Wheelbase II: the most important cars in The Tunisian Operation

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Books about classic cars are often either dry encyclopaedias or pure fiction without technical or historical depth. Wheelbase II – The Tunisian Operation by Michael Kliebenstein is a refreshing exception. Kliebenstein is not only an author, but also a renowned classic car dealer with decades of experience. Following the success of Wheelbase, this sequel once again delivers a fictional thriller in which real cars play the leading roles. We spoke with Michael about the most important cars in his book:

1936 – Auto Union Type C (V16, 6 litres)

The Auto Union Type C is an obsession for Kliebenstein. “It is the origin of the modern Formula 1 concept: engine, gearbox and suspension as one unit at the rear. Pure Ferdinand Porsche.” For years he followed the rumour that one example, crashed during the 1936 Tunis Grand Prix, never returned to Europe and lay buried somewhere in North Africa. In Wheelbase II, his heroes actually uncover this mythical machine – a discovery that reads like pure poetry for the true connoisseur.

1939 – Rolls-Royce Phantom III Grand Cabriolet by Park Ward

Chassis 3DL200 once stood in Kabul. This Phantom III forms the emotional heart of the book. Kliebenstein already knew of its abandoned existence at the Royal Palace in the 1980s. “It once belonged to the King of Afghanistan. So desirable. But under the Taliban regime I could never reach it.” Originally delivered to King Mohammed Zahir Shah in Peshawar, the car later ended up in Kabul. Under Taliban rule it was destroyed; the aluminium of the Park Ward body was melted down into cutlery. In the book, the Rolls-Royce lives on as the bearer of a great secret. The desert chapters are among the highlights. To this day, no one knows where the remains are.

1943 – Dodge WC52 & WC63

“Probably nobody believes me when I say the Dodge WC52 is a fantastic car,” Kliebenstein laughs. “Everyone wants a Willys Jeep. But I value them enormously.” In the story, a WC52 and a three-axle WC63 cross the Tunisian and Libyan desert. The WC52 is called “Desert Belle”. “It’s my hero car – I drive one myself.” Eventually it ends up in London, taking on the villains. A military workhorse with character.

1957 – Bentley S1 Continental Fastback

In the opening chapters, the protagonists drive a smoke-green Bentley S1 Continental Fastback with red leather. For Kliebenstein it is one of the finest Continentals ever built: “Perfectly balanced, fast, immense torque, sharp and responsive. I even prefer it to the R-Type.” The Bentley serves as the daily driver – exactly what it was made for.

1962 – Ford Galaxie Convertible

This American convertible carries a personal meaning for the author. “I always picture an American soldier in Europe. When I was young, a sergeant used to drive one in full uniform – always in a Galaxie.” That image became the basis for chapter six.

1966–1971 – Ferrari 275 GTB/4 & 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spyder

Both Ferraris have inspired Kliebenstein for years. Once they were offered to him by a con man who did not even own them – he merely polished them. That experience found its way into the story and gave the plot an unexpected twist.

1969–1971 – Porsche 917 Long Tail

“The early Porsche prototypes are the true supercars of the 1960s.” Kliebenstein worked with several 917s and based a dramatic scene on his experience with the David Piper 917. “I wanted to convey their extreme fragility. It was an era in which fear always rode along.” In the book this leads to a violent crash at Silverstone.

1984 – Ferrari 288 GTO

In chapter eight, a 288 GTO with a mysterious past appears. “Many Ferraris are effectively built from more than one car. This one too – but it later turned out to be an ultra-rare Group B rally car.” In the book everything revolves around the question: which chassis number is it really?

1987 – Ferrari F40

“The F40 is not for the faint-hearted,” says Kliebenstein. Heavy clutch, unforgiving gearbox. In the story, his heroes drive one in mid-winter along the M1. “It bucks like an angry horse. You have to grab it by the scruff of the neck.” Taking classics out of their comfort zone – that is his passion.

2003 – Rolls-Royce Phantom VII

Kliebenstein was involved in the rebirth of Rolls-Royce under BMW and drove thousands of miles in various Phantom VIIs. His favourites are the Coupé and the EWB. “These modern classics always play a major role in my books.”

Wheelbase II – The Tunisian Operation is therefore a thriller written by someone who truly lives the story of its protagonists – or perhaps the other way around. In any case, it is told by someone who lives for these cars, and that never grows tiresome.

Details:

• Title: Wheelbase II – The Tunisian Operation
• Author: Michael Kliebenstein
• Price: € 16.95
• Order: click here.

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