Classic Motor Cars, that makes Callums Jaguar MK II, is now part of five TV Shows.

Five major TV programmes have featured Classic Motor Cars of Bridgnorth (CMC), one of the country’s leading restoration companies, in recent months.

The programmes include Cars That Rock with AC/DC front-man Brian Johnson, Fifth Gear, Inside Jaguar: Making a Million Pound Car, which is a new Channel 4 documentary on the iconic Lightweight produced by Arrow Media, a special on pensions on ITV News and BBC One’s Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is.

Peter Neumark, Chairman of CMC, said: “These are important accolades for CMC. We now seem to be a major port of call for directors and producers who want to film classic cars and their restorations, particularly when it comes to classic Jaguars.”

CMC’s Lindner Nocker Lightweight will appear in 'Inside Jaguar: Making a Million Pound Car', a 1x60 minute doc presented by classic car fanatic Mark Evans, which airs on Thursday 28th May at 9pm on Channel 4. The programme gains exclusive access to Jaguar, following the creation of what is arguably the world’s most exclusive car. Only twelve Lightweights were produced in 1963, but eighteen were originally planned. Now the remaining six are being recreated by Jaguar from scratch with precision engineering.

The Lindner Nocker is the fifth of the twelve original Lightweights built by Jaguar. After a massive accident in 1964 at Montlhéry, it was impounded and locked away for many years. The mangled original body was thought to be unrepairable, but CMC took on the challenge of restoring it in 2007 and unveiled it to the world four years later, winning the prestigious ‘Restoration of the Year’ Award at the 2011 International Historic Motoring Awards.

Nick Goldthorp, Managing Director at CMC, said: “This was one of the most challenging projects we have ever undertaken. It took us over 7000 hours to restore it, spending 5000 hours on the body alone and saving 90% of the original body.”

He added: “Arrow Media, commissioned by Channel 4, spent a day at Bridgnorth filming before they joined us at the Ty Croes race circuit on Anglesey the following day, where we had the Lindner Nocker on track for the first time in 50 years. It was a historic moment and we are looking forward to watching it on the screen.”

Other recent activity includes the second series of Cars That Rock, which aired on Thursday 16th April at 9pm on Quest. In this series, Brian Johnson gets to indulge his passion for all things automotive and Episode One saw him explore what makes the Jaguar brand so special by taking a look at its illustrious heritage.

In his travels he met Norman Dewis, a 94 year-old Jaguar legend, who helped develop some of the marque’s most celebrated race cars. He was seduced by one of the very first E-type’s, which has been restored by CMC in 2000. He made a pit stop at CMC’s headquarters from where he took for a spin a Coombs Mark 2, a modified version of the iconic model that was also restored by the company.

Nick said: “It was a great experience to show Brian around our facilities and exciting as well. Some of our engineers are AC/DC fans and had to look twice to believe what they were seeing.”

CMC’s new facilities, award winning restorations and special projects have also featured in British motoring TV series Fifth Gear with presenter Jonny Smith, a special programme on pensions on ITV News with Hagerty Insurance and BBC One’s Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is with Phil Serrel and Kate Bliss.

The Fifth Gear episode aired in early March and looked at the ultimate British getaway car of the 1960’s, the Jaguar Mark 2, and a brand new version of it. For this, Jonny Smith partnered with Jaguar’s Design Director Ian Callum for a staged bank robbery getaway and in their escape they switched from a standard Mark 2 to a “different” car, the Mark 2 by Callum.

The Mark 2 by Callum is an exciting joint project between Ian Callum and CMC, which saw them redesign and reengineer a Mark 2 for Ian’s personal use. With Ian's permission, CMC are producing a limited edition of just eleven more cars that are available for sale and have already attracted interest from around the world.

The ITV piece featured an interview with Marcus Atkinson of Hagerty Insurance discussing classic cars as an investment, especially at a time when a lot of people across the UK will get financial freedom with the new pension rule changes being introduced on April 6th.

The BBC One show featured presenters and old friends Phil Serrell and Kate Bliss venturing to an auction in Gloucestershire. A confessed petrol-head, Phil ended up buying two racing timers, which he then sold to the chairman of CMC. 

Brian Johnson visits Longbridge for his Cars That Rock TV Show, to see how MG hs evolved.

AC/DC frontman and car fanatic, Brian Johnson, has returned to TV screens for a second series of Cars that Rock and this time round he has chosen to explore MG; the much loved British marque.

As part of his second series, Brian Johnson is focusing on some of the world’s most iconic cars. On Thursday 21 May, viewers will get an insight into MG and get to take a look behind the scenes at the iconic Longbridge site.

For almost 90 years, MG has produced sports cars and created an automotive heritage that has captivated people worldwide. In the episode that airs on Thursday, Brian visits the MG factory and takes a look at the brand’s roots with a ride in MG’s very first race car. He also catches a glimpse of how the marque has been revised.

As well as getting an insight into the history and future of the beloved marque, he gets the chance to give the MG3 the ultimate test drive, meets two MG enthusiasts who celebrated the brand in their own way, and races in one of the fastest MGs ever made; resulting in a close shave with a concrete wall!

Watch a preview below and tune into the full episode on Quest TV (Freeview channel 37, Sky channel 167 and Virgin Media channel 172) on Thursday 21 May at 9pm.

Introducing Jaguar's ‘Perfect Ten’ as it readies for the XE launch.

NEW FILM PREVIEWS JAGUAR’S ‘PERFECT TEN’ AS SELECTED BY LORD MARCH, BRIAN JOHNSON AND IAN CALLUM, FOR NEW JAGUAR XE LAUNCH

• The ‘Perfect Ten’ models from Jaguar’s rich heritage have been chosen to celebrate the global launch of the new XE model at Earls Court, London
• The Perfect Ten is made up of the most important and iconic Jaguar cars, as selected by an expert trio of knowledgeable enthusiasts; Lord March of Goodwood, Brian • Johnson of rock band AC/DC, and Jaguar’s Director of Design Ian Callum
• All ‘Perfect Ten’ cars will be presented at the world premiere of the Jaguar XE at Earls Court on 08 September.
• Film now available to view and share at http://youtu.be/Evq7wcq09H0

The world debut of the new Jaguar XE at Earls Court, London, will be supported by a specially commissioned film and display of what a trio of notable motoring enthusiasts and experts consider to be the ‘Perfect Ten’ of Jaguar’s rich and diverse brand heritage.

Accompanying the important new XE model will be a film and display of the ‘Perfect Ten’ Jaguars, spanning the decades, from the celebrated SS100 of the 1930s, through to the legendary C, D and E-types of the 1950s and 60s, and on to the Le Mans-winning XJR-9 of 1988.

This ‘Perfect Ten’ of Jaguar’s past glories has been carefully chosen to help celebrate the launch of the new XE model by a trio of well-known and acknowledged motoring enthusiasts, consisting of AC/DC lead singer and car enthusiast Brian Johnson; the founder of Goodwood Festival of Speed and Revival, Lord March, and Jaguar’s Director of Design, Ian Callum. 

This proud parade of Jaguar’s history is represented in film by significant examples of well-known and popular Jaguar models; as follows:

1. SS100:  Jaguar’s first 100mph production car.
2. XK120 - registration NUB 120:  Perhaps the most famous XK120 in the world. Driven by Ian Appleyard and Pat Lyons (daughter of Sir William Lyons) to numerous rally wins in the 1950s, including the Alpine Rallye des Alpes in 1950 and 1951.
3. C-type, registration NDU 289:  Original entry in the 1953 Mille Miglia, and one of just 54 cars built.
4. D-type, registration 393 RW:  This penultimate D-type won the 12 hours race at Reims driven, by Hamilton and Bueb, and was sixth at Le Mans with the same driver pairing.
5. MK II:  A great example of the legendary sporting saloon for which Jaguar has become globally renowned, and the genesis of the brand-new XE.
6. E-type, registration77 RW: The Jaguar ‘Works’ press car, famously driven overnight by Norman Dewis to Geneva for its Motor Show debut to great fanfare. This was the first production Jaguar to reach 150 mph, and is the earliest surviving E-type Roadster
7. XJ13:  Only one example of this car was built, being the first Jaguar to use the V12 engine.  The XJ13 was built for - but never raced at - Le Mans, and was designed by Malcolm Sayer.
8. XJ6 S1: Car of the Year when launched in 1968, this particular XJ6 was Sir William Lyons’ personal car.
9. TWR XJS: Tom Walkinshaw was very successful in motorsport for Jaguar in the 1980s and returned Jaguar to the podium with the racing version of the legendary XJS winning the European Touring Car Championship.
10. XJR-9. Tom Walkinshaw won Le Mans in 1988 with this very car, in one of Jaguar’s seven victories in the famous endurance race. 

Commenting on his perfect Jaguar, Lord March said: “For me it has to be the D-type.  Way ahead of its time, the D-type looks as good today as it did when it was first revealed 60 years ago, and I really can’t wait to see a grid full of D-types racing at this year’s Goodwood Revival in mid-September to mark this landmark anniversary in style.” 

Brian Johnson, the AC/DC singer commented: “The Jaguar C-type takes some beating for me.  Its purity and speed are exceptional today, and must have been simply mind-boggling in the early 1950s!”

Jaguar’s Director of Design Ian Callum agrees: “The shape of the C-type has a simplicity and purity that have rarely been bettered, and have helped form the beauty and elegance of some many subsequent Jaguar models.  It’s a gem.”

Jaguar placed at 130th out of 450 at 2014 Mille Miglia

• Swift and safe strategy works for British duo Jodie Kidd and David Blakeley on their debut drive in celebration of ‘The most beautiful race in the world’
• #JaguarMille Twitter campaign dominates Mille Miglia 2014 coverage with live updates from @Jaguar, @example, @BSenna, @MBrundleF1 and others in driver team
• A series of Mille Miglia highlightsfilms now launched online, including interviews with Jay Leno, AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson and Jaguar Design Director Ian Callum

British TV Presenter Jodie Kidd and war hero-turned-author David Blakeley produced a memorable driving performance in their Mille Miglia ‘race’ debut this year, earning the highest final placing of any Jaguar Heritage Racing entry. This remarkable result - in a team which included Formula 1 legends and several experienced racing professionals – was achieved following a challenging yet inspiring 1,000 mile drive over four days from Brescia, through Padova, Rome, Siena , Pisa and Bologna, before returning to cross the finish line in some style back in Brescia.

In a field of 450 of the world’s most coveted classic sports and luxury cars from marques including Bugatti, Ferrari and Porsche, Jodie and David drove their stunning Jaguar XK 120 – nicknamed ‘Betsey’ by the driver duo during the event, to a credible 130^th place in the final standings.

Jodie Kidd said: “David and I are absolutely exhausted but are taking away the most incredible memories from this special event. ‘Betsey’ was a joy to drive. She was fast, smooth and a brilliant way to experience the glorious Italian countryside. David and I feel privileged to have been at the wheel of one of the most beautiful cars in the entire event. We will be back next year!”

A series of short films have now launched online, which include the highlights of the Mille Miglia from the perspective of the Jaguar Heritage Racing team drivers. All these edits may viewed and downloaded for use via the Jaguar Broadcast Newsroom:http://www.broadcast.jaguarlandrover.com/stories/8378

Available edits include a ‘megastars of music’ video featuring AC/DC lead singer Brian Johnson, British artist ‘example’ and Belgian singer and songwriter Milow. Additionally fans of Formula One are catered for with a special insight into Bruno Senna and Martin Brundle’s high speed driving in a stunning Jaguar D-type. Finally, Jay Leno and Ian Callum feature in a full review of the event (also available on YouTube:http://youtu.be/exXvGIujXlA).

Successful British musician and singer Elliot Gleave, known more famously as ‘example’, was left glowing by the Mille Miglia experience. Elliot said: “I am absolutely buzzing after the best four days of driving I have ever known. The response to live updates from Italy from followers on my Twitter, Instagram and Facebook profiles was overwhelming. My wife Erin and I are thankful to the Jaguar team for this opportunity, which is one we’ll never forget.”  

Fans of the Jaguar Heritage Racing drivers in this year’s event showed support for their personal favourites by engaging with their idols on the world’s most popular social media channels. Analysis by Jaguar digital media strategists We Are Social shows the #JaguarMille campaign created for the Mille Miglia this year was hugely popular with fans of the Jaguar brand, and also the diverse group of personalities in the 2014 team.

From 28 April through to 19 May, #JaguarMille achieved more than 4,000 mentions on Twitter, with an estimated reach of 39.9 million impressions. On Instagram, 164 unique contributors used the #JaguarMille hashtag, achieving a total of 181,400 ‘Likes’ and 1,749 comments from the followers of driver profiles.

Host of stars take part in 2014 Mille Miglia for Jaguar Heritage Racing.

• Jaguar Heritage Racing gets ready for the off with Martin Brundle and Bruno Senna leading the charge in a ‘Long Nose’ D-type 
• Famous 1956 car was the penultimate example built and is the only D-type taking part in the Italian event  
• Jaguar Heritage Racing is fielding ten 1950s models in the 2014 Mille Miglia, including XKs and C-types
• Top racers plus household names from stage and screen as well as fashion, motor sport and music celebrities driving with Jaguar Heritage Racing

With the flag about to drop on the 2014 Mille Miglia, Jaguar Heritage Racing is revving up for 1,000 miles of high-speed driving through Italy – led by Martin Brundle and Bruno Senna, who are piloting a genuine piece of Coventry history.

Ex-Jaguar Le Mans and World Sports Prototype Championship winner, Formula 1 driver and SKY F1 TV pundit Brundle along with ex-Formula 1 racer Bruno Senna are sharing the famous ‘Long Nose’ Jaguar D-type.  

Martin Brundle commented: “As some people know, I’m a fan and owner of the E-type – but this D-type is phenomenal car. I can only imagine how brave my racing driver predecessors were to pilot it at 190mph-plus down the Mulsanne Straight. 

“Bruno and I will make sure we do this legendary British racing car justice. We have discussed our strategy for the Mille Miglia and feel quietly confident. We haven’t raced together before but we share a huge amount of enthusiasm for this amazing rally.”

Bruno Senna added: “The D-type is one of the most beautiful racing cars ever made – and it’s a real privilege to drive it on the Mille Miglia in its 60^th anniversary year.

“This ‘Long Nose’ car has such an incredible history, you can feel that from every detail, from the competition-worn aero windscreen to the seats and of course that remarkable tail fin. Martin and I won’t be holding back. We’re heading the Jaguar Heritage Racing charge and will do so in style.”

The penultimate example built, the D-type carries the registration 393 RW and is a true racing thoroughbred. Produced in March 1956 for the works team, it won the Reims 12-hour race, driven by Duncan Hamilton and Ivor Bueb then went on to finish sixth in the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Such is its originality, 393 RW carries the same wraparound aero windscreen, passenger seat, door and famous integrated tailfin as it did when it competed in 1956. After retiring from European competition, the car even had an extended career on American shores too, finishing third in the 1957 Sebring 12-hour race.

With D-type production beginning in 1954, the sight of this legendary Jaguar model in this year’s Mille Miglia is a fitting way to celebrate its 60^th anniversary in 2014.

Jaguar Heritage Racing will be tackling the legendary Mille Miglia classic car endurance event from 15-18 May with a line-up of top-name drivers, which will be traversed over 1,000 grueling miles from Brescia-Rome-Brescia in ten of the most revered and sought-after historic Jaguar cars ever produced. As with all of the Jaguar Heritage Racing cars competing in the Mille Miglia, support will come from classic car technical experts, JD Classics.

A number of new Jaguar F-TYPE Coupés will support the Jaguar Heritage Racing team, following the full Mille Miglia route through Italy with broadcast crews and VIP guests.

The drivers making up the Jaguar Heritage Racing team will be tweeting live throughout the event, which was famously once proclaimed as: ‘The most beautiful race in the world’.

Live updates will be available through Jaguar official social media channels, as well as Twitter profiles of drivers using hashtag: #JaguarMille

Twitter profiles to watch for the latest personal updates on the event include:

Jaguar Heritage Racing Driver	Twitter profile name
Jay Leno	@LenosGarage
Martin Brundle	@MBrundleF1
Bruno Senna	@BSenna
Jodie Kidd	@RealJodieKidd
David Blakeley	@daveblakeley
Milow	@milow
Elliot Gleave (Example)	@example
Erin Gleave	@Erin_McNaught
Brian Johnson	@BrianJohnson

In addition Jaguar will be publishing live updates from 14-18 May at: www.facebook.com/Jaguar andwww.twitter.com/jaguar