NATIONAL MINI DAY 2020 CANCELLED
Matt Bell on 26th June 2020
The Mini Cooper Register’s National Mini Day 2020 at Beaulieu, set to be held on August 16, has been cancelled in light of continuing measures to combat Covid-19.
News
LOCKDOWN CLASSIC SALES BOOST
Matt Bell on 23rd June 2020
Despite being gripped by Covid-19, there has been a lockdown classic sales boost with potential buyers tying the knot for classic cars based on description and reputation alone.
60TH ANNIVERSARY OF MAZDA CARS
Matt Bell on 22nd June 2020
One significant anniversary which has quietly slipped by overshadowed by current events is the 60th anniversary of Mazda cars. The company was established as a commercial vehicle maker in 1920 but its entry into the car market in May 1960 was with the tiny R360, at 2.98m long slightly smaller than our own Mini but likewise a full four-seater.
MOT EXTENSIONS CONTINUE DESPITE CONCERNS
Matt Bell on 16th June 2020
The automatic six-month extension on MoT expiry dates looks set to remain in place for the time being, despite calls for it to end. Should MoT extensions continue amidst Covid-19?
VOLVO 112MPH SPEED LIMITER INTRODUCED
Matt Bell on 15th June 2020
Volvo has always been a pioneer of safety, with engineer Nils Bohlin famously inventing the three-point seat belt in 1959. Now, in the ultimate manifestation of its Vision 2020 strategy which aims for no one to be killed or seriously injured in one of its new cars, the Volvo 112mph speed limiter has been introduced.
SILVERSTONE CLASSIC 2020 CANCELLED
Matt Bell on 10th June 2020
The organisers of the Silverstone Classic 2020 three-day festival – originally scheduled for July 31-August 2, have announced it has sadly been cancelled.
HERITAGE APPRENTICES BUCK THE TREND
Matt Bell on 9th June 2020
Fears that a loss of apprentices amid the Covid-19 pandemic would seriously jeopardise the future of the historic vehicle movement are being replaced by a new sense of optimism as the industry looks to buck the nationwide trend.
MOT EXTENSIONS RAISE SAFETY CONCERNS
Matt Bell on 8th June 2020
Calls to end automatic six-month MoT extensions have gathered more pace after new research has revealed that almost 1.1m unroadworthy vehicles are set to return to the UK’s streets as people increasingly get back on the road.
2020 EVENT CANCELLATIONS CONTINUE
Matt Bell on 5th June 2020
The situation surrounding Covid-19 continues to affect the show calendar with yet more 2020 event cancellations and postponements; and in some cases, is affecting events that have already been rescheduled once already.
FIAT’S EIGHT-VALVE FIRE UNIT PRODUCTION ENDS
Matt Bell on 2nd June 2020
Fiat has announced the end of one of the longest-lived production car engines. The eight-valve version of its Fully Integrated Robotised Engine, commonly known as the FIRE unit, is ending production after 35 years and over 23 million units sold, having resisted many attempts to replace it.
SWINDON’S CRATE EV MOTOR NOW AVAILABLE
Matt Bell on 27th May 2020
The order books for Swindon Powertrain’s crate EV motor for electric vehicle conversions is now open with deliveries starting in August 2020.
LANCASTER INSURANCE VIRTUAL SHOW
Matt Bell on 22nd May 2020
With all of the car shows we love being cancelled due to Covid-19, Lancaster Insurance is hosting a virtual show this bank holiday weekend as it celebrates the 1970s!
CLASSICS FOR CARERS EVENT SMASHES FUNDRAISING TARGET
Matt Bell on 21st May 2020
A pioneering stay-at-home classic car event has proven to be a massive success. Classics for Carers, which encouraged owners to display their classic cars at their own homes, smashed through its £1500 target to raise almost £12,000 and counting for NHS Charities Together.
ASTON MARTIN BULLDOG RESEARCH CONTINUES
Matt Bell on 19th May 2020
In February, before the current shut down, Classic Motor Cars (CMC) started work on restoring one of the world’s rarest cars – the Aston Martin Bulldog.