Monday 30 October 2017

REV UP AT THE REGENT STREET MOTOR SHOW WITH ILLINOIS AND ROUTE 66

Regent Street Motor Show

REV UP AT THE REGENT STREET MOTOR SHOW WITH ILLINOIS AND ROUTE 66

•  Enjoy Illinois Route 66 partners with the Regent Street Motor Show

•  A chance to win four nights in Illinois, the start of the Mother Road 
•  Cars and bikes from the past and future on display
•  Celebrations, street entertainment and more…
  
If you plan to motor west, to London’s West End next month (November), make sure you get your kicks on the A4201…
Better known as London’s Regent Street, a trip to London’s premier shopping street will give car enthusiasts just as much of a buzz as a blast down Route 66, America’s ‘Mother Road’.
Saturday, 4th November is when Regent Street is closed to through traffic and the road is filled with hundreds of cars of all ages – from veterans and cherished classics to futuristic hybrids and electric vehicles – for the free-to-view Regent Street Motor Show which, this year, is presented by Enjoy Illinois Route 66.
Cory Jobe, Director of the Illinois Office of Tourism, said: “We are excited to take Illinois and Route 66 to the Regent Street Motor Show as the presenting sponsor. This partnership is a prime opportunity for our team to highlight in a meaningful way all the Route 66 Americana flair that our international visitors travel to experience – from the iconic Route 66 Begin sign in Chicago to the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac and the Original Historic Brick Road in Springfield.”
Illinois will be on Regent Street as presenting partner to the Regent Street Motor Show, promoting holidays to the State and raising the profile of Route 66 by showcasing iconic elements of the Route and giving away maps and destination guides to Show visitors.
And one lucky visitor will be able to go one better and get their kicks on the real thing. Illinois will be holding an on-stand competition with four nights’ accommodation in the State of Illinois up for grabs.
Much of the Illinois leg of the Mother Road is frozen in time, a 300-mile neon-lit drive through a past filled with motor inns, quirky restaurants and diners, and museums with amazing memorabilia. For starters, check out the 30-foot tall smiling spaceman called the Gemini Giant next to the soon-to-be renovated Launching Pad diner in Wilmington, the large Route 66 Shield Mural on the back wall of the Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum in Pontiac, and the curious attraction of Henry’s Rabbit Ranch for equal parts entertainment, visitor centre and rabbit ranch.
Nick Wigley, CEO of organisers, Goose Live Events, said: “We are delighted to welcome Illinois and Route 66 to Regent Street: two iconic roads linked by a rock ‘n’ roll classic!”
The Regent Street Motor Show presented by Enjoy Illinois Route 66 promises a feast of high octane excitement for hundreds of thousands of visitors – more than 400,000 spectators enjoyed the spectacle in 2016.
Among the displays will be more than 100 horseless carriages from the turn of the 20th century – many of their drivers and passengers in period dress – taking part in the annual Veteran Car Concours, the day before they set off on their annual trip from London to Brighton.
Displays from leading classic car clubs will include a 60th-anniversary tribute to the Fiat 500, while the Silverstone Classic, the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival, will be giving an insight into the 2018 event.
Go Ultra Low, the government-backed initiative promoting low and zero emission travel will be offering test drives in the latest hybrid and battery-powered cars, while UK motorcycle manufacturer Triumph will be on hand with its latest bikes.
The first Regent Street Motor Show was staged in 2005 and it has now become a hugely popular must-see spectacle. It attracts vast crowds keen not only to see the hundreds of veteran and classic cars on display and to take test drives in the latest machinery but also enjoy street entertainment, too.
The Regent Street Motor Show presented by Enjoy Illinois Route 66 and the Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run supported by Hiscox are key events in the week-long London Motor Week run by the Royal Automobile Clu

Sunday 29 October 2017

October Newsletter - Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run supported by Hiscox

Final Planning tips

It’s now less than a week until London Motor Week 2017 gets underway – we hope you are looking forward to it as much as we are.

All participants should have now have received their Participants’ Packs in the post. If you are taking part in this year’s Run and haven’t received your pack, please contact us at VCRadmin@goose.co.uk to let us know. Your pack includes important information and relevant passes for the Run and, in particular, it also includes details of the alterations to this year’s route as a result of the major roadworks in the Brixton area – please study these details carefully. The route guides are also available to view online here.  For those following the route as a spectator, the Spectator Guide is available to view online here.

If you’re participating and have not already provided us with your mobile number, please do so by updating your account on the event website – please ensure you enter your mobile number in the following format: 447920516850. Alternatively, you can email lucy.budgen@goose.co.uk with your full name and start number, followed by your mobile number in the aforementioned format and she will update your account for you.  

The service is being used as a method of improving communication both ahead of and on the day of the Run for important, event-specific correspondence. In particular, this will be the method of communicating any changes to arrangements in the event of an emergency situation developing. It is therefore important that we have your details.

Don’t forget that, if you’re joining us for the first time (or, if you’re returning to the Run after an absence of a few years), you can sign-up to take part in the Hiscox First Timer’s Briefing on Saturday 4 November (ahead of the sell-out Hattingley Valley Participants Reception, supported by Hagerty). This briefing is designed to give you some helpful hints and tips ahead of the Run and you will have the opportunity to ask the Clerk of the Course any questions you may have in a Q&A session. Please contact lucy.budgen@goose.co.uk to be added to the guest list.

Please note that entries have now closed for the Chopard Regularity Time Trial. The lucky winner will be presented with the timepiece around 4.30pm in the Bonhams Hospitality Marquee on Madeira Drive on the day of the Run.
Bonhams auction

The Bonhams annual London to Brighton Sale is a highlight of the auction calendar and this year features a particularly impressive range of veteran motor cars and automobilia. The sale is comprised of 227 lots in total, including 26 motor cars, quadricycles and trikes. These range from the beautiful 1903 Panhard et Levassor Model B 10hp Four-Cyclinder Rear-entrance Tonneau (pictured, £350,000-400,000), to the extremely rare 1901 Singer Motorwheel Tricycle, one of the earliest examples from the pioneering age of motoring. The full catalogue is now online here and bidders can register for the auction here. A participant lanyard grants entry to the auction.
1903 Panhard et Levassor Model B 10hp Four-Cyclinder Rear-entrance Tonneau
Last few places available for the French-themed pre-event reception on Friday 3 November

A reminder to all participants that there is a limited number of places still available for the French-themed reception being held at the Royal Automobile Club, hosted by Hiscox, on Friday 3 November.

The reception will take place after the Bonhams Veteran Car Run Sale, and transport will be provided from the auction to the Club’s Pall Mall clubhouse to make sure the evening runs like clockwork.

Tickets are complimentary for Run participants, courtesy of Hiscox, but you do need to apply for them in advance via https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/vcr-reception3Nov.
The Hattingley Valley Participants' Reception Supported by Hagerty Ticket Returns 

The Hattingley Valley Participants' Reception Supported by Hagerty is at full capacity, with a waiting list.  Please can any participants who have tickets but know they are unable to attend email Lucy.budgen@goose.co.uk providing the driver name, car start number and ticket number so that it can be given to one of the participants on the waiting list. We want to make sure that as many people as possible can enjoy the pre-Run reception with us.
Luggage Service
 
Abels Moving Services will once again be collecting participant luggage on a pre-arranged basis from the usual London hotels (Hilton Park Lane, Royal Garden Hotel, Millennium Gloucester, Lancaster London, Hilton London Kensington, Thistle Hyde Park, Thistle Kensington Gardens, Park Lane Hotel and the Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall). They will also take luggage delivered by participants at The Triangle in Hyde Park (just before you turn into the start assembly area), but this service MUST be pre-booked as there are capacity restrictions and security considerations. If your luggage is not pre-booked, Abels - as per our instruction - will be unable to accept it.
The collection will take place from 5.00am until 8.00am, with luggage transported to Brighton safely and securely by Abels. All items will either be delivered to the Abels truck which will be positioned in the paddock on Madeira Drive, or straight to the porters at The Grand, Hilton Brighton Metropole, and Jury’s Inn Waterfront, where requested. All participants are asked to ensure all information is completed on the Abels luggage labels and that all items have an Abels label attached. Should you no longer require a pre-booked service please advise the VCR Team at VCRadmin@goose.co.uk.

We are delighted that, as a partner to the Run, Abels provide this invaluable service to participants. The company provides bespoke fine art movement, relocation, removals and storage services by air, sea & road, across the city, throughout the UK, Europe and worldwide. The company can be contacted at: info@abels.co.uk 0800 626769 www.abels.co.uk.
Abels on Madeira Drive
Hyde Park Refreshments

Upon arrival at Hyde Park for the start of the Run, we are delighted that Gatwick Airport is offering participants a complimentary hot drink whilst getting ready to depart from Hyde Park. You’ll need your token, included in your Participant Pack, to redeem against your coffee which can be collected from the mobile café by Sector 1, the Serpentine Café by Sector 7, or the Boathouse Café between sectors 10 & 11.
Mobile welding unit 

TOTAL will once again be providing a mobile welding unit, which will be available to participants during the Run to complement the services of the RAC Motoring Services. Details of how to call for their help can be found on your route time card.
TOTAL Support Team working on a Veteran Car
Comfort break option between Hyde Park and Crawley 

With the alteration of the route out of London this year, we are aware that some of you have expressed a concern regarding the removal of the unofficial stop at Christ Church in Purley. As a result of your feedback, the National Trust have kindly agreed to make available use of their facilities at the Morden Hall Park (postcode SM4 5JD – this is on the route) earlier than usual, at 8.00am, for participants on the day of the Run. We hope this will make your journey to Crawley a little more comfortable.
Activities on Crawley High Street
Crawley High Street

Gatwick Airport is also supporting a range of activities for participants and spectators alike on Crawley High Street, too. If you’re a participant, stop at Crawley High Street to say hello to all the spectators who are there to cheer you on and collect your travel blanket, courtesy of Gatwick Airport - three spot prizes will be hidden in the blankets offering a free entry in to the Run next year, a case of Hattingley Valley English Sparkling wine or a luxury Harrods hamper, so take a careful look as you may be a lucky winner!

For the added enjoyment of all spectators joining us this year, Gatwick Airport will be handing out postcards to redeem a hot drink in a number of local cafes. They are also providing a veteran car on the High Street offering a perfect photo opportunity behind the wheel! There will be plenty happening on the Street to keep spectators entertained throughout the day so wrap up warm and join us in Crawley.
Peter Foubister Award 

In memory of Peter Foubister, who sadly passed away the night after the Veteran Car Run in 2016 was awarded the International Historic Motoring ‘Rally or Tour of the Year’ last November, a new award has been introduced.  Peter, in his role as Motoring Secretary of the Royal Automobile Club, was passionate about the Run and it is fitting that the award, in his memory, will be given in recognition of encouraging the next generation. 

The Sir Ray Tindle Award – The Participants’ Choice

The Sir Ray Tindle Award acknowledges and celebrates a participant who has best demonstrated the 'Spirit of the Event' through their resolution and perseverance in the challenging adventure that is the Run.

The winner is determined through nominations and voting by participants, with the presentation of the award taking place on the Sunday evening at the VCC dinner in Brighton. Voting cards will be provided in your starter packs, which are issued at Hyde Park. Alternatively, email your nomination and your reason for your nomination to VCRadmin@goose.co.uk by Sunday 5 November.
Veteran Car Run 2016, Madeira Drive
From the Archive

Royal Automobile Club Heritage Manager, Jane Holmes, shares some insight from the Club's archive

In 1820, there existed a factory in Goswell Road, London, established by Thomas Hancock. Within the factory stood Pickle, not the condiment, but a machine that tore up scrap rubber and re-fused it together into re-usable blocks following a treatment of oil, turpentine and naptha. That same year, a patent for using rubber in clothes to provide elasticity was also lodged by Hancock who, in 1831, merged with Charles Macintosh & Co to provide the nation with raincoats.

Hancock’s desire to explore the practical and commercial uses of rubber led him to experiment with producing rubber tyres. Earlier in 1815, Hancock also formed a partnership with his brother John as a coachbuilder. Hancock experimented for more than twenty years with different solutions to deal with the effects of weather. The hot weather in particular, made rubber sticky and early rubber struggled to hold its shape.

Across the Atlantic, a hardware merchant in Philadelphia, Charles Goodyear, was also experimenting with solutions to these problems, including using magnesia and quick lime drying agents. In winter 1839, Goodyear used sulphur. He then sent samples of his vulcanised rubber to British rubber companies. One of

Thursday 26 October 2017

GETAWAY CARS TO STAR AS THE LONDON CLASSIC CAR SHOW MOVES UP YET ANOTHER GEAR

26/10/17 

GETAWAY CARS TO STAR AS THE
LONDON CLASSIC CAR SHOW MOVES UP YET ANOTHER GEAR


•  Capital’s super-successful classic car event grows yet again for 2018
•  Grand Avenue, Car Club Square and Historic Motorsport International return by popular demand
•  Special showcase announced with famous getaway cars from the movies  
•  Advance tickets now on sale offering significant discounts

The capital’s biggest and best classic car spectacular – the record-breaking London Classic Car Show – is growing yet again.
 
Now gearing up for its fourth year, the award-winning show – which will be held at ExCeL London from 15-18 February 2018 –  will cover a massive 43,000 square metres of exhibition space, up from 36,000 sq. m in 2017, 32,000 sq. m in 2016 and 18,000 sq. m at the inaugural show in 2015.
 
Attendance has soared, too, with more than 37,000 flocking to savour last February’s memorable four-day feast of automotive nostalgia.    
 
Indeed, such has been its spiralling popularity with visitors and exhibitors that next year’s enlarged celebration of car culture will for the very first time fill the entire North Hall at ExCeL.
 
“With more than 800 stunning classic cars to display as well as innovative features such as The Grand Avenue and curated car exhibits – plus sister show Historic Motorsport International – we will need every last additional centimetre,” said event director Bas Bungish.
 
“We need to keep expanding, too, as back in February we had record crowds, record-breaking displays and record numbers of exhibitors selling cars for record prices. London sits right at the heart of the global classic car movement, and the London Classic Car Show is enhancing the city’s reputation as the world’s classic car capital.”  
 
Building on its three previous successes, the 2018 London Classic Car Show will once again feature a number of special displays focusing on classic icons from the past. Last time, it was fabulous Ferraris and pioneering cars from previous motor shows; before that, legendary Le Mans racers and Group B rally cars.
 
For 2018, organisers are lining up a number of special displays, one of which will be Getaway Cars – an evocative homage to those vehicles as used by infamous criminals in headline grabbing robberies, with some of those made famous in films joining the display.
 
Car Club Square is another welcome returnee and, now with more space, and over 30 clubs. The country’s leading one-make clubs will be staging displays of their favourite machines, with club members on-hand to discuss the merits of their chosen marque or model. 
 
Another feature to make a popular return is The Grand Avenue, a ground-breaking all-action roadway running through the very centre of the show and along which some of the world’s greatest classic road and competition cars will be driven.
 
It means The London Classic Car Show is no mere static exhibition but a living, breathing tribute to the automobile… where else can you see Le Mans winners, Grand Prix racers, classic supercars and century-old veterans in action in the centre of the capital?
 
This year’s show will focus on ‘Specials’, limited editions, one offs and prototypes a delectable collection of unique street and competition cars renowned for their rarity, curiosity and desirability.
 
There will similarly be plenty of opportunity for visitors to join the classic car movement, with a large proportion of the dealer space already booked. Among the many leading dealers confirmed for 2018 are Alfaholics, Classic Mini Finder, Graeme Hunt, Joe Macari, JME Healeys, Prindiville and Samuel Laurence.
 
Such is its esteem that the London Classic Car Show will also attract a large number of celebrities from the motoring world over the four days of the event. Previous guests have included: James May, Chris Evans, David Coulthard, Jenson Button, Sir Stirling Moss, Derek Bell, Jacky Ickx, Ari Vatanen, Gordon Murray, James Martin and Jodie Kidd. Expect plenty more big names in 2018.
 
As last February, the London Classic Car Show will be complemented by its new sister show Historic Motorsport International. Introduced to celebrate the UK’s leading role in all areas of historic motor sport, HMI adds yet another exhilarating dimension to the visitor experience with admission free to all those attending the London Classic Car Show.
 
Full ticket details for the 2018 London Classic Car Show are now accessible from the show website – thelondonclassiccarshow.co.uk – and significant discounts are on offer for those booking in advance. If purchased now, adult admission costs just £25 (£30 on the door) and a range of upgraded Premium and Family Tickets are also available online.     


Wednesday 25 October 2017

CAPRI CLUB INTERNATIONAL MAKES IT'S SHOW DEBUT


CAPRI CLUB INTERNATIONAL
MAKES IT'S SHOW DEBUT

Capri Club International makes it's show debut!

Capri CLUB INTERNATIONAL IS BRINGING FIVE FAMILY TIES THEMED CARS TO THIS YEAR’S LANCASTER INSURANCE CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW, NONE OF WHICH HAVE BEEN ON DISPLAY AT THE NEC PREVIOUSLY. EACH OF THE CAPRIS BEING SHOWCASED HAVE A DIFFERENT LINK TO FAMILY EVENTS SUCH AS WEDDINGS, PROM NIGHT, AND FAMILY HOLIDAYS
.
Steve Evans’ 1970 Mk 1 1600L Automatic was found abandoned and restored by Steve with over 1,000 hours of serious hard work. The previous owner sent it to a friend’s spray shop where it had sat for 15 years.
On April 15, 2016, Steve began the strip down and full re-build. Stripped to the bare shell, Steve re-built the engine, transmission, and suspension, fitted and repaired many of the panels, refitted and repaired the interior and treated the shell to a bare- metal re-spray. Ally Cat wheels were the finishing touch to this stunning MKI Capri, which is now the bride rather than the bridesmaid.The majority of Craig Scott's Mk II 3000GT is from 1975/76 Mk II. An eclectic mix of colours and additional panels including a Capri 280 tailgate, and donor doors and bonnet from other Capris.

The roof rack complete with luggage has attracted the attention and comments from many Capri fans, and is perfect to demonstrate bygone family holidays with calls from the back seat of 'Are we there yet?'Francis Ellingworth's Mk III 1.6 Laser was purchased in 1990 with just over 30,000 miles on the clock. This Laser Capri has been part of the Ellingworth family for over 26 years and has since clocked-up close to 300,000 miles!

This Capri is a true ‘daily drive’ but over the years, the elements have taken their toll on the bodywork. After collecting many parts and panels over the years, a full restoration began in 2015. Welding of existing panels, the addition of new panels and a full re-spray have brought this beautiful Capri back to its former glory!

Having grown up around Capris, Clare Ellingworth’s MkIII 2.0s or ‘Carla’ as she's known, was brought in a backwards way. Clare bought the spare wheel a year before she was offered the car in 2007. Carla from the outset was always going to be Clare’s Capri.
Since 2008, Carla has received a constant rolling restoration including a new door in August after a local hit-and-run incident. In June, Carla ran faultlessly to Speyer, Germany.

Paul Thorpe has owned his 1980 Mk III V8 since 2002 and bought it as an unfinished project. Paul took the car apart and fitted the X-pack correctly and re-built the engine completely 14 years ago. The Capri was re-sprayed by Paul, complete with distinctive blue stripes that were sprayed on rather than vinyl.This Capri has been displayed at many car shows, meetings and used for wedding and proms for friends and family.See Capri Club International in Hall 5, stand 785

CHECK OUT OUR GALLERY FROM THE 2016 EVENT

Friday 20 October 2017

MEGUIAR’S CLUB SHOWCASE FINALISTS REVEALED AHEAD OF NEC CLASSIC GRAND FINAL


FRIDAY 10th to SUNDAY 12th NOVEMBER 2017
BUY YOUR TICKETS BY 


MEGUIAR’S CLUB SHOWCASE FINALISTS REVEALED AHEAD OF NEC CLASSIC GRAND FINAL


THE 16 FINALISTS IN THIS YEAR’S MEGUIAR’S CLUB SHOWCASE HAVE BEEN REVEALED AHEAD OF THE GRAND FINAL AT THE LANCASTER INSURANCE CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW, WITH DISCOVERY, AT BIRMINGHAM’S NEC FROM THE 10-12 NOVEMBER – AND ONCE AGAIN IT’S A FANTASTIC MIX OF MARQUES!

Lloyd Jackson’s 1950 Split Window Bug, winner of Volksworld’s Best in Show, will join Chris Burt’s MK2 Golf GTi, the VW Club wildcard entry, to epitomise Volkswagen.
Mercedes Benz is represented by Masterclass winner Brian Ellis and his Mercedes 300SL while Richard Parkinson's BMW M1 showcases the very best of the legendary Munich marque. Gary Plumb’s 1967 Alfa Romeo Spider adds some Italian flair to the line-up.
The ‘Best of British’ comes in the form of Ken Day’s stunning Jaguar E-Type, Tom Morley’s 1989 Austin Metro GS, and Graham Andrews’ Triumph Italia.
They are joined by two breathtaking Minis - Ian Matthews’ Morris Mini and Ian King’s Copper Sport 500 S Works – and a pair of Fords, thanks to Steve Handley’s Mk1 3000 Capri and Mark Stewart’s 1988 Ford Escort XR3i Cabriolet.
John Underhill’s 1934 Wolseley Hornet and David Sharman’s 1958 Vauxhall PA Velox may be poles apart aesthetically but are ‘true Brits’ and bring the contingent of UK manufacturers to a close.  
No Meguiar’s Club Showcase final would be complete without a bit of Americana to bring a ‘bit of brash’ to the proceedings and Steve Taylor’s Pontiac Wagon and Clive Hardy’s Chevrolet Pick Up certainly do that in spades!
Event Director Lee Masters said: “The Meguiar’s Club Showcase is the centrepiece of Hall 1 and never fails to make visitors stand back and look in amazement. The effort and dedication of these owners is a testament to the passion of the classic movement and this year’s line-up is exceptional. I’m glad I don’t have to pick the winner.”
The cars will be examined by an expert panel of judges over the course of the show with the winner announced on Sunday afternoon by Wheeler Dealers’ Mike Brewer.