SEAT Cars to launch a fully restored 600 for the Barceolna Motorshow.

• 30 people and 1,500 hours spent on fully restoring a unique model on the occasion of its 60th anniversary
• Close to 1,000 original spare parts and an updated design that respects its legendary uniqueness
• This SEAT 600 will be displayed for the first time at the Barcelona Motorshow

The car that put Spain on wheels is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. For this reason, SEAT has restored a 600 convertible, which is exhibited for the first time at the Automobile Barcelona. A team of around 30 people set out to fully modernise, and completely by hand, this gem which had been sitting for the past 25 years. The following are some of the keys to its restoration.

• More than 1,000 original spare parts: 1,500 hours were spent to take it completely apart and restore each separate part by hand. One of the greatest challenges was to locate the more than 1,000 original parts that were changed, according to Ángel Lahoz, an engineer at the SEAT Technical Centre who was responsible for the Project. 
• Rebirth after sitting for 25 years: The work was done to a SEAT 600 convertible that was built in 1965 and bought by a private individual. It had been sitting for 25 years and so required painstaking electronics and mechanical work. According to Lahoz, “the final result is almost better than when it originally left the factory”, over more than half a century ago.
• 15 litres of paint: 15 litres of bluish grey paint was used, a colour which is “absolutely on trend and reminiscent of the first 600s that came out”, points out Jordi Font, who is head of Colour&Trim at SEAT. 
• 50 metres of houndstooth fabric: 50 metres of exclusive fabric was created for this car, representing “an allegory of the famous houndstooth pattern in black and white that echoes a time past”, explains Font. 
• Manually operated roof and original steering wheel: The manually operated sliding roof stands out in particular among the car parts, as it was also completely hand restored. The steering wheel and the horn button are the original. 
• Unique 60th anniversary version: This year the SEAT 600 is celebrating its 60th anniversary. Since its launch in 1957, it became a social phenomenon and Spaniards were finally able to start taking to the road. For many middle-class families, their dream of buying their own car for 70,000 pesetas finally came true.
• A car that posted record sales: The SEAT 600 was such a success that in 1958 its production was multiplied by six. The model was built until 1973 and a total of nearly 800,000 units were sold.

SEAT is the only company that designs, develops, manufactures and markets cars in Spain. A member of the Volkswagen Group, the multinational has its headquarters in Martorell (Barcelona), exporting 81% of its vehicles, and is present in over 80 countries through a network of 1,700 dealerships. In 2016, SEAT obtained an operating profit of 143 million euros, the highest in the history of the brand, and achieved worldwide sales of nearly 410,000 vehicles.

SEAT Group employs more than 14,500 professionals at its three production centres – Barcelona, El Prat de Llobregat and Martorell, where it manufactures the highly successful Ibiza and Leon. Additionally, the company produces the Ateca and the Toledo in the Czech Republic, the Alhambra in Portugal and the Mii in Slovakia.

The multinational has a Technical Centre, which operates as a knowledge hub that brings together 1,000 engineers who are focussed on developing innovation for Spain’s largest industrial investor in R&D. SEAT already features the latest connectivity technology in its vehicle range and is currently engaged in the company’s global digitalisation process to promote the mobility of the future.

Bentley;s latest batch of apprentices will renovate a 1965 T-Series, putting it back into factory new condition.

• Trainees start apprenticeships at Bentley Motors
• Apprentices will develop new skills to renovate 1965 Bentley T-Series
• Restoration project forms part of learning programme for apprentices

Over half a century after its initial assembly, a 1965 Bentley T-Series has returned to the company’s headquarters in Crewe to be restored by Bentley apprentices to its original factory specification.  

The renovation project forms a key part of the Bentley apprenticeship learning programme.     

The new apprentices will complete and assemble the trim section and restore the car’s body, paint and engine, putting into practice the modern skills they will gain during their apprenticeship while becoming familiar with traditional techniques. 

Post completion, the classic car will join Bentley’s celebrated heritage fleet where it will attend car events across the world. 

Commenting on Bentley’s commitment to skills development, Marlies Rogait, Bentley’s Member of the Board for Human Resources, says: 

“Bentley’s apprenticeship scheme offers a solid foundation to enable our trainees to learn and grow. Working on one of the most iconic Bentleys from our illustrious past is a truly unique experience, and one which will enhance their skills and knowledge and help them become experts in their chosen field.”    

The Bentley T-Series - which the manufacturing apprentices will work on - was assembled  between the years of 1965 and 1970, and featured the first monocoque chassis seen in a Bentley. In this five year period, 1,004 T-Series models were produced. With a maximum speed of 115mph and capable of achieving 0-62mph in 10.9 seconds, it contained an early version of the 6¾ litre V8 engine found in Bentley’s present day flagship; the Mulsanne.

Bentley Master Trainer, Colin Jackson, who is leading the project, said “This is something everyone involved in can feel very proud of. Having the opportunity to bring back to life such an iconic Bentley doesn’t happen very often.  The challenge of restoring this car means that our apprentices will develop the traditional skills that Bentley is so famous for, and sets them up for their careers building Bentleys of the future.”

Over half of the new intake of apprentices (19) are undertaking a three year manufacturing apprenticeship programme. The curriculum is designed and delivered by Bentley Master Trainers, during which apprentices will develop skills in areas such as coach trimming, wood, paint, mechatronics and production maintenance as well as developing know-how in production technologies of the future.

The apprenticeship scheme has been running for more than 40 years and offers an invaluable way of gaining nationally recognised academic and vocational qualifications, while undertaking tailored development at Bentley.  The other 17 apprentices will be based in business areas at Bentley’s headquarters in Crewe, including Engineering, Sales and Marketing, Purchasing and Human Resources.

In addition to the 36 new apprentices Bentley has also recently welcomed 40 undergraduates and next month 23 graduates will join the business.  Last month Bentley received a Princess Royal Training Award in recognition of their outstanding training and skills development programmes.

To further enhance the company’s future investment in its employees and the community, Bentley is also playing a pivotal role in supporting the recently opened University Technical College in Crewe.  The new school which will focus on Engineering and Design, will provide an aspirational learning environment, incorporating the latest technology and equipment to give students a head start within industry and academia.

It's the 50th anniversary of the Cobra Daytona coupe, and you can still buy(ish) them new.

Back in 1964, the Cobra was all dominant – except at such high-speed European circuits as Le Mans. Carroll Shelby duly tasked designer Peter Brock with penning a sleeker body and the resulting Cobra Daytona Coupes beat Ferrari to the 1965 FIA Sports Car Championship. 

Only six cars were constructed in period, which will be assembled for the first time ever at the upcoming Goodwood Revival meeting, September 11-13. 

Unsurprisingly, these Shelby masterpieces very rarely come to market and, when they do, they fetch a fortune – the last one to sell fetched a cool $7.25million. A genuine derivative is, however, available brand new from just £99,800 plus VAT – here’s the story…….

The current CSX9000 Series Daytona Coupe was developed directly from the original Coupes by Brock and fellow designer Bob Negstad. 

They combine the mouth-watering shape of those original cars with the very latest in engineering technology, as a result of which they were sanctioned by the late, great Carroll Shelby and subsequently adopted as an official Shelby product.

The current (MKII) version benefits from numerous upgrades, including: a better gearbox (Tremec Magnum); improved suspension option with Öhlins adjustable dampers; stainless steel side-mounted exhausts; deep-dished 15” FIA wheels or 18” race-style ones; greater interior space; better air conditioning controls; and exterior door handles. 

The body is manufactured from polyvinyl ester and there is a wide choice of engines as follows: Ford motorsport ones from 289 to 427ci in capacity and 380 to 550bhp in output, and a 520bhp version of GM’s popular LS3 unit.

Limited Edition Shelby GT350 and GT350R to headline Ford's Mustang range - Can I have one free please ?

• Ford to produce limited run of 2015 Shelby® GT350 to commemorate the nameplate’s 50th anniversary
• 2015 Shelby GT350 comes with a unique 2015 VIN – the envy of Shelby enthusiasts everywhere
• Limited run of 37 Shelby GT350R models to be built in homage to original GT350 competition model of 1965

In recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Shelby GT350, Ford will build a limited run of Shelby GT350 and GT350R Mustangs for 2015. The original Shelby GT350, introduced in 1965, established Mustang’s performance credentials on racetracks around the world. 

The all-new Shelby GT350, featuring the most powerful naturally aspirated Ford production engine ever, re-establishes Mustang as a world-class sports car.

Only 100 Shelby GT350 models will feature a 2015 model year designation before production switches over to 2016. Of these, 50 will be equipped with the Technology Package and 50 equipped with the Track Package.

“Fans of the Shelby brand are among the most passionate in the automotive industry,” said Henry Ford III, Ford Performance marketing manager. “To honor the passion of our fans for Shelby GT350’s 50th anniversary, a limited run of GT350 models will be built in 2015; these cars will be highly coveted by both Mustang and Shelby enthusiasts alike.”

2015 Shelby GT350R: Celebrating 50 years of a pony car legend

In 1965, Carroll Shelby developed and sold an FIA-homologated Mustang called the Shelby GT350 competition model. This race-ready Mustang took to tracks around the world, competing in the most prestigious races and against the stiffest competition there was. 

In addition to winning the Sports Car Club of America’s B Production national championship in 1965, 1966 and 1967, the car entered races throughout South America and Europe, including the 1967 24 Hours of Le Mans.

There is heated debate among Shelby enthusiasts over how many 1965 GT350 competition models were built during the extremely limited production run. While Carroll Shelby insisted two prototype cars and 35 production models were built, most records show only 34 production models received serial numbers from the Shelby production facility.

For 2015, Ford will make sure there is no confusion about the number of GT350R models constructed; 37 cars will be built in Carroll Shelby’s memory.

USA - Ford performance: the all-new Shelby® GT350® Mustang, PUT YOUR SPEAKERS ON FULL !!!!!!

• All-new Shelby® GT350 Mustang is a thoroughbred capable of tackling the world’s most challenging roads and racetracks
• GT350 is powered by a unique, high-revving flat-plane crankshaft 5.2-liter V8 engine that will produce more than 500 horsepower – the most powerful naturally aspirated Ford production engine ever
• Advanced materials, MagneRide dampers, aggressive brakes and finely tuned aerodynamics push the performance of Mustang to previously unmatched levels

One of the most iconic performance Mustang nameplates of all time is returning, Ford confirmed today with the reveal of the all-new Shelby^® GT350 Mustang.

The original Shelby GT350 introduced in 1965 established Mustang’s performance credentials. The all-new Shelby GT350 Mustang, featuring the most powerful naturally aspirated Ford production engine ever, is a world-class performance vehicle, designed to tackle the planet’s most challenging roads – an all-day track car that’s also street legal.

The new GT350 builds on Carroll Shelby’s original idea – transforming a great every-day car into a dominant road racer – by taking advantage of a dramatically improved sixth-generation Mustang to create a truly special driving experience. Driving enthusiasts behind the wheel of a Shelby GT350 can expect to be treated to the most balanced, nimble and exhilarating production Mustang yet.

Ford engineers took an innovative approach with GT350. Rather than develop individual systems to perform well independently, every component and shape is optimized to work in concert; balance is the key. While paying rigorous attention to detail, the team pushed the envelope with cutting-edge materials and technologies.

“When we started working on this car, we wanted to build the best possible Mustang for the places we most love to drive – challenging back roads with a variety of corners and elevation changes – and the track on weekends,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. “Every change we made to this car was driven by the functional requirements of a powerful, responsive powerplant – nimble, precise handling and massive stopping power.”

Track-tuned driveline

Early in development of the GT350, it was decided a high-revving, naturally aspirated V8 engine would best suit a track-focused Mustang.

“The final product is essentially an all-new powerplant unique to GT350 – and one that takes true advantage of the new chassis dynamics of the Mustang platform,” said Jamal Hameedi, chief engineer, Ford Global Performance Vehicles.

The new 5.2-liter engine is the first-ever production V8 from Ford with a flat-plane crankshaft, an architecture typically found only in racing applications or exotic European sports cars. Unlike a traditional V8, where the connecting rods are attached to the crankshaft at 90-degree intervals, this design evenly spaces all crank pins at 180-degree intervals.

The 180-degree, flat-plane layout permits a cylinder firing order that alternates between cylinder banks, reducing the overlap of exhaust pressure pulses. When combined with cylinder-head and valvetrain advancements, this permits better cylinder breathing, further extending the performance envelope of the V8. 

The result is the most powerful naturally aspirated production Ford engine ever, at more than 500 horsepower, with a torque peak above 400 lb.-ft. The track capability is enhanced by the output characteristics of the engine – the 5.2-liter V8 features an exceptionally broad torque curve. Combined with its high-revving ability, the flat-plane 5.2-liter V8 gives drivers an enormous amount of performance and flexibility within each gear of the lightweight six-speed manual transmission. A standard Ford-tuned Torsen limited-slip differential optimizes cornering grip and straight-line traction.

“Make no mistake, this is an American interpretation of a flat-plane crankshaft V8, and the 5.2-liter produces a distinctive, throaty howl from its four exhaust tips,” said Hameedi.

Balanced dynamics

The new Mustang platform is the strongest in the history of the brand, with torsional stiffness increased 28 percent over the previous model. That stiff structure ensures the suspension geometry remains consistent, even under hard driving on back roads and tracks. Front stiffness is further improved on GT350 with a cutting-edge injection-molded carbon fiber composite grille opening and optional lightweight tower-to-tower brace. The front track has been increased while spring rates and bushings have been recalibrated all around, with ride height reduced compared to Mustang GT.

For optimum handling, the wheels need to respond quickly to the contours of the road and driver input. Reducing unsprung mass is key to improving that response, but a balance must be struck between taking mass out of a suspension and delivering truly capable braking performance.

Due to the significant speeds the car can develop, GT350 features the most track-credible brake system ever offered on a Ford vehicle in terms of absolute stopping power, fade resistance and brake pedal feel. The brakes are two-piece cross-drilled iron discs mounted to aluminum hats. At the front are massive 394-millimeter rotors clamped by Brembo six-piston fixed calipers with integrated caliper bridges, while 380-millimeter rotors at the rear utilize four-piston calipers.

GT350 makes use of extra-stiff 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels – 10.5 inches wide in front, 11.0 inches in the rear – clad in state-of-the-art Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires with GT350-specific sidewall construction, tread face and compound. The custom tires are designed to deliver maximum grip on the road or at the track.

Ultra-quick responsiveness to changing conditions is provided by the first-ever Ford application of continuously controlled MagneRide dampers. The dampers are filled with a hydraulic fluid impregnated with iron particles; when an electric current is passed through the fluid, a near-instant adjustment of the suspension performance can be made. 

With wheel position sensors monitoring motion thousands of times per second combined with other vehicle data, changes can be made to each corner independently every 10 milliseconds for optimum handling performance. This is a system designed not just to make the car handle better but to instill greater confidence in even the best driver.

Obsession to detail

“Everything we changed on GT350 is purely functional-driven design, with the goal of improving the overall performance of the car,” said Chris Svensson, Ford design director, The Americas. “We optimized the aero shape of the car, and then fine-tuned what was left to increase downforce and cooling airflow.” All bodywork from the windshield forward is unique to this high-performance model and up to two inches lower than Mustang GT.

The new aluminum hood has been lowered and sloped, compared to the base Mustang, tightly wrapped around the engine for the smallest possible aerodynamic signature. Front and rear aero elements have been balanced to work together on the track. The fascia has been resculpted to provide the aggressive lower front splitter with maximum pressure and a ducted belly pan delivers significant downforce. 

The hood outlet acts as a heat extractor while also reducing underhood lift at high speed. At the rear, much of the engineering was focused on creating an aggressive functional diffuser doing double duty to increase downforce and provide cooling air to the optional differential cooler, and a subtle lip spoiler across the trailing edge of the decklid increases downforce without adding excess drag.

The athletic stance of the all-new Mustang is further accentuated with recontoured aluminum front fenders to accommodate the wider front track and wider wheel arches. Front fender vents work with vented inner fenders to draw out turbulent air in the wheel wells and smoothly direct it down the side of the car. The forward-angled grille is designed with individual openings to draw air through the radiator, high-pressure engine air intake, cooling ducts for the front brakes and, optional with the Track Pack, an engine oil cooler and a transmission cooler.

Focus-driven cockpit changes

Like everything else about GT350, the interior has been optimized for driving, beginning with the specially designed Recaro sport seats with a unique cloth. Hundreds of hours and many prototypes went into a seat that is both comfortable in daily driving and capable on the track. A flat-bottom steering wheel makes it easier for the driver to get in and out, and is more ergonomic on the racetrack. Gauges are upgraded to reflect the enormous performance capability of the car. Chrome and bright finishes have been reduced or eliminated to prevent sun glare that may distract the driver.

The advanced technology inherent to Mustang has been deployed for duty in the Shelby GT350. An all-new integrated driver control system allows selection of five unique modes that tailor ABS, stability control, traction control, steering effort, throttle mapping, MagneRide tuning and exhaust settings, depending on driver preference, to achieve maximum performance. Drivers are invited to test them all.

Drivers interested in comfort, convenience and entertainment upgrades may select the Tech Pack, which includes power, leather-trimmed seats; Shaker Audio; 8-inch MyFord Touch^® LCD touch screen; and dual zone electronic temperature control, to name a few features.

“We took the best Ford Mustang yet and massaged every aspect of the car that affects the performance driving experience,” said Hameedi. “We tested endlessly on the most challenging roads and tracks in the world, and we believe serious drivers will love the Shelby GT350 Mustang.”

50 years of Ford Mustang

Shelby GT350 Mustang is the latest in an all-new line of Mustang fastback and convertible models, including the specially designed 50th Anniversary Edition Mustang.

More than 9.2 million Mustangs have been sold since the car’s 1964 debut.

With more options to choose from, there is a Mustang to fit any lifestyle. The upgraded V8 in Mustang GT – now delivering 435 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque – is joined by a 300-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 and an all-new 2.3-liter EcoBoost^® engine that brings state-of-the-art technology to Mustang.

The Mustang 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine uses direct injection, variable cam timing and a twin-scroll turbocharger to deliver the performance drivers expect with an output of 310 horsepower and 320 lb.-ft. of torque.

The new Mustang continues to be popular. In addition to being the most-liked vehicle on Facebook with 8 million likes, all-new models are turning on U.S. dealer lots in an average of six days.