General News

Two D-types to make one good one

Two D-types to make one good one

For many reasons – some legitimate, some dodgy – two competition cars can end up with the same chassis number. When key parts became too worn or damaged to be worth repairing they were replaced, and that would include everything from engines and transmissions to chassis and bodywork. Read more
Cowley Centenary

Cowley Centenary

It’s the most significant site in Britain’s Motor Industry. Why? The Cowley works has been producing cars since 1913 when entrepreneur and motor impresario William Morris took a lease on a former Military training site adjacent to the small village of Cowley about 4 miles from the city of Oxford. His burgeoning business was capitalized by the Earl of Macclesfield as a major (£4000worth!) shareholder in August 1912, and by 1913 WRM Motors Ltd had settled on the Oxford Military College and land at Temple Cowley for his expansion. In 1907 he’d stood looking across field at Cowley and told one of his workers, Bill Thornton ‘I’ll not be satisfied until my Works stretch as far as that distant railway line’. Read more
Touring car heroes

Touring car heroes

Of all the factors that can elevate a road car to assured classic icon status, associated motor sport credibility is among the strongest. And if the car represents the end of a great era, even better. Read more
Autojumble worth £75k stolen

Autojumble worth £75k stolen

A classic car enthusiast has been left heartbroken and penniless after thieves stole his autojumble collection. Estimated to be worth in excess of £70,000, the classic hoard was taken from a lock up in the Grimsby area between the 25 January and 4 February. Read more
Classic Car Events for 2013

Classic Car Events for 2013

If like us you’re waiting for the better weather to finally make an appearance, and you’re making plans to make up for the miserable summer of last year, here’s some ideas to make 2013 a year to remember.

This year has some amazing events to attend and participate in, so fill your diary this year and make the most of the summer season.

Read more
Loud, fast and raw: Driving a rally legend

Loud, fast and raw: Driving a rally legend

Few, if any, rally cars have the racing pedigree of Roger Clark’s 1971 Ford Escort RS1600 – the very same car in which he won his first British Rally Championship with his co-driver, Jim Porter. And few have been piloted by a driver with as much skill as David Llewellin, double British Rally Champion in 1989 and 1990. The sense of history is palpable and easy to see – the car is plastered bumper to bumper in advertising, race numbers and safety stickers. But you don’t just see it – you feel it; in the bark as it fires up in a the cold cattle sheds of Stoneleigh Park; with the smell of half-burnt petrol; and the lumpy idle of a car that is clearly just built with one intention – to go very, very fast. Read more
The glamour and the Trojan

The glamour and the Trojan

You can’t help but associate the word ‘glamour’ with classic cars, and there’s certainly plenty of that in evidence in the April issue of Classic Cars, with the quartet of Aston Martin DB5s in the group test stealing the limelight – ably assisted by a unique Mercedes 540K Sport Roadster, with an equally unique story behind it. Read more
When a car meets its maker

When a car meets its maker

So if one of the cars you love was named by a motoring celebrity who is also a national treasure and you got the chance to meet him, what would you do? When at Race Retro I got the opportunity to meet and interview Murray Walker OBE  I was there like a flash. But also asking the question “and can I get some pictures of him with my Ventora?” The answer was “Yes” so I fired up the straight six and got an early start up to Stoneleigh for the meeting. PR Andrea Seed had ensured Murray  met my car before even venturing into the show halls, so the Ventora was ready and waiting for this historic reuniting. Read more
Sideways in a Group B rally car

Sideways in a Group B rally car

Imagine what it’s like to drive a Group B rally car on the limit. With their outrageous performance and looks to match it’s no wonder we’re still in awe of these cars more than 25 years after they were banned. And we revere the men who drove them as gladiatorial heroes. Read more
Ex-Goon Daimler for sale

Ex-Goon Daimler for sale

A Daimler SP250 that was previously owned from new by Goon Show and singing legend Harry Secombe will be sold at auction on 21 April, with a £24,000-28,000 estimate. The Daimler SP250 was popular with entertainers when new, and Secombe was very much into his motors having also owned a bright pink Ford Thunderbird, a Jaguar MkX, several Rolls-Royces and an Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider. Read more
Classic Ferraris rocket in value

Classic Ferraris rocket in value

A rush for historic Ferraris from investors and collectors has resulted in a huge rise in values, according to classic insurance specialists Hagerty. The company’s Ferrari valuation Index has shown an 18 per cent over the past 12 months, and a staggering 59 per cent over the past three years. Read more
The worst place to break down

The worst place to break down

Owning old cars is a calculated risk. We know they’re going to break down at some point, but where is the worst place for it to happen? I think I’ve found it… Read more