It's a summer evening to dream of Zandvoort is at our disposal until sunset, and three silver fantasy machines wait in the pitlane of the famous Dutch track: Mercedes-Benz 300SL, Ferrari 275 GTB and Aston Martin DB5. The latter two represent the crème de la crème of the mid-'60s, the first is a superstar of the '50s, and we've already covered many road miles in all three to get to the circuit, thanks to a generous collector who thought it was time his showpieces stretched their legs.
In the 1960s, a 300SL would never have been subjected to a comparison with a 275GTB and a DB5. It had been out of production for half a decade by the time those two direct competitors came on to the market, but today the cards are stacked rather differently. All three of these cars are now blue-chip exotics, and their dates of birth hardly matter to an enthusiast who can easily shell out a million or more for a classic toy. The more pertinent question is which of the three appeals most as a driving machine.
With great memories of an epic Gullwing road trip years ago still fresh in the mind, I don't hesitate when asked which car I want to drive first. Getting into this 1954 300SL feels very familiar, but I'd forgotten how huge the steering wheel is - at a lap-encroaching 42cm diameter.
The cockpit is cosy: the Mercedes is the widest of our three cars, but interior space is restricted by the high, wide sills needed to accommodate the 300SL's tubular spaceframe construction.
Denne historien er fra October 2022-utgaven av Classic & Sports Car.
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Denne historien er fra October 2022-utgaven av Classic & Sports Car.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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RAY HILLIER
Double-chevron oddity proves a break from the norm for this Crewe specialist
SHORT BACK & GLIDES
Eccentric enthusiast Captain RG McLeod's series of Manx-tailed Bentley Specials reached its zenith with this unique S2 Continental.
People's choice
The diminutive but multi-million-selling Fiat 850 packed a remarkable diversity of form and function into its compact footprint
PLASTIC BREAKS FROM THE NORM
Glassfibre revolutionised niche car-body production, but just occasionally strayed into the mainstream.
A SENSIBLE SUPERCAR
The cleverly conceived four-seater Elite secured Lotus a place at the big players' table, but has it been unfairly maligned since then?
"I had a habit of grabbing second place from the jaws of victory"
From dreams of yachting glory to the Le Mans podium, via a stint at the top of the motorsport tree, Howden Ganley had quite the career
Still going strong
Herbert Engineering staked its reputation on the five-year warranty that came with its cars. A century on, this Two Litre hasn't made a claim
One for the kids
General Motors was aiming squarely at the youth market with the launch of the Pontiac GTO 60 years ago, and its runaway success popularised the muscle-car movement
A NEW BREED OF HERO
Launched at the turn of the millennium, the GT3 badge has already earned a place alongside RS, CS and turbo in Porsche lore.
Brits with SIX appeal
The straight-six engine is synonymous with a decades-long legacy of great British sports cars. Six variations on the sextet theme convene for comparison
