Friday, 3 May 2019

AUTOMOTIVE AMERICANA ON DISPLAY IN LONDON CONCOURS’ THE COLLECTOR FEATURE



AUTOMOTIVE AMERICANA ON DISPLAY IN LONDON CONCOURS’ THE COLLECTOR FEATURE

The London Concours, presented by Montres Breguet, will each year shine a light on one individual’s car collection; revealing the personal stories and immense passion behind it. This year, London Concours’ The Collector is London-based, Julian Balme, showcasing a selection of legendary automotive Americana – think hot rods and big block V8s!
Setting the tone nicely is a 1932 Ford Model B Roadster, converted into a hot rod by a Californian father and son in the ‘60s. Like the AC Cobra, the1932 Ford Model B has been replicated many times but this is one of only a handful of cars in the UK that began life in one of Henry Ford's US factories 87 years ago.
Or even more audacious; the Ford Del Rio Ranch Wagon ‘Gasser’. What started life as a regular 'grocery-getter' up until 1969, was turned into a 'gasser' competition drag racer, which needed to run on regular fuel and have working headlights. Its 7.0-litre V8 produces 540hp – enough to complete the quarter-mile in 13 seconds flat.
Then there’s the very special Lincoln Continental Cabriolet; the rarest car in Julian's collection. Only 350 were built in 1940, the very first year of production, and this Continental is the only one in the UK – the only other existing example is in Europe.
A beautiful 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 is bringing some LA cool to the Honourable Artillery Company, powered by a lazy 6.3-litre V8. It was used to contest VSCC’s Pomeroy Trophy, the Nostalgia Drags and the first Scottish Malts Rally. And competition is a theme among Julian’s collection, which also includes a 4.7-litre V8 Falcon Sprint – twice a finisher at the Spa Six Hours – and ‘Wooly Bully’, a Lincoln Cosmopolitan which competed in the re-running of the legendary Carrera Panamericana.
But any car collection will be sprinkled with those very special cars that hold a sentimental value greater than any amount of money. A selection of these will form part of Julian’s collection at London Concours, including a Lotus Elan Plus 2S that he bought just weeks after passing his driving test. In the 36 years Julian has owned it, the Elan has had two engine rebuilds, a chassis change and a respray.
Andrew Evans, London Concours Director, said: “We always want our The Collector feature to be quite a personal selection. Every car collector is passionate about something, and I hope it’s clear for anyone to see that Julian’s very fond of the lazy V8s and hot rod culture that took hold of America for decades, and to a certain extent still does. What we want to show here is that car collections are just as much about the cars that mean the most to you as the ones that cost the most; that’s why sprinkled in amongst the line-up are some lovely personal stories, including not only Julian’s first ever car, a Lotus Elan, but also the most recent car added to his collection, a TriumphTR4.”
With an offering of nearly 100 automotive icons from the modern day to the early 20thCentury, the Honourable Artillery Company’s glorious five-acre lawn will be transformed into a motoring utopia between 5-6 June. There will be special classes dedicated to the finest Ferraris and finest Jaguars ever built, an ‘Italian Job’ celebration featuring seven Lamborghini Miuras and a display of the greatest automotive ‘Icons’.
But London Concours is not just about the cars on display; it’s an automotive garden party complete with art from Collier & Dobson and Ella Freire, drinks from Rémy Martin and Veuve Clicquot, and fashion from Neapolitan tailors, Isaia.
The London Concours 2019 takes place from 5-6 June. Tickets are available to buy now from www.londonconcours.co.uk/tickets


LAUNCHING THE 2019 BONHAMS LONDON TO BRIGHTON VETERAN CAR RUN



LAUNCHING THE 2019 BONHAMS LONDON TO BRIGHTON VETERAN CAR RUN

 As tradition dictates, at daybreak on the first Sunday in November more than 400 remarkable horseless carriages dating back to the dawn of motoring will set out from Hyde Park on their annual pilgrimage to Brighton on the Sussex coast.

As entries open today, almost exactly six months in advance of the annual pilgrimage from the capital to the coast, participants from across the globe can now sign up their pre-1905 cars for the 2019 Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. 

This year, the Run has a new-look website and a new entry management system so entrants can look forward to an updated and intuitive entry process which will make signing-up their veteran cars for the Run easier than ever. 

Changing habits mean that over 40 per cent of those using the website and registering to take part in the Run now do so via a mobile device. It is for this reason that the official website and entry system have been significantly refreshed and are now fully device-responsive.

Commenting on the entries opening and redesigned website, Miles Wade, Club Secretary of the Royal Automobile Club, said: “To this day, the Run remains the Club’s flagship event, drawing in a truly international following every year. We always seek to provide the best experience possible for our participants and followers, and our revamped website and entry system contributes to this. The Run has a phenomenal heritage and, as its custodians, it’s important that we work to ensure that the Run is easy to access for our participants and all those who choose to follow this extraordinary event.” 

This year’s Bonhams London to Brighton Veteran Car Run takes place on Sunday 3 November. For more details of the event visit www.veterancarrun.com.



CONCOURS OF ELEGANCE TO HOST WORLD-FIRST CELEBRATION OF ASTON MARTIN AND ZAGATO



CONCOURS OF ELEGANCE TO HOST WORLD-FIRST CELEBRATION OF ASTON MARTIN AND ZAGATO

: The Concours of Elegance has announced the first of its show-stopping features for 2019: a world-first display of one of every Aston Martin Zagato variant ever manufactured. From the 1960 DB4 GT Zagato, right through to the Vanquish Zagato Coupé, Volante, Speedster and Shooting Brake, visitors will be able to browse 16 examples from one of the most famous creative partnerships in automotive history.
The Aston Martin Zagato Celebratory Display is being curated by the Aston Martin Owners Club (AMOC), supported by Aston Martin Lagonda and Zagato. The display will include a number of extremely rare, as well as several unique, models, including one of the most famous racing Aston Martins in history, DB4 GT Zagato ‘1 VEV’.  Taking their place alongside ‘1 VEV’ are one-off cars including the V12 Vanquish Roadster Zagato, DB9 Spyder Zagato Centennial and Virage Shooting Brake Zagato Centennial.
Aston Martin and Zagato first came together with the reveal of the DB4 GT Zagato at the Earl’s Court Motor Show in 1960. Initially designed with aerodynamics and light weight in mind – to make the DB4 GT quicker on-track – nobody could have known that this car would provide the spark for one of the motoring industry’s greatest ever double-acts.
For all the icons of Aston Martin and Zagato that abound today, it’s worth noting that after the initial DB4 GT Zagato, the companies wouldn’t work together again until the V8 Vantage Zagato appeared at the Geneva Motor Show in 1986 – over 25 years later. And then again, it wasn’t until 2002 that we saw the DB7 get the Zagato treatment, including the DB4 GT Zagato-inspired “double bubble” roofline.
Into the more modern era and we saw the next fruits of the Aston Martin Zagato partnership in 2011 – around the 50th anniversary of their first creation – with the V12 Vantage-based V12 Zagato. Then, even more recently, there was the reveal of the gorgeous Vanquish Zagato Coupé, Volante, Speedster and Shooting Brake variants.
Earlier this year, Aston Martin and Zagato revealed the next step in their partnership: the DBZ Centenary Collection, in celebration of 100 years of Zagato – two cars you can only buy as a pair. The special pair includes a Zagato-styled variant of the new DBS Superleggera and a continuation of the original DB4 GT Zagato. Only 19 pairs are available globally.
That’s part of the enduring appeal of Aston Martin Zagato models - they aren’t just beautiful and ferocious, they’re also extremely rare. Only every so often will the two companies come together to create their next automotive artwork and, even when they do, the production numbers are extremely limited: Only 52 V8 Vantage Coupés, only 100 DB7 Zagatos, only 65 V12 Zagatos and a mere 28 Vanquish Zagato Speedsters.
Although the Aston Martin Zagato display will be gathered at Hampton Court Palace for all three days of the Concours of Elegance, Saturday 7th September is the day to attend for Aston Martin enthusiasts. As part of the event’s car club displays – gathering hundreds of rare vehicles from the nation’s top car clubs – there will be an astonishing display of over 50 rare and exotic models on display courtesy of the Aston Martin Owners Club.
The UK’s finest concours d’elegance event will return to the exquisite surroundings of Henry VIII’s former home from 6-8 September, bringing with it a once-in-a-lifetime gathering of spectacular vehicles.
The Concours of Elegance’s main display of around 60 vehicles will be the focal point of the event, telling the story of the motor car from the 1890s right through to the modern day. Picking out icons and rarities from the world’s most famous car brands, including Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bugatti and Rolls-Royce, the Concours of Elegance is a celebration of craftsmanship, luxury and innovation. A 1921 Ballot S/C, the car that won the first ever Italian Grand Prix, was recently announced as one of the stars of the main display.
A number of 2018’s features will also be returning, including the Royal Automobile Club Trophy – contested by winners of the nation’s best car clubs – and the Future Classics class. Last year’s Future Classics included the unique Rolls-Royce Sweptail, the (one-of-seven) Aston Martin Vantage V600 and the McLaren Senna chassis #001.
Andrew Evans, Concours of Elegance Director, said: “The Aston Martin Zagato partnership has produced such a consistently astonishing array of cars that it almost deserves an event of its own. What we’ve developed here in partnership with AMOC, Aston Martin and Zagato is the next best thing - a dedicated area at the UK’s top concours d’elegance event, hosted among the beautiful Fountain Gardens of one of Britain’s most amazing buildings. We’ve got so much world-class content at our event this year, however, this Aston Martin Zagato celebratory display is one that I personally can’t wait to see."
Adult tickets for this year’s Concours of Elegance start from £40, with children under five and carers entering free of charge. Visitors are also able to purchase bespoke hospitality packages, including VIP parking, three-course lunch, drinks reception and cream tea. To buy tickets head to: http://www.concoursofelegance.co.uk/tickets

THE FINALISTS: LAND ROVER LEGENDS NATIONAL LAND ROVER AWARDS 2019



THE FINALISTS: LAND ROVER LEGENDS NATIONAL LAND ROVER AWARDS 2019
The finalists have been revealed for the National Land Rover Awards 2019, the winners of which will be chosen at Land Rover Legends, the ultimate show for Land Rover connoisseurs, preservationists, restorers and enthusiasts, taking place at Bicester Heritage on 25th and 26th May.
The shortlisted vehicles will be displayed as part of a dedicated indoor exhibition at the event where, on May 26th, a panel of expert judges will select the Winner and Highly Commended entry in each category.
The finalists are:
Most Original Vehicle
  • 1948 Series 1 80'' (owner Robert Sprason)
  • 1958 Series 2 109 (owner James Foster)
  • 1959 Series II (owner Martin Port)
  • 1989 Discovery (owner Charles Whitaker)
  • 1990 Discovery (owner Graham Rippon)
  • 1997 Freelander (owner Tom Porter)
Best Restored Vehicle
  • 1948 Land Rover 80 (owner Johan Rutgeerts)
  • 1958 Series II (owner Rupert Baron)
  • 1961 Series II 109 Tipper (owner Nigel Bishop)
  • 1975 101" Forward Control (owner Ray Adams)
  • 1987 Land Rover 90 V8 (owner James Clough)
  • 1990 Range Rover Vogue V8 EFI Auto (owner William Meacham)
Best Bespoke Vehicle
  • 1963 88" Forward Control Fire Appliance (owner Adrian Thompson)
  • 1965 Series 2A (owner Leif Cooper)
  • 1981 Range Rover Classic Convertible (owner David Barker)
  • 2010 Defender 110 DCPU (owner Aidan O’Callaghan)
Land Rover Legends focuses on originality and authenticity, something perfectly showcased in the Best Original Vehicle category. Robert Sprason’s 1948 Series 1 80” was sold new to Australia and, by late 2015, it had just 21,800 miles on the clock. It still has its original paint and runs on the original date-stamped coil, carburettor and distributor!  James Foster’s 1958 Series 2 109 served from new until 2006 as the game keeper’s vehicle on a Scottish hunting estate and is still running original electrics. Martin Port’s 1959 Series II has a fascinating history; from 1959-63 it was driven from Cape Town to London and was sign-written along the way, detailing the route taken. Much of the sign-writing survives. Charles Whitaker’s head-turning 1989 Discovery - the only surviving Discovery prototype in private hands - still has the original black-painted body camouflage. Graham Rippon’s 1990 Discovery is completely original and was used on the school run - the children said they could tell when their mother was approaching by the rumble of the V8 - while Tony Porter’s 1997 Freelander was the 4thFreelander to roll off the production line and is the oldest surviving production example on the road.
The candidates for Best Restoration demonstrate the devotion owners feel for their vehicles. James Clough has owned his 1987 90 V8 from new and had it rebuilt to commemorate Land Rover’s 70th anniversary in 2018. Rupert Baron only acquired his 1958 Series II late last year in a farm clearance sale; it had spent its entire 60-year life on the farm and was almost completely original, a quality Rupert has striven to maintain in a careful restoration. Nigel Bishop’s rare 1961 Series II 109 Tipper has been in his family since 1970, while Ray Adams bought his 1975 101" Forward Control in 1988, a few months after it retired from Army service. William Meacham bought his 1990 Range Rover Vogue V8 EFI Auto as a non-runner - it had been abandoned several years before by its previous owner, and he has lavished attention on it ever since. It even has service records for every 2,000 miles! Belgian Land Rover enthusiast Johan Rutgeerts is rightly hugely proud of his 1948 Land Rover 80, the oldest LHD production Land Rover still on the road and the first exported to Belgium.
The Best Bespoke Vehicle finalists represent a fascinating ‘snapshot’ of Land Rover’s versatility and history.  Adrian Thompson’s 1963 88” Forward Control Fire Appliance served with Peterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade and has covered just 8,300 miles from new, while David Barker’s 1981 Range Rover Classic Convertible was commissioned by Roger Taylor of Queen at a cost of more than double the list price of the standard model. Leif Cooper bought his 1965 Series 2A in 1989 when he was just 17 years old. His ambition in his youth was to own a modern Defender 90 and finally, in 2015, he started the project to convert his Series 2A to meet that dream. Aidan O’Callaghan has thoroughly enjoyed modifying his 2010 Defender 110 CPU, inspired by the Defenders in the James Bond film ‘Spectre’.
In addition to the fantastic range of very special vehicles on show, Land Rover lovers will find a host of other things to fascinate and tempt them, with top Land Rover restorers, specialists and associated suppliers, plus carefully-selected exhibitors and traders, all positioned in and around Bicester Heritage’s magnificent main exhibition hangar.
For more information or to book tickets please visit: www.landroverlegends.com

GALLERY: ‘DRIVE IT DAY’ SUNDAY SCRAMBLE BRINGS SPECTACULAR SELECTION OF HISTORIC MOTORING CULTURE TO BICESTER HERITAGE



GALLERY: ‘DRIVE IT DAY’ SUNDAY SCRAMBLE BRINGS SPECTACULAR SELECTION OF HISTORIC MOTORING CULTURE TO BICESTER HERITAGE

imagery by Nick Chivers

Celebrating ‘Drive It Day’, the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Club’s day of automotive indulgence dedicated to the UK classic car scene, the events and the people that make it so special, the latest Sunday Scramble from Bicester Heritage was a sensational sell-out event.

Bicester Heritage is proud to welcome passionate vehicle owners and enthusiastic visitors to their unique site regularly, but the significance of raising awareness for our great British historic motoring culture, which brings such joy to us all, saw owners more eager than ever to join the Sunday Scramble event.

Held amongst the wartime buildings of the historic former RAF Technical Site, from the Motor Transport Yard to the Paddock, there was something special at every turn. From several immaculate early Volkswagen Golfs at rest next to thunderous competition Porsche 911s, a diminutive classic Fiat 500 adjacent to pre-War battle-scarred Rileys and a humble Mercedes-Benz W123 beside a genuine Lancia Stratos rally car to name but a few fantastic combinations. Though the cars on display differed vastly in age, purpose and value they were united on the common thread of passionate ‘Scramblers’.

Amongst the 1,500 historic vehicles, particular crowd favourites included the astonishing Jaguar XJR-12, a Le Mans veteran from the heady days of Group C racing, on display outside specialist Sports Purpose alongside a bevvy of Porsches. A plethora of beautiful pre-War machines were to be found across the site, including the 1923 Bequet Grand-Prix Delage found in Robert Glover Ltd’s showroom, the supercharged Gurney-Nutting boat tail Bentley in Kingsbury Racing Shop and the unique Aston Martin Headlam Coupé. Built for William Headlam, it turned heads even with the likes of the Ferrari 288 GTO a stone’s throw away, while up by the Paddock and Test Circuit the camouflaged Aston Martin DBX prototype was an unexpected discovery for the attendees.

Bicester Heritage’s timing partner Bremont decorated their Nissen Hut-style showrooms on the Main Drive with the addition of one of only 25 Jaguar Classic D-type continuations supplied by Jaguar Heritage, a perfect pairing for their proudly British timepieces.

The Heritage Skills Academy hosted three Ford GT40s on the lawn outside their apprentice training workshops, whilst tucked away in Pendine’s showroom, a Mittino designed Aston Martin V8 Zagato sat menacingly next to the curves of an AC Ace Bristol.

Bicester Heritage’s insurance partner, Hagerty UK completed their Drive It Day rally as cars crossed the finish line in the vast exhibition hall of Hangar 113, whilst outside their valuation area was abuzz with activity as all valuation assessment slots had been booked well in advance of the day.

A tremendous showing from 28 different car clubs added further colour to eclectic mix, with a pack of De Tomaso Panteras, Minis and everything in-between on display by their respective collectives. The Sunday Scramble car park has become a destination in itself as the event has grown and the selection of cars lined up on the Airfield’s perimeter were indicative of a shared desire to ‘Drive It’ on this special day.

Dan Geoghegan, Managing Director of Bicester Heritage, commented: “Our sell-out Sunday Scramble on historic motoring’s National Drive-it-Day was the perfect balance of spectacle, community and a fantastic atmosphere.” 

“We really wanted everyone to have the best possible experience and it all went like clockwork: careful planning meant an absence of any traffic issues and, with plenty of catering and even a little sunshine, resulted in the perfect formula.” 

“Our thanks to the thousands of classic motorists and supporters, we really enjoyed opening our doors for such a relaxed and inclusive family day.”

Bicester Heritage has just launched tickets for something special, or rather something super, as June 23rd will be the date of the inaugural Super Scramble. Promising to expand on the much-loved features of the traditional Sunday Scramble, this new event is sure to be another sell-out success. Discounted first release tickets are now available, via: http://bicesterheritage.co.uk/whaton/superscramble/

Prior to the Super Scramble, Bicester Heritage will host the first Petrolicious Drivers’ Meeting on the historic Technical Site. Tickets are now available and further information can be found via: https://petrolicious.com/articles/tickets-are-now-available-for-the-first-petrolicious-drivers-meeting-at-the-uks-bicester-heritage

Between a curated selection of vehicles that range from Rambo Lambos to homologation specials, a vintage Williams Grand Prix car (with matching transporter, naturally) to an ex-works Colin McRae Subaru Impreza WRC car, the group of 200-some cars is a hand-picked collection that celebrates tastefulness and diversity. With talks from former racing drivers, screenings of new and classic Petrolicious films, and an interwoven presence of artwork around the venue, this will be much more than your standard car show.

The majority of the specialist businesses based at Bicester Heritage will be opening their doors to visitors on the day of, so if you’ve never visited the world-famous Bicester Heritage complex before, you’re in for a treat, and if you’ve been a Sunday Scramble regular for a while, expect a superbly curated event with the same fantastic Bicester Heritage atmosphere.


E-TYPE UK AND DM HISTORICS HOST A GLORIOUS ‘DRIVE IT DAY’ IN THE KENT COUNTRYSIDE


E-TYPE UK AND DM HISTORICS HOST A GLORIOUS ‘DRIVE IT DAY’ IN THE KENT COUNTRYSIDE

Kent, 1st May 2019: On Sunday, E-Type UK and DM Historics hosted a highly-anticipated Drive It Day, starting at its workshops on North Frith Farm, Hadlow, Kent. Over 25 vehicles attended the meeting and featured alongside the stunning range of classics currently on offer from E-Type UK and DM Historics.
Drive It Day is an annual celebration of the UK’s ever-growing classic car culture, with events held across the country. The event has partnered with incredible historic automotive institutions such as Brooklands, Bicester Heritage and the National Motor Museum.
Customers and guests were able to enjoy a cruise through the Kent countryside during a glorious spring weekend. DM Historics joined the celebrations in a newly restored 1960 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II DHC by H.J Mulliner, while E-Type UK rolled-out two pristine, on-the-button E-Types for a drive across the South-East of the UK.  
Back at base, countless mouth-watering classics were on display. Among a showcase of E-Type UK’s current selection of impeccably restored classic Jaguar E-Types, DM Historics displayed a 1965 Ford Lotus Cortina Mk1 racer undergoing further race preparations. Guests were able to experience some of DM Historics’ and E-Type UK’s most recent projects, and take a leisurely drive through rolling hills behind the wheel of some of the nation’s favourite classics.
Founder Marcus Holland commented: “Our first Drive It Day was a resounding success, with all of our guests and members of the public enjoying a wonderful day out in the English countryside. It was a great pleasure to welcome everyone down to our workshops and join likeminded car enthusiasts on a glorious drive through the local countryside. We are very much looking forward to our next meet in June, with more classic vehicles and enthusiasts alike.”
Coffee, Cake and Classic Cars have several upcoming events for 2019 including another car meet during the height of the British summer on the 8th June. Register your interest for upcoming events online via contacting media@etypeuk.com or join the members' group on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/coffeecakesclassiccars/

BY ROYAL APPOINTMENT: MIDDLEBRIDGE SCIMITAR AT THE CLASSIC


BY ROYAL APPOINTMENT: MIDDLEBRIDGE SCIMITAR AT THE CLASSIC

HRH  Princess Royal with her Middlebridge Scimitar
HRH The Princess Royal’s lifelong love for Scimitar sportscars – as well as her well-documented lust for speed – will be on show at this summer’s Silverstone Classic (26-28 July) as part of a record-breaking display celebrating the 30th birthday of the born-again Middlebridge Scimitar.
The enduring relationship The Princess Royal has enjoyed with the much-loved British totem dates back to 1970 when she was given one of the original Scimitar GTE shooting brakes (now more commonly known as the estate car) built by Reliant as a joint 20thbirthday and Christmas present by Her Majesty The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. In subsequent years, she has owned no fewer than eight further Scimitars, all retaining the original car’s 1420 H registration plate in honour of her position as Colonel-in-Chief of the 14th/20th King's Hussars – an armoured regiment which existed until 1992 when amalgamated with The Royal Hussars.
Such is her affection for the model it was no surprise when she was quick to support an ambitious new company – Middlebridge Scimitar Ltd. – funded by a Japanese businessman and car enthusiast Kohji Nakauchi when it resurrected the GTE shortly after Reliant had ceased production in the mid-Eighties. She officially opened the new factory in Beeston, Nottinghamshire in 1988 and the following year took delivery of the fifth Middlebridge Scimitar (MB5) off the production line – a car still in her stable today.
Even more famously, while awaiting its delivery, Princess Anne was loaned the production prototype (MB1) in which she was twice caught speeding on the Aylesbury by-pass on consecutive days by the same policeman!
In July, along with the pre-production prototype, MB1 and MB5 will be reunited at the Silverstone Classic to mark 30 years of Middlebridge Scimitar production. It will be quite a celebration, too, with an unprecedented gathering including visits from Kohji Nakauchi (known lovingly as ‘Mr Middlebridge’) and Dennis Nursey who was the company’s, Chief Executive.
Only 78 of these plusher, fuel injected reborn cars were hand-built at Beeston before Middlebridge went into receivership and 28 of these highly-prized GTEs have been rounded up by the Middlebridge Enthusiasts Scimitar Set and will be driving to the Classic from all over Europe.
“It will be the biggest-ever gathering topping the 27 we had for the 25th anniversary at Gatcombe Park… and we are still hoping for what would be a very fitting 30 cars,” said the club’s Mick Gaughran. “The Silverstone Classic is one of the greatest events in the world and we are delighted to be holding our 30th birthday party there – with such a fantastic turn-out, it’s going to be a wonderful occasion.”
Adding to the festivities, Friday’s special anniversary track parade will be headed by a motorsport icon. As well as acquiring the manufacturing rights to the Scimitar, Middlebridge’s ambitions also stretched into circuit racing culminating with its purchase of the Brabham Grand Prix team.
Previous to its short-lived F1 foray, Middlebridge Racing had been competing in International F3000 and famously its 1989 Reynard 89D as raced by Mark Blundell was backed by chocolate giant Cadbury, boasting an eye-catching purple Dairy Milk livery.
The standout single-seater was recently found in the States and is currently being fully restored to its previous fettle in time to lead the parade at the Classic.
The passionate Middlebridge Enthusiasts Scimitar Set is one of a record number of car clubs registering to be a part of the 2019 Classic, all taking advantage of an exclusive ticket package which remains open until the end of this month (May).
Last year’s best-ever turn-out of 128 clubs has been eclipsed with a new high of 136 clubs already registered for July. Further details on those registered to date and information on the process for car clubs still wishing to apply for registration, are available at www.silverstoneclassic.com/clubs 
Whether or not taking advantage of the Car Club Package, all those wishing to attend this summer’s Silverstone Classic must purchase their tickets in advance.
 
Adult admission starts at £45 and, once again, all tickets will provide access to both Silverstone racing paddocks, all open trackside grandstands, live music concerts which this summer mark the 50thanniversary of Woodstock on both Friday and Saturday evenings, air shows, Drive Live test drives, funfair rides and the vast majority of the family entertainment on offer.
 
A wide range of child, young adult and family tickets are also available, along with camping and hospitality options. Full details of all 2019 ticket prices are detailed on the silverstoneclassic.com website.