Ultimatecarpage.com update (10-16-06)

[Wouter Melissen]

Dear Ultimatecarpage.com visitor,

Lancia's 100th anniversary has gone by almost unnoticed and to our embarrassment we have to admit that we have not given it any ink either. This week we would like to make up that lapse with an indepth look at the D24 Sport Pinin Farina Spyder; one of the finest cars produced by Lancia in those hundred years. Designed by the legendary Vittorio Jano, it was one of the most advanced sports racers of its era. Sadly the attraction of Formula 1 cut the sportscar-program short, but not before wins in the Carrera PanAmericana, Targa Florio and Mille Miglia were scored.
Yesterday the Paris Motorshow closed its doors and today we would like to wrap-up the show with a final look at some of the cars launched in the 'city of lights'. Chevrolet celebrated their first wins in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) with the very aggresively styled WTCC Ultra Concept. Skoda's Joyster concept sported a much subtler design, which might enter production. At the Aston Martin stand the new V8 Vantage Sportshift took center stage.
While it is hard to imagine after the recent successes, there have been several very bleak periods in Ferrari's racing history. The first of these started with the introduction of the three-litre regulations in 1966. To get back on track Mauro Forghieri designed the very striking, but somewhat ugly 312 B3 'Spazzaneve'. It was never raced, but it did form the basis for the 312 T range that brought Ferrari back on top. A few weeks ago we featured a massive V8-engined Benz, but we have recently come across something even more impressive; the Darracq 200hp Sprint Special. To be auctioned by Bonhams this December, it was driven to very impressive speeds by Sir Algernon Lee Guinness and is the oldest surviving V8.

Enjoy the links:

Aston Martin V8 Vantage Sportshift
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame...hp&carnum=2919

Audi TT Quattro 3.2 Coupe S-Line
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame...hp&carnum=2923

Chevrolet WTCC Ultra Concept
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame...hp&carnum=2872

Darracq 200hp Sprint Special
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame...hp&carnum=2918

Ferrari 312 B3 'Spazzaneve'
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame...hp&carnum=2922

Lancia D24 Sport Pinin Farina Spyder
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame...hp&carnum=2921

Mercedes Benz S 63 AMG
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame...hp&carnum=2924

Skoda Joyster Concept
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame...hp&carnum=2920

Regards,
Wouter Melissen