Spectators at a variety motorsport events across the UK and Europe will get to see a very special Porsche 911 competing this summer. This iconic machine has been prepared to help celebrate both the 70th anniversary of Porsche cars – and also show off the abilities offered by Porsche Classic Services.
Given that over 70 percent of all Porsche models ever built are still on the road today, maintaining these classic vehicles and supplying parts for them is a sizeable task. Porsche has a network of Classic Partner Centres across the UK, and can source parts from more than 1,000 suppliers, meaning even the rarest Stuttgart creations can be kept on the road.
With collectors and investors pushing the desirability of Porsche products ever higher, promoting Porsche’s own Classics arm is an important marketing proposition.
That doing so involves racing a 1965 short wheelbase 911, already owned by Porsche GB, on a legendary circuits across the country and beyond must have made the decision somewhat easier. The beautiful ‘Project 70’ 911 was previously campaigned in 2013 to celebrate 50 years of the 911 badge, but has gained a new retro livery courtesy of a competition run in partnership with Oxford Brookes University.
Originally built in September 1965, the ‘Project 70’ 911 first found a home in Italy, despite being sold as an official right-hand drive car from the factory. It later spent time in the United States, before subsequently arriving in the UK in the 1990s. Here it underwent a thorough restoration, and was also converted to an FIA-approved race car, still powered by the 2.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-six engine.
Trackside preparation of the ‘Project 70’ 911 is being undertaken by staff collated from various Porsche Classic Centres across the country, again highlighting their technical expertise on historic models. An extended test session in April saw former touring car driver Anthony Reid sharing driving duties with 1970 Le Mans winner Richard Attwood. Reid is set to drive the car this weekend at Spa Francorchamps, joined by Josh Webster who won the Porsche Carrera Cup GB in 2014.
Taking part in eight competitions means fans should have plenty of opportunity to see ‘Project 70’ being used in all its glory at one of these events:
18 to 20 May – Peter Auto Spa Classic, Spa Francorchamps
17 June – HSCC Guards Trophy, Silverstone
6 to 8 July – Le Mans Classic, Le Mans
20 to 22 July – Silverstone Classic, Silverstone
10 to 12 August – OldTimer Grand Prix, Nürburgring
25 to 26 August – HSCC Guards Trophy, Oulton Park
2 September – Porsche Classic Trophy, Brands Hatch
There are more Fiat 500s on the streets of London than in any other city outside of Italy, making our capital a kind of second home for the fashionable supermini. The news comes as the new Fiat 500 Collezione makes its second stop on a tour of Europe, following its debut in Milan.
While it’s unlikely that Ralph McTell will re-write the lyrics to Streets of London, it highlights what Londoners knew already: there are Fiat 500s everywhere. They’re almost as common as an Uber taxi in a body repair shop.
You have to admire the Fiat 500’s considerable staying power. Launched in 2007 and refreshed in 2015, the 500 remains one of the trendiest cars on the planet, with sales aided by succesful brand associations, clever marketing and a design that pays homage to the original without being overly retro.
The Collezione is the latest in a long line of 30 special editions unveiled since 2007, and follows hot on the heels of the 60th Anniversary released last year. This new model features chrome-plated accents on the bumper, bonnet and mirrors, along with a two-tone paint job and Collezione badge on the boot.
The Fiat 500 is sold in more than 100 countries worldwide, with 80 percent of sales outside of Italy. In the first quarter of 2018, the 500 broke its own sales record, with nearly 60,000 cars sold in Europe. Take a walk with Ralph through a leafy London suburb or the West End on a Saturday morning and it might seem like the majority of them were sold in the capital.
The Fiat 500 Collezione is available now priced from £13,870 and, perhaps fittingly, you can see it for yourself at the London Motor Show.
Former Stig, Ben Collins, praised its “fantastic atmosphere”, while Mike Rutherford (no, not the Genesis guitarist), called it “the motoring event of the year”.
Yes, the London Motor Show is underway, with the organisers promising a “phenomenal event in London for car enthusiasts alike”. Never able to resist a party with a fantastic atmosphere, we took a trip to ExCeL to check out the motoring event to beat all motoring events. Probably.
Whitby Morrison
No party is complete without a bowl of jelly and ice cream, so if you bring the jelly, Whitby Morrison will provide the ice cream.The British manufacturer, famous for producing ice cream vans for the global market, is showcasing its latest model, based on the Mercedes-Benz 314 SWB.
Never one to miss the opportunity to deliver a witty pun, Alec Mumford, chairman of the London Motor Show, said the presence of Whitby Morrison is sure to “whip up a storm”. While it’s not clear if you’ll be able to send the sound of Greensleeves reverberating around ExCeL, visitors are invited to climb aboard the van to pretend to make a Mr Whippy.
2CVat70
From a British institution to a French icon: meet the 2CVat70. Built to mark the 70th anniversary of the Citroen 2CV, this British-built project was designed to set a record for the world’s smallest food truck. It’s fresh – fresh… food… geddit? – from its debut at Bicester Heritage, where it was flown in by helicopter.
A team of people completed the conversion over the course of three months, transforming the 2CV Dolly into a fully functioning kitchen. Disappointingly, Alec Mumford missed a chance to deliver a 2CV or food-related quip, saying: “We are delighted that the public visitors to this year’s show will be the first to marvel at this characterful reform”. Come on, Alec, not even something about a ‘Trolley Dolly’, ‘eggs in one basket’, or even ‘viande de cheval’.
RS Motorhomes Envoy
It’s got the name of a hot hatch, the price tag of a supercar, and a set of roof-mounted LEDs designed to upset the nation’s Audi drivers. It’s the £285,000 RS Envoy, and it’s based on the chassis of the Mercedes-Benz Atego. The 8-berth motorhome features a full-size kitchen, washroom, Sky HD, central heating and a 440-litre fresh water tank. Goldfish are optional.
Missing the chance to make a comment about this being a ‘special Envoy’, Alec Mumford said: “RS Motorhomes are at the very height of luxury in the leisure and motorsport market. To have this great British brand displayed at what will be a very patriotic London Motor Show is a real honour.” We have to retract our comment about Alec never missing the chance to deliver a witty pun.
The ‘flying’ MG ZS
Sticking with the patriotic theme, this is the thoroughly British MG ZS SUV, assembled in China by MG’s Chinese owners, SAIC. According to MG, the ZS is “flying out of the brand’s dealerships across the UK”, which might account for the rise in the number of UFOs spotted since the car was launched in November.
Sadly, the MG ZS is unable to take flight, but prices start from £12,495 for the Explore model, increasing to £17,495 for the Exclusive with an automatic transmission. Alec Mumford said: “We are thrilled that the stunning MG ZS will be at the show to represent the brand. It is particularly pleasing to see a manufacturer roll out reliable vehicles that are supported by faithful warranties.” Meanwhile, the brilliantly-named Daniel Gregorious of MG Motor UK, said: “Our full range of cars will be on display and visitors to our stand will be impressed by the style, quality and price of our modern MG models.”
The ‘seriously impressive’ TVR Griffith
It shares its name with Hollywood actress Melanie Griffith, but while she is known for going Crazy in Alabama, the TVR can go crazy just about anywhere. It’s powered by a 5.0-litre V8 engine producing around 500hp, which is enough to propel the Griffith to 62mph in under four seconds, before hitting a top speed of over 200mph.
“TVR is just about as British as it gets!” said exclamation mark enthusiast, Alec Mumford. “The new Griffith is a seriously impressive machine that perfectly captures the iconic spirit of TVR, and we are very excited to have it on display surrounded by its compatriots.”
Mustang GT500CS
The Mustang GT500CS is built using an original 1967 Ford chassis and features a coachbuilt body finished in Magnetic Metallic paint. Power is sourced from a 5.4-litre V8 producing 520hp, while the price can range from £190,000 to £300,000 depending on specification. The London Motor Show car has a build price of around £250,000, making it slightly cheaper than the RS Envoy, but more expensive than the “stunning” MG ZS.
QWest Shooting Brake
It has too many doors to be a true shooting brake, but the QWest is certainly quick enough for the gentleman racer. Carbon fibre coachbuilders QWest took a standard Tesla Model S 90D before creating a bespoke tailgate, rear roof section and D-pillar. The result is a Model S wagon that’s 12kg lighter than the donor car.
It’ll hit 60mph quicker than Alec Mumford can conjure up another quote. Speaking of which: “We’re delighted to have the world’s first Tesla-based Shooting Brake coming to the capital. This is a serious feat of engineering, using the very latest technology”. The 0-60mph time, in case you were wondering, is just 2.8 seconds.
Supacat HMT 400
The Supacat HMT 400 is already well proven in the harsh terrain of the Afghanistan battle ground, so it should have no problems dealing with few Instagram posts at ExCeL. Designed in the late 1990s, the Devon-built machine is arguably the most rugged thing to come out of the West Country since Ben Ainslie.
Dubbed the ‘Jackal’ by the British Armed Forces, we’re tempted to say there are four days of the Jackal at the London Motor Show, but that would be a poor attempt at a movie-based pun. The HMT 400 features air suspension and is supplied with an optional mine blast and ballistic protection kit.
Lister Thunder
Unveiled at the Historic Motorsport International earlier this year, the Lister Thunder is returning to ExCeL for the London Motor Show. The F-Type-based Thunder is powered by a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine developing a devilish 666hp, which is enough for a top speed of 208mph.
The Cambridgeshire-based company will build 99 examples, each one with a price tag just shy of £140,000. “Visitors are making a bolt for the Lister stand and the Thunder is going down a storm. I expect the cars to be sold out in lightning-quick time.” Sadly, Alec Mumford didn’t say any of this.
Eagle E-Type
Founded in 1984, Eagle is recognised as one of the leading E-Type restorers, famed for its evolutions of the legendary Jaguar. At the London Motor Show, you’ll find the Speedster E-Type as well as a regular E-Type Coupe. Eagle restores bespoke “zero mile, better than new” E-Types to suit customer preferences.
Of the Eagle Speedster, Jeremy Clarkson once claimed that it’s probably the most beautiful car he had ever seen, before changing his mind and declaring it the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. This was before he had clapped eyes on the ‘stunning’ MG ZS.
We asked the other Mike Rutherford for his views on the Kia Ceed, but he was too busy with his mechanics. Meanwhile, motoring’s Mike Rutherford said: “The Kia Stinger came close to winning the World Car of the Year title in 2018. And the all-new Ceed looks like it will be a contender for the gong in 2019.”
Aston Martin Vanquish S Red10
The Aston Martin Vanquish S Red10 was offered to the public in a raffle where more than 70,000 tickets were bought and over £1.5 million was raised for the RAF Benevolent Fund. It pays homage to the Royal Air Force and Red Arrows Display Team.
The car’s owner and raffle winner, Humphrey Bradley, said: “I was totally shocked to win such an incredible prize – absolutely gobsmacked. I am honoured to have supported a service charity and the RAF Benevolent Fund undertakes some truly incredible work supporting the RAF family. From those on RAF Stations to those veterans in care homes and everyone in between, they really are there for those that need help, every step of the way.”
The best motoring event… in the world
‘Britain’s motoring event of the year’ is on now until 20 May 2018. Tickets start at £22.50 and one child (under 17) goes free with a paying adult. ExCeL is located close to London City Airport, which is far enough away from Windsor and Wembley not to be affected by the other big events happening this weekend. Keep clicking for more pics.
With a third child now here, Prince William might have put two-wheeled antics on hold for a while, but he couldn’t resist a quick ride on a new Tiger 1200 during a visit to the Triumph factory in Leicestershire, England, back in February. Last year, Prince William discussed his love of motorcycles with Jonathan Rea as he presented the triple World Superbike champion with an MBE at Buckingham Palace.
“We talked about his bikes and the fact that he has put it on the back-burner a little bit because of his children now,” said Rea. William has been a fan of motorcycling since a young age, when he practised on a Kawasaki on his father’s Highgrove Estate. But as the Duke Cambridge swaps two wheels for three child seats and armfuls of baby wipes, we take a look at the cars of the British Royal family.
Prince William: on four wheels
The Range Rover appears to be the vehicle of choice for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. In 2013, Prince George was driven home from London’s St Mary’s Hospital in a top-of-the-range Range Rover Vogue SE gifted to the royal couple by Land Rover’s VIP department. Here’s Prince William with the family Range Rover SDV8 Autobiography following the birth of Princess Charlotte in 2015.
Princess Diana: Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow
Here we see Princess Diana and the British Ambassador to the U.S., Sir John Kerr of Kinlochard, as they ride in the back of a Rolls-Royce Silver Spur en route to the White House. The Balmoral Green Silver Spur was commissioned by the British Foreign Office to be used as part of the British Embassy vehicle pool in Washington D.C.
Princess Diana: Jaguar XJ-SC
In response to demand for a soft-top version of the XJ-S, Jaguar launched the XJ-SC in 1983. Princess Diana used this 1987 car from 1987 to 1991, when it was acquired by the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust in return for a contribution to her charity. While other XJ-SCs were two-seaters, Diana’s Jag was fitted with two rear seats to allow the young Princes William and Harry to travel with their mother and her bodyguard.
The V12-powered Jag also features an individually made, and permanently fixed, rear hardtop to ensure that the two princes could not strike their heads on the solid targa roof bar in an accident.
Princess Diana: Audi 80 Cabriolet
Before Diana, the Royal Family drove British cars. It was the done thing. But all that changed in 1991 when Diana leased a Mercedes-Benz 500 SL to replace the XJ-SC. She had a thing for topless Germans, as she went on to drive not one but three Audi 80 cabriolets.
As Jeremy Clarkson said at the time: “She alone has turned what might have been just another nice car into by far and away the coolest and most sought-after-four-wheeled status symbol of them all.”
Princess Diana: Austin Mini Metro
Not everybody in this auction room was there to bid on this seemingly anonymous Austin Mini Metro L. Look again and you’ll notice that many people surrounding the 1980s city car are armed with a camera. It was Princess Diana’s first car, driven by a 19 year old Lady Diana Spencer at the time when she was first linked with Prince Charles.
It sold for around £6,000, which is about five times what would be expected for a Metro at the time. It now lives at the Coventry Transport Museum in England.
Prince Harry: Range Rover
Ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2014 Invictus Games, Prince Harry arrived in Warwickshire to watch teams from 11 nations compete in the Jaguar Land Rover Driving Day. Fittingly, Harry turned up in a Range Rover.
Prince Harry: Jaguar F-Type
And, here’s Prince Harry at the wheel of a Jaguar F-Type. The photo was taken just days before his 30th birthday and he admitted that he was “slowly starting to feel old.” He went on to say that “30 is one of those first milestones when you drive through a village and you see the 30 mph signs, it’s that constant reminder going, ‘I am actually quite old,’” he said.
Prince Harry: Land Rover Discovery
This is Prince Harry getting down and dirty in a Land Rover Discovery at an off-road event, but he’s no stranger to the Disco. He and fiancée Meghan Markle arrived at Buckingham Palace for the Queen’s Christmas lunch in a much cleaner Discovery.
Zara Tindall: Range Rover Evoque
Land Rover Ambassador Zara Tindall was the first person to take delivery of a Range Rover Evoque, having placed an order a year earlier. In 2011, Zara Tindall (née Phillips) said: “I think it looks really cool. It’s really exciting, you know, totally different to what they’ve got at the moment, and I’m excited to drive it. Land Rover are really excited about it as well. Hopefully it will be a popular car for them.” Which is nice.
The Queen: Bentley State Limousine
This unique Bentley State Limousine was presented to the Queen in 2002 to mark the 50th anniversary of her succession to the throne. Though based on the Bentley Arnage, the company went to great lengths to ensure this was as bespoke as possible. It’s powered by a modified version of the 6.75-litre V8 from the Arnage R, developing 400 horsepower and 616 lb-ft of torque.
An extended wheelbase provides more room for passengers in the rear, while a wider body and raised roof ensures Her Majesty travels about in absolute comfort. Bentley and Mulliner even modelled the rear seat position on a person the same height as the Queen.
By creating a ‘panoramic glasshouse’, Bentley ensured wellwishers could get the best view of the Queen during royal engagements. Interestingly, when the Queen is on board, the Bentley ‘Flying B’ hood ornament is replaced by either Her Majesty’s St George slaying a dragon or a single lion. You don’t get this kind of option on a Toyota Camry.
The Queen: Vauxhall Cresta PA Friary Estate
Be honest, you weren’t expecting a Vauxhall to appear on a list of cars owned or driven by the Queen, were you? This is like the President turning up at a charity ball in a Buick Regal TourX. But this is no ordinary Vauxhall. In fact, it’s rumoured to be one of Her Majesty’s favourite vehicles.
The Vauxhall Insignia Country Tourer claims to be “ready for adventure”, but aluminium roof rails and cargo cross bars wouldn’t be enough for Her Majesty. Her Cresta featured fishing rod holders built into the roof, along with a dog guard to stop her beloved corgis from entering the passenger compartment. There’s also a gun rack.
The Queen: Range Rover
The Queen is a huge Land Rover fan and there are many photographs of Her Majesty driving one of the off-roaders at Sandringham or Balmoral. Plenty of room for her children, Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward, while allowing space for the dogs. Here’s the Queen at the wheel of a Range Rover, complete with hood mascot.
The Queen: Jaguar Land Rover
In 2014, Jaguar Land Rover was awarded a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade. The official award notification read: “Her Majesty The Queen has been graciously pleased to approve the Prime Minister’s recommendation that your business should receive a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade, this year.”
To mark the occasion, the Queen wore her best gloves.
The Queen and Prince Philip: BAC Mono
If the smile is anything to go by, the Queen is a fan of the BAC Mono, although Prince Philip looks to be wondering where Her Majesty would put the corgis. And where’s the fishing rod holder? A 0-60 mph time of 2.8 seconds is all well and good, but practicality shouldn’t be overlooked.
Prince Edward: Ferrari
Here’s Sergio Marchionne and Prince Edward at an event organised in support of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, a charity that is the world’s leading youth achievement award. Prince Edward’s 10-year-old son made the headlines when he was pictured behind the wheel of a Land Rover Discovery at Windsor Castle.
The Queen: Renault Dauphine
In 1905, Renault sold its first car to the British Royal Family when King Edward VII bought a 14/20hp Landaulette. Twenty-one years later, Renault established a UK base in Acton, before assembling 4CV and Dauphine models in the factory from 1950.
In 1957, Renault presented Queen Elizabeth II with a gift of a Renault Dauphine built at Acton. The Prince of Wales learnt to drive in the Dauphine.
On 19 May 2018, all eyes will be on St George’s Chapel when Prince Harry marries Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle. The newlyweds are expected to embark on a two-mile tour of Windsor by carriage, before arriving at St George’s Hall for the first of two receptions.
But while a carriage sounds romantic, we’re more interested in the cars used to ferry guests to and from the ceremony. Here are some royal wedding cars from around the world.
Aston Martin DB6 Mk2 Volante
Forget Pippa Middleton’s dress, this was the star of William and Kate’s wedding. The happy couple used the Aston Martin DB6 Mk2 Volante – complete with ‘JU5T WED’ rear number plate – to travel from Buckingham Palace to Clarence House. The DB6 was a 21st birthday present from the Queen to Prince Charles, and it was William’s idea to drive his bride away from the official reception in the old Aston.
Rolls-Royce Phantom VI
The Rolls-Royce Phantom VI was presented to the Queen for her Silver Jubilee. The seven-seat Roller features toughened glass and a custom-made silver model of St George slaying a dragon, fitted in place of the Spirit of Ecstasy. It was used by Kate and her father to travel to the church.
Bentley State Limousine
The Bentley State Limousine was presented to the Queen in 2002 to mark the 50th anniversary of her succession to the throne. It’s based on the Arnage, but Mulliner extended the wheelbase to make more room for passengers in the back, while it’s also wider and taller than a production Arnage, to allow the Queen to enter and exit the vehicle in a dignified manner. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh used the cosmetically-challenged Bentley for William and Kate’s wedding.
Volvo XC90
We continue our royal tour of the world in Sweden, specifically the wedding between Prince Carl Philip and Sofia Hellqvist in 2015. Guests were chauffeured from airports and hotels to the ceremony in Slottskyrkan in a fleet of Volvo XC90 courtesy cars, each one finished in Luminous Sand paint.
Volvo XC90
Prince Carl Philip is a keen racing driver, having inherited his love of cars from his great-uncle and godfather, Prince Bertil. According to Royal Central, he has been known to drive his cars at such high speeds that his security detail has trouble keeping up. For his wedding to Sofia Hellqvist, Volvo supplied 35 XC90 D5s with special badges to mark the occasion. After the event, the cars were made available for purchase.
Volvo S80 and V70
Volvo has a history of supplying cars to the Swedish royal family. In 2010, guests attending the wedding between Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling travelled in specially-designed S80 and V70 models, each one finished in sparkling white livery.
Volvo S80 and V70
Once again, Volvo marked the occasion with the royal wedding insignia on the side of the cars, which was also found on the leather upholstery, embedded in the numbered headrests. The design – which was approved by the royal couple – was repeated on a number of other details, such as the sill covers.
Lexus LS 600h L Landaulet
Lexus built a unique LS 600h Landaulet with a one-piece transparent polycarbonate roof to serve as the official royal wedding car of Prince Albert of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock. The conversion was carried out by Belgian coachbuilder Carat Duchatelet, with the project taking more than 2,000 hours to complete. According to Lexus, the roof presented the biggest challenge, being a single piece with no reinforcements or pillars.
Lexus LS 600h L Landaulet
The hybrid powertrain allowed the happy couple to waft along the streets of Monte Carlo in full-electric mode, with zero tailpipe emissions. Prince Albert and his bride sat in the back of the Midnight Blue Lexus, beneath an 8mm thick roof weighing just 26kg.
Lincoln Continental
The Lincoln Continental is more associated with presidential motorcades than wedding days, but the luxo-American car has carried more happy couples than you might think. Back in 1968, a Continental was the choice of transport when the King of Norway arrived at Oslo Cathedral with his future daughter-in-law Sonja Haraldsen. A 1961 Lincoln Continental was also used by Crown Prince Hamzah of Jordan and his bride at their wedding in 2012. The picture shows a Continental adapted for Pope Paul VI, and the Chicago parade vehicle for the Apollo 8, 11, 13 and 15 astronauts. In 2011, it sold at a Bonhams auction for £155,167.
Lincoln Continental
Amazingly, the Norwegian royal family have remained fiercely loyal to the Lincoln Continental. Here, we see the King of Norway returning to the Royal Palace from a parliament visit in 2011. Incidentally, the 1966 Lincoln Continental used for the 1968 royal wedding was used once again when the Crown Prince Haakon married Mette-Marit in 2001.
Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith
It was one of the most high profile events of 1956. In the Monaco sunshine, Hollywood icon Grace Kelly arrived in a Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith to marry Prince Rainier III, before embarking on a tour of Monte Carlo in the open-top car.
Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud
Needless to say, the Prince and Princess of Monaco were showered with gifts from all over the world; “presents from kings and queens, presidents and commoners, movie magnates and millionaires,” reported British Pathé. But this was arguably the best gift of all: a Silver Cloud, presented by Rolls-Royce.
Citroen CX Prestige Landaulet
This Chapron-built CX Prestige Landaulet was unveiled at the 1980 Paris Motor Show and ordered by Citroen for use by VIPs. It was used for the wedding between Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg and Maria Teresa, Grand Duchess of Luxembourg. In 1991, it was sold to a Parisian Citroen dealer and, in 2018, it sold for €95,360 at an Artcurial auction.
Cadillac Series 62
In 1960, King Baudouin married Dona Fabiola de Mora y Aragón in Brussels. The bride drove from the Royal Palace to the Cathedral of St Michael and St Gudula in a 1955 ‘bubble top’ Cadillac Series 62, similar to the car featured here, albeit without the transparent roof.
Fiat 2300 S Coupe
Not strictly a royal wedding car, but a Fiat 2300 S Coupe similar to this was presented to Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands and Prince Claus following their wedding in 1966.
Rolls-Royce Silver Spur limo
The Sultan of Brunei is famous for his love of cars, laying claim to a collection worth more than $4 billion. At a cost of $14 million, this custom-built Silver Spur limo is one of the most eye-catching, not to mention expensive, cars in the Sultan’s collection. And, yes, that is 24-carat gold plating. When his son, Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, married in 2014, he embarked on a five-mile parade across Brunei’s capital.
Rolls-Royce Phantom IV
The former Spanish dictator, Francisco Franco, ordered three armoured Phantom IV models from Rolls-Royce: two limousines and one drophead. The cars are now the property of the Spanish Army and are used for ceremonial purposes, such as the wedding of Princess Infanta Cristina and Inaki Urdangarin in 1997. In 2017, Urdangarin, the king’s brother-in-law, was found guilty of fraud and corruption, and sentenced to six years and three months in jail.
Rolls-Royce Phantom III 40/50hp Enclosed Limousine
In 1949, the Earl of Harewood, the Queen’s cousin and a grandson of King George V, married Miss Marion Stein, an Austrian Jew who had fled to England in 1938. The King and Queen travelled down from Balmoral to attend the ceremony in Mayfair, with Miss Stein and her father arriving in a Rolls-Royce Phantom III 40/50hp Enclosed Limousine, which sold at a Bonhams auction in 2014 for just £25,606.
Rolls-Royce at the Royal Mews
We conclude with a selection of Rolls-Royce motor vehicles parked outside the Royal Mews. Now, it’s over to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to add to the list of cars used for royal weddings.
Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota, recently announced that he has “decided to ‘redesign’ Toyota from a car-making company into a mobility company.
“A mobility company,” he explained, “is one that provides services related to movement for people around the world.'” Not only does Toyoda-san state his desire to become a mobility provider, but he also defines what one actually is. CEOs of mobility start-ups, listen up…
Mobility is an interesting concept, and I’m truly curious what it could look like when it involves a global company like Toyota. We’re all familiar with the ride-share company use of “mobility” to describe, in one way or another, what’s basically a minicab, but even companies like Uber are stretching their scope to include things such as electric scooter hire.
This short and medium distance enablement is fine and dandy in sunny, beautiful and urbanised California, but what does it mean for those of us in the real world? What could ‘mobility’ look like?
From travel to mobility
Let’s look at an example of what’s possible. I regularly travel to the town of Helsingborg in Sweden, and the route I take is an excellent example of multi-modal transportation. Here’s what happens.
Ahead of time, I:
Book flights from the UK to Copenhagen from one provider
Book parking at the airport from another provider
Make sure the car has sufficient fuel to get me to the airport car park
On the day, I:
Go to my car and set the navigation for the airport car park
I drive to the car park and swap to a bus
The bus takes me to the terminal where, after some waiting, I climb aboard a plane that magics me to CPH
Once at CPH I take a short walk to the railway station that’s part of the airport
At the Station I buy a combined rail and ferry ticket from there to Helsingborg and board a train for Helsingør.
At Helsingør I swap to a ferry which crosses the Öresund to Helsingborg.
There are five or six different transactions there, each separate and each needing to be changed or altered in isolation if something fails. Which, sometimes, it does.
Mobility, then, is when I declare that I wish to get from my house to Helsingborg on a particular date, and within defined time and cost constraints. It involves me simply pressing a button and make a payment: all the bookings and scheduling happen in that one single transaction.
Better than that, because I’ve requested a “Home to Helsingborg Service” it’s all integrated. If I get held up in traffic, or the train I’ve been directed to (as it’s theoretically faster) turns out to be delayed enough that I’m late for my flight, the service will re-route me to a different car park, plane, train or ferry, seamlessly and instantly.
At least, that’s my interpretation of ‘mobility’, as opposed to transport, and you know what? I’m all in favour of that future.
No one company will ever have complete control of a series of transactions like that, but there’s no reason that a large, global company can’t forge the necessary codeshare relationships and fill the appropriate gaps to make ‘one transaction mobility’ a reality.
If nothing else, it should make my travel significantly simpler and less stressful. Toyoda-san, for that reason alone, you may just be onto something…
What are you doing this Saturday? Not on the guest list for that wedding in Windsor? Failed to secure tickets for Chelsea Rovers vs Manchester Athletic? Fear not, because that leaves you free to spend upwards of £100,000 on a Ford Sierra.
Could this be the most expensive Ford Sierra Cosworth in the world?
The market is such that we hardly bat an eyelid when somebody mentions a six-figure sum for a fast Ford, but what makes this Sierra particularly special is the fact that it’s the first Cosworth RS500 ever built, and the first of four pre-production cars. It’s also the only one built by Ford, as all the others were put together by Tickford.
In August 2017, somebody spent £114,750 on a 10,733-mile RS500, before another person dropped £112,500 on a 6,000-mile example in November. Chassis number one heads to auction this Saturday armed with a pre-auction estimate of £90,000 to £120,000, but there’s every chance it could set a new British record for a Sierra.
Visually, the RS500 was set apart from the standard Sierra Cosworth courtesy of a revised front end and an additional tailgate spoiler, designed to generate more downforce and improve cornering. Under the bonnet, Ford added a larger turbocharger and intercooler which, when combined with modifications to the fuel injection and cooling systems, added 20hp to the regular ‘Cossie’.
Chassis number one was used as a prototype prior to sign-off, tested to the extreme by Ford’s test drivers. It was consequently reshelled by Ford before being sold to its first owner in March 1987. It changed hands a number of times – including a spell in Norway – before arriving back in the UK in February of this year.
What do 5 Cosworths, a Mexico and a GT have in common. That's right they're all Fast Fords coming to our May Sale on the 19th May at The Wing, Silverstone Circuit. For more information about the Sale and to register to bid: https://t.co/UB6RxIVMMVpic.twitter.com/MuEr8Vew1L
Nick Whale, managing director of Silverstone Auctions, said: “It’s chassis number one, the first Sierra Cosworth RS500 ever built! This car is truly a one-off, and for any serious Ford collector, this must be the car to have – the one that started it all.
“Recently we have seen a growing interest in fast Fords, and the prices have risen to record-busting levels. I can’t recall there ever being a Ford prototype coming to auction, and I can’t see this happening again. This is a very special and rare RS500 that presents very well and is a car that can be driven, enjoyed and is a great addition to any collection.”
The one thing that could keep the sale price the right side of insane is the mileage: this car has completed 42,379 miles. How refreshing is that? It also means that you won’t feel too quilty taking it for a post-auction dawn raid. We can think of worse ways to spend a summer Sunday.
Forget Harry and Meghan, because the RS500 is fast Ford royalty. But don’t worry if you can’t stretch to chassis number one, because it’s one of four Sierra Cosworths available at the Silverstone Auctions May Sale.
Pricing for the new 2018 Suzuki Swift Sport certainly raised eyebrows when it was announced at the car’s international launch in April. The hefty £17,999 was a significant increase on its bargain-priced predecessor.
Since then, Ford has announced its new Fiesta ST – a sportier, faster car boasting 60hp more than the bantamweight Suzuki – will be priced from £18,995, making the Swift Sport seem, on paper, even more optimistically priced.
Now, Suzuki has responded, with a “launch” offer for the new Swift Sport. And we wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes permanent in due course.
It cuts the price of the new 1.4-litre turbo car by £1,500 to £16,499, a level that seems far more sensible for the racy supermini – and while Suzuki’s initial PCP deal of £249 a month (with zero deposit) was rather keener than the on-paper price, it seems this could become even more appealing when the firm announces a revised deal next month.
Suzuki’s promising the PCP will be affordable, with a low deposit. It sounds like the UK importer is going back to the drawing board with the latest Swift Sport.
This is good news for car buyers because, although it’s not as exciting as the previous car, the new Swift Sport is a better proposition overall – and one that comes with a generous amount of standard equipment including sat nav, LED headlights, climate control, polished 17-inch alloys and smartphone-ready infotainment.
The 140hp 1.4-litre turbo engine also averages 50.4mpg and emits 125g/km, which is more impressive than its meek performance figures: 0-62mph takes 8.1 seconds and the top speed is 130mph.
Ford’s Fiesta ST claims 6.5 seconds and 144mph from its 200hp 1.5-litre turbo (oh, and 47.1mpg, plus 136g/km CO2).
The new Swift Sport goes on sale in the UK from 1 June 2018 and it’s positive news that Suzuki is correcting its original pricing plans, at least for those ordering before the end of June 2018. Here’s now hoping the correction becomes permanent…
New MOT rules coming into force on 20 May could herald the return to British roads for over 115,000 old cars – because the MOT changes mean most cars aged over 40 years old no longer need an MOT.
Kwik Fit carried out the research and found that owners of British makes MG, Triumph and Morris, plus Volkswagen and Ford owners, are likely to benefit most from the new rules: those owners have the highest number of cars currently off the road (almost 20,000 cars in MG’s case).
The analysis involved looking at the number of registered cars aged between 40-58 years – that’s 250,239 motors – and then splitting out how many are declared as being off the road with a Statutory Off Road Notification, or SORN.
Total number of SORN retro motors? 116,927 cars, or 47 percent of cars aged 40-58 years.
The current rules state any car registered after 1960 needs an MOT, but the new MOT changes switch that to a rolling 40-year cut-off. It’s a change Kwik Fit believes is sensible – so long as owners themselves are sensible.
Eric Smith, MOT scheme manager at Kwik Fit said: “In the main, classic car owners look after their vehicles very carefully and ensure that their pride and joy is in mint condition. However, we would encourage anyone driving a car of this age after it has been off the road for some time on a SORN to make thorough checks.”
Owners should be particularly vigilant around the condition of their tyres, he advised.
Smith also warned motorists who think the new rules are an opportunity to flout the law by using unroadworthy vehicles. “If any classic car owner has not been driving their vehicle because it would fail an MOT, the new rules don’t allow them to put it straight back on the road.
“Although they don’t need to take a test, they must ensure the car’s roadworthy or they could face a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points.”
Top 20 brands with cars registered 1960-1978 on SORN
Brand
Total cars aged 40-58 years licensed for road use
Total cars aged 40-58 years registered off road (SORN)
Total cars aged 40-58 years
Percentage of cars aged 40-58 currently registered off road
Brits buy four times as many used cars as they do new vehicles. The secondhand car market is a hugely important one, which is why there’s always so much interest on the latest sales analysis figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The latest date for 2018 has now been released, with the SMMT chief executive describing it as proof “the UK’s used car sector remains at a very high level… it’s great to see millions of consumers benefiting from some of the latest, safest and cleanest models now filtering into the market.”
There’s even a surprise amongst the figures. While new diesel car sales are very much in the doldrums, the reverse is true for used cars – petrol sales have fallen nearly 10 percent so far in 2018, with diesel used car sales up 2 percent. That reflects the boom in new diesel car sales in recent years… and a similar sales surge has seen 15.9 percent more hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric cars change hands in 2018.
Used car market dips but sales still strong
Almost 5 percent fewer used cars were sold in the first quarter of 2018, a downturn that mirrors the one in the new car market. The SMMT is still eager to stress that this remains the third-highest Q1 for used car sales on record, with more than two million secondhand motors changing hands.
Superminis were the most popular used car, as they have been for what seems like forever, but dual purpose vehicles – that’s SUVs and crossovers – are the fastest-growing used car type. Almost 13 percent more of them changed hands in early 2018, with transactions easily topping the 200,000 mark.
But which are the best-selling used cars in 2018 so far? Here’s our rundown of British secondhand car buyers’ top 10 choices.
10: Audi A3
Audi unveiled the A3 at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1996, with the car based on the platform of the Volkswagen Golf Mk4, which followed a year later. Initially available exclusively as a three-door hatchback, today’s A3 is available as a five-door Sportback, four-door saloon, convertible and performance S and RS models. Well over half a million A3s have been sold in the UK, 29,865 of which were snapped up as used cars in the first quarter of 2018.
9: Renault Clio
The first-generation Renault Clio arrived in the UK on 29 March 1991, having already scooped the European Car of the Year award. Since then, more than 13 million Clios have been sold across the world, including 1.2 million in the UK. Some 36,653 used Clios found a new home in the first quarter of the year.
8: Volkswagen Polo
With 38,421 sales, the Volkswagen Polo is slightly more popular than the Clio on the used car market. Earlier this year, the new Polo was named World Urban Car at the World Car Awards, while global sales passed the 17 million mark. In the UK, it has developed a reputation for solidity and reliability, making it a favourite of parents buying a first car for their grown-up offspring.
7: Mini
Many Mini buyers like to personalise their car when buying new, which is a double-edged sword for used car buyers. On the one hand, you can save money as many of the accessories don’t necessarily add to the residual value. On the other hand, you don’t get to personalise the car to your own tastes. That didn’t stop 40,040 used Minis finding new homes in the first quarter.
6: BMW 3 Series
Only the second premium badge and the largest car to appear in the top 10, Britons cannot get enough of the BMW 3 Series. For four decades, the 3 Series has been the default choice for motorists in search of class-leading dynamics, a quality interior and a rock-solid image. First quarter sales: 49,753.
5: Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen design legend, Walter de Silva, once said: “One of the keys to the Golf’s success lies in its continuity. There are a handful of cars with a design that, like the Golf’s has been refined, tweaked and enhanced down the decades and thus become timeless.” He had a point, as highlighted by the fact that 67,033 used Golfs found a new home in the first quarter.
4: Vauxhall Astra
Spoiler alert: the top four is dominated by Vauxhall and Ford. Little wonder, when you consider the new car sales figures and the fact that so many are snapped up by the fleet market. Some 70,533 of you bought a used Astra in the first quarter of 2018.
3: Vauxhall Corsa
Meanwhile, 81,663 used Vauxhall Corsas rolled off the forecourt in the first three months of the year. Vauxhall’s popular supermini celebrates its 25th year on sale in the UK in 2018, with the first Corsa arriving in 1993.
2: Ford Focus
It’s a Ford one-two at the top, with the Focus finishing second with 83,781 used car sales. Last month, Ford unveiled the all-new Focus in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It’s set to go on sale in the summer, with prices starting from £17,930. First quarter sales: 83,781.
1: Ford Fiesta
It’ll come as no surprise to find the Ford Fiesta at the top of the used car pile. Some 92,569 used Fiestas found a new home, which is more than the Polo and Clio combined. Examples of the latest Fiesta are already cropping up on the used car market, with prices starting from as little as £12,000.
Most popular used car colours in 2018
Black has now overtaken silver as Britain’s favourite secondhand car colour. Add in red and the top six colours dominate – four times as many red used cars were sold than the next-best hue, green…
1: Black
2: Silver
3: Blue
4: Grey
5: White
Most popular regions for used car sales in 2018
By far the most popular region for used car transactions is the South East. This reflects the number of people in the region, but also suggests competition for cars is high there. So if you want to bag a bargain, it might be worth making a trip to another region, such as the South West, where cars may sit on forecourts or in the classifieds a little longer…
With a third child now here, Prince William might have put two-wheeled antics on hold for a while, but he couldn’t resist a quick ride on a new Tiger 1200 during a visit to the Triumph factory in Leicestershire, England, back in February. Last year, Prince William discussed his love of motorcycles with Jonathan Rea as he presented the triple World Superbike champion with an MBE at Buckingham Palace.
Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota, 
Pricing for the new 
Brits buy four times as many used cars as they do new vehicles. The secondhand car market is a hugely important one, which is why there’s always so much interest on the latest sales analysis figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
