Of all the places where I'd dreamt of someday driving, the one that fascinated me most was the Riviera. It had everything that appealed to my imagination: Winding mountain roads, spectacular scenery, the Mediterranean sea, Monaco and its Grand Prix, beaches, boats, French cuisine, great wines, elegant villas, exciting cars, glamorous women, a temperate climate. Of course, those dreams inevitably had me at the wheel of something exotic! When I finally got there it was in a Fiat 124 economy car. A few years later I was in Nice, helping direct some commercials I'd written. Our producer provided me with a comfortable Peugeot 504 sedan but that was no more fun than the Fiat. Third time lucky, however: as the guest of an Alberta oilman for a week, I had the use of a Ferrari 400 GT for our trips to Florence and Portofino.
I haven't visited the Riviera in many years but if I should be so lucky, my ride will be a car from Rent-A-Car-Classic. The firm offers uncompromising sports cars (Lotus Super Seven, Porsche Spyder 550, AC Cobra) for those winding roads; prestigious sedans (Rolls Royce, Cadillac) for one's arrival at the Casino in Monte Carlo; fun cars (Mehari, Mini Moke, Dune Buggy) for cruising through Cannes; classic sports cars (Alfa Romeo Spider Duetto, Ferrari 308, Jaguar E-Type) for tours by the sea or quick runs up the hills to that Michelin-starred village restaurant. So if you're planning a trip to the Riviera I suggest calling or e-mailing Rent-A-Car-Classic in advance to book one of these desirable automobiles. My choice, incidentally, would be the Alfa Duetto for its balance of style, performance, handling, and economy. And because nothing drives like a classic.