The famous Mefistofele, a record-breaking car built by Sir Ernest Eldridge on the base of a 1908 Fiat SB4 Corsa will be displayed in the "Cathedral Paddock" area. This car, the only one of its kind in the world, has a fascinating history and returns after ten years to the "Goodwood Festival of Speed". Sir Eldridge bought a 1908 Fiat SB4, a racing car at the end of its competitive career, with the aim of making a record-breaking car that would satisfy his dreams and be in keeping with the pioneering philosophy of the age. He modified the car by lengthening the chassis, using parts derived from a London bus and adding a Fiat A12 aircraft engine (the "A-12 Bis") converted to deliver 320 HP at 1800 rpm (4 carburettors and 4 distributors were added in place of the 2 magnetos).

On 12 July 1924, the Mefistofele - so called due to the bangs and puffs of smoke that it emitted when beating the world speed record - burned up the long beaten earth track at the extraordinary speed of 234.980 km/h. Avvocato Giovanni Agnelli purchased the car from the heirs of Sir Eldridge in 1969 and now this unique car belongs to Fiat's historical collection and has been returned to perfect working order after a long and laborious process of restoration.

Closer to the other end of the scale from Mefistofele in terms of innovation, achievement and taste, is the latest special edition of the Fiat 500 which has been tweaked by Italian fashion label Gucci. It follows on from a first 'fashion' version of the popular 500 which was undertaken by another Italian style house, this time Diesel.

During the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend a "Gucci ChicNic" will be held on the lawns. This initiative is styled as a summer picnic that will allow guests to both relax and to take a close look the new Fiat 500 by Gucci, which was customised by Gucci Creative Director, Frida Giannini, in collaboration with the Fiat Style Centre.

The car is available in two body colours (black or white) with glitter incorporated into the paint, giving it a luminescent appearance. The black has polished chrome detailing to provide a contrast to the white interior, while the white body coloured option has satin chrome finishings with an ivory and black interior. The exterior is further customised with 16-inch alloy wheels with retro-effect spokes and the Gucci double 'G' logo in the hub caps (the trademark logo also appearing on the B-pillars and the tailgate) as well as a wraparound stripe in the fashion house's corporate green-red-green colours. Inside, the 'band' theme also appears on the seats, gearbox, key cover, mats and on the seat belts, while there are also new materials in evidence and well as satin and polished chrome effect trims and two-tone Frau leather seats also featuring the Gucci print.