LONDON CLASSIC CAR SHOW - JANUARY 2015 UPDATE

Press Release For Immediate Distribution:  30/12/14

GET READY FOR A CLASSIC ARGUMENT James May has chosen the 13 most significant cars of all time for The London Classic Car Show… but is he right?   It’s bold, controversial and bound to cause arguments… and that’s just the way BBC Top Gear’s James May wants it. May has stuck his neck on the line and has chosen what he regards are the 13 most influential cars of all time. The result is The Cars That Changed The World and it’s one of the star exhibits at the London Classic Car Show taking place at ExCeL in London’s Docklands from 8-11 January 2015. May is convinced he’s got them right… but hopes that others will disagree and that his choice will cause arguments in every pub in the land. He has split the Baker’s Dozen into two groups of six, the first half dozen being displayed in what May calls ‘The Halls of Obviousness’ with the second half dozen found in ‘The Chambers of Bloody-mindedness’. The 13th – the most significant car ever made – has its own special display area. “You could probably guess the identity of the six in the Hall of Obviousness without reading another word,” said May, “but the other six are less well known. I believe they are just as significant historically but they’ve simply been forgotten or misunderstood. “But the 13th is certainly the car that looms largest in my motoring life – the biggest inspiration.” And May will open the exhibit personally on the show’s opening evening, Thursday 8 January, as well as attempting to get #the13thcar trending on Twitter. Tickets to see May reveal his 13th car as well as Adrian Newey being interviewed about his own special selection of significant race and road machines are still available, too. The six ‘obvious’ cars (plus James’ comments) are: (See top six photos below) 1886 Benz Motorwagen. “People will argue about this, but the Benz Motorwagen was the first true car as we would understand it.” 1908 Ford Model T. “The brilliance of the Model T is the way that it was made, rather than the car itself.” 1938 Volkswagen Beetle. “It became the world’s best selling single-platform car, even though the early models were pretty horrendous to drive.” 1959 Austin Mini. “An original Mini is incredibly uncomfortable and a bit hairy if you crash it, but also fantastic to drive.” 1964 Ford Mustang. “In the first six months of its life it was the fastest selling car in history. It’s the car that democratised style and performance.” 1997 Toyota Prius. “It was the first mainstream car of my lifetime that caused people to rethink the basics of how a car should work.” And the six Bloody-minded choices are: (See bottom six photos below) 1901 Waverley Electric. “At the beginning of the 20th century, electric car outsold petrol-powered cars in parts of America. They were clean, quiet and didn’t make ladies’ skirts grubby.” 1906 Cadillac Model K. “The real hero of the mass-produced car story isn’t Ford’s Model T but the Cadillac Model K.” 1933 Standard Superior. “It is widely accepted that Josef Ganz, a respected Jewish engineer, came up with the basic layout and philosophy of the Beetle.” 1972 Honda Civic. “The original Civic was a compact, lively and fuel efficient car that was well made and almost faultlessly reliable.” 1980 Lada Riva. “The Russian-built, Fiat 124-derived, Riva did more than any other to put communism on wheels.” 2009 Bruno ExoMars Rover. “Autonomous, self-sustaining and suitable for use on other planets, it is surely the world’s most advanced all-terrain vehicle.” And the 13th? “I’m not going to give that away,” said May. “You simply have to visit the show and indulge me through my halls and chambers to get to it.” The London Classic Car Show is the latest creation from Brand Events, the company behind all-action car shows like Top Gear Live, and is full of innovative features. It promises to be unlike any classic car event yet staged. May will be joined by two other show curators who have both created their own special displays with cars that mean the most to them. Legendary Formula 1 designer Adrian Newey charts his motoring career not just with some of his winning F1 cars, but also with cars and bikes that hold a special place in his heart. These include his own Ford GT40, his Ducati 900SS and the scale model Grand Prix cars he built from kits as a schoolboy. TV chef James Martin, meanwhile, will not only be displaying his private collection of classic Ferraris and Mini-Coopers but will also be running the James Martin Classic Café offering up ‘good, simple, grub’ to visitors. The centrepiece of the show, however, is The Grand Avenue in association with Motoriety, a moving motoring runway, the like of which has never been seen at an indoor show before. It will give visitors to the show the chance to see and hear rare motoring icons in action… everything from a 1920s Bugatti Type 35B to a 1990s Bugatti EB110, and from a 1930s Jaguar SS1 to an ultra rare Jaguar XJ220 supercar. There will be cars from the dawn of motoring – like a 1902 Curved Dash Oldsmobile – to competition cars like a Gp 4 Lancia Stratos from the 1970s. Great marques include Aston Martin, Ferrari, Porsche, Maserati, Rolls-Royce and Bentley and iconic model names include Miura, E-type, 288 GTO, 959 and Ghost. There’s even a quartet of genuine Formula 1 cars from the 1950s to the 1980s, all of which will be started and driven along The Grand Avenue in a spectacular display of sound and fury. The 60th anniversary of the dramatic Citroën DS will be celebrated with many examples of ‘The Goddess’ – as well as a first look at the new DS brand – on show, and there will also be displays from leading classic dealers and specialists. Tickets are now available from the show website – www.thelondonclassiccarshow.co.uk – where early bird discounts reduce the on-the-door standard entry price from £25 to just £22. Also available are family and group tickets, premium entry packages and access to the exclusive Preview Evening on the opening night. Premium Tickets – which have limited availability and are already completely sold out for Saturday 10 January – will give visitors access to the premium enclosure overlooking The Grand Avenue, a drink and complimentary cloakroom plus a free copy of the official event handbook.

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MILANO AUTOCLASSICA - 20/21/22 MARCH 2015

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20, 21, 22 March 2015: Your Passion is back.

Take note of these dates: on the 20th, 21st and 22nd of March Milano AutoClassica returns. The much-anticipated event among classic car enthusiasts returns in Milan again this year and is full of events, new features and big names. Magnificent cars, spare parts and accessories, manufacturers and historic register, museums and clubs, restorers and a large space dedicated to private sales are all waiting for you.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

CLASSIC CHATTER

WOULD LIKE TO WISH YOU ALL

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS

& A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR

AND THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR SUPPORT IN 2014

SEE YOU SOON

SILVERSTONE CASSIC NEWS 24/25/26 JULY 2015

Media release for immediate distribution: 16/12/14

SILVER JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS OPEN WITH SPECIAL SHOWCASE AT AUTOSPORT SHOW
 

• 25th anniversary marked with huge historic racing display at the NEC
• Symbolic Group C Mercedes ‘Silver Arrows’ on pole position
• Line-up of supercar legends from the pages of Classic & Sports Car


Two of the leading names in the global classic car world are joining forces to provide visitors with a very special showcase at next month’s Autosport International show at the NEC, Birmingham (8-11 January).

Kicking off its Silver Jubilee celebrations, the Silverstone Classic is teaming up with Classic & Sports Car magazine to create a huge display. This will not only feature a dazzling collection of truly iconic racing and road cars from previous eras, but also representation from all the top series organisers responsible for ensuring the UK’s revered position right at the forefront of the thriving historic motor sport movement.

The set piece will put the spotlight on many of the stunning grids that have established the Silverstone Classic as the World’s Biggest Classic Motor Racing Festival as well as a number of the renowned supercars that are regularly acclaimed in the pages of the world’s best selling classic car magazine.

The dazzling 1990 ‘Silver Arrows’ Mercedes C11 sports prototype will take pole position among the eight competition cars gathered to mark the Classic’s 25th anniversary. Raced in period by the great Michael Schumacher, the fearsome twin-turbo Group C machine is always a real crowd-pleaser at Silverstone and, aptly, has been selected to symbolise the Silver Jubilee event.

Emphasising the unrivalled diversity of historic motor sport competing on the hallowed British Grand Prix circuit at the Classic, the other track cars on show range from a revered Jaguar D-type from the Fifties to more recent pin-ups such as the ex-James Thompson Honda Accord from the much-admired Super Touring generation which was a born-again winner in James Dodd’s hands at last summer’s event plus one of the amazing Lister Storm that took part in July’s dramatic 90s GT Legends demonstrations.

Stellar grids of Grand Prix cars from evocative golden eras are also among the regular crowd favourites and the special display in Birmingham will include both an eye-catching JPS Lotus 87 once raced by local hero Nigel Mansell and one of the very first rear-engined Cooper F1 creations from 1960. Two other wonderful powerhouses also from the Sixties will complete the outstanding line-up: a fabulous Lola T70 Spyder and a mighty 6.6-litre Corvette Stingray.

“What better way to kick off what’s going to be an amazing 25th anniversary year for the Silverstone Classic than with this magnificent show stopping display?” said Event Director, Nick Wigley. “We have already confirmed that Status Quo will be topping the live music line-up on Saturday evening and we have lots more exciting announcements to make in the coming months. Over the past 25 years the Silverstone Classic has flourished into the World’s Biggest Classic Motor Racing Festival and even by its own pace-setting standards, 2015 is going to be very, very special.”

Of course there’s so much more to the Silverstone Classic than record grids starring in excess of 1000 racing entries. Nowhere will visitors get to see so many dazzling cars representing the history of famous and legendary marques, all lovingly maintained and displayed by their owners. The sheer scale of these displays – some 10,000 cars in 2014 – is a landmark feature of the Silverstone Classic and a real celebration of motoring, auto design and memorabilia.

Highlighting this – and indeed the kind of stunning cars found every month on its pages – Classic & Sports Car has put together an equally impressive collection of ‘wow’ factor road cars for those at the NEC to savour. This mouth-watering gathering includes an Audi Sport Quattro SWB, Ferrari F40, Jaguar XJR15, Lancia Stratos Stradale and Porsche 959.

“We are delighted to be part of such a major milestone celebration for the Silverstone Classic,” said James Elliott, Classic & Sports Car Group Editor. “Back when it all started, Classic & Sports Car was the official media partner to the very first International Historic Festival staged at Silverstone in July 1990, and we are delighted to still be involved in a similar role today. In so many ways that groundbreaking first meeting dedicated entirely to providing enthusiasts with a feast of historic racing laid the foundations for the huge number of similarly focused events that are now held right around the world. It’s also intriguing to think that an increasing number of incredible cars now racing and parading around Silverstone are actually younger than the event itself. That’s clearly another significant factor in the growth both of historic motor sport and of the ever-expanding classic car scene.”

Early Bird tickets for next summer’s special Silver Jubilee Silverstone Classic are now available offering significant savings of up to 15 per cent. Adult prices start at just £34 and stick to the Classic’s widely praised ‘access all areas’ policy, thus providing admission to both race paddocks, trackside grandstands and the live music concerts.

Saturday tickets – including a full race programme and Status Quo – also offer exceptional value. They are currently on sale for £55 rising to £62 if purchased after the Early Bird offer expires at the end of March. Additional discounts are available to members of registered car clubs displaying their classics on the infield and, fittingly, owners of silver cars can join the special ‘Silver Sunday’ track parade and associated festive activities for only an extra £25.

Full details of all tickets (which must be purchased in advance) – as well as hospitality packages and weekend festival camping – can be found on the official www.silverstoneclassic.com website. 

MSA SPRING CLASSIC NEWS

18/12/14 ENTRIES OPEN FOR 2015 MSA SPRING CLASSIC   Organisers of the MSA Spring Classic have this week opened entries for next year’s hugely popular scenic tour for classic cars which takes place over the weekend of 25-26 April.   The two-day, non-competitive route starts in the Vale of Glamorgan and takes in the breath-taking mountain scenery of the Brecon Beacons and the idyllic coastline of the Gower Peninsular. Along the way, a number of scheduled stops at stunning venues will include Llangoed Hall and the National Botanic Garden of Wales. The MSA Spring Classic traditionally includes an element of motor sport for those who enjoy the thrill of opening the throttle that bit further. This year, visits to both Pembrey Circuit and the historic Shelsley Walsh Hillclimb will provide a challenging and memorable experience for both drivers and cars. After two sell-out events, next April’s third MSA Spring Classic is sure to be over-subscribed and organisers are urging people to get their entries in as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. “The itinerary for this year’s MSA Spring Classic looks really enticing,” said Ben Taylor, Managing Director of IMS, the commercial subsidiary of the Motor Sports Association. “It’s the perfect way to brush off the winter cobwebs, warm up the engine and enjoy a relaxing weekend of motoring through beautiful countryside and challenging roads. We expect another capacity entry of 100 cars for the event and look forward to welcoming everyone to South Wales in April.”   Among the cars involved in the 2014 event were some of the most iconic marques of the British sports car industry, including Alvis, Aston Martin, Austin Healey, Bentley, Jaguar, Lotus, MG, Morgan, Sunbeam, Triumph and TVR. They were joined by classic names from around globe, such as Porsche, Mercedes, Ford and Chevrolet. Full details of the 2015 MSA Spring Classic can be found on the official website: www.msaclassics.co.uk.    For the latest updates and information, follow International Motor Sports Ltd on Twitter @IntMotorSports, join the conversations on Facebook at www.facebook.com/msaclassics or visit the website www.msaclassics.co.uk

SHELSLEY WALSH HILLCLIMB

CLASSIC NOSTALGIA 18th & 19th JULY 2015 Here at Shelsley Walsh Hill Climb, we would like to actively welcome and encourage your car club to come and join us at the Midland Automobile Club’s ‘Classic Nostalgia’ weekend, held on Saturday 18th July and Sunday 19th July 2015.
This annual event is rapidly becoming a firm favourite on our racing calendar and is kindly supported by Classic and Sports Car magazine and Peter James Insurance.  The event always attracts a very a wide variety of competing cars from the pre 1980s, plus spectacular static vehicle displays in the paddock and field.

Our courtyard stage hosts non-stop entertainment throughout the weekend, including vintage-inspired musicians, live bands and show dancers, whilst the paddock will be packed with competition cars, trade stands, military vehicles and car clubs. Thrilling the crowds once again, will be an aerobatic display (weather permitting) and the fabulous Rat Pack’ singer Roman Marek – the purveyor of ‘cool swing' will be performing Frank Sinatra’s greatest hits.  Roman will be joined by the stunning Vegas Show Girls and their high octane dance routines. New for 2015 - the glamourous songstress Lola Lamour, often referred to as Britain’s most authentic 1940s singer.  Visitors are also encouraged to join in the theme by wearing period dress; prizes are awarded on the Sunday for the best vintage outfits.

Sunday will feature the popular annual Street Concours for cars built before 1982, the Concours is kindly sponsored by Classic & Sports Car magazine and open to the first 100 entries through the gate before 12 noon on Sunday. (There is no additional charge to enter the Concours and is a great opportunity for your car club member’s vehicles to be judged). The overall winner of the Concours receives a silver salver and is invited to display the vehicle on the Club's stand at the NEC Classic Car Show in November.
Concours Judge Simon Taylor said, "We have been running the Concours competition for many years and it has become an integral part of the Classic Nostalgia event. 15 of the Concourse cars that we judge and select also have the rare opportunity to take part in a cavalcade up the famous Hill Climb course”.

Concessionary tickets are available for car club groups of 25 people or more, which includes entry tickets, designated car club parking (which you are welcome to brand) and opportunity for your members vehicles to be judged for the Concours. We hope that you will include the dates in your annual calendar.

Car Club Group Discount Structure:
25 tickets priced £12 (plus receive an additional 5 free tickets). Total tickets 30, £300
40 tickets priced £12 (plus receive an additional 10 free tickets). Total tickets 50, £480
50 tickets priced £12 (plus receive an additional 20 free tickets). Total tickets 70, £600
60 tickets priced £12 (plus receive an additional 30 free tickets). Total tickets 90, £720
70 tickets priced £12 (plus receive an additional 35 free tickets). Total tickets 105, £840

Here’s What Visitors to the 2014 Event Said:
 “We have never been to a Venue that has made us feel so welcome, every one that we spoke to were very friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere just made you want to take part”.  Colin Oldham
“It was a fantastic event and we enjoyed it a lot. I have to say even my wife enjoyed it, and although she is not into cars at all, she  enjoyed the place, the fashion, music and the whole event. Thank you again, we look forward to next year already”.   Ali Shekeri
 “What a splendid weekend, and as if the event itself, and the select parking spot on Saturday (with such illustrious company!) was not enough, I was bowled over that the GK won its class, very chuffed!” Roy Dowdling, owner of the Gordon Keeble that won its classic in the Classic & Sports Car Concours
“It was a splendid event and emails are coming regularly from my members saying how much they enjoyed it all”. Conway Hall, Riley Register
“What a fantastic event! Thanks so much for organising a weekend to remember. I made plenty of sales and the clientele were just right for my products. I can’t wait for next year”.  Standholder, Andy Snell
“A great success; clearly a very happy crowd of attendees – the Displays around the Paddock lawn, the Entertainment in the Courtyard, the general ‘buzz’ & atmosphere was all excellent." Ian Snelling, Sporting Bears
 

For further information, or to enquire about Car Club discounted tickets, please contact
Rebecca Leppard on T: 01452 260063, M: 07749 852481, E: rebecca@eventspr.co.uk

CLASSIC CARS FOR SALE.CO.UK NEWSLETTER

Find a Classic Car Sell your Classic Car

Top 10 barn find/projects for sale 1953 Aston Martin DB2, £115,000 This barn find example is a restoration project that was interrupted. The engine is not installed, but comes with the car along with additional components. Read More >>   1969 Porsche 912 - £14,391 Runs and drives but needs restoration. Currently located in Holland, import duties for every EU country will be paid for by the vendor. Read More >>

1959 Sunbeam Rapier Mk2, No reserve Historic rally car having competed in 8 Monte Carlo challenges plus loads of other historic rallies. In need of complete restoration. Read More >> 1953 Jaguar XK120 - £28,716 This 1953 Jaguar XK120 Roadster is an excellent original car for restoration. Red with black interior. Read More >> 1961 MG Deluxe FHC, £6000-£8,000 One of the rarest MGA variants, this entry has been in the same family ownership since 1983 and is believed to have been off the road since the 1970's. Read More >> 1977 Ford Capri Mk2, £2,750 Complete car for restoration. It runs and drives around the yard and has a pretty solid body. It needs a little repair to the "A" posts. Read More >> 1958 Armstrong-Siddeley Sapphire 346, £2,300 This one needs work, but it is an original vehicle and would be an ideal project for any post War prestige marque enthusiast. Read More >> 1973 Triumph Dolomite Sprint - £700 Unfinished project, It is a complete rolling shell although in dismantled state. 95% of components are there. Read More >> 1970 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, Offers Off the road for 5 years, it requires a significant amount of work to pass its MoT. Parts of the bodywork/frame are in very poor condition. Read More >> Jaguar E-Type Series 2 FHC, £19,999 2-door manual for restoration. This is a very solid project, very complete The engine is running. Read More >>

Market News

Market Update Police have agreed to attend banger races to check for stolen cars following a call from concerned owners' clubs, which say cars are being stolen for events. This comes on the back of news of a new 100-BMC Farina event, the A60 Amble, launching at Arlington Stadium next July. Read More >> Auction Commentary A former Landaulete-bodied 102 year old Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost Tourer had travelled silently on three continents to fetch a results topping £268,060 during Bonhams end of season sale at Oxford. 'The Great Gatsby' Silver Ghost Salamanca Town Car also went to a fine new home... Read More >> Buying Update After a false start the handsome Continental R is finally starting to rise from the bargain exotica section of the classifieds. Their rugged good looks and capabilities ought to have seen them bounce back from depreciation sooner, and for a while it looked like they were... Read More >>

News & Events

Search launched for barn-find beauties Owners of unrestored cars are being invited to take them to the NEC next spring to star in an even bigger and better Practical Classics Restoration Show. Read More >> 17 unrestored classics discovered in old barn Seventeen barn-find classics - including 10 unrestored MGs - are being auctioned with no reserve in Staffordshire this weekend (13 December). Read More >> Huge stash of 60 classic cars found in farm garage in France A huge stash of 60 classic cars has been found in a farm garage in France, 50 years after they were put there. Read More >>