Today marks the day that the first publically available sustainable petrol, specifically designed for classic vehicles, goes on sale in the UK. Made by fuel
A huge milestone was recently passed by the team at the Nissan Plant in Sunderland, as they have been celebrating the 11 millionth vehicle being
The brand-new Aston Martin DB12 is here following its unveiling last night. Being advertised as delivering a quantum shift in sporting character and dynamic capability,
Hyundai has recently made a prototype Ioniq 5 that demonstrates a rather interesting feature – the ability to drive sideways! Coming from Hyundai Mobis, the
Today marks the halfway point of Mental Health Awareness Week 2023. The official theme for this year is anxiety. This theme was set by the
A good friend of Bridge Classic Cars, John Ryall, recently sent us some photos of The Cape 1000 – a grand touring rally that is
We were recently contacted by one of our clients who will be hosting some guests at Goodwood later this year. As part of the experience,
In 2022, more than 77,000 speeding offences were recorded in Kent alone. If that wasn’t worrying enough, over 500 drivers were actually recorded travelling at
When delivering classic cars, it’s always important to take extra care. Even small dings can cause much more damage than you might expect. When a
After months of research and development, the team here at Bridge Classic Cars are extremely excited to reveal the first stage prototype of our submarine
Princess Anne visited our neck of the woods recently, spending some time in Southwold where she went to the Adnams brewery. She visited the Suffolk
Olympian turned celebrity coach, Greg Whyte, was in Ipswich recently. As this is so local to us, we felt that we had to go and
Some of the team here at Bridge Classic Cars recently had the opportunity to hear the story of Rogue Trader, Nick Leeson from the man
Five friends are soon to embark on a mammoth motorcycling challenge to raise funds for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH). Ian Charlesworth, Chris Tebbit, Robert
On 29th March 1927, on Daytona Beach in Florida, Major Henry Segrave drove a Sunbeam, known as ‘The Slug’, over 200mph. This was the first
We recently welcomed the Porsche Club GB to The Atelier at Bridge Classic Cars. Having more than 30 Porsches parked up outside while members of
On Saturday 25th March, we hosted an evening with Ed Stafford in The Atelier at Bridge Classic Cars. The night saw more than 100 people
Yesterday, we welcomed the Essex Austin Seven Club into The Atelier at Bridge Classic Cars. It was great to see the members of the club
Rolls Royce has been given funding from the UK Space Agency to continue its research into how nuclear power could be used to support a
Hollywood actor Theo James has been seen driving a 1962 Austin Healey 3000 during the filming of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix adaptation of The Gentlemen. Theo
A 2009 Jaguar X-Type Estate that was previously owned and driven by the late Queen Elizabeth II has been donated to Comic Relief by Chris
A 1980 Range Rover that is believed to have been owned by Bob Marley is going to auction! The original registration document has the name
A 1908 Harley-Davidson Strap Tank has become the most expensive motorcycle ever sold at auction. The bike was discovered back in 1941 as a complete
A 1954 Aston Martin DB2 Vignale has gone up for sale for an eye-watering £3.6 million. While the price tag may seem steep, the story
A 1974 Vauxhall Victor FE with just 86 miles on the clock and seemingly untouched for decades, is proving to be something of a mystery.
Car production in the UK fell by 9.8% in 2022 resulting in the worst production year since 1956. Having to deal with the aftermath of
The East Anglian Daily Times recently published a list of the 5 major shows and events running in Suffolk in January 2023. The Bridge Classic
Obviously, everyone here at Bridge Classic Cars has a passion for classic cars. However, we love finding interesting vehicles of all varieties and, recently, we
The marketing team here at Bridge Classic Cars are getting a bigger office! As the business continues to grow and develop, more space is needed
Late Queen Elizabeth’s 1953 Land Rover Series I, originally delivered to Her Majesty at the Balmoral estate, is going to auction with a guide price
Today marks the day that the first publically available sustainable petrol, specifically designed for classic vehicles, goes on sale in the UK.
Made by fuel specialist Coryton, the SUSTAIN Classic range is plant-based and allows classic car owners to fuel their cars without any modifications needing to be made to the engines. There are currently three types of fuel available, and the fuel with the highest sustainable content in the range promises a minimum of 65% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions when compared to fossil fuels.
Advanced second-generation biofuel, manufactured from agricultural waste such as straw and by-products from crops which wouldn’t be used for consumption, is used to create this potentially ground-breaking fuel. This means that the new fuel utilises the carbon already in the atmosphere (which the plants absorb as they grow). Contrastly, when using fossil fuels, additional CO2 currently locked underground is released.
Despite SUSTAIN Classic being designed for classic vehicles, it can be used for any vehicle that runs on standard forecourt petrol. With an octane number greater than 98 and bio-ethanol content of less than 1%, it also contains a premium additive package which stabilises and extends the life of the fuel and helps clean and protect the engines.
Per litre, the price is currently £3.80 – £5.24 (depending on the variant) and is available from distributor Motor Spirit at Bicester Heritage from 13th June. However, more stockists are launching throughout the UK in the coming months.
The three variants currently available are Super 80, Super 33, and Racing 50. All of these are suitable for year-round use.
The three fuel types range from at least 33% sustainable content to at least 80%. David Richardson, Business Development Director at Coryton explains why: “Every kilogram of CO2 we avoid adding to our atmosphere, by replacing fossil fuel with sustainable fuel, is a win. We don’t instantly have to go for the full switch to start making a genuine impact. As more feedstocks become available, these fuels will start to contain even higher levels of traceable sustainable elements. However, we want to keep things as affordable as possible for consumers and be open about what’s actually achievable at the moment.
“The availability of true fossil-free fuel components is limited. So, we’re setting truthful and realistic goals, producing fuels that have a meaningful impact whilst meeting the demands of the user. While we could use ‘mass balancing’ techniques to certify this fuel as 100%, we believe that it is important to be open about technology readiness and traceability. The industry will get there with the right support – which is why we think it’s important to start getting these products into the hands of consumers so they can see how easy and effective the switch could be.”
SUSTAIN Classic has performed brilliantly in the testing centre but also on the track too. It has been certified by Coryton’s fully accredited lab and meets ISCC sustainable protocols. In fact, during the recent Rally For The Ages event at Bicester Heritage, more than 70 cars used the Super 80 variant of the fuel to complete the course. This will also be available at Flywheel 2023 too.
Guy Lachlan heads up Motor Spirit at Bicester Heritage, which will be one of the distributors of SUSTAIN Classic. He said: “We’re very excited to be the launch partner for Coryton’s SUSTAIN Classic fuel. It is vital for the future of Classic Cars and Motorcycles that environmentally-friendly liquid fuels are commercially available, and Motor Spirit’s facility at Bicester Heritage is the perfect location to start an environmental revolution! SUSTAIN Classic represents the best available combination of usability, sustainability and quality: exactly in line with Motor Spirit’s ethos.”
Andrew Willson, CEO at Coryton, said: “We believe that SUSTAIN Classic is the world’s first-ever sustainable fuel catering for classic vehicles, providing a credible and convenient way to run vintage vehicles without the need for fossil fuels. It’s fully certified, tested, and developed right here in the UK at our world-class blending facility.
“It’s estimated that there are almost half a million classic cars in the UK, each one with its own unique purpose, build and history. By creating a collection of second-generation biofuels that are compatible with their needs, as well as those of other vintage vehicles, we hope to provide these much-loved motors with a more sustainable future and preserve them for years to come.”
The SUSTAIN Classic fuel is actually the second specialist fuel from Coryton’s SUSTAIN range. Last year, SUSTAIN Racing was launched and took the motorsport sector by storm by claiming titles in events such as the Dakar Rally.
Stockist information can be found on the Sustain Classic website sustainclassic.com, where distributors can also register their interest.
A huge milestone was recently passed by the team at the Nissan Plant in Sunderland, as they have been celebrating the 11 millionth vehicle being built there, since production started in 1986. As car number 11 million leaves the factory, this means that, on average, a new car has been built every 2 minutes for the last 37 years!
The incredible achievement was reached when a Blade Silver Qashqai e-POWER, one of three electrified models currently built at the plant, rolled off the line. Each one of these cars takes about 8.5 hours to build. In comparison, the very first car built at the plant in 1986 was a Nissan Bluebird and took around 22 hours to produce.
Nissan Sunderland’s mammoth car production numbers were achieved through the building of nine different models, with 22 variants. Four of these models – Qashqai, Micra, Primera, and Juke have all surpassed seven-figure production numbers. In fact, the Qashqai was the UK’s best-selling new car in 2022 with more than four million being built.
6000 people work at the Sunderland Plant where around 5 million parts arrive at the facility every day! Nissan also supports 30,000 UK jobs in the supply chain.
The Qashqai e-POWER and the Juke Hybrid both began production at the Sunderland Plant last summer and, already, 50,000 Qashqai e-POWERs have been made along with 20,000 Juke Hybrids. To make sure this incredible level of production is maintained, the plant is moving forward with its EV36Zero project, which consists of three main elements: a new electric vehicle, a 12GWh gigafactory with the company’s battery partner Envision AESC, and a microgrid to deliver 100% renewable energy to Nissan and suppliers.
Adam Pennick, Vice President, Manufacturing, at Nissan Sunderland, said: “This milestone reflects the vast experience that our world-class manufacturing team has in delivering the quality cars that our customers love.”
“We’ve come a long way since production first started with some iconic models on the way. But we’re always looking forward, and our fully electrified range and EV36Zero plan mean we have an exciting and sustainable future ahead.”
| Model | First produced | Last produced | Total made |
| Bluebird | 1986 | 1990 | 187,178 |
| Qashqai | 2006 | Ongoing | 4,059,516 |
| Micra | 1992 | 2010 | 2,368,705 |
| Primera | 1990 | 2007 | 1,483,059 |
| Juke | 2010 | Ongoing | 1,295,011 |
| Almera | 2000 | 2006 | 642,420 |
| Note | 2006 | 2016 | 676,438 |
| Infiniti | 2015 | 2019 | 76,166 |
| LEAF | 2010 | Ongoing | 263,405 |
The brand-new Aston Martin DB12 is here following its unveiling last night. Being advertised as delivering a quantum shift in sporting character and dynamic capability, this marks the beginning of the next generation of the DB breed. The brand has certainly not been shy in pushing just how special they see this car being as it comes with the very powerful label of the World’s First Super Tourer.
Aston Martin say that the DB12 has been engineered to deliver exceptional performance and handling while also coming with a whole new level of luxury and style. Its chassis is perfectly matched to a class-leading 680PS/800NM V8 Twin-Turbo powertrain which has resulted in a driving experience that even the most demanding of drivers will enjoy.
Fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport 5 S tyres which have been made to Aston Martin’s precise specifications and supported by an all-new suspension system featuring the latest adaptive dampers, the DB12 delivers incredible control and driver connection. An Electronic Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) system and an Electronic Rear Differential (E-Diff) further enhance the car’s handling and agility.
A new addition to the DB line would be exciting enough, but the DB12 comes at an extra special time, as 2023 marks 110 years of Aston Martin and 75 years since the introduction of the DB family. This new generation of Aston Martin sports cars takes us into a new era for the brand and is one that will bring heightened performance, technology, style, and craftsmanship.
Roberto Fedeli, Group Chief Technology Officer of Aston Martin said of the new DB12: “DB12 is a statement car. One that asserts Aston Martin’s position as a leader in performance, dynamics, engineering and technology. We have pushed every aspect of this car to be best-in-class. The result is more power and performance than its rivals. Combined with exceptional handling and an exciting soundtrack, it is a car with passion and a truly sporting character. Crucially, thanks to its breadth of capability we have achieved this without compromising refinement, comfort and luxury. Together with our use of industry-leading dynamic control and infotainment systems, DB12 is the start of Aston Martin’s most exciting new era.”
Not much needs to be said about the performance of the DB12 as the numbers do a great job of speaking for themselves. With a 0-60mph time of 3.5 seconds, a top speed of 202mph comes from its hand-built 4-litre Twin-Turbo V8 engine. Performance has increased by 34% from its DB11 predecessor with the DB12 generating 680PS/671bhp at 6000rpm and 800Nm/590 lb-ft between 2750-6000rpm
This big jump in performance comes from modified cam profiles, optimised compression ratios, larger diameter turbochargers, and increased cooling. In fact, as there is increased thermal demand for the DB12 to deal with, the cooling system has been completely redesigned, with an additional two auxiliary coolers added to the existing central main radiator. To ensure that desired engine intake air temperatures are achieved in all conditions, an additional low-temperature radiator has been fitted to the charge cooler water circuit too.
Also, the auxiliary outboard engine oil cooler now has over double the face area of the DB11 in order to manage the demands on the lubrication circuit. A 56% increase in open apertures allows more cold air to flow into the radiators while the centrally-mounted bonnet vents allow hot air to escape.
8-speed automatic transmission and an Electronic Rear Differential (the first time this has been used on a DB model), deliver the vast power that the DB12 can unleash. This E-Diff can go from being fully open to completely locked in milliseconds which makes for precise and consistent handling.
When in GT mode, the Aston Martin DB12 is comfortable and incredibly refined but, change to Sport or Sport+ mode and the car hunkers down, responds even quicker and is even tighter in its level of control. Aston Martin has put a lot of effort into making sure that, despite the DB12’s responsiveness, it doesn’t respond aggressively. Instead, the car is intuitive and allows the driver to simply enjoy being behind the wheel of this very special car.
When it comes to the brakes, the standard option is cast-iron 400mm front discs and 360mm rear discs. However, these can be upgraded to Aston’s Carbon Ceramic Brake (CCB) option. Not only does this save 27kg compared to the standard brakes, but it also increases brake performance while reducing brake fade at temperatures of up to 800°C.
The DB12 is the first to use the new Michelin Pilot Sport 5 S tyres. This wasn’t quite good enough for Aston though so you will notice the tyres are marked with ‘AML’ codes to signify that they feature a bespoke compound, and have been tuned by the dynamics team at Aston Martin. They also feature noise-cancelling polyurethane foam inserts which reduce tyre ‘hum’ transmitted to the car’s interior by 20%.
To get the very best out of the DB12, the 21-inch forged alloy wheels are 8kg lighter than the previous 20-inch versions.
The DB12 has a more muscular-looking body which is a clear nod to the power it can unleash. The front end is new and features a larger, re-shaped radiator aperture and splitter. Even the iconic Aston Martin wings badge on the nose is the latest evolution, further highlighting how the brand is moving into a new era of sports cars.
The aerodynamic profile of the car has also been improved thanks to the new smaller, and frameless wing mirrors, while the presenting door handles are the perfect way to enter the ultra-luxurious cabin.
Marek Reichman, Executive Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of Aston Martin said that the “DB12 is our design definition of a Super Tourer. Historically, the GT code among most contemporary enthusiasts meant some semblance of comfort, speed, and refinement. But since the Aston Martin customer is no ordinary motorist, and we no longer simply design objects in and of themselves, we’ve fused everything together on the DB12 — the handling, dynamics, powertrain, sense of space, and styling— and we’ve done it to the max through technology to deliver this new category of performance-design driving experience.
“We know that when the owner of an Aston Martin heads out for open-road driving at the upper limits, hoping to reach those exhilarating moments of perfection, they are seeking the thrills of speed and performance while safely commanding control of their experience. DB12 intuitively knows what the driver is wanting and effortlessly gives them that optimal combination at any driving moment. It’s this total experience that separates the DB12 as the first breed of Super Tourer”.
The latest addition to Aston Martin’s most illustrious bloodline, DB12 exemplifies the brand by boldly moving forward. That wholesale progression is reflected in the DB12’s styling, which features an all-new front-end treatment, wider stance and more muscular surfaces for increased presence. The interior has also been completely redesigned, with clean horizontal lines emphasising the sense of space and providing the perfect contemporary backdrop for new a new state-of-the-art infotainment system. Emphatically fresh yet unmistakably Aston Martin, DB12 defines the new breed of Super Tourer.”
What could be one of the most appealing offers from Aston Martin is the ability for customers to personalise their DB12 in pretty much any way they can think of. Whether a small detail is wanted all the way up to full-scale engineering and production of bespoke components, it will be possible to make your DB12 a completely unique 1-of-1 car.
As you would expect from Aston Martin, the interior of the DB12 is something very special. It’s clean, and contemporary, and perfectly highlights the class-leading craftsmanship that the brand has become known for. Hand-stitched Bridge of Weir hides and stylish trim details create a driving environment that is meant to be enjoyed while your focus remains on getting the most out of your road trip. There are even new quilts that have been introduced with the DB12 to compliment the full leather or Alcantara interior.
The DB12 is all about evolution and moving into the next generation, so the infotainment system is entirely bespoke and has been designed and developed by Aston Martin themselves. This is actually the marque’s first in-house system and features a huge range of driving aids and entertainment options.
Amedeo Felisa, Chief Executive Officer of Aston Martin, said of the new DB12: “When a brand has as much history as Aston Martin it is important to honour the past. Not by looking back, but by pushing on with the same energy and passion that propelled our founders 110 years ago. With the new DB12 we are reinvigorating the DB model line and reasserting Aston Martin as a maker of truly exceptional performance sportscars. By combining class-leading performance and exceptional chassis dynamics with cutting-edge technology, impeccable craftsmanship and immaculate design, DB12 leads Aston Martin into a new era of excellence.”
First deliveries of the DB12 are scheduled to begin during Q3 of this year so we don’t have long to wait to see the World’s First Super Tourer out on the road.
Hyundai has recently made a prototype Ioniq 5 that demonstrates a rather interesting feature – the ability to drive sideways!
Coming from Hyundai Mobis, the division of the brand that focuses on parts and developing autonomous driving, the e-Corner system was installed in the special Ioniq 5 to showcase its capabilities. The system involves each wheel having its own electric motor, electronic damper, and brake and steer-by-wire controls. All of this allows each wheel to drive, stop, and turn independently. It also means that the wheel modules can be freely fitted to different body styles without taking up space in the rest of the vehicle.
As each wheel can turn and drive independently, the e-Corner system allows the vehicle to drive in some very interesting ways. For example, all the wheels can turn 90 degrees which means you can move your vehicle sideways, in and out of a space that would usually require parallel parking. The system also allows you to turn your car on the spot by swivelling the wheels outward before driving them in opposite directions.
The e-Corner technology isn’t completely new as there have been other manufacturers that have experimented with using individual wheel motors in the past. However, this is the first time that full 90-degree steering is possible.
There still aren’t too many details available for this potentially industry-changing system. So far, Hyundai has said that it could be available around 2025 but there are still some obstacles to overcome before this becomes a reality. Getting the same levels of performance that are currently offered by existing EV technology seems to be a big focus.
Something else to consider is that drivers have been able to get by with a lot less complicated systems than this. While parallel parking would, undoubtedly, be made easier, some will see the e-Corner system as nothing more than a gimmick. That being said, the turning capabilities could certainly make driving on busy or narrow roads a whole lot easier.
Today marks the halfway point of Mental Health Awareness Week 2023.
The official theme for this year is anxiety. This theme was set by the Mental Health Foundation as part of their ‘Just’ Anxiety?’ campaign which aims to help people and organisations understand the difference between anxiety and anxiety disorders as well as building confidence in knowing what support is available to those who need it.
Most people will feel some form of anxiety at some point in their lives. However, those with an anxiety disorder feel intense levels of anxiety on a frequent basis. This can dramatically impact the quality of life they experience.
More than 8 million people in the UK alone are affected by an anxiety disorder. Some common anxiety disorders include:
Mental Health Awareness Week first started in 2001 and has become an annual occurrence. It aims to help raise awareness of not only the various types of mental health issues but also to help reduce the stigma surrounding talking about them.
Talking can be a huge help for some people suffering from anxiety and other mental health issues. While medication and other forms of professional help may be needed, spending time with friends and family can go a long way in helping those who need it.
From car clubs and automotive events to sharing a common interest with others, the car community can be a great place to talk to people and spend time focussing on something you are passionate about.
Of course, this is not a solution or a cure for any mental health condition, however, it can give you the opportunity to temporarily alleviate some of the symptoms associated with mental health issues.
For more information on Mental Health Awareness Week and for more specific facts, figures, and guidance, the Mental Health Foundation is a fantastic place to start.
A good friend of Bridge Classic Cars, John Ryall, recently sent us some photos of The Cape 1000 – a grand touring rally that is considered by many to be the most beautiful drive in South Africa.
Described as “a motor vehicle rally paying homage to the various endurance rallies from a bygone era. Reimagined in the African context in what is arguably the most beautiful area on the southern tip of South Africa. This grand touring regularity rally that spans the ages from vintage, to classic to modern vehicles in five different categories creating a truly unique rally that inspires one’s soul and creates the most incredible lifelong memories and friends.”
The rally consists of driving 1600km over 4 days and, this year, featured 60 mostly modern cars.
As you can see from the images below, the rally looks impressive and it must have been an incredible drive for all those involved.
We were recently contacted by one of our clients who will be hosting some guests at Goodwood later this year. As part of the experience, our client asked us to source a special gift for their guests.
After some searching, we found what we think to be a great addition to the guest’s experience in the form of a Fiorano Desk Clock from Holden Vintage & Classic.
We hope the recipients enjoy their gift and we look forward to seeing them at Goodwood.
In 2022, more than 77,000 speeding offences were recorded in Kent alone. If that wasn’t worrying enough, over 500 drivers were actually recorded travelling at speeds in excess of 100mph, eight were caught going over 150mph, and one driver was found to be driving at 164mph on the M25.
These eye-opening numbers show a 23% increase in speeding offences since 2010.
Driving at high speeds carries huge risks, not only for the driver and passengers but also for innocent people who happen to be out on the road at the time.
Considering the speed limit on the M25 is 70mph, the drivers who were travelling at 150mph and beyond were moving at more than double the highest speed allowed.
Modern cars are usually equipped with a lot of safety features, so it’s likely that some drivers fall into a false sense of security and think they are safe enough to drive at such high speeds. With the reduced time to react to unexpected situations though, it may come as no surprise that 24% of traffic deaths are linked to someone driving at an inappropriate speed.
When asked about the increase in speed offences, Chief Inspector Craig West, who is head of roads policing at Kent Police, said: “There are still too many who travel at unacceptable speeds and put themselves and other road users at risk of serious harm”.
“Vehicles are potentially lethal weapons and the faster your speed, the less time you have to react to unforeseen hazards or mistakes from other drivers and the greater the impact any collision may be.”
While we all may be guilty of driving a little too fast at times, it would be hard to think of a reasonable excuse for going more than 150mph. Kent police continue to prioritise speeding as an area of focus and other forces around the country are likely to continue to do the same unless the dangerous driving is reduced.
When delivering classic cars, it’s always important to take extra care. Even small dings can cause much more damage than you might expect.
When a vintage Corvette was being delivered to its owner in America recently, much more care should have been taken to avoid the disaster that took place. As the classic car rolls off the back of the transporter and crashes down into the road, it certainly won’t be in the condition the owner would expect it to be in on delivery.
Shared on TikTok, the disastrous delivery can be seen below.
After months of research and development, the team here at Bridge Classic Cars are extremely excited to reveal the first stage prototype of our submarine car. Loosely based on an Amphicar 770, our Sub-A-Roo is now moving into the testing phase.
Once the roof is in place on this game-changing vehicle, the Sub-A-Roo will be able to stay underwater for several days without needing to resurface. Thanks to some incredible ingenuity from our team of technicians, provisions for 2 passengers for 2 days can be kept on board.
Reaching depths of up to 100 metres, underwater, the Sub-A-Roo can travel at speeds up to 20mph while a land speed of up to 35mph is also possible in the right conditions.
With a completion date planned for mid-October, mass production will hopefully begin in early 2024.
We look forward to sharing more exciting updates with you over the coming weeks and months.
Princess Anne visited our neck of the woods recently, spending some time in Southwold where she went to the Adnams brewery. She visited the Suffolk coast as part of the 150th anniversary of Adnams.
A day before her trip to Southwold, the Princess Royal was in Ipswich where she commissioned the Horace & Hannah, a 1906 Great Yarmouth Shrimper boat, at the Old Custom House on the Waterfront. Princess Anne also officially opened the new joint police and fire station in the town too.
On being part of the Adnams celebrations, the Princess said that she was “delighted” to be invited and she hopes to “make sure that the skillset continues to exist, not forgetting the value it has in the future, nevermind the past”
It’s always exciting to see a member of the Royal family in the local area so we were very happy that Princess Anne was putting Suffolk in the news for a few days.
Olympian turned celebrity coach, Greg Whyte, was in Ipswich recently. As this is so local to us, we felt that we had to go and listen to him speak at the Ipswich Sporting Lunch Club, hosted at local restaurant Venue 16.
Greg spoke to a large audience of local business leaders and professionals about raising funds for SportsAid.
According to their research, SportsAid has found that, before becoming a household name, talented athletes will spend 10,000 hours and thousands of pounds to make it to elite level. Without funding and support from SportsAid, this simply would not be a feasible option for many promising sports stars of the future.
SportsAid Suffolk has already raised and distributed more than £300,000 to support young people in the county.
The Ipswich Sporting Lunch Club was founded in January 2015 and is sponsored by six businesses based in Suffolk – Pound Gates Chartered Insurance Brokers, Ensors Chartered Accountants, Ellisons Solicitors, StrategiQ, Handelsbanken, and Beckett Financial Services.
Some of the team here at Bridge Classic Cars recently had the opportunity to hear the story of Rogue Trader, Nick Leeson from the man himself.
For those who don’t know, Nick Leeson is a former trader who ended up in prison after he single-handedly bankrupted Barings Bank in 1995. Although he was ultimately convicted of fraud, Nick actually started his trading career as something of a future star. After making massive profits for Barings, Nick was moved to Singapore where he made his first unauthorised trades.
Nick’s role should have been cash-neutral for his employer, meaning that any profits and losses belonged to the client’s portfolios that he was managing. Barings Bank would get a commission for any successes but they wouldn’t lose any money in the trades. However, what was actually happening is that Nick was using the bank’s money to try and recoup trading losses.
Nick used the extremely risky strategy of betting double the amount of money lost to try and get the losses back while making a profit too. This ended up with Barings Bank losing a total of £827 million in 1995. This huge amount of money was double the bank’s trading capital and proved to be the beginning of the end for the 230-year-old bank.
While in prison, Nick wrote a book called Rogue Trader which subsequently was adapted into a film starring Ewan McGregor and Anna Friel in 1999.
Obviously, the actions of Nick Leeson impacted a huge number of people and there is still a strong element of controversy and emotion that surrounds him. That being said, hearing his story and his explanation of what was going on at the time was certainly very interesting and something that the team will remember.
Five friends are soon to embark on a mammoth motorcycling challenge to raise funds for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH). Ian Charlesworth, Chris Tebbit, Robert McDonald and Ethan and John Stenner hope to cover around 1,500 miles on their motorbikes while visiting the most Northerly, Southerly, Easterly and Western points of the UK.
If the distance wasn’t enough of a challenge, the five bikers are planning to complete their epic journey in just 36 hours. In the early hours of Saturday, 29th April 2023, they will set off from John O’Groats, in Scotland, before heading to St Davids, on the Welsh coast. From there, it’s on to Land’s End, in Cornwall, before finishing in Lowestoft.
Ian, who is just down the road from us in Stowmarket, said:
“It’s a 29-hour ride, according to Google Maps, however, that’s without any stops and our plan is to rest for a quarter of an hour every time we fill up. It’s important to top ourselves up – not just in terms of petrol but also in terms of coffee and chocolate!”
“We estimate that we’ll stop about a dozen times, so hope to complete the challenge in 30 to 32 hours. Having said that, if it takes longer then so be it – even if we don’t finish within 36 hours. We’re not going to do anything silly and plan to stay safe. If we need to stop and sleep then that’s what we’ll do.”
“The most important thing is that we complete the distance, by hook or by crook.”
Ian has already completed long-distance challenges like this. He even managed to cover 1,000 miles in 19 hours but this latest challenge certainly takes things up to a whole new level. Despite the endurance-testing distance the group hopes to cover, knowing that it is helping to support the incredibly important work of EACH is proving to be a great source of motivation.
Ian went on to say:
“It’s certainly daunting but going to be an experience and something special to share together. My only regret is that we don’t have longer in any place, but it’s still going to be great and we’ll have a giggle along the way.”
“It’s going to be long and tiring but we want to raise money for a great cause. All costs will be coming out of our own pockets, so we hope family, friends and the public get behind us and help make our trip worthwhile by donating as much as possible.”
“We wanted to do something for a local charity, rather than a national one. My fear with the latter is that your money goes into a big pot and you don’t necessarily get to see how it’s spent. With EACH, it feels more tangible and we’re safe in the knowledge that our donation will directly help and benefit children, young people and families within our community. I like that thought and know the others feel the same.”
EACH supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions across East Anglia. It has three hospices – The Treehouse, in Ipswich, The Nook, near Norwich, and at Milton, near Cambridge.
The charity offers families flexibility and control over where they receive their care and support, including where their child dies – at home, in hospital or at one of three hospices. EACH relies on voluntary donations for the majority of its income and this year needs to raise £5.8 million from fundraising and £6.5 million in income from its shops.
If you would like to support Ian, Chris, Robert, Ethan, and John, you can do so by making a donation via their JustGiving Page.
On 29th March 1927, on Daytona Beach in Florida, Major Henry Segrave drove a Sunbeam, known as ‘The Slug’, over 200mph. This was the first time that any car had ever reached this speed and set a new land speed record. Now, 96 years later, on 29th March 2023, The National Motor Museum is launching its Sunbeam 1000hp Restoration Campaign to bring this ground-breaking car back to life.
The campaign aims to raise £300,000 for a full restoration and to take ‘The Slug’ back to Daytona Beach in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the record in 2027. Restoring a car that has two 22.5-lire V12 engines is obviously a huge task so a major fundraising campaign is needed to make it possible.
After being designed and built for the sole purpose of going faster than 200mph, ‘The Slug’ was, at the time, the fastest car in the world. The excitement around the car was immense and around 30,000 people headed to Daytona Beach to watch Major Segrave drive at an average speed of 203.79mph. To achieve this speed, more than one engine was needed, so two Sunbeam Matabele V12 aero engines were chosen by Sunbeam’s chief engineer, Louis Coatalen. Segrave’s cockpit was between the two engines (one was at the rear of the vehicle while the other was at the front), and the finished car weighed over 3 tons.
The car travelled so fast that, during the first run, strong winds caused it to skid with Segrave having no other option but to drive into the sea to slow down! However, following corrosion attacking the internal workings of the engines, ‘The Slug’ has not been run for more than 50 years.
The National Motor Museum is working with Brookspeed Automotive to restore this incredible car, and the work will be carried out in the public eye through visits to the museum as well as through online content such as videos and blog posts.
To raise awareness of the campaign, ‘The Slug’ will be taken to motoring events and shows all over the UK and Europe before also going on a tour of motoring museums in America too.
The National Motor Museum has owned the Sunbeam since 1970 and it has been one of the main displays there ever since. Their Senior Engineer, Ian Stanfield, has already started stripping down the rear engine to investigate how bad the corrosion damage truly is.
Restoring a car that is as special and such a big part of motoring history as this is a worthwhile project. There aren’t many better ways to help future generations recognise how ground-breaking ‘The Slug’ was than by bringing it back to life for them to see first-hand.
The National Motor Museum’s Head of Development Michelle Kirwan said: “This is a wonderfully exciting opportunity to raise the funds necessary to breathe new life into the two aero engines and enable the Sunbeam to run again.
“To be able to take this iconic car back to Daytona, where world Land Speed Record history was made, would be incredible – especially in the centenary year. We are grateful for Brookspeed Automotive’s support with this campaign and look forward to working together to achieve the ultimate goal of such a historic run, which will capture the imagination of motoring enthusiasts around the world.”
We recently welcomed the Porsche Club GB to The Atelier at Bridge Classic Cars. Having more than 30 Porsches parked up outside while members of the club enjoyed a coffee and a chat before having a personal tour of the workshop was something that everyone here enjoyed just as much as our guests.
Thank you to all of the members of the Porsche Owners Club that attended, it was a fantastic morning spent with you and we hope you come back and see us again very soon.
Several car clubs are coming to visit The Atelier like the Porsche Owners Club did, and we are equally as excited to welcome all of them to Bridge Classic Cars.
If you are interested in holding a club meeting in The Atelier at Bridge Classic Cars, please contact lily on events@bridgeclassiccars.co.uk or check out our Events page for an up-to-date list of what’s happening.
On Saturday 25th March, we hosted an evening with Ed Stafford in The Atelier at Bridge Classic Cars.
The night saw more than 100 people join us to hear Ed talk about his adventures, his life, and his current and future projects. It was such a great experience to listen to the exciting and inspiring stories from the man himself and we are extremely grateful to Ed for being so open and honest with us and the audience.
From hearing about becoming the first person to ever walk the length of the Amazon River and being arrested and threatened with death along the way, to living on an uninhabited Pacific island in complete isolation, to family life with his wife and children, Ed shared so much that everyone in attendance couldn’t help but feel even more connected to him than they did to begin with.
Also on the night, we found the winner of Ed’s 2015 Land Rover Defender 110. The lucky winner was randomly selected during our live draw that Ed joined in with. The Defender was very popular and sold out while he was on stage.
Everyone here at Bridge Classic Cars had a fantastic evening and we loved welcoming so many faces, both new and old, into The Atelier. As the event was designed to be an intimate evening, the audience could speak to Ed and take photos with him. Many books were signed and even more selfies were taken!
A big thank you goes out to everyone who attended An Evening With Ed Stafford and thanks to Ed for being such an amazing guest.
We will be hosting more Evening With… events throughout the year including our Evening With Martin Donnelly, Formula 1 legend on Saturday, 20th May 2023 and we are very excited to welcome more of you to Bridge Classic Cars very soon.
Yesterday, we welcomed the Essex Austin Seven Club into The Atelier at Bridge Classic Cars.
It was great to see the members of the club spending time with us enjoying coffee and snacks before getting to have a look behind-the-scenes of the Bridge Classic Cars workshop, as they had a tour of our facilities.
We always enjoy hosting car clubs. With several others already booked in, we are looking forward to seeing more of you in the very near future.
Rolls Royce has been given funding from the UK Space Agency to continue its research into how nuclear power could be used to support a future human base on the moon.
Going into space obviously requires a dependable power source to keep the multitude of systems operating during missions. Things like life support and communications are of paramount importance, and scientific experiments also need to be conducted with a consistent power source.
As nuclear power has the potential to drastically increase the amount of time humans could stay on the moon in future missions, scientists and engineers at Rolls Royce are working on a Micro-Reactor programme which aims to develop technology to power a lunar base.
The UK Space Agency has given £2.9 million in funding to the project with the aim of delivering an initial demonstration of a UK lunar modular nuclear reactor. This round of funding comes after a £249,000 study in 2022 which was also funded by the UK Space Agency
Rolls-Royce plan to have a reactor ready to send to the moon by 2029. While the project is primarily focused on powering facilities off-planet, the aim is to create a world-leading power and propulsion capability for multiple industries and needs including a clean, green, and long-term power source. Micro-Reactor technology also has a lot of potential to be used for commercial and defence applications too.
A nuclear Micro-Reactor is relatively small and lightweight when compared to other power systems and generates continuous power regardless of location, available sunlight, or any other environmental conditions. Along with their engineers, Rolls-Royce will be working with several other parties including the University of Oxford, the University of Bangor, the University of Brighton, the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) and Nuclear AMRC.
Thanks to the £2.9 million in funding, Rolls-Royce can now further strengthen its knowledge of these highly complex systems. The project will focus on three key features – the fuel used to generate heat, the method of heat transfer and the technology to convert that heat into electricity.
The UK Space Agency recently announced that funding of £51 million was available to UK companies to help develop communication and navigational technology to support missions to the moon. It forms part of the European Space Agency’s Moonlight Programme which has the goal of having a constellation of satellites in orbit around the moon.
Partnering with Rolls-Royce is just one step towards future astronauts and rovers having the capabilities to navigate the lunar surface safely, as well as helping to support scientific experiments.
“Space exploration is the ultimate laboratory for so many of the transformational technologies we need on Earth: from materials to robotics, nutrition, cleantech and much more. As we prepare to see humans return to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years, we are backing exciting research like this lunar modular reactor with Rolls-Royce to pioneer new power sources for a lunar base. Partnerships like this, between British industry, the UK Space Agency and government are helping to create jobs across our £16 billion Space Tech sector and help ensure the UK continues to be a major force in frontier science.”
“The new tranche of funding from the UK Space Agency means so much for the Rolls-Royce Micro-Reactor Programme. We’re proud to work collaboratively with the UK Space Agency and the many UK academic institutions to showcase the best of UK innovation and knowledge in space. This funding will bring us further down the road in making the Micro-Reactor a reality, with the technology bringing immense benefits for both space and Earth. The technology will deliver the capability to support commercial and defence use cases alongside providing a solution to decarbonise industry and provide clean, safe and reliable energy.”
“We are backing technology and capabilities to support ambitious space exploration missions and boost sector growth across the UK. Developing space nuclear power offers a unique chance to support innovative technologies and grow our nuclear, science and space engineering skills base. This innovative research by Rolls-Royce could lay the groundwork for powering continuous human presence on the Moon, while enhancing the wider UK space sector, creating jobs and generating further investment.”
With this partnership between the UK Space Agency and Rolls-Royce, it is a clear sign that big names in the automotive industry are much more than just car manufacturers. They have the potential to not only change people’s day-to-day lives by creating convenient vehicles, but they also have the potential to change the future of humanity on a planetary level.
Hollywood actor Theo James has been seen driving a 1962 Austin Healey 3000 during the filming of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix adaptation of The Gentlemen. Theo plays the lead character of Eddie Halstead in the highly-anticipated series that takes place in the same world as the widely successful film of the same name from 2019.
Theo was dressed smartly as he drove the classic Austin Healey through the grounds of the Badminton Estate in South Gloucestershire. This is the same location that has been used for scenes in Bridgerton, Pearl Harbour, and 28 Days Later.
A camera could be clearly seen attached to the front of the car catching action shots of the actor driving the blue and white vehicle.
Theo has previously starred in multiple high-profile films such as The Divergent Trilogy (Divergent, Insurgent, and Allegiant), Downton Abbey, How It Ends, and The Time Traveler’s Wife.
In the series, Theo’s character, Eddie, inherits his father’s large estate before discovering that it is actually a marijuana empire.
Guy Ritchie is the man behind the creation of The Gentlemen TV series and he will also direct the first two episodes. When talking about the new series, Guy said “The world of ‘The Gentlemen’ is a little bit of me, I’m thrilled that with Netflix, Miramax and Moonage we have this opportunity to inhabit it once again.
‘We’re looking forward to bringing fans back into that world, introducing new characters and their stories and I am excited to be doing it with this extremely talented cast.’
‘The Gentlemen’ is expected to be released towards the end of 2023 and we are sure that it will be an extremely popular series but, for now, we are more than happy to simply admire the 1962 Austin Healey 3000 being driven around the beautiful Badminton Estate.
The full story and images can be seen here.
A 2009 Jaguar X-Type Estate that was previously owned and driven by the late Queen Elizabeth II has been donated to Comic Relief by Chris Evans and his motoring event, CarFest, to help raise money for the charity’s Red Nose Day appeal.
The Queen was photographed driving the car and the original vehicle handbook confirms the registration as PYN 1F which belonged to the late Monarch.
The 2009 Jaguar X-Type Estate comes in Emerald Fire with a Barley Leather interior. It was designed by Ian Callum and has a sunroof, automatic transmission, electric windows, climate control, and a Jaguar Heritage Trust Certificate. It has covered 73,000 miles and it was previously sold at auction in November 2022 for £43,000.
If you want to own this extremely special vehicle, you won’t need to pay out that much though. Instead, you can win it by sending a simple text message. Full details here.
When speaking about donating this very special Jaguar, Chris Evans said “I’m so grateful CarFest is able to support Comic Relief and I’m thrilled that we are able to donate this very special historic car, and so pleased to be able to share it with another enthusiast, especially for such an important cause.”
Samir Patel, who is the CEO of Comic Relief said “We are enormously grateful to Chris Evans and CarFest for this generous donation for Red Nose Day – this truly is a prize like no other we have ever been able to offer our supporters. This is an extraordinary opportunity to own a real piece of history and will be such a special prize for the lucky winner.
“From homelessness to mental health problems to food poverty, the money raised will help people facing incredibly tough times in the UK and around the world. Huge thank you to everyone who enters.”
Red Nose Day 2023 will be taking place on Friday 17th March 2023. All the money raised will go towards supporting people who are struggling due to the cost of living crisis as well as trying to tackle issues such as homelessness, mental health problems, and food poverty both nationally and internationally.
Part of the money raised will also go towards helping the victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
A 1980 Range Rover that is believed to have been owned by Bob Marley is going to auction!
The original registration document has the name Robert Nesta Marley on it, which is why this classic vehicle is generating such interest. Classic Car Auctions are offering the legendary musician’s Range Rover for sale on Saturday, March 25th without reserve.
It is obvious that the Range Rover is not in drivable condition (the engine is currently in the back of the vehicle) so it will be purchased as a restoration project. Originally Masi Red, the Range Rover is now a mix of black, green, and blue with Bob Marley’s children said to be the people responsible for the paintwork.
With a little over 62,000 miles on the clock, you can see that, in the right hands, this could be an incredible classic in the future.
Bob Marley owned 2 Range Rovers and this one was shipped from Birmingham to Germany, then to Jamaica. It was also regularly shipped back and forth between Jamaica and the UK. His other Range Rover was a series 3 which was found in 2015 and has been fully restored.
This very special classic vehicle will be auctioned at the Practical Classics Classic Car And Restoration Show Sale 2023 being held at the NEC in Birmingham, which brings the story full circle as the Range Rover returns to the city in which it was built.
Even in its current state, a sale price of around £150,000 is expected. While fully restored models have previously sold for up to £130,000, the story and iconic former owner of this particular example makes it something of a unique opportunity to own something extremely special.
Full details can be seen here.
A 1908 Harley-Davidson Strap Tank has become the most expensive motorcycle ever sold at auction.
The bike was discovered back in 1941 as a complete motorcycle in a barn in Wisconsin, USA. It stayed in Wisconsin for the next 66 years before being fully restored by Paul Freehill in Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA.
Included in the sale of this extremely rare motorcycle were the original tank, wheels, engine belt pulley, seat cover, and muffler sleeve.
In 1908, only 450 Harley-Davidson motorcycles were produced and it is thought that only around 12 of these still survive today. However, very few are as close to their original condition as this one.
The Strap Tank is also thought to be the earliest Harley-Davidson model you can own as the earlier prototypes have not survived like this rare bike has.
The 1908 Harley-Davidson Strap Tank was sold by Mecum Auctions in Las Vegas for a record-breaking $935,000. Although it was expected to do well at auction, even the team at Mecum Auctions were somewhat surprised by just how well it did. Greg Arnold is Mecum’s Motorcycle Division Manager and he said “We marketed the bike well, and Harley is by far the most famous American motorcycle brand so we had a feeling it would do well in auction, but obviously you are surprised anytime you sell the most expensive bike ever”
Up until this Harley-Davidson sold, the previous most expensive motorcycle sold at auction was a 1907 Strap Tank which sold for $715,000.
With the two most expensive motorcycles ever sold at auction being Harley-Davidson Strap Tanks, you can see just how valuable and desired these classic motorcycles are.
More information can be seen here.
A 1954 Aston Martin DB2 Vignale has gone up for sale for an eye-watering £3.6 million.
While the price tag may seem steep, the story behind this vehicle is certainly one that gives the car an interesting history. The car was commissioned by King Baudouin of Belgium in 1954. It was designed by Alfredo Vignale and was kept in the former Kings collection for a while.
Eventually, it was sold to a palace aide and, at some point after that, it was sold to an American soldier who purchased the car before selling it on one more time to a scrap yard in Virginia, USA as a non-runner.
When Aston Workshop owner, Bob Fountain, heard about the car, he purchased it from the scrap yard and had it shipped over to his workshop in Newcastle.
Bob and his team worked on restoring the rare Aston for 16 years, transforming it from a shell into the stunning car now worth more than three and a half million pounds.
During the restoration process, Bob used historic documents to handcraft the fawn leather interior to the exact specifications the King of Belgium had ordered back in 1954.
When asked about the project, Bob said “It’s always great for us to discover vintage Aston Martins in need of restoration, but when we found that this one had been specially commissioned by a king it added a real sense of excitement to the project”
It’s not every day you get to rebuild a royal Aston Martin but, after 16 years of hard work and commitment, this DB2 Vignale is looking better than ever and has earned its £3.6 million price tag.
More details and images can be seen here.
A 1974 Vauxhall Victor FE with just 86 miles on the clock and seemingly untouched for decades, is proving to be something of a mystery.
Not too much is known about the classic vehicle at this point in time, other than it was purchased brand new by a man known only as Mr Milner.
Despite being found around 10 years ago, following Mr Milner’s death, its history is still mostly unknown by the car’s current owner, The Great British Car Journey Museum in Ambergate, Derbyshire. When it was discovered in a locked garage, it was found that its bodywork had been oiled and a lot of the interior had been covered in polythene to protect it. Empty fuel canisters, spare parts, and a 1974 Haynes manual had also been placed in the boot.
Staff at The Great British Car Journey Museum have been trying to find out more about the mysterious Vauxhall Victor. Documents found with the car show that Mr Milner purchased the car on April 12th 1974 from Mercury Garage, in Ilkeston, Derbyshire when the car was brand new. The documents also show that Mr Milner had rust-proofing applied to the car six years after he purchased it.
It was only when Mr Milner’s estate was being cleared after he passed away that the car was found. A collector purchased the mysterious Victor from the estate before the museum went on to buy it last November.
When it was found, the chrome and the lights had been removed and stored in the car. There doesn’t seem to be any friends or family of Mr Milner to ask about the car’s history so the museum has started their search for information about the car and why the owner only covered 86 miles in it before storing it.
Current speculation from people on social media include the theories that Mr Milner bought the car, didn’t like it so confined it to storage; the odometer is broken; that it was Bully’s Star Prize on the 80s gameshow Bull’s Eye, and even alien abduction of the owner!
More information can be seen here.
Car production in the UK fell by 9.8% in 2022 resulting in the worst production year since 1956.
Having to deal with the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as a worldwide semiconductor shortage, the car manufacturing industry as a whole has taken something of a beating. However, in the UK, factory closures have only added to the problems facing the industry.
In 2022, 775,014 cars were produced in the UK. This was around 1.3 million less than pre-pandemic levels. Leaving the EU has seen a consistent fall in UK car production with numbers falling every year since the decision to leave in 2016.
Car manufacturers are hopeful that the industry will pick up again but they are concerned that this can only happen with high levels of investment and more car makers moving into the country. As the UK continues to fall behind in car production, it seems that without government assistance, British car manufacturing may soon be a thing of the past!
A further drop is expected by some following the American government’s announcement that they plan to offer subsidies worth billions of dollars to car manufacturers who can create electric vehicle supply chains throughout the US. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is concerned that this will absorb a lot of international investment resulting in another hit to the UK industry.
In addition to the pandemic and supply chain issues, the closure of Honda’s factory in Swindon in July 2021 followed by Vauxhall ceasing Astra production at Ellesmere Port in April 2022 has also caused a decrease in the level of British car production.
2022 was a challenging year for UK car manufacturing. However, it is worth keeping in mind that the UK did make more electric vehicles than ever before.
Another blow came when the battery start-up firm, Britishvolt, collapsed recently after running out of money when planning to build an electric car battery plant in Northumberland. As it currently stands, the UK only has one Chinese-owned battery manufacturing facility which is based in Sunderland.
The future may seem uncertain for UK car production right now. The UK government seems to be confident that better times are coming though, suggesting they are determined to make sure that the UK remains one of the best places in the world for automotive manufacturing.
Time will only tell if this is possible but, looking at the current situation, this could be an extremely challenging goal to achieve if things don’t change very soon.
The East Anglian Daily Times recently published a list of the 5 major shows and events running in Suffolk in January 2023.
The Bridge Classic Cars New Year’s Car Rally was included in this list which we are very excited about.
Our rally was a great success and we had a lot of fun spending time with everyone who took part.
The full article can be read here.
Obviously, everyone here at Bridge Classic Cars has a passion for classic cars. However, we love finding interesting vehicles of all varieties and, recently, we found another.
On our travels, we got to experience Bassenthwaite Lake Station. This is a cafe in a restored railway station on the former Cockermouth to Keswick line. What we were most interested in was the full-size replica steam train that looks incredible.
Bassenthwaite Lake Station is situated opposite the scenic Dubwath Silver Meadows nature reserve and is in a beautiful part of the country.
As you can see from the photos below, it is certainly well worth a visit if you share our love of classic and interesting vehicles.
The marketing team here at Bridge Classic Cars are getting a bigger office!
As the business continues to grow and develop, more space is needed to help us operate as effectively and as successfully as possible.
As you can see from the photos below, the office extension is making good progress. With the floor going down in the next couple of days and the windows being installed shortly after, it won’t be too long until the larger marketing office space is ready for business!
Late Queen Elizabeth’s 1953 Land Rover Series I, originally delivered to Her Majesty at the Balmoral estate, is going to auction with a guide price of £100 000 – £150 000.
It has recently been restored to an extremely high standard, with King Charles III rumoured to have helped fund the restoration after recognising the vehicle a few years ago.
Queen Elizabeth II received the Land Rover at Balmoral in 1953. It was later purchased by its former owner in 1966 who ended up storing it for a number of years. During its time in storage, its condition deteriorated until a complete restoration was needed.
Now fully restored, the Land Rover is in exceptional condition. It still features its production chassis number despite being considered a ‘pre-production build’ that was made specifically for the Royal Family. The original features of this very special vehicle include some unique options that you won’t find on any other similar model, including twin rear doors.
Sales Director of Silverstone Auctions, (who will be auctioning the Land Rover), Rob Hubbard said that
“It’s not often that a vehicle with such impressive Royal provenance like this is offered publicly for sale. Its special features and Royal connections make it exceptionally interesting. This Land Rover would doubtless have been used extensively on the Balmoral estate where we know the Royals loved to picnic. It would have been a familiar and much-loved part of Her Majesty and Prince Philip’s private lives.”
If its Royal connections weren’t enough, the 1953 Land Rover Series I has also featured on BBC’s Antiques Roadshow and led the Land Rover parade during the jubilee celebrations earlier this year. As the jubilee celebrations were watched by billions, Silverstone Auctions believes that this is “probably one of the most photographed Land Rovers in the world”
The auction for the late Queen Elizabeth’s 1953 Land Rover Series I will be held at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire on the 24th – 26th of February.
Although the guide price is £100 000 to £150 000, this special vehicle will likely sell for much more than this. The last vehicle with royal connections sold by Silverstone Auctions was Princess Diana’s Ford Escort RS Turbo which sold for the world record price of £650 000 in August.
Bridge Classic Cars are award winning Classic Car Restoration and Maintenance specialists. Your pride and joy is in safe hands with our expert Classic Car Technicians. Take a look at our awards here.
