Thursday, 9 November 2017

Wheeler Dealers go head to head for #ClassicRumble charity auction

Wheeler Dealers go head to head for #ClassicRumble charity auction

Silverstone Auctions will auction two charity lots donated by Mike Brewer and Ant Anstead as part of the Lancaster Insurance #ClassicRumble
The 1989 Ford Escort XR3i Cabriolet and 2017 Dowsett Classic Cars Unique Sports Racer will be offered at ‘No Reserve’
Auction to take place at Silverstone Auctions’ two day sale at the Classic Motor Show at Birmingham NEC on 11th and 12th November

Silverstone Auctions will offer two unique classic cars, one fully restored and one built from scratch, by two of the trade’s most loved classic car experts and television personalities, at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery, at Birmingham NEC on 11th November.

Wheeler Dealers’ fans will be delighted to see Mike Brewer and Ant Anstead go head to head in the final showdown of the Lancaster Insurance #ClassicRumble activity, launched at the Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show at the beginning of the year.

After months of restoration and building by both competing teams, as well as a successful social media campaign to rally support, Team Mike’s and Team Ant’s project cars will be auctioned to determine a winner, with both cars to be offered at ‘No Reserve’ with all proceeds going to their respective charities.

“It’s an honour and a privilege to be involved with the #ClassicRumble and this very exciting head to head between two classic car maestros, who have both done an incredible job in creating these two truly unique cars” comments Nick Whale, managing director, Silverstone Auctions.

The first of the cars, which will kick-off the auction at the NEC, is Team Mike’s restored 1989 Ford Escort XR3i Cabriolet to be sold in aid of the Marie Crawford Boyd Foundation. The car has been subjected to a full nut and bolt restoration process with every part being fully restored, refurbished or supplied brand new by a variety of companies, at Cross Street Garage in Swindon.

Finished in Red with a new leather interior, the fast Ford also sports distinctive, unique touches including wheel centre caps embossed with “#TeamMike” and a “#TeamMike” speedometer on the dashboard, as well as Mike’s autograph signed on the underneath of the car to add another special touch.

The second of the two cars is Team Ant’s 1950’s inspired Grand Prix Alfa Romeo to be auctioned in aid of Harrison’s Fund. A complete one-off build, the single-seater racer has spent the majority of this year at Ant's garage in Hertfordshire, Dowsetts Classic Cars. It is powered by an MX-5 engine which has been completely overhauled and upgraded with a bespoke balanced prop shaft, and a fully stripped and rebuilt gearbox.

Unique touches added to the racer to remind people of the project and the charity include “#TeamAnt” engraved brass spinners and a bespoke vintage steering wheel.

“Both cars are very desirable in their own right, and although both are completely different, both have their appeal!” continues Nick. “We’re delighted to be chosen to offer the cars for auction at what is one of our biggest and best attended sales of the year, and we welcome anyone who’d like to bid and support the charities to contact us in advance of the sale.”

To find out more about the charity lots and Silverstone Auctions’ NEC Classic Motor Show Sale please visit https://www.silverstoneauctions.com/nec-classic-motor-show-sale-2017/view_lots/pn/all.

RARE 1911 ROLLS ROYCE STILL READY FOR THE ROAD, ON SHOW AT NEC CLASSIC

RARE 1911 ROLLS ROYCE
STILL READY FOR THE ROAD, ON SHOW AT NEC CLASSIC

ONE OF THE OLDEST VEHICLES ON DISPLAY AT THE LANCASTER INSURANCE CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW IS A BEAUTIFUL 1911 ROLLS ROYCE SILVER GHOST ROIS DES BELGES – WHICH IS UP FOR SALE AT A COOL £680,000.

The stunning veteran is one of the cars available from first-time exhibitor and renowned dealer Vintage & Prestige Classic Cars.

This rare Rolls Royce started life in 1911 wearing touring coachwork by Munnions of Chelmsford. After several owners it was acquired by one T.G. Rose and embarked on a 30-year excursion to Barbados. In 1949 it returned to the UK and passed into the hands of A.P Hammond of Newmarket. By now its sporting touring body had been replaced and the car saw service as the starters car for the Newmarket Horse races!

Unearthed by marque expert and noted author of books on Pre War Silver Ghosts, John Fasal discovered the car in the 1990s in component form with the original engine and

assorted parts for the car. During the restoration by noted guru Terry Lister other parts were either acquired as needed or fabricated as required to create the wonderful machine that is on display – and for sale – today.

The car is also in perfect driving order having been freshly serviced so is ready to take the roads and would be the perfect entry for next year’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run.

Whilst the showroom of Essex-based Vintage & Prestige Classic Cars is adorned with pre and post war classic and vintage cars from names such as Aston Martin, Lagonda, Stutz, Mercedes, Renault, Alfa Romeo, Alvis and Bugatti and many more, the company specialises in the supply of classic and vintage Rolls Royce and Bentley motor cars as these famous classic vehicles have a huge following around the world.

The stand in Hall 1 will reflect the showroom with a 1927 Bugatti Type 35b, a 1923 Alvis 12 40 Ducks Back Tourer and a 1932 MG Magna F-Type Salonette all available for viewing.

TV PRESENTER, DAVID HARPER SUPPORTS THE MERCEDES-BENZ CLUB AT THE CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW

DAVID HARPER. TV PRESENTER, HOST, AUCTIONEER, ARTIST AND WRITER WILL BE ON THE MERCEDES-BENZ CLUB STAND 220 IN HALL 1 ON SUNDAY, FACING MEGUIARS AND EXHIBITING HIS MOTORING CANVAS PRINTS AND GIVING AWAY SOME CHRISTMAS AND GENERAL GREETINGS CARDS FEATURING MERCEDES VEHICLES.

David is a well-known BBC TV presenter, specialising in antiques and classic cars.

He appears on several popular shows like The Antiques Road Trip, Bargain Hunt, Flog It, Put your Money where Your Mouth Is and Celebrity Antiques Road Trip. He has been featured on Through The Keyhole with David Frost, won Ready Steady Cook and did diabolically badly on Celebrity Master Chef!

David is a writer, broadcaster, artist, speaker, event host and auctioneer. His talks on the world of antiques & TV are lively, funny and with plenty of audience participation.

Anyone joining The Mercedes-Benz Club at the show will have the normal £5 joining fee waived and receive a Meguair's Wash & Wax car care kit, worth £25. Annual subscriptions start from just £35 per year if paid by direct debit.

The Mercedes-Benz Club has over 12,000 Members and organises a huge range of events for them – ranging from national and international rallies to a prestigious concours competition and lots of social events, including local pub meetings and participation in shows and rallies in the UK, Ireland and Europe.

It is the only UK club recognised by Mercedes-Benz UK Ltd and Daimler AG. Founded in 1952, it is the oldest Mercedes club in the world and caters for Mercedes-Benz cars of all ages. It publishes a monthly, full colour, 80-plus page, A4 magazine.

The Club provides a comprehensive range of technical support for its Members via Model Register Captains and Technical Advisers, plus forums and a searchable Technical Reference Library on the Members' pages of its website. Members also receive the Club Directory, which includes the 'Good Garage Guide' of Members' recommendations.

Club Members can take advantage of preferential terms from a wide range of companies and organisations. These include exclusive insurance policies plus discounts from appointed Mercedes-Benz dealers, hotel groups, ferry operators and car accessory suppliers. The Club also has a scheme to offer its Members tuition from the Institute of Advanced Motorists.

To join The Mercedes-Benz Club please call 01780 482111 or visit www.mercedes-benz-club.co.uk

Monday, 6 November 2017

VETERANS COMPLETE ANOTHER HISTORIC LONDON TO BRIGHTON RUN

VETERANS COMPLETE ANOTHER HISTORIC LONDON TO BRIGHTON RUN

The world’s longest running motoring event delivers a piece of living history as pioneering automobiles make their annual outing

More than 400 pioneering veteran cars, their drivers and passengers gathered in Hyde Park on Sunday (5^th November) waiting for daybreak to signal the start of the annual Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run supported by Hiscox.

Acknowledged as the longest running motoring event in the world, it was fitting that the sun rose in a blue sky as participants headed off for a nostalgic drive to the Sussex coast.

This year the Run featured the largest entry in recent years; staged, as it has been since 1930, by the Royal Automobile Club.

Although a number of cars were diverted following a road traffic accident involving one of the participating vehicles, 315 of the 401 starters made it to Brighton to claim a coveted finishers’ medal.

In recent years the Chopard Regularity Trial has introduced an additional interesting element to the Run. This year’s winner was Robert Abrey driving a 1899 Daimler who was awarded with a Chopard Mille Miglia Chronograph worth £4,950.

The Run marked the end of the Royal Automobile Club’s London Motor Week – a seven-day celebration of motoring, which included an art exhibition, motoring lectures, a motoring forum and a motoring book awards evening.

The penultimate event in the week was the free-to-view Regent Street Motor Show, on Saturday 4^thNovember, which turned London’s flagship shopping street into a motoring showcase that put the spotlight on veterans and moderns alike and attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors.

Today’s Veteran Car Run marked 121 years since the original Emancipation Run, which was held in 1896 to celebrate the Locomotive on the Highway Act. This raised the speed limit for ‘light locomotives’ from 4 to 14 mph and abolished the need for a man to walk ahead waving a red flag.

For more details of the event visit www.veterancarrun.com.

For more information on London Motor Week and the Veteran Car Run, visitwww.londonmotorweek.co.uk.

Saturday, 4 November 2017

CAPITAL CITY CELEBRATES THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF THE CAR

CAPITAL CITY CELEBRATES
THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF THE CAR

• Regent Street Motor Show attracts huge crowds to West End

• Lucky visitor wins four-night holiday in Illinois
• Secretary of State for Transport among the interested visitors
• Famous 1903 road racer Overall Winner of the Concours d’Elegance
• Test drives in new electric vehicles with Go Ultra Low
• Curtain-raiser to the famous Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run supported by Hiscox

Motoring enthusiasts, shoppers and Londoners savoured a Saturday to remember on Regent Street (4 November) as the capital’s premier shopping destination was transformed into the country’s biggest free-to-view motor show.

As tradition now dictates, the famed street was closed to through traffic for the first Saturday in November and the road filled with a glittering collection of cars from the past, the present and the future. With city motoring currently in the political spotlight, it was no surprise that those attending this year included the Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP, Secretary of State for Transport and Ian Adams, the Lord Mayor of Westminster joined by their respective wife and Consort.

Providing all-comers with a timeless showcase, close on 200 vehicles from the days of the horseless carriage, through the classic years right up to the battery and hydrogen-powered cars we will all be driving in the future, were all taking part in the annual Regent Street Motor Show which, this year, was presented by Enjoy Illinois Route 66.

Illinois and the famous Route 66 was promoting the US state and America’s ‘Mother Road’ with one lucky visitor winning a four-night holiday, including flights and accommodation to the state. The busy Illinois stand featured an eye-catching display of American automotive nostalgia, providing a good photo opportunity for many of the visitors.

Taking centre stage at the Show, though, were around 100 pioneers dating back to the dawn of motoring – all built before 1905. They and their passengers, many in period costume, were taking part in the annual Veteran Car Concours d’Elegance prior to setting off at dawn on Sunday morning for the time-honoured pilgrimage from London to Brighton in the famous Bonhams Veteran Car run, supported by Hiscox.

Among those judging the evocative veteran machines this year was a renowned gardener and classic car enthusiast Alan Titchmarsh. After much deliberation, the panel of experts awarded the Overall Winner’s trophy to the extraordinary dark green 4-cylinder Darracq owned by Malcolm Ginns (photo above).

The French car has a remarkable history having been entered into the ill-fated Paris to Madrid ‘race of death’ in May 1903. More than two million spectators came to watch along the road to Bordeaux, where this notorious race was officially halted as there had been so many fatal accidents en route – the largest toll of dead and injured persons recorded in motorsport, including the death of Marcel Renault. Along with a number of other entrants, the Darracq’s owner, Albert Arvengas, went on to Madrid.

The car remained in the Arvengas family until the 1970s and to this day still carries its original rear-entrance, tonneau body with five seats.

Further up Regent Street, and bringing the motoring story up to date, were displays of modern cars and bikes from companies including Renault and Triumph.

Not content with the present, Go Ultra Low was looking to the future by offering drives in a wide range of contemporary battery-powered electric vehicles and plug-in petrol-electric hybrids from manufacturers including BMW, Renault, VW, Toyota, Kia and Hyundai. Experts were also on hand to offer advice to anyone considering a zero or low emission and hybrid car as their next purchase. Visitors were also offered short ‘taster’ test drives allowing them to sample the next generation of environmentally friendly transport.

In keeping with the low emission theme, Harrods was displaying its electric vehicle fleet from the battery-powered 1901 Pope Waverley to the newest Nissan e-NV200 delivery van.

For those with a need for speed, other displays on Regent Street included a preview of the biggest classic motorsport event on the calendar – the Silverstone Classic.stands not only included a huge screen broadcasting highlights from last summer’s record-breaking event, but also three of the stand-out racers that will be in action next July.

Motoring’s classic years, meanwhile, were represented by the Fiat 500 Club celebrating the 60^thbirthday of Italy’s iconic city car with a colourful collection of original superminis including a rare Giardiniera and 500 Saloon. Closer to Piccadilly Circus, another very special display paid homage to London-built Talbots from the twenties and thirties.

It wasn’t just cars, either. Musical interludes came from the talented West End Kids who performed throughout the day while the Movember Foundation presented a pop-up station giving visitors a close shave as ‘moustache month’ kicks off.

Visitors could also discover what it’s like to drive a Mercedes F1 car in one of two Top GearExperience simulators. And, of course, there was ample opportunity to drop into the flagship stores on Regent Street to do some pre-Christmas shopping.

The Regent Street Motor Show, which was first staged in 2005, regularly attracts close to 400,000 visitors and, despite a damp start to the day, this year’s Show was just as popular.

“Once again, the Regent Street Motor Show really did have something for everyone, acting as the perfect prelude to tomorrow’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run,” said Peter Read, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club’s Motoring Committee.

“The annual event goes from strength to strength and marks one of the highlights of the Club’s London Motor Week – a seven-day celebration full of motoring events staged by the Royal Automobile Club, which culminates as hundreds of these wonderful veteran cars reach the Sussex coast on Sunday afternoon.”

The Regent Street Motor Show and the Veteran Car Run are key events in the week-long London Motor Week run by the Royal Automobile Club.

Thursday, 2 November 2017

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN TO LONDON’S FREE MOTOR SHOW HAS BEGUN

• Veteran, classics and moderns on show in Regent Street on Saturday

• Racing cars, bikes, competitions and entertainment on offer

• Test drives in new electric vehicles with Go Ultra Low

• Free Movember shave for men wanting to help promote health issues

• Rev up and win a four-night holiday to Illinois

In just a couple of days’ time, on Saturday 4th November, Regent Street in London’s West End will be transformed into the country’s biggest free-to-view motor show.

The busy shopping street will be closed to through traffic and the road filled with cars from the past, the present and the future. Close on 200 vehicles from the days of the horseless carriage, through the classic years to the battery-powered cars we will all be driving in the future will be taking part in the annual Regent Street Motor Show which, this year, is presented by Enjoy Illinois Route 66.

Illinois and the famous Route 66 is presenting the Regent Street Motor Show this year to promote the state and America’s ‘Mother Road’. One lucky visitor to the Illinois stand will win a four-night holiday, including flight and accommodation, to the state.

Taking centre stage at the Show will be around 120 horseless carriages from the dawn of motoring. They and their passengers, many in period costume, will be taking part in the annual Veteran Car Concours on the day before they set off on their dawn drive from London to Brighton. This year’s judging panel includes Alan Titchmarsh, a man more known for his petunias than his Panhards.

If the veterans mark the start of the story of the car, Go Ultra Low marks a chapter to come. The latest zero and low emission battery and hybrid cars will be on display from manufacturers including BMW, Renault, VW, Toyota, Kia and Hyundai. Short ‘taster’ test drives will be offered, allowing visitors to sample the next generation of environmentally friendly transport.

In keeping with the low emission theme, Harrods will be displaying its electric vehicle fleet from the battery-powered 1901 Pope Waverley to the newest Nissan e-NV200 delivery van. The Royal Automobile Club will also have a major presence at the Show with its Pit Stop gourmet food van and cars from its heritage fleet while the Brasserie Zedel’s Citroën H Van will be sharing some of their French delicacies.

And in between there will be displays of classic cars and bikes, racing cars and supercars. Among the classic car club displays will be a tribute to the London-built Talbot, while the Fiat 500 Club will be celebrating the 60th birthday of Italy’s iconic city car. Hexagon Classics, the dealership that focuses on the rarest and most collectable classic car marques in the world will have a pair of Lotus cars on show.

Racing displays include a preview of the biggest classic motor sport event on the calendar – the Silverstone Classic – with some of the rarest and most famous historic racing cars ever made and there’ll be the chance to have a pint of Silverstone Ale from the Scarf and Goggles pop-up pub.

Bringing the racing story up to date will be British Rallycross star Oliver Bennett and his Ford Fiesta as well as a display from Bambino Zipkarts showing would-be Lewis Hamilton’s how to get started in the sport. Dare To Be Different, an initiative spearheaded by Formula 1’s Susie Wolff and the Motor Sports Association, will aim to inspire and celebrate women in motorsport.

Race fans will be able to buy memorabilia from the Grand Prix Shop as well as admiring the Hackett-backed Aston Martin Vantage race car.

While Renault will be showing its Zoe and Twizy cars in the Go Ultra Low zone, some of the company’s other models will also be in the Motoring Today area. Visitors will have the chance to see the new Captur and Kadjar up close, while two-wheel fans will be able to enjoy the latest machines from Triumph.

Visitors can also discover what it’s like to drive a Mercedes F1 car in one of two Top Gear Experience simulators while, each hour, the elite West End Kids song and dance troupe will be performing automotive-inspired stage tunes: find them in a special area near Regent Street’s junction with Great Marlborough Street.

There’s a chance for gentlemen to ‘de-beard’ as Movember kicks off. The Movember Foundation has teamed up with Gillette to present a pop-up station giving visitors a close shave ahead of ‘moustache month’.

The Movember Foundation’s lounge will be open throughout the show and there will also be the opportunity to win prizes at a ‘Mighty Mo Hoopla’ game as well as the chance to admire a newly launched Harley Davidson.

The first Regent Street Motor Show was staged in 2005 and it has now become a hugely popular must-see spectacle which welcomed more than 400,000 visitors in 2016. The Show officially opens at 10.30am and closes at 4.00pm.

Quite apart from the cars and entertainment, all Regent Street’s fabulous shops are open for business throughout the show while there are dozens of restaurants and bars in the area for when refreshment is needed.

The Regent Street Motor Show and the Veteran Car Run are key events in the week-long London Motor Week run by the Royal Automobile Club.