Events

‘Well, I have never seen one of those!’ was possibly the most-repeated phrase heard at the 53rd National Austin 7 Rally held at Beaulieu on 5th July. With a theme of ‘Austin 7s and their Cousins’ the event attracted a unique collection of vehicles that came from as far away as France and Germany to join in this most popular of annual events. Alongside dozens of the more familiar home-produced Austins were rarities from BMW Dixi, Rosengart and Holden – all owing their heritage to the genius of Sir Herbert Austin and his designers who produced the first Austin 7 model in 1922. The car went on to become ‘the motor for the millions’ and nowadays is one of the best-loved of pre-war classics.

The Colorado English Motoring Conclave will be holding the 32nd edition of the Annual Conclave on Saturday and Sunday, September 19 & 20, 2015, at Oak Park, 64th Place and Oak Street, Arvada, Colorado 80004. The gathering of over 500 English vehicles (cars, motorcycles, and 4WDs) is the largest in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States The Colorado English Motoring Conclave was first coordinated in 1983 as a joint effort of the many English car and motorcycle clubs in the Denver metro area. The Austin-Healey, Jaguar, Lotus, MG Car Club, MG T Register, Morris Minor, Rolls Royce, Sunbeam, Triumph, TVR, Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing and British Motorcycle Association clubs all take part in the planning and promotion of this annual event.

Specialist insurance broker Footman James has announced the winner of a recent competition. John Thomas, from Llanelli in South Wales won free entry into the recent London to Brighton Run; the prize also included overnight accommodation, parking, dinner as well as a host of commemorative goodies. The event, which took place on Sunday 31 May, was the first year that Footman James had sponsored it; the company has also confirmed it will be sponsoring the 2016 event. The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run has been taking place every November since 1927, commemorating the Emancipation Run of 14 November 1896 which celebrated the passing into law of the Locomotives on the Highway Act – which raised the speed limit for ‘light locomotives’ from 4mph to a heady 14mph and abolished the requirement for these vehicles to be preceded by ‘a […]

Jaguar Heritage is proud to announce an all-new initiative for owners of all Jaguars, from pre-war models right up to modern day cars – the Jaguar Trophy, at the Concours of Elegance, held in 2015 at Edinburgh’s Palace of Holyroodhouse. Jaguar Heritage has entered a new multi-year partnership with the Concours of Elegance, part of which will include a newly themed Jaguar Saturday at the event, which this year runs from Friday 4 September to Sunday 6 September 2015. Jaguar Saturday will play host to the inaugural Jaguar Concours Trophy, with entries invited by completing a simple submission document at www.classicdriver.com/JaguarTrophy. Categories for the Jaguar Concours Trophy 2015: Pre-war Saloons Sportscars Classics of the Future (2005 – 2015) Judges’ Choice (a special wildcard category open to any Jaguar with an interesting story to tell) Spaces are strictly limited to 100, […]

The special Silver Jubilee celebrations at next month’s Silverstone Classic (24-26 July) will see the introduction of two new awards honouring the two driving forces behind the circuit’s first-ever historic motor sport festival 25 years ago: Mervyn Garton and Stuart Graham. Paying tribute to the pair’s pioneering achievements in creating the blueprint for what’s now The World’s Biggest Classic Motor Racing Festival, the Stuart Graham ‘Scarf and Goggles’ Award will be presented to what’s judged to be the most admirable car competing at the Classic while the Mervyn Garton ‘Scarf and Goggles’ Award will acclaim the best off-track visitor attraction. Both will be perpetual accolades awarded annually as from next month’s event. “It’s the original ground-breaking vision of Stuart and Mervyn which remains right at the heart of everything we do at Silverstone Classic today – that’s why we are […]

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars recently celebrated the largest gathering of Rolls-Royces in the world at the 56th Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club Annual Concours and Rally. The spectacular setting of Burghley House in Stamford, Lincolnshire, provided the perfect backdrop for a record number of motor cars, with over 1000 heritage and contemporary Rolls-Royces attending for the first time in the Club’s history. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars honoured the occasion with a record display of seven Goodwood-built Phantoms, Ghosts and Wraiths, including several highly Bespoke models. The motor cars, hosted by a team of experts from the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, drew large crowds throughout the three day event, with the passion for the brand, particularly for the contemporary models, evident amongst fans, enthusiasts and owners alike. Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said, “The Rolls‑Royce Enthusiasts’ Club is a vital custodian […]

The first ever season of the FIA Formula E Championship reaches its conclusion this weekend in London. In the heart of Battersea Park, the double-header will see six drivers fight to become the first Champion of the category. Among the contenders, the two members of the e.dams-Renault team will be going all out not only to win the drivers’ championship but also to secure the Teams’ title for the French outfit. After two years of work and intense racing, the outcome of the very first FIA Formula E Championship is about to be decided. Throughout the last twelve months, the 40 Spark-Renault SRT01_E – the architecture of which is supervised by Renaultsport – have demonstrated their qualities. Reflecting the fairness with which all the competitors have been treated, no fewer than six drivers are still in with a chance of […]

This weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed will see a collection of McLaren models, displayed statically at McLaren House, adjacent to the famous Goodwood House, and in the Supercar Paddock prepared by McLaren Special Operations (MSO). The bespoke arm of McLaren Automotive has prepared models from the Sports Series, Super Series and Ultimate Series, the three newly-announced model tiers. Each of these celebrate this year’s Festival of Speed ‘Flat-out and Fearless’ theme, highlighting a milestone or ‘moment’ from the history of McLaren, and honouring some of the legendary drivers who have driven for the team over the years. The Ultimate Series is represented by the McLaren P1™, prepared by MSO, with inspiration drawn from the patriotic French livery of the helmet worn by four-time Formula 1 world champion, Alain Prost. Colour-matched to the famous design, the carbon fibre bodywork of the […]

World renowned, Beaulieu Autojumbles are a must visit for the motoring enthusiast in the UK. With over 2000 stands, groaning with all kinds of vintage and classic motoring ephemera – motoring parts, accessories, automobilia, literature, tools and clothing, there is something for everyone and lots of bargains to be had. This iconic event enjoys the reputation that; “if you can’t find it at Beaulieu, it doesn’t’ exist!” Our videos this week, yes we have two, are of the Beaulieu Autojumble The first is from this year’s Spring event. Whether you’re hunting for that elusive final part to complete your restoration or just want to soak up the atmosphere, join us for the Beaulieu Spring Autojumble. With thousands of stands bursting with automotive related bargains, those with a penchant for automotive eclectica and rummaging for rare parts will be in their element. From […]

British luxury brand, Jaguar, supported global fashion icon Ralph Lauren’s glamorous event in London, to celebrate The Official Wimbledon Outfitter’s tenth anniversary as an AELTC partner on Monday 22 June. Jaguar, celebrating its 80th anniversary and first year as The Official Car of The Championships, Wimbledon, provided a fleet of luxury chauffeur vehicles as the Official Car Supplier for The Ralph Lauren and Vogue Wimbledon Summer Cocktail party. Stars of tennis, film, music and fashion were chauffeured to the event by Jaguar. The fleet of luxury chauffeur vehicles included the new Jaguar XE, which is now on sale at Jaguar retailers. The new British sports saloon car is now being delivered to its first customers across the UK. Laura Schwab, UK Marketing Director at Jaguar Land Rover, said: “Jaguar is excited to be able to celebrate these important landmarks before […]

A selection of iconic racing cars rarely seen on the open market will be available in the competition car-only Silverstone Auctions sale held ahead of the Silverstone Classic on 23 July 2015. For the first time since its conception in 2011, Silverstone Auctions has introduced a stand-alone Competition Car Sale. Due to the unprecedented demand and appeal of historic racing cars and the increased demand of Silverstone Classic, the auction house have introduced a dedicated racing car-only sale on 23 July. The event will complement the two main classic car sales over 24-26* July.

Aston Martin arrives at the 22nd Goodwood Festival of Speed next week with a superb line-up of exclusive and exciting sports cars and super saloons which, together, represent its biggest presence yet at the world-renowned celebration of motoring and motorsport. The luxury British sports car maker will treat the Goodwood patrons to a feast of ‘firsts’, including the UK debut of the motorsport-inspired, and now sold-out, Vantage GT12 and the global dynamic debut of the strictly-limited luxurious new Lagonda Taraf super saloon. Aside from the raw, track-derived appeal of the Vantage GT12, Aston Martin will also be running examples of its V12 Vantage S Roadster and luxurious Rapide S four-door, four-seat sports car. There will also be the rare opportunity to see the CC100 – Aston Martin’s centenary celebration concept car from 2013 – in action on the hill. Meanwhile […]

Coventry Transport Museum is offering a day of fun and discovery for visitors of all ages to see the newly refurbished iconic city-centre attraction officially re-opened, with a free public show, featuring stunts and supercars, beginning at 1300hrs. If you’re looking for a fantastic FREE day out for all the family, you can’t beat Coventry Transport Museum.  In the heart of Coventry city centre, this huge Museum is home to the world’s largest collection of British road transport, and a visit whisks you away into a world of stories of real people, real passions and real hope. Petrolhead presenter duo Amanda Stretton and Harry Metcalfe will be introducing a car show that will consist of the Trailblazing Cars of the World parade and two stunt shows from supercar stuntsman Terry Grant – famous for holding over 20 stunt related World […]

The annual University Motors Summer party will be held this year on August 8 in Byron Center, Michigan. This year’s event will be celebrating the MGA 1500’s birthday. The MGA was introduced in 1955. By replacing the TF, it was a quantum leap into the future with it’s aerodynamic body styling – a world away from the “square rigger” MG models from before WWII. Over the next seven years about 110,000 MGAs were manufactured. They came as roadsters and coupes. They were powered first by a 1500 engine, then a 1600, and finally a 1622. A short run (2111) of Twin Cams were produced in 1959-1960. They came with drum/drum brakes, then disc/drums, while the Twin Cam had all round disc brakes. The last MGAs left the factory in 1962 before the introduction of the MGB. Come with us the […]

Aston Martin Racing has qualified on pole in both GT classes of the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans with its #99 and #98 V8 Vantage GTEs. It might have been his first time racing at the world-famous Circuit de la Sarthe, but Le Mans ‘rookie’ Richie Stanaway (NZ) was quick to impress, posting the fastest lap and putting the #99 on pole. “That was the start we were looking for, but there’s still a lot of work to do to win the race,” commented Stanaway. “The car feels great and we’re all on top form so we just need to bring it all together on Saturday.” But it wasn’t only Stanaway who took pole position for Saturday’s 24-hour endurance event. In the GTE Am class, Pedro Lamy (PT) set the fastest time in the #98 Vantage GTE and will […]

Salon Privé is proud to announce this year’s Chubb Insurance Concours d’Elégance classes, which promise to attract rare and priceless entries from around the world. Held on Thursday 3rd September, the Concours is a sociable, glamour-packed occasion where collectors, enthusiasts and friends meet to indulge their automotive passion. The ten classes, signifying the 10th anniversary of Salon Privé, incorporate the best of the classic car – and motorcycle – world, and range from ‘Pre-war Luxury & Touring’ to ‘Pininfarina & The Prancing Horse’. Chaired by Derek Bell, MBE and 5 times Le Mans winner and British GP racing driver, the line-up of experienced renowned judges includes Fabio Filippini, Vice President Design at Pininfarina, Giles Taylor, Rolls-Royce Director of Design and for the first time, Bill Warner, Founder and Chairman of the renowned Amelia Island Concours d’Elégance. The 2014 Best of […]

The McLaren 570S Coupé will lead the charge at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed making its global dynamic debut when it joins the famous Supercar Run. It will be joined by the McLaren P1™ GTR and 650S Le Mans, both strictly limited in production and rarely seen in public, and marking the first time McLaren has ever demonstrated models from all three of its recently announced product tiers: Sports Series, Super Series and Ultimate Series. In addition, the popular McLaren House will return located as last year, adjacent to the iconic Goodwood House overlooking the Hill course, with cars, guest speakers and historic McLaren memorabilia honouring the ‘Flatout and Fearless’ theme of this year’s Festival. Following its unveil at the New York International Auto Show earlier this year, and a highly successful global tour, the 570S Coupé will take […]

The 31st annual British Car Day in Dayton, Ohio, billed as the “Midwest’s best British car and motorcycle show” will be held on August 1, 2015.  This is a Saturday, and the show will run from 9 am to 4 pm at Eastwood MetroPark, 1385 Harshman Rd., Dayton, OH 45431 Make plans now to attend as there will be a popular vote car show, vendors & swap meet, full-service concession stand, dash plaques to first 325 entrants, spectators admitted free, and children’s activities. For more information or to register, hit the official site at http://britishcardaydayton.com.