Another hot day, another report of dogs being left in vehicles with no ventilation. According to the Independent, workmen in Bristol were forced to smash a car window to rescue three dogs trapped on the hottest day of the year.
This is after one person left a note on the windscreen which read: “Dogs die in hot cars! You have been reported to the police.”
In a statement, the RSPCA said its emergency hotline has received 3,832 calls about animals and heat exposure from 1 June to 24 July. Sadly, three dogs have died in hot cars since the start of the heatwave. Why isn’t the message getting across?
🐕 ☀️🚗 Last year, we received 7,199 calls about dogs suffering from heat exposure. It doesn't matter if the windows are open or you won't be long: #DogsDieInHotCars. Always call the police on 999 if you see a dog in distress in a hot car. https://t.co/UvI0FmlVrBpic.twitter.com/f9JUtCA8Vd
— RSPCA (England & Wales) (@RSPCA_official) July 23, 2018
Both the RSPCA and the Dogs Trust are regularly reminding dog owners of the dangers of leaving pets in parked cars, with many people believing that it’s OK to leave a dog on a hot day if the windows are open or they’re parked in the shade.
Just 20 minutes can prove fatal
But the fact is, just 20 minutes in a hot car can prove fatal to a dog. Even when its a relatively low 22ºC, in a car it can reach an unbearable 47ºC within an hour. The dog will suffer through excessive panting, whimpering or barking, which can lead to a loss of muscle control, kidney failure, brain damage and, eventually, heart failure.
The veterinary team at the Dogs Trust has listed six tips to make people aware of the dangers of leaving a dog in a hot car, which are summarised as follows:
Don’t leave your dog in a parked car, even for a few minutes.
If you see a dog in distress in a parked call, call the police.
Avoid travelling with a dog during the heat of the day. Use sun blinds on the windows and consider opening a window.
Make sure the dog has a supply of fresh water.
If you are present at the rescue of a dog, seek veterinary advice.
Wet towels can be used to cool a dog, but they must be changed regularly or sprayed with water.
If the situation becomes critical, and the police and RSPCA are too far away to help, you have a lawful excuse to commit damage if you believe that the owner of the property that you damage would consent to the damage if they knew the circumstances.
Be aware that if you decide to do this, you may need to defend your actions in court.
The ultra-exclusive Bugatti Chiron has become a bit more appealing to sun-worshipers with the launch of a new glass roof option called Sky View.
Comprising two fixed glass panels above each seat, the new ‘sunroof’ option is available to order now and will be presented in public for the first time at the 2018 Pebble Beach exhibition at Monterey Car Week next month.
The Sky View panels are not just any old glass panels. Each is 650mm long and 440mm wide, and are made of a “newly developed” laminated material made up of thin glass and no fewer than four intermediate layers.
This construction serves two purposes: keeping wind noise at bay, and filtering out infrared radiation. The panels are also tinted, “to protect occupants’ privacy” and stop dazzling, and also treated to filter out UVA and UVB radiation.
And unlike many panoramic roof options, Bugatti says the stiff laminated structure maintains the stiffness of the regular Chiron… and instead of eating into headroom, Sky View liberates 27mm additional headroom.
We don’t yet know how much the option costs, but we’re guessing it won’t be cheap. Not that this is likely to be of the remotest concern to buyers of the £2.5 million Chiron.
Mercedes-Benz consistently produces some of the most aerodynamically efficient new cars on sale. The new 2018 A-Class Saloon has jumped straight to the top of the pile with an unbeatable set of aerodynamic efficiency stats.
The new four-door A-Class boasts a Cd drag factor of just 0.22 which, when combined with a compact frontal area of 2.19 metres squared, gives it the lowest drag of any production vehicle in the world.
It beats the previous record-holder, also a Mercedes-Benz: the CLA Coupe.
The new record shows just how much more aerodynamic saloons, with their smooth and elongated rears, are than comparable hatchbacks. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatch has a Cd of 0.25.
There haven’t been any particularly special tricks to cheat the wind, says Mercedes-Benz, just a series of tireless detail engineering. It has, for example, meticulously sealed the headlamp surrounds and almost the entire underbody, and tuned front and rear wheel spoilers to direct air around the wheels.
It tuned both the shape of the wheels and, impressively, the tyres themselves. Also offered will be an active grille, which can shut off when extra engine cooling is not required, so air passes smoothly around the engine bay rather than being dragged into it.
And the benefit of such excellent aerodynamic efficiency? Excellent real-world fuel consumption, particularly for those cruising up and down the motorway. We’ll find out just how impressive it is in the real world when the new A-Class Saloon goes on sale towards the end of 2018.
The Mazda CX-5 mid-size SUV is the firm’s best-selling car in the UK – and globally, 1 in 4 new Mazdas sold is a CX-5. So the firm has rolled out a series of revisions for 2018 to keep it sharp in the marketplace.
Put away your specs: nothing has changed outside. This car was only launched as a new model barely a year ago, so the only difference is a new 19-inch alloy on Sport Nav+ models.
The interior is the same too: it’s what’s offered as standard that’s been upgraded. All 2018 CX-5 now get more active safety kit as standard, including radar-assist active cruise control, blind spot monitoring and automatic high beam control.
There’s a bleeper that warns if there’s something or someone approaching as you reverse, and lane-keep assist that also warns if you drift out of your lane. (The sheer irritation factor means many may be leaving this turned off, though.)
On Sport+ models, further active safety can be optioned: a 360 degree camera and piercingly bright Adaptive LED headlights. They also get Mazda’s first-ever power tailgate and a head-up display that includes traffic sign recognition.
Paint colour options are the same but the Soul Red Crystal metallic and Machine Grey metallic both have three-layer ‘Takuminuri’ paint tech – it’s 20 percent brighter and 50 percent deeper than the original CX-5 paint.
For the first time, Skyactiv-G petrol models can be had with an optional automatic, while the higher-power 2.2-litre Skyactiv-D diesel is even more powerful: up from 175hp to 184hp.
All Skyactiv-D engines have new injectors, a new turbo, revised combustion chamber and a NOx-eradicating selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system – it means CX-5 owners may have to occasionally top up with AdBlue, but can drive safe in the knowledge their exhaust gases are as clean as can be.
Prices? They start from £24,795, and ordering opens 31 August. The model range is 10-strong and, for simplicity, includes just two trim lines, SE-L Nav+ and Sport Nav+.
“Thanks to the 2018 CX-5’s improved equipment and upgraded diesel engine,” said Mazda UK MD Jeremy Thomson, “I’m sure our SUV will carry on winning over British buyers, especially as superb residual values mean it continues to represent great value for retail and fleet customers alike.”
Some product placement just works. When Sean Connery screeches through a warehouse in an Aston Martin DB5, we cheer inwardly. When Daniel Craig swigs a bottle of Heineken, we reach for the imaginary sick bag.
The link between 007 and Aston Martin begins with Ian Fleming’s very first book and, despite occasional dalliances with other car brands, continues to this day. Even Aston’s new in-house personalisation department is called ‘Q’ – a knowing nod to the MI6’s fictional gadget-maker.
All of which, in a rather roundabout way, brings us to Dylan Miles: a classic car collector and dealer who, at the time of our visit, had no less than three ‘Bond’ Aston Martins in stock.
Just to be clear, these cars – a DB Mk III, DB5 Vantage and V8 Vantage – aren’t the actual celluloid stars, yet all three have been immortalised by Bond. One also has another, somewhat surprising, celebrity connection.
Read on to see our highlights from Dylan’s secret West Sussex warehouse.
Aston Martin DB Mk III
Doesn’t look familiar? That’s because this Aston Martin only featured in the 1959 novel version of Goldfinger. By the time of the 1964 film, Bond’s wheels were updated to the then-current DB5.
Officially known as the DB 2/4 Mark III – and referred to simply as a ‘DB III’ in the book – the Mk III was a luxurious four-seater GT with a practical hatchback tailgate. Its 2.9-litre straight-six produced 178hp with the optional dual exhausts fitted here – good for a 120mph top speed.
This breathtakingly immaculate 1957 DB III was restored to concours standard in 2008 and, by the time you read this, will be en route to its lucky new owner in Hong Kong.
Aston Martin DB5 Vantage
Even those with zero interest in cars will recognise this one. The DB5 is James Bond, having featured in no less than eight films: Goldfinger, Thunderball, GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough, Casino Royale, Skyfall and Spectre.
Built between 1963 and 1965, the DB5 (‘DB’ refers to former Aston owner, David Brown) is another elegant, understated GT. Peak power from its 4.0-litre six is 286hp, but this is one of just 65 cars upgraded to 330hp Vantage spec.
Jay Kay of Jamiroquai bought the DB5 in 1994 and commissioned a full restoration – including a respray from Fiesta Red to Bond-style Silver Birch.
Aston Martin V8
It seems fitting that Dylan Miles had near-identical coupe and Volante (convertible) versions of the Aston Martin V8 in stock, since Timothy Dalton drives both in The Living Daylights. Well, kind of…
The Vantage Volante used by Dalton at the start of the film was actually a pre-production car owned by Victor Gauntlett, the charismatic Aston chairman who had negotiated the marque’s return to the big screen. Later on, it visits Q Branch to have a hard-top fitted, along with tyre spikes, heat-seeking missiles and a jet engine.
Even the regular V8 isn’t slow, with a 5.3-litre engine and around 300hp, depending on spec. The 395hp Vantage, meanwhile, was a seventies supercar, hitting 60mph in 5.3 seconds and 170mph.
Aston Martin Lagonda Rapide
Now for a rather different Aston Martin – and one that’s never been driven by James Bond esq. Instead, this 1961 Lagonda Rapide was the property of David Brown himself, who used it as his personal car until 1964.
Brown from some angles, aubergine from others, the name of the Lagonda’s paint colour is Roman Purple. This was the pre-production prototype and its favourable reception from press and customers led to production of a further 54 cars. The Cartier family apparently ordered one trimmed in mink.
Never seen one of these before: 1961 Lagonda Rapide.
The car started life with a 3.7-litre DB4 engine, but this was later replaced with a 4.0 DB5 unit – as per the other 54 cars. You couldn’t call it beautiful, but this four-door Aston saloon is stately, commodious and very rare.
Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint Speciale
Here’s a car that anyone with at least one functioning eyeball will find beautiful. This Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint Speciale is one of 1,400 made and 25 converted to right-hand drive by Ruddspeed when new. It arrives fresh from a 1,300-hour restoration.
Those voluptuous lines are by Bertone, while that colour is, of course, Rosso Corsa, the Italian racing red more commonly seen on Ferraris. The interior has been retrimmed in British Connolly leather with Wilton carpets.
Powered by a 112hp 1.6-litre engine, the Giulia SS has a top speed of 120mph. Dylan Miles recently sold this example for an undisclosed amount.
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona Spyder
Ferrari only made 122 open-top 365 GTB/4 Spyders… and this isn’t one of them. Nonetheless, the former coupe – converted at a cost of £50,000 in 1989 – is still stunning. Even if we’re not entirely sold on that turquoise leather interior.
Under that very long bonnet is a 352hp 4.4-litre V12, giving the ‘Daytona’ (as it quickly became known) a 174mph top speed. It was also a surprisingly successful racer, taking three GT class wins at Le Mans.
Dylan, whose father used to own a Daytona, is clearly a fan. “It’s one of the greatest cars ever made,” he says.
Porsche 911S
Speaking of the ‘greatest cars ever made’, the venerable Porsche 911 is surely in with a shout? First launched in 1963, it has evolved over six (soon to be seven) generations without losing its focus on driving excitement.
The 2.4S is one of the most desirable early 911s – and Porsche’s flagship until the legendary 2.7 RS arrived in 1973. This 1972 car was originally exported to California and is finished in an oh-so-seventies shade of metallic gold.
Interestingly, it’s also one of a minority with the four-speed ‘Sportomatic’ clutchless manual gearbox. This requires the driver to change gear using a conventional lever, but has an automatic-style torque converter instead of a flywheel.
Paul Stephens restores and modifies Porsche 911s. Its latest car is its most ambitious yet – the Paul Stephens Le Mans Classic Clubsport, which costs from £250,000 and is limited to just 10 models.
Now, ordering has opened, with an added incentive: each owner will get to attend the 2020 Le Mans Classic, sprint to their new car in front of the grandstands and then take their first drive on a parade lap of the Circuit de la Sarthe.
The car’s been limited to 10 to celebrate a decade of the Le Mans Classic event. It’s even been officially licenced with the organisers of the event, Peter Auto and the ACO, so is as official as can be.
After its reveal in Central London, which Motoring Research attended, the car has been on a tour of major enthusiast events, including the recent 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed and Silverstone Classic.
“I’ve been overwhelmed by the response to our Le Mans Classic Clubsport edition, but now the hard work sets in,” said company founder and MD Paul Stephens.
“After touring Europe with the car this month, we’ve now started production for the first confirmed build slots. With each car taking 3,000 man hours to create, it’s going to be an exciting, but busy time in the workshop between now and the 2020 event.”
What is the Paul Stephens Le Mans Classic Clubsport? A 300hp, 3.4-litre, air-cooled 911, boasting a period Getrag G50 gearbox mated to a lightened flywheel and limited-slip differential. The engine has an ECU that’s been mapped in-house, RS-spec camshafts, lightened and balanced crankshaft, lightened conrods and a GT3 plenum.
It’s offered in two guises, Lightweight or Touring. Touring weighs 1,075kg, Lightweight is just that, coming in at just 970kg.
For one Wednesday every July, the small Hertfordshire town of Harpenden is invaded by classic cars. This is Classics on the Common: the UK’s biggest – and certainly most eclectic – ‘week day’ car show, and it takes place right on Motoring Research’s doorstep.
This year was the 25th anniversary of CotC and a new rule was introduced: vehicles, other than motorcycles and scooters had to be 26 years or older – i.e. built in 1992 or before. Oddly, this didn’t seem to apply to those who turned up in nearly-new Ferraris, but still…
The sheer variety of cars on Harpenden common is what makes this show special. We spotted everything from Austin Metros to a Lamborghini Countach. There were also plenty of American cars this year: hot rods, yank tanks, V8 muscle cars and more. In short, there was something for everyone.
Video: Classics on the Common 2018
Below, each member of the MR team selects their favourite three cars from the show and explains their reasons for choosing them. The writers in question are Richard Aucock, Gavin Braithwaite-Smith, Bradley Lawrence, John Moroney, John Redfern and Tim Pitt.
Let us know if you agree with our choices in the comments below.
Tim: Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk1
When it comes to hot hatchbacks, there’s nowt more iconic than a Mars Red Mk1 Golf GTI. There are also nostalgic reasons behind my choice, however. Back in the early 2000s, I had an X-reg 1.6 GTI that looked exactly like this. It wasn’t the best car I’ve ever owned, but it’s the one I remember most fondly.
Today is Harpenden’s annual car event, Classics on the Common. Motoring Research’s Bradley is out and about all afternoon filming the fantastic cars.#ClassicsOnTheCommon
This particular GTI is a bit special, having been converted to ‘RE1850’ spec in-period by the legendary GTI Engineering. The complete conversion cost £3,935 and included a heavy-duty clutch, four-branch exhaust manifold and Sachs dampers.
Richard: Dodge Challenger R/T
This insanely cool Dodge was one of the many American cars on show at Classics on the Common. It’s the perfect colour, the perfect spec, and the condition is pretty much perfect as well. What’s not to love?
Particularly as, being an R/T, it has a 383 cu in (6.28-litre) V8 under the bonnet (sorry, hood). What this means for fuel bills here in the UK doesn’t bear thinking about, but the Magnum V8, rated at 335hp, undoubtedly delivered the muscle to go with its muscle car appearance, so it’s worth hitting the limit on the credit card.
This is a really early Challenger; the model was only introduced in 1970, as a bigger and more luxurious sister car to the Ford Mustang-fighting Charger. The sheer originality of this one proves the owner’s very much in love with it, and rightly so. Oh, and in case you’re wondering, R/T stands for road and track. Call it a track-day special ahead of its time.
The American horsepower wars were raging by the mid-1960s, and there was no replacement for displacement. At the bottom of Ford’s full-size models were the sparsely-appointed six-cylinder grocery getters, but near the top of the line sat the sporty and luxurious Galaxie 500 XL.
In Ford-speak, ‘XL’ meant a standard V8, bucket seats and a console, along with special trim and interior touches. Power choices for 1966 ranged from the 200hp, 289-cid Challenger V8 all the way to the deliciously bonkers 425hp Cobra 427.
The first cars have arrived outside MR HQ in Harpenden for Classics on the Common.
Even with an emphasis on performance, the Galaxie XL was billed as superior to the quietest cars Europe had to offer. This particular example looks factory-fresh in Ivy Green and pinstripes, with Rallye wheel covers and chrome everything. It’s equipped with the 352-cid Interceptor V8, a name that evokes nothing but high-speed car chases and endless desert highways. Let’s cruise.
Bradley: Ferrari 458 Speciale Aperta
One esteemed Ferrari expert told us the 458 Speciale is the greatest road-going Ferrari ever made. And who are we to argue?
This, however, is no ‘ordinary’ Speciale, but a one-of-499 Aperta – with a folding metal hard-top and a top speed of 199mph (presumably with the roof closed). As with most limited-edition Ferraris, the Aperta is already worth more than list price when new in 2014. One example recently sold for in excess of £600,000.
Gavin: Vauxhall Cavalier SR
The second-generation, front-wheel-drive Vauxhall Cavalier – or ‘Lutonian Ascona’, as Motor Sport labelled it – arrived in 1981, replacing the old rear-wheel drive-model. The sporting SR was powered by a new 1.6-litre ‘Family II’ engine and featured a two-tone paint job, ‘Highland Check’ Recaro seats, a full set of dashboard instruments and a thick-rimmed three-spoke steering wheel.
It was produced for a single year before a 1.8-litre fuel-injected Cavalier SRi was launched, making the SR extremely rare. This 1982 example is one of 20 in the UK – four registered/16 SORN – and is wearing its original Northern Ireland registration, albeit with new plates.
John R: Ford Econoline Van
Feel free to call me a hipster, but there is something irrepressibly charming about the Econoline from the 1960s. Not only did it begin one of Ford’s longest-running nameplates – spanning 56 years – it also kick-started modern van design in the USA. Intended to compete with the Volkswagen Type 2, the Econoline placed the engine between the front seats to create a flat and spacious rear cargo area.
Ford offered various bodywork options, including a pick-up truck and a camper variant to compete with that pesky Volkswagen. Due to the layout chosen by Ford, only a straight-six engine would fit, meaning there was no V8 power from the factory. That hasn’t stopped the Econoline from being the choice for customisers, though – and mine should I decide to open an artisan coffee shop one day.
Tim: Ford Lotus Cortina
This one’s a sentimental choice, too. Last year, Motoring Research recently helped reunite a reader with the Lotus Cortina he’d owned four decades ago. While watching ‘Car SOS’ on TV, Rob Jones spotted ‘his’ Cortina in Ford’s heritage workshop. He called us, we called them, and the result was a visit to Dagenham and a special day for a Ford fan.
The Lotus Cortina is arguably the first fast Ford. Its 106hp Lotus engine, close-ratio gearbox and lightweight alloy panels meant 0-60mph in 9.9 seconds and a top speed of 108mph. A legend on both the road and the racetrack, it’s now a sought-after classic.
What I wouldn’t do to own a 911 as period as this one. Built in 1971, it’s a matching-numbers car, recently restored to concours standard so it looks showroom-fresh both outside and in. If I owned it, I would treasure it and consider it a life goal achieved.
I could do, too: there was a note in the windscreen saying it was for sale. Just after we finished filming our video, the owner came up to me. If I liked it that much, it could be mine – for £110,000…
Bradley: Volkswagen Camper T2
A boiling hot day at Classics on the Common makes you want to flee the Home Counties and head for the seaside. And what better car for the job than a Volkswagen camper? Since the sixties, this air-cooled icon has been the minibus of choice for surfers, beach bums and – nowadays – well-heeled enthusiasts.
This T2 camper looks fairly innocuous until you spot its stance; air suspension means it’s absolutely on the floor. Thankfully, the ability to ‘pump up’ to a semi-sensible ride height means it can actually exit the field.
John M: Ford LTD
Accustomed as Europeans are to reasonably-sized automobiles, it might be hard to imagine just how immense this 1972 Ford LTD really is. If you were to stretch a line of LTDs from central London through Paris, Moscow, Mumbai, Hong Kong, and so on all the way to the sun, the total number required would be two.
As a classic example of the American ‘personal luxury’ automotive ethos of the 1970s, the LTD sported acres of chrome, a vinylised faux-landau top and a mix of heraldic crests and laurel wreaths for emblems. Inside, more vinyl covered every conceivable surface: bench seats, doors, dash and roof. Even the wood trim was vinyl.
Under the hood, buyers had the choice of a 5.8-, 6.6-, or 7.0-litre V8s, the most powerful of which produced just 208hp in 1972.Even the most economical version only managed 15.2mpg.
While it may sound like we’re being harsh on this beautiful LTD, nothing could be further from the truth. What we are doing is illustrating the level of love and dedication this car’s owner clearly feels towards the vehicle. Bravo!
To buy a Mitsubishi Colt Cordia Turbo new, you’d have needed to look beyond some of the more established members of the coupe set, such as the Ford Capri, Renault Fuego, Toyota Celica, Opel Manta and Honda Prelude. It was powered by a turbocharged engine, mated to what was essentially an eight-speed gearbox. Or rather, a four-speed unit with a ratio selector for ‘Power’ and ‘Economy’.
If a buyer managed to resist the lure of a more familiar name, they’d have been rewarded with a 1.6-litre car with the performance of a 2.0-litre (0-60mph in nine seconds). It also had lower drag coefficient than a Porsche 928, fuel economy in the mid 40s and more toys than the Generation Game conveyor belt. Cool thing.
John R: Audi Quattro
As Audi launches another new Q3 SUV, it’s easy to sometimes forget where the four-wheel-drive roots of the brand come from. But here they are: the original Quattro. First launched in 1980, the Quattro combined a five-cylinder turbocharged engine with Audi’s eponymous 4WD system, offering performance whatever the road conditions might be.
It also made for a highly effective rally car, with the Group B Quattros gaining huge horsepower and gigantic wings. This late-model road car underwent a thorough restoration, having been left abandoned in a field by its previous owner. A bare metal respray in Satin Black was matched with a rebuild for the 2.2-litre 200hp engine, bringing it back to full, warbling glory.
Tim: Ginetta G15
This one’s my wildcard. You’ve possibly never heard of Ginetta, but this tiny British company has been building compact, lightweight and affordable sports cars since 1958. Think of it as the underdog Lotus (which, in turn, is the underdog Porsche) and you get the idea.
The pretty G15 seen here was built from 1967 to 1974. Its tiny glassfibre body clothes a tubular steel chassis and 875cc Hillman Imp engine. Most were sold in kit form.
Richard: Ford Escort XR3i
These used to be everywhere. Where I grew up in the 1980s, the Volkswagen Golf GTI was the avant-garde choice for those yuppie city types. In the English Midlands, the XR3i ruled. It was the supercar of suburbia and I was as besotted as everyone else by it.
Not bad for a car with 105hp, rather below even the 118hp of the Golf GTI 8v, and leagues away from the 250hp of today’s Focus ST. . Zero to 60mph in 8.6 seconds was pretty decent for the time, though, and certainly gave the Escort clout in the inevitable traffic light grand prix.
This one’s a relatively late one: the Mk4 update was coming, with the rounded nose, body-colour rear spoiler and general appearance of sophistication that really would cement the XR3i’s blue collar desirability. Present and correct are the cloverleaf alloys, the fog lamps and the body-colour paint on the door mirrors. I’d prefer Rosso Red but Strato Silver’s still nice. Yes, it takes me right back, this.
Last but not least, I’ve chosen this attitude-packed BMW 325i. The E30 3 Series is perhaps the classic BMW design, accentuated here by a factory-fit M Sport bodykit and period BBS split-rim alloys. If only the current 3er looked this cool.
Interestingly, the 325i was also available in four-wheel drive ‘iX’ spec and – for the South African market – as the sportier 325iS. The latter car’s 194hp Alpina-tuned engine made it scarcely slower than the contemporary E30 M3 (at least in a straight line).
John M: Chevrolet ‘Advance Design’ Pickup
After doing its part for the war effort, Chevrolet resumed production of civilian pickups in 1946 and released the all-new Advance Design series in 1947.
The new truck represented a giant stride forward in both capability and comfort, with a powerful 216-cubic six-cylinder engine that made 78hp and 170lb ft of torque. The cab was quite roomy, with an adjustable bench seat that could fit three people. The dash could accept a radio, and the handsome new truck could even be ordered with a heater/defroster unit.
Advance Design pickups were best-sellers throughout their production run, and remain wildly popular with Americans even today. Especially with a layer of patina like this 1947-1950 model.
Gavin: Iso Grifo
“It is one of the world’s best looking, fastest, two-seaters… remarkable performance figures: top speed almost 165mph (it does 84mph in second and 108mph in third!” The words of Denis Holmes in the Daily Mail. The Giotto Bizzarrini-engineered car was a playboy’s delight, with its exotic Giugiaro-penned styling and American V8 engine.
This is a 1968 example, powered by a 5.4-litre Corvette small-block V8 – later models featured a big-block Chevy V8 and Ford V8 – and it is, perhaps, the most effortlessly stylish car on display in Harpenden. It’s also the absolute antithesis of my other choices.
John R: Chevrolet C3 Corvette Indy 500 Pace Car
Produced between 1968 and 1982, over 540,000 examples of the third-generation ‘C3’ Corvette rolled off the Chevrolet production line. With a design inspired by fast-swimming mako sharks, the C3 was intended to be more advanced and futuristic than previous ’Vette models. V8 engines were standard throughout, but options ranged from the ‘Small Block’ 5.4-litre unit with 300hp, to the giant 7.4-litre with 460hp.
For 1978 the Corvette was chosen as the pace car for the prestigious Indianapolis 500 race. A special edition was produced, accounting for 15% of Corvettes made that year. The two-tone paintwork was standard, as were silver leather sports seats. Pace car decal stickers were supplied unfitted, leaving the tricky task of lining them up straight to the first owner.
Vuhl has finally launched the new production-ready high-performance version of its lightweight sports car, the 05RR – and for now, it is exclusively available to drive on Forza Motorsport 7.
The Mexican ultra-lightweight sports car firm says it is planning to roll out the 05RR for real-world drivers later in the year, but in a treat to gamers, it’s offering it to them first.
It’s coming as part of the garage in the Top Gear Car Pack update. Bosses insist the game designers have accurately carried across all details of the car, such as chassis response, handling and engine characteristics.
Iker Echeverria is Vuhl’s technical director, and says the 05RR is the product of evolution and development of the original £60k Vuhl 05 behind the scenes.
“We have beaten all of our rivals at various track demonstrations with our latest iteration, and we really want to share this remarkable lightweight driving experience with the world.
“This is where Forza Motorsport comes in – available globally and at no extra cost, gamers have no excuse not to try the new VUHL. I hope it is enjoyed as much as we loved working on the development of the car!”
The Vuhl 05RR is powered by a 385hp 2.3-litre Ford Ecoboost engine (the same as that in the Ford Mustang) which takes it from 0-60mph in 2.7 seconds.
The car was first seen in prototype guise back in 2016; it weighs just 640kg, thanks to its carbon figure and aluminium composite structure, giving a power-to-weight ratio of well over 600hp per tonne.
It’s been a little while coming, but eager enthusiasts will soon finally be able to order the road-going trackday-special. Although gamers may not get the full real-world experience, they do both have a head-start over the real-world buyers, and are getting it for free, rather than from upwards of £90,000…
Forget crossovers and SUVs, what Britain’s motorists really want is a pick-up. That’s according to data released by CarGurus.
By analysing the number of shoppers searching for every model with at least 1,000 cars for sale since the start of the year, it has created a so-called ‘Desirability Score’, which puts the Ford Ranger at the top of the list.
Ford’s lifestyle utility vehicle is joined in the top 10 by the Toyota Hilux, Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi L200. According to CarGurus, the Ranger is the most in-demand car of the year, with 66 people searching for every model available.
“When we’re buying our next car, we naturally consider the practicalities of the vehicle and search for the model that best fits our needs,” says James Drake of CarGurus. “But what if there were no restrictions?
“The CarGurus Desirability Score is the automotive equivalent of window shopping – it shows the models we are most curious about or desire, even if our circumstances make a purchase unrealistic.”
The Porsche 911 is the only non-SUV or pick-up to make the top 10, with 39 users searching for every model on sale.
The top 10 in full
Ford Ranger: 66 (Desirability Score)
Range Rover: 50
Audi Q7: 45
Land Rover Discovery: 42
Porsche 911: 39
Toyota Hilux: 34
Nissan Navara: 33
Volvo XC90: 33
BMW X5: 31
Mitsubishi L200: 27
The most desirable rare cars
CarGurus also analysed models with fewer than 100 cars for sale since the start of the year to create a Desirability Score for the rarest cars in Britain. We’re not sure how watertight it is, because it fails to mention the Sao Penza, which is undoubtedly the most desirable rare car.
The Maserati Quattroporte finishes top with a score of 422, while there’s a surprising mention for the Dodge Nitro. Remember that?
Maserati Quattroporte: 422 (Desirability Score)
Bentley Arnage: 338
Audi RS4 saloon: 334
Volkswagen California: 267 points
Dodge Nitro: 259 points
Lamborghini Gallardo: 254
Audi RS7: 210
Ah, our mistake – it looks like CarGurus copy and pasted the top 10 without the cars in 8th, 9th and 10th. We must assume that these places were filled by the Penza, SEAT Malaga and Citroen LNA.
The MOT test is outdated and should be abolished, according to a white paper written by the Adam Smith Institute, a free market and neoliberalist think-tank.
“Only two percent of all accidents in 2016 involved any form of mechanical failure,” the report states. “Cars are becoming smarter and safer, and accidents are directly declining as a result,” it continues.
It points to evidence in the United States as justification for its call for the MOT test be abolished or “at least be overhauled substantially”, referencing New Jersey, where the inspection programme ended in 2010.
Figures suggest that the repeal of the inspection programme resulted in a reduction in the number of accidents due to care failure, the study suggests.
The Drivers of Safety: The Outdated Practice of MOT Testing, includes the following key quotes and statements:
Over the years, reforms have added burdens to drivers
The United Kingdom places an overly burdensome weight on its drivers to care for their vehicles
Most garages rake in handsome sums not only administering the MOT, but also performing the (typically small) repairs
The actual inspection price varies by garage, with lower MOT prices usually signalling higher markups on the replacement parts a driver may need to whip their vehicle into shape
[The MOT] represents a significant amount of wasted time and money performing tests and unnecessary repairs, none of which makes roadways safer
[The MOT] may lead drivers to engage in neglectful or reckless behaviours, as they know that their cars will be forced into better shape come the end of the year
Resources should be ploughed into driver education, says the report’s author Alex Hoagland, citing the fact that 65 percent of accidents are due to driver-specific behaviours, such as speed, drink-driving and not wearing a seatbelt.
“Increased focus on distracted and unsafe driving practices will surely be more effective at reducing fatalities than any vehicular inspection,” the report concludes.
AA president Edmund King is unimpressed, labelling the report as “rubbish” when tweeting a link to the story on the Daily Mail website.
What absolute rubbish. In all our polls drivers actually appreciate the importance of an MOT. Going by number of cars I saw tonight with lights out we need MOTs. https://t.co/e1uhCcA3ol
Opinion: why the Adam Smith Institute report is wrong
Abolishing the MOT test would be madness. While it’s true that the test is a merely a measure of a car’s roadworthiness on the day of the inspection – a bulb could blow or a driver could take a chunk out of a tyre on the journey home – it focuses the mind of the motorist.
Labelling the MOT an “overly burdensome weight” on drivers is complete nonsense. In an age when cars can all but drive themselves, and motorists feel cocooned in their Euro NCAP-tested bubbles, it’s as critical as it has ever been to make people aware that driving comes with a responsibility to care for a car and other road users.
The report mentions the 20,000 approved test centres and the £250 million annual revenue for local garages. So what? We should be supporting the independent garages, not labelling them as crooks by referencing “higher markups” and “handsome sums”.
Yes, there are a few – how can I put this? – less scrupulous garages, but the government should do more to clamp down on these operations. It’s not the job of a think-tank to tarnish all the local garages with the same brush. These businesses provide jobs, deliver independent advice and offer cheaper maintenance for cash-strapped motorists.
Sure, throw money behind improving driver education, but that should extend to encouraging greater care of the nation’s cars, not removing the annual safety net. We’ve all seen cars with bald tyres, blown headlight bulbs and more exhaust smoke than a vaper outside a Wetherspoons.
Perhaps acknowledging that abolishing the MOT might be a step too far – at least in the short term – the report calls for a separate test for carbon emissions and increasing the testable age of new vehicles from three to five years.
Again, that’s bunkum. Why split the test when it works OK as one? And as for increasing the testable age of new vehicles – yeah, because tyres, wipers and headlights will almost certainly last that long, won’t they?
If, as the report suggests, garages are profiting from the MOT test, why not adopt the French method by having independent inspection centres, where repairs cannot be carried out? The potential for roguish acts is all but eradicated.
Many drivers think about the roadworthiness and safety of their vehicle just once a year, when the MOT is about to expire, treating the car like an extension of their living room for the other 364 days of the year. Abolish the MOT, and we’ll lose the annual safety check and potentially many local garages.
Sorry, but I’m with the AA on this one. The MOT test must stay.
The ultra-exclusive Bugatti Chiron has become a bit more appealing to sun-worshipers with the launch of a new glass roof option called Sky View.
Mercedes-Benz consistently produces some of the most aerodynamically efficient new cars on sale. The new 2018 A-Class Saloon has jumped straight to the top of the pile with an unbeatable set of aerodynamic efficiency stats.
The Mazda CX-5 mid-size SUV is the firm’s best-selling car in the UK – and globally, 1 in 4 new Mazdas sold is a CX-5. So the firm has rolled out a series of revisions for 2018 to keep it sharp in the marketplace.
Paul Stephens restores and modifies Porsche 911s. Its latest car is its most ambitious yet – the 
Vuhl has finally launched the new production-ready high-performance version of its lightweight sports car, the 05RR – and for now, it is exclusively available to drive on Forza Motorsport 7.
