ABARTH CELEBRATES ITS 70TH ANNIVERSARY

ABARTH CELEBRATES ITS 70TH ANNIVERSARY

ABARTH CELEBRATES ITS 70^TH ANNIVERSARY

·      Carlo Abarth (1908-1979) founded Abarth & C. on 31 March 1949

·      Abarth established as a genuine automotive legend with record-breaking cars, revolutionary tuning kits and race victories

·      Ten world records, 133 international speed records and more than 10,000 wins on the track

·      Abarth is celebrating the special milestone with the new “70th Anniversary” range

2019 marks an important milestone for the Italian brand with the scorpion badge which, as it turns 70, still fuels the dreams of fans worldwide. Abarth & C was founded by Carlo Abarth and racing driver Guido Scagliarini on 31 March 1949 in Bologna, Northern Italy. Carlo’s astrological sign, Scorpio, was chosen as the new company logo and the legend of the scorpion was born. Celebrating this anniversary means remembering the designers and engineers, sporting and technical achievements and the generations of customers who have all made Abarth what it is today.

"Telling the key stages of Abarth is an opportunity to rediscover the record-breaking cars, the revolutionary tuning kits and legendary races that marked the technological progress and motorsport accomplishments of the brand", explained Luca Napolitano, Head of EMEA Fiat and Abarth brands. “All this belongs to the past and to the present of Abarth, together with the commitment and pride of the people who over time have worked in the factories and offices and on the race tracks, with a little extra something. Besides sporting satisfaction, for the engineers and technicians of the brand with the Scorpion badge races are the tough proving grounds where the most innovative technological solutions can be tested in the most adverse conditions before carrying them across to the street-legal Abarth models. In this way, we can achieve the very best in terms of performance, safety and reliability and offer it to our customers".

70^th Anniversary range

To acknowledge this incredible milestone, all Abarth 595’s produced from April 2019 will be identified by a “70th Anniversary” special badge. The 595 Competizione standard seats will also be embroidered with a ‘70^th Anniversary’ logo, making this specification one for Abarth fans to own (from 10 April).  Making its return in 2019 is the Abarth 595 esseesse which made its debut at the recent Geneva Motorshow and will shortly be on sale in the UK with pricing announced soon.

The history of Abarth: 1949-1979

Carlo Abarth's career started with motorcycles, at the age of twenty, he racked up his first wins as a rider on a Motor Thun, the following year he built his first customised motorbike under the Abarth brand. Unfortunately, during a competition at Linz, an accident forced him to abandon motorbikes. He continued competing with sidecars, a vehicle that he made famous in exploits endeavours such as the race against the Orient Express – that he won, of course. A second accident in 1939 forced him to abandon racing completely which marked a new beginning. In 1949, the first vehicle produced was the 204 A Roadster, based on the Fiat 1100, which won the 1100 Sport Italian championship and the Formula 2 racing title.

Carlo decided he needed to supplement his racing activities with the production of his now famous tuning kits for mass-production cars to increase power, speed and acceleration. Exhaust parts were built and supplied to a number of manufacturers including Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, BMW, Ford, Volvo and Jaguar.

Noteworthy components of the Abarth kits include the exhausts which, over the years, became a true icon of the “Abarth style”. In just a few years, Abarth & C. reached global levels: in 1962 with a staff of 375, it produced 257,000 exhausts, 65% of which are destined for export markets.

With the Fiat Abarth 750 designed by Bertone in 1956, the brand broke the endurance and speed record: on 18 June, on the Monza racetrack, it broke the 24-hour record covering 3,743km at an average speed of 155km/h. Following this, from 27 to 29 June on the same circuit  it racked up a number of records: the 5,000 and 10,000km, the 5,000 miles and also the 48 and 72 hours. The same vehicle was designed by Zagato in two different versions: the Fiat Abarth 750 Zagato (1956) and the Fiat Abarth 750 GT Zagato (1956).

In 1958, Abarth completed a true work of art on the new Fiat 500, completely transforming the small utility car and enhancing its potentials to the maximum. In the same year, the brand intensified its partnership with Fiat. Fiat committed itself to reward Abarth financially based on the number of victories and records that the team managed to achieve. An event that formed the basis of the impressive winning streak: 10 world records, 133 international records, more than 10,000 victories on track. 

The 1960’s were the golden decade for Abarth. In Italy “Abarth” becomes the byword for speed, courage, performance and development. The list of cars which displayed the name of Abarth in the history of motor racing is a long one: from the 850 TC, which was victorious on international circuits including the Nürburgring, to the Fiat Abarth “1000 Berlina” and the 2300 S that racked up an extraordinary series of records on the Monza track despite the harsh weather conditions. 

In 1971, Fiat Auto became the sole owners of Abarth, and the last vehicle in which the founder actively participated in designing was the A112 Abarth. During the 1980s, the story continued with famous cars, such as the Fiat 131 Abarth, world rally champion, and the Ritmo Abarth.

Sadly, Carlo Abarth died on 24 October, 1979, under the sign of Scorpio, the same as his birth that had inspired the badge sported on his cars. At the time of his death, Carlo had overseen the production of 219 models all of whichcarried the Scorpion badge.

Abarth Racing

In the late 1970’s Abarth became Fiat’s racing department which lead to such rally classics as the 124 and 131. The iconic Fiat Abarth 124 rally won the 1972 and 1975 (group 4) World Rally Championship with driver Raffaelle Pinto and co-driver Gino Macaluso. The 124 rally was successful over a number of years until it was replaced by the 131. The Fiat 131 Abarth was a successful group 4 rally car which won the manufacturers world championship three times in 1977, 78 and 80, instantly recognisable to rally fans worldwide in its distinctive shape and livery. The racing department then turned their focus to Lancia which set the rallying world alight with their commanding performance of the sport, winning a total of 11 championships over the years.

The Abarth 124 rally returned in 2016, when it was unveiled as a surprise at the Geneva Motorshow as part of the dual announcement of the Abarth 124 spider. Only in its second season in the R-GT Championship, the Abarth established itself as the king of the R-GT class for 2018, recording more than 40 class victories in 12 national championships. Using the experience gained in the first two racing seasons, the 124 rally has been further refined with one goal in mind, make the Abarth the car to beat in the R-GT class.

A brand reborn

The Abarth badge appeared on a small number of Fiat special editions in the 1980’s and 1990’s including the Strada and Stilo.  In 2008 the brand was relaunched with a new line-up created for motorsports enthusiasts with the Abarth Grande Punto (2007), Abarth 500 (2008) and tuning kits for each car, as well as racing versions of the Abarth Grande Punto Rally Super 2000 and the Abarth 500 Assetto Corse. Since then, new editions have been launched: the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari (2010), the Abarth 595 Yamaha Factory Racing (2015), the Abarth 

GOLF TURNS 45 – ON 29 MARCH 1974, VOLKSWAGEN STARTED MAKING EUROPE’S MOST SUCCESSFUL CAR

GOLF TURNS 45 – ON 29 MARCH 1974, VOLKSWAGEN STARTED MAKING EUROPE’S MOST SUCCESSFUL CAR

Seven Golf generations

Wolfsburg (Germany) – The Golf, the most successful European car, is turning 45. On 29 March 1974, the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg officially started production of what would become its best-seller. Back then, nobody at Volkswagen had any idea that the successor to the legendary Beetle would end up selling more than 35 million units all over the world – and still selling to this day. In purely mathematical terms, a new Golf has been ordered somewhere in the world every 41 seconds, every day, without interruption, since the start of production (SOP) 45 years ago. That is an average of around 780,000 vehicles per year.

Ralf Brandstätter, Chief Operating Officer of Volkswagen: “The Golf is at the very heart of our brand. It stands for progress and technology like no other car. For example, the Golf made safety technology affordable for millions of people for the first time. Thanks to this, it made its mark on an entire generation.” Brandstätter went on to emphasise: “For seven generations, the Golf has made a contribution to the development of Volkswagen as a brand and as a group – into one of the most important automotive producers in the world.”

Dr. Stefan Loth, Plant Manager at Volkswagen in Wolfsburg: “In 1974, our employees were facing the challenge of switching from the Beetle to the Golf. Since then, we have consistently continued to develop our main plant and today, in addition to the Golf, we produce the e-Golf1), the Golf GTE2), the Golf Sportsvan, and three additional models here in Wolfsburg.”

As one of the compact models on the global market that most defies classification, the Golf is set to remain a key product pillar of the Volkswagen brand. With its state-of-the-art drive, assist systems, Infotainment and operating systems, it will provide a decisive impetus for the future of mobility.

Important data on the debut of the Golf I:

29 March 1974: First Golf rolls off the assembly line – Start of series production

8 July 1974: Golf is available in showrooms of Volkswagen dealerships

5 August 1974: Delivery of the new Golf to customers begins

The 1974 Golf I

Design: 2-door and 4-door vehicles with boot lid

Interior: Five-seater, 300-litre luggage compartment, foldable rear bench seat

Engines: 1.1-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, 37 kW / 50 PS

1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, 51 kW / 70 PS

Drive: Front-wheel drive, four-speed manual gearbox, three-speed automatic available as an option

Maximum speed: 140 km/h (50 PS, manual gearbox)

160 km/h (70 PS, manual gearbox)

Models: Golf and Golf L (both 50 PS) Golf S and Golf LS (both 70 PS)

1) e-Golf, 100 kW (136 PS) – (NEDC) power consumption, kWh/100 km: combined 14.1–13.2; CO₂ emissions combined, g/km: 0; efficiency class: A+

2) Golf GTE, 150 kW (204 PS) – (NEDC) fuel consumption, l/100 km: combined 1.8–1.6; power consumption, kWh/100 km: combined 12.0– 11.4; CO₂ emissions combined, g/km: 40–36; efficiency class: A+

About the Volkswagen brand:

The Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand is present in more than 150 markets throughout the world and produces vehicles at over 50 locations in 14 countries. In 2017, Volkswagen delivered 6,24 million vehicles including bestselling models such as the Golf, Tiguan, Jetta or Passat. Currently, 195,878 people work for Volkswagen across the globe. The brand also has over 10,000 dealerships with 86,000 employees.

Volkswagen is forging ahead consistently with the further development of automobile production. E-mobility, smart mobility and the digital transformation of the brand are the key strategic topics for the future.

RARE LORD SCRUMPTIOUS CAR JOINS BEAULIEU’S CHITTY EXHIBITION

RARE LORD SCRUMPTIOUS CAR JOINS BEAULIEU’S CHITTY EXHIBITION

A rare 1912 Austro-Daimler 27/80 Prince Henry that starred as Lord Scrumptious’ chauffeur-driven car in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is to go on show at Beaulieu.

The Prince Henry joins an original screen Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the Humber 8hp driven by Truly Scrumptious, original Child Catcher carriage, the film’s inventive machines created by Rowland Emett, a replica Grandpa Potts’ hut, original artwork and memorabilia in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50 years at the National Motor Museum.

The Austro-Daimler is one of just four known surviving examples of a model known as one of the world’s first sports cars – and its off-screen story is as astonishing as its on-screen exploits in the much-loved musical film.

Only about 50 of the exclusive Austro-Daimler 27/80 Prince Henry were built and this car has been in the same family for more than six decades. The current keeper’s grandfather, vintage and veteran car dealer Cecil Bendall, bought it for £310 in 1956 from the estate of Herbert Whitley who founded Paignton Zoo. Bendall restored the car before using it to compete in numerous Veteran Car Club rallies and Vintage Sports-Car Club motorsport events and often provided historic vehicles for filming.

The car starred as the transport of Lord Scrumptious and was driven by spies during the kidnap of Grandpa Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which was released in 1968. By a decade later, its sophisticated 5.7-litre engine was in need of a rebuild and Bendall later hoped to drive it in the Land’s End to John O’Groats Trial but sadly passed away before the project could be completed. His grandson Tristan Jensen has since picked up the baton, with the goal of getting this impressive machine back in action to drive in historic motoring events once again.

Tristan said: “A busy life, family and many cars are slowing down the progress. However, all of the new parts have now been made and the engine just requires assembly. I am planning to enter events again in 2020.”

After many years off the road, the Prince Henry has been dusted down to join Beaulieu’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50 years exhibition from Easter and will remain on display until the exhibition concludes in November.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 50 years can be seen as part of the general admission to Beaulieu, which includes entrance to the National Motor Museum, World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, the ancestral Montagu family home of Palace House, 13th century Beaulieu Abbey and the grounds and gardens. To buy tickets in advance online or for more information see www.beaulieu.co.uk or call 01590 612345.

Find us on Twitter @Beaulieu_Hants, Facebook at /nationalmotormuseum or Instagram @national_motor_museum and join the conversation with #Chitty50years.

BMH STEPPING UP ITS SUPPORT FOR THE CLASSIC MINI IN THE CAR’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR

BMH STEPPING UP ITS SUPPORT FOR THE CLASSIC MINI IN THE CAR’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR

Already a major supporter of the classic Mini, British Motor Heritage (BMH) is increasing its related activities throughout 2019 – the 60th anniversary of one of the world’s most cherished models of car.

Sponsorship of the IMM

First and foremost BMH will be one of the major sponsors of the 2019 IMM (International Mini Meet), which is this year being held at Washingpool Farm near Bristol over the weekend of August 8-12. In addition to financially backing the event, the company will have a significant on-site presence in the form of an array of representative cars, replacement bodyshells and an innovative display panel.

The mighty Mini will also be the focus of BMH’s Goodwood Revival stand (September 12-15), with a selection of bodyshells and complete vehicles again being the order of the day. Among the latter are likely to be the company’s own immaculately restored 1275 Cooper S, and its FIA Cooper S race car that will be competing in the HRDC series throughout this season – both Minis feature BMH replacement shells.

Ever more replacement bodyshells and individual panels

As the owner of the original Mini tooling, BMH is the only company in the world capable of producing replacement bodyshells and individual panels to exactly the correct specification and, following the addition of the MK1 Mini shell to its portfolio, is now able to support the owners of every mark of classic Mini made between 1959 and 2000. The company acquired the Mini tooling in 2002 and began the manufacture of replacement products soon afterwards, since when demand has grown year on year. So far, literally thousands of individual panels and no less than 773 complete bodyshells have been produced, with many more on the stocks for this year.

Underpinning ever more of the classic car market

Add those for the various versions of the MGB and MG Midget (and Austin-Healey Sprite) and the number of replacement shells produced by BMH so far totals no less than 6,111, and counting. Under the circumstances, it is fair to say that a great number of today’s treasured classics have survived thanks to the company’s replacement programme, and the notable health of the classic movement owes much to its foresight and continuing expansion. In addition to all the above, it nowadays also produces replacement panels for the Jaguar E-Type and classic Range Rover, as well the Morris Minor, Triumph TR6, Spitfire, GT6 and Stag.

BE COOL, BE CLASSIC” HOW INDIA’S LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE AUTOMOBILE IS REACHING THE YOUNGER GENERATION

BE COOL, BE CLASSIC” HOW INDIA’S LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE AUTOMOBILE IS REACHING THE YOUNGER GENERATION

“We can learn a great deal from what’s happening in India right now when it comes to attracting young people into the historic vehicle movement,” says FIVA President Patrick Rollet.

In March, FIVA (the Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens or international federation of historic vehicles) held its General Council meeting in Bangalore, India’s fast-growing tech city. Explaining why Bangalore was the perfect venue, Rollet comments, “India is a country where the ‘love affair with the automobile’ is a more recent phenomenon than in the West, and it’s truly heartening to see the groundswell of enthusiasm for historic vehicles among younger Indians – at a time when European enthusiasts are worried that classics will increasingly be seen as something for the older generation.

“Our meeting was held in Bangalore alongside a symposium organised by the Delhi-based Osianama Learning Experience and the Federation of Historic Vehicles of India (FHVI) – the first of its kind in Asia – aimed at encouraging even more young people and women to get involved in the historic vehicle movement. The energy and enthusiasm of the participants, in a country that’s at an exciting point in the development of its historic vehicle community, is a joy to see.”

So what is the Indian historic vehicle community doing to encourage this groundswell of interest among the young? A key factor is the growing number of informal groups on social media, who meet at the weekend for casual drives in various cities. A prime example is Classic Drivers of Calcutta (CDC), as a young entrepreneur and enthusiast Souvik Ghose Chaudhuri describes:

“CDC was founded in 2017 with only three members but we now have 98 owners in the group, with 15% being ‘first-timers’ and almost half under the age of 35. But importantly, we also have 500-plus members on Facebook and Instagram who may or may not currently own a historic vehicle.

“To ‘catch them young’, it’s important to create communities around historic vehicles – non-competitive, fun social events to attract newcomers, such as movie screenings and garage days, plus extensive use of social media and workshops. It’s working. We’re seeing younger people, most of them ‘first-timers’, acquiring classics, while our members seem to be overcoming the absence of DIY culture and have taken to working on their vehicles themselves! The future is bright.”

Interestingly, focusing on women has proved another key factor, as female race and rally driver Farah Vakil, explains:

“Women are starting to take the lead in demystifying the classic automobile, seen by many as an untouchable realm of the wealthy and privileged man. Up till now, Indian women’s role in historic vehicle circles has been as the wives and daughters of collectors but that’s changing. Women in India today are financially and socially empowered, and we don’t need to have classics passed onto us as family heirlooms, as we can acquire them independently – sourcing them abroad, if necessary, and importing them. We are becoming instrumental in widening the appreciation of these cars, keeping it informal and unstructured – an outing in our cars, a picnic perhaps – without the heavy organisation and expense of a formal event.”

Another presenter at the Bangalore symposium was businesswoman and blogger Shana Parmeshwar, who races a Porsche GT3 in the UK and India but also owns an Austin Seven and a ’65 Chevrolet Impala estate. She uses the tag line ‘Be Cool, Be Classic’ to describe the surge of historic vehicle interest among the younger generation in India, and is full of ideas for the future – such as ‘Classic & Charity’, to organise classic runs to orphanages, where the children have fun taking passenger rides.

“India has a rich automotive heritage,” concludes Gautam Sen, FIVA’s Vice President, Communications. “In the early 20th Century, carmakers thronged to India but it wasn’t until after independence that India really developed its own manufacturing industry. If America could have its Big Three, India had its Little Three – Hindustan Motors, Premier Automobiles and Standard Motors, the latter narrowed down to making the Standard Herald.

“It was also in the 1960s that the collecting bug started, although it was generally limited to a small number of enthusiasts acquiring extraordinary cars discarded by the erstwhile rajas and maharajas of India. Today, however, much as in Europe, the majority of enthusiasts are keen to collect more attainable vehicles – of the sort that was used every day, and hence reflect the wider culture of the country.

“Clearly the Indian historic vehicle movement is enjoying great success at involving younger people, and FIVA members across the world might find their stories helpful when it comes to ensuring that our shared passion for classics lives on in future generations.”

THORNLEY KELHAM OFFERS STUNNING FULLY-RESTORED LANCIA AURELIA B20GT SERIES III

THORNLEY KELHAM OFFERS STUNNING FULLY-RESTORED LANCIA AURELIA B20GT SERIES III

Cotswolds-based concours restoration specialist Thornley Kelham is proud to offer this beautiful Lancia Aurelia B20GT Series III for sale. With over 1,200 man hours spent on metalwork alone, no detail has been overlooked in returning the car to its original glory.

As restoration specialists with an expert understanding of the intricacies of the Lancia marque, Thornley Kelham has revived this Series III to exacting factory standards - with exceptional attention to detail. Finished in its factory-original shade of ‘Amaranto’, with cream wheels and a light grey interior, this concours-worthy classic also has the desirable upgrade of a ‘Nardi’ floor change transmission.

Thornley Kelham has carried out some of the most renowned Lancia restorations in recent years and is particularly known in Aurelia circles for two ends of the restoration scale – the unique period Mille Miglia/Le Mans racer of Giovanni Bracco, and the now-famous limited-edition Lancia Aurelia ‘Outlaw’.

As industry leaders in Lancia restoration, Thornley Kelham restores and rebuilds concours-winning vehicles within its 32,000sq/ft workshop based near Cirencester. With purpose-built engine, metalwork and paint shops, the restoration team is able to carry out every last detail of any restoration to exacting standards. Covering over half-a-century of automotive history, Thornley Kelham’s restorations routinely see them revive vehicles as varied as 1920’s W.O Bentleys (3, 4½, 6.5 or 8 litre) and a Mercedes Benz 300SL ‘Gullwing’.

Lancia only manufactured 720 examples of the Series III, with this car being one of the last twenty.  According to the original logbook, this Series III Aurelia was imported into the UK in January 1963, having originally been registered in Italy. All numbers match to this document, as does the specification of the car.

The previous owner collected the car post-restoration and immediately embarked on a 2000 mile-round Alpine trip; returning the car for its first service with only a minor oil leak. The car has been tried and tested throughout its post-restoration life and has proved itself as a reliable and capable Aurelia as they were in period. An incredibly advanced vehicle when launched, Thornley Kelham’s extensive experience in, and understanding of, all series of these innovative cars gives them the knowledge to set them up perfectly.

Having covered just over 5,000 miles since the restoration, and following a recent service, this 1953 B20GT is the perfect automobile for grand touring, classic rallying and more. This stunning Aurelia one of six classic Lancias currently available at Thornley Kelham, full details of which can be found here: http://www.thornleykelham.com/sales/1954-lancia-aurelia-b20gt-series-4/

AT MEF, THE “TIMELESS MASTERPIECES” EXHIBITION CREATES A DIALOGUE BETWEEN FERRARI CARS AND OTHER ICONS OF STYLE

AT MEF, THE “TIMELESS MASTERPIECES” EXHIBITION CREATES A DIALOGUE BETWEEN FERRARI CARS AND OTHER ICONS OF STYLE

Maranello, 21 March 2019 – The Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena unveils a new exhibition, “Timeless Masterpieces”, with some of the most elegant cars in the history of the marque on display.

When selecting the models, the curators of this collection focused on Gran Turismo and sports models, both for their iconic value and for the important role they played in the stylistic revolution of the Ferrari brand, giving shape to the aesthetic vision of their respective eras and leaving their mark on the automotive industry and beyond.

The 166 Inter from 1948 and the 750 Monza from 1954 were chosen to open the exhibition, two seductive symbols of the post-war economic boom. The 250 California from 1957 continues this legendary series, followed by the 250 GTO from 1962 and the 365 GTS4 from 1969 to name just a few, as well as the more recent Ferrari California from 2008 and the GTC4Lusso from 2016. This extraordinary procession is brought to a close by the Ferrari Monza SP1, brought out last year, an innovative reinterpretation of the classic Barchetta cars of the fifties. These models eloquently demonstrate how a car can become a universal and eternal symbol of beauty.

The cars are presented alongside other iconic products from a number of different sectors, drawing attention to the links between them, from furniture to electronics and architecture accompanied by legends of music and cinema, in a refined to-and-fro of cross-references and mutual influences.

A series of cases display objects, works of art and images of famous faces in chronological order, revealing unexpected associations and unusual couplings with Ferrari cars from the various eras. The exhibition serves as an invitation to view automotive design from a different perspective, as an expression of broader creative and cultural movements, with a streamlined style that has been growing and developing since the thirties, in search of the degree of customisation that distinguishes today's luxury vehicle market.

"Timeless Masterpieces" establishes a dialogue between different worlds, helping visitors to understand how the various stylistic features and symbols of each era have developed, bringing the emotions that they have given us in the past to life once again.

NEW CLASSIC CAR TV SHOW RACES TO ITV4

NEW CLASSIC CAR TV SHOW RACES TO ITV4

One of the UK’s leading classic vehicle insurance specialists, Footman James, is proud to announce that their sponsored show, The Car Years, will be aired on ITV4

Today, Footman James revealed at the Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show, that the brand-new classic car TV show, The Car Years, will be hosted on ITV4.

ITV4 is a haven of sport, action and entertainment, now thanks to The Car Years, it’s adding to their classic car programmes too. Alongside some of the world’s most entertaining sporting action, with the likes of the French Open, Live Darts and Goodwood Revival, it’s now time to add another classic car show to the list.

Fronted by British racing driver and TV presenter, Vicki Butler-Henderson, alongside TV and radio presenter, Alex Riley; The Car Years will be a breath of fresh air to the classic car scene.

Each episode will focus on an important year in automotive history, where both Butler-Henderson and Riley will go head to head with each other to select a classic car from that year and pitch their reasons why they think they should win to some of the most cultivated experts in the classic vehicle industry. The judges include, presenter and journalist, Quentin Willson; ex-Top Gear and current The Grand Tour editor, Richard Porter; F1 star and F1 pundit, Karun Chandhok; and Managing Director of Coys auction house, Chris Routledge. With every episode based at the home of Footman James’ partners, the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, enthusiasts will be sure to recognise some of the amazing backdrops too.

Footman James recently asked funny man himself, Alex Riley, in a Q&A session, why he thinks people should tune into The Car Years; Riley answered, ‘I can’t think of another show that’s so totally focussed on the cars… because we’re not buying, selling, or restoring, we can really go to town telling their often-surprising stories. Add in gorgeous photography and brilliant archive footage and it’s a feast for the eyes.’

Footman James Managing Director, David Bond, added, ‘it’s great that we can finally reveal the channel that The Car Years will be featured on. It is a completely new direction for us at Footman James to sponsor a TV show, as we have never done anything like this before and the fact that it is on ITV4 is all that more exciting. I want to thank Alex and Vicki for supporting the show as their comedic chemistry, mixed with their love for classic cars, really makes The Car Years a classic car TV show not to be missed.’

The Car Year’s Producer, Jim Wiseman, commented, ‘Wiser Film are very proud of what we’ve managed to achieve producing this new and exciting car series. We feel privileged to have Footman James as our sponsor.’

The date of when The Car Years will be aired is yet to be confirmed, but you can be first in the know by following Footman James on Facebook or by signing up to their newsletter by visiting footmanjames.co.uk/newsletter.

THE ‘BLOWER’ BENTLEY – LEGENDARY INNOVATION

THE ‘BLOWER’ BENTLEY – LEGENDARY INNOVATION

As British luxury car manufacturer Bentley marks its centenary year, the company’s drive for innovation can be traced throughout its history.

The legendary ‘Blower’ Bentley, with a supercharged engine, was sensationally quick in 1929. Especially with Bentley Boy, Sir Henry ‘Tim’ Birkin, sat behind the steering wheel.

Birkin and the Blower are intrinsically linked together in this sepia-toned era of British motor racing history. It was Birkin’s quest for speed that created the Blower, later recording heroic drives at the Le Mans 24 Hours and the French Grand Prix. He also broke the Brooklands outer-circuit lap record, the most coveted racing circuit of the time.

The supercharged engine ultimately ensured the 4 ½ Litre model became the most iconic racing Bentley of the pre-war years. The Blower won Bentley a legion of motor sport fans around the world and to this day remains a symbol of the company’s innovative prowess.

Pushing the Boundaries of Performance

The Bentley 4½ Litre was nearing the end of its development cycle by 1928, as other manufacturers finally began to catch up with founder W.O. Bentley’s superlative engine design. W.O.’s response was to increase the engine capacity, and his 6½ Litre model won Le Mans in 1929 and 1930.

However, racing driver Sir Henry Birkin, who was already a schoolboy hero across Britain for his considerable achievements on the track, had another idea. He wanted to apply an innovative new supercharger to the engine of the existing 4½ Litre car instead.

To W.O.’s displeasure, Birkin persuaded Bentley’s new owner and chairman, fellow Bentley Boy and British financier, Woolf Barnato, to build him five supercharged Blowers for the racetrack. And to meet the racing rules of the era, 50 production Blower Bentleys were built for the road too.

A Famous Battle on the Racetrack

Placing the supercharger in front of the crankshaft gave the Blower Bentley a totally unique appearance. It increased the power of the 4½ Litre from 110 bhp to 175 bhp and, with Birkin at the wheel, it was sensationally fast. One of the most famous cars in motor sport history had been born.

W.O. Bentley described Birkin as “the greatest Briton of his time”. An aristocrat who fought in the First World War, Birkin returned from the front with a thirst for adrenaline and a total disregard for danger on the racetrack.

His dual with Mercedes-Benz driver, Rudolf Caracciola at the 1930 Le Mans 24 Hour has passed into legend. Bentley fielded three team Speed Sixes for the event, as well as Birkin’s team of supercharged 4 ½ Litre Bentleys.

Birkin and Caracciola were neck and neck from the start, with the British hero at one point passing his rival at high speed with two wheels on the grass. Neither car lasted the course and the race was eventually won by Barnato in a Bentley Speed Six.

Blower Bentley – An Enduring Legacy

Few cars have enjoyed the impact of the Blower Bentley. Many believe that Birkin only knew one way to drive, flat out for the win. Had he managed his race better over the gruelling 24-hour period at Le Mans, the result may have been different.

The Blower’s finest hour was in the 1930 French Grand Prix at Pau when, amid a field of lighter Bugattis, Birkin drove his two-ton car to a remarkable second place podium finish. The Blower is still believed to be the heaviest car ever entered in a Grand Prix.

Another version of the Blower was later converted into a single-seater and raced on the banked circuit at Brooklands in Surrey. With the engine output increased to 240 bhp, Birkin achieved 222 km/h (137.9 mph) when breaking the Brooklands lap record, his car often airborne due to the poor quality of the surface.

Continental GT Number 9 Edition by Mulliner

Bentley has created the ultimate collector’s version of the all-new Continental GT to celebrate the company’s centenary in 2019.

The Continental GT Number 9 Edition by Mulliner pays homage to Birkin and is inspired by Bentley’s illustrious motorsport past, incorporating a number of distinctive features from the legendary Blower into the world’s most luxurious Grand Tourer. Each model features a wood insert from the seat of Birkin’s iconic 1930 No. 9 Le Mans race car, which was removed during a sympathetic renovation.

Just 100 examples will be handbuilt by Mulliner in Crewe, England, based on the Continental GT this year.

Bentley’s Centenary – 100 Years of Extraordinary

July 10, 2019 marks Bentley’s 100th year - an extraordinary milestone achieved by only a few companies. To celebrate the occasion, a year-long series of special activities has been planned, with celebrations at events around the world. These will showcase Bentley’s motoring evolution over the last 100 years, highlighting its global success today and the exciting future of innovation ahead.

NOMINATIONS INVITED FOR THE ROYAL AUTOMOBILE CLUB HISTORIC AWARDS

NOMINATIONS INVITED FOR THE ROYAL AUTOMOBILE CLUB HISTORIC AWARDS

Nominations are now invited for the 2019 Royal Automobile Club Historic Awards. This new set of annual awards has been created to recognise excellence, outstanding achievement and innovation within the UK’s historic motoring and motorsport industries. Nominations must be made through the Awards’ website royalautomobileclubhistoricawards.co.uk/nominate before the closing date of 30 September 2019.

With the exception of the Club’s Lifetime Achievement Award, category nominations are invited from all corners of the UK's historic motoring scene, in accordance with the relevant category guidelines. Candidates can self-nominate or be nominated by anyone associated with them.

The nominated activity, event or feat must have occurred entirely or at least in the main part within the UK and have a very strong, or exclusively, historic element to it. It must have taken place in the twelve months from 1 October 2018 to 30 September 2019.

Nominations are sought within the following categories:

• Competitive Event
• Motoring Spectacle
• Race Series
• Collection
• Restoration
• Outstanding Journalism
• Personality

The Awards will be judged by a hand-picked panel of independent experts consisting of some of the most highly regarded individuals in their respective fields, each with specific in-depth knowledge of their assigned categories, making a win one of the most sought-after accolades in the motoring world.

The nominations will be shortlisted in October 2019 for judging and the winners will be announced at a gala evening to be held in the Club’s Pall Mall clubhouse on Thursday 21 November 2019.

The 2019 Royal Automobile Club Historic Awards categories in detail:

Competitive Event

This award seeks to celebrate the very best of the multitude of events that have a strong competitive element. This covers any event from motor racing meetings and hillclimbs to navigation and stage rallies, regularity trials, and hot rod and drag races. Eligible events must have taken place within the UK, or to have had a significant part of the event take place within the UK.

Motoring Spectacle

This award recognises the stunning range of classic and historic car events that take place around the UK throughout the year. Potential nominees must have no element of timed competition. Eligible events include concours d’elegance, tours, classic vehicle shows and club gatherings. Judges will be looking for events – big or small – that have displayed a true sense of spectacle. Eligible events must have taken place within the UK or have had a significant part of the event take place within the UK.

Race Series

This award aims to recognise the huge number of highly active and successful historic racing series, many of which take place across an international stage, and can be organised by one of the big international organisers or by one of the many UK based historic racing clubs. To be eligible for this award a race series must have a predominantly UK based calendar.

Collection

This award will be presented to a British-based collection which has made a significant contribution to the historic motoring movement in the UK or internationally. Historic vehicle collections come in many forms, from those amassed by private individuals to those curated by museums large and small or by internationally-renowned marques.

Restoration

This award will be presented for a restoration that results from not only impressive technical expertise but also a significant amount of research and sensitivity to the vehicle and its history. The judges will be looking for evidence of a dedication and determination to learn as much as possible about the subject’s provenance, and for an immaculately-documented research and restoration process, combined with world-class skills, resulting in a sensitive restoration that is entirely appropriate to the vehicle concerned. The restoration must be UK based. It can have been started at any point but must have been completed during the year ending 30th September 2019.

Outstanding Journalism 

This award will be presented to the author of what the judges deem to be the best written feature that has appeared in a British publication or digital platform within the twelve-month judging period. The feature can cover all aspects of the historic motoring world.

Personality

This award seeks to recognise any individual who has made a truly outstanding contribution to heritage, historic motoring or historic motorsport during the judging period. The winner can come from any part of the British historic motoring world - private enthusiast, club organiser or perhaps a specialist who has achieved something remarkable - the possibilities are endless.

In addition to the above categories, the Club will also present the Royal Automobile Club Lifetime Award, to recognise an individual who has, in the opinion of the Club, made an outstanding contribution to British motoring history and heritage, or to the British historic motoring and motor racing movement, across many years. This is the only category which cannot be nominated and is the only category recognising achievement beyond the previous twelve months.

Continuing the Club’s rich pedigree in celebrating motoring accomplishments, the Royal Automobile Club’s Historic Awards reward achievement and innovation by highlighting the wide range of companies, clubs, events, associations and individuals responsible for influencing and driving the British historic motoring movement.

Alongside the Historic Awards, the Royal Automobile Club also presents a series of internationally recognised trophies and medals celebrating motoring achievements. These include the Segrave Trophy, the Torrens Trophy, the Simms Medal, the Dewar Trophy and the oldest trophy in motorsport still being competed for today; the Tourist Trophy.

To learn more about the Historic Awards or to make a nomination please go to royalautomobileclubhistoricawards.co.uk.