London Concours 2018: Champagne, Supercars and Sunshine

London Concours 2018:

 Champagne, Supercars and Sunshine

Over two days, from the 7-8 June, the 2018 London Concours welcomed nearly 30 sponsors and exhibitors, 5,200 guests and more than 120 of the rarest and most incredible cars in the world.

Run for only the second time – with the debut event in 2017 – the rapidly growing concours doubled the number of sponsors and attendees, while also boosting the number of cars on display by 50%.

Targeted at the local population of City professionals, London Concours proved to be a huge success for all our exhibitors. Numerous premium and performance cars were sold, alongside luxury watches, a number of test drive requests and sell-out bars.

Once again, the Honourable Artillery Company Gardens proved to be the perfect venue, with its perfectly kempt lawn, central location and envious history more than a match for the collection of vehicles displayed within.

And what a collection it was. Our Best of Show-winning Fiat S76 ‘Beast of Turin’ headed almost directly from the show to be displayed in the rotunda of London’s Royal Automobile Club, giving this 28.5-litre behemoth pride of place in a genuine London institution.

Special mention must also go to all the other vehicles on display – many were driven or transported to the venue at great expense and inconvenience to their owners, and the show simply wouldn’t have worked without them.

So, from the London Concours team, a heartfelt thank you to the owners of the cars, and thank you to our sponsors and the visitors for supporting us. We look forward to seeing many of you again in 2019.

C&SC SHOW inc FLYWHEEL - Derek Bell MBE To Be Guest of Honour at the Show

All Derek Bell image credits:  LAT

Derek Bell MBE To Be Guest of Honour at the Show

Five-times Le Mans winner Derek Bell MBE is the Guest of Honour at the Show

One of the UK’s most celebrated racing drivers, Derek Bell MBE, will be in attendance at the Show on Saturday 23 June. 

In addition to the dozens of rare and remarkable historic competition cars and military vehicles and the thrilling air displays, Show-goers will now also be able to watch one of the world’s most successful endurance drivers on the Bicester Heritage demonstration track on the Saturday. He'll be behind the wheel of a glorious 1965 short wheelbase Porsche 911, owned by Bicester Heritage-based Porsche buffs, Sports Purpose.

Motorsport fans will also have the opportunity to meet Bell as he will be signing copies of his upcoming new book, Derek Bell: All my Porsche races, on the Classic & Sports Car stand.

The illustrious career of Derek Bell MBE includes five Le Mans 24-Hour wins, three 24 Hours of Daytona victories and two World Sportscar Championship titles. He also raced in Formula 1 for Ferrari, Wheatcroft, McLaren, Surtees and Techno. His Le Mans victories in 1975, 1981, 1982, 1986 and 1987 make him the most successful British driver to compete in the gruelling endurance challenge. Bell is a patron of several charities, including Mission Motorsport, which has its base at the Show’s location, Bicester Heritage.

Talking about his upcoming appearance at the show, Bell commented: “I am looking forward to my first visit to The Classic & Sports Car Show in association with Flywheel, taking part in the action and seeing the spectacular selection of vehicles there. Having recently completed a ‘wingwalk’ for charity, I have a new-found respect for pilots so I’m equally keen to see the air displays as the race and road cars! Driving around the Bicester Heritage track, which is such a fitting location for the event, and meeting the fellow enthusiasts is set to make for a fantastic day.”

Together with specialist partners, Sports Purpose lovingly rebuilt the 2-litre, short wheelbase racing 911 that Bell will be driving at the Show to be the best car it could be. Taking an extremely good, matching numbers, fully stamped Californian donor car, the chassis was built by multiple Goodwood winners Jordan Racing Team and the engine and gearbox by Tuthill Porsche. The car will be campaigned extensively this year by its owner in the 2 Litre Cup and Le Mans Classic.

C&SC SHOW inc FLYWHEEL - Looking To The Future - The Heritage Skills Academy At The Show

Looking To The Future - The Heritage Skills Academy At The Show

The Heritage Skills Academy's Restoration Apprenticeships give the next generation of classic car restorers the right start.

If you're a budding classic car engineer - or the parent of one - take time to visit the Heritage Skills Academy workshop within the Bicester Heritage Technical site when you're at the Show, and learn about their Restoration Apprenticeships.

The first apprenticeship at Bicester Heritage started in November 2017. With a management team having over 50 years’ experience of successful Apprenticeship delivery, HSA has set out to provide education and training that far exceeds national standards for heritage restoration apprentices. The training is block release Monday to Friday over a two-year program and at Level 2 incorporates all fundamental aspects any restoration engineer will need. 

When Jaguar Land Rover began a disposal of vehicles in early 2018, the charity Starter Motor was allocated some vehicles to help with their support of training and education, with resources. Four of these vehicles were supplied to HSA and the apprentices use their new skills to assess and repair them. All four vehicles are now running, and capable of being driven, no small achievement given they had been stored for a considerable time. The apprentices removed overhauled and refitted fuel pumps, carburettors, distributors, brakes, and sorted various problems. These vehicles include a Standard 8 that can be seen at Classic and Sportscar Show. 

The apprentices took their skills further and part of the group worked on a 1937 MG SA, getting it running and stopping. On the last day of the block, it went around the test track at Bicester Heritage, without any problems. Some further work and parts are required, but nothing that will prevent it from being used!

As a dynamic business, the HSA has developed short courses for private individuals,  clubs and associations, the revenue from which will support their Apprenticeship training. For further information contact Steve Beaumont.  

C&SC SHOW inc FLYWHEEL - Ration Cards At The Ready!

Ration Cards At The Ready!

There are some fabulous shopping opportunities at the Show.

Don't leave your ration cards behind when you come to the Show!  As well as the Brightwells auction and the Private Sales Paddock, we have a host of exhibitors and traders coming to Bicester Heritage for the event.  So, whether you're looking for that long out-of-day motoring book or elusive vintage accessory,  fancy some aero-based artwork, want to add some vintage clothing to your wardrobe or to support a worthy cause, you'll be in the right place!

You can treat yourself to a classic car or vintage aircraft experience, or head to the Bremont pop-up shop to see the most stylish and luxurious of watches - and much more! More... 

C&SC SHOW inc FLYWHEEL - Ten Top Reasons To Visit The Show

Ten Top Reasons To Visit The Show

Just 10 of the MANY reasons why Bicester Heritage is the place to be on June 23/24!

1. See one of the only two remaining airworthy Lancaster bombers in the world in a full-on air display alongside a Spitfire and Hurricane, with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
2. Meet Le Mans Legend Derek Bell MBE when he’s the Show Guest of Honour on Saturday 23rd June - see him out on track in a Porsche, and why not pick up a signed copy of his latest book?
3. Witness the extravagantly-styled 1957 Kellison EXP00 doing its thing on the demonstration track in all its Batmobile-like glory, be stunned by the beauty of the exquisite Aston Martin DBR4 Formula 1 car and see the drummer, TV presenter and classic car fanatic Fuzz Townshend behind the wheel of the spectacular 1920’s Fafnir Hall-Scott Special.
4. Get up close to the giant that is a Sherman tank, count the bullet holes in the ex-ammunition test target Grant tank and take a passenger ride in a Jaguar E-type-engined Spartan reconnaissance tank.
5. Marvel at the daredevil antics of the Demon Drome Wall of Death team as they push the boundaries of physics - and engineering - to their limits.
6. Admire the finalists in the Flywheel Concours - from supercars and rally cars to stars of the silver screen, they’ll all be looking their best.
7. Break out your ration cards and head for the Vintage Village where you’ll find everything from classic clothing to that essential item for a period-style home, or go for the ultimate in stylish timepieces as Bremont bring a pop-up shop to Bicester Heritage for the weekend.
8. Search for your next classic car at the Brightwells auction and in the Private Sales Paddock.
9. Explore the immaculately-restored Technical Site - the former RAF Bicester - and pay a visit to the workshops and showrooms of the many historic car specialists now based there.
10. Wander among the classic club and pre-76 car displays and spot - and vote for - the finalists in the Classic & Sports Car People’s Concours

Silverstone Classic celebrates 70th anniversary of the famous circuit’s first Grand Prix

THE RACE ON THE RUNWAYS • Silverstone Classic celebrates 70th anniversary of the famous circuit’s first Grand Prix   • Special showcase and parade for cars from the first race back in 1948    • Grids featuring six decades of iconic F1 cars still racing today   • Preview filmed for Channel 4 TV’s coverage of British Grand Prix It is exactly 70 years since Silverstone hosted its very first Grand Prix and that’s a magical milestone that will be celebrated in style at next month’s magnificent Silverstone Classic (20-22 July). Not only does the festival’s peerless programme of 21 captivating retro races feature more than 80 iconic Grand Prix cars from yesteryear but the event will also include a special collection of cars that contested the inaugural Royal Automobile Club International Grand Prix in 1948. Often referred to as ‘The Race on the Runways’, it was an historic meeting which marked Silverstone’s opening as a motor sport venue. That first official race was staged on little more than a makeshift circuit using the wide runways and portions of narrow perimeter roads of what was at the time a disused wartime airfield. The improvised track itself was demarcated with 170 tons of straw bales plus 250 oil drums and, curiously, saw the drivers racing flat out towards each other from opposite ends of the same long runway! Despite hasty preparations, a full 25-car field was assembled on the start/finish line (then located before Woodcote Corner) for Britain’s first major post-war international race – a 65-lap encounter dominated by the two factory-entered Maserati 4CLTs of Luigi Villoresi and Alberto Ascari. Despite starting from the back of the grid after getting delayed on their way to the circuit and thus missing qualifying, the two Italian aces quickly fought their way to the fore and wowed a huge and excited 100,000+ crowd eager for some much needed entertainment in a country saddled with post war austerity. Two years later, Silverstone hosted the very first FIA World Championship Formula One race on a much-changed layout and, since then, has held a further 50 British Grands Prix with a roster of winners including all the sport’s greatest names. Juan-Manuel Fangio, Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, James Hunt, Nigel Mansell, Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher and – most recently with four consecutive triumphs – Lewis Hamilton have all won the prized British Grand Prix at Silverstone.    What’s more, many of the great cars that have raced at the globally famous Northamptonshire venue over the years are still reliving their glory days at the Silverstone Classic, an annual event that is now firmly established as the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival. The weekend’s pair of races for the Adrian Flux Trophy for Pre ‘66 Grand Prix Cars administered by the Historic Grand Prix Cars Association (HGPCA) feature a mouth-watering mix of GP cars from the sport’s formative years. The dazzling 50+ car grid is packed with a large number of exquisite front-engined F1 cars from the fifties as well as a posse of game-changing rear-engined racers from the first half of the sixties. Regarded by many as the highlight races on the Silverstone Classic bill, the pair of FIA Masters Historic Formula One Championship showdowns recreate what is widely hailed as F1’s golden age: the DFV era from 1966 to 1985. Cars still compete in their period liveries and deliver the same thrilling spectacle and sounds as they did back in their halcyon heydays. Adding to the 70th anniversary celebrations, a collection of remarkable cars from the original race – including ERA, Talbot Lago and Maserati racers driven by the likes of Lord Selsden, Raymond Mays and Peter Walker in 1948 – will also be on pole position outside the lower entrance to the International Paddock throughout the three-day festival. What’s more, they will be fired up to perform a special track parade on Saturday afternoon. A special television feature will also be aired to mark the milestone during Channel 4’s coverage of the British Grand Prix. Its cameras filmed former F1 drivers Mark Webber, Karun Chandhok and Susie Wolff, all experiencing cars from Silverstone’s earliest Grands Prix. “Seventy years of Grand Prix racing at Silverstone is an incredible landmark that presents us with a wonderful opportunity to recount the extraordinary story behind that first historic race in 1948 – it was one of the most important days in British motor sport,” hailed Event Director, Nick Wigley. “Under the leadership of the legendary Jimmy Brown, a run down aerodrome was transformed into an international race circuit in little more than 10 hectic weeks, laying the foundations to what is now one of the most hallowed rounds on the Formula One calendar.”     Fans wishing to share in the celebrations must book in advance. Adult admission is priced from just £45 and considerable savings are on offer for both families and those festival-goers spending the full weekend at Silverstone. Hospitality and camping options are also available. Full details can be found on the official www.silverstoneclassic.com website.

LONDON TO BRIGHTON CLASSIC, KIT & SPORTS CAR RUN 2018 PROCLAIMED AS BEST EVER!

LONDON TO BRIGHTON CLASSIC, KIT & SPORTS CAR RUN 2018 PROCLAIMED AS BEST EVER!

A fantastic mix of over 400 cars took to the streets on Sunday 3^rd June for this year’s London to Brighton Classic, Kit & Sports Car Run with the drivers and navigators proclaiming it the ‘best ever.’

Sponsored by ClassicLine Insurance, the Classic Run, now in its 30^th year, and the Kit & Sports Car Run, marking 18 years, saw vehicles spanning around 90 years of motoring heritage.

Using tulip style road books, the crews started from the beautiful Greenwich Park with the classics stopping at Penshurst Place, Tonbridge, and the Kit & Sports Cars visiting Chiddingstone Castle. All the cars finished on Brighton’s iconic Madeira Drive next to the pier.

Stephen Smith, from event organiser GE Motor Events, said: “Each year the Run gets bigger and bigger. In 2011 we had 234 cars in total and this year we had more than 400 so we must be doing something right.

“More people brings more pressure, so next year we might have to look at doing two routes down to Brighton. We don’t need too many cars, we want to keep it fairly personal and enjoyable.

“I am over the moon with how it has gone this year. Whatever route we take, everyone wants to come here. This is where we want to be.”

The oldest car on the Classic Run was a 1923 Stoneleigh Chummy, drive by Dr Neil Cooke, and believed to be the only surviving example on the road, while the youngest was a 2017 Mazda MX-5 on the Kit & Sports Car Run.

Other cars on the 80-mile route included a 1965 Ferrari 275 GTS formally owned by silver screen icon Sofia Loren, and a 1983 Ford XR2 Mk 1 as featured in Wheeler Dealers.

Ian Fray, Managing Director at ClassicLine Insurance, said: “ClassicLine Insurance is immensely proud to have sponsored the 2018 London to Brighton Classic, Kit & Sports Car Run which was a great success, attracting a huge variety of cars.”

Along with the Run, Madeira Drive also hosted a static show of around 50 classics which included the Post Vintage Humber Car Club and Motion Picture Motors with a display of film cars including the Bullit Mustang and Charger plus Del Boy’s three-wheeler and many more!

For more details of the 2019 event, with entries opening later in the year, visit www.classicmotorevents.co.uk