Innholdsfortegnelse for Volume 21 i RETROMOTIVE

FRONT END

Welcome, dear reader, to the 21st volume of Retromotive Magazine. As always, we’re here to fuel your passion for all things on four wheels. But this time, let’s talk about something that’s shaking the automotive world to its core: electric cars, especially ones like the Lamborghini Lanzador concept or Rolls-Royce Specter. Or, as I like to call them, the ticking time bomb that’s set to explode our love affair with the rumbling, roaring, utterly irrational combustion engine. Imagine that you’re cruising down the road in a Rolls Royce equipped with a famous 6.75-liter V12 engine, the epitome of elegance and engineering excellence. The engine purrs, every piston firing in a symphony of mechanical mastery. Now, replace that engine with an electric motor. Suddenly, the roar becomes a whirr, and the…

3 min

RETROMOTIVE|Volume 21

FERRARI 512BBI 1984

A Timeless Classic. Nestled amidst the rich historical automobile museums near Modena lies a remarkable private collection housing a fleet of special automobiles. Among them stands a testament to automotive excellence: the Ferrari 512BBi #50669. Owned and cherished by lifelong car enthusiast and collector Stefano Lusetti, this Ferrari exemplifies the epitome of Italian automotive craftsmanship. A Lasting Legacy The Ferrari 512BBi, one of the final specimens to roll out of the Maranello factories, received its registration on April 3, 1984. Bearing the serial number 50669, its heart boasts a 4943 cc, 180-degree 12-cylinder engine, delivering a formidable 340 horsepower. This engine, reminiscent of the legendary Ferrari powertrain that dominated Formula 1 circuits in the 1970s, epitomizes performance and pedigree. "I acquired it two decades ago from a renowned supercar collector…

2 min

RETROMOTIVE|Volume 21

MERCEDES-BENZ 220 SE

The W111 was conceived to take on the world and conquer the lucrative American market. It was built on the significant strides made by the Ponton (launched in 1953), Mercedes-Benz’s most significant mass model after World War II. The Ponton was designed from the ground up as a new model, the first Mercedes to make use of a form of unibody construction - the metal body panels being welded to the floor-frame. It was also the first Mercedes to feature the contemporary three-box design at the time. The pontoon design led to the name – Ponton. The new design offered vastly improved structural rigidity, which translated to better handling and the aerodynamic shape made it more slippery and thus more fuel efficient. Inside the cabin, occupants were offered improved levels…

9 min

RETROMOTIVE|Volume 21

PORSCHE 911 CS

While no 911 series car could be considered standard, Porsche did make some very special limited-edition models, such as the Carrera Club Sport. The Club Sport was a true track inspired road car, not merely a marketing inspired one, and as such deserves our attention – but to fully understand it requires a delve into its heritage. Porsche has a long and well documented history of their venerable 911. Introduced in 1964, it has maintained its rear mount flat six engine, 2+2 seating configuration and general look and image to this day. The 911 has simply evolved, reinventing itself in subtle ways again and again over its 56-year history, and to this day continues to be revered as a high-performance vehicle for the enthusiast driver. The 911 name has also…

4 min

RETROMOTIVE|Volume 21

FERRO & COMPANY

Ferro and company watches is a micro brand that started in 2014. Ferro commenced operation in Vancouver, Canada, by siblings Ary and Bob who have created a range that includes dress, pilot and race themed watches. The business oversees a flourishing list of stylish wrist watches that undercuts big name premium brands by a huge amount, earning a decent reputation in the process. The range includes watches for all occasions - formal functions, fine dining, driving, partying, you name it. The heritage style racing watches include Swiss and Japanese automatic or Swiss quartz movements. Among the race-themed watches are the Distinct 3.0 GLF, a throwback to Le Mans heritage while the Distinct 3.0 Grand Prix pays homage to the formative years of F1. Both examples start at $455 USD. Ferro…

1 min

RETROMOTIVE|Volume 21

LAND CRUISER HERITAGE MUSEUM

The Land Cruiser Heritage Museum boasts the world’s best collection of the Japanese 4x4s. We have picked out a couple of special ones to wet your cruiser appetite. More than 70 machines — owned by avid Collector, Greg Miller — showcase the Cruiser’s heritage from the 1950s through to the 21st century: vehicles gathered from across the globe, now safe in Salt Lake City, Utah. All have a tale to tell. Greg said the museum’s mission since 2012 is to preserve and celebrate the history of the Toyota Land Cruiser and inspire adventure. Plus, to collect an example of every Land Cruiser model ever made to be housed alongside the Utah museum’s valuable memorabilia — often donated — from old service manuals to reference manuals and clothing. Here are just…

4 min

RETROMOTIVE|Volume 21

PIONEERS IN OVERLANDING EXPEDITIONS

The Land Rover is an iconic four-wheel-drive vehicle: having been produced now for over 70 years. Built to be eminently capable and to go places others could not; and, most importantly, do so reliably. This was the exact brief and the perfect choice for a group of English University Graduates to carry them on an adventure of a lifetime. The planned route would start in London and finish in Singapore: a journey of over 18,000 miles. This was ambitious: not only due to the distance, but also to the potential reactions they would receive from locals along the way. They were intending to travel through remote locations populated by non-English-speaking residents; traversing countries which are culturally different and potentially unwelcoming of the English Adventurers. Their journey would take them through…

6 min

RETROMOTIVE|Volume 21

MASERATI 3500 GT SPYDER VIGNALE

Amidst the picturesque landscape of the Nicolis Collection in Villafranca, Italy, lies a rare automotive masterpiece that embodies the essence of Italian motoring excellence - the Maserati 3500 GT Spyder Vignale. With its distinctive metallic aquamarine paint job reminiscent of the azure waters of the French Riviera or the harbors of Portofino, this exquisite specimen is a testament to the elegance and sophistication of 1960s Italian design. Exquisite Design and Engineering Conceived under the discerning eye of designer Giovanni Michelotti and coachbuilder Vignale, the 3500 GT Spyder Vignale exudes an aura of timeless sophistication. While bearing subtle differences from its Touring coupe counterpart, such as more taut surfaces and a slightly shorter wheelbase, both variants are unmistakably recognizable as siblings, thanks to their shared design DNA. Performance and Prestige In…

2 min

RETROMOTIVE|Volume 21

BMW 333I SOUTH AFRICA

SUAVE SOUTH AFRICAN South Africa was home to the first BMW factory outside of Germany. While it didn’t mean that every model produced by BMW Germany was made available to the South Africans, a limited number of E30 machines were exclusive to the country. From 1985 to 1987, BMW South Africa in conjunction with Alpina manufactured a limited number of the E30 333i models. That version was only manufactured in SA and has become a cult hero in that part of the world. It came in a choice of four colors - Henna Red, Ice White, Aero Silver and Diamond Black. The example shown across these pages is one of the finest examples. Extraordinarily the E30 M3 was never made officially available in South Africa which posed a problem among…

6 min

RETROMOTIVE|Volume 21

CITROËN’S LEGENDARY 2CV

Eggs, Speed, and French Flair - The Unstoppable 2CV: 75 Years of Quirk and Charm. Mesdames et messieurs, brace yourselves because we're about to take a joyride down memory lane with Citroën’s legendary 2CV, or as it’s affectionately known, the 'Deux Chevaux.' It’s a car that’s as French as a baguette wearing a beret, and it’s celebrating its 75th birthday in style. Buckle up, because we're about to embark on a journey filled with quirkiness, innovation, and more egg-carrying capability than you ever thought you needed. Picture this: Paris, 1948. The City of Love was about to fall head over heels for the 2CV, a car that was designed at Citroën’s posh office on Rue du Théâtre and fine-tuned at the La Ferté-Vidame test center in the Eure-et-Loir region. They…

5 min