‘Cars of our Years’ with Bridge of Weir
Concours of Elegance and Bridge of Weir Leather Company have partnered up once again to launch a brand new ‘Cars of our Years’ feature, celebrating the important connection between man and machine.
Notable friends of Bridge of Weir, including Geely’s Vice President of Design Peter Horbury, and triple Formula One world champion, Sir Jackie Stewart, will each pick a car from their lifetime that has made the strongest emotional impact.
A selection of the cars will be displayed at Hampton Court Palace for the Concours of Elegance 2017, and the panel of famous industry faces will be appearing on the new live stage over the course of the weekend telling their stories.
Marino Franchitti, racing driver
Porsche 993 911 RS
“For me it’s the Porsche 993 RS. I passed my driving test in 1995 and there were two cars I was obsessed with, the Porsche 993 GT2 and the RS. The way they both looked, their proportions and individual aero add ons just bewitched me.”
Giles Taylor, Design Director, Rolls-Royce
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona (1968)
“I was born in 1968 but it also happens that that was the very same year that one of the most beautiful cars ever was created. It’s quite simply one of my favourite design classics; very of its time but also completely timeless.”
Andy Palmer, CEO of Aston Martin
Aston Martin V8 Vantage (1980)
“I actually passed my driving test in 1980, so I’d have to pick that out as a particularly important year for me. I spent my teenage years lusting after the V8 Vantage (first introduced in 1977) so when I was able to buy my own recently it was a dream come true. I’ve even had it fully restored by the Aston Martin Works division, which still operates at Newport Pagnell.
Moray Callum, Vice President Design, Ford Motor Company
Mini (1959)
“The Mini is a car I would always have in my top three designs, as much for its brilliant engineering and package as for its iconic design. I have always said that family cars are the most difficult to design; making them both attractive and differentiated is a tough challenge but the Mini did both exceptionally, even with 10-inch wheels!
Sir Jackie Stewart, Triple Formula One World Champion
Jaguar E-Type (1960)
“Without a doubt the most beautiful car that has ever been mass produced. Ever since it was introduced it changed the course of car design and the industry forever.”
Wayne Burgess, Jaguar Production Studio Director
Lancia Stratos (1974)
“The Lancia Stratos is probably my first motoring memory; seeing Sandro Munari hurtle past in the Alitalia-liveried Stratos (while competing in the RAC Rally) was an awe inspiring experience for my five-year-old self, and it sparked a lifelong passion in me for cars, car design and for motorsport. Needless to say, the rest is history……”
Peter Horbury, Vice President, Design at Geely
Jaguar MkVII (1950)
¨In 1948 Jaguar shocked the world with the introduction of the XK120 which was probably the first of their range to bear any resemblance to the ¨leaping cat¨. Two years later they launched the Mark VII which took the same design language to the luxury car market and immediately consigned all the Bentleys, Rolls Royces, Daimlers etc., of the time, to a previous age. One important detail was the way the front grille was set into the engine hood and not separated as on all other luxury saloons, a practice which Jaguar continued through to today¨.
