Category Archives: Design

Behold: the 1961 Jaguar E-Type roadster – beautifully restored with a red leather interior, a full complement of Smiths gauges and a flawlessly resprayed exterior with minimal panel gaps.

Under the hood – the legendary 3.8-litre inline-six mated to a partially synchronised five-speed manual transmission.

In short, a considerably better vehicle than the one which rolled off the assembly line at Coventry 60 years ago. And that’s saying something.

Up for auction at Sotheby’s in London next month. Opening bids tbc.

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Behold: the Bandit9 Supermarine – a first production model from a former Saigon-based custom shop.

Built from the ground up, the lightweight  7075 aluminium alloy frame has a 900cc or 1200cc Triumph Twin engine (capable of 210km/h) and a choice of suspension setups and ABS brakes. The wind tunnel-sculpted bodywork comes in race spec ABS plastic, high-strength resin or carbon fibre.

Each bike is made to order, so price on application.

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Behold: the N-Compo – a dinky camper van conversion of Honda’s already dinky N-Van ultra-mini by Japanese modifiers White House.

Available in single and multi-sleeper variants, the N-Compo fits a lot into its tiny interior including seat-supported twin beds, sink, shelves, microwave, collapsible dining table, folding workstation, built-in refrigerator and a rear screen door.

There’s also a pop-up top, a fold-out side awning and an expandable privacy tent for adding ‘outdoor patio space’. All this in a vehicle shorter than an MX-5.

Yours for ¥2,234,100* (because, for now, it’s only available in Japan).

(*€17,300) 

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Behold: the 1993 Jaguar XJ220. One owner. Low mileage. Mint condition.

This car, in Moza Red over a Sand interior, was delivered new to a customer in Germany in 1994 and immediately stored in a climate controlled collection.

Never registered, treated to a full engine recondition, it has travelled less than 640km in the last 28 years and changed hands at this year’s Goodwood Festival for a record €537,500.

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Behold: the Vinci – an e-bike prototype designed by mechanical engineer and industrial designer Enzo Prathamesh, currently funding via Kickstarter.

The aluminium-alloy top frame tube houses an LED headlight and brake light cluster along with a 48v, 15Ah lithium battery mounted under the seat which powers a 750w rear hub-mounted motor.  Charge is good for 50km of throttle-only riding, or up to 80km of pedal-assist at 32km/h (eco) and 56km/h (sport mode). 

There’s a colour LCD in the tube indicating speed and charge, a seven-speed drivetrain Shimano gearset, front and rear suspension and fat Kenda tires.

Yours to preorder for $1,150 (€980)

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Behold: the Brabus ‘Rocket Edition’ AMG GLE – purportedly the fastest production SUV on the planet.

Based on the Mercedes GLE 63S, the the twin-turbo 4.5L V8 has been thoroughly reworked, developing a terrifying 900bhp, surging to 100km/h in 3.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 330km/h.

Other Brabus goodies include an Airmatic Sports suspension controller, carbon fibre components, carbon-titanium tailpipes and gigantic 24in (61cm) wheels with carbon aero discs. The interior is Alcantra, carbon fibre and fine leather with red anodised metal accents. 

Only 25 will be built and yours will cost a minimum of €381,243.

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Behold: the 992-generation Porsche 911 Targa – further refined by Italian coach builder ARES. The impressive 911 stance is modified with a carbon fibre aero kit adding 8cm of width in the front and 4cm at the rear. The stock interior has been replaced with caramel leather and a further 60bhp has been pumped out of the already rorty 379bhp boxer engine.

The vehicle is a commission for a private buyer so you can’t have it, but you can order your own bespoke one-off here.

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Behold: the 2008 Spyker C8 Laviolette coupe – a hand-built, mid-engine supercar powered by a 4.2-litre Audi V8. 300 of these were made between 2000 and 2008, with just 58 of these variants named after Belgian engineer Joseph Valentin Laviolette, who helped develop Spyker racecars in the early 1900s.

The aircraft gun port style air intakes, toggle switches and aluminium panelling are a nod to the Dutch company’s previous incarnation as a plane manufacturer.

This vehicle, in mint condition with a diamond-quilted black leather interior, Burnt Orange exterior and less than 800km on the clock comes up for auction next month with opening bids expected between €260,000 and €340,000.

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Behold: the only running and driving example of three (maybe four) surviving 1985 F-series prototypes of the legendary Porsche 959.

Used for testing the 959’s electrical systems and weather resistance, the five speed 450bhp supercar has a ruby red paint job, a wine leather interior and a mere 26,520km on the clock.

Unlike the final production model, this vehicle (dubbed F7) lacks power steering, rear seatbacks and a passenger-side mirror, none of which will affect the price.

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Behold: the Wally Why200 – a wide-bodied 24m yacht with a vast 200 square metres of internal space – twice that of similarly long, normally proportioned übertubs.

You get a spacious lounge area, a dining room, four guest cabins, and room for a crew of five and an owner’s suite in the bow completely wrapped with panoramic glazing. Outside, there’s another 144 square metres of deck space with fold-out wings for an expansive beach club and two garages for all your water toys.

Catch it at the Ferretti Group Private Preview while you attend this year’s Monaco Yacht Show.

Price tba (not that you’re the type of vulgar cove who’d even ask).

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