From Malibu to Saint Tropez - the best buggies for the beach

Simon de Burton longs for the days when we could drive on the beach without being apprehended by the long arm of the law. Here he sums up his best of beach transport, on the sand and… in the air. No, seriously.

Remember when... ?

There are many things you can't do in our modern, progressive world that you used to be allowed to do, 40 or 50 years ago. And a lot of them involve cars - like, for instance, driving on the beach. I've only ever done that once (legally) and it was in Australia.

But back in the day, one gets the impression that there were almost as many cars built for beach life as there were boats built for the sea. It was a trend kicked off by the Californian engineer and artist Bruce Meyers who, in 1964, produced the original 'Meyers Manx' beach buggy by bolting a glassfibre tub to the shortened chassis of a VW Beetle.

McQueen and the Manx

With fat tyres and the weight of the engine over the back wheels, the Manx positively surfed the sand and spawned a whole genre of similar machines  - including, of course, the legendary 'Queen Manx' that took to the air with Steve McQueen at the wheel (and Faye Dunaway be-scarfed in the passenger seat) in one of the more memorable scenes from The Thomas Crown Affair.

But while McQueen's buggy packed a 200-horsepower, flat-six Chevrolet Corvair engine, the cars in which Europe's riviera set tended to head for the dunes were small and built more for style than speed.

A Jolly good fellow

Take, for example, the shamelessly comical 'Jolly' which was a conversion of the Fiat 500, 600 and Multipla, carried out  - at considerable expense - by coachbuilder Ghia. Sold around the world, these miniscule cars with sand- and sea-repellent wicker seats, easy access, cut-down sides and absurd, fringe-laden 'Surrey' tops proved hugely popular with yacht owners (including Aristotle Onassis) for haring around ports and between beach and villa.

The darling of the jet set

Likewise the Mini Moke, with its doorless body, canopy roof and nippy Mini mechanicals, rose from its original position of failed military vehicle ('not fit for purpose', said the Army procurement board) to become the default wheels for jet-setters all the way from the Caribbean to the Cote d'Azur - not least, as our shot of Brigitte Bardot and canine friends demonstrates, because the Moke was a practical load-lugger as well as being 'très bon' fun. 

French kicks 'sur la plage'

Indeed, the French have proved rather good at making beach cars themselves, notably in the form of Renault's '4'-based Rodeo and the Citroën Mehari, a Moke-like creation based on a 2CV platform which had a tendency to take off when a high wind caught its canopy - but didn't, unfortunately, fly nearly so stylishly as the Queen Manx.

Photos: Getty Images / Rex Features /  Citroën  / Artcurial, Bonhams, Gooding, RM Sotheby's

Are you beach-ready now? Take a look at our 10 favourite beach cars currently for sale in the Classic Driver Market.

Is John Cooper's last car the ultimate Mini Cooper?

A rather special (and not to mention fast) Mini Cooper is now available in the Classic Driver Market. According to the vendor, this 1998 Mini Cooper S is the last car tuned by John Cooper ‘himself’…

 

Motor racing know-how

The late John Cooper, legendary Mini specialist and co-founder of British racing car manufacturer Cooper Car Company, first modified a Mini in 1961. His high-performance variants of the highly popular Mini later became world-famous following starring roles in the 1969 film, The Italian Job.The sale of this particular Mini Cooper S by Paris-based My Mini Revolution marks an exciting opportunity to acquire the last car owned by the legendary designer and tuner – featuring many unique performance parts. The car's odometer shows just 1,980 miles and, supposedly, more than £25,000 has been spent on the engine alone!

Photos: My Mini Revolution

View the entire range of classic Minis for sale in the Classic Driver Market.

échec.........

The road to Le Mans: Riley Motorsports-TI Auto /

Aux 24 Heures du Mans 2015, Michelin est partenaire de 20 teams que nous présentons jusqu’au début de la semaine mancelle. Premier réserviste, le team américain Riley Motorsports a été repêché par l’ACO et la SRT Viper GTS-R a trouvé place parmi les LM GTE Am.

Bâti par Bob et Bill Riley sur les fondations de Reynard Motorsport et Riley&Scott, Riley Technologies est un constructeur américain de voitures de course réputé pour ses châssis Daytona-Prototype engagés en championnat Grand-Am.

Riley Technologies a également participé au développement de la Mazda RX-8 GT et de la Chevrolet Corvette GT2… Jadis, Bob Riley a travaillé sur le programme Ford GT 40, et plus récemment sur celui de Cadillac LM P1 au Mans.

Il y a une vingtaine d’années, Reynard Motorsport avait contribué au développement de la Chrysler Viper GTS en collaboration avec Oreca qui en avait engagé avec succès aux 24 Heures du Mans.

Lorsque le groupe Fiat-Chrysler a souhaité revenir en Endurance fin 2012, via sa structure de course interne SRT Motorsport, c’est Riley Technologies qui fut chargé du développement de la nouvelle SRT Viper GTS-R.

En fin de saison dernière, après avoir conquis les titres Teams et Pilotes GTLM en Tudor United SportsCar Championship avec Michelin, le groupe Fiat-Chrysler a annoncé l’arrêt du programme officiel SRT Motorsports. Bill Riley s’est alors porté acquéreur d’une SRT Viper GTS-R dans l’espoir de l’engager au Mans.

Car parallèlement à ses deux campagnes américaines, SRT Motorsports avait participé aux 24 Heures du Mans 2013. Alors, malgré l’arrêt du programme officiel, l’ACO a retenu l’engagement d’une SRT Viper GTS-R par Riley Motorsports dans la liste des suppléants.

Le forfait d’un concurrent a finalement permis d’intégrer la GT américaine au mois d’avril en catégorie LM GTE Am. La SRT Viper GTS-R N°53 est engagée par Riley Motorsports-TI Auto, en partenariat avec ViperExchange. Pour ce team, la saison 2015 a débuté par une victoire en catégorie GTD aux 24 Heures du Daytona.

We’ll be counting down the days to the 2015 Le Mans 24 Hours by presenting each of Michelin’s partner teams at this year’s race. The American team Riley Motorsports was first reserve on the ACO’s original list but its SRT Viper GTS-R has been given a slot in the LM GTE Am class.

Riley Technologies was established by Bob and Bill Riley on the foundations of Reynard Motorsport and Riley&Scott. It is known for its Daytona-Prototype chassis which competes in the USA’s Grand-Am series.

The company also played a big part in developing the Mazda RX-8 GT and Chevrolet Corvette GT2, while Bob Riley previously worked on the Ford GT 40 programme and, more recently, the Le Mans Cadillac LM P1.

Around 20 years ago, Reynard Motorsport contributed to the development of the Chrysler Viper GTS in association with Oreca which ran one successfully at Le Mans.

When the Fiat-Chrysler group sought to return to endurance racing at the end of 2012 through its in-house SRT Motorsport racing department, Riley Technologies was tasked with developing the new SRT Viper GTS-R.

At the end of last season, after winning both the GTLM Teams’ and Drivers’ titles with Michelin in the Tudor United SportsCar Championship, Fiat-Chrysler announced the withdrawal of the SRT Motorsports programme which included an entry for the 2013 Le Mans 24 Hours in addition to its two American campaigns. Bill Riley managed to obtain one of the SRT Viper GTS-Rs with a view to racing at Le Mans.

The Riley Motorsports entry was originally included on this year’s reserve list but a withdrawal in April provided an opening for the American car in the LM GTE Am class. The N°53 SRT Viper GTS-R is being run by Riley Motorsports-TI Auto in association with ViperExchange. The team kicked off its 2015 season with the GTD win at the 24 Hours of Daytona.

Car entered for the 2015 Le Mans 24 Hours

N°53 SRT Viper GTS-R (LM GTE Am): Jeroen Bleekemolen / Ben Keating / Marc Miller

Le Mans record

1998: 1^st GT2, Viper GTS-R Oreca (Bell/Donohue/Drudi)

1999: 1^st and 2^nd GTS, Viper GTS-R Oreca (Beretta/Wendlinger/Dupuy and Archer/Bell/Duez)

2000: 1^st and 2^nd GTS, Viper GTS-R Oreca (Dupuy/Beretta/Wendlinger and Donohue/Amorim/Beltoise)

2002: 3^rd GTS, Viper GTS-R FFSA (Cochet/Tréluyer/Belloc)

2013: 8^th LM GTE Pro, SRT Viper GTS-R SRT Motorsports (Farnbacher/Goossens/Dalziel
)

SATA Rallye Açores 2015 ; ERC, Escale à Sao Miguel / mid-Atlantic action

Deux semaines après la manche portugaise du WRC à Porto, le Championnat d’Europe des Rallyes FIA (ERC) se rend à son tour au Portugal, sur l’archipel des Açores, pour le quatrième rendez-vous de la saison 2015.

Avec un rallye tous les deux mois depuis février, le championnat FIA ERC a un peu de mal à trouver son rythme. Mais heureusement, le tempo va s’accélérer à partir de juin.

La quatrième manche de la saison 2015 se déroule ce week-end sur l’archipel des Açores, en plein océan Atlantique. Le SATA Rallye Açores, le plus occidental des rallyes européens, fête cette année sa 50^e édition.

Après deux épreuves sur neige/glace et un rallye asphalte, les concurrents vont disputer la première épreuve terre du championnat FIA ERC 2015. Le parcours compte 17 spéciales (226,67 km chronométrés) dont la célèbre Sete Cidades (28,82 km) qui surplombe et longe le cratère d’un ancien volcan transformé en lac.

Le décor est absolument magnifique quand la météo est clémente. Mais il arrive souvent que le brouillard et la pluie s’invitent sur les hauteurs de l’île. Les pistes deviennent alors particulièrement glissantes et piégeuses pour les concurrents. Il n’a pas plu depuis longtemps sur l’Ile Sao Miguel et les pistes sont très poussiéreuses cette année.

Trois points séparent Craig Breen (Peugeot 208) et Kajetan Kajetanowicz (Ford Fiesta R5) au championnat Pilotes. Ils sont tous les deux attendus aux Açores, de même que les réguliers du championnat européen comme Robert Consani (DS3 R5), Antonin Tlustak (Fabia S2000) ou encore les frères Moffett (Fiesta RRC).

A domicile, les pilotes Portugais ont souvent dominé ce rallye, comme le double vainqueur Bruno Magalhaes (Peugeot 208), José Pedro Fontes (DS3 R5) vainqueur des deux premières manches du championnat portugais 2015 ou encore le septuple champion des Açores Ricardo Moura (Fiesta R5).

La bagarre s’annonce également passionnante en catégorie Junior. Le leader Emil Bergqvist (Opel Adam) va découvrir ce rallye que connaît déjà son adversaire Chris Ingram (Peugeot 208). Marijan Griebel (Opel Adam) a pris ses marques lors du Rallye du Portugal (WRC). Vasily Gryazin, Gino Bux ou encore Diogo Gago devraient se mêler à la lutte en tête.

Le départ du 50^e SATA Rallye Açores sera donné de Ponta Delgada jeudi soir avec trois spéciales au programme. La séance d’essais et la Qualifyng Stage (3,22 km) se dérouleront jeudi matin. Le balayage est un phénomène important au Rallye des Açores, alors l’ordre des départs aura une certaine importance.

Two weeks after Portugal’s round of the WRC in Porto, it’s now the 2015 FIA European Rally Championship’s turn to visit the country. Round 4 visits the island of Sao Miguel, part of the Azores archipelago.

With a rally every two months since February, there has been little rhythm to the ERC so far, but the pace will pick up from June.

Its fourth clash takes teams to the mid-Atlantic Azores for the 50^th SATA Rallye Açores, Europe’s westernmost fixture.

After two winter events and one asphalt contest, this will be competitors’ first taste of gravel this year. The 17 stages total 226.67km and include the magnificent Sete Cidades test (28.82km) which runs along the rim of an extinct volcano.

It’s a superb backdrop when the weather is mild, but fog and rain aren’t rare on higher ground, swiftly turning the dirt tracks into slippery ordeals. That said, Sao Miguel hasn’t had rain for some time and the conditions are particularly dusty this year.

In the Drivers’ standings, Craig Breen (Peugeot 208) and Kajetan Kajetanowicz (Ford Fiesta R5) are split by just three points, but they will face stiff opposition in the Azores where ERC regulars like Robert Consani (DS3 R5), Antonin Tlustak (Fabia S2000) and the Moffett brothers (Fiesta RRC) will also be in action.

The rally has been dominated frequently by Portuguese drivers, such as two-time winner Bruno Magalhaes (Peugeot 208), José Pedro Fontes (DS3 R5), winner of the 2015 Portuguese championship’s first two rounds, and seven-time Azores champ Ricardo Moura (Fiesta R5).

There’s a promising fight in store in the Junior class, too. Championship leader Emil Bergqvist (Opel Adam) is an Azores rookie, unlike rival Chris Ingram (Peugeot 208). Marijan Griebel (Opel Adam) gained match practice at the recent Rally de Portugal (WRC), and the battle is also likely to feature Vasily Gryazin, Gino Bux and Diogo Gago.

After Thursday morning’s 3.22km qualifying stage, the 2015 SATA Rallye Açores will start in Ponta Delgada followed by three evening tests. ‘Road sweeping’ and start orders could well have a big influence on the final outcome.

10 beach shuttles from the Classic Driver Market

They say washboard abs are the must-have beach accessory – but arrive in one of these quirky beach cars, and you’ll instantly trump the muscle brigade. Here are our 10 favourite sand shuttles currently for sale in the Classic Driver Market…

Our favourite beach cars from the Market

Market | Cars

1956 Fiat 600 - Multipla Spiaggia by Vignale

P.O.R.

Auctions | Cars

1961 Moretti 750

EUR 68 531 - 86 806

Market | Cars

1961 Fiat 600 - Multipla Jolly Ghia

P.O.R.

Auctions | Cars

1960 Jeep Willy´s

P.O.R.

Market | Cars

1972 VW Beach Buggy - dune buggy

EUR 17 000

Market | Cars

2012 Fiat Jolly - 500 Ischia

EUR 72 600 (EUR 60 000 NET)

Market | Cars

1990 Fiat Panda - Cabrio, Limitiert Fußball WM 1990

EUR 12 950

Market | Cars

1968 Fiat Gamine - Vignale Rdstr

EUR 43 403

Market | Cars

1987 Citroen Mehari - Méhari - orig. 11tkm! - toporiginal - 1. Hd.

EUR 19 900

Market | Cars

1963 Fiat 600 - Multipla Jolly Ghia

P.O.R.

Just what is it that makes this Porsche so different, so ‘perfect’?

An opportunity to own the ‘father of pop art’ Richard Hamilton’s Porsche 911 awaits bidders at the Bonhams Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale on 26 June…

Respected artist

Celebrated pop-artist Richard Hamilton made a name for himself producing famous works, such as ‘Just what is it that makes today’s homes so different, so appealing?’ in 1956, and The Beatles’ ninth studio album cover – known as The White Album – in 1968. In 2007, Hamilton was invited to judge at Goodwood's Cartier Style et Luxe competition alongside a former pupil of his, Roxy Music frontman Bryan Ferry.

The perfect Porsche?

Deemed an entirely ‘perfect’ design by Hamilton, the black ‘RGO 6L’ Porsche 911 2.4S he bought new in 1973 is soon to be auctioned by Bonhams at the Festival of Speed Sale on 26 June in Goodwood, Chichester. It is offered with a pre-sale estimate of £250,000 - £300,000.

In Hamilton’s care for approximately 30 years, he later passed the car onto his son. Shortly after, in 2013, a full restoration was carried out by Clarke & Carter. According to a Bonhams spokesperson, the car is said to be ‘exceptional and correct in every detail’.

 

Photos: Bonhams

View the full range of Porsche cars for sale in the Classic Driver Market.