THORNLEY KELHAM RESTORES THREE ULTRA-RARE LANCIA FLAMINIA ZAGATOS

THORNLEY KELHAM RESTORES THREE ULTRA-RARE LANCIA FLAMINIA ZAGATOS

Cotswolds-based classic car restoration specialist, Thornley Kelham, have completed extensive nut-and-bolt restoration work on three ultra-rare Lancia Flaminia Zagatos. Only 526 Flaminia Zagatos were built between 1959 and 1967, and not only has Thornley Kelham restored these three, but it also has a further two currently being completed in its state-of-the-art workshops, and another for sale.

With in-house bodywork, paint, engine and fabrication shops, Thornley Kelham is widely regarded for the quality of its restorations of historically significant, often unique vehicles. Having restored a number of rare Lancia models in the past, including perhaps the most famous Lancia in the world, the ex-Bracco Aurelia B20GT, Thornley Kelham has over 10 years of top-end restoration expertise.

Lancia Flaminia Zagato production spanned eight years and four evolutions and – in Zagato’s Centenary Year – is still widely regarded as one of the carrozzeria’s most beautiful designs, featuring classic sporting lines and the iconic double-bubble roof. With disc brakes all-round on later models, and fully independent front suspension it was renowned for its excellent balance and superb on-road manners.

Prior to the restoration work of the three Flaminia Sport Zagatos, Thornley Kelham commissioned 3D Engineers to scan a Zagato, from which a buck was produced. This enabled the team to make new or repair existing skins for all future Flaminia Zagatos that may arrive. The svelte aluminium body panels are enormously delicate and intricately shaped, making the creation of new panels challenging work.

There were three generations of Zagato-bodied Flaminias. The earliest cars, numbering 199, were single carburettor models, the first 99 of which had cowled headlamps. This design changed to open headlamps in 1960 due to revised Italian traffic regulations. This lead to:

The second evolution of the Flaminia, the Sport 3C, which is virtually identical to its predecessor but with three carburettors (3C) fitted to its 2.5-litre V6 engine. Power surged from 119bhp to 140bhp thanks to this change and a total of 152 models were produced. Two of the cars restored were from this period.

The final, and latest, example of the triumvirate is a one-of-33 Flaminia Sport 3C 2.8 model, produced in 1963. These latter cars were fitted with a bored-out version of the 2.5-litre engine, taking total displacement to 2.8 litres, boosting power to 150bhp. This particular car is arguably unique, being fitted with the covered headlights of the early  Series I Flaminias.

But Flaminia Zagato development didn’t stop with the 3C 2.8. In 1964, Lancia released the Super Sport variant, radically updated, featuring a new Kamm Tail design and a strengthened version of the 2.8-litre engine, complete with bigger carburettors. Only 150 examples were produced, and Thornley Kelham is currently carrying out extensive restoration work on two of them. 

A further Flaminia Super Sport Zagato is currently being offered for sale by Thornley Kelham, complete with its original 2.8-litre engine and upgrades including adjustable Zagato-style seats with lumbar support, custom stainless-steel exhaust system with stainless-steel headers, Amadori-style 15” magnesium alloy wheels, auxiliary electric fan, and a dynator. The braking system has been largely rebuilt with upgraded front calipers. For more information see the website: www.thornleykelham.com

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/

FOOTMAN JAMES ANNOUNCES NEW RESTORATION, STORAGE & TRANSIT INSURANCE POLICY

FOOTMAN JAMES ANNOUNCES NEW RESTORATION, STORAGE & TRANSIT INSURANCE POLICY

One of the UK’s leading specialist vehicle insurance brokers, Footman James, has created a policy aimed at enthusiasts who are restoring or storing their classic vehicle.

Through their close relationship with classic vehicle clubs, partners and enthusiasts, Footman James has identified the need for a bespoke restoration and storage policy that goes beyond simple off-road or laid up cover

The Restoration, Storage & Transit insurance policy from Footman James provides third-party cover to a vehicle while it’s in the garage, in transit to or from a restorer, at a race preparation facility, competition or exhibition.

This policy has been built with the classic enthusiast in mind with salvage retention and cover for tools up to the value of £250 included as standard. Customers will also be able to take advantage of selected FJ+ optional extras.

FJ+ allows customers to build a policy tailored to their specific needs by choosing from a range of additional cover benefits. For the Restoration, Storage & Transit policy, these include:

• Agreed Value- Customers can increase the value of their vehicle twice within a policy yearwith no admin charges, offering peace of mind to those adding expensive new parts to their vehicle when undertaking restoration work.
• Spare Parts– Customers can choose to cover a vehicle’s spare parts and accessories up to the value of £2,000, £5,000 or £10,000. With each option, cover is also provided for spare parts and accessories taken away from the home temporarily up to the value of £2,000.

Plus, holders of this policy can cover a mix of vehicles, both classic and modern, up to the value of £50,000.

David Bond, Managing Director at Footman James, commented: “Feedback from our customers was instrumental in creating the Restoration, Storage & Transit policy. Restoring a classic vehicle can be an expensive labour of love, and it’s not unusual to see a classic vehicle increase in value many times during the length of the work. With our new policy, customers can be confident that they can get cover for the true value of their vehicle if the worst should happen mid-project.”

For further information about Footman James please contact 0333 207 6000 or visit www.footmanjames.co.uk.

E-TYPE UK SERIES 1 RESTORATION WINS BEST IN CLASS AT WARREN CLASSIC

E-TYPE UK SERIES 1 RESTORATION WINS BEST IN CLASS AT WARREN CLASSIC

Leading restoration specialist E-Type UK showcased its recently restored and highly original Jaguar E-Type Series 1 at the Warren Classic Concours in North Maldon, Essex, where the period accuracy and incredible attention to detail impressed the Concours judges who awarded it the coveted Best in Class award in the Jaguar class.

The prestigious show, held in the glorious grounds of The Warren Estate, attracts an incredible array of classic and modern automobiles. E-Type UK’s original UK delivered right-hand drive flat-floor, external bonnet latch Series 1 E-Type was an instant hit among the crowds, and the astonishing detail of the build attracted the attention of visitors throughout the weekend.

In order to keep the world-famous British sports car entirely accurate and to period specification, many of the original parts were recommissioned and refitted. When it arrived at the E-Type UK facility, the 54th E-Type to have rolled off the production line had been resprayed in British Racing Green with a beige interior – far from how the car would have looked when it sat on the Coventry factory floor. The in-house body shop team completely stripped down the body and repainted it to its original Imperial Maroon finish.

The team went to incredible lengths to restore this Jaguar to the exact specification it was when it left the factory. The interior was taken from beige back to its flamboyant factory maroon – with a hand-built black hood to cover it. Where possible, each nut, bolt, cable and switch was disassembled, cleaned and returned to the condition it was in in 1961. From original spot weld patterns to an exacting interior trim pattern, every single detail was considered.

Last month, the car was also displayed in the Members Enclosure at the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace. As one of the most prestigious Concours events in the country, it welcomed rare and stunning classics from every corner of the globe. This prestigious Best in Class win at the Warren Classic Concours is a fitting accolade for this exceptional restoration and a true indicator of the superb work of the E-Type UK team.

Founder Marcus Holland commented “We’ve had an exceptionally busy Concours season that has seen E-Type UK and sister company DM Historics restorations shown at several world-class Concours including Pebble Beach, and to finish our Concours season with this Best in Class win further demonstrates the exceptional talent of our restoration team.

E-Type UK Chassis 54