FROM MORIBUND TO MILLE MIGLIA - THORNLEY KELHAM RESURRECTS DERELICT LANCIA FOR WORLD’S PREMIER CLASSIC RALLY

FROM MORIBUND TO MILLE MIGLIA - THORNLEY KELHAM RESURRECTS DERELICT LANCIA FOR WORLD’S PREMIER CLASSIC RALLY

 A 1953 Lancia Aurelia B20 GT Series 3 has been given a new lease of life by leading restoration specialists Thornley Kelham. The previously decaying classic has been taken from an almost unsalvageable restoration condition to factory fresh over a two-and-a-half-year period and has now been accepted into arguably the most prestigious classic car rally of all – the Mille Miglia.

Having restored a considerable number of Aurelias in the past, Thornley Kelham’s expertise in, and understanding of these models and their intricacies enabled their team to resurrect a vehicle that many others would have deemed beyond restoration.

The 1953 Lancia Aurelia B20 GT Series 3 was discovered in incredibly poor condition in the USA, with a staggering amount of rust plaguing the car. The usual rust points of these vehicles - namely floor pans, sills and door bottoms – had been totally ravaged by years left exposed to the elements. So severe was the problem that even the top of the wings had rusted through, the transmission tunnel had completely eroded, and the body required strengthening prior to being media blasted as the car had so little structural integrity.

Despite the condition of the vehicle, Thornley Kelham’s customer was determined to see the Aurelia resurrected and play his part in saving this rare car. The tired body was fully restored, in many cases by fabricating entirely new panels. A considerable portion of the lower body had to be fabricated whilst maintaining factory curvatures and shut lines, amongst myriad other repairs before moving onto Thornley Kelham’s paintshop to be prepared and painted in the original beige colour, as per the factory build sheet.

Given the owner’s aspirations to compete in the Mille Miglia, and the awful condition of the original seat frames, Thornley Kelham fabricated a set of its Rally De Corsa style seats and also carried out a common period competition upgrades of a Nardi floor shift, Nardi bonnet scoop and Nardi twin carburettors and Borrani “bi-metallic” wheels. Every component of the car was restored or replaced over a period of two and a half years, with the end result being a box fresh and period correct Aurelia – a far cry from the condition it entered the TK facility in.

Once completed, the owner’s maiden journey in the resurrected Aurelia was a 500-mile weekend of fault-free driving, testament to the thorough road testing and quality checks carried out prior to delivery. The next adventure for the car will be Mille Miglia. Thornley Kelham will provide a dedicated support team throughout the event with two mechanics allocated to the car at all times, allowing the owner to fully focus on the joy of driving and ensuring the car remains in superb order throughout the gruelling event.

A WELSH LOVE STORY ON WHEELS

CLASSIC TORQUE

FROM CLASSIC CHATTER

A WELSH LOVE STORY ON WHEELS

 The routes! What a delight to drive!” was the instant response of one German participant when asked for his view of the FIVA World Rally 2018, a 450-mile, four-day, non-competitive event held this year in the dramatic countryside of rural Mid Wales.

The annual event is open to anyone with a classic car they enjoy using, not just members of FIVA (the Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens or international federation of historic vehicles).

While the location changes from year to year, Mid Wales proved a huge hit with the 25 participating teams, including two from Japan, four from Argentina, two from Slovakia, one from the Czech Republic and six from Germany – most of whom were new to Wales but have pledged to return as soon as they can.

“When driving,” continues Carl-Michael Emer from Germany, “one immediately understands the fascination of the Welsh people for the sport of rallying, because the terrain offers so many possibilities.

“Most of FIVA’s World Rally route followed small – even tiny – roads, sometimes just wide enough to let a car pass. Although it was called a ‘touristic event’, the driving was demanding, with tight corners, blind bends, steep uphill and downhill slopes (up to 25%), but we were always rewarded with breathtaking views in an ever-changing landscape. It’s easy to understand the affection the event organisers have for this region; and I think the participants now feel the same.”

Held from 28 August to 1 September 2018, there were four days of driving with a central base at the fabulous Metropole Hotel in Llandrindod Wells, often regarded as the spiritual home of Welsh rallying. A detailed roadbook guided participants through the twists and turns of the route, while there was a relaxing break from driving when the teams took a steam train ride from Devil’s Bridge to Aberystwyth.

Event organiser Paul Loveridge added, “Many participants were amazed to discover the terrain and landscapes of Mid Wales – drawing comparisons with the alpine regions of Europe. What particularly struck them was that within a single mile, you come across radically different scenery that might encompass mountain passes, lush valleys or panoramic views across as many as eight or ten counties.”

Next year’s event will have a lot to live up to but, given that it’s being held in Austria, it shouldn’t disappoint. FIVA’s Austria Classic, from 22-26 May 2019, is again open to anyone – not just FIVA members.

BERTIE RIDES AGAIN! - Crowd-pleasing VW Beetle celebrates 60th birthday on WRGB National Rally

CLASSIC TORQUE

FROM CLASSIC CHATTER

BERTIE RIDES AGAIN!

• Crowd-pleasing VW Beetle celebrates 60th birthday on WRGB National Rally
• Plucky privateer lines-up alongside World Rally Championship top guns
• Advance tickets with significant discounts on sale for all venues

While the latest generation of spectacular ‘new era’ WRC cars will be wowing the huge crowds as they race through the legendary Welsh forests at unsurpassed speeds, next month’s Dayinsure Wales Rally GB (4-7 October) isn’t just for the title-chasing big guns.

Unlike most other major sporting series, the FIA World Rally Championship allows plucky private entrants to compete alongside their more illustrious peers.

Few fit the ‘plucky privateer’ tag better than Hereford’s Bob Beales in his ‘Bertie’ Beetle. Manufactured back in 1958, the ever-popular VW Bug is celebrating its 60th birthday by contesting the WRGB National Rally which shadows the main WRC event.

Living up to its Colorado beetle inspired orange and black livery, Bertie has a notably colourful history. In its early life, the venerable icon was owned by a Hereford taxi company, which somehow managed to roll it!

The car was then rally-prepared by the legendary Bill Bengry in the early sixties before Beales acquired it a few years later. Bob competed extensively in rallies, autotests and even autocross before putting the charismatic air-cooled car into storage.

In recent years, though, Bertie has enjoyed a new lease of life competing in many historic events and now is gearing up for a fourth consecutive start alongside the world’s rally elite in Wales.

“We won our class in 2015 and 2016 but sadly were forced to retire from a big class lead last year when a gearchange coupling snapped. That big disappointment means we are really looking forward to making amends next month,” vows the big-hearted Beales who is hoping to mark his Beetle’s big milestone birthday in style.

“Bertie was 60 a few months ago and it’s going to be a wonderful way to celebrate in Wales. This is the highlight on the UK rallying calendar and it’s great to be on the same event as all those world championship cars and drivers.”

That said, Beales admits it’s not all plain sailing out on the speed tests in the stunning Welsh forests. “Being at the back, the gravel stages can be a bit rough after all those four-wheel-drive cars have been ripping up the tracks… but we cope!” he grins.

“We are now busy changing all the track rod ends and spanner checking all the nuts and bolts to make sure they are all okay for rigours ahead. I’d like to get some new bits for the rear suspension but its money and, even though we do have a number of very kind sponsors who help with some of the bills, being a pensioner, it’s difficult to fund everything.”

Indeed, the ever-enthusiastic Beales turns 70 in January and has been in motor sport for most of his life. He started rallying aged just 17 and, even before that, helped with marshalling on events. Now he and Bertie are becoming fans’ favourites on the illustrious World Championship stage.

“We do put a lot of smiles on faces,” confirms Beales. “I do try to give all those waving in the crowds a toot but only when I have enough hands available to hit the horn button!”

Visitors keen to share Bertie’s 60th birthday bash and, of course, to experience the even higher octane excitement delivered by the awe-inspiring antics of the World Rally Championship competitors, can take advantage of significantly reduced ticket prices when buying advance. 

If purchased now, adult tickets start at just £15 (including costs) for the Thursday evening curtain-raiser at Tir Prince Raceway with the premium four-day event pass remaining at £99 for the ninth successive year. Day Passes are priced at £28 in advance with on the gate tickets priced at £30 subject to availability. Accompanied children aged 15 and under are admitted free to general admission areas.

Full information can be found on the official www.walesrallygb.com website and via the event’s social media channels.

E-TYPE UK COMPLETES 1,500 MILE MOTORING CLASSIC RALLY IN STYLE

CLASSIC TORQUE

FROM CLASSIC CHATTER

E-TYPE UK COMPLETES 1,500 MILE MOTORING CLASSIC RALLY IN STYLE

• E-Type UK complete the Motoring Classic Rally in a fully restored 1963 Jaguar E-Type 3.8 Roadster
• The 1,500-mile route began in Seattle and concluded at Pebble Beach, California
• 1963 E-Type, fully restored by E-Type UK, performed faultlessly throughout challenging drive

Kent, 30th August 2018

Leading specialists E-Type UK brought a piece of British style to the 2018 Pebble Beach Motoring Classic Rally, a 1,500-mile rally winding its way from Seattle to California.

With founder Marcus Holland at the wheel of a stunning 1963 Jaguar E-Type 3.8, fully restored by E-Type UK, the rally covered roughly 150 miles per day through highways, mountain passes and quaint American towns.

Setting off from the Woodmark Hotel alongside 19 other superlative classics, from pre-war Bentleys to 1960s Ferrari and Lamborghini supercars, the route headed towards the coast via a number of picturesque locations.

A particular highlight included the usually snow-lined Stevens Pass in Washington, where the E-Type got to display its spritely handling characteristics, before arriving into the Bavarian-style village of Leavenworth which was constructed in the same era as the iconic Jaguar.

The mountain passes continued as the rally ventured further south through Mount Adams and Mount Hood with the E-Type tackling some extreme weather and arriving at the Timberline Lodge, as seen in ‘The Shining’.

Heading further south still, the journey took in the Crater Lake National Park, the Avenue of the Giants with the scenery proving as breathtaking as the roads. In the final days, a stop was made to view one of the most significant Mercedes-Benz collections in the world, the Keller Collection, before pushing on and heading to the end destination, The Lodge at Pebble Beach.

The E-Type performed superbly, a testament to not only the work of E-Type UK but also the superb grand touring capabilities of these stunning machines. There was little time for rest, however, as a sister company, DM Historics showed an incredible unrestored 1953 Jaguar XK120 FHC at the illustrious Pebble Beach Concours.

Founder Marcus Holland commented “At E-Type UK we really believe in using these gorgeous cars, and are lucky to have passionate customers who feel the same way. The Pebble Beach Motoring Classic was an absolutely fantastic event for the E-Type and a perfect way to begin our time in the US for Pebble Beach Concours.”

Source: E-Type UK