ME AND MY CAR/MOTORCYCLE #2

This month we have a reader entry from Chris Gibbany (Arkansas USA) who sent us these pictures and description of her awesome looking customised 1981 Harley Ironhead Sportster. We love custom motorcycles here at Veloce! She won an Essential Buyer's Guide book of her choice. Please keep your entries coming in, and you never know, it could be YOU in this space next month!

My name is Chris Gibbany and my husband and I built my 1981 Harley Ironhead Sportster. My goal was simple: I wanted a really cool looking bike, something you didn't see every day. I also wanted something that didn't scream to the world "I am owned and ridden by a woman." So I came up with the design for what I call a "Billy Bike". I had an idea in my head but had never seen a bike in any magazine or in person of exactly what I wanted. The challenge was relaying the information to my husband, Gabe. I had to describe in detail exactly what I wanted without exactly knowing how to tell my him what I wanted. It was definitely a lesson in communication. In the end, I ended up with the bike I'd dreamed of. I love the bike's appearance most of all. I love the way it looks from all angles. I just love how my ideas all came together, and that is really what building a nice-looking bike is all about — making it flow and all work together. I travel everywhere on it when the weather's nice. I'll take it to town with a backpack on and get a few groceries. For some reason no one expects me to get on the bike and ride off. My Billy Bike has gotten good reaction from judges, too. At the first show in which it debuted, it won Best of Show. In 2010 it took Best of Show/ People's Choice awards at five of six shows. We have been married for nine years and have been building bikes together for almost six. Each bike is designed and assembled in secret, and no one sees them until the project is complete. It's really more of a hobby, but we usually have two or three for sale. Eventually we'd like to do this as full time business. We are currently building my '56 Panhead in our living room and I also just got another "secret" project I am working on. My husband just got a 1949 Panhead built that he is riding. I breed hedgehogs for a living and here is my website.

Chris selected BSA 500 & 650 Twins - The Essential Buyer's Guide by Peter Henshaw as her prize!

STOP! Don’t buy a BSA Twin without buying this book first!
Having this book in your pocket is just like having a real marque expert by your side. Benefit from the author’s years of experience, learn how to spot a bad BSA Twin quickly and how to assess a promising one like a true professional. Get the right bike at the right price!
More info.


Do you have an unusual 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.
Click below to browse the whole series.

THE ADVENTURES OF SPLONK - PART 3

Splonk is the mascot that joined Nicky West & Rob Stacey in their adventure to Asia in a 50 year old 850cc Mini Minor. The subject of forthcoming Veloce book Mini Minor to Asia Minor - There & Back.

Follow Splonk on Facebook & Twitter!


Saying goodbye to Italy

Splonk studies the maintenance plans for the ship

Too much sun I think, feelin' a little sea sick

Welcome to Ancient Olympia

Splonk was 'ere...

Did I mention I'm scared of heights

On we push, no time to admire the view...
Pictures & captions kindly supplied by Nicky West.

Forthcoming! Mini Minor to Asia Minor - There & Back
By Nicky West. Foreword by Jean Christophe Novelli

The story of an independent trek in a restored 50-year-old Mini – all the way to the Great Pyramid and back. Inspirational to others, the book includes practical advice on the preparation required for such marathon drives, along with photos of car prep and the run itself.

More info.

AUDI IS WELL PREPARED FOR LE MANS 24 HRS

Le Mans premiere for Audi R18 ultra and R18 e-tron quattro



Audi Sport Team Joest made efficient use of the only testing opportunity of the year at Le Mans. The two Audi R18 e-tron quattro and the R18 ultra vehicles covered a total distance of 4,497 kilometres on the circuit that is primarily made up of public roads. From the suspension set-up and aerodynamics through to tyre tests, handling of the LMP sports prototypes with varying amounts of fuel and the comparison of the concepts, the engineers gathered valuable data for the year’s most important endurance race. Occasional precipitation in some areas made for changeable conditions on the 13.629-kilometre track though.

Marco Bonanomi, the only Audi factory driver who has previously never participated in the Le Mans 24 Hours, qualified for the grid by completing ten mandatory laps and numerous additional kilometres in the number "4" Audi R18 ultra.

The day’s fastest time of 3m 25.927s was achieved by Allan McNish. An excursion by the Scotsman at Tertre Rouge, though, put a premature end to the track presence of car number "1" one hour before the test was over. With positions one, two, three and six plus a wealth of valuable data Audi concluded the test day on an extremely positive note and thoroughly completed its preparations.

New from Veloce!

Le Mans Panoramic
By Gavin Ireland.
The Le Mans 24 Hours is the ultimate endurance race, and a classic feature of the motorsport calendar. This book captures the sheer scale and drama of this legendary race as never before, using specialist panoramic photography to give an unprecedented wide angle view of how the race is entered, watched, won, and lost. It is a timeless tribute to the Le Mans 24 Hours. More info.

Audi R8 (WSC Giants) by Ian Wagstaff.
The history of the world’s most successful endurance racing car: the Audi R8. Featuring reports of all of its 80 races, plus profiles of the 35 drivers who raced the car between 2000 and 2006 – as well as the Audi R8R and R8C of 1999. Features individual chassis details, results, and observations from significant individuals involved with the R8. More info.

HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN’S DIAMOND JUBILEE TO BE CELEBRATED IN THE CARTIER ‘STYLE ET LUXE’ AT GOODWOOD FoS 2012

Now in its 18th consecutive year at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Moving Motor Show (28 June – 1 July), the annual Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’ vehicle concours d’elegance promises to be truly exceptional this year. For the first time ever, Cartier will focus on just one set of vehicles, but what a collection of machines they will be!

As a mark of respect to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for her Diamond Jubilee, Goodwood and Cartier will gather together an astonishing selection of vehicles all personally owned or used by Her Majesty. These vehicles have never been seen in public together as a collection, and the quality and variety of the vehicles promises to be simply staggering.

Many vehicles will come from the personal collections of Her Majesty, including Sandringham and the Royal Mews. Others will be sourced from overseas governments and private collections, and all will have a genuine use and connection with The Queen.

The unique Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’ Royal Vehicle concours will be divided into five special classes, including state limousines and carriages, official overseas state visit transport, working cars, personal family cars, plus toy cars owned by the Royal Household.

Formal state limousines and carriages will include Her Majesty’s 1961 Rolls-Royce Phantom V, modified specifically to fit on The Royal Yacht Britannia, a 1929 Daimler Double Six 30hp Brougham and a 1920 carriage from the Royal train. Foreign Travel will include cars used for overseas State visits, sent over to Goodwood specifically for the Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’ with official government permissions. These include the striking Chapron-bodied Citroen SM Decapotable used for The Queen’s State visit to France in 1972, with the release of this car being personally signed-off by the French President. Festival visitors will also see a special 1950 Lincoln Cosmopolitan ‘bubble top,’ plus a Humber Super Snipe used for Her Majesty’s first Commonwealth Tour.

Working cars are set to include a unique coachbuilt 1956 Ford Zephyr Estate, purpose built to carry luggage, plus a 1961 Vauxhall Cresta Friary Estate, used to transport Her Majesty’s corgi dogs. Personal ‘Regal Runabouts’ will include a Rover P5 and Daimler Double Six used extensively by The Queen, plus Prince Philip’s 1961 Alvis TD21.

An unusual vehicle class of Royal Household toy cars will include a 1928 Citroen C4 presented to The Queen, plus an Austin J40 pedal car and 1966 Aston Martin DB5 007-replica pedal car.

On the Saturday and Sunday of the Festival of Speed, a number of Her Majesty’s cars will briefly move from the Cartier Lawn and slowly parade along the Goodwood hillclimb for a special Diamond Jubilee tribute to Her Majesty The Queen.

Goodwood’s acclaimed Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’ concours d’elegance celebration of fine automotive design always attracts a distinguished panel of judges, and this year will be no exception. Judges will include Ashes To Ashes actor Philip Glenister, athlete Edwin Moses, supermodel Natalia Vodianova, musician Brian Johnson, TV presenter Kevin McCloud and The Queen’s nephew Lord Linley.

During the Festival weekend, a visit to the Cartier ‘Style et Luxe’ is made all the more enjoyable by a superb soundtrack of live jazz playing on the bandstand on Saturday and Sunday, making this is an unmissable occasion for anyone who appreciates the inherent creative magnificence of great automobiles.

Source: Goodwood

FORD’S JUBILEE CAR JOINS CELEBRATIONS

The Ford Consul was built at Dagenham in 1952, and featured a fuel economy of around 24-28 mpg and had a maximum speed of 75mph.

1952

PRODUCTION
Dagenham Vehicle Production in 1952 - 93,499 (266 per day)

FUEL ECONOMY
Fuel Economy for the Dagenham-built 1951 Ford Consul - 24-28mpg

PRICING
Price for the Dagenham-built 1951 Ford Consul - £809 (including purchasing tax)

MAXIMUM SPEED
Maximum Speed for the Dagenham-built 1951 Ford Consul - 75mph

EQUIPMENT
Equipment for the Dagenham-built 1951 Ford Consul included a front bench seat, radio (optional) and heater (optional for additional £10)

2012

PRODUCTION
Dagenham Engine Production in 2011 -987,078 (2,812 per day)

FUEL ECONOMY
Fuel Economy for the 2012 Dagenham-powered 1.6 Litre TDCi Ford Focus - 67.3mpg

PRICING
Price for the 2012 Dagenham-powered 1.6 Litre TDCi Ford Focus - £17,795 (on the road)

MAXIMUM SPEED
Maximum Speed for the 2012 Dagenham-powered 1.6 Litre TDCi Ford Focus - 120mph

EQUIPMENT
Equipment available for the 2012 Ford Focus includes Ford's Easy Fuel capless refuelling system and Electronic Stability Programme as standard, Ford's Active Park Assist, Active City Stop, Lane Departure Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition (optional).

Source: Ford

A RECORD 58 FIA MGBS FOR MGB50 RACE

A record breaking fifty-eight FIA MGBs will compete in the official MGB50 celebration race at MGLive! on Saturday 23rd June.

The MG Car Club's 62nd successive Silverstone meeting has attracted a mouth-watering grid of the world's best MGBs; competitors will contest for honours on the full GP circuit.

Supported by British Motor Heritage, the prestigious 50-minute race is for FIA-spec MGBs running on Dunlop Historic Tyres and includes a mandatory pit stop.

MGLive! is the world's largest MG event and attracts 20,000 enthusiasts from every corner of the globe. The MG Car Club's award-winning weekend begins a trilogy of high-profile MGB50 events in 2012; celebrations are set to continue at the Silverstone Classic (July) and at Blenheim Palace (September).

Off track, the MGLive! MGB50 street party will assume centre stage: thousands of examples of Abingdon's most famous export are anticipated to descend on Silverstone.

Notable cars competing in the MGLive! MGB50 celebration race include ex-works cars 6DBL, BRX854B, DRX256C, DRX255C, 2GLL and LBL591E, along with other historic period MGBs, including HGT576C, 665FXF, the WSM MGB and a Jacques Coune MGB Berlinette.

In another exciting development, former MG works driver Paddy Hopkirk will be on hand to present awards to the overall and category winners of the MGB50 Celebration Race. Later that evening, the popular Irishman will be Guest of Honour at the MG Car Club's annual Silverstone dinner in the Jimmy Brown Suite, where a host of former MG works drivers will also be in attendance.

Aside from the MGB50 celebration race, the MGCC's usual comprehensive programme of track action will be taking place.

Dave Saunders, Motorsport Director of the MG Car Club said: "The worldwide response to the official MGB50 race has been overwhelming. The MG Car Club's annual Silverstone event has tremendous pedigree and competitors were applying to enter the celebration race as early as December last year.

"Watching a rolling start with 58 FIA MGBs roaring into Copse really will be spectacular and the whole race will act as a fitting tribute to one of the world's greatest sports cars. The MG Car Club is proud to be staging the official MGB50 celebration race and our organisation continues to be at the forefront of the worldwide MG movement."

John Yea from British Motor Heritage said: "British Motor Heritage is proud to be supporting this fantastic race. I am delighted that our products have enabled so many of these great sports cars to continue to be enjoyed 50 years after they were launched."

Forthcoming in 2012! Memories from MG’s Abingdon Design Office - including the birth of the MGB by Don Haytor.
The story of MG Design & Development department, by MG’s Chief Engineer, Don Hayter, this book covers models and prototypes from 1956 to the close of the factory in 1980. Featuring behind the scenes anecdotes and personal accounts MG in its heyday.

Click here for more info about the book!

MAZDA MX-5 NAMED ‘MOST POPULAR CONVERTIBLE’ AT HONEST JOHN AWARDS

The Mazda MX-5 has been named ‘Most Popular Convertible’ at the 2012 Honest John Awards, adding yet another accolade to the model’s ever-expanding trophy cabinet.

This latest award once again proves that the world’s best-selling two-seater sportscar remains Britain’s favourite convertible – judging for the awards was based on which car reviews on the Honest John website (www.honestjohn.co.uk) have been read the most. The Mazda MX-5 took class honours ahead of a shortlist which also included the Volkswagen Eos, BMW 3-Series Convertible, BMW Z4 and Fiat 500C.

Honest John described the Mazda MX-5 as ‘a great sportscar’, praising in particular its handling abilities, ease of use and low running costs, while the website features many more glowing reviews from owners of the car.

“This award confirms that the Mazda MX-5 remains a resounding hit among the British public,” said Jeremy Thomson, Managing Director for Mazda UK. “In spite of a growing number of competitors in this sector, the consistent level of praise for the MX-5 – from journalists and motorists alike – marks it out as the ideal all-year-round convertible.

With the belated British summer just around the corner, Mazda has recently introduced a new special edition of its iconic sportscar – the MX-5 Venture Edition. Available in Soft-top or Roadster Coupe (a retractable hard-top) form, this latest special edition of the world’s most popular open top sports car features upgraded luxurious specification, advanced technology, premium interior trim and exclusive exterior colours.

Based on the Mazda MX-5 SE and Sport Tech models, the Venture Edition is available as a 1.8-litre MZR Soft‑top (SE) and a 2.0-litre MZR Roadster Coupe (Sport Tech), and is priced at £18,995 and £22,295 (OTR). The car retains all of the dynamic attributes, low running costs and open-top thrills that have cemented the Mazda MX-5’s place in the hearts and minds of motorists around the world.

Mazda MX-5 Miata 1.6 Enthusiast's Workshop Manual by Rod Grianger. With open-topped styling and performance evocative of the classic sportscars of the 60s, the Mazda MX-5/Eunos had to be a huge international success and that's exactly what it's become. Now a familiar sight on the streets and boulevards of the world, the MX-5 is owned by real enthusiasts, the kind of people who will want to have hands-on involvement with the maintenance and repair of their prized possession. For those enthusiasts, here is what we believe is the best, easiest to use, workshop manual in the world ... More info.

Mazda MX-5 Miata (Mk1 1989-97 & Mk2 98-2001) – The Essential Buyer’s Guide by Carla Crook.

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