Magazines Motoring Classics

Motoring Classics Winter 2015

Have you ever sat fuming in traffic and imagined how fabulous it would be to have a car that could, Bond-like, zoom into the sky or dive into nearby water to escape the problem? Well, inventors have been working on such possibilities for decades and this edition’s cover story takes a light-hearted look at some of the weird and wonderful vehicles that have resulted – hang onto your seats!

Motoring Classics Winter 2015

It seems as soon as the car and aeroplane were both in being, there were people scratching their heads about how the two could be combined.

Publication Information
Cover Price: Free
Page Count: 20 pages
Subject: Aviation, Cars, Maritime, Motorsport, People
Format: Digital (pdf)
Frequency: Quarterly
Publisher: British Motor Heritage
Cars That Float And Fly

Download British Motor Heritage’s Winter 2015 Motoring Classics Magazine below!

Motoring Classics Winter 2015

Have you ever sat fuming in traffic and imagined how fabulous it would be to have a car that could, Bond-like, zoom into the sky or dive into nearby water to escape the problem? Well, inventors have been working on such possibilities for decades and this edition’s cover story takes a light-hearted look at some of the weird and wonderful vehicles that have resulted – hang onto your seats!

Police cars are a familiar sight on today’s roads, but of course it was not always so and, until the early 1900s, the constabulary operated almost exclusively on foot, with a typical 19th century constable walking some 20 miles a day. On the face of it, more recent coppers have had it easy by comparison, and we take a look at some of the many cars they’ve employed over the years. Happily, we’re not aware of any forces ever having an AC Cobra at their disposal, but the maker of this legendary model is the subject of our latest Missing Moniker. No, the marque hasn’t gone away, but it’s certainly had many ups and downs, yet has manufactured an amazing range of products from trains to golf trolleys – prepare to be surprised.

This issue’s Classic Character is the indomitable John Bolster, who survived a horrific crash in the 1949 British Grand Prix to excel at both broadcasting and motoring journalism. ‘Bloody Mary’, the fearsome special on which he cut his racing teeth, has to be seen to be believed, and can be too – at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu.

With Christmas on the horizon, it is time to focus on our fellow human beings and we have produced two features with that in mind. The first concerns TRAX, an amazing charity that has successfully assisted underprivileged youngsters for some 25 years now. The second focuses on the excellent range of potential Christmas gifts that is available from Motoring Classics.

Happy reading, and a very merry Christmas!

Gordon Bruce, Editor

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

Contents
Dealer Spotlight: The Roadster Factory

Charles Runyan’s passion for TRs was sparked at the age of 10 by the pages of Road & Track and Sports Car Graphic. However, it was only fully-ignited 11 years later, when he was finally allowed his first sports car, a TR3. A second, better one soon followed and it was seeking parts to restore it that prompted him to found The Roadster Factory (TRF) from his Pennsylvania apartment back in 1978.

Cars That Float And Fly: The Ultimate Answer to Traffic Congestion?

Films like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Blade Runner have much to answer for – who wouldn’t fancy a car that could float and/or fly? The big question is, can such things be made practical and affordable in the real world, and the honest answer is that, despite being able to send people into space, man has yet to create a truly viable, multifunctional motorcar. But as we will see, it hasn’t been for want of trying, and a few exciting by-products have emerged along the way!

Classic Character: John Vary Bolster (1910-1984)

John and brother Richard arguably owed their motoring passion to their mother. She transported WWI VIPs in her own Napier and Gordon Watney Mercedes and was actively involved in the cars’ maintenance – when just six, John helped her decoke the Merc’s massive six-cylinder engine. His first drive occurred courtesy of the family chauffeur, who illicitly allowed him behind the wheel during the school run.

TRAX: Delivering Kids From Adversity To Accomplishment

Readers of a certain age will recall the problems that afflicted Oxfordshire’s Blackbird Leys estate in the early ‘90s. Joy riding had become so endemic that an anti-skid surface was applied to the roads to discourage handbrake turns, chicanes were installed to protect the shopping area, and the police were forced to invest in faster cars – their standard issue vehicles were simply being outgunned! The media coverage was worldwide and the resources of the authorities stretched to the limit.

News From BMH

Managing Director John Yea reveals all.

From Bells To Blues And Twos

It’s difficult for enthusiast drivers not to be a shade hypocritical about the traffic police. If there’s trouble brewing, then there’s nothing more welcome than their familiar blues and twos. On the other hand, if you’re enjoying yourself on a quiet country road, there are few more blood-draining sights than a police car suddenly looming large in the mirror. Whatever, most of us has our favourite ‘policemobiles’ from the past, whether inspired by such TV series as Z Cars or personal experience.

(Sometimes) Missing Moniker: AC Cars

The history of AC Cars is a tangled web, from which has spun items as diverse as the ‘Bag Boy’ (an all-alloy, independently-sprung, golf trolley), trains for Southend pier and invalid carriages constructed for the Ministry of Health. Incredibly, this is the same AC that brought us the mighty Cobra, a derivation of which beat Ferrari to the 1965 World Sports Car Championship.

Motoring Classics in Motorsport

British Motor Heritage MD John Yeareports from the cockpit for the last time in 2015.

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 2015)

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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