Last week, I got to take the passenger seat in a rather special piece of art. A Hawk Cars replica of the Lancia Stratos, with a 3.0-L Alfa V6 Busso roaring inches behind my head. Which is the reason for this monologue and a self-imposed task: if I had no space or budget constraints, what would my three-car garage look like?
But first, some context.
I grew up watching 2 Fast 2 Furious on repeat. Need for Speed: Underground 2 is pure childhood – I still know every street by heart, probably better than San Andreas from Grand Theft Auto. As the popular expression goes, it’s in my DNA. Same as every #plehpička dude on the planet. It just never reflected in my actual life. Not a priority, definitely out of budget, but always somewhere in the back of my mind.
Like with music, I appreciate different “genres” of cars. Japanese tuner culture, the Mid Night Racing Team lore, Akira Nakai‘s jaw-dropping RWBs, Datsuns and Godzillas – with an S2000 at the top of my bucket list. American classics too: losing my mind over the custom 1967 Mustang Fastback aka “Eleanor” from Gone in 60 Seconds, or Supernatural’s “Baby”, the 1967 Chevrolet Impala with the 502 big block.
Moving closer to home, I’ve always had a soft spot for Aston Martins – most likely triggered by Daniel Craig’s DBS in Casino Royale, admiring the incredible One-77, and absolutely losing my mind over one particular Vanquish. More on that later. And I know what they say about French cars, but the original Taxi movies left an impression – they explain my affection for both Peugeot and Mercedes.
A Peugeot 206 was the first car I bought and cared for, and I miss it to this day. Sub 4l/100km, compact, and still fit the road bike in the trunk. Amazing.
I’ll skip the Transporter series and the Audis today, but I can’t skip Italy. No idea where to start or end, but in the end it’s the Ferraris, Alfas, Lamborghinis, Paganis and Lancias where the heart and the engine sing. Seeing the F40 in person at the Ferrari museum in Modena is still one of my fondest memories, and watching Michael Schumacher, aka The Stig, drive the FXX around the Top Gear track still brings a tear to my eye.
Which brings us back to the garage. Picking three cars is like picking three favourite whiskies, three favourite songs, three favourite movies – mission impossible. So I’m splitting it into three categories, just because it makes things a bit easier.
Fantasy
- Aston Martin Vanquish Shooting Brake by Zagato in Lava Red (daily)
- Kimera EVO38 in Martini Racing livery (weekend)
- Eagle E-Type* in bespoke Mercury (special occasions)
*The biggest wildcard, toughest choice and the most unrealistic slot. There’s an F40, a Carrera GT, an LFA, the previously mentioned One-77, a DB4 GT Zagato or the army of restomods from Totem Super GT, Singer DLS, P1800 Cyan to 205 GTI Tolman.
Realistic fantasy
- Audi RS6 (C6) Avant in Merlin Purple (daily)
- Datsun 240Z in Safari Gold mustard (weekend)
- Aston Martin DBS V12 from Casino Royale (special occasions)
- I know, I’m pushing it a bit
Realistic-ish
- Volvo 850 T5(R) (daily)
- Honda S2000 with a hardtop in Mugen Yellow (weekend)
- Alfa Romeo Giulia Super (Type 105) in Alfa Red (special occasions)
Like every “favourites” list, this one changes by mood and by day. But here we are today – what would your three (or nine) be?
Back to reality
- Stane aka VW Passat (B8) Variant in classic grey
All I need. For now.