This week we take a deep dive into the weird and wonderful machines we’ve stumbled upon inside the Classic Driver Market. From a beautiful beach car to a blazing Blazer, we’ve got it all!
Four Perms, Please
We are big, big fans of beach cars here at Classic Driver. Despite most of us living a good few hundred miles away from our nearest beach, we can’t help but dream of the crashing waves, sun-kissed sand, and the rumble of our ideal beach car waiting for us. That ideal beach cruiser would look something a lot like this, a rare 2+2 variant of the iconic Meyers Manx Manxter.
Now able to rearrange long locks with ease, this wind-in-your-hair buggy comfortably sits four and is finished in a stunning colour combination, with unique features throughout. The seats, freshly upholstered in Porsche 356 fabric, look perfectly at home, and compliments the deep black paintwork and tan accents. Despite the summer slowly drawing to a close, with a buggy like this every day is a beach day!
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Cool as a Cooper
It’s always a special moment to showcase a car that can proudly claim to be the first at something, be it a pioneering four-wheel-drive system or advanced crash safety, and this 1955 Cooper T40 holds the title of the world’s first rear-engined Formula One car. The accolades don’t stop there, though, as this T40 played a significant role in the career of three-time Formula 1 World Champion Jack Brabham, being the first Formula 1 car he ever drove.
Despite its on-track experience being shrouded in technical misfortunes, this very car was driven to a defiant fourth position at Snetterton following a lengthy duel with Sir Stirling Moss, cementing the Brabham and Cooper name in motor racing history. This fine example has spent its life country hopping, being cared for by many loyal collectors and enthusiasts, and is highly eligible for a variety of historic racing events, coming complete with its FIA Historic Technical Passport.
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Factor E30
While we all vividly remember the boxy lines and slick-top roofline of what is arguably BMW’s greatest M Car, the E30 M3 in its standard variant was produced in the thousands, unlike this open-topped, incredibly rare variant available at Duke of London.
Finished in the stunning Macao Blue, a colour that originated from the ‘Europameister’ special edition, this 1991 E30 M3 Cabriolet is one of just 800 examples ever made and has undoubtedly been enjoyed to its fullest since new, racking up a staggering 271,000 kilometres. Despite this impressive mileage, it remains in wonderful condition throughout, and would be the perfect addition to any fanatical BMW collector’s garage!
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Blazin’ Up
Maybe it’s the novelty of spotting an American truck that has been shipped across the world at great expense to arrive in Europe, or maybe it’s just our undying love of boxy machines, but we would love to see this lifted 1972 Chevrolet Blazer hit the narrow streets of Milan or London.
Lifted is an understatement when it comes to this Blazer, its comically-short wheelbase has been lifted inches into the air, and now sits on mammoth off-road tyres. Under the hood sits a 350 cubic-inch V8 engine, complete with a turbo hydromantic automatic transmission, as well as creature comforts like power steering, power brakes, air-conditioning, and our favourite part, a fully removable hard top!
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Smooth as Butter
We often showcase cars on Market Finds for their crazy paintwork, unique modifications or racing heritage. In the case of this relatively subtle-looking 2023 Ferrari 296 GTB, it was the drop-dead gorgeous interior that secured this hybrid powerhouse’s spot in the line-up, and we think you’ll love it too.
The 296 GTB came under some heavy fire at its launch, mostly down to its all-new 120° V6 engine, something never seen on a car from Maranello before. That unique engine, coupled with a plug-in electric motor, was capable of delivering a ridiculous 830 horsepower. That figure was enough to turn the critics around, and in our humble opinion, we think the 296 GTB is a stunning-looking car. This example, finished in Grigio Ingrid, boasts a masterclass in interior design, with Alcantara filling the cabin and the iconic Daytona seats. If there was ever a car you wouldn’t want to get out of, this hybrid monster might be the one!
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