Sporty one-offs, called Specials!

Reading time 5 Min.

If you look at them pre-war vehicles then there is a surprise, because these are extreme versatile. The early cars are perfect for conversions, recreations and specials, and offer a lot of variety. But what is to be considered? How do you get an individual special? More on this in the following text. The designation Special is as old as the car industry. The first specials were already in the 1920s built. This approach was normal practice, for example by manufacturers Alfa Romeo, Alvis, Aston Martin, Bentley, Bugatti, Frazer Nash, Lagonda, MG, Riley and Talbot. Another example is for lunch, a British brand. She built a total of 100 vehicles, all of which were Specials. This also applies to the Bentley 3/8 Special or the Parker GN. Each vehicle was rebuilt on its chassis. But no vehicle is like the other. Back then, a car enthusiast had the opportunity to choose the parts from which to build the vehicle. Such individual buildings were intended to motorsport events participate and at best they corresponded exactly to the expectations of the driver.

financial means were often the background

As a rule, the drivers did not have the necessary financial resources to buy a chassis directly from the factory and use it to build a racing car. That's why the manufacturers were asked for particularly cheap chassis or they got a chassis from the junkyard. Will be an original vehicle copied, this is called a by the way replica. You are also as Quote, Replica or Recreation. In the case of replicas, other manufacturers can make a stylistically copy and adapt the specifications to the original orientate. A complete rebuild, on the other hand, is a time-consuming affair. As a rule, a few weeks are not enough, it is more like months or even years. After all, such a vehicle is not just goods from an assembly line. It is usually completely manual work, based on one's own wishes and individual needs, and that takes time. This can also be seen in the costs.

What is the special attraction?

Some love the puristic, simple and honest technology. Such a vehicle is completely different, much more puristic, on the road. The driver has to gradually approach the driving dynamics. Only those who have had the privilege of driving one of these sweethearts can have a say here. It is very different from driving a new car, where you only have to worry about operating the electrical extras, such as the air conditioning. It's a vehicle to be relied upon. How do you drive an unsynchronized transmission? How do the brakes react? How do the mostly very thin tires behave?

What to look for in the basis for the special conversion?

Let's assume that the chassis already exists. Then one of the questions is, "Are there papers or a history for the chassis?" The number of the chassis must match the number in the papers. This is also important so that there are no difficulties in the process Authorization are. Next comes the topic Matching Numbers to appear. An important feature regarding the Vehicle value. In addition to the chassis and the appropriate papers, you also need one concrete idea about the proportions and the general structure of the individual special. If everything is in place, then he can actually start the conversion / construction.

Which vehicles are suitable as a basis?

In principle, one can be made from any old classic base Special to build. Of course, the base is the deciding factor the value of the finished car. If there is a verifiable history of the specials, then it can get really expensive. Was maybe a famous racing legend like Karl Kappler, Rudolf Caracciola or Bernd rosemeyer with exactly this car in a race? Then the increase in value is of course higher than with a barn find without history. Old conversions that have already been carried out offer the advantage that a history can be rebuilt. Understandably, the value of the vehicle also increases when the technique and the history are good. This rule applies to new and old conversions. But the crux of the matter is the example mentioned with the famous racing legend who drove it at Goodwood maybe a few decades ago.

Does a special get street legal in this country without any problems?

No. It is not street legal just because the vehicle is old. The vehicle must like everyone else – the rules of road traffic regulations retain. Anyone who adheres to these admission rules will be admitted at any time. Doubts can, at best in advance, can be cleared up in a discussion with the specialist workshop that is to be set up and the testing organization (TÜV, Dekra, etc.). A well-known workshop that builds / converts specials is the Motor Racing Legends team.

Can specials take part in races for specials in Germany or neighboring countries?

The Nürburgring even offers several events of this kind every year. Linas-Monthèry and Le Mans in France also have such offers. The Dutch offer several events throughout the year in Zandvoort. In Belgium, there are a variety of events for the pre-war at Spa-Francorchamps. There are various rallies for regularity and several motorsport events. And that almost every weekend, all summer long. At least if Corona doesn't thwart the calculation.

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