Take time off from the Christmas hustle and bustle!
We have been in London to visit our daughter who lives and works there. Her elderly parents lived in Holborn within walking distance of high-street shopping along Oxford Street and Regent Street. The exclusive Westfield shopping center was just a few stops away on the Central Line. It was black Friday, black week, black week-end and cyber monday, - and God knows what! After this, the shops will be decorated for Christmas shopping. The streets were already decorated for Christmas. It's beautiful, but in my simple eyes I think Oxford Street became chaotic. While my ladies wandered in and out of the shopping magazines, I stood like an elephant outside with the shopping bags. There was nowhere to stand without being in the way.
I thought it was war!
Fortunately, there are quieter areas in the big city. On Saturday, I chose to go on a leisurely photo hunt for rare cars, so-called carspotting in London. I took the Tube to Knightsbridge where the famous shopping center Harrod's is located. It is in itself worth a visit, - but if it is cars you're looking for, it might pay to take a walk around the department store. Knightsbridge is often called the Arab district. Here you will find uncompromising supercars with mid-mounted engines. Keep your camera ready, as they often run around. Fortunately, you can hear them from a long distance away.
Let's go spotting!
I take Brompton Road down towards South Kensington station. Across the street is a Lamborghini dealership. A signal green Huracán buzzes around. There are always people driving around in their Lamborghinis. If you walk around the back, you can spot parked cars and traffic in and out of the facility. There is also an Aston Martin dealer here.
Maserati GranCabrio
I continue down Old Brompton Road. If you are thirsty or hungry, this is a nice street to bunker down in before you head up towards Kensington and on between Holland Park and Hyde Park towards Notting Hill. I take a picture of a new Maserati GranCabrio outside Franco Manca Pizza. On the right, behind the small Italian restaurant Bella Italia, is a shop for classic cars. You have to go all the way into the alley to see the shop windows. During opening hours, there are often a couple of vintage cars parked outside.
Mercedes-Benz SE 4,5 V8 (W108)
I "window shop" in Sports Classic London. They have two gorgeous DB4 Aston Martins there. I continue north in the alley to the wider Harrington Road where a Mercedes SE (W108) convertible is parked. It may seem more "placed" than parked. Maybe bait for the car dealership below? It is a left-hand drive car with a 4,5 liter V8, if the numbers on the boot lid are correct. I think they do. According to Google, Mercedes-Benz supplied sedan models of the W108 with 4,5 liter engines to the US.
New AMG G 63
Should I win big in gambling, the AMG G-Wagen 63 is number 1 on the wish list. Along the main road, a beautiful specimen is parked alone. I would have chosen exactly the same color, Designo Citrine Brown. The personal registration number has been brought over from a previous model, also an AMG G-Wagen of a previous model. Wondering if the owner sells coffee cups, or something like that?
If, like me, you like the new G-Wagen but can't afford one, book an appointment at Mercedes World at Brookland, WeyBridge. For £200, you can rent such a car for an hour at a closed facility with, among other things, easy terrain. It's on my to-do list for next year. This is a popular team-building activity in business.
Classic Mini
Classic Mini is perhaps the vehicle best suited for London traffic, although comfort and safety are hardly comparable to the large SUVs parked on either side. I imagine that the green Mini is placed as a decorative feature in front of the owner's house. I take the photo so it looks like it's the only car in the street.
Maserati Gran Turismo
I am impressed by how well Maserati has become, from almost total obliteration after its marriage to Citroën in the 70s. Today, the model range is characterized by Grant Turismo cars - not uncompromising sports cars with mid-mounted engines - but cars that also offer long-distance comfort. In a side street in Kensington, this Maserati was parked. It is beautiful where it stands in solitary majesty, - but I would not have been comfortable parking "my" Maserati here overnight.
Bentley Continental Flying Spur W12
Around Knightsbridge I saw several new Bentley Continentals flying by. I chose to photograph them in profile, but later realized that profile pictures of new Bentleys are not very flattering. I think they get too heavy around the C-pillar. Without the grill, they also lack character. I think Volkswagen should have gone a few more rounds at the drawing board. They should perhaps have looked a little towards group brothers in Audi and Lamborghini. The model pictured is a W12 – 6,0 liter V12 with 625 HP. I expect the drivetrain to be sourced from Lamborghini. It would be interesting to hear how it sounds in Bentley.
Ford Mustang Fastback mk1
It is undoubtedly an eye-catcher. The white American with blue stripes seems a thought out of place - or alien - in the middle of Kensington. Like most vintage cars, it may seem that it is not used very often. It decorates the street, but I think it deserved winter storage under cover.
Porsche 911 Turbo (991.2)
Newer Porsches are quite close in this part of London. I took a picture of this Turbo 991 parked along one of the many lovely little iron fenced green areas that are so typical of Kensington.
Aston Martin DB11 convertible
The DB11 is a modern Aston Martin. It was produced from 2016 as a 2017 model. It's not often you get to study it up close.
The Mercedes-Benz SL convertible
On the way between Holland Park and Hyde Park I come up to Notting Hill. I pass The Churchill Arms, – the pub whose facade is decorated with Christmas trees all year round, and which specializes in Churchill effects. I don't know where I got it from, but I imagine that Notting Hill attracts artists and artists, - not just ordinary riches. The area was immortalized in the film Notting Hill, where a simple bookseller began a relationship with Julia Roberts herself. One can see a change in the car park, compared to Kensington. Here there are more special and characteristic cars, - veterans and youngtimers, like this SL which seems to be in daily use.
Unfortunately, I didn't have time to take more photos, as the evening darkness came on. My trip can be completed in about an hour, but you should allow more time, as the finest cars are often parked in the side streets. There will be a lot of back and forth, so to speak. If you are going to take pictures, you should make calm movements. Then I imagine that you cause less attention. Tourist on a trip, sort of. You can hop on the Tube (Central Line) in Notting Hill. I myself chose to walk down to Bayswater station.
Small Car Big City
Outside our hotel, the Rosewood London, was this beautiful Mini mkVII. It belongs to the tour and event agency Small Car Big City. You can find them online. There you can find available times and order a classic Mini with a guide for various driving routes around London. You can also drive yourself - with a guide - or in groups with other Minis. Ideal as a wedding car, or for special celebrations. Maybe to impress someone? The pictured Mini is apparently called "Dot" and is one of 10 named Minis that can be rented.
More pictures
Click on one of the thumbnails to view them in full size. Additional photos will eventually be added under the various brands on terjesbiler.no.
See
Sports Classic London - car dealership in South Kensington
The Churchill Arms – Truly British Eccentricity
Small Car Big City – Experience London in a classic Mini
