Classic cars for sale at International Autojumble this September

There is just one month to go until visitors from all over Europe descend on Beaulieu for the International Autojumble, on the 7^th and 8^th September.

All the regular features of the Beaulieu Autojumble will be present, including over 2,000 stands bursting with all kinds of motoring bargains, the Dealermart selling a range of classic cars, the Automart with its eclectic collection of vehicles, from restoration projects to cars in concours condition, Saturday’s Bonhams Auction and Sunday Trunk Traders.

Beaulieu Events Manager, Judith Maddox, said: “With strong demand for stand spaces, this year’s autojumble looks set to be another success. With just a few single spaces left and enquiries still coming in, we anticipate another full house.”

Leading the early motor car consignments for the Bonhams Auction are two Sunbeams – a 1926 3-litre twin-cam Super Sports (£130,000 - £160,000) and a 1912 Coupe de l’Auto replica (£90,000 - £120,000). Two separate car collections will also feature in the auction, including the Baden Collection of 21 cars, offered at no reserve, and the Cottesmore Collection.

Motorcycles up for auction include a 1963 BSA 646cc Rocket Gold Star (£14,000 - £18,000), a 1927 BSA 5½hp Sloper (£4,500 - £5,000) and a 1999 BSA Regal Gold Star SR500 (£3,500 - £5,000).

The Automobilia section will include the collection of the late Ron Hickman, former stylist at Ford, Dagenham and later the Director of Lotus Engineering in the 1960s, responsible for the original Lotus Elan models and designer of the Black & Decker workmate. The collection includes his motoring library and a selection of original cutaway technical illustrations for The Autocar and The Motor.

If any of these items have captured your interest, please bear in mind that entry to the auction is by catalogue only (available to purchase on tel. 0207 393 3900).

Show sponsors, Practical Classics will have lots to keep visitors entertained at the event. In the PCWorkshop Tent, the team will be finishing off the restoration of their MGB, once owned by Lord Montagu, which they hope to have running by the end of the weekend.

On both days at lunchtime, visitors can join in with the PC Pub Quiz – a lively affair with a number of motoring-related questions to puzzle over. The team will be offering visitors their special show offer on magazine subscriptions and the opportunity to enter a free draw to win an MG Midget and tool chest.

PC Editor, Danny Hopkins is very much looking forward to the event. He said: “It’s an honour to be back sponsoring the Beaulieu Autojumble. Practical Classics has been closely involved with Europe’s biggest swap-meet since the magazine was launched 33 years ago and it’s testimony to the ‘jumble’s’ enduring appeal that even in this digital age, it is still as popular as ever.

If you have been before then you know why you are here. If this is your first time, I envy you – no-one ever forgets their first Beaulieu. Whatever your age or experience, here’s hoping you have a great day – come and see us in the PC Workshop Tent, where we will be returning a very special car to the road using bits bought on the field.”

Ringwood Brewery will also be present at the event, making its debut as a show sponsor. Ringwood has been producing beautiful craft ales at its brewery on the edge of the New Forest since 1978 and the company’s four permanent ales – Best Bitter, Fortyniner, Old Thumper and Boondoggle – are favourites with New Forest residents.

New for 2013, a free shuttle bus will be operating on Saturday and Sunday, running continuously between Brockenhurst train station and the Beaulieu Coach Park from 8.30am to 6pm. This service is subject to availability and will operate on a first come, first serve basis. Bags or purchases should fit in the foot well and must not take up an additional seat, especially during busy times.

As in previous years, there will also be a free bus service running to the car parks from the front of the Main Entrance Hall, plus a free delivery service to the car parks for large or heavy items bought at the autojumble.

For overseas visitors, several ferry companies are offering discounts on travel to the International Autojumble. Stena Line is offering a 10% discount on crossings from Ireland, Brittany Ferries is offering a 10% discount on crossings from France and DFDS Seaways is offering 10 Euros on a return journey from Dunkirk to Dover and Calais to Dover. Visit www.internationalautojumble.co.uk for the discount codes.

Admission to Beaulieu on both days will be from 8.30am, when programmes will be available to purchase and visitors will be able to access the National Motor Museum, toilets, and Brabazon Restaurant, where breakfast will be served. The event will open from 10am – 5pm on Saturday, and from 9.30am – 4.30pm on Sunday. On the day inclusive ticket prices are one day adult, £14.50 (Sat), £13.00 (Sun), one day child, £9.00 (Sat), and £8.70 (Sun), less if purchased in advance online at www.beaulieushop.co.uk until 5^th September, and by telephone on 01590 612888 until 7^th September.

Admission gives entry to the whole Beaulieu attraction, including the National Motor Museum, World of Top Gear, Beaulieu Abbey and Palace House and gardens. Don’t miss the last opportunity to see BOND IN MOTION; the largest exhibition of its kind staged anywhere in the world, it showcases 50 of the best loved and most iconic Bond vehicles and is due to close at the end of 2013.

For those wishing to exhibit, stand prices start at £128, a Trunk Traders Sunday space is £50 and for those wishing to sell a vehicle in the Automart, £80.  For all stand enquiries and to book a space tel: 01590 614614 or email events@beaulieu.co.uk

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Michael Schumacher's Benetton and other treats auctioned this week

 1938 BMW/AFM 328 Roadster ex Günther Bechem/German GP

The car in which seven time World Champion Michael Schumacher scored his first ever Grand Prix points is to be auctioned at COYS’ sale in Nürburgring, Germany, on 10th August.

This Benetton F1 Ford Cosworth is a direct derivative of the B194, in which Schumacher took his first title in 1994. It is eminently eligible for any historic Grand Prix events and remains highly competitive, having appeared at Goodwood’s Festival of Speed in 2003 and 2004.

The car is offered in excellent race-ready condition with Pi dashboard, a data acquisition system and all equipment necessary to run and drive the car, including a spare set of wheels and assorted spare components. It also includes a comprehensive file documenting the car's history, restoration and its most recent race-preparation last year.

Chris Routledge, Managing Director of COYS, said: “This is a stunning and fine handling racing car. B191 05 represents a highly important piece of both Benetton and Michael Schumacher’s history. It is an opportunity not to be missed.”

COYS Nürburgring auction also features a 1938 BMW/AFM 328 Roadster ex Günther Bechem/German GP. After WWII, Alex von Falkenhausen (AFM), an engineer who worked for BMW on the 328's before the war, opened a garage in Munich where he tuned pre-war 328s. Later in 1948 he went on to build his own car marque with the 328's engine.

This unique BMW/AFT 328 was sold to Günther Bechem, who often raced it under the nickname “Bernhard Nacke”. In 1953, Bechem along with Hans Stuck entered two AFMs in the Nürburgring German Grand Prix, both qualifying and racing against modern the likes of Ascari's Ferrari some 15 years after leaving the BMW production line.

This car must be one of the most significant racing AFM 328 on the market, having last raced at Spa for over one hour without problems, and is estimated at €350,000 to €380,000.

A unique Lancia Aprilia Riva Spider will also go under the hammer. This car was made by Signor Riva, from coachbuilder Carrozzeria Riva near Varese, in Italy, from the same factory drawings using a spare chassis in their shop in the 80s.

It has a normal Aprilia engine and is exactly the same as the original car, made by the same company and panel beaters. This Lancia is estimated at €105,000 to €120,000.

The sale will also feature an exceptional 1954 Moretti 750 Spider Bialbero Michelotti, estimated at €240,000 to €280,000, a very rare 1946 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 S Pininfarina Cabriolet, estimated at €175,000 to €190,000, a 1930 Alfa Romeo 6C1750 Turismo Carrozzeria Barbini, estimated at €250,000 to €300,000 and a 1994 Lamborghini Diablo SE 30th Anniversario, one of only 150 produced, estimated €120,000 at €140,000.

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Seat 600 gave wheels to whole nation

On the left is new Seat Mii and on the right a Seat 600. Resemblance to Fiat 600 is no coincidence.

Four decades ago this week, on July 31, 1973, the last SEAT 600 rolled off the assembly line in SEAT’s Zona Franca factory in Barcelona. It was a car that signalled a turning point in Spanish society, championing the beginning of widespread car ownership in the country.

The last four decades have seen substantial evolution in the automotive industry – and for SEAT itself – and the modern equivalent of SEAT’s original city car is the Mii.

The 600 is the icon that kick-started motoring in Spain during the years of slow recovery after the Spanish Civil War. It was made with license from Fiat, being technically a Fiat 600. No other model has become so embedded in Spain’s collective subconscious; many older drivers in Spain today recall being taught to drive in a 600 by their fathers. The car was a fixture in the everyday life of many Spanish families in the ’50s, ’60s and the ’70s.

Over the course of its 16-year production run, almost 800,000 SEAT 600 models were produced, including the four-door SEAT 800 that was manufactured between 1963 and 1968, but that was commonly referred to as a 600.

Mobility for all

The 63,000-peseta price of the SEAT 600 at launch – the equivalent of €379 (£330) today – meant that countless working class families were suddenly afforded the luxury of their own car. The impact of the arrival of the SEAT 600 was such that just one year after its launch, production had increased six-fold.

Initially, the SEAT 600 was equipped with a 633 cc engine that delivered an output of 18 hp, which remained in production for six years. The engine was upgraded to 767 cc with an increase in output to 25 hp and later to 28 hp on the D, E and L-Especial versions, which were manufactured for the remaining ten years of the 600’s lifespan.

Aside from the 800, on all variants of the 600 the body styling remained virtually intact, except for changing the ‘suicide doors’ during 1970. The original 600 engine only underwent a slight change in six years, moving to a 20 hp output from the original 18 hp, while the more modern 25 hp motor, fitted to the 600 D and E, remained unchanged until its very last year when, as an L-Especial model, it gained a further 3 hp thanks to an increase in compression. As its name suggests, the L-Especial added a touch of elegance, with plusher upholstery and an ignition key-activated anti-theft steering wheel locking mechanism. 

Aside from its ruggedness, the 600 had plenty of other virtues: first of all, its body design took full advantage of its 3.3-metre length, with a passenger compartment that in theory accommodated four occupants comfortably, and five sparingly – though in reality, several more would often be squeezed in.  

The 600 featured a basic sturdiness and was a mechanic’s delight, as repairs were easy and accessible. Furthermore, spare parts were extremely easy to come by, not only in the authorised outlets but in all parts and accessories shops, so the car was perfect for the DIY mechanic on a budget.

Performance levels in tune with the times

The 600 reached a top speed of 115 km/h (71 mph) and could cover one kilometre from standstill in 45.5 seconds – performance figures not to be sniffed at considering the car was fitted with an engine that put out 28 hp at most. Moreover, fuel consumption was 10 litres per 100 km in city driving (equivalent to 28.2 mpg) and 6.5 litres (43.5 mpg) on the open road, with a range of 461 km on a single tank of fuel.

But to demonstrate the progress made in the city car sector, by comparison the SEAT Mii 60 PS Ecomotive has a 100 mph top speed and can race to one kilometre in 35.4 seconds. It does so while consuming five litres per 100 km (56.5 mpg) on the urban cycle, and only 3.6 litres (78.5 mpg) on the extra-urban cycle. Its potential fuel tank range is 945 km (587 miles) – a substantial 484 km (300 miles) more than the 600’s.

Another significant difference is the boot volume. The 600 had to make do with only 68.5 litres, while the Mii by comparison offers nearly 3.5 times more, at 238 litres – hence visions of suitcases and belongings strapped on the roof rack of many a 600 back in the day.  

The following table shows the difference in technical performance between the SEAT 600 and the Mii:

	600	Mii
ENGINE
Type	Petrol, 4 cylinders inline	Petrol, 3 cylinders -12v
Displacement (cc)	633/767	999
Maximum power (hp/rpm)	18-28/4600-4800	60-75/5500-6200
Fuel system	Single-barrel vertical carburettor	Multipoint injection
TRANSMISSION
Type	Rear wheel drive	Front wheel drive
Gearbox	4 speed manual	5 speed manual
STEERING
Type	Worm drive	Electrohydraulic power steering
CHASSIS
Front suspension	Independent, transverse leaf spring and shock absorbers	Independent MacPherson, stabiliser bar, coil springs and hydraulic shock absorbers
Rear suspension	Independent, oblique wishbone, coil and shock absorbers	Semi rigid axle, coil springs and hydraulic shock absorbers
BRAKES
Front/rear	Drum/drum	Ventilated discs/drum
PACKAGE
Length/width/height (mm)	3300-3320/1380/1400	3557/1641/1478
Kerb weight (kg)	585-615	929-940
PERFORMANCE
Top speed (km/h)	90-115	160-172

The significance of urban vehicles for SEAT

Throughout its history, the SEAT line-up has featured a wide variety of small cars, including the 600, the 133, Panda, Marbella, Arosa and the Mii.

The 600 was not only the starting point of this evolution, but a truly ubiquitous model that put Spain on wheels – a genuine icon of car ownership in the country. This is backed up by the fact that back in 1970, one in of every four cars on Spanish roads was a 600.

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Nearly 50 years of Mustang Legend

Ford is launching ‘Mustang Countdown,’ an online video series to throw the spotlight on the legendary sports car and the culture that has formed around it all across the globe, and to continue the celebration leading up to the 50^th birthday of the car on April 17, 2014.

Kicking off the series – Where It All Started: The Mustang 1 Concept – turns the clock back to the 1962 debut of the first concept car to wear the pony badge. From there, other episodes lift the lid on Ford’s exhaustive Mustang archives, Mustang toys, custom Mustangs and more all featuring unique and often rare footage, exclusive new interviews and expert insight.

“RC Movie Magic: Filming a Chase”, takes a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of filmmaker Zach King’s recent project “The Cliché RC Action Chase.” That short film went viral earlier this year, garnering nearly 3 million views on YouTube. Just like the extensive filmography featuring Ford Mustang over the past 49 years, King’s video puts the Mustang in a prominent role. A pair of radio controlled Ford Mustangs star in an action-packed sequence that features drifting around corners, tight racing and helicopter gunships, all without any computer-generated imagery.

“Fans around the world share a passion for Mustang that embodies the freedom of the open road and the spirit of performance driving,” said Steve Ling, Ford car marketing manager. “The ‘Mustang Countdown’ series is another way in which Ford is honoring that heritage with numerous celebrations over the next year,”

Upcoming episodes will tackle video games, Mustang’s competition heritage custom restomods and more.

More than 9.2 million Ford Mustangs have been sold since the car’s 1964 debut. Mustang has made more than 3,000 appearances on film and TV – including “Bullitt” (1968), “Gone in 60 Seconds” (1974 and 2000), “I Am Legend” (2007) and Drive (2011). In 2014, a modified Mustang will be the hero car in “Need for Speed,” based on the long-running video game series from Electronic Arts.

Click here for the complete ‘Mustang Countdown’ series playlist on the Ford Mustang YouTube channel.

50 years of Mustang
The Ford Mustang is about to become the newest member of a very exclusive club – vehicles in continuous production for 50 years. In its first 49 years of production, Mustang has gained a worldwide base of avid fans, including more than 5 million on Facebook, the most of any vehicle nameplate. Mustang’s unique combination of style, performance and affordability established an entirely new class of sporty cars, and it has led the segment ever since.

Over the past 49 years, of the more than 9.2 million Mustangs produced and sold, most of them have originated close to Ford’s home base in Dearborn, Mich. From the racetrack to the silver screen to the airwaves to the toy box, Mustang has become an enduring part of pop culture.

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Henry Ford was a visionary ahead of his time

Today marks the 150^th anniversary of the birth of Henry Ford, whose innovative ideas revolutionised transportation and brought mobility to the masses. Henry Ford’s enduring impact is being recognised through events and declarations across the United States and around the world.

Celebrations at Ford Motor Company’s Dearborn headquarters today are being complemented by a special proclamation by the state of Michigan declaring this “Henry Ford Day.” In Washington, D.C., hundreds downtown and on Capitol Hill will mark the day enjoying commemorative cupcakes delivered by a food truck – part of a mobile movement Henry Ford would support.

While today’s events mark the day of Henry Ford’s birth, they are just part of a yearlong celebration of the man and his achievements.

Appropriately, given Henry Ford’s global impact, the anniversary of his birth is being commemorated in countries around the world throughout 2013. Some of the events include:

• Dealers in 21 Asia Pacific markets have launched Ford Heritage month, transforming showrooms into exhibitions on Ford’s rich history
• Ford of Germany marked the occasion with a series of five road rallies that celebrated Ford’s numerous automotive breakthroughs over the last 110 years
• More than 4,000 people attended community events held by Ford in Romania
• In Great Britain, celebrations were capped by the reveal of a restored statue of Henry Ford at the company’s UK Tech Centre

In coming months, celebrations will continue with additional events across the United States, Europe and South America.

Contributions to a better world

Henry Ford’s introduction of the automobile into the mass market transformed agricultural economies in the United States and around the world into prosperous industrial and urban markets. Many historians credit him with creating a middle class in America. His high minimum wage – revolutionary at the time – set a precedent for fair distribution of company wealth that influenced later management practices. For a timeline on Henry Ford, click here.

Henry Ford initially struggled to get Ford Motor Company on solid financial footing, but broke through with the Model T. The iconic vehicle debuted in October 1908, opening a new era in America. More than 15 million Model T’s were built and sold as Ford Motor Company put the nation on wheels.

The innovative spirit of Henry Ford took root in many other forms after the success of the Model T, including:

• Moving assembly line: In 1913 Henry Ford introduced the first moving assembly line for cars. Within 18 months, the amount of time needed to build a Model T was reduced from 12 ½ man-hours to 1 ½ man-hours, ushering in the modern auto industry
• $5 work day: To reduce high turnover rates among workers, Henry Ford more than doubled their pay in 1914, from $2.34 for a nine-hour day to $5 for an eight-hour day
• Vertical integration: To improve quality, Henry Ford sought to own, operate and coordinate all the resources needed to produce complete automobiles. This principle, known as vertical integration, was put into practice in 1927 with the Model A

“What my great-grandfather established, especially his legacy of innovation, continues to inspire our commitment to a strong business, great products and a better world,” said Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford. “We are putting unexpected levels of technology within reach of millions of people, accelerating the development of new products that customers want and value, and driving growth by creating jobs and bringing the freedom of mobility to the world.”

Spirit of innovation guides Ford today

Henry Ford’s spirit of innovation continues to guide Ford Motor Company today, reflected in a lineup of vehicles as diverse as the F-150 pickup, Mustang sports car and Fusion Hybrid sedan. It lives on in technologies such as Ford SYNC, the company’s in-vehicle infotainment system, and fuel-efficient EcoBoost engines. And it echoes through employees serving customers across six continents.

Henry Ford died on April 7, 1947, at 83. More than 50 years after his death, in 1999, Forbes magazine named him “Businessman of the Century,” and in 2012 a History Channel documentary highlighted him as one of “The Men Who Built America.”

“My great-grandfather’s vision was to improve people’s lives by making cars affordable for the average family,” said Bill Ford. “His vision to build cars that are reasonably priced, reliable and efficient still resonates and defines our vision today.”

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1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost has a unique history

Here's Stephen Munn with 1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost.

The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu was honoured to receive the special ‘Coup de Coeur du Jury’ award for its 1909 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost in the Concours d’État at the 2013 Rétrofestival in Caen, 29^th – 30^thJune.

This year, the Beaulieu team, who have exhibited at each of the six Rétrofestival shows, took the stunning Silver Ghost from the National Motor Museum’s collection to display on their stand and enter into the Concours d’État.

In special recognition of Beaulieu’s continued support of the Rétrofestival and the historical importance of the Silver Ghost, the jury, consisting of five motoring specialists, decided to award the car the jury’s prize, known as the ‘Coup de Coeur du Jury’ – which literally translates as ‘Burst of Passion’, in this case meaning the jury’s favourite. The award was presented at a packed gala dinner on 29^th June, with the Silver Ghost described by the jury as an “outstanding car (with a) unique history, loved by all participants and the public alike”.

The Silver Ghost certainly does have a unique history. Built in 1909 as chassis no. 939, it was supplied new to a Colonel Ferguson of Boughty Ferry, Dundee with a seven seat touring body by Hooper and painted deep claret. Following Colonel Ferguson’s death in 1923, the vehicle was extensively rebuilt by John Morris, a Dundee Rolls-Royce agent. The car was painted dark royal blue and black and the chassis fitted with a hearse body!

In 1930, the hearse body was removed and the car was fitted with a Mann Egerton crane and drop side body. It was used by John Morris as a recovery vehicle until the firm was sold in 1952, when the crane was removed and the car went to Reston Manor Garage of Reston, Berwickshire.

It remained there until it was ‘rediscovered’ in 1954, when Lord Montagu acquired the car. It was fully restored with a Barker style Roi des Belges body built by Leslie Willis and was put on display in the Montagu Motor Museum in the 1960s. Today the Silver Ghost is a star exhibit in the National Motor Museum’s internationally renowned collection of over 250 vehicles and remains one of Lord Montagu favourite cars.

The National Motor Museum’s collection can be seen as part of a visit to the whole Beaulieu attraction, which also includes the BOND IN MOTION exhibition, World of Top Gear, Beaulieu Abbey and Palace House and gardens.

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Two cars in one: Volvo Duett turns 60 years

July 4th 2013 marks the 60th anniversary of the Volvo Duett - Volvo's first series-produced estate car and the starting point of the company's proud estate car tradition.

In 1944, the round-backed compact PV444 was shown for the first time. It was the car that would transform Volvo from being a small-scale Swedish car manufacturer into a respected player on the international car market. It went into production in 1947, and at the same time it was becoming evident that not only passenger cars were in demand, but also small commercial vehicles for various requirements. Volvo had nothing to offer at the time, because the PV444 was of unitary construction and therefore not very suitable to build on. A commercial version of the PV had to be designed, using a light but strong separate chassis frame.

The production of this chassis started in the summer of 1949. It was similar to the PV444 in size and price, as well as in appearance because the front wings and bonnet came straight off the 444. The 445, however, was distinguished from the 444 by having a grille with five horizontal chrome bars instead of four. Payload was slightly above 500kg depending on body version. A pickup was lighter and could carry more weight than a heavier van. However, those who used the 445 on a daily basis soon discovered that the car was capable of carrying much more than it was officially allowed to do.

Utterly urban

The small 1.4 litre OHV four with its 40 hp had power enough to propel the car efficiently in urban traffic. Its low gearing provided very good acceleration but made the car noisy and thirsty at higher speeds on longer runs. The mechanics and all other equipment were all PV444 except for the rear axle which was sprung by two very stiff semi-elliptic leaf springs rather than the more comfort-oriented coil-spring suspension of the 444.

The 445 was delivered in driveable chassis form without bodywork behind the driver's seat. Instead, there were over 30 different coachbuilding companies in Sweden at the time, offering different bodywork on Volvo chassis. Most of these bodies were vans and pickups, although a handful were built with convertible bodies and some became estate cars.

Most of these cars were very simple. For van, hearse and ambulance bodies, wooden frames with sheet steel panelling were used, like the cabs of the pickups. Very few all-steel bodies and cabs were fitted to the 445, mainly due to time and cost restrictions. The interiors of these vehicles were also practical and utilitarian rather than comfortable. The cosiness factor was low. It was up to the driver to create a snug and comfortable working place. And that was exactly what the 445 was for its users, a place of work.

"Our own van"

After a few years of supplying the market with 445 chassis, Volvo realized that the tough and long-lasting little stalwarts were not being replaced with new ones, or scrapped at the rate Volvo had expected. They were simply too good. By the beginning of 1952, Volvo found itself with 1,500 unsold 445 delivery chassis parked outside the factory; cars that should have been sold a long time ago. This annoyed Volvo president Assar Gabrielsson. On top of that, more and more car manufacturers started to offer their own factory-made vans and estates, and the coachbuilding companies were facing very hard times. But the 445s had to be sold just the same, and why use an outside body supplier to make them attractive?

"Build our own Volvo van!" was Gabrielsson's order and thus was born the Volvo Duett - Volvo's first van/estate model. Young engineer Erik Skoog and his small team went to work straight away. They designed a versatile body for the 445 chassis which was equally suitable for transporting either goods or people. He ordered the necessary tooling and less than 15 months later - on 4^th July 1953 - delivered the first 445 Duett to its eager "customer", Volvo president Assar Gabrielsson himself.

Most of the Duett development work was carried out at the Volvo pressing plant in Olofström. The bodies were manufactured there too. Final assembly was carried out in the Volvo Lundby plant in Gothenburg.

With the Duett, Volvo was able to offer both commercial vans and slightly more luxurious versions for family use rather than strictly business use. At the same time, the Duett was intended to serve as two cars; one for work during the week and one for weekend leisure time, hence its name Duett, meaning two cars in one.

Like its predecessor, the Duett could also be delivered as a bare chassis for alternative bodywork but such versions became more and more rare. The practical and roomy standard versions of the Duett - with or without rear side windows - could handle most small and midsize transport needs. It was the perfect choice for the small business. The different versions were classified as Delivery chassis, Estate car, Van, Passenger estate car and 210 Duett.

The Duett became a legend in its own lifetime and is today one of the most popular and sought-after Volvos by collectors and enthusiasts. It was a real workhorse, it could stand up to almost anything and seemed to last forever. And it had charm too. There are still Duetts in daily use, both by private owners and in the hands of small companies.

Last Volvo with a frame

The first Duetts were designated 445 (like their predecessors) with an added letter combination denoting the body type and trim level. It was not until 1960, when the car was thoroughly reworked - a one-piece windscreen and a four-speed gearbox were introduced - that the name was changed to 210. Two years later it also aquired the B18 engine. The Duett was the last Volvo car to be built on a separate frame and in spite of continuous technical improvements, it retained its 1940s look throughout its life.

During its last year of production (1969), Sweden introduced new crash test legislation and with a design dating back to the late 1940s, Volvo realized that the Duett would not pass these new crash tests. This prompted Volvo to end production and all but one example of the 1969 Duetts were exported. This, the very last Duett produced, carries chassis number 97299 and can be seen in the Volvo Museum. It is finished in dark blue with fawn vinyl interior. The total Duett production came to just over 97,000 units and with the separate chassis versions added, the total number was 101,492.

When the Duett was discontinued in 1969, the Volvo model range at that time offered two other practical and elegant estate cars which quite often also served as workhorses, the 220 Amazon and the 145. These cars have also became classics on their own merits and proud bearers of the 60 year old Volvo Cars estate car tradition.

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60 years of Corvettes

This beautiful red Vette is from year 1960.

Chevrolet marked its 60th anniversary of the Corvette, an iconic American sports car. The first Corvette went into production in Flint, Mich. on June 30, 1953. Since then, Corvette has become an American icon that continues to offer the best in today’s technology and performance.

Corvette 1953.

“During the past six decades, the Corvette has been woven into the fabric of American culture, as the sports car of choice for movie stars, musicians and astronauts,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Chevrolet Marketing. “The very best Corvettes represent the state-of-the-art for their eras in terms of design, technology and performance.”

Here are some key facts highlighting 60 years of Corvette history:

The fixed-roof 1963 “split-window” Corvette Sting Ray coupe.

• Corvette is the world’s longest-running, continuously produced passenger car. The longest-running vehicle of any type is the Chevrolet Suburban.
• Corvette made its debut as a concept vehicle at the General Motors Autorama in New York City on Jan. 17, 1953. It was such a success that a limited run of 300 production Corvettes began on June 30 of that year.
• All 1953 models were Polo White with a red interior and they were priced at $3,498. In 2006, the third 1953 Corvette produced sold for a record $1.06 million at auction.
• Corvette was exclusively available with an inline six-cylinder engine until 1955. That year, the optional V-8 engine was ordered by 90 percent of buyers. The six-cylinder was dropped in 1956. Corvette has been available exclusively with V-8 power since.  
• Corvette was produced only as a convertible for its first 10 years. The fixed-roof 1963 “split-window” Corvette Sting Ray coupe launched the second-generation Corvette.  Sales doubled and it became a year-round car for drivers in colder climates.
• Approximately 1.56 million Corvettes have been produced since June 30, 1953. The 500,000th Corvette was built in 1977; the 1 millionth was built in 1992, and the 1.5 millionth Corvette rolled off the line in 2009.
• Corvettes have been produced at three facilities: Flint, Mich. (1953); St. Louis, Mo., (1954-1981); and Bowling Green, Ky. (1981-2014). The change from St. Louis to Bowling Green happened during the production year. The first 1981 Corvette was built in St. Louis, and the last 1981 Corvette was built in Bowling Green.
• No 1983 Corvettes were sold to the public. The model year was skipped in preparation for the all-new 1984 Corvette, which launched the C4 generation. Forty-four Corvette prototypes were built as 1983 models. Only one remains, and it is on display at the National Corvette Museum, in Bowling Green, Ky.

Corvette 1977.

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007's famous submarine-Lotus is for sale

 “Pay attention, 007, RM Auctions is about to sell one of my most ingenious creations and we wouldn’t want it to fall into enemy hands”. Well, ‘Q’ might be a little concerned that his incredible Lotus Esprit Series 1 ‘Submarine’ Car is due to be sold at auction, but for millions of movie fans out there, the appearance of this iconic Bond car on the open market represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

No Bond car has ever done anything as outrageous as transform itself into a submarine. Used to incredible effect in the film The Spy Who Loved Me, starring Roger Moore, the white Lotus commonly tops the polls when generations of movie fans are asked to vote on their favourite film cars of all time. Like all the best Bond cars, the Lotus was a veritable war chest of weaponry and gadgetry, all designed to fox and foil the enemy, whilst also helping Bond to another hard-won victory for Queen and country. 

The vehicle to be offered by RM Auctions at its forthcoming London sale, 8-9 September, in Battersea Park, is the one and only fully functioning car especially designed and built for the famous underwater sequence seen on screen in the 1977 film. Abundantly authenticated, and known as ‘Wet Nellie’ on the set, it was developed from one of six Esprit body shells used in the making of the film. As the only car to be built into a fully operational, self-propelled ‘submarine’, by Perry Oceanographic, based in Riviera Beach, Florida, it is the vehicle which claimed the most screen time in the film. The driver of the car was Don Griffin, a retired U.S. Navy SEAL and test pilot for Perry, who operated the vehicle utilising its motorised propellers while manoeuvring with levered steering mechanisms. At the time, the car was said to have cost over $100,000 to create (equivalent to nearly a half million dollars today).

Subsequent to filming the underwater scenes in the Bahamas, the vehicle was shipped to Long Island, NY, where it was kept in an unassuming storage unit on a ten year rental, paid in advance. Fate later intervened when, in 1989, the then rent delinquent unit was put up ‘blind’ for public auction. A modest winning bid from an area couple brought surprise and wonder when the blankets were removed to reveal the iconic 007 ‘Submarine’ Car. After positive authentication, the Lotus was shown occasionally – including a stint at the Petersen Automotive Museum – but mostly kept closely under wraps, until now.

Max Girardo, Managing Director, RM Auctions, Europe, says: “We have a great track record in selling incredible and iconic movie cars, and this particular Lotus is certainly up there amongst the most famous cars of all time. Over the years, millions of moviegoers have stared in awe as the Lotus transformed itself into a submarine, and now, perhaps one of them will have an opportunity to own it. Her Majesty’s Secret Service aside, it surely is the ultimate beach accessory!"

RM Auctions sold “the most famous car in the world”, the Aston Martin DB5 used by Sean Connery in the enormously popular Goldfinger and Thunderball movies, for an incredible £2.9 million during its 2010 London sale.

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Princess Di's Audi and other celebrity cars auctioned

Princess Diana's 1994 Audi cabriolet is for sale.

A 1994 Audi cabriolet 2.3 E once owned by Diana, Princess of Wales, will be auctioned by COYS at their traditional Blenheim Palace sale this Saturday 29^th June.

This Audi was the family car in which Diana, Princess of Wales was photographed in a number of occasions driving Their Royal Highnesses Prince William and Prince Harry in 1994.

The car is in immaculate condition, finished in metallic Gomera green paint work with the original light beige hide interior, and has only 21,000 miles on the clock. It is estimated at £20,000 to £25,000.

This Mini belonged in its heyday to Brian Epstein and
 later to George Harrison's brother.

The sale will also feature former Beatles manager Brian Epstein’s 1965 Austin Mini Cooper Radford. The car may be the only unrestored example with Beatles connections and quite possibly the car that started it all.

After Epstein’s ownership, the Mini passed on to George Harrison’s brother, Peter Harrison, who kept the car until the December 1971, suggesting that the Beatles most certainly came into contact with the car. It is estimated at £18,000 to £22,000.

Also on offer is a 1965 AC Cobra 289 MK III that belonged to the world famous sixties personality Tara Browne, heir to the vast Guinness brewery fortune.

Tara Browne was the Guinness heir. He got this
 Cobra shortly before his tragic death.

Browne received this Cobra on the 11^th November 1965 and commissioned it to be turned into a work of art by Dudley Edwards, one of the most important artists internationally of the 1960’s pop-art scene.

Prior to Browne’s tragic accident and death the AC Cobra had been placed on display as Art on Robert Fraser’s Gallery on Duke Street in St James’. The car has been property of the current vendor for the last 4 decades as part of a private collection in Southern England, receiving comprehensive servicing and maintenance work. This AC Cobra is estimated at £300,000 to £350,000.

Chris Routledge, Managing Director of COYS, said: “The Blenheim sale has attracted some very high profile cars and presents an extraordinary opportunity for collectors to own significant pieces of Royal history, the Beatles past or the psychedelic movement of the 60’s.“

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Russian Volgas making a pilgrimage to Silverstone

From Russia with love: GAZ-21 Volga.

Such is the soaring appeal of the annual Silverstone Classic that this year’s huge three-day festival (26-28 July) has attracted an unprecedented number of car clubs displaying a record number of classic cars.

While the huge displays and parades being organised to celebrate special milestones in the histories of Aston Martin, Lamborghini and the Porsche 911 are likely to steal the headlines, perhaps the most interesting entry comes from rather further afield.

Four intrepid members of the GAZ-21 Car Club are travelling all the way from Moscow to attend the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival and provide show-goers with two of the most unusual exhibits.

The Volga GAZ-21 was originally developed with State approval in 1956 with a design heavily influenced by US vehicles of the same era. Over the next 14 years no fewer than 639,478 Volgas were produced including a special GAZ-23 Volga version for Soviet special services which was fitted with a V8 engine and capable of topping the 100mph mark.

Vladimir Smagin and Dmitry Kilpio are driving the two cars all the way to Silverstone from Russia. – the 6,000+ kilometre round trip to the UK will take the plucky pair through Minsk, Warsaw, Poznan, Hannover, Antwerp, Brugge and London en route to Silverstone.

As well as the GAZ-21 Car Club other new clubs attending this year’s Silverstone Classic include the Abarth Scorpion Club, Corvette Club de France, Karmann Ghia Owners Club and V6Clio.net club. In total an unprecedented total of 8,269 classic cars have been registered for display on more than 80-car club stands over the weekend.

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