One of the world’s rarest Jaguars will undergo a live restoration at The Classic & Sports Car Show this autumn

• One of the world’s rarest Jaguars will undergo a live restoration at The Classic & Sports Car Show this autumn
• The 1954 XK120 by Pininfarina will be worked on by a team of specialists from Classic Motor Cars (CMC) throughout the event
• Total will also have a classic oil station offering advice to enthusiasts
• Other features at the Alexandra Palace event include the unveiling of the greatest supercar ever, a Live Interview Stage in partnership with Goodwood Road & Racing and a Coys auction
• For further information and to buy tickets for the show taking place from 28^th – 30^th October, head to 
• http://www.classicandsportscarshow.com

Visitors to this year’s Classic & Sports Car Show will be treated to an amazing sight this autumn: the live restoration of a one-of-a-kind ‘lost’ Jaguar by a team of specialists from Classic Motor Cars (CMC).

In its first public appearance for 40 years, the 1954 XK120, which features bodywork by Pininfarina, will be restored at the event from 28^th – 30^th October, giving show goers unprecedented access to the techniques and skill that goes into bringing a classic car back to its full glory.

And what a car. The unique Jaguar is believed to have been created for US importer, Max Hoffman, and was displayed at the 1955 Geneva Motor Show. It will be the key focal point in a special restoration hall at the Alexandra Palace show.

Also featured in the hall will be a classic oil station from leading international oil and gas company, Total. Experts will be on hand to discuss the importance of oil technology in the restoration of classic cars, in addition to recommending the most suitable lubricants for different vehicles.

Tim Leese, managing director, CMC, said: “As the only XK120 by Pininfarina ever produced this is one of the rarest Jaguars in existence. We are looking forward to bringing this special project to The Classic & Sports Car Show and giving visitors the opportunity to not only watch CMC’s mechanics and technicians at work but also ask any questions, to really gain a full understanding of the painstaking work that goes into restorations like this.”

Marc Smith, general manager, Total UK Lubricants Division, added: “We have always been committed to providing specialist oils for a wide variety of engines and are keen to bring this expertise to The Classic & Sports Car Show. Our specialists will be on hand to advise classic car owners and talk about lubricant problems that owners may have.”

James Elliott, Classic & Sports Car Group, editor, continued: “We often get to see the before and after images of these incredible restorations, but don’t get to see or fully appreciate the skill that goes into each element, from the body and trim to the engine. We are sure that this, combined with the expertise provided by Total, will make the restoration hall a fascinating and even educational feature for enthusiasts at our event in October.”

The Classic & Sports Car Show in 2016 will feature the world’s most prestigious classic cars from world-famous collectors and world-renowned classic car retailers. The event will also feature an auction from Coys and a Live Interview Stage in partnership with Goodwood Road & Racing.

Following a hotly contested public vote, the greatest supercar ever will be unveiled at the show as part of the ‘A Century of Supercars’ feature. The second stage of the vote, which will see the winners from each category pitted against each other, will open soon, with this shortlist forming the spectacular, multi-million pound display.

Classic Motor cars brings together two rare 1961 E-Types, one in pristine condition the other not so.

The Inside Story: Two Jaguar E-Types built on 24th August 1961 reunite after 55 years at Classic Motor Cars of Bridgnorth

Two Jaguar E-types that were built on the same day, 24^th August, in 1961 on the production line at Browns Lane in Coventry have been reunited at Classic Motor Cars (CMC) of Bridgnorth in Shropshire, United Kingdom, to celebrate their 55^th birthdays.

One E-Type was the first production inside bonnet lock right hand drive fixed head coupe; the other was the first production inside bonnet lock right hand drive roadster.

But these very early E-Types have lived different lives: the coupe is in pristine condition after having been restored by CMC; the roadster, a bit worn-down, has been off the road for 20 years, forgotten in a barn in Ireland until CMC found it and purchased it, and now requires a full restoration.

Peter Neumark, Chairman of CMC, said: “This world is full of coincidences; that both the first inside bonnet lock RHD coupe and roadster to end up in the same restoration facility is one thing, but then to discover they were both produced on the same day - August 24th 1961 - is remarkable!”

CMC brought the two cars back together on Wednesday 24^th August and even provided a birthday cake to celebrate the reunion.

Jaguar produced just four highly sought after external bonnet lock coupes in RHD form before switching to an internal lock arrangement.

Stuart Cardwell, owner of the E-Type Coupe Chassis No. 860005, brought it to CMC several years ago and embarked on a rolling restoration: mechanical first, he took it away to enjoy it and brought it back for a bare metal body restoration, then repaint and finally back for a full retrim.

Subsequently, the car was entered to the prestigious Salon Prive event and concours at Blenheim Palace in September 2015, where it was awarded runner-up in its class.

Stuart Cardwell said: “This is the first time the two cars have been next to one another after they parted company 55 years ago. In the case of my car, it has been all over the world. It was dispatched to Jaguar Cars New York in September 1961, sold to a Japanese collector in Tokyo in 1996 and repatriated back to the UK when I purchased it in 2012.”

He added: “CMC restored my car, which is now considered to be exactly as it would have left the factory in 1961 – no doubt they will do a stunning job bringing Chassis No. 92 back to life.”

The roadsters, on the other hand, went into production much sooner than the coupes hence some 91 outside bonnet lock cars were produced in RHD form and some 350 in LHD.

Neumark said: “We shouldn't be surprised to learn that the decision to switch to internal bonnet locks cars was applied across the board and implemented on the same day in 1961.”

E-Typer Roadster Chassis No. 850092 was dispatched to a Jaguar dealership in Dublin and has spent all its life in the Republic of Ireland. It was brought to the attention of CMC's Peter Neumark by a good friend in Co Navan, who was convinced it was Chassis No. 2.

Neumark was highly skeptical as the records stated it was destroyed in period after spending a hard year or two as a development car. Finally, the friend got good access to the car and discovered it was Chassis No. 92.

Neumark said: “The car had been off the road for over 20 years but with an impeccable history of five owners and with just over 24,000 miles on the clock, I was hooked and so was the car. An interesting negotiation with the canny Irish farmer was concluded with a handshake and a glass of Whiskey!”

He added: “It was only when the Heritage Certificate arrived from Jaguar that the same production date as the coupe was discovered. So we decided to invite Stuart with his car for a celebratory photo call with his car and the roadster.”

E-Type Roadster Chassis No. 92 requires a full restoration but has never been apart and has very little rot. It is for sale as a restoration project with CMC.

Ally Pally plays host to the Classic and Sports car Show with some stunning cars on display.

• The Classic & Sports Car Show announces raft of industry-leading classic car dealers set to thrill at Alexandra Palace
• Already signed up are DD Classics, Desmond J Smail, Arthur Bechtel Classic Motors, Classicmobilia, Stanley Mann Racing, Classic Chrome, Classic Motor Cars, Epping Motor Company, Oselli, Gallery Aaldering and Vintage & Prestige with more to be announced
• Together with head-turning themed centerpieces, including the unveiling of the public-voted ‘Greatest Supercar Ever’, The Classic & Sports Car Show will feature more than 300 of the world’s most prestigious and glamorous classic cars
• Held at Alexandra Palace, London from 28^th – 30^th October, this year’s show will also feature a classic car auction from Coys
• To vote for your favourite supercar and buy tickets, head to the show’s all-new website: http://www.classicandsportscarshow.com 

The Classic & Sports Car Show is proud to announce details of some of the industry’s finest classic car dealers who will be displaying an incredible array of historic cars at Alexandra Palace this autumn.

Joining a host of themed features and a classic car auction from Coys, Alexandra Palace will play host to industry-leading classic car dealers including DD Classics, Desmond J Smail, Arthur Bechtel Classic Motors, Classicmobilia, Stanley Mann Racing, Classic Chrome, Classic Motor Cars, Epping Motor Company, Oselli, Gallery Aaldering and Vintage & Prestige.

Collectively, these dealers will wow crowds with everything from the rarest Aston Martin, Ferrari and Porsche models to the finest Jaguars, Mercedes-Benz, pre-war (and post-war) Rolls Royce and Bentley and even modern day classics. And there are many more to follow; these are just a selection of dealers who have already signed up to The Classic & Sports Car Show.

Daniel Donovan, owner and founder of DD Classics, has been selling classic cars since the late 1960s. Over the years, he has developed incredible international connections and established many classic car businesses in the London area – and beyond. DD Classics operates from a stunning showroom in Kew, South-West London, and sells a wide range of the finest classics, from marques including Bentley, Ferrari, Maserati and Rolls Royce. And its second flagship showroom in Brentford, West London, offers one of the largest displays of classic, prestige and performance cars in the United Kingdom. “We’re delighted to be returning to The Classic & Sports Car Show this autumn,” said Donovan. “The venue of Alexandra Palace proved to be a majestic backdrop last year and the show was full of enthusiasts. We’re looking forward to welcoming people to our stand again this October.”

Desmond J Smail is one of the world’s leading Aston Martin experts, specialising in the sales, restoration and servicing of the famous British marque, boasting 300 years of experience thanks to its highly knowledgeable team across locations in Buckinghamshire and Kensington. “We are delighted to be exhibiting again at The Classic & Sports Car Show,” said Desmond J Smail. “It offered a perfect setting and environment to showcase our cars which led to a successful show for us for sales, service and restoration. We’re very much looking forward to the show this October.” 

Based in South West London, Classic Chrome has been established since 1989 and offers a fine mix of British, Italian and German classics, and even classics of tomorrow. “It was fantastic to be a part of the first Classic & Sports Car Show at Alexandra Palace in 2015,” said Garry Short, Managing Director, Classic Chrome Ltd. “We loved the venue and were especially pleased with our stand in the Great Hall and the number of visitors to the show. We’re really excited to be exhibiting again in 2016 and to be part of the show's growth and continued success.”

The Classic & Sports Car Show is delighted to welcome Arthur Bechtel Classic Motors to Alexandra Palace for the first time. Based near Stuttgart, Germany, the company always has an inventory of around 50 high-grade classic cars focused on Mercedes-Benz of the pre- and post-war area. Founded in 1972, it supports collectors in providing a complete service – from sourcing cars, restoring, to maintenance, storage and logistics, and it does this for an international customer base. “We are very delighted to be a part of The Classic and Sports Car Show 2016 in London by presenting our cars and services to an exclusive audience,” said Arthur Bechtel, founder and owner of Arthur Bechtel Classic Motors.

Another much-anticipated newcomer to the show is Stanley Mann Racing. Stanley Mann is a name synonymous with vintage Bentleys. For over 45 years Stanley drove, raced, restored, bought and sold these iconic machines. One of those fortunate people whose hobby became a passion and whose passion became a career. Stanley Mann Racing, with Stanley at the helm until his death in February 2016, has handled the sale of over 900 vintage Bentley Motor cars from its home, the Fruit Farm in Radlett, and continues with the same enthusiasm from the same small team catering for every aspect of vintage Bentley ownership.

Karen Mann, Stanley Mann Racing, said: “We came to visit the inaugural Classic & Sports Car Show last year and were impressed by the setting, features and large number of visitors to the show. We felt it was something we needed to be a part of and are delighted to be exhibiting at the Alexandra Palace event this October.”

With Classic Motor Cars set to bring an exquisite selection of the finest classic Jaguars, Epping Motor Company bringing a fine mix of modern classics and classic cars and Vintage & Prestige set to wow with pre-war (and post-war) Rolls-Royce and Bentley, visitors to The Classic & Sports Car Show are in for a treat.

The show will also feature an auction from Coys and a Live Interview Stage in partnership with Goodwood, while the top ten finalists from the show’s Century of Supercars global poll will be gathered together in a multi-million pound centerpiece, with the winner – the Greatest Supercar Ever – announced at the event. To vote, simply go to the show’s all-new website www.classicandsportscarshow.com/supercars and pick your favourite from each group between now and 31^st August.  

The show’s new website also features a range of ticket packages, from general access to a limited number of premium tickets offering everything from fine dining to guided tours of the event.

James Elliott, group editor, Classic & Sports Car magazine added: “It gives me great pleasure to announce that, once again, we will have some incredible stands at Alexandra Palace from industry-leading dealers including DD Classics, Desmond J Smail, Classic Chrome, Classic Motor Cars, Epping Motor Company, Gallery Aaldering and Vintage & Prestige. I’m really pleased to welcome Arthur Bechtel Classic Cars from Germany and Stanley Mann Racing and I’m looking forward to announcing even more dealers over the coming weeks, not to mention further details of our star centerpieces and themed displays. Visitors are in for another fantastic weekend this autumn.”

One of the rarest cars in the world the 1936 Squire, one of only seven ever built, has been restored by CMC.

More than 4100 man-hours have gone into the restoration of this car

Leading classic car restorers Classic Motor Cars of Bridgnorth (CMC) have restored a 1936 Squire, one of only seven built, which has now been shortlisted for Restoration of the Year at the prestigious International Historic Motoring Awards 2015.

This charismatic, costly and extremely rare British sports car was displayed at the 2011 Retromobile event in Paris in a very sorry state, its upholstery had been providing home to a family of rodents and it had been completely stripped of paint. Peter Neumark, chairman of Classic Motor Cars (CMC), saw its potential and a deal was made for the Squire to undergo a complete rejuvenation at the company’s workshops in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, in the UK.

Managing Director of CMC Nick Goldthorp said: “No detail has been too small to ensure originality. The work was completed on 26^th May 2015, after more than 4100 man-hours. A finishing touch was the reissue of the Squire’s original registration number of CLO 5, forfeited on its export to the States in the 50s.”

CMC is no stranger to receiving accolades for its restorations. In 2011, the company won the Restoration of the Year award at the International Historic Motoring Awards for the epic restoration of the Lindner-Nocker Lightweight E-Type. 

The car had crashed in at the Montlhery circuit in 1964 and was so badly damaged that a complete restoration was thought to be impossible. After over 7,000 hours of work and using more than 90% of the original parts, CMC managed to bring it back to its former glory.

When the Squire arrived at CMC’s premises early in 2013 for a full nut and bolt restoration, it was practically complete but there were no spare parts. It had also undergone a few modifications over the years, which have all been carefully reversed to the state in which it left Squire’s Remenham Hill Works in 1936.

The original radiator shell was badly twisted so CMC fabricated a new one from brass. Even the missing quick-release caps on the radiator and petrol tank have been scrupulously reproduced using originals from another Squire for reference.

Although all of the instruments were present, a wooden dashboard had replaced the metal original. These were reconditioned and accommodated in a new plywood one, faced in aluminium and finished in the body colour as per the original specification.

When it came to restoring the body, all the original aluminium panels were carefully detached from the ash frame and re-beaten at CMC, saving as much of the original metal as possible. Over 2100 hours were spent by CMC’s head panel beater Luke Martin, who attended to all of the body work.

The car retained its original maroon colour thanks to examples of paint found inside the boot lid and on the engine bay plates, which allowed CMC’s John Langston to reproduce the original colour. The internal woodwork has also been painted in maroon.

The re-trimming was entrusted to CMC’s Tom Hampton, who coincidentally was responsible for reviving the interior of X103 (the second Squire to be completed).

Nick Goldthorp said: “The future of this Squire is now assured and is a credit to the team of skilled specialists at CMC that undertook this superb restoration.”

The car appeared today (Tuesday 17^th November) at the Phyllis Court Classic Motoring Group, which hosted four original Squire cars that were built in near Henley (Remenham Hill) from 1934 to 1936. 

Piers Flashman, President of the Classic Motoring Group, said:  “This was a marvellous opportunity, Phyllis Court Members Club has a long history in Henley and so have these famous cars. 

We know that only seven were built and we planned this event when we realised we could invite the owners of four of these cars to come together, to coincide with the publication of a history of the marque.’

All Squires that were present at Phyllis Court are privately owned and came together for the first time since they were manufactured in a small garage nearby. 

Members of the family of Adrian Squire, the founder, attended the event together with several relatives of the original management team responsible for making and selling the cars from a small showroom in Henley.

1961 Jaguar E-Type recreates an iconic speed test in Belgium, and achieves 146mph, just shy of the 1961 figure.

1961 Jaguar E-Type chassis 860001, the very first right-hand-drive production Fixed Head Coupé restored by Classic Motor Cars Ltd (CMC), has been driven to 146 mph on a German autobahn by British Hill Climb Champion, David Franklin.

David was recreating for Octane magazine’s 150^th issue one of the most famous road tests ever undertaken, attempting to match the 150 mph a Jaguar E-Type reached on a Belgian motorway in 1961, and he nearly made it!

David said:  “I saw 146mph and it was still accelerating when I had to back off because of cars and lorries in the distance.  When you’re travelling at that speed you have to err on the side of caution. You’re catching other traffic up quite quickly and you have to remember that there’s no ABS, although the brakes felt strong and progressive.It would comfortably have reached 150mph. Of that, I have absolutely no doubt.”

In 1961, Autocar took E-Type 9600HP to Belgium for a high speed test, looking to assess Jaguar’s claim that a standard roadgoing E-type could achieve 150mph.  This claim was validated in the historic road test, and Octane ventured to recreate the event using a similar car, E-Type 1VHP, chassis 860001.

The car was restored in the early 2000s by CMC, one of the world’s leading restoration companies, and is regularly serviced and prepared by the company.

Nick Goldthorp, Managing Director of CMC, said: “For safety’s sake, we could leave nothing to chance with the preparation of the car.  The demands of running at 150mph are very different from those required at half that speed.”

For this occasion, the team at CMC went through the car with a fine attention to detail, fitting new wheels and Avon CR6 ZZ tyres and checking every mechanical element. The car’s engine was even dyno-tested on a rolling road and a higher capacity fuel pump was installed as well.

Peter Neumark, Chairman of CMC and owner of the car 1VHP, said: “Chassis 860001 was built on 10 July 1961 and despatched on 26 August to Henlys in London as a demonstrator, which makes you wonder how many famous personalities sat in it during the first few weeks. We restored it to factory condition in the early 2000s and I drive it a lot.”

David Franklin, who has been competing in motor sport since 1965 and has been a champion in disciplines ranging from HSCC Historic GTs to hillclimbs and sprints, was incredibly impressed with the condition of the E-Type.  He said: “It rode very well, and the engine seemed notably smoother above 3500rpm.”

The official reading on E-Type chassis 860001 was 146.49mph, a result that greatly impressed Peter, who said: “I thought it would do well to get to 135, maybe 138mph, so I’m absolutely delighted. Well done to David Franklin!”

The first production right hand drive 1967 TR5 Roadster is to be sold by leading classic car restorers Classic Motor Cars

The car will be on display at the Classic & Sports Car show at Alexandra Palace

The first production right hand drive 1967 TR5 Roadster is to be sold by leading classic car restorers Classic Motor Cars (CMC).

This incredibly special car was the first TR5 P1 to be built on the normal assembly line, and is one of only 1,100 to be produced, carrying with it an indisputable history.

Manufactured on the 29th August 1967 by Standard Triumph Motor Company Limited, the car went into the Press Fleet, as well as appearing at the Earls Court motor show of that year.

The production of TR5s lasted a 13 month period, between August 1967 and September 1968.  They were built with a 2.5 litre straight-6-fuel-injected engine, developing around 145 hp.  Fuel injection was incredibly rare in road cars in 1967, causing Triumph to claim that this was the “First British production sports car with petrol injection”.

Managing Director of CMC, Nick Goldthorp said: “This TR5 is in very original condition throughout, having been serviced and maintained to a high standard throughout the last 48 years. A comprehensive and detailed history file confirms the provenance of this distinctive and historic car, which will certainly be a great addition to any car collection.”

The car is unique both inside and out, boasting an interior that has been upheld to an impressive standard over the years.  The car’s mechanics have been rebuilt using only genuine Stanpart parts where needed.  Furthermore, all the parts that have been replaced over time are accompanied by their respective documents, confirming their authenticity.

This iconic car is finished in the exterior colour of Valencia Blue with Black Ambala interior, and is being sold for £79,500.

It will be on display at the Classic & Sports Car show at Alexandra Palace, Stand H100, from Friday 30th October to Sunday 1st November.

Rare barn find Aston Martin DB2/4 Mark III to be recommissioned by automotive excellence company CMC.

A 1958 Aston Martin DB2/4 Mark III, which has lain dormant in storage for over 35 years, is to be restored by leading classic car restoration company Classic Motor Cars of Bridgnorth (CMC).

The DB2/4 was recently purchased from the Bonham’s Newport Pagnell Aston Martin works sale on behalf of a client. The car was sold for £104,540, going over its estimate of £30-50k.

“The car was an attractive restoration project in 1977 when it entered storage, despite the fact that it had lead a hard life,” said Nick Goldthorp, Managing Director of CMC, “There were splits in the front suspension turrets which had been welded and crash damage to the offside body and rear chassis which were repaired at the time. But it would now appear that the chassis needs re-aligning.”

Nick added: “The Aston needs a total restoration, which will begin in October 2015 and we expect to complete by Spring 2017. We have recently added a mobile Globaljig body measuring and alignment system to our set of tools, which will be perfect for chassis alignment.

 “We have an international reputation for Jaguar restorations and will apply the same principles and attention to detail to any classic car that enters our workshops. This Aston will be an exciting project and another challenge for CMC, which we are all looking forward to.”