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    jeudi 3 octobre 2013

    Biggie Smalls: The tiny wonders of the Classic Driver Marketplace


    We have a penchant for luxurious, meatily engined motor cars as much as the next man or woman, but every collector should have at least one mini marvel to occupy a half-space in their garage...

    Trabant 601 with Hayabusa power
    Biggie Smalls: The tiny wonders of the Classic Driver Marketplace
    Getting on for 3 million Trabant 601s were made during its 27-year production run, but this one certainly stands head and shoulders above the rest – in performance terms at least. It’s equipped with a 1300cc Suzuki Hayabusa superbike engine in place of the usual 595cc two-cylinder, while the wider track should help to control its newfound performance a little better.
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    Morris Mini Cooper S ‘to Works ST specification’
    Biggie Smalls: The tiny wonders of the Classic Driver Marketplace
    Beginning life as a Cooper S road car, this little number has since been upgraded to Special Tuning Works specification using New Old Stock parts. Automobiles BMC describes the car as ‘the best we’ve ever seen’; a big statement considering the dealer’s dedication to Minis, which can be read about elsewhere on Classic Driver.
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    Renault 5 Turbo 2
    Biggie Smalls: The tiny wonders of the Classic Driver Marketplace
    The Renault 5 Turbo was a competent and characterful car, but many have since endured periods of insensitive ownership. New York-based dealer Autosport Designs Inc. says this example has come from a private collection that’s currently being pared down, and has less than 14,000 pampered miles on the clock.
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    Innocenti Mini 120 De Tomaso
    Biggie Smalls: The tiny wonders of the Classic Driver Marketplace
    Many will remember the cutesy Innocenti: a Bertone-styled hatchback version of the Mini produced by Leyland’s Italian subsidiary. When De Tomaso took the reins of Innocenti in 1976, a new version was produced with a more sporting character – surviving examples are rare nowadays, especially those wearing fewer than 50,000 miles like the one found here.
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    Abarth 1000 TC
    Biggie Smalls: The tiny wonders of the Classic Driver Marketplace
    The Abarth might have been based on the humble Fiat 600, but it was instantly distinguishable by the protruding radiator and always-aloft engine cover. This example retains its road-and-race-prepared set-up, and it’s awaiting the new season with FIA papers at the ready.
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    MGB GT V8
    Biggie Smalls: The tiny wonders of the Classic Driver Marketplace
    Although it seemed an obvious move to put the 3.5-litre Rover V8 engine into the old MGB, it took a long time for British Leyland to engineer a transmission that could take all that extra torque. The job was done and the MGB V8, in GT form only, went into production in 1973. With a top speed of about 125mph, it was impressive. Nearly 2,600 were built and survivors are highly prized today.
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    Sunbeam Tiger
    Biggie Smalls: The tiny wonders of the Classic Driver Marketplace
    So, we now see that micro-marvels aren’t always denied a meaty engine – the Sunbeam Tiger (the performance derivative of the Alpine) had a 4.3-litre Windsor V8 shoehorned into its engine bay, thanks in part to Carroll Shelby’s involvement. This recently restored, left-hand-drive Tiger has apparently had its identity confirmed by the Rootes Group.
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    Fiat 131 Abarth Stradale
    Biggie Smalls: The tiny wonders of the Classic Driver Marketplace
    Not only is this wide-arched Fiat 131 one of the 500 homologated Abarth ‘Stradale’ versions, it’s also claimed to be in a ‘time-warp’ condition, with fewer than 6,500 miles on the odometer.
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    Related Links
    You can search for more petite playthings in the Classic Driver Marketplace
     
    Photos: Classic Driver Dealers

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