James Nicholls

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James Nicholls - Narratologist

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Nov07

Taschen presents FERRARI

Posted on Nov 7 by

This veritable work of art, designed by Marc Newson, offers unrestricted access to hundreds of photographs from the Ferrari archives, and those of private collectors, to reveal...

Nov07

Classic Car Auction Yearbook 2017 – 2018

Posted on Nov 7 by

The latest edition of the wonderfully informative and incredibly detailed and accurate Classic Car Auction Yearbook is now available. Written by Adolfo Orsi and Raffaele Gazzi...

Oct12

Sale of the 20th Century

Posted on Oct 12 by

The Beatles, Margaret Thatcher, Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant, Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart, Deep Purple, Aretha Franklin, Kylie Minogue, Herge’s Tin Tin, John Lennon, AC/DC, Jack...

Oct12

It’s a Knokke out!

Posted on Oct 12 by

The Zoute Grand Prix held at the chic, affluent Belgian coastal resort of Knokke Le Zoute is one of the motoring world’s best kept secrets. The 9th Edition held on 4 – 7 October...

Oct11

Entre Nous – Bentley Continental GT

Posted on Oct 11 by

“A way of driving that’s really ‘entre nous’ “ (‘The Continental’, with apologies to songwriters Con Conrad and Herbert Magidson) Since its launch in 2003, the Bentley...

Sep11

Portofino

Posted on Sep 11 by

It was great fun and an honour to be chosen as one of the first people to drive the new Ferrari Portofino in Australia. Top up or top down it is an amazing car which can take you...

Sep03

European Classic from Western Australia

Posted on Sep 3 by

West Australian car collector Alan Tribe enjoyed a breakthrough win this week at the World’s premier class car event: the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance 2018. His 1939 Lagonda...

Aug31

Halcyon

Posted on Aug 31 by

Please check out a new project of mine at www.halcyonauctions.com  First up is as follows:  SALE OF THE 20TH CENTURY October will see the sale of part of one of...

Aug30

Building Blocks

Posted on Aug 30 by

Work Transformed: People, place and purpose. Books from architectural practices often tend to be somewhat self-congratulatory. Written by the marketing department rather than the...

Aug07

Travel

Posted on Aug 7 by

And for those of you who prefer stories about travel rather than cars, boats or watches, here is another recent example of my work from Signature Luxury & Travel Magazine:-...

Aug06

Spreading the Gospel

Posted on Aug 6 by

Herewith below, some recent examples of my work that perhaps make for interesting reading that have appeared in Singapore (Jetgala), Australia (Signature Luxury Travel &...

Jul07

In an English country garden

Posted on Jul 7 by

Going to the Heveningham Hall Concours d’Elegance, deep in the Suffolk countryside of East Anglia, is like stepping back in time. This is no doubt what it would have been like in...

Jun14

And Friends

Posted on Jun 14 by

I was at a cocktail party for MB&F (Maximilian Büsser and Friends) watches the other evening and later conducted an exclusive interview with the charismatic founder Max...

Jun12

European Grand Tour

Posted on Jun 12 by

I had a blast on my European Grand Tour recently as these pictures hopefully show. Editorial enquiries welcome. First Stop – Classic Boat Rally in Venice Second Stop...

Jun10

The Kellner Affair

Posted on Jun 10 by

‘The Kellner Affair’, by Peter Larsen and Ben Erickson and published by Dalton Watson Fine Books is a remarkable book. But how to categorise it, what is the genre and where...

May15

Thank you Henry.

Posted on May 15 by

Those people at Ford are very nice. For my big trip to Crowdy Head to cover the beach trials (cf previous post) they lent me a very nice Ranger Wildtrak. I must admit I was...

May14

On The Beach

Posted on May 14 by

Just got back from the Drag-ens Sydney Hot Rodders weekend at Crowdy Beach. A great day out, over 1,000 spectators watching pre-1941 cars and motorbikes doing their stuff on the...

May09

Two More Beauties For Sale

Posted on May 9 by

Every now and then I alert you to cars with interesting stories that are available through me. If you are a potential buyer and wish to learn more, please do not hesitate to get...

Apr10

A Different Perspective

Posted on Apr 10 by

Please take a look at my article published by Perspective Magazine on architects, designers and their cars....

Mar29

Cue Red Ruby

Posted on Mar 29 by

Offers are invited for these two incredible motor cars, both with outstanding provenance and history. To find out more please contact me directly –...

Mar29

Pass the Salt please

Posted on Mar 29 by

Lake Gairdner in South Australia is hard to reach. Seven hours drive from the State Capital, Adelaide, the last two hours of which is on dirt roads in the Outback and the last 25...

Mar29

Urus

Posted on Mar 29 by

Beating the Tamburo! The opportunity to take more than one friend or member of the family in a Lamborghini has not been possible since the demise of the fabled LM in 1993. Until...

Mar09

A Passage To India

Posted on Mar 9 by

“Is emotion a sack of potatoes, so much the pound, to be measured out? Am I a machine?” to borrow a line from Chapter XXVII of E.M.Forster’s 1924 novel, A Passage to India. Well,...

Mar09

Electric Avenue

Posted on Mar 9 by

I am totally sold on electric cars having just returned from a trip to the NSW countryside on behalf of Signature Luxury Travel & Media magazine. Hosted by Tesla and Crowne...

Feb12

Maserati Incomparabile

Posted on Feb 12 by

1971 Maserati Ghibli SS Spyder, factory right hand drive offered for sale: The Ghibli Spyder is perhaps even more attractive and elegant than the original coupé and is oft...

Feb12

Sydney Concours d’Elegance

Posted on Feb 12 by

Two international Concours d’Elegance took place on the weekend of 27th and 28th January 2018. Respectively they were held in Sydney, Australia, and in Palm Beach, Florida,...

Jan03

Book 2

Posted on Jan 3 by

The New Edition of the Classic Car Auction Yearbook by Adolfo Orsi and Raffaele Gazzi reports on the 2016-2017 Season with unprecedented statistics showing long-term gains and...

Jan03

Book Review

Posted on Jan 3 by

2017 was of course the year of Ferrari, as one of the most recognised luxury brands on the planet celebrated its 70th glorious year. There were of course lots of illustrious...

Jan02

2018

Posted on Jan 2 by

Happy New Year dear readers. I trust you have had a good Christmas and all the very best for 2018. I was on the water on Boxing Day for the start of the 73rd 628 nautical mile...

Nov28

Blowering Dam

Posted on Nov 28 by

On the 40th anniversary of Ken Warby breaking the World Water Speed Record, his son David was out testing Spirit of Australia II, designed by Ken, for his own record attempt in...

Nov28

Crashlab!

Posted on Nov 28 by

The other day I was lucky enough to pay an interesting and informative visit to Crashlab to watch an ANCAP crash test on a new vehicle. It was also quite intimidating, but...

Nov12

New and Blue!

Posted on Nov 12 by

The Hong Kong Gold Coast Motor Festival showcased some 90 cars, from the prized classic and collectors’ cars in the Concours d’Elegance to the highly desirable and latest...

Oct26

Signature Luxury Travel

Posted on Oct 26 by

I am really excited about working with Signature Luxury Travel Magazine and hope to be doing lots more with them going forward in the future. Check out the latest issue with my...

Oct20

FOR SALE

Posted on Oct 20 by

  Every now and then I offer something special by Private Treaty . This 1925 Bugatti Type 35A Grand Prix was delivered to the Paris dealership in February 1926. Known...

Oct20

MOTORCLASSICA 8

Posted on Oct 20 by

The eight edition of Motorclassica, the Australian International Concours d’Elegance & Classic Motor Show was a great success with record attendance. The spring...

Sep25

Ferraris everywhere

Posted on Sep 25 by

Just two weeks after being a member of the jury for the Concorso d’Eleganza in Italy to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Ferrari, this time the Prancing Horses were closer...

Sep13

1947 – 2017

Posted on Sep 13 by

To be invited to the celebrations for Ferrari’s 70th anniversary in Maranello was one thing, but then to be invited to be a member of the Jury of the Concorso d’Eleganza was...

Sep08

Hampton Court

Posted on Sep 8 by

Henry VIII’s appetites were said to be large in many areas of his life. He would certainly have been satisfied though with the extravaganza of automobiles laid out upon the...

Jul31

Il Sereno

Posted on Jul 31 by

Whilst in Italy recently I had to make time for luncheon at what is one of Europe’s hottest new hotels. I had heard lots about it and I am glad to report it is all good....

Jul31

Happy Birthday

Posted on Jul 31 by

They came from far and wide to celebrate ASDEC’s 30th anniversary. Entrants from Monaco, France, England, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, the islands of Corsica and Sicily, and...

Jun23

Red, White and Blue Off-road

Posted on Jun 23 by

Whoever says that Bentley cannot do off-road does not know what they are talking about. I have just been on a Bentley Bentayga Diesel Adventure Drive in the Hunter Valley, NSW....

Jun12

New Record

Posted on Jun 12 by

And here is the 1977 Holden Torana A9X Hatchback leaving the building after being sold for a staggering Aus$715,000! A new record for the marque and a new record for an...

May10

Roll up, Roll up!

Posted on May 10 by

This car has certainly been causing a stir, having made an appearance on Channel 7, ABC radio (http://www.abc.net.au/radio/sydney/programs/breakfast/torana/8505814), and The...

Apr13

Requiescat In Pace

Posted on Apr 13 by

The term legend is used too loosely these days. On April 10th, however, we lost a legend when the genius boat designer Carlo Riva, aged 95, went to the big harbour in the sky....

Apr13

Boys just wanna have fun!

Posted on Apr 13 by

With apologies to the lyrics of Cyndi Lauper, sometimes my job really is fun. What more do I really need to say about this image taken on a recent photography session with a 1964...

Mar10

India Rubber

Posted on Mar 10 by

Highway Masala! Being a Judge at the 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally and Concours Show in Delhi, was indeed an honour and a privilege. Not only was the event,...

Feb11

Indiaaah!

Posted on Feb 11 by

This week I am off to Delhi for the seventh edition of The 21 Gun Salute International Vintage Car Rally & Concours Show. The three days of motoring indulgence should prove...

Feb10

Sydney Concours d’Elegance

Posted on Feb 10 by

I was the Chief Honorary Judge at the 2017 Sydney Concours d’Elegance which took place recently at Darling Harbour Wharf in Pyrmont under the auspices of the ICJAG, the...

Jan10

PEACE AND LOVE IN ’17

Posted on Jan 10 by

It has been a great Christmas and New Year period and I have been taking things pretty easily in readiness for a big year ahead. I did however manage to do a couple of stories in...

Dec12

Up, up and away!

Posted on Dec 12 by

I say it every year, but right about now, Sydney Harbour is a difficult place to beat if you love sun, sea and boats! The GC32 hydro-foiling ultra-light catamarans certainly made...

Dec12

Overdrive Video EP3

Posted on Dec 12 by

Welcome to Episode Three of Overdrive. It has taken us a while to do another episode, what with one thing and another – hopefully the wait was worthwhile as we look at a...

Nov30

Auction Result

Posted on Nov 30 by

Mossgreen’s important Collectors’ Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia Auction, held on Sunday 27 November at Lorbek Luxury Cars showroom in Melbourne, achieved almost AUS$2.4...

Nov15

Important Cars at Auction

Posted on Nov 15 by

I am very excited about the prospect of being involved in the first auction with Mossgreen to which I have made a contribution, which will take place in Melbourne on Sunday 27th...

Nov10

The Common Pursuit

Posted on Nov 10 by

Those of you not lucky enough to live in Australia, and even some of those of you who do, may not have been able to view Car Chronicles which appeared on the Discovery Turbo...

Oct13

Beaux Arts

Posted on Oct 13 by

Motor car design and designers are fascinating topics. I just love those wonderful coach-built vehicles from the French and Italian masters, Saoutchik, Chapron, Vignale, Touring...

Sep14

Good Fun at Goodwood Revival

Posted on Sep 14 by

A visit to the Goodwood Revival has to be on everyone’s motoring ‘bucket list’. A three day extravaganza of historic motor racing and related activities,...

Sep12

High Society

Posted on Sep 12 by

It has been a busy week for the aristocracy in England. First it was to Blenheim Palace, where Sir Winston Churchill was born, for Salon Privé; then on to Windsor Castle to help...

Aug10

Perfect Day

Posted on Aug 10 by

A perfect day with a perfect 40 degree wake at the back of Tinkerbell. Tinkerbell is the first Fairey/Campbell Christina 23 ever made. Hull number 1 was built by Bruce Campbell...

Jul09

Happy Sailor

Posted on Jul 9 by

Some things never change and whilst holidaying visiting the islands of Hydra and Capri, I can gladly say that the water is as blue as ever. One thing that has changed recently...

Jun08

CAR CHRONICLES HAS ARRIVED

Posted on Jun 8 by

We have been working on the Car Chronicles tv show for what seems like ages but at last it has made it on to tv. To see what all the fuss is about check the promo below. Car...

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