Subscribe

Latest News

Latest market commentary from CCFS auction analyst Richard Hudson-Evans

Latest market commentary from CCFS auction analyst Richard Hudson-Evans

‘Classic’ Mercedes-Benz values gained 11.65% in 2012 and, after taking the major European and US early season sale stats from Paris and Florida into account plus monitoring other transactions off the auctions screen, the prices of collector Mercs have again been motoring strongly this year, increasing by 11.14% in February alone and putting on nearly 15% growth in 2013 to date. The MBCI (Mercedes-Benz Classic Index), created by classic car market research resource HAGI (Historic Automobile Group International), is supported by Mercedes-Benz Classic, the Stuttgart manufacturer’s heritage division. Read more
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
Latest market commentary from CCFS auction analyst Richard Hudson-Evans

Latest market commentary from CCFS auction analyst Richard Hudson-Evans

A concours-ready 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL ‘Gullwing’ in dazzling blue was applauded in the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center as it successfully crossed the Auctions America block into new ownership for $880,000 24 March in South Florida. Bidders from 15 countries around the world and 38 states across the US spent $17.5m that they didn’t have to on 74% of the inventory. Significantly, too, 42% of bidders were first-time clientele for the RM subsidiary, many of them virgin players. Read more
Minis marvel at Brooklands

Minis marvel at Brooklands

More than 1000 classics defied the snow and ice to gather at Brooklands last Sunday (14 March) for one of the biggest Minifests of the year. Gaynor Cauter reports. 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
The Passion for Power Classic Motor Show

The Passion for Power Classic Motor Show

The PASSION FOR POWER CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW will take place on the weekend of April 6th / 7th at EVENTCITY, the new 25,000sqm events and exhibition centre, and will be a superb showcase for many of the finest classic, vintage, sports and performance cars from the North West and UK.

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
One of the most significant motor cars of the 20th century soon to be up for auction

One of the most significant motor cars of the 20th century soon to be up for auction

One of the most significant motor cars of the 20th century - but also arguably the most important historic Grand Prix racing car ever offered at public auction - has been consigned by Bonhams for their Goodwood Festival of Speed sale. For in London’s West End earlier this week, Chairman Robert Brooks revealed to the national press and CCFS that the superstar lot at Goodwood 12 July would be the ‘barn found’ looking 1954 Mercedes-Benz works team W196 ‘einsitzer’ – chassis number 00006/54 - in which five-times Champion Juan Manual Fangio won both the 1954 German and Swiss Grand Prix, the latter victory, his third in four races, clinching the second Driver’s World Championship title for the Argentinian. 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