Valve Bounce

Italian Stallion

Parked up in the West End this week a very cool looking 1971 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super.

Auto Art

We had a run around the Frieze Art Fair this week and spotted this in the corner. It really should be fitted to do it justice...Not sure what car it's from, but it looks old. Why not do all the panels??

Little and large

As seen parked up in North London this week a Bristol 411 complete with a 6.2l V8 (340bhp and 15mpg) ideal for economically hacking around town!

 

and also spotted recently a far more sensible Austin A35 (948cc, 34bhp and 34mpg).

Jay Leno's Bugatti Type 57C Atlantic

Just a little proof that if you don't have this in your top ten sexiest cars you're not thinking straight. 

If you see Jay on the road remember to flag him down...

The definitive top ten sexiest cars ever

This was prompted by the Stephen Bailey article in The Observer last week which listed his 10 sexiest cars ever. A particularly boring and predictable list. He did pick on the right era, the cars from the 50's and 60's definitely are the best looking cars ever produced. But what about the 30's? Some staggeringly sexy coachwork was produced then.

I think the basic problem with Stephen's list is that mass produced sports cars will never be truly sexy compared with bespoke exclusivity. It's like the difference between Next and Savile Row.

My choices show a leaning towards the classic Italian GT era but I also think you need to look at the, heart-stopping exclusivity of 1930s coach-building and homebrew American Hot Rods and Pickups for a bit of Rock'n'Roll glamour. Finally you need something cute and small just to show it's not all about the size of your bank balance.

He did get one car right, the Lancia Aurelia B20 GT! I really can't argue with that.

In no particular order...

1. Talbot-Lago T150CSS Teardrop Coupe (1937)

Talbot-Lago T150SS Teardrop Coupe
Originally uploaded by morningmaple

2. Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato (1960)

3. Bugatti Type 57C Atlantic (1937)

Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic
Originally uploaded by cxcheng

4. Model A Ford Hot Rod (1929)

 

5. Ferarri 250GT SWB Berlinetta (1959)

 

6. Fiat 500 (1960)

Fiat 500
Originally uploaded by ° Giorgio °

7. Ford F-Series Pickup (1957)

DSC_0005.jpg
Originally uploaded by OCDesigns

8. Lancia Aurelia B20 GT (1956)

 

9. Maserati A6 GCS Berlinetta (1954)

 

10. Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing (1955)

Letterman pays tribute to Paul Newman

With tales of extraordinary charity, V8 Volvo station wagons and Porsche engined VWs...