s, b oy f r i e n d s a n d g i r l f r i e n d s wa n t f o r C h i r s t m a s i s n e v e r e a sy. H e r e DRIVE s e l ec ts t h e l at e s t g i f ts d e s i g n e d to p u t yo u f i r m ly i n t h e i r g o o d b o o k s.

998cc supercharged inline four-cylinder

Ram Air duct to feed supercharger

Trellis steel frame

Bridgestone V01 slick tyres

Quickshifter for clutchless gear shifts

1 K a w a s a ki H2R Ninja The track-only Kawasaki H2R Ninja is the most extreme superbike the Japanese motorcycle manufacturer has ever built. At its heart lies a supercharged 1,000cc inline four-cylinder engine that produces an almighty 300bhp. Easily distinguished by its dramatic bodywork, the H2R utilises all of Kawasaki’s aerodynamic and electronic know-how in order to increase stability and aid traction. A slightly tamer road-going version called the H2 will also be offered, becoming the world’s only supercharged production streetbike. £50,000, kawsaki.co.uk

Boodles Diamond Bracelet

Leading British jewellery manufacturer Boodles offers a glorious portfolio of products including this Diamond Bracelet from the Cascade Collection. In platinum and measuring 7.5-inches in length, it is set with 4.48ct of round-brilliant cut diamonds. Classic and versatile, it makes for a stunning gift. See more on page 70. £28,330, boodles.com

Boosted e l e c t r i c s k at e b oa r d Said to ‘Give the same high as a Tesla, but at a fraction of the price,’ Boosted’s electric skateboards are designed to bring electric automotive technology to the younger generation. Driven by electric motors and powered by lithium-iron batteries, riders can accelerate or apply the (regenerative) brakes via a Bluetooth enabled wireless thumbwheel control. It is also possible to adjust the power level from standard to expert mode to suit your style and skill level. Radical or what? From $999, boostedboards.com

Bot tega Venetam Ankle boots Fun, sexy and offering exquisite Italian craftsmanship, these snakeskin, patent-leather and suede ankle boots feature a 4.5-inch heel and a zip fastening at the back. Founded in 1966, the era of the Lamborghini Miura, Bottega has the pedigree to match any of Italy’s leading supercar brands. £1,030, net-a-porter.com

Ruby h o r s e l e at h e r Ja c k e t

4 G l o b e - Tr o t t e r suitcase Globe-Trotter has created this handsome suitcase complete with retractable handle, as part of an exclusive collaboration between The Elton John AIDS foundation and MR PORTER. All proceeds from its sale go directly towards the charity, so whether to yourself or a loved one, it makes a fantastic feel-good gift. The eye-catching blue and red finish is fitting for a brand famed for its British heritage. £995, mrporter.com

Irrespective whether you ride a motorcycle or not, the Champion from Parisian maker Ruby is perhaps the world’s most desirable leather jacket. Offered in a choice of flawless lamb, calf or English horse leather and fitted with titanium zip pullers and buckles the lining is made of quilted garbardine with silk sleeves. The collar and pocket linings are finished in Ruby’s own signature red leather. From €3,300, ateliersruby.com

Albion R acing Club S P I C E D M A LT

Albion Racing Club is a celebration of the British spirit of adventure, and a great Christmas gift. The club organises activities on snow and sea, including the annual Alpine run from London to Meribel – more info: a-r-c.co.uk. The spirit of the club takes its liquid form as spiced malt, five times batch distilled and then spiced with hint of vanilla and coffee. The result, hand-made in a distillery in Cambridgeshire, is best enjoyed neat or in cocktails such as the ARC ’n’ Stormy or the English Old Fashioned. (42%ABV) £34.99, drinksupermarket.com

2 Gucci AV I A T O R S Offering 100% UV protection and retro ski-slope-style detachable blinkers, Gucci’s latest aviator-style sunglasses feature silver arms and cool, light blue acetate frames. If you’re going skiing or driving in the mountains this winter, don’t forget a pair of these. £265, net-a-porter.com

L A N V IN MENS TIE If you’re going to be receive a tie this Christmas, request that it’s a woven or knitted tie - perfect for adding sophistication to formal looks. This fine forest green example from Lanvin is knitted in Italy from 100% lustrous silk, ensuring maximum attention to detail and quality. £100, mrporter.com

4 Moschino ip h one 5 cove r Inspired by Barbie™, Moschino’s playful range of iPhone 5 accessories are sure to be finding homes in countless festive stockings in 2014. As a gift to your loved one, this bright yellow, rubber statement piece will bring smiles aplenty. £45, net-a-porter.com

Pebble S teel S ma r t watc h Blisfully understated and refreshingly simple, if you don’t get a Pebble Steel for Chirstmas this year, we suggest you go and buy yourself one. Capable of wirelessly summarising data from your iOS or Android smartphone through a range of apps, this device can dramatically reduce the number of times you reach for your phone. It’s also amazing value. €229, getpebble.com

GIFTS FOR EVERYONE

Automobilia . . . W H A T T H E Y ’ L L g et Looking to surprise someone this Christmas? Give them one of these smart cho ices and they’ll definitely be impressed.

6 GIVENCHY Seventeen Proof that military inspired watches aren’t just for men, the Seventeen by Givenchy in gold PVD-plated stainless steel is certainly fit for purpose. The Olive dial and scratch-proof sapphire crystal lens are backed-up by a reliable Swiss quartz movement. It is also waterproof to 100 metres and comes with interchangeable forest-green canvas and black leather straps. £750, net-a-porter.com

7 D O M R E I LY WAT C H RO L L Dom Reily’s watch roll is encased in supple, full-grain leather while inside is a unique, high-density foam used in the Williams F1 Team’s racing cars. The foam is capable of absorbing up to 97% of the shock from an impact meaning that your watches will enjoy supreme protection. £195, domreilly.com

CIRE TRUDON wa x c a n d l e s

Much more than ‘just a candle’, this set of three Odeurs D’Hiver vegetable-based wax candles provide a warm, spicy and comforting range of fragrances. £160, net-a-porter.com

9 PHAIDON food guide Written by 400 of the world’s leading chefs this guide, Where Chefs Eat is the ultimate insider’s guide to the globe’s best eateries – from bargain cafes to top-flight restaurants. Perfect for downtime reading or when keen to impress a dinner-date, this book will appeal to all foodie fanatics. £14.95, waterstones.com

10 H assel b lad zebr a wood camer a Power and control is a winning combination - something Swedish medium-format camera manufacturer Hasselblad has achieved with the Stellar compact range. Boasting a 20 megapixel sensor, ergonomically designed Zebra or Olive wood grip and a host of impressive features including a Carl Zeis Vario-Sonnar lens and full HD video capability, this tasteful piece of tech will help you capture your holidays in style this winter. £1,549.95, johnlewis.com

Bugatti Boutique B u g at t i h a s o p e n e d i ts v e ry f i r s t l i f e s t y l e b o u t i q u e o n B r o m p to n R oa d, K n i g h ts b r i d g e - DRIVE i n v e s t i g at e s .

wathed in the traditional blue of Bugatti, the French super sports car maker unveiled its first lifestyle boutique on Brompton road in November, celebrating with a star-studded launch party at the neighbouring Bulgari Hotel. The current autumn/winter collection from Bugatti includes two main lines centred on men’s fashion: the elegant and luxurious EB – Ettore Bugatti Collection and the sports luxury Bugatti-Performance Luxury Collection featuring high-tech materials. In addition to these two lines, Bugatti also offers a Tailor Made / Bespoke range exclusively for Bugatti customers, along with limited-edition capsule collections, such as the recent Bugatti Legends collection. “Bugatti is not only synonymous with state-of-the-art technology and stunning performance in the automotive sector, but also with a unique lifestyle in keeping with the artistic roots of the Bugatti family,” said Wolfgang Dürheimer, President of Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S., at the launch. Inside the boutique, designers have taken and interpreted typical elements of Bugatti’s design DNA in the furnishings. For example, the eye-catching horseshoe-shaped Bugatti radiator grille and riveted shelving units inspired by the fin of the legendary Type 57 SC. Alongside leather and marble, the boutique design also uses aluminium, wood, glass and carbon, all of which can also be found in the Veyron. The lifestyle collection currently focusses on clothing and accessories, with designer items to follow at a later date. Address: Bugatti Lifestyle Boutique London, 24/26 Brompton Road, London SW1

T t

T h e f i r s t t u r b o c h a rg e d F e r r a r i s i n c e t h e F 40, the California T is set to pav e t h e way f o r a n e w g e n e r at i o n o f s m a l l e rc a pa c i t y, f o rc e d - i n d u c t i o n V 8 m o d e l s . F e a r f u l t h at e m i s s i o n s l e g i s l at i o n m ay h av e h a d i ts way w i t h Ita ly â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s m o s t i c o n i c c a r- m a k e r , J e t h r o B ov i n g d o n v i s i ts F e r r a r i â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s s p i r i t ua l h o m e i n M a r a n e l lo to s e t t h e r e c o r d s t r a i g h t, H . R . Ow e n - s t y l e .

There’s no bigger cliché but this place positively pulsates with history. You can see it, smell it and hear it. That’s no exaggeration. I’m peering through a gap torn in the fabric that lines the high fences around Fiorano and every minute or two catch a glimpse of a 250 LM. Yes, that 250 LM – the car that won the famous around the clock race in France in 1965. Its 3.3-litre V12 engine isn’t being fully wrung out but it sounds sensational and the air is thick with the smell of hot oil and brakes. These little viewing points are cut into the material every few yards. It’s not vandalism, more like reverence, the mark of a million fans who’ve made the trip to Maranello just to soak up the sights and sounds, to feel closer to the Ferrari myth. Today I’m one of them. The street names – like the Via Tazio Nuvolari or Via Ascari - the imposing Ferrari museum and the famous old gates on Via Nazionale Abetone tell of that history, but there’s an unmistakable sense that this place is alive, too. Beyond the old factory buildings there’s the sci-fi cylindrical shape of the new wind tunnel, heavily disguised prototypes bark conspicuously through the streets and traffic and people come and go in a constant stream. The art of the supercar and the science of F1 is progressing here and now. Being able to wander around while it’s all going on is, well, pretty cool. Driving the latest beneficiary of that fast-paced evolution is even better. We’re here not only to soak up the atmosphere but also drive the new California T, Ferrari’s first turbocharged road car since the F40. No pressure… But let’s rewind to the moment that flight BA0542 touched down at Bologna airport, because there’s visiting Ferrari, then there’s doing it the H.R. Owen way. Sadly we don’t have Owen Rothwell with us. Rothwell is one of H.R. Owen’s marketing managers, an incurable Ferrari enthusiast and after countless factory visits with clients, a mine of information on this region. With the new California T to drive and photograph we can’t follow his recommendations to the letter, nor take in the breathtaking factory tour that’s usually central to any visit, but we’ll try to cram in as much as possible and get a flavour of what makes this part of Italy so special. ‘Bologna is the country’s gastronomic capital…,’ Owen explained on the phone just before we set off. ‘… so I always like to explore the food, the incredible café culture in the city and the amazing generosity of the people.’

If you trust Owen (and you should), stay at the Grand Hotel Majestic ‘gia Baglioni’ in Bologna, just a few moments’ walk from the spectacular Piazza Maggiore and its iconic Fountain of Neptune. Sculpted in bronze by Flemish artist Giambologna, this monument, of course, inspired the trident badge worn proudly on Maseratis. It’s a magnet to tourists but there are other jewels nearby that only the locals and Owen know about, like the Rodrigo restaurant on Via Zecca. ‘The food and service is amazing. It’s just unmissable.’ says Owen. I get the feeling that the local Parma ham, tagliatelle Bolognese and a bottle of Ornellaia is just where the night begins. ‘Usually we pop into the Nu Lounge,’ Owen explains. ‘The owner Daniele Dalla Pola has become a great friend to us and, happily, he’s the “42 Below” cocktail world cup champion…’

I love nosing out of those famous gates in something special and rolling slowly around Maranello. First stop is that high fence with the convenient viewing holes cut into the fabric screens behind it on Via Goito.

BLACK BEAUTY Company founder Enzo Ferrari told the story of the prancing horse logo just once: “The horse was painted on the fuselage of the fighter plane of Francesco Baracca - a heroic airman of the first world war. In 23, I met count Enrico Baracca, the hero’s father, and then his mother, Countess Paulina, who said to me one day, ‘Ferrari, put my son’s prancing horse on your cars. It will bring you good luck.’ The horse was, and still is, black, and I added the canary yellow background which is the colour of Modena.” Some theories suggest that the choice of a horse was due Baracca’s noble family estate at Lugo di Romana, also home to countless horses. Another more interesting theory is that Baracca adopted the ‘Cavallino Rampante’ from a downed German pilot’s plane, using it as the emblem of the city of Stuttgart, the location of Liudolf, Duke of Swabia’s stables. As all petrolheads know, Stuttgart is the home of Ferrari’s long-term rival, German sports car manufacturer Porsche. Even more interesting is that Stuttgart came from the word ‘stutengarten’; an old Germanic word for ‘gestüt’ which translates as mare garden or stud farm in English - or in Italian ‘stabil’ or ‘scuderia’. Scuderia Ferrari is the racing team division of the Ferrari automobile marque. In 2009, a poll commissioned by MPH featuring Top Gear Live and run by orange.co.uk/cars, resulted in Ferrari’s prancing horse being voted the most iconic car badge in the world, with Porsche in fifth place behind Aston Martin, Lamborghini and Bugatti.

An early start means we can’t enjoy the heart of Bologna into the night. Maranello is 45-minutes or so from the hotel and we have that California T waiting. It’s a fascinating car and I’m keen to discover if the switch to turbocharging is a matter of necessity in order to meet CO2 legislation, or something enthusiasts and owners can be genuinely excited about. There’s no arguing with the numbers – the T’s 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 produces 560bhp at 7500rpm and up to 557lb ft at 4750rpm, emissions are down to 250g/km and fuel efficiency is improved 15-percent despite that 49-percent – yes, forty-nine – torque increase. Ferrari says the car does 0-62mph in 3.6-seconds and 196mph. Of course numbers alone can’t define an engine, especially a Ferrari engine, so we need to discover if the precision, response and the hallowed noise have been preserved, too. I love nosing out of those famous gates in something special and rolling slowly around Maranello. First stop is that high fence with the convenient viewing holes cut into the fabric screens behind it on Via Goito. The Ferrari museum is on the adjoining Via Dino Ferrari and well worth a few hours of your time, but again Owen has other recommendations. Like the Museo Enzo Ferrari and Umberto Panini Collection in Modena or, even better, the jawdropping Righini Collection that is almost impossible to get access to unless you’re a good friend of the owners.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s superb throttle response too, which is fiendishly complex to achieve with a turbocharged engine. So far, so good. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s less familiar is the sheer thrust available in the low and mid ranges. The T feels searingly quick.

0-62 MPH: 3.6 SECS

7 SPEED TWIN CLUTCH

Owen can sort that, too. But for us the draw of the fabulous Futa and Raticosa Passes is too great to resist. If we were sticking around in Maranello we’d lunch at the fabulous Montana Restaurant, just as Ferrari staff and F1 drivers have for decades, but instead we’re heading for a little café called the Chalet Raticosa 100km or so from the factory. The food isn’t as spectacular but the Passes that lead there more than make up for it… It’s a relief to immediately discover that the T sounds like it should. It barks triumphantly on start-up and a quick blast down the slip road onto the A1 autostrada reveals a rich howl that could only come from a Ferrari. There’s superb throttle response too, which is fiendishly complex to achieve with a turbocharged engine. So far, so good. What’s less familiar is the sheer thrust available in the low and mid ranges. The T feels searingly quick. Even better is the nature of the delivery. Ferrari has chosen to restrict the engine’s torque in the lower gears, giving the driver access to more step-by-step with each gear until the full 557lb ft is on tap in 7th. That might sound slightly odd but in practice it’s seamless and also helps the California T to retain the character of a normally-aspirated engine. Simply put, it aids traction and creates a delivery that builds progressively to a scintillating top-end rush – a tradition that is at the very heart of any Ferrari’s character.

By the time we reach the foot of the Futa pass, I’m pretty much sold on the new engine and, of course, the 7-speed dualclutch F1 gearbox allows such fine control that the California T feels completely intuitive. It feels like the consummate GT. As the road bunches up and climbs high into the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines I’m hoping it’ll morph into a true sportscar, too. Lowering the roof so I can hear the V8 bouncing off the stone walls and echoing around the hills, it’s time to find out. The CCM3 carbon-ceramic brakes certainly shrug off the demands of the repeated hairpins and the SCM3 magnetorheological dampers offer accuracy and excellent control. Of course it doesn’t have the sharpness of a 458 Speciale but the California T’s ability to play the dual role of everyday GT and thrilling sportscar is convincingly demonstrated up here. Refreshingly, the locals who hear the charging Ferrari coming greet it with a cheery wave as it ambles slowly through the many small villages dotted up the hillside. This is supercar country not just because of the incredible roads and the history, but because the people understand and appreciate these cars and don’t mind showing it. There’s a warm reception for the California T from the bikers gathered at the Chalet Raticosa, too. It might represent a new chapter for Ferrari with the return to turbocharging, but the old charisma is still writ large in its DNA. I’m hugely impressed with the drivetrain: It remains super-sharp and responsive, revs cleanly and with energy right to the limiter and yet offers a quite phenomenal spread of performance. That the chassis soaks up the power and transmits it so effortlessly is equally impressive. If the future for Ferrari is turbocharged, and it looks like it is for the V8 cars, then we might just be in for a treat. Now, for a bowl of pasta and the return leg down the Futa Pass…

TWIN TURBO V8

Forced Induction Thoroughbreds Although tasked with reducing emissions across V8-engined models, Ferrari is no stranger to forced induction engines... The last turbocharged Ferrari before the California T was the legendary F40, in production between 1987 - 1992. The F40 was named by a friend of Enzo Ferrari, Gino Rancati, to celebrate 40 years since the first Ferrari appeared on sale in the United States. Prior to its unveiling at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Rancati said that since Ferrari’s biggest market is the United States, and since it was 40 years since the first Ferrari car had appeared, it should have an English-language name, such as ‘Ferrari Forty’. H.R. Owen Ferrari is proud to offer approved used examples of iconic models such as the F40, from time to time. FOR SALE: 1992 Ferrari F40 Michelotto This iconic and unique F40 was first delivered in September 1992 to its first owner by the Italian dealership Ineco S.R.L., the famous Michelotto workshops, where it was further modified to a road-going GT spec. Although it never raced or took part in any GT Championships, the modifications include: Lightweight front and rear clam shells, OZ LM wheels, LM Brembo brakes, adjustable suspension with fully adjustable shock absorbers with remote reservoirs, revised spring rates, removed catalytic convertors with free flowing sports exhaust, upgraded oil filtration system, increased and adjusted boost management and alloy race fuel cells. H.R. Owen Ferrari have been looking after this F40 since 2010 and it benefits from extensive history with original invoices and MOTs and documents as you would expected from its previous classic Ferrari enthusiast owner. H.R. Owen carried out a full service in July 2014, which included the cam-belts, all fluids being replaced and proper setting-up of the fuel injection.The engine was also subjected to compression testing and the gearbox seals were replaced. As a result, this ultimate F40 Michelotto is offered fully approved by H.R. Owen Ferrari. 1992 Ferrari F40 Michelotto 478 BHP 2,936 CC DOHC TWIN TURBO-CHARGED 90-DEGREE V8 ENGINE CHASSIS NUMBER 094030 Only 18,850Kms from New Price on application

grand hotel majestic

ss467 RISTORANTE MONTANA

ristorante rodrigo

CIRCUITO DI FIORANO

h o w t o v i s i t

‘HOLE IN FENCE’

sp12

MUSEO FERRARI

modena

sp16

M ara n e ll o H . R . Ow e n - s t y lE

nu lounge bar

Ferrari factory

sp3

bologna

e45

Maranello THe HOTEL

e35

sp325

Ca FALCHETTI

4. 5.

CASTEL DELL’APLI sp61

6. SP60

SP60

valdirosa

malburo

chalet raticosa

picervara

lounge bar

Planning your own visit to Maranello, the home of Ferrari? Must-see attractions as recommended by H.R. Owen’s, Owen Rothwell, include:

Bologna STAY at Grand Hotel Majestic, Bologna grandhotelmajestic.duetorrihotels.com EAT at Ristorante Rodrigo, Via Della Zecca 2/H, 40121 Bologna ristoranterodrigobologna.it DRINK at Nu Lounge, Via De’ Musei, 6 Bologna nuloungebar.com

the restaurant

Maranello

Modena

EAT at Ristorante Montana, Via 20 Settembre, 3, 41042 Fiorano Modenese Modena, Maranello

VISIT the Museo Enzo Ferrari, Via Paolo Ferrari 85, 41121 Modena museomodena.ferrari.com

VISIT Museo Ferrari, Via Dino Ferrari 43, 41053 Maranello museomaranello.ferrari.com

DROP IN to Umberto Panini Collection, Via Corletto Sud 320, 41126 Modena paninimotormuseum.it

STOP at the Fiorano track fence, Via Goito, Maranello

BOOK a Righini Collection tour, Via Emilia 49, 40011 Anzola dell’Emilia righiniauto.it

Futa and Raticosa Passes DRIVE to the Chalet Raticosa, Via Pietramala, 2230 (SP58), 50033 Firenzuola Tuscany

Discover the Italian marvels from their top class point of view.

Luxury, business or budget. Whatever your style is, choose the Italian style of our hotels. Elegance, beauty, comfort, organization and care. Perfect locations for all your journeys.

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Due Torri Hotel

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Verona old town centre

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South Milan

Milan

AT YO UR S E RV ICE #8

‘Total Joy’ As Standard B U Y I N G A P R E - OW N E D B E N T L E Y F R O M H . R . OW E N B R I N G S W I T H I T M A N Y, I F N OT A L L T H E P E R K S O F B U Y I N G N E W. D O N ’ T J U S T TA K E D R I V E ’ S WO R D H OW E V E R , M OTO R I N G E X P E RT Q U E N T I N W I L S O N D I S C OV E R E D T H AT B U Y I N G S E C O N D - H A N D D O E S N ’ T M E A N A C C E P T I N G S E C O N D - B E S T.

“My GTC, a 57 plate with just 23,000 miles, cost the same money as the scores of cars I’d seen with independent specialists – retail book price.”

riving out of the hallowed Jack Barclay showroom in Mayfair feels pretty good. But leaving in a bargain feels absolutely glorious. After months looking for a used Bentley GTC (I’m very fussy) a part exchange came into the Berkeley Square dealership and I pounced. No dithering, no thinking it over, I bought on the spot and without a test drive. I know you’re used to hearing me counsel caution, to shop around and check out independent dealers, but when it comes to a used Bentley you need to be obsessively choosy. And finding a car that’s been consistently serviced and cherished by the official network with a proper Bentley warranty can save you thousands of pounds not to mention months of regret. My GTC, a 57 plate with just 23,000 miles, cost the same money as the scores of cars I’d seen with independent specialists – retail book price. But it had just two owners from new, a parade of Bentley dealer stamps in the service book, been given a monster going over by the Jack Barclay workshops and was, even by my impossible standards, forensically perfect. Weighing up the theoretical cost of the official warranty, major service and perfect provenance was why I hesitated for an entire nanosecond. Collectively their value made the deal irresistibly cheap. But what I hadn’t factored in was all the delightful retail foreplay. Apparently everybody who buys a Bentley from Jack Barclay gets this. The Bentley umbrella, hand drawn sketch of your car, baseball caps, key rings, full tank of juice, fresh MoT, year’s road tax and a salesman so impossibly charming you’d think he’d been to Eaton. They even paid the Congestion Charge.

ABOVE Multi-brand offering: View H.R. Owen’s current stock of approved used models at hrowen.co.uk/approved-used

CAR LIFT

“And this breadth of abilities is what makes the GTC such a used bargain. I’m now 3,000 miles into my ownership with absolutely no disappointments.”

Departing JB’s plate-glass wonderland was the hardest bit of all and I could have lingered round the Veyrons and Flying Spurs all day. But easing my Beluga Black Conti convertible into the London rush hour brought another wave of approval. There’s always that first moment with used cars when you can instantly tell how fit they are. You feel it through the suspension, steering and body control. They either feel baggy and worn or stiff and precise. But on my drive home familiar speed bumps in Grosvenor Square had all but disappeared and the potholes on the Bayswater Road seemed strangely shallow. The GTC’s steering felt crisp and alert and the air suspension smoothed out the butchered tarmac I knew so well. The whole car seemed harp-string tight and soon I was filtering on to the M40 ready to explore the upper register of the insane 550 bhp, twin-turbo 6.0 W12 engine. That monster power plant sounds like a far-away god clearing his throat - a deep baritone thunder. Revel in the symphony too long and you’ll be doing double the speed you think you are. And that’s the point about the Continental GT. They look compact and restrained but when roused, are good for close on 200 mph and can explode to sixty in a few tenths of a second less than most Ferraris. And the GTC is still one of the world’s fastest

ABOVE Hidden beneath Jack Barclay’s street level showroom lies a basement gallery of a similar size, complete with matching chequerboard marble floor. Home to Jack Barclay’s pre-owned Bentleys and often referred to as one of Mayfair’s best kept secrets, vehicles can be moved between the floors by an ingenious car-lift that brings large vehicles from pavement level down to the basement.

four-seat convertibles at 198 mph – and can hit 190 with the hood down. Roof up, it’s virtually as quiet as the coupe with a nimble, wieldy alacrity that belies its strength and solidity. Throw in the security of four-wheel drive and finely communicative steering and this is a Bentley that is as enjoyable to drive as a GTi. Gurgle around town though and it becomes a drop-top supercar with all the refinement of the Chelsea Flower Show. And this breadth of abilities is what makes the GTC such a used bargain. I’m now 3,000 miles into my ownership with absolutely no disappointments. Saintly progress returns 20 mpg, the kids adore those back seats and my wife and I constantly squabble over who gets to drive. Such practical appeal is why GTC secondhand prices have stayed so firm. Back in 2006 my car’s new list price was £130,000 and I paid just shy of fifty grand. So its retained value after eight years is still an impressive 40%. Losing just ten grand a year on a 200 mph supercar is a depreciation miracle on the scale of loaves and fishes and, in overall percentage terms, actually better than a Mini Cooper. And that surprisingly gentle depreciation curve isn’t likely to change anytime soon. All those used GTCs I looked at didn’t hang around for long and as I did the deal on my car, Jack Barclay’s ‘phone was ringing with other

H.R. Owen’s Approved Used Central London Locations Jack Barclay Bentley Sales

“I’ve ended up with a mint, second-hand GTC at a very fair price, with a warranty and documented provenance and history that’s likely to depreciate at the speed of a rampaging glacier.” buyers keen to do the same. Sub-£60k early GTCs are fiercely prized on the used market with demand outstripping supply for fine examples. I can’t see decent mileage cars falling much below £40k for quite a while yet. Which leaves me in the comforting position of knowing that I’m not going to lose my shirt. And if anything does go wrong there’s that Bentley warranty to ease my pain. Servicing that 12-cylinder won’t be cheap, but in the detailed history file that came with my car the previous owner’s Bentley servicing bills averaged out at £1,200 a year. That’s a number most owners of eight-year-old supercars only see in their dreams. So next time you peer into Jack Barclay’s Mayfair pleasure palace, admiring that shimmering used Bentley, don’t think you need to be Warren Buffet to walk through the doors. I’ve ended up with a mint, secondhand GTC at a very fair price, with a warranty and documented provenance and history that’s likely to depreciate at the speed of a rampaging glacier. What’s more the actual buying experience was complete and total joy. And when it comes to the world of buying used cars, ‘total joy’ isn’t something that’s usually on the options list. At Jack Barclay though, it seems to come as standard. To view the selection of pre-owned Bentleys (and many other marques) currently available, visit hrowen.co.uk/approved-used

Located in the heart of Mayfair at Berkeley Square, Jack Barclay is one of the oldest car dealerships in the world. The basement-level showroom (accessed by a clever car lift complete with turntable) is home to a selection of the finest used Bentley models available. 18 Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London W1J 6AE Tel: 020 7629 7444 Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London Sales Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London can trace its history back to H.R. Owen’s original Rolls-Royce dealership, which was established in 1932. Today’s Mayfair-based showroom provides the complete range of services of an official Rolls-Royce dealer, including a large display area for the latest models, bespoke commissions and Provenance pre-owned models. 15 Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London W1J 6EG Tel: 020 7491 7941 Lamborghini London The UK’s premier Lamborghini dealer can be found at the heart of South Kensington (directly opposite the tube station). The dealership’s impressive showroom displays the latest high-performance supercars from Sant’Agata, offering new and pre-owned Lamborghini sales. 27 Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, London SW7 3TD Tel: 020 7589 1472 H.R. Owen Maserati London Melton Court in Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, is the home of the official dealer for Maserati London, displaying a wide range of new and pre-owned Maserati cars. Melton Court, 25-27 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3TD Tel: 020 7590 5880 H.R. Owen Ferrari London Located in a two-storey showroom on Old Brompton Road in South Kensington, the Ferrari London sales team is able to offer a complete fleet of demonstrators. As an official dealer, Ferrari London offers approved used Ferraris through the Certified Pre-Owned Programme. 125-133 Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, London SW7 3RP Tel: 020 7341 6300

LU X U RY R E - E N G I N E E RE D T R AV E L A C C E S S O R IE S F O R T H E J E T S E T L IF E S T Y L E domreill y. c om

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Surrealist Auto Art A s t h e c ov e r o f D R I V E vo lu m e 7 p r ov e d, a u to a rt c a n m a k e a b i g i m p r e s s i o n. T h i s s e l e c t i o n o f e y e - c atc h i n g i m a g e ry i n v i t e s yo u to a l low yo u r i m a g i n at i o n to r u n w i l d.

Disintegrating (previous page and below) Fabion Oefner The Disintegrating series represents a staggering amount of work – each has been created from hundreds if not thousands of shots. Each scale model car has been dismantled completely, from the body shell to the smallest screws, then photographed on piece at a time in a specific position to obtain the illusion of an exploding car. The images show exploded views of some of the most iconic classic sports cars ever made: intricate scale models of a Jaguar E-Type and a 1967 Ferrari 330 P4. fabianoefner.com

Car Insects (right) Luke Kirwan and Lyndsay Milne McLeod London-based photographer Luke Kirwan captured these intriguing mechanical insects using a burnt-out Vauxhall Vectra, as part of his ‘De-Evolution’ series. Inspired by an urge to re-use elements of a previous shoot concerning the use of IUDs and car-bombs, Kirwan and Creative Director, Lyndsay Milne McLeod both felt the burnt out car had a beautiful, skeletal feel and wanted to transform it into something more, hence its metamorphosis into various winged insects. Exhibition: ‘De-Evolution’, 6-8 Stable St, off Granary Sq, Kings Cross, NW1. Open to the public: 11th-12th December 1-8pm and 13th-14th December 12-5pm. lukekirwan.com lmmstudio.com

[ DEFINITION ]

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Surrealism: a 20th-century avant-garde movement in art and literature which sought to release the creative potential of the unconscious mind, for example by the irrational juxtaposition of images.â&#x20AC;?

State of the Art (above) Fabian Oefner ‘Disintegrating’ artist Fabian Oefner recently visited Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello to interpret the latest Ferrari GT, the 2015 California T as an art form through his eyes. The resulting California T ‘State of the Art’ video follows Fabian’s journey and his search for inspiration. Upcoming videos will feature interviews with industry leaders discussing Ferrari and the Art of Innovation. http://bit.ly/CaliTInspired

Auto Aerobics (left) Chris Labrooy Inspired by an evening walk through Brooklyn, New York City, Auto Aerobics is the handiwork of Aberdeen-born, Royal College graduate, Chris Labrooy. To begin with, Labrooy designed a digital model of the neighbourhood, set within a basketball court. Originally a background prop, the star of the show is a 1969 Pontiac Bonneville. Once he had the idea of stretching the car’s centre he began to double and couple the image, leading to the wild creations shown. chrislabrooy.com

PistonHeads.com are proud to be partners of H.R.Owen Join our exclusive supercar members club by visiting pistonheads.com/VIP where you will receive invites to selected events, test drives and a vast array of unique opportunities and offers.

PROMOT I ON A L FE A TURE

BOODLES

WHAT SHE WANTS...

A s s u p p o rt e r s o f D R I V E a n d t h r o u g h H . R . Ow e n ’ s c o - s p o n s o r s h i p o f T h e B o o d l e s t e n n i s to u r n a m e n t, i t i s f i t t i n g t h at f i n e l ady ’ s j e w e l l e r B o o d l e s , h a s f o u n d i ts way o n to D R I V E ’ s pa g e s – e s p e c ia l ly at Christmas time.

ounded by Boodle & Dunthorne in Liverpool in 1798, Boodles proudly remains a family-owned British company; brothers Nicholas and Michael Wainwright are currently at the helm, with directors Jody, Nicholas’s son, and James Amos, nephew of Nicholas and Michael, continuing the family tradition. With five stores in London, including the Bond Street flagship and Savoy Hotel boutique, most of H.R. Owen’s central London showrooms are within easy walking distance. The collection includes lady’s rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings and watches, plus an exclusive range of high jewellery for those very special occasions. If you’re planning on buying your partner jewellery this Christmas, buy her what she wants - Boodles.

Here is a selection of the brand’s latest releases:

Blossom Watch Individually created by hand in Bienne, Switzerland, The Boodles Blossom Watch fuses fine craftsmanship with the very best of British design from Boodles Head of Design, Rebecca Hawkins. Delicate and feminine – like all Boodles’ pieces, it is created using 18ct white and rose gold and ethically sourced alligator leather straps. The 37 mm full set diamond watch contains 403 diamonds totalling almost three carats and the smaller 28 mm watch contains 350 diamonds totally almost two carats. In creating The Boodles Blossom Watch, the company has revisited its heritage, taking influence from William Wainwright, one of the company’s original founders who designed and created his own pocket watches almost exactly 150 years ago. From £9,000

Keystone Collection The new ‘keystone’ inspired rings and pendants have been created to echo Boodles British heritage through design references to London’s traditional architectural features. This bold and highly wearable collection features a central coloured cabochon stone, set in rose, white or yellow gold, with or without diamond detailing. Bricks of gold create simple lines akin to the symbolic keystone arches of many London windows, doors and tunnels creating a contemporary yet timeless design. From £1,750

Ashoka COLLECTION Unique to Boodles in Britain, the Ashoka diamond cut is exquisite in quality and distinctive in appearance; sixty scissor facets create clean lines with an angular and modern feel, dispersing light that will captivate even the untrained eye. Ashoka diamonds possess the elegance of a traditional emerald cut diamond and the radiance of a brilliant cut, whilst combining the romantic appeal of vintage designs with refined modernity. Renowned for their brilliance and inner fire, Ashoka diamonds are some of the rarest in the world; less than two percent of diamonds mined can be cut in this way. Boodles Ashoka collection comprises some of our most exquisite designs, from magnificent chandelier earrings, classic line necklaces, bracelets and enchanting rings to one of a kind couture pieces. Price POA Visit the Bond Street showroom: Boodles 178 New Bond Street, London, W1S 4RH +44 (0)20 7437 5050 tomevans@boodles.com boodles.com

The Boodles tennis tournament For the past twelve years Boodles have hosted an exclusive tennis tournament, The Boodles, at Stoke Park in Buckinghamshire, with players such as Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic participating. H.R. Owen has co-sponsored the event since 2013. To book tickets for next year’s event, contact: Toni.Sealy@hrowen.co.uk

ME E T T H E E X PE RT #8

FIRST POINT I n s u r a n c e – a d u l l d i s t r e s s p u r c h a s e o r a pa s s p o rt to e xc i t e m e n t ? I f t h e o f f e r s f r o m i n s u r a n c e s p e c i a l i s ts F i r s t P o i n t i s a n y t h i n g to g o by, i t ’ s m o s t d e f i n i t e ly t h e l at t e r . M at t h e w C a rt e r m e e ts F i r s t P o i n t ’ s A n d r e w Pa l m e r a n d R i c h a r d K a n f i s z e r at H . R . Ow e n ’ s M a s e r at i s h ow r o o m i n S o u t h K e n s i n gto n.

ow many insurance policies come with the potential to thunder a Rolls-Royce Wraith around the high-speed bowl at the Millbrook test track, or experience the latest Lamborghini, Maserati or Ferrari before the rest? It’s all down to First Point’s partnership with H. R. Owen, a relationship that goes back a decade and a half. First Point (as in first point of contact…) was established in 1998 by directors Julian Chapman and Andrew Palmer. They had both spent time working for specialist brokers and simply felt they could do it better themselves. The company’s continued growth – it now employs approximately 45 specialists – suggests that indeed they could. “We are well aware that insurance has a boring image and that for most people the only aim is to find the cheapest policy possible. But, as far as we are concerned, is about what’s right for the customer,” said Andrew Palmer. “And the point is that with the right policy it needn’t be ridiculously expensive, either.”

Andrew Palmer

“Although First Point specialises in car insurance, the nature of its business means it can build portfolio accounts looking after houses, art and valuables, too.”

Richard Kanfiszer

Chapman and Palmer can trace their dealings with H. R. Owen back to 1996 when they started to develop an understanding with sales teams at the various dealerships. The relationship strengthened in 2004 and the partnership was formed. This official endorsement is thanks to First Point’s levels of customer care and attention to detail. H. R. Owen’s customers are not obliged to talk to First Point when it comes to insuring their new purchase but many do… and are pleasantly surprised with the result. “It’s all about service, engaging with the customer, knowing the customer and how the car or cars are used,” said Andrew. “One of our customers, for example, has three hypercars. We know exactly how he uses those cars and we have been able to devise a policy that gives him the perfect cover at the right price. “In fact every policy we prepare is specifically tailored for the individual… we offer true flexibility.” Although First Point specialises in car insurance, the nature of its business means it can build portfolio accounts looking after houses, art and valuables, too. It picks its cover from respected insurance companies such as Chubb, AIG, Hiscox and Zurich. And the link with H. R. Owen means that First Point has access to those special test days in the latest machinery, as well as devising other, nonmotoring, events – the recent steak and cigar evening, for example – as a thank you to its clients. And the company really does go the extra mile. Richard Kanfiszer, from the New Client Liaison team, said: “We had a case the other month of a client whose Rolls-Royce Phantom was going to be off the road for a few months. We have a policy of supplying like-for-like replacements so we looked for another Phantom for him. “By working closely with the insurance company we established that hiring a replacement for that time wouldn’t make economic sense… so the insurer bought a new Phantom for the customer to use while his was off the road.” Another case centred on an unfortunate customer who had an accident in his Bentley two days before he was due at a family wedding. “We needed to source an identical replacement car – same model, same colour, same everything – so that when the wedding photos were taken the car didn’t look out of place,” said Richard. “It was a bit frantic, but we did it.” Try getting that sort of service from a meerkat. firstpoint.co.uk

THUNDERBIRDS ARE GO (AGAIN!) 2014 m a r k s 50 y e a r s s in c e f i l m ing b e gan o f G e r ry A n d e r s o n ’s a l l -a c t i o n in t e r nat i o na l r e s c u e p u p p e t T V s h ow, T h u n d e r b i r d s . Wi t h an I T V r e m a k e in t h e p i p e l in e , G i l e s C h a p m an p r e pa r e s f o r A r m ag e d d o n o n e m o r e t i m e .

reathtaking miniature sets, ground-breaking special effects and unforgettable characters helped to make Thunderbirds one of the best-loved kids’ TV show of all time. It’s also unique among small screen classics in that it’s inseparable from its producer’s name, making Gerry Anderson as close as a Brit has ever come to a homegrown Walt Disney. But strangely for a series where much of the action takes place in the stratosphere or underwater, the mechanical star of the show remains a car… and probably the most famous ‘star’ of the show is its owner. “I’d love to know how many children grew up and bought a Rolls after falling in love with Lady Penelope’s FAB 1”, chuckled Gerry Anderson decades later in an interview with me, not long before his death in 2012, aged 83. We’re talking, more precisely, Lady Penelope Creighton-Ward, British-based affiliate of Jeff Tracy and his courageous sons Scott, Virgil, Alan, Gordon and John. United in the clandestine International Rescue organisation, and with a phalanx of high-tech battlecraft at their disposal, this crew of latter-day saints saved the world from Armageddon countless times. It was easy to forget these heroes were puppets, suspended from above on barely visible wires manipulated by middle-aged ladies. A team of actors provided the voices, electronically lip-synched with the marionettes. The astonishing action sequences were model sets built in a Slough warehouse. The explosions and crashes were special effects masterstrokes that really did pave the way for Star Wars, and there were around 100 per show. Gerry Anderson opened his own film company in 1957, hoping to beat Hollywood at its own game. The only work he could find, though, was a commission to shoot a kids’ puppet show for ITV. Anderson has declared frequently he never wanted to work with puppets. He hated them and he took on Twizzle in desperation. But he decided to up the ante of the genre by making it as filmic as possible, and developed a technique to combine puppet close-ups with detailed studio sets and film effects, which he grandiosely named ‘Supermarionation’. Working with his wife Sylvia, Gerry’s stories had a vitality and excitement that hooked the young audience immediately, especially when their shows adopted a sci-fi feel with Supercar, Fireball XL5, and Stingray. No wonder TV legend Lew Grade snapped up Gerry’s company, and provided the cash to make Thunderbirds. In fact, when the entertainment mogul saw early footage, he shouted in excitement: “That’s not a television series, it’s a feature film!” He promptly doubled the running time from 30 minutes to an hour, which meant Gerry and his team had the space to give all the characters – including Parker, Lady Penelope’s shifty Cockney chauffeur – real depth.

“I’d love to know how many children grew up and bought a Rolls after falling in love with Lady Penelope’s FAB 1.”

Thunderbirds facts

Customised Rolls-Royce Saloon

Engine

Modified Rolls-Royce gas turbine (ON LAND) Vortex aquajet (on water)

speed

200 mph (Land SPeed) 50 knots (Sea Speed)

Weight

3 tons

Armaments

Machine guns, laser guns, harpoon launchers, smoke screen canister, oil slick dispenser, tyre slashers

HAYNES AGENTS’ TECHNICAL MANUAL To gain a complete insight into the secrets of the International Rescue Team Manual and the full range of Haynes guides, visit haynes.co.uk

• The Thunderbird marionette team was comprised almost entirely of women and led by master puppeteer Christine Glanville. As well as operating the puppets Christine sculpted a number of them including Scott and Alan Tracy, Tin Tin and a full recreation of Cliff Richard and the Shadows for their cameo appearance in the 1966 film Thunderbirds Are Go. • Christine’s design for Scott Tracy was based on Sean Connery. • Parker’s voice was based on the that of a former Royal Household Retainer who worked in a pub next to the Thunderbirds studio. • The idea for Thunderbirds came from the 1963 mining disaster in Germany, when miraculously nearly half of the trapped crew were saved. • A budget of £22,000 was set for each episode (the equivalent of £500,000 today) and production began in 1964.

FAB 1 Chauffeur: Parker

Lady Penelope required a vehicle to reflect her aristocratic, if futuristic, lifestyle. The task of designing it fell to special effects supervisor Derek Meddings, who was ordered to produce a “Rolls-Royce for the 21st century.” Meddings (later the SFX chief on Star Wars) certainly gave it awesome abilities, as the car could dispense walls of smoke and fire rockets from a cannon behind its radiator grille. It had six wheels, a transparent canopy roof, and it really was a pukka Rolls-Royce. The carmaker granted permission for Anderson to use its name on his car. It even fabricated a real-life grille, with mascot, for close-ups. But there was one proviso: it must always, always be referred to as a “Rolls-Royce” and never as a “Roller” or a “Rolls”… Two further attributes were Sylvia Anderson edicts: bright pink paintwork and a registration number of FAB 1 to match International Rescue’s “F.A.B.” radio sign-off, and chime with the hip 1960s shortening of ‘fabulous’. Meddings’ designs were transferred into two three-dimensional versions for filming, one 6in long for inclusion in spectacular model sets and another – the definitive FAB 1 – a 7ft-long model for shooting scenes featuring the puppets themselves. It was made of wood, and the headlights were bicycle lamps. But there was a third FAB 1. A life-size one. It was bodied in metal and fully roadgoing, its twin front-wheel steering system taken from the same Bedford coach that featured at the cliffhanger end of the classic 1969 movie The Italian Job. Its task was to tour the UK in 1967 and ’68 to promote twoThunderbirds movies but even this traffic-stopping leviathan – which still exists today – couldn’t stop the movies from being unexpected flops. Indeed, the TV show itself fizzled out too after 32 episodes, as US TV viewers tired of it. Gerry Anderson made plenty of TV series subsequently, but for its combination of thrills, style, ingenuity and action, Thunderbirds was never entirely eclipsed. And repeats on TV stations all over the world led to an everburgeoning fan base among both children and adults. Now and in 2015, during Thunderbirds’ 50th birthday year, ITV is attempting the trickiest thing of all: a proper remake. The puppets are being replaced by CGI animation, but it’s going to need to be extraordinarily good to recapture the panache of the much-loved original.

• In the series, International Rescue started operation in the year 2065. • BBC Radio 2 star Chris Evans currently owns the FAB 1 number plate. It was recently fitted to a pink, H.R. Owen-supplied Rolls-Royce Ghost in order to raise £1million for Breast Cancer Care. • Initially to be called ‘International Rescue’ the series was eventually named after Thunderbird Field, an airfield in the US where Gerry’s brother learned to fly for the RAF during World War 2. • Measuring seven feet (2.1 m) in length, the plywood model Rolls-Royce (which was equipped with fully functional steering and headlights) cost £2,500 to build in 1964; post-decimalisation, this is equivalent to £30,000 today.

Harrods Estates specialises in prime residential properties to buy or to rent in central London. Established in 1897, Harrods Estates has become one of the UK’s leading luxury residential estate agents. As part of the Harrods group, clients have unprecedented access to virtually anything they require, from specialised interior design to private jets. Our dedicated team also provides a multilingual service, with specialist Russian and Middle Eastern desks, as well as having access to speakers of a further 30 languages. With offices in Knightsbridge and Mayfair, Harrods Estates is perfectly located to manage a portfolio of some of London’s most prestigious luxury properties. For further information or to request a complimentary copy of the latest Harrods Estates magazine, simply visit our website or contact us directly. • LONDON RESIDENTIAL SALES • LONDON RESIDENTIAL LETTINGS • ACQUISITIONS • NEW DEVELOPMENTS • ASSET MANAGEMENT • PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

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EKRANOPLANS

KNOWLEDGE = p o w e r 80

F a c t S : M I G H T Y M AC H I N E S This bizarre, low-flying craft known as an ekranoplan or Ground Effect Vehicle (GEV) was developed in secret by a Russian hydrofoil designer on the Caspian Sea during the Cold War. At time of construction, in 1966, it was the largest aircraft in the world.

a Monster" KM Ekranoplan aka. "Caspianl HySedro foil Design Bureau

21.80 m (71 ft 6 in)

M anufacturer - Soviet Centra Alexeev Designer - Rostislav Evgenievich First flight - October 16, 1966 Status - sunk in 1980

4-14m

92.00 m (301 ft 10 in)

544,000kg Max takeoff weight

Ground-effect altitude

Equivalent thrust provided by 10 Ă&#x2014; Dobrynin VD-7 turbojets

800,000bhp

100ft

BOEING 747

37.60 m (123 ft 4 in)

KM EKRANOPLAN

longer than a Jumbo jet

7,131sq ft Wing area - the same total area needed for a tennis court

A slightly smaller model measuring 74m in length, the M-160 Lun ‘Spasatel’ was developed to carry six launchers for SS-N-22 Sunburn anti-ship missiles and four 23mm Pl-23 cannons. It currently lies intact in a shipyard in the Russian town of Kaspisk on the Caspian Sea.

Ekranoplan Facts

304tonnes Maximum payload

404mph Maximum speed

the equivalent of 20 x Soviet PT-76 amphibious tanks

∙ Definition: The “Wing In Ground” (WIG) effect occurs when a wing travelling very close to the ground is provided with additional lift by the “cushion” of air compressed under it - enabling a combination of greater aircraft weight for less power and/or enhanced fuel economy. ∙ Designed, built and tested by Russian hydrofoil designer Rostislav Evgenievich Alekseev, the KM (‘Korabl Maket’, Russian for ‘Prototype Ship’) Ekranoplan was dubbed the ‘Caspian Sea Monster’ by the Americans - it was the largest of its type ever built. ∙ ‘Ekranoplan’ is a Russian word used to describe a craft that utilises the ground effect.

1,500km Range

∙ Flying at low altitudes just a few metres above the sea, ekranoplans were able to travel undetected by Cold War-era radar. ∙ Russia’s heavy duty ekranoplans were kept secret from the west until the fall of communism in the early 1990s. ∙ Fitted with specially adapted landing gear, ekranoplans can also travel over land – so long as it is relatively flat. ∙ The Volga Shipyard website in Russia currently lists the Alekseev-designed Orlyonok ekranoplan as a production model.

Wingship Technology Whilst most of the Cold War-era ekranoplans lie rotting in Russian shipyards, South Korean firm Wingship Technology has recently received orders for several of its highly efficient, delta-winged WSH-500. Utilising the Wing in Ground-effect, the craft also employs ‘hoverwing technology’ - a technique designed to minimize the water contact and reduce the resistance of water on the hull. This allows for shorter take-offs and in turn, even greater efficiency. Measuring 29m in length and 27m in width, the WSH-500 can carry 50 passengers at a cruising speed of around 100mph. Power comes from two 1,400hp Turboprop engines. The WSH-500 can be modified for use as a premium passenger ferry, supply vessel, cargo transport or various military applications. wingship.com

Concert for one P7 Mobile Hi-Fi headphones Lose yourself in music with P7. Engineered to raise the bar for mobile sound quality with a Hi-Fi loudspeaker approach to headphone drive units. Listen and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see. bowers-wilkins.co.uk

Supercar Tech Explained

Carbon Ceramic Brakes USING technology sourced from the aerospace industry, carbon ceramic brakes are now fitted as standard to many of todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s supercars. Whilst you might know all about whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s under the hood, Matt Prior asks, how much do you know about the discs and pads behind your wheels?

ngines. Turbochargers. Horsepower. All things synonymous with a car going fast. An enthusiast might know how quickly a supercar will reach 60mph, or how much power it has, or what kind of engine resides in its middle. How much, though might they know about the little discs behind the wheels? Perhaps not so much. Going is sexy. Stopping is not. Pity, because there are more to brakes than most people credit. It’s no exaggeration to say that the right brakes have as much effect on a car’s performance and handling as a significant power increase or weight reduction. Today, carbon ceramic brake systems are the pinnacle of braking technology. Carbon ceramics – which comprise both a different disc and pad material to conventional iron disc brakes – were originally created for the aerospace industry. Aircraft weights, speeds and therefore braking temperatures far exceeded automotive uses, necessitating new materials. Carbon ceramics discs, as the name suggests, are comprise of a mix of ceramics and graphite carbons, which can cope with - and recover more quickly from – extreme temperatures than conventional metals. Then racing cars became faster still and, keen to grab any advantage, race teams adopted carbon ceramics for racing cars. Examples of race car technology filtering to road cars is increasingly rare, but this is one of them: in the early part of the millennium, carbon ceramics made the jump to roadgoing sports cars.

“Even in a road car with excellent metal disc brakes, it’s perilously easy to overheat them on a circuit, causing not just the discs to warp but the heat to transfer quickly to the brake fluid”

THIS PAGE Carbon ceramic brakes are commonplace in GT racing (top) and F1 (bottom). Although more obvious in night races such as Le Mans 24 Hours, racing car brake discs often glow red as a result of heat built up by friction. Opposite page The California T uses Ferrari’s latest CCM3 carbon ceramic brake technology.

It wasn’t the smoothest transition. Early carbon ceramics were expensive to specify and maintain and brake pedal feel was poor. Some labelled them a gimmick. But what a difference they could make. It’s not that they shorten stopping distances in a one-stop scenario. In fact, put two supercars alongside each other - one with iron discs and one with carbon ceramics - and the ironequipped car might even stop more quickly. Once. Pads bite in to iron discs quickly from cool, and iron discs are amply powerful to exceed the braking performance of a tyre. But the durability of carbon ceramics sets them apart. When they get hot – and modern supercars are so fast that their brakes must work harder than ever – carbon ceramics resist fade and reduce pad wear better than any comparable metal disc. Even in a road car with excellent metal disc brakes, it’s perilously easy to overheat them on a circuit, causing not just the discs to warp but the heat to transfer quickly to the brake fluid. As that boils, the brake pedal tends to go long, falling closer to the floor with each push, and failing to bring the requisite amount of retardation. Excessive heat also wears the pads incredibly quickly. This is where carbon ceramics come to the fore. For one, they’re capable of operating at higher temperatures without warping. Secondly, they’re better than iron discs at dissipating heat, so cool much more quickly. Thirdly, because they don’t retain so much heat between braking cycles, they don’t transmit so much of it to the brake fluid. And finally, the pad material is capable of repeated cycling into very high temperatures without excessive wear.

zero fade Carbon ceramic brakes have almost no brake fade

50%

Carbon ceramic brakes can last about four times longer than metal brakes.

lighter

Less dust

Unsprung weight reduced by up to 50%

Significant reduction in dust generation, compared to traditional discs andc pads.

“And none of this takes into account the final, killer advantage of carbon ceramics: they weigh around half as much as a set of steel rotors; and its mass that’s known as unsprung.” Remarkably, Ferrari states that if drivers of its latest California T never take the car on a circuit, wear will be so minimal that a single set of pads will likely last the car’s entire lifetime. And none of this takes into account the final, killer advantage of carbon ceramics: they weigh around half as much as a set of steel rotors; and its mass that’s known as unsprung. That means it’s on the road end, rather than the car end, of the suspension. Brakes are a mass that exerts force on the suspension itself. Think of unsprung mass as a ball being thrown to you, that your arms are a car’s suspension and your body is its chassis. The weight of a tennis ball is easier for your arms to absorb than the weight of a medicine ball. The lighter the unsprung mass, the happier you’ll be. Which just leaves the age old problem of cost and pedal feel, right? Well, yes, but thanks to generations of development and honing, like most new tech as it becomes more mainstream, prices have fallen and usability increased. Costs are sufficiently under control that carbon ceramics are now standard on the Pagani Huayra, the Lamborghini Aventador and Huracán, most V12-engined Aston Martins and every new Ferrari. Reduced wear rates mean that, when they’re fitted, whole-life costs are comparable to a standard disc, too. Carbon ceramics are filtering down model line-ups as the best technology inevitably does. Not only have they made the leap from aircraft and racing cars, they’re here to stay.

1600 c o

Carbon ceramic brakes can withstand temperatures of up to 1600 degrees Celsius. TOP Ferrari’s 599XX is one of the most extreme 599s ever built. Designed to showcase Ferrari’s latest track technology, it is also a valuable test bed for future road going models. H.R. Owen is currently offering an example of this rare machine for sale. RIGHT All new Lamborghinis come as standard with powerful carbon ceramic brakes.

ENGINEERED ENGINEERED EXCITE TOTO EXCITE

TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY DESIGNED WITH DESIGNED THE WITH BEST CAR THE BEST CAR TO MAKERS MAKERS TO ENHANCE THE ENHANCE THE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE OF YOUR CAR. OF YOUR CAR.

IRIS_NO LOGHI CASE AUTO.indd 1

21/02/13 12:39

FORECOURT H . R . O w e n s ho w roo m

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N A T U R A L LY O P E N : Ferrari 458 Speciale A The icing on the cake for Ferrari fans at 2014’s Paris Motor Show - the arrival of the 458 Speciale A, with its folding hard-top roof and highly driver-focused nature completes the midengined 458 range. The A stands for Aperta – Italian for ‘open’, a badge that will feature on just 499 examples, making it as rare as the LaFerrari hybrid hypercar. Fitted with the same, tuned 597bhp, 4.5-litre V8 as the 458 Speciale coupe, the Speciale A is mechanically identical aside from the clever folding roof. Despite weighing 50kg more than the coupe, the Speicale A is impressively 90kg lighter than the standard 458 Spider. Faster than the mighty Enzo around Ferrari’s legendary Fiorano test track, the 458 Speciale A will sprint from 0-62mph in just 3.0 seconds and crack 200mph flat out. Available to order: Sold Out / In showroom: 2015 / Delivery: N/A / List Price: £228,682 / hrowen.co.uk/Ferrari

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1ST CLASS EXPRESS: Bentley Mulsanne Speed Bentley has a new flagship! The Mulsanne Speed is a more powerful and more efficient version of the existing Mulsanne limousine. Powered by a 6.75-litre twin-turbo V8, the range-topping model produces 530bhp and can cover the 0-60mph sprint in just 4.9 seconds. Flat out, the Speed can reach 190mph a 6 mph improvement over the standard Mulsanne, whilst also boasting a 13 per cent improvement in fuel economy to 19.3mpg. Focusing on driver involvement, Bentley has fitted its new flagship with a sports suspension mode and a new ‘S’ gearbox mode designed to keep the engine above 2,000rpm. This ensures that as much of the car’s 1,110Nm of torque is available at any given time. Dark-tinted tail and headlights plus the Mulliner Driving Specification are fitted as standard. Available to order: Now / In showroom: Jan 2015 / Delivery: Feb 2015 / List Price: £258,500 / hrowen.co.uk/Bentley

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F O R G E TA B O U T I T: Ferr ari F60 America Inspired by 1960’s North American Racing Team Ferraris and limited to just 10 units, the Ferrari F60 America is offered exclusively to American collectors - but is already sold out! Based on the F12 Berlinetta, the open-top F60 is Ferrari’s way of commemorating 60 years of selling cars in the USA. Showcasing a host of new styling features including new front and rear aprons and a pair of carbonfibre-trimmed roll hoops, the driver’s seat and surrounding trim is also trimmed in eye-catching red leather. Power comes from the standard F12’s 6.3-litre V12 via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, producing 730bhp – propelling it from 0-62mph in 3.1 seconds. A manually attached fabric roof is supplied as standard. Available to order: N/A / In showroom: N/A / Delivery: N/A / List Price: $2.5 million / hrowen.co.uk/Ferrari

CONSOLE KING: Aston Martin Design Vision Gran Turismo The stunning Design Prototype 100 Vision Gran Turismo is the result of six months design and engineering work by Aston Martin Design team. Led by Design Director Marek Reichman, DP-100 is a new, virtual-only GT racer that is available for Gran Turismo®6 (GT6™) owners to download, following the global launch at Goodwood Festival of Speed. Clearly pushing the boundaries of what an Aston Martin could be, DP-100 not only looks beautiful but also boasts a high degree of engineering integrity. The twin-turbo V12 mid-engined racer offers up to 800bhp, endowing it with blistering performance fully in keeping with the high octane nature of the computer game. Reichman said: “DP-100 has been an exciting and intensive project for the team here at Gaydon. “Features such as the car’s revolutionary ‘active aerodynamics’ are there not just as a way of enhancing form, but also to support the car’s function in-game.”

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Concept only, not planned for production. hrowen.co.uk/Aston-Martin

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M I N OTA U R U S : L am b o r g h i n i A s t e r i o n L P I 9 1 0 - 4 H yb r i d C o n c e p t Named after a Minotaur - the mythical half-man, half-bull, the Asterion is Lamborghini’s 2014 Paris Motor Show-stopping concept, demonstrating its intentions to utilise hybrid power in future models. Powered by a mid-mounted 602bhp 5.2-litre V10 borrowed from the Huracán, plus three electric motors, the Asterion produces a total of 897bhp. From behind a three-spoke steering wheel, inspired by the iconic Miura, drivers can opt for three driving modes: Zero (full electric), Ibrido (combining engine and motors for maximum performance) and Termico (petrol engine alone). Running solely on electric power, the Asterion has a range of 31 miles whilst overall it boasts 68.6mpg fuel economy and just 98g/km emissions. Fire-up the petrol-powered V10 however and the performance on offer is incredible - 0-62mph is despatched in just 3.0 seconds, whilst top speed is 199mph. Concept only, not planned for production. hrowen.co.uk/Lamborghini

H . R . O w e n g ro u p n e w s

F e r r a r i r a c i n g day s 12-14 September A record number of H.R. Owen customers and their cars descended on Silverstone in September to enjoy Ferrari Racing Days. The two day event saw racing from the 458 Challenge series as well as displays from the Corse Clienti in their FXX and 599XX. The F1 Clienti also put on an amazing show both in the pits and on track! The Saturday saw many clients on track in their own Ferraris at lunchtime - the parade was a tribute to the 2012 Guinness World Record which saw nearly 1,000 Ferraris on track at the same time. H . R . O w e n g r o u p : M i l l b r o o k D r i v e Day 30th October Guests from across the H.R. Owen group had the opportunity to explore the performance capabilities of a selection of the latest models from Bentley, Maserati, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce and Aston Martin at the private Millbrook test facility in Bedfordshire. Away from speed limits and law enforcement, guests were able to experience the true dynamic capabilities of these cars on the high speed bowl, mile straight and famous Alpine circuit. With over a dozen cars running this was one of the most significant events of the year for the group and something the Group is looking to replicate in 2015.

Lamborghini: Tuscany Drive 3rd-8th September More than 30 Lamborghinis took part in the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Lamborghini Toscana Tour @8,250 RPMâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; which included the ancient route of the Mille Miglia, gala dinner at the stunning 11th century Franciscan convent, not to mention the breathtaking scenery of the Tuscan Hills. For 8 H.R. Owen customers, the fun started at Folkestone early on 3rd September for a 2-day private convoy drive through Geneva and Lake Maggiore! Twisting through the famous St Bernard Pass featured in the Italian Job, and joining the rest of the party in Fonteverde on Friday 5th September.

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

The Bentley Cup 2014 Finals: The Grove 22nd September Bentley Hertfordshire, the most recent addition to H.R. Owen’s Bentley Division was headline sponsor of the 2014 Bentley Cup. Held over five rounds at The Grove in North London the final round of this hotly contested series saw Carl Greenwood and Chris Whitehead emerge victorious just pipping runners up Chris Hardaker and Stephen May, with Prashantha Nagaraja and Paul Sjoberg in a hard fought third.

Sharnbrook: Service event 7th September H.R. Owen London Service Centre team sponsored Supercar Sunday at The Sharnbrook Hotel on September 7th, with more than 3,500 car enthusiasts. This year was the biggest event on record with a turnout of supercars for a total estimated value of over £25 million. To name few of the models on display on the day there was the Bugatti Veyron, the new Lamborghini Huracan, the Ferrari 458 Speciale and the Rolls-Royce Wraith. M a s e r at i : C e n t e n a r y Pa r t y 6th September Based at the Getty family’s stunning Wormsley estate in Berkshire, H.R. Owen Maserati held a centenary celebration event for over 500 H.R. Owen customers in September. With a collection of 100 current and classic Maseratis, food by Jamie Oliver, a celebrity cricket match in the grounds and a private screening of The Italian Job (in the Opera House!) guests enjoyed a spectacular day with this most historic of marques.

Sc a n d i n a v i a n G o l f C h a m p i o n s h i p o f L o n d o n : W e n tw o r t h G o l f C l u b 10th October Bentley Hertfordshire, Aros Capital Partners and Jack Barclay sponsored the 2014 Scandinavian Golf Championship competition at Wentworth. Now in its 21st year, the event has become a firm favourite amongst the finance world with fierce competition amongst the guests for the honours. This years’ event was won by Henrik Gobel who played very well on the day and beat off some close rivals to take the top prize.

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

R o l l s - R oyc e M o t o r C a r s L o n d o n: Angela Bullock Artwork I n s ta l l at i o n Ch e lt e n h a m B e n t l e y a n d A s t o n M a r t i n : U s e d C a r E v e n t at B & O 10th-11th October H.R. Owen Aston Martin & Bentley Cheltenham teamed up with local partners B&O Bristol to create a used car event over the weekend of 10th-11th October. A whole range of used Aston Martin & Bentley models was on display and both H.R. Owen and B&O guests were welcomed throughout the weekend.

9th-23rd October Turner Prize nominee Angela Bulloch, a member of the ‘Frieze’ generation of ‘Young British Artists’ created an installation entitled Cipher of L. as a commissioned piece for Rolls-Royce to coincide with the 2014 Frieze Art Fair. The colourful piece took the form of a ‘Pixel Box’ installation that mimicked the properties of a Rolls-Royce motor car, incorporating certain physical, as well as conceptual elements exploring the relationship between art, technology and craftsmanship. A s t o n M a r t i n : C h e lt e n h a m U lt i m at e E v o lu t i o n e v e n t 13th May H.R. Owen Aston Martin were pleased to hold a 2 day open weekend to celebrate the launch of the latest 15MY Vanquish & Rapide S models. The event also included displays of the stunning DP-100 concept car, created especially for the new Gran Turismo game and the latest GT4 race car. Customers were given the chance to race the virtual DP-100 on a Gran Turismo simulator, with the winner going through to compete in a National final against other Aston Martin customers from across the country. Congratulations to the winner, Alex Sumner who recorded an impressive time of 1.28.641!

Mulsanne LE95 and PHEV : Bentley showroom event 24th Sept – 5th Oct The famous Jack Barclay Bentley showroom in Mayfair played host to the UK launch of the new Bentley Mulsanne LE95 in September. Celebrating 95 years of craftsmanship from Bentley, owners, are guaranteed exclusivity with only a handful of this ultimate incarnation of Bentley’s flagship model being made. Alongside the LE95, the ultimate example of craftsmanship was the Bentley Hybrid Concept car, its technology hinting at future cars able to deliver increased power and reduced emissions.

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granting wishes 96

H.R. Owen CHARITY WORK

This year, H.R. Owen have been proud to support Rays of Sunshine children’s charity as our 2014 charity partner, and what a year it’s been! Through a combination of fundraisers, gifts in kind and corporate donations the Group have raised a total of £216,452. Rays of sunshine is an inspirational charity whose aim is to help children between the ages of three to eighteen living with serious or life-limiting illnesses by granting wishes, however impossible they may seem. Where wishes involve supercars H.R. Owen are only too happy to help. Seven year old Jakub, who is currently living with Juvenile Arthritis, is a big superhero fan, so it was only fitting that Batman arrived in a suitably special car for such a special little boy at his superhero wish in Wembley. The courage and strength of the children granted wishes has inspired H.R. Owen staff to take on their own challenges, helping to raise even more. Staff raised £13,859 this year through a combination of climbing mountains in the Three Peaks, jumping out of an aeroplane at 10,000ft in a group Sky Dive and running in the Royal Parks half marathons which H.R. Owen has match funded reaching a grand total of £27, 718. To find out more about the amazing wishes that Rays of Sunshine grant every day, please visit raysofsunshine.org.uk, or to get involved in fundraisers alongside the H.R. Owen team, please email: RaysofSunshine@hrowen.co.uk

LaplandUK LaplandUK, The UK’s home of Father Christmas returns for the 2014 Christmas season and is hosting an exclusive VIP Gala Event in aid of Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity, on Wednesday 3rd December. Rays of Sunshine is offering H.R. Owen staff and customers the chance to attend this magical event and help us continue to grant wishes into 2015. Tickets are £65 per person and only available via Rays of Sunshine. Every single penny raised from ticket sales will go directly to the charity. Email: RaysOfSunshine@hrowen.co.uk to book.

80mm

60mm

40mm minimum size

YOUR CAR MAY BE JUST WHAT H.R. OWEN ARE LOOKING FOR. H.R. Owen are always looking for high specification cars to buy, and as a reader of DRIVE magazine it’s likely you have what we want. Their reputation as Britain’s leading luxury vehicle retailer means that H.R. Owen have prospective customers clamouring for low mileage, high specification models in excellent condition – cars just like yours, in fact. As well as buying the range of marques that H.R. Owen sell new, they are also happy to find a home for other prestige models, including Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz AMG, Porsche 911 and Cayenne Immediate payment and nationwide collection Contact our buying team on 0333 240 3652

H.R.Owen, official dealer for:

the back seat

James Martin’s career started from humble beginnings - the brown interior of a Vauxhall Nova to be exact. Now the owner of several Ferrari’s and a curator for a new classic car show, this TV chef is living proof that cooking and cars (plus a generous dollop of hard work), go together like peas and carrots.

’ve been into cars ever since I was a small boy. At first it was toy cars, but the bug really bit the first time I was allowed to drive the tractor on our farm. It was an old Massey-Ferguson, one of those with a metal seat, and I must have been eight or nine. Parents would get locked up if they allowed that to happen today, but things were different back then! After that there was no holding me back. I saved up my pocket money and eventually had enough to buy an old Mini – £20 it cost. I was still too young to drive on the roads, so I painted some flames on the side and spent my time rallying it around the farm. I bought my first ‘proper’ road car to go to college. It was a white Vauxhall Nova saloon – the one with a boot; the one no one wanted – and it had a brown interior. I’d love to find that car and buy it back. I went everywhere in that car. It took me through college and into my first catering jobs. My passion for cars was as strong as ever. As a 17-year-old working in London I used to spend my time wandering the streets looking at the top restaurants and then peering into the windows of nearby car showrooms. In fact I knew where every H. R. Owen showroom was by the location of the nearest Michelin-starred restaurant, but never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d ever own a Ferrari. I eventually got fed up with London, went home to Yorkshire and started applying for jobs. I sent an application to Chewton Glen in Hampshire and was granted an interview. So I loaded up the car I had at the time – a Ford Fiesta diesel – and drove south. I put my last £40 into the

tank and effectively bought myself a one-way ticket to Chewton Glen… goodness knows what I would have done if they hadn’t offered me the job. I stayed there for two years and then was offered the position of head chef at the brand new Hotel du Vin, the first one in Winchester. That was a mad time. On day one we were fully booked for a year… I had two days off in 18 months. And by not spending any money I saved up and bought myself a Caterham as an indulgence. It was at about this time that I was offered some TV work, Ready Steady Cook and so on. Suddenly I had some money and, of course, I spent it on cars. My first new car was an Audi S4 and I also bought a Lotus Elise. Then, aged 24, I bought a Ferrari 360. Just a few years earlier I’d had to save for three weeks to buy the then new Michael Jackson album and now I could walk into a showroom and drive out in a Ferrari! Had to sell it six months later, mind you, to pay a tax bill. No one told me to save money to pay the taxman! Things are a little easier these days and I get to keep the cars I buy. I have about 20 cars in my collection such as a few Ferraris, including a couple of Daytonas and a 275, and a number of Minis, including some ex-works machines. I also have three F1 cars – a Benetton, a Jordan and a Marussia – and a Shelby Mustang. I race my own Alan Mann Ford Prefect at Goodwood while my latest acquisition is a very early Range Rover, the sixth one made, which is currently being restored. My interest in classic cars began when a mate and I went to the Essen Classic Car Show in Germany a few years back. I was talking to H. R. Owen at the time about buying a Ferrari, but then I saw this Gullwing Mercedes and by 9.30 that morning I’d

bought it. I sold the Gullwing to Mercedes to buy a house, or rather a house with enough land to build garaging for my cars, but you can see it today if you go to Mercedes-Benz World at Brooklands. And you can see some of my other cars if you head to the London Classic Car Show at ExCeL next January (8-11). I am one of the show curators and some of my Ferraris and the Mustang will be performing there. One of the show highlights is a central ‘catwalk’ along which great classics from all eras will be driven. It’s a real innovation to see and hear these cars in action… most classic car shows are just static exhibitions. I’m also bringing some of my Minis along and I’ll be running the James Martin Classic Café serving great food to visitors. What could be better than a juicy buffalo burger – meat supplied by my neighbour Jody Scheckter – surrounded by some of the most fantastic cars ever made? Cars and cooking… I’ll be in heaven.

ILLUSTRATION BY mark welby

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