Chelsea Truck Co. has commissioned Kahn Design to create an extraordinary concept vehicle, redefining modern automotive excellence.
The Defender 90 Concept 001 emerges as a visionary reinterpretation of the legendary Defender, blending British tradition with avant-garde styling and technical mastery.
This one-of-a-kind prototype acts as a design showcase, previewing bespoke upgrades destined for future limited-run models. Each detail has been precision-engineered to challenge conventions while honouring the Defender’s enduring legacy.
[source: Chelsea Truck Co.]
Uncompromising Presence Commanding the road, Concept 001 rides on newly announced 20-inch Hammerhead RS-Forged wheels, paired with robust 33-profile all-terrain tyres for an imposing stance. The addition of Chelsea Truck Company’s extra-wide over-fenders and carbon fibre rear diffuser spats amplifies its bold profile. Built for adventure and elegance alike, the lower body features 3D-textured protective paint, combining resilience with a rugged yet refined finish. Up front, facelifted headlights lend a sharper, more assertive edge, while a KAHN® branded rigid spare wheel cover at the rear delivers a polished accent. The exterior is crowned by a lightweight, aerodynamically optimised vented bonnet in deep gloss black—a performance-inspired flourish that heightens both dynamism and prestige.
A Cabin Crafted for Distinction Inside, Concept 001 elevates Defender luxury to new heights. The hand-finished black leather interior, adorned with Britannia blue piping and extended upholstery accents, introduces an unprecedented level of bespoke sophistication.
An exclusive Kahn Design Concept Identity Badge underscores its artistry, alongside meticulously curated details like colour-matched side vents with CTC Plaques, K A H N bonnet lettering, and the signature Chelsea Truck Co. radar emblem. These elements celebrate the vehicle’s uniqueness, epitomising precision and British design excellence. Cloaked in signature KAHN® Volcanic Rock Satin paint with 3D Military-Textured accents, Concept 001 stands as a testament to automotive ingenuity, where bold individuality, innovation, and peerless craftsmanship unite.
The Evolution of Bespoke Defender Design Begins Now…
The Concept 001 Exterior Conversion is available by special order through Kahn Design for L663 Defender 90 and 110 models, priced at £25,000. This includes VAT, professional fitting, and bespoke paint finishing.
Frontline Cars (Frontline) presents the MGA Factory Edition, a complete transformation of the Fifties icon
Retaining its iconic silhouette, Frontline has transformed the ride, handling and performance using its perfected, proven classic MG-based formula
Weighing just 815 kg the Frontline MGA is powered by either a 2.0-litre or 2.5-litre Duratec engine with the famed 5-speed Frontline gearbox pairing
Chassis development conducted in-house, with outdated leaf springs replaced with proven, adjustable Nitron suspension and limited-slip differential added
Subtle exterior design tweaks include LEDs with Frontline logo, Frontline badging – a first for the brand – plus removal of side lights
The British firm says anything is possible with exterior and interior colours and its Bespoke programme can tackle unique wishes like Perspex screens, louvred bonnets and even bespoke picnic storage in the boot
The Frontline MGA Factory Edition will make its global debut at the 82nd Goodwood Members’ Meeting (12-13 April) on Frontline’s stand (51 and 52)
Available as a roadster, coupé and in left- or right-hand drive for UK and global export
[source: Frontline Cars]
Abingdon, England – Marking 70 years since the debut of MG’s most aerodynamically advanced model, the MGA Factory Edition is Frontline Cars’ (Frontline) lightest and most refined restomod yet. It stays true to the spirit of the original while delivering a modern, exhilarating driving experience, and will make its global debut at the 82nd Goodwood Members’ Meeting (12-13 April).
Weighing just 815 kg (dry), each MGA Factory Edition is powered by a choice of naturally aspirated Duratec engines: a 2.0-litre unit producing 225 bhp or an optional 2.5-litre variant delivering 290 bhp. Each engine features individual throttle bodies, a modern ECU, stainless exhaust and precision-tuned camshafts, resulting in a responsive, linear power delivery that feels alive in every gear. Retaining the involving driving experience, Frontline equips each Factory Edition with its famed five-speed manual gearbox.
Extending its knowledge and expertise to the MGA, the new Factory Edition’s chassis has been developed entirely in-house. In turn, the MGA comes with a limited-slip differential with uprated shafts and bearings, and a five-link rear suspension co-developed with long-time partner Nitron. Fine-tuned geometry and front telescopic dampers enhance agility, while uprated brakes – featuring four-piston front and two-piston rear callipers – provide exceptional stopping power. The classic fly-off handbrake, a nod to the original, has been seamlessly integrated with modern braking technology. Adjustable electronic power steering adds everyday usability without compromising feel, too.
While the modern drivetrain and engineering features are at the heart, the MGA Factory Edition is faithful in appearance while featuring subtle, contemporary enhancements that distinguish it from its Fifties predecessor. Thoughtful exterior touches include crystal-clear LED headlights, which eliminate the traditional sidelights for a cleaner, more modern front fascia. Each lamp is etched with a bespoke Frontline logo, serving as a discreet signature of its bespoke, handcrafted origin. There’s also a Frontline badge on the bonnet, a first for the brand in its 30+-year history, to identify the MGA.
“The MGA always had more to give,” said Tim Fenna, Founder and Chief Engineer at Frontline Cars. “We wanted to keep its iconic shape and character while transforming the driving experience. This is a car that looks and feels like a classic but drives like something far more advanced. It’s light, fast, and incredibly rewarding – but still, unmistakably, an MGA.”
“For us, building a car is about starting with building that connection with our customers directly,” continued Tim Fenna, Founder and Chief Engineer of Frontline Cars. “We work one-on-one with each build, fitting our customers into their car like a tailor fits a suit – the beauty of it being that it can be completely bespoke to what the customer wants from a car. That’s why the MGA Factory Edition is so special – it’s not a museum piece. It’s a car you’ll want to drive – and reach for the keys in every scenario, rain or shine.”
Available in both roadster and coupé form, every Frontline MGA Factory Edition is built from a fully restored body, ensuring each car is finished to the highest standard. Using its customer configuration room, which is at the heart of Frontline’s Abingdon-based HQ (or remote meetings can be arranged), which sits alongside the in-house trim shop, customers are invited to customise every aspect of their dream MGA. The possibilities in paint hues, finish and interior materials are endless, creating an experience akin to selecting a hand-made suit in Savile Row, or reserved for the most premium of automotive ateliers.
Following its Goodwood Members’ Meeting debut (you can see Frontline during the event, on stand 51 and 52), the MGA Factory Edition will enter full production at Frontline’s Oxfordshire headquarters. Optimised for the company’s growing international audience, particularly in the USA and Australia – two regions where the original MGA was most celebrated – both right- and left-hand drive builds are now available to order, with global customers invited to already start commissioning their bespoke examples. First customer deliveries are expected from Summer 2026.
About Frontline Cars: Founded in 1991 initially under the name of Frontline Developments, which was rebranded as Frontline Cars (Frontline) in 2023, Frontline was established with a single mission: to elevate the foundations and driving experience of classic MG cars. Now past its 30th year, and wholly focused on bespoke, hand-made car builds, Frontline has firmly established itself as a marque specialist, uncompromising in its dedication to preserving the past while utilising the best in modern-day technology. With a passion for precision and renowned for its meticulous attention to detail, each Frontline car celebrates originality and heritage in abundance, while never losing sight of the purity of automotive interaction these cars were meant to emote in the first place.
A nod to the importance of the MGA: Originally launched in 1955, the MGA marked a dramatic departure for MG, with smooth, flowing bodywork, a lower stance, and a purer driving experience. It was the last model developed under company founder Cecil Kimber and quickly became one of Britain’s most successful sports car exports. Of the more than 100,000 MGAs built between 1955 and 1962, over 80 per cent were sold abroad – particularly in the USA and Australia, where the car gained a devoted following. However, despite its beauty and charm, the original MGA always had untapped potential, limited by the technology of its era.
Tailored Driver has covered the one-year-only Volkswagen Spektrum Golf R models in the past, but this one is a bit special. Sadly not present at last weekend’s gathering of R’s called “Wookies in the Woods” and held annually near Robbinsville, NC- where many Spektrums were present- this particular car has plenty of VW event history. The first owner of this Tailored Driver was VW themselves, one of three used by Volkswagen of America to market the program to potential consumers. Since leaving the VWGoA nest, this car made it to Texas where it still appears to be in very good shape and was driven sparingly. Between the fervor of Spektrum fans, strong enthusiast interest in VW and the Golf R, and the stunning Sarantos Turquoise paint, we anticipate this Tailored Driver to fetch a big number.
As the space for tailored vehicles continues to grow, we’re always happy to see celebrations of and gatherings for special factory built cars. Of course the Porsche community is a leader in this, and we have news today of some majorly influential parties in that space creating a tailored party of their own.
Who are those players?
Will Lee (a.k.a. @PTSRS on Instagram) has been cataloguing Paint to Sample and Sonderwunsch specification cars for years, and collaborated in the past on events like 000 Magazine’s Rare Shades event during Monterey Car Week, or holds his own cars and coffee gatherings in New York’s trendy meatpacking district. Even for those who haven’t attended one of these gatherings though, @PTSRS’ wake of meticulous coverage of special Porsche cars is hard to miss.
Then there’s Air | Water. Initially a second day to the long-running Luftgekühlt car show series, Air|Water was set up as a way to inject some wasser into that magical yet luft-only formula. Luft’s events, managed by Jeff Zwart and Patrick Long, have set the bar for events of this nature, highly curated and often in amazing backdrops. With Air | Water, now owners of newer Porsche models can also get in on the fun.
These two are now coming together in order to celebrate the specials with Colors of Air|Water, a show within a show. Here’s what Will shared on Facebook (embedded above).
“I am very thrilled to announce that I will be partnering with Jeff @zwart to curate “Colors of Air|Water”, a brand new exhibit at @air__water taking place on Saturday, April 26th, 2025 in Orange County, California. This is truly a dream come true.
“Colors of Air|Water will celebrate a wide spectrum of legendary Porsche colors that have graced both classic air-cooled and modern water-cooled generations of Porsches. Colors that have graced *both*, not either old or new, is the key here.
“Through carefully curated pairings of the same colors on air- and water-cooled Porsches, Colors of Air|Water is a literal interpretation of the namesake goal of Air|Water to celebrate both old and new eras of Porsche.
“For example, visitors will be able to see and experience the historic Porsche color Tangerine (also called Blood Orange) on both an air-cooled Porsche from the ‘60s and a modern water-cooled Porsche from nearly 60 years later—the latter made possible by the Paint to Sample (PTS) Plus program.
“With such pairings, visitors will see first-hand how the “same” color can appear either similar or remarkably different between classic and modern applications due to differences in shape and substance over time.
“And we are not done yet. Colors of Air|Water will feature a second curation elsewhere. This second exhibit celebrates my favorite modern Porsche GT cars in Paint to Sample colors. Think the number 4.0 and letters R, S, and T—in the true, original spirit of @ptsrs.
“In collaboration with @bramoapp, we also want to tell the stories behind each and every car at Colors of Air|Water. There is more than meets the eye with every car. Stay tuned for this soon.
“Air|Water will take place at the Orange County Fair Grounds in Costa Mesa, California on Saturday, April 26th, 2025 from 9am to 3pm. Colors of Air|Water will be curated at the Plaza Pacifica Lobby by the Pacific Amphitheater within the Fair Grounds. Tickets for @air__water are now live at www.air-water.com.
“Grateful to @plmotorsport, @zwart, and the @air__water team for this dream opportunity. I hope to see many of you there.
What: 2021 Audi S4 Sedan Color: Audi exclusive Nogaro Blue(nogaroblau; pearl effect UNI; Z5M; Audi) VIN: unknown Mileage: 49,000 miles Price: $40,000 to $41,500 (see below) CarFax: N/A Window Sticker: N/A Location: Clayton, NC Listing: Facebook
Audi’s S4 has great history with Nogaro Blue. Audi’s bold answer to classic French Blue was a launch color on the first B5 S4, again on the B6 S4 and was offered as special edition in the B8 S4 era. Readers of this site probably also know it was a color born with the iconic Porsche-developed Audi RS2 Avant. As a result, Audi aficionados tend to seek out Nogaro Blue cars. This makes a Nogaro Blue S4 a very sweet thing indeed.
The car in question just popped up listed by the owner on Audi Club North America’s Classifieds group. It’s had a few modifications, though these appear to be minor and limited to cosmetic changes including custom blue Alcantara on the door panels and on the shift knob in order to mimic earlier versions of the car.
This S4 is also shown on RS 5 wheels, which is the reason for the price spread above. Sold on stock wheels, it can be had for $40,000 according to the ad, or $41,500 if you want the RS 5 wheels along with it.
These aren’t the only modifications, so if you prefer an unmodified car you’ll want to look closely and check in with the owner about also procuring the original parts where they are still available.
Rolls-Royce Manchester unveils their new luxurious showroom after extensive redesign and redevelopment. Located in a prominent position in the leafy suburbs of Manchester, the space showcases the marque’s pinnacle products and provides clients with an unparalleled experience, in line with Rolls-Royce’s continuing evolution as a true global luxury goods brand.
Rolls-Royce Manchester unveils new luxurious showroom after extensive redesign and redevelopment
The elegant and luxurious new showroom marks the next step in the story of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in the city of Manchester, which has a significant historical connection to the marque
New visual language resonates with younger demographic of clients
Contemporary redesign reflects increasing demand for the marque’s pinnacle products
“After extensive redevelopment, I am delighted to unveil the newly refurbished Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Manchester. The northern metropolis has long been an important place for Rolls-Royce: on 4th May 1904, Charles Rolls and Henry Royce first met in the Midland Hotel, in central Manchester, and it was from this meeting that the marque’s two founding fathers laid the foundations for what would become a brand synonymous with creating ‘the best car in the world’. The new showroom, with its wealth of innovative digital technologies and elegant, luxurious design, marks an important step for the marque and our clients. The space is the perfect embodiment of the marque, an ideal space for our highly experienced team to welcome clients, media, and friends of the brand, and brings our visual identity to life.” Boris Weletzky, Regional Director, United Kingdom, Europe, and Central Asia, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
“We are thrilled to unveil our new, state-of-the-art showroom in Manchester, an extensive redesign that perfectly reflects the luxury and craftsmanship of Rolls-Royce. As we celebrate 30 years of partnership with the marque, we’re proud to mark this milestone with a facility that matches the unparalleled excellence of the brand. Located in Wilmslow, Cheshire, this new space offers our clients an elevated experience, blending heritage with cutting-edge technology and showcases Rolls-Royce craftmanship. Our long-standing relationship with the team at Rolls-Royce Goodwood has always been strong, and this exciting new chapter further cements our shared commitment to providing the finest service and motor car experience. We’re looking forward to welcoming clients to this exceptional facility, and to continuing our journey with Rolls-Royce as we look to the future.” Jon Crossley, Managing Director, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Manchester
The city of Manchester is a pivotal part of the Rolls-Royce success story. It was here, in 1904, that Henry Royce and The Hon. Charles Stewart Rolls first met and forged an agreement that Rolls would sell all the cars Royce could make, under the name ‘Rolls-Royce’.
Today, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Manchester’s redesigned showroom continues that legacy, offering clients a serene and luxurious environment where they can immerse themselves in the brand and collaborate with a highly experienced team of professionals to create their dream commission.
Located in a prominent position in the leafy suburbs of Manchester, the space showcases the marque’s pinnacle products and provides clients with an unparalleled experience, in line with Rolls-Royce’s continuing evolution as a true global luxury goods brand.
The space offers clients an immersive experience from the moment they step foot into the showroom: the door is modelled on Rolls-Royce’s famous Pantheon grille and provides a discreet, tantalising glimpse of what lies within. The doorway is topped by the marque’s iconic figurine, the Spirit of Ecstasy.
Inside, the new showroom seamlessly blends sophistication, contemporary luxury, and creative expression – while staying true to the marque’s rich heritage. Honouring the shared vision of Henry Royce and Charles Rolls, the space features carefully curated references to the brand’s founding fathers, ensuring their pioneering spirit continues to inspire every commission.
The Cabinet of Curiosities, an eclectic mix of intriguing, timeless and iconic objects, is curated to inspire creativity and spark meaningful conversations as part of the commissioning process. The pièce de résistance, the Atelier, houses some of the marque’s most exquisite examples of craftsmanship, including wood veneers, leathers, embroidery threads in a variety of vivacious hues, as well as lambswool samples. The surface-finish samples are presented in the familiar Rolls-Royce speedform shape, making it easy to imagine the almost endless two-tone colour combinations; the leathers are rolled on wands with handles from Rolls-Royce’s famous umbrellas, while the veneers are shaped like the cross-section of an aerofoil, recalling Charles Rolls’ aviation exploits. This sensory-inspired room helps clients to envisage their dream commission coming to life.
The redesigned Manchester showroom stands as a testament to the dealership’s unwavering commitment to excellence. Over the years, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Manchester has embarked on an extraordinary journey, marked by prestigious accolades and groundbreaking achievements. In 2024, the dealership was honoured with the ‘Global Provenance Dealer of the Year’ award, and in 2023, its highly skilled team collaborated with the marque’s designers to create the ‘Manchester Ghost’ – an exclusive, one-of-one Bespoke commission that beautifully celebrated the city’s rich legacy and heritage.
Rolls-Royce is unapologetically luxurious, instantly recognisable, and synonymous with beauty, elegance, and timeless design. In the newly redesigned Manchester showroom, each motor car is given the stage it deserves, meticulously framed and presented in a way that reflects its unique personality and character, ensuring that the spirit of Rolls-Royce is felt in every detail.
About Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is a true luxury house, creating the world’s most recognised, revered and desirable handcrafted Bespoke products for its international clientele.
There are over 2,500 people working at the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, West Sussex. This comprises both its global headquarters and Centre of Luxury Manufacturing Excellence – the only place in the world where Rolls-Royce motor cars are designed, engineered and meticulously built by hand. An independent study by the London School of Economics & Political Science confirms that since the company first launched at Goodwood in 2003, it has contributed more than £4 billion to the UK economy and adds more than £500 million in economic value every year.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is a wholly owned subsidiary of the BMW Group and is a completely separate, unrelated company from Rolls-Royce plc, the manufacturer of aircraft engines and propulsion systems.
What: 2023 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Color: Paint to Sample Racing Green Metallic(racinggrünmetallic; metallic UNI; Y68; Porsche) VIN: WP0AE2A82PS280816 Mileage: 632 miles Price: $239,991 CarFax:Link Window Sticker: N/A Location: Warrington, PA Dealer Listing:Porsche Warrington
To those Tailored Driver fans who see this 718 Cayman GT4 RS and immediately think “Aston”- you’re not wrong. Porsche’s Racing Green Metallic is “Ice Ice Baby” to Aston’s “Under Pressure”, which is to say it’s nearly the same, and for good reason. It’s clear to us that Racing Green is a hue with no edits required, and in this case transforming the stiff, no-nonsense weapon that is a GT4 RS into a weekend cruiser that may warrant brown leather driving gloves. Best described as incredibly tasteful, this Tailored Driver will continue to command the right kind of attention regardless of where colors trend in the future. Is that kind of staying power worth the $239,991 price of admission? We think it just may be.
What: 2025 Audi RS 6 performance Color: Audi exclusive Velvet Purple Pearl Effect(samtviolettperleffekt; metallic UNI; LQ87; Audi) VIN: WUA1DBF27SN906216 Mileage: delivery Price at Time of this Writing: $162,550 CarFax: N/A Location: Audi Columbus, Columbus, OH Dealer listing:Link
You’ve gotta love the Peanut Butter and Jelly spec on a great car. Combine with the peanut buttery smoothness of Cognac leather with grape-like Audi’s Velvet Purple and you have an incredible car for fans of purple specifications.
This RS 6 is also a performance, with matte black finish on its Y-spoke alloys, Executive Package, Driver Assistance Package, Interior Protection Package, RS Sprot exhaust, Night Vision Assistant and Ceramic Brakes with Red Calipers.
German Audi dealer Scherer Sport is known for a number of things, and one of our favorites is their willingness to order factory tailored cars and then share them on their social media. In this case, they’ve got a couple of Audi RS 4 edition 25 Years examples with real world photos that reveal some of the excellent details of this limited edition specification of a Europe-only Audi.
For those who don’t know of Scherer Sport and their activities, it’s worth noting that they’re by no means lightweights. They’ve fielded DTM teams. They’re a dealer for ABT Sportsline, concocting some of their own special edition takes on ABT formulas. They were even the key partner build the maing of the ABT X-GT, a street-going equivalent of the Audi R8 GT2.
Audi themselves dropped full PR materials on the RS 4 edition 25 years when it first came out. We ran that HERE. In addition to Imola Yellow seen in the press materials, Audi also confirmed Nardo Grey and Mythos Black versions would be made available. It seems that’s what Scherer’s got here.
Of course, if you’re in Germany then it’s worth noting the cars are available. If you’re stuck stateside like us, these cars are not yet eligible for import and won’t be until they’re 25 years old. Nevertheless, they’re still fun to look at while considering the capabilities of Audi exclusive.
Sort of the opposite of that line from Field of Dreams, McLaren Special Operations exists in a world of If you come we will build it. Understandably, this can take the form of an infinite number of different Tailored Drivers, so it makes our life a bit more difficult. Take this Satin Urban Green 765LT for example- we simply can’t find a color code, nor can we find another example of MSO painting a car this color. Search after search only returns this exact car wearing different wheels. Now, we can surmise that MSO borrowed an existing color, likely BMW’s Urban Green, and applied it lovingly with a satin clear final stage, and called it a day. If that is indeed the case, then paint code goes from unknown to a variation of the “YA04” that we’ve seen before and is linked above.
So here we are, exactly where we find ourselves with many McLaren finds, wondering what the precise code is. It’s admittedly at times a frustrating endeavor, but as Tailored Driver grows we want to catalog and feature builds such as these to provide equal parts reference and inspiration. For now, place this MSO build in that bucket. We can’t wait to see how you interpret it with your very own Tailored Driver.
