What’s an excellent way to top off a tailored suit? The best accessories like a fine time piece of course. It seems natural then that topping off a tailored automobile would be a fine accessory like a jeweler-grade high design key. Enter Formawerx.
This isn’t our first time covering Formawerx, and they remain a bit of a fetish in these pages. Their craftsmanship is always top notch, and their attention to detail is remarkable. In other words, it’s often worth remarking on new creations of theirs. In this case, it’s a key designed for the Lancia Delta Integrale Evo 2.
As Formawerx tells it on social media, this particular key was a commission for Maturo, a remasterer of the Lancia Delta Integrale. Expect more on Maturo soon, but for now enjoy the detail work of the key they’ve created with Formawerx, a derivation of Formawerx’s own Legends Delta key piece.
What’s a finely tailored suit without the perfect piece of jewelry of precision chronograph? Such a question may also be asked of a finely tailored automobile. And, it seems he team at Formawerx may very well have the answer.
Okay, most modern cars have hands free remote control fobs, something largely irreplaceable… at least until mobile devices take their place as we’re seeing in brands like Rivian. In the meantime, vintage car owners can and do have options to accessorize their ownership experience, and that’s where Formawerx comes in. Using jeweler grade materials and precision design, Formawerx offers the highest grade replacement key for one of the most touch-and-feel parts of the vintage car ownership experience.
For those who relish in the idea of a tailored build, you’ll want to take note. One quality Formawerx prides itself on is its ability to tailor-make a key to fit the needs of the owner. This includes picking from multiple modular designs or even commission something completely bespoke.
In a recent social media post, Formawerx shared the setup you see here – their Legends-911 key design ($450) paired with their Titanium Cord Lock ($70). As yo may have gather from the name, the Legends-911 is specifically made for owners of vintage Porsches, featuring a drill-through design that mimics light weighting practices of Porsche’s classic racing era in a very creative way. Even more creative is the way their Titanium Cord Lock utilizes those holes in a very unique way and creating a keychain of sorts.
Both the key and the cord are available with various options and finishes. Here, the cord is worth a focus, where you can choose machined or frozen matte finish on the metal, and cord colors including Schwarz Black, Guards Red, Lava Orange, Signal Yellow, Auratium Green, Brewster Green, Mexico Blue, Gulf Blue, Bali Blue, Nardo Grey and Granite Green.
Check out more from Formawerx on their website HERE.
The idea of gear goes hand in hand with car enthusiasm, whether that’s your run-of-the-mill car or something truly tailored. As we explore the world in and around tailored builds, factory specials and remasters of the automotive world, we’re beginning to add some other facets of the experience. So, we’re using this week’s opening of the annual Nüremberg Toy Fair to launch our own coverage of this space, beginning with a few scale models by OttOmobile of unique special editions from some of our favorite car marques.
The Toy Fair in Nüremberg is a popular place for toy manufacturers of all types to show their upcoming product. In our opinion, chief among those companies are the model car manufacturers who tend to show up in force. Like a new car auto industry show in the halcyon days of such events, Nüremberg plays host to first reveals of new car models, even if they are models of classic cars and seen in miniature scale.
OttOmobile has been busy making several social posts from the Toy Fair. Closely inspect shots from their booth and you can see a number of interesting cars coming, specifically in 1:18 and larger 1:12 scales that are their specialty. And while all of those are interesting to see depending on your favorite brands, we take particular interest in the specials. In this case, we’re talking special editions. Here are a few of our favorite from what they’ve shared.
1.) 1:18 Scale 2001 BMW M3 GTR Strassenversion (type E46) in Titan Silver Metallic 354
BMW M refers to the M3 GTR Strassenversion as the “unicorn” among the E46 range. About as racecar-for-the-road as you might get from the factory, the car had no air conditioning, no radio nor rear seat. What it did have, unlike other E46s, was a V8. At the time, BMW had planned a V8 version of the M3 GTR racecar to compete in sportscar racing, but was told they couldn’t because the engine didn’t exist in the roadgoing M3 range. That effectively made the car a prototype… unless BMW homologated a production car on which to base it.
The result is what you see here, a road car using a version of the the P60B40 racing engine tuned to 350 horsepower and 365 Newton meters at 5,000 rpm. The 4-liter mill also shared dry sump lubrication with the race version, though the racecar’s sequential transmission was swapped for a 6-speed manual with two-disc motorsport clutch and variable limited slip differential. All this helped establish the M3 GTR as more worthy of the “racecar-for-the-road” claim we make above, and the icing on the cake is that the car’s V8 engine was never used in any other road car.
In the end, BMW produced just ten M3 GTRs, with each of them painted Titan Silver Metallic like the model you see here. That was a short hurdle for BMW, making the car possible and the race version able to compete… at least temporarily. Competitors weren’t happy, lobbying for a more stringent change to 100 units. Unable or unwilling to comply, the M3 GTR racecar was retired from racing.
2.) 1:18 Scale 1995 Volkswagen Golf Cooler concept (Mk3) in Salsa Green
At the height of Volkswagen’s so-called “Mk3” era, Wolfsburg released a trim line of cars in eye-catching colors and called them “Color concept”. Centering around several unique paint colors (Jazz Blue Pearl Effect, Flash Red, Diamond Black Pearl Effect, Yellow and Salsa Green like you see here), the trim was available across both a vast spectrum of VW’s engine offerings and also across its Golf range including Golf, Golf Cabrio and Golf Estate. The kit included interior with bold matching color segmentation on the leather seats, the one-piece shift knob and boot, on the door cards, e-brake handle and even the VW emblem on the steering wheel.
You’d be forgiven for missing Diamond Black examples, recognizable only by their badges and relatively distinct wheels. Red or yellow, colors at least, are also somewhat ubiquitous, and Jazz Blue (believed to be the same formula as Audi’s Nogaro Blue) is still pretty common in today’s automotive market and amongst factory tailors. Salsa Green though, that’s a different story. Salsa Green is already striking and remains highly unique, so the choice to manufacture the model in that color is one we applaud.
Given this was largely a trim package, Color concept cars are not especially rare… at least in Europe where they were sold. These cars never came to North America via Volkswagen, so the only way you’ll find one here is to import one or find someone who has.
3.) 1:18 Scale 2003 Subaru Impreza WRX STi WR1 Petter Solberg Edition (S203) in
The S203-generation WRX STi was developed with input from Subaru factory rally team driver Petter Solberg. Celebrating Solberg’s 2023 World Rally Championship Driver’s Title of that year was this very rare special edition with 315 bhp 2.0-liter turbocharged EJ20 flat four boxer engine and paired to a 6-speed manual transmission. Part of this car’s kit was the Prodrive Performance Package, Prodrive exhaust, turbo timer and upgraded ECU. It also got a black interior, unique gear knob, commemorative dash plaque, the DRiver’s Control Center Differential (DCCD) and Prodrive-developed springs and bump stops with 25mm lower ride height. It was sold in only two colors – World Rally Blue and this model’s Ice Blue Metallic. Only 500 examples were produced worldwide. None were sold in North America, meaning you’ll have to wait until 2028 until you can import one legally.
First of 24 GT coupes destined for Europe hits the road in Germany
Each car is delivered to its owner with unique extras: special wooden handover box with unique Speed 8 sculpture and booklet, Speed 8 book as well as special car cover
GT Le Mans Collection marks 20th anniversary of Bentley’s sixth victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans – the world’s most iconic endurance race
Unique features include Bentley Rotating Display housing valve from engine of 2003 Le Mans winning Bentley #7 Speed 8
GT Le Mans Collection handcrafted in England by Mulliner – Bentley’s personal commissioning division
Münich, Germany – The first of 24 Bentley Continental GT Le Mans Collection models for Europe is hitting the continent’s roads for the first time in Dusseldorf, Germany. The full collection of 48 limited edition Continental GT and GTC cars are being handcrafted in England by Mulliner, Bentley’s personal commissioning division, with just 24 coupes destined for European customers.
All GT Le Mans Collection owners will receive a unique car cover as well as a special wooden presentation box, crafted in Piano Black and Verdant – the same as the car itself. Inside, the box contains the car key, as well as an exclusive Speed 8 sculpture and booklet, detailing how the sculpture was made. A plaque inside the lid is signed by Adrian Hallmark, Chairman and CEO, Bentley Motors, and Ansar Ali, Mulliner and Motorsport Director, Bentley Motors.
The box is complemented by a Speed 8 book, written by automotive expert Andrew Cotton. Published by Sportfahrer, the fascinating hardback reveals the full history of the Speed 8 race car project, from the first concept to Bentley’s Le Mans success. With a whole chapter dedicated to Shaun Lynn’s Speed 8 car restoration, the book features a green cover with a silver 2003 wreath, identifying it as unique to the Le Mans Collection.
The GT Le Mans Collection marks the 20th anniversary of Bentley’s sixth victory at the world’s most iconic road race, with the Bentley #7 Speed 8 taking the chequered flag in 2003. This year is also the centenary of the first 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1923, when Bentley recorded the fastest lap.
Like the coupe in Dusseldorf, each GT Le Mans Collection car is delivered with unique features. The Bentley Rotating Display on the dashboard houses a valve from the engine of the 2003 Le Mans winning #7 Speed 8, while evocative exterior styling includes Verdant green paintwork and a Moonbeam racing stripe. A No. 7 emblem on the grille also celebrates the 2003 victory.
Other bespoke details range from the six-wreath emblem inlaid into the high-gloss carbon fibre fascia, marking each of the six outright victories recorded by Bentley at Le Mans from 1924 to 2003, to the Bentley matrix grille, originally designed to protect the radiator on the unpaved Le Mans racetrack of the 1920s. Inside, a luxurious Le Mans Collection cockpit is trimmed with Beluga hide, while the standard 12-hour analogue clock is replaced with a bespoke, 24-hour dial design.
Race-inspired performance comes from Bentley’s renowned 6.0-litre W12 TSI engine, delivering 659 PS (650 bhp) and an extraordinary 900 Nm (664 lb.ft) of torque. This results in a top speed of 208 mph (335 km/h) and 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds).
Balazs Rooz, Regional Director of Bentley Europe, added:
“Following the recent static European debut of the GT Le Mans Collection at the Le Mans Classic event, I am delighted to see this limited edition now being delivered to our happy few customers. The brand has played a key role in Europe’s motoring history and in the W12 run out phase, it is a nice farewell and homage to the Speed 8 #7 win in 2003, the same year when the W12 was launched to the world.”
