Put a smile on your grille

 

This month, we have broken a personal record that's guaranteed to put a smile on the grille of Veloce readers …

Our rolling programme of reprints has been in operation for some time now, although the Covid pandemic and Brexit has meant that there have been delays in replenishing stock of some titles.

Things are almost back to normal now, and we have recently entered a HUGE batch of nearly 200 titles into our reprint programme.

Covering pretty much every series, category, and vehicle type, there's something for everyone here. There might be slight delays in restocking some books, but these should now be shorter, with fewer books selling out.

Take a look at our bumper book batch below; if you find a book isn't yet in stock, enter your email address and click Notify me to be informed when stock arrives ahead of everyone else!

General
V5226P	Alfa Romeo Giulia GT & GTA Paperback Edition
V4223P	ANATOMY OF THE CLASSIC MINI The definitive guide to original components and parts interchangeability
V4870P	Anatomy of the Works Minis Rally, Racing & Rallycross Cars
V5335P	Automotive Mascots A Collector's Guide to British Marque, Corporate & Accessory Mascots
V5544P	Britains Toy Models Catalogues 1970-1979
V5548P	BSA Motorcycles - the final evolution
V5098P	Bugatti – The 8-cylinder Touring Cars 1920-34 – The 8-Cylinder Touring Cars 1920-1934 – Types 28, 30, 38, 38a, 44 & 49
V5259P	Bugatti Type 40
V5138P	Citroën DS Revised and updated edition
V5590P	Classic Engines, Modern Fuel The Problems, the Solutions
V5102P	Competition Car Aerodynamics 3rd Edition
V5262P	Completely Morgan 4-Wheelers 1968-1994
V5100P	Cortina The Story of Ford's Best-seller
V5043P	Coventry Climax Racing Engines The definitive development history
V5117P	Diecast Toy Cars of the 1950s & 1960s – The essential book of cars based on the original Mini
V5323P	Great Small Fiats
V367P	How to convert Volkswagen T5 Van to Camper
V5256P	How to Draw & Paint Cars
V5015P	How to illustrate and design Concept Cars – New Edition
V278P	How to Power Tune Ford SOHC Pinto & Sierra Cosworth DOHC Engines For Road & Track
V5547P	Inside the Rolls-Royce & Bentley Styling Department 1971 to 2001
V5539P	Jeep CJ 1945 - 1986
V4347P	Land Rover Series III Reborn
V5258P	LOLA - All the Sports Racing Cars 1978-1997 New Paperback Edition
V5051P	Lola T70 – The Racing History & Individual Chassis Record Classic Reprint of 4th Edition in paperback
V5369P	Making a Morgan 17 days of craftmanship: step-by-step from specification sheet to finished car
V5118P	Maximum Mini
V5328P	Mazda Mx-5 Miata Roadster Design & Development
V5207P	Morris Minor – 70 years on the road
V5099P	Motorcycling in the '50s
V5097P	Porsche 911 Carrera - The Last of the Evolution
V4978P	Porsche 914 & 914-6 THE DEFINITIVE HISTORY OF THE ROAD & COMPETITION CARS
V5137P	Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow/Bentley T-Series, Camargue & Corniche Revised & Enlarged Edition
V5096P	Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit & Silver Spur, Bentley Mulsanne, Eight, Continental, Brooklands & Azure - Updated & enlarged Second Edition
V5133P	RX-7 Mazda's Rotary Engine Sports Car Third Edition
V5493P	SAUBER-MERCEDES – The Group C Racecars 1985-1991 World Champions
V5119P	Scooter Lifestyle
V5549P	Tales of Triumph Motorcycles & the Meriden Factory
V5630P	Tatra - The Legacy of Hans Ledwinka
V5525P	The Datsun 240Z, 260Z & 280Z Fairlady Roadster to 280ZX
V5134P	The Dune Buggy Handbook The A-Z of VW-based Buggies since 1964 - New Edition
V5736P	The Great British Rally – RAC to Rally GB - The Complete Story
V5545P	The Half-ton Military Land Rover
V4957P	The Lea-Francis Story
V4995P	The Volkswagen Bus Book
V5607P	The Volvo Estate Design Icon & Faithful Companion
V5062P	Toyota MR2 Coupe & Spyders – Revised & updated Second Edition
V5248P	Velocette Motorcycles – MSS to Thruxton: Third Edition Paperback
V5122P	Volkswagen Camper 40 years of freedom: an A-Z of Popular Camper conversions
V5121P	Volkswagen The air-cooled era in colour
A Pictorial History
V5443P	Rootes Cars of the 1950s, 1960s & 1970s – Hillman, Humber, Singer, Sunbeam & Talbot
V5609P	Rover Cars 1945 to 2005
V5078P	Wolseley Cars 1948 to 1975
Auto-Doc
V5046P	MGB & MGB GT - Your Expert Guide to Problems & How to Fix Them
Bible
V5136P	The BSA Bantam Bible
V4981P	The Kawasaki Triples Bible
V5095P	The Moto Guzzi Sport & Le Mans Bible
V4999P	The BMW Boxer Twins 1970-1996 Bible – All air-cooled models 1970-1996 (Except R45, R65, G/S & GS)
V5139P	The Lambretta Bible
V5048P	Laverda Twins & Triples Bible
V5734P	The Triumph Tiger Cub Bible
V5772P	The Norton Commando Bible
V5446P	The Ducati 750 Bible
V4974P	The Triumph Trophy Bible
Biographies
V5227P	BRM - A mechanic's tale:
V5141P	Edward Turner – The man behind the motorcycles
V5044P	Jim Redman – Six Times World Motorcycle Champion - The Autobiography - New Edition
V5608P	MG, Made in Abingdon – Echoes from the shopfloor
V5313P	MIKE THE BIKE – AGAIN New Edition
V5049P	Motorcycle Apprentice – Matchless - in name & reputation
V5581P	"Motorcycles, Mates and Memories – Recalling sixty years of fun in British motorcycle sport"
V5739P	Virgil Exner Visioneer: The official biography of Virgil M. Exner, designer extraordinaire
Dodge Performance
V5094P	Dodge Challenger & Plymouth Barracuda – Chrysler's Potent Pony Cars
Enthusiast's Restoration Manual
V244P	Citroen 2CV, Enthusiast's Restoration Manual
V5101P	Classic Car Electrics
V5181P	Ducati Bevel Twins 1971 to 1986 Authenticity & restoration guide
V5167P	How to restore Classic Car Bodywork: New Updated & Revised Edition
V5028P	How to Restore Classic Largeframe Vespa Scooters: Rotary Valve 2-Strokes 1959 to 2008
V5408P	How to Restore Classic Smallframe Vespa Scooters: 2-stroke models 1963 -1986
V5394P	How to Restore Norton Commando
V5343P	How to Restore Triumph TR5, TR250 & TR6
V5252P	How To Restore Triumph TR7 & 8
V4882P	How to Restore Triumph Trident T150/T160 & BSA Rocket III YOUR step-by-step colour illustrated guide to complete restoration
V4093P	How to restore Volkswagen (bay window) Bus
V4946P	How to Restore Volkswagen Beetle
V5251P	Reliant Regal, How to Restore –Y OUR step-by-step colour illustrated guide to body, trim & mechanical restoration
V5250P	Yamaha FS1-E, How to Restore – YOUR step-by-step colour illustrated guide to complete restoration. Covers all models
Enthusiast's Workshop Manual
V5174P	Mazda MX-5 Miata 1.6 Enthusiast's Workshop Manual
V5420P	Mazda MX-5 Miata 1.8 Enthusiast's Workshop Manual
Essential Buyer's Guide
V5033P	Alfa Romeo Giulia GT Coupé
V398P	Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider
V4392P	Austin-Healey Big Healeys
V4443P	BMW E30 3 Series 1981 to 1994
V4165P	BSA Bantam
V5447P	Citroën DS & ID
V4395P	Cobra Replicas
V4329P	Corvette C2 Sting Ray 1963-1967
V5472P	Ducati Desmoquattro Twins - 851, 888, 916, 996, 998, ST4 1988 to 2004
V5520P	FIAT 124 Spider & Pininfarina Azzura Spider (AS-DS) 1966 to 1985
V5435P	Ford Focus Mk1 RS & ST170 First generation 2002 to 2005
V4447P	Ford Mustang - First Generation 1964 to 1973
V5659P	Jaguar E-Type 3.8 & 4.2 litre
V4077P	Jaguar E-type V12 5.3 litre
V5604P	Jaguar S-Type - 1999 to 2007
V4161P	Jaguar XJ-S
V5653P	Jaguar XJ6, XJ8 & XJR All 2003 to 2009 (X-350) models including Daimler
V4377P	Jaguar XK 120, 140 & 150 1948 to 1961
V4359P	Jaguar XK8 & XKR (1996-2005)
V5657P	Jaguar/Daimler XJ 1994-2003
V4119P	Jaguar/Daimler XJ6, XJ12 & Sovereign All Jaguar/Daimler/VDP series I, II & III models 1968 to 1992
V4523P	Kawasaki Z1 & Z900 – 1972 to 1976
V5538P	Lancia Delta HF 4WD & Integrale 1986 to 1994
V5656P	Land Rover Series I, II & IIA
V5662P	Land Rover Series III
V4486P	Lotus Seven replicas & Caterham 7: 1973-2013
V5563P	Mercedes Benz S-Class 1972-1980 (W116)
V5182P	Mercedes-Benz 280-560SL & SLC W107 series Roadsters & Coupes 1971 to 1989
V5514P	Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen All models, including AMG specials, 1979 to 2006
V5421P	MG Midget & A-H Sprite
V5603P	MGA 1955-1962
V5298P	MGF & MG TF
V5558P	Morgan Plus 4
V4655P	Moto Guzzi 2-valve big twins V7,  850GT, V1000, V7 Sport, 750 S, 750 S3, 850 Le Mans, 1000 Le Mans, 850 T, T3, T4, T5, SP1000, SPII, SPIII, Mille, California, Quota, Strada, California 1100, Sport 1100: 1967-1998
V5652P	Norton Commando
V5675P	Porsche 911 (964) Carrera 2, Carrera 4 and turbocharged models. Model years 1989 to 1994
V5634P	Porsche 911 (991) All first generation models 2012 to 2016
V5660P	Porsche 911 (993) Carrera, Carrera 4 and turbocharged models. Model years 1994 to 1998
V5605P	Porsche 911 (996) Carrera, Carrera 4, Targa, GT3, GT3RS and Turbo models 1997 to 2005
V4865P	Porsche 911 (997) - Model years 2004 to 2009
V5467P	Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 Coupé, Targa, Cabriolet & Speedster: model years 1984 to 1989
V5180P	Porsche 911SC Coupé, Targa, Cabriolet & RS Model years 1978-1983
V370P	Porsche 928
V5654P	Porsche 986 Boxster Boxster, Boxster S, Boxster S 550 Spyder: model years 1997 to 2005
V4424P	Porsche 987 Boxster & Cayman 1st Generation: model years 2005 to 2009 Boxster, Boxster S, Boxster Spyder, Cayman & Cayman S
V5340P	Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow & Bentley T-Series
V5105P	Subaru Impreza
V4134P	Triumph Bonneville
V5280P	Triumph Stag
V5658P	Triumph TR6
V5518P	TVR Chimaera and Griffith
V4883P	Vespa Scooters - Classic 2-stroke models 1960-2008
Essential Companion
V5550P	Porsche 993: King of Porsche
V4954P	Porsche 996: Supreme Porsche
V4620P	Porsche 997 2004-2012: Porsche Excellence
Essential Manual
V373P	Building a Dune Buggy - The Essential Manual: Everything you need to know to build any VW-based Dune Buggy yourself!
V5052P	MGB Electrical Systems Updated & Revised New Edition
Essential Source Book
V5089P	Ford Cleveland 335-Series V8 engine 1970 to 1982
Expert Guides
V5116P	Land Rover Series I-III Your expert guide to common problems & how to fix them
V4402P	MG Midget & A-H Sprite Your expert guide to common problems & how to fix them
Made in America
V5735P	Racing Mustangs – An International Photographic History 1964-1986
RAC Handbook
V4390P	How your car works – Your guide to the components & systems of modern cars, including hybrid & electric vehicles
Rally Giants
V5324P	Austin Healey 100-6 & 3000
V5111P	Fiat 131 Abarth
V5171P	Ford Escort RS Cosworth & World Rally Car
V5109P	Ford Escort RS1800
V5332P	Saab 96 & V4
V5322P	Subaru Impreza
V5331P	Toyota Celica GT-Four
SpeedPro
V4019P	Alfa Romeo DOHC High-performance Manual
V4021P	Alfa Romeo V6 Engine High-performance Manual – GTV6, 75 & 164 2.5 & 3 Liter Engines – Also Includes advice on Suspension, Brakes & Transmission (not for front wheel drive)
V5047P	How to Build & Power Tune Holley Carburetors
V4959P	How To Build & Power Tune Weber & Dellorto DCOE, DCO/SP & DHLA Carburettors 3rd Edition
V5169P	How to Build Motorcycle-engined Racing Cars
V276P	How to Build, Modify & Power Tune Cylinder Heads
V259P	How To Choose Camshafts & Time Them For Maximum Power (SpeedPro)
V5091P	How to Improve Triumph TR2-4A
V5140P	How to Improve Triumph TR5, 250 & 6 - Updated & Revised Edition!
V5088P	How to Improve Triumph TR7, TR7-V8 & TR8
V4262P	How to Modify Volkswagen Bus Suspension, Brakes & Chassis for High Performance – Updated & Enlarged New Edition
V4960P	How To Power Tune Jaguar XK 3.4, 3.8 & 4.2 Litre Engines
V5341P	How to Power Tune MGB 4-Cylinder Engines – New Updated & Expanded Edition
V5087P	How to Power Tune Minis on a Small Budget – New Updated & Revised Edition
V5176P	How to Power Tune Rover V8 Engines for Road & Track
V5092P	Modifying Suzuki 4x4 for Serious Offroad Action
V4355P	Race & Trackday Driving Techniques
V4869P	The 1275cc A-Series High Performance Manual
V5334P	The 4-Cylinder Engine Short Block High-Performance Manual – New Updated & Revised Edition
V5168P	The SU Carburettor High Performance Manual
Those were the days …
V4268P	American Station Wagons – The Golden Era 1950-1975
V5264P	American Trucks of the 1950s
V5172P	American Trucks of the 1960s
V4415P	British and European Trucks of the 1970s
V5113P	British Lorries of the 1950s
V5114P	British Lorries of the 1960s
V4169P	British Woodies from the 1920s to the 1950s
V4314P	Drag Bike Racing in Britain From the mid '60s to the mid '80s
V5115P	MG's Abingdon Factory
V4198P	Motor Racing at Nassau in the 1950s & 1960s
V5112P	The Last Real Austins - 1946-1959
WorkshopPro
V5281P	Car Electrical & Electronic Systems
WSC Giants
V4261P	Matra sports cars MS620, 630, 650, 660 & 670 – 1966 to 1974

Don't forget that we are still offering 35% off the RRP of our books when you use the code STAY-INDOORS-AND-READ at checkout online or by phone. We don't know how long this offer will run, so make the most it and get your bargain books today.

The New Defender ...

Last month, we saw the first footage of the 2020 Land Rover Defender. Since then, there have been many, many questions flying about, though they all boil down to two:

• Does the new Defender strike the right tone with its loyal fans?

• In the 2020 4x4 market, where does the new Defender belong?

As an icon of rural life and rugged adventures for the best part of seventy years, the 4x4 ceased production in January of 2016. The decision was made following new legislation that made the legacy style, in a technical sense at least, dangerous. We saw a similar reincarnation when the Mini was reborn in 2000. The trouble with making rather drastic design alterations to an iconic car, is that people are VERY resistant to change. Especially when they've fallen in love with an idea, shape or concept and other people make the decision to change the very thing for which they have so much affection. 

Aesthetically speaking, JLR have tried hard to recreate the simplistic, functional interior of a classic Land Rover. There are nods to the tough, utilitarian style of the former model, such as checker plating on the bonnet but, let's be honest, it does't serve the purpose for which is was originally intended – so why is it there?

The vehicle of the past's appeal was that you could transport a newly born calf in the back, or a 50-gallon drum, and hose it all down afterwards – not something that could be said of the new Defender. Even if one could wash the interior, the bright, cream coloured trim of the demo models certainly doesn't assure anybody that it won't get stained in an instant. 

With a price tag of £40k, on paper it could possibly be considered affordable. However, like most high-end car dealerships, JLR dealer's money is made on the customisable upgrades, of which the new Defender is certainly not short. Official add-ons, such as a variety of pet packs, a portable rinse system and an integrated air compressor, show that JLR have obviously considered at least some of the needs and wants of their loyal customers. 

With the option of four distinctive packs – called Explorer, Adventure, Country and Urban – to apply to your Defender, and more than 170 individual accessories that can be added to suit your individual needs, it's no wonder that the cost can easily rise to £100k+. However, the augmented value of a purchase from such an auspicious manufacturer as Jaguar Land Rover, such as aftercare and dealership services also make up the entire value of a Defender. 

A huge selling point of the original was ease of maintenance. Now no parts or panels are the same as any other Land Rover made previously, which means that the parts that could be salvaged from a scrapheap or fabricated on earlier models, can no longer be used by the home mechanic – something that kept maintenance costs down. Given the appeal of low-cost home maintenance, if a customer still owns a traditional Land Rover, which works perfectly well, why would hey buy a 2015 model? Why would they even consider replacing their old workhorse when it still serves its purpose so well?

Are you a fan of all things Land Rover, and want to know more about how their designs and uses have changed over the years? Land Rover Design – which has been shortlisted for The Royal Automobile Club's Book of the Year Award – charts the many design changes that have occurred over its 70 year history, whereas Land Rover Emergency Vehicles shows that the much loved Landy is more than just a farm vehicle. If you're looking to purchase your own classic Land Rover, we have a range of Essential Buyers Guides, plus our expert guide on the Land Rover Series I-III. 

Bye Bye Beetle!

Another iconic car is set to become a thing of the past, as it was announced last Thursday that Volkswagen are to stop producing the Beetle in 2019.

The move comes as Volkswagen plans to focus more on what consumers are looking for in a new car, such as electric cars and larger family-orientated vehicles. Although there are no plans to replace it, there is a 'Never Say Never' attitude towards it, just like when the company decided to unveil a revamped Volkswagen Bus last year. 

"The loss of the Beetle after three generations, over nearly seven decades, will evoke a host of emotions from the Beetle's many devoted fans." – Heinrich J. Woebcken, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group America.

Volkswagen will finish the run by adding a pair of Final Edition models – the Final Edition SE and the Final Edition SEL – to the line up, available in both coupé and convertible body styles. Along with colours such as Pure White, Deep Black Pearl and Platinum Grey, these models will feature two unique colours: Safari Uni, a reinvention of Harvest Moon Beige, a colour from the New Beetle, and Stonewashed Blue, which pays homage to the 1970 Jeans Bug, as well as being more recently seen on the 2016 Beetle Denim. Convertible Final Edition SEL models will be available in all colours (expect Safari Uni) with a unique Brown soft top.

A timely publication, Richard Copping's Volkswagen Beetle – A Celebration of the World's Most Popular Car charts every aspect of the original Beetle's lengthy history – from Porsche's design for Hitler to it's successful move to South America. Written by an enthusiast, this tome contains a wealth of archive imagery, including some rarely seen photographs of the Beetle across the decades. What better way to help commemorate the end of an era than with this excellent book.

The third generation Beetle is set to become a collector's item with this latest announcement. It really is a shame to be saying goodbye to such an iconic model. 

New Release: Powered By Porsche

Just delivered to Veloce HQ is award winning author Roy Smith's latest book, Powered By Porsche. 

Limited to just 1500 copies, Powered By Porsche– The Alternative Race Cars is the first book of its kind, detailing the non-Porsche racing cars that utilised Porsche engines throughout history, illustrated with some never-before-published pictures that will give you a whole new insight into the world of Porsche.

Reviews for this tome have just starting reaching us, and we thought we'd share a few with you ...


"Porsche must be the most over-catered-for marque in motoring literature. However, this makes Roy Smith's stunning 466-page, meticulously researched tome on, in effect, Porsches that aren't Porsches, thoroughly welcome. 
"It takes an unusual decade-by-decade A-Z format, which causes the timelines to ping about a bit, but finds itself dividing naturally into two halves – the Porsche-engined specials from the earliest days of Ferdinand's engineering consultancy and nascent marque, and the further developments of its super successful sports-racers of the Seventies and Eighties.
"In many ways its the American Porsche-based cars that make for the most interesting and colourful reading, and which help to reinforce the understanding that often what were seen as factory efforts by the public owed much to the ingenuity of the likes of Brumos, Kremer and Holbert. There's also plenty of madness in here, with twin-engined racing cars, Porsche-eninged aircraft and road going Group C cars. Limited to just 1500 copies, [it is] beautifully presented and and incredible feat of research."
– Classic Cars



"At 468 pages and boasting 799 pictures, the Powered By Porsche – The Alternative Race Cars book is a hardback your coffee table will feel as it lands with a mighty thud. The first book to cover those non-works cars that raced with Porsche engines, the book has been put together by Roy Smith, a man with a passion for historic motorsport tales. Spanning the birth of the hybrid car in the 1890s, to the Daytona Prototypes, it is full of encyclopaedic details. It includes lots of unpublished images, anecdotes and insight you won't have come across before, it might even answer a few burning questions you may have."
– GT Porsche



"In his 15 years as an author Roy Smith has differentiated his works by studying areas that other historians have tended to neglect. Now in Powered By Porsche, Smith looks at other racing cars which have used Porsche engines and often chassis and running gear as well.
"Powered By Porsche is an encyclopaedic work unearthing any number of Porsche racing projects and contributes a great deal of background to half a century of Porsche auto racing competition. It will be of particular interest to North American readers, for as the author shows, most of the teams using Porsche motive power were here and he has clearly researched them in considerable detail. Roy Smith's latest offering is a veritable treasure trove for marque historians and an immersive pleasure for general fans."
– Kieron Fennelly



Today, we had the pleasure of welcoming Roy to the office once again, to sign some copies of the book for those who helped him compile this impressive work. Complete with interviews with team owners, drivers, and the people from Porsche, as well as answering questions that Porsche fans have always wanted to know, this book is not to be missed, and would make the perfect Christmas gift of any automotive fan!

You can order your copy direct from us, but make sure to be quick, as this limited edition book is sure to be a popular one!

THE RUSTY RALLY 2017

The ultimate motoring adventure is coming!

The Outward Bound Trust’s Rusty Rally returns in 2017 to challenge a new crop of participants to navigate their way through some of the world’s most famous driving roads in an old banger. With two firmly established routes, it has been heralded as the ultimate European adventure for the mediocre motor car.
In the Rusty Rally, entrants compete in teams of at least two, navigating Europe’s spectacular driving roads and traversing six countries in three days – in a car worth at most £500.

Two routes are offered – the ‘Italian Route’ which will run from the 8th to the 11th of June, and the ‘Viking Route’, which will be held from the 14th to the 17th of September. The routes are between 800 to 1000 miles and see The Rusty Rally Headquarters relocate to a different town each evening, in which competitors will get together to swap tales of adventure.
The ‘Italian Route’ travels through France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and Switzerland to finish in Italy. You’ll drive through the Black Forest, see the Rhine Falls, drive one of The Alps’ highest mountain passes and finish by the Italian Lakes. The Vikings will cross France, Belgium, Holland, Germany and Denmark on their way to Sweden in a stunning and scenic adventure north.

The challenge is for a good cause as well, raising funds for The Outward Bound Trust, which contributes to bursary schemes that give disadvantaged young people a chance at life-changing education. Each team will strive to raise a target of £10,000, and all of that will go to The Outward Bound Trust’s bursaries.
For the full details and to complete an application form to enter, see The Rusty Rally’s website at www.rustyrally.org.uk and to check out some photos from previous events click here for The Italian Route and here for The Viking Route.

BRITISH MOTOR HERITAGE LAUNCHES LONG-AWAITED REPLACEMENT BODYSHELLS FOR MK1 MINI

The values of MK1 Minis continue to rocket, increasingly justifying the cost of the part or total restorations that will be required for most examples sooner or later. British Motor Heritage (BMH) has long since been at the forefront of supplying individual panels for all marks of classic Minis, and complete bodyshells for models from 1976 onwards. What’s been missing until now is the Holy Grail, a full replacement shell for the MK1, but the wait is now over!

Mini enthusiasts were given a glimpse of what was to come on BMH’s stand at the NEC Classic Motor Show last November, and the response was universally positive. The first production batch of 15 bodies will therefore commence in April, with deliveries occurring through May and June. The launch price is £9,950 inc. VAT and the company is accepting orders accompanied by a 25 percent deposit.

The early body is markedly different from its later counterparts. The major variances include:

Smaller: door aperture with different step profiles; sliding window doors with external hinges; rear window; rear side windows; rear light mountings
Different: ‘A’ panels and hinge reinforcements; cant rails; floors; sills; front and rear parcel shelves; switch panel; boot panel, bonnet and inner valences; front valance and number plate mounting
Since creating the prototype body, BMH has commissioned additional tooling to refine the finish and improve the build quality. The company is indebted to M-Machine for allowing it to use their MK 1 floors and sills, as the cost of retooling these items would have made the project unviable. BMH has also used the later front bulkhead crossmember assembly as retooling for this non-visual part would have been prohibitive, and opted not to form the rotodip hole in the rear seat squab; recognising that a significant element of demand for the new shells will almost certainly be for historic motorsport.
– AVAILABLE NOW FROM VELOCE! –

ANATOMY OF THE CLASSIC MINI – The definitive guide to original components and parts interchangeability by Mark Huthert

This book’s title sums up its purpose. Anatomy of the Classic Mini is the result of years of research, and documents the many variations of the same components, explaining which model and date each is for. An essential reference book for all restorers of classic Minis! More info.

ROLLS-ROYCE VISION NEXT 100 – A GRAND VISION OF THE FUTURE OF LUXURY MOBILITY

In a spectacular event at London’s Roundhouse yesterday, the Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 was presented. The car defines the future of luxury mobility. Codenamed 103EX, it is the marque’s first ever pure ‘Vision Vehicle’.

The Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 presents an intriguing and aesthetically dynamic vision of the future of luxury mobility – a completely personal, effortless and autonomous Rolls-Royce experience, wrapped in a design that ensures a ‘Grand Sanctuary’ for its occupants, and a ‘Grand Arrival’.

The Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 anticipates the mobility demands of the luxury customer of the future. Brought to life by Rolls-Royce after many months of study and consultation with current patrons of the brand, the car represents their clearly expressed desire for an assurance that the marque’s plans for the future of luxury personal mobility will continue to embody the key attributes that have made Rolls-Royce the preferred marque of the most discerning and powerful patrons in the world for over a Century.

With the Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100, the brand provides just such an assurance to its valued customers – present and future. It makes a bold and definitive statement of confidence in a future where Rolls-Royce rejects the notion of anonymous, utilitarian and bland future modes of mobility. Through an intimate understanding of its customers’ thinking and their demands in the future, Rolls-Royce presents an exciting and highly appealing vision of effortless, autonomous, spacious and beautiful luxury mobility, as personal as each individual customer.

Source: Rolls-Royce

THE WORLD’S FIRST MINI CENSUS – THE RESULTS!

Over half of the world’s Minis are boys, with the most popular name being Marvin, according to the world’s first ever Mini Census.

The survey, carried out by the organisers of Mini World Live, which takes place at Rockingham Motor Speedway, Northants, on July 10, 2016, received responses from Mini owners all over the globe, including places as far afield as Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Malta and the USA.

The results show that in total, 51% of the world’s Mini population is male, 35% are female and 14% are neither – although anyone who’s ever owned a Mini knows it’s more than just a car.

Among the boy Minis, the most popular names are Marvin, Tommy (Cooper) and Jack, although there’s a developing trend towards the names Dave, Stuart and Bob, made famous by Minions - The Movie. Girl Minis tend to follow a more alliterative tone, with Minnie (perhaps unsurprisingly), Mollie and Millie being the three most favoured names.

Some of the more unusual names that owners have given their Minis include Pingu (because he’s white with a black roof), Tetley (because he has more holes in him than a tea bag) and Mojo Jojo (after the evil monkey in The Powerpuff Girls). Randomly, one correspondent has also named her Mini Leigh Halfpenny after the Welsh rugby international (because he’s smallish, gorgeous and powerful).

The survey also proves the diversity of the world’s Mini owners, with the youngest respondent being 17-year old Luke from Auckland, New Zealand, who has a male Mini called Sheldon, after Sheldon Cooper from the Big Bang Theory. The oldest respondent was 80-year old John from Bangor, North Wales, who has a female Mini called Mavis, named after his late wife.

Commenting on the survey, Mini World Live event manager, Katherine Chappell, said: “Mini owners have a real sense of community, and their cars are just as much a part of that community as they are. Minis, both old and new, are the most celebrated and characterful cars in the world, and with Mini World Live we want to celebrate that character.”

Following the show’s debut in 2015, which brought thousands of Mini enthusiasts to the Northants venue, the organisers are promising even more action and more of a festival feel for the show, which is backed by three major Mini-related magazine titles – MiniWorld, Mini Magazine and Modern MINI.

The show will feature attractions catering for fans of both classic and modern Minis, including a concours competition, individual entries, a huge retail village, show and shine areas, club displays and on-track action, the details of which will be confirmed nearer to the date.

Visitors will also be able to enter a competition to win a Mini, sponsored by specialist insurers Carole Nash. The classic is currently being restored by the magazine teams, and will be on display at the Show. Modified Mini owners will also be able to enter a ‘Best Wheels’ competition, in association with Wheel Whores.

Live music and refreshments will also form a core part of the event, with camping available the evening before to ensure it benefits from a vibrant, festival feel.

Full details of the show, along with the opportunity to buy advance early bird tickets saving at least £4 on show entry, are available at Mini World Live.