An early Jaguar E-Type that didn’t move for 40 years will soon gain a new lease of life. Restoration specialist E-Type UK plans to return the Series 1 4.2 Roadster to its former glory.
The car was bought new by Yorkshire millionaire Tom Casson. Three months into his ownership in 1965, however, it was involved in a high-speed accident at Snetterton race circuit.
E-Type UK said the damage was ‘largely cosmetic’, but Casson did not fix the vehicle. He then sold it in 1966 with the odometer showing just 2,805 miles. The car’s next owner made minor repairs, although it wouldn’t turn a wheel for four decades.
As the maker of the E-Type Unleashed restomod, which we reviewed earlier this year, E-Type UK isn’t averse to taking on ambitious restorations. The car will now be stripped and catalogued, with careful preservation remaining the priority.
As part of the task, individual body panels will be hand-painted to a ‘flawless standard, ensuring a perfect exterior finish’. The Jaguar’s 4.2-litre six-cylinder engine will also receive a mechanical overhaul, retaining as many original parts as possible.
The E-Type’s factory-fit seats and dashboard top remain in good enough condition to be restored, rather than replaced altogether.
A selection of the rarest Ferraris will be displayed at next month’s Concours of Elegance event at Hampton Court Palace.
Highlights of the classic car gathering – which takes place between 3-5 September – include a 1950 Ferrari 166 Inter.
The example destined for London is one of three Stabilimenti Farina 166 cabriolets produced. It also starred at the Paris Motor Show in 1950.
A 1954 Ferrari 250 GT Europa will also grace Henry the Eighth’s former back garden. Only 30 250 GT Europas were made and this is the only right-hand-drive example.
It has competed at various racing events and is one of three 250s due to appear at Concours of Elegance. A 1960 250 GT Coupe and 250 GT Berlinetta SWB complete the trio.
Elsewhere, an unrestored 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB will make its UK debut, while a later 1967 275 GTB/4 – one of six 275/4s that were painted black by the factory – will also be displayed.
The final prancing horse to be shown is a 1991 Ferrari F40, which was delivered new to Sir Stirling Moss and has never left the UK.
Outside of the main display, the Concours of Elegance will gather around 1,000 cars in a number of special features.
These include a Gulf versus Martini livery celebration, a line-up of unique or bespoke modern rarities in the Future Classics class, plus a selection of the finest coachbuilt Rolls-Royces.
In addition, a collection of 95 British cars will be gathered to celebrate the Queen’s 95th birthday. And, at the opposite end of age spectrum, a new ‘30 under 30’ concours aims to inspire the next generation of classic car fans.
However, with four decades of experience in tuning, Steve Dinan knows the big BMW can be made even faster.
His latest CarBahn Autoworks creation pushes the M8 Competition into true supercar territory, with more power and bespoke chassis upgrades.
Ready for the autobahn
Steve Dinan founded his eponymous tuning company in 1979, developing a reputation for building formidable BMW engines. CarBahn Autoworks, his latest venture, aims to expand that tuning portfolio to other premium marques.
CarBahn focuses on Mercedes-AMG, Porsche and Audi RS models, along with BMW M cars.
California-based CarBahn aims to offer a range of performance tuning options, with upgrades placing either an emphasis on street or track driving.
The Power of Eight
The original BMW 8 Series was one of the most famous cars tuned by Dinan. It’s therefore no surprise that CarBahn Autoworks has chosen to give the range-topping BMW M8 Competition plenty of attention.
With a 4.4-l twin-turbocharged V8 engine, the regular M8 Competition is no slouch. Direct from the factory, it offers 617 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque.
However, CarBahn’s new Stage 2 Power Package pushes the engine much further. Using 100-octane fuel, this M8 now produces an incredible 882 hp and 795 lb-ft of torque.
Creating the extra power are new air filters, larger lightweight heat exchangers, improved intercoolers and a remapped ECU. CarBahn also removes the speed limiter, allowing for a top speed in excess of 200 mph.
Improving Munich’s chassis work
Other upgrades on this ‘entry-level’ GT-specification M8 include detailed changes to its chassis and suspension.
For $1,500 (£1,078), CarBahn will install a coilover suspension system that works with the M8’s electronically controlled dampers. Adjustable tubular anti-roll bars can be added for an extra $1,000 (£719).
High-performance suspension bearings, and an adjustable rear toe link kit are said to truly transform how the M8 drives. CarBahn states that this adds precision and predictability when pushing the M8 to its limit.
Lightweight 20-inch Forgeline wheels are fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup R rubber. Specifying these adds a further $9,200 (£6,611) to the price tag.
Performance with piece of mind
The star of the show is undoubtedly the Stage 2 Power Package, which requires an extra $8,600 (£6,180) outlay.
For an additional piece of mind, buyers can opt for a $2,500 (£1,797) manufacturer-matching warranty.
Steve Dinan has previously stated that his tuning methods will not “put your engine in jeopardy”. This includes retaining features like knock sensitivity and thermal protection as part of the ECU software.
How fast do you want to go?
Specifying all the CarBahn GT upgrades for the BMW M8 Competition, including the 20-inch wheels, results in a total spend of $22,900 (£16,500).
For those who want even more, CarBahn Autoworks can take the M8 still further. A range-topping GTC package can result in an astounding 1,000 hp.
Given the subtle styling of the M8 Competition, the CarBahn upgrades offer the potential to create a true stealth supercar.
The government’s climate spokesperson says she does not drive an electric car because her current diesel-powered vehicle better suits her needs.
Allegra Stratton admitted she drives a ‘third-hand’ Volkswagen Golf because she is put off by the current public EV charging infrastructure for long journeys.
In an interview with Times Radio, she said having to stop to recharge on longer jaunts – such as to Scotland or Gloucestershire from her home in north London – would increase the overall journey time.
“I don’t fancy it just yet. They’re all journeys that I think would be at least one quite long stop to charge,” said Stratton. She added that an electric car would become a more viable option if “the stop times for recharging improve so much that it’s half an hour”.
‘Views are a myth’
Her comments have been criticised by the automotive industry. Typically, new electric vehicles have a range of at least 200 miles between recharges.
Edmund King, the president of the AA, hit back at Stretton’s comments and accused her of peddling a myth surrounding range.
“Unfortunately, too many views on EVs are a myth, based on hype and unwarranted range anxiety,” he told The Times.
“Even on a rare journey of over 200 miles the driver should stop to take a break anyway for road safety reasons, so why not combine it with a rapid charge that takes just 20 minutes to go from a quarter charge to over 80 percent?”
Three vehicles owned by Hairy Bikers presenter Simon King will be sold online this week.
For sale via Car & Classic, the lots include a Volkswagen California Type 2 Westfalia campervan and two motorcycles.
The Volkswagen was exported from America and has undergone a complete restoration since being in the TV star’s ownership.
Enhancements include all-new suspension, brakes, steering and a fuel system. The exterior has been resprayed and the interior has been restored, including the addition of modern electronic gadgets and UK three-pin plugs.
Simon King’s ‘Cosmic King’ motorcycle is also for sale. Its design is unique and was overseen by King for a publicity campaign. As such, it has only covered 750 miles since being built in 2010.
Car & Classic describes its 1,640cc V-Twin engine and belt-driven five-speed transmission as being in ‘almost-new condition’.
The final vehicle offered for auction is ‘Purple Haze’. This chopper motorcycle started life as a charity project and was bought by King via auction to help secure funds for The Archway Project.
It features a 1,638cc V-Twin engine and a six-speed transmission, and also includes vertical exhausts that finish at ear level. It has covered less than 1,000 miles since it was created in 2015.
The online-only auction for the Cosmic King motorbike ends on 3 August at 8pm, while both Purple Haze and the T2 Volkswagen Campervan end on 5 August at 5.45pm.
Four out of 10 driving instructors have increased the price of driving lessons since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
Instructors ‘have been left with no choice but to up the cost of driving lessons as the backlog of learners mounts and pressure on the industry builds’, says insurance company Marmalade.
Its survey of 4,000 instructors also found that 30 percent of instructors have reduced the frequency of lessons a learner driver can book. Some instructors favour learners with experience as they require less time behind the wheel.
On average, driving lesson costs have increased by nine percent since the start of the pandemic, with the average now £31.15 per lesson, up from £28.47 in 2020. Marmalade says 21 percent of instructors are charging more than the current average.
Enquires up 227 percent
With demand for driving lessons outstripping the supply, instructors have experienced a 227 percent increase in enquiries since 2020, with an average of 8.24 more enquiries each week compared with the start of 2020. And 30 percent of instructors turn away five to 10 enquiries per week.
“Learner drivers are still feeling the impact of the past 18 months with the aftershock of the pandemic disrupting the industry at every level,” said Crispin Moger, CEO of Marmalade.
“Driving instructors have told us they are plagued by third-party apps that buy up all of the test slots, meaning they have no way of their pupils booking a test and leaving their capacity tight. This is a vicious cycle that is only making the situation worse for all parties, leaving learners unable to get on the road to freedom and impacting instructors’ businesses and lives.”
The 2021 Classic Sale at Silverstone produced a series of amazing auction results over the weekend.
Held as part of the annual Silverstone Classic motorsport event, the auction saw more than 130 cars and motorbikes go under the hammer.
Grabbing the headlines before the sale were a collection of vehicles owned by TV star Richard Hammond.
However, an array of modern classics generated some of the biggest bids at Silverstone.
The final 20v Audi Ur-Quattro
Billed as being the final 20-valve model produced, this particular 1991 Audi Ur-Quattro will be of real interest to Ingolstadt fans.
Despite the allure of a 217hp 2.2-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine, it has covered only 9,654 miles from new. The original owner kept the car for 17 years, with the second placing it into storage from 2008.
Being an icon of the 1980s, and with the promise of being the last 20v Quattro, expectations were high.
Even still, a final sale price of £163,125 is major money for a classic Audi. It makes for a substantial profit over the 1991 invoice of £38,995.
Ultimate financial evolution
Rally-bred superstars were clearly in demand at the Classic Sale at Silverstone. The 2000 Tommi Makinen Edition is often described as being the ultimate iteration in the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution series.
The car up for auction was the first of 50 painted in Passion Red to be officially imported into the UK. It also received the bold WRC-inspired decals, along with the performance upgrades fitted to the Evolution VI Makinen Edition.
Being rare, desirable, and driven for just 11,000 miles, the Makinen Edition was always likely to attract big bids.
Yet the final price of £146,250 surpassed the record set earlier this year for Mitsubishi’s own heritage fleet Evolution VI.
Silver anniversary present
Could a 2002 Mk4 Volkswagen Golf GTI really be worth more than a brand-new Mk8 Golf GTI Clubsport? Yes, if it happens to be a 25th Anniversary model with 8 miles recorded on the odometer.
Fitted with a special bodykit, 18-inch BBS wheels and a retro-inspired interior, Volkswagen made 1,800 25th Anniversary cars. Due to the era, buyers could even pick a 1.9-litre diesel engine, although this GTI is fitted with the ubiquitous 1.8-litre turbo petrol.
With such a scant mileage, the GTI had only just had its first Pre-Delivery Inspection by a VW Dealer. Being in showroom condition led the bids to reach £38,250, more than the £37,380 needed for a modern Mk8 Clubsport.
Other auction highlights included £31,800 for a 1983 Mk1 Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet, and a 1985 Ford Escort RS Turbo that sold for £63,000.
It was created in 2018 to promote the best women drivers in motorsport, with the ultimate aim of delivering the first female Formula 1 World Champion.
An inaugural season, held in 2019, saw British driver Jamie Chadwick crowned as champion.
After the 2020 season was postponed due to Coronavirus, expectations for this year’s W Series are higher than ever.
Does motorsport need an all-female championship in 2021?
The organisers of the W Series believe an all-female competition is needed to help fast-track the best women drivers to Formula 1. A gender-specific championship is seen as the most effective way of doing this.
Whatever your opinion, what cannot be denied is that female drivers are underrepresented in top-level motorsport. For example, only five women have entered Formula 1 races, since the championship began in 1950. The last female to actually start a Grand Prix was Lella Lombardi – in 1976!
Although other series such as IndyCar and NASCAR have seen more recent, and regular, female entrants there is still a clear gender imbalance in motorsport.
Competing in the W Series rewards top finishers with points towards gaining an FIA Super Licence. These points are required to race in Formula 1.
What impact did the 2019 W Series have?
The W Series has seen previous racers move further up the motorsport ladder.
After winning the 2019 W Series, Jamie Chadwick became a development driver for the Williams Racing F1 team. Along with competing in the 2021 W Series to defend her title, Chadwick is racing in the new Extreme E championship.
Jess Hawkins has also edged closer to Formula 1. She is now a driver ambassador for the Aston Martin F1 Team, supporting them on race weekends. Appearances in the British Touring Car Championship have been added to her CV, too.
Fellow British driver Esmee Hawkey bagged herself a championship title in 2020. Hawkey won the Pro-Am class in the prestigious Porsche Carrera Cup GB, and is driving a Lamborghini Huracan in the 2021 Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters.
Beitske Visser finished as runner up in the 2019 W Series. Since then, she has competed at the 2020 24 Hours of Le Mans, and is taking part in the 2021 World Endurance Championship.
What happened to the W Series in 2020?
Like many motorsport championships, the W Series was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Having consulted with various partners, the decision was taken to postpone real-world W Series racing to 2021.
Instead, the W Series switched attention to a virtual sim racing esports competition for 2020. Open only to female drivers, ten races were held throughout the summer.
Broadcast through YouTube and BBC iPlayer, the 2020 W Series Esports League was won by Dutch driver, Beitske Visser.
How were the 2021 W Series drivers chosen?
The top twelve drivers from the 2019 W Series were automatically eligible to compete again the following season.
For the rest of the grid, a three-day driver test was held at the Almeria race circuit. Close to 40 applicants were evaluated on lap times and data analysis, whittling this down to eight drivers to join the grid.
With the 2020 W Series cancelled, the drivers who had qualified for it were invited to compete in the 2021 season.
Who are the British contenders in the 2021 W Series?
Although 12 nationalities are represented in the 2021 W Series, British drivers account for five of the coveted 18 seats.
Inaugural W Series champion Jamie Chadwick returns to defend her title in 2021. She was the first female driver to win a British GT Championship, along with being the first woman to win a British Formula 3 race.
Esmee Hawkey has progressed rapidly through the motorsport ranks. She has gone from the Ginetta Junior series, to winning the Porsche Carrera Cup GB Pro Am class, in just five years.
Alice Powell was the first female driver to win a Formula Renault race, and won the 2014 Asian Formula Renault Championship. Along with driving in the Jaguar I-Pace eTrophy, she has become an accomplished TV commentator.
Now a driver ambassador for the Aston Martin F1 Team, Jess Hawkins has an extensive motorsport CV behind her. From stunt work, to setting a Guinness World Record for driving the fastest lawnmower, she has done it all.
Yorkshire-based Sarah Moore has already competed in multiple championships. She became the first woman to win the Ginetta Junior Championship, and the Britcar Endurance Championship.
Abbie Eaton admitted to being “initially sceptical” about the W Series. However, the GT racer and test driver for Amazon’s The Grand Tour, has been attracted by the competitive level of racing. This year will also see her drive in the 2021 GT Cup Championship.
What cars do they use in the W Series?
All drivers use equal-spec Tatuus F3 T-318 single-seater racers. Built to FIA F3 rules, it features a 270 hp turbocharged 1.8-litre engine, and a six-speed sequential gearbox.
Slick tyres are used, with the cars also featuring adjustable aerodynamic wings and spoilers. Just like in Formula 1, a HALO safety device is fitted over the open cockpit.
Where do W Series races take place?
For 2021, the W Series has secured a prestigious spot supporting eight rounds of the Formula 1 World Championship.
This means drivers will be sharing a paddock with F1 stars, and competing on the same circuits as them throughout the year.
A slight calendar change sees the Red Bull Ring host the first race of the season, with the championship concluding in Mexico City.
What is the format for a W Series weekend?
W Series race weekends will see drivers undertake a 30 minute practice session on Friday, followed by a qualifying session later that day.
The race itself takes place on Saturday afternoon, lasting for around 30 minutes.
As in Formula 1, the top ten finishers will each score championship points.
How will teams work in the 2021 W Series?
In a last-minute update before this weekend’s first race, the organisers announced a new teams format for the 2021 season.
Ahead of a move to a full teams-based championship in 2022, this year will see seven partner teams created. Two “home teams” will accommodate the remaining drivers.
Interest from existing motorsport teams, brands like Puma, and high net worth individuals will bring extra money into the championship.
The move to introducing teams is not intended to change how the cars are prepared and built. Instead, the biggest difference will come from the introduction of new liveries featuring third-party sponsorship.
An unofficial team championship will be trialed during 2021, and extended for future seasons if successful.
How can I watch the W Series on TV?
The W Series will be broadcast live on Channel 4 throughout 2021. After football, the 2019 W Series was the most-watched female sport in the UK.
For 2021, the W Series TV team has been expanded. Lee McKenzie, David Coulthard, and Ted Kravitz all return from the inaugural 2019 W Series.
They are joined by Anna Woolhouse as presenter, Amy Reynolds as a pitlane reporter, and Naomi Schiff as an analyst. Schiff previously competed in the inaugural W Series.
Alex Jacques, will be the lead commentator. This is an extension of his lead commentary role on Channel 4’s Formula 1 coverage. He will be joined by Billy Monger, who was a race pundit for the W Series Esports League in 2020.
How can I see more about the W Series?
To capture the drama of the inaugural W Series championship, the organisers commissioned an in-depth documentary to accompany it.
Six episodes cover the 2019 season, from initial driver selection to the individual race weekends.
For those in the UK, all episodes can be streamed now on Channel 4’s All 4 service.
Around 400 village shops close every year, and it’s estimated nearly 2,500 pubs closed their doors permanently in 2020 – a decline exacerbated by the Covid pandemic.
Admittedly, not all of these pubs are found in rural locations, but a boarded-up boozer in the countryside is a depressingly common sight. Time, ladies and gentlemen, last orders at the bar.
Soon, the only people left in the village will be Escape to the Country presenters, commercial property agents armed with ‘TO LET’ boards and Waze disciples on an alternative route home.
How can we inject new life into our rural villages? No, not a ‘guess the weight of a marrow‘ competition or a Strictly Come Maypole Dancing event. What every village in the country needs is an electric car charging point.
The government is dishing out grants for electric vehicle charging points like a car magazine gives out awards. So for parish councils, it needn’t mean a choice between a dog waste bin for the village green or a charging point.
Under the Workplace Charging Scheme, public sector organisations can apply for up to £350 per socket at 75 percent of the total cost of installation, up to a maximum of 40 sockets.
Most urban dwellers are too busy staring into their smartphone in Costa to visit your village fete or tombola, but offer them an electric charging point and they’ll be pulling up outside the derelict Crown Inn faster than you can say: “Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, peanut-free and soya-free cappuccino to go, please.”
Leave the motorway behind
A document published by the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee missed the point of the charging network’s role in reshaping village life. It said: “Rural areas are expected to be critical to the alleviation of so-called ‘range anxiety’, since they are home to the majority of motorway service areas, where rapid charge points would provide drivers with a means to refuel and complete long journeys.”
With all due respect, or whatever it is people say in parliament when they’re about to disagree with something, there’s more to rural regions than motorway service areas.
It wouldn’t take a lot to tempt EV drivers away from the motorway. Instead of tasteless fried food and coffees that cost a small mortgage payment, they could be enjoying the warm embrace of country folk.
With a steady influx of range-poor and time-rich EV drivers, you can tear down the Heras fencing that surrounds the pub and turn it into a community shop. Electric car drivers are accustomed to spending inflated prices for food and drink, so you’ll be earning cash faster than the Pimm’s tent at a village fete.
Revitalising your village
In next to no time you’ll have enough spare money to remove the Japanese knotweed from the duck pond, replace the roof on the parish church and send your parish councillors to that obscure village you’re twinned with in Normandy.
Admittedly, you’ll need to find a way to disguise the charging unit. Most are as aesthetically pleasing as pebbledash on a Georgian townhouse, so maybe one could sit in the disused telephone box.
It’s a win-win situation. The electric car driver gets access to a greater number of charging points, the village welcomes more visitors since the time the National Express coach took a wrong turning off the bypass, and the government gets a glimmer of hope that it might achieve its emissions targets.
Parish councillors, stick the installation of electric charging points on your next agenda. It’ll make a change from discussing late bin collections, dogs in the sports field and who should clean the public toilets.
The new Land Rover Defender has gained a limited-edition model aimed solely at enthusiasts in North America.
Named the Defender Trophy Edition, the new vehicle is officially said to have been inspired by the Works V8 Trophy.
However, Land Rover fans will also spot signs that point to iconic Camel Trophy competitors.
Land Rover models featured on the off-road challenge between 1981 and 2000, invariably painted in a distinctive orangey-yellow hue.
The spirit of adventure
Based on the 2022 model-year Defender 110 X-Dynamic SE, each Trophy Edition will be fitted with the P400 turbocharged petrol engine.
Air suspension will assist off-road action, with a rear-view camera and 11.4-inch multimedia touchscreen also fitted.
Special all-terrain features include an expedition roof rack with deployable ladder, front underbody protection and mud flaps. An integrated air compressor is also standard, with buyers able to specify a winch kit at extra cost.
The familiar Camel Trophy livery comes from a special vinyl wrap. An extended exterior black package completes the Trophy Edition’s visual makeover.
A memorable adventure competition
Land Rover will build a total of 220 Defender Trophy Editions, priced at $90,000 (£64,500).
Each one comes with an opportunity for a one-day off-road adventure, for two people, in the Land Rover U.S. Trophy Competition.
Following one-on-one training, competitors will test their skills on a special course around the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.
The winning team will gain an invitation to The Land Rover Trophy Competition in 2022.
This will be held at Eastnor Castle in the UK, known as the ‘spiritual home’ of Land Rover’s testing and development operations.
