Annual Petersfield rally welcomes 300 classic cars

About 300 vintage cars were on display as part of a popular annual rally in Petersfield on Saturday (June 5th).

Motoring enthusiasts flocked in their thousands to catch a glimpse of some of the classic Bentleys, Lagondas and Austins at Queen Elizabeth Country Park, the Petersfield Post reports.

The event, which is organised by the South Hants Vehicle Preservation Society, proved to be a huge success, with attendees also purchasing spare parts for their own vehicles at the autojumble.

"One of the earliest cars there was a Citroen from 1911-12," Stuart Cleaver, chairman of the autojumble committee and unofficial chaplain of the society, told the news provider.

"We had quite a few vehicles from the 1920s and 1930s, and rather more from the 1950s and 1960s."

Mr Cleaver also revealed that his car, a 1928 Austin 16/6 Tourer, generated interest as its chassis was built in Birmingham and sent to Australia, where the body was then fitted.

The Austin 16/6 was capable of reaching 60mph and returned 21 miles per imperial gallon, depending on its body.

Vintage 007 Aston Martin to return to the UK

A British classic car which was once described as the most famous in the world is set to appear at an event in Buckinghamshire this month.

The sole-remaining silver 1964 Aston Martin DB5 ''FMP 7B'' achieved iconic status for its appearances in the James Bond films ''Goldfinger'' and ''Thunderball''.

Having spent more than 40 years in the US with its original owner, the vehicle is now coming back to the UK to be sold at the annual ''Automobiles of London'' auction in October.

However, vintage car fans will be able to catch a glimpse of it in the very near future as it is scheduled to appear at the Stoke Park Midsummer Classic on June 26th.

"This DB5 is more than a car, it''s a film star and it''s an absolute privilege to be able to present it to the British public again, having been away in America for so many years," said Max Girardo, the managing director of RM Auctions Europe.

The DB5, which has been owned by US radio personality Jerry Lee since he paid Aston Martin $12,000 for it in 1969, is expected to fetch $5 million when it goes under the hammer.

Silverstone relay race ''ideal'' for classic car owners

Classic car drivers have been alerted to a special but relatively unknown event on the British motor sport calendar.

The Birkett Six Hours, organised by the 750 Motor Club, is a relay race involving 55 teams of four to six cars, with no restrictions imposed upon entries.

Handicappers assess each squad before the race - which was held at Silverstone last year - meaning any type of vintage car could be in with a chance of emerging victorious.

Writing for the Daily Telegraph, Simon Arron hailed the event, praising it for removing some of the "homogeneity [which] has stifled diversity" at race meetings.

"The entry is limited to sports and saloon cars, but that can mean anything from a 1962 Ford Anglia, a contemporary replica of Jaguar''s Le Mans-winning D-Type or a Proton Coupe," he wrote.

"It''s a wonderful anachronism - a throwback to the days when camaraderie mattered more than spending power."

The Jaguar D-Type was produced purely for competition and was heralded upon its release in 1954 for its ground-breaking use of a monocoque chassis.

1963 Aston Martin DB4 4-Seater Convertible sold for a way over top estimate £297,000

 

 A 1963 Aston Martin DB4 4-Seater Convertible - one of just seventy made which had been restored some thirty years ago and had all its numbers still matching - sold for a way over top estimate £297,000 including buyers premium during the latest H&H sale at Buxton’s Pavilion Gardens, reports Richard Hudson-Evans.
Another thumping big price was the £175,000 invested in a Bristol 100D2-engined and nicely patinated 1959 AC Ace Roadster which had also been consigned by the same ex-professional goalkeeper as the Aston. The footballer turned steel stock holder’s five-car collection - which included a £37,400 Ferrari 328GTS with 12,800 mileage displayed since 1989 and a £7700 1980 MGB LE Roadster with just 2500 miles on the clock - all sold out at the popular Peak District venue.
The northern auction house certainly has a good track record for achieving progressively stronger prices for the Ace with a Ford Zephyr 2.6-powered car fetching a record £209,000 with premium at a previous sale.
During what amounted to a £1.32m afternoon once £125,000 worth of motorcycles including a £46,750 1951 Vincent Black Shadow and £35,000 spent on automobilia had been taken into account, 48 cars or 80% of the entry changed hands, the average spend per car being £24,245.
Among the most notable movers for market watchers were a concours standard 1958 Aston Martin DB MkIII Fixed Head sold for £93,500 and a restored and early 1958 Jaguar XK150S 3.4 Roadster made £56,100. A 1962 E Type 3.8 former Coupe and now Roadster realised £43,450 and a left to right-hand drive converted 1954 Austin-Healey 100 with louvered 100M-style bonnet £30,800.
And although a re-shelled 1969 Mk1 Ford Escort rally car with non-original Twin Cam motor, but historic FEV 5H registration failed to find the £80,000 or so sought, a works-supported Reliant Sabre 6 Coupe, which did do the 1963 and 1964 Monte Carlo Rallies in period, found £26,400. There was also much competition between bidders to take on a 1966 Lotus Elan restoration project. Dormant in a garage for 10years and with realistic pre-sale estimate of £1000-2000 reflecting cosmetically distressed condition, the Series Convertible with hardtop eventually cost some brave contestant £16,050 with premium!