#911 #964

Not sure why, but the 964 variant of the 911 has been a particular favourite of ours.

Perhaps it’s because we like the underdog. And the glorious history of Zuffenhausen-wrought auto loveliness this is probably the designation of the totemic brand that is least loved by the rank and file.

According to many it has a myriad of faults in the mechanics – the height of which was the acknowledged fact that in the earlier (pre 1991) models, they were fitted without a head gasket. This bright idea backfired, apparently, when heat caused the engine seals to warp and oil weeped out liberally.

There are loads of other myths, legends and scare-stories about these 911s – but for us they are all transcended by the classic bug-eyed steez.

After the 964 the 993 came along – with that slightly rounded out form (still lovely, particularly the Turbo)- but in the name of progress 911s, in our honest opinion, haven’t been quite as ‘911-ish’ since.

The video below is the perfect illustration of how that original profile is retained in the 964 – even alongside a seventies classic.

And what’s more – they are relatively affordable. The perfect entry level automotive icon.

ZENDER FACT BITURBO

It was obviously heavily influenced by the aesthetic of the Lamborghini Countach, but the strangely named 1989 Fact BiTurbo concept from tuning company Zender was much more of a homespun phenomenon.

Using a carbon fibre shell and casing a turbocharged V8 from Audi, the ugly bug Zender Fact BiTurbo would have punched through the five second pullaway barrier easily.

If it had ever lapped a circuit it may have been rather svelte too, having tipped the scales at only a shade over 1000KG.

Able to produce around 450 horsepower it would have been a beast – and actually recalls the bug-eyed intensity of a Pagani in its hand-wrought magnificence.

Apparently there was a spyder version too – but neither made it to full time production.

We reckon the dream of privateer success on the streets of the eighties would have been harpooned by rising interest rates!

#porsche #911 #carrera

SATURDAY CAR CRUSH FERRARI 246 GT DINO

It might have been a ill conceived attempt at making a mini-Ferrari, but the cute, six cylinder 246 GT Dino is for us much more than that. It is, in our opinion, one of the prettiest cars ever to wear the Scuderia shield.

Named after Enzo’s beloved son, the 246 version of the production Dino used a the flat six, 2.4 litre engine that hummed beautifully, and its compact, accessible nature made it attractive to the sort of folk who might have plumped for a 911 in the early seventies.

Much rarer, more exotic, and undoubtedly more exotic than your vintage Porsche, the kudos of the Dino continues to grow in stature each year.

We’d like ours in yellow, please.

OUR FAVOURITE MASERATIS

The Maserati marque has challenged the toughest competitors on road & track – as well as in the purely aesthetic stakes. Here is a small handful of our favourites…

Bora
This slice of Masser Muscle isn’t everyone’s idea of a pure bred Italian seventies Italian supercar. But that’s because it isn’t. But we think the Bora’s bloodline benefited greatly from collaboration with French behemoth Citroen. There were all sorts of design flourishes and the addition of a plethora of hydraulically motored refinements that would not have appeared had it not been for the influence of the company’s new bosses. But as well as Gallic quirk crossed with Italian musk, the Bora speaks as much as that unspoken transatlantic admiration for beefiness crossed with subtle design. The paneled Giugiaro body and its overall road presence reminds us of that other cross cultural hybrid the DeTomasa Mangusta – though the Bora of course transcends the brutishness of the Detomaso heritage. There’s something about those moon-like hubcaps that is so right, too, in the same way that Borrani wires were perfect for the Mexico.

Bora, flanked by Merak (right)…both had a suitably man-cabe like interior……and remain classic of seventies car culture..

A6GC 2000 Zagato
In our opinion this is definitely a contender for the elusive ‘most beautiful car’ championship. Combine the period style Maserati with Zagato’s hit and miss aesthetic and, at least in this car, you score higher than perhaps any car ever. In the hands of Zagato, the pretty but rather ponderous A6 series was transformed into a lightweight monster of a GT racer. Only 21 A6s were bodied by Zag: and that makes their elusiveness increase with their purely aesthetic appeal. Dream Garage Place Number One, for our money.

Insanely pretty lines……only 21 created……and here in full period glory.

Ghibli
The Giugiaro-drawn Ghibli Coupé is yet another Italian classic clearly influenced by the ’65 Corvette Stingray. With its sharkish nose and elegant, almost bread van like rear, it is a highlight of pre geometric sixties car design. It competes in the aesthetic stakes even next to Ferrari’s Daytona and Lamborghini’s Miura, we reckon. We’ve been lucky enough to drive an immaculate version. The steering was heavy, the cabin was a heady, on-ergonomic, fug of leather and oil – but the sound of the fully warmed up Quad Cam V8 was absolutely intoxicating.

Beautiful poise……rakish detail……and polished notes.

Mexico
The Mexico was the happy result of repair job when a 5000GT owner in Mexico sent the car back to Vignale after having pranged it. Penned by maestro of functionality Giovanni Michelloti the Mexico was a long-nosed, almost Jensen Interceptor like GT that typifies for us the left field swagger of the Trident. It debuted at the Paris Show of 1966 and retained the old school elegance of the moments before the paper-fold style was pioneered by the likes of Giugiaro. It was a first for Maserati, too in that it featured vented discs all round, assisted by servo.

This angle brings out the Mexico’s appeal…a calm, dignified steeze……and a design built around those wires!