Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’

Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’ concours d’elegance

As ever, the Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’ concours d’elegance enclosure is host to a raft of significant, innovative and dramatic exhibits. Perhaps the most eye-catching class this year is Extreme Lines, celebrating visionary works by the boldest stylists of the 1930s. Cars on show include Sir Norman Foster’s recreation of the remarkable Dymaxion, a three-wheel teardrop-shaped vehicle with a driving position forward of the axle line and a mid-mounted Ford ‘Flathead’ V8 engine. Nearby is the British Crossley Burney Streamliner, another streamlined device conceived in 1927 by Sir Dennistoun Burney – an aeronautical engineer and later a Tory MP. Other classes are showcasing such rarities as the Franco Scaglione-penned 1952 Abarth 1500 Biposto (also known as BAT1) and the mighty Eagle Speedster which is perhaps the ultimate evolution of the Jaguar E-type.

1969 Adams Brothers Probe 16

Perhaps the most unusual entry in this year’s Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’ concours is Colin Feyerabend’s 1969 Adams Brothers Probe 16. Just three of these remarkable machines were built, unusual features including a complete lack of doors - means of entry is via a sliding glass roof. Customers in period included rock legend Jack Bruce, the Probe enjoying 15 minutes of celluloid fame as the ‘Durango 95’ in Stanley Kubrick’s movie adaptation of A Clockwork Orange. And the original stills photographer during the production of this seminal film was a pre-titled Lord March…