ROLLS-ROYCE & BENTLEY SPECIALIST, P & A WOOD CELEBRATE BENTLEY’S CENTENARY IN STYLE AT SALON PRIVÉ 29 July 2019 Established more than 50 years ago in the Essex Village of Moreton, P & A Wood are one of the world’s leading Rolls-Royce and Bentley specialists restoring, servicing and selling cars across both marques from 1904 to the present day. Operating from their beautiful, traditionally-styled premises in Great Easton, P&A Wood were appointed in 2001 as ‘The Official Rolls-Royce and Bentley Heritage Dealers’ in recognition of their knowledge and expertise. As Salon Privé is set to host the UK’s most spectacular centenary celebration for Bentley this year, it is fitting that P & A Wood will be supporting the event with their own display of exceptional motorcars, which it is hoped will include the following examples: Bentley 3½ Litre 2-door Coupé by Hooper This car features exceptionally attractive coachwork and is finished in Brewster Green and Black with Tan hide upholstery. It is in excellent condition and has an impressive history of major concours awards. Bentley Continental S Convertible LHD This is a unique example and considered as the most desirable of all the Continental Convertible models. Converted to Bentley specification by P & A Wood, the engine was modified with a Zetec engine management system for enhanced performance and also features the latest braking system. Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost London to Edinburgh – Chassis No. 1701 Known as the Sluggard, this is the actual original car that completed the London to Edinburgh top gear trial in 1911.  Fitted with rare underslung rear suspension, it is one of the most famous Rolls-Royce’s in the world. Rolls-Royce Phantom V LHD (PV23) by James Young One of very few made with the Hooper rear quarter windows, exceptionally elegant coachwork. Commenting on their attendance, Managing Director Georgina Wood said ‘We at P & A Wood are delighted to be taking part in this year’s Salon Privé as an exhibitor, particularly due to the Bentley Centenary celebrations. We have attended the event with various customers and their cars over the years and are very much looking forward to a closer working relationship with the team at Salon Privé’. Co-founder & Sales Director of Salon Privé, David Bagley commented, “It’s been a while since P & A Wood last exhibited at Salon Privé and so we’re very pleased to see them back with us and with such a spectacular display of Rolls-Royce and Bentley models. We’re grateful too for the support they have shown us in curating the amazing collection of 50 + Bentley's for the centenary celebrations.”

WALES RALLY GB TO CELEBRATE MOMENTOUS 75TH MILESTONE

WALES RALLY GB TO CELEBRATE MOMENTOUS 75TH MILESTONE

Col Loughborough winner of the 1932 RAC Rally

This year’s Wales Rally GB (3-6 October) will be the 75th running of the globally renowned event – a significant milestone that will be celebrated in style when the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) arrives in the UK this autumn.

A special showcase featuring many of the stand-out cars from past generations will be one of the highlights at Thursday evening’s spectacular opening competitive stage at the popular Oulton Park circuit near Chester.

The celebratory display will include many icons from previous eras including significant Ford Escorts, Group B machines and victorious cars rallied by British heroes Colin McRae and Richard Burns.

Illustrating the rally’s remarkable history, the collection will provide visitors with an engaging insight into the sport’s evolution over time, whetting appetites for the arrival of the latest generation of WRC stars and cars – the fastest and most impressive machines ever to set wheels in the forests.

Back in 1932, the inaugural Royal Automobile Club Rally took its lead from the Monte Carlo Rally with crews driving standard road cars setting off from nine different towns and cities all bound for Torquay on the English Riviera via a variety of 1000-mile routes, each one with four control points. No fewer than 342 competitors entered and the £25 prize for having recorded the lowest number of penalty points was awarded to Colonel A. H. Loughborough driving a Lanchester 15/18.

Motor Sport magazine reported: “People with the knowledge and experience of the Monte Carlo Rally may, perhaps, have regarded the R.A.C event as a meek and mediocre counterpart of the former, but as a preliminary effort there can be no denying the fact that it was a great success. It showed that British motorists are really keen to indulge in motoring fixtures when the opportunity occurs provided they are organised by a competent body.”

Though there was a break in the action following the outbreak of the Second World War and again in 1957 for the Suez Crisis, the RAC Rally followed a similar format, albeit with the introduction of more competitive tests, until the start of the sixties when Scandinavian style off-road forest stages were first introduced – a move which cemented the rally’s reputation as one of the most challenging and respected on the calendar.

In 1973, the event’s international repute earned it a founding position in the newly created FIA World Rally Championship and, together with Finland, remains one of only two rounds that have featured on every year’s WRC roster ever since.

The switch to gravel tracks in the forests and a wintry, end-of-season slot on the schedule resulted in 30 years of Nordic success only interrupted by Roger Clark’s two home wins in 1972 and 1976.

In more recent times, though, the victories have been shared more widely with further home-grown winners Colin McRae (1994, 1995 and 1997), Richard Burns (1998, 1999 and 2000) and most recently Elfyn Evans in 2017. Coming 25 years ago, the first of McRae’s victories was in the 50th running of the event.

The UK’s premier rally has also seen several title changes over its long history with the advent of title sponsorship from commercial partners such as Lombard, Network Q and Dayinsure. The UK’s round of the WRC has been titled Wales Rally GB for the past 17 years since the Welsh Government became principal funding partner in 2003.

“Only the Monte Carlo Rally can boast a longer or richer pedigree than Rally GB and only Finland has also retained a place on every World Rally Championship calendar – it’s this incredible esteem and heritage which make this historic event, in all its guises, so special,” remarked Hugh Chambers, CEO of Motorsport UK, organiser of Wales Rally GB. “While continuing to innovate and keeping the event fresh for both competitors and visitors, we are proud of the rally’s unique place in the sport’s history and will be celebrating that with this special 75th anniversary showcase at Oulton Park in October.”

Adult tickets to the opening Oulton Park Special Stage on Thursday are priced at just £25 and must be purchased in advance – grandstand seats are also available as well as a hospitality upgrade for those seeking the ultimate entertainment experience. Children aged 15 and under enjoy free admittance.

Full details of these – as well as a wide choice of tickets for the 21 Special Stages that follow on Friday, Saturday and Sunday – can be found on the walesrallygb.com website.

RALLY GB MILESTONES

1932 Inaugural Royal Automobile Club Rally finishing in Torquay

1933 First female RAC Rally winner: Miss Kitty Brunell

1940-50 RAC Rally not staged following outbreak of World War 2

1951 RAC Rally re-introduced based in Bournemouth

1953 Ian Appleyard wins his second RAC Rally in Jaguar XK120

1957 RAC Rally cancelled due to the Suez Crisis

1960 First forest competitive section successfully introduced in Scotland

1961 Multiple forest stages introduced around the country

1962 Erik Carlsson completes a hat-trick of wins in Saab 96

1965 Rauno Aaltonen gives the Mini its only RAC Rally triumph

1966 Entries from two F1 World Champions Graham Hill (Mini) and Jim Clark (Lotus Cortina)

1967 Rally cancelled due to foot-and-mouth disease

1970-73 Title sponsorship from the Daily Mirror

1971 Fan-friendly Spectator Stages first introduced at Harewood House

1972 Roger Clark becomes the first British driver to win since switch to forest event

1973 Rally GB included in the first FIA World Rally Championship for Manufacturers

1974-92 Title sponsorship from Lombard

1975 Timo Mäkinen completes a hat-trick of wins in dominant Ford Escort era

1976 Second victory for Roger Clark who becomes first British winner of a WRC round

1979 RAC Rally included in first FIA Drivers’ World Championship

1980 Henri Toivonen becomes final driver to win in 2wd car (Talbot Sunbeam Lotus)

1982 Hannu Mikkola becomes the first four-time Rally GB winner

1986 RAC Rally was final European round for Group B cars

1993-2002 Title sponsorship from Network Q

1994 50th running of RAC Rally; Colin McRae becomes first British winner for 18 years

1995 Colin McRae wins and is crowned as Britain’s first World Rally Champion

1997 Colin McRae wins his third Rally GB

2000 Richard Burns completes a hat-trick of Rally GB victories

2000 Rally GB moves to Cardiff with all 17 stages in Wales

2001 Richard Burns finishes third and is crowned as England’s first World Rally Champion

2003 Welsh Government becomes principal funding partner

2005 Petter Solberg/Phill Mills win for a fourth consecutive

2013 Rally moves to new home in Deeside, north Wales

2016-18 Title sponsorship from Dayinsure

2017 Elfyn Evans becomes first Welsh driver to win a WRC round

2018 Llandudno stages first world championship motor sport on closed public roads in the UK

2018 Sébastien Ogier becomes first fifth-time winner

2019 Milestone 75th running of Rally GB

RALLY GB MULTIPLE WINNERS: DRIVERS

5		Sébastien Ogier
4		Hannu Mikkola Petter Solberg
3		Erik Carlsson Richard Burns Juha Kankkunen Sébastien Loeb Timo Mäkinen Colin McRae
2.		Ian Appleyard Stig Blomqvist Roger Clark Marcus Gronholm Jack Harrop Harry Källström Jari-Matti Latvala Carlos Sainz Henri Toivonen Tom Trana

RALLY GB MULTIPLE WINNERS: MANUFACTURERS

15		Ford
9		Subaru
6		Lancia
5		Saab
4		Jaguar Toyota VW
3		Audi Citroën Peugeot
2		Mitsubishi Volvo

PAGANI TO CELEBRATE ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY IN RECORD STYLE AT THE 2019 GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED

PAGANI TO CELEBRATE ITS 20TH ANNIVERSARY IN RECORD STYLE AT THE 2019 GOODWOOD FESTIVAL OF SPEED

Pagani Zonda at FoS - Harry Elliott Photography

Later this week Pagani UK will celebrate the 20th anniversary since Horacio Pagani founded Pagani Automobili S.p.A. in grand style at the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed (4-7 July).

Pagani’s exclusive official British agent, Pagani UK Ltd, will be gathering a record number of Pagani Zonda and Huayra models together at Goodwood – the largest collection ever seen in Great Britain, with cars and owners coming from as far afield as New Zealand, the USA and Hong Kong specifically for the occasion  – with Company founder Horacio Pagani also on hand, plus almost 30 examples of his exceptional hypercars, with a combined value of around £100million+.

An attention-grabbing convoy of Paganis will head down to Goodwood from London on the morning of Thursday 4 July, with a record 20 Zonda hypercars then heading up the Festival of Speed Hillclimb around 3pm that day; one car to mark each year since the first Pagani Zonda was introduced to huge acclaim in 1999.

Five of the most significant Zonda models will then be on static display for all to admire, located outside of the Goodwood Club’s exclusive GRRC Kinrara enclosure. These five Zondas will include the very first Zonda built, the famous Chassis #1 C25 of 1999, plus a 2005 Zonda F, 2009 Zonda Cinque, 2010 Zonda Tricolore and 2018 Zonda Roadster, one of just three sell-out models made, and the world’s most expensive new car at launch at £15million, and now appreciating! 

In addition, a Zonda R that has recently been subject to the extensive 'Pagani Rinascimento' programme to restore and upgrade older Pagani models, will be in action twice a day, tackling the Goodwood Hillclimb as part of the Supercar Run, with the car usually to be seen in the re-located Supercar Paddock. A sell-out Pagani Huayra Roadster will also be on display at the Kinrara enclosure. Pagani will also have a retail facility (Stand No. 127) with special 20th-anniversary merchandise as part of the Festival’s extensive exhibition zone, located near the Goodwood Cricket Pitch area.

On Friday evening, Pagani UK will be staging a very exclusive 20th-anniversary‘ birthday party’ not far away from Goodwood on the West Sussex coast, with fireworks and few surprises in store for the lucky guests as a fitting celebration of the Modena marque’s first 20 years.

Commenting on its notable 20th anniversary presence at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Christine Clarkin, Pagani UK’s Dealer Principal said, “We were really delighted to be so involved with the Goodwood Festival of Speed once again in such a high-profile way, and I can’t wait to see 20 Paganis parading up the Goodwood Hill on Thursday afternoon as one of the many amazing attractions at this world-leading, must-attend event. She added “I also can’t wait for what promises to be a very special and memorable 20th-anniversary birthday party for our clients and friends on Friday evening. It will be great, and the icing on the cake of the truly excellent weekend at Goodwood”

RECORD 60 MINIS RACE TO MARK DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY

RECORD 60 MINIS RACE TO MARK DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY

The record-breaking Mini grids at next month’s Silverstone Classic (26-28 July) have just got even bigger!

Ensuring the British motoring icon’s magical 60th birthday is celebrated in fitting style, special dispensation has come from Motorsport UK, the governing body of UK motor sport, for the addition of two extra entries to the previously permitted sell-out 58 car grid.

As a result, the pair of spectacular showdowns for the Mini Celebration Trophy Presented by Adrian Flux will ­– aptly – now feature 60 competition prepared Cooper S’ all dating back to the evocative pre-1966 era.

Not only will this be the greatest field of retro racing Minis ever seen on the planet but also the largest ever starting grid in the Classic’s own outstanding history.

“It only seems right and proper that we mark the Mini’s 60th milestone with a 60 car grid, so we are really grateful to those at Motorsport UK and Masters Historic Racing, who are organising these anniversary races, for securing this special permission,” said a delighted Nick Wigley, Silverstone Classic CEO.

“As well as being a sixties fashion icon, the Mini’s reputation was built on some wonderful motor sport successes, so there could neither be a better, nor more appropriate, way to celebrate its 60th anniversary than with an incredible 60-strong grid at the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival.”

One of the charismatic diminutive game-changer’s most famous sporting victories came when Paddy Hopkirk and co-driver Henry Liddon won the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally – the last British pair to win the Alpine classic.

Now Hopkirk will be adding to the celebrations at the Classic when he’s reunited with his winning #37 Cooper S (registration 33 EJB) to lead a glittering Diamond Anniversary track parade on Friday lunchtime at the Classic – an appetiser to the weekend’s two tasty 20-minute Mini races.

“I’m really flattered to have been asked to front this fantastic parade,” said Hopkirk modestly. “It’s great that I’ll be back in my old car and I’m going to be bringing the Monte trophy along, too. It was presented to me by Princess Grace.

“The Classic is such a brilliant event and, oh my goodness, it will be absolutely amazing to see 60 Minis altogether on the track at the same time.”  

With all the pre-1966 Minis equipped with similar race-prepared 1275cc engines and built to identical technical regulations – the level of competition is going to be spirited. Even more feisty as the record gathering also stars a number of top guest drivers.

Entries have come from throughout Europe – and as far afield as the US – and are headed by all the proven Mini top guns; aces such as Jonathan Lewis, Ian Curley, Bill Sollis, Lars Ekorness and Nick Swift.

For these eagerly anticipated Diamond Jubilee showdowns, the established regulars are joined by a number of well-known racers from the British Touring Car Championship ranks including multiple Le Mans class winner Darren Turner, Patrick Watts and 2013 BTCC Champion Andrew Jordan.

Those wishing to join the unmissable party for Sir Alec Issigonis’ game-changing Mini are offered a wide range of ticket choices along with camping and hospitality options. All those coming to this summer’s Silverstone Classic must purchase their tickets in advance.

Adult admission starts at £45 and all tickets will provide access to both racing paddocks, all open trackside grandstands, live music concerts which this summer mark the 50th anniversary of Woodstock on both Friday and Saturday evenings, Drive Live test drives, funfair rides and the vast majority of the family entertainment on offer.

Full details of all 2019 ticket prices are detailed on the silverstoneclassic.com website. 

HAGERTY RECREATES ITALIAN JOB FILM AT STOWE SCHOOL TO CELEBRATE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ICONIC FILM

HAGERTY RECREATES ITALIAN JOB FILM AT STOWE SCHOOL TO CELEBRATE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ICONIC FILM

• Hagerty, the leading classic car insurance experts, launches an exclusive new film, depicting The Italian Job, to celebrate the film’s 50th anniversary, and 60 years of the Mini

• The film and the association with Stowe School and its students underpins Hagerty’s mission to ‘Never Stop Driving’ and reinforces their passion to reach future generations of classic car enthusiasts

• The film concept was created to highlight a classic Mini, sourced by Hagerty, which students at the school have rebuilt to a superbly high standard and is now finished in the colours of Stowe School

• Hagerty’s Italian Job will be premiered at the Stowe School Speech Day taking place on Saturday 25th May, where Michael Deeley, producer of The Italian Job and an ex-Stowe student himself (Old Stoic), will be presenting a speech on his life achievements

• As well as the film premiere students, parents and staff will be able to enjoy a static display of 100 classic cars as part of The OS Classic Car Display, including cars from Italian Job film and 50 iconic Minis, curated and sourced by Hagerty

• Filming of the Hagerty Italian Job took place over a school holiday, in complete secrecy, and the finished film has not been seen by anyone at the school, nor has it been seen by Deeley

• The film can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/KPlWucEzl3E

Northamptonshire: 25/05/2019: EMBARGOED TO 13.00

Leading classic car insurers and valuation specialists Hagerty has created a very special film to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Italian Job movie and 60 years of the Mini. The centrepiece of the film, however, is a Mini that was sourced by Hagerty for the science department at Stowe School which has since been completely rebuilt by Stowe students.

The young engineering team at Stowe School contacted Hagerty in 2018 asking for advice about rebuilding a classic car. After discussion, this quickly escalated into a desire for a major restoration project and, subsequently, Hagerty located a suitable Mini and arranged for the school to acquire the car for students to work upon.

The film, starring the Stowe Mini, is also a homage to Michael Deeley, producer of Blade Runner, The Deer Hunter and The Italian Job, himself an ex-Stowe School student. Michael will be a guest speaker at the Stowe School Speech Day & The OS Classic Car Show, taking place on Saturday 25th May.

The film, capturing the escape of students who break into the school to steal exam papers, was shot entirely on the Stowe School grounds during a school holiday and will be premiered at the school’s Speech Day. Michael himself has no idea a film has been created and will watch it for the first time on Speech Day along with students, staff and parents, none of whom expect a film to be shown.

A testament to the Stowe attitude of fun over formality at Speech Day, the Stowe School management team granted permission to film, with an almost free rein, on the entire estate, and the result will certainly be a surprise to students when they witness a number of cars at full-chat around the school grounds.

In addition to the film, Hagerty sourced and curated an incredible selection of 100 classic cars, which will be displayed on the Stowe lawns during the event. The line-up includes stars of the film, faithful recreations, 50 iconic and classic Minis as well as a host of classic cars driven to the event by parents and former students.

Each year, Hagerty presents the Steady Barker Trophy to the car and driver with the most interesting story displayed at Speech Day & The OS Classic Car Display. The inaugural winner of the trophy in 2018 went to King George’s prized Daimler. A car that has now been invited to the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, showing the standard of exceptional vehicles this event attracts.

Stowe has long been associated with classic cars. Ten years ago, the Head of the School encouraged families who owned a classic car to bring it to Speech Day, an event to celebrate the end of the academic year. 35 cars arrived, and classic cars have since become a staple part of Speech Day & The OS Classic Car Display. Today, more than 100 cars are displayed. The beautiful grounds have also been the home for the famous Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional event for the last two years.

Marcus Atkinson, Hagerty Marketing Director, said “Stowe School likes to do things differently and what better way to celebrate the hard work the students have put into their Mini than to highlight their car on Speech Day in the most dramatic of fashions. Having Michael Deeley in attendance is really the icing on the cake given the Mini anniversary and the fact that Michael’s much-loved film hits 50 years old in a few weeks’ time. The effort in concepting, planning and filming this film in secret has been a huge challenge, but when we watched a trio of Minis in cahoots with the students and their Mini, it was well worth it.

“We would like to thank the team at Stowe for their permission to do this, to Michael Deeley for creating the wonderful original film that inspired us and to all the owners and enthusiasts who have allowed their classic cars to be displayed as an additional spectacle on the day. More importantly, our thanks to the science department at Stowe whose desire to encourage young drivers to enjoy classics is matched only by our own.

“Hagerty is committed to promoting classic cars and the lifestyle to children and young people of all ages, this being just the latest in a long line of activities designed to appeal to young drivers and classic car owners of the future. Today we are at Stowe, next time we will be hosting an openly available driving day for young drivers at Gaydon. It’s the younger generation who will protect our passion for classic cars for generations to come and their involvement and immersion into the sector is vitally important to us.”

We hope you enjoy the film which can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/KPlWucEzl3E

Film Credit: Petroleum

Photo Credit: Amy Shore

SEAT CELEBRATES 50th ANNIVERSARY OF 1430 AND 850 SPYDER AT THE TECHNO-CLASSICA

SEAT CELEBRATES 50th ANNIVERSARY OF 1430 AND 850 SPYDER AT THE TECHNO-CLASSICA

Once again, SEAT will be part of Techno-Classica, the renowned world show for vintage, classic and prestige cars in Essen, Germany. At this year’s edition, the Spanish carmaker is showing the variety and diversity of its history with some of the most popular vehicles to have driven off the brand’s production line.
Two versions of the 50-year-old 1430 – a first series saloon and a more powerful estate – as well as a gorgeous example of the 850 Sport Spider – the only convertible SEAT, has ever developed which also turns 50 this year – will be on show.
The SEAT that brought greater refinement to saloons: the SEAT 1430
The SEAT 1430 was released in 1969 and so marks its 50th anniversary in 2019. It was a 124 derivative, a unique Spanish model which can be considered the most complete Spanish saloon car of the time. The 1430 is easily recognisable by its twin-headlights, (the 124 always had a single headlight), and bigger taillights, while under the bonnet was a 1,438cc, 70PS engine, (10PS more than the standard 1.2-litre 124).
Although the design of the 1430 was very similar to the standard 124, the simple modifications to the lights and the bigger, more powerful engine were enough to make it a different, more up-market car. The 1430 was produced until 1976, when the 124 evolution called “Pamplona” was launched, inheriting the full 1430 engine range. More than 255,000 examples were built, powered by the standard 1430 engine as well as 1.6 and 1.8 twin-cam versions, known as FU, (the letters that identified the chassis numbers).
The 1430 was also produced defining moments in SEAT’s motorsport history. The most powerful versions were incredibly successful in rally competition, winning four Spanish rally championships in the mid-’70s, a golden period for SEAT Competition, the Spanish carmaker’s racing division at the time.
The 1430’s importance to the brand doesn’t end there. Its engine was used to power the Formula 1430, the first Spanish single-seater championship, created by SEAT at the beginning of the 1970s. Formula 1430 formed the training ground for a new generation of Spanish drivers who would go on to achieve great success, while at the same time establishing a breeding ground for Spanish chassis constructors.
The grandfather of today’s Leon ST Cupra: the SEAT 1430 Especial 1600 Familiar
Nowadays high-performance estate models are revered and loved by car enthusiasts, proven by the success of the FR and Cupra versions of the current SEAT Leon ST. But in the ‘70s cars with a fifth door, generous load space and easy access lacked the dynamic image that we take for granted today.
So imagine the shock on the average Spanish driver when in mid-1974 SEAT launched a Familiar (or estate) version of the 1430 saloon powered by the 1.6-litre twin-cam engine of the 1430-1600 (known as the FU). At the time it was the first Spanish-built sports saloon, delivering 95PS and weighing only 980kg, giving its a top speed of 105mph. At the time, performance figures that no one would have put next to a sedate-looking estate car.
The 1430 Especial 1600 Familiar (type FM) was so far ahead of its time that commercial success was difficult to come by as the domestic market still wasn’t ready for a vehicle that was the ST Cupra of its era. Only 852 examples were made between 1974 and 1976 when production stopped. It was replaced by the SEAT 131 estate, powered by the same engine but bigger and heavier, making it far less fiery.
The SEAT 1430-1600 estate’s farsighted performance make it a very rare car today, and one that is appreciated and venerated by collectors.

A unique and gorgeous slice of SEAT’s history: the SEAT 850 Sport Spider
The SEAT 850 Sport was the first niche car produced by SEAT. It also back in 1969, the same year the 1,000,000th car built by the Spanish car maker left the Barcelona assembly line since 1953.
These two apparently unrelated landmarks illustrate the great evolution experienced by both SEAT as a company and the Spanish domestic market. In SEAT’s formative years the brand made cars to satisfy the urgent need for mobility of the Spanish population, by the time the 1,000,000th car was built, both the domestic market and SEAT were mature enough to offer a car with no other raison-d’etre than pure driving pleasure.
The base of the 850 Sport, (its official name, though it’s also known as Sport Spider to differentiate it from the coupé version), was the 850 saloon, launched three years earlier, but the two vehicles couldn’t have been more different.
The Sport was a gorgeous two-seater convertible designed by the renowned Italian car designer Bertone and was also optionally available as a hardtop.
Not only was the car a milestone for the company, but so too was its engine. Under the bonnet was a 903cc, 52PS petrol engine that was later used by the 850 Sport Coupé version, and, set the groundwork for a myriad of future SEAT cars, including an entry version of the new Ibiza in the mid-’80s

.
Only 1,746 examples of the SEAT 850 Sport Spider were built when production ended in 1972, and it holds a unique place in SEAT’s history. With no successor, the Spider was the first and only production convertible ever built by the brand, a symbol of what SEAT could make possible but also a sign of how the Spanish carmaker and its domestic market had developed, with increasing demand for more mainstream vehicles.
SEAT and its historic models can be found in Hall 4 at the 31st Techno-Classica Essen 2019, which runs from 10th – 14th April.

Source: SEAT

SALON PRIVÉ & BENTLEY DRIVERS CLUB TO CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF BENTLEY MOTORS IN SPECTACULAR STYLE AT BLENHEIM PALACE

SALON PRIVÉ & BENTLEY DRIVERS CLUB TO CELEBRATE 100 YEARS OF BENTLEY MOTORS IN SPECTACULAR STYLE AT BLENHEIM PALACE

Bentley Display at Blenheim Palace - courtesy BDC

Salon Privé (5th to 8th September) will this year dedicate two days (Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th September) to celebrating the centenary of one of Britain’s most revered and prestigious motor car marques; Bentley Motors, founded in 1919 by the gifted engineer W.O. Bentley. The two-day celebration of 100 years of Bentley Motors at Salon Privé will consist of Bentley Masters on Saturday and Bentley Drivers Club Concours d’Elegance alongside Salon Privé Classic & Supercar on Sunday.

On Saturday 7th September, the third running of the Masters Series at Salon Privé will be devoted to Bentley Motors, marking the 100th anniversary of this iconic British automotive marque. Although there will be a competitive element to the day, first and foremost it will be a celebration with an enviable display of 50 Bentleys from the earliest through to the very latest models. Together, they will bring to life the story of how the marque evolved to become one of the most admired luxury vehicle makers in the world today.

These 50 Bentley Masters motor cars will be judged on the Saturday by a panel carefully selected for their knowledge and expertise of the Bentley marque, combined with those who have a passion and life-long interest in these special cars. Salon Privé takes a relaxed and celebratory approach to the judging, rather than the close scrutiny of a traditional Concours event. Trophies will be awarded during the day, with the much-coveted Owners’ Choice presented at the Saturday evening Gala Dinner within the sumptuous surroundings of Blenheim Palace.

Salon Privé’s Co-Founder and Sales Director, David Bagley commented: “It’s a real honour for us to have been selected as the host event for Bentley’s Centenary this year and we are planning a spectacular weekend of celebrations at Blenheim Palace. On Saturday 7th September on the South Lawn, we present Bentley Masters at Salon Privé with an eye-watering display of 50 of the rarest and most exceptional models from around the world - already, entries have been received from France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, South Africa and The Netherlands. Then, on Sunday 8thSeptember, Bentley Drivers Club join us for their annual Concours d’Elegance and together, we will attempt to gather a record 1,001 Bentley together at one event. Stretching across the North Lawns, it will be the ultimate tribute for this iconic British marque.”

On Sunday 8th September, the Bentley Drivers Club (BDC) Concours d'Elegance will merge with the newly launched Salon Privé Classic & Supercar and with an expected record gathering of no less than 1,001 Bentleys from across the globe taking centre stage, it will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience not to be missed!

Lucky owners of exceptional Bentley models are invited and encouraged to consider entering their motor cars for both days of Salon Privé’s Bentley centenary celebration weekend. Models already submitted for entry to the whole weekend include a noteworthy 1929 Speed Six Gurney Nutting Weymann Saloon, one of just 182 Speed Six models built, a 1938 Sports Saloon by Park Ward and a 1950 Mk VI Drophead Foursome Coupeby E.D.Abbott, one of just 16 ever built.

Sunday 8th September will see the largest ever annual Bentley Drivers Club (BDC) Concours d’Elegance taking place as an integral part of the Salon Privé Classic & Supercar event at Blenheim Palace, with 18 prestigious trophies to be awarded, including Concours, Patina and the Inter-Regional Team Challenge awards. A special exhibition of significant Bentley cars from every decade will showcase 100 years of the marque; this will include the earliest surviving Bentley, EXP2, and a number of fascinating cars such as a striking-looking Continental GT Zagato, one of only nine made, and a unique Continental GT S Convertible ‘art car’ boldly decorated by the creative brush of celebrated artist Sir Peter Blake.

Bentley Drivers Club Chairman Ron Warmington said: “Our Concours d’Elegance will be a unique occasion and we would be delighted to mark Bentley Motors’ centenary by setting a new world record for the largest ever gathering of Bentleys in one place. Do come along – we guarantee you’ll have a wonderful day.”