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News New members for FIVA Thursday, 9 December 2021 at 0:00:00 UTC By Al Suttie FIVA welcomes new member countries The Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens (FIVA) has expanded its membership with seven new member countries. The new members are Iran, Macau, Montenegro, Pakistan, Qatar, Russia, and Saudi Arabia. They join almost 80 countries representing FIVA’s pledge to protect, preserve and promote historic vehicles. John Alcantara, FIVA’s vice president, said: ‘In many of these nations, there is already a large and vibrant community of historic vehicle enthusiasts, from whom existing FIVA members can learn – and with whom we can share ideas.’ FIVA is also looking to attract new memberships from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. https://fiva.org/en/

News Vintage motorcycle guide published Wednesday, 16 February 2022 at 0:00:00 UTC By Al Suttie Comprehensive Vintage Motorcycle Guide now available in UK The US ‘bible’ for vintage motorcycles is now available in the UK. The Comprehensive Vintage Motorcycle Price Guide for 2022-23 costs £25 and is published in the UK by Mortons Books. The pocket-sized book runs to 480 pages, covering more than 100 motorcycle makes, and has 150,000 prices, which are arranged in six condition grades. This new version has been adapted specifically for the UK market and covers bikes made up to 2003. Guide editor Jayson Matthews said: ‘Each year, the guide has grown as we meet more enthusiasts and experts in more of the “obscure” marques. We have about 200 more marques waiting to add to the guide, and as we get complete data for these, we add several more marques to each subsequent issue.’ https://www.mortonsbooks.co.uk/home

News Hagerty Marketplace online auctions launched in US Friday, 4 November 2022 at 11:15:00 UTC By Al Suttie Hagerty adds online auction to portfolio Following Hagerty’s acquisition of the Broad Arrow Group auction firm earlier in 2022, the company has announced its new Hagerty Marketplace online auction platform in the US. The company says its aim is to offer sellers and buyers a more trusted and easier to use platform. Each seller will have a dedicated auction team member to provide support with the sale and logistics. Buyers using the Hagerty Marketplace will provide a US government-issued identification and credit card before bidding to ensure there is a genuine person behind each bid. Kenneth Ahn, President of Hagerty Marketplace, said: ‘Over the past few years, the collector car industry has seen exceptional growth in demand for online car auctions, driven by the convenience of bidding from practically anywhere. But when car collectors are buying and selling five, six, or seven-figure cars online, we believe there are areas for significant improvement over the status quo. ‘Our goal is to provide an online auction platform that is differentiated by trust, with unparalleled level of service and data-driven expertise. We are excited to launch Hagerty’s Marketplace online auctions and we are committed to continuing to innovate and grow along with this emerging market.’ http://www.hagerty.com/drivers-club/my-garage/marketplace

News Former McLaren designer launches M1A reinterpretation Thursday, 19 May 2022 at 9:30:00 UTC By CCB staff Steve Nichols unveils N1A homage to McLaren M1A McLaren’s former Chief Designer Steve Nichols has founded his own car company and unveiled the N1A, which is a celebration of the McLaren M1A. The N1A has already undergone several years of development and thousands of test miles on road and track, and it is now due to be released early this summer. Nichols said: ‘We didn’t set out with the intention of going into production. It was an idea that John Minett, Nichols Cars’ CEO, and I had been talking about for a while. In the end we thought we might as well build one and see how it turned out. ‘Once people saw it on the road, the response was incredible. It’s a bit like the original M1A that started the whole McLaren story. Bruce McLaren built it as a one-off for his own personal use. Then people starting asking him if he could produce a few more!’ The N1A has been developed in a wind tunnel and has a more aggressive look than the original McLaren. It also has an aluminium and carbon fibre tub, while power comes from a Chevrolet LT1 V8 with power outputs from 450bhp to 650bhp on offer. Nichols added: ‘One of the most rewarding aspects of the project has been the opportunity to work with some incredible world leading experts on structures and suspension, based here in the UK, as well as some fantastic colleagues from my McLaren days.’ https://www.nichols-cars.com/

News Hyundai to rebuild 1974 concept with Giugiaro Thursday, 24 November 2022 at 10:45:00 UTC By Al Suttie Original Pony concept due for rebuild Hyundai has confirmed it will be working with Giorgetto Giugiaro to rebuild the firm’s original 1974 Pony Coupe Concept. The 1974 Turin Motor Show concept car will be rebuilt in time to be displayed in the spring of 2023. Working with Giugiaro and his son Fabrizio who run GFG Style, Hyundai will use the car alongside its recent ‘45’ concept that took inspiration from the 1974 car. The Pony Coupe Concept is also credited with influencing Giugiaro’s work on the DeLorean DMC 12. Giorgetto Giugiaro said: ‘I designed the Hyundai Pony when I was still a young designer at the start of my career. I felt very proud that I was in charge of creating a vehicle for a company and country that was about to take on a fiercely competitive global market. Now, I’m deeply honored that Hyundai has asked me to rebuild it for posterity and as a celebration of the brand’s heritage.’ Luc Donckerwolke, Chief Creative Officer of Hyundai Motor Group, added: ‘We look forward to collaborating with GFG Style on this extraordinary design project. Not only does this project hold historical value, but it also represents a cross-cultural exchange that could pave the way for more collaborations down the road.’ http://www.gfgstyle.it www.hyundai.co.uk

News Twice-raced Porsche 962C for sale Tuesday, 28 February 2023 at 10:45:00 UTC By Al Suttie Gooding & Company offers 1987 Kremer Porsche with Le Mans history A 1987 Porsche 962C that finished fourth overall at Le Mans in the same year and eighth the following year is up for sale at Gooding & Company’s Amelia Island sale. Chassis CK6-87 has an estimate of $850,000-$1 million (£700,000-£825,000) and it was only raced in these two Le Mans events in period. George Fouché, Franz Konrad, and Wayne Taylor competed with the car at Le Mans in 1987. For 1988, it was driven by Fouché, Kris Nissen, and Harald Grohs Still in its original Leyton House colours, the 962C has had recent mechanical and cosmetic work by Gunnar Racing. The Porsche has a twin-turbo 3.0-litre flat-six engine producing around 750bhp and runs through a five-speed transaxle. http://www.goodingco.com

News Classic motorcycles emit 0.05% of UK CO2 emissions Wednesday, 18 January 2023 at 15:30:00 UTC By Al Suttie New report shows classic motorcycle emissions equivalent to a coffee per day A new report shows the most popular classic motorcycles in the UK are the Honda C90 and Triumph Bonneville, and all classic bikes combined emit 0.05% of carbon dioxide emissions in the UK. Those emissions are equivalent to a return flight from London Portugal once per year or a takeaway coffee each day. The report by loop also shows Honda is the most popular make of classic motorcycle in the UK, with 36,000 registered. This is followed by BSA, with 29,000 registered. Alex Kefford, loop’s Technical Writer and author of the report, said: ’We’ve seen the effect popular culture has had on the rise and fall of the powered two-wheeler, as well as the impact of the occasional oil crisis. But what’s surprising is how intent bikers are on keeping their motorcycling heritage alive and on the road. In fact, the average age of a UK motorcycle is now more than 15 years – the oldest figure on record.’ The full report can be downloaded from loop’s website. http://www.loopagency.co.uk

News Autosparks supplies loom to television restoration series Friday, 18 November 2022 at 9:30:00 UTC By CCB staff Autosparks loom used for 'Richard Hammond’s Workshop' Wiring loom specialist Autosparks has contributed to the restoration of an Alvis TA21 that is featured in the 'Richard Hammond’s Workshop' television series on discovery+. Hammond and his camera crew spent a morning filming at Autosparks seeing the Alvis’ loom being completed. Autosparks director Debbie Johnson said: ‘It was an absolute delight showing Richard Hammond around our manufacturing facility. He has such a genuine enthusiasm for classic car restoration, and I was delighted that he shares our passion for quality, British craftsmanship.’ http://www.autosparks.co.uk

News Porsche opens eighth Experience Centre in Italy Wednesday, 29 September 2021 at 23:00:00 UTC By Alisdair Suttie Porsche has added an eighth Experience Centre at Franciacorta, Italy. The new centre opened on 8 September in the Brescia region on a 5600-square metre site with indoor training rooms, restaurant, handling circuit, and a showroom for customers to collect new cars. The new track is also capable of hosting motorsport events such as the Porsche Carrera Cup Italia and has 29 pit garages. A purpose-designed 2.5km track is there to help fine-tune the driving of new Porsche customers and challenge existing Porsche drivers. There is also a low-grip handling circuit. Detlev von Platen, Member of the Executive Board for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG, said: ‘Porsche is more than its products, it is a promise for a unique brand and product experience. At our Porsche Experience Centres, we promise unique and thrilling experiences that visitors will never forget. Here, the Porsche community can put our sports cars through their paces and enjoy an authentic brand experience.’ A ninth Porsche Experience Centre is planned to open in Tokyo, Japan later in 2021. http://www.porsche.com

News Lucas gets starting Saturday, 8 January 2022 at 0:00:00 UTC By Al Suttie Holden adds uprated Lucas starters to range Holden Vintage and Classic has added a range of uprated, lightweight Lucas starters to its range. The more powerful starter motors offer improved engine turning in cold weather with large cranking torque through a set of steel internal gears. They also draw less current to reduce battery drain. Holden says the new starters are compact and durable replacements for existing items on popular models such as the Mini and MG Midget, as well as other models. https://www.holden.co.uk/

News Porsche hosts resto challenge Thursday, 24 February 2022 at 10:30:00 UTC By Al Suttie US Porsche Restoration Challenge is back for 2022 Porsche Classic North America has announced the return of its Restoration Challenge. This invites US Porsche dealerships to restore one of the company’s vehicles and compete for overall victory. The Restoration Challenge is designed to encourage more Porsche dealers to be involved with classic cars. For 2022, there are expected to be more than 60 dealers across the US entering the competition, which is a 50% increase on 2021. Jonathan Sieber, Manager Porsche Classic in the US, said: ‘The mission of Porsche Classic and our dealer partners is to go above and beyond every day to keep vintage cars on the road and driving just as well as the moment they left the factory. With the Restoration Challenge, dealers and service teams are able to showcase their skills and capabilities while revitalising these dream machines. Our inaugural competition in 2021 produced some truly stunning examples of classic Porsche sports cars, and we expect even more from our participants this year.’ The entries will be judged by a panel of experts from Porsche Cars North America, looking at the standard of work, authenticity, and documentation. Eligible cars range from the earliest 356s all the way to first Boxster and Cayenne models. https://www.porsche.com/usa/accessoriesandservices/classic/

News BMH goes green Thursday, 28 April 2022 at 11:30:00 UTC By Al Suttie New solar panels will cut BMH’s CO2 emissions British Motor Heritage has installed a 162kW solar panel system on the roof of its factory in Witney, Oxfordshire. The company says this will save 32.8-tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year. BMH also says the new solar panels will substantially reduce its outgoings on energy as its electricity costs are now pegged at 3.48p per kWh. That compares to current commercial rates of 25p per kWh. The system uses 432 solar panels and they were installed in seven days by Centreco Ltd. BMH’s Managing Director Graham Payne said: ‘With energy prices escalating at an alarming rate, our switch to solar power has proved very timely, and it feels good to know that in one fell swoop we’ve both slashed our manufacturing costs and significantly reduced our carbon footprint. It’s a win-win situation.’ The company’s next project is replacing the factory’s traditional lighting system with an LED one, which will not only improve the level of illumination within the building and further reduce energy costs. https://www.bmh-ltd.com/