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THE LAST TRAIN TO CALAIS

You may, if you wish, complain that this classic cars site has too many blogs about railway trains. Get used to it, folks. I'm not deserting my enthusiasm for vintage automobiles but I'm also a train/plane/ship enthusiast with a fascination for historic transportation. The mere sound of a distant train whistle or diesel engine horn can bring me to tears. Not that I get to hear any, for Vancouver Island has all but deserted its railway heritage. One train a day, north and south, each way. Idiots.

Nevertheless I'm eager to help promote the sale of a magnificent railway painting by Terence Cuneo in the Modern Paintings auction on 20th September, 2011, at Bonhams Knightsbridge. The Golden Arrow was a luxury boat train that ran between London’s Victoria station and Dover.  Passengers would then take the ferry across the Channel to Calais and complete their journey to Paris by another train, the Fleche d’Or. Between September 1939 and April 1946 the Golden Arrow ceased to run because of the war, but in 1951 it had a new set of Pullman cars built as part of the celebrations of the Festival of Britain. The train made its final journey in September 1972.

Famed for his paintings of trains, horses and military action, Cuneo (1907-1996) was also distinguished for being the official artist of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. A statue of him stands at Waterloo Station.

I'm in awe of this painting, estimated to sell for £40,000-60,000, for it expresses a past that contemporary travelers will never enjoy, although the high-speed "Chunnel" train is an experience in itself. I've been a passenger on that one and, with my family, one of the last to travel on a 70's ferry train from Victoria Station to Basle, Switzerland, en route to an alpine ski holiday.

 

RIDE THE RAILS TO THE GREAT GLENMOOR GATHERING

I've blogged before about the advantages of traveling to a concours or motor race by train. But rarely does the opportunity arise to make the trip on a train pulled by a restored steam engine. That's why I think Nigel Matthews is one lucky guy, for he'll be judging at Canton, Ohio's 2011 Glenmoor Gathering and could choose to arrive on a Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad train pulled by the Nickel Plate Berkshire NKP 765—the largest operating steam locomotive east of the Mississippi.

Having said that, I doubt Nigel's judging responsibilities will allow time, as the excursion begins at Rockside Station on Sunday, Sept. 18 at 8:15 a.m., arriving in Canton at 11:30 a.m. for a bus shuttle to the Glenmoor Gathering. The shuttle will return passengers to the Canton station at 3:30 p.m. for the return trip to Rockside station at 6:30 p.m. Believe me, if I could afford to fly to Ohio from Vancouver Island for the weekend, I'd be on that train, happy to spend just three hours at the concours for the pleasure of riding behind a great steam engine.

Those of you with the time to spare can, however, have a lovely weekend at the Glenmoor Gathering, one of North America's finest classic car shows. You could start on Friday from 3-4 p.m., with a presentation on the history of the famed Chrysler Turbine car by Steve Lehto, author of Chrysler Turbine: The Rise and Fall of Detroit's Coolest Car. On Saturday you could take in a special bonus of the 2011 Gathering weekend; a Classic Car Club of America Grand Classic, sponsored by the Ohio Region of the CCCA.

And then, on Sunday, you can delight in what I think must be a highlight of the concours year. Featured classes will be "Avant Garde: Early Front-Wheel Drive," "Sixteen-Cylinder Motorcars" and "The Automobiles of Darrin," including a group of 1938-42 Packard Darrin automobiles. The front-wheel-drive class will include examples of the legendary Cord, Ruxton, Citroen Traction Avant, a Miller race car, and several early front-wheel drive automobiles. One of the most unique FWD cars on display will be a 1937 Cord 812 owned by legendary Western film star Tom Mix, recently restored to its original condition.

Much as he must have loved his Cord 812, you can be sure that the celluloid cowboy traveled many a mile by rail, as most people did in those years. Come to think of it, a highlight of many westerns came when the bad guys attempted to rob a railway train.

VANCOUVER JOINS UK AND MONTEREY WITH SUPERCAR AND CLASSICS SHOW

Vancouver, BC has always been a beautiful city, located, as it is, next to the ocean and the mountains and with clement Pacific Northwest weather: little snow, rarely too hot. That's what drew me here decades ago when I'd become tired of Toronto's bland architecture and freezing winters. Over the years I went back and forth, never able to make a satisfactory living in BC yet always keen to get away from the old home town. There was also a lengthy period when my family and I lived in New York and then in London, and those were wonderful times but for entirely different reasons.

During the period when I first arrived and today, the city of Vancouver changed enormously. Impelled by the success of Expo 86, by its celebrated World Fair and by the recent winter Olympics, enriched by the bankrolls of a wave of Hong Kong immigrants, Vancouver has become one of North America's most modern cities. It also employs the continent's most advanced transportation system. All of which makes Vancouver an appropriate location for a relatively new kind of automobile show combining spectacular "supercars" with elegant classics. It is being developed in the same fashion as England's Salon Privé, and Monterey car week's The Quail.

Officially titled "The Shaughnessy Concours d'Elegance (subtitled Luxury+Supercar Weekend)" it takes place on the lawns of Van Dusen Botanical Gardens on Sep 10-11, an elegant setting, though without the background of Syon House, the London home of The Duke of Northumberland, or California's Quail Lodge. No, Vancouver doesn't have it all but never mind, the Gardens are quite lovely. The Shaughnessy Concours d'Elégance will commemorate both the 125th Anniversary of the invention of the Automobile and Vancouver's 125th Birthday. New models will include the spectacular CLS 63 AMG from Mercedes-Benz, the stunning LFA supercar from Lexus, the latest Porsche GT3 ALMS race cars, and the all-new electric Fisker Karma. Marque1 contributor Nigel Matthews says the new McLaren MP4-12C, having just been unveiled at Pebble Beach, will be there.

In addition the "2011 Shaughnessy Concours d'Elégance at VanDusen Botanical Garden" will present a collection of priceless classics, competing for the Best of Show award. Nigel (just returned from judging at Pebble Beach), is in charge of choosing both the supercars and the concours entrants. Assigned by classes they include Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwings, Coupes and Roadsters; Rolls-Royce – the 100th Anniversary of the Spirit of Ecstasy; Ferrari Front-Engine Sports and Racing Cars; the 50th Anniversary of the E-Type Jaguar. Germany and Italy will be equally well represented

The organisers assure us that this event will be "the city’s most stylish garden party by day, where you can enjoy lunch al-fresco while sipping on fine wines and modern cocktails while the evenings will heat up with a series of gourmet dinners at Le Crocodile, Hawksworth, and II Giardino, along with access to late night parties at Republic and Bar None."

Hmmm... quite an adventurous schedule for a first try but there's little reason to believe it won't succeed, even in today's economic climate. If I could offer just one suggestion to the organisers it would be this: "Shaughnessy Concours d'Elégance at VanDusen Botanical Garden" is far too long and awkward to spell. Next year make it shorter. Salon Privé is short, even if most North Americans don't know how to position the accent. The Quail is delightfully short and memorable. Try "The Van Dusen Supercar and Classics Weekend." Sooner or later, probably sooner if the event succeeds, it will become known as "The Van Dusen." You could hardly ask for more.

VOISIN AERODYNE SURPRISE WINNER AT PEBBLE BEACH

The 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance judges named a most unusual car as Best of Show, but the 1934 Voisin C-25 Aerodyne certainly was a deserving champion. While we may have seen more beautiful and more elegant winners in the past, this Voisin (actually any Voisin) is totally unique, not just another great classic but a truly innovative automobile. Gabriel Voisin was deeply involved in aircraft design and when he turned to building cars he brought with him some of the same engineering concepts.

"The Voisin is a four-door closed car, so it's actually an unexpected winner,” said Concours Chairman Sandra Button. "However, the car’s remarkable attention to detail brought it forward during judging and it became a real crowd pleaser. The Voisin automobiles are always influenced by the fact that Gabriel Voisin came from the world of aviation. There was so much craftsmanship in everything he put together. For Voisin, form follows function, and this car features an amazing, interesting upholstery and interior."

Owner Peter Mullin, an avowed French car collector, said "winning with the Voisin is the most special, significant, rewarding thing that’s ever happened to me… outside of marrying my wife (and the Voisin’s co-owner) Merle. There’s nothing like the Voisin interior. You can’t print the fabric in this car; you have to loom it. This interior is going to last a long time." It's the first Pebble Beach Concours Best of Show win for Mullin in 27 appearances at the annual event. Competitors came from 30 states, the District of Columbia, 14 countries and the principality of Monaco.

[Photo: © 2011 by Kimball Studios/Courtesy of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance]

UPGRADING OUR RAILWAYS MEANS UPGRADING STATIONS, TOO

Here in North America it's difficult enough persuading politicians to spend money on updating the railway system, let along refurbishing a station. In England, however, they appreciate the convenience and speed of traveling by rail and so, a massive and spectacular upgrading of London's Kings Cross station is underway, timed for spring, 2012. Fortunately the design, by John McAslan + Partners, fully respects the historic nature of Kings Cross and will include a meticulous restoration of the original Victorian buildings that made up the complex.

Wallpaper Magazine, which has a feature article on the station in its latest issue, says "the beautiful old Parcels Building for example, long in disuse, will now be restored to its former glory and converted into a pub. 'People often underestimate the difficulty of working with a grade II listed building', says architect John McAslan. 'It's a bit like archaeology really.' " The magazine goes on to inform us that "the new concourse's roof is no doubt going to be a show-stealing feature. Created by McAslan's team together with the valuable engineering expertise of Arup, it's an impressive white shell-shaped vaulted structure, almost twice the size of the British Museum Great Court's roof."

The original main entrance on the west side is being revived as a key circulation point while the current south entrance will be the main exit, leading to the new open square by Stanton Williams. A fascinating glass bridge for walking across platforms is now almost ready for the final opening. Product and signposting will be incorporated for a neater interior, and the area where trains arrive and depart will feature photovoltaic panels on its glazed roof.

If there's one thing I wish about the new Kings Cross it's that a few dozen North American politicians, particularly those of a conservative stripe, could be in the station after it opens. Too much to hope for? Not entirely, as the 2012 Olympics will surely attract at least a few and maybe, just maybe, they will ride one of Britain's fast rail trains to, say, York, for a little sightseeing. The world's greatest railway museum is in York, next to the mainline station, and perhaps they might learn something there, too.

WORLD RECORD PRICES SET AT MONTEREY AUCTIONS

Ah, those rich boys are at it again, trading their valuable toys for millions of dollars and perhaps using those millions to purchase something that intrigues them even more. Nigel Matthews reports from Monterey that two of the weekend's top sellers, a Ferrari race car and a Mercedes-Benz roadster, sold for record-breaking prices. Fantastic automobiles, of course, and aside from being created in different eras, utterly different in purpose.

The Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa prototype, offered at Gooding & Co's Pebble Beach event, set an automobile auction record at $14.9 million. (What was that about a world economic crisis? Come to think of it, how many children would $14.9 million feed in Somalia?). Assembled in 1957, this famous Testa Rossa competed in the Le Mans 24-hour race as well as in endurance races in Argentina and Venezuela. Its curvaceous red body and 12-cylinder engine made the Testa Rossa the most popular Ferrari racing model during the 1950s and 1960s. "This model won almost all races entered between 1957 and 1963," said Marcel Massini, a Swiss-based Ferrari historian, in a telephone interview. “It’s an iconic car and an iconic design.”

Meanwhile, over at RM's Monterey affair, a new world record was achieved for a Mercedes-Benz at auction, one of twelve cars sold for individual million-dollar-plus results. The star of the night, a truly beautiful 1937 Mercedes-Benz 540K Spezial Roadster, chassis number 154140, attracted spirited bidding in the room and on the phones, selling for an impressive $9,680,000 to applause from the crowd. The 540K was joined by four other supercharged eight-cylinder Mercedes-Benz automobiles from the 1930s, each fetching multi-million-dollar results.

I find Nigel's photo of the 540K, taken outside the auction stage, rather amusing because of the row of utterly humble automobiles lined up on the opposite side of the road. Perhaps because I'll never have the money to play with the big boys, I'd be absolutely delighted to own one of these old beauties. Your choice of car, and as my birthday's on the 31st of this month if you'd care to buy me one as a gift I'll send you my address. Heck, I'll happily come and pick it up.

[Photos: Nigel Matthews]

CLASSIC CARS MOVE INDOORS WITH THE 2ND ANNUAL GEORGIA OCEANS & AUTOS SHOW

Those of us who live north of Dixie usually experience things like cold, snow, rain, and gray skies from November to April. It's the season called "winter" and it can be quite enchanting but all too often winter is depressing. Especially knowing that there'll be no car shows or concours to keep us amused until sunny days arrive again. However there exist a few enlightened souls in other parts of the world who realise that classic car shows can be held indoors. They do it in Paris with Retromobile. They do a great indoor show in Essen, Germany. They do it with the fabulous racing car show in England. And now they do it in Atlanta, Georgia. With a whale of a difference.

The Georgia Aquarium will be holding its second annual "Oceans & Autos" Classic Car Show from October 22-23, 2011. The Aquarium's magnificent Oceans Ballroom is a most unusual venue for automobiles but proves, once again, that a classic show does not have to be held in a grassy field or on a golf course or on the street. To quote the Aquarium, "guests, automobile collectors and car enthusiasts alike can enjoy some of the world’s most extraordinary vehicles set against the enchanting backdrop of whale sharks and beluga whales."

Appropriately, one of the cars will be Chevrolet's 1961 Mako Shark concept vehicle that lent its lines to future Corvettes. Resembling a species of sea life habitants, the Mako Shark is regarded as one of the most influential in history and is rarely seen away from Michigan’s General Motors Heritage Museum. In addition, collectors from across the Southeast will display up to 40 rare examples of global automotive design and manufacturing. Obviously the above Auburn Speedster is included. I must also mention that the Georgia Aquarium features live jazz on Friday evenings, sponsored by automaker Kia. Modern jazz and classic cars? A whale of a combo, if you'll pardon the pun.

ALWAYS FAST, ALWAYS POWERFUL. STUTZ 100TH ANNIVERSARY HONORED AT PEBBLE BEACH

Even as a kid I'd heard of the Stutz Bearcat. From the time it was introduced the Bearcat was the epitome of a real American sports car: a hairy beast built with only one thing in mind: to go fast. As the Stutz company grew it expanded into closed coupes, sedans, 5-passenger speedsters, town cars, and in 1933, the Model DV-32 Bearcat roadster with dual overhead-cams and 32 valves. But regardless of which body style it carried, every Stutz was powerful and impressive. This year Stutz marks its 100th anniversary and, appropriately, is the honoured marque at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

The 1920 Stutz Bearcat, above, wasn't much more than two seats with an engine, gas tank, and a bare-essentials look that telegraphed its true intent, whereas that 33 DV-32 Bearcat, a stubby roadster with a short wheelbase and a long engine, guaranteed to exceed 100 mph, had become much more refined. Stutz cars were successful racers, too. The Black Hawk won everything in sight to become 1927 AAA stock car champion. In 1928 it was America's fastest production car, with a two-way average of 106.53 on the sands of Daytona. It did, however, lose a match race at Indy against a Hispano-Suiza.

But Stutz cars were not inexpensive (note the 2-seat and 4-seat Black Hawks in this brochure) and inevitably the depression cut into sales, which even in the best year (1921: 3,860 built) were fairly low volume. In spite of the variety of models, only 1500 cars were produced until Stutz was forced to quit, with the last cars made in 1935, even though a 1936 model had been announced. Nevertheless Stutz remains one of the hallowed names among classic American automobiles and seeing the survivors gathered on the lawns of Pebble Beach should be a treat for those in attendance. The New York Times Wheels section features a slide show of famous Stutz cars. Click here to view it.

[Credits: 1920 Bearcat - Bonhams; 1928 Black Hawk Speedsters Brochure - Collection of Steve Hayes]

FOR BETTER MASS TRANSIT CALL BMW

You're already aware, if you visit Marque1 with some frequency, that I'm very supportive of mass transit. Yes, I know we "car guys" are allegedly opposed to anything that threatens our right to drive and thus we resent transportation tax dollars being spent on anything but highways and bridges. But the reality is that industrialised nations must have a balanced system, one which recognises the advantages of streetcars, subways, elevated transit, high speed rail, and even waterborne transportation.

That's why I was delighted to learn that San Francisco's Bay Area Rapid Transit system, also known as BART, is to be substantially upgraded. But wait... the work will be done by BMW! To be more precise, by the BMW Group's DesignworksUSA studio. In fact BMW is one of several European and Japanese car companies providing design services for a wide range of non-automotive products. A good designer, after all, is capable of lending his or talents to more than automobiles. The project will include facelifting both the interior and exterior of the existing trains, as well as sprucing up the 44 stations they service. But it won't be the first step into mass transit for the "ultimate driving machine," BMW having performed a similar task in Warsaw, Poland.

Here's why I'm so pleased that BMW got the job. Too many North Americans stubbornly resist using public transportation, even if it means wasting hours crawling along freeways, paying small fortunes for fuel, and even risking the possibility of accidents in the daily commute. But give them a transit system that looks fast and comfortable and yes, they can be persuaded. So who better to create such an environment than a company with a history of building fast and beautiful automobiles?

As of this writing, DesignworksUSA has submitted several proposals. One maximises standing room, another offers more seating. My experience, having spent countless hours in the subway cars of Toronto, Montreal, New York, London and now Vancouver, is that riders don't mind standing if there's convenient "hang on" space and the doors can be easily accessed. (If you've ever been jammed in a rush hour subway crowd and wondered how in heck you can reach the doors when your station arrives you know what I mean. I hope BMW and BART will keep that in mind.)

Three interior designs have been suggested. The first, above, is the most conventional but offers more seats along with some interesting innovations. It can seat 56 seats on "cab" cars, 68 seats on other cars, the same as most BART cars today. The seats are easier to clean and wipeable, featuring a contoured shape with a center armrest (at last, a way to keep that oversize seat-mate in place!), plus headrests on the window seats. Floors are clean and durable—no musty carpets. And here's an idea that anyone who ever worried about finding their stop will appreciate: Digital destination, next stop, and transfer information is in the window areas.

Incidentally, I've only ridden BART once, and not as a commuter. En route from the Palm Springs concours to Victoria, BC two years ago, I was stuck with a 4-hour layover. Rather than hang around the airport I rode a BART train to downtown San Francisco, walked the streets for an hour, enjoyed a coffee and croissant, and returned in time for my United Express flight. The train was reasonably comfortable and yet I kept thinking that it could be better. I'm pleased that San Francisco now agrees, and happy that one of my favorite car companies will provide the magic.

 

RATIONALE FOR BIDDING ON A 1961 PORSCHE 356B CABRIOLET

Like most people I occasionally do things for sentimental reasons. Not always with good results but that's what happens when you have romantic genes in your makeup. Well, what the heck, I'd rather be foolish and have fun than be practical and bored. That's why, among the many fabulous cars being auctioned at Russo and Steele's 11th Annual "Sports & Muscle at The Marriott" in Downtown Monterey, California this August, I've selected a 1961 Porsche 356B Cabriolet, being offered without reserve.

The sentimentality behind this choice? In 1961 I was assistant public relations manager of Volkswagen and Porsche in Canada, a job that brought me into contact with many international race drivers and even allowed a private half-hour interview with Ferry Porsche. My personal car was a stock 356B coupe that I raced against modified competitors with little success but that eventually brought me, in unmodifieds, a third, second, and finally a first overall. That car, silver like the auction Porsche, was also my daily driver. I loved it and freely admit to being an idiot for letting her go.

It is often forgotten that the 356B was available in several configurations. The Convertible D was one. The Coupe, obviously. The Cabriolet, with it's thickly padded top and other comforts was another, though not as popular as the lighter convertible. Note that the Russo & Steele car is a cabriolet. Rarest of all was the Hardtop, Porsche's attempt at keeping up with Detroit's hot-selling "hardtop convertibles." Not as sleekly aerodynamic as the fastback coupe, it would be a car worth owning if you're a collector.

Getting back to the auction car, what Russo & Steele refers to as "chassis 154251" was built on 11/02/1960 and sold as a 1961 model. The engine and transmission numbers match what is in the car today. The body is in excellent condition with no signs of accident damage or rust. Also on file are over twenty years of receipts that tell the story of meticulous maintenance and a thorough restoration. The 1600 "Normal" engine was rebuilt to "Super" specification. The interior was trimmed by well-known Porsche expert Thomas Pocious. That near-flawless silver paint was applied just a few years ago by a 356 specialist in Laguna Beach. The body is in excellent shape, while new wheels and tires and recent brake work ensure the car is ready for everyday driving.

For a semi-retired automobile journalist, ownership of such cars is beyond reach. But if I were favoured with the means to do so, those sentimental genes would have me bidding on this lovely Porsche Cabriolet. I can't help but wonder what will motivate the eventual buyer.