Articles by Staff

On 8 September 2015 Rolls-Royce Motor Cars broke new ground by presenting Dawn, the marque’s acclaimed new Drophead Coupé motor car to the world’s media via an interactive, globally streamed online launch. This bold approach was borne out of an intimate understanding of the rapidly changing profile of the marque’s customers and enthusiasts, whilst acknowledging and adapting to the digital media landscape. In total, 4,000 journalists and influencers from around the world witnessed the ‘Digital Dawn’ live, with many posing questions directly to Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. This was a landmark moment in the marque’s ongoing commitment to pioneering new digital approaches to interacting with customers, media and fans of the brand.

The star guests of the Classic & Sports Car – The London Show Interview Stage, in partnership with Smooth Radio, have been revealing their Top Five cars to see at Alexandra Palace. Peter Stevens – designer of the McLaren F1 and Jaguar XJR-15 Range Rover “While Jeep in America had first offered a more comfortable family focused version of the famous four wheel drive off-road vehicle, Land Rover took the concept further and, in doing so, started a marketing trend that every manufacturer has had to follow.” McLaren F1 “Still a delight for me to see because it will always remind me of the great little team of guys who worked together on the car; it was very hard and concentrated work but we had a lot of fun together and produced something that we are all still very proud […]

More than 380 pioneering veteran cars dating back to very the dawn of motoring enjoyed unseasonably mild conditions to take part in this year’s Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. As tradition dictates, the 119th Anniversary Run set out from Hyde Park at day break and headed 60-miles south through a misty London and onto a sunny Sussex seafront. For only the third time in more than half a century, this year’s route took the intrepid participants – all driving pioneering cars from the pre-1905 era ­– past Buckingham Palace and down The Mall before heading past Big Ben and over Westminster Bridge. The capital’s early morning mist added to the period Victorian atmosphere. The first few cars began to arrive on Maderia Drive shortly after 10am – the 1903 Berliet driven by John Bentley just pipping the 1904 […]

MG Motor UK is pleased to announce it is the first volume manufacturer to confirm its attendance at the new London Motor Show. MG will be displaying its latest model range at the Battersea Park show in May 2016. Matthew Cheyne, Head of Sales and Marketing for MG, said: “We’re really excited to announce our attendance at the London Motor Show. It’s great to see a motor show return to the UK and we’re thrilled to be part of it. “We see it as a fantastic opportunity to showcase our latest range and interact with the public. We really hope that more manufacturers will follow and the show will be up there with the likes of Geneva and Paris as a platform for launching new and exciting brands and models.” Those attending the motor show will see MG’s latest range […]

When the inaugural London Classic Car Show opened its doors in January, it covered 18,000 sq m of prime exhibition space at ExCeL London. Crammed with innovative features, mouth-watering classic cars and a star-studded list of celebrity visitors, that inaugural show was such a success that even before the show closed it was announced that the 2016 edition (18-21 February, 2016) would be almost half as big again.

McLaren Automotive, the British producer of luxury sports and supercars, has announced the appointment of Duncan Forrester and Freddie Gilbey to the Global Communications team, creating its first Corporate and Lifestyle Communications function which will report into Global Communications Director, Wayne Bruce. Duncan Forrester is appointed to the role of Global Corporate Communications Manager with responsibility for elevating the reputation of McLaren as a benchmark luxury automotive technology company, employer of choice for world-class engineers and an important contributor to the success of UK PLC.  Duncan undertook work experience for the McLaren Formula 1™ team in 1987/88. He re-joins McLaren following 26 years in the automotive industry at dealership, national sales company and global manufacturer levels. Working for brands such as BMW in the UK and Volvo Car Group in the UK and Sweden, he was latterly Global Vice President, […]

The most powerful, most luxurious, most exclusive and fastest SUV in the world, the Bentley Bentayga, makes its ice-driving debut in 2016 at Bentley’s flagship customer event, Power on Ice. Power on Ice is an unforgettable four-day experience that provides the opportunity to push a full range of Bentley cars to their limits. Running throughout February next year, guests will be among the first to explore the Bentayga’s extraordinary capabilities in one of the most beautiful and challenging environments in the world. Two days of exhilarating ice driving training are provided by the vastly experienced Bentley Ice Driving Team. Leading the tuition will be four-time World Rally Champion and two-time ice-speed record holder, Juha Kankkunen – who personally designs each of the ten ice tracks. A range of Bentley models, including the brand’s performance flagship, the Continental GT3-R, will take […]

Following a highly successful year in 2015, which saw brand new sales and record-breaking prices achieved for cars, Silverstone Auctions has released details of its upcoming sales for 2016. Kicking off the auction calendar will be the Race Retro sale, the fifth sale of its kind that the auction house has held there. The two-day sale will take place on 27-28 February and will feature a collection of classic road cars, historic racing cars, motorcycles as well as automobilia and lifestyle items. The specialist auction house will return to the Practical Classics Restoration and Classic Car Show on 6 March. The sale will offer buyers the chance to acquire some of the most exceptional restoration projects as well as intriguing barn-finds. Returning to its spiritual home at The Wing, Silverstone Circuit, Silverstone Auctions will hold its popular stand-alone May Sale […]

The Jaguar E-type has added yet another award to its enviable roll of honour after being voted as Best British Car Ever in a worldwide poll run by the inaugural Classic & Sportscar – The London Show, running from 30 October to 1 November at Alexandra Palace. With thousands of votes cast, the E-type garnered the most votes of the shortlisted cars that also included the McLaren F1, Mini, Bentley Speed Six, Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost plus other British icons such as the original Range Rover and Jaguar’s own XKSS.

Ahead of his return to the airwaves, or at least wire-waves, next year, Jeremy Clarkson has made his first appearance for Amazon in a commercial for the Amazon Fire Stick. Find out more about the Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond & James May all-new car show for Amazon Prime at http://www.amazon.co.uk/guesswhosback

The London Show has opened its doors to the public for the first time with thousands of visitors treated to stunning displays, exciting live stage interviews and all things historic motoring. Presenter of BBC TV show Building Cars Live, Ant Anstead, opened the inaugural show to an eager crowd, before revealing that the Jaguar E-type had won Best British Car Ever following a hotly contested public vote. The presenter then took to the Interview Stage, sponsored by Smooth Radio, to share anecdotes from his career and his new TV shows including Building Cars Live in addition to talking about some of his favourite classics. Formula One legend, Ross Brawn OBE, was next to be interviewed by broadcaster Henry Hope-Frost, discussing not only classic cars but also his illustrious F1 career and the future of the sport. CEO of WeSeeHope, Mark […]

The first production right hand drive 1967 TR5 Roadster is to be sold by leading classic car restorers Classic Motor Cars (CMC). This incredibly special car was the first TR5 P1 to be built on the normal assembly line, and is one of only 1,100 to be produced, carrying with it an indisputable history.

The all-new Jaguar XE is achieving widespread praise from its first owners following its launch earlier this year, andfrom today the Jaguar sports saloon experience is offered to the next generation of drivers with the launch of ‘Jaguar First’. This new scheme from Jaguar offers driving lesson experience days to 11-17 year-olds to help prepare them for their driving test and for driving safely and responsibly on public roads. Jaguar First lessons start from just £45 and are available to book at www.jaguarfirst.com. The lessons offer under 17s a fun and safe way to experience driving a car, in a realistic on-the-road environment, with a focus on the skills and attitude needed to become a responsible driver.

Aston Martin has once again confirmed its position as the most popular car brand in Germany. Readers of the renowned title Auto Bild Klassik voted the V12 Vantage S Roadster “Classic Car of the Future”. For the sixth year in succession, Auto Bild Klassik has presented Europe’s most important Classic Award. 98 candidates were nominated in 13 categories. The award ceremony took place in the Autostadt in Wolfsburg on October 20th. Mark Kenworthy, Regional Director European Operations of Aston Martin Lagonda of Europe, says: “We are very proud to once again receive this important award. The Aston Martin V12 Vantage S Roadster embodies the genes of Aston Martin perfectly: Superior performance in timeless design. We thank the readers of Auto Bild Klassik for their support.”

For our video this week we turn once again to our friends at Take to the Road with their excellent video of  the Gilbern T11 from Wales. To quote the guys at Take to the road … Gilbern is not a name that immediately springs to mind when you think of classic British sports cars. In fact not many people know about the former car maker that hailed from Wales. And even fewer are aware of its exciting two seat, rear engined sports coupe project from the 1970s. Founded in 1959 by Giles Smith and Bernard Friese, Gilbern was Wales’ only car maker. Both the former butcher and the former German Army soldier succeeded in building a car company from nothing and for a time challenged the likes of Jaguar and Rover with the Gilbern Genie V6. By the time […]

Motoring fans keen to expand their libraries, and maybe get an autographed copy too, should head to the inaugural Classic & Sports Car – The London Show at Alexandra Palace this autumn. That’s because the show will feature a host of world-class literary exhibitors, offering visitors everything from historical bestsellers to one-off coffee table books and, of course, a wide selection of motoring magazines. Some of the event’s Interview Stage guests will also be on hand to put pen to paper with some exclusive book signing sessions.

Jaguar and Land Rover have used iconic cars and moments from the rich heritages of both brands to inspire new merchandise collections, which are available to explore and order online and at Jaguar and Land Rover UK retailers from today. The exciting new collections include a variety of new and innovative products ranging from top quality apparel to stylish watches and branded accessories. Lindsay Weaver, Director of Licensing and Branded Goods for Jaguar Land Rover, said: “The new Jaguar and Land Rover collections combine exceptional design and originality with outstanding quality. In addition to a stunning range of heritage-inspired products, we have also created new core and lifestyle ranges which continue to be stylish and relevant”. The Jaguar and Land Rover 2016 merchandise collections build on an accomplished variety of premium products launched to date, that have proved increasingly popular […]

Beaulieu has announced that the 2016 dates for its world-famous International Autojumble, held in the grounds of the National Motor Museum, have been confirmed as the 3rd  and 4th September. Traditionally, the International Autojumble is held on the second full weekend of September and for several years the Goodwood Revival, the date of which is always dependent on the F1 Grand Prix calendar, has taken place on the following weekend. However, for the last two years the Revival has been brought forward a week to fit in with the F1 race schedule and as it is not in the best interests of Goodwood, Beaulieu, their exhibitors or visitors, to hold events on the same weekend, the decision was made to move Beaulieu’s International Autojumble forward a week as well. The same situation has prevailed for 2016 so Beaulieu will again […]