 If you’ve never heard of an Icon Derelict, then this just looks like an old 1948 Buick Super convertible in need of a good paintjob. But what you almost certainly won’t expect is for it to cost well into six figures – exactly the way it looks on the photo. Jonathan Ward, mastermind of the Icon Derelict programme, discovered that there’s a pretty decent market for high performance cars with patina – essentially he creates the ultimate sleepers. Like other Icon Derelicts, this Buick Super comes with thoroughly revised underpinnings – including a state of the art chassis from Art Morrison – and modern powertrain too. The original straight-eight engine was put aside in favour of the Corvette ZR1’s engine! That means 700hp being sent through a 4L85E four-speed automatic transmission to the rear wheels.
There was a time in Europe when sedans used to be the default choice when it came to choosing an everyday car. But with crossover SUVs and hatchbacks being as popular as they are today, affordable-brand sedans are often overlooked. But that hasn’t stopped Kia from putting the Optima on sale, giving a much-needed extra choice to the segment. But while having an extra choice is a good thing, the question is whether the Optima has what it takes to sway buyers away from the likes of the Ford Mondeo, Peugeot 508, Toyota Avensis or Mazda 6.
We almost didn’t make the trip at all. An hour or so before the accident, my brother and I were actually pondering whether we should put off going to see one of our parents’ plots, located some 45km from my brother’s house along the coast of Dar es Salaam. It was either this or just sit around at his house doing nothing at all. But having procrastinated long enough already, we decided that it was finally time to make our way to see this piece of undeveloped land.
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