Rolls-Royce owned by HRH Princess Margaret heads to auction

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May 12, 2021

A 1980 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith II, originally owned by Princess Margaret, is heading to auction later this month.

It offers a rare opportunity to own a car created for the Royal Family, built to the specification requested by the only sibling of Queen Elizabeth II.

The car is set to be sold by H&H Classics, as part of their sale being held at the Imperial War Museum on Wednesday, 26 May.

Handbuilt for a princess

First introduced in 1975, the Silver Wraith II was a long-wheelbase version of the existing Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow. An extra four inches of metalwork were added to allow buyers to specify a dividing partition, but not lose out on legroom.

HRH Princess Margaret was exacting about the design of the Rolls-Royce. Along with the typical royal accoutrements of a flag mast and illuminated shield, she specified that the side indicators be set into the chrome swage line.

Standard to all Silver Wraith II models was the use of a stretched black Everflex vinyl roof, and smaller formal rear window.

Tailored by royal decree

Inside the Silver Wraith II, HRH Princess Margaret requested that the piping for the cloth upholstery be positioned to stop it contacting her neck if she reclined. Larger mirrors were added to the C-pillars, along with a lower rear seat squab and raised floor.

Black Nuella leather covers the top and bottom of the dashboard, with a Matt Rosewood veneer trim used. The non-reflective coverings were deliberate, to avoid causing glare if flash photography was used.

Her Royal Highness, using the pseudonym of ‘Mr Edgar’ gave Rolls-Royce five months to complete the work. The completed Silver Wraith II, painted in Cardinal Red, was finally delivered on 16 May 1980.

A moving museum piece

For some 22 years, the Silver Wraith II served HRH Princess Margaret and countless other dignitaries on official duties.

The Silver Wraith II is known to have carried HM The Queen, The Queen Mother, and Lady Diana Spencer. It was also used by President Ronald Reagan on a trip to the UK.

The final royal duty undertaken by the car was on 15 February 2002, where it carried family members to the funeral of HRH Princess Margaret at Windsor Castle.

Ready for a new life

Sold into private ownership, the Silver Wraith II was purchased by Ronald Allwright in June 2002. During his ownership a new Everflex roof was fitted, along with a refurbished steering rack. More recently, the current seller of the car acquired it in 2016.

Accompanying the Silver Wraith II is an extensive history collection, with copies of the build records and servicing work. Period photos of the car undertaking royal duties will also be included.

Given the importance of the car, H&H Classics estimates that the Rolls-Royce could achieve £45,000 to £55,000 ($64,000 to $78,000).

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New car wash licences to combat exploitation of workers

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Daniel Puddicombe

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May 12, 2021

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Licencing agreements for hand car washes are being trialled, with the aim of ensuring businesses treat employees, customers and the environment fairly.

According to the Responsible Car Wash Scheme (RCWS), the sector has been ‘consistently been identified as an industry where workers are at risk of exploitation, ranging from poor working conditions to modern day slavery’.

The trial is being funded by the Home Office and supporters of the RCWS – including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Asda.

In order to gain accreditation, operators must agree to:

Consent to trade and trading standards
Provide financial transparency and corporate governance
Provide safe and hygienic working conditions
Protect the environment
Offer compliant and ethical employment practices and prevention of worker exploitation

The RCWS says legitimate businesses can be undercut by those breaking the law, creating an unfair competitive landscape.

Many car washes also operate from unsuitable premises that discharge dangerous effluent into drains and water courses. And staff may be given ineffective protective equipment when handling dangerous and corrosive cleaning materials, it claimed.

“With car washes now reopening after lockdown, risks are resurfacing with regards to violation of labour, employment, health and safety and environmental regulations,” said Teresa Sayers, managing director of the RCWS.

“RCWS aims to ensure compliance, improve standards, and give consumers confidence that they are choosing a fair car wash, by accrediting businesses that adhere to the RCWS Code of Practice. With Home Office backing and an independent evaluation, this has the impetus it needs to work on a nationwide level.”

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British-built Ferrari V12-powered supercar breaks cover

By

Daniel Puddicombe

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May 12, 2021

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UK engineering company RML Group has unveiled a new sports car, inspired by the classic 1959 Ferrari 250 GT SWB.

Called the RML Short Wheelbase, the new model ‘pays homage to the driving purity of supercars from the past, while offering occupants 21st century convenience’. It also integrates a ‘raft of modern features’, says RML, meaning owners don’t have to compromise on comfort.

These include electrically adjustable seats, navigation, air conditioning, cupholders and smartphone integration. All have been ‘artfully and discreetly’ integrated into the cabin, which can accommodate people up to 6ft 2in tall.

The car is powered by a genuine naturally aspirated Ferrari V12, displacing 5,474cc and producing 485hp.

Drive is delivered to the rear wheels via a Ferrari six-speed manual gearbox with a traditional open gate. The 0-62mph sprint is dispatched in 4.1 seconds and top speed is ‘in excess of 185mph’.

RML says that while the car is larger than an original 250 GT SWB, its overall proportions remain faithful. Obvious design homages include the stacked rear lights, exposed fuel filler, front grille and vents behind the wheels.

Comparisons are likely to be made between the Short Wheelbase and the forthcoming GTO Engineering Squalo, given both are inspired by the 250 GT SWB. However, the Squalo is powered by a newly designed engine, rather than an existing Ferrari unit.

“Our emphasis has always been on capturing a more organic driving experience, with less intervention and more usable performance, while still making it comfortable and convenient enough for people to enjoy regularly on modern roads,” said Michael Mallock, chief executive of RML.

Just 30 examples of the Short Wheelbase are planned and the first arrive in October. Pricing hasn’t been announced yet, but don’t expect any change from £1 million.

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How the 6-month Covid MOT extension worked

By

Richard Aucock

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May 11, 2021

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The MOT extension due to coronavirus has now expired. Under the scheme, MOT tests for cars, motorcycles and light vans due from Monday 30 March 2020 were granted a temporary six-month exemption.

The idea was to allow key workers to get to work, and for people to access essential food and medicine, during the Covid-19 outbreak.

The six-month exemptions were granted automatically, but they ended on 1 August 2020.

As a result of the exemption, the number of MOT tests declined 79 percent in April 2020 and 61 percent in May 2020, according to DVSA data.

And the knock-on effect has been a 160 percent leap in MOTs last month (April 2020), says the Book My Garage website.

How did the MOT extension work?

MOT expiry dates were automatically extended by six months, owners didn’t need to do anything. This was actioned about a week before the original MOT due-date was about to expire.

A new paper MOT certificate was not issued, to save on paperwork.

However, the online MOT record showed the revised date, so the police could tell drivers still had a current MOT.

Online check MOT status tools also used the new, extended date.

Car insurance remained valid under the MOT extension. Motorists are required to have a current MOT as part of car insurance rules (Section 47 of the Road Traffic Act 1988).

This legislation applied in England, Scotland and Wales. There were separate arrangements for Northern Ireland. Such an exemption could potentially be reintroduced in the event of another lockdown. Thankfully, this looks unlikely.

What about MOTs for lorries, buses and coaches?

MOTs for lorries, buses and coaches were suspended for up to three months from 21 March 2020.

Heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and public service vehicles (PSVs) were issued with a three-month certificate of temporary exemption (CTE).

The government reminds operators to keep their vehicles maintained, in a safe-to-drive and roadworthy condition.

They should also still be operated within the terms of the operators’ licence conditions.

Can I be prosecuted for not having an MOT?

Yes, all cars must have a valid MOT. In addition, motorists are responsible for making sure their car is always safe to drive, or ‘roadworthy’.

Even cars with an MOT can be unsafe and classed as unroadworthy.

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Incredible collection of rare Porsches heads to auction

By

Daniel Puddicombe

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May 11, 2021

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A collection of 23 rare modern Porsches has gone up for sale this week – and all are being offered without a reserve price.

Marketed through online auction platform Collecting Cars, ‘The Leonard Collection’ has a particular focus on rare Porsche RS models.

The cars have been assembled over the last decade by an enthusiast ‘with an obsession for originality and quality,’ says Collecting Cars. The collection is being put up for sale as the owner wants to downsize his fleet and spend less time caring for his vehicles.

Highlights include three examples of the Porsche 964 Carrera RS, including a 1991 car in Guards Red that is still unregistered and has delivery mileage of just 101 miles.

There’s also a Porsche Carrera GT with 4,000 miles on the clock, plus a Porsche 997 GT3 RS 4.0 with just 713 miles on the odometer.

In addition to 23 Porsches, a further 15 vehicles are also being sold. These include a 2004 Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale and 2008 Ferrari 430 Scuderia, two examples of the 1990s Ferrari F512 M, a fully restored 1972 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, plus a 2005 Ford GT.

“It is an astonishing offering from a passionate enthusiast who has spent years sourcing the highest-quality examples available, and there is no doubt the cars will capture the imaginations of our global audience of bidders,” said Edward Lovett, CEO of Collecting Cars.

The online auction ends on 16 May.

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New Volkswagen Polo GTI teased ahead of June reveal

By

Daniel Puddicombe

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May 11, 2021

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Volkswagen has teased the updated version of its Polo GTI hot hatch, ahead of the car’s unveiling next month.

Normally, Volkswagen’s annual GTI weekend at Lake Worthersee would take place from 12-15 May. However, the event has been cancelled for the second year in a row due to the pandemic.

Up to 100,000 Volkswagen fans convene at Reifnitz, a small town next to the lake in the Austrian Alps, to celebrate modified Volkswagens. And each year, the brand reveals either a concept or production model at the show. This year, it would have been the Polo GTI’s turn.

Little is known about the new model beyond the initial sketch that has been released. Volkswagen claims it will have ‘exceptional driving dynamics in combination with exceptional everyday usability’ and represents ‘pure dynamism and expressive design’. No actual specification details have been confirmed yet.

The previous Polo GTI was powered by a 2.0-litre 202hp petrol engine, which produced 200bhp. It was only available with a dual-clutch automatic gearbox in the UK.

In his review, Tim Pitt said: “It may be in the middle of Volkswagen’s graphic equaliser, but the Polo doesn’t feel middle of the road. Granted, it’s more of a slow-burner than some, but that’s part of its charm.

“I even prefer the standard DSG auto gearbox. Just think twice before you go ‘full Worthersee’ and gold-plate the engine.”

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New Ferrari 812 Competizione is a Superfast… but faster

By

Daniel Puddicombe

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May 11, 2021

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Ferrari has unveiled an even more powerful limited-edition version of the 812 Superfast.

Called the 812 Competizione, the new car is for people who don’t think the mighty 812 Superfast isn’t quite super or fast enough already.

It shares the same 6.5-litre V12, but offers more power – an extra 31hp – and a higher rev range. The new total is 830hp, with a redline of 9,500rpm, up from 8,900rpm originally. It’s the highest-revving production engine from Maranello to-date.

A Competizione A model, based on the open-roof GTS version of the 812 – is also offered.

To create more oomph from an already very powerful engine, Ferrari has redesigned the pistons, fitted 40 percent lighter titanium conrods, layered a ‘diamond-like carbon coating’ on the piston pins and rebalanced the crank.

There are also new cylinder heads, F1 technology for the cams, a redesigned intake system and variable geometry inlet tracts.

The gearbox is the same as the one in the ‘standard’ Superfast, although shift times are cut by five percent. The Competizione is also 38kg lighter. The 0-62mph sprint is achieved in 2.85 seconds and top speed is 211mph.

Prices have not been confirmed, but they are a little academic. All 999 versions of the coupe have been sold already, as have the 599 examples of the Competizione A.

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1 in 2 drivers prefer average speed cameras to fixed ones

By

Daniel Puddicombe

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May 10, 2021

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Just over half of all drivers would like to see increased use of average speed cameras, according to new research from the RAC.

In total, 58 percent of the 3,068 drivers polled said they preferred the use of cameras that measure speeds between locations, rather than a fixed camera. Just 18 percent said a fixed camera is best for policing speeds on motorways.

The preference comes as 56 percent of motorists admitted to breaking the speed limit on motorways, with a third – 34 percent – saying they have travelled at more than 80mph. Just three percent said they have exceeded 100mph on a motorway.

When asked why they broke the speed limit on a motorway, 39 percent of drivers said they were following the example set by other motorists, although 31 percent said it was because they considered it safe to travel faster than 70mph.

Other common reasons for speeding on a motorway were: nothing else being on the road (28 percent); the speed limit being inappropriate (27 percent) and feeling pressure from other drivers behind (26 percent).

The RAC also found that 39 percent admit to frequently disobeying 20mph limits, versus a third (33 percent) on 60mph country roads and 36 percent on 30mph urban roads.

It added 11 percent of the respondents to its poll claimed to have driven above 40mph in a 30mph zone, while 10 percent have exceeded 30mph in a 20mph zone.

Average speed cameras are ‘very effective’

“With so many motorists admitting to driving much faster than they should on the motorway, it was interesting to see such strong support for average speed cameras to be used more widely,” said RAC road safety spokesman, Simon Williams.

“We believe drivers see these cameras as being very effective at reducing speeds over longer distances and controlling traffic flow as well as being fairer than fixed position ones as they aren’t instantly punished for a momentary transgression.”

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Ford and NHS trial Covid vaccine van in Essex

By

Daniel Puddicombe

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May 10, 2021

0

The NHS will trial using a Ford Transit van to deliver Covid-19 vaccinations around Essex from next week.

A specially-converted van will travel around the county in order to boost the number of vaccines in areas where the take-up has been low.

Ford said the van will be a hub for dedicated vaccine clinics in the grounds of churches, mosques and other community venues. The NHS will liaise with community leaders and groups to fill pre-booked appointments and vaccinate as many people as possible.

It has been converted by the West Yorkshire-based Venari Group and includes medical-grade refrigeration with wi-fi monitoring capability, vaccine transport coolers and a collapsible chair for administering vaccines, plus an integrated tablet for accessing and updating health records.

At present, one van is being used and a Ford spokesperson confirmed to Motoring Research that it will be used for at least a year. However, there is scope to increase the number of vehicles if the pilot scheme is successful.

“Over the coming weeks, this Ford Transit will make some incredibly important journeys as a vaccination van,” said Mandy Dean, director of commercial vehicles at Ford of Britain. “Working with the NHS and community leaders to deliver this brilliant scheme and bolster the exemplary vaccine rollout, has been a privilege.”

Dr Smitesh Patel, clinical director at Benfleet Primary Care Network added: “Our goal of giving everyone an equal opportunity to receive this essential vaccine is now in closer reach, owing to the additional support from our valued network of community leaders, Ford and Venari Group. This added mobility has meant the gap will be bridged for so many facing a struggle to visit their local vaccination centre.”

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Enthusiast aims to bring Bristol Cars back from the dead… again

By

Daniel Puddicombe

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May 7, 2021

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Bristol Cars is to be reborn again – and will focus on electric vehicles in the coming years.

The beleaguered Bristol brand was wound up in 2011 after going into administration, then in 2020 it went into liquidation. It has now been rescued by London property developer Jason Wharton.

This is not the first time Wharton has attempted to revive a former British car manufacturer. Between August 2011 and February 2015, he was an executive director of Allard Sports Cars.

Under Wharton, Bristol plans to re-engineer its back catalogue – it will build eight examples of the 411 Series 8, Fighter and Speedster respectively, with deliveries by 2023. All will be powered by a new 6.4-litre naturally aspirated Hemi Chrysler V8. The company says the suspension, electrical architecture and interiors will be ‘newly updated’.

The Fighter was originally launched in 2004. Just nine examples were sold originally, one of which was bought by Wharton, who appears to be an enthusiast of the brand. In 2018, he asked on Twitter when the Bristol Bullet would be available to buy. Then a year later, he asked if the vehicle had received homologation. It never went on sale.

https://twitter.com/WhartonJason/status/969474342852624384

After the company re-engineers its old models, Bristol says it will then concentrate on making electric vehicles, the first of which will be called Buccaneer. Production of this EV is slated for 2025 and Wharton intends to relocate manufacturing facilities to the Filton area of Bristol, where the original firm was based.

No further details have been released about the new model beyond its name, and that it will be powered by electricity.

The company is currently without a chief executive, head of engineering and non-executive directors. Bristol said it plans to appoint people to these positions in 2022, alongside a ‘significant capital raise’.

“I see myself as a long-term investor in this iconic British brand,” said Wharton. “Part of my role is to take it forward and develop it so it can finally become sustainable as a premium automotive business – hence our need to move with the times and introduce a fully battery electric model.”

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