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Keep up to date with the latest news and events from the world of classic cars.
THE AUSTIN 1800: A CELEBRATION
- Andrew Roberts |
- 23rd December, 2021
Any visitor to the 1964 Earls Court Motor Show looking for reasonably priced but imposing four-cylinder transport had a choice of five models.
SEVENTY YEARS OF THE BMW BAROQUE ANGEL
- Andrew Roberts |
- 23rd December, 2021
When the 501 debuted at the 1951 Frankfurt Motor Show, it was one of the stars of the BMW stand. This was the company’s first new post-war model and an elegant sports saloon that cost around four times the average German wage. But, above all, there were those distinctive lines that resulted in the nickname ‘Baroque Angel’.
TOP FIVE CARRY ON FILM CARS
- Andrew Roberts |
- 23rd December, 2021
The Carry On film remains a staple of Bank Holiday television, affording plenty of opportunities to marvel at how the pictures rarely strayed five miles beyond Pinewood. Of course, they also frequently contained some rather interesting cars…
DO YOU REMEMBER – THE THAMES 300E VAN?
- Andrew Roberts |
- 23rd December, 2021
In 1954 Ford unveiled its latest van – one that was ‘Sparkling with Good Points’. The nation’s fleet buyers and shop owners were promised that the Thames 300E would be ‘a credit to your business’, Not to mention that with such a fine vehicle, ‘driving ceases to be work and becomes a pleasure’
MEET THE OWNER – JOHN WILKINS AND HIS AUSTIN 3-LITRE AMBULANCE
- Andrew Roberts |
- 23rd December, 2021
It would be mission impossible to select a Car of The Show from the thousands of fine machines at the recent BMC & Leyland Show 2021. However, it would be fair to say that one of the vehicles that attracted the most attention was the Austin 3-Litre Ambulance owned by John Wilkins.
MEET THE OWNER: ROY HEDGER AND HIS CHRYSLER SUNBEAM
- Andrew Roberts |
- 23rd December, 2021
The Sunbeam was clean-cut and well proportioned in appearance, yet it took little more than 18 months to develop. Chrysler UK commenced Project R424 in January 1976, using an SWB version of the Avenger floorpan as a base.
MEET THE OWNER: BJARTE TUNOLD AND HIS ASTON MARTIN DB5
- Andrew Roberts |
- 23rd December, 2021
To celebrate the launch of the latest Bond film, No Time to Die, we look at the iconic Aston Martin DB5. On the 17 September 1964, the London premiere of the third Bond Film created cinema history, not least from the moment when Desmond Llewelyn’s Q orders 007 to ‘pay attention’.
MEET THE OWNER: CHAD DENDY AND HIS HUMBER SCEPTRE
- Andrew Roberts |
- 23rd December, 2021
Chad Dendy is the proud owner of what must be one of the most eye-catching cars on the South Coast. Any 1965 Sceptre Mk. I would cut a dash through Lee on Solent, causing amazement amongst the various holidaymakers. Ice cream parlour customers gawp at the sight of those charmingly retro ’50s line while other motorists slow down to marvel at the Humber’s sheer presence.
MEET THE OWNER: EDWARD ARMSTRONG AND HIS POLICE AUSTIN MINI COOPER S MK. II
- Andrew Roberts |
- 23rd December, 2021
There are those rare occasions when your rare and desirable classic turns out to be even rarer and more desirable than you first imagined. For example, 37 years ago, Edward acquired a 1969 Austin Mini Cooper S Mk.
MEET THE OWNER: JASON FARNHAM AND HIS MG MIDGET MK.I
- Andrew Roberts |
- 23rd December, 2021
During the heyday of Abingdon, MG’s principal export market was the USA. This splendid Midget Mk.I resides in California, and it is both Jason’s first Octagon badged car and indeed his first classic vehicle.
MEET THE OWNER: JIM BAUMANN AND HIS PANHARD PL17
- Andrew Roberts |
- 23rd December, 2021
A few months ago, we described the wonders of the PL17, and we now celebrate the incredibly rare British market version owned by Jim Baumann. “I always wanted a Panhard - not sure why or which one - and the enthusiasm flip-flopped between a 24 and a Dyna. But then I realised that the early PL17 had a serious amount of polished aluminium ‘bling’, and I wanted RHD!”.
MEET THE OWNER: MARK FERRIS AND HIS ROVER 216 VANDEN PLAS EFI
- Andrew Roberts |
- 23rd December, 2021
Mark is the proud owner of the Austin Maestro VDP we recently featured, and he has also acquired a 216 Strata Grey Metallic Vanden Plas EFi. It was first registered on the 1st August 1988 and now goes by the name “Hyacinth”.
MEET THE OWNER: MIKE STEWARD AND HIS SAAB 99 TURBO FIVE-DOOR
- Andrew Roberts |
- 23rd December, 2021
Whenever Mike displays his 99 Turbo at shows, he frequently hears comments along the lines of ‘Never seen that before’ or despite the Saab’s very formidable presence, ‘it does not exist’.
MEET THE OWNER: NIGEL RICHARDSON AND HIS AUSTIN 1800
- Andrew Roberts |
- 23rd December, 2021
Local summer shows and fairs are so often a source of fascinating machinery. You might attend a fete with a vague expectation of bookstalls selling copies of Harry Potter for fifty pence, the delights of “Ferret World”, and a brass band playing In The Mood. But, then, you note a display of cars in a far corner of the field.
