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News BMH adds new panels for MGB and Midget Wednesday, 3 August 2022 at 8:30:00 UTC By CCB staff New splash plates for popular MG models British Motor Heritage has introduced new splash plates for the MGB and MGC models built between 1962 and 1970. The firm has also added new floor drains for the these models and the Austin-Healey Sprite and MG Midget. All of the new panels come with an e-coat finished and the splash plates are available for left- and right-hand sides. They cost £9 plus VAT each. The floor drains cost £5 plus VAT. http://www.bmh-ltd.com

News KW offers new suspension for Opel Kadett C Monday, 1 August 2022 at 16:00:00 UTC By Al Suttie Classic coilover kit for Open Kadett C now available German suspension specialist KW has added a new coilover kit to its range for the Opel Kadett C range. The same kit will also fit the Vauxhall Chevette, Opel K-180, and various Buick models. The V3 Classic suspension kit includes dampers with full adjustment for compression and rebound. It also allows the suspension of the car to be lowered by 25- 50mm. Brand manager Sascha Daucher said: ‘Our classic shocks and classic coilovers already differ from conventional classic car suspension replacement parts through our vehicle-specific and intelligent calibration methodology, which goes far beyond subjective road tests. ‘With the KW V3 Classic suspension for the Opel Kadett C, the damper characteristics can be individually adjusted to be sportier or more comfortable.’ The KW V3 Classic coilover suspension for the Opel Kadett C, a bypass channel in the valve is manually opened or closed via the integrated 16-click rebound adjustment. The full kit including four springs, dampers and uprated bushes costs from €2421, or £2025. http://www.kwsuspensions.net

News BRM Body buck found Wednesday, 16 February 2022 at 0:00:00 UTC By Al Suttie BRM P15 V16 body buck discovered The original body buck for the BRM P15 V16, the first British Formula 1 car, has been discovered and will help create the second of three continuation cars. A search for the body buck had been ongoing, but it was tracked down to the roof store of George Gray’s boat house. Gray was charged with turning Peter Berthon’s design into a fully formed body. The buck remained hidden in Gray’s loft for 70 years. Paul Owen, grandson of Sir Alfred Owen of BRM, said: ‘With the discovery of the original body buck, we now have the opportunity to produce a car to the original shape and specification of Britain’s very first Formula 1 car. This car has not been seen in this form for over 70 years, and it is a privilege for the Owen family to be in a position to bring it to life once again.’ Rick Hall, the former BRM F1 team engineer who will oversee the construction of this ‘new’ BRM V16, said: ‘It is extremely satisfying to have finally tracked down the original Type 15 jig, which will enable us to craft the car in the form that it was presented to the world in 1949. ‘I believe that the simplicity and beautiful lines of this car will only really be appreciated in the flesh. Very few people alive today will have had the opportunity to see this car before. Looking back at the original drawings, we were surprised at the amount of technical changes that were made to the car in period. We are relishing the challenge to bring it back to life once again. https://www.britishracingmotors.co.uk/

News Caton to launch revival model at Salon Privé Wednesday, 6 April 2022 at 11:00:00 UTC By Al Suttie Recreated classics to come from British brand Caton is a new company that will launch a recreation of a 1950s British sports car at the Salon Privé show on 21 April. The firm is part of the Envisage Group, which engineers many designs and prototypes for automotive manufacturers. Now it is turning its attention to classics with the first Caton model. This is the first car from Envisage that will be available for the public to buy and is being created using CNC (computer numerical controlled) machines that allow for tolerances of 0.2mm for the body panels. Caton’s coachbuilders will then make the body using traditional skills and an English Wheel. Tim Strafford, CEO of Caton’s strategic vehicle building partner, Envisage Group, said: ‘Caton will stand on its own, as a specialist brand, inspired by precision engineering. It will offer ultra-exclusive, highly-aspirational British-designed products within the automotive sector and beyond. It will take loved and cherished cars and objects from the past and improve upon them using new materials and manufacturing processes. ‘We can’t wait to take the wraps off Caton’s first product. It is an exciting precision reincarnation of an icon, one that will set new standards in coachbuilding.’ https://www.caton.uk/

News AC Cars makes David Conza CEO Tuesday, 24 May 2022 at 15:30:00 UTC By CCB staff Swiss entrepreneur joins AC Swiss businessman David Conza has been announced as the new CEO of AC Cars and he brings a new investment to parent company Acedes Holdings, LLC. Conza said: ‘I’m proud to be able to lead such a famous company and continue a legacy that stretches back 121 years. This is an inherently British brand, and we will honor that by building highly advanced cars worthy of wearing the AC badge.’ Alan Lubinsky, Chairman of AC Cars added: ‘As a car enthusiast and successful entrepreneur, David has a fantastic insight into the market and what clients really look for when buying luxury sport cars. His passion and determination will propel the company forward, providing the impetus and investment needed to produce the next generation of cars. I’m excited to be working with him as we carry the spirit of AC Cars into the future.’ https://www.accars.eu/

News Prodrive to launch P25 at Goodwood Monday, 20 June 2022 at 14:00:00 UTC By CCB staff Limited edition Subaru update for Goodwood launch Prodrive will launch its limited edition P25 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The P25 is a reimagined version of how the Subaru 22B would have been built today. Weighing 1200kg, the P25 had a 400bhp 2.5-litre flat-four turbocharged engine and a six-speed semi-automatic gearbox. It will accelerate from 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds. Prodrive has made extensive use of carbon fibre to keep weight down in the P25, while the four-wheel drive system comes with an adjustable active centre differential. David Richards, Prodrive chairman, said: ‘The iconic blue Subarus bring back memories of an extraordinary era of the WRC and it was the Impreza 22B that brought this rally car performance to the road. By reimagining this car using the latest technologies and materials the Prodrive P25 pays homage to its roots and there will be little else able to match its performance on the open road.’ Only 25 P25s will be built by Prodrive, each with a price of £460,000 plus VAT. The first car will be used for runs up the hill at the Festival of Speed. https://www.prodrive.com/

News Hampson Auctions enjoys 75 percent sale rate Tuesday, 14 March 2023 at 12:00:00 UTC By Al Suttie Notable results among 75% sale rate Hampson Auctions enjoyed a 75% sale rate at its most recent sale at Mavericks, Holywell in North Wales. Among the lots was a Triumph Herald 12/50 that sold for an impressive £16,031 that had been subject to a £60,000 restoration. Another star lot at the sale was a 1956 Jaguar XK140 SE Roadster that sold for £90,000 after 33 years in the same family ownership. A 1954 Morris Minor Tourer made £15,750, while a Peugeot 205 GTI 1.6 reached £16,875. Showing that interest in 1980s hot hatches is still increasing, a GFord Escort RS1600i sold for £21,375. The next Hampson Auctions sale is on 13 May. http://www.hampsonauctions.com

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News Gordon Spice 1940-2021 Wednesday, 29 September 2021 at 21:00:00 UTC By Alisdair Suttie Gordon Spice, one of the most successful drivers in touring car racing in the 1970s and ’80s, died at the age of 81 on 10 September. Best remembered for his association with Ford Capris, Spice won six consecutive British Saloon Car Championship titles between 1975 and 1980. This included 26 outright race wins, though one was subsequently removed after what Spice called ‘post-race hassles.’ Gordon Spice started his racing career in an MG TF1500 before saving £5000 from selling the Encyclopaedia Britannica door-to-door. He used the money to buy a Lawrencetune Morgan +4 that he raced in 1963. He set up his own car accessory supply business and racing team, proving adept in the boardroom and on the track. As his driving career was beginning to falter, a call to drive a Ford Capri revived his motorsport fortunes as a driver and Spice Engineering team went on to win the 1985 Group C2 World Endurance Championship with Ray Bellm driving alongside Spice. The pair repeated this success in 1986. Spice retired from racing at the age of 49 to concentrate on his various business interests. He is survived by his wife Mandy and son Patrick.

News RM Sotheby’s announces final Amelia Island sale Friday, 23 December 2022 at 9:45:00 UTC By Al Suttie 2023 marks final RM Sotheby’s sale at US venue RM Sotheby’s will hold its final Amelia Island sale on 3 March, 2023. It marks the end of a 24-year run of auctions by the firm at the US concours event. The final auction by RM Sotheby’s at Amelia Island will be held in a new venue on Lynndale Road. However, RM Sotheby’s says it is working to establish a new sale in 2024. Gord Duff, Global Head of Auctions for RM Sotheby’s, said: ‘After nearly a quarter-century as the original and official auction of the Amelia Island Concours, it became a tradition that was loved by all and now, 2023 will be our last year. ‘We plan to leave the island with a truly unforgettable sale as our team is working hard to secure a selection of the best collector cars. Our team is looking forward to what is to come and what we believe will be a spectacular new event in 2024.’ http://www.rmsothebys.com

News Porsche restores Paris-Dakar 959 Thursday, 2 February 2023 at 14:30:00 UTC By Al Suttie Second-placed Dakar 959 recommissioned Porsche carried out a sympathetic recommissioning of the 959 that came second in the 1986 Paris-Dakar Rally driven by Jacky Ickx and Clause Brasseur. The car will make its public debut after the rebuild at Retro Classics in Stuttgart on 23-26 February. The car had not been touched since it was stored by the factory after the rally, but Porsche’s classic division says it was a relatively straightforward process to bring the 18,000km car back to working order. As part of the work to recommission the car, it has been kept in the similar state to when it completed the rally. Porsche’s Head of Museum Workshop Kuno Werner said: ‘By keeping the damage from then we can tell the story authentically and preserve it.’ The car has since been tested by Jacky Ickx and he declared: ‘Memories came back to me immediately. It’s fantastic to be part of the car’s story again.’ http://www.porsche.com

News GTO moves to Italy Tuesday, 8 February 2022 at 0:00:00 UTC By Al Suttie GTO Parts opens in Italy UK company GTO Engineering has opened a branch of its components division GTO Parts in Modena, Italy. The move comes in response to difficulties created by Brexit and European shipping customs. The new parts division will open in the Spring of 2022 to provide an off-the-shelf service for Ferrari owners, restorers and garages servicing these cars. A key aim of opening the Italian base for GTO Parts is to reduce delivery times to the company’s European customers and give complete transparency for shipping and duty costs. Mark Lyon, founder and Managing Director of GTO Engineering, said: ‘We’ve been wanting to open an Italian base for GTO Engineering and GTO Parts for a long time. Being Ferrari specialists and focusing on Ferrari and other Italian marques for parts, it is a natural progression for the company. ‘We know that we are not alone with the frustrations of shipping, customs and duties for items sent from the UK to Europe post-Brexit. Our response has been to invest in a new base for our company to help reduce some of the hassle and confusion for our customers, and also to source parts from European sellers. ‘We will now be able, with clarity, to confirm the exact duty to be paid and ensure only one set of VAT/taxes will be applicable, compared to our current predicament that duties are paid by European clients on receipt of items sent by us from the UK.’ https://www.gtopartsshop.com/en-gb