WILD CARDS

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Marcel Leyat founded his automobile business back in 1919, on the Quai de Grenelle, Paris. As a pioneer aviator and engineer, he understood the importance of both aerodynamics and reducing weight. These principles, along with simplicity, would be the mantra for the design of the Leyat Hélica. The model had no transmission, rear axle or clutch, which two owners before the present one.

The 507 has been painstakingly restored to its original specification, with parts being sourced from BMW Classic in Munich. The revered heritage outfit has also certified all of the work carried out, and has provided the car’s owner with a lot of information – but sadly, because this is all in German, the owner has yet to translate it.

This Lancia Fulvia Zagato was first registered in December 1972, to the owner of Corner Garage, Greasby on The Wirral. Corner Garage was an Italian auto specialist located close to where the model’s now-owner Harry Metcalfe grew up.

He blames the Fulvia Zagato for his interest in cars, after spotting one of them outside his parents’ house, belonging to a visitor. Harry didn’t get to drive one until 2018, however, when a local classic car dealer had recently taken in a black 1600 example. He later discovered that the Lancia had originally been painted red – and had been owned by the very person visiting his parents that day back in 1973. meant improved reliability and reduced manufacturing costs. The elegance of the ply fuselage and the attention to detail are testament to Marcel’s flare for design.

Harry bought the car, and set about a two-year restoration to bring it back to the condition it was 50 years ago.

Of the 30 cars made by Leyat, only two original examples still exist – both of them still in France. This Hélica was copied from the original car now in Paris’s Musée des Arts et Métiers. It features an ABC Scorpion engine from 1921.