Motorbase

Centre 81 Classic Car Run and Show

bee — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:27:26 +0000

Sunday, 14^th July 2013

Starts: 10am with cars departing up to 11am, arriving at Sea Life Centre, Great Yarmouth from 12pm onwards

Judging at 3pm

Presentation of Prizes at 4pm

Entry Fee Donation: £10 per car

For further information contact Jackie on 01493 852573 or email: reception@centre81.com

Event Details

A combined Classic Car Run and Show that gives all entrants a chance to take their car for a leisurely run through the Norfolk countryside. The event will start at Caister Lifeboat Station and end at the Sealife Centre, Great Yarmouth where the static display and show will take place.

A circular route has been planned which will allow you to meander through Norfolk villages on a 50 mile journey.

At Great Yarmouth your car will automatically be entered into:

The Best in Show
The ‘Drippiest’ car

The Best in Show will be judged on a conventional basis used for judging classic vehicles. The ‘Drippiest’ car will be determined by the number of oil spots your car leaves behind on the cardboard trays.

The three combined aims of staging this event are:

Provide you with an opportunity to show others your treasured car which is a piece of our automobile history
To raise awareness of Centre 81’s work
To raise funds for Centre 81’s exciting and ambitious future plan

Hospice in the Weald Classic Car Rally 2013

bee — Wed, 15 May 2013 09:05:21 +0000

With spring approaching plans are well underway for our Classic Car Rally and we would like to invite you to join us!

This year the Classic Car Rally is being held on 14^th July. With a new route and a new picnic venue for this year, we hope to welcome as many of you as possible to motor through the picturesque countryside of Kent and Sussex.

Starting and finishing here at Hospice in the Weald in Pembury, we will follow a scenic route off to the private estate of Wadhurst Castle for light refreshments. We will then continue on for a spot of lunch to Bentley Wildfowl and Motor Museum near Halland boasting over 700 years of fascinating history and a wonderful motor museum.

This year we hope to welcome more cars than ever before and raise even more valuable funds for Hospice in the Weald. As a local charity rooted in your community and not part of the NHS we now need to raise £5 million each and every year.

It is the support of our community and events such as the Classic Car Rally that ensure this service can continue – we do hope you can join us.Entry Form

Tatra Tatraplan 600

bee — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 11:45:16 +0000

Take A Look At – Lloyd 650

bee — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 11:26:47 +0000

Update Vehicle Profile – BMW AM4

bee — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 10:32:14 +0000

World Cup Rally Car Takes The Stage

bee — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 16:06:21 +0000

Historics offers unique 1970 World Cup Rally Austin Maxi at auction

When introduced in 1969, the Austin Maxi would hardly have been dubbed the last word in adventure, and yet of the 450,000 manufactured, a 1970 model, which comes to auction by Historics at Brooklands in Surrey, on Saturday, March 9, is a real tribute to three lady thrill-seekers who took it on a 16,000 mile epic.

‘MCE 7G’ – one of the first 500 Maxis built – contested the gruelling 1970 Daily Mirror London to Mexico World Cup Rally, which was flagged away from the hallowed turf of Wembley on 19^th April by Sir Alf Ramsay, en route to Mexico, the host of the international football competition.

The Maxi was professionally-prepared for the event in 1970 by BLMC dealer, Marshalls of Cambridge, with the assistance and full co-operation of the BLMC works motorsport department.

Wedged amidst jumbles of spares, equipment, tools, food, drink and clothing – and doubtless a phrase book or two – were the British trio of Tish Ozanne, Bronwyn Burrell and Tina Kerridge. Their mission was simple; the task formidable. In fact, of 106 starters, just 26 finished and Tish’s team were sadly to succumb to glutinous mud in Argentina, which forced their retirement through being out of time at a control point, a sad finale after being placed 35^th after the European rally stages.

Commenting recently on the end of their rally, Tina Kerridge remarked: “It all comes flooding back to me – ‘flooding’ being the operative word. Something like 4” of rain fell in one hour and we simply got bogged down in the most desolate area, in the middle of the night, surrounded by pampas grass, and nothing else. It was so disappointing as we had been going so well. We just sat there and cried.”

Meticulously-restored by the present owner to the original specification in which it left for its adventure from Wembley Stadium – plus appropriate upgrades such as contemporary tyres – the Maxi is a perfect example of the international rally car genre of its day.

The original 1,500cc 4-cylinder engine was uprated to a factory 1,750cc unit – as installed in later production Maxis – by Tish Ozanne after the World Cup Rally, to contest European events following its return from South America.

The interior of the car is festooned with the original rally equipment that bears testament to its London to Mexico journey and later competition life, and has recently benefitted from extensive work by its original builder, Peter Baldwin.

Presented in its original 1970 Daily Mirror London-Mexico World Cup Rally livery, the car is in excellent condition throughout, fully road legal and drives well on the road – and ready for the historic rally stage – with 38,000 recorded miles on the odometer. Adding to the atmosphere, it comes to sale at Historics with a large historical file of documents, photographs and press cuttings from the period.

With only one other rallying Maxi from the event existing in a Museum, ‘MCE 7G’ represents a rare opportunity to acquire a very unusual and well-presented model. With its unique history, great interest is anticipated at the guide price of £19,000 – £24,000.

50 Years of the Porsche 911

bee — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 15:45:55 +0000

The sports car icon celebrates a special birthday.The Porsche 911 is the world’s most successful sports car, with over 820,000 built since 1963. A wide variety of anniversary events will host celebrations in 2013 – including a dedicated exhibition at the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. Follow origin.porsche.com to keep up to date with news and events. For five decades, the 911 has been the heart of the Porsche brand. Few other automobiles in the world can look back on such a long tradition and such continuity as the Porsche 911. It has been inspiring car enthusiasts the world over since its debut as the model 901 at the IAA International Automotive Show in September 1963. Today it is considered the quintessential sports car, the benchmark for all others. The 911 is also the central point of reference for all other Porsche series. From the Cayenne to the Panamera, every Porsche is the most sporting automobile in its category, and each one carries a piece of the 911 philosophy. Over 820,000 Porsche 911s have been built, making it the most successful sports car in the world. For each of its seven generations the engineers in Zuffenhausen and Weissach have reinvented it, time and time again demonstrating to the world the innovative power of the Porsche brand. Like no other vehicle, the 911 reconciles apparent contradictions such as sportiness and everyday practicality, tradition and innovation, exclusivity and social acceptance, design and functionality. It is no wonder that each generation has written its own personal success story. Ferry Porsche best described its unique qualities: “The 911 is the only car you could drive on an African safari or at Le Mans, to the theatre or through New York City traffic.” In addition to its classic yet unique lines, the Porsche 911 has always been distinguished by its advanced technology. Many of the ideas and technologies that made their debut in the Porsche 911 were conceived on the race track. The 911 was committed to the performance principle from the start, and motor racing is its most important test lab. From the very beginning it has been at home on circuits all over the world, earning a reputation as a versatile and dependable winner. Indeed, a good two thirds of the 30,000 race victories achieved by Porsche to date were notched up by the 911. How Porsche celebrates the anniversary For Porsche, the 50th anniversary of this iconic sports car is the central theme of 2013. There will be a wide variety of anniversary events, starting with the ‘Retro Classics’ automobile show in Stuttgart. From 7 to 10 March, the Porsche Museum will ring in the anniversary year with four special exhibits, an early-model 911 Turbo Coupé, a 911 Cabriolet study from 1981, a 1997 road-going ‘street’ version 911 GT1 and the pre-series Type 754 T7. This chassis by Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche was a milestone on the way to the 911 design. The company is also sending an authentic 1967 model 911 on a world tour. Over the course of the year, this classic car will travel to five continents where it will be shown in places like Pebble Beach, California, China, Goodwood in the UK, Paris and Australia. As an ambassador for the Porsche brand, this vintage 911 will be in attendance at many international fairs, historical rallies and motor sport events. Fans and interested individuals can follow the car’s progress at porsche.com/follow-911. The Porsche Museum is celebrating ‘50 years of the Porsche 911’ from 4 June – 29 September 2013, with a special exhibition featuring the history and development of the 911. In the spring, the Museum’s own publishing house, Edition Porsche-Museum, will publish an anniversary book entitled “911×911”. The generations The First 911 (1963) — Birth of a Legend As the successor to the Porsche 356, the 911 won the hearts of sports car enthusiasts from the outset. The prototype was first unveiled at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show in 1963 as the 901, and renamed the 911 for its market launch in 1964. Its air-cooled, six-cylinder ‘boxer’ engine delivered 128 hp (94 kW), giving an impressive top speed of 131 mph. If you wanted to take things a little slower, starting in 1965 you could also opt for the four-cylinder Porsche 912. In 1966, Porsche presented the 158 hp (116 kW) 911 S, which was the first to feature forged alloy wheels from Fuchs. The 911 Targa, with its distinctive stainless steel roll bar, made its debut in late 1966 as the world’s first ever safety cabriolet. The semi-automatic Sportomatic four-speed transmission joined the line-up in 1967. With the 911 T of the same year, and the later E and S variants, Porsche became the first German manufacturer to comply with strict US exhaust emission control regulations. The Porsche 911 became more and more powerful as displacement increased, initially to 2.2-litres (1969) and later to 2.4 (1971). The 911 Carrera RS 2.7 of 1972 with a 207 hp (152 kW) engine and a weight of less than 1,000 kg remains the epitome of a dream car to this day. Its characteristic ‘ducktail’ was the world’s first rear spoiler on a production vehicle. The G-Series (1973) — The Second Generation Ten years after its premiere, the engineers at Porsche gave the 911 its first thorough makeover. The G-Series model was produced from 1973 to 1989, longer than any other 911 generation. It featured prominent impact-absorbing bellows bumpers, an innovation designed to meet the latest crash test standards in the United States. Occupant protection was further enhanced by three-point safety belts as standard equipment, as well as integrated seat headrests. One of the most important milestones in the 911 saga was the 1974 unveiling of the first Porsche 911 Turbo with a 3.0-litre 256 hp (188 kW) engine and prominent rear spoiler. With its unique blend of luxury and performance, the Turbo became synonymous with the Porsche mystique. The next performance jump came in 1977 with the intercooler-equipped 911 Turbo 3.3. Its power output of 296 hp (218 kW) was the best in its class. In 1983, the naturally-aspirated 911 Carrera superseded the SC; with a 3.2-litre 228 hp engine, it became a favourite collectors’ item. Starting in 1982, fresh air enthusiasts could also order the 911 as a Cabriolet. The 911 Carrera Speedster, launched in 1989, was evocative of the legendary 356 of the Fifties. The 964 (1988) — Classic Modern Just when automotive experts were predicting the imminent end of an era, in 1988 Porsche came out with the 911 Carrera 4 (964). After fifteen years of production the 911 platform was radically renewed with 85 per cent new components, giving Porsche a modern and sustainable vehicle. Its air-cooled 3.6-litre ‘boxer’ engine delivered 247 hp (182 kW). Externally, the 964 differed from its predecessors only slightly, in its aerodynamic polyurethane bumpers and automatically extending rear spoiler, but internally it was almost completely different. The new model was designed to captivate drivers not only with sporty performance but also enhanced comfort. It came with ABS, power steering and airbags, plus the option of Tiptronic automatic transmission, and rode on a completely re-designed chassis with light alloy control arms and coil springs instead of the previous torsion-bar suspension. A revolutionary member of the new 911 line-up right from the start was the all-wheel drive Carrera 4 model. In addition to Carrera Coupé, Cabriolet and Targa versions, from 1990 customers could also order the 964 Turbo. Initially powered by the proven 3.3-litre flat six engine, in 1992 the Turbo was upgraded to a more powerful 355 hp (261 kW) 3.6-litre power plant. Today, the 964 Carrera RS, 911 Turbo S, and 911 Carrera 2 Speedster are particularly in demand among collectors. The 993 (1993) — The Last Air-Cooled Models The 911 with the internal design number 993 remains the one true love of many a Porsche driver. The remarkably pleasing design has much to do with this. The integrated bumpers underscore the smooth elegance of its styling. The front section is lower-slung than on the earlier models, made possible by a switch from round to poly-ellipsoid headlights. The 993 quickly gained a reputation for exceptional dependability and reliability. It was also agile, as the first 911 with a newly-designed aluminium chassis. The Turbo version was the first to have a twin-turbo engine, giving it the lowest-emission production automotive powertrain in the world in 1995. The hollow-spoke aluminium wheels, never before used on any car, were yet another innovation of the all-wheel drive Turbo version. The Porsche 911 GT2 was aimed at the sports car purist who cherished the thrill of high speed. An electric glass roof that slid under the rear window was one of the innovations of the 911 Targa. But the real reason dyed-in-the-wool Porsche enthusiasts still revere the 993 is that this model, produced from 1993 to 1998, was the last 911 with an air-cooled engine. The 996 (1997) — Water-Cooled The 996, which rolled off the assembly line from 1997 to 2005, represented a major turning point in the history of the 911. It retained all the character of its classic heritage, but was an entirely new car. The comprehensively re-designed generation was the first to be driven by a water-cooled version of the ‘boxer’ engine. Thanks to its four-valve cylinder heads, it achieved 296 hp (218 kW) and broke new ground in terms of reduced emissions, noise, and fuel consumption. Meanwhile, the exterior design was a reinterpretation of the classic lines of the 911, but with a lower drag co-efficient (Cd) of 0.30. The lines of the 996 were also a result of component sharing with the successful Porsche Boxster. Its most obvious exterior feature were the headlights with integrated turn signals, at first controversial but later copied by many other manufacturers. On the inside, drivers experienced an entirely new cockpit. Driving comfort now also played a greater role alongside the typical sports driving characteristics. With the 996, Porsche launched an unprecedented product offensive with a whole series of new variations. The 911 GT3 became one of the highlights of the model range in 1999, keeping the tradition of the Carrera RS alive. The 911 GT2, the first car equipped with ceramic brakes as standard, was marketed as an extreme sports vehicle in the autumn of 2000. The 997 (2004) — Classicism and Modernity In July 2004, Porsche unveiled the new generation 911 Carrera and 911 Carrera S models, referred to internally as the 997. The clear oval headlights with separate indicators in the front apron were a visual return to older 911 models, but the 997 offered more than just style. It was a high-performance vehicle, with a 3.6-litre ‘boxer’ engine that turned out 321 hp (236 kW) while the new 3.8 litre engine of the Carrera S developed an incredible 350 hp (261 kW). The chassis was also substantially reworked, and the Carrera S came with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) as standard equipment. In 2006, Porsche introduced the 911 Turbo, the first petrol-engined production car to include a turbocharger with variable turbine geometry. A model update in the autumn of 2008 made the 997 even more efficient thanks to DFI direct fuel injection and the Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) dual clutch transmission. Never before had the 911 series made such extensive allowances to suit drivers’ individual preferences, and with Carrera, Targa, Cabriolet, rear or all-wheel drive, Turbo, GTS, special models, and road versions of GT racing cars, the 911 family ultimately comprised 24 model versions. The 991 (2011) – Refined by Experience This car, known internally as the 991, represents the greatest technical leap in the evolution of the 911. Already the class benchmark for decades, the new 911 generation raises performance and efficiency to new levels. A totally new chassis with a longer wheelbase, wider track, larger tyres and an ergonomically optimised interior – it all adds up to an even sportier yet more comfortable driving experience. Technically, the 911 is the epitome of Porsche Intelligent Performance — even lower fuel consumption, even higher performance. This is due in part to the smaller 3.4-litre displacement in the Carrera model (yet developing 5 hp more than the second generation 997 3.6-litre), and also to its hybrid steel/aluminium construction, which significantly reduces kerb weight. Other innovations include Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control (PDCC) and the world’s first seven-speed manual transmission. The design of the 991 has likewise received much acclaim. With its distinctive silhouette, exciting contours, and precisely designed details, the seventh generation of the Porsche 911 Carrera remains unmistakably a 911 that has once again succeeded in redefining the standard for automobile design. It is the best 911 of all time……until the next generation.

Aston Martin Launches Global Celebrations Marking A Century of Success

bee — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 09:50:10 +0000

15 January 2013, Gaydon: British sports car maker Aston Martin launches its year of centenary celebrations today with a return to its roots in London.

The luxury brand is marking the official anniversary of its founding 100 years ago today with a ceremony in Chelsea’s Henniker Mews – the original home of the company that went on to become Aston Martin, founded on 15 January 1913.

Joining with the Aston Martin Heritage Trust to unveil a commemorative plaque at Henniker Mews, the sports car maker is lining up a special centenary edition of its new ultimate GT – the Vanquish – alongside the oldest Aston Martin in existence, A3.

Aston Martin CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez said: “I am proud to be celebrating 100 years of heritage and the best of British craftsmanship.

“Aston Martin is known around the world for our leading design combined with advanced technology. Ours is the coolest luxury car brand on the planet and I am looking forward to our second century of building the world’s most desirable sports cars.”

Speaking at the unveiling, Roger Carey, Chairman of the Aston Martin Heritage Trust said: “It’s fitting, I think, that we have both the newest and oldest Aston Martins in existence here at Henniker Mews, where this remarkable story began 100 years ago.

“This is where the workshops were first located and the Aston Martin Heritage Trust felt it was important to record the centenary by creating and displaying a plaque commemorating the start of such an iconic car business.”

Aston Martin Chairman, David Richards said: “It’s great to be back at the place where it all started. The Aston Martin story reaches a significant milestone in 2013 with our unique heritage and fiercely independent tradition inspiring exciting chapters yet to come.

“We look forward to sharing this milestone with our team, our partners, our customers and Aston Martin enthusiasts around the world.”

Today’s event in London marks the start of a year-long celebration of all things Aston Martin, with events taking place worldwide over the next 12 months.

In the UK, a week-long Aston Martin festival will take place from 15 July to 21 July. Designed to appeal to owners and enthusiasts of the brand, the Centenary Week will include ‘open house’ activities at Aston Martin’s exclusive Gaydon headquarters, including factory-based events and driving tours and will culminate in a 1,000-guest ‘birthday party’ on Saturday 20 July and a spectacular Centenary gathering in central London on Sunday 21 July.

This highlight of the centenary celebrations will be held in partnership with the Aston Martin Heritage Trust and the Aston Martin Owners Club will feature 100 of the brand’s most iconic cars in a multi-million pound timeline display. The event will also see one of the largest gatherings of Aston Martins in the 100-year history of the great British marque.

In addition, appearances at iconic events throughout 2013 including Nürburgring 24-Hours, Silverstone Classic, Villa D’Este, Le Mans 24-Hours and Pebble Beach will ensure that the celebration is truly global.

Dr Bez explained: “Aston Martin remains one of the most exclusive and sought-after brands in the world, so it’s right that our centenary celebrations take place around the globe this year.

“It’s appropriate that we mark the first 100 years of the company in this way and, with exceptional new cars like our ultimate GT – the Vanquish – timeless new DB9 and super-exclusive V12 Zagato, we clearly have a vibrant and exciting future ahead.”

The ultimate festive playlist to put the fun back into long drives!

bee — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 11:47:23 +0000

Nothing makes a massive cross-country Christmas journey home more bearable than a great festive mix to keep spirits high while you clock up the mileage.

December usually means travelling all over to visit relatives and friends; however the trips can seem a trial after a while. Other than trading in your car for the newest, most comfortable model by taking advantage of all the great finance offers available at Christmas, you can still keep yourself in the mood to celebrate no matter how long you’re on the road; by making sure you’ve got all the best Christmas tracks downloaded:

- Band Aid – one of the most recognisable Christmas songs and sure to get you in the mood for a spot of mulled wine on arrival. If you were born in the 90s then you can go for the 2004 version of Do They Know It’s Christmas but for the puritans amongst you, nothing will get the head nodding like the original and, even better, you can try and identify who’s singing what, for a classically camp Christmas driving game.

- Driving home for Christmas by Chris Rea is the ideal track for a trip like this. Literally the ultimate December driving song, as long as you don’t accidentally download the Stacey Soloman version!

- The Pogues – For the sentimental among you, Fairytale in New York will have you tearing up before Shane MacGowan even kicks in. One for a romantic drive in the snow.

- Stay Another Day – If you’re pining for the 90s, then crank up East 17 for a cheesy singalong on the road.

- Merry Christmas Everybody by Slade is the song you shouldn’t be singing on a night time drive. It’s best when it’s bellowed; so save it for your afternoon adventures only.

- All I want for Christmas – Another anthem that’s no good for a relaxing drive. You won’t be able to resist belting out Mariah’s timeless anthem. Good luck trying to hit the high notes.

- For all the Christmas jumper enthusiasts out there, Last Christmas by George Michael is a must. This is 80s cheese at it’s very best.

- If you’re flagging and need something to raise the spirits, Wizard’s I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day is the catchy classic that the whole family loves to sing along to.

So the long festive drive need no longer be a drag, download all the classic Christmas songs for a joyful journey for all the family!

Are automatic cars worth it?

bee — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 10:50:49 +0000

Are Automatic cars worth it? First, let’s have a look at driving differences. Why go for an automatic and not a manual? Well, when driving manual, shifting the gears is a significant factor in actually getting the thing to move – while an automatic will do this for you; drivers simply need to put the car in “drive” mode. Essentially, this is the defining difference. The difference between having responsibility of the gears, and letting the car do it for you…

Of course, many drivers, particularly in Europe, will opt for the manual driving experience. The reason for this, however, is far from ease of use. When it comes to the stick, drivers generally like the feeling of being in control of the vehicle, having total power over the way it drives.

In addition to this, manual cars tend to be more cost-efficient – as they possess better gas mileage, require fewer repairs and have an overall cheaper purchasing price than the automatic; on average, manual cars cost up to $1000 less than their automatic cousins. Just look for an automatic or manual car for sale UK.

At the same time, while the automatic generally requires more in the way of repairs, manual repairs tend to be significantly cheaper – and a lot of mechanics actually favour the manual gear box over the automatic one.

What the automatic offers is an ease of driving which has never been experienced with the manual vehicle. This is opted for on account of the fact that it doesn’t require as much thinking power and multi-tasking as manual, meaning that it provides the benefit of less concentration needed and less stress evoked. It’s important to mention that manual drivers are required to stay in control of both hands (for steering and gear control) as well as both feet – a lot to think about when compared to the simplicity of the automatic system.

An automatic is free of the age-old problems than manuals have, and always will have. Automatic cars don’t stall, shift into the wrong gear by accident, smoke the clutch – providing a much smoother ride overall.

It is also worth mentioning that the manual’s traditionally superior performance is now being called into question. For example, the Porsche 911 Turbo now has the ability to accelerate from 0-60 in a shorter amount of time than the manual equivalent.

It’s difficult to pinpoint why this split has emerged, and why personal preference will always keep the debate going strong. The manual provides control, while rewarding the driver’s skill for an impressive performance. But doesn’t it also punish when a mistake is made? The danger of messing up isn’t prominent in the automatic, but people still don’t seem drawn to technical flawlessness.

Statistically, it is evident that while parents and older people will choose to drive automatic, younger drivers and race-car drivers generally prefer manual. Perhaps it is a case of personal achievement through manual driving against the technical perfection and high level of practicality enjoyed with the automatic – but the choice really depends on personal preference.