The embargo has lifted and I’m pleased to share the drive report and review of this rather special car.
Interested in what people think of an electric restomod Rolls-Royce in principle? Do you think it suits electric power more than most other restomods?
In this week’s podcast Andrew Frankel and Dan Prosser discuss 1970s sports and supercars, one of cars in question being a De Tomaso Pantera.
Overlooked by some at the time for having the temerity to use an American V8, it’s arguably now the bargain of the bunch.
Countachs have gone stratospheric, a Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer will cost you double of a Pantera, and even the common as muck Porsche 930 Turbo will cost you £200k if you want a properly sorted example.
So if you want that iconic bedroom wall poster car of the era - is the Pantera the way to go? Early project cars can go for £50k and up, whilst a gorgeous and super rare RHD GT5 with only 6k miles went for £161k (plus fees) at Iconics in February.
If you’re buying a 70s supercar, what are you going for? (And we haven’t even mentioned the Maserati Bora).
After just spotting this Cayman R with a pair of bikes on the roof, it got us thinking at Ti: what are the most entertainingly inappropriate uses of a sports car you’ve attempted? We’re thinking tip runs, Christmas tree collections, load hauling - the works.
Please share, and of course - all pics welcome.
(Thanks to @delorean4267 on IG for the DMC pic)
Andrew Frankel recently went to the south of France to drive the new DB12 S - effectively a remarketed mid-life facelift of the DB12. The embargo lifts today, so we can finally share what he thought of it:
‘When I first drove it in 2023 it was clear to me that the DB12 was both the greatest unlimited production Aston Martin of the modern era and the finest car of its type that there was. And the best thing I can tell you about the DB12 S is that the statement holds as true for this subtly, fluently and effectively revised car as it ever did.’
Is it good enough to turn round Aston Martin’s financial fortunes? Why has the company struggled so much in recent years, despite having the best range of models it’s ever had - Vantage, Vanquish, DB12 (now S) and DBX 707 all at or near the top of their respective classes?
What do you think?
As a kid I always though the difference between the Porsche 956 and 962 was easy to spot - the 956 more upright, with the high wing and short tail, the 962 sleeker with long tail and low wing.
But as Andrew describes in this week’s new Heart & Soul video, I was completely wrong. Porsche had been using short tail and long tail bodies on their sports racing cars since the 1960s - kurzheck and langheck, to use their proper titles. Seen clearly on 917s, and then on both 956s and 962s in the 1980s.
Bellof’s 956 for the insane Nurburgring lap record wore the kurzheck body for maximum downforce (more than a contemporary F1 car some sources suggest) whilst all 956/962s at Le Mans wore the langheck bodies - the later 962s clocking 240mph on the Mulsanne straight (before the chicanes were added in 1990).
The *actual* difference between 956 and 962 is the length of the wheelbase - the 962s being slightly extended to put the drivers feet behind the front axle line, as mandated by regulations. So spotting the difference comes down to the gap between the front edge of the door and the wheel arch. As Andrew says, now you know!
Which would you have, if you were in the market?
The Mercedes costs more, weighs more, and has less power. But it has two things the 911 can’t match: noise, and torque.
Some stats if it helps, for the Carrera GTS vs GT 55 in today’s Ti twin test (link in comment below)
Mercedes-AMG GT 55 Premium Plus
Engine: 3982cc, V8, naturally aspirated
Transmission: 9-speed automatic, 4WD
Power: 471bhp @ 6500rpm
Torque: 516lb ft @ 2250rpm
Weight: 1908kg (DIN)
Power-to-weight: 247bhp/tonne
0-62mph: 3.9sec
Top speed: 183mph
Price: £149,800
Porsche 911 Carrera GTS T-Hybrid
Engine: 3591cc, flat-six, turbo, hybrid
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch, RWD
Power: 533bhp
Torque: 450lb ft
Weight: 1595kg
Power-to-weight: 334bhp/tonne
0-62mph: 3.0sec
Top speed: 193mph
List price: £137,900
What is it? Well, Halcyon have taken a 1978 RR Corniche and throughly re-engineered it, including replacing the legendary 6 3/4 litre V8 with a 400bhp electric motor (and 77kWh battery)
I can’t talk about the driving experience for a couple of weeks due to embargo, but how do people feel about electric restomods generally?
Which cars might they work for, and which should most definitely be avoided? (You’ll be glad to know that the Halcyon CEO has strong feelings on this question too).
Could an electric experience be superior to a combustion one in a classic drop top RR?