British Motorists Are Terrible Drivers

A recent survey conducted by Isuzu UK has given us insight into how UK motorists view their own driving skills and, as it turns out, we are terrible! Well, that’s according to 15% of the drivers polled who admitted that they are bad drivers. To make things worse, 4% of drivers in the survey actually considered themselves a danger on the road!

Drivers in Cardiff, London, and Liverpool had the highest percentages of self-confessed bad drivers with 35%, 33%, and 31% of drivers in the cities owning up to their poor driving skills.

On the flip side to this, drivers in Stoke-on-Trent have the highest confidence in their driving abilities, as none admitted to being bad behind the wheel. Other cities like Nottingham (2%), Cambridge (3%), and Edinburgh (4%) also rated themselves highly in terms of driving safety.

The survey, which explored various factors contributing to these opinions, found that the challenges of modern roads play a significant role. Over half of drivers (54%) admitted they had been involved in an accident due to distractions, with 36% blaming overcrowded roads, and 32% wishing their vehicles had more advanced safety features.

Interestingly, 62% of those surveyed expressed a desire to improve their driving skills, with 61% believing they wouldn’t pass their driving test if they had to take it again. This concern is greater among drivers over the age of 60, where 63% doubt their ability to pass a modern driving test.

The study also highlighted that many drivers struggle with basic driving tasks. Around 38% find parallel parking difficult, while a third (32%) lack knowledge of car maintenance, such as checking tyre pressure or coolant levels. Other common struggles include parking in a bay (19%), driving at the speed limit (19%), and reversing around corners (17%).

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“With over 50 million drivers in Great Britain, it is worrying to think that as many as 7.5 million consider themselves bad drivers. It’s clear from the research that UK motorists face many challenges on all journeys, from smaller roads, tight parking bays and even their own vehicle. With one in three saying that having a vehicle with all the mod cons like blind spot detection and attention monitoring sensors would help them to be a better driver. 

Isuzu D-Max’s Advanced Driver Assist System takes pick-up truck safety to a whole new level thanks to rear cross traffic alert, lane departure prevention system and autonomous emergency braking so you’ll never have to worry behind the wheel again. This fantastic safety doesn’t happen by accident.”

George Wallis, Head of Marketing at Isuzu UK

Beyond their own skills, many drivers feel unsafe in their vehicles due to outdated technology. One-third of drivers in the survey said they wish their cars had modern features like blind spot detection and attention monitoring systems to help them drive more safely. 36% also said that driving a larger car would make them feel safer on the road.

The survey also found that men were more likely than women to admit they had been in an accident due to a lack of concentration (61% vs. 47%), and younger generations (the widely discussed Gen Z and Millennials) reported being on the receiving end of road rage more often than other groups (67%).

CITIES WITH THE WORST DRIVERS, ACCORDING TO BRITISH DRIVERS:

1.      Cardiff – 35%,
2.      London – 33%,
3.      Liverpool – 31%,
4.      Plymouth – 15%,
5.      Leeds – 12%,
6.      Birmingham – 9%,
7.      Leicester – 9%,
8.      Oxford – 9%,
9.      Sheffield – 8%,
10.     Brighton – 7%.

This research of 2,000 Britons was commissioned by Isuzu and conducted by Perspectus Global during March 2024.

McLaren W1

McLaren Automotive has just confirmed the successor to the now iconic F1 and P1…the McLaren W1.

The new car will be revealed on Sunday 6th October 2024 at 13:00 BST and, I imagine, it’s going to be something as eye-catching as you’d expect!

All we know so far is that the W1 name has been chosen to celebrate McLaren’s “World Championship mindset” which explains why the 6th of October has been selected as the official reveal – this is the 50th anniversary of McLaren winning its first Formula 1 Constructor’s Championship in the same year that Emerson Fittipaldi won the World Drivers’ Championship with McLaren.

H&H Classics Best Of British Auction 2024

On Wednesday, 9th October, H&H Classics will host an auction at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford. At the company’s final Cambridgeshire auction of the year, there will be 160 classic, collectable, and performance cars going under the hammer. The total value of these vehicles is estimated at over £6.5 million, which is sure to attract plenty of attention from all those in attendance.

Craig and Gordon will be ready to bid as they are heading to Duxfrod for the auction. Excitingly, Me, Nick, and Molly will also be going to meet up with some of the H&H team before the auction for some filming!

Another exciting point about this particular auction is the range of cars on offer, with models spanning over 120 years of motoring history – from early 20th-century classics to more modern performance cars.

“It’s great to mark our final Duxford sale of the year with such an impressive collection of vehicles for sale. We always have fantastic and well attended auctions in Cambridgeshire, and with such an extensive and diverse offering, I expect October’s sale to be no different.”

James McWilliam, sales manager, H&H Classics

One of the most interesting lots is a rare 1957 Bentley S1 Continental Park Ward Drophead Coupé Adaption, which is expected to sell for somewhere between £300,000 and £400,000. While this is obviously a high ticket car, there are actually 23 cars being offered without reserve, so there’s a chance that the everyday auction goer can walk away with something special too.

Also available is a 1980 pre-production Lotus Esprit ‘Essex’ Turbo which was used to develop Active Suspension for Formula One and is thought to be the first vehicle in the world with this technology. It’s expected to sell for between £70,000 and £80,000 and will make a great addition to someone’s collection.

There are several Aston Martin DB6s on offer too, including a 1967 model estimated at £250,000 to £300,000 as well as a 2001 Aston Martin Vanquish, which was used by Pierce Brosnan and EON Productions to promote Die Another Day.

I recently spoke about a 1967 Jaguar Mark X 4.2, purchased by Madonna for her son Rocco which will be available to buy in the auction. It’s being offered without reserve and I’m always interested to see how much celebrity connections influence what people are prepared to pay for a car.

There are some pretty rare finds that will be available too. A 1970 Ford Escort Mexico, estimated at £60,000-£70,000, is the oldest known surviving car from Ford’s Advanced Vehicle Operations (I’ve also spoken about this recently). And, if you have a spare £300,000-£350,000, you could be the new owner of a 1930 Bugatti Type 46 Weymann Coach!

New owners will also be found for a 1962 Jaguar E-Type 3.8 litre ‘Semi-Lightweight’ Coupe, one of just 19  1939 Frazer Nash-BMW 327/80 Cabriolet, and a rare  1955 Austin Healey 100M BN1 ‘Le Mans’

All of the cars will be available for viewing from midday on Tuesday, 8th October, and the auction itself begins at 1 pm the next day. I’m very much looking forward to seeing all of the vehicles up close, even if I’m not in a position to actually bid on any of them.

Dutch Barn Vodka In The Classic Lounge at Bridge Classic Cars

At Bridge Classic Cars, we want to give our guests a special experience every time they come to see us. That’s why we’re very excited to have a bottle of Dutch Barn Vodka in The Classic Lounge.

The Story Behind Dutch Barn Vodka

Dutch Barn Vodka was founded by Chris Fraser, in an old Dutch barn on Ellers Farm in North Yorkshire. After spotting unused apples in an abandoned orchard, Chris set about creating a high-quality vodka using British apples while also having sustainability at the forefront of his operations.

From a small pot still back then, Dutch Barn Vodka has now become a successful distillery, producing award-winning vodka that’s recognised not only for its taste but also for its positive environmental impact.​

The distillery uses local water sourced from beneath the farm, and the brown glass bottles the vodka comes in are made from over 60% recycled glass – far more than the industry standard for clear bottles​.

Plus, the distillery runs on renewable energy, reducing its carbon footprint even further.

Each batch of Dutch Barn Vodka is distilled a minimum of 70 times to make sure the finish is as smooth as possible. The apples are complemented by a small amount of potato spirit, adding a creamy texture that balances the natural fruitiness.

Ricky Gervais

In 2023, Dutch Barn Vodka was joined by comedian Ricky Gervais as co-owner of Ellers Farm Distillery​.

Ricky has taken on a creative leadership role within the brand, helping to share its message of quality, sustainability, and innovation. His aim is to bring Dutch Barn Vodka to a wider audience while ensuring that the company continues to produce exceptional, planet-friendly vodka​.

The Classic Lounge

Next time you’re at Bridge Classic Cars, you will have to have a glass of Dutch Barn Vodka and try it for yourself. Ricky Gervais is also set to be just down the road from the Bridge Classic Cars workshop in Ipswich soon, so we will definitely be enjoying some of his vodka while he entertains our local friends.

UK Car Production

UK car production saw a drop of 8.4% in August, according to recent data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Traditionally, August is a low-production month anyway as a result of summer shutdowns, and this year’s decrease only amounted to 3,781 fewer vehicles, with 41,271 cars coming off the assembly lines.

This decline aligns with the ongoing trend seen throughout the year, as factories reduce the output of existing models and prepare to produce new ones, particularly electric vehicles (EVs). This shift follows last year’s announcement of £24 billion in investment into the UK’s automotive industry.

Production of electrified vehicles, including battery electric, plug-in hybrid, and hybrid models, took a big hit, dropping by 25.9%. This brought the share of electrified vehicles to 29.6% of total output. However, the fall is expected to be temporary as manufacturers transition to new models.

Domestic production experienced a steep decline of 19.8%. However, it’s worth noting that this figure is amplified by the typically low production volume in August, with most UK-made cars destined for export markets.

In comparison, exports decreased by 5.9%, largely driven by changes to models destined for the EU. The European Union remains the largest export market for UK-made cars, accounting for nearly half (49.8%) of exports. Other key markets include the US (17%), China (6.5%), Japan (5.1%), and Australia (4.4%), with notable growth in both the US and Japanese markets.

Year-to-date figures reveal an overall decline in UK car production of 8.5%, with a total of 522,823 units produced. Despite August’s domestic downturn, production for the UK market is up 12.3% for the year.

Hennessey Venom 800 F-150

Hennessey, a hypercar and high-performance vehicle manufacturer in Texas, has just released its even more potent alternative to the Ford F-150 Raptor – the Hennessey Venom 800 F-150 and it is an absolute beast!

As there were so many customers who missed out on the Raptor R, Hennessey decided to create something new to subdue the disappointed petrolheads which led to the introduction of the Venom 800 F-150 which has some pretty impressive specifications.

Don’t be fooled by the size of this truck – it’s not just a very capable workhorse but it is also exceptionally fast. Producing 800 bhp at 6,200 rpm and 757 lb-ft of torque at 4,100 rpm the Venom 800 can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds and cover a quarter-mile in 11.7 seconds!

This Venom 800 features some pretty extensive upgrades including significant improvements to the suspension, wheels, tyres, and powertrain. Some of the most exciting upgrades are the addition of a 3.0-litre supercharger, upgraded air-to-water intercooler, high-performance fuel injection, and a high-flow air induction system. These have been paired with Hennessey’s proprietary engine management calibration, a dual-tip cat-back exhaust, and six-piston Brembo brakes to further beef up the Venom 800’s capabilities.

Hennessey Venom 800 – On And Off The Road

In addition to the sheer power of the Venom 800, the truck is also very capable off-road. It features a six-inch BDS suspension lift with FOX coilovers, improved rear shocks, 20-inch Hennessey 10-spoke wheels, and 35-inch off-road tyres. The tough front and rear ‘Venom’ bumpers are made of steel and come with integrated LED off-road lights in the front.

Despite its power, speed, and durability, the Venom 800 is also stylish and comfortable. It has a one-piece carbon fibre grille, electronic fold-out running boards, and illuminated Venom 800 badges on the front fenders. Inside, the truck has embroidered Hennessey script on the headrests, all-weather floor mats, American flag inserts, and a serial-numbered plaque.

For 2024, only 250 units of this limited-edition model will be available globally.

Classic Car Auctions & Iconic Auctioneers

Back in 2015, the team behind Iconic Auctioneers (previously known as Silverstone Auctions), formed Classic Car Auctions (CCA). The company has always operated independently of its sister company and has specialised in Everyman Classics. However, things are changing and the two companies are about to merge with Iconic Auctioneers being the name for the combined companies.

The Classic Car Sale being hosted by CCA on September 28, 2024, at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, will be the final auction held under the Classic Car Auctions Ltd. name. From October, CCA will officially be acquired by Iconic Auctioneers Ltd, merging the two companies into one.

Despite the acquisition, the team behind Classic Car Auctions will remain the same, and the auctions will continue to be hosted at many of their familiar venues. However, there will be a fresh look. The auctions will be rebranded as The Classic Sales by Iconic Auctioneers, with a new logo and branding to match.

Rob Hubbard, Managing Director of Iconic Auctioneers

From early October, visitors to the Classic Car Auctions website will be redirected to iconicauctioneers.com.

On this website, you’ll be able to browse upcoming and past Classic Sales, along with other auctions offered by Iconic Auctioneers. The site will use a colour-coding system to differentiate the sales – Classic Sales will have a burgundy sidebar and feature the new CCA logo, while Iconic Auctioneers sales will display a blue sidebar with their IA logo.

This updated branding will also be reflected on the company’s social media channels and advertisements.

We very often attend auctions hosted by both companies so we are excited to see what the future holds now they are becoming one!

Hydrogen Powered Vehicles

Hyundai Motor Company and Škoda Group have joined forces to try to advance hydrogen mobility by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the Korea-Czech Business Summit, held in Prague on September 20th, 2024. This collaboration aims to promote the adoption of hydrogen technology in the transportation sector, contributing to a more sustainable future for the automotive industry.

The signing ceremony featured Ken Ramírez, Executive Vice President of Global Commercial Vehicle and Hydrogen Business at Hyundai Motor Company, and Petr Novotný, CEO of Škoda Group. Both companies pledged their commitment to exploring hydrogen fuel cell systems and energy-efficient solutions for future mobility projects.

Both companies share the belief that hydrogen will play a crucial role in achieving a sustainable society, particularly within the transportation sector. Hyundai will provide its expertise in hydrogen fuel cell systems and technology to accelerate eco-friendly mobility in markets where Škoda operates, including the Czech Republic.

Beyond mobility, the companies will also investigate the potential applications of hydrogen technology in other sectors. Hyundai’s global experience in hydrogen applications positions it to support broader energy transitions. Through this partnership, both Hyundai and Škoda aim to create a strong hydrogen ecosystem.

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.

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“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

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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.

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“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.