Classic, Performance & Retro April 2013

News - Reviews - Road Tests - Show Reports - technical tips - car clubs - cars for sale

April 2013 - Issue 23 - www.cprmag.co.uk

ÂŁ FREE!

British Icon Morgan 4/4 Road Test

Geneva Girls & Motors!

Super Star Fighter!

Thruxton Thunder!

Glamour meets motoring with spectacular results

Spotlight on the awesome Lamborghini Veneno

All the action from HSCC Easter Revival weekend

Ford - Chevrolet - Cobra Engine Crate Specialist - Camaro - Corvette

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Editorial Here we go again. If you can remember back to last summer (yes, it was one to forget here in the UK) you will recall than many outdoor classic car shows had to be cancelled due to waterlogged ground and generally poor weather conditions. Well it looks like this year has picked up where last year left off as the UK’s spring weather has been nothing short of disastrous. Much of the country has been covered in snow during March and even where the snow has quickly melted, the ground became saturated and too soft to cope with cars. Unfortunately, that led to the cancelation of the Old Warden Classic Rally & Autojumble, and probably many others too, which is a great shame, and of course a financial burden to the already cash strapped organisers.

There isn’t much we can do about the weather, but we can help the show organisers by turning up at local events (when the weather hasn’t trashed them!) and giving them as much support as possible. These shows will disappear from the calendar if organisers can’t make them profitable, so make sure you go along and help keep these shows going.

On a brighter note, we have been stunned with the success of our new mobile friendly magazine format. In just one month, nearly 900,000 people viewed the March issue of Classic, Performance & Retro on the Issuu.com news-stand, a figure that greatly exceeded our wildest expectations. We would like to thank you for your continued support, we really do appreciate it, and of course if you can tell your friends and post links on forums to our website, we’ll like you even more!

Finally, don’t forget to head over to our Facebook page, click the ‘Like’ button and maybe leave a comment too.

Have fun and drive safe!

The Classic, Performance & Retro team.

Editor: Simon Hazeldine- Designer: Chris Peacock - Sub Editor: David Harrison - Advertising: Tom Saunders - Web ‘Geek’: Luke Mowatt - Marketing: Peter Allinson. The entire contents of Classic, Performance & Retro magazine are copyright. No part of it may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Classic, Performance & Retro Magazine is a FREE monthly publication produced by AV8 Publishing Ltd, Cambridge, England. Contact Details: PO Box 280, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 9DH. Website - www.cprmag.com - E-mail - info@cprmag.co.uk - Telephone +44 (0)1353 777519. We are happy to accept photographs and articles with a view to including them in Classic, Performance & Retro Magazine, but please note: all submissions are sent at contributors own risk and we will not be liable for any loss or damage.

018 026

Morgan 4/4 Road Test

Ooo La La! LaFerrari Revealed.

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044

Thruxton Thunder!

Contents

www.cprmag.co.uk Issue 23 April 2013

018

Geneva Motor Show: The Geneva Motor Show has become the event where supercar manufacturers bring their latest creations to unleash upon the world for the first time. David Harrison went along to check out the cars...and the girls!

026

Ooo La La!: Revealed for the first time at the recent Geneva Motor Show, the F150 LaFerrari has certainly got people talking. It looks cool, but is it just a F458 in drag? David Harrison finds out.

030

Built By Bobs!: A chance encounter over a pint gives Phil Sullivan the chance to finally get behind the wheel of a long admired car - the Morgan 4/4.

044

Thruxton Easter Revival: The weather might have been cold, but at least the racing was hot at the Historic Sports Car Club Easter Revival at Thruxton Race Circuit in Hampshire. Words and pictures - Alex Tyler.

052

Wild Thing...I Think I Love You!: We’re not sure what they have been drinking over at Lamborghini’, but what ever it is, we want some!

Jed Bailey looks at the ever so slightly insane Lamborghini Veneno.

Regular Features: 006 News: All the latest news and gossip from the Classic, Performance & Retro worlds.

018

Geneva Glamour!

016 Club News: A round-up of news from some of the best car clubs in the world.

050 New Stuff: A look at what’s hot...and what’s not in the automotive marketplace.

062 What’s On: Never miss another show with our comprehensive events guide.

066 Auction News: A round up of what’s been happening in the auctions rooms around the world.

Classic, Performance & Retro magazine is a FREE monthly online publication produced by AV8 Publishing Ltd, Cambridge, England.

April 2013 5

News

The Latest Automotive News From Around The World!

Rare Racer Revealed

Ex-Fangio MercedesBenz W196 ‘Silver Arrow’ Offered For Sale If you are in the market for a historic single seater racing car, you might want to head over to the Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 12, where the Bonhams’ auction will feature just such a car.

It is in fact the actual Mercedes-Benz W196 that was driven by motor racing legend Juan Manuel Fangio when he won the Swiss and German Grand Prix in 1954, and went on to secure his second world championship in the same car. These great victories were the first two to be achieved in succession by the frontier-technology Mercedes-Benz factory Formula 1 Grand Prix team in its post war racing come-back. Chassis ‘00006’ also has special significance as the first open-wheeled slipper-bodied post-war Mercedes-Benz ever to win a Formula 1 Grand Prix race – having made its debut in that German GP. The ‘Silver Arrow’ was unveiled at a special ceremony at Bonham’s HQ by Chairman Robert Brooks. The car is already being offered for sale, but if nobody meets the price required by the vendor, the car will be auctioned at the Goodwood event where it is expected to fetch £10-12 million.

Speaking about the planned sale, Robert Brooks, Chairman of Bonhams and handling the sale of the Mercedes-Benz, said, “My motoring auction career spans five decades and I have been privileged to have handled some of the world’s most desirable and important motor cars. To handle the sale of this legendary W196 Grand Prix Car – the only one out of captivity– could well be the pinnacle. Our Goodwood Festival of Speed auction is shaping up to eclipse even the record breaking Sale of last year.” www.bonhams.com

Bella Italia!

Brooklands Gears Up For 28th Auto Italia If you are a fan of all things Italian (that means red, pointy cars...not pasta and meatballs!) then head to Brooklands Museum in Surrey on May 4, where the 28th Auto Italia day is expected to attract plenty of automotive exotica. Visitors can expect to see a great line-up of Ferraris, Maseratis, Lamborghinis, De Tomasos, Fiats, Lancias and many more, all parked in the historic surroundings of the world’s oldest purpose built racing circuit.

If you have your own Italian classic or sportscar, then bring it along with you and you will get to park it with other similar models in the display area and also get a chance to tackle Brookland’s famous ‘Test Hill’ and the Mercedes-Benz World handling circuit.

The event will also be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Bertone coupé and the organisers have set aside 30 parking spaces for this model alone. Reduced price tickets are available from the Brooklands website in advance, but if you turn up on the day entry will cost you £15 for adults, £14 for seniors and £6 for children (aged 5-16), while under 5s go free. www.whitelionantiques.co.uk

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WWW.CPRMAG.CO.UK

Taxing Times

Tax-Free Motoring Extended By One Year In UK Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne has announced that cars built before 1974 will be exempt from road from April 2014.

The move extends the tax-free period by one year as the current rules state that only car built before 1973 qualify as tax exempt vehicles.

The announcement also sparked a flurry of speculation in the classic car world that it would mark the beginning of a rolling 40 year exemption period, but this notion was quickly ruled out by the government.

Instead, the Chancellor will decide annually whether or not to grant further exemptions to older vehicles.

The new legislation was revealed in the Chancellor’s Budget speech in the House of Commons on March 21, where he also announced that he was abolishing the requirement for Statutory Off-Road Notifications (SORNs) to be renewed annually, and that the planned petrol price increase for later this year had been cancelled. www.hm-treasury.gov.uk

Austin Action!

All Set For Austin Rally Austin Sevens will flock to the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu on July 7, where the 51st National Rally is being held in the grounds of the museum. Hundreds of cars are expected to attend the event, with many dedicated owners prepare their cars to compete in the ‘Best of Show’ competition. Besides the traditional concours and pride of ownership contests, there will also be a sporting element to the rally where Austin-based trials cars will tackle specially prepared banking around the main arena. If you think that sounds like fun, you might want to take advantage of the passenger rides which will give visitors a chance to see what it’s like to go ‘trialing.’ The rally should have an international flavour to it too, as members from the Tacot Club is Calais in France plan to attend. www.750mc.co.uk

April 2013 7

News

The Latest Automotive News From Around The World!

Art On Show

HMC to host exhibition from the Guild of Motoring Artists The Heritage Motor Centre is to host a special exhibition from the Guild of Motoring Artists from the 27 April – 3 June. The exhibition will feature over 60 artworks of pictures and sculptures of British cars from 15 different artists in many media and styles. The Guild of Motoring Artists (GMA) began as a group of professional artists from the car industry who shared a common interest in automotive art. The GMA first started in 1986 and over the years has attracted some of the best and diverse automotive artists through its membership, exhibiting around the UK and in the USA. The GMA exhibited at the HMC back in 2004 and are returning to support several events including their exhibition depicting ‘British Motoring Heritage’ over the last century with miniature art, workshops and demonstrations for beginners to professional artists. The art on display will focus on the British automobile industry and will also display makes and models from around the world. All the artwork will be available for sale. Artists will also be happy to accept commissions for any automotive subject matter. For more information see: www.motorart.co.uk

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www.visitbrighton.com

Open to all classic cars over 25 years old and this year celebrating our silver anniversary in style. Starting the day at the historic Brooklands Museum then follow your easy to use route guide through some of the South East’s most picturesque villages to your organised stopping point for refreshments before making your way to Brighton.

Also!

Starting from Madeira Drive after a leisurely breakfast at your hotel travelling at a relaxed pace along some of the South East’s finest roads. Enjoy tea and cake en route at our prestigious stopping point then on to Brooklands Museum where you have VIP parking and lunch leaving time to spend the afternoon enjoying the wonderful displays at the museum.

Entries now invited

July 2011 9 Enquiries 01905 570862 info@classicmotorevents.co.uk

trackNews

News, Gossip & Views From The World Of Motorsport

Keep It Fun

MRL Surveys Owners On Future Of Historic Racing Motor Racing Legends (MRL), organiser of four top historic race series as well as the annual Le Mans Legend, support race to the 24 Hours, asked more than 100 of its customers (drivers, owners and preparers of historic racing cars) what they see for the future of the sport. In particular, MRL asked what are the potential threats to historic motorsport in the next few years? Some of the answers were quite surprising.

For a start, eight out of ten respondents (83.5%) said that poor or aggressive driving standards in historic racing will lead to owners withdrawing their cars from races over the course of the next few years. Many linked this aggression to the increasing use of hired professional drivers, in a sport that is essentially meant to be amateur and ‘fun’ in character.

“There are too many hired drivers for club racing,” said one respondent. “They have no regard for safety or the cars.”

Another felt that “The penalties for dangerous driving should be more severe.”

Secondly, around a third (32.3%) feel it is likely that the rising value of historic cars will see owners become increasingly reluctant to race them. While most competitors still feel that historic motorsport will enjoy real racing cars with historic provenance out on track, there was nevertheless a significant minority (37.6%) who believe that – in 10 years’ time – genuine period race cars will largely be kept as static exhibits, while owners race reproductions instead.

The rising cost of entry fees to historic races was another common theme, with many competitors highlighting the need to attract younger, less wealthy drivers to the sport. There was also a strong feeling of antipathy towards what one competitor described as “the intrusion of the FIA”. Another summarised the opinions of many, with the comment: “Get the M.S.A. and health and safety off our backs as much as possible, and make the whole process friendly and fun.” In conclusion, Duncan Wiltshire, Chairman of Motor Racing Legends, was interested in the changing views of competitors over the last four or five years. “When we last conducted a survey, back in 2008, the main bone of contention was eligibility – how to ensure that cars were running in the correct period specification. While this is certainly still of great concern, the main focus seems to have shifted to the need to keep historic motorsport ‘fun’, affordable, and relatively unbureaucratic. Escalating costs and inappropriate intervention by the governing bodies of modern motorsport are also a major theme in the responses to our survey. We will be working with the circuits, other race organisers and the governing bodies to try to give our competitors what they want.”

Unique Achievement

2012 Seagrave Trophy Awarded To John Surtees The Royal Automobile Club has awarded the Segrave Trophy to John Surtees OBE. The trophy was awarded at a lunch held at the Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall on Thursday 7 March. The trophy was awarded to recognise John’s unique achievement of winning seven motorcycle world championships and then victory in the 1964 Formula One World Championship. He is the only person in the history of motor sport to have been World Champion on two wheels and four. The trophy was commissioned by Lady Segrave in 1930, soon after her husband, Sir Henry Segrave, died after breaking the water speed record on Lake Windermere. It was her wish that the trophy would help celebrate and encourage those individuals who demonstrated outstanding skill, courage and initiative - the spirit of adventure - whether on land, sea or in the air.

‘It is an honour to salute John’s successes. He is one of the most distinguished, accomplished, sportsmen of all time,’ said Tom Purves Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club. Past winners include Sir Stirling Moss, Lewis Hamilton, Adrian Newey, Jackie Stewart, Damon Hill, Nigel Mansell, Barry Sheene and Richard Noble.

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Time to get some work done to YOUR classic car?

TRGB are now established as one of the leading Triumph specialists in the country and have extensive and almost unrivalled experience on the restoration and maintenance of these cars. Along the way we have also gained years of experience working on other classic cars. Work and personal projects aside from our Triumphs include: full restoration of an E-type 4.2 Jaguar, full restoration of a ‘Healey 3000’, full engine build on a V12-E and full and detailed restoration of a Ferrari Dino (including full engine build).

Our workshop is always very busy and to this end we have decided to expand this side of the business and are delighted to announce a new member of staff: Mr Jason Wright. Jason brings with him a wealth of experience and has worked on many TRs as well as Jaguar and TVR from a well-known leading dealership, and so will add his knowledge to the extensive experience of both Tim and Richard. To promote this new expansion we are offering a 10% discount (£40.50/hr + VAT) on all work booked in during the first three months of 2011.

If you require any work on YOUR classic car, please call Gary at TRGB.

BEFORE

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www.trgb.co.uk

trackNews

News, Gossip & Views From The World Of Motorsport

New Name For JD Classics

New Name For JD Classics Challenge Motor Racing Legends has announced that its JD Classics Challenge race series, for 1966-85 Touring Cars, has been renamed the HTCC (Historic Touring Car Challenge) for the 2013 season onwards.

“The series will run exactly as it has in the past two years,” confirmed Duncan Wiltshire of Motor Racing Legends. “The only change is to the title. The HTCC will continue to enjoy the vital support of JD Classics, both as sponsor and as entrant; and alongside the JD Classics entries we are expecting to see some very interesting and historic new additions to the grid this season – even from as far afield as Australia!”

The JD Classics Challenge, as the HTCC was previously known, was launched in 2011 and was originally for Groups 1 and 2, and Group A Touring Cars, such as raced in the British and European Touring Car Championships between 1972 and 1985. Such was the enthusiasm from owners of earlier cars, however, that the eligibility was extended to include Touring Cars back to 1966, bringing in Group 5 cars from this era.

The full 2013 HTCC season of racing kicks off with a 45-minute race at the Donington Historic Festival in early May. “This event is set to be bigger than ever this year and has really cemented its place as the season-opening meeting for most people,” commented Wiltshire. The series will then appear at the Masters’ Festival at Brands Hatch at the end of May – this year to be run as two 40 minute double-headers; one race on the Indy Circuit and one on the full Grand Prix Circuit.

All HTCC will be invited to enter Barry Sidery-Smith’s one-hour grid at the Six-Hours meeting at Spa in September, while the season will end with an HTCC race at the Algarve Classic Festival in southern Portugal in mid-October. “This is a long-haul event, but allows us to play on one of the most magnificent circuits in Europe, with an entry fee that includes a hotel room,” concludes Wiltshire. “Three years of stunning sunshine were brought to an abrupt halt last year, but even those tough conditions couldn’t spoil a truly superb weekend, with terrific hospitality in a fabulous location. Any historic racer who hasn’t yet tried this event would do well to put the Algarve Classic Festival in their calendar.”

Audi Dominates Sebring

Audi R18 Masterclass At Sebring 12 Hour Picking up where they left off last year, Audi’s sensational R18 e-tron Quattros dominated the Sebring 12 Hour race in Florida on March 16, with its hybrid-powered cars taking both first and second places on the podium. For twelve hours, the two Audi R18 e-tron quattro cars fought a fierce duel for victory and repeatedly overtook each other in close battle. In total, the lead between the two R18 cars changed 20 times. In the thrilling duel between the team’s two cars the current Le Mans winners and World Endurance Champions Marcel Fässler (CH) and Benoît Tréluyer (F) plus Sebring newcomer Oliver Jarvis (GB) prevailed by a narrow margin. All three celebrated their first Sebring triumph. For Jarvis, after the GT success with the Audi R8 GRAND-AM at the Daytona 24 Hours, this marked the second victory at a classic U.S. endurance race.

12 www.cprmag.co.uk

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trackNews

News, Gossip & Views From The World Of Motorsport

All Go For Donington!

Donington Historic Festival Unveils 2013 Timetable With the reveal of the timetable for the 2013 Donington Historic Festival (May 3rd, 4th, 5th), featuring spectacular racing action on all three days, visitors are promised some hugely competitive historic motorsport across the whole weekend. This is the first year that the Festival has included a Friday in its schedule, and organisers are marking the occasion by staging one of the biggest races of the weekend on that afternoon. The Pre-63 GT race will see one of the most impressive and valuable grids of the whole Festival out in action, with SWB 250 Ferraris set to line up against DB4 GT Astons, E-type Jaguars, Morgans, AC Aces & Lotus Elites, all highly evocative of the old Tourist Trophy races.

Racing starts at 3.55pm, with the E-Type Challenge, Formula Junior and Pre-63 GT grids. Friday audiences will also enjoy the full compliment of track parades and demonstrations and off-track attractions, including the Ayrton Senna tribute and historic rally action, making the perfect start to the weekend.

It’s business as usual for the Festival on the Saturday and Sunday, with a magnificent array of historic racing cars including pre-War Grand Prix cars, glamorous 1950s and ‘60s sportscars, single-seaters and classic touring cars.

Plus of course mighty Group C cars doing battle out on the track.

“We were determined that spectators who can only come along on the Friday would enjoy just as great a show as those who attend on the Saturday and Sunday. As we have such a remarkable wealth of content, it wasn’t difficult to make sure this happens without in any way weakening the content on the other days,” said Festival organiser Duncan Wiltshire. “So the message is, even if you’ve only got a few hours free on Friday afternoon, come to the Donington Historic Festival for a truly memorable start to your weekend!”

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Race/Qualifying Timetable Friday, May 3rd 09:10 – 12:45 Qualifying 12:45 - 13:45 Lunch Break 13:45 - 15:30 Qualifying 15:45 - 15:55 Demonstration Laps 15:55 - 16:25 E-Type Challenge Race 1 16:40 - 17:05 Formula Junior Race 1 17:20 - 18:35 Pre-63 GT Race Saturday, May 4th 09:10 - 10:30 Qualifying 10:45 - 11:15 E-Type Challenge Race 2 11:30 - 12:15 HTCC 66-85 Touring Cars 12:30 - 12:55 HGPCA Nuvolari Trophy pre-1940 GP cars with Hall and Hall Race 1 12:55 - 13:55 Lunch Break 13:55 - 14:55 U2TC pre-66 Touring Cars 15:10 - 15:35 Formula Junior Race 2 15:50 - 16:00 Demonstration Laps 16:00 - 17:00 Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy for pre-56 sportscars 17:15 - 17:40 HSCC Historic F2 Race 1 17:55 - 18:55 ‘1000km’ for pre-72 sports-racing cars Sunday, May 5th 09:10 - 10:20 Qualifying 10:35 - 11:00 HSCC Historic F2 Race 2 11:15 - 11:45 Group C sportscars Race 1 12:00 - 13:00 Stirling Moss Trophy for pre-61 sportscars Race 13:00 - 14:00 Lunch Break 14:00 - 14:25 HGPCA Nuvolari Trophy pre-1940 GP cars with Hall and Hall Race 2 14:40 - 15:40 Masters pre-66 Touring Cars Race 15:55 - 16:05 Demonstration Laps 16:05 - 16:35 Group C sportscars Race 2 16:50 - 18:20 Masters pre-66 GT Gentlemen Drivers Race

I NDEPENDENT Lotus S PECIALISTS

Unmistakably Lotus

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PYDERCARS and Lotus go hand in hand, when they turn basic Lotus shells or tired frames into distinctive classic Lotus cars, and where Spydercars use their expertise to bring economic reality and individuality to your Lotus dreams.

SPECIALISING for more than 30 years in Lotus restorations on a world-wide basis, Spydercars have carried out proven quality workmanship to restore numerous classic Lotus Elan, Lotus Elan + 2 and Lotus Europa models, with every car being unique to the detailed requirements of its owner.

SPYDERCARS offers combined car workshop and manufacturing facilities to enable restorations to include where desired Spydercars own space frame chassis, tubular design wishbones, alloy fuel tank radiators and a range of personalised features from dashboards to interior finishes.

SERVICING is also carried out in Spydercars well equipped workshop and covers all needs for Lotus from the early 1960’s Lotus Elan through to later Lotus Elise and Exige and the facilities notably include computerised geometry set up equipment for suspension setting.

SPYDERCARS continues to develop and expand its capabilities to now include the Spyder Zetec Conversion. This replaces the existing chassis and all suspension parts with reliable components. The engine and gearbox are replaced with a modern 2 litre 16 valve twin cam engine and a five speed gearbox.

The suspension has been developed using double wishbone front and rear. The brakes are also fully replaced with larger vented disc brakes at the front and solid discs at the rear, which also have larger modern brake callipers.

Once the chassis has been built into rolling form the body and interior form the complete body and interior restoration can be completed.

SPYDER ZETEC CoNVERSIoN therefore justifiably enters the Elite Spydercars classic Lotus innovations and developments, and adds to the renovation expertise the skills of the imaginary conversion. The conversion, in addition to providing a reliable classic Lotus it also gives modern benefits which few classic cars can offer.

SPYDERCARS – Unmistakably LoTUS

Spydercars Ltd 136, Station Road Industrial Estate, Whittlesey, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire PE7 2EY. England Telephone +44 (0) 1733 203986 email sales@spydercars.co.uk

ClubNews

Tell Us About Your Club!

Want to tell us about your club or event? Then send details into Club News at: info@cprmag.com

MG Car Club

British Olympic Medalist Supports Macmillan MG Midget

London 2012 high-jump Bronze Medallist Robbie Grabarz has thrown his support behind the Macmillan MG Midget. The twenty-five year old Team GB star visited the MG Car Club’s headquarters in Abingdon on Friday March 22, to formally launch the vehicle which aims to increase awareness of Macmillan Cancer Support’s work and raise money for the nationwide charity.

The vinyl-wrapped MG Midget is a joint campaign between Macmillan Cancer support and the MG Car Club. The initiative follows on from a successful 2012, when the two organisations worked closely together to raise over £20,000 for Macmillan. It was a year that also proved to triumphant for Robbie Grabarz who cleared a height of 2.29 metres to win a bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympic games. And after victories in the Rome and Birmingham Diamond League events, Grabarz took the overall 2012 IAAF Diamond League high jump crown.

Grabarz, a life-long classic car fan, was given an insight into MG’s rich Abingdon history on during his visit and then drove the 1973 MG Macmillan Midget sportscar around the original Oxfordshire MG factory test routes. Away from Athletics, the Brit is passionate about classic cars - at one stage considering quitting the sport to focus on a career in classics restoration.

Sara Rawnsley from Macmillan Cancer Support said: ‘With one in three people affected by cancer, I’m delighted that Robbie and the Car Club are helping us to promote Macmillan services, and go the extra mile in fundraising!’ MG Car Club General Manager Julian White added: “The MG Car Club will be driving the extra mile for Macmillan Cancer Support in 2013. The Club’s 1973 MG Midget has been vinyl wrapped in MGCC/Macmillan colours and will be taken to shows throughout 2013 to help raise money and awareness of the charity’s excellent work. www.mgcc.co.uk

750 Motor Club

750 Motor Club Launches Historic ‘Birkett’ Relay Race

The 750 Motor Club has launched a new relay event aimed at historic and vintage cars, to run later in 2013. Following the success of the Birkett Relay Race in 2012, which saw 67 teams participating in the 62nd annual running of the 750 Motor Club’s end of season event, Competitions Manager Giles Groombridge decided to create a complimentary race for older vehicles. The ‘Historic Birkett’, as it has been tagged, will be run on the Snetterton 300 circuit on November 2. The race will be run over four hours and teams of two to six cars will be welcome, with 1974 being the cut-off date for entries.

Classes will set by engine capacity with a standalone category for pre-war machinery. See the club’s website for more info. www.750mc.co.uk

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Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club

‘Big Cats’ head to Coventry for day at the museum

If you are a fan of the Jaguar marque and you fancy day out looking at some stunning cars, you might want to head to Coventry on Saturday June 29.

Members of the Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club have been invited to display their cars outside the Coventry Museum of Transport, situated right in the heart of the city.

The club has the opportunity to show up to 50 cars on Millennium Place directly in front of the museum entrance, so it should be a spectacular display. The car will be in position from 10.00am until 16.30pm.

Make sure you don’t miss it! www.jec.org.uk

A winning formula JD Classics professional racing team prepares, maintains and sells historic race cars. Each vehicle, whether their own or their customers’, is meticulously prepared to the highest standards ensuring that each race car meets its true potential.

Not only will the cars be mechanically perfected but they will also look their best, because JD Classics uses Autoglym car care products exclusively for all its vehicles.

Autoglym offers the most comprehensive range of car care products available and all are fast, effective and will provide a perfect result, inside or out.

Your own car might not place you on the winners’ podium but you can still enjoy a winning shine.

For more information on the complete Autoglym range, visit the website at www.autoglym.com

For product and local stockist information, visit our website or telephone 0800 515 779.

BY APPOINTMENT TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN SUPPLIER OF CAR CARE PRODUCTS AUTOGLYM, LETCHWORTH, ENGLAND

BY APPOINTMENT TO H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES SUPPLIER OF CAR CARE PRODUCTS AUTOGLYM, LETCHWORTH, ENGLAND

Geneva Motor Show The Geneva Motor Show has become the event where supercar manufacturers bring their latest creations to unleash upon the world for the first time. David Harrison went along to check out the cars...and the girls!

H

ello, and welcome to the 2013 ‘Lovely Ladies Festival’ here in sunny Geneva. Hmmm... okay, it is actually the Geneva Motor Show, but you could be forgiven for believing that opening statement if you had been there. Looking like a bizarre pile-up between the 16 www.cprmag.co.uk

April 2013 19

fashion world and a car show, the Geneva Motor Show - or Salon Auto to give it its proper name - is blessed with more than a touch of glamour, with exceptionally attractive ladies nearly everywhere you look.

Now, having promo girls at a car show is hardly groundbreaking stuff; just wander round the UK’s Autosport International show (featured in the last issue) and you will see plenty of Lycra-clad lovelies, but for some reason, the girls at Geneva seem to be more than just part of the set dressing. Along with the cars, they are a big part of this show, The McLaren P1 makes its debut.

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Above: The stunning GTA Spano. Top Right: The Spyker B6 Concept revealed for the first time.

Right: Lots of glamour on show in Geneva.

and they certainly brighten up the austere surroundings of the otherwise clinical ‘Palais des Expositions’ where the show is being held. This place even makes the halls at the NEC in Birmingham look like

architectural masterpieces and that is really saying something!

Battleground I always get a kick out of attending shows like this one.

There is usually an element of the unknown which heightens the excitement since many of the cars on show have never been seen in public before.

Quite a few are even unveiled at the event, and supercar giants Ferrari and Lamborghini now seem to use the show as an annual battleground to try and outdo each other with their latest poster car.

Then there are the concept cars, some of which will never be seen in public again, and in some cases, that’s actually a

The stunning Lamborghini Veneno. good thing!

So, as I am writing this for Classic, Performance & Retro magazine, and there isn’t much here in the way of classic or retro cars, I had better concentrate on the performance machines.

Thankfully, there are lots of those.

Italian Exotics So where do we start? Well, the logical place is the Ferrari stand, where an enthusiastic crowd consisting mainly The Ferrari LaFerrari.

The new Chevrolet Corvette Coupe.

of journalists and press photographers has surrounded a low, flat shape covered in a red table-cloth. Underneath

said table-cloth lurked the new Ferrari LaFerrari (yep... stupid name) and after a short speech by Ferrari head Luca di Montezemolo, four guys in grey suits pulled the table-cloth off to reveal something that looked very red, very fast and very expensive. I’ll spare you all the technical details as they have been covered elsewhere in this issue, suffice to say yes, it is fast, no, I can’t afford it, and only 499 will be built.

As for its looks, well I thought it looked okay, but some of my esteemed media colleagues seemed less than impressed and set off in search of more pretty girls to photograph.

As if the excitement of a brand April 2013 21

One of the...erm..cars on the ABT Sportsline stand. new Ferrari isn’t enough, we also had the pleasure of seeing a new Lamborghini in the flesh for the first time too.

No table-cloths here though, oh no. The Lambo guys have been to stage school and have mastered the art of maximum impact, at least when it comes to unveiling cars. The Attractive Gemballa GT Spider.

22 www.cprmag.co.uk

enthusiastic crowd of journos and snappers was seated this time, around a large empty space. Stage lighting picked out a single greysuited figure which turned out to be Lamborghini’s CEO Stephan Winkelmann. He gave a brief speech, the last words of which were almost

drowned out by a thunderous roar. A door to the side of the stage slid open and the new Lamborghini Veneno drove out onto a revolving turntable in front of Winkelmann. It was a brilliantly executed piece of brinkmanship. The car on the Ferrari stand could well have been a mock-up of the new model, but there was no mistaking that the new Lambo was indeed the real deal...and boy did it sound good!

Again, see the feature elsewhere in this issue if you want all the boring specs, but take it from me, this is one seriously cool looking car.

Everything about it was off the scale and it really was a breathtaking car. Somebody sitting near me described it as a ‘real life Batmobile’ and that was probably a good description. Perhaps the most disappointing thing about

the Veneno is that only three will ever be made and they have already been sold, so the chances of getting stuck behind one of these on the M25 is zero. What a shame.

McLaren p1 Back to reality, and after a quick coffee to regain my composure, I set off in search of the next new supercar. A brief flick through the show guide reveals that I should perhaps head over to the Mclaren stand as there might be something interesting going on.

Sure enough there was an air of excitement and crowds of people surrounding a sexy new supercar on the F1 stalwart’s stand. It was in fact the McLaren P1, not exactly seen for the first time as it was actually revealed at last year’s Paris Motor Show, but this was kinda part 2 of the unveiling ceremony as the manufacturer used the Geneva show to confirm details of the production models that were lacking at Paris. The P1 is a rear-wheel drive, mid-engine design that uses a carbon fibre ‘monocoque and roof structure safety cage’ concept

Above Left: Even the pretty girl cannot distract you from how ugly the new Mini is!

Top Right: Alfa Romeo 4C. Right: McLaren P1.

called MonoCage, which is a development of the MonoCell used in the current MP412C and MP4-12C Spider upgrade that came out in early 2012. It is powered by a McLaren M838T twin-turbo 3.8 L V8 engine pumping out 727bhp and the car is rammed full of Formula1 derived technology, such as a highly effective KERS electric motor, that when combined with the engine produces 176

bhp. The hybrid power-train is connected to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and will give a total power output of 903bhp at 7,500 rpm.

Impressive huh? In layman’s terms, that means it’s pretty fast.

The guys from Woking say that the car is capable of 239 mph, but will be electronically limited to 217 mph. Despite this, the P1 will go from 0 to 100 km/h in less than three seconds, 0 to 200 km/h under 7 seconds, and

April 2013 23

Koenigesgg Agera S Hundra. dull, boasting 1,140hp and a top speed of around 275mph.

Carbon Fibre just about everywhere!

0 to 300 km/h will be achieved in no more than 17 seconds, which actually makes it five seconds quicker than the McLaren F1. agera s ‘hundra’ Another European supercar manufacturer that had a rather snazzy new car on its stand was Koenigesgg. At last year’s Geneva show the Swedish car maker said it was planning a special one24 www.cprmag.co.uk

off model of its Agera S which would be the 100th car off the production line, and here it was. The right-hand drive car has been made for “an excited car collector” according to the Koenigesgg and combined high-tech clear carbon with 24 carat gold leaf inlays. The flashes of gold add a touch of colour to an otherwise drab looking car, although the performance that the Agera S pushes out is anything but

best of the rest Elsewhere, the latest version of the Spanish-built GTA Spano was turning more than a few heads and it wasn’t hard to see why.

It is a very pretty car, and the example here was painted bright yellow so it really stood out. The Spano doesn’t seem to have had much press attention and is still relatively unknown in the car world, despite having been around in one form or another since 2008.

It was good to see the Alfa Romeo 4C finally released as a production model. A concept version of the car appeared here two years ago and many wondered if it would ever come to fruition, but here it is.

The 4C has a 1.8litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 240hp, which should

The Alfa Romeo 4C is now available to buy. push it along at a decent pace sine the whole car weighs just 900kg. Available from your local Alfa dealer now for around €60,000.

Aston Martin was also showing off its latest models, including the new Rapide S. The attractive four-door coupé is apparently the most powerful model that the British manufacturer has ever produced. Its 6-litre V12 engine produces 558 bhp and a torque figure of 620 Nm, which propels it from 0 to 62mph in 4.9 seconds, up to a top speed of 190mph.

If you are into track day cars you might have been interested in the world debut of the new KTM X-Bow GT. The GT is KTM’s attempt to make the X-Bow a more usable car as it comes with a host of luxury features, such as windscreen, a softtop and a baggage system that offers about 50 litres of space. Okay, KTM has

PoThe new Aston Martin Rapide S.

hardly turned it into a touring car, but the new additions it might make journeys to and from track events a little more comfortable.

Battleground The Geneva Motor Show certainly lived up to my expectations and didn’t disappoint when it came to seeing a vast array of new supercars for the first time. As

for the star attraction, I’m still torn between the incredible Lamborghini Veneno and the blonde on the ABT Sportsline stand. It’s a tough call, but realistically I probably have more chance getting the Lamborghini, so I’ll go with that one for now. It has been a great show and I can’t wait to do it all again next year.

See you there at the Lovely Ladies Festival 2014?

April 2013 25

Oooo La La! Revealed for the first time at the recent Geneva Motor Show, the F150 LaFerrari has certainly got people talking. It looks cool, but is it just an F458 in drag?

David Harrison finds out.

O

ne of the slightly more bizarre moments at this year’s Geneva Motor Show was the unveiling of the latest supercar creation from Ferrari’s Maranello factory.

Sure enough, Ferrari was following pretty much the same format that it normally uses when revealing a new car to the world for the first time; the new car waits patiently under a red cover

26 www.cprmag.co.uk

while Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo makes a short speech in English about all its impressive features, and then off come the covers. Queue audible gasps of awe and delight

f r o m assembled journalists and photographers, followed by a staccato snapping of flash guns and cameras. Smile all round and another automotive legend is born.

This year was different though.

Sure enough, there was the

car with the red covers on, and Luca di Montezemolo started to address the assembled crowd of onlookers about the new machine and all things Ferrari in general. All was going great, and built steadily up to a climax when the Ferrari boss said: “...and the name of the new car is LaFerrari.” Instead of the usual gasps of adulation, there were puzzled looks and head scratching. “What did he say?” asked one journalist. “I think he said Laugh Ferrari” replied another. Suddenly the name was flashed up on the giant screen behind the car which confirmed that it was indeed called the ‘LaFerrari.’

This rather strange name, according to Luca di Montezemolo, means: “the Ferrari - the excellence of Ferrari” and April 2013 27

The LaFerrari is the product of Ferrari’s own design studio. somehow encapsulates all the features and values that you expect of a Ferrari. Really? It means all that? Wow! With past names like Daytona, Italia, Testarossa and California, you really would expect something a little more imaginative than LaFerrari, but then after last year’s Ferrari FF, maybe the writing was on the wall. Let’s hope the car itself is better than the name.

So, closer inspection of the new

28 www.cprmag.co.uk

model reveals that this could indeed be a very impressive car, so much so that it’s difficult to know exactly where to start.

Basically, this will be a limited edition run of just 499 cars, which they shouldn’t have any problems selling as according to Luca di Montezemolo Ferrari has already had over 700 serious enquires about the car. It is

also Ferrari’s first ever hybrid car, it produces 963hp and can accelerate from 0-62mph in under three seconds. Oh, and the car also produces 50% less emissions than the Ferrari Enzo, in case you’re interested in that sort of thing.

The car has a mid-mounted direct-injection 6.3 litre V12 engine which is a development of the F12 Berlinetta powerplant.

As previously mentioned, this is a hybrid car so it also has an electric motor powered by a 120 cell, 60kg lithium ion battery pack which is hidden under the seats in a

kevlar casing. The petrol and electric motors are harnessed through a dual-clutch gearbox, which also carries the control box for the electric motor. the petrol engine pushes out an impressive 790bhp at 9,250rpm, while the electric motor knocks out an additional 160bhp. The resulting 950hp is a mouthwatering prospect in a car that weighs just 1,300kgs and is a bit like fitting a V8 engine in a go-kart! The LaFerrari also comes with a chassis bending

torque figure of 663lb/ft.

Just going back to those performance figures again, yes it does 0-62 in under three seconds; it also does 0-124mph in less than seven seconds, but the real test of a Ferrari’s speed is to see how fast it can get around the factory’s Fiorano test track. It did it in (pause for effect...) 1min 20secs which to put it in perspective is a whole five seconds faster than the Ferrari Enzo!

A closer look at this magical

electric motor shows that it is in fact a KERS type system similar to the ones used on the F1 cars. In fact, the system was even developed the F1 engineers at Gestione Sportiva, so what you have here is some genuine F1 technology on a road car. Neat huh? It works by collecting the kinetic energy usually lost under braking and cornering and diverts it to charge the batteries. It operates with 94% energy efficiency and helps reduce the

April 2013 29

Headlights reminiscent of 458 Italia.

car’s emissions by 40% while increasing the V12’s power by some 10%. A second electric motor is used to power the car’s ancillary systems. It is funny to hear Ferrari keep banging on about lower emissions; people who drive Ferraris do so for their enjoyment. In other words, they burn fossil fuels for fun, and I have yet to see a tree hugger in a Ferrari, so while it might sound good in the brochure, it is unlikely to increase sales any time soon. On the flip side, it was 30 www.cprmag.co.uk

interesting to compare the new Ferrari with another new hybrid supercar launched the Geneva, the McLaren P1. The McLaren also has a similar KERS derived unit fitted, but their motor can be used to power the car on electric only for a distance of ten miles. I guess that could be useful if you have run out of petrol, but I’m struggling to think of any other uses for it.

Ferrari on the other hand don’t like the idea of an all electric car, as they readily admit that

one of the key reasons people buy their cars is for the sound of the engine. Somehow, the whine of an electric motor just aint the same!

Of course, there is much more to this car than an impressive engine. It also has a variable geometry air intake system, and an oil pump which senses G loads and adjusts capacity accordingly. Then there is the bodyshell.

Ferrari traditionally uses aluminium on its cars, but on

this one only carbon fibre was considered to be good enough.

And not just any old carbon fibre, oh no. Four different types were used and all hand laid before being cured in the GES F1 autoclave. Inside the car, great attention was paid to the driver’s seating position, and Ferrari’s F1 drivers Fernando Alonso and Philipe Massa were drafted in to help get it just right. The seats are actually molded into the tub instead of being separate items and they will be made to fit each individual customer.

The gull-wing style doors give great access to the cockpit which is awash with more carbon fibre, although the sparse looking dashboard has little instrumentation as most of it is on the steering wheel.

Interestingly, and some might say incredibly, this is the first

Ferrari that has been designed entirely in-house. Usually, cars from Maranello are styled by outfits like Pininfarina, but on this occasion, the whole lot was done by Ferrari’s own design team. The result is stunningly beautiful, and you’d have to say that the long partnership with Pininfarina could be consigned

to the history books if this is what Ferrari’s team is capable of.

There is no doubt that this is a hugely impressive car, which just makes that ridiculous name all the more infuriating; call it the Banshee or Valkyrie or something like that, but LaFerrari is just lame.

April 2013 31

Built By

Bobs!

I

t is fair to say that cars and drink don’t mix, and when it comes to driving only a fool would argue otherwise, but if you want to learn about cars and what makes them tick, then pubs and bars are a great source of information. Now, I wouldn’t like to guess at how 32 www.cprmag.co.uk

The Morgan 4/4 has been in production since 1936 and they are still being built at the Morgan factory in Malvern, Worcestershire today.

A chance encounter over a pint gives Phil Sullivan the chance to finally get behind the wheel of a long admired car.

many conversations I have had about cars with random people in pubs, probably thousands, and many of those I wish I hadn’t had. There is nothing worse that being cornered by a ‘car bore’ who thinks he knows it all just

because he caught the last episode of Top Gear on TV, or the obsessive restorer who gives you chapter and verse on how to reassemble an A Series engine before droning

didn’t need asking twice.

A few days later and I find myself at Richard’s house looking at an immaculate British classic purring on the driveway. “I’m just warming it up for you,” shouted Richard over the sporty burble from the exhaust. Good thing too, because driving over to Richard’s house, I couldn’t help noticing that the outside air temperature reading displayed on my car’s dashboard was a chilly 1°C and the thought of driving a convertible car in that was less than appealing...no matter how nice the car was! Finding the heater on full blast right from the off was a much appreciated bonus.

The Morgan looks...well, just like a Morgan. There really isn’t anything else out there that closely resembles it, and that’s odd, since most popular or successful designs are copied ad nauseum, like the Cobra and Lotus Seven for example. At least when you see a Morgan, you know it’s a Morgan and not some inferior copy.

Definitive Morgan

on about the cost of washers.

Those are the conversations you can do without. But on the flip side, you occasionally meet somebody who has a really interesting car, and

more importantly, they are happy to let you drive it. This was the case recently when I met up with Richard Parry, a friend of an acquaintance, and after chatting for a while the conversation naturally turned to cars. Turns out that Richard has a Morgan 4/4, a car that I have long admired, so when he offered me the chance to have a go in it, I

The car that sits before me on the driveway is a Morgan 4/4, which some purists regard as being ‘the’ definitive Morgan because the first 4/4 rolled out of the factory in 1936, and apart from a couple of brief pauses, the model has been in production ever since.

That makes it the longest production run of any car in history. Oh, and in case you’re wondering, the origins of the ‘4/4’ tag are almost comical. The earliest Morgans were three-wheeler machines powered by a two-cylinder April 2013 33

Externally, the Morgan 4/4 has changed little since the 1930s.

Beautiful ‘waterfall’ grille and ‘frogeye’ head lamps.

V engine, where as the new car had four wheels and four cylinders, hence the 4/4.

The manufacturer has always been exceptionally proud of the fact that even today, its cars are still made by hand in musty old sheds in Worcestershire. These cars are not built by robots...they are built by Roberts...or ‘Bobs’ as they are known to their 34 www.cprmag.co.uk

friends.

Now you might think that a hand-made car might be a little wonky and a trifle rough around the edges, but far from it. ‘Bob’ and his colleagues are true craftsmen and highly skilled in wood and metalwork.

They take great pride in their work and no car leaves the factory until it is 100% perfect. In the Morgan world,

good enough...just isn’t good enough.

Flawless Finish Anyway, I digress. A quick walk around the outside of the car sees me admiring my reflection in the paintwork, not just because I am a handsome bugger (which I am!), but because I seriously impressed with the quality of the finish.

The paintwork has a depth and lustre to it which is rarely seen on modern cars and it’s glassy smooth. Richard has obviously been busy with the wax too, as droplets of water roll down the windscreen and then slide rapidly off the paintwork leaving a brief sparkling trail.

I start to wonder what this car must be like to drive; after all, it can trace its DNA back to the 1930s, but while the car in front of me might bear a passing resemblance to those earliest cars, what lurks under

Morgan dash is a mixture of ancient and modern.

its skin is much more modern.

The 4/4 has benefitted from some sympathetic updating over the last several decades.

Yes, it still has a wooden frame and floorboards, but just about everything else has been brought up to 21st Century standards. It has a Ford Sigma 1595cc i4 under that long, piano-hinged bonnet

which will return a 0-62mph in an adequate 8.0 seconds; not exactly Earth shattering, but far better than the early cars which took 26.9 seconds.

Perhaps more importantly, the brakes have been vastly improved, the primitive drums have given way to four-pot calipers and discs at the front so that the car actually stops

when you tell it to.

Anyway, I’m waffling again.

Time to get in this thing and drive it. Richard throws a brown leather flying helmet, gloves and goggles at me; “Got to look the part old boy!”

I politely decline his kind offer, figuring that the retro clobber might be somewhat overkill considering we still have the hood up!

In The Cockpit

Morgan loves the country lanes, but ride can be bumpy.

My first impression as I slide into the brown leather seat is that the sporty semi-reclined driving position is very good. The view out of the windscreen is excellent and leaves me with no doubt as to what I am driving, as that characteristic Morgan nose seems to stretch out in front of me forever. The pedals fall naturally into place under my feet although there isn’t much room in the footwell for my big winter boots!

The rest of the cockpit and dashboard is fairly sparse with April 2013 35

little in the way of creaturecomforts. Yes, this might be a car from the 21st Century, but you wont find any ‘Sat-Navs’ or ‘Blue Tooth’ equipment, and there isn’t any sign of an airbag. However, the austere looking dash still works brilliantly as a style statement because its rudimentary appearance only serves to highlight the quality of each 36 www.cprmag.co.uk

switch and gauge fitted in bit of a disappointment. Yes, front of me. The circular dials you can chuck small items in there while you are driving, still bear the Smiths logo and have the classic black faces but I always think that a with white numbers and hands, lockable glovebox is essential just as a classic sports car on a convertible car as it offers should, and the polished wood a little extra security for GPS devices and mobile phones, dashboard exudes natural beauty. especially when parked up.

In front of the passenger Sure, you could chuck them in there is just a hole where the the boot, but if you’re anything glovebox should be, which is a like me, then your boot is full

of greasy tools, petrol cans and oily rags, and not a good place for expensive electronic gadgets!

First Impressions So, time to drive, and the engine obligingly fires on the first turn of the key (or is that push of a button!). The noise from the exhaust isn’t deafening, but it has a sporty

note to it and sounds okay.

Into first gear, pause briefly to turn the heater up to ‘full blast’ and then a squeeze on the throttle and we are away.

My first impression is that the Morgan feels more like a modern car than a classic; everything feels taut and there are no annoying rattles or squeaks. The engine ticks away like a sewing machine

and despite its small size, it feels lively and pulls the car along well. The steering is precise and responsive, although it is not powerassisted so starts to feel a little stiff at low speeds. The gear changes are unfussy and easy, just like any other modern car, and the gear stick is well positioned on the tunnel between the two seats.

April 2013 37

No electronic gizmos here!

The hood spoils the lines of the car, but keeps the rain out!

Morgan copes well with normal everyday driving, but take it down a bumpy country lane and those lumps and bumps start to really make their presence felt.

Crowd Puller

The ride and handling are interesting. Underneath that attractive bodywork is still some fairly basic suspension components, with independent sliding pillar with coil springs and gas filled telescopic shock absorbers at the front and semi-elliptic leaf springs with gas telescopic shock absorbers at the rear. There is some body roll as I push the car through the corners and I 38 www.cprmag.co.uk

We pull up at a local pub for some lunch, but before we are even out of the car, a small crowd of people forms around the car and Richard has to start answering all sorts of questions about his come to the conclusion that car. Before I know it, he’s got this car is best set up for comfy out and has the engine covers Sunday afternoon drives and open and is giving a guided not ‘looning’ through the bends tour of the immaculate engine at ‘entertaining’ speeds. The bay to a couple of fellow skinny 165 tyres mounted on ‘petrolheads.’

15in rims certainly don’t help That is one of the wonderful matters and offer minimal road things about the Morgan. It is contact at best, something a car with buckets of character that I am mindful of in these and you will never be short of near freezing temperatures. new friends if you drive one.

If I push it, things could get To be fair, you can say the messy! As it is though, the same about a lot of the classic

The modern seats are very comfortable to sit in.

cars, but there is something about the Morgan that seems to appeal to everyone.

By the time we eventually get into the pub they have almost stopped serving food, so we quickly order and sit down in front of a roaring open fire.

I discuss my findings with Richard, and by and large he agrees with them. The Morgan is a modern version of a very old car. If he wanted a ‘proper’ modern two-seater, he could have bought a Lotus or Mazda MX5 for around the same price as the Morgan.

Both cars have lots more gadgets than the Morgan, they handle better and they are readily available, but neither has the automotive ‘x-factor’ that the Morgan seems to exude from every panel gap. Park the MX5 in a pub car park and it will barely get a second glance.

Before we set off again

Morgan Cars Ltd, Malvern, Worcestershire, England.

Morgan 4/4 Ford Sigma 1,595cc i4 Five Speed Manual 96 in (2,438 mm) 150 in (3,810 mm) 56 in (1,422 mm) 48 in (1,219 mm) 8.0 seconds 115mph (185kph)

on the short drive back to Richard’s house, I persuade him to fold the hood down so I can experience the Morgan as it should be driven. It is a decision I quickly regret as icy blasts of air seem to penetrate every corner of the cockpit. The screen keeps most of the wind off my face, and if I hunch down in the seat, the blast of warm air from the heater actually keeps things reasonably cosy. If it had been a few

degrees warmer, it would have been fine. The Morgan is a fascinating car to drive.

Yes, this example was built just a couple of years ago, yet is still feels like a much older car, but at the same time, it feels too new to be a classic.

Weird! It is one of those cars that some people aspire to; one of those cars you have always promised yourself, and to those people the reality will more than live up to the dream.

April 2013 39

Links To Track Day Organisers & Racing Circuits Apex Track Days - www.apextrackdays.co.uk • BHP Track Days Ltd - www.bhptrackdays.co.uk • Bookatrack - www.bookatrack.com • Club MSV - www.clubmsv.com • Gold Track - www.goldtrack.co.uk • Javelin Track Days - www.javelintrackdays.co.uk • RMA Trak Days - www.rmatrackdays.com • Track Culture - www.trackculture.com • Wheelsports www.classicgt.co.uk • Snetterton Park - www.snetterton.co.uk • Brands Hatch - www.brandshatch.co.uk • Donington Park - www.donington-park.co.uk • Oulton Park www.oultonpark.co.uk • Knockhill Racing Circuit - www.knockhill.com • Blyton Park - www.blytonpark.co.uk • Santa Pod - www.santapod.co.uk • Silverstone www.silverstone.co.uk • Goodwood Circuit - www.goodwood.co.uk • Thruxton - www.thruxtonracing.co.uk • Rockingham - www.rockingham.co.uk • Mallory Park www.mallorypark.co.uk • Cadwell Park - www.cadwellpark.co.uk • Castle Combe - www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk

april 2013

Key: db - Decibels • ND - Noisy Day • OPL - Open Pit Lane • S - Sessions • T - Timing/Chrono • RC - Road Cars Only • RCN - Road Car Novice

The 2013 Track Day season really gets going in April with a great choice of events.

Date Venue

Organiser

Noise Level

Status

1

Silverstone, Grand Prix Circuit

Silverstone

105

OPL

1

Rockingham, Various Tracks

Rockingham

105

OPL

1

Spa Francorchamps

Circuit Days

105

OPL

2

Brands Hatch, Indy

Club MSV

105

OPL

4

Snetterton, 300 circuit

Club MSV

105

OPL

5

Snetterton, 300 circuit

Club MSV

105

OPL

6

Mallory Park, Full Circuit

Javelin Trackdays

98

OPL

7

Barkston Heath

Javelin Trackdays

105

n/a

7

Silverstone GP Circuit

Gold Track

105

OPL

7

Silverstone International

Gold Track

105

OPL

7

Blyton Park, 1.6 Mile Circuit

Javelin Trackdays

105

OPL

8

Cadwell Park

Club MSV

105

Some Novice

8

Snetterton, 300 circuit

Club MSV

105

OPL

8

Castle Combe

BHP Trackdays

100

OPL

40 www.cprmag.co.uk

In Association With

9

Brands Hatch, Indy

Club MSV

105

Some Novice

9

Oulton Park, Full

Club MSV

105

Some Novice

10

Brands Hatch, Indy

Club MSV

105

Some Novice

10

Blyton Park, 1.6 Mile Circuit

Javelin Trackdays

105

OPL

11

Snetterton, 300 circuit

ClubMSV

105

OPL

13

Santa Pod Raceway, Drag Strip

Santa Pod Raceway

105

OPL

14

Blyton Park , 1.6 Mile Circuit

Javelin Trackdays

105

OPL

14

Anglesey, Coastal & GP

Javelin Trackdays

105

OPL

14

Cadwell Park, Full Circuit

Javelin Trackdays

105

OPL

15

Brands Hatch, Indy

Club MSV

105

Some Novice

15

Bedford Autodrome, GT

Javelin Trackdays

101

OPL

15

Donington Park

Bookatrack

105

OPL

15

Goodwood

Opentrack Track Days

105

Ltd Numbers

16

Oulton Park

Circuit Days

105

OPL

17

Snetterton, 300 circuit

Club MSV

105

OPL

17

Silverstone, Grand Prix

RMA

105

OPL

18

Snetterton, 300 circuit

Bookatrack

105

OPL

19

Castle Combe

Castle Combe

100

OPL

19

Snetterton, 300 circuit

Club MSV

105

OPL

20

Woodbridge, Airfield Circuit

Javelin Trackdays

105

OPL

20

Spa Francorchamps

Gold Track

107

OPL

20

Santa Pod Raceway, Drag Strip

Santa Pod Raceway

105

RWYB

21

Spa Francorchamps

Gold Track

107

OPL

22

Brands Hatch, Indy

Club MSV

105

Some Novice

22

Cadwell Park

Club MSV

105

Some Novice

22

Snetterton, 300

Javelin Trackdays

105

OPL

23

Brands Hatch, Indy

Club MSV

105

OPL

23

Snetterton, 300 circuit

Club MSV

105

OPL

23

Silverstone, GP

Gold Track

105

OPL

23

Oulton Park

Easy Track

105

OPL

24

Castle Combe

Bookatrack

100

OPL

25

Brands Hatch, Indy

Club MSV

105

OPL

25

Cadwell Park

Club MSV

105

Some Novice

25

Spa Francorchamps

Curbstone Track Events

107

OPL

26

Oulton Park , Full

Club MSV

105

Some Novice

26

Donington Park

Bookatrack

105

OPL

27

Blyton Park , 1.6 Mile Circuit

Javelin Trackdays

105

OPL

27

Lydden

Lydden Hill Race Circuit

105

OPL

29

Donington Park

RMA

105

OPL

30

Cadwell Park , Full Circuit

Javelin Trackdays

105

OPL

30

Rockingham

Bookatrack

105

OPL

30

Snetterton, 300

Circuit Days

105

OPL

This Track Day Diary has been produced in association with MotorsportAds (see www.motorsportads.com). All dates believed correct at time of publishing.

Please check with venue before setting off to avoid disappointment.

April 2013 41

Keeping the great marques alive

www.moss-europe.co.uk Youles Racing supported by Moss Europe Ltd 2010

from a spire nut to a supercharger

Classic Mini

MG T-Type

MGA

MGB

MGF

Sprite & Midget

TR2-4A

TR5-6

TR7

PERFORM

Mazda MX-5

Morris Minor

ONROAD &TRACK Free!

CPR Web Mag. 3

www.moss-europe.co.uk

parts catalogues call 0800 281 182

London

Bradford

Bristol

Manchester

020 8867 2020

01274 539 999

0117 923 2523

0161 480 6402

sales@moss-europe.co.uk

bradford@moss-europe.co.uk

bristol@moss-europe.co.uk

manchester@moss-europe.co.uk Moss Europe Ltd. E&O.E. 2011

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Please visit our Facebook page and click the ‘Like This’ button. It will give you a preview of what’s coming up in the next issue and keep you up to date with any happenings in the automotive world!

TV star Tiff Needell gets the needle in the FF1600s.

HSCC Thruxton Easter Revival The weather might have been cold, but at least the racing was hot at the Historic Sports Car Club’s Easter Revival at Thruxton Race Circuit on March 30/31. Words and pictures - Alex Tyler.

T

hruxton, regarded by many as being Britain’s fastest race circuit, was playing host to the inaugural ‘Historic Sports Car Club Easter Revival.’ Despite the freezing conditions, plenty of spectators arrived at the Hampshire-based circuit to witness some of the country’s 44 www.cprmag.co.uk

finest classic cars going at it ‘hammer and tongs’ at speeds ranging between 40 or 50mph in the tricky chicane to well over 100mph flat-out in top gear through the daunting Church Corner. It was certainly a cast to be proud of, with races for Formula 2s, Formula Ford 1600s and 2000s, Sports

GT cars and Touring Cars to name a few.

It wasn’t just the cars that were the attraction; a much anticipated battle between ‘Top Gear’ and ‘Fifth Gear’ presenter Tiff Needell, who runs track experiences at Thruxton’s Motorsport Centre, and the circuit’s Managing

Director and well-known classic racing front-runner, Bill Coombs, was also on the cards. Needell was making a return to racing in the exact car he won his first race in at Thruxton - a Lotus 69F. Another star was motorsport legend Ray Mallock, who was aboard a Mallock Mk18 in the Martini Trophy for sports racing cars.

Martin O’Connell was victorious in Sunday’s F2 race.

Wheel To Wheel It was pole man and series’ leading light Nelson Rowe who took the win in Sunday’s FF1600 race. With the Crosslé looking alive in his hands, first is where he stayed from lights out to the flag, winning by 18 seconds from Ben Simms in his JMR 7 Jomo.

Unfortunately, Bill Coombs was prevented from taking the start due to engine problems.

However, the focus was behind the leaders where Needell was in a three-way duel with Simon Toyne’s Lotus T200 and Andrew Ames’ Jamun T2. After the Classic Formula Ford-style wheelto-wheel battle we expected, much to his obvious delight, it was Needell who came out on top, out-doing Toyne in the final chicane to take third place with Ames less than a second behind in them in fifth.

Another thrill was the Jochen Rindt Trophy for Historic Formula 2 cars, the fastest cars at the event. After a second place in Saturday’s race, it was Martin O’Connell who took Sunday’s win in his Chevron B42 by three seconds from Andrew Smith’s March 742. Saturday’s race winner Nick Fleming was third aboard his Ralt RT1.

It was aggregate time that counted towards the main

Mike Bell showed mid-field pace in first Thruxton FF2000 outing.

The Road Sports race demonstrated close racing in all classes.

reward. O’Connell received the Jochen Rindt Trophy from the legendary commentator, Murray Walker, with Fleming missing out on the big prize by a matter of seconds.

Some of the best racing was to come from the ‘ByBox’ Historic

Touring Car Championship with the perfect recipe of ‘little versus large’ making some very close battles. However, this being a speed circuit, it was the powerful V8s of Mike Gardiner’s Ford Falcon and Richard Dutton’s and Warren April 2013 45

Little vs Large in the Road Sports made for great racing.

Briggs’s Ford Mustangs that controlled the race. It was Dutton who took the victory in his fire-breathing Mustang, but had Gardiner not started from the pit lane, the result might have been very different, as he finished just over a second behind 46 www.cprmag.co.uk

Dutton in second overall after an awe-inspiring drive from the back. Tim Davies did the unthinkable by beating Briggs’ mighty Mustang to finish third in his Ford Lotus Cortina after qualifying eighth.

It wasn’t a clean race, however, with a red flag

being thrown out after Neil Brown double-barrel-rolled his Ford Lotus Cortina down the road around the back part of the circuit. The roll cage and safety devices did their job and Neil walked away unharmed but with a lot of work to do on his car before

the next meeting. After the race, I spoke to Robyn Slater, who, aboard his Ford Anglia, was right in amongst the mayhem of the first lap.

“It was hard to tell what caused the accident. All I was able to see through the smoke was a Mustang [Warren

Briggs] facing backwards, Neil tumbling down the road beside me and cars scattering around them both. Despite this, it was an enjoyable day. It’s a scary track. It’s very, very fast and I’m not a fan of the faster circuits, I’m more of a fan of twisty tracks like Cadwell Park

with a lot of undulation and hills. I’ve just been focused on racing myself and I’ve been steadily improving my lines and my lap times. I think I was a bit undergeared, so there could’ve been a bit more to come from the car but I was mainly focusing on improving April 2013 47

Above: TV star Tiff Needell was ‘elated’ with a 3rd place on his FF1600 return. Left: Robyn Slater managed to avoid dramatic first lap shunt in Historic Touring Cars.

my own speed. I’m happy with the result and looking forward to the next meeting at Cadwell Park in 3 or 4 weeks time.”

Slater finished sixteenth with his Anglia still intact.

Enthralling Battle Sunday’s FF2000 action was also a highlight, with FF1600 star Nelson Rowe winning the race. However, the resulting gap at the line between Rowe’s Reynard SF79 and Callum Grant’s Delta 778 was less than two seconds after an enthralling battle. It was 48 www.cprmag.co.uk

a close shave for Eric Bailey, who slammed into the barriers under braking from over 100mph at the final chicane.

He emerged unharmed.

Proving excitement doesn’t always come from the front, the Delta T78/79 of Mike Bell set about closing down and passing Stuart Olley in one of the many mid-grid battles that materialised during the race.

“I was pleased with my performance,” said Bell. “The main problem has been the struggle to keep myself warm in and out of the car.

It would be good if summer would hurry up, but at least it’s dry and there’s no snow.

Qualifying was exciting, with oil being laid down at Church, causing some tricky moments for many of us. Thruxton is much less technical and more about speed and finesse and knowing how much grip the car is going to have, which is tough when you’ve never been here before. I’d rather be here for my first time in a slower car where you’re higher off the ground so you can see the corners more

easily. The problem with a Formula Ford is that it’s tough to see the corners because you’re so low to the ground, but it’s been a good experience.”

Appealing to anyone interested in classic racing, the class of the 70s Road Sports provided some fantastic racing throughout the weekend. Road Sports requires cars that are road-legal with only minor performance modifications.

It means that even the amateur can partake in very competitive racing and there were cars of all types going wheel to wheel - from Mustangs and Camaros to Lotus Elans. It certainly appeals to me, simply because it allows me to think “I could do that” and it is a great series in the HSCC.

Above: The closest battle of the day was seen in the Historic Touring Cars.

Below: TV star Tiff Needell put in a strong performance in the historic FF1600s race, and eventually brought his car home in 3rd place.

It’s a fantastic track and it was a fantastic meeting.

The HSCC has really brought the historic racing scene to life with events like this and I look

forward to the next HSCC meeting. It’s a fresh look on the classic meeting that everybody loves; and best of all – no team orders!

April 2013 49

Cool Stuff To Spend Your Money On! High Performance Crankshafts for MGB three-bearing engines Available from: Cambridge Motorsport Parts Price: £2,274.00 inc VAT See: www.cambridgemotorsport.com Those terribly nice chaps over at Cambridge Motorsport Parts tell us that they now have high performance EN40B steel billet crankshafts in stock for the early three-bearing crankshaft MGB 1800cc engines. These parts have been designed specifically with the serious MGB racer in mind, and as you might expect, come with a price tag to match.

The crankshaft has been designed with in-line bearings rather then the offset layout of the original part and features wedged and tapered counter weights and is fully cross drilled.

It also has the advantage of being able to use the later five-bearing non-offset con-rods and the five-bearing rear oil seal arrangement, instead of the leaky and unreliable oil scroll used on the early cars, although you will have to modify your engine back plate. The new crank also allows a wide range of racing forged pistons designed for the later engines to be used. Call the guys at Cambridge Motorsport Parts for more info.

‘Aerobar’ for Triumph TR7 Available from: Fabricage Price: £345.00 + VAT See: www.fabricageuk.co.uk Cambridge-based Fabricage have released an ‘Aerobar’ roll-over bar for the Triumph TR7 that is specially designed for road and non competitive track day use. It combines roll-over protection with a style that is in keeping with a road-going classic sportscar. The Aerobars are made here in the UK and feature a twin hoop design with a black vinyl padding finish. The design allows the standard soft top to fold over the bar without interference. The steel parts come with a black powder-coated finish as standard. Other powder coating colours and vinyl padding are available on request and the Aerobars are supplied with a full fitting kit.

Burton Power 50th Anniversary Oil Filler Caps Available from: Burton Power Prices From: £42.95 inc VAT See: www.burtonpower.com 2013 is Burton Power’s 50th anniversary and to celebrate they have released a pair of special limited edition oil filler caps for classic Fords. These attractive caps are made from aluminium with a black anodised finish and have Burton’s 50th anniversary logo etched on the top.

Two versions are available: one with a breather take-off outlet and one without. Not only do these caps look good they are also far stronger than the original black plastic versions that often came apart letting oil mist escape into the engine bay. These billet aluminium versions are held together with a set screw that ensures the top remains firmly in place. Burton’s 50th anniversary oil filler caps are suitable for Ford Cross Flow (Kent), Ford Essex V4/V6, Ford Pre Cross Flow, Ford SOHC (Pinto) and Ford Taunus/Cologne V4/V6.

50 www.cprmag.co.uk

WWW.CPRMAG.CO.UK

MGB Model T-Shirts Available From: Moss Europe Price: £12.95 inc VAT See: www.moss-europe.co.uk With summer on the way (apparently!) now is the time to start planning what to wear as you cruise through those leafy lanes on those balmy summer evenings in your MGB. Sure, you could resort to the standard cloth cap and shirt attire, but it hardly moves the needle on the ‘cool gauge,’ so how about grabbing one of these snazzy retro-styled MGB t-shirts from parts specialist Moss Europe.

The shirts are printed on the front with line drawing of an MGB along with the famous octagon logo and a Union Jack flag motif. On the back each shirt carries the number 8 in a circle along with the MG motto of ‘Safety Fast.’

The shirts are supplied in any colour you like...as long as it’s Navy Blue, and the collar and cuffs are finished in contrasting white rib cotton. they look great and won’t break the bank either at just £12.95 each.

Want to see your new product mentioned here?

Mini Blow Gun with Venturi tip Available From: Laser Tools Price: £14.42 inc VAT See: www.lasertools.co.uk Air is pretty neat stuff when you think about it. Sure, it keep us alive, but it can also be used to power a vast array of workshop tools and that makes it a mechanic’s best friend. It is also extremely handy for blowing swarf and debris out of hard to reach areas, like oil galleries in engine blocks and other tight crevices. With that in mind, you might find this handy. This new mini blow gun just introduced by Laser Tools (part no: 5539) has an innovative venturi-effect design to the head which draws in ambient air and significantly boosts air flow. The mini blow gun consumes 6.55 cfm from the compressor but the output is 13 cfm making this a very effective tool. Available now and great value at a retail price of £11.44 but remember to check your local Laser Tools supplier for the best prices and special offers.

Just call us on +44 (0)1353 777519 or e-mail us at: info@cprmag.com April 2013 51

Wild thing... ...I Think I Love You!

52 www.cprmag.co.uk

We’re not sure what they have been drinking over at Lamborghini’s Italian design office, but what ever it is, we want some! The company’s latest creation, the ever so slightly insane Lamborghini Veneno, was unveiled at the recent Geneva Motor Show and Jed Bailey was there to take a closer look.

N

ow, if you’re anything like me, you probably think the Lamborghini Aventador is a pretty cool car, possibly even rating as low as sub-zero on the automotive temperature scale. I can still remember my jaw hitting the deck the first time I saw it and I still haven’t quite stopped dribbling. Sure, Lamborghini

has a bit of a reputation for ‘off-the-wall’ designs, but nobody could have predicted the ‘stealth fighter’ like styling that personified the Aventador.

It looks like it’s doing a million miles an hour when it’s standing still! Surely there was no way the Italian manufacturer could top that?

And that my dear friend is

exactly what many people were thinking at the recent Geneva Motor Show where Lamborghini were planning to unveil a very special new model, and we were told it would be truly spectacular.

Now Lamborghini have always embraced the theatrical; why just pull a cloth off the new car when you can have dry ice, smoke and lasers, right? So when the

April 2013 53

Above: The Lamborghini management team with the Veneno in Geneva.

Left: Bespoke seats designed to support the driver in all directions.

54 www.cprmag.co.uk

lights went down and plunged an empty stage into darkness, I had to wonder if austerity had finally caught up with the supercar world!

Aggressive Styling Thankfully, that was not the case, and a few moments later numerous spotlights picked out a path on the stage and three large screens lit with the Lamborghini logo. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as the snarling sound of a highly stressed V12 echoed around the hall as a sliding door peeled back to reveal the most aggressive front end of any car I have ever seen. Headlights glaring, the car roared out onto the stage, parked on a revolving turn table, and then as the driver shut down the engine, you could hear the gasps of the excited audience.

For a few seconds, it was just the car and the audience, and then one of the doors swung

Only four Venenos will be built.

open and out steps none other than Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann. Now that’s what I call an entrance!

Red, White & Green Okay, so first thing to note is that this here is a fully functioning Lamborghini Veneno, not some clay model or plastic mock-up. It runs and drives under its own power, so it has already got one up on the Ferrari LaFerrari.

The Veneno - which in Spanish means ‘Venom’ - was built as part of Automobili Lamborghini’s 50th anniversary celebrations, although any collectors hoping to get hold of one will be rather disappointed. The factory will build just three Venenos, four if you count the prototype on display in Geneva. The three production cars will be painted in the colours of the Italian flag,

Is this a car or a space ship? with one painted red, one in white and the other in green.

The grey prototype, or ‘car zero’ as it is known is destined for Lamborghini’s own museum in Bologna. All three production cars have already been sold, with two of them destined for owners in the USA.

The car looks sensational. It looks a bit like one of the Batmobiles out of one of the more recent Batman films, or some sort of Imperial spaceship out of a Star Wars movie. It looks very ‘pedestrian unfriendly’ with its ankle-slicing front splitter and cheese-cutter front

April 2013 55

The interior of the Lamborghini Veneno.

Wheels designed to duct air onto brakes.

radiator intake. It is based on the Lamborghini Aventador which gives the car its basic overall shape, but then it seems someone in the styling department got a little carried away and the Veneno is the result. Could it be an Aventador with a body kit on it, as one

56 www.cprmag.co.uk

sceptical motoring writer asked?

Maybe, but a look at the spec sheet indicates that this is far more than a cosmetic make-over.

Number Crunching So, what about those figures?

Well, kicking out 750hp, the Veneno accelerates from 0 to

62mph in just 2.8 seconds, has a top speed of 220mph and a price tag of three million Euros plus tax. Underneath that oh so impressive bodywork is a 6.5 V12 engine and a rapid-shifting 7-speed ISR transmission with 5 driving modes and permanent allwheel drive, as well as a racing chassis with pushrod suspension and horizontal spring/damper units. The chassis itself is produced as a CFRP monocoque, as is the outer skin of the Veneno.

You might think that the bizarre body styling is purely for effect, but actually a great deal of development work went into it to find exceptional aerodynamics, optimum downforce with minimal drag and perfect cooling for the engine. The entire front end works as a large aerodynamic wing and large channels guide the air to the outlets in the front panel and in front of the

windscreen, as well as to the front wheels.

Above: The front end of the Veneno looks amazing, but that styling is the result of much work in the wind tunnel. Below: The rear end of the car is even more radical than the front!

Mind-Blowing The car weighs in at just 1,450kg (3,190lbs) dry, which makes it 125kg (275lbs) lighter than the Aventador. Bang goes the theory about the body kit then! This gives the car a highly beneficial power-to-weight ratio of 1.93 kg/hp (4,25 lbs/hp) which Lamborghini says guarantees a performance that is nothing short of mind-blowing.

The power output of the 6.5litre engine has been raised to 750hp from the Aventador’s 690hp through the use of enlarged air intakes, optimized thermodynamics and an exhaust system with even lower back pressure.

Downforce The rear end of the car looks even more radical than the front end, with what appear

April 2013 57

to be spaceship ‘plasma vents’ and exhaust ports where a rear valance should be. Of course, in reality this ‘styling’ is where the car has been optimized for underbody aerodynamics and high speed cornering stability.

The smooth under-body surface of the car transitions into a substantial diffuser, framing the four large individual exhaust pipes divided by a splitter to increase the level of downforce.

Large openings serve to ventilate the engine bay and manage the

58 www.cprmag.co.uk

airflow to the rear wing, with the only sealed area at the rear being reserved for the number plate. The rear lights, including brake lights, indicator lights and fog lights, pick up the ‘Y theme’ as used on the front end. The engine cover sports six wedgeshaped openings which help remove unwanted heat from the engine compartment. The engine cover extends into a large central ‘shark-fin,’ which improves efficiency during braking and rear-end stability,

by delivering additional downforce at high yaw angles and therefore helps increase the highspeed cornering performance.

The design of the Veneno’s adjustable rear wing is drawn from Lamborghini’s motorsport experience, and of course extensive aerodynamic testing in the wind tunnel to ensure the best performance.

Underneath the car, the Veneno sports bespoke 20 inch centremounted alloy wheels at the front and 21 inch rims at the

rear. As you might expect on a car as special as this, these aren’t just ordinary wheels.

These wheels are designed to have aerodynamic functionality, where a carbon-fibre ring around the wheel rim works like a turbine to deliver additional cooling air to the carbonceramic brake discs. Clever stuff eh?

Inside, the car feels more like a jet fighter than a car. The moulded black seats have red octagonal cut outs in them,

while the centre console carries military style switch gear and guarded toggle switches. As if to reinforce the jet fighter analogy, the Veneno even comes fitted with a G-meter, while the bright yellow backing to the main gauges contrasts nicely with the austere carbon fibre. You could never get bored of sitting in this car!

Overall this is one seriously impressive car. It has sheer presence unlike any other car I have seen and it sounds

incredible. The greatest shame is that only three examples are going to be produced, and more than likely, these will end up is private museums and rarely, if ever, actually get driven on the roads.

I can’t help thinking that that particular policy is a huge mistake on Lamborghini’s part, because the Veneno is probably the ultimate ‘poster car’ and would sell like hot cakes if put into fullscale production.

Oh well, I guess we can dream

April 2013 59

WITH THE PASSAGE OF TIME

OUR DOCTRINE REMAINS THE SAME...

• Keep stocks high - you cannot sell a product if you don’t have the stock • Never lie to a customer - if supply is going to be 6 weeks, be honest and tell them so • Try to get every order out the same day • Keep the customer informed • Never take a credit card swipe or raise an invoice unless the goods are to hand • Sell value for money products - not the cheapest nor necessarily the best, but that which our experience suggests is good for the job • Offer advice if you feel capable of doing so but don’t talk rubbish!

Back in the 70’s, a Quick Ratio Escort Rack cost £200 plus.

We developed an inexpensive DIY quick conversion kit and sold thousands, but now competively priced as a complete rack.

With the passage of time it’s easy to forget the ideas that Rally Design have developed that has kept the good old RWD Escort parts affordable to all. Some of our present customers were not even born when we first started from our lock-up garage unit!

http://www.rallydesign.co.uk Tel. 01227 792792 www.rallydesign.co.uk

We were the pioneers of bolt-on dedicated 4pot braking kits using the inexpensive Wilwood ally racing callipers, copied now by some of the biggest names in performance braking, but we were the first!

Still the only company to produce polyurethane suspension bushes by the injection moulding process, resulting in a high quality bush together with stainless crush sleeve at a very low price.

Such an inexpensive way to convert any 2” (50mm) old strut into a coil over unit. Simple ideas are sometimes the best.

The roller top mount has always been a critical service item. Rally Design invested in press and moulding tools to ensure this vital part continued in production

Until Rally Design invested in new tooling, the industry relied on reconditioned old struts - now many in the shock absorber industry use Rally Design’s stub axles in their performance strut units.

All our coil springs are produced on OEM style N. C. Coilers - Minimum order of 300 coils per size. Our stock investment of over 20,000 springs has transformed the unit cost and quality of this vital suspension part.

Adjustable ‘in-situ’ TCA’s manufactured from new drop forged tooling eliminating all welding for a stronger, smarter and cheaper product.

Weld-on double width kit eliminating the problem of TCA ‘pull forward’ or ‘tuck back’ positioned the double width unit exactly to your requirements. Combined with Polyrace bushes to suit varying roll bar dimensions.

Twin cam roll bar similar story to springs.

Settled on 2000 pieces to ensure continuity of supply.

Taper leaf springs - we searched Europe and then Asia for a Taper Rolling Mill - Yes Sir! Minimum order quantity 20 tons. How many springs is that? - 20 tons worth Sir!

Roll cage padding - We invested in new tooling to buy direct from a foam converter. Minimum hands in the supply chain results in a BI fire retardant product which is well priced.

Our buyers found a battery produced for medical applications in large numbers which had the right spec and at an amazingly low price. Thousands in use.

Classic Ford Wheels - Purchased from one of the largest OEM wheel manufacturers to JWL standard, the best quality wheels at such a good price. Wheels always available ex-stock.

We searched the world to find the source manufacturer of the genuine Vermiculite manifold wrap. Now badge engineered by others but we are the European source.

AND NOW... Rally Design have invested in 15

new press tools to produce the Escort 1 or 2 balance Bar pedal Box with pressed pedals and design similar to the original Boreham converted box but at a price similar to box section pedals - doing the job right!

The RMD Maximum protection seat, priced at £99.50 plus VAT receives glowing reviews from our customers.

Silicon hoses - Fed up with the terrible delivery of UK hose manufacturers we invested in 500 new mandrel tools to produce this product direct from the moulder - we now have over 20,000 hoses in stock for instant dispatch. No delivery problems ever again.

Tel. 01227http://www.rallydesign.co.uk 792792 www.rallydesign.co.uk

Find Out What’s On Near You! Each month, Classic, Performance & Retro magazine brings you some of the best motoring events from around the world in our comprehensive ‘What’s On’ guide. Each listing features a live website link, so if you want know more a single click of the mouse is all you need. If you would like us to include your event, just send an e-mail with the details to: info@cprmag.com

Don’t miss the Classic Mini Night at London’s Ace Cafe on April 4. (Pic - Ace Cafe)

april 2013 Date

Venue

Website

1

Ace Cafe Mustang Meet, London, UK

www.ace-cafe-london.com

1

St Catherines Fair, Guildford, Surrey, UK

www.guildfordlions.co.uk

4

Ace Cafe Classic Mini Meet, London, UK

www.ace-cafe-london.com

6

Classic Marques Speed Challenge, Canterbury, Kent, UK

www.classic-marques-speed-challenge.com

6-7

Passion for Power, Manchester, UK

www.cheshireautopromotions.co.uk

6

Heritage Transport Show, Maidstone, Kent, UK

www.kentshowground.co.uk

7

Brooklands MG Era, Brooklands Museum, Weybridge, Surrey, UK

www.brooklandsmuseum.com

7

Argyll Classic, Balloch, Scotland

www.caledonianmsc.com

7

Newark Autojumble, Newark, Notts, UK

www.pff-uk.info

7

Goodwood Breakfasts -Sushi Sunday, Goodwood Circuit, Sussex, UK

www.goodwood.co.uk

7

Vintage Car Show, Amberley, West Sussex, UK

www.amberleymuseum.co.uk

7

French Car Day, Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK

www.matra-club.net

9

Classics Evening, Benington, Herts, UK

www.lordshiparms.co.uk

9

Ace Cafe Classic Car Night, London, UK

www.ace-cafe-london.com

13

Pride of Longbridge Rally, Birmingham, West Mids, UK

www.wolseleyworld.com

13-14

Stoke Prior Vintage Gathering, Bromsgrove, Worcs, UK

www.shakespearesrally.com

14

Bentley Drivers Day, Brooklands Museum, Weybridge, Surrey, UK

www.brooklandsmuseum.com

14

Classics at the Mill, Crewkerne, Somerset , UK

www.classicsatthemill.co.uk

14

Caledonian MGCC Early Bird Run, Kinross, Scotland

www.mgcc.co.uk

14

Southern Classics Spring Show, Chicester, Sussex, UK

www.southernclassics.org.uk

14

Easter Mini Show, Malvern, Worcs, UK

www.classicshows.org

14

VBOA Spring Parts Day & Autojumble, Coventry, UK

www.vboa.org.uk

14

Classic Show, Bellingham, Northumberland, UK

www.bellingham-heritage.org.uk

14

All Ford Show Kent, Aylesford, Kent, UK

www.kentsallfordshow.co.uk

19-21

Derby Bentley Shimmy to Sherringham, Derby, UK

www.rrec.co.uk

20-21

HSCC Cadwell Park, Louth, Lincs, UK

www.hscc.org.uk

62 www.cprmag.co.uk

www.cprmag.co.uk

Expect a stunning line-up of Jaguars at the JEC London to Brighton Jaguar Run on April 21.

20-21

Footman James Bristol Classic Car Show, Bristol, UK

www.bccsl.co.uk

20-21

VSCC Silverstone, Silverstone Circuit, Northants, UK

www.vscc.co.uk

20-21

Classic Marques Speed Challenge, Salisbury, Wilts, UK

www.classic-marques-speed-challenge.com

20

Leek Classic Car Event, Leek, Staffordshire, UK

n/a

21

BPPC Annual Vehicle Run, Poole, Dorset, UK

www.bppcltd.co.uk

21

Knighton Drive It Day, Powys, Wales, UK

www.knightonhistoricvehicleclub.com

21

Festival of Transport, Sandback, Cheshire, UK

www.sandbachtransportfestival.co.uk

21

Standard Drive It Day, New Forest, Hants, UK

www.standardmotorclub.org.uk

21

Garstang Autojumble, Garstang, Lancs, UK

www.markwoodwardclassicevents.com

21

Chasewater Vintage and Classic Show, Brownhills, Staffs, UK

www.chasewatertransportshow.com

21

Spring Alfa Day, Macclesfield, Cheshire, UK

www.aroc-uk.com

21

Jaguar London to Brighton Run, London, UK

www.jec.org.uk

21

Hagerty & FBHVC Annual Drive It Day, Towcester, Northants, UK

www.hagertyinsurance.co.uk

21

Vintage & Retro Car Show, St Asaph, Wales

www.jgcarshows.co.uk

21

Club Triumph Jubilee Rally & Run, Ilkely, UK

www.club.triumph.org.uk

24

Classic Car Winter Warmer, Hampshire/Surrey, UK

www.whitelionantiques.co.uk

25-27

Manx Classic, Isle of Man, UK

www.manxmotorracing.com

26-28

Merlin Spring Classic Tour, Northants, UK

www.merlinevents.com

27-28

Il Mantovano Volante, Mantova, Italy

www.ilmantovanovolante.it

27

Bentley and Rolls Royce Workshop, Bolton, Lancs, UK

www.rrec.co.uk

27-28

British & Midland Championships, Prescott Hillclimb, UK

www.prescott-hillclimb.com

28

Wheel Nuts 2013, Stroud, Glos, UK

www.stroses.org.uk

28

Morris Minor Rally, Stourbridge, West Mids, UK

www.morrisminoroc.co.uk

28

Help for Heroes Classic Car Run, Crewkerne, Somerset, UK

www.bmycharity.com/RayandBarbaraGUIVER

28

Motor Classic Show, Bude, Cornwall, UK

www.budemotorclub.co.uk

28

MG Day, Bressingham, Norfolk, UK

www.mgownersclub.co.uk

28

Whitewebbs Classic Ford Day & Autojumble, Enfield, Herts, UK

www.whitewebbsmuseum.co.uk

April 2013 63

Classics in the making

BY APPOINTMENT TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN SUPPLIER OF CAR CARE PRODUCTS AUTOGLYM, LETCHWORTH, ENGLAND

BY APPOINTMENT TO H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES SUPPLIER OF CAR CARE PRODUCTS AUTOGLYM, LETCHWORTH, ENGLAND

JD Classics knows classic cars inside out, particularly Jaguars; it builds, restores, upgrades, services and even races them. It has an international reputation for concours winning restorations and for rebuilds enhanced with special sports upgrades.

Following the company’s slogan “When only the best will do”, it is only natural that JD Classics should choose Autoglym car care products to finish and protect its stunning vehicles which include Aston Martins, Bentleys and Ferraris as well as Jaguars.

Autoglym offers the most comprehensive range of car care products available. All are fast, effective and will provide a perfect result, inside or out.

For the ultimate shine, our recently introduced High Definition Wax is supplied as a complete kit and is quite simply our finest polish ever.

Follow JD Classics’ example and use the best care and protection for your car. Find out more about the award winning Autoglym range by visiting our website at www.autoglym.com

For product and local stockist information, visit our website or telephone 0800 515 779.

BYRON_BOOKAZINE5

1/7/09

17:42

Page 1

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Latest News From The Auction Rooms

1935 DUESENBERG SELLS FOR $4.51 MILLION AT AMELIA ISLAND SALE

This year’s Amelia Island sale saw strong interest in vintage USA cars.

RM Auctions Amelia Island Sale Florida, USA. March 11, 2013.

RM Auctions Amelia Island Sale.

Type

Year

Price

Duesenberg Model SJ Convertible Coupe

1935

$4,510,000

Stutz DV32 Convertible Victoria

1933

$1,512,500

Ferrari 275 GTB

1965

$1,375,000

Ferrari 225 Sport Berlinetta ‘Tuboscocca’

1952

$1,237,500

Lozier Model 51 Seven-Passenger Touring

1911

$1,100,000

Cord L-29 Sport Cabriolet

1930

$990,000

Top seller was this stunning Duesenberg Model SJ Convertible Coupe which sold for $4,510,000.

AMELIA ISLAND, Florida (11 March, 2013) – RM Auctions, the official auction house of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, continued its run of fantastic 2013 results this past weekend with a highly successful Amelia Island, Florida sale which saw records tumble and more than $26.8 million* grossed with over 92 percent of all lots sold.

Now in its 15th year, the popular Amelia Island auction in Florida saw an impressive selection of more than 85 top class cars presented before a truly international audience of bidders. The sale’s ‘star car’, the beautiful 1935 Duesenberg Model SJ Walker-LaGrande Convertible Coupe, one of only three produced and the only supercharged example, attracted immense interest, selling for an outstanding $4,510,000 to firmly establish itself as the top seller of the weekend.

The second highest performer was the simply lovely 1933 Stutz DV32 Convertible Victoria, the recipient of a spectacular, class-winning restoration, which attracted spirited bidding in the room and on the phones, eventually selling for $1,512,500. The final sales price represented double the car’s pre-sale estimate and 66 www.cprmag.co.uk

WWW.CPRMAG.CO.UK

This 1933 Stutz DV32 Convertible Victoria went for an impressive $1,512,500.

a new marque record for a Stutz sold at auction.

Results from the Amelia Island sale also highlight the sustained strong performance of Ferraris in the market, with V-12 powered, front-engined cars of the 1960s continuing to be in huge demand.

The matching numbers 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB, chassis 07751, stunning in classic Ferrari red and having been in single ownership for 37 years, was the third highest selling lot of the auction, realizing a strong $1,375,000.

Further reinforcing the demand for the finest examples from Italy’s most iconic sports car maker was the 1952 Ferrari 225 Sport Berlinetta ‘Tuboscocca’, chassis 0168ED, a terrific example of one of Ferrari’s early race cars and one of only six made in period. The recipient of a fresh mechanical and cosmetic refurbishment and boasting a well-documented history, it found a new home for $1,237,500.

Wrapping up the list of cars

1960s Ferraris represented strong investments with this 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB selling for $1,375,000

achieving million-dollar-plus results at the March 9 sale was the imposing and very rare 1911 Lozier Model 51 SevenPassenger Touring. One of the mightiest Brass Era touring cars, the Lozier attracted enormous interest, eventually selling for a remarkable $1,100,000 to become another lot to sell for more than twice its pre-sale estimate.

Two additional lots worthy of special mention were a rare early production 1955 MercedesBenz 190SL Roadster, a car

restored to the highest standards and boasting a double set of fitted luggage, which garnered a final sales price of $220,000, establishing a new world auction record in the process. The other record-breaking lot was the 1966 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage, also a recipient of a world-class restoration and particularly spectacular in its ‘Black Pearl’ paintwork and caramel tan interior, which achieved $489,500, to equal the highest sum ever paid for a DB6 Vantage at auction.

April 2013 67

Latest News From The Auction Rooms

This beautiful 1928 Bentley 4 ½ Litre Semi-Le Mans Tourer topped the sale at $2,750,000.

1928 Bentley Tourer Tops Gooding & Co Amelia Island Sale

Gooding & Company Amelia Island Sale Florida, USA. March 8, 2013.

This immaculate 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB ‘Long Nose Alloy’ fetched an amazing $2,365,000.

Gooding & Co Amelia Island Sale Type

Year

Price

Bentley 4 ½ Litre Semi-Le Mans Tourer

1928

$2,750,000

Ferrari 275 GTB Long Nose Alloy

1965

$2,365,000

Rolls-Royce Phantom I Derby Speedster

1929

$1,980,000

Fiat 8V Supersonic

1953

$1,760,000

Ferrari 275 GTB/4

1967

$1,650,000

Another much anticipated auction at the Amelia Island event was held by established auctioneers Gooding & Company. It turned out to be a very successful sale with more than $28 million and 97% in sales for 69 out of 71 lots sold on the day.

Among the cars changing hands were celebrity-owned classics, high performance sports cars and sleek modern supercars, led by the top-selling, $2.75 million 1928 Bentley 4 ½ Litre SemiLe Mans Tourer and the $2.365 million 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Long Nose Alloy. Out of the eleven Ferraris offered during the auction, five sold for values in excess of $1 million.

“This year’s Amelia Island Auction brought fantastic results with 97% sold and five world records, with a couple that surprised us,” said David Gooding, President and Founder of Gooding & Company. “The Rolls-Royce Derby Speedster that more than doubled its estimate and the Fiat 8V Supersonic that soared past its high mark in support of St. Jude’s remind us of the magic that happens in the auction room.”

68 www.cprmag.co.uk

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The proceeds from the sale of this beautiful Fiat 8V Supersonic went to a children’s charity.

Over the years, Gooding & Company has lent its auction stage to a variety of charities to raise awareness and funds for important causes.

Several years after its first auction record, the spectacular, FIVA-award winning 1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic returned to the public arena in support of St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

The magnificent car broke its previous ceiling with a record-breaking sale of $1.76 million. Generously, the consignor of

the 8V Supersonic donated all of the net sale proceeds to the hospital. Twelve significant collector cars spanning all eras were presented as part of an esteemed private collection, folding into Gooding & Company’s one-day auction. Highlights of this collection included a spectacular 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB/4 that sold for $1,650,000; a 1995 Ferrari F50 that sold for $1,375,000; and a 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Derby Speedster that resulted in a record sale of $1,980,000 more than doubling its estimate.

A rare opportunity to buy a Ferrari F50 saw this 1995 car sell for $1,375,000.

April 2013 69

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AD

December 2010 89

Top DVDs, Videos & Movies

Format: PAL Running Time: 90 minutes Price: £19.99 Available From: www.motorbooks.co.uk I say old chap, we thought you might find this splendid DVD jolly interesting as it shows a spiffing selection of cars along with a taste of what life was like back in 1930s Britain.

The highly watchable footage is made up from a compilation of classic original travelogues from the Austin and Morris Archives which have been re-mastered for DVD. The 1930s was an era when motoring was still fun. Small cars such as the Austin Seven and the Morris Minor carried a modest price tag and brought motoring within the reach of the middle classes for the first time. They celebrated the freedom this relatively new form of transport gave them by exploring the length and breadth of the British Isles.

These charming travelogues, produced by Morris Motors and the Austin Motor Company, were intended to demonstrate the virtues of their products. Along the way they captured a snapshot of Thirties Britain - its scenery, its people, and its way of life. Some of the narrative is delivered in almost comical ‘Mr Cholmondeley-Warner’ style ‘Britishness’ and is a delight to listen to. In fact, watching this film, it’s easy to become captivated by its innocence. Great Britain in the thirties was a beautiful, quaint and peaceful place to live and you’ll soon find yourself wondering just how we managed to mess up such a beautiful place in just eight decades. That’s progress I suppose...

Most of the footage is filmed in black & white as you would expect of that era, but there is some colour film (an extremely rare

72 www.cprmag.co.uk

example of a 1930s colour process called Dufaycolour) shot in the North Yorkshire area that really brings the scenery to life. While the films on the DVD were made to promote the benefits of car ownership in the 1930s, they concentrated on what you could do with a car and where you could go, rather than showing off the actual cars. Overall, this DVD is an essential buy for any fan of Austin or Morris cars, or for that matter, anyone who hankers back to those tranquil pre-war days when the pace of life was just a little bit slower.

FREE CATALOGUES OR CD ROM

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Please enquire for superb prices and off the shelf availability.

MG ROVER & TRIUMPH CLASSIC PARTS We stock the full range too!

VERSION 2.8 Dec 2007 PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE

VISITORS WELCOME

We are open:- MON – FRI; 8.30am to 5.30pm, SAT; 8.30am to 1pm.

RANGE ROVER, DISCOVERY, FREELANDER, DEFENDER.

TR2-8, SPITFIRE, GT6, STAG, 2000/2500, HERALD/VITESSE, DOLOMITE/SPRINT.

Refer to outer sleeve for installation & system requirements

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E-mail: sales@rimmerbros.co.uk www.rimmerbros.co.uk

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Rimmer Bros. Triumph House, Sleaford Rd (A15), Bracebridge Heath, Lincoln, LN4 2NA

www.rimmerbros.co.uk

Speedy Stories & Revving Reads!

Flat Out, Flat Broke (Third Edition) Author: Perry McCarthy Price: £9.99 Format: Paperback.

ISBN: 978 0 85733 382 7 Available From: www.haynes.co.uk ’Perry McCarthy does for Formula One what Bill Bryson did for travel writing. But beneath the black humor and wisecracks - funny enough to make you laugh out loud in public - lies an inspiring and at times poignant tale of the rarest kind of racer: one who never gave up and was, literally, prepared to die trying.’ David Tremayne, The Independent on Sunday. For the first time, The Original Stig sets the record straight on his career as the first secret driver on BBC Top Gear.

Perry McCarthy has updated his international bestseller Flat Out, Flat Broke to describe what it was like to keep his identity secret, even from the Top Gear team, and the experience of being an anonymous household name.

Two new chapters include anecdotes about how he put on a French accent to disguise his voice whilst working with celebrities and the production crew. He also explains why he left the show.

He writes: ‘I’m OK with Stig stuff now. I have been for a long while. But at the time, I slowly became disenchanted because there were some things happening behind the scenes and a couple of them have been consistently misreported.

Here’s the deal.’

Perry’s autobiography is one of the best-selling motor racing books of all time.

He has been named ‘the world’s unluckiest racing driver’ for his heartbreaking but hilarious efforts to make it into Formula 1 with the disastrous Andrea Moda team. Or the circumstances which prevented him from even starting Le Mans. His story also describes how he ‘started with nothing and lost it all’. Perry explains ‘it only took me 30 years’ to get out of debt. Proud of his book, Perry said: ‘My book has done better than my Formula One career! Well, it certainly takes longer to read.’

Piers Courage - Last Of The Gentleman Racers Author: Adam Cooper Price: £8.99 Format: eBook (File type: Adobe DRM ePub) ISBN: 9780857333308 Available From: www.haynes.co.uk Piers Courage, a rising motor racing star in the 1960s, was the first man to drive for Frank Williams in Formula 1, and tragically died in a Williams-run car at the 1970 Dutch Grand Prix. This enthralling biography, written with his family’s co-operation, chronicles the full racing history of the charismatic Old Etonian. It is a well written book which offers a fascinating look at how motor racing used to be in what is often called the ‘Killer Years’ of Formula1. The story really brings the driver’s character to life with the author recalling heart warming anecdotes from family and friends.

A very good read.

Race2Recovery - Beyond Injury, Achieving the Extraordinary Author: Stephanie Temple Price: £17.99 Format: Hardback.

ISBN: 9780857333803 Available From: www.haynes.co.uk This inspiring book tells the story of how a group of predominantly injured soldiers made history by forming a rally team to raise funds for Forces charities and became the first ever disability team to complete the world’s toughest race - the Dakar Rally.

The Race2Recovery team entered four Land Rover Wildcat vehicles in the race, but ultimately only one would stand up to the gruelling landscape and cross the finishing line with its tired but delighted crew. The book describes the words and feelings of driver Major Matt O’Hare and co-driver Corporal Phillip Gillespie as they look back on their incredible journey, not just in the race, but as they fought to overcome the horrific injuries sustained in combat.

This is a remarkable and moving story, and just by purchasing the book you will be helping the cause that the soldiers were supporting as £2.00 from every sale will go to the Help for Heroes charity.

74 www.cprmag.co.uk

www.cprmag.co.uk Mercedes-Benz SL Author: Brian Long RRP: £40.00 Format: Hardback.

ISBN: 9781845844486 Available From: www.veloce.co.uk It’s hard to believe, but the R129-series Mercedes-Benz SL was launched over 20 years ago. However, its timeless styling has kept it fresh and attractive in the eyes of a new generation of enthusiasts, as well as those returning to the car having owned one when they were still in the dealerships.

A combination of superb original design and peerless engineering and build quality adds to the desirability of this series of classic German machines, and has ensured that many of these cars can still be seen in regular use today.

Covering the SL’s ever-changing specification, and its presence in many of the world’s major markets is a huge task, but it’s all presented here in definitive detail, along with stunning contemporary photography, in a volume that will readily grace any reference library shelf or connoisseur’s coffee table. Two earlier books, also published by Veloce, and covering the W113 cars and the 107-series SL and SLC, act as perfect companions to this title, which takes the SL story up to 2001.

Mini Minor to Asia Minor - There & Back!

Author: Nicky West RRP: £15.99 Format: Hardback.

ISBN: 978-1-845843-61-8 Available From: www.veloce.co.uk This is the story of an independent trek in a 50-year-old Mini – all the way to the Great Pyramid and back – with no assistance or support crew, to provide much needed funds and publicity for the Willow Foundation.

Inspirational to others, the book includes practical advice on the car preparation and documentation required for such marathon drives, along with photographs of the Mini’s preparation and the amazing journey itself.

Oblivious to the sound of chalk scratching on blackboard, Nicky stared wide eyed into the pages of the atlas. The Mediterranean landscape beckoned, and it occurred to her that Egypt – land of mystery, Bedouin tents and Turkish delight – didn’t seem very far away at all ...

Thirty years later and determined to help Willow Foundation, Nicky decided it was the perfect time for a sponsored run with a difference: a never-been-done-before trek of 11,063km in under 40 days, driving all the way to the Great Pyramid and back in a 50 year old Mini – ten countries, three continents ...

A lone expedition, it would undoubtedly be an epic and arduous drive, without a support crew, enduring potholes, sandstorms and occasional wayward camels; but it would also be an incredible adventure, with every mile the car covered helping children devastated by life threatening disease.

This book follows Nicky’s journey from preparing the Mini, to crossing the scorching sands of North Africa and the Middle East, all the way to the exhaustion and sheer elation of finishing with a wave of the chequered flag at Castle Combe racetrack. An inspiring and informative read.

April 2013 75

The Online Marketplace for Classic, Performance & Retro cars!

Selling Your Car?

Advertise It

FREE!

You can advertise you car for sale in Classic, Performance & Retro and it will cost you nothing! Just send us a photograph of the car, along with up to 50 words, and we will include it in the next issue. We will advertise the car in subsequent issues free of charge until you advise us that the vehicle is sold. If you have not contacted us after three months, the advert will be removed.

Send advertisements to:

classifieds@cprmag.com

MGA Roadster in British Racing Green with Tan Upholstery. 1958, left hand drive. The car has been the subject of a no expense spared rebuild with a photographic record.

It was dry stored for a number of years due to the previous owners ill health.

Chrome wire wheels, woodrim steering wheel, chrome boot rack, side screens, hood, tonneau cover, hide hammer, jack and drivers handbook. Comes with 4 new tyres, new brakes including disc brakes on the front and new batteries. Price £ 20,950.

Call: 07542 283436.

1970 Triumph Herald 13/60, good condition throughout, upgraded with addition of a brake servo and alternator, and the Minilite-style alloys look the part. Good history file suggests 63,000 miles may well be correct, also comes with spare keys, driver’s handbook, and a manual. £2,950.

Tel: 01635 248158

76 www.cprmag.co.uk

1952 Jaguar XK120, has been built to period race specification, but is still very much road legal. There is an extensive history file with the car which details much of the work done on the car and includes MSA/FIA papers for the car. £75,000. Call: 02392 570900.

1983 Caterham Seven, Ford 1600cc Crossflow Engine with Twin 40 DCOE Webers, 5-speed gearbox, 8,695 miles from new! Caterham adjustable comfort seats with removable headrests/ Caterham full seat belt harness / Minilite style wheels with Yokohama tyres / Stainless steel exhaust system / Braided stainless steel ‘Aeroquip’ style brake hoses / Spax adjustable shock absorbers / High Quality Roll Bar / Master “cut off” security switch / Chrome headlamps / Full hood, half tonneau & sidescreens. £POA. Call: 01257 470034.

Be Wise When You Advertise!

When you advertise always take steps to guard against identity fraud. Do not place personal details in your adverts.

If you are selling a car, remember that there are a lot of unscrupulous people out there who will use every trick in the book to part you from your car or your money. Take sensible precautions.

If you are buying a car; make sure you check it thoroughly. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is! Never meet a vendor on the street or at service stations. Research the type of car you are buying so you know what to look for. If you are unsure, take an expert along with you.

1957 Porsche 356A, Silver/Black Interior; This Vehicle has been totally restored having been Completed in November 2012; Engine/ Gearbox Totally Rebuilt; New Chrome; New Headlining; New Carpet; +++This is a Matching Numbers Porsche and can only be described as Superb; Has had 10k GBP Spent on Parts and Making the Car Good. With a further 7k GBP Spent to Strip the Paint where Necessary and Prepare for the Re-Paint. £59,995. Call: 020 8418 9191 or 07836 522234.

Original works development Chevron B61, B61-01, built in 1984, and originally fitted with a BDA engine.

It was run as a works entry in Thundersports and raced with some success by David Purley, Roger Andreason, Marcus Pye etc. It was subsequently modified and used as a super saloon before being restored by Zul Racing and winning the Spanish Historic Championship in 2004.

Now fitted with a zero miles MASS Cosworth YB 2.2 litre engine producing 267bhp. Hewland Mk 9 gearbox. New clutch. Two sets of centrelock Chevron wheels fitted Alfa Romeo S1 1900 Sprint Berlinetta with slick tyres. Two spare rear body Touring, 1952, Full matching numbers, sections, one with an integral rear factory Left Hand Drive car originally wing. £35,995. Call: 01244 529500. supplied to Italy. Ex Coppa d’Oro delle Dolomiti; eligible for the Mille Miglia, Coppa d’Italia, etc. Rare competition features include: Abarth kit with two Weber carburettors; external fuel filler cap; large-capacity fuel tank; radiator curtain, operated from inside. Unique features include two lateral bodywork air vents.

Original, unrestored condition, having spent last 40 years unused in a private collection - requires recommissioning. £POA. Call: 01621 879579.

1956 Mercedes-Benz 190 SL, LHD, very original car from New Zealand, finished in Solid Red with Black Leather Interior. Just undergone a full repaint, new carpet, new hood and chromework. £59,995. Call: 020 8418 9191 or 07836 522234

2000 Aston MArtin DB7 Vantage Volante finished in stunning Derwent Green with Parchment piped green trim and green carpets. Green mohair hood. Only two owners from new and full service history.

70,000 miles but engine replacement at 53,000 miles by the manufacturer under warrnaty due to ‘a noise’ Super example and great driver! £25,950.

Call: 01993 849610.

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Ferrari Enzo, 2004, 784km Rosso Corsa, red leather seats, 1 owner from new, this ultra low mileage example has been serviced at least once, sometimes twice anually despite being barely used, 4 new tyres fitted at last service, Ferrari Classiche certified, rare opportunity, number plate by separate negotiation. £950,000.

Call 7968 694448 for more information.

Jaguar E-Type S2 DHC L/H/D Just repatriated from California.

Has UK paperwork & registration.

It is a smart, sound, useable E-type, it is not immaculate & has never been restored. It is 41 years old so there are marks on the paint & the odd small dink & dent, there is evidence of use & wear throughout, but the car is complete, it runs & drives well.

The underbody is straight & sound with no rust. New floor pans, rest of body is sound. The engine is healthy with decent oil pressure.

The 4-synchro gearbox is good.

Triple SU carbs fitted. Lots more to tell, so give me a call on 01653 690100 for more information.

1980 MGBGT, Great condition Asking £35,000. for 33 years old,been well looked after and comes with12 mot and 6 months tax,engine recently been retuned and body worked remopped to bring it back to its best.this car only got used in the warmer months so underneath all solid.comes with all the past 1965 2.0 Porsche 911, fully history right from the very start. rebuilt by Francis Tuthill in great fun car to drive and a real March 1998 incorporating all head turner will be sad to see go their modifications for FIA Historic but needs must.runs on unleaded.

Rallying, class B4. Campaigned £2,895. Call: 07944 513366. regularly until 2000 then put into storage until 2010.

The car has recently been rebuilt to a very high standard, and is now ready to compete again. 155bhp engine on Webers, close ratio gearbox with Tuthill gears, 8.35:1 final drive and lsd, immaculate 2001 Pligrim Sumo 427 Replica, seam welded bodyshell with full BMW Motorsport Blue with roll cage, front and rear sump contrasting cream leather guards, Tuthill spec braking Interior with blue Carpets. ETB system with bespoke adjustable Instruments, Raid Carbon pedal box, Leda front shocks/ Steeering Wheel,Front & Back Bilstein rears, perspex side and Nudge Bars. 350 Chevy V8 rear screens, reconditioned 120 350bhp+ engine, Edelbrock amp alternator, Tuthill lightweight tuning kit and Cam. Detailed spec wiring harness and fuse box, engine bay, £22,500. Call: and much more. £64,995. Call 01992 573564.

01244 529500.

1977 MG Midget 1500, 6 months MOT & tax. Garaged, restored 5 years ago and many new parts 1956 Austin A50, Car partially since, including Anthracite club dismantled but dry stored. alloys, centre console with stereo Suitable for restoration or spares. and speakers and new seat Engine seized but spare available belts. Comes with dust cover and (condition unknown). Underbody tonneau cover. Available with 4 needs some remedial work. Some spare wheels and tyres if required spares included. Interior (red) in good condition. £500. Call: 01380 . £2,500. Call: 07870 620613.

870349.

1979 Mk3 Ford Capri 3.0 Litre S in Black. Current owner since July 2010. Much spent in recent years.

The Capri also has power steering fitted which helps when you are parking her. Iinterior is immaculate with the traditional Carla Check Fishnet Recaro seats. If you have any questions then please do not hesitate to ask. £6,500. Call: 07551-931593.

1971 Triumph Toledo 1500, 2 Door Twin Carb Manual, Tax exempt to Nov. Mot to 13 Nov 2013.

Dolomite velour interior. Very reliable. New sills and plated floor.

Brakes checked and adjusted all round, new seals fitted to the master cylinder and bled right through. Needs some cosmetic work. It has been resprayed in the past not to a very good standard and there is now some blistering and cracking to the paintwork however there is only a few tiny spots of rust. The passenger seat has a small burn mark in it. No time wasters please. £1,150. Call Mark on 07912 509047.

1999 Rover Mini Cooper 1300 Sports, £6,995. Nightfire red.

Only 66,000 miles covered by the 1 lady owner since being purchased from John Cooper garages. Drives really well with a very responsive 1300 mpi engine and nice smooth 4 speed crunch free gearbox and positive steering from the wider 13” wheels and tyres. Good original unmodified Mini that is ready to drive away. 1966 Jaguar S Type 3.4 ltr For Comes with a 3 month warranty Sale, This nice solid 3.4 S has and a full 1 years MOT included. been in dry storage for the last 20 Call: 01322 665141 for more years. £6,200. Call 07989 417323 for more information or to view. details.

April 2013 77

The Online Marketplace for Classic, Performance & Retro cars!

Iso Rivolta Competition Special, All alloy body built with superleggera type tubular body frame over which aluminium panels have been fitted. Chassis Number: IR460368. Chevrolet 5.4 V8 engine. Set up for competition use this Iso would be extremely competitive in historic racing with full roll cage, magnesium alloy knock on wheels, full harness belts etc. It would also make a fantastic car for road use and tours and is road registered and has long MOT and historic road tax. £75,000. Call 01981 250147.

1967 Rover P6 2000, original burnt grey and red leather interior with that wonderful period smell inside! Slight scrape on bodywork.

Starts well, not the fastest off the blocks but a period luxury cruiser.

Boot full of spares. Extensive history file, new MOT 6mths tax.

I’m an enthusiast and would like to see this P6 go to a good home: only selling due to the excessive size of my car collection! £2,500.

Call 07950 943159.

1974 MGBGT, 1950cc Engine On Weber Side Draught Carb, Overdrive Gearbox, Modified Suspension, 4 Point Roll Cage, 72 Spoke Wide Rim Wheels, Semi Stripped Out. Oselli Fast Road Engine, Lots of work - call for spec. £4,995. Call: 07761 549454

78 www.cprmag.co.uk

1990 Mini City Rover, Rover mini city 60000 from new (1000cc) Welcome to the sale of this rust free mini city 1000cc. Genuine 60000 miles from new with no rust or rot to be found. Finished in flame red with a white roof with a set of minilite alloy wheels. This car can only be described in very nice condition with lovely finish to the paint work. Drives fantastic with its nippy 1000cc engine, no crunching from any gears. Inside the car is all standard and in very good condition. Being a 1000cc this is the perfect car for a first time driver to just a town car. £3,850. Call on 01223 841141 for more info.

1992 Mini British Open Classic, limited edition of the Mini which was based on the Mini Mayfair and only 1,000 were produced.

Finished in British Racing Green Metallic with Stone Beige ‘Countryman Tweed’ upholstery with leather inserts and Green piping plus a label stitched to seats reading “By Appointment to Her Majesty the Queen”, Black Carpets with Green piping, Cream leather Steering Wheel, matching Door Cards and Seat Belts, electrically operated full-length Webasto Sunroof. 1275cc Engine and 4 Speed Manual Gearbox.

Wooden Mota-Lita Steering Wheel, The car has covered 62,000 miles and has a full and comprehensive Service History from new. £5,995. Tel: 020 8876 8171 call for details.

1973 Porsche 911 2.4E Targa. £POA. Finshed in Purple coachwork with Black interior.

Please call for more details and price. Immobilizer, New MOT on purchase, Petrol, Radio, Service, Sports Seats, Sunroof. Call: 020 8870 9977.

1968 Triumph TR250 for restoration, Imported from Colorado USA 2 years ago and dry stored. All taxes and duties paid.

All relevant documentation and original US Title Certificate. This car is very original and straight and a good candidate to restore, non overdrive. The engine turns by hand and the car is all original panels. Floors and sills need attention, the surrounding metal is solid. Bottom of the battery box needs replacing, but other than this under the bonnet is sound and original. Chassis looks in good shape. Genuine reason for sale. £8,450. Call: 01283 512787.

Triumph Stag Mk1 Auto in white, with hard top and soft top, in great original condition, needs nothing just driving and enjoying.

43,000 miles, great history, Mot 12 Months, 12 Months Tax which is Free. Pictures and more details to be added. £13,995. Please phone for more details: 01676 523520

1953 Citroen 11 Normale, Tax Exempt, Mot’d. LHD. 1911cc DS Engine and 4 speed gearbox, 123 Ignition system, Electrics converted to 12V. Body in excellent condition with new window, door and boot seals.

Full stainless steel exhaust system. Reconditioned interior with maroon leather seats beige cloth roof lining and new carpets.

New Koni shock absorbers and new brake cylinder system. All mechanical parts in good working order. £11,000. Call: 01828 633827.

Jaguar E Type S1 4.2 FHC, This E Type Jaguar is an original RHD S1 4.2 FHC finished in White with Old English Red. Having been in the same ownership since 1986 1972 VW Beetle, Professional this E Type has been a very rebuild to resemble ‘64 model. chersihed Jaguar that has been 12 volt/copper brake pipes/gas MOT anually and has always shocks, s/s exhaust and bumper been garaged which has a lovely blades. Dry stored. Excellent clean patiana. Call for appointment to condition. Reliable/good runner. view on 01922 749244. £56,950. £4,900. Call: 07881363869

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1999 MG MGF Limited Edition, Metallic british racing green with cream leather and green piping. 5 speed manual,pas, electric windows, over-mats, stereo, hood cover, alloy wheels, taxed and mot. 2 private owners from new with full main agent service history and all invoices.

Mileage is from new an exceptional car with such a low mileage. Please call for any further details. £2,395.

Call: 07919 854037.

1977 Triumph Dolomite 1300, Very well presented in British Racing Green with tan vinyl interior, all of which appear to be in good condition. Has been used recently as a daily driver and is running sweetly. At one time was owned by MGM Cars, Elstree Film Studios and appeared in Ashes to Ashes. History file includes the Met Police ID for Alexandra ‘Alex’ Drake, played

by Keeley Hawes and a CD of the TV series, along with a few recent bills. While at MGM the car also appeared in Silent Witness and the film Awaydays. Also has original Passport to Service, owner’s handbook, Leyland sales brochure and a service manual. £1,795. Call: 07711 509600.

Austin-Healey 3000 MK3, BRG with Black Leather Faced Seats, fitted overdrive and new wheels and tyres. Panel fit and paint finish are excellent. Drives beautifully.

Fully serviced and ready for the season! £42,950. Call: 07768 323466

1950 Healey Silverstone, A car with wonderful road presence, very rare just 105 cars ever built offering Blue Chip Investment potential which can be realised very quickly. Cars with rock solid provenance such as this supported with mechanical integrity & with known fully documented regular past participation in events such as the Mille Miglia are oh so rare !

In Deep Navy paint with beautiful green leather this car arguably one of the prettiest to come to the market for many years. £POA. Call: 01394 459 493.

1970 MG Midget 1275, Fresh respray in bright red, looks superb, replacement gold seal engine and gearbox in the past history, just been serviced so pulls keenly though all the gears, slight whine in 1st, but no other untoward noises from gearbox or rear axle. Recently replaced interior, dashboard refurbished. £5,995.

Call: 01785 841177.

1937 Daimler Light Straight Eight 4 Door Saloon. Pre Select Gearbox.

It is absolutely magnificent and totally original. Her beautiful unmarked coachwork is finished in the original livery of Black and Ivory. Her interior is finished in dark Tan leather, totally original, in beautiful condition with a lovely patina. Maintained regardless of cost. Stainless steel exhaust, full length sunroof. All original manuals handbooks, buff log books and of course stacks of history. £39,950. Call: 01794 390895.

1951 Riley RME Drophead Coupe, Complete rebuild chassis up, colour bronze, new white leather interior with matching bronze carpet, new hood and hood foldaway cover, Tax, Mot exempt, pristine condition. £24,995. Call: 07585 778683.

1976 Triumph Tr8 Rally Car, Competed from 1976 – 1982 in the hands of David Lambton in 1972 Lotus Elan Sprint, Carnival many major events. A total rebuild Red over White, walnut Dash, was completed in 2009 to the Alloys, Eared Spinners, Stainless highest of standards. Dry sump Exhaust, Electric Windows, Roll engine by John Eales. Close Bar, Car Cover, Solid Driveshafts, Ratio Box. Quaiffe LSD. Full cage Alternator, Koni Shock Absorbers. Biltein Suspension. Every rally aid £25,500. Call: 01234 750205. etc. £39,995. Call: 01636 812655.

1959 Triumph TR3A, Fully restored, overdrive, finished in gleaming red, runs and drives really well, comprehensive history, unleaded conversion, 87mm pistons/liner kit, HS6 carbs., rack/ pinion steering, kenlowe electric thermostatic controlled fan, new chrome tubeless wire wheels on new Dunlop Sport 195/65R15 tyres, red leather upholstery with white piping and new set of wool carpets. Comes with two sets of weather gear (incl side screens), one in white the other in black with a black tonneau cover. £22,500.

Call: 01383 415591.

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