To be truly collectable, classic cars need both rarity and the X Factor. The same is true of historic aircraft, and with about 50 airworthy examples remaining worldwide and a matchless CV, the Supermarine Spitfire is arguably the most sought-after such machine on the planet, as well as one of the dearest.
R J Mitchell’s immortal Supermarine Spitfire is still exceeding the expectations of young and old alike after nearly 80 years.
| Publication Information |
|---|
| Cover Price: Free |
| Page Count: 16 pages |
| Subject: Aviation, Cars, Motorsport, People |
| Format: Digital (pdf) |
| Frequency: Quarterly |
| Publisher: British Motor Heritage |
| Reach For The Sky |
Download British Motor Heritage’s Winter 2013 Motoring Classics Magazine below!
Motoring Classics Winter 2013
To be truly collectable, classic cars need both rarity and the X Factor. The same is true of historic aircraft, and with about 50 airworthy examples remaining worldwide and a matchless CV, the Supermarine Spitfire is arguably the most sought-after such machine on the planet, as well as one of the dearest. As all but a handful are single-seaters, it had become inevitable that only a few of us would take to the skies in one – until recently! Access pages 4-5 to discover how the Boultbee Flight Academy is quietly making dreams come true!
The classic car market has also been creating smiles, with events bursting at the seams, auction houses working overtime and values for the best of the breed rising at an extraordinary rate. We talked to a range of experts to quantify what’s been happening and why. One of many marques that’s attracting strong interest is Triumph, and our profile on BMH dealer TRGB shows they’re at full capacity in all departments; not least that of parts supply, for which they draw orders from all continents.
This edition’s Classic Character is Tony Gaze, a man so relatively unheard of that his biography is entitled ‘Almost Unknown’. We investigate how anybody with a war record that merited three DFCs and so enviable a motorsport career could remain so untrumpeted; especially when he also represented Australia in the World Gliding Championships and was primarily responsible for the creation of Goodwood’s race circuit.
There was much to say about Healey even before Austin came along, as this issue’s Missing Moniker shows. And, with Christmas on the horizon you won’t want to miss our report and competition on the amazing Powertraveller products or details of the desirable Motoring Classics range.
Seasonal greetings.
Gordon Bruce, Editor
For all the latest news, offers and great tips … Motoring Classics
Dealer Spotlight: TRGB
The name cleverly stands for TR Great Britain and/or TR Gary Bates, the man who founded this specialist company in 1986 and runs it with a passion to this day.
Reach For The Sky: How the Boultbee Flight Academy is quietly making dreams come true
It is said you should never meet your heroes and realising long-held dreams can be equally disappointing. R J Mitchell’s immortal Supermarine Spitfire on the other hand is still exceeding the expectations of young and old alike after nearly 80 years.
Power Rangers
Having personally proven the Startmonkey400 on the BMH race car throughout 2013, British Motor Heritage MD John Yea has now added the product to the company’s Motoring Classics range.
Better Than Banking
The burgeoning classic car scene – The extraordinary world of the classic car is flying high in the face in the still-stuttery world economy. It is currently supporting myriad dealers, auction houses, magazines, restorers, insurers and motorsport, and underpins some astoundingly popular events. We sought the opinion of industry experts on the phenomenon.
Motoring Classics in Motorsport
British Motor Heritage MD John Yea reports from the cockpit.
Missing Moniker: Healey
It may have the taken the 1952 collaboration agreement between Austin and Healey to make the latter a household name, but its much vaunted sporting DNA was established six years earlier, by the high quality products of the Donald Healey Motor Company.
Classic Character: Tony Gaze OAM DFC (1920-2013)
As a WWII fighter pilot F.A.O. ‘Tony’ Gaze was credited with destroying 11 enemy aircraft and playing a role in the destruction of up to seven others; a proud record for which he was awarded the DFC on no less than three occasions.
Christmas Crackers from Motoring Classics
Trying to find that special present for the motoring guy or gal who appears to have everything can be quite a teaser, but one the ever-expanding line-up of Motoring Classics items might just solve for you. There’s something for everybody – and every pocket too, with prices ranging from £9.50 to £8,500.00.
Note: prices correct at time of publication (Winter 2013)
British Motor Heritage
British Motor Heritage Limited was established in 1975 to support owners and the marketplace by putting genuine components for classic British cars back into manufacture, using original tools wherever possible. Since 2001, when the company was acquired from BMW, it has been successfully run as an independently owned company.
British Motor Heritage is the largest organisation of its type in the world. With access to unparalleled knowledge, authentic production information and original drawings and patterns, the company manufactures previously unobtainable body parts for British classic cars.
It occupies a unique position since it assembles 32 derivatives of body shells and has built total production volume of over 7,000 for the MGB, MGR V8, MG Midget, Austin-Healey Sprite, Triumph TR6, Original Mini and Mini Clubman using original press tools and assembly jigs.
Website: https://www.bmh-ltd.com/
Tex Automotive
Tex Motor Accessories have been manufactured in England for over fifty years, and many of our products are still produced in our factory in Witney on the original tooling.
Since their first appearance on British cars in 1947, Tex products evolved over the years to keep in step with changing car designs. The current range includes wipers and mirrors that were original equipment on a huge range of Austin, Ford, Morris, MG, Triumph, Vauxhall, etc. from 1974 to 1983.
Tex are also major distributors of the Renovo car care product range (specialising in hood refurbishment) and Samco Silicone hose Kits.
Website: https://texautomotive.com/
Motoring Classics is the printed and online publication of British Motor Heritage and its retail trading arm.
Motoring Classics reproduction in whole or any part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.
The publisher makes every effort to ensure the magazine’s contents are correct but can accept no responsibility for any effects from errors or omissions.
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