THE CONTROVERSIAL FERRARI THAT DEFIED EXPECTATIONS BY DOMINATING LE MANS

THE CONTROVERSIAL FERRARI THAT DEFIED EXPECTATIONS BY DOMINATING LE MANS

Exceptional Cars Series No. 7

Ferrari 250 LM  

The remarkable history of 6313    

By James Page   

Published by Porter Press International

Publication date: May 2019

Jacketed Hardback ● RRP: £30.00 ● ISBN: 978-1-907085-73-4

128 pages ● Format 240 mm x 280 mm ● 120+ images inc. colour

Born of controversy, the compact Ferrari 250 LM mid-engined coupe was intended to qualify as a GT car for world championship racing but was decreed by the sport’s rule-makers as ineligible. Instead, the new model was obliged to race through 1964 and 1965 as a sports-prototype against faster, purpose-built machinery. And yet, despite this apparent disadvantage, two 250 LMs dominated the Le Mans 24 Hour race in 1965. One of those cars, chassis number 6313, is the subject of the seventh title in Porter Press’ Exceptional Cars series.

6313 was the third 250 LM acquired by Jacques Swaters’ Ecurie Francorchamps team and one of the last of the 32 built. Painted in the bright yellow racing colours of Belgium and driven at Le Mans in ’65 by Pierre Dumay and Gustave Gosselin, this car led from the 11th to the 20th hours before having to pit with bodywork damaged by a rear tyre failure. Racing back into action after hasty repairs, 6313 finished second to the NART 250 LM of Jochen Rindt and Masten Gregory.

Story highlights

• How the 250 LM was intended to be the ultimate variation of Ferrari’s fabled 250 GT theme, a development of the SWB and GTO, but the rule-makers saw it differently.
• The genesis of the 250 LM, its development, technical details, and specification. Here are all the elements upon which Ferrari’s legend has been built: beautiful Pininfarina bodywork, a sonorous Colombo V12 engine, and motor sport success.
• The race that made 6313 famous, the 1965 Le Mans 24 Hours, and how the car finished second despite a setback.
• How 6313’s identity was confused for many years with that of its team-mate, 6023, until detective work by Ferrari specialist Keith Bluemel revealed the truth.
• 6313’s other major European long-distance races in 1965 at Monza, Spa-Francorchamps, the Nürburgring, and Reims, as well as participation in the Grande Premio de Angola.
• Driver profiles, period documents and photographs, and studio photos of the car today.

The author

James Page is a former editor of Classic & Sports Car magazine and now a freelance motoring writer and author. He still contributes to Classic & Sports Car, as well as other titles including Autosport and Octane. James has written several books for Porter Press including Jaguar Lightweight E-type – The Autobiography of 49 FXN, published in the acclaimed Great Cars series, and the Aston Martin title DB4 G.T. Continuation: History in the making.

BEAULIEU IS THE HOME OF MOTORING FOR NEW CAR SERIES FILMING

BEAULIEU IS THE HOME OF MOTORING FOR NEW CAR SERIES FILMING

The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu is the perfect backdrop for new prime-time car show The Car Years which begins broadcasting its first series on Tuesdays from May 7th.

The museum – with its world-famous collection of more than 250 vehicles telling the story of motoring history – was the natural choice for presenters Vicki Butler-Henderson and Alex Riley to go head-to-head with their favourite cars from chosen years. The Montagu ancestral home of Palace House and its stunning grounds and gardens are also featured during the six-episode series.

Starting with an ITV4 double-bill from 8pm, Vicki will pitch the iconic Porsche 911 sports car against Alex with his Ford Mustang original muscle car from 1964. Then for 1984, Vicky chooses the turbo powered Ford RS200 while Alex picks Miami Vice favourite, the Ferrari Testarossa.

Winners of the car battles are picked by judges including former F1 drivers and broadcasters Tiff Needell and Karun Chandhok, motoring writers and presenters Erin Baker and Quentin Willson, former Top Gear Stig and stunt driver Ben Collins, motoring author and vlogger Richard Porter and world-renowned motoring auctioneer Chris Routledge.

Later in the series, the British MGA sports car driven by the likes of Elvis Presley is pitted against the Hollywood favourite Mercedes 190SL from 1955, while the world-beating Audi Quattro is set against Alex’s childhood hero the Renault 5 Turbo from 1980, the Porsche Boxster competes against its sports car rival the Lotus Elise from 1996 and four-seater performance cars the Golf GTi hot hatch and Saab 99 Turbo go head-to-head for 1976.

Beaulieu’s Commercial Director Steve Munn said: “We have been pleased to host The Car Years filming and look forward to working with the production team on future series. As the home of British motoring, Beaulieu is the perfect setting for the new show which celebrates some of the most popular cars in automotive history.”

The Car Years is also a perfect fit for its sponsors, Beaulieu’s partners and classic vehicle insurance specialists Footman James. The show’s celebrities recently appeared at Beaulieu’s media partners’ Practical Classic’s Classic Car & Restoration Show at the NEC.

To see the backdrops used in filming, a ticket to Beaulieu includes entry to the National Motor Museum with its Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50 years exhibition, World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, Palace House, 13th century Beaulieu Abbey and the grounds and gardens. Tickets can be bought in advance online. For tickets and details see www.beaulieu.co.uk or call 01590 612345.

TINY CLASSIC FORD ESCORT MADE OF GOLD, DIAMONDS AND SILVER EXPECTED TO FETCH A FORTUNE AT AUCTION

TINY CLASSIC FORD ESCORT MADE OF GOLD, DIAMONDS AND SILVER EXPECTED TO FETCH A FORTUNE AT AUCTION

Warley, Essex, April 25, 2019 – If bling is more your thing than driving then this is the perfect car for you. It’ll never be roadworthy, but this Ford Escort is worth a fortune. Why? It’s a one-off 1:25 scale model made from silver, gold and diamonds.

The project has been a slow-burning labour of love for professional jeweller – and petrolhead – Russell Lord. The owner, over the years, of 55 full-sized Ford Escort cars, Lord first began work on this amazing model 25 years ago, pouring thousands of hours into completing the car.

The body is made of silver and the car also features gold brakes and spoiler, 18-carat gold wheels and bonnet hinges, 18-carat white gold front grille, 72-point diamond headlights, orange sapphire indicators and ruby rear brake lights.

“It’s been a hobby that I’ve come back to again and again but three years ago I determined to finish it. I know this car inside out – so there were no plans I just built it from the ground up piece by piece,” said Lord, from Essex, in the UK.

Based on the works rally car driven by Ari Vatanen in the late 1970s, the Mk2 Escort – which cost 90,000 euros (£78,000) in materials alone – will be auctioned on the car auction website www.themarket.co.uk on May 2, with all profits donated to charity.

Details include spinning pulleys on the front of the engine, a moving diamond-encrusted platinum gear stick and the glass windows – that involved smashing countless vases to find sections of glass with exactly the right curve.

THE CAR YEARS AIRING ON ITV4 EVERY TUESDAY FROM 7TH MAY

THE CAR YEARS AIRING ON ITV4 EVERY TUESDAY FROM 7TH MAY

Brand-new car show sponsored by Footman James and fronted by Vicki Butler-Henderson and Alex Riley to air on ITV4 at 8pm and 8.30pm on Tuesdays from 7th May

The first episodes of The Car Years, presented by Vicki Butler-Henderson and Alex Riley, will hit screens on 7th May with a double bill on ITV4. Sponsored by Footman James, the new show for petrol heads celebrates some of the most important cars in automotive history.

Enjoying a prime evening slot, the first double-bill of The Car Years will air from 8pm and continues at 8.30pm. The first instalment of six challenges lead presenters Vicki and Alex to champion what in their opinion is the best car released in 1964, Vicki makes the case for the iconic Porsche 911 while Alex thinks American muscle should win and fights the corner of the Ford Mustang.

Only one car can win, and adjudication comes in the form of three expert judges. A panel of famous faces and industry experts join the show’s cast, each doubling up as an expert commentator and helping tell the stories and backgrounds behind the stand-out cars.  The first episode sees Quentin Willson, presenter and journalist; Chris Routledge, Managing Director of leading auction house Coys and ex-Top Gear and current The Grand Tour script editor Richard Porter make the big decision on whether the 911 or the Mustang win.

Episode two focuses on 1984 and the warring presenters are challenged to pick a supercar that born in 84 but best sums up the decade of decadence that was the Eighties.  Vicki opts for a turbo-powered Group B rally-ready Ford RS200 while Alex champions Miami Vice favourite the Ferrari Testarossa.  The winning car is chosen once again by Chris Routledge and Richard Porter this time joined by former F1 star, journalist and broadcaster Karun Chandhok on the expert panel.

A perfect fit for one of the leading classic vehicle insurance specialists, Footman James Managing Director, David Bond explained why The Car Years is a sure-fire hit, “Vicki, Alex and the rest of the presenting team make the show. The programme has the right balance of learning about what makes these iconic cars special and the stories behind how they came to life, delivered with beautiful photography and humour. I challenge everyone to watch the first episode and not head straight to the classifieds.”

After appearing on the Footman James stand at last month’s Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show, co-presenter Alex Riley explained why car fans should tune to ITV4 at 8pm on Tuesday 7th May, “I can’t think of another show that’s so totally focused on the cars… because we’re not buying, selling, or restoring, we can really go to town telling their often surprising stories. Add in gorgeous photography and brilliant archive footage and it’s a feast for the eyes.”

For more information on The Car Years, please click here.