The untouchables

THE AMERICAN singer Nina Simone’s version of ‘I put a spell on you’ has become the definitive version of the 1956 original by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, while Joe Cocker’s ‘St James Infirmary Blues’ is certainly a powerful rendition of a blues song covered by everyone from Louis Armstrong to Hugh Laurie.

And, like amanufacturer supplying a rolling chassis for coachbuilders to perform their arts, BobDylan gave up a basic canvas allowing Jimi Hendrix to leave ‘All along the Watchtower’ to the world. But, there are the untouchables – songs that demand protection by decree. Whowould be brave enough to cover Portishead? Is car design exempt froma cover version, too?

There’s nothing newin applying artistic flair to an existing car design. Many of the styling houses have proved very successful in penning anything froma subtle tweak, as George Barris did to ClarkGable’sXK 120, to a completely newbody, such as the original Swallowthatwas based on the humbleAustin Seven. There have beenmany successful examples