Lord-Montagu of Beaulieu
Classic Cars

Lord Montagu of Beaulieu Dies at 88

Edward, 3rd Baron Montagu of Beaulieu, was the devoted custodian of his family’s 7,000-acre Beaulieu Estate in Hampshire. He was also a champion of the historic vehicle movement and founder of the National Motor Museum. He played a major role in the preservation of England’s historic houses and the development of the UK tourism industry. He passed away Monday at the age of 88. Edward Montagu inherited the Beaulieu Estate on the death of his father, John Montagu, a motoring pioneer, when he was just two years old. The family seat, Palace House, was built around the original gatehouse of Beaulieu Abbey, a Cistercian monastery founded on land granted to the Order by King John in 1204. The Estate was sold to Lord Montagu’s ancestor, Thomas Wriothesley, 1st Earl of Southampton, by Henry VIII in 1538. Lord Montagu was an […]
MGTA
Auctions & Sales

RAF Hero Sir Douglas Bader’s MG TA at Auction

An MG sports car owned and driven during World War Two by the RAF hero Sir Douglas Bader is expected to sell for £80,000 at auction. The fighter pilot, who famously flew in the Battle of Britain despite losing both legs, was the first owner of the Midget TA Roadster. He bought it in 1938, seven years after he lost his legs, registering the open-top car to his address in upmarket Kensington, West London. The British car was powered by a 1.3-litre engine which gave it a top speed of around 80mph – an impressive speed for a 1930s sports car.   Autocar magazine tested the MG in 1937, with motoring journalists saying it gives “an unusually good performance for its engine size”. When the war broke out Bader rejoined the RAF and became one of the heroes of the […]
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Corporate Business

Birmingham Students Take Social Media Reins with MG

As part of an ongoing relationship with South and City College Birmingham, MG Motor UK has teamed up with the college’s social media students to find out what sparks their interest when it comes to online content. In June, seven social media apprentices from the Birmingham based college visited MG’s head office to discuss online interaction and how the car manufacturer can expand its social media followers.
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Corporate Business

Top Gear Coming to Amazon Prime

OK, so they can be rude, crude, and insulting. And yes, well, the leader of the pack is a bit of jerk sometimes. But we love them. Jeremy Clarkson, James May (my personal hero), and Richard Hammond are not only irreverent and funny, but they are extremely knowledgeable about cars. And entertaining. Did I mention entertaining? Ever since the BBC fired Jeremy Clarkson for being a complete and uncivilized jerk, no argument there, the future of Top Gear has been in question. Would the show come back? How could it come back without its stars since both Hammond and May refused to work without Clarkson. And if it did come back, would it be a bust like the American version? Well, Amazon has answered the question. It was announced today that Clarkson, Hammon and May will be coming exclusively to […]
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Corporate Business

Jaguar and Team Sky Celebrate Historic Third Tour de France Victory

Jaguar designed a special livery for its Team Sky F-PACE prototype to celebrate Team Sky’s third Tour de France victory in four years in Paris today. The prototype version of the Jaguar F-PACE, which was used as Team Sky’s support vehicle on Stage 1 in Utrecht, returned to the race in a celebratory light camouflage as Chris Froome and his teammates crossed the finish line to celebrate the British rider’s second Tour de France win. Photographs from Team Sky’s 1-2 finish in La-Pierre-Saint-Martin, where Froome won his first stage followed by teammate, Richie Porte, as well as other highlights including Geraint Thomas tackling the mountains, Luke Rowe leading the team out on the cobbles to the early team time trial stages, are all a part of the commemorative and inspirational camouflage depicting key moments from this year’s race. Team Sky […]
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Corporate Business

Sir John Egan – Saving Jaguar

When John Egan arrived at Jaguar Cars in April 1980, newly appointed as Chief Executive, the company’s very survival was in grave doubt. In fact, the situation looked utterly hopeless. Not only was the once-proud Jaguar company a part of the catastrophic BL Cars but he was greeted at the gates by the workforce – on strike! The odds against saving Jaguar were immense. Quality was appalling, the workforce bitter, the management disillusioned and it was hemorrhaging money. The Labour Government had introduced the ‘closed shop’, giving the unions and their militant shop stewards immense power. This book tells the story of how John Egan gradually overcame the odds and, piece by piece, rebuilt this once great company, winning over the workforce, the suppliers, the overseas dealers and, most important of all, the customers. Working initially with BL Chairman Michael […]
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Classic Cars

Vintage Triumph Register National Convention

For four mid-summer days, from Tuesday, August 11, 2015, through Saturday morning, August 15, 2015, the 2015 Vintage Triumph Register National Convention will take place on the shores of beautiful Geneva Lake in scenic southeast Wisconsin. The event will be hosted by the Illinois Sports Owners Association, which is committed to providing each registrant with a wonderful experience at the convention by offering first-rate social activities such as a welcome reception, pub crawl/scavenger hunt, optional excursion boat ride on Geneva Lake, and awards banquet with remarks from guest of honor, famed Triumph race team manager Kas Kastner. In addition, there will also be numerous driving events, including a fun-khana, a gimmick rally, an ice cream run, a breakfast tour, an autocross and a self-guided tour along scenic Wisconsin rustic, country roads. There will also be technical clinics, an auction, a tour […]
Stirling Moss Scrapbook 1955 - Contest Give-Away
Highlights

Announcing Limited Edition of Stirling Moss Scrapbook 1955

At Sir Stirling’s suggestion, Porter Press have reprinted their most popular Scrapbook on the 60th anniversary of his amazing 1955 year which of course included the Mille Miglia win and first GP victory. The first editions are already going up in price; they have limited it to just 900 second edition copies. The first of a series of Stirling Moss scrapbooks which now includes as separate volumes 1926-54, 1956-60, and 1961, the 1955 Scrapbook evokes memories of the heyday of classic motorsport. Stirling Moss is a national treasure. Arguably the world’s greatest all-round racing driver, he was a hero to several generations of schoolboys and enthusiasts throughout the world. Moss is now so iconic his name is often used as a metaphor for “racing driver” – the name alone invokes mental images of speed, bravado, the jet-set lifestyle and a […]
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Classic Cars

Paul Hollywood Set To Race In Jaguar Heritage Challenge

Car enthusiast and judge on the hit TV series The Great British Bake Off, Paul Hollywood, is set to race in the Jaguar Heritage Challenge at the Brands Hatch Super Prix on 11th and 12th July 2015. Hollywood will race in a stunning XK120 in the third round of the new and exciting racing series that is composed entirely of pre-1966 Jaguar models. Also lining up on the grid will be former Jaguar works driver and 1988 Le Mans winner, Andy Wallace in a MkI Saloon. Competing alongside Paul as part of the Tester Racing team will be current British Dunlop Endurance Championship leader, Calum Lockie, also piloting an XK120.
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Corporate Business

John McEnroe Chauffeurs for Jaguar at Wimbledon

John McEnroe swapped his role as a Wimbledon commentator for chauffeur car driver today, as the all-time tennis great surprised two unsuspecting Wimbledon fans with an unforgettable journey to The All England Club. McEnroe surprised tennis fans Tom Payne and Nick Webb, who were selected to take part in the Secret Chauffeur stunt and offered a VIP trip to Wimbledon as part of Jaguar’s #FeelWimbledon campaign. On route to Wimbledon, the real chauffeur jumped out the car to be replaced by John McEnroe as he took hold of the wheel and personally drove the two unsuspecting fans down to The Championships, Wimbledon.
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Corporate Business

MG Opens 65th UK Dealership – Ullswater Road Garage

Ullswater Road Garage in Penrith becomes the 65th MG sales dealership in the UK and owner Mark Windle is determined to make it the best. And looking at his track record, there would be few who would doubt him! Mark Windle opened the family business when he was still in his teens. He started as a body repairer but soon spotted a gap in the market for a specialist 24-hour breakdown recovery operation as the M6 in Cumbria began to get busier and busier. Now 35 years on, Mark is the company’s Managing Director. He said: “With the recovery business going flat out we started to branch out and bought land to expand our operations. We now have a business site covering four acres just off the M6 in Penrith and we have another site 27 miles down the motorway […]
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Classic Cars

Scarf & Goggles Award to Honor Silverstone Originators

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 […]
Honda Toy Car Stand for Goodwood Festival of Speed
Highlights

1 in 5 Still Play With Toy Cars – Little British Ones!

One in five UK adults (22%) admit to still playing with toy cars, even when the children aren’t around, according to new research out today. And while half of this group (11%) is quite happy to do so in the company of other adults, the same number prefers to do so only in private. The research goes on to further underline the nation’s passion for the ever-popular toy car, with almost a third of adults (29%) admitting to still holding on to the models they owned as a child. One in ten (10%) are so protective of their precious mini marques that they hide them away for safe keeping, while a similar number (6.6%) are conversely so proud of their collection that they keep it on display at home.
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Corporate Business

Jaguar at Ralph Lauren Wimbledon Event

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 […]
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Classic Cars

Donated MGB Roadster Aids Tech School in Charleston

From the Post & Courier in Charleston, SC. … Call this the poignant story of a local car buff’s prized 1977 roadster and the uplifting events that would follow in the past year. Eugene D. Foxworth III, a Marine veteran and a stockbroker for 25 years, died in December 2013 at age 58. Known as Foxy, his possessions included a Damask Red MGB considered in good condition and running well after an HS4 carb conversion. His wife, Cantey Foxworth, at one point last year advertised the soft-top for sale before agreeing to donate the MGB for a British Car Club of Charleston fundraiser. A drawing raised $5,000 for new tools for students at a Charleston County technical high school’s automotive classes. “It’s nice to do something like this, that makes a difference,” said Wray Lemke, a British Car Club of […]
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Corporate Business

New Hybrid State Review Range Rover

A new, hybrid-powered State Review vehicle was used for the first time on Thursday, when Her Majesty The Queen presented New Colours to the Royal Welsh Regiment in Cardiff.  The Queen is Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment. Based on a long wheelbase Range Rover, the new vehicle features a diesel hybrid engine, which enables it to run at times purely on electric power.  The State Review was designed by Land Rover Design and engineered by Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations department. This is the fourth State Review vehicle which Land Rover has provided, starting with a 1953 Land Rover Series 1.  The new hybrid replaces the previous Range Rover State Review vehicle, which dates from 2002. Jaguar Land Rover is the only automotive company to hold all three Royal Warrants, from HM The Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and […]
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Corporate Business

Injured ex-Servicemen and Women Find Work at JLR

Jaguar Land Rover’s Invictus Games work placement legacy programme has seen the first five successful participants being offered a permanent position at the company. The bespoke training programme is designed to help rehabilitate wounded, injured and sick ex-personnel and aid transition into civilian careers. Staff Sergeant Wayne Walker, formerly of the Queen’s Royal Lancers has joined the Solihull manufacturing team as a Process Leader, following completion of the company’s inaugural twelve week programme. Wayne, 36, joined the training programme on 1st December 2014 after being medically discharged from a 19 year military career, which saw him serve in operational tours of Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. It was in Iraq that he sustained a serious knee injury following the detonation of a vehicle born IED (Improvised Explosive Device). Wayne has since undergone close to 20 operations to his left knee […]
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Corporate Business

Rolls-Royce to Present New Art Commission By Isaac Julien

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will present the first public showing of Isaac Julien’s new work Stones Against Diamonds during Art Basel in Basel, 2015. The work, commissioned as part of the Rolls‑Royce Art Programme, will be shown at the Kirche Elisabethen, Basel, from 16-17 June 2015. Following the preview during the Venice Biennale last month, the video installation will be shown on a larger scale than previously seen, as a unique site specific installation filling the magnificent interior of the imposing church across ten screens. Isaac Julien’s film draws inspiration from a letter written by Brazilian architect Lina Bo Bardi.Stones Against Diamonds examines themes within her letter, where she praises the beauty of natural elements over preferred precious stones. Filming the work in remote Vatnajökull region, in South East Iceland, using the breathtaking scenery of glistening ice caves as a set […]
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Corporate Business

Rolls-Royce Announces Charity Support

Together for Short Lives, the UK children’s palliative care charity, has held its annual Midsummer Ball in central London, where Rolls-Royce Motor Cars unveiled plans for a year-long initiative to support the organisation in its work with seriously ill children and their families. The Ball, hosted by the charity’s patron, Simon Cowell, raised more than £400,000 in support of Together for Short Lives. The charity’s hospice and palliative care services aim to achieve the best support for more than 49,000 British children with life-limiting conditions and their families. To help the organisation raise awareness of its activities, and raise vital funds to continue delivering its lifeline work, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars donated a Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II for a year, finished in the charity’s bright purple colour scheme and Together for Short Lives branding. The keys to the car were handed […]
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Bentley

Stefan Sielaff to Lead Bentley Design

Bentley Motors today has announced Stefan Sielaff as its new Director of Design. He succeeds Luc Donckerwolke who has been with Bentley since 2012. Mr Sielaff will join Bentley on 1st July 2015 from his current dual role as Head of Volkswagen Group Interior Design and Design Director at Volkswagen Design Center Potsdam. In his role at Bentley, he will report to Rolf Frech, Bentley’s Member of the Board for Engineering. He will also retain his position as Head of Volkswagen Group Interior Design, reporting to Director of Volkswagen Group Design, Dr. Walter de Silva.