Archive

McLaren Automotive will open doors to the secretive design studio through a series of exclusive events held at a number of its European retailers throughout this year. The McLaren Design Tour commences on Tuesday, 3 May at McLaren Paris with an exclusive programme hosted by the team responsible for taking the thrilling designs from sketch to production. The invited guests will be provided with an unparalleled insight into the McLaren design philosophy and taken through a series of workshops covering various design aspects such as concept sketching or clay modelling. The exclusive programme will also include viewing opportunities of McLaren models, including the recently-launched McLaren 570S Coupé from the Sports Series. ‘Beautiful design has always been an integral part of McLaren DNA and I’m excited to explain its philosophy through the McLaren Design Tour,’ said Jon Pollock, Regional Director – […]

The countdown is on! In only six days time, MG Motor UK will be unveiling its all-new SUV, the MG GS,  to attendees of the London Motor Show. MG announced in October last year that it was the first volume manufacturer to confirm attendance at the London-based car show. The British brand decided that this was the perfect platform to unveil its new SUV, the MG GS. Following a tour around the UK in the form of augmented reality, members of the public attending the Battersea Park show will get the opportunity to get up-close and personal with the real MG GS. MG will be announcing further teases about the car at the event, which is sure to generate more interest in this exciting new model.

Caterham Cars will exhibit at the 2016 London Motor Show – the first major British motor show since 2008. The show is open to the public from Friday May 6 to Sunday May 8 and will be held at Battersea Evolution, featuring new and historic cars as well as motoring celebrities. Caterham will be present throughout the weekend, including the Press and Trade day on Thursday May 5.

June 18 will be the new style Alberta All British Motor Meet in Edmonton, AB Canada. Registration can be done through our website www.albertaallbritishmotoringsociety.ca entry fee is only $20.00 and this a day in the park that you don’t want to miss. This is simply one of the best days of the year… the cars bring people together in ways that just do not always happen on a normal day. Suddenly people who have never met are sharing stories about the cars in their life, the impact they had… the memories of that time… and people just come alive in ways that they have not seen in awhile… it is truly amazing and the cars are cool too…

The McLaren F1 is regarded by many as the car which rewrote the supercar rule book. With only 64 road car examples built between 1993 and 1998, the original McLaren F1 is one of the rarest and highly-regarded models among collectors, enthusiasts, and petrolheads. McLaren Special Operations (MSO) continues to maintain and manage McLaren F1s globally, and is offering one of last ever and finest examples of this highly-regarded model for sale. McLaren F1 chassis #069 is in factory condition, having covered less than 2,800 miles since new. During 1998, only six examples of the original McLaren F1 were completed, and chassis #069 was the 60th model overall to be hand-built in Woking, England. It is presented in Carbon Black complimented by subtle detailing throughout, including a stealth finish to the 17-inch centre-locking magnesium wheels. The central driving seat is […]

On Saturday 23rd of July 2016 the stunning Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb will become the setting for one of the UK’s largest gatherings of Morgan vehicles. Sports cars from past and present will delight the crowds as hundreds of them tackle the challenging climb. With music, entertainment and much more to see and do, this is a not to be missed event for any Morgan enthusiast and their family. This year we celebrate 80 years of the iconic 4/4 with a special historic display and lunchtime parade. Also on display, and included in your ticket price: • Some of the latest, oldest and most interesting Morgan cars in the world • 100s of Morgan cars on display • Live music from Elles Bailey and the Worcester Male Voice Choir • Trade stands, fashion and accessories • Indoor and outdoor catering […]

Powerful, exhilarating and timelessly elegant – up to 75 of the finest Aston Martin cars will be showcased at King’s Cross on Sunday 8 May. The Aston Martin Owners Club will take over the King’s Boulevard with 50 of its members’ finest Aston Martin cars. In addition, a special collection of 25 classic cars, representing the five manufacturing eras of Aston Martin, will be on display between the fountains of the award-winning Granary Square – a celebration of world class British car design through the ages.

The new McLaren 570GT will make its UK debut at the revived London Motor Show, following the global reveal at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. The latest model in the Sports Series will be joining the 650S Spider and the sold-out 675LT Spider as part of the McLaren London stand #L63 at Battersea Evolution, Battersea Park. The 570GT is the most refined and luxurious McLaren to date sitting alongside the 570S Coupé and 540C Coupé as the third model in the recently announced Sports Series. Practical enough for everyday use and long-distance journeys, the 570GT features a unique side-opening rear glass hatch offering additional storage on the leather-upholstered Touring Deck. The light and airy cabin is specified with the highest quality materials throughout and includes a standard fixed glass Panoramic Roof creating an open and relaxing driving environment.

Having slashed a substantial 207 kg from its cars this year alone, Lotus remains the leader in the engineering of lightweight, high-performance supercars. From the iconic Elise, through to the hypercar humbling 3-Eleven, every Lotus benefits from the company’s approach to engineering in lightness at every stage of design and construction. With its heaviest model weighing in at just 1,395 kg, it’s still streets ahead of rivals. With a heritage of efficient design, no other car manufacturer can claim a better track record when it comes to honing road and race cars. In its 68th year, Lotus still remains true to the ethos of the company’s founder Colin Chapman, and his approach to design and construction.

The organisers of the  Silverstone Classic (29-31 July) are delighted to announce eBay, the global online marketplace, will be joining the event, for the first time, as the official parts and accessories partner. Demonstrating that eBay is the premier destination for car parts, show-goers will be able to follow the live restoration of a 1982 classic Range Rover over the three-day event. Hosted by eBay, RESTORATION LIVE with Fergus Walkinshaw is sure to be a hugely popular attraction for the tens of thousands of show-goers, many of whom will be travelling to Silverstone in their own lovingly restored classics.

The Beaulieu Simply Classics & Sports Car on Saturday 18th June will celebrate the best-loved sports cars and classic cars on the roads, with a fantastic display in the grounds of the National Motor Museum on Father’s Day weekend. One of the highlights of the Beaulieu events calendar, Simply Classics & Sports Car promises to please not only motoring fans but also lovers of everything retro, with new show features for 2016. Admire a wide variety of pre-1990 classics, and sports cars of all ages in the vibrant display, spanning family saloons, classic commercials, roofless roadsters and more. Show regular the Bournemouth & Poole MG Owners’ Club will also showcase a fantastic selection of members’ cars on its club stand.

Our video this week is titled “Magnificent Machines – The Golden Age of the British Sports Car”. I thought it was time to get a little less marque specific and a little more all-inclusive this week. You know, broaden our horizons a bit, just like going to shows does. When I got to car shows, I often find myself marveling at some creation that either I didn’t know existed or would not have believed myself to be at all interested in. This documentary was broadcast by the BBC in 2012 as part of the “Timeshift” series. It takes a look back at the golden age of British Sports Cars using both in period and modern footage to emphasize the craze around the Jaguars, Austin-Healys, MGs and Triumph’s of the early days. This was the golden age of the British sports […]

Thousands of classic and vintage car fans enjoyed a mixture of exotic cars, military vehicles and motorbikes in the sun at the eighth Sunday Scramble at Bicester Heritage. In total, more than 3500 people, 1500 cars and 30 classic car clubs were on site. The combination of glorious weather, the beautiful old buildings at Bicester Heritage and Drive It Day meant the attendees were treated to a wonderful array of cars from all eras and from all over the world. The event marked another successful step in Bicester Heritage’s history, and it has grown at a rapid rate in just three years to become a phenomenally popular date in classic car fans’ diaries. Thirty classic car clubs were in attendance, with Porsche, MG, TVR and Jaguar owners clubs all on site, along with regional clubs from the likes of Coventry […]

The MINI plant in Oxford today celebrates 15 years since the first new MINIs rolled off the production line on 26 April, 2001. The BMW Group, which is marking its centenary year in 2016, acquired the plant in 1994 and relaunched the brand in 2001 with the debut of the new MINI Hatch.

Bespoke vehicle tuning and automotive design company, VIP Design London, has created what it believes is the most powerful Jaguar F-Type in the world, the VIP Design Project Predator. Delivering a blisteringly quick 650bhp of pure driving passion and a top speed of more than 200mph, the dyno tested and proven upgrade package is delivered through a number of mechanical and software upgrades working in unison. Firstly, the engine. High-flow air filters achieve increased combustion and throttle. An uprated supercharger pulley, part of VIP Design’s secret recipe, brings the software upgrade to life. Increasing supercharger boost pressures perfectly matched to the enhanced fuelling of the software delivers hugely dramatic reductions in 0-60 times and power delivery across the whole rev range. The VIP Design Team spent a full three weeks developing this remap on the dyno.

Bentley Motorsport has continued its strong start to the 2016 Blancpain GT Series race with a third-place finish in Monza, Italy. The #8 Continental GT3, of Andy Soucek (ES), Maxime Soulet (BE) and latest Bentley Boy to join the team, Wolfgang Reip (BE), took the car’s second podium of the year so far. After making up five positions in the opening lap, the car #8 team drove flawlessly to take a further 15 points towards the overall championship. In the identical Bentley Team M-Sport sister car, drivers Guy Smith (GB), Vince Abril (MO) and Steven Kane (GB) charged through the pack to make up for their issues in qualifying. After climbing 28 places, however, the car #7 Bentley Boys took a drive-through penalty and had to settle for 14th. “The team did a fantastic job to get a podium this […]

The extraordinary craftsmanship that goes into realising Bespoke customer commissions is set to be showcased at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars London, Berkeley Square, Mayfair, during London Craft Week. Bespoke masterpieces including the Maharaja Phantom Drophead Coupé, Wraith ‘Inspired by Music’ and Wraith ‘Inspired by Fashion’ will take centre stage at the iconic showroom as part of London Craft Week on Thursday 5 May 2016.

I will admit to featuring this book because Keith Martin was the emcee for the Kiawah Island Motoring Retreat this past weekend. But it isn’t pandering, it is because I honestly became interested in Keith and his collecting interests. The fact that he is restoring a Bugeye Sprite and was quite interested in the WSM Sprite at the show doesn’t hurt.  For those of you who don’t know, Keith Martin is the editor OKand publisher of Sports Car Market Magazine. Anyway, about the book.  In Strange but True Tales of Car Collecting, Keith Martin and the staff of Sports Car Market Magazine recount the wildest car-collecting stories of all time, focusing on tales of the most eccentric and over-the-top collectors and collections. Have you heard of the fellow who squirreled away dozens of Chevelles, Camaros, and other classic muscle cars in semi trailers? […]