TV star Lotus Cortina reunited with its delighted owner

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April 8, 2020

Some people can remember names, others never forget a face. A select few of us even recall our email password. Rob Jones, though, has an uncanny memory for car number plates. Hey, we all need a party trick.

Rob knows the registration marks of every car he’s ever owned, from the MG Midget he bought after passing his test to the Seat Leon Cupra he drives today. And one of those remembered registrations – FGF 113C – led to an emotional reunion with the car he owned 44 years ago.

Like many great love stories, our tale begins on a sofa in front of the telly. The show was Car SOS, and presenters Fuzz Townshend and Tim Shaw were battling to restore a Mk1 Ford Cortina GT from little more than a bare shell.

Made in Dagenham

Seeking inspiration, the team visited Ford’s heritage workshop in Dagenham. Their mission: to drive the GT’s big brother: the legendary Lotus Cortina. Rob nearly fell off his sofa. The immaculate white-and-green classic, hailed by Tim as “a sensation of the era”, had the same number plate as a Lotus Cortina he’d bought in 1976.

“It had to be the same car,” explains Rob, “but I searched through my old photos to be sure.” The Polaroid print he found proved it beyond doubt. There was Rob, in glorious faded sepia, wearing a pair of turned-up flares and leaning on a Lotus Cortina, registration: FGF 113C.

The Ford heritage workshop is usually off-limits to the public, so Rob contacted Motoring Research – having seen our gallery feature on the Dagenham collection. A few excited emails later, Rob had a date in Dagenham. Even better, it was on his birthday.

From road to racetrack

Before our heart-warming ‘boy meets car’ moment, a few words on the Lotus Cortina. This skunkworks special was launched in 1963 and is arguably the first fast Ford. It packs a 106hp 1.6-litre Lotus engine and close-ratio Ford gearbox, clothed in lightweight alloy panels.

Tipping the scales at just 826kg, the Lotus Cortina reached 60mph in 9.9 seconds, plus a top speed of 108mph. It was an instant hit on the racetrack, with Jim Clark winning the British Saloon Car title in 1964, then Alan Mann Racing clinching the European title in 1965.

A total of 3,301 Mk1 Lotus Cortinas were built before the squarer Mk2 arrived in 1967. By this point, well-publicised reliability problems and the launch of the Escort Twin Cam meant the Cortina’s star was fading.

But it has gone supernova since, with prices for concours examples stretching well into six figures.

Show some appreciation

Rob negotiated a rather better deal. “I paid £370 for my Cortina,” he laughs, “then sold it for £500 eight months later. I didn’t own it long as I kept having problems with the starter motor. The ring gears would slip or jam – I ended up replacing them about once a month.”

There are no such issues when, four decades on, Rob twists the key of his old car. The twin-cam engine bursts raucously into life, its throaty bark reverberating off the walls of Ford’s workshop – a huge warehouse that used to be a truck factory. Rob’s smile says it all.

“This brings it all back,” he beams. “I was a Lotus fanatic, but I couldn’t afford an Elan – so this was my dream car at the time. It’s been lowered a couple of inches since I owned it, but otherwise nothing much has changed.”

For the custodians of Ford’s heritage fleet, Rob’s visit provides a valuable chance to fill in the blanks about this Cortina’s history. “We don’t know much about the car before it came to us,” they admit.

A Christmas crash

One story in particular raises a few eyebrows. “Yeah, I crashed it,” admits Rob. “I’d just finished my Christmas shopping. I pulled out of a pub car park in Newbury [sober, he adds] and got sideswiped by an Austin 1100. It ploughed into the nearside wing and I ended up paying a £25 fine as it was his right of way.”

On the rain-drenched roads of Dagenham, Rob is being extra-careful: “I didn’t want to push it in the wet. I’m very conscious the car is worth a few quid more than when I owned it.”

It’s clear Rob loves being back behind the skinny wooden wheel, though. “It’s just lovely. I remember that twin-cam sound – and the smell. But the steering is so heavy compared to a modern car. You need muscles like Arnold Schwarzenegger to do a three-point turn.”

A great motoring memory

Rob has owned many cars over the years, including several self-built Ginetta sports cars, but the Cortina is the one he wishes he’d kept. “Just being back behind the wheel felt special. I’d have another, definitely. I just need to discover one in a barn.”

Seeing Rob reunited with his Lotus Cortina reaffirmed our belief that cars are more than just transport. They bookend periods in our lives, our memories of past journeys and destinations inexorably linked to the vehicles we travelled in.

For Rob, driving the car he owned in 1976 is the closest he’ll get to time travel. And unlike his flares, the Lotus Cortina hasn’t aged a day.

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Air pollution nosedives due to coronavirus lockdown

By

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith

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April 8, 2020

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Air pollution has dropped dramatically since the UK went into lockdown. Some cities have seen a 60 percent fall in nitrogen dioxide (NO2), according to the BBC.

This follows yesterday’s news that the levels of NO2 have almost halved in Southampton, with the cleaner air attributed to the reduction in traffic and flights, plus the suspension of cruises. The city is the cruise capital of Europe.

The UK has been in lockdown for two weeks in an attempt to halt the spread of coronavirus. As of yesterday, 55,242 people have tested positive for COVID-19, with 6,159 confirmed deaths.

The government has urged people to avoid travelling unless it is essential. Indeed, people are advised to only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home).

This has led to reduced traffic, especially in towns and cities. The BBC has analysed air pollution since 23 March, compared to the same period in 2019. Most of the air quality monitoring stations have recorded a 50 percent fall in NO2 emissions.

‘Much lower levels of NO2’

William Bloss, a professor of atmospheric science at the University of Birmingham, told the BBC: “What we’re seeing in the lockdown… is the reductions in road traffic in our cities translating into much lower levels of NO2.

“We’re seeing the reductions are greatest in areas most heavily-influenced by road traffic, so city centres, roads in London, Birmingham and other urban centres.”

Environmental campaigners are using the plummeting levels of air pollution to call for permanent change. Jenny Bates of Friends of the Earth, said: “Seeing this drop in air pollution shows that less traffic can quickly lead to cleaner air.

“Once this dreadful situation is over, we don’t want to rush to go back to where we were or worse, and we can’t have an accelerated return to business as usual. We can have a better, cleaner future for ourselves and the planet.”

‘Best possible air quality’

In a separate development, the Air Quality Expert Group, working on behalf of Defra, is searching for links between air pollution and the coronavirus. Questions asked include how might public exposure to air pollution have changed as a result of the lockdown, and how might altered emissions affect summer air quality.

John Newington, head of evidence, air quality and industrial emissions, Defra said: “Defra would ask the research community to support the UK government in its efforts to manage air pollution risk and impacts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Evidence and insight into possible changes to the factors that control air pollution will help us to refine and improve how we deliver the best possible air quality for the UK.”

Ford creates brilliant ‘stay at home rally’ video with toy Fiesta

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Gavin Braithwaite-Smith

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April 8, 2020

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Ford has come up with a novel way to remind us of the importance of staying at home. Forget Gymkhana and Snowkhana, this is more Sinkkhana and Lavkhana. Other ‘khanas’ are available.

The stay at home rally uses stop motion animation to turn the home into a playground. Watch as Mental_Block takes his Ford Fiesta on a tour of the living room, bathroom, toilet, kitchen and bedroom. Look closely and you’ll spot a reference to Peppa Pig.

Cleverly, the video highlights the need to wash our hands, sneeze into a tissue and keep our distance. Mental_Block also finds the time to deliver some groceries to his elephant friend. We’re guessing he carried the shopping in the trunk…

The short video is part of Ford’s family fun hub, where you’ll find things to keep the young – and the young at heart – busy during the lockdown. There are mazes, spot the difference games, dot to dots and the opportunity to make your own Ford Puma. The new one, not the original.

You can even download a selection of black and white outlines for some ‘crayon fun’. May we humbly suggest that you use ‘ASBO orange’ for the Ford Focus ST? A vanishing pen would be our recommendation for the Ford Ecosport.

It’s all a bit of fun – and it could be the escapism you need.

Stop motion tips

Ford has some tips for anyone who fancies creating a stop motion video of their own. These include:

Download an app to your smartphone or tablet
Keep your camera still and in one position
Shoot in artificial light
Have patience – this is a time-consuming process
Take a break

You might want to make sure there’s nobody in the loo before you go charging in with your Hot Wheels and camera.

Click here to visit the Ford family fun hub. Good luck creating your own stop motion movies.

Company car drivers are handing back their keys due to coronavirus

By

Richard Aucock

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April 8, 2020

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Company car drivers are handing back the keys to their motors in order to avoid being taxed during the coronavirus lockdown.

The government’s work from home advice means many fleet car drivers have no need for their vehicles.

Tax professionals have agreed with HMRC that, in order to avoid benefit-in-kind tax payments, key handback is an option.

ALSO READ: F1 star gets a brand new McLaren company car

Drivers temporarily give the keys to a manager and the date is recorded. They won’t pay tax until the keys are returned and they begin driving their car again.

However, warned the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP), the new procedure still has teething issues and needs careful management.

Company car drivers can’t simply post their car keys through a letterbox at work, for example – despite the organisation hearing several reports of this.

Both employers and the HMRC need a clear audit trail, says co-chair Caroline Sandall.

ALSO READ: Should SUVs be banned from company car fleets to cut CO2?

There is also a health and safety issue. “No employee should be leaving their car or van on the road if they don’t have the keys, because they may need to move it in an emergency.

“If the vehicle is being parked or stored elsewhere, then security becomes a concern.

“If the crisis situation persists for some months, then [fleets] should consider the usual issues surrounding long-term vehicle storage, from flat batteries to seized brakes.”

Despite the challenges, said Ms. Sandall, companies should still facilitate key handback to drivers who want to do it.

“During lockdown, there are many people facing potential hardship, and being able to avoid benefit-in-kind could make a genuine difference to some.”

The most expensive and cheapest job titles for car insurance

By

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith

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April 7, 2020

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You’ll be asked for your occupation when you arrange a new car insurance policy. But how much does your job title impact on the cost of your cover?

The fact is, insurance companies consider some occupations to be higher risk than others. The difference between the cheapest and most expensive policy could be as much as £200. You’re not going to change your job on the strength of an insurance quote, but the results of this latest survey make for interesting reading.

According to data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), BBC and Statista, the average UK driver is 38, owns a Volkswagen Golf, travels around 7,600 miles a year, has a comprehensive policy and no previous accidents to their name.

Armed with this information, researchers at Vanarama used a price comparison website to analyse 100 different occupations. The personal details were the same for each quote – only the job title changed.

Interestingly, car-based occupations provide the bookends for the table. The most expensive occupation is a professional driver, with the quote coming in at £479.80. Meanwhile, at the opposite end of the table, a mechanic pays £298.61. These are average figures – there are many variables, such as postcode, where the car is parked at night and other names on the policy.

Overall, drivers in public sector and hospitality occupations pay the most for insurance, while those with desk-based professions pay the least. Here, we reveal the most expensive job roles, followed by the least expensive.

Most expensive job titles for car insurance

Ranking	Job title	Annual insurance cost
1.	Driver	£479.80
2.	Chef	£420.73
3.	Hairdresser	£383.62
4.	Bar staff	£381.69
5.	Fitness instructor	£381.15
6.	Physiotherapist	£380.88
7.	Social worker	£372.87
8.	Travel agent	£372.72
9.	Midwife	£366.19
10.	Pharmacist	£364.59

Least expensive job titles for car insurance

Ranking	Job title	Annual insurance cost
1.	Mechanic	£298.61
2.	Administrator	£308.44
3.	Designer	£312.91
4.	Design engineer	£312.91
5.	Account executive	£313.37
6.	Commercial manager	£313.63
7.	Estimator	£313.75
8.	Engineer	£314.95
9.	Account manager	£315.29
10.	Financial analyst	£315.75

This Land Rover Defender went from farm truck to bespoke masterpiece

By

John Redfern

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April 6, 2020

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The world may be going crazy for the brand-new Land Rover Defender, but classic examples are still in big demand.

North American enthusiasts are helping drive values of the iconic utility vehicle to new heights, despite their humble origins.

This restored 1990 Defender pick-up, recently sold in Marshall, Virginia, demonstrates just how much money they can now command.

After the work is done

Sold by Commonwealth Classics, this Defender 110 single cab pick-up actually started life working on a farm in Spain.

Leaving Land Rover’s Solihull factory painted in plain white, this Defender was clearly destined for a tough life. According to the dealer, the 110 was used for hauling tools and people around the Spanish countryside.

After that, the Defender became the perfect base for a commission undertaken by a Commonwealth Classics customer.

A bespoke build from scratch

An agreement between the Virginia-based dealership and Unique Masterpieces in Portugal offered the perfect opportunity to create a new custom 4×4 truck.

Located in Porto in northern Portugal, Unique Masterpieces were able to fully strip down and rebuild the agricultural Defender. The result was a bespoke build, adding luxury and refinement to this working vehicle.

The original 200 Tdi 2.5-l4 diesel engine has been retained, along with the five-speed manual transmission. A new variable-geometry turbocharger and upgraded intercooler should add to the 113 horsepower and 195 lb ft of torque factory output.

From utilitarian to luxurious

On the outside, the dull white was replaced with dark charcoal paintwork, with a custom tonneau cover fitted to the truck bed.

Black wheels and LED lights add a modern touch, although the steel front bumper keeps things looking retro. Air conditioning was also installed by Unique Masterpieces.

Inside has also been thoroughly updated. Black leather has been used to cover the seats, dashboard and door cards. A Marshall Bluetooth sound system and extra sound deadening were also installed during the build process.

A new British invasion

Although the customer who commissioned the Defender was suitably pleased with the finished product, he really wanted a double cab version.

It meant Commonwealth Classics were able to advertise the 110 for sale at a considerable $155,000 (£126,000). The big price tag was clearly not a problem, with the truck now marked as ‘sold’. The company is now seeking interest in a long-wheelbase Defender 130 that is ready for the custom treatment.

Virginia looks set to become a major player in the Land Rover scene. South Boston, VA is the home for the North American arm of Twisted Automotive, set to offer their $250,000 V8-powered Defenders for sale in the USA.

It means the lure of the classic British 4×4 looks set to continue.

Aston Martin Works lends support to local NHS workers

By

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith

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April 6, 2020

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Aston Martin Works is helping the battle against coronavirus by offering NHS workers at Milton Keynes University Hospital emergency car repairs to help them stay mobile.

Boss Paul Spires said on Twitter: “We’re very aware that a lot of garages have closed down [and] a lot of those workers would probably have relied on friends and families to make sure their cars are safe and reliable.

“What we’re doing here at Aston Martin Works is opening up an emergency repair service. This is not for routine servicing – this is for cars that are potentially going to let those key workers down.”

Spires said that the technicians will be on hand to offer free telephone advice and support, while the workshop will be open for emergency repairs.

Our volunteer staff are offering NHS workers at Milton Keynes University Hospital emergency car repairs to help them stay mobile as they fight to save lives. President of the business, Paul Spires, explains… #nhsheroes #nhsthankyou #protectthenhs #coronavirus #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/rU6ctObgxs

— Aston Martin Works (@AstonMartinWork) March 27, 2020

NHS workers at the local hospital are invited to telephone 01908 610620 or email worksservice@astonmartin.com.

The Milton Keynes University Hospital has around 550 beds and employs more than 4,000 staff. It sees and treats 400,000 patients each year, but 22 coronavirus patients have now died at the NHS Foundation Trust hospital.

Free advice for Alvis owners

In a separate development, the Alvis Car Company is offering free advice from factory technicians during the COVID-19 lockdown. The plan is to help Alvis owners tackle jobs at home.

Indeed, the company’s Red Triangle parts division is still shipping genuine parts to owners around the world. Owners are invited to share images or videos with Alvis, and technicians are on-hand to offer free advice and support.

Alan Stote, Alvis director, said: “We took the decision to temporarily close our workshop, but understand that Alvis owners will want to be ready for when they can get motoring and with time on their hands, are considering doing jobs at home, some they may be tackling for the first time.

“We have assigned one of our experienced factory technicians, who has access to drawings, factory service manuals and parts catalogues, to respond to customer queries for pre- and post-war cars.

“We hope that this scheme might give owners the confidence to tackle new jobs. Sometimes just knowing somebody is there to ask is all that’s needed.”

ALSO READ

This Land Rover Defender went from farm pickup to bespoke masterpiece

Mercedes-AMG A35 (2020) review

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New website helps key workers find local car services

By

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith

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April 6, 2020

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A website has been launched to help key workers find motoring services during the coronavirus outbreak. Called KeyworkerGarages.co.uk, the site is designed for NHS workers, the police, delivery drivers and so on.

Upon entering the website, you enter your postcode to find a list of services that are open for business. These organisations have confirmed they are supporting key workers during the crisis, but you’re advised to call before making a journey. Full contact details are provided on the website.

The services include maintenance, repairs and tyre fitting. Businesses not listed on the website are invited to contact Cazana – the company behind the idea.

Tom Wood at Cazana said: “This is a challenging time for both the automotive industry and all those who are on the front line fighting this pandemic and we wanted to do something as a team to help both the nation’s essential key workers and the dealer service departments remaining open.

“I’m massively proud of the team here at Cazana who have been collecting data and have built this new site over the past week with the intention of helping people to stay mobile during this crisis.”

MOTs due on or after 30 March 2020 have been extended by six months, but the government has advised that it’s your responsibility to keep your vehicle safe to drive. The MOT will be automatically extended – you do not need to do anything for this to happen.

Meanwhile, some car manufacturers are offering services to keep key workers moving. For example, Toyota and Lexus have teamed up with the AA to provide free roadside assistance cover – regardless of how old a car or van might be.

Last week, Vauxhall announced it is offering the same service to NHS staff who drive one of its cars. “Keeping our NHS colleagues mobile is vital,” said Vauxhall MD Stephen Norman.

The government’s list of key workers can be found here.

New car sales plunge 44% in March

By

Richard Aucock

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April 6, 2020

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The coronavirus crisis has caused a severe shock to new car sales, with March registrations plummeting 44.4 percent, new figures reveal.

A staggering 203,000 fewer cars were sold last month.

March is usually the strongest month of the year for new car registrations.

ALSO READ: New car sales down for THIRD year running in 2019

The sudden fall is even more severe than that seen during the 2008 financial crisis. Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders say it was the worst March since the late 1990s.

The SMMT has also downgraded its full-year figure by a whopping 23 percent, to 1.73 million new cars sold.

The record figure for UK new car sales was achieved just four years ago, with 2.67 million new cars sold.

‘Could have been worse’

“With the country locked down in crisis mode for a large part of March, this decline will come as no surprise,” said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes.

“Despite this being the lowest March since we moved to the bi-annual plate change system, it could have been worse had the significant advanced orders placed for the new 20 plate not been delivered in the early part of the month.

“We should not, however, draw long term conclusions from these figures other than this being a stark realisation of what happens when economies grind to a halt.”

Mr Hawes said it is uncertain how long the new car market will remain stalled.

In more positive news, battery electric vehicles took a 4.6 percent market share, with 11,694 EVs taking to the roads.

In 2019, electric car market share was less than 1 percent.

Diesel, however, continued to plunge, taking a paltry 17.6 percent share of the overall market.

This is down even from the much-reduced 25 percent share just one year ago.

Newer ‘mild hybrid’ diesels (similar to our Kia Sportage long-term test vehicle) took a 3.5 percent share, while mild hybrid petrols took a 4.6 percent share of March 2020 registrations.

Best-selling cars: March 2020

1: Volkswagen Golf

2: Ford Fiesta

3: Mini

4: Ford Focus

5: Nissan Qashqai

6: Vauxhall Corsa

7: Mercedes-Benz A-Class

8: Kia Sportage

9: Other (Tesla Model 3)

10: Range Rover Evoque

Ford Peace of Mind offer gives cashback to new car buyers

By

Richard Aucock

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April 6, 2020

0

Ford is hoping to give new car buyers worried about doing a deal during the coronavirus crisis the confidence to still go ahead with a wide-ranging new offer.

The Ford Peace of Mind deal, which runs for cars ordered in April and May 2020, includes payment holidays, the offer of cashback or discounts on the transaction price.

Many cars are also available with zero percent finance.

Ford Peace of Mind: how it works

New car buyers first decide whether they want a vehicle discount or cashback paid when the car is collected.

Amounts range from £650 to £1,500, depending on the Ford model.

Ford says the cashback can cover the first three months of car finance payments. Discounts are added to the deposit allowance.

Buyers can then opt for a three-month payment holiday. Ford Credit will only take the first payment instalment in month four of the agreement.

The package effectively means Ford new car buyers can have a six-month payment holiday.

Ford vans are included in the deal, too.

All Ford commercial vehicles come with a zero percent finance offer.

Andy Barratt, Ford of Britain MD, said: “Ford wants to reassure customers that unprecedented times should not prevent them opting for a replacement new car or van.

“Customers are putting a new-found priority on reliable motoring from a trusted brand and our innovative ‘Peace of Mind’ programme helps achieve that.”

Ford adds that showrooms are still closed – but buyers can order online and take remote delivery of their new cars.

Key workers can also arrange with dealers to take urgent delivery.