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News KW offers adjustable suspension for Mercedes SEC Monday, 12 December 2022 at 10:45:00 UTC By Al Suttie Mercedes C126 adjustable suspension kit added by KW The C126 model of Mercedes SEC is now covered by KW’s V3 coilover suspension kit. The kit is adjustable for both compression and rebound, and has been designed to work on all models of the C126 coupe. It works with completely unmodified front wishbones and rear trailing arms, and it also offers an adjustable ride height. Sascha Daucher, from KW’s Brand Management Team, said: ‘Some Mercedes enthusiasts might fear having to retrofit MacPherson struts, but we can give the all-clear. The only thing that needs to be retrofitted when having an eight-cylinder V-engine is the optional starting torque support (level compensation) at the rear axle. But these are unnecessary within our dampers with multi-valve technology.’ Daucher added: ‘A Mercedes which is equipped with V3 drives way more dynamic than with a coilover setup that was developed 40 years ago.’ http://www.kwsuspensions.net

News Hagerty launches Digital Labs Friday, 22 April 2022 at 8:30:00 UTC By Al Suttie New digital initiative from Hagerty Hagerty has announced a new initiative called Digital Labs to help the company keep pace with online developments. One of the first products launched under this programme is a reworked version of the firm’s Valuation Tools, which lists values for more than 40,000 vehicles. Kelly Smith, Chief Strategy Officer of Hagerty, said: ‘Hagerty Digital Labs is about business acceleration. We are developing a one-stop shop focused on creating value from innovative ideas in the shortest possible time. We are car lovers and innovators who are intent on advancing the industry through revolutionary technology.’ Hagerty CEO McKeel Hagerty added: ‘As a growth company focusing on many dimensions of the automotive world, innovation and digital product thinking are critical for our future. Digital labs will allow us to innovate faster, attract more talented team members and do more for our members and partners.’ https://www.hagertylabs.com/

News Mountune expands to offer historic race engines Wednesday, 22 September 2021 at 23:00:00 UTC By Alisdair Suttie Mountune Classic Engines has been launched by David Mountain to offer historic race engine builds, component design, and support third parties with restoration work. Renowned for its tuning work on Ford models, Mountune Classic Engines will work on Crossflow, Twin-Cam, BDA and BDT engines, including the YB motor. Services provided are full engine builds, component redesign and manufacture, and dyno facilities. Other engines can also be catered for. David Mountain said: ‘Our reputation has been forged on the back of designing and building race-winning engines, incorporating the latest technology and principles. It’s easy to forget that we’ve also been developing and building a wide variety of customer engines to the highest level for over 40 years, which means we have built up a vast wealth of knowledge that can be applied to almost any application. ‘Our new Mountune Classic Engines offering is primarily aimed at the Ford engine’s, which we have a huge amount of experience with, but we can also work on a number of other marques, whether it be a classic Jaguar XK or a Ferrari. If it’s from a historic race car or a classic car restoration project, we’re happy to discuss.’ http://www.mountunestore.com

News Twisted in Middle East Wednesday, 9 March 2022 at 11:00:00 UTC By Al Suttie Land Rover specialist sets up shop in Dubai Land Rover specialist Twisted has set up a new assembly shop in Dubai, United Arab Emirates as part of its expansion in the Middle East. The company will operate from a 3000sq/ft workshop and employs five staff. Alongside Twisted’s performance upgrades and servicing, the new Twisted Middle East business will offer full rebuilds of classic Land Rover models. There are also plans to open a retail site within the Dubai Mall and another in Abu Dhabi. Twisted boss Tom Maxwell said: It’s been fantastic to see demand and interest grow in the Middle East, the Twisted brand has certainly made its mark and we are delighted with the level of performance to date. ‘We have a great team based in Dubai and the newest workshop will enable them to scale up operations and continue offering the very best bespoke services for current and prospective customers, extending the legacy of the Land Rover Defender worldwide.’ https://www.twistedautomotive.com/

News Hagerty teams with Classic & Sports Finance Thursday, 10 March 2022 at 10:00:00 UTC By Al Suttie Partnership to focus on events and insurance incentives A new partnership between Hagerty and Classic & Sports Finance has been announced by the two companies. The partnership aims to offer both firms’ customers a range of benefits, including events, client activation, insurance incentives, and online quotation opportunities. Mark Roper, Managing Director of Hagerty International, said: ‘Intelligent finance is important to the collector car market. Both brands are committed to providing the highest levels of service, with an unrivalled overview of the collector car market, and I look forward to working together on a range of activations.’ Robert Johnson, Managing Director of Classic & Sports Finance, added: ‘The provision of an appropriate insurance product when financing historic and motorsport cars is paramount to our service offering. ‘Hagerty have been pioneers, as we have, in this sector for many years making a firm relationship a natural fit and will ensure our clients have a full range of experienced products and people to support them. We are excited and looking forward to working together.’ https://www.hagerty.co.uk/ https://www.classicandsportsfinance.com/

News New classic careers partnership Friday, 4 March 2022 at 9:30:00 UTC By Al Suttie Piston Foundation and Lime Rock join forces The Piston Foundation and race track Line Rock Park have joined together to provide career opportunities within the classic automotive sector in the US. Driven by a demand for more skilled tradespeople in the sector, the Piston Foundation charity and Lime Rock Park race track recognised they both serve the same enthusiast community. The result is a partnership will create a pathway for anyone interested in working in the classic car sector. Robert P Minnick, CEO and Founder of the Piston Foundation, said: ‘Our mission is to promote and fund skilled-trade education to create rewarding career paths for a new generation of collector car specialists and technicians. Since the Piston Foundation and Lime Rock Park serve similar communities, a partnership makes sense for everyone, including racers who use the track and car enthusiasts who enjoy events at this storied facility. ‘Our goal is to bring more young people into the collector car industry so the craftspeople who built this American touchstone can transfer their skills to a new generation. We offer a philanthropic platform where car enthusiasts and members of the automotive industry, like Lime Rock Park, can come together to directly support career opportunities for young people and help build a sustainable future for the trade of vehicle restoration.’ Dicky Riegel, President and CEO of Lime Rock Park, added: ‘It is up to all of us to propel the future by encouraging young people to join our industry. There is a great deal of interest in our plans for the future of this historic racetrack. Robert’s ideas for the Piston Foundation create a vision and a pathway for our shared automotive enthusiasm to be nurtured in the next generation. Lime Rock Park looks forward to providing the dynamic setting where the Piston Foundation offers career opportunities with young men and women.’ https://pistonfoundation.org/ https://limerock.com/

News MST to build new 6R4s Wednesday, 22 March 2023 at 9:45:00 UTC By Al Suttie New 6R4 due from MST Motorsport Tools has announced it will build new 6R4s in the same way it offers its Mk1 and M2 models presently. The car has the same looks as the original MG Metro 6r$, but MST’s using a brand-new carbon fibre body from Innovate Composites. Power will come from a mid-engined V6 motor, though MST is yet to confirm the full specification of the 6R4. However, it will come with a sequential manual gearbox and four-wheel drive. Production is set to begin in 2024 and the company is open to customers registering their interest. http://www.mst-cars.com

News FIVA announces new Hall of Fame inductees Thursday, 1 September 2022 at 16:30:00 UTC By CCB staff Rosemary Smith and Evert Louwman join Hall of Fame The Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Ancien (FIVA) has announced rally driver Rosemary Smith and museum founder Every Louwman as the latest inductees to its Hall of Fame. Rosemary Smith’s award is in recognition of her contribution to motorsport and achievements in competing in eight Monte Carlo Rallies. Michael D Higgins, President of Ireland congratulated Rosemary Smith and said: ‘Rosemary is the first Irish person to be recognised in this way and her trailblazing contribution to Ireland’s sporting life gives hers a legacy to be proud of.’ Evert Louwman is recognised for his work as the driving force behind his eponymous museum in the Netherlands. FIVA President Tiddo Bresters said: ‘It is a great honour to induct you into the FIVA Heritage Hall of Fame today, at this special place, and during this wonderful, prestigious event.’ http://www.fiva.org

News GTO Engineering appoints Louis Scott Monday, 2 May 2022 at 9:30:00 UTC By Al Suttie Louis Scott joins GTO Engineering as Senior Sales Executive GTO Engineering has appointed Louis Scott as its new Senior Vehicle Sales Executive. Scott will support the vehicle sales, acquisition, and brokerage teams across the firm’s three global sites. He joins from Koenigsegg and has previous experience with Ferrari. Mark Lyon, Founder and Managing Director of GTO Engineering, said: ‘Our team is evolving, growing and we’re showing the future of GTO Engineering is not just its cars but the people behind the vehicles. Louis joining the team is an incredible moment, bringing a vast experience in the entire sales process of supercars and hypercars, as well as customer relations and team building skills.’ Scott added: ‘I’ve long followed GTO Engineering and its cars, being not only neighbours to its headquarters in Twyford, UK, but also at various events. The market is dictating that driver’s cars are here to stay and valued by a range of enthusiasts.’ https://www.gtoengineering.com/

News Clio V6 sets record price Wednesday, 2 March 2022 at 15:30:00 UTC By Al Suttie Clio V6 fetches £90,000 The Renault Clio V6’s current rise in value is underlined by a Phase 2 model setting a new world record sale price of £90,000. The 2004 car finished in Acid Yellow made the record price on the Collecting Cars auction website, beating the previous record for this specific model of £73,000. The same auction firm also sold a Phase 1 Clio V6 for £62,540 recently. Provenance helped this car achieve the high price. It was used as the safety car for the 2005 Clio Cup series and was driven by Patrick Tambay at the 2005 Goodwood Festival of Speed. The car was also voted the best Clio V6 at the 2016 Origine RS meeting. Edward Lovett, founder of Collecting Cars, said: ‘Low-mileage examples of the Clio V6 are becoming harder to find, and this particular car represented a likely unrepeatable combination of exceptionally rare colour, full leather interior, and excellent history. It would be fair to say this result surpassed anyone’s expectations, which goes to show the power of auctions for collectible cars, because there is no limit to how high the bidding can go.’ https://collectingcars.com/

News Bicester Scramblers opens online shop Wednesday, 12 October 2022 at 9:30:00 UTC By Al Suttie E-shop adds to Scramblers’ reach The hugely popular Bicester Heritage Scramblers meetings now has an online shop offering branded merchandise. Philip White, Associate Director, Brand and Marketing, said: ‘As our club continues to grow, we wanted to provide members with the opportunity to show their support and take home some Scramblers merchandise, even if they haven’t recently visited Bicester. ‘The launch of our e-shop and success of our Assemblies to date, continues to showcase the success of Scramblers, as we continue to go from strength to strength.’ http://www.scramblers.bicesterheritage.co.uk

News Mercedes sells Uhlenhaut Coupe for record price Friday, 20 May 2022 at 8:00:00 UTC By CCB staff €135 million price for Uhlenhaut Coupe raises funds for M-B Fund Mercedes has sold one of two 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupes from its Classic Collection for a record €135 million (£114 million). The money will be used to set up the Mercedes-Benz Fund to provide educational and research scholarships in environmental science and decarbonisation. The car was sold by auction to a private collector, setting a new world record for the sale of any single car. Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, said: ‘The 300 SLR Uhlenhaut Coupes are milestones in sports car development and key historical elements that have shaped our brand. The decision to sell one of these two unique sports cars was taken with very sound reasoning – to benefit a good cause. The proceeds from the auction will fund a global scholarship program. With the "Mercedes-Benz Fund" we would like to encourage a new generation to follow in Rudolf Uhlenhaut's innovative footsteps and develop amazing new technologies.’ The price achieved for the Uhlenhaut Coupe beats the previous world record for a single car sale, which was $78 million (£62.5 million) in 2018 when a Ferrari 250 GTO was sold privately.