Narrowing down an incredible group into 10 of the best
More than £35million (NZ$61million) worth of exotic and super-rare cars has descended on London today as part of a new event celebrating the best models ever built.
Gathered on the lawns of the Royal Honourable Artillery Company, near to the Barbican, are more than 80 outstanding vehicles - all hand-picked by event organisers and cars that you're unlikely to have seen in the flesh before.
Called City Concours, the event is open for two days only - today and tomorrow (June 8 and 9) - and is a chance to get up close and personal with a range of Ferraris, Aston Martins and Jaguars that wowed on the road, track and in historic collections.
They have gone on display against the elegant backdrop of the Royal Honourable Artillery Company's buildings set in a surprisingly large green space in the heart of the City.
Each of the vehicles selected had to fit one of the event's criteria, which includes 'American Muscle' and 'Evolution of the Supercar'.
We've chosen our 10 favourites from the City Concours - the ones you shouldn't miss in the display if you're attending and get a chance to get a closer look at... if you can't negotiate some time off work.
1. Jaguar D-Type
One that's definitely famed for its circuit-based achievements - this is Jaguar D-Type ‘RSF 303’, which is arguably the most original and successful D-Types in existence today.
This car finished second in the Le Mans 34 Hours in 1957 - a race that saw D-Types clinch all three podium spots as well as fourth and sixth place.
2. Lexus LFA
Not a name you normally associate with the world of high-end supercars that's dominated by the likes of Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren and Pagani, but Lexus' own entry is about as formidable as they come.
The Japanese brand began production of the LFA in late 2010 and made just 500 examples, all of which were powered by a 4.8-litre naturally-aspirated V10 engine that produced one of the most fantastic noises of any engine on the planet.
The majority remain in their home nation and the US, so to see one in the UK is a rarity.
3. Porsche 911 2.7 RS
Porsches of all eras are skyrocketing in value right now, but of them all this model has had the most prominent renaissance over the last decade.
The 911 2.7 RS, with its ducktail spoiler, bigger engine and lightweight modifications is widely regarded as the purest of all Porsches.
Production numbers were exceptionally small, making this particular variant a rarity outside of classic car collections and museums. Today, one would set you back more than £500,000 (NZ$884,000).
4. The Hypercar Holy Trinity
What's the best hypercar in the world right now? The Ferrari LaFerrari, McLaren P1 or Porsche 918 Spyder?
It's a long-running debate, and one you'll be able to enjoy at the event as all three are on display together.
5. Jaguar XKSS
We've seen the Jaguar D-Type that dominated on the track, so how about the road car spawned from its success?
This is one of those examples - the XKSS.
It was essentially the same as the race cars but with a windscreen and a few additional practicalities thrown in. In a race in the 1950s, nothing else on the road was quicker. Jaguar is now remaking nine models that were destroyed in a factory fire in Coventry 60 years ago, but the City Concours car is one of the originals.
6. Touring Superleggera Disco Volante Spider
Yes, we know this one is a bit of a mouthful, but it's not something you'll have to say too often as just seven were produced. You'll probably never hear the words: 'Look mum, there's a Touring Superleggera Disco Volante Spider parked outside McDonalds!'
It's so rare because it's a hand-crafted version of the Alfa Romeo 8C Spider - a limited-run model itself - that's been tweaked and re-styled by a team of coachbuilders,
The design is inspired by the Alfa Romeo C52 Disco Volante of the ‘50s, but this modern day interpretation has a little more power; underneath the bonnet is a 4.7-litre V8.
7. Porsche 911 GT1
Think of this as a modern-day tale of the Jaguar D-Type turned XKSS road car, but in reverse.
In order to compete at Le Mans, Porsche's race car had to be based on a street-legal model, of which 25 had to be built. This 911 GT1 was that car, and remains one of the most extreme vehicles to ever display a registration plate.
Under the carbon fibre bodyshell is a 3.2-litre flat-six twin-turbo engine producing 550bhp. You won't lose a race to an empty parking space if you owned one of these.
Porsche won Le Mans in 1998 with the race version.
8. Maserati Tipo 200SI
Back when Maserati dominated road racing, this 200SI was a regular on the scene in the 1950s at the hands of owner Guido Perella.
Most of these cars are now locked up in museums and collections in Italy, making a chance to see inside the tiny cabin a fairly unique experience.
9. Jaguar XJR-15
Like the 911 GT1, Jaguar had to make the XJR-15 in order to compete in the Le Mans endurance race - with its XJR-9, which took the chequered flag in 1988.
For the road, Jaguar made very little modifications.
That meant a 6.0-litre V12 engine producing 450bhp, a carbon-fibre tub and track-ready suspension - ideal for nipping down to the Post Office in your 215mph road legal two-seater.
10. Porsche 911 Reimagined by Singer
If you've not heard of Singer before then let us explain - they take modern-classic 911s and modernise them with later Porsche-only parts to make them feel more up-to-date.
This one in particular has a full carbon-fibre body finished in Singer Racing White with black lettering - totally unique.
The engine isn't standard either - it's a 3.8-litre Cosworth-developed flat-six mated to a six-speed transmission.
- Daily Mail
