Work in progress

On a driveway near to site today, someone was trying to create a rear engined Clio V6. Sadly it seems they are not being all that successful. I look forward to the huge wheel spacers needed to fill the arches!

Italian yard

Alfa Romeo made just over 1000 Zagato SZs. Based on the 75 with a body carved curve free its an unusual beast. Theres one thats often parked up on Park Lane in London and there was one on the forecourt of an Alfa specialst in the late 1990s. We found an importers of various Italian cars today. He had two in the yard along with seven Lancia Delta Integrales Evos and a Lamborghini Diablo as well.

Supercar Showdown

I know we only went in March, but we were back at Beaulieu today. Ours friends Phil & Fiona were heading down as there was a Supercar display and they hadn't been for years. We tagged along for the ride. It obviously hasn't changed in the few months since our last visit, but there were dozens of supercars lined up and it was a chance to catch up with some good friends. We queued for ages for the monorail, but timed it to perfection. As we trundled over the road an F50 was returning from its run up the road. A different viewpoint on a rare car

ART DRIVE!

In the build up to the Olympics, the London 2012 Festival is putting on a massive cultural celebration all over the place. From plays and family days to art exhibitions. I'm not normally one for galleries, but when they are built inside an old multi story car park and the works on display are 16 of the 17 BMW Art Cars that are rarely together at the same time, I make an exception. I read about it on Retro Rides and as I had to drive through London to get from Greenwich to Watford I would be passing right by the door. I afforded myself half an hour off to nose around. Really I could have done with a few hours to take it all in but it was enough time to be amazed at seeing these masterpieces in the metal.

Thats unusual

Not something you see everyday. A combination of sportscar and wildlife. The classic car meet I went to this evening was next to the river and it seemed to be mayfly night. There were hundreds of them flying around and getting everywhere. We even managed to transport a few back with us on the cars as I had one resting on the Camper the following morning!

Prancing horse

Made famous by Magnum PI in Targa form, the Ferrari 308 is a stunning car. not the sort of motor you expect to see parked up on an industrial estate in sunny Birmingham.

Flat six engine donor

We had a visit from our friend Mr Slater today, despite repeatedly stating he was being sensible and sticking with his Skoda he finally crumbled and bought himself a Porsche 911 Carrera 2. Its a 996, the first of the water cooled 911s, it ended 34 years of air-cooled power. Its often joked in Volkswagen circles that 911s make ideal engine donors for Beetles and Campers as the engine just drops in. What little I could see of the 3.6 litre 320hp engine showed that it would be a mammoth task to fit it into either. Which is probably for the best as its a really nice car as it is, we took it for a spin on a private test track near us and saw three figures. I wholly approve of his purchase. GT3 next?

Big wheel keep on turning

Theres something about a very expensive cars wheels swapped over onto a cheaper motor. This Passat has been smoothed and debadged and is sporting vast Bentley rims.

£1000 per MPH

With a top speed of almost 220mph, the Lamborghini Aventador is an expensive car. 700hp from the vast V12 that sits out the back is the reason why. I get to see a lot of supercars on my travels, being in London a lot they are always flying past. But this was my first proper sighting of the new Lambo, its one mean and chiselled looking motor.