Classic Cars

A milestone in the UK’s illustrious sports car history is being sold by a Sussex classic cars specialist. The fully restored Triumph Spitfire was the first to come off the production line at its factory in Coventry. Lewes-based Sussex Sports Cars is marketing it online on behalf of its owner, a Swiss financial consultant. The firm’s Gerry Wadman said the owner, who restored the vehicle using Triumph parts, is asking £45,000 for the hand-built two-seater. The car was assembled at the Standard-Triumph Canley plant in Coventry in 1962 – the very first in a marque that was to help transform the ailing firm’s fortunes. Boasting chassis number FC1, it generated interest at that year’s Motor Show in Earls Court, as a rival to the Austin Healy Sprite and MG Midget. Its original retail price of £641 meant that unusually, it was a quality […]

After a 25-year absence, one of the great names from British sports car manufacturing will return. Lister has announced its comeback to the British car industry after a 25-year absence, with immediate plans to re-introduced the famous Lister Cars is aLister ‘Knobbly’ Jaguar, raced by the likes of Sir Stirling Moss. British sports car manufacturer founded by George Lister in 1954 in Cambridge, England, which became known for its involvement in motorsport. Sold in 1986, Laurence Pearce produced variants of the Jaguar XJS before producing a bespoke sports car, the Lister Storm. Since May 2013 Lister Cars has been purchased by Warranty Wise Insurance Services T/A Warrantywise. Returning to its Cambridge roots, Lister plans to build a 21st century version identical to that of the 1958 race car. The original drawings and manufacturing jigs created by Brian Lister have all been re-commissioned and race proven Jaguar D-Type-specification engines […]

The Reliant Robin has been named the worst British car of all time, according to a new survey. The three-wheeled car, which has only remained in the public consciousness thanks to Only Fools and Horses, has topped the poll for its lack of motoring prowess. The Austin Maestro and Austin Metro came a close second and third respectively as the worst British cars of all time. Around 2,000 British drivers were quizzed about their motoring preferences ahead of the start of Wheeler Dealers on the Discovery Channel. Along with the worst cars in British motoring, people were asked about their favourite drives. The Mini was named greatest British car, with 19 per cent of people voting for it. The Aston Martin DB7 came close second, with 18 per cent of people naming it the greatest British car of all time. […]

MG Enthusiast, September 2013 Features in this Issue Barmy to Barcelona – Four mates, two MGFs and a fetish for 1970s Martini Racing – did the reality live up to the dream? MGB Trip Preparation – Iain Ayre suggests a sensible plan of action to prepare your classic MG for an extended mountain tour Brian Moylan Interview – Brian recalls his days working at Abingdon, from the Service Department to Competitions Modified RV8 – One owner who felt that he could – and should – get more from his RV8. Quite a lot more, in fact! PA to the Lebanon in 1966 – Last month MGE introduced a nicely patinated PA; this month they go back to the 1960s and explain how some of that patina came about KV6 Transplants – Making the cars MG-Rover didn’t: a ZR and an MGF with KV6 power MG Enthusiast […]

The UK Royal Mail are celebrating the best in British motor cars with the issue of the ‘British Auto Legends’ stamp collection. Released today, the collection features six of the most stylish and iconic British cars, including a 1964 MGB Roadster owned by John Watson, Chairman of the MG Car Club’s MGB Register. The MG Car Club are delighted to see a MGB included in the collection. John’s Iris Blue MGB is a stunning example of one of the worlds most loved sports cars. John was first approached by the Royal Mail in May of 2011, when his car was selected to make up a six stamp set of thoroughbreds. Twelve months later and just days before the MGB 50 festival at Blenheim Palace, John’s car was in a London studio being photographed by James Mann. Andrew Hammond, Director of […]

Every year classic sports car and racing enthusiasts gather in the hill country near Atlanta, Georgia, to celebrate the full spectrum of historical and contemporary motorsports. Road Atlanta has been home to the Classic Motorsports Mitty since its inception, and there’s no better place or time to enjoy a motorsports daydream. Historic Sportscar Racing, Ltd and  and Classic Motorsports magazine is once again hosting the Classic Motorsports Mitty at Road Atlanta on April 26-28. This year features David Hobbs as grand marshal, and the featured marque will be MG. The Classic Can-Am reunion should feature some pleasant exhaust notes, and the event is known for how many car clubs fill the parking and display areas with interesting cars. The Can-Am reunion will feature over 20 cars on the same track. That is David Hobbs in the #73 Can-Am beast below. He is sure to […]

The Heritage Motor Centre is launching a new show on Sunday 7 July to celebrate a host of British cars including the iconic Mini. ‘The BMC and Leyland Show’ has been launched to incorporate vehicles manufactured by the British Motor Corporation, British Leyland and Rover including commercial and military vehicles. The show is expected to attract up to 80 different marques made over a 100 year period including names such as Daimler, Alvis, Wolsley, Austin, Morris, Riley Standard MG and Land Rover. As well as up to 800 models on show, there will be a large Autojumble and motoring related trade stands. A show highlight will be the opportunity for visitors to see 12 different vehicles from the HMC reserve collection that aren’t normally on display in the Museum. This new show will incorporate the former Gaydon Mini Show and […]

The Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum collection is being put up for auction by RM Auctions with a sale date of February 15 and 16. The collection, housed in Madison, Georgia, includes many generations and badges of microcars from Authi to BMW and Gogomobile to Messerschmitt. From the auction catalog, “RM Auctions is delighted and privileged to have been chosen to offer such an extraordinary collection at auction, displayed in a cohesive and downright jaw-dropping facility that encapsulates Bruce’s youthful spirit and the fascinating post-war era of the microcar. As such, the rarest microcars are joined by the most sought-after, fully restored, and completely functional kiddie rides, coin-operated vending machines, porcelain signs, neons, and perhaps most uniquely, the rarest microcar toys and models in the world. Every item will be sold, wall to wall, right down to the instantly recognizable international […]

A great article in the Southern Daily Echo on a rare 1937 MG SA drophead coupe. It was brought as a “cheap run around” by a Southampton student for just £30 back in 1966. This vintage 1937 MG was snapped up by a young Lob Vinycomb from a Hampshire garage almost half a century ago. Now, 46 years later, the same car has been sold by the same garage – for more than £60,000. But Isle of Wight man Lob was briefly reunited with the prized vehicle, before it is handed over to its new owners. Philip Scott, owner of Beaulieu Garage in the New Forest, was contacted by the car’s latest owner, who lived in Cornwall, asking if he would interested in selling the collectable SA Drophead Coupe. Read the full article on the beautiful MG at the Southern Daily […]

The 1974 Rolls-Royce owned by former Queen frontman Freddie Mercury has been sold at auction for more than six times its guide price, fetching £74,000. This is equal to approximately $117,000 USD. The 62,000-mile classic Rolls-Royce had a guide price of just £9,000-£11,000. It features grey leather, wood trim, electric windows, automatic gearbox, a car phone and radio casette player. Power is provided by a 6.75-litre V8 engine. It was sold as part of the Coys auction on January 12, 2013, at Autosport International to a Russian businessman through telephone bidding.

International icon and British car manufacturer Aston Martin turned 100th anniversary Tuesday, 16 January,  in Chelsea’s Henniker Mews the original home of the company. Founded on 15 January 1913, Aston Martin designs and manufactures around 3,500 exclusive sports cars at its Gaydon headquarters in Warwickshire every year. “I am proud to be celebrating 100 years of heritage and the best of British craftsmanship,” said Aston Martin CEO Dr Ulrich Bez. Dr Bez described Aston Martin as “the coolest luxury car brand on the planet,” an argument heightened by its connection to the James Bond film franchise, featuring in the latest blockbuster Skyfall. The event in London marks the start of a year-long celebration with events taking place across the world, including a week-long Aston Martin festival in July where enthusiasts will be able to see how the car is made at […]

The Golden Age of the British Sports Car, exploring the story of mass-produced two-seaters from 1945 to 1961, is showing on BBC Four on October 8 at 9pm. A one-hour documentary film, The Golden Age of the British Sports Car, investigates how British manufacturers hit upon a formula for distinctively small, stylish and quick two-seater sports cars that could be mass produced – and which would go on to take the world by storm. For the complete story,  check out The Telegraph.

Amid the music and medals taking centre stage in last night’s Olympics Closing Ceremony in London, three Rolls-Royce Phantoms had their own fleeting but spectacular moment in the spotlight. The specially-made Phantom Series II Drophead Coupés traversed the Olympic Stadium in east London, each displaying newly-designed Rolls-Royce badges, the first time the badges have been revamped in the iconic British car-maker’s 108-year history. As they crossed the auditorium during the ceremony’s ‘A Symphony of British Music’ section, one the cars dropped its retractable roof to reveal British singer Jessie J, who proceeded to entertain the crowd with a live performance from the back of the car as it circled the stadium. Sunday’s closing ceremony opened the stage to multi-cultural motors, rather than just The Ultimate Marketing Machine, BMW, who were sponsors of the sports spectacular. Swathed in newspaper there was […]

Stepping into the Morgan factory in Malvern is like stepping back in time. There is a wonderful article on the Moss Motoring site about a tour through the factory that has been producing Morgans since 1919. To understand the circuitous path that a Morgan car travels, from Malvern Link to your driveway, we were lucky enough to have a docent to shepherd us through the process. Dixon is the embodiment of an English gentleman. He has been part of Morgan for many years and he led our group through the Morgan manufacturing process. Be sure to check out the list of 10 Morgan facts you didn’t know!

This year’s Silverstone Classic, 20-22 July, looks to be the most entertaining and action-packed yet. Staged at the world famous Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire just two weeks after the Santander Formula 1 British Grand Prix, the Silverstone Classic is already established as the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival – and this summer’s event is all set to break yet more records. Once again both Silverstone’s National and new International Wing pits and paddock complexes will be maximised to house more than 800 of the world’s finest historic racing cars with a packed schedule of races all staged on the full Grand Prix circuit. Adding to the spectacle more than 7,000 classic cars will be displayed over the weekend on the infield with many hallowed marques celebrating important milestones in their evocative histories. Other highlights include live rock concerts, a […]

A rusty Mini sold for 40,250 pounds ($65,382) at auction by Bonhams on Monday, April 30, — beating the price of a shiny Pontiac convertible once owned by Keith Richards. The corroded 1959 Mini was described by Bonhams as the oldest surviving unrestored car of its type. It beat the 37,950 pounds paid for a dark-blue 1950 Chieftain Silver Streak used by guitarist Richards at a time when the Rolling Stones recorded “Exile on Main Street” at his south of France home in the early 1970s. Both cars were bought by private U.S. buyers at an auction at the RAF Museum in Hendon, England. Classic cars often get a premium if they have interesting stories attached to them, such as famous owners, years spent in storage before being discovered in original condition. The Austin Mini Se7en De Luxe Saloon, registration […]

One of the largest private collections of Lotus cars will be dismantled in June during the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the annual motoring celebration at the grounds of Goodwood House in West Sussex, England. The collection of 24 Lotuses consigned by Bonhams is owned by the Dutch textile magnate Olav Glasius, who in addition to being a collector is a vintage-racing enthusiast and the chairman of Lotus Club Holland. The British sports-car marque will be this year’s featured brand at the Festival of Speed, an honor rendered somewhat inelegant by Lotus’s financial troubles. This month, Dany Bahar, chief executive of Lotus Cars, told Evo magazine that development of new models was being held up for three months as the company awaited either an infusion of cash or a sale by its Malaysian parent, Proton. In a telephone interview, James […]

I rarely point out auctions on eBay. In fact, I don’t think I have ever done it before. But, this 1953 Lanchester is just too gorgeous and someone needs to buy it, fix it back up, take care of it, and love it like it deserves. Such a gorgeous car. I have absolutely no knowledge of this auction, car, or its owner. I have no vested interest in this. I just wish I could make that beauty mine! According to the auction, “The Lanchester car company was owned by Daimler. The last Lanchester made was in 1957. This car was imported a few years ago. It is right hand drive. It has a Delaware title. The car was on the Isle of Mann till 1998. [The seller] bought her with 16000 miles on her. If you are over 6 feet […]