Archive

The Aston Martin Feltham Club was founded in 2010 by Barrie Robinson because as a long time British classic car amateur restorer he could not find a Club that focussed on the Feltham-built Aston Martins.  Since then the membership has grown to over 150 members worldwide.  The newsletter which “occasionally comes out” has pinpointed some safety issues with some models as well as providing valuable information on restoration. Using factories in South Africa, Canada, China and the UK the Club manufacturers parts that are no longer available in the market.  Sometimes parts are made to higher specifications or an improved design without deviating from visual originality. The Club keeps an eye on the market and publishes auction results on its website at www.AMFClub.com. Membership is free and the Club relies on donations as well as some advertising on the website. There […]

Jaguar today takes the wraps off its new electric motorsport future, revealing its Formula E team’s official name, vision, title sponsor, driver line-up and electric racing livery. From this October, Panasonic Jaguar Racing will compete in the third FIA Formula E season with the first all-electric Jaguar racing car in history: the I-TYPE 1. At the launch event at the Jaguar Collections Centre, the new I-TYPE 1 made a dramatic debut driven by the team’s official reserve driver Ho-Pin Tung and outlining the brands commitment to ‘Race To Innovate’ – a mission to change the perception of electric vehicles, to develop new electric technology and to inspire future generations.

Reader Gary Swift and his son went to the Aveton Gifford Classic Car Show, Devon, England, last weekend. Gary’s son entered his blue Austin Mini, which they say was parked next to a lovely Ford Corsair. The event was a short drive from where Gary lives, and he sent in a great series of pictures as a report from the event. According to the event organizers, despite some overnight rain and a mad dash in the morning to lay straw over the entrance they had a great show with over 1,000 people attending and 100+ classic cars and tractors on display together with a show of classic motorbikes next to the village hall. Sounds and looks like a fun event! Thanks to Gary for sending in the report, and we hope to have a report from him, and his son, on […]

The shortlist for The Classic & Sports Car Show’s ‘A Century of Supercars’ global poll has been confirmed, with 33 of the world’s fastest and most pioneering speed machines whittled down to 11 thanks to over 17,000 votes by members of the public. Supercar enthusiasts have been flocking online since June to vote for their favourite cars from 11 different eras, ranging from pre-1914 models all the way to modern machines built after 2010. And now the public must decide which of the 11 cars will be crowned the greatest supercar ever at The Classic & Sports Car Show, held at Alexandra Palace from 28th-30th October. Some truly iconic names make up the shortlist, including the Ferrari F40, McLaren F1 and Alfa Romeo 8C. Here are the contenders looking to be crowned at Alexandra Palace: Up to 1914 Mercedes 1908 […]

Rolls-Royce will celebrate the 2016 Goodwood Revival with a significant presence at the legendary motor circuit. The centrepiece will be The March Motor Works, which this year is transformed into a period Rolls-Royce showroom, recapturing the sights, sounds and atmosphere of the marque’s glamorous Berkeley Square and Park Lane premises in London’s West End during the 1950s.

Our video this week is a quick, very quick, look at what it means to own a Triumph Spitfire or MGB. Both of the people and cars in this video are unique, but even with the choices and differences, they hit upon some of the common threads of classic British sportscar ownership. I will admit to finding this video interesting partially for the reason that I have both an MGB and a Spitfire in the stable at the moment. The Spitfire is my daily driver and the MGB is undergoing a very slow version of a restoration. In a short period of time, with either car, you become intimately familiar with their quirks, charm, and personalities. And yes, unlike a lot of modern cars, the little roadsters have a ton of personality and no two – even of same year […]

Bentley Motors is today announcing the introduction of a new flagship to the Flying Spur range, blending luxury, style and power: the Flying Spur W12 S. The new model is the first four-door Bentley to have a top speed in excess of 200 mph, and offers a more sporting experience for owners looking for increased power, torque and responsiveness.

More than 36,000 visitors turned out for Beaulieu’s 50th International Autojumble with 2,378 stands crammed with motoring treasures and elusive spare parts for classic car enthusiasts. Exhibitors dressed their stands in gold for the celebratory year and a special anniversary exhibition and commemorative booklet recorded five decades of the largest Autojumble this side of the Atlantic.

Visitors to this year’s Classic & Sports Car Show will be treated to an amazing sight this autumn: the live restoration of a one-of-a-kind ‘lost’ Jaguar by a team of specialists from Classic Motor Cars (CMC). In its first public appearance for 40 years, the 1954 XK120, which features bodywork by Pininfarina, will be restored at the event from 28th – 30th October, giving show goers unprecedented access to the techniques and skill that goes into bringing a classic car back to its full glory. And what a car. The unique Jaguar is believed to have been created for US importer, Max Hoffman, and was displayed at the 1955 Geneva Motor Show. It will be the key focal point in a special restoration hall at the Alexandra Palace show.

Jaguar’s designers have applied their talents to a futuristic installation at a major international exhibition in London. The team, led by Jaguar Director of Design Ian Callum, revealed their laser-powered display at the inaugural London Design Biennale, a three-week event at Somerset House. Artists and designers from more than 30 countries are taking part, all working on the theme ‘Utopia by Design’. 

Aston Martin today opened its first brand experience boutique in the heart of London’s Mayfair district. Located in one of the capital’s most sought-after streets ‘Aston Martin at No. 8 Dover Street’ is an intersection of the company’s products, experiences and brand collaborations. No. 8 Dover Street will also be a destination for design master classes, art exhibitions, dinner series and other exclusive events. No. 8 Dover Street is an expression of the British marque’s Art of Living by Aston Martin concept, a carefully chosen portfolio of the finest artisan products and truly bespoke experiences that embody the Aston Martin spirit.

For the last 10 years, British Motor Heritage (BMH) MD, John Yea, has ably campaigned an FIA-compliant MGB in a variety of classic motorsport formulae. What’s particularly noteworthy about the car is that it was created around one of BMH’s authentic replacement bodyshells and that its build team included an undergraduate student from Oxford Brookes University.

MINI Challenge will join the British GT Championship for the first time next year, cementing its place as one of Europe’s fastest-growing single-make racing championship. The news marks the biggest step yet for the popular championship and follows a recent agreement between MINI Challenge and MINI UK which will see the brand provide increased support through the 2017 race season.

The St. Louis All British Car and Cycle show is an annual event that has been taking place for over 30 years. The show brings out a wonderful selection of the finest classic and more modern examples of the British Automobile (car) and Motorcycle industry. Come and visit to see over 150-200 beautiful cars and perhaps re-live a few memories. The show takes place in Creve Coeur Lake park and offers a wonderful scenic setting by the lake with shade from some large trees. For 2016 we are featuring the Triumph TR6 as the featured marque and model. 9:00am: Show Field Opens 9:00am-Noon: On-site registration 9:00am – 2:00pm: Swap Meet 11:00am – 1:30pm: Popular Voting 3:00pm: Awards (Please be at the pavilion at 2:30.) A concession stand offering food and drinks during the show is operated by the St. Louis […]

Our video this week is a features the sights and sounds of MG2016, the all-MG national meet held in June, 2016. The Ohio River in Louisville made a great backdrop for the 700 plus MGs on the show field. Get a short taste of the happenings. From the official “closing document” from Rick Ingram, Executive Director – North American Council of MG Registers: There were 829 registrations for this gathering. “On The Field” were 715 vehicles comprised of 2.66% ”pre-war” cars, 13.15% T-series cars, 22.52% MGAs or variants, and 56.78% MGBs/Cs/Midgets/1100s-1300s/or “Post-Abingdon” MGs. Additionally, 4.9% registered as “Other British” or enthusiasts participating without their MG. About 700 folks enjoyed our “Churchill Downs Experience” on Monday evening, and another 325 folks had the same experience on Wednesday evening. … Two hundred twenty enthusiasts visited the Corvette factory and museum over Tuesday and Wednesday on event-sponsored tours. About the same […]

For over 40 years, Witney-based British Motor Heritage (BMH) has been at the heart of the restoration and conservation of many of Britain’s best loved classic cars, having built over 6,000 complete replacement bodyshells for the MGB, MG RV8, MG Midget, Austin-Healey Sprite, Triumph TR6, original Mini and Mini Clubman, as well as literally tens of thousands of individual panels. Unlike those of alternative suppliers, these items are manufactured to original standards on the original tooling; though happily without the disruptions that characterised BMC production in the 1970s – until recently……………. Managing Director John Yea takes up the story: “We were preparing to run a batch of new bodyshells for the Mini Clubman when the staff discovered a great tit had nested in the specialist tooling reserved for this model. Important as it is to maintain our production schedules, we […]

Aston Martin Racing returns to the track this week, as the FIA World Endurance Championship heads to Mexico for its inaugural visit to the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Mexico City. Despite stormy conditions forecast for this week’s round of the WEC, the team will be hoping for smooth sailing following its double podium success last time out at the Nürburgring.

Kip Motor Company announces their 25th year of authentic restoration services for antique British, European, and exotic Domestic vehicles. With humble beginnings in the home garage, Kip’s fledging restoration company  (mostly Studebaker, Ford & Chevrolet) started providing service for his wife’s Nash Metropolitan that she used as her ‘company sales car’. Soon, other local owners requested service, restoration, and parts for their Metropolitan.