ACE OF BASE

“Nice Ferrari, mate.” Oh, how we smirked. It was early February this year. I’d borrowed a brand-spanking-new 718 Boxster GTS 4.0 from the good folk at Porsche Cars Great Britain for the photo shoot gracing the cover of the April edition of 911 & Porsche World (order yourself a back issue at bit.ly/issues911pw). Loaded with extras, including the sublime Alcantara Package — I’m not convinced a modern GTS feels much like a modern GTS without lashings of the suede-like synthetic material covering every surface, held together by colour-coded doublestitching, natch — and deep, glossy Carmine Red paintwork, the near 400bhp drop-top looked a pretty picture, bursting through a winter backdrop of grey skies punctuated by tall, leaf-free trees doing their best to tickle the clouds above. Even in the cold of winter, top-down motoring in a Porsche is great fun, and the GTS cut a fine figure in what would have otherwise been a decidedly dull

I positioned the car in readiness for its close-up. Lights, camera, action! Just as the session was getting underway in deepest, darkest Cambridgeshire, a passer-by — dressed in what appeared to be a vintage shell suit — expressed his admiration for what he mistakenly thought was a Prancing Horse. “Mega!” he beamed, shuffling off, fanny pack completing the classic leisurewear look. Maranello?! There’s a Stuttgart crest on the frunk! Pah! And then it hit