Tickets are now live for Bicester Heritage’s first Scramble event of 2022 on the 16th of January, with the release of 5000 tickets for historic motoring enthusiasts.
From 9am until 2pm, attendees will be able to take a glimpse behind the doors of the 45 industry-leading Specialists, experiencing a range of showrooms and workshops that the Bicester Heritage hub for historic motoring enterprise is renowned for.
The best-preserved WW2 RAF Bomber Station in the country is normally accessible by appointment only, with the Scramble event promising hands-on access to the world of heritage motoring. Guests will also be able to enjoy refreshments from on-site beverage producers Wriggly Monkey Brewery and Sky Wave Gin and experience the world of vintage aviation on the site’s active grass airfield.
2022 will be the eighth year of the Scramble events, attracting tens of thousands of automotive enthusiasts from around the world and celebrates the ongoing partnership with classic vehicle insurer Hagerty.
The recently-launched Bicester Heritage Scramblers membership club will also be present onsite, promising a range of curated delights for attendees who have had enough festive cheer.
Scramblers and the Scramble events exist to celebrate the historic motoring sector and the magic in the driving and preservation of classic cars, while making these experiences accessible for future generations.
Dan Geoghegan, CEO, Bicester Heritage adds: ““We are looking forward to starting 2022 in spectacular fashion as we open up our Heritage Quarter for the first event of the year. Our Scramble events always promise a day out that the entire family will enjoy.”
Bicester Heritage: Bicester Heritage has created a revolution in historic vehicle ownership. Founded in 2013 Bicester Heritage has gone from a standing start to a home for 45 specialist businesses, and growing, with a collective turnover of over £50m, making it the largest player in the industry and set to grow exponentially with a global reach.
The unique ecosystem of businesses based at the beautiful 444-acre former WW2 RAF Bomber Training Station acts as ‘marina-like’ cluster, promoting skills and expertise, employment, qualified customer footfall, shared business incubation and aggregate growth. The site is all about driving the future of the past.
The former RAF Bicester site on which Bicester Heritage is now based, is of national historic importance. Neglected for the best part of 40 years, it was added to Historic England’s ‘At Risk Register’ in 2008 and designated the most ‘at risk’ of all Defence Estates in the UK.
Since Bicester Heritage’s tenure, over 95% of the buildings have been delicately restored or re-activated for modern business use, with the site now held as a national exemplar of constructive conservation by Historic England. The time-warp base is truly unmatched in evocative character and an active airfield and test track complete its dynamic operation.
Bicester Heritage is a component part of Bicester Motion, an incomparable visitor attraction which will offer an authentic collection of dynamic and inclusive visitor experiences, less than an hour from London.
Thornley Kelham has revealed the ultimate evolution of its hand-crafted Aurelia ‘Outlaw’, the lighter and more powerful ‘European CSL’ model
The three final Outlaws will be aluminium-bodied, ‘Busso’-engined European CSL variants; about 75kg lighter and 100bhp more powerful than previous commissions
Designed to ‘fast road’ specification, with a limited slip differential, completely revised front suspension, independent rear suspension, disc brakes and other upgrades
Each ‘Outlaw’ is intricately crafted from the ground up, during a 5,000-hour modification process – 800 hours are dedicated to preparation and paintwork alone
The project is inspired by Giovanni Bracco’s Mille Miglia Le Mans Aurelia B20GT, which Thornley Kelham restored and took to Pebble Beach. That car famously raced in the early ‘50s and was modified in period with a lower roofline
Thornley Kelham’s Lancia Aurelia ‘Outlaw’ programme is a coming together of years of meticulous Lancia research and expertise with a fresh set of ideas to help reinterpret one of the world’s great GT/rally cars.
Only nine will ever be built, with the first six already built or in-build, and now, Thornley Kelham has revealed all-new developments for the final three: the lighter and more powerful ‘European CSL’.
The ‘European CSL’ preserves the modernised styling and low-slung stance of previous commissions, marked out most obviously by its lowered roofline, inspired by aerodynamic modifications made by Lancia in period to perhaps the most famous Aurelia in the world. But rather than wearing a body hand-crafted from steel, it uses lightweight aluminium panels, contributing to an expected weight saving of around 75kg. The body is entirely shaped by hand during a meticulous process of creation that leaves no part of the car untouched; in total 5,000 hours are spent on the transformation from basket case Aurelia to Outlaw Aurelia European CSL.
Reconstructing, strengthening and modifying the chassis and body of each example alone is a process that takes around 2,200 hours, introducing new design features throughout. The lowered roofline and shorter front windscreen flow gracefully into a new low-slung silhouette, while the widened front and rear wings – rolled and beaten into millimetre-perfect shape – add a subtle presence. A simplified deguttered roof, nickel-plated brightwork, graceful, curving bonnet locks and a Monza-style filler cap are all Lancia-inspired but very much Thornley Kelham modifications.
Along with its new lightweight construction, the ‘European CSL’ is fitted with a ‘Busso’ 3.2-litre V6 engine, complete with fully mapped fuel injection and balanced, ported and polished cylinder heads, mated to a five-speed transaxle. All engine modifications are carried out in-house by a team that has tuned some of the most powerful engines on the historic motorsport circuit. The new engine will deliver in excess of 300bhp – a significant upgrade over both the previous iterations of the ‘Outlaw’, at around 220bhp, and the original Aurelia itself, which offered around 118bhp.
The standard ‘Outlaw’ package is well equipped to handle the additional power but, just as relentless development was at the core of Lancia’s philosophy, so too is it a part of Thornley Kelham’s. It has been designed to a ‘fast road’ specification, delivering an experience very much in the image of the Aurelia’s nimble road rally personality – albeit one more in line with the expectations of the modern performance car owner. Weighing in at a little over 1,100kg, the European CSL is incomparably light by modern standards, offering an entirely different thrill to heavy modern road cars with turbocharged engines and wide tyres. It offers a razor-sharp purity that simply can’t be recreated, even in the most driver focused road cars of today.
The final three iterations of Outlaw will not only receive the modern disc brakes, pedal box, rack and pinion steering and uprated suspension of previous commissions, but will also be fitted with a Limited Slip Differential, revised front suspension, optional power steering and fully uprated rear suspension.
As with each of the previous ‘Outlaws’, the ‘European CSL’ is centred around bespoke. The interior is completely revitalized with full Connolly leather, air-conditioning, a variety of front seat options, Alcantara headlining, a fully built-in roll cage and a wood-rimmed competition steering wheel. It can be further personalized with two-tone finishes, elegant rear stowage areas or customized dashboards – each car is commissioned and created to a customer’s exact desires.
Each Aurelia ‘Outlaw’ is designed and built to be true to its original Lancia DNA. Giovanni de Virgilio, son of Francesco de Virgilio who designed the Aurelia V6 engine, married into the Lancia family and is often regarded as the father of the Aurelia project, even said of the ‘Outlaw’: “It’s a very purposeful and realistic car that Gianni Lancia could have built for a friend.”
The whole project is inspired by a restoration undertaken by Thornley Kelham of perhaps the most famous Aurelia of all, Chassis 1010 – bought and campaigned by privateer racer Giovanni Bracco. He immediately entered his Aurelia into the 1951 Mille Miglia – virtually undeveloped. The car was a resounding success, coming second overall. It went on to show its prowess on the toughest competitive events such as Le Mans (1st in class), the Pescara 6-hour (1st), Caracalla Night Race (1st) and the 1951 Carrera Panamericana.
One of the key moments in the restoration of 1010 was the discovery of an article in ‘Auto Italiana’ magazine about the Pescara 6-hour race held in the summer of 1951. The text – and a tiny photo – confirmed that Lancia and Bracco had lowered the roof of his car in the quest for aerodynamic improvement – particularly as the 2-litre engine gave little scope for increased power.
Taking into account the extensive bodywork, interior trimming, mechanical restorations and paintwork, the Thornley Kelham team spent well over 4,000 hours and more than three years restoring the ex-Bracco Aurelia B20GT. Each Aurelia Outlaw is completed to the same exacting standards, requiring around 5,000 hours to complete, 800 of which is spent on the preparation and paintwork alone. It’s all part of Thornley Kelham’s dedication to perfection in every aspect: The Design, The Details, The Drive.
Simon Thornley, co-founder of Thornley Kelham, said: “The Aurelia ‘Outlaw’ project has now reached its ultimate evolution, with just three remaining cars to be built, each with a new set of meticulously developed upgrades. But this doesn’t mark the end of our bespoke commissions. In fact, the European CSL is the first of a new line-up of projects we have developed to launch in the coming years that will be badged as ‘The Europeans’ by Thornley Kelham. As with the Aurelia commissions, these will be built around iconic performance cars, developed with fresh designs, upgraded performance and a meticulous eye for detail.”
About Thornley Kelham Founded in 2009, Thornley Kelham Ltd is a specialist in concours restoration, maintenance, servicing, rally preparation and support of iconic vintage and classic cars. From its Cotswold headquarters, the team of 36 manage, restore and prepare examples of collector cars for global concours and motorsport events from a state-of-the-art 32,000 sq/ft facility.
With in-house bodywork, paint, engine and fabrication shops, Thornley Kelham is widely regarded for the quality of its restorations of historically significant, often unique vehicles across a variety of marques including Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Lancia, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, Rolls-Royce and Porsche as well as Amilcar, Bizzarrini and others.
Its prize-winning restorations are frequently shown at top-tier concours such as Pebble Beach, the ‘Royal Concours’ at Hampton Court Palace, Chantilly and Salon Privé, while a dedicated motorsport team supports clients at rally events worldwide including the Mille Miglia, Tour Auto, Targa Florio and Peking to Paris.
Thornley Kelham strives to create an enjoyable, informative and collaborative restoration process for the customer, with customer service as important as the restoration itself.
Thornley Kelham is also well known for the creation of the limited-edition, bespoke ‘Outlaw’ Lancia Aurelia B20GT project, details of which can be found at www.fuorilegge.co.uk.
New V8-powered 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 now on UK roads
Most powerful, quickest, most capable Wrangler boasts 470bhp and 470lb-ft torque
Clive Sutton announces UK pricing for highly sought-after Jeep 4×4 at £105,000
High-performance and luxury car retailer Clive Sutton has opened order books for the V8-powered, 470bhp, ultimate Jeep Wrangler – the Rubicon 392.
The most powerful, quickest, and most capable Wrangler ever produced will not be sold officially in the UK by Jeep. So, the 2021 and 2022 pipeline of models from Clive Sutton guarantees buyers exclusivity, presenting the opportunity to own a very special and rare 4×4.
With the Sutton team handling all shipping and import arrangements, plus taking care of UK homologation and registration, the final cost including import taxes and VAT is £105,000. Clive Sutton also provides total customer reassurance by offering a two-year / 30,000-mile warranty.
With 470bhp (477PS) of power and 470lb-ft (637Nm) of torque produced by the 6.4-litre V8 engine, the Wrangler is capable of 0-60mph in 4.5 seconds. In addition, as Jeep’s most capable Wrangler ever, customers venturing off-road will enjoy new levels of manoeuvrability, an 82.55cm wading depth, plus the ability to tackle extreme terrain and imposing gradients.
The 392 features an eight-speed automatic transmission along with four driver-selectable modes: 4WD High, 4WD Auto, 4WD Low, and Neutral. Enabling the 4×4 to tackle any terrain, the driver can call for extra traction and control using various modes such as Sand or Rock. In addition, the high and low ratio gearbox ensures the Wrangler performs at the top of its game whether it is crawling off-road or roaring on it!
Clive Sutton, Founder and CEO:“The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 is the perfect example of how we bring unique vehicles to UK buyers. Our customers take pride in being the first on UK roads in all range of powerful and luxurious vehicles – even when the manufacturer doesn’t export to the UK. We provide a turnkey service that handles all import requirements and provides the reassurance of a comprehensive vehicle warranty.”
Clive Sutton specialises in importing some of the most powerful and desirable vehicles from the US and across Europe, alongside its supercar sales and bespoke-build services. Buyers can browse the Sutton stock, or build a bespoke luxury vehicle by visiting CliveSutton.co.uk.
About Clive Sutton and Sutton Bespoke For more than 30 years, Clive Sutton has been at the forefront of the luxury and performance car industry. The business has three decades of experience in providing UK buyers with tuning upgrades and custom enhancements from a variety of American and European vehicle manufacturers.
As the founder of a renowned independent specialist car business in St John’s Wood, London, Clive Sutton has built an unrivalled international reputation for creating and supplying some of the most sought-after cars in the world. The company is able to source rare and prestige new and classic cars from across the globe, often to order. CliveSutton.co.uk.
Free software update expands usable range of the high-voltage battery
Available for a total of 1,655 Audi e-tron 55 quattro vehicles in the UK
Improvements deliver up to 12.4 miles of additional range
Audi global EV sales up 51 percent YoY to 52,774 units
Owners of an Audi e-tron from the 2019 or 2020 model years can now travel farther on a single charge – a new software update will extend their car’s range by up to 12.4 additional miles.
This means that Audi isn’t limiting efficiency increases to new models, but also boosting the efficiency of cars already on the road. The update is now available to UK customers and can be installed free of charge at Audi service centres.
Effective immediately, the software features behind this efficiency enhancement expand the usable capacity of the high-voltage battery. As a result, the 95 kWh battery in the Audi e-tron 55 quattro delivers more net usable power – 86 kWh capacity therefore translates into increased range. The software update for all Audi e-tron 55 quattro production vehicles built between mid-September 2018 (model year 2019) and the end of November 2019 (model year 2020) can now be installed free of charge at Audi service partners. In the UK, 1,655 e-tron vehicles are compatible with the update, which will also include a complimentary health check.
In addition to the battery capacity, the new software also optimises the control of the front electric motor. In normal driving mode, the motor attached to the rear axle is responsible for propulsion. For improved efficiency, the front electric motor is now almost completely disconnected and powered off – and only when more power is needed do both motors come into play. This makes it possible to even more effectively exploit the major advantage of the asynchronous motor concept, i.e., currentless operation without electrical drag losses.
Furthermore, the update also improves cooling. The highly flexible thermal management system, which consists of four separate circuits, regulates the temperature of the high-voltage components even more efficiently. Modifying the control system made it possible to reduce the volume flow rates in the coolant circuit, thus reducing energy consumption. The cooling system is the basis for fast DC charging, long battery life, and consistent driving performance, even under high loads.
Excellent suitability for everyday use, excellent sales figures The first fully electric Audi has been manufactured at our net-zero carbon-neutral site in Brussels since the end of 2018. By this spring, the e-tron had already surpassed 100,000 units sold. In Norway, the model was even the best-selling car across all drive types last year.
Significant growth in deliveries of all-electric Audi models justify the company’s clear move towards e-mobility: by the end of September, Audi had supplied 52,774 all-electric vehicles to customers globally, and therefore achieved an increase of 51.4 percent compared to the same period in the previous year (2020: 34,850). As early as 2026, new models launched to the market by Audi will be all-electric exclusively. In 2033 production of the last models with internal combustion engines will cease.
“At Audi, we deliver progress through technology – and there’s no clearer demonstration of that than the free software and range update we’ve just launched for our existing e-tron 55 quattro customers,” commented Andrew Doyle Director Audi UK. “As we shift our focus to the world of electric vehicles, we’re channelling our pioneering spirit and world-renowned technological expertise into the reinvention of our company as a leading light in the field of sustainable mobility.
“As one of the automotive industry’s first signatories of the Paris Climate Agreement, Audi is taking a holistic and uncompromising approach to meeting its environmental obligations. We have set ourselves ambitious sustainability targets that include the attainment of a 30 per cent reduction in vehicle-specific CO2 emissions throughout the product lifecycle by 2025, operation of all Audi production sites with net zero carbon emissions by that same deadline, and full company-wide carbon neutrality on balance by no later than 2050.”
Beaulieu is looking forward to an exciting new year of events as it announces its 2022 calendar*, with a packed line-up of successful shows returning for the new season.
Eagerly anticipated is the return of Spring Autojumble on 14th – 15th May, following a two-year break. Motor enthusiasts will be itching to buy and sell treasured spare parts, automobilia, retro memorabilia and complete cars, with hundreds of stands and vibrant car club displays as part of the big weekend. Following in its tyre-tracks on 10th – 11th September will be the much-loved International Autojumble.
Incredible hot rods, custom cars and bikes, and classic vehicles from America, will all be the stars of the Hot Rod & Custom Show on 19th June, with music and retro fashions at the heart of this colourful show. While the high octane thrills will continue with the Beaulieu Supercar Weekend on 6th – 7th August, with exciting demonstrations of jaw-dropping supercars that all the family will love.
A big hit with gardeners when it was launched in 2021, BBC Gardener’s World Spring Fair will be transforming the Beaulieu event fields into a green-fingered paradise as it returns from 29th April to 1st May. The show will be packed with even more to treat gardeners, including flower displays and plants to buy, inspirational Beautiful Borders and gardening supplies for sale, to the BBC Good Food Market, street food, musical entertainment and more.
No less than 16 Simply rallies are scheduled to take place throughout 2022, with favourites including Simply Aston Martin on 3rd April, Simply Porsche on 5th June and Simply Japanese on 24th July, being joined by brand new rally Simply Italian on 24th April.
Beaulieu Events Manager Charlotte Mountain said: “As we look forward to a brand new year of Beaulieu events, it is exciting to be able to announce such a packed calendar, with the return of so many much-loved events. As well as a number of favourites, it is great to be welcoming new rally Simply Italian to the calendar.
“After the disruptions to the beginning of the 2021 events season, we’re hoping that 2022 will be a year to remember for great events and days out at Beaulieu. Make sure to get these dates in your diary!”
For the full line-up of events please see below.
* Although we will strive to deliver this calendar of events, these provisional dates may be subject to change – for the latest details see www.beaulieu.co.uk/events.
Date
Event
Content
Sunday 3rd April
Simply Aston Martin
Getting the events season off to a great start, Simply Aston Martin will be a season highlight for every Aston Martin fan
Sunday 10th April
Simply Audi
Returning for its fifth year, an impressive display for this popular German marque
Sunday 24th April
Simply Italian
Brand new for 2022, this rally will bring together all manner of lively Italian motors with a great display
Friday 29th April – Sunday 1st May
BBC Gardener’s World Spring Fair
A great green-fingered day out, with displays, plants for sale, expert gardening advice, BBC Good Food Market and entertainment
Saturday 14th – Sunday 15th May
Spring Autojumble
Returning for 2022, this buying and selling bonanza will feature car displays and stands packed with automotive bargains
Sunday 15th May
Land Rover Rummage
A trading corner of Spring Autojumble, devoted to spare parts and accessories for Britain’s favourite 4X4
Sunday 22nd May
Simply Ford
Always a highlight for enthusiasts’ groups, every model of Ford is welcome to join this well-established favourite
Sunday 29th May
Simply Electric
Sparking into life for its second year, Simply Electric invites all electric cars to park up in the grounds of the National Motor Museum
Sunday 5th June
Simply Porsche
Welcoming all Porsche owners and enthusiasts for a busy Porsche-themed day out
Sunday 12th June
National Mini Day
Join the Mini Cooper Register in celebrating all Minis, old and new, with a jam-packed event
Saturday 18th June
Simply VW
Vee Dubs of every type are invited to join in, for a great day out that Volkswagen fans will love
Sunday 19th June
Hot Rod & Custom Show
A glorious retro celebration of colourful hot rods, classic American and custom cars and bikes
Sunday 26th June
Simply Jaguar
This impressive display will be open to all classic and modern Jaguars
Sunday 3rd July
National Austin Seven Rally
Join the Pre-War Austin Seven Club as it celebrates 100 years of one of the world’s best-loved people’s cars
Sunday 10th July
Simply Land Rover
A must for 4X4 fans, Land Rovers of every age will take over the Beaulieu parkland
Saturday 16th July
Simply Vauxhall
Love your Vauxhalls? Then don’t miss Simply Vauxhall, with all examples invited to take part
Sunday 17th July
Simply French
Bringing Gallic flair to Beaulieu, every French classic car is welcome
Sunday 24th July
Simply Japanese
From city runabouts to sports cars, Japanese cars of every variety will join the rally
Saturday 6th – Sunday 7th August
Beaulieu Supercar Weekend
Many of the world’s most exciting supercars will be the stars of this two-day show
Sunday 14th August
VW T Chill
Beaulieu hosts this family-friendly VW camping event, back by popular demand
Sunday 14th August
Graham Walker Run
An annual get-together of veteran and vintage motorcycles, in tribute to the late Graham Walker
Sunday 21st August
Simply Mercedes
The fourth Simply Mercedes will bring together impressive cars built by the prestige German manufacturer
Saturday 10th – Sunday 11th September
International Autojumble
Beaulieu’s most famous event and the largest autojumble this side of the Atlantic
Sunday 18th September
Simply BMW
Big or small, every BMW from the marque’s distinguished past is invited to take part
Sunday 25th September
Simply British Classics
Returning for its third year, Simply British Classics welcomes all pre-2000 British classic cars
Remembrance Sunday 13th November
Simply Smart
The final Simply rally of 2022 will be a colourful display of some of the smallest and cheekiest cars on the road
Tickets will go on sale in January 2022 at www.beaulieu.co.uk/events. Sign up to our event newsletter or our social media pages to be one of the first to know.
Visitor and participant tickets include entrance to all that Beaulieu has to offer, including the National Motor Museum and Bond in Motion –No Time To Die, Little Beaulieu, World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, the ancestral Montagu home Palace House, Secret Army exhibition, 13th century Beaulieu Abbey and the stunning grounds and gardens. Visit www.beaulieu.co.uk for more information.
Beaulieu is also ideal for car clubs looking to hold their own rally, taking the hassle out of hosting an event with excellent facilities and all-inclusive access to the whole of the attraction. For more information see www.beaulieu.co.uk/events/hold-your-rally-at-beaulieu or to discuss your club’s requirements with a member of the Beaulieu Events team email events@beaulieu.co.uk.
Silverstone Auctions returned to The NEC Classic Motor Show for tenth year as ‘Official Auction Partner’
Over £9.2m worth of car, motorcycle and automobilia sales, at an 83% sales rate across the weekend
£8.5m of car sales with a 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC selling for £540,000
£550,000 of motorcycle sales with a 1939 Brough Superior SS80 motorcycle selling for £61,875
£15,750 raised for Prostate Cancer UK with a sale of a 1979 VW Type 2 Camper Van
Silverstone Auctions are celebrating a superb weekend of sales, resulting in £9.2m worth of collective car, motorcycle and automobile sales
This past weekend, specialist automotive auction house Silverstone Auctions, returned to NEC Classic Motor Show for their tenth time as the ‘Official Auction Partner’. As the final hammer fell, the company recorded a staggering £9.2m worth of collective car, motorcycle and automobilia sales; with an impressive 83% sales rate.
The three-day auction commenced on Friday with a dedicated motorcycle sale, the first ever Silverstone Auctions have done at the NEC Classic Motor Show. One hundred impressive motorcycle examples were offered up for sale, with over 81% of lots selling, achieving over half-a-million pounds. An assortment of adventure bikes, café racers, scooters and sidecars all featured, but several rare and historically significant lots caught the bidder’s attention. The standouts being an immaculate 1939 Brough Superior SS80 with Alpine Petrol Tube Side car, selling for £61,875 and a 1946 Indian Model 346, which sold for £24,750.
Saturday and Sunday’s car auctions garnered the interest of thousands, with people watching the sale in the room, via the Silverstone Auctions website and from other bidding channels. Significantly, over 1500 bidders registered for the event, with some placing bids from as far as Australia, the United States and the Cayman Islands.
The car sale began on Saturday with a special charity lot, a 1979 VW Type 2 Camper Van, which was meticulously restored over three years. The project was coordinated by Practical Classics Magazine and Lancaster Insurance Services. The vehicle was purchased for a generous £15,750, with all proceeds going to their charity partner Prostate Cancer UK.
The atmosphere throughout both days of the car auction was sensational. Sales were relentless throughout the weekend, with many lots achieving or exceeding the stated estimates. Offered early on the Saturday was the Williams F1 ‘Red 5’ FW14 Display Car, thought to be the only surviving genuine factory build display car in existence. Sold at ‘No Reserve’, the car achieved an impressive £154,125. Later, a white 1987 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth, with just 5,545 miles on the clock, sold for an astounding £103,500.
TV personality Mike Brewer was delighted to see all five of his vehicles sell, with the 1972 Citroen SM 2.7 purchased in the room for £41,062. The bidding concluded with a round of applause and a handshake from Brewer himself. The Mike Brewer Collection sold for a total of £230,000.
The star cars of the show though were undoubtably the stunning 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC, selling for an astonishing £540,000 and the 1937 SS100 Jaguar 2½-Litre Roadster, sold on the Sunday for £281,250. The latter vehicle is regarded as one of the most sought-after pre-war sports cars in existence.
Automobilia sales across the weekend also generated £180,000 worth of sales, with dozens of collectables, pictures, watches and number plates crossing the block – many achieving well over the top estimates.
Commenting on the auction weekend, Nick Whale, Silverstone Auctions’ Managing Director stated, ‘I am delighted with how the weekend went. There was a fantastic atmosphere in the room; a real buzz, something we really missed last year. I am happy we could sell so many fantastic vehicles on behalf of our venders; no doubt the buyers are just as thrilled with their purchases. We are already looking forward to a busy, successful year in 2022.”
Silverstone Auctions will return next year, with the first event taking place in late February. All the car, motorcycle and automobilia results for The NEC Classic Motor Show are available to view via the Silverstone Auctions website. Classic cars and collector motorcycles are now invited for auction next year, the Silverstone Auctions team can be contacted on 01926 691141.
All sold prices included within this article are inclusive of the final hammer price and buyer’s premium of 12.5% for cars and bikes, and 20% for automobilia.
2021 AUCTIONS The Riyadh Car Show 2021 Auction By Seven Concours – Thursday 25th November 2021
ABOUT SILVERSTONE AUCTIONS Formed in 2011, Silverstone Auctions is a world-class, specialist auction house for the sale of classic cars, modern supercars, all types of competition cars, modern and historic motorcycles as well as automotive memorabilia.
We hold the exclusive automotive auction rights for Silverstone circuit and host sales as stand-alone events as well as an integrated element of some of Europe’s biggest motorsport events such as the Silverstone Classic Festival.
In addition to our sales at the circuit, we also host a number of auctions each year at other major classic car events including the NEC Classic Motor Show and Race Retro.
At Silverstone Auctions we take pride in selecting the very best of breed vehicles for our sales which not only attracts buyers from around the world, but has already helped us achieve a number of record-breaking auction prices on behalf of our vendors.
We are committed to providing the best possible service for both buyers and vendors alike, so if you’d like to know more about buying or selling a classic vehicle with Silverstone Auctions, call us today on +44(0)1926 691141.
Leading international classic rally organiser Bespoke Rallies has a string of firsts to its name, and has just added another with Grand Tour Canarias – a successful 19-day, seven-island expedition of the Canary archipelago, including La Palma while the Cumbre Vieja volcano was in full flow.
Never before has such an event taken in all seven of the region’s main islands, hopping between the familiar destinations of Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria and Tenerife before heading west to the lesser-known haunts of La Palma, El Hierro and La Gomera. The highlight of an unforgettable rally was undoubtedly getting up close and personal with La Palma’s active volcano, that has now been erupting for some weeks, and the reactions of some of the doughty participants were encapsulated for posterity by BBC television news (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqbkO_s6yUA). Said Bespoke Rallies Director John Brigden: “Experiencing the full force of nature at such close quarters is something none of us will ever forget, though I have to admit we weren’t all that sorry to move on once we’d done so! We were close enough to be rained on by volcanic ash, but far enough away to be out of danger from the lava flow.”
Eighteen crews took part in this latest Bespoke Rallies adventure in an eclectic array of machinery, the oldest of which was a splendid 1923 Bentley. Among the drivers were Formula One engine supremo Mario Illien and former McLaren F1 team manager Alastair Caldwell. Added Brigden: “It was wonderful to see a group of classic car enthusiasts back doing what they enjoy most after the restrictions of COVID – ie revelling in each other’s company and enjoying their cars to the full.”
The next event on the packed Bespoke Rallies schedule is the Dakar Enduro (February 28 – March 20, 2022). Full information on this and all the company’s other innovative offerings is available at www.bespokerallies.com.
Classic Car Auctions’ final sale of 2021 is right around the corner, taking place at Stoneleigh Park on Saturday 11th December.
The auction house has launched a number exceptional entries for the sale via their website, with many more going live every week – their catalogue is shaping up wonderfully.
Presented in Grigio Titanium, and in exceptional condition, is this 2003 Aston Martin DB7 Vantage Coupe. This wonderful example is regarded as some of car designer Ian Callum’s finest work. The vehicle has been recently serviced by McGurk Performance Cars and the history file shows over fifteen services which were carried out by Aston Martin specialists. With just 38,000 miles on the clock, this example is estimated at £20,000 – £25,000.
Superbly recommissioned and beautifully presented is this 1961 Bentley S2 Standard Steel Saloon. This is an exquisite Standard Steel example, classically finished in Blue over Shell Grey and with original grey leather carpets. With just five registered keepers, the odometer currently reads 80,679 miles. This fabulous S2 is fitted with an automatic transmission and power-assisted steering. Estimated at £25,000 – £30,000.
Gary Dunne, CCA’s Sales Manager commented, “The team have been working hard to bring a superb selection of cars to market. We have lots more fantastic cars going live this week, and we will close our catalogue next week. Do not miss your last chance to sell with us this year at our fabulous Winter Sale.”
Going under the hammer on Saturday 11th December is this 1971 Morris Mini Cooper S. From seven years current ownership, this well restored and nicely presented MK 3 ‘S’ has an interesting history. Having been originally finished in Black Tulip, it was later painted to Tartan Red with an Old English White roof in 1984. Estimated: £24,000 – £28,000.
With just five previous owners, the current being custodian since 1993, is this 1984 Porsche 911 (930) Turbo. This super example is an original 911 Turbo, which has been maintained predominantly by Parrs; an independent Porsche specialist in Crawley. It comes with a nice history file, including some old invoices. Well presented in Grand Prix White with a full Black leather interior, this example comes to sale with a fresh MOT. Estimated at £50,000 – £60,000.
Classic Car Auctions Winter Sale catalogue closes on Monday 22nd November. To speak to a member of the team about selling your car in this sale, complete the Value My Classic form or contact Classic Car Auctions on 01926 640888 where they can assist you with the process.
About Classic Car Auctions (CCA)
Classic Car Auctions (CCA) is a specialist auction house for the sale of ‘Everyman’ classic cars; offering enthusiasts the opportunity to buy an impressive selection of iconic classic cars from across the eras.
Created in 2015 by the highly respected team from Silverstone Auctions and now an established business itself; we have a consistent sales rate of over 75% for the last three years and have proudly sold over £15,000,000 worth of cars during the same period.
The majority of our sales are held at our home from home, The Warwickshire Event Centre, Leamington Spa. Here our sales average a total of £1.5 million, with hundreds of dedicated buyers attending the one-day sale of approximately 150 cars each time. We are also established at the Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show which is held annually at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), Birmingham, where we have been the official auction partner for the last three years.
At CCA our aim is to make buying and selling a classic car as easy and as straight-forward as possible. Our dedicated team of knowledgeable classic car specialists will provide sellers with honest and realistic estimates, combined with worldwide marketing and well-presented sale days which will help your car achieve a great price. We offer buyers a fantastic selection of affordable classic cars presented with extensive information and detailed condition reports along with low buyer’s fees.
If you’d like to know more about buying or selling a classic car with Classic Car Auctions, call us today on 01926 640888 or email enquiries@classiccarauctions.co.uk.
To celebrate Grandeur’s 35th anniversary, Hyundai designers gave the boxy original a retro-futuristic makeover to find new inspiration for the future
First generation of Grandeur reborn with an all-electric powertrain, Parametric Pixel exterior and sound architecture interior while keeping the 1980s styling elements
Hyundai will continue to rediscover the values of the brand through the Heritage Series
Hyundai Motor Company is celebrating the 35th anniversary of its 1986 Grandeur flagship sedan with an electrifying retro-futuristic resto-mod.
Hyundai developed the Heritage Series Grandeur to shed light on the original sedan’s symbolic significance and find new inspiration for future designs.
Hyundai’s design team reinterpreted the first-generation Grandeur as an all-electric car with the Parametric Pixel exterior lighting that distinguishes its new IONIQ 5 production model and an ultra-modern interior wrapped in burgundy velvet and Napa leather.
From the outside, the Heritage Series Grandeur shows most of its retro charm, but with tasteful updates, such as new side mirrors, covered wheels, slide cladding and pixel-style LED headlights and taillights that hint at the concept’s use of Hyundai’s electric powertrain.
For the Heritage Series Grandeur’s interior, the designers applied a ‘Newtro (newness + retro)’ concept theme to stimulate passengers’ senses with bronze-coloured lighting that is reminiscent of period audio equipment and a modern audiophile sound system to match.
The front seats are fitted with burgundy velvet, inspired by the original Grandeur, with the unexpected twist of elegantly stitched and laced auburn Napa leather on the back. The center console armrest contains a hidden pop-out compartment for storing valuables like watches.
The designers seamlessly integrated the latest technologies alongside retro-cool hardware. They replaced dials and buttons on the dashboard with an ultra-wide, touch-enabled flat-screen display but maintained the ’80s vibe with a single-spoke steering wheel and jet airplane-style gear selector.
The designers incorporated the 4way4 sound system developed by South Korean sound designer Guk-il Yu that controls the 18-speakers. The audio system delivers rich sound with magnificent clarity and deep bass thanks in part to the composition of Grandeur’s center console and dashboard, which are designed based on concert hall acoustic theory. The soundbar’s piano function can be played through the audio system when the vehicle is in park.
The bronze-coloured light beam that begins at the left and right ends of the dashboard extends around the cabin, penetrating the B-pillars, casting a flattering hue across the well-appointed interior. ‘Infinity mirrors’ reflect the light, giving the second row an even wider sense of space befitting a luxury saloon of the mid-80s zeitgeist.
Having reimagined its 1975 Pony and 1986 Grandeur as EV concepts, Hyundai designers will continue to rediscover the values of the brand through the Heritage Series.
“As our designers conceive the future, it’s important to look back on what we’ve created in the past and find inspiration in it,” said Hak-soo Ha, Head of Interior Group of the Hyundai Design Centre. “With the Heritage Series Grandeur, our designers have reinterpreted an important part of Hyundai’s history as a wonderfully unique blend of vintage and contemporary that reflects the boundless possibilities of our EV era.”
The Hyundai Heritage Series Grandeur is on display at Hyundai Motorstudio Goyang through Nov. 14, and then moves to Seoul Motorstudio, from Nov. 16-21.
Building on the success of the V4 model, the Ducati Streetfighter family expands thanks to the introduction of new Streetfighter V2 and Streetfighter V4 SP models
The Streetfighter V2 truly represents the essence of the “Fighter” attitude: the new gateway to the Streetfighter family is the perfect synthesis between boldness and essentiality
Manufactured in a numbered series, top-of-the-range Streetfighter V4 SP adds the class-leading technical specification of the “SP” models to the “Fight Formula”, further improving the power-to-weight ratio of the Streetfighter V4 S, already at the top of its category
Ducati expands the Streetfighter family with the introduction of two new models: the bold and essential Streetfighter V2 and the top-of-the-range Streetfighter V4 SP.
All the in-depth information on the two bikes have been revealed during the fourth episode of the Ducati World Première web series.
The new Streetfighter V2 is a sports naked with a one-of-a-kind character. It accommodates the needs of those riders who are looking for a bike capable of combining the sporting Panigale V2’s DNA with both the attitude and style of the admired Streetfighter. The result is an intuitive and easy-to-handle vehicle, with the right dose of power to ensure feisty performance and maximum riding fun.
It is noteworthy that this project is the precious fruit of the reinterpretation of Ducati’s successful “Fight Formula”, this time applied to the Panigale V2, stripped of the fairings and equipped with high and wide handlebars. The dry weight of this vehicle is 178 kg and the engine is the 955 cc and 153 hp Superquadro controlled by the latest-generation electronic package.
The new Streetfighter V2 is essential and characterized by a truly sharp design, which embraces the classic stylistic elements of the Streetfighter V4, starting with the distinctive headlight, which recalls the V-shaped DRL typical of Ducati sports bikes and is inspired by the famous grin of the Joker. The design concept behind this new model is built around the mechanics inherited from the Panigale V2, with the Superquadro engine as a bearing element.
Ergonomics has major rider-centric features and is focused on road use with the added values of sportiness and comfort. The high and wide aluminum handlebars replace the handlebar risers of the Panigale V2. The saddle now is wider and has new padding that contributes to make this bike even more comfortable. In addition, the footpegs have been repositioned to increase the amount of room. All these improvements allow the biker great control in sporty riding and facilitate everyday use at the same time.
The engine of the Streetfighter V2 is the 955 cc Euro 5-compliant Superquadro, capable of delivering a maximum power of 153 hp at 10,750 rpm and a maximum torque of 101.4 Nm at 9,000 rpm. This engine results not only usable and enjoyable on the road but also effective and excellent on the track, where can be easily managed. Compared to the Panigale V2, the Streetfighter V2 project has a shorter final ratio (15/45 vs 15/43) which guarantees greater torque to the wheel at road speeds while giving better engine responsiveness when re-opening the throttle.
While developing this new model, Ducati engineers focused their attention on the chassis set-up. As a matter of fact, the Superquadro engine is used as a bearing element connecting the compact front structure, consisting of a monocoque frame in die-cast aluminum fixed to the engine head. The single-sided swingarm, which is also connected to the engine, is 16 mm longer compared to that of the Panigale V2, a winning point which contributes to ensure the stability of the whole bike. To this platform are added the 43 mm Showa BPF front fork and the Sachs shock absorber, featuring dedicated calibration to make the bike more comfortable on the road as well as easily adjustable for a whole new dimension of fun on the racetrack.
The Streetfighter V2 is equipped with 5-spoke wheels and the new Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tyres: 120/70 ZR17 at the front and 180/60 ZR17 at the rear, which provide a super fast response to the rider’s needs together with an extra cornering feeling. Except for the adoption of brake pads characterised by a less aggressive bite, more suitable for road use, the whole braking system is faithfully taken from the Panigale V2 and features Brembo M4-32 monobloc radial calipers with 320 mm diameter discs.
Also the comprehensive and modern electronic compartment fitting the Streetfighter V2 is inherited from the Panigale V2. The 6-axis IMU inertial platform manages all the electronic controls of the bike and gives the position of the bike in space in real time, sending the information to the control units that manage the controls. The electronic package includes: ABS Cornering EVO with “slide by brake” functionality, Ducati Traction Control (DTC) EVO 2, Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO, Ducati Quick Shift up/down (DQS) EVO 2, Engine Brake Control (EBC) EVO.
The Streetfighter V2 features three different Riding Modes (Sport, Road, Wet) with dedicated control settings. The electronic equipment can be enhanced by the accessories contained in the Ducati Performance catalogue: Ducati Data Analyzer (DDA + GPS) and Ducati Multimedia System.
The bike is equipped with full-LED headlights with front DRL and a 4.3” full-TFT dashboard characterised by an intuitive interface that recalls the Streetfighter V4 family-feeling.
The Streetfighter V2 will be available at Ducati dealerships starting from December 2021 in the Ducati Red colour with black rims.
The Ducati Performance catalogue features numerous accessories designed to enhance look, performance and style of the new Streetfighter V2. Among these, the wings stand out, designed by Ducati to obtain even higher performance in track use.
For 2022 Ducati introduces also top-of-the-range Streetfighter V4 SP model, offered in a numbered version and marked with the well-known “SP” (which stands for Sport Production) abbreviation. The new Streetfighter V4 SP is the most adrenaline-pumping naked to ever roll its wheels off the production line in Borgo Panigale. This thanks to a special technical equipment that perfectly combines the “Fight Formula” with the “SP” specifications, further improving the power-to-weight ratio of the Streetfighter V4 S, which was already at the top of its category, and making the bike even more effective on the track.
The Streetfighter V4 SP comes with a dedicated livery, premium equipment derived from the Superleggera V4, as well as with a restrained weight: 196 kg in running order (3 kg less compared to the Streetfighter V4 S).
The essential and captivating “Winter Test” livery has been conceived by the Ducati Centro Stile taking inspiration from the Ducati Corse motorcycles ridden in MotoGP and SBK Championships pre-season tests. The Matt Black of the fairings combined with the Matt Carbon finish of rims and wings superbly contrasts with the bright Red accents and the sparkling brushed aluminum tank. The new born from Borgo Panigale is also enriched with some beautiful details, such as the progressive number printed on the handlebar and the Italian flag colour scheme on the carbon wings.
The Streetfighter V4 SP is equipped with 5 split-spoke carbon rims, 1.4 kg lighter than the forged aluminum ones fitted as standard on the Streetfighter V4 S and capable of reducing the inertia by 26% at the front and 46% at the rear, making the bike significantly more agile and lighter when changing direction. The exclusive Brembo Stylema R® front brake calipers guarantee uncommon braking power, as well as stunning performance even during extended use on track*.
The new bike is equipped with the Öhlins Smart EC 2.0 with the event-based system that can vary the damping according to the rider’s riding style, and together with biplane wings they increase confidence and ensure the best performance in sporty use.
The beating heart is the 1,103 cc Desmosedici Stradale with 208 hp capable of delivering a torque of 123 Nm at 9,500 rpm (Euro 5-compliant). On the Streetfighter V4 SP the Desmosedici Stradale is fitted with the STM-EVO SBK dry clutch, which guarantees a better anti-hopping function, even in the most aggressive downshifts, and greater fluidity during all “off-throttle” stages, a crucial aspect to be truly effective on the track when pushing to the limit.
The equipment of this unique bike is enriched by the adjustable aluminum and CNC machined footpegs, the carbon front mudguard, the lithium-ion battery and a range of accessories suitable for the “track days”, such as the open carbon clutch cover** and the caps for removing the license plate holder**.
Thanks to its technical equipment, the Streetfighter V4 SP is the ideal companion for the amateur who wants to rule the track riding a naked bike and get an instant response. Braking capacity results in fact out of the ordinary, the bike is easier to lay into the corner and gets to the apex faster, not to mention the great stability at high speeds.
The Streetfighter V4 SP will be available in single-seat configuration in the “Winter Test” livery. The bike will be in Ducati dealerships starting at January 2022.
The complete press kit along with all the product information and the images of the new Ducati Streetfighter family are available for download on Ducati Media House.
* Bike specifications and dealer availability may vary from market to market. Please refer to the tech specs contained in the press kit for further information ** This product is intended for vehicles used only in closed-course circuit. Operation on public roads is prohibited by law
