If today’s Grand Prix drivers believe their job is tough, they should reflect on the grimy faces peering from our front cover – those of Stirling Moss and Tony Brooks after heroically battling their way to the first ever World Championship victory by British drivers in a British car – the Vanwall. In this issue we pay homage to the 60th anniversary of this milestone win at Aintree in 1957.
The Vanwall Special was slated to debut at the 1954 Easter Goodwood meeting with World Champion Alberto Ascari at the helm.
| Publication Information |
|---|
| Cover Price: Free |
| Page Count: 20 pages |
| Subject: Cars, Commercial, Motorsport, People |
| Format: Digital (pdf) |
| Frequency: Quarterly |
| Publisher: British Motor Heritage |
| Aintree Anniversary |
Download British Motor Heritage’s Summer 2017 Motoring Classics Magazine below!
Motoring Classics Summer 2017
If today’s Grand Prix drivers believe their job is tough, they should reflect on the grimy faces peering from our front cover – those of Stirling Moss and Tony Brooks after heroically battling their way to the first ever World Championship victory by British drivers in a British car – the Vanwall. In this issue we pay homage to the 60th anniversary of this milestone win at Aintree in 1957, and the other major achievements surrounding the Vanwall marque.
Of course, Sir Stirling Moss’s story as arguably the best driver never to win the World Championship is well known, but that of his sister Pat who, like Stirling, was a skilled horse rider before becoming a champion driver, may well surprise a few of our readers – see page 9.
It seems the latest must-have accessory for some classic car owners is a matching caravan, so we take a look at this rapidly-expanding off-shoot of our hobby, and see who else is investing in these old mobile homes. The (not always) black cab is as iconic a sign of London as Big Ben and Buckingham Palace and in this issue we trace its history and learn how it’s currently returning to its electrically-powered roots.
This edition’s Missing Moniker is the rare Swallow Doretti – a fine British sports car that enjoyed a bright future until becoming the innocent victim of industrial politics. Our Dealer Spotlight column is this time devoted to the world’s largest supplier of replacement parts for many favourite British classics – Moss Motors.
Read how it supports our pastime in many ways over and above its 30,000-strong inventory of spares. Lastly, if you’re into historic racing make sure you read our piece about the new Equipe Classic Racing 3 Hour relay race, as we’ve a hunch it’s going to be a very popular addition to the competition calendar.
Enjoy!
Gordon Bruce, Editor
For all the latest news, offers and great tips … Motoring Classics
Dealer Spotlight: Moss Motors
Unless they reside on Mars, few enthusiasts of the most popular classic British sports cars will be unaware of Moss Motors, by far the world’s largest supplier of spares for these increasingly sought-after vehicles – it stocks c.30,000 different components, has outlets in the US, UK and France, and employs 250 staff.
Aintree Anniversary: 60 years ago Moss & Brooks created history for Britain & Vanwall
British Grand Prix drivers have scored many Formula One victories since the series’ inception in 1950, but that at Aintree on July 20, 1957 remains one of the most notable. It was when Stirling Moss and Tony Brooks became the first British drivers to win a World Championship event in a British-built car. They also became the last to share such a victory.
Missing Moniker: Swallow Doretti
The Doretti may never have crossed your radar, as production lasted a mere 18 months before this much admired British two-seater succumbed to industry politics.
Classic Character: Pat Moss (1934-2008)
Pat and her brother Sir Stirling had much in common. They were serial winners on horseback before turning to wheeled competition where, again, they both excelled. Stirling’s story is well known, Pat’s less so. We pay tribute to one of the finest drivers of her generation, irrespective of gender.
Perfect Pair: A classic car and matching caravan
We’ve all done it. Moaned about the driver who’s apparently oblivious to the fact his dawdling car and caravan combination is causing a massive tailback. But it appears a growing number of our fraternity are quietly burying the hatchet and buying a period caravan to match their classic car.
Motoring Classics in Motorsport
How About This For An Idea? A 3 Hour relay race for pre-‘66 GT & Touring cars.
Black Cabs Go Full Circle: From electric to diesel power and back again
London’s famous cabs are often referred to as ‘black’, despite now coming in all colours of the rainbow, and frequently sporting strident advertising slogans on their flanks. But one thing’s for sure, they remain as iconic a feature of our capital city as the Houses of Parliament and Tower Bridge, and look set to stay that way, despite the influx of Uber and other minicab operations.
News From BMH
Managing Director John Yea reveals all.
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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