My chariot of fire Owning a vintage car is like possessing fine art, going to your favourite restaurant and indulging in a luxurious holiday all at the same time. Charles Rangeley-Wilson talks to five owners about why their cars mean the world to them
Le Mans Replica Frazer Nash,Annette Lynton Mason
AS a self-confessed ‘adrenaline junkie’, actress Annette Lynton Mason (right and preceding pages) keeps good company—she’s married to inveterate racer Nick Mason of Pink Floyd, whose collection of classic and vintage racing cars is legendary. Annette has a few of her own, however, including an ex-works Aston Martin Ulster, a Type 35 Bugatti and, perhaps her favourite, this 1949 Le Mans Replica Frazer Nash.
Replica in this case describes a factory car built to the exact specifications of the giant-slaying road/race car that came third at Le Mans in that year, having been driven to the event from Yorkshire. Only 85 original Le Mans Reps were built and they stunned the racing world of the early 1950s, winning the Targa Florio and the Sebring 12 Hours, among other famous races.
Annette keeps that heritage alive by racing her very fine example with enthusiasm. She competes regularly at Goodwood, Castle Combe, Silverstone and, more exotically, in the Mille Miglia. For a racing car, the Le Mans Nash is notoriously forgiving: ‘It’s really easy to drive and easy to slide round corners. It makes me look good. It takes me into the magical world of historic motor sport and I can use it to go to Sainsbury’s, too. I love the car. I just love it.’
S-Type Invicta, Chris Ball
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