Classics Monthly November 2022

www.classicsworld.co.uk Classics Monthly, Kelsey Media, The Granary, Downs Court, Yalding Hill, Yalding, Kent ME18 6AL EDITORIAL Editor: Simon Goldsworthy Email: classics.ed@kelsey.co.uk Group Editor: Paul Wager Email: classics.ed@kelsey.co.uk Design: Focused On Design Ltd WITH THANKS THIS ISSUE TO Iain Ayre, Terry Burgess, Andrew Everett, Mike Gould, Rob Hawkins, Ivan Ostroff, Andrew Roberts, Steve Roberts, Steve Rothwell, Andy Starkey, Phil White, Alex Zeller ADVERTISEMENT SALES Tandem Media Managing Director: Catherine Rowe Account Manager Laura Crawte: 01233 228754 laura@tandemmedia.co.uk To advertise, call 01233 228750 AD PRODUCTION Tandem Media Production and Design Manager: Neil Hepden 01233 220245 classics@tandemmedia.co.uk MANAGEMENT Chief Executive: Steve Wright Chief Operating Officer: Phil Weeden Subscription Marketing Director: Gill Lambert Retail Director: Steve Brown Print Production Manager: Georgina Harris Print Production Controllers: Kelly Orriss and Hayley Brown Subscriptions Marketing Manager: Dave…

There were very definite warning signs of what was coming, but the announcement that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II had died on 8th September still came as something of a shock. With her reign spanning a remarkable 70 years, many of us have never known another monarch, and while the actual impact on our daily lives of her passing will not be as immediate or as dramatic as other recent earthquake events such as Brexit, COVID and the shattering of postwar peace in Europe, for many people the psychological impact will still be immense. I say that in the full knowledge that opinions are very divided about the whole question of a monarchy. For a great many people it represents tradition and stability, something to admire and revere, a very…

David Franklin’s relationship with Fiat started in 1962, when he joined the marque as a Progress Chaser at their first ever UK-based concessionaire in Wembley. Within the year, David had bought his first ever Fiat, the iconic first-generation Fiat 500D, which cost him £399 (or £5800 in today’s money). David spent 12 years working for Fiat, progressing through the ranks as a Car Tester, Technical Representative and Technical Office Manager. His career highlight with the company was the role of Operations Manager for the Fiat 130, the brand's flagship saloon at the time. During his time with the Italian marque, David was also a budding racing driver, competing in off-road production car trials across the country. Between 1963 and 1967 he entered 31 events, placing first no fewer than 14 times,…

A black Ford Escort RS Turbo, driven by Diana, the Princess of Wales, from August 1985 to May 1988 went on sale with Silverstone Auctions at the end of August with no reserve. It was expected to go for a six figure sum – nobody saw the final price of £730,000 coming, as the previous record for a Ford Escort had been £60,000. Arwel Richards of Silverstone Auctions said: 'The final tussle for ownership of the car was between a Dubai buyer and a Cheshire based English buyer, both bidding online, with the English bidder winning the car in the end. The atmosphere in the auction room was electric.' Registered on 23rd August 1985, this RS Turbo Series 1 and its famous driver were extensively photographed outside the boutiques of…

Burlen, owners of the J40 Motor Company, has acquired the Austin trademark which allows them to manufacture new pedal cars, parts and accessories under the Austin name. A new company has launched called Austin Pedal Cars, and the renowned J40 Motor Company will become a sub-division of them as a J40-specific parts, accessories, events and experiences brand. A new Austin Pedal Cars website will launch later in 2022. The first public appearance of the Austin Pedal Cars name was at the 2022 Goodwood Revival where the brand launched an allnew J40 prototype continuation pedal car. In addition, Austin Pedal Cars plans to launch a series of new Austin pedal car models over the coming years. Mark Burnett, Burlen’s Managing Director, said: 'Austin as a brand will live on in our…

This year is the 60th anniversary of Britain’s favourite sports car, the MGB. The model’s longevity is a tribute to its no-nonsense design and robust mechanicals, but also the fact that British Motor Heritage (BMH) has been actively supporting it since 1975 by providing replacement body panels and shells built to the original specification on the very same tools that brought the cars into being all those years ago. As we go to print, no fewer than 30 complete new bodyshells – 16 GTs and 14 roadsters – are in build at the BMH factory in Witney, Oxon. This is the biggest single production run for four years, and underlines enthusiasts’ ongoing determination to enjoy their MGs for many years to come. It brings the company’s total number of MGB roadster…