RALLY CARS AT DONINGTON HISTORIC 2013

MG Metro 6R4 at Donington Historic Festival

Sunbeam Tiger heads to Donington Historic Festival
Rallying with Group B and the Historic Rally Car Register (HRCR) are joining forces to stage spectacular live demonstrations at this year’s Donington Historic Festival (May 3rd, 4th, 5th), bringing added excitement to an already action-packed weekend.

Throughout the Festival Donington Park’s Melbourne Loop will see the legendary Group B rally machines in action; a powerful reminder of the 1980s, when Donington Park was a RAC Rally stage and Group B cars dominated the world of international rallying. The Melbourne Loop will also see stage and road rally cars from the HRCR – including, it is hoped, several iconic ex-works cars from the 1950s and 60s - tackle a mini stage-type course and autotest, showing just how nimble they can be, and demonstrating why historic rallying has become such a popular sport.

With its live action demonstrations, Rallying with Group B recreates the glory days of a short but significant era from rallying history. Introduced in 1982, Group B regulations resulted in outrageously fast performances from cars such as the Audi quattro, MG Metro 6R4, Ford RS200, Lancia 037, Porsche 911 RSR and Peugeot 205 T16. Lightweight composite panels, four-wheel drive systems, complex turbo and supercharging combined to produce cars which, with in excess of 600bhp at their command, could out-accelerate Formula One cars of the period on gravel. However, in 1987, following a number of high-profile accidents and prominent driver deaths, Group B was banned, with enthusiasts’ only chance to see the cars in action now restricted to demonstration events.

The Historic Rally Car Register celebrates its 30th anniversary at the Festival. Initially founded to preserve genuine ex-works rally cars, the overwhelming response to its first-ever rally in 1983 marked the foundation of the international historic rallying movement. HRCR members are providing a wide selection of historic rally cars to represent a full cross-section of all aspects of historic rallying at the Festival. This will include Mini Coopers - made famous when HRCR President Paddy Hopkirk took one to victory on the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally – and Sunbeam Tigers, linked with the Alpine Rallies of the mid 1960s. MGs and Austin Healeys will also take part, together with cars representing the long-distance events of the 1970s such as the Triumph 2000 and Austin 1800, plus Mk1 and 2 Ford Escorts, which now achieve major successes within the British Historic Rally Championship.

And, of course, with the Festival’s open paddock, spectators will be able to get a really good look at all the rally cars as well as the more than 400 historic racing cars, spanning seven decades, which are due to compete at the event.

Donington Historic Festival organiser Duncan Wiltshire said, “We are thrilled that the two clubs are staging what promises to be an unforgettable spectacle for Festival visitors, to compliment the fantastic historic racing.

“The sight and sound of the Group B cars taking to the tarmac, all spitting flames and whining turbos will be enormously exciting, while the HRCR displays will show spectators that the cars many of us remember from the roads of our youth are capable of considerably more than a trip up the motorway. I suspect more than a few of our visitors will go away vowing to give historic rallying a go for themselves!”
Source: Donington

Check out Veloce's Rally Giants series!

TOP GEAR SENDS BEAULIEU ITS P45

Awesome first episode in new series of Top Gear

For the first instalment of the 19th series, Jeremy returned to our screens in possibly the strangest mode of motoring transport viewers have yet seen. Following the mass popularity of his video demonstrating the many benefits of the world’s smallest car, the Peel P50, the big man was set a new challenge. His mission? To create and drive a car even smaller than the Peel P50. The result? The brilliant yet bonkers P45 micro car.

A team of talented students from Coventry University’s Automotive Design course were commissioned to work on styling, whilst the aluminium bodywork was hand crafted by the people who make the fabulous Petersen Bentley. Showing extraordinary attention to detail, the P45 was painted with blue twin stripes, paying homage to legendary AC Cobra creator, Carroll Shelby. Fortunately for Shelby, that was where the similarities between the two cars ended.

Ever the professional, Jeremy embarked on an extensive road test of the vehicle, which saw him driving at top speeds of around 30mph on the A3, taking the vehicle onboard a coach to London... to demonstrate how easy it is to get onboard a train, and then driving it through Westfield Shopping Centre and the British Library. Despite its many, many shortcomings, including a microscopic fuel tank, high risk of nose-smashing and inability to get through a car wash without jamming the machinery and soaking the driver’s suit, Jeremy then entered the Dragon’s Den, seeking investment from the dragons for mass production – their verdict was a unanimous and resounding “I’m out”.

Throughout the test drive, Jeremy was singing its praises, describing the car simply as “completely excellent”. Richard and James, however, were a little less enthusiastic, preferring to call it “utterly ridiculous” and “a complete death trap”. The P45 is now on display at Beaulieu’s World of Top Gear exhibition, where visitors can make a thorough inspection of the car and decide for themselves whether it is ingenious... or just plain insane.

The unique motor joins a whole host of cars at Beaulieu created by the Top Gear presenters for some of their most ambitious challenges. Another recent addition is the budget Bond Lotus Excel submarine car from the 50 Years of Bond Cars special and the collection is awaiting the arrival of another new creation from Series 19, due to be unveiled shortly.

The ‘Enormodrome’ recreates the feel of the Top Gear studio with regular features from the programme, including the Cool Wall and the Celebrity ‘Lap Times’ board, kept up to date in line with the show. Visitors can also watch behind-the-scenes footage of the Top Gear production zone and clips of some of the best Top Gear moments.

World of Top Gear can be seen as part of a visit to the whole Beaulieu attraction which also includes the National Motor Museum, BOND IN MOTION, Palace House and Beaulieu Abbey.

Source: Beaulieu

Available from Veloce!
the little book of microcars
By Adam Quellin
During the middle of the twentieth century, a plethora of small economy cars – often quirky and bizarre – emerged to meet the needs of the cash-strapped motorist. This book charts the history and development of these microcars, from the lean period after the Second World War right up to the present day.
More info.

DON HAYTER'S MGB STORY BOOK REVIEWS

"worth every penny" - MGB Driver Dec 2012

"lot's of info here" - Auto Express Jan 2013

Click here for more info about the book!

1000TH VELOCE BLOG POST!

Today Veloce News celebrates blog post number 1000 with a montage of images from the past 5 years. We would like to thank our readers for roughly 200,000 page views and over 330 comments, so far ...

Please become a member of the Veloce Blog by using the gadget on the right to join this site with Google Friend Connect, to keep up with the latest Veloce news, competitions, book reviews & author interviews, plus the best handpicked automotive & motorsport news stories.

Veloce News - Automotive Stuff, since 2007

MONTE-CARLO HISTORIQUE: FIVE BELINETTES TO CELEBRATE THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ALPINE-RENAULT’S ONE-TWO-THREE FINISH

Renault Classic will be out in force for the 16th Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique with a field of no fewer than five Alpine-Renault A110 Berlinettes.

The team’s start-studded crew line-up features:

N°1: Jean-Vinatier / Jean-François Jacob (A110 1300)
N°15: Carlos Tavares / Jean Pascal Dauce (A110 1300)
N°18: Jean-Claude Andruet / ‘Biche’ (A110 1600S)
N°21: Alain Serpaggi / Jean-Pierre Prévost (A110 1300)
N°36: Jean Ragnotti / Francis Mercier (A110 1800 groupe 4)

Team Renault Classic’s five crews will start from Reims, France, on Sunday 27th January. The route visits French towns Valence and Gap en route to the finish in Monaco on 1st February.

Renault’s participation in this event for the third year running is a fitting opportunity to celebrate the brand’s numerous wins and successes in 1973, including:

Victory for Andruet/Biche on the Rallye Monte-Carlo.
A one-two-three finish for Alpine-Renault on the Rallye Monte-Carlo.
The World Rally Championship Manufacturers’ title for Alpine-Renault.
The participation of these five Berlinettes also coincides with Renault’s recent, long-awaited announcement of the Alpine brand’s revival last November.

Source: Renault

– Alpine Renault books from Veloce –
Special offer! Alpine & Renault – The Sports Prototypes – Volume 1: 1963-1969 By Roy Smith.
Sports prototype racing is about endurance, for the drivers, for the teams and for the companies involved. In this story we see the effort, the blood, the sweat and the tears, reputations won and lost, life and also death. The cars, some of the most evocative ever seen, are described in detail. We see stunningly beautiful, creative, slippery aerodynamic designs that allowed Alpine to take many class wins and outright victories in championship racing, from 1963 to 1969. You will feel the passion and dedication for racing from interviews with the men involved, illustrated with dramatic period photographs. More info.

Special offer! Alpine & Renault – The Sports Prototypes – Volume 2: 1973-1978 By Roy Smith. Sports prototype racing is about endurance – for the drivers, for the teams, and for the companies involved. Under the new management at Renault, and with assistance from Elf, the state-owned French oil company, Alpine made a remarkable return to sports car racing, vividly described here along with the reputations that were won and lost. More info.

Coming soon! Amédée Gordini – a true racing legend By Roy Smith.

This is the story of a man, a team, and their life and times, as well as a complete record of all their achievements and failures. It logs the financial and personal cost of racing in the prewar and postwar periods. It tells of how the mighty car company Renault became involved with them in the late 1950s, and how Amedee Gordini became known throughout the world as one of the greatest engine tuners of his time. More info.

SILVERSTONE CLASSIC 26 | 27 | 28 JULY 2013

This summer’s Silverstone Classic (26-28 July) is all set to be another record breaker following confirmation of an action-packed programme of 24 races spanning eight decades of glorious motor sport history.

Already firmly established as the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival, the mouth-watering line-up for 2013’s extravaganza features all the hugely popular historic Formula One, sportscar, GT and touring car grids that produced such close racing last year… plus a further three grids to be announced in the coming weeks.

As the home of the British Grand Prix and birthplace of the FIA Formula One World Championship, Silverstone is the perfect venue to celebrate the full spectrum of F1 history. And, with more than 100 of the most famous and iconic GP cars recreating many of the sport’s golden eras, there’s no better homage than the Silverstone Classic.

The Historic Grand Prix Cars Association (HGPCA) will be out in force with packed grids for both spectacular pre-1961 and pre-1966 F1 cars that revisit five decades of technical rivalries from the Bugattis of the 1920s, through the Maseratis and Ferraris of the 1950s to the dawn of the rear-engine epoch in the early 1960s when British-based constructors such as Brabham, Cooper and Lotus came to the fore.

Grand Prix Masters puts the spotlight on the following generation of DFV-powered F1 cars, reliving a fantastic decade of GP racing from 1968 to 1978 as well as the rise of many of the British teams including Brabham, Lotus, McLaren, Tyrrell and Williams. Adding to the spectacle and rekindling many fond and magic memories, all these renowned racers compete in familiar period liveries.

The comprehensive single-seater bill features two more exciting grids. Races for Historic Formula Junior and the combined F5000/F2 class were among last summer’s many highlights and both make welcome returns this July. All five of these open-wheeler categories are in race action twice at the Classic with a thrilling showdown each during both Saturday’s and Sunday’s busy schedules.

Harking back to what many believe were the halcyon days of the world famous Le Mans 24 Hours event, no fewer than five sportscar and GT grids are also on the unrivalled Silverstone Classic bill.

The Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy features post-war sports-racers up to the end of 1955, with victory last year going to the hard-charging Jaguar D-type of brothers John and Gary Pearson. The Stirling Moss Trophy stars slightly more modern pre-1961 sportscars with Lister Jaguars, Cooper Monacos and Maserati T61 Birdcages often to the fore while the World Sportscar Masters covers an equally exhilarating era from the mid-1960s up to 1974, boasting track idols such as the Porsche 917, Ferrari 512 and Lola T70.

Moving the clock forward to the 1980s are the super-fast Group C prototypes that once again will race into dusk on Saturday evening. Last year’s entry featured legendary machinery from Jaguar, Mercedes, Peugeot and Porsche as well as a trio of Ferrari-engined Lancia LC2s. An even more alluring line-up is promised for 2013.

Meanwhile Aston Martin will aim for a famous hat-trick of wins in the prestigious Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy for Historic Cars. Run for Pre-63 GT cars, victory in 2011 went to an Aston Martin DB4GT shared by racing legends Stuart Graham and Richard Attwood while last year’s encounter was won by Wolfgang Friedrichs and David Clark in the remarkable Aston Martin Project DP212.

The Silverstone Classic also honours the very best of saloon car racing history with two stunning grids already confirmed. The first is for Under 2-Litre Touring Cars with a full 58-car field of battling Lotus Cortinas, BMW 1800 Tis, Alfa Romeo GTAs and Mini Coopers from the pre-1966 era. The second is another Silverstone Classic success story… Last year’s event staged a new tin-top showdown for Group A and Super Touring cars from the 1980s and 1990s. It was such an immediate hit with competitors and fans alike that the category not only returns 12 months on but also has spawned an exciting new series, to be run by the famed Historic Sports Car Club (HSCC).

“It all adds up to another incredible line-up of races that put the spotlight on so much fantastic racing history… and we have another three grids still to announce,” enthused Nick Wigley, event director. “With more than 1000 entries, the Silverstone Classic is now not only the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival but also the largest race meeting staged anywhere on the globe. It may sound clichéd but, hand on heart and given some of the announcements yet to come, this summer’s looks like being the most successful yet.”

To house so much exotic and priceless motor sport history, the massive event will again fill both Silverstone’s National and new Wing pits and paddock complexes. The non-stop racing schedule, organised by the HSCC, is staged on the full Silverstone Grand Prix circuit with many races boasting fully-subscribed 58-car grids.

Adding to the Classic weekend’s enormous appeal, all tickets give free access to both racing paddocks as well as trackside grandstands and live music concerts on Friday and Saturday evenings. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Those booking before the end of March can take full advantage of special ‘Early Bird’ prices with adult tickets starting from just £30 (plus fees). Considerable savings are on offer for festival goers spending the full weekend at Silverstone and special packages for car clubs and their members are also available. Full details can be found on the official www.silverstoneclassic.com website.

REINTRODUCTION OF THE ALPINE BRAND

Late last year Renault and Caterham Group announced their decision to join forces in pursuit of a common project: to design develop and build future sports cars. This agreement reflects a similar passion and expertise in sports and competition cars. The future vehicles will be distinctive, differentiated, and carry the respective DNA of Alpine and Caterham Cars, the automotive division of Caterham Group. They will be built at the Alpine plant in Dieppe, Normandy, in France.

Following this announcement of the reintroduction of the Alpine brand and the founding of Société des Automobiles Alpine Caterham, an advisory board has been created. This will be under the authority of Renault’s Chief Operating Officer Carlos Tavares.

The board’s mission will be to advise and assist the senior management of both Renault and Société des Automobiles Alpine Caterham regarding the brand’s positioning and to monitor the evolution of the brand’s upcoming model from its initial design until its launch.

The members of the advisory board have been selected with regard to their respective areas of expertise, personal knowledge and involvement in the history of the brand and its products.

The members of the Alpine Advisory Board are:

• Jean-Charles Rédelé (Renault dealer and son of the brand’s founder, Jean Rédelé)
• Jacques Cheinisse (former sales manager and sporting director of Alpine)
• Jean-Pierre Limondin (former Alpine engineer with special responsibility for the production of Alpine cars under licence)
• Alain Serpaggi (former rally driver and former Alpine test driver)
• Bernard Darniche (one of the Alpine rally team’s famous ‘musketeers’ who helped Alpine win the inaugural World Rally Championship for Manufacturers in 1973)
• Michèle Mouton (Alpine rally driver from 1974 until 1977)
• Hervé Charbonneaux (collector of Alpines and driver of the brand’s cars in Historic races)
• Olivier Lamirault (Renault dealer in Chartres, France, and heavily involved in the marketing of the Alpine adventure as a former Alpine, and a regular driver of Alpines in Historic races)
• Chris Vissher (Renault dealer and Alpine and Renault Sport specialist in Rotterdam, Netherlands)
• Tom Mautner (former Renault and Alpine dealer and collector, UK)
From Renault, the following will also sit on the advisory board, in addition to Carlos Tavares:

• Philippe Klein (Executive Vice President, Corporate Planning, Product Planning & Programmes)
• Christian Pouillaude (Brand Director, Renault)
• Bernard Ollivier (CEO, Société des Automobiles Alpine Caterham)
• Jean-Jacques Delaruwière (representing Renault Communications, and responsible for the advisory board’s administration).

In principle, the board will meet twice a year and the first meeting will be held in a few weeks’ time.

Source: Renault
Special offer! Alpine & Renault – The Sports Prototypes – Volume 1: 1963-1969 By Roy Smith.
Sports prototype racing is about endurance, for the drivers, for the teams and for the companies involved. In this story we see the effort, the blood, the sweat and the tears, reputations won and lost, life and also death. The cars, some of the most evocative ever seen, are described in detail. We see stunningly beautiful, creative, slippery aerodynamic designs that allowed Alpine to take many class wins and outright victories in championship racing, from 1963 to 1969. You will feel the passion and dedication for racing from interviews with the men involved, illustrated with dramatic period photographs. More info.

Special offer! Alpine & Renault – The Sports Prototypes – Volume 2: 1973-1978 By Roy Smith. Sports prototype racing is about endurance – for the drivers, for the teams, and for the companies involved. Under the new management at Renault, and with assistance from Elf, the state-owned French oil company, Alpine made a remarkable return to sports car racing, vividly described here along with the reputations that were won and lost. More info.

Coming soon! Amédée Gordini – a true racing legend By Roy Smith.

This is the story of a man, a team, and their life and times, as well as a complete record of all their achievements and failures. It logs the financial and personal cost of racing in the prewar and postwar periods. It tells of how the mighty car company Renault became involved with them in the late 1950s, and how Amedee Gordini became known throughout the world as one of the greatest engine tuners of his time. More info.

VELOCE AUTHOR PHILIP YOUNG IN AFRICA RECORD RUN 2013

When the British Army set a new World Record for the non-stop drive from Cape Town to London in 1983, they had no idea that their record of 14 days would last for 30 years ...

On the anniversary, 1 February 2013, a fresh attempt is to be launched, when two British rally drivers, Philip Young and Paul Brace, set out in one of the smallest "eco" city-cars you can buy from a British showroom - a two-cylinder, 875cc Fiat Panda.

The two drivers have extensive experience of the route, including driving through Sudan and across the top of North Africa through Libya.

Young and Brace have had the car lightly modified with uprated suspension, a long-range tank, which enables the Panda to drive 600 miles between top-ups, and underbody protection, fitted-out by veteran, long-distance rally driver Tony Fowkes. It also has been equipped with a Yellowbrick tracker, the device which plots yachts in trans-world yacht races, to confirm that their progress is within local speed limits.

They leave Cape Town on 1 February and a giant map on the website, www.africarecordrun.com will monitor their progress, with the tracker bleeping every 30 minutes. They hope to drive 1,000 miles a day for ten days, to cross the line at Marble Arch on 11 February, at around 6.30pm, the same spot where the RAC Motor Sports Association's Neil Eason Gibson camped out in a deck chair to clock Brigadier John Hemsley's arrival in 1983.

The best-ever time of 11 days 14 hours for crossing the two Continents from London to Cape Town was set by a Land Rover Discovery two years ago. If the dynamic duo in their tiny Panda can match that target, they ought to also take the trophy for the best-ever time. The total distance is 10,300 miles.

The pair are hoping to raise over £10,000 for the UK charity, Farm Africa, which has agricultural projects in several countries along their route.

The first record was set in 1933, by a Morris 8; the driver, Alan Gilg, took 5 months and used 15 gallons of oil. This was reduced to 31 days by a journalist from The Motor magazine in 1939, driving a new Wolseley, beaten after the War by the newly-announced Austin Hampshire.

Rootes then entered the fray and took the record in a Hillman Minx, beating that in a Humber Snipe, before Eric Jackson snatched the record by just 18 minutes driving a new Ford Cortina 1500 Super.

Source: www.endurorally.com

The team on TV ...

Philip Young's book Available from Veloce! How to Build a Successful Low-Cost Rally Car – For Marathon, Endurance, Historic & Budget-car Adventure events
By Philip Young.

Simple, cost-effective, basic and reliable tips to ensure that any rally car stands a chance of reaching the finishing line. If you are planning a road-based rally, don't even think of leaving home before reading this book and implementing the tried and tested mods it describes so well.
More info.

HUGE STOCK CLEARANCE!

The following books have been reduced! Check out the Special Offer section of the Veloce website for more details!

Alfa Romeo Montreal – The dream car that came true by Bruce Taylor
The British at Indianapolis by Ian Wagstaff
Alpine & Renault – The Sports Prototypes – Vol 1: 1963-1969 by Roy Smith
Alpine & Renault – The Sports Prototypes – Vol 2: 1973-1978 by Roy Smith
Northeast American Sport Car Races 1950-1959 by Terry O'Neil
Runways & Racers – Sports Car Races held on Military Airfields in America 1952-1954 by Terry O'Neil
Secrets of Speed – Today's techniques for 4-stroke engine blueprinting & tuning by Nick Swager
Waggy Tails & Wheelchairs – The complete guide to harmonious living for you and you dog by Alexander Epp
Clever Dog! – life lessons from the world's most successful animal by Ryan O'Meara
Dog Games – Stimulating play to entertain your dog and you by Christiane Blenski
Dinner with Rover – Delicious, nutritious recipes for you and your dog to share by Helena Paton-Ayre

*p+p extra. For more information visit our website.
Orders by telephone during office hours only (9am-5:30pm GMT, Mon-Fri).

CARFEST VENUES CONFIRMED FOR 2013

The venue for CarFest North has finally been revealed by BBC Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans – this will take place at Oulton Park Race Circuit in Cheshire from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 August 2013.
A former stately home, and 60 years old this year, Oulton Park’s combination of stunning scenery and spectacular racing make it one of the most picturesque and best loved circuits in the country. This new venue brings even more excitement to the experience of watching some of the world’s greatest cars – this time charging around a track – whilst offering some fantastic spaces for dancing to live music, chilling out in front of the Arena and having a fun, family weekend.

“We are extremely excited to have been chosen as the venue for CarFest North,” said Jonathan Palmer, Chief Executive of Oulton Park owners MotorSport Vision (MSV). “The event allows us to show off our greatest features – a spectacular track and stunning scenery. We are certain that at Oulton Park, CarFest North will be even better than last year and help to raise even more money for BBC Children in Need.”

Conceived by Evans as his own perfect festival, CarFest was an amazing sell-out in 2012 – so amazing that a second event was invented to meet demand; and so CarFest South and North were born. The original two events raised a staggering £968,735 for BBC Children in Need.

As in 2012, CarFest South will take place at Laverstoke Park Farm – the home of former Formula 1 World Champion Jody Scheckter – from Friday 23 August to Sunday 25 August. Visitors can expect to see some of the world's greatest cars performing on a longer and more exciting hill climb course plus three evenings of live music, fabulous festival food and an amazing range of fun and games for the whole family.

“We are absolutely delighted to be donating the farm as the venue again for CarFest South to support BBC Children in Need. We are hoping the event will raise even more in 2013. The whole weekend last year had a wonderful family atmosphere and was one of the great highlights of our year on the farm," said Scheckter.

With venues now confirmed, Evans is eager for the action to start. He said: “I can’t wait to spend the three days of CarFest North in the surroundings of one of the most respected race circuits in Europe, with such a depth of historical magic. Then two weeks later at Laverstoke Park Farm – what a summer!”

The first release of CarFest 2013 tickets for both venues will go on sale on Thursday 17 January at 8am via the BBC Children in Need website at www.bbc.co.uk/pudsey.

Source: Carfest

FIVE OF THE ORIGINAL 36 FERRARI 250 GTOS IN THE FERRARI CLASSICHE DEPARTMENT

Restoration and certification work has resumed in the recently renovated Ferrari Classiche department which now boasts a packed workshop of 24 cars with some of the most significant and valuable classic Ferraris ever seen under one roof.

The Classiche department is currently working on no fewer than five of the 36 250 GTOs built, along with two 250 Testa Rossas, including the 1957 car that Phil Hill drove to victory at the 1958 24 Hours of Le Mans, as well as three of the 32 250 LMs produced. Other significant cars include three short wheelbase 250 GT Berlinettas, a 1956 500 TR, and the 512 M that came 4th overall at the 1971 24 Hours of Le Mans.

To date the Classiche department has completed over 60 full, ground-up restorations − several of which have gone on to considerable success in international Concours d’Elegance − and processed over 3800 authentication certification applications. In addition, thanks to the department’s exclusive access to the company’s original technical designs and moulds, Classiche has cast numerous new engine parts, including 25 new V12 cylinder blocks and a similar number of cylinder heads, to help restore cars to original specifications.

Thanks to the services offered by Ferrari Classiche, today Ferrari collectors have access to the most authoritative restoration expertise to return their cars to original factory condition.

Source: Ferrari

ME AND MY CAR/MOTORCYCLE #9

This month's entry comes courtesy of MG Enthusiast magazine, who very kindly sent us this entry from Bob Featherstone, with his impeccable-looking MGB roadster. Bob wins a copy of MG MGB & MGB GT - The Essential Buyer's Guide for his efforts. Please keep your entries coming in, and you never know, it could be YOU in this space next month!

Bob Featherstone, three years the Chairman of the Exeter Area MGOC, likes his MGB to be original, but that does not mean 'as it left the factory'...

"I am a bit of a romantic about my MGB Roadster. I am not a purist by any means, but I do enjoy my car being ‘original’ – not in the sense of ‘as-built’ but in the ‘unique’ meaning of the word. If you just look at a row of MGBs, you can tell that over the years each car has slightly changed. Each one will sit slightly differently and just look back at you in its own distinctive way. After all, they vary in age from just over 30 years old to 50 and their ownership histories vary enormously so, they have every right to appear different.
When I saw that Vic Birch was advertising a brand new replacement wing design, it reminded me of Jacques Coune’s design of the Berlinette. The Belgian designer offered MG the chance of a new look coupe version of the MGB roadster in 1964, but the designs were turned down for being too Italian – then MG went instead to the Italian design company, Pininfarina! Coune's car included beautiful, faired-in headlamps and that is exactly what the VeeBee wings have. It was that look which attracted me, although the VeeBeeWing design is certified separately by the Patent Office. I knew right away that I had to have them fitted; the car would still be a classic, yet definitely more individual.

So my first task was to gain approval from my wife Lorraine, followed by confirmation from my usual car mechanic/engineer, Jeremy Board of London Road Garage in Ottery St Mary, Devon, that he would do the job for me. (I'm nott very mechanical!) Those agreements having both been achieved, I then ordered the wings from Vic Birch of VeeBeeWing in Tiptree, Essex.
In almost no time at all the wings were with Jeremy, and I was thinking it would be great to take along my new-look car to Blenheim Palace and the 50th Anniversary of the MGB. Like anything to do with MGs, nothing is straightforward and the job is only for those with bags of experience. Fortunately Jeremy specialises in MGs and looks after many of the Exeter MGOC members’ cars.
My B is a ’77 roadster in shiny black with over 80k on the clock. It had a rebuild in 2007 just before Lorraine and I bought it, and we have tried to improve it slowly year by year. In other words it is a pretty average and normal situation, typical of many MGBs and their owners. But now look at their car. Is it a Sebring? No, the wings have been remodelled and the headlamps have been moved back for a more streamlined look and the cowls are made from PETG, which can withstand high impact, as used in car and motorbike racing. But this is not a competition car, just a handsome head turner.
If you fancy this look on your B or C, roadster or GT, rubber or chrome, you can have the car that MG almostmade – just call Vic Birch. I must say that I have no connection with Vic other than as a satisfied customer, but I do like the result. MGB50 at Blenheim Palace was a rather soggy September Sunday, but at least my ‘new’ MGB was there – and attracting admiring glances." (You can see more on these wings here).

Bob selected MG MGB & MGB GT – The Essential Buyer's Guide by Roger Williams as his prize!

A small investment in this book could save you a fortune ... With the aid of this book's step-by-step expert guidance, you'll discover all you need to know about the car you want to buy. Unique point system will help you to place the cars value in relation to condition. This is an important investment - don't buy a car without this book's help.

More info.





Do you have an interesting car/motorcycle with a story to tell?
We want to see it! Send photos & description to prize@veloce.co.uk
We will pick one a month, and any we feature will win an Essential Buyer's Guide (worth £9.99 / $19.95) of your choice.
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SIMPLE FIXES FOR YOUR CAR REVIEW

New book Simple fixes for your car - How to do small jobs for yourself and save money by Carl Collins is reviewed in Auto Express magazine!

Click here for more info about the book!

RM AUCTIONS TO SELL ENTIRE INVENTORY OF BRUCE WEINER MICROCAR MUSEUM

Hundreds of microcars and memorabilia, to be offered without reserve, February 15-16, 2013. More info at handlewithfun.com.


Bruce Weiner amassed what is probably the world’s finest collection of miniature vehicles over many years of assiduous collecting. His museum in Madison, Georgia, USA, will be the venue for the sale.



The collection includes the world’s smallest car (a 1964 Peel P-50) several bubble cars by Messerschmitt, Isetta and Goggomobil, and two Voisin Biscooters, extraordinary microcars built by French aviation and automotive engineer Gabriel Voisin.

Source: RM Auctions

From Veloce!
the little book of microcars
By Adam Quellin.

During the middle of the twentieth century, a plethora of small economy cars – often quirky and bizarre – emerged to meet the needs of the cash-strapped motorist. This book charts the history and development of these microcars, from the lean period after the Second World War right up to the present day. More info.

SAM'S WEYMOUTH HARBOUR XMAS SWIM

Veloce's Sam (closest camera - fetching blue trunks) doing his 2012 Christmas day harbour swim in Weymouth. Brrrr ...