Here's to 2018!

First of all, a very Happy New Year to all of our readers! It's hard to believe that it is already 2018, but there is plenty to look forward to in the motoring world this year – not to mention a fair few milestone anniversaries to celebrate. 

First, let's take a look at some iconic events that will be celebrating big birthdays this year. Goodwood's annual Festival of Speed will be marking its 25th anniversary this July. Over the weekend of the 12th to the 15th, along with the usual incredible displays, the Duke of Richmond (formerly Lord March) will choose his top 25 moments from the event's history.

Next month sees 70 years since the meetings that led to the official formation of the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). To celebrate this, Darlington Raceway, in South Carolina, will be celebrating 'Seven Decades of NASCAR' for its 2018 season, with a specific nod to the landmark birthday with the Official Throwback weekend of NASCAR, which will be held from the 31st of August to the 2nd of September. 

This summer's Silverstone Classics show will see a number of birthdays in its midst. The Jaguar XJ and the Jaguar XK120 will be celebrating their 50th and 70th anniversaries respectively, whilst the Austin Healey Sprite will be turning 60. Also, marking their diamond jubilee, will be the MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC), with many events taking place over the weekend of the 20th to the 22nd of July. The celebrations for BTCC's 60th birthday kicks off this weekend at Autosport International, with a stand enabling fans to get up close to the drivers and a selection of the latest machinery, as well as a number of historic cars from the championship's distinguished past.  

Car Celebrations

Hot Wheels and Chevrolet – 50 years

2018 marks the 50th anniversary of the brands' collaboration, and to commemorate the occasion, Chevrolet is releasing a special edition Hot Wheels Edition Camaro. Since the debut of the custom Camaro back in 1968, every generation, and nigh-on every variation, of this model has been replicated in 1:64 scale by Hot Wheels – one variation is even included in our book Diecast Toy Cars of the 1950s and 1960s. This car looks to be ideal for automobile fans, and avid toy collectors!

Photo from http://www.chevrolet.com/camaro-life/hot-wheels-edition#

The first Lamborghini – 55 years

Marking its first appearance at the Turin Motor Show in October 1963, this year sees the 55th anniversary of the original Lamborghini, the 350GTV. Since then, countless models of the Lamborghini have rolled off the production line, such as the fabulous Urraco and the Murciélago.

Lotus Joins F1 – 60 years

In the Monaco Grand Prix of 1958, Team Lotus made its Formula 1 debut, entering two Type 12s, driven by Cliff Allison and Graham Hill. After placing 6th and 26th respectively, the team took their notes from the race and redesigned the cars based on the success of rival competitors. Two years later, the team entered a Type 18 Lotus, driven by Stirling Moss. Not only is it 60 years since Team Lotus first entered, but it is 55 years since they won their first World Drivers' Championship. Fancy widening your scope of F1 knowledge? Brian Harvey's book Formula One – The Real Score? is just the tome to help you see the sport in a new light. 

Corvette – 65 years

Designed by Harley Earl, this American car was the first all-fibreglass-bodied sports car built in the United States. There have been many changes to the Corvette over the past 65 years, and they are still as popular today as ever. If you're considering purchasing a classic Corvette for yourself, make sure you have to hand a copy of Tom Falconer's Corvette C2 Sting Ray 1963-1967 Essential Buyer's Guide – a model which is, coincidentally, turning 55 this year!

Morris Minor – 70 years

As mentioned back in November, Veloce will be marking the 70th anniversary of the iconic Morris Minor with a new book by Ray Newell, Morris Minor – 70 years on the road, which looks in detail at
the development of the wide range of models during a production run that spanned 22 years in the UK. If you're looking to join those who have a Minor in time to celebrate its platinum anniversary, grab a copy of Morris Minor & 1000 Essential Buyer's Guide, also by Ray Newell, to help you find the perfect example!

Porsche 356 – 70 years

Porsche's first production vehicle will also be turning 70 this year, and Brian Long's The Book of the Porsche 356 will tell you all you need to know about the coupé that helped launch the marque. 

24 Hours Le Mans – 95 years

May marks 95 years since the first 24 hours of Le Mans. Known as the ultimate endurance race, this event is a true test of man and machine, and has been held every year since 1932, except for the war years. 

Ford Model T – 110 years

110 years ago saw a revolutionary event in the motoring world, with the release of the Ford Model T. Generally regarded as the first affordable automobile, and one that helped to get a large number of people on the road, it's not really surprising that it was name the Car of the Century back in 1999. Veloce publishes Ford Model T – The Essential Buyers Guide for those who want to take the plunge today. 

Ford Motor Company – 115 years

Not only will Ford be celebrating the anniversary of the Model T, the company as a whole will also celebrate it's 115th birthday.
On June 16th, 1903, Henry Ford and 12 stockholders met in Detroit, Michigan to sign and notarise the legal documents, which would help to create the Ford Motor Company. We have many great books relating to all things Ford, but a stand out one is Ford Design in the UK, which details the design work undertaken in the UK, with a focus on the Dunton studio in particular. 

For more great facts from motoring days past, make sure you check out This Day in Automotive History. Author Brian Corey has found a fact or two for each day of the year, which will be fascinating for trivia buffs and general motoring fans alike. 

Beaulieu Events 2018

Famous for its collection of veteran, vintage and historic cars, the National Motor Musuem has grown into a spectacular destination for days out. It's also the go-to place for autojumble,  its International Autojumble event winning Tourism South East's Beautiful South Award this year.

The UK's National Motor Museum, is sited on land that was once home to a medieval royal hunting lodge, adjacent to a 12th Century Cistercian Abbey. Set in the picturesque village of Beaulieu, in the heart of the beautiful New Forest National Park, it's a wonderful place to visit, year-round.

Well known amongst auto buffs, it has been a firm favourite for family days out since the 1970s, and today is bigger and more popular than ever. The museum recently released its 2018 events calendar, covering from May, all the way to November. It's a great destination for a family or a solo visit, so why not take a look at what's on offer, and pencil in a date in your diary for next year?

Further details coming soon!

2018 sees the 70th anniversary of the Morris Minor, and the Spring Autojumble will see the Morris Minor Owners' Club attending with its own display. Veloce will be celebrating the Minor's anniversary with Morris Minor – 70 years on the road, coming in April 2018. We'll be releasing more details about this timely book, hailing from Morris Minor authority Ray Newel, over the coming weeks.

If you're looking for some Summer fun, you could do no better than the Hot Rod & Custom Drive-In Day, complete with Vintage Village. Or, if you'd like a retro-themed Father's Day weekend trip, pop along to Simply VW.

Beaulieu National Motor Museum 2018 Events Calendar

APRIL

April 8
Simply Aston Martin
Back for its third year, Aston Martin owners are invited to start Beaulieu’s events calendar and bring their prized motors for a celebration of the iconic marque, with vehicles of every age and model.

April 22
Boatjumble
In its 41st year, search for boating bargains at the largest outdoor sale of maritime items in Europe. Browse hundreds of stands with boating spares, accessories, clothing, tools, as well as new and used boats.

MAY

May 6
Simply Ford
This event is one of the biggest and most popular simply rallies when we expect more than 1500 Fords to join the display in the grounds of the National Motor Museum, in the 50th anniversary year of the Ford Escort.

May 19-20
Spring Autojumble
Start the motoring calendar by buying, selling and swapping anything automotive at more than 1000 stands offering everything from automobilia to cars for sale. Celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Morris Minor.

May 20
Land Rover Rummage at Spring Autojumble
A spares-sourcing opportunity, selling anything and everything related to Land Rovers as part of Spring Autojumble.

JUNE

June 3
Simply Porsche
Last year a record 1,000 cars roared into the grounds for this event, which welcomes Porsche owners and enthusiasts to the National Motor Museum.

June 10
Mini Cooper Day
Beaulieu is the host venue for the 32nd annual National Mini Cooper Register Rally, attracting thousands of Minis of every age, marque and model to the heart of the New Forest.

June 16
Simply VW
As part of a celebratory weekend, Vee Dubs of every type are invited to join this great day out for Volkswagen fans and visitors. Don’t miss Vintage Village, which will be selling fashions, accessories and homeware.


June 17

Father’s Day
Hot Rod & Custom Drive-In Day
A celebration of colourful Custom, Hot-Rod and Classic American cars and bikes especially for Father’s Day. Featuring live entertainment and Vintage Village nostalgia and bargains.


June 24
Simply Land Rover
In the 70th anniversary year of the Land Rover, this celebration of the legendary 4x4 will attract Land Rovers and Range Rovers of every age, model and condition. Watch out for an extra feature to be announced soon.

JULY

July 8
Simply Jaguar
Returning for its third year, this impressive display of treasured machines will range from classics to the latest models.

July 29
Simply Japanese
More than 56 car clubs gathered amongst the 1500 vehicles at last year’s event, showcasing members’ cars from city runabouts to performance sports cars.

AUGUST

August 4-5
Beaulieu Supercar Weekend
A high octane two-day event celebrating the supercar and including iconic models and special feature displays in the stunning backdrop of the Beaulieu parkland.

August 12
VW T Fest
Beaulieu plays host to this family-friendly event which is back by popular demand.

SEPTEMBER

September 1-2 TBC
International Autojumble
Beaulieu’s most famous event and the largest Autojumble this side of the Atlantic, with more than 2000 stands selling classic and vintage spares, plus full-size cars and Bonhams auction.

OCTOBER

October 27
Fireworks Spectacular
One of the biggest fireworks displays in the south and choreographed to music, this popular event offers a range of family entertainment.

NOVEMBER

November 11

Simply Smart
This final rally in Beaulieu’s busy events calendar makes a colourful display of some of the smallest and most characterful cars on the road.




For more information on great days out, and all that Beaulieu has to offer, visit the website, or catch them on social media … you won't be disappointed!

https://www.beaulieu.co.uk

   

WHAT'S THE STORY? PHOTOS OF THE LIVE STAGE AT NEC CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW 2012

Great to see Nicky West, Rob Stacey, Morris & Splonk having fun on the NEC live stage during the "What's the story?" feature last weekend. The Mini Minor to Asia Minor team were joined on stage by cheeky chappie presenter Mike Brewer (Mr Wheeler Dealer). Mike has recently joined the band of Veloce authors by writing Mike Brewer's The Wheeler Dealer Know How to be published in Spring 2013. Sounds like both books gained some great exposure at the event.

Click images to view full size

Photos from Bauer Media.

New! Mini Minor to Asia Minor - There & Back
By Nicky West. Foreword by Jean Christophe Novelli.
This is the story of an independent trek in a 50-year-old Mini – all the way to the Great Pyramid and back – with no assistance or support crew, to provide much needed funds and publicity for the Willow Foundation. Inspirational to others, the book includes practical advice on the car preparation and documentation required for such marathon drives, along with photographs of the Mini’s preparation and the amazing journey itself. More info.

From THE Master - Everything you need to know about buying, preparing, and selling modern classic cars!

The Wheeler Dealer Know How is written by Mike Brewer, the UK's most well-known car-dealing expert. In a career spanning almost 30 years, Mike has seen and done everything when it comes to buying and selling cars, and having established a successful career as a television presenter, is eager to share his knowledge, passion and enthusiasm.

Telling you all you need to know about buying, preparing and selling modern classic cars, this book guides you through the minefield that is the world of car dealing, and helps you avoid the pitfalls that await the unwary. Plus, with stories and anecdotes from Mike's time in the trade, you'll gain a fascinating insight into the world of wheeler-dealing. More info.

REVIEWS OF BRITISH WOODIES & MORRIS MINOR EBG

Thanks to Russ Harvey, editor of Morris Minor Monthly for these two new reviews of British Woodies from the 1920s to the 1950s and Morris Minor & 1000 – The Essential Buyer's Guide.

Click image to view full size

100 TIPS TO TRANSFORM YOUR RALLY CAR!

-PRESS RELEASE-

How to Build a Successful Low-Cost Rally Car, a new book by motoring journalist Philip Young aims to provide simple, cost-effective and reliable tips to guarantee reaching the finishing line and more importantly, get results!

This book concentrates on preparing a car for the many forms of road-based rallies, including Historic Rallying, from weekend club events to the Classic Marathon, with useful preparation for long distance events like the Peking to Paris, road-rallies for modern cars, and the “Budget Adventure” events like the Mongol Rally and Plymouth to Dakar.

Published by Veloce at £16.99 containing 150 colour pictures; It concentrates on tips for reliability...items like waterproofing, ensuring the exhaust doesn’t fall off, the radiator doesn’t vibrate lose, engine mountings and the like are regular setbacks on all manner of events and this book gets back to basics, packed with workshop photographs. There is also an event guide, useful contacts, and chapters on personal preparation including staying healthy, coping with borders, and seeking sponsorship.

Philip Young is a former Fleet Street journalist who once helped to run the Daily Mail News Desk...he has written for The Observer, The Times, and The Guardian as well as the Daily Mail, edited two motoring magazines, and twice was awarded the Guild of Motoring Writer’s Motoring Journalist of the Year Award.

Generally credited with having kick-started the historic-rally movement with events like the Pirelli Classic Marathon, Monte Carlo Challenge and Peking to Paris, Philip Young has organised 65 major events and has seen how the same problems crop up time and time again that could have been prevented with some simple modifications in the garage before the start. He co-founded the Historic Rally Car Register in 1982, and more recently started up Endurance Rallying in Britain, events restricted to 1400cc cars with standard engines, such as the Lombard Rally.

Philip Young commented: "Hopefully the book goes some way to debunk the myth that rally preparation is about high cost and high technology - some of the modifications in the book are ordinary household items, from silicone bathroom sealer to wire coat hangers that cost zippo, but transform reliablility."


The 96-page book is available now from bookshops or from www.veloce.co.uk.

If you are driving a road-based rally, this book will help you get a result … don’t even fill in the entry form without it!

BEST OF 2008

Two Veloce books were considered best book of 2008 in Classic and Sports Car magazine's end of year polls!

A PACKET OF SWEETS TO PLUG A SPLIT PETROL TANK ...

bathroom sealer to waterproof an engine ... exhaust brakets from a wire coat hanger ... just a few of the many low-cost tips you can find in this new Veloce book.

New in stock! 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.

This book concentrates on preparing a car for the many forms of road-based rallies, including Historic Rallying, from weekend club events to the Classic Marathon, with useful preparation for long distance events like the Peking to Paris, road-rallies for modern cars, and the “Budget Adventure” events like the Mongol Rally and Plymouth to Dakar. It concentrates on tips for reliability...items like waterproofing, ensuring the exhaust doesn’t fall off, the radiator doesn’t vibrate lose, engine mountings and the like are regular setbacks on all manner of events and this book gets back to basics, packed with workshop photographs. There is also an event guide, useful contacts, and chapters on personal preparation including staying healthy, coping with borders, and seeking sponsorship.

Philip Young is a former Fleet Street journalist who once helped to run the Daily Mail News Desk...he has written for The Observer, The Times, and The Guardian as well as the Daily Mail, edited two motoring magazines, and twice was awarded the Guild of Motoring Writer’s Motoring Journalist of the Year Award. Philip Young is also the author of the Veloce best-seller Peking to Paris 2007 – The ultimate driving adventure.

Generally credited with having kick-started the historic-rally movement with events like the Pirelli Classic Marathon, Monte Carlo Challenge and Peking to Paris, Philip Young has organised 65 major events and has seen how the same problems crop up time and time again that could have been prevented with some simple modifications in the garage before the start. He co-founded the Historic Rally Car Register in 1982, and more recently started up Endurance Rallying in Britain, events restricted to 1400cc cars with standard engines, such as the Lombard Rally.
click here for more info about the book.

Ray Newell - Celebrating 25 years as secretary of the MMOC

Ray Newell, author of Veloce Publishing Morris Minor books, interviewed in this Months Classic & Sports Car magazine.

What drew you to Morris Minor?
My first car was a peat brown Morris 1000 two-door saloon. I learned to drive in it and used it as my everyday car for two years. I was attracted to the Morris Minor because of its reputation for economy, reliability and ease of maintenance. That was in 1974 and i haven't changed my mind since.

How did you get involved with the MMOC?
I joined the East Midlands Branch in 1981 before being invited to help out at national level as events co-ordinator. I then became secretary and the rest, as they say, is history.

Which is your favourite event?
The NEC Classic Car Show. I enjoy the camaraderie that exists between the exhibitors, and the public seem to have a soft spot for our cars. There can't be many people who can say they've been arrested by the singing policeman!

Which event are you most looking forward to?
Minors Are Forever at Stanford Hall on 21-22 June. The international dimension is an exciting prospect, with all vehicles and members coming from all over the world.

Your best Minor moments?
Both came in 1998. I was privileged to be allowed to drive the first Minor to roll off the production line in '48. I also got to meet its designer Sir Alec Issigonis.

Something to surprise members
My early life was spent in Northern Ireland... when told, people invariably say: 'I would never have guessed.'

Your dream car?
It's always been my ambition to own a jaguar Mk2, but I'm more than happy with my pride and joy, my 1949 Morris Minor Tourer.

Morris Minor – 60 years on the road
By Ray Newell



The Morris Minor, designed by Alec Issigonis, was one of Britain's most popular cars, and 2008 will mark 60 years since the first production models rolled off the production lines at Cowley in Oxfordshire. In this celebratory publication, Ray Newell looks in detail at the development of the wide range of models produced during a production run which spanned twenty two years in the UK. Using mainly contemporary materials covering four decades, he transports the reader to an era when the pace of life was much slower and the marketing of vehicles considerably different to the slick advertising of today. Issigonis' sketches of the prototype cars, sales brochures, promotional materials, and rare and unusual photographs make this a fascinating story.


Also available from Veloce Publishing: Morris Minor & 1000 – The Essential Buyer's Guide By Ray Newell.