Highlights

The Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow & Bentley T-Series were a revolutionary step forward when launched in 1965. This book tells the full story and gives details of models, history, and design of these classic British cars, including related coach-built cars, the Silver Wraith ll, Corniche & Camargue. Malcolm Bobbitt also uses his extensive motoring experience to provide valuable advice for buyers, owners and restorers. This new Fourth Edition has been fully revised and contains much new and updated information as well as several new pictures. Malcolm Bobbitt is the author of more than thirty marque histories and general automotive books, a number of which have been published as foreign language editions. As a regular contributor to several periodicals and newspapers, his work and photography have appeared worldwide. A member of the Guild of Motoring Writers, Society of Automotive Historians and Society of Authors, […]

MG Motor UK has unveiled its all-new SUV, the MG GS, at the London Motor Show today and announced an automatic DCT gearbox will be available. At an exclusive preview event at the Battersea Park show, MG has proudly pulled back the cover on the GS to reveal the striking new addition to the UK model range. MG was also pleased to announce that the GS will come with the British manufacturer’s first automatic transmission. The SUV’s top specification model will be available with the option of a DCT gearbox; which will be more responsive and provide customers with a much smoother ride. The GS will also come with an agile 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine and will be available in three different trim levels.

Available again after a long absence, Veloce Press is reprinting a number of classic automotive titles relating to MG, Jaguar, Rover, and Lea-Francis. All of the titles listed below are scheduled to be released on the 15th of this month and are available directly from the publisher, from Amazon, and many other sources. The MGA This book is the definitive study of the MGA, for the author has gone back to factory records and to the people who worked on the car in the ‘fifties, to find out how it was conceived, manufactured and marketed. Here is the real story of the MGA’s engineering, body styling and every aspect of the car’s development and production – including MG’s strategy to beat its competitors.In seven years of production, there were major successes and sad disappointments. The MGA was the car that […]

Final pictures from the Pinehurst Concours, at least for now, from Leigh Gill. This installment is a beautiful 1994 Jaguar XJ220. Gordon Logan Georgetown, TX 1994 Jaguar XJ220 The 1994 Jaguar XJ200 (#128 of 281 produced) was the fastest production car in the world when introduced. Its original sticker price was $624,000. 3.5 Litre V6, Twin Turbocharged, 542HP, 0-60 in 3.6 seconds, 0-100 in 6.0 seconds, and a top speed of 217 mph. XJ220s were not imported into the US by Jaguar; originally sold in Germany, this rare supercar was imported into the country in 2004 with only 296 miles on it.  

And now for something completely different … our video this week was only filmed a little over a week ago. What we have here is footage from the Walter Mitty Challenge by Classic Motorsports, April 23rd, 2016. Take ia ride in a Royale RP-4 with pro driver Elliot Forbes Robinson, around Road Atlanta’s 2.54 mile, 12 turn track. The onboard camera was mounted on the Royale RP-4 owned by our friend Gordon King. This footage is from the Group 3 Feature Race. The black and red RP-4 is Cliff Berry of Team Mean and the blue Lotus 23b is piloted by Doc Bundy of Team Regogo. Great driving by all.   This on Royale and the car from Gordon … Royale was a small race car builder in the 1960’s in England. Owned by Bill King. He built very successful Formula Fords […]

Next up from the Pinehurst Concours we have a beautifully restored 1947 Triumph 1800 Roadster. Again, we have Leigh Gill to thank for these great photos. Samual Jordan Pinehurst, NC 1947 Triumph 1800 Roadster This Triumph is a limited production convertible with optional rumble seat, Black exterior, Butter Cream leather interior as well as well as a boot and black canvas top. 4 speed standard transmission. The Triumph Roadster was produced by Standard Motor Company from 1946 to 1949. It was first available as the Triumph 1800 Roadster (18TR) from 1946 to 1948 and then as the Triumph 2000 Roadster (TRA) from 1948 to 1949.

The first race of the second season of the Jaguar Classic Challenge opened in dramatic style with the pair of Julian Thomas and Calum Lockie taking the chequered flag. The season opener at the Donington Historic Festival began in perfect conditions with bright sunshine and a warm track in the morning qualifying. Julian Thomas topped the time sheets in his E-type from Joaquin Folch-Rusinol joining him on the front row and Martin Stretton third fastest, both in E-types.

Again, from the Pinehurst Concours this past weekend via Leigh Gill. This 1960 Triumph Italia 2000 GT is certainly something you won’t see at your average car show, and you definitely won’t come across one on the street. Alan Anspaugh Yardley, PA 1960 Triumph Italia 2000 GT The Italia 2000 GT marries Italian design with a Triumph TR3A drivetrain. Designer by Michelotti and coachbuilt by Vignale, the Italia was commissioned by distributor Salvatore Ruffino, who aimed to sell 1,500 worldwide. When a 1961 takeover of Standard-Triumph killed plans, Ruffino lost a fortune. This coupe, number 122 of 329 built, was restored to exacting original specifications and appears as it would have when it left Turin. Only about 100 Italias are known to exist.  

This splendid 1936 MG PB is just one of the many gorgeous cars at the Pinehurst Concours this past weekend. Our trust photographer Leigh Gill attended and sent in these pictures. There will be more photos of other entries coming soon. Quoting from the display, Reed Tarwater Greenfield, IN 1936 MG PB This 1936 MG PB, a matching numbers car, has undergone a frame-up restoration using original factory build records. I has a duo-tone paint-scheme of Cambridge and Oxford blue. Of of approximately 400 2-seater PBs produced, it features a 939 cc engine with 42 bhp and 12 inch brakes. Many original components were restored and reused, including front fenders, chrome radiator shell, and engine and transmission. According to the owners, Reed and Jan Tarwater, who purchased the car in January 2011, work on the restoration of the car was […]

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.

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 […]

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 […]