Articles by Michael Carnell

The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance is only a few weeks away now – less than a month. And yes, I am ripe with anticipation. So are quite a few other people, although perhaps “ripe” may not be the most appropriate word. As best as can be forecast this far out, the weather looks like it will be beautiful. It is right now anyway – down here in the semi-balmy South. Let we forget in our automotive excitement, the true goal of the weekend is to raise money for the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Foundation, a 501(c)(3) corporation. The Foundation has donated over $2.5 million since 1996 to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, Spina Bifida of Jacksonville, the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, Shop with Cops, Micah’s Place and other worthy charitable organizations across North Florida.

British Auto Legends: Classics of Style and Design is purely and simply a gorgeous book. Sure, it is a coffee table book, but my god, it is such a beautiful coffee table book! This single work gives our lowly coffee table a reason to exist. This superbly illustrated book brings together more than fifty of the most significant British cars designed between the early twentieth century and the present. At well over 270 pages, there are over 50 of Britains most beautiful and significant cars covered. From the 1907 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost all the way up to Jaguars’s 1998 XK180, there are a good number of high-end cars featured that are not only beyond normal grasp but may never be seen in person. There are, however, a good number of more mainstream beauties displayed. These include cars regularly seen at shows and even […]

Our Video of the Week this week is not just a single video but an entire channel. The MG Cars Channel was created by of David Shelburne of Shelburn Films. In David’s words, “there are lots of individual MG videos out there, on YouTube and others. But it’s not easy to find the specific videos you are interested in. What I am trying to do is create one place where people can go and find a large variety of MG videos to choose from.” This is the place to find videos about all things MG.  You can become familiar with the history of MG by learning about the various models produced through the years; start with “The First MG,” to learn that it was not the car we call “Old Number One.”  Follow the link at the end of each video to find […]

This isn’t an article about Jaguars, but I have been thinking a lot recently about them. Specifically a pre-2005 XK8. I need an adult daily-driver car with a bit of style and an XK8 seems like it would fit the bill nicely. As I do my research and price out the different years and models I inevitably began pondering the question of what else that same money might buy. In short order that led me to talk with some car buddies about the relative merits of the different choices. A variation on the “if I won the lottery” theme. Let’s stay that you had $10K to spend on a British car. The rules are that you must buy a British car with it that you will drive every day – both sun and rain, summer and winter. Of course, you could […]

Our video this week is humbly titled “MGB Movie” and traces the development of the MGB from its replacement of the venerable MGA in 1962 all the way through MGs decline and the resurgence with the MG RV8 in 1993. It is easy to forget today how important the MGB was during its time. If you go to a British car show this weekend, who can blame you for getting a bit tired of the rows on rows of Bs? Hey, don’t blame the messenger.  I have a 1977 B roadster now, have had numerous models and vintages of convertibles and GTs, and absolutely love them. But, even I can get a bit tired of the umpteenth over “restored” B with a Weber carb, headers, electronic fuel pump, alloy valve cover, stone-guard headlight covers, and modern digital radio. We are justified […]

The British Motor Corporation’s (BMC) 1100 and 1300 model range was amongst the most successful in the Corporation’s history, selling more than 2.1 million of all types between its introduction in 1962 and its demise in 1974. Worldwide, the BMC 1100 was sold under eight different marque names and in two-door saloon, four-door saloon, two-door estate, and five-door hatchback forms – and very nearly as a van as well. In Britain, it was the country’s best-selling car between 1962 and 1971, being beaten just once (in 1967) by the Ford Cortina. The BMC 1100 and 1300: An Enthusiasts Guide by James Taylor looks at the design and development of a model range that at the time confirmed BMC as a pioneer of new automotive ideas and had a profound impact on other manufacturers. It covers not only the full standard […]

The Kiawah Island Motoring Retreat (KIMR) has put out a call that they have space for a few more concours quality cars. The 2016 Kiawah Island Motoring Retreat rolls onto Kiawah Island April 15-17, 2016. Located at the entrance to the famed Ocean Course, this celebration of outstanding automobiles features an entire weekend of events. More than one hundred unique and rare Concours cars will compete for the Best of Show trophy and other awards on Sunday, April 17. Collectors are encouraged to submit entries at www.kiawahconcours.com. There is no application fee, but all entries are subject to a selection process.

Word on the street and the net is that the Special Vehicle Operations unit of Jaguar Land Rover is preparing to unveil a special version of the already fantastic Jaguar F-Type. According to sources including Jalopnik, the SVR F-Type will make an estimated 575 horsepower propelling to 200 miles per hour. This is coming from the same group who produced the Range Rover Sport SVR. What appears to be brochure pics and some details trickled out today on Autoblog.nl, Autovisie.nl and other Dutch car sites. According to reports, the SVR F-Type has a supercharged V8, all-wheel drive, and will apparently do the zero to 60 mph (0-100 km/h) dash in about 3.7 seconds. While the manual remains available for the V6 only, the SVR will deliver its power via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The car should be available in both coupe […]

We are very happy for our Video of the Week to feature a snapshot of a fantastic video for fans of Triumphs and racing alike. John Clancy at Triumph DVD has put out a new DVD that brings you the full story of the Group 44 Inc. race team featuring Bob Tullius, his crew and other important people who were there at the time. From their humble TR3 origins to taking Jaguar back to Le Mans in 1984 with the XJR-5 GTP cars, this is the complete, amazing history. This is the complete history of the Group 44 Inc. race team which was so dominant in Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) racing in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. From the origins of the team when Bob Tullius first joined up with fellow racer […]

Triumph TR2, 3, 3A, 4 & 4A – Enthusiast’s Restoration Manual by Roger Williams has been released in ebook format by Veloce Publishing. Previously available as two separate volumes, this book, which covers all Triumph TR2, 3, 3A, 4 & 4A models, explains the characteristics of the different models, what to look out for when purchasing and how to restore a TR cost effectively. As well as his own substantial experience and that of other amateur restorers, the author had the help of various TR specialists and professional restorers. These books, in their separate forms, have been around for years and are the go-to reference works on the subject of the TRs. To be clear, this is not a shop manual or handbook. To carry out any significant maintenance or repair on your TR you will need to obtain one […]

Our video this week is a great period piece celebrating the Chimney Rock Hillclimb which ran in North Carolina for approximately four decades. The Chimney Rock Hillclimb was the most legendary hillclimb in the South. Held in Chimney Rock, North Carolina, it was a rite of spring for both drivers and spectators. Beginning in 1956 when sports cars and sports car racing was still in its infancy, the climb challenged Triumphs, Jaguars, MG’s and their drivers to a high-speed rollercoaster ride that scared even the most fearless. With two miles of hairpins and switchbacks and trees for guard rails, it was an event to behold. Sadly the challenge to the mountain came to an end as a result of “changing times”. In 1995 “the Rock” fell asleep again.     To quote the Chimney Rock website … Engines roared. Tires […]

Original “Italian Job” movie stunt driver and Mini racer, Phil Wicks, is offering his highly successful 1967 Mini Cooper S 1275 race car for sale. The price is listed at $55,000. This car was originally an SCCA racer and has the original race log book from 1972. There is also the current up to date log book. Wicks has raced and prepared the car for the past five years, competing in 42 vintage races with 39 first in class and many overall Group 1 first places. First place in the Walter Mitty at Road Atlanta for the past five years. First place at the Gold Cup at VIR for the past five years.

Our Video of the Week (VotW) this go round purports to be from 1948, but is probably actually from a slightly later date. “Safety Fast” is a look back at the cars of MG produced by British-Pathe in association with the Nuffield Organization. The Nuffield Organization was the unincorporated umbrella-name or promotional name used for the charitable and commercial interests of owner and donor, William Morris, 1st Viscount Nuffield. The name was assumed following Nuffield’s gift made to form his Nuffield Foundation in 1943, it linked his business interests to his existing very generous philanthropy. The same enterprises had previously been referred to as the Morris Organizations and, at first, described itself as The Nuffield Organization, A Cornerstone of Britain’s Industrial Structure. This video contains some fantastic scenes not often seen of the MG factory and delivery system at work. We often […]

Arthur George Wilson joined Aston Martin in the early part of 1959. In a career spanning over 40 years, he took up the post of AML Head of Engines in 1984 where he stayed until his retirement in 2000. He developed the 580X Vantage Aston Martin engine, the 32 valve engine and designed and developed the twin supercharged 32 valve Vantage engine, and the engine for the normally aspirated V8 Coupe. Wilson has written Aston Martin Engine Development which will be a must-have for all Aston Martin owners. Reading this book is roughly akin to being told a story by a new friend while poking around in the garage. You know what happens, you are looking at cars and maybe diagnosing a fault as you talk about dogs or the weather or how you came to acquire this car, when all of […]

We don’t often run two videos on the same day, but when it involves a buddy, we make an exception.  The first Keno Brothers Fine Automobile Auction was held in New York City, back on November 18th and 19th. Our sometimes contributor Bob Seider was part of the team that put on the auction, and we ran his story on the E-Type offered. From Davids Films, “this video  short impression of what it was like to create something entirely new for the Collector Car World. A dynamite team pulled this one off with great creativity and huge passion for cars. This is how we roll.” The next automobile auction put on by the brothers of Antiques Roadshow fame will be held in Pennsylvania in June. On June 10, 2016, the auction will be held in conjunction with The Elegance at Hershey. […]

Our video this week comes from the folks at “The Fast Lane Car” and features a look at the exception Aston Martin DB2/4 DHC. Over the decades. Aston Martin has built some of the most beautiful and sexy cars ever made. And many would argue that the 1955 Aston Martin DB2/4 Drop Head Coupe is no exception to the rule. This model was featured in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds. It is also one of only a few small number of Aston Martin DB2/4 Drop Head Coupe convertibles ever built – supposedly just 15. It features a dual overhead cam straight-6 designed by W. O. Bentley and it features four seats and a convertible top. Just those facts alone make it a classic. Just for references sake, Hagerty’s value guide currently suggests that a 1954 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk I, not the […]

Twas the night before the car show, but I was out in the shed. My car wasn’t budging – the danged thing was dead. The battery and petrol had been checked twice with care, The tires kicked too, to make sure they held air. The plugs were all snugged up, tight on their leads, While shop towels betrayed how much knuckles can bleed. Once more I inspected the rotor and cap, But that car was intent on a long freakin’ nap. When out in the street there arose such a clatter, I sat up far too fast to see what was the matter. Into the sump my head slammed with a bash, Crunched back to the floor – I grew faint with the crash. The lump on my forehead and ringing in ears, Gave an aura of migraine, while nausea […]

OK, I will have to admit to having a bit of a ‘man crush‘ on Ian Callum. How could any follower of British cars and fan of Jaguar not? Here is a man who set out early on to pursue his passion, has worked for Aston Martin and Jaguar helping to create some of the most iconic modern designs, is well spoken, and is genuinely a nice guy. I had the good fortune of meeting Ian in 2014 at the Hilton Head Motoring Festival when Jaguar was launching their new F-Type. His insights into not only the work he does for Jaguar but into the automotive design field as a whole were eye-opening. His recollections of his youth and dedication to becoming a design engineer were just as enlightening. In this ten-minute video, you can watch as Jaguar Director of Design […]