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    mercredi 13 novembre 2013

    Fiskens: Race on Sunday, sell on Monday


    The Fiskens Team (L-R): Rory Henderson, Dylan Miles, Sophie Dawes and Gregor Fisken
    Queens Gate Place Mews has long been considered London’s automotive paradise, its cobbled paving playing home to numerous historic car companies and privateer racing teams over the last half-century. It’s also remained the base for widely respected dealer Fiskens since it was established in 1991...
    "This is where the greatest cars come to be sold" - Gregor Fisken
    While many classic car dealers specialise in the products of a particular marque or country, the diverse array of machinery offered at Fiskens’ mews showrooms rather suggests a focus on the highest quality cars, regardless of origin. Pre-War Bentleys and Invictas mingle with more modern heroes, such as a Porsche 959 and a Bugatti EB110SS; and a strikingly beautiful Bizzarrini completes the eclectic scene.

    Impressive back catalogue

    However, as founder-owner Gregor Fisken explains, it takes a lot more than a pretty display to build up the type of reputation his company holds within the industry. “This is where the greatest cars come to be sold,” claims Gregor, “which means the very best of their type” – a statement seemingly verified by not only the calibre of cars in the showroom, but also the list of prominent cars which the company has recently sold. We’re talking DB4 Zagatos, works GT40s, and a host of sports-racers with histories woven into motor racing’s ‘golden era’.
    In those days, the oft-quoted mantra was ‘race on Sunday, sell on Monday’ – and it’s certainly one kept alive by Gregor Fisken. As one of the few drivers ever to compete in all four Le Mans classes, his wheelsmanship on the track is held in as high regard as his trustworthy reputation back at the mews. Gregor’s recent racing activities are just as diverse as the cars currently being offered – in the 2013 Goodwood Revival TT race, he piloted an E-type shared with Peter Hardman. A few weeks later, he was campaigning a 997-gen 911 GT3-R in the British GT Championship, a car complete with full tartan livery harking back to his Scottish roots.

    Long-standing reputation

    In dealing with what the company considers to be the best examples of the most famous models, Fiskens is not only building on a reputation nurtured for more than 20 years, but is also securing its commercial future. “Given the finite nature of the market, there will be an increasing difference between the sale price of the best cars with proven histories and the more mediocre examples,” suggests Gregor. “The market has already moved into different lanes of performance, and in future the high end will pull even further away.”
    Photos: Jan Baedeker/Joe Breeze

    Charade Circuit Clermont-Ferrand


    Charade CircuitThis story of the stunningly beautiful yet ill-fated “French Nürburgring”, and Sir Stirling’s first experience of it in 1959.
    The 1955 Le Mans disaster saw all French race meetings cancelled immediately, however it was during the following year that the French Federation commissioned Jean Auchataire to craft an all-new racetrack. History tells us that the concept was to be a “French Nürburgring”, and the result did not disappoint.
    Charade Circuit opened in 1958, and consisted of an 8km-long switchback, 51 corners and barely a straight worth mentioning. Unsurprisingly, these features alongside the track’s dramatic location made it immensely popular. Whilst racing there for the first time in 1959, Sir Stirling Mossexclaimed “I don’t know a more wonderful track than Charade”. It was an unforgiving venue, with Ivor Bueb being tragically killed following an accident shortly after.
    The track would go on to make appearances in Frankenheimer’s film Grand Prix, and played host to the French GP numerous times between 1965 and 1972. It’s main weakness would come to be known as the crumbling stones and pieces of volcanic rock that surrounded the edges of the circuit, one of which cost Helmut Marko his eye in ’72. The track was last used in full form in 1988.
    Sit back, relax, and enjoy the sights and sounds of Sir Stirling Moss and the golden days of this glorious circuit.

    from http://www.motorsportretro.com

    JEFF PALHEGYI JPD CYCLES



    With 19" dirt track wheels, a modified dirt track tail section, and a two-inch chopped tank, this Bolt offers full-throttle fabrication that pays tribute to its retro roots.












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