Supercars then and now - Part II. The times, they were certainly a-changing …. The sound of The Beatles, Rolling Stones, the Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, and others, heralded the dawning of a new age – the age of freedom and increased affluence. During this period, wealth came to a much younger group of the population, a group that was considerably larger than the privileged few who … [Read more...]
History of Cars
Supercars then and now – Part I
Supercars then and now - a light-hearted look at supercars over the years from the 1920s till present. Join me on my journey in part I... “I say boys, here comes George in his new Bentley,” enthused Arthur standing at the bar with gin and tonic in hand. The setting, the local polo ground near Windsor, in the royal county of Berkshire, circa 1929. “That will surely outgun … [Read more...]
BMW in the 1960s and 1970s
From as far back as I can remember, BMW cars have always been sporting in nature and imbued with quality. For BMW in the 1960s and 1970s, this period was one of growth, new models and greater public awareness for the brand. ‘Sporting’ and ‘quality’ are not always comfortable bedfellows when combined with bold innovation, but this successful marriage was certainly achieved by … [Read more...]
Vauxhall is moving on
It may have come as a surprise to some, when, this week we learned that Vauxhall is moving on to new pastures. We have been told more than once, I am sure, that two things were always certain in life: the first being taxes and the second is change. Many would have grown up secure in the knowledge that Vauxhall was a British brand and firmly in the fold of the Republic of … [Read more...]
Jaguar E-type Restoration – Part 3
Stripped down and body laid bare, Stuart Lottering’s E-type rebuild project is slowly but surely taking shape. With her shell being prepared, painted and reassembled at Spotless Knysna and her heart and lungs safely being dissected at Bodge Engineering, she is in the best hands any E-type could possibly be. In this 3rd part of the Jaguar E-type restoration, Ron Hollis gives us … [Read more...]
Fiat 124 Sport Spider
The Fiat 124 Sport Spider was an attractive front-engine, rear drive 2+2 convertible sports car, manufactured by FIAT between 1966-1982 and by Pininfarina between 1983-1985. The Fiat 124 Sport Spider was designed initially by Pininfarina’s Tom Tjaarda, and debuted at the Turin Auto Show in November 1966. The 124 Sport Spider replaced the 1500S Cabriolet which had proved a … [Read more...]
Fiat 500
Remembered with fondness by those who were there when it was launched in 1957, the original Fiat 500 is today adored by most who see her. The little rear-engined two-door car could accommodate four people and is widely regarded as the first proper city car and was initially powered by a 479cc two-cylinder air-cooled engine. Launched as the Nuova 500, no less than … [Read more...]
Jaguar E-type Restoration – Part 2
Even completely stripped bare in a workshop at Spotless Automotive Restorers in Knysna, the allure of Stuart Lottering’s E-type was evident. Francois Bonthuys takes us through the meticulous stripping process by highlighting key findings and outlines the road ahead during this Jaguar E-type restoration. Desire at first glance Upon arrival, the Jag E-type did not have any … [Read more...]
London to Brighton Veteran Car Run
The London to Brighton Veteran Car Run (LBVCR) took place on the first Sunday of November commemorating the Emancipation Run of 14 November 1896 which celebrated the passing into law of the Locomotives on the Highway Act. This Act raised the speed limit for ‘light locomotives’ from 4mph to 14mph and abolished the requirement for these vehicles to be preceded by a man on … [Read more...]
An E-type named Desire Part 1
Before the E-type Jaguar, sleek was just something you did with your hair. And class was something you had to attend to learn English and maths. It took some time running the alphabet before the emergence of this gem in all its ruby-coloured glory. This is the story about an E-type named Desire. With its slick design, concupiscent curves and seductively beckoning headlights, … [Read more...]
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