Government proposals to allow drivers to tow a trailer without taking an additional test could lead to more accidents. That’s the view of road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, which is alarmed by the possible changes.
The proposals form part of the DVSA’s current public consultation. This includes measures aimed at getting more heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers onto the roads – and speeding up the licensing process.
However, IAM RoadSmart says safety should not be compromised to alleviate the current HGV driver shortage.
Staycation situation
At present, those who passed their driving test after 1 January 1997 can drive a vehicle up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass (MAM), towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM. Removing the additional test is seen by the DVSA as a way to free up time for examiners.
The boom in staycation holidays, and the demand for caravans, has seen the number of trailer tests swell significantly. DVSA figures show 30,000 tests are now conducted annually, a number that could increase further in the aftermath of the Covid crisis.
Trailer training would remain a DVSA recommendation, but the consultation suggests this would not be a mandatory requirement.
‘People need training‘
IAM RoadSmart believes that losing the licence test would reduce the likelihood of drivers taking additional training before towing. This could mean they lose vital instruction on safe towing, and how to handle emergency situations such as a trailer or caravan ‘snaking’.
Neil Greig of IAM RoadSmart said: “If a test is no longer a requirement, this raises some serious safety concerns, especially at this busy holiday time. We are very concerned the decision will exacerbate an existing safety situation as currently, as per DVSA’s own safety checks, up to one in six caravans they stopped had a serious safety issue, while four in 10 small trailers were also found with serious safety issues.
“Many of these could have been avoided by better training and awareness of towing safety best practice. The DSA had a clear safety reason for introducing the test in 1997, and these reasons are still valid. People need proper training to be able to drive an articulated vehicle, particularly when they are doing so for the first time.”
Earlier this week, the British Medical Association (BMA) expressed concern about rushing medical tests to speed-up HGV driver licencing.
If you’re the winning bidder on this very orange 1976 Lotus Esprit, you could become an impromptu TV star. Restored for Salvage Hunters: Classic Cars, the rare Series 1 Esprit will soon be up for sale.
Whoever wins the Car & Classic online auction has the option to take ownership on screen. The car will be handed over by presenters Paul Cowland and Drew Pritchard.
Foot loose, fancy free
The new owner will certainly enjoy a classic Lotus that stands out in a car park.
Colorado Orange paintwork, matched with a green and red tartan interior, sounds suspiciously like the inside of Rod Stewart’s wardrobe. Yet the Esprit was one of 15 cars to leave the factory in this bold colour.
As part of the restoration, SMS Autospray returned the Esprit’s lightweight fibreglass bodywork to its original hue.
Steve Fulcher, of Fulcher Coachtrimmers, was tasked with ensuring the Esprit’s retro cabin packs the maximum 1970s punch. From the photos, it looks like a mission accomplished.
Like a clockwork orange
Matthew Oxley, a Lotus enthusiast and skilled mechanic, was the Esprit’s previous owner and sold the car to the show.
After handing over the Lotus in boxes of bits, Matthew was then brought back to help complete the work he had started. With an engine rebuild and suspension overhaul already completed, restoring the five-speed manual transmission was his next big task.
The mid-mounted 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine has covered less than 500 miles since the rebuild. However, Matthew has committed to helping the new owner resolve any issues that arise during the running-in period.
Tangerine dream
Finding an early Lotus Esprit is a difficult task at the best of times. The opportunity to buy one that has been expertly restored on TV is perhaps a unique proposition.
The auction for the Esprit will be held online, via the Car & Classic website. Bidding will open on 3 September, ending on 10 September at 5pm BST.
Now into its sixth series, Salvage Hunters: Classic Cars will return to the Quest TV channel early in 2022. The show will also be available through the Discovery+ on-demand service.
A pair of modern performance Toyotas will take centre stage at the Classic Car Auctions (CCA) sale next month.
Leading the pack is an example of the currently sold-out Toyota GR Yaris hot hatchback. Toyota has filled allocations for both this year and 2022 with its pint-sized rally replica.
It means the CCA event could mark one of the few opportunities to take home the homologation special, which was named UK Car of the Year 2021.
At the heart of the GR Yaris is a 261hp turbocharged three-cylinder engine, connected to an all-wheel-drive system. The Circuit Pack option brings 18-inch BBS alloy wheels and track-tuned suspension, plus front and rear Torsen limited-slip differentials to the party.
The GR Yaris set to be auctioned is finished in Scarlet Flare Red, and features a black Ultrasuede interior.
Whoever ordered the GR Yaris has shown commendable restraint, with only 29 miles recorded on the odometer. A pre-sale estimate of £28,000 to £34,000 compares favourably to the £33,020 list price.
A Supra-sized bargain?
Joining the GR Yaris as part of the CCA sale is a low-mileage example of the latest Toyota GR Supra.
A joint venture with BMW, the 2020 GR Supra up for sale is powered by a turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six engine. With 340hp sent to the rear wheels, the Supra can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 4.3 seconds.
The Supra for sale is painted in Downshift Blue, and comes in Pro specification. This means 19-inch alloy wheels, and a JBL sound system.
With the odometer reading 2,384 miles, an auction estimate of £35,000 to £40,000 is well below the £54,365 list price.
As part of the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show, the CCA auction takes place on 25 September.
A backlog of driving licence medical tests, combined with a drastic need for more lorry drivers, is causing doctors alarm.
All new HGV driving licence applications require a medical assessment. This adds to the queue of car drivers requiring a fitness to drive certification.
The British Medical Association (BMA) estimates that the total number of drivers needing medical assessments has surpassed 200,000. Thousands more are said to join the list every month.
Such delays are causing drivers to seek shortcuts to medical certification, bypassing the traditional assessment by their GP.
Grave concerns from doctors
The BMA is ‘gravely concerned’ about such developments. It has written to the Department of Transport to call for a ‘safety first’ approach.
DVLA rules mean drivers can seek a fitness to drive assessment from any registered medical practitioner. The BMA is worried such moves may see the full medical history of a patient overlooked.
Dr Peter Holden, BMA Professional Fees Committee chair, explains this creates a risk “that medical conditions may be, either intentionally or unintendedly, understated and this has already had a grave impact on road safety”.
The BMA would prefer to see the DVLA being honest about “just how long this backlog will take to clear”, and ensuring that an applicant’s GP is involved in the medical certification process.
A DVLA spokesperson said: “We welcome the decision by the BMA and Royal College of GPs to review DVLA medicals after they were temporarily deprioritised during the pandemic. By law, all drivers must meet medical standards for fitness at all times, and there are additional checks for bus and lorry drivers.
“We have plans in place to reduce the current backlog of medical applications by bringing in additional staff and evening shifts, and are also working on additional measures to increase our surge capacity and help process applications faster”.
HGV driver shortage remains a challenge
According to the Road Haulage Association (RHA), the UK currently faces a shortage of around 100,000 qualified HGV drivers. Contributing to this is a backlog of some 40,000 HGV driving tests missed in 2020 due to the coronavirus.
The RHA has called for these 40,000 tests to be given priority. A pledge to recruit 40 new driving examiners has been announced by the DVSA.
As part of its suggested 12-point plan, the RHA highlights the cost and time needed for medicals as a ‘significant impediment’ to new HGV drivers.
A recently launched government consultation is seeking responses on how the current HGV driver shortage can be tackled.
Texas-based Hennessey has announced that all of the planned Venom F5 hypercars have been sold.
It follows successful appearances at multiple Monterey Car Week events in California. The F5 was shown at The Quail, and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Displaying a pair of Hennessey Venom F5s helped secure buyers for the last of the 24 cars planned. Each Venom F5 is priced from $2.1 million (£1.54 million).
The fastest way to be a sell out
Making the rapid sales success of the Venom F5 more impressive, is only being officially launched in May this year. The prestigious Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance event marked the public debut of the mid-engined machine.
This followed initial performance testing, which saw the Venom F5 reach over 200 mph running with only 900 hp.
The 6.6-l twin-turbocharged ‘Fury’ engine is set to produce 1,817 hp. Torque is an an equally huge 1,193-lb ft.
Hennessey has geared the F5 to reach a top speed of over 300 mph. A 0-60 mph sprint is expected to take 2.7 seconds, with the promise of the impressive on-track handling, too.
Surprises still to come…
With all cars now sold, Hennessey may return to refining the Venom F5. More final validation testing on roads and racing circuits is first on the list. Full-power acceleration runs, along with other high-speed evaluations will follow.
The final challenge will come with attempting to reach the top speed of 311 mph.
According to company founder John Hennessey, this is just the start of the Venom F5 story. He commented that: “We’ve saved a few more surprises for the F5, including the Track Pack enhancements, plus something else that’s literally out of this world!”
Given Hennessey’s 30-year reputation for adding power, a more extreme version of the Venom F5 seems likely.
The first customer examples of the Bacalar and Blower have been hand-built by Bentley Mulliner – the British marque’s personalisation department.
The two cars are separated by a century of automotive technology, but have been finished side-by-side at Bentley’s Crewe factory.
Both models are completely bespoke, having been tailored to the exact specification ordered by their customers.
Bacalar number one
Inspired by the EXP 100 GT concept car built for Bentley’s 100th anniversary, the Bacalar is a modern two-door barchetta.
Only 12 examples will be made, powered by the famed 6.0-litre W12 engine. Producing more than 650hp, it is combined with Bentley’s all-wheel-drive system.
The first customer car has Atom Silver paint – a champagne-tinted satin hue – for its carbon fibre bodywork. Moss Green accents have been applied to the 22-inch wheels, inside the headlights, and even to the exhaust tailpipes.
Inside, there’s a continuation of the Moss Green highlights, offsetting the Beluga black leather. The bold green colour can be found on the seat-backs, and in the contrast stitching on the quilted Bacalar upholstery.
On the dashboard and doors is a section of 5,000-year-old open-pore riverwood. Sourced from the ancient fenlands of East Anglia, the veneer is complemented by satin bronze details.
A bronze finish is found on the steering wheel and air vents, with satin nickel used for the Bentley clock. The new owner will be presented with the Bacalar’s key in a bespoke leather box.
Blower number one
Alongside the Bacalar is the first customer example of the hugely evocative Bentley Blower Continuation Series.
As with the Bacalar, only 12 will be made, although the build process has been very different. The Blower is an exact replica of the 1929 supercharged 4½-litre Bentley, raced by Sir Henry ‘Tim’ Birkin.
More than 40,000 hours were spent on detailed plans to recreate the pre-war car. The chassis is made from heavy-gauge steel, while the seats are filled with horsehair.
Modern electric fuel pumps and baffles inside the fuel tank have been added to improve safety.
Bentley Blower number one has been finished in bespoke Birkin Green paint. The shade has been developed to exactly replicate the colour found on Tim Birkin’s own 1929 Bentley.
The wire wheels for the Blower have been finished in the same Birkin Green, with the interior also colour-matched. Completing the exterior design is a folding roof in black.
Part of the process for making the Blower has been replicating the supercharged engine. Built to its original specification, it produced 240hp during testing.
Bentley has not revealed who the lucky buyers of the two cars are. Each customer is said to share ‘a love of driving’ and an ‘avid appreciation for craftsmanship, authenticity and attention to detail’.
The 1955 356 Speedster chosen for the project was acquired from only its second owner. During his 50-year possession of the Porsche, he had modified it for racing.
This made the Max Hoffman-imported Speedster perfect for additional touches to be added.
Modifications to the original Reutter Karosserie bodywork included shaved rocker moldings and rear reflectors. The louvred deck lid, and smoothed bumpers finished in chrome, were further elements added by Dave Shuten of Galpin Speed Shop.
With the bodywork sorted, eye-catching PPG Blue-Green paint was used. Halibrand 15-inch magnesium knock-off wheels, in custom House of Kolor Gold, complete the exterior.
On the inside, the Blue-Green paint continues across the trim panels. These contrast with factory Porsche bucket seats, upholstered in red leather. Tartan inserts add a retro touch to the Speedster’s cabin.
In the back is a 1600SC flat-four air-cooled engine. Extra chrome parts have been fitted, including chromed manifolds.
The brakes and steering have been left in factory configuration, while Koni shock absorbers have been added to the suspension.
Porsche Santa Clarita technician, Nicolas Briseno, carried out the mechanical work on the Speedster.
The Restoration Challenge is organized by Porsche Classic, and sees 40 dealerships across the United States taking part for 2021.
Porsche-trained dealership technicians will be responsible for restoring the host of classic models. These range from other Porsche 356s through to 911s, Boxsters, and even a 2005 Carrera GT.
Once completed this month, a panel of experts from Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA) will pick winners from three regions covering the USA.
An overall winner will then be chosen this September.
During its first full year of production in 2019, it doubled the total output of Lamborghini’s Sant’Agata factory. It has gone on to set a record for being the highest produced model in the company’s history – and in the shortest amount of time since its launch.
The popularity of the Urus led Lamborghini to build a brand-new paint shop, making use of artificial intelligence. This allows customers to specify an even greater degree of customisation than before.
Making records on ice, too
Fittingly, the model that left the production line was configured with the latest ‘Graphite Capsule’ set of finishes.
This means an exterior finished in Grigio Keres Matt grey paint, with eye-searing Verde Scandal green detailing. The theme continues inside, with the steering wheel rim also upholstered in bold Verde Scandal.
With a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine, the 650hp Urus is one of the most powerful production SUVs in the world.
Earlier this year, it also became the fastest SUV on ice. At the Days of Speed event on Lake Baikal in Russia, the Urus reached 185mph over a frozen one-kilometre course.
The winners of a government competition to fund testing of hydrogen-powered vehicles have been announced.
Public transport, supermarkets and even emergency services in the Tees Valley, near Middlesbrough and Stockton-on-Tees, will be involved in the £2.5 million scheme.
Responsible for more than half of the UK’s hydrogen production, the North East region is an obvious choice for the trials.
The Tees Valley previously received more than £1.3 million in government funds for a hydrogen fuelling station.
Fighting crime with zero emissions
One of the most eye-catching hydrogen deployments is the use of Toyota Mirai fuel cell cars.
Ten of the zero-emissions vehicles will be trialled in the Tees Valley, including as response vehicles by Cleveland Police. It follows a similar use of the Toyota Mirai by the Metropolitan Police Service, who benefited from a range of up to 300 miles on a single tank of hydrogen.
Toyota will also bring a hydrogen fuel cell bus to the area, along with a new forklift truck.
A collaboration between Stagecoach and Ricardo will supply other hydrogen buses. The joint venture will see a diesel double-decker bus retrofitted with a hybrid fuel cell system.
Supermarket clean sweep
A fleet of hydrogen delivery vans will be rolled out by HV Systems, supported by the government funding. In partnership with a major supermarket chain, the goal is to demonstrate the benefits fuel cell vans have over battery- or diesel-powered models.
Sainsbury’s will trial a hydrogen-powered heavy goods vehicle in the area. This follows recent separate funding from the government, dedicated to zero-emissions road freight research.
Earlier this year, the government announced a masterplan for the UK’s first hydrogen transport hub in Teesside. It is hoped this could be operational by 2025, contributing 5,000 jobs to the North East economy.
Following the funding announcement, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “By harnessing the power of hydrogen technology, we can pave the way for its use across all transport modes, creating cleaner, greener more efficient transport systems across the UK.”
Sales of classic cars are booming, despite the ongoing effects of the Covid pandemic. And the market is being driven by online auctions.
That’s the view of Tom Wood, CEO of Car & Classic. “With traditional auctions closed, people have wanted to sell cars without physical contact,” says the tech entrepreneur. “Visits to our site were up 30 percent in 2020, but online auctions grew 60 percent month-on-month.”
Car & Classic is Europe’s largest marketplace for collectable cars, with more than 40,000 vehicles listed at any one time. Its new auction website launched in July last year and has sold hundreds of cars to date.
We asked Tom about the latest buying trends, how an online auction works and which cars get customers clicking. Oh, and his own very eclectic car collection…
Tell us about the current classic car market
It’s a buoyant market and online auctions have made it more accessible to more people. Modern classics – that’s anything from the eighties to the noughties – are really flying, both from an interest and a pricing point of view. We’ve also seen a slight softening of older cars from the forties and fifties.
That’s partly a generational thing: new people have come into disposable income and the cars that were on their bedroom walls now look attractive and potentially achievable.
I think that, thanks to the coronavirus vaccine, there will be a ‘post-war’ feel in the air. This will continue to fuel interest in classic cars.
How do your auctions differ from simply buying a car on eBay?
Well, you can sell anything on eBay, so the ‘car journey’ is no different to selling a spare tyre or a mobile phone charger. And you do lots of the legwork yourself, such as describing the car and taking photos.
We do that for sellers and charge zero percent fees for buyers. We also use motoring journalists to take the pictures (up to 200 of them) and write the words – and the same person does both, so the car is described in detail by somebody who’s actually seen it.
Importantly, Car & Classic has the world’s only escrow service for online car auctions, which is like the service offered by a physical auction house. We act as an intermediary, so funds are transferred from the buyer to us, then released to the seller when both parties are happy to proceed (i.e. the buyer has seen the car and is satisfied with its condition).
We’re talking about large amounts of money, so escrow is a huge selling point. It takes away the cash risk.
Are any brands or eras of car selling particularly well?
Our top three marques are all German: Porsche, Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz, while cars from the nineties are currently generating the most interest. The most sought-after model is the Mercedes SL.
One example of a car selling for hugely more than reserve was a 1983 Mk1 Volkswagen Golf GTI, modified in-period by GTI Engineering. It smashed the £11,500 estimate, selling for £21,500.
Another was a barn-find W124 Mercedes E500, which had been left for 20 years. That was estimated at £5,000 and sold for close to £20,000.
We’ve seen plenty of ‘restomod’ classics. Are buyers less fixated on originality?
There’s something for everyone but, anecdotally, I am seeing more modified classics coming up for sale.
I think there is a growing market for these cars, probably helped by the YouTube channels and so on. And it would be remiss if I didn’t mention electrified classics. There are more converted EVs now, such as Fiat 500s and MGBs.
There’s an element of individuality to classic cars, and pristine, as-it-left-the-factory restorations are probably being replaced, in part at least, by restomods – which are more unique and more usable year-round.
What advice would you give a first-time classic car auction buyer?
Spend time studying the description and images, to make sure you really understand the car’s good and bad points.
Read reviews for the auction house on Google, Trustpilot or similar. And get advice from marque specialists about your chosen car.
Finally, check what happens if you win. Most online auctions are simply introductory services, whereas we manage the transaction for you.
Tell us about your own classic cars.
The Morgan Aero 8 was always my dream car and I bought one, then toured it around Europe.
I had a 1965 Mk1 Ford Cortina race car, which I’ve now swapped for an Ariel Nomad. I’ve recently had a second child, so this is probably my act of rebellion.
I also own a Rover P5B Coupe, which I’ve had since university. It was the car that got me into classics. I’m very lucky that I now work with the cars I love.
Five classics that have made money
Finally, we asked Tom which five classic cars gained most value, in percentage terms, in 2020. The following list is based on data from actual Car & Classic sales.
1. Ford Cortina
Everyone loves a classic Ford, but not every classic Ford is loved equally. Where once the Escort won the most affection, there was a 104 percent rise in Cortina values from 2019 to 2020. Clearly, Tom sold his at the right time.
2. Volkswagen Corrado
Nineties cars are where it’s at, particularly in the case of the Volkswagen Corrado. This compact coupe leapt in value by 69 percent. Former MR Features Ed. Gavin Braithwaite-Smith, who owns a Corrado VR6, will be pleased…
3. Toyota Celica
“Cars such as the Ford Escort RS Cosworth, Lancia Delta Integrale and Audi Quattro are at the top of their value peak,” reckons Tom, “and so the market is looking for a new rally icon.” That car could be the Toyota Celica, which was up 62 percent in a year.
4. Aston Martin Virage
An Aston Martin of the old school, the Virage replaced the long-lived V8 models in 1989. “A car that has seen its appeal grow in recent years,” according to Tom, with Car & Classic data showing a 53 percent rise in values in 12 months.
5. Jaguar XJ
The venerable XJ saloon celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018, which may have generated extra interest in the classic Jaguar. Buyers paid a hefty 47 percent more than the previous year.
