Remembering Dave Myers: A Tribute To A Culinary Legend

The TV culinary world has lost one of its most beloved figures, Dave Myers, at the age of 66. Best known as one half of the duo, The Hairy Bikers, Myers’ died two years after announcing his diagnosis with cancer. His death is not only the loss of a great chef but also a loved television personality and family man.

A Life Well Lived

Born in Barrow-in-Furness, Myers’ early life was influenced by his mother’s cooking and his father’s love for fishing. This later turned into a deep passion for food. Despite facing the challenge of becoming a young carer, when his mother developed multiple sclerosis, Myers found a positive outlet in cooking, a skill that would later define his career and personal life.

After studying fine art at Goldsmiths in London, Myers had a somewhat unique career path that led him to become the BBC’s first male make-up artist, a role he would hold for 23 years. His work on shows ranging from Doctor Who to period dramas showcased his artistic talent beyond the kitchen. However, it was his meeting with Si King, on the set of a TV adaptation of Catherine Cookson’s ‘The Gambling Man’, that would change his life in a big way.

The Hairy Bikers’ Adventure

Myers and King’s partnership led to the creation of the Hairy Bikers. Their television journey began over 20 years ago when they hit the road on their motorbikes for adventures across the UK and around the world. From the roads of Portugal to the landscapes of Namibia, they shared their love for food and travel, becoming household names in the process.

Their series, such as The Hairy Bikers’ Cookbook, Mums Know Best, and Asian Adventure created entertaining television as well as showing the vast range of cuisine around the world.

Tributes and Memories

Earlier today, Si King posted on X:

“I’m afraid I bear some sad news. Most of you will know Dave has been fighting cancer for the past couple of years.

“Last night, on 28th February 2024, with Lili, Dave’s wife, his family, close friend David and myself by his side, he passed away peacefully at home. All who knew Dave are devastated at his passing. His beloved wife brought him such happiness as did her children, Iza and Sergiu who Dave loved like his own.

“Personally, I am not sure I can put into words how I feel at the moment. My best friend is on a journey that for now, I can’t follow.

“I will miss him every day and the bond and friendship we shared over half a lifetime. I wish you God’s speed brother; you are and will remain a beacon in this world. See you on the other side. Love ya.”

He also said:

“I know Dave and his family would want me to thank all of you who sent messages of support in recent times. It meant the world to him, his family and all The Hairy Bikers team. I am sending you all much love and gratitude for those simple acts of kindness, generosity and spirit. We are eternally grateful for them.

“May I ask you all for one further kindness and allow Lili, his wife, his family, close friends and I some time and some peace to process our huge loss. I am sure I will see you all soon.”

BBC chief content officer Charlotte Moore said:

“Everyone at the BBC is incredibly sad to hear this news.

“Dave made cooking a truly joyful adventure and he shared that joy with millions. The public loved him and his unique partnership with Si.

“Together they made every viewer feel like a friend. More than that he was simply a lovely man. Our thoughts go out to his family and many friends.”

Top Gear Is Cancelled

Top Gear is cancelled! At least for the ‘foreseeable future’ anyway.

The decision to pause production of one of the top money makers and most watched shows for the BBC, comes following a crash involving presenter Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff, during filming last December.

Back in the days of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May, Top Gear was extraordinarily successful for the BBC and became a true worldwide TV sensation. However, this current cancellation isn’t the first time Top Gear has been shelved. After Clarkson’s contract wasn’t renewed in 2015 due to an off-screen incident, the BBC went through several hosts before settling on Paddy McGuinness, Freddie Flintoff, and Chris Harris in 2019. They were in the middle of shooting the 34th series when Flintoff had his accident last year, and there haven’t been any new episodes since then.

Bridge Classic Cars Director, Craig worked on Top Gear several years ago and he has fond memories of the show. He said “Working on Top Gear was such a great experience for me. The people were friendly, the atmosphere was very positive, and it was so much fun being around fellow petrolheads during filming. It’s a bit sad to hear that Top Gear is no more but, hopefully, we will see a revival in the years to come.”

The Official BBC Statement On Top Gear

“Given the exceptional circumstances, the BBC has decided to rest the UK show for the foreseeable future. The BBC remains committed to Freddie, Chris and Paddy who have been at the heart of the show’s renaissance since 2019, and we’re excited about new projects being developed with each of them. We will have more to say in the near future on this. We know resting the show will be disappointing news for fans, but it is the right thing to do.”

“All other Top Gear activity remains unaffected by this hiatus including international formats, digital, magazines and licensing.”

Most Expensive Ferrari Ever Sold At Auction

On 13th November, during the Contemporary and Modern Art sale, hosted by RM Sotheby’s in New York, a 1962 Ferrari 330 LM / 250 GTO became the second highest-priced car ever sold at auction, and the most valuable Ferrari ever sold at auction with the winning bid coming in at $51.7 million (approx £42 million).

Chassis 3765 has been in a private collection for almost forty years, until this week, when a select group of bidders met behind closed doors (and on the phone) to have the chance to own this exceptional car.

This 1962 GTO Tipo was the only one raced by Scuderia Ferrari and comes with a history that most cars could only dream of. During its racing years, accomplishments included a class win and a 2nd overall finish at the 1962 Nürburgring 1000 KM. Driven by Mike Parkes and Lorenzo Bandini at the 1962 24 Hours of Le Mans, it also took the runner-up spot in the 1965 Sicilian Hillclimb Championship.

Previously owned by a Ferrari Club of America chairman, it won an FCA Platinum Award, the Coppa Bella Macchina at the Cavallino Classic, secured 2nd place in the GTO class at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and earned a Best of Show Award at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.

Gord Duff, Global Head of Auctions, said “Celebrating this sale during Sotheby’s marquee week highlights the unparalleled stature of this Ferrari as one of the world’s most desirable objects. The result, achieved through collaboration between Ferrari, RM Sotheby’s, and Sotheby’s, echoes our mutual pursuit of perfection—mirroring the very ethos Enzo Ferrari embodied when designing this car. Fetching $51.7 million, this transaction adds a new chapter to a vehicle with an unmatched legacy. Now, it ranks among the most expensive cars sold at auction, a true testament to its singular place in history.”

Jamie Theakston’s Classic Car Stolen

A little while after his classic Triumph Stag was stolen, presenter Jamie Theakston was reunited with his unique and much-loved car.

2-Mile VW Beetle Sells For £50,000

A 1979 VW Beetle Karmann Cabriolet recently sold at an auction in Lemington Spa, hosted by Classic Car Auctions for an incredible £49,500.

Initial estimates indicated a sale price of £10,000 – £12,000, however, the Brazil Brown Beetle sparked a bidding war before selling at almost five times this estimate.

The reason for such a competitive bidding war is the fact that, despite being more than four decades old, the classic Beetle has just two miles on the clock! Found tucked away in a garage covered in a protective sheet, the original buyer is believed to have been a car dealer from the Midlands who bought the car and then stored it away safely. Following his death, the car was unearthed from its lifelong home.

Thanks to its lack of use and its life in storage, the convertible Beetle is in almost as-new condition, adding to the appropriateness of its nearly £50,000 price tag.

Simon Langsdale, who sourced the car for CCA, said: “This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime find. The car has literally been in storage all its life and has an incredible two miles on the odometer, which we are told is correct. It has quite evidently been cosseted, as it was covered in blankets in a sealed environment and has just recently been uncovered due to a bereavement. It is in effect a ‘new’ 1979 Karman Beetle, surely an unrepeatable opportunity. Supplied with its original handbook and service booklet, clearly with no stamps!”

Details From Classic Car Auctions

• Once in a lifetime find in Brazil Brown with an Oatmeal interior, matching roof and tonneau cover 
• UK-supplied new by JEM Volkswagen of Walsall as one of the last RHD Karmann Convertibles
• In storage all its life, it has an incredible two miles on the odometer which we are told is correct
• Supplied with its original handbook and service booklet, clearly with no stamps!
• The car has been cossetted and covered in blankets in a sealed environment and has just recently been uncovered due to a bereavement
• An ‘as new’ 1979 VW Beetle

Danny James Collection

An impressive collection of Matchbox toy cars, assembled by owner Danny James, recently found new homes at an auction hosted by Vectis Auctions.

The Danny James Collection featured models produced between 1975 and 1982 and included some exceptionally rare colour trial examples. Some of the cars achieved more than ten times their initial estimates as an international bidding war broke out with collectors from America, New Zealand, and China all desperately trying to get their hands on these special cars for their own collection.

There have been some big money auctions happening recently with full-size classic cars. However, despite this sale being entirely comprised of Matchbox toy cars, the collection was sold for an incredible £102,000 (including buyers premium).

Standout Models

One noteworthy highlight was a Matchbox Superfast Ford Escort, a factory pre-production colour trial, which sold for a staggering £2,817, far exceeding its £400 estimate.

A Citroen CX Estate colour trial found a new owner at a price of £2,327, while a Pontiac Firebird colour trial sold for £1,715. Other standout lots included a Ford Capri Hot Rocker, produced in Brazil, that sold for £1,837. A Ford 4×4 Open Back Truck was won with a bid of £735, and a Superfast BMW 3.0 CSL, initially estimated at £70, sold for an impressive £637.

The Danny James Collection

The two-day auction, which featured an extensive offering of nearly 1,000 lots, some comprising of multiple toys, was held by Vectis Auctions, located in Teeside. Danny, a long-time collector from London, who has been building his Matchbox collection since his early years, was obviously very happy with the result although he expressed sadness at saying goodbye to the models he had owned for so long.

Aston Martin-Triumph DB1 Special

At the recent 30th Anniversary sale hosted by H&H, a very special and unique vehicle was up for sale. The 1950 (1961) Aston Martin-Triumph DB1 Special.

The Story Of The Aston Martin-Triumph DB1 Special

The roots of the story can be traced back to World War II when the Aston Martin Company was under the ownership of R.G. Sutherland. Just before the war began, the company’s chief engineer devised a 2-litre (1970cc) 4-cylinder pushrod engine, which boasted a 90 BHP output. Dr Rollason, the current owner of the vehicle, suspects that there might have been intentions to supercharge it. Following the war, production commenced, leading to the casting of approximately 70 engine blocks and the construction of 18 cars. One of these cars, driven by Sir John Horsfall, secured Britain’s first significant post-war motorsport victory at Spa in 1948.

At the same time, the company came under the ownership of David Brown, who subsequently acquired the Lagonda company. This acquisition led to the introduction of a 6-cylinder twin overhead camshaft engine that had been designed by W.O. Bentley. This 2590cc engine produced 105 BHP at 5000 RPM in standard form and 120 BHP in “Vantage” form. These engines went on to power future Aston Martin models, which later became known as the DB2. Interestingly, the initial 18 cars were retrospectively designated as DB1s, despite their design predating David Brown’s involvement.

While many of the engine blocks were assembled into engines, others served as parts cars for pre-war 2-litre models during servicing. Some were incorporated into some very interesting variants, but a considerable number of blocks remained untouched before eventually finding their way to a local scrap dealer named Coleys.

This Special Car

The engine in this vehicle, number 19, came into the possession of Aston Martin expert Dudley Coram, who later passed it on to Tony Hills, a member of the Aston factory team. This engine was installed in Mr. Hill’s 1934 Triumph Gloria. This happened with assistance from a young apprentice called Tony Tocock. During the early 1950s, the car was rumoured to have even served as a daily commuter to the factory. After Mr. Hill’s ownership, the location of the car is something of a mystery.

Around 1960, the vehicle was acquired by Mr. K.P. Brewer of Thorpe Leas, Egham Surrey. The original bodywork (from the Gloria) was replaced with the body that is still on the car – made from aluminium and steel. After this transformation, Surrey County Council assigned a new chassis number (SYC 91-4/2264) and the registration number 788 VPG to the vehicle, which had originally been registered as AUB 485. The body, which had been repaired following an accident, is attached to a modified tubular frame. The bonnet currently on the car has clearly been replaced and is lacking in quality compared to the rest of the vehicle. The steel roof was from an Austin A35, with the rest being hand-finished.

An Interesting Idea

Designer Frank Gerald Feeley was a member of Sir David Brown’s Lagonda team and had a role in the design of this new generation of Aston Martins (the 6-cylinder engine DB2 onwards) after R.G. Sutherland sold Aston Martin Ltd. It is very possible that this body was actually one of Feeley’s design practices that may have been damaged during the testing process before being repaired and fitted onto the Aston Martin/Triumph Gloria crossbreed.

Originally, in its Triumph Gloria form, the car passed an MOT in March 1961, likely one of the earliest MOTs on record. Officially, it was registered as an Aston Martin on June 22, 1961, but the subsequent ownership history remains somewhat elusive. Notably, AMOC racer Shaun Magee had possession of the car at one point, using it as a source of emergency spare parts for his DB1. Magee has said that the front seats of the car were originally in a DBR racer.

Aston Martin-Triumph DB1 Special

In 1997, the current owner purchased the car from David Wynne of Wimborne Dorset. The actual transfer of ownership took place in Poole though. The car was sent to a friend for restoration, but unfortunately, the project stalled due to the friend’s illness. The car was then retrieved to its current location, where it has remained in project form ever since. At the time, the engine was operational, and although the car is nearly complete, it is in need of restoration. The possibilities include rebodying it as a super tourer or retaining its unique saloon style, but this certainly presents an exciting opportunity for a collector or enthusiast looking to acquire what could be considered an “after-hours factory car,” with major historical significance.

The vehicle was sold with a comprehensive history file containing a vast collection of invoices dating back to 1961, communications with Surrey County Council regarding its registration, numerous exchanges with Aston Martin concerning its origin, and the fascinating story behind its build, among other valuable records.

Petrol And Diesel Vehicle Ban Delayed Until 2035

It was announced last night, by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, that the introduction of a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars has been pushed back five years, from 2030 to 2035.

The Announcement On The Petrol And Diesel Vehicle Ban

The Prime Minister started his announcement by saying that the government is “completely committed” to hitting the net zero by 2050 target which former leader, Theresa May set in 2019. This means that, by 2050, the government expects the UK to not be adding any additional greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.

Mr Sunak went on to say “This country is proud to be a world leader in reaching net zero by 2050. But we simply won’t achieve it unless we change. We’ll now have a more pragmatic, proportionate, and realistic approach that eases the burdens on families.”

He then went on to say that, even though an electric car is sold every 60 seconds in the UK, the government believes that there are challenges to be overcome before they become the most common form of transport. These challenges include high costs, practicality, and a lack of infrastructure for charging the vehicles. It was for these reasons that he announced the introduction of the ban will be pushed back until 2035.

Electric Vehicles

In August this year, electric vehicles were responsible for 20% of all new car registrations, with 17,243 new electric cars registered.

Up until the end of last month, there were close to 1.4 million plug-in cars registered for the road in the UK. Around 850,000 of these were full-electric vehicles and 530,000 were hybrids.

For the car manufacturers that have already spent huge amounts of money to transition over to electric cars, this delay is something of a disappointment.

What Does All This Actually Mean?

As with most government announcements, it is unclear exactly what the result of this extension will be. However, there have already been several predictions.

The Climate Change Committee (CCC) advises the government on cutting carbon emissions. Earlier this year, the CCC said that the government’s progress towards its net zero commitments was “worryingly slow”. Despite acting as advisors, the CCC says it wasn’t consulted before the Prime Minister made his announcement.

The chair of Ford UK, Lisa Brankin, released a statement yesterday saying ” The UK 2030 target is a vital catalyst to accelerate Ford into a cleaner future. Our business needs three things from the UK government: ambition, commitment and consistency. A relaxation of 2030 would undermine all three.”

This follows Ford’s current investment of £430 million into its UK facilities with further investment planned to meet the initial 2030 date.

Petrol And Diesel Vehicle Ban

The plan to ban the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles will only impact brand-new vehicles (at least initially). Internal combustion-powered vehicles will still be able to be purchased used and the fuel will still be available long after the introduction of the ban. However, it seems feasible that, at some point, the government will ban this type of vehicle altogether.

This delay of five years certainly gives us more time to transition to an alternative fuel for our cars if nothing else.

It will be interesting to see the true impact of Rishi Sunak’s announcement in the next few years. It’s difficult to accurately guess how the automotive industry will look by the end of the next decade or two!

Stirling & Susie Moss

In March this year, Lady Susie Moss sadly passed away. This was just three years after the death of her late husband, Sir Stirling Moss.

Goodwood Road Racing Club booklet paid tribute to the couple by saying:

“It is with great sadness that we heard of Lady Susi Moss’s passing on 18 March 2023, just three years after we lost Sir Stirling. We will remember them as a fantastic team who put a smile on so many faces here at Goodwood and around the world.”

Motoring Hall Of Fame

The Motoring Hall of Fame (MHoF) has added four more automotive powerhouses to its small and highly exclusive club. At a ceremony held at this year’s British Motor Show, Dr. Andy Palmer, Linda Jackson, Steve Nash and Vera Park were formally inducted as Motoring Hall of Famers for life.

Motoring Hall Of Famer – Dr. Andy Palmer

Working in the automotive industry for more than 40 years, Dr. Andy Palmer has held multiple senior and influential positions such as COO of Nissan and CEO of Aston Martin Lagonda. Among his long list of accomplishments within the industry, he is also a licensed race car driver and even advises the UK Government on export matters.

Dr. Palmer said “‍I’m humbled and honoured to be inducted into The Motoring Hall of Fame this year, and to be recognised at last month’s British Motor Show induction ceremony in this way,”

Motoring Hall Of Famer – Linda Jackson

Linda Jackson has worked in the automotive industry since 1977 when she held a temporary position as an accounting clerk at Jaguar. After her time at Jaguar, she moved on to multiple positions for various well-known car brands including British Leyland, and Austin Rover. She became CEO of Citroen before finally being appointed as CEO of Peugeot in 2021.

Speaking about her induction, Linda said “Thank you to the Hall of Fame and show organisers for this wonderful accolade”

Motoring Hall Of Famer – Steve Nash

As CEO of the Institute of the Motoring Industry, Steve Nash has been in the motor industry his entire working life. A large part of his career was spent at BMW UK where he worked from 1986 all the way through until 2012. In his current role, he is working on his mission to raise awareness of the importance of professional standards across the sector, not only within the industry but also in government, consumer organisations, and other relevant stakeholders.

A very surprised Steve Nash said, “The British Motor Show is the biggest event of its kind in the UK, so to be presented with this accolade at the show amongst so many industry colleagues and genuine automotive enthusiasts was a real privilege.”

Motoring Hall Of Famer – Vera Park

Vera Park is currently the Lead Exterior Designer at Jaguar Land Rover. In this role, she plays a huge part in how Jaguars and Land Rovers will look in the future. She has also worked at Infiniti, Nissan and Renault before her appointment at JLR.

Vera said “Many thanks to the organisers of The Hall of Fame and The British Motor Show. Also, my congratulations to Andy, Linda and Steve. It really is a huge honour for me, as a car designer, to join such admirable automotive industry people in The Motoring Hall of Fame.”

Motoring Hall Of Fame

Since 2010, there have been 39 inductees into the Motoring Hall of Fame. They are:

Mary Barra
Albert Biermann
Martin Brundle 
Ian Callum CBE 
Eui-sun Chung 
Michael Cole  
Luca De Meo 
Lord Edmiston
Henrik Fisker 
Giorgetto Giugiaro
Tom Hartley 
Paddy Hopkirk MBE
Peter Horbury
Linda Jackson
Hiroyoshi Kato
Woo-choong Kim
Michael Leiters
Bob Lutz
Ikuo Maeda
Nick Mason CBE
Lord Monatgu of Beaulieu
Sir Stirling Moss OBE (Inductee No.1)
Prof. Gordon Murray CBE
Elon Musk
Shiro Nakamura
Steve Nash
Dr Andy Palmer
Vera Jiyeong Park
Guy Pigounakis
Marek Reichman
Peter Schreyer
Osamu Suzuki
Ratan Tata
Carlos Tavares
Le Thi Thu Thuy
Takeshi Uchiyamada
Matthew Weaver
Janet Wilkinson MBE
Kazunori Yamauchi

Air Ambulance Week 2023

With thousands of people needing emergency care every single day, the lifesaving services provided by air ambulances can literally be the difference between survival and death. These airborne heroes can get to those who desperately need help in a much quicker time than other services would be able to. It is because of this level of importance that we are joining Air Ambulances UK in their celebration of Air Ambulance Week 2023 – the only week of the year dedicated to raising awareness and funds for our country’s flying lifesavers.

The Importance of Air Ambulance Week

Air Ambulance Week is a nationwide event in the United Kingdom that takes place in September each year. It is an initiative to recognise and celebrate the vital work carried out by air ambulance charities across the country. These charities rely on donations to operate their helicopters, cover maintenance costs, and provide essential medical equipment that their highly skilled teams use in the worst moments of their patient’s lives. Unbelievably, the 21 air ambulance charities throughout the UK receive no day-to-day government funding and rely almost entirely on charitable donations.

To put into perspective just how much of a challenge our air ambulance charities face:

• Collectively, air ambulance charities attend more than 37,000 lifesaving missions each year across the UK
• Between them, air ambulances are dispatched to over 102 missions every day
• Each mission costs, on average, £3962
• There are 37 air ambulance helicopters operated by 21 charities
• Without raising enough funds through charitable donations, they would not be able to do what they do

Air ambulances play a vital role in emergency healthcare, significantly reducing response times and improving survival rates in critical situations. They provide rapid transportation to hospitals for trauma victims, deliver specialised medical teams to accident scenes, and have saved countless lives directly as a result of their services. By raising awareness and funds during Air Ambulance Week, this work can continue.

East Anglian Air Ambulance And Bridge Classic Cars

Earlier this year, we teamed up with our local air ambulance charity, East Anglian Air Ambulance to raise funds to help them continue to save lives throughout Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, and Bedfordshire. We did this through our special charity competition where we gave the opportunity for someone to win a 1973 Triumph Spitfire for just a few pounds. By collaborating on this charity competition, we wanted to make a significant impact on EAAA’s mission of saving lives 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. By the end of the competition, over £17,000 was raised for EAAA and everyone here at Bridge Classic Cars was extremely proud to raise some much-needed funds for our incredible local air ambulance charity.

The money raised will help the EAAA continue its lifesaving work, ensuring that its helicopter can remain operational and equipped with the latest medical technology. This means that more people in East Anglia will have access to the rapid, expert medical care that air ambulances provide. Lives will be saved, and families will be spared the anguish of losing loved ones due to delayed emergency medical responses.

Supporting Air Ambulances

Air Ambulance Week is a reminder of the incredible work done by air ambulance charities. The heroes who work as part of these charities throughout the UK deserve huge respect for the thousands of lives they save.

However, without your help and donations, they wouldn’t be able to take to the skies and help people who need it most.

If you would like to make a donation to Air Ambulances UK as part of Air Ambulance Week 2023, you can do so here.