Magazines Motoring Classics

Motoring Classics Winter 2014

Our cover story concerns the achievements of two remarkable women. Lady Mary Heath was a champion athlete before becoming the first pilot to fly solo from Capetown to Britain. This was an extraordinary achievement in 1928, as is that of Tracey Curtis-Taylor, who re-enacted the 10,000 mile journey in a similar bi-plane in more demanding circumstances just a few months ago. Prepare to be impressed.

Motoring Classics Winter 2014
Motoring Classics Winter 2014

Tracey and the 71-year old Spirit of Artemis took to the sky over Capetown on November 2, 2013, bound for Goodwood.

Publication Information
Cover Price: Free
Page Count: 20 pages
Subject: Aviation, Cars, Motorcycles, Motorsport, People
Format: Digital (pdf)
Frequency: Quarterly
Publisher: British Motor Heritage
Birds Of A Feather

Download British Motor Heritage’s Winter 2014 Motoring Classics Magazine below!

Motoring Classics Winter 2014

Our cover story concerns the achievements of two remarkable women. Lady Mary Heath was a champion athlete before becoming the first pilot to fly solo from Capetown to Britain. This was an extraordinary achievement in 1928, as is that of Tracey Curtis-Taylor, who re-enacted the 10,000 mile journey in a similar bi-plane in more demanding circumstances just a few months ago. Prepare to be impressed.

Tracey once did the Mille Miglia in an Invicta too and that fine British marque is the subject of our Missing Moniker page. The name occurs again under the Classic Character heading, for our subject, 007’s enigmatic creator Ian Fleming, rode shotgun in Donald Healey’s S-Type example on the 1932 Alpine Rally – with impressive results.

Sticking with motorsport, we investigate one of Britain’s most enduring, not to say challenging, events – the Land’s End Trial, that’s been organised by the Motor Cycling Club since 1908. Then there’s our regular spread covering the trials and tribulations of BMH’s Managing Director, John Yea, and the Heritage MGB – it seems luck has rarely been on their side of late!

MG gets a name check in the Dealer Spotlight too, as that focuses on Ireland’s premier and popular MG and Mini parts supplier, Brooklands MG Centre. The European parliament is a topical subject, the laws of which have made a number of attacks on our classic car world. Chroming is yet another aspect it’s got its claws into – read what our experts have to say on the subject on P12/13.

As winter marches on, literally millions of us are likely to summon the help of the AA, and our penultimate spread is devoted to how this amazing organisation came into being and has remained preeminent for over a century. Talking of winter, we thought you might appreciate a few ideas for stocking fillers, both large and small – see P18/19 for details.

Seasonal greetings!

Gordon Bruce, Editor

For all the latest news, offers and great tips… Motoring Classics

Contents
Dealer Spotlight: Brooklands MG Centre

Accents can deceive and Brooklands’ proprietor Lyn Holmes was born not in Ireland but Bishop Auckland, County Durham. The daughter of a sports car-loving RAF officer, she got used to moving every 18 months but, irrespective of where they lived, motorsport remained part of the diet and she readily recalls visits to Snetterton, Croft, Brands Hatch and Silverstone.

New News from BMH

Managing Director John Yea continues the story of how the company is combining motorsport with student training.

Birds Of A Feather

Few contemporary British sportswomen have surely matched the courage, passion and determination of such pioneering girls of the ‘20s and ‘30s as Brooklands babes Kay Petre, Elsie Wisdom and Dorothy Levitt, and fabulous flyers Amy Johnson, Lettice Curtis and Diana Barnato Walker. How sad then that the names of some equally legendary figures are now all but forgotten – e.g. Lady Mary Heath.

Missing Moniker: Invicta

Seeking something constructive to do following WWI, car–loving friends Hugh Eric Orr-Ewing and Noel Campbell Macklin founded, in quick succession, the Eric-Campbell and Silver Hawk marques. However,neither satisfied the restless Macklin who, encouraged by Mrs Lyle (of the sugar dynasty), aspired to create the ‘top gear’ car – i.e. one that could ascend steep ascents and even pull away from rest in its highest ratio.

Classic Character: Ian Lancaster Fleming (1908-1964)

The author of the world’s most famous fictional spy was the second of four brothers born to Eve and Valentine Fleming. The son of a successful Scottish banker, Valentine became a member of parliament for Henley-on-Thames before serving with the Queen’s Own Oxfordshire Hussars in WWI, during which he was sadly killed in Ypres a week before Ian’s ninth birthday.

A Trial Without Undue Tribulation: The MCC’s Land’s End event

Motorsport is generally regarded as an elitist pursuit, and small wonder when even the F1 grid is shrinking due to lack of funds. However, it is a pastime that takes many forms, and at the other end of the scale can still deliver affordable fun – Motoring Classics reflects on one of Britain’s oldest automotive challenges.

All That Glitters…

One of the many things that distinguish our cherished classics from contemporary cars is chrome – the perfect lustrous complement to glossy paintwork. And, until now, getting bright work refurbished to original specification was little harder than having bodywork resprayed. That could be about to change forever.

Motoring Classics in Motorsport

British Motor Heritage MD John Yea reports from the cockpit.

Ageless Angel

The AA (the Automobile Association) has been tending the needs of ever-demanding motorists since 1905, since when cars have changed out of all recognition and the number on Britain’s roads has risen from a few thousand to 32million. Motoring Classics salutes an organisation that’s somehow evolved to be as relevant today as it was 109 years ago.

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 2014)

About British Motor Heritage
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/

Copyright Information

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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