17 Reasons Why European Cars Are More Refined

January 4, 2015
Story By
John Brooks

Editor's Note: John's original story was originally titled as mere coverage of the automotive goodness on display at the Hampton Court Palace Concours of Elegance, I'm not sure whether he would note the European's as more "refined" as I stated in the revised title. However, in most of the stories John writes from the automotive happenings on the other side of the pond, I'm left feeling quite a Yankee as I visit car shows here held in parking lots or convention centers filled with imports or street rods. While the U.S. was hopping up Model Ts and the like for whiskey running during the Prohibition, Europeans were perfecting the sportscar at Brooklands, Nürburgring, La Sarthe, and the likes. So not only are the 17 following cars the "reasons", but in them is held the details and nuances that words can't well represent. I don't know if I'm ready to trade in my hot rod yet, but I sure wouldn't mind driving any one of these beauties across the English countryside... even if it is on the "wrong" side of the road!

Unique is a word much abused, but there is no more appropriate term to be applied to this fantastic car. An Italian Jaguar dealer, Guido Modiano, was faced with the problem of repairing a crashed XK140 and asked a friend for some help. Modiano had one advantage over the rest of us in that his friend was none other than Ugo Zagato.

Zagato worked his magic with the prospect of perhaps getting a contract with Jaguar to create some other exclusive cars. The result was so pleasing to the designer that he exhibited it at the 1957 Paris Salon, to rave reviews. No trace of the original Jaguar bodywork remained and the walnut veneer also disappeared, replaced with a suede interior.

The car then vanished - to be discovered in Florida nearly half a century later. It is now restored to its full glory and is definitely worthy of the description "unique."

Another unique Jaguar is the XK120 "Jabbeke" that on 20th October 1953 achieved a top speed of 173.159mph and a World Record for the Flying Mile of 172.412mph. The car's nickname is taken from the Belgian stretch of motorway in West Flanders that was associated with many speed record attempts. MDU 524 was subject to a crash diet and numerous aerodynamic modifications including a fighter-style Perspex bubble to go over the head of Jaguar's test driver, Norman Dewis, before regaining the record for Jaguar.

Looking into a corner I stumbled upon 007, not the chap with a "License to Kill", but a McLaren F1, chassis 007, and how can I resist?

More British automotive class, a 1953 Bentley R-Type Mulliner Drophead Coupé, looking absolutely at home in the Fountain Gardens at Hampton Court Palace.

The Boss's car... when David Brown owned Aston Martin he fancied having an estate car, being keen on hunting and having several dogs, but the standard DB5 could not accommodate the Boss and his intended cargo.

The obvious solution was to convert the latest model and hey, presto, everyone is happy! Another dozen of these practical supercars of the mid-60's were built and they are highly prized.

A veteran of Le Mans is this "Blower Bentley". Entered in 1930 by the Hon. Dorothy Paget, who in effect was the sponsor of the second Bentley team at Le Mans. The official cars were powered by normally aspirated 6.6-litre straight-six engine, the "Blowers" 4.5-litre efforts were boosted with an Amherst Villiers supercharger. Despite the best efforts of Sir 'Tim' Birkin and Jean Chassagne, the car retired on Sunday morning after a broken con rod had put a hole the crankcase, fastest lap of the race was to be the only consolation for Birkin. The real factory team scored a crushing 1-2 in the race, increasing Birkin's pain.

More competition heritage is to be found with this 1961 Ferrari 250 SWB, boasting a top five finishing record in both the Tour de France and the Targa Florio of that time. Great efforts had been made to reduce weight, including 1.1mm aluminium bodywork that was styled by Pininfarina and constructed by Scaglietti, a short wheel base and some engine components cast in magnesium.

The final word in pre-war Italian Grand Prix cars was the Maserati Tipo 8CTF, that nearly caused a huge upset by leading the all-conquering Silver Arrows (Auto Union and Mercedes-Benz) at their home Grand Prix on the Nürburgring in 1939 before succumbing to spark plug issues and dropping to third.

Perhaps even more important in Italian motor racing legend is the 1933 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza. The car, designed by Vittorio Jano, won the Italian Grand Prix, Le Mans 24 Hours (four times), plus the Targa Florio and the Mille Miglia. It is also the car that launched a new force in motorsport, Scuderia Ferrari.

Italian sportscars are always popular and desirable, few more so than this Siata 8V 208 CS Spider Corsa styled by Bertone. Powered by a Fiat 2-litre all alloy V8, this expensive and exclusive machine was dubbed "The Little Ferrari" by none other than Steve McQueen. One would need to be a mega film star to be able to afford this hand built rarity. George? Brad?

Another pioneering Italian is this 1934 Fiat 508S Balilla, arguably the first small sportscar. This lightweight coupé powered by 1-litre four cylinder engine encouraged many to take up motor sport, with great results at Le Mans and Spa 24 Hours plus classic events such the Monte Carlo Rally, Mille Miglia, Targa Florio and Ulster Tourist Trophy.

More Italian flair and style, this time on an unlikely recipient, a Mercedes-Benz 300B with a special body, the work of Pininfarina, with the approval of the German factory. The two tone paint scheme and pillar-less bodywork creates a unique and graceful version of the top of the range Mercedes from the '50s.

A direct contemporary of the beautiful 300B is this 300SL "Alloy" Gullwing Coupé. The 300SL was something of a pioneer in production road car history, being the first to have fuel injection, gull wing doors and a proper spaceframe. The above car is one of 29 racing specials built with an all alloy body, a competition version of the 3-litre six cylinder engine and racing suspension. It is another veteran of the Mille Miglia, hence the starting time painted on the car.

More Mercedes magic with this pair. UW 302 is a 1929 Mercedes-Benz 710 S Grand Prix that Rudi Caracciola, one of the sport's legends, drove to win the 1929 RAC Tourist Trophy at Ards, near Belfast. The car, powered by a 7-litre straight six engine, also ran at many other events such as the Irish Grand Prix, Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb and the Mille Miglia.

Bugatti represented one of the high points of pre-war French automotive elegance and this T57 Coupé with a pillar-less coachwork from Paul Née is as fine an example of this stunning car as exists.

The T57 was the work of Jean Bugatti, Ettore's son, and here is another fine example, this time an Atalante Cabriolet. This shows the versatility of the basic design, the engine, a 3.3 straight eight could be normally aspirated or supercharged according to the owner's preference. Proof of the ultimate performance of the Bugatti T57 is to be found in the overall victory at the 1937 Le Mans 24 Hours with Jean-Pierre Wimille and Robert Benoist driving. Inspirational stuff.

Inspiration was also very much on the mind of this Delage's coachbuilder, Jean-Henri Labourdette, and clearly the source was nautical as is indicated by the label skiff attached to its name.The lightweight bodywork is constructed like a boat with ash ribs cross-planked with triple layers of rich mahogany. The timing of Delage's entry to the luxury end of the car market was unfortunate with the Wall Street Crash just around the corner.

While we could go on, I won't cause my American neighbors any more envy... until next time at least.

The Concours of Elegance is rumoured to be heading North for 2015, with Edinburgh Castle being the speculators' favourite destination, we shall see. The biggest problem facing the organisers is how to match the fantastic display seen this year at Hampton Court Palace, I am confident that they will clear that hurdle.

17 Reasons Why European Cars Are More Refined

What Others Are Reading

Recommended For You