ROD BURRIS VELOCETTE INTERVIEW VIDEO

New! Velocette Motorcycles – MSS to Thruxton (New Third Edition)
By Rod Burris

• THE standard and definitive work on Velocette, now as a third edition
• Redesigned, updated and now in large format
• A comprehensive record & technical analysis of Velocette motorcycle development from MSS tourer to Thruxton racer between 1954 & 1970
• The only detailed history of the M series Velocettes
• Contains practical hints on keeping your Velo going, and is a wonderful reference for the restorer, owner and would be owner
• Heavily illustrated, including much colour

Click here for more info about the book.

ALFA GIULIA GTAm TOPS ALFA VOTING POLL

Although Alfa Romeo has to date created more than 70 models in its rich 100 year history, it all came down to a battle between just two iconic Alfas in a poll of fans’ favourites, initiated to celebrate the Italian marque’s centenary year.

And it was the Alfa Giulia GTAm that came top of the poll, beating the 8C Competizione supercar to the chequered flag with less than one percent more of the vote.

The Alfa Giulia GTAm, which gained 20.4 per cent of the overall tally, derived from the standard 1750 GT Veloce production model, and secured its place in the Alfa Romeo elite by winning the 1970 European Touring Car Championship in the hands of Dutchman Toine Hezemans. The votes for this poll were collected from admirers and owners – known as Alfisti - who submitted photos of their Alfas to the alfacentenary.co.uk website to create a unique piece of mosaic artwork.

The GTAm and Alfa’s current supercar, the 8C Competizione, led the way against a shortlist of classics including the 2900 B Le Mans, Alfasud and the 156 GTA.

A worthy runner-up with 19.8 per cent, the 8C Competizione - worth more than £123,000 - debuted as a concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2003 and went on to be produced in 2008 as a limited edition model of just 500 examples and selling out almost immediately. The car’s name derives from Alfa’s world famous 8 cylinder (8C) engine and the marque’s racing pedigree.

The Alfa Spider Duetto, widely regarded as a design classic, finished in third place with 16.01 per cent of the vote. This car was first launched in 1966 and famously starred in the legendary film The Graduate in 1967, alongside Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft.

Alfa Romeo UK Brand Communications manager, Damien Dally, says: “The Giulia GTAm was a great Alfa and a deserved winner. It’s really interesting to see how people voted in the poll. We all have our favourites which is testament to the fantastic cars Alfa Romeo has produced over the past century.”

The latest five-door Alfa Giulietta model, which takes styling cues from the iconic 8C Competizione, is now on sale in dealerships across the UK. For further information visit www.alfaromeo.co.uk

Source: Alfa Romeo

Alfa Romeo enthusiasts should check out this video of Keith Booker (author of Veloce books) at Goodwood Festival of Speed this year.

LANCIA DELTA 4WD/INTEGRALE BOOK REVIEW

Thanks to Dejan Jovanovic for this review which featured in Wheels (Gulf News Motoring Section).



Click here for more info about the book.

THINK FINISHES IN TOP THREE AT E-MIGLIA 2010

Oslo, Norway, 18 August 2010 – While pioneering Scandinavian electric vehicle (EV) maker, THINK, continues its warm-up preparations for the forthcoming EV Cup race series, the car-sharing pioneer Move About proved the quality of the THINK City by competing in the E-Miglia 2010, the world’s first international EV rally.

The best performing THINK City of the five entered was driven by Markus Spiekermann of Team Move About Bosch – entered by the German branch of the Scandinavian car-sharing pioneer, Move About. Spiekermann finished in third position, in what was a great demonstration of the THINK City’s robust performance attributes, developed and proven over 19 years and over 30 million kilometres of real world experience.

The E-Miglia 2010 started in Munich, Germany and concluded in Rovereto, Italy, over four days and 560 kilometers of carbon free competitive rally driving. Featuring no less than five Alpine passes, the E-Miglia offered ample opportunity to utilise the THINK City’s innovative regenerative braking technology, and in turn maximise battery range against formidable competition from the likes of Tesla, Citroen, Fiat, Tazzari, Smart and Jetcar. This latest competitive outing follows THINK’s recent class victory, also with a Move About team at the wheel, at this year’s Monte Carlo Rally for Alternative Energy Vehicles

“This is, without question, the most gruelling EV rally in the world,” said Spiekermann, “we were competing against some serious competitors in a variety of weather conditions and the THINK City was more than able to hold its own. Finishing in the top three is a really impressive achievement in a showroom standard urban EV, particularly against so many high performance race rivals.”

The latest generation THINK City is a purpose-built, all-electric and fully air-conditioned urban car that can travel at highway speeds and cover 160 kilometers on a single charge (via conventional household outlet), with zero local emissions. It is the world’s first EV to be granted certification with the European CE conformity mark and EU homologation requirements (M1 certificate). To achieve these exacting standards, the THINK City has successfully completed very thorough testing and validation procedures.

European production of the THINK City continues in Finland with manufacturing partner Valmet Automotive, which also assembles the Boxster and Cayman models for Porsche AG, and deliveries are taking place across Europe in selected key EV markets such as The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Austria and Switzerland.

Source: THINK

Coming soon! Electric Cars - The Future is Now!
By Arvid Linde

What if we all had to say goodbye to petrol cars tomorrow? Would you be ready?
There might be several reasons why you’re holding this book in your hand. Concern about the environment, determination to cut your fuel bill, or simply curiosity. Whatever the reason, the answer is within. This consumer guide is for housewives, petrol-heads, pedestrians, green activists, everyone – but most importantly, it’s for you. It will introduce the electric car to potential advocates and opponents, revealing all the pros and cons. Is such a vehicle really what it promises to be - the perfect answer to the fuel crisis and environmental issues? This book will help you find out. More info.

‘GRAND TOURING GREATS’ TO STAR IN THE EARLS COURT MOTOR SHOW AT THE GOODWOOD REVIVAL

Following the growing popularity of the annual Earls Court Motor Show at the Goodwood Revival, this key attraction will once again add an exciting element to the annual Revival meeting, the world’s most authentic historic motor race meeting, being held in just four week’s time, from 17-19 September.

The Earls Court Motor Show takes its inspiration from the celebrated London Motor Shows of the 1950s and 60s, with an Art Deco frontage reminiscent of the glory days of exhibitions of the past. This spacious area will give the expected 130,000 Goodwood Revival visitors an insight into how the motoring of tomorrow might look from a pre-1966 perspective, with a display of ‘futuristic’ late 20th and early 21st century cars.

Externally, Earls Court looks like the entrance to a 1950s Motor Show, promising to display ‘cars of the future’ inside. As no post-1966 vehicles are ordinarily allowed on site during the Goodwood Revival, the Earls Court Motor Show enables the event to break out of its ‘period’ timeframe and display post-1966 vehicles. The effect is like walking into a Tardis, offering other-worldly futuristic new cars to see, right up to and including manufacturers’ latest products.

Each vehicle manufacturer’s stand is presented in the style of a traditional Motor Show of the 1950s or 1960s. As with the rest of the Revival, the overall display is not set in a specific timeframe, but rather at some unidentified point prior to 1966. Manufacturer displays are therefore expected to include contemporary cars of the 1950s or 1960s, as well as some ‘concept’ cars showing each company’s vision of what production cars might look like in the early 21st Century. Car manufacturers confirmed to be exhibiting at this ‘motor show of the future’ include Maserati, Jaguar, BMW, Nissan and Rolls-Royce.

In addition to the manufacturers’ stands, there will be a central ‘concours d’elegance’ exhibition. This display will commemorate ‘Grand Touring Greats’, featuring around 25 elegant GT cars, from the 1950s right through to the present day. Expect to see important GT cars such as the influential Lancia Aurelia B20 Coupe, Bentley Continental R, Facel Vega HK500, Gordon Keeble and Ferrari 365 GTB/4 ‘Daytona.’

Goodwood’s historic links with Earls Court are very strong. The famous London Earls Court exhibition site was built on land once owned by the Duke of Richmond; the Earl in the name referring to the Earl of March, from whom the present 10th Duke of Richmond, and his son Lord March, are directly descended.

Source: Goodwood

SMART FESTIVAL IS GOING TO BE ELECTRIC

This year’s smart festival is on a charge to be the best ever thanks to exclusive test drive opportunities of the smart fortwo electric drive and an appearance by 2008 Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton.

Taking place on Saturday 4th September at Mercedes-Benz World, Weybridge, this year’s smart festival coincides with the 10th anniversary of the arrival of right-hand drive smart models in the UK.

The additions of the groundbreaking electric version and the Formula 1 superstar to what is the biggest single-day gathering of smarts are certain to add an extra dimension to the celebrations of the production milestone.

Test drives in the smart fortwo electric drive, which uses state-of-the-art lithium ion battery technology and can be charged via a standard 13 amp socket, will be available to visitors on a first come, first served basis. Lewis Hamilton will add to the excitement by presenting the winners of the ‘Most Modified’, ‘Best Kept’ and ‘Best Dressed’ smart competitions with their prizes.

Other attractions at the smart festival include smart arrows formation driving team, a display of models from the striking BRABUS tailor made collection and a host of driving games that include smart football.

The opportunity for visitors to test drive the cutting-edge model comes hot on the heels of the first London consumers taking delivery of their smart fortwo electric drive as part of the UK’s biggest electric car trial and the Plugged-in Report commissioned by smart to understand the UK perceptions around electric vehicles. The full report can be found at www.electricsmart.co.uk

Source: smart

Available now from Veloce!
the little book of smart – New Edition!
By Paul Jackson

In the little book of smart, now featuring a brand new extra chapter, author and smart fanatic Paul Jackson guides us through the history of the brand, its highs and lows, its successes and failures, up to the present day, with the very latest fortwo line-up promising major sales worldwide and, of course, helping to pave the way for a future for smart in the USA. It’s a fascinating tale, told succinctly and in an entertaining style, and complemented by full colour photography throughout. 144 pages packed with over 100 colour pictures and entertaining text make this a great little book. More info.

1964 CHEVY CORVETTE PHOTO SHOOT FOR EBG

Tom Falconer, author of forthcoming Veloce book Corvette C2 1963-1967 – The Essential Buyer’s Guide has written an article for Corvette Fever unveiling the news of his 1964 Chevy Corvette being photographed in London, especially for the book.


Click here to read the full story on Corvette Fever.

Forthcoming! Corvette C2 1963-1967 – The Essential Buyer’s Guide
By Tom Falconer

Having this book in your pocket is just like having a real marque expert by your side. Benefit from the author’s years of Corvette C2 ownership, learn how to spot a bad car quickly and how to assess a promising one like a professional. Get the right car at the right price! More info.

MOVIE AND TV STARS OF THE FOUR WHEELED VARIETY AT LANDROVERMAX!

Amazing Land Rovers from blockbuster movies and hit TV shows will be attracting the crowds at this year’s LANDROVERmax! held at Stoneleigh Park from 28th to 30th August.

Transferring from the big screen to the showground is the Land Rover 110 used in Tomb Raider and driven by Angelina Jolie who played the amazing Lara Croft. While Land Rovers have featured in many films, including The Ipcress File, The Italian Job and Get Carter, Tomb Raider (2001) really put the world’s 4x4 in the limelight as Lara went in search of hidden treasure.

Also being shown is the dramatic City-Cab from Sylvester Stallone’s 1995 film, Judge Dredd. Based on the forward-control (cab over the engine as opposed to having a bonnet like conventional Land Rovers), 31 examples were made for the film, which was set in 2139. Featuring an all-new body design for the film, bodies were made from glassfibre and were built by Land Rover.

From the small screen is Buster – a 1986 110 owned by Top Gear presenter and Land Rover fanatic Richard Hammond. His example, which began life as a 3.5-litre V8, now runs a heavy-duty 4.5-litre V8 pumping out more than 200bhp, as well as running equally tough suspension. And if that V8 doesn’t offer enough of a soundtrack, there’s a mind-numbing sound system providing the tunes.

According to Richard, he estimates that he has blown £70,000 on it: "It cost more than a new Range Rover and is more expensive to run than a Ferrari Enzo but I always drive it with a big grin on my face."

The biggest star of the show however is the SAS Desert Patrol 110 model, used by the British Army in Iraqi and Afghanistan campaigns. In theatres of war the Land Rover is a vital tool helping soldiers and they have served alongside military personnel down the decades, becoming well-loved for their reliability and strength.

Visit the website www.landrovermax.com for more info.

Coming soon in Veloce's SpeedPro Series! Land Rover Discovery, Defender & Range Rover – How to Modify Coil Sprung Models for High Performance & Off-Road Action
By Ralph Hosier

Buying a Range Rover, Discovery or Defender can be just the start of a wonderful adventure. This book shows the possibilities available to the owner, from big wheels and suspension lifts, under-body protection and tuning ideas, right up to how to convert the car into a high speed racer or an international expedition vehicle. With clear, jargon-free instructions, advice on events like family weekend green-laning, international expeditions and full-on competition, accompanied by colour photographs throughout, this is the definitive guide to getting the most from these exciting vehicles. More info.

BEETLE SOFA AT MUSEUM OF TECHNOLOGY

The official unveiling of the ‘The Major and the Beetle’ exhibition and new permanent exhibit, is celebrated with a historic Volkswagen car show and a ‘meet up’ for Volkswagen enthusiasts, all dedicated to the memory of Major Ivan Hirst, REME

The Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) and Volkswagen have a long history together from the end of the Second World War when the intervention of a young British Army officer changed the future of the fledgling giant of European motoring.

Sent by the Control Commission to ‘sit on’ the bombed remains of the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg in August 1945, the 29 year old Major Ivan Hirst REME and his team decided to restart production instead. Major Hirst then secured an order for 20,000 Beetles from the Military Government; meeting this order would take all the management and engineering skill he had.

Post-war Wolfsburg suffered shortages of food, skilled workers, housing and work materials. Major Ivan Hirst’s engineering and management skills together with his people skills, his open door policy and his will to succeed, turned the Volkswagen Factory around and ensured its survival.

Part of the exhibition is a video display and a unique ‘Beetle sofa’. Created from half a Beetle, it incorporates a seat and built-in audio facility so visitors can sit in a piece of history and learn about it simultaneously.


Get the app! VW Beetle - The Essential Buyer's Guide iPhone app
Your marque experts: Ken Cservenka & Richard Copping

Packed with good advice – from running costs, through paperwork, vital statistics, valuation and the VW Beetle community, to will a Beetle fit in your garage and with your lifestyle? – the VW Beetle EBG is THE COMPLETE GUIDE to choosing, assessing and buying the VW Beetle of your dreams.

SAAB 96 & V4 REVIEW IN NZ CLASSIC CAR

Click here for more info about the book.

BENTLEY DRIVERS CLUB AT SILVERSTONE

3 litre Bentleys in the parade as the rain begins (around 100 Bentleys took part). Image: Peter de Rousset-Hall
The Bentley Drivers Club 61st Annual Race Meeting at Silverstone on August 7th saw fantastic racing from a wonderfully diverse range of Bentleys and other marques. And, in the true spirit of the original Bentley Boys of the 1920s, the event saw a number of owners of modern Bentleys turning out with their contemporary machines tuned and presented for racing against their vintage counterparts.

“The mix of cars of all shapes, sizes and ages really took everyone back to the early days of motor racing,” said Sebastian Welch, Competitions Captain of the BDC, “and it was particularly heartening to see everything from a very early, brakeless, front-axled 3 litre Bentley up to the mighty 2005 GT, which was colourfully vinyl wrapped, just as owners have tuned and developed Bentleys for some 80 years. It’s a tradition that we in the Club are delighted to see continue.”

Key to this event is the informality of a true club meeting; grass-roots motorsport at its very best. “Although many of the cars are true museum pieces, they’re not kept in museums – we race them as they were always intended to be,” commented Clive Morley, who campaigned two vintage Bentleys at Silverstone, “and there’s a great atmosphere in the paddock. People can get really close to the cars – even sit in some of them.”

It’s also a superb family event. Spectators of all ages had plenty to entertain them, including the magnificent sight of 100 Bentleys old and new parading around a rather wet Silverstone, and exhibition laps by the Le Mans development car, EXP Speed 8. It was also a family event for the racers themselves, with husbands and wives competing against each other and, in the case of Clive Morley and his family, three generations out on the track.

The Bentley Drivers Club also continued the tradition of the race meetings of decades ago by inviting other marques to attend, which added to the excitement and spectacle. Two Morgan races were hugely entertaining, while other races featured Bugatti, D-type Jaguar, Lagonda, Allard, Frazer Nash, Aston Martin, Austin-Healey and MG, to name but a few.

Not surprisingly, this hugely popular meeting attracts overseas enthusiasts, not just to watch but also to compete. One competitor drove his 41/2 litre Bentley from Brussels, then campaigned it out on the track – again, very much in the spirit of those early racers.

“We were delighted with the event,” concluded Sebastian Welch. “We had full grids for a number of races, a strong turn-out of spectators, close-fought, exhilarating racing and that inimitable, relaxed and welcoming atmosphere that makes our annual Silverstone meeting so special.”

Source: Bentley Drivers Club

BLUEBIRD CN7 4 PAGE FEATURE IN OCTANE

The September 2010 edition of Octane magazine has a fantastic section on Bluebird CN7 as part of a special 'Speed Issue - 0-1350mph in 236 pages' - well worth a look!
You can catch the author of Veloce book Bluebird CN7 - The inside story of Donald Campbell’s last Land Speed Record car on YouTube.



The development, construction and operation of the last wheel-driven land speed record-breaking car that the UK produced, and how the tragic demise of Donald Campbell precluded it from reaching its full potential. It is also the personal story of one of the design team, how he became involved, and his incredible experiences in doing so. With many previously unpublished photographs, drawings,
and illustrations, this is a unique account of a legendary feat of British engineering.
More info about the book.

GOODWOOD TO PAY TRIBUTE TO TWO GREAT BRITISH MOTOR RACING LEGENDS AT THE 2010 REVIVAL

In just seven week’s time Goodwood will be marking the important contribution that two British legends have made to the sport of motor racing over the decades when it pays tribute to multiple World Champion John Surtees and the celebrated British Racing Motors (BRM) marque at the 2010 Goodwood Revival (17-19 September).

The Goodwood Motor Circuit has played a significant role in the careers of both racing driver John Surtees and BRM (for which Surtees drove), so it is entirely fitting that their achievements are celebrated with special track parades at the 2010 Revival to mark two important anniversaries.

50 Years Since John Surtees’ First Car Race

Already a multiple World Champion on two wheels, it was 50 years ago this year, in March 1960, that John Surtees began his switch to four wheels, entering a Formula Junior race at Goodwood and finishing a close second to Jim Clark.

Within a matter of months, Surtees had scored his first pole position and podium finish in Formula One, and in 1964 he became F1 World Champion. His achievement in winning World Championships on both two wheels and four remains unmatched to this day. Add victory in the inaugural CanAm championship in 1966, and a spell as a team owner, and his is a career whose achievements will perhaps forever remain unique.

At the 2010 Revival Goodwood will pay tribute to John Surtees, with a gathering of the landmark cars and bikes that shaped his unparalleled career, as well a number of drivers and riders that he competed with and against.

Amongst the 25+ ex-Surtees cars and motorcycles forming part of an impressive grid will be his 1949 Vincent Black Shadow, 1952 Comet 500, 1960 Cooper-BMC T52, 1964 Ferrari 158 and 1973 Surtees-Hart TS15.

60 Years Since BRM’s First Race Victory

On September 30th 1950, the fledgling British Racing Motors (BRM) scored its very first victory, here at Goodwood, when Reg Parnell triumphed in the Woodcote Cup. From then until 1977, when its doors closed permanently, BRM enjoyed a career which, perhaps more than any manufacturer before or since, was epitomised by glorious highs (17 Grand Prix victories and both World Championships in 1962) and ignominious lows (the calamitous failure of the much-heralded V16, and the team’s eventual demise), but which never failed to capture the public’s imagination.

This year’s Revival celebrates 60 years since that first win at Goodwood, with the world’s largest ever gathering of BRM cars. With up to 40 of the known 53 BRMs still in existence on the grid at Goodwood, highlights will include the infamous BRM V16 MK 1 of 1950, the 1953 V16 P30 MK 2, Type 25, P48, P261, P153 and the final P207 of 1977.

Source: Goodwood

WORLD CUP WINNER!

Last month we posed you all the following question, giving you the chance to win a copy of The Daily Mirror World Cup Rally 40 by Graham Robson:

What was Roger Clark reportedly asked to do at 14,000 feet as part of his altitude training for the London to Mexico Rally?

And the correct answer was:
Make love to local girl at 14,000 ft. Report back.

The alleged request came from Ford’s Stuart Turner, who wished to know the effects of lack of oxygen at altitude. Clark reported back with: "No girls at 14,000ft. So tried it 14 times at 1000ft. Will this do?"

Congratulations to Jon Thompson from Chertsey, Surrey, pictured here with his brand new copy. We hope you enjoy the read!

The Daily Mirror World Cup Rally 40 is available now.