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News Bicester Heritage reaches full capacity Thursday, 20 October 2022 at 9:30:00 UTC By Al Suttie Bicester Heritage at full occupancy The Bicester Heritage classic car hub has now reached full occupancy with 50 specialist firms on site. The final four tenancies have gone to Polestar, NEOM McLaren Formula E, Zapp Electric Vehicles, and Zero Petroleum. Daniel Geoghegan, the Chief Executive of Bicester Motion, said: ‘From the very beginning, our vision for Bicester Heritage has been to create a vibrant hub for 50 specialists to safeguard crucial heritage skills and boost both the local and national economies. ‘We’re delighted to see our vision believed in so enthusiastically by such a diverse range of businesses of all sizes on-site, which gives us great confidence in the forthcoming stages of our Bicester Motion masterplan. Future-facing businesses already believe in what we’ve created at Bicester Heritage, but with our forthcoming Innovation Quarter, now we’re developing an area built especially for their needs.’ Development of Bicester Innovation is expected to begin in 2023, with the buildings open for occupation early 2026. http://www.bicestermotion.com

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 Gonzalez joins Petersen board Tuesday, 12 April 2022 at 9:00:00 UTC By Al Suttie Juan Gonzalez appointed to board of Petersen museum The Petersen Automotive Museum has appointed Juan Gonzalez to its board. Gonzalez also holds positions as Chairman and CEO of GRUMA, and the museum has appointed him to help forge its future direction with his commercial business experience. Gonzalez is noted for his passion for motorsport and motorcycles, as well as classic cars. He has built the extensive Car Amigo Collection, which consists of many race cars and motorcycles, including the Formula 1 cars currently on exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum. Petersen Automotive Museum Executive Director Terry L. Karges said: ‘Juan Gonzalez brings a unique mix of business skill and automotive enthusiasm to our board of directors. His passion for collecting automobiles and racing combined with his business knowledge makes him a valuable addition.’ https://www.petersen.org/

News FBHVC scam warning Wednesday, 23 February 2022 at 9:30:00 UTC By Al Suttie Scam warning from the FBHVC The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs is warning businesses and clubs of a scam email claiming to be from the FBHVC. Several members have alerted the FBHVC about the email, which is sent from an Olivia Robert who claims to be a B2B marketing analyst. The email offers the viewer the chance to buy a mailing list. Anyone who receives this email is advised to tell the FBHVC and not to respond to the scam email. The FBHVC’s IT Director Tim Jarrett said: ‘We have endeavoured to trace the email back to its source, but investigation found it related to a fake company. It is inconvenient, but typical of many scams circulating at the moment.’ The FBHVC says only email from its secretary@fbhvc.co.uk address are genuine and any other unsolicited communications should be deleted and users should not open any attachments with such emails. https://www.fbhvc.co.uk/

News Hagerty opens Clubhouse at Bicester Friday, 2 September 2022 at 7:30:00 UTC By CCB staff New Clubhouse to be social hub Hagerty is opening a new Clubhouse at Bicester Heritage to be hub for classic car enthusiasts, clients and clubs. The Clubhouse will feature a members’ louge, bar area, and an exhibition space within its refurbished interior. As well as being open to enthusiasts to meet up, it will also be used for talks, industry presentations, and car culture-inspired activities such as club meetings. Mark Roper, Managing Director of Hagerty International, said: ‘Hagerty has been connected to Bicester Heritage for many years as a prior sponsor of Scramble and Scramblers events and the Starter Motor charity, and now we take that relationship further by becoming a resident business. ‘Our new Clubhouse will host a selection of member and public events, designed to appeal to classic vehicle enthusiasts from all sectors, and everyone is welcome to visit the Hagerty Clubhouse when we open for business in 2023.’ http://www.hagerty.co.uk

News Land Rover Defender thefts soar Wednesday, 24 August 2022 at 15:45:00 UTC By Al Suttie Defender thefts increase by 34% in 12 months Thefts of Land Rover Defenders have increased by 34% between 2021 and 2022. Figures from NFU Mutual show thieves are targeting these Land Rovers as they are easy to steal and there is a ready market for used parts. Rebecca Davidson, Rural Affairs Specialist at NFU Mutual, said: ‘With older models retaining their vintage value and newer used cars soaring in price, thieves are scouring the countryside for Land Rovers, as well as dismantling them for parts. ‘We know that when prices go up, thieves are quick to cash in and the decrease in rural theft that we saw over lockdown is well and truly over.’ DC Chris Piggott, of the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service, said: ‘We are particularly concerned that the older Land Rover Defender models, the workhorses which are so important to many people’s everyday activity, are at risk because of a lack of modern security systems. ‘Owners should therefore fortify their vehicles as much as possible, using a combination of measures such as immobilisers, tracking devices and pedal and steering wheel locks. ‘It’s also common to see vehicles stripped for parts in situ, but good site security and simple, cost effective measures can make life difficult enough for thieves for them to abandon their attempts.’ http://www.nfumutual.co.uk

News Veterans complete London to Brighton on sustainable fuel Friday, 18 November 2022 at 9:30:00 UTC By Al Suttie Two entrants in London to Brighton Run powered by sustainable fuel Sustainable fuel was used for the first time in two of the entrants for the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. A single-cylinder, 6.5bhp 1904 Covert ran using 100% fossil-free fuel developed by P1 and similar to the decarbonised fuel used officially in the FIA World Rally Championship. Ben Cussons, Chairman of the Royal Automobile Club, and Mark Roper, Managing Director of Hagerty International, shared a 1901 Mors powered by sustainable fuel. Cussons said: ‘It really could not have been any easier. We simply drained and refilled the tank, completed a short test drive and packed the Mors off to London for the dawn start on the next day. In what were truly testing conditions, the car performed superbly – if anything the engine ran better than ever. ‘While electric cars may be part of the solution, it’s so very important that we keep an open mind. If we can find affordable alternatives that do not require a complete overhaul of the infrastructure as well as environmentally costly replacement of existing vehicles, so much the better.’ http://www.veterancarrun.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 Everrati partners with Hobson Friday, 23 September 2022 at 15:00:00 UTC By CCB staff Classic Land Rovers get EV power Electric vehicle converter Everrati has announced a partnership with Hobson Industries, which restores and maintains classic Land Rovers as well as providing vehicles for security and defence purposes. This will be the first time that Hobson has used EV power in the cars it builds and the cars will be used for security and defence projects. Managing Director of Hobson Industries, Peter Hobson, said: ‘Few companies can match Hobson Industries’ ability to offer through life support management and development of Land Rover heritage vehicles in both military and civilian platforms. ‘Across the markets we serve in the UK and globally, we have established close relationships with the people that trust and depend on us. I am delighted to partner with Everrati Advanced Technologies. I have always said that thanks to us, the Land Rover need never die. With Everrati that statement has never been truer.’ Justin Lunny, CEO of Everrati, added: ‘We are delighted to announce this new partnership with Hobson Industries, a globally renowned expert in every aspect of through-life management of classic Land Rovers. One of the most ubiquitous vehicles in active service in the security and defence sectors around the globe, these industries are increasingly embracing electrification especially where quiet, stealth vehicles are required.’ http://www.everrati.com www.hobsonindustries.co.uk

News Hagerty wins Industry Supporter award Friday, 18 November 2022 at 9:45:00 UTC By Al Suttie Historic Motoring Awards names Hagerty as 2022 Industry Supporter Hagerty has been named as the 2022 Industry Supporter of the Year at the Historic Motoring Awards. The award was given in recognition of its wide-ranging efforts to promote the classic car hobby and sector. One judge said: ‘As an insurance company, Hagerty could just sit back and collect premiums from its customers but, instead, it is a driving force in the classic car field, involved in almost every facet. The Festival of the Unexceptional and RADwood are the types of events that will broaden the group of car collectors. Kudos to Hagerty’ James Elliott, Editor-in-chief of Octane magazine, said: ‘The expansion of Hagerty into new fields in the past couple of years has been quite extraordinary. It now underpins an astonishing array of events across the globe and has gone from being at the core of the classic car industry to also being at the core of the hobby.’ Receiving the award for Hagerty, the firm’s Managing Director Mark Roper added: ‘It was a genuine honour to receive this prestigious award on behalf of Hagerty, especially against such esteemed company, Hagerty is committed to being at the heart of global car culture and the enthusiast industry, and to be recognised for our efforts is incredibly rewarding. 2023 will bring an enhanced event offering, new products and services and many exciting ways for enthusiasts to interact with Hagerty, and I look forward to supporting the classic car industry in new and innovative ways in the year ahead.’ http://www.historicmotoringawards.co.uk www.hagertyinsurance.co.uk

News Report shows classics produce 0.22% of transport emissions Monday, 17 October 2022 at 11:15:00 UTC By Al Suttie loop report shows low impact of classic cars on emissions A new report by the loop agency shows the UK’s entire classic car fleet emits just 0.22% of total transport carbon dioxide emissions. The report likens this to drinking three lattes a day or taking a return flight from London to New York as the average classic car in the UK produces a total of 614.6kg of CO2 per annum. Using data from the DVLA and Department for Transport, the report calculated the average annual emissions of classic cars in the UK. The report also looks at how fuel efficiency and car use have changed over time. Alex Kefford, author of the loop report, said: ‘Assigning a figure to the carbon footprint of the UK’s classic cars has long been a challenge. By taking a data-first approach that included developing our own software, delving into decades of dusty archives, and crunching our way through millions of datapoints, we’ve been able to shed some light on this particularly tricky topic. ‘Along the way, we’ve discovered that the humble MGB is the most popular classic with Brits, that there are more classic Ford Escorts and Volkswagen Golfs declared as SORN as there are registered on our roads, and that average passenger car fuel economy has doubled since 1956.’ http://www.loopagency.co.uk

News Maserati unveils Classiche Tuesday, 14 December 2021 at 0:00:00 UTC By Al Suttie Maserati Classiche launched alongside new parts Maserati has launched its Classiche certification programme and the first car to receive its authenticity certificate is a Mistral 3700. The Italian company has also introduced its Collectors and Customers programme to provide genuine parts to help with servicing and restoration of classic, youngtimer and Speciali cars. The Collectors and Customers scheme is set to manufacture many spare parts that are currently no longer available. This will use original design drawings and modern technology to ensure accurate fit and improved reliability. A committee of experts makes up the Classiche Certification programme for cars more than 20-years old. Users of this service also benefit from in-house minor repairs and an on-demand vehicle detailing offer. https://www.maserati.com/gb/en?redirect=1