Reborn initiative from Land Rover Classic offers customers the opportunity to buy one of 25 factory restored Series I models

• Reborn initiative from Land Rover Classic offers unique proposition for customers to buy one of 25 factory restored Series I models
• Each of the 25 examples are hand-picked by Land Rover Classic’s team of experts for authenticity
• Series I perfectly restored according to original specification and using genuine Land Rover Classic Parts
• Land Rover Classic continues to nurture the passion for the Land Rover brand through the provision cars, services, parts and experiences

Land Rover Classic is underscoring its commitment to providing the very best cars, services, parts and experiences to passionate Land Rover customers with the launch of the ‘Reborn’ initiative for the iconic Series I at Techno-Classica in Essen, Germany.

Reborn offers 25 prospective customers the unique opportunity to purchase an original and highly collectable Land Rover Series I directly from Land Rover Classic.

Land Rover Classic’s expert team has drawn on decades of experience to hand-pick 25 Series I chassis from Land Rover’s global network. Each model will undergo a complete restoration according to the brand’s original 1948 factory specification and using Land Rover Classic Parts to preserve authenticity. This includes the choice of five period finishes including Light Green, Bronze Green, RAF Blue, Dove Grey and Poppy Red.

Customers will be able to select their preferred base vehicle with the help and guidance of Land Rover Classic’s experienced restoration team, and they will be able to follow the restoration of their cherished Series I from start to finish at Land Rover’s new Classic workshop located within the original Defender production centre at Solihull. 

Tim Hannig, Director, Jaguar Land Rover Classic, said: “The launch of the Reborn initiative represents a fantastic opportunity for customers to own a valuable and collectable automotive icon. Reborn showcases Land Rover Classic’s expertise in restoring and maintaining our loyal customers’ prized Land Rovers. It also demonstrates the business’ commitment to supporting customers with original and genuine parts for Land Rover models that have been out for production for longer than 10 years.”

Historic ‘Blue Train’ race commemorated with 85th anniversary Mulsanne Mulliner Limited Edition

• Historic ‘Blue Train’ race commemorated with 85^th anniversary Mulliner Limited Edition
• Mulliner artisans pay homage to famous 1930 Speed Six with bespoke features and intricate historical references
• Total of four examples to be hand-crafted in Crewe for continental European customers
• Mulsanne Speed is world’s fastest ultra-luxury driving experience

Bentley Motors is commemorating the historic ‘Blue Train’ race won by the Bentley Speed Six in 1930 with a Mulliner Limited Edition – the Mulsanne Speed ‘Blue Train’.

Debuting this week at the Techno-Classica show in Essen, Germany, just four examples will be hand-crafted in Crewe for customers in continental Europe.

85 years ago, Captain Woolf Barnato, Chairman of Bentley Motors and pioneering ‘Bentley Boy’, was staying in Cannes at the Carlton Hotel. 

He accepted a wager that not only could he beat the Calais-Mediterranée Express or ‘Blue Train’ back to Calais, but that he could be at his club in London before the train even reached the English Channel.

He was, and the remarkable victory has been talked about ever since.

The ‘Blue Train’ Limited Edition is produced by the skilled craftsmen and women of Bentley’s bespoke coachbuilding division, Mulliner. Each features a number of delightful historical references and modern interpretations of  design details from the original Speed Six.

For example, the fluting pattern in the door panels and the rear quarter inserts echo the interior of Barnato’s original car. The dashboard facia features an expertly crafted veneer image of the original Bentley ‘Blue Train’ Speed Six. 

Meanwhile, the treadplate plaques bear the wording ‘Blue Train 85 Years’ and the front grille features a square mesh design inspired by original Speed Six.

Richard Charlesworth, Head of the Bentley Heritage Collection, comments: “The Blue Train is one of the most famous and celebrated cars in the world, and it perfectly embodies the racing spirit of the Bentley. 

Woolf Barnato was a three-time Le Mans victor, but winning the Blue Train race captured the public’s imagination, and fuelled the legend of the Bentley Boys. By beating the Calais-Mediterranée Express he forever guaranteed the Speed Six’s place in automotive history.”

The first ‘Blue Train’ Limited Edition delivered will also feature a personalised hamper, trimmed with Burnt Oak and Camel hide to perfectly match the interior of the car. 

Mulliner has crafted beautiful leather cutlery holders and a leather rug wrap-around, both featuring ‘Blue Train’ embroidery. The hamper contains exclusive Robbe & Berking silver plated cutlery, Haviland Limoges porcelain crockery, LINLEY crystal champagne flutes and a 100 percent Angora picnic rug, woven in Scotland.

Robert Engstler, Regional Director Europe, added: “The fact that we are producing just four of these Limited Editions is highly significant, as Barnato famously made it to the club in London four minutes before the train arrived in Calais. The unique design elements bring back nostalgic memories of one of the most legendary Bentleys of all times.”

The Mulsanne Speed Blue Train by Mulliner can be seen at the Techno-Classica Show in Essen (Hall 7). from the 15^th to the 19^th of April 2015.

Mulliner – Rare by design

Mulliner exists to respond to the requirements of Bentley’s most discerning customers. Mulliner Limited Editions reflect carefully chosen and inspirational themes. Individually these might have special significance for customers in specific markets, but what they all share is the highest standards of Mulliner craftsmanship – taking the concept of Bentley luxury and pushing it even further.

Mulliner Limited Editions are rare by design and, as a result, they all have the potential to become instant classics, desired by many but driven only by a fortunate few.

Happy Birthday Lamborghini

In 2013, the 50th year since it was founded, Automobili Lamborghini is participating in the annual Techno Classica fair at Essen, where Lamborghini will be showing two of its supercars that have made automotive history, at pavilion 7.

Introduced in 1964, the 350 GT was the first mass-produced Lamborghini, while the 1972 P 400 Miura SV was the final evolution of the legendary Miura - the first super sports car with a modern design. Both vehicles on display were taken from the extensive collection of historic cars in the Lamborghini Museum at the company’s headquarters in Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy.
An expert on replacement parts for classic cars will also be at the stand to provide information on original spare parts for early Lamborghini models.

The Lamborghini 350 GT
Characterized by its balanced lines and developed by Franco Scaglione from prototypes of the 350 GTV, the 1964 350 GT was the first Lamborghini to be mass-produced. With its 3.5 liter, 12 cylinder engine perfected by engineer Giotto Bizzarrini and rated at 280 hp, it could reach a maximum speed of 250 km/h. The vehicle body featured aluminum components, four-wheel independent suspension and disc brakes on all four wheels. And, some models were equipped with a self-locking differential. By the end of 1966, 120 of these remarkable vehicles had been produced at Carrozzeria Touring. The final versions featured a 4 liter engine with the same power as the 3.5 liter power plant, but with greater torque. Carrozzeria Touring also produced two Spyders (350 GTS).

The Lamborghini Miura P 400 SV
Steady demand for the Miura S prompted Lamborghini to introduce a more advanced version called the SV (Super Veloce). This occurred during development of the subsequent, revolutionary model called the Countach LP 500, which made its worldwide debut in the spring of 1971. The Miura P 400 SV was equipped with a 4 liter, 385 HP V12 engine and attained a maximum speed of over 290 kmh.

Although it lacked the signature “eyebrows” over the headlamps, the SV stood out for its new rear suspension, wider track and more powerful engine. And unlike previous models, it was equipped with separate lubrication. The last Miura produced in January 1973 was purchased by a famous Italian industrialist. 150 of these remarkable cars were built from 1971 to 1972.

Original Lamborghini Replacement Parts
Preserving the models produced over the fifty-year history of Automobili Lamborghini is in the interests not only of Lamborghini itself, but also of the world’s countless keen collectors of the marque. Authorized Lamborghini Workshops specialize in servicing classic Lamborghinis. A web portal that can be entered from any point in the world provides access to catalogues of every Lamborghini model and enables the desired spare part to be conveniently ordered. If a special component is not available, it can be produced right away from the original blueprints. An expert in the sector of replacement parts will be at the Lamborghini stand at Techno Classica to answer questions about obtaining original parts for classic Lamborghinis.

Lamborghini’s 50th Anniversary
In 2013, Automobili Lamborghini is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its founding with a series of international events involving customers, dealers and fans of the marque. The festivities will hit their high point with the “Lamborghini 50th Anniversary Grande Giro".

On May 7-11, 2013, more than 300 Lamborghinis from every period in the company's history will travel 1200 kilometers along the Italian peninsula. On the first leg, Lamborghini owners from 29 countries will journey from Milan to Forte dei Marmi. Next, they will continue on to Rome, and finally return to Bologna on May 10. On May 11, a Concours d’Elegance will be held in Piazza Maggiore in Bologna, and all participants will then parade to Sant’Agata Bolognese, where Lamborghini 50th celebrations will culminate in a festive gala dinner.