Classic Cars

A little something different this week. Our Video of the Week this time is of a great looking British car shop on the US West Coast. Unfortunately, I have never been there, but I have been in enough other shops to recognize and impressive setup when I see one. In this video, Justin Jurgens takes you on a tour of British Sports Cars in San Luis Obispo, California. You can check out the shop’s website at http://www.britishsportscars.com. As I said, I have never been to the shop and have never met anyone associated with them. However, I think that the video and the website are both top-notch, and the type of quality we need more of. If you know these folks and or have some experience with the shop, please let us know about them in the comments below.  

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 […]

Among a catalogue of many significant cars to be offered by H&H Classics at its forthcoming 11 July Chateau Impney Hill Climb sale is not only a historic car in the legend that is the MG Car Company, it’s also a star of the silver screen. The 1957 MGA Twin Cam Roadster Prototype, registration ‘ORX 885’, features in a 1955/1956 promotional film for the British Motor Corporation, The Sports Car Of The Year, produced by Associated British Pathé Ltd. MG’s top-of-the-range sports car can be seen at the MIRA test track lapping at its impressive top speed of 120mph. Not only that, in later frames it also demonstrates the powerful stopping power of disc brakes – quite an innovation for MG and at that time generally only fitted to racing cars such as Jaguar’s D-type. Since service as a factory […]

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, […]

An exceptionally rare and highly original 1969 Aston Martin DB6 Mk 1 Volante Vantage is to go under the hammer at Barons at Sandown Park on July 28th. This beautiful and unspoilt machine is in extremely original condition, and bears the inimitable patina of age. Even the power hood is thought to be the original one. One of just 29 ever made, it is believed to be the final such Volante Vantage built. Chassis number DBVC-3738R has been in the same ownership since 1981, and now used only rarely – and only in the dry. It carries an estimate of £500,000-£750,000. This model rarely comes to market, and particularly not in such original condition. Not surprisingly, the car has already caused something of a stir in Aston Martin circles, with Barons receiving enquiries and many early bidding registrations from potential […]

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 […]

British comedy, who doesn’t love it? Well, maybe a few people don’t, but there is no accounting for them. From Monty Python and Fawlty Towers to Graham Norton and Wallace and Gromit, British comedy just seems to hit the funny bone of those of us with British cars head on. So, in the vein of British humor, or Video of the Week, VotW, this time is an ad for British Leyland by “The Two Ronnies“. The Two Ronnies wass a BBC television comedy sketch show created by Bill Cotton for the BBC, which aired on BBC1 from 1971 to 1987. It featured the double act of Ronnie Barker and Ronnie Corbett, the “Two Ronnies” of the title. The advertisement for the Austin Morris range of cars, including the Mini, the Marina, and the Allegro, is titled ‘The Great Range’ and […]

A 1958 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mark III, which has lain dormant in storage for over 35 years, is to be restored by leading classic car restoration company Classic Motor Cars of Bridgnorth (CMC). The DB2/4 was recently purchased from the Bonham’s Newport Pagnell Aston Martin works sale on behalf of a client. The car was sold for £104,540, going over its estimate of £30-50k. “The car was an attractive restoration project in 1977 when it entered storage, despite the fact that it had lead a hard life,” said Nick Goldthorp, Managing Director of CMC, “There were splits in the front suspension turrets which had been welded and crash damage to the offside body and rear chassis which were repaired at the time. But it would now appear that the chassis needs re-aligning.” Nick added: “The Aston needs a total restoration, […]

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.

A 1923 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost carrying ingenious painted ‘wood-effect’ shooting brake coachwork from a car once owned by the future Edward VIII – one of the earliest ‘woodies’ – burst through its £120,000 upper estimate to sell for £161,280 at H&H Classics’ 20 June auction. The sale was held in conjunction with the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club Annual Concours & Rally at Burghley House, Lincolnshire. The lady vendor had driven the 92-year-old car to the event, no doubt relying on Rolls’ reputation in the day for making the ‘best car in the world’ – although it’s no stranger to adventure, having enjoyed many Ghost Club tours through Europe, South Africa and Australasia. In recent weeks the car has been the subject of much Fleet Street speculation that the then Prince of Wales employed it to smuggle Mrs Simpson out of Balmoral, […]

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 […]

RM Sotheby’s is delighted to announce the inclusion of a delightful 1934 MG PA/B, chassis PA/1711, which showcased female driving talent at the 1935 Le Mans 24 hour race, at its annual London sale, 7 September at Battersea Evolution. Representing an important part of British pre-war motorsport heritage, the diminutive 948 cc four-cylinder MG is one of approximately 75 automobiles slated for the central London auction. Chassis PA/1711 was raced as number 56 in the 1935 version of the legendary endurance competition, where it was driven exclusively by well-known female racers of the period as part of a high-profile three car Works team. The trio of identical cars was managed by Captain George Eyston, himself a veteran of the 1928 and 1929 Le Mans races and a holder of the word land speed record. The group was unfairly dubbed by […]

The iconic Range Rover celebrates its 45th birthday today. Reaching the important milestone is the latest in a series of 2015 highlights for the world’s most desirable luxury SUV. At the New York International Auto Show in March, Land Rover revealed a new Range Rover flagship in the form of the exclusive SVAutobiography and the landmark six millionth Land Rover was a Range Rover Vogue SE, which rolled off the Solihull production line in April. Over the last 45 years Range Rover has delivered a series of industry firsts as it has evolved into the peerless SUV we know today. As well as introducing a host of advanced technologies, many of which have since become industry standards, the original Classic model was cited as an ‘exemplary work of industrial design’ when it became the first vehicle to be displayed at […]

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 […]

Our Video of the Week this time around is a great classic from the Standard Triumph publicity archives entitled “Triumph at Le Mans”. A great video for it not only features the Triumph team with the TRS, but also shots of MG, Cooper, Sunbeam, Ferrari, and many more. The commentator’s sly asides are quite entertaining, especially as the apply to the “other interests” of the drivers and other such matters.

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 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.