Early last month, ‘80s and ‘90s automotive culture was celebrated at the Chatham Historic Dockyard with the return of RADwood UK for 2024.
The setting, with warships, the HM Ocelot submarine, and industrial warehouses, provided a unique backdrop for this annual event. Despite the gloomy weather, the cars added plenty of colour.
Throughout the morning, rad-era cars of all origins arrived, filling the air with the familiar scents and sounds from one of the most cherished times in motoring history – especially from a performance standpoint.
Of course, a show celebrating ’80s and ’90s cars wouldn’t be complete without a Lamborghini Countach.
Or maybe the Diablo was your bedroom poster car growing up? These supercar icons sparked nostalgia for many RADwood UK attendees.
Among the German classics on display was this Alpina B3 3.0 Cabrio, a rare right-hand drive model produced for Sytner Nottingham. Only four were made, and just two are known to survive, the owner of this example also possesses the other! One of the car’s most innovative features is its Switchtronic 5-speed automatic transmission, which allows for gear changes using buttons on the steering wheel.
Not far from the Alpina, I came face-to-face with a Rocket Bunny Pandem-kitted E31 BMW. Not that I could miss it! Its owner, Sarwar Hussain, spent three years taking it from a rust bucket to the wild machine it is today.
The number of special BMWs dotted around the venue was impressive. But if there was one car from the German automaker that stole the show for me, it was this Koenig Specials E24 635CSi. One of only two ever made, the car’s Ferrari Testarossa-inspired bodywork is hard to miss. This thing screams ’80s!
I’ll wrap up my coverage with the most valuable car at RADwood UK 2024 and another automotive icon of the ’80s, a Ferrari F40. It’s not any F40, though. This is one of 19 F40 LMs built – and it’s street-legal to boot.
Samuel Cherry
Instagram: samgcherry
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Not sure if this is an LM but 20 years ago when I got my start in the industry I stumbled on this while working with an upholsterer on a 1930s Rolls Royce. Would have loved to snap more pictures but didn’t have time. The wing and wheels seemed kind of odd to me. Did some LM have these black wheels? Really cool car. Seems very analogue.
I think that's a regular F40 with LM-style spoiler, since it's missing the central "spar" on the tail light grille section, no rear diffuser and regular side mirrors. LM's mirrors are mounted on the front quarter windows.
The wheels look similar to what some LMs use too, which has dish and a flat face.
I think so too. At the time I was 20 and much more concerned with road cars and modifying streetcars than open wheel stuff. Just snapped a picture while going to an upholsterer and didn’t have time to stop and chat to the shop owner.
Was running parts for a well known engine builder. Ended up quitting after getting into a fight with the shop foreman who was a neo Nazi and has since been fired. I head butted him and put his head on a vertical band saw lmao. Such a crazy time in my life. But yeah. Normal f40 I agree.
Still an iconic and legendary car nonetheless. I'd give my left nut just to even get a ride-along in one.
Sorry I clicked the Lamborghini image twice. I meant to send this one:
Hey the shop is still there. I could ask HAHA. Also knew a guy who had 3 or 5 silver 959 Porsches and I was about 2 minutes from getting a ride in one but something came up with his kid and he had to go. Wife ended up divorcing him and he had to sell a 917/10, CLK GTR AMG Race Car, 962, XJ220 TWR, Jean Alesi's V12 Lamborghini F1 car and some other super rare stuff. Here's a picture of the 959 and a few other of the cars: