Market Finds – Splendid summertime classics, from Brighton to Biarritz

With the summer fast approaching, we’re sure your thoughts are turning to the year’s holidays. We’ve chosen some of our favourite in-vogue destinations for you to ponder upon, as well as a selection of cars perfectly suited to each…

A Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Cabriolet for Lisbon

While a classic cabriolet might be all well and good on flowing open coastal roads, in the city you need something a little more reliable. Lisbon is widely regarded as one of the coolest cities in the world right now, and what better way to explore its pale stonewalled and history-steeped streets than in this Porsche 964 Carrera 2 Cabriolet? 

A HAZ Buggy for Ibiza

Ibiza’s terrain necessitates a more rugged type of vehicle, but who wants to drive a four-wheel-drive businessman’s express around in 30-degree heat? This 1969 HAZ Buggy is perhaps the perfect medium. It was one of the first HAZ Buggies built and, remarkably, has been in the same ownership from new. Whether you’re nipping for an afternoon swim at the nearest cove or spending the day traversing the beautiful island, you can’t go far wrong with the original dune buggy.

A Lancia Aurelia B20 GT for Sicily

If you’re fortunate enough to be able to spare several weeks away this summer, why not drive to your destination? This beautiful Lancia Aurelia B20 GT is currently for sale in Cologne, Germany, putting it the perfect road-trip distance away from the island of Sicily. Sure, there are more convenient – and dare we say it, reliable – cars in which to contest such a journey in high summer, but the Aurelia’s Grand Touring credentials, impossibly elegant coachwork and general air of la dolce vita make it the ideal car for snaking down through Switzerland and Italy. 

A Jaguar E-type Roadster for Brighton

Brighton has long been one of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK, thanks to its famous pebble beaches, gorgeous surrounding countryside and bohemian vibe. As such, making a statement in the city is no mean feat, though we don’t think you’d have a problem in this bright purple Jaguar E-type. It’s one of three to ever leave the factory in this shade, so you certainly won’t run the risk of seeing another while cruising along the seafront. 

A Porsche 356 Speedster for Biarritz

Saint-Tropez in a Ferrari Cal’ Spider or Monaco in a Mercedes ‘Gullwing’ a little too… clichéd? Then Biarritz might fit the bill. The so-called ‘queen of the Basque coast’, Biarritz seamlessly blends old and elegant with new and trendy – it is actually the surfing capital of Europe, in case you didn’t know. We can’t think of a better car in which to explore the city and the surrounding valleys of the Atlantic Pyrenees than this stunning (and completely original) Porsche 356 Speedster. And at the end of the day, we’re sure you’ll part the sea of VW Campers and be granted a parking spot right on the promenade. 

Numerous classic and modern cars are added to the Classic Driver Market every week. You can find them all listed here.