Social spotlight 📱

For four years, a mystery Formula One–style car has been spotted tearing along Czech highways, its driver hidden behind a helmet and racing suit. ⁠Police finally caught the so-called “phantom F1 driver” after he stopped for petrol, later arresting him at his home following a dramatic standoff.⁠
⁠
The red car, painted in Ferrari colours but actually a Dallara GP2/08, is not road legal and has been the subject of fascination since 2019. Its owner, a 51-year-old man, now faces fines and a possible driving ban for his joyrides, which became a cult internet phenomenon.⁠

Small screen scene 📺

Number27 tell the story of the Renault Spider, going up against the Lotus Elise gave it stiff competition and could explain why it never quite got a grip on the market, that and a lack of roof. It’s rarity now makes it something special though.

Car of the week 💰

Appreciate that this is a repeat of a previous car of the week, however there are now amazingly 3 Renault Spiders on Autotrader, which appears to represent around 20% of the total currently registered on UK roads. I still think they represent great value too.

Seen in the wild 👀

I recently visited Kazakhstan and saw a bunch of unusual cars, but my favourite has to be the Buhanka, which literally translates as loaf, because it looks like a loaf of bread. It’s a 4×4 van that’s been in constant production since the 60’s, with very few updates. I think it looks like a bad guy out of the Cars movie franchise, I mean just look at that moustache!

Website of the week 💻

OK, so you saw the Loaf and now you want one. Understandable. Good and bad news. Good news; it’s still in production and they have a configurator, go check it it! Bad news; due to sanctions on Russia, I don’t believe it’s practical to buy one brand new and there are very few available second hand anywhere remotely practical for UK buyers. Sad face.