The Return Of The VW Transporter

The new Volkswagen Transporter has finally been revealed by film legend, Jason Statham.

For those of you who haven’t yet made the connection, Statham was in the run of films called ‘The Transporter’ where he transported any package, no matter the legality, to wherever his customers needed it to be.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles (VWCV) recruited Jason Statham as his on-screen character transported his cargo no matter what and VW are obviously looking to demonstrate the capabilities of the new Transporter in that way too.

The first video trailer was released on Sunday in Hanover and featured both Statham and the new Transporter van.

“We are thrilled to have Jason Statham as the face of our new campaign. Its energy and unmistakable style are a perfect match for our new Transporter, which is known for its robustness, reliability and innovative technology. The reactions to the trailer here on site and online were promising.“

– Sandra Waidelich, Head of Sales & Marketing Experience at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

The advertising campaign is looking to demonstrate the impressive features of the van such as load capacity, superior driving characteristics, and state-of-the-art safety features.

The Transporter is back!

Classic Car Auction

An auction taking place on Wednesday, 9th October, is offering car enthusiasts and collectors the chance to own two very special cars. The auction, hosted by H&H Classics at the Imperial War Museum Duxford, will feature the oldest known surviving Ford AVO Car, a 1970 Ford Escort Mexico and a 1967 Jaguar Mark X 4.2, once owned by pop legend Madonna.

The Oldest Known Ford AVO Car – Ford Escort Mexico

Believed to be the oldest surviving model from Ford’s Advanced Vehicle Operations (AVO), the 1970 Ford Escort Mexico was one of the few “launch” models built in October 1970, just before official production began.

Expected to sell for between £60,000-£70,000, this car holds a special place in Ford’s history. It carries a unique ‘LVX’ press registration plate, indicating its use for promotional purposes by Ford. The Escort Mexico has been fully restored between 2006 and 2017, with over £60,000 invested to bring it back to its factory-original specification. The restoration was focused on preserving as many original parts as possible while using genuine replacements when needed.

This specific example was also lent to Hendon Police College and tested against trainee pursuit drivers before later being purchased by a police officer from the same driving school. The Escort is accompanied by a detailed history file, which includes a rare sales brochure, a feature in Classic Ford magazine, and the original logbook.

---

“It’s a privilege to offer this 1970 Ford Escort Mexico AVO car for auction.

It is an unmissable opportunity for any fast Ford fanatic as opportunities to acquire AVO cars with such provenance are truly unrepeatable.”

This Mexico is one of the first handful of Escort Mexico’s produced, believed to be one of four, before official production began. It is also the joint second Mexico registered, being registered new to Ford Motor Company on December 4^th 1970.

We expect there to be strong interest in this very special model at our auction in October.”

– Paul Cheetham, motor car specialist at H&H Classics

---

A Celebrity Connection – Madonna’s 1967 Jaguar Mark X 4.2

In addition to the Ford Mexico, the auction will also feature a 1967 Jaguar Mark X 4.2 that was once owned by global music superstar Madonna. Purchased by Madonna in 2021 for her son Rocco Ritchie, it is now being offered at no reserve!

The Jaguar Mark X 4.2 is a special model in its own right. Known for its large, luxurious design, the Mark X was primarily targeted at the North American market, appealing to high-profile buyers such as diplomats and film stars. The 4.2-litre version, produced for just two years, had impressive features for its time, including independent rear suspension and a top speed of 120mph, making it a more affordable alternative to the Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud.

The car has recently undergone a full repaint in Opalescent Maroon and comes with its original green logbook.

---

“It’s incredible to be offering a Jaguar for sale with such close connections to Madonna and I’m sure fans and classic car collectors will be hung up on this Mark X.

“Putting aside its famous celebrity connection, this Big Cat is a rare 4.2 litre example that was only in production for two years, and I’m sure Rocco would have enjoyed driving it.

There were only 5,137 Jaguar Mark X 4.2 litre models ever built. Our auction offers the chance to own an important piece of British motoring history that has also been bought by one of the most famous people on the planet. It’s a car that will always remain in vogue.”

– Lucas Gomersall, motor car specialist at H&H Classics

H&H Classics

Both of these cars will be available to bid on in person, online, or via telephone at the auction on 9th October. For more information or to register to bid, visit the H&H Classics website at www.handh.co.uk.

Goodwood Revival 2024

The 2024 Goodwood Revival, as always, delivered an incredible weekend of vintage racing, celebrations, and plenty of nostalgia. Running from Friday, September 6th, to Sunday, September 8th, the event welcomed legendary drivers, beautiful classic cars, and some very exciting, albeit wet, races, all while championing sustainability.

In a world-first for historic motorsport, the entire race schedule was run on sustainable fuel. This is a perfect example of the progress being made in making motorsports greener, with every competitor using fuel that was at least 70% advanced sustainable components.

Racing Highlights and Icons

The track was the place for racing in all of its vintage glory, despite some unpredictable weather. Standout moments included Michael Russell and Michael Rutter taking the win on a Norton Velocette MSS in the Barry Sheene Memorial Trophy. In the Stirling Moss Memorial Trophy, the pairing of Dario Franchitti and Jimmie Johnson raced their Aston Martin DB4GT to victory.

The Settrington Cup allowed young drivers to show off their skills in Austin J40 pedal cars, with Josh Johnston emerging victorious, with Luca Franchitti and Hugo Upward not too far behind.

Goodwood Revival also welcomed an incredible lineup of motorsport champions, including Formula 1 legends Sir Jackie Stewart and Jacques Villeneuve, NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, and Isle of Man TT winner John McGuinness. It was a hugely successful event, with familiar faces from BTCC, Le Mans, and even Formula E taking to the track.

Honouring Legends and Marking Milestones

One special moment was the tribute to John Surtees, celebrating 60 years since his Formula 1 World Championship win. Cars and bikes from his remarkable career paraded the track, honouring his legacy across multiple disciplines. Another powerful tribute commemorated the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings, with over 100 military vehicles, including a beautifully restored Rolls-Royce Wraith Staff Car, parading to honour the veterans.

A Weekend to Remember

Away from the track, the skies were also something to watch with the Freddie March Spirit of Aviation display featuring rare aircraft, including several Supermarine Spitfires. The Revive & Thrive Village once again impressed with workshops, fashion displays, and talks celebrating creativity and craftsmanship.

For the Bridge Classic Cars team, the weekend was a big success. Craig, Managing Director of Bridge Classic Cars, attended the event and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was also a great opportunity to catch up with Ben, Jake, and the rest of the P1 Fuels team, making the experience all the more memorable

The 2025 Revival is already scheduled for September 12th – 14th next year, and tickets go on sale in November.

We’re already looking forward to next year’s Goodwood season!