This issue’s cover story recalls the epic speed record campaign conducted by Donald Healey and his team on the Bonneville salt flats in 1953, 1954 and 1956, and the role of unassuming former WWII RAF pilot Roy Jackson-Moore, now 91 years young, who retains fond memories of this golden period in the history of the Austin-Healey marque.
The Healeys’ final sojourn to Bonneville again had two major aims – i.e. to publicise their new 100/6 and to finally break the elusive 200mph barrier.
| Publication Information |
|---|
| Cover Price: Free |
| Page Count: 20 pages |
| Subject: Aviation, Cars, Military, Motorsport, People, Speed Records, Tractors |
| Format: Digital (pdf) |
| Frequency: Quarterly |
| Publisher: British Motor Heritage |
| It’s a Matter of Record |
Download British Motor Heritage’s Winter 2016 Motoring Classics Magazine below!
Motoring Classics Winter 2016
This issue’s cover story recalls the epic speed record campaign conducted by Donald Healey and his team on the Bonneville salt flats in 1953, 1954 and 1956, and the role of unassuming former WWII RAF pilot Roy Jackson-Moore, now 91 years young, who retains fond memories of this golden period in the history of the Austin-Healey marque.
We also celebrate two truly brilliant British inventions:
- It is 75 years since Sir Frank Whittle’s jet engine first took to the skies. His genius shrank our planet and, had officialdom given him half the support he deserved, it would probably also have shortened WWII and saved countless lives. For whatever reason, his inestimable contribution to aviation is still yet to be fully recognised – we make a tiny contribution to changing the tide.
- What Whittle was to flying, Harry Ferguson was to farming, and it’s 70 years since his innovative three-point linkage and hydraulic depth control were combined in the immortal ‘Little Grey Fergie’ tractor and revolutionised the world of agriculture.
Our Classic Character this time is Glen Kidston. A man of many talents, he is arguably best-known as one of the ‘Bentley Boys’ whose most memorable achievement with the marque was winning the 1930 Le Mans race with Woolf Barnato. He was also a recordbreaking aviator and WWII submarine commander who repeatedly cheated death on land, in the sky, and on and under water for 32 years, until lady luck finally deserted him over mountains in South Africa. Surely few lives of any length have been more action-packed?
Still wondering what to buy your car-oriented friend or loved one for Christmas? Well fear not, for help is at hand in the form of the Motoring Classics website, via which you can quickly and easily purchase anything from a leather key fob to a replacement MGB bodyshell, or model Morris 1000 to a top-quality MG watch – the choice is almost endless at www.motoringclassics.co.uk, as we reveal on pages 18/19.
Add MD John Yea’s final report on BMH’s 2016 motorsport season, plus news of a new five-speed gearbox conversion for the MGB, and there is hopefully something for everybody to enjoy.
A very happy Christmas to all our readers!
Gordon Bruce, Editor
For all the latest news, offers and great tips … Motoring Classics
Dealer Spotlight: PlayMini
The Japanese love traditional British products and the classic Mini comes high up their wish list, as Nick Paddy established to his advantage back in the early ‘90s.
It’s A Matter Of Record
And not just one either, but the hundreds broken by Austin-Healeys at Bonneville in 1953, 1954 and 1956 – Motoring Classics recalls this golden period of the marque with the help of Roy Jackson-Moore, now 91 years young, who was involved throughout.
Motoring Classic in Motorsport
British Motor Heritage MD John Yea’s final report on the 2016 season.
News From BMH
Managing Director John Yea reveals all about driving an MGB with Vitesse Mazda Transmission.
Classic Character: Lt. Commander George Pearson Glen Kidston (1899-1931)
Motorcar, motorcycle and powerboat racer; pioneer aviator; submariner; boxer; fly fisherman; skier; big game shot – Kidston’s action-packed 32 years on earth reads like a Boy’s Own Annual. His feline ability to survive near-death experiences was legendary, but lady luck finally deserted him while flying over the Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa, in a de Havilland Puss Moth, May 5, 1931.
Whittle’s Turbojet: The Invention That Shrank The World
It could have saved countless lives by dramatically shortening WWII, had it not been for ongoing military and government intransigence and incompetence. Even now, 75 years after Britain’s first jet-powered aircraft took to the skies, Sir Frank Whittle’s extraordinary contribution to planet earth has yet to be fully recognised.
‘Little Grey Fergie’ Is 70 Years Old: Happy Birthday! To The Tractor That Revolutionised Farming
It is hard to think of any other vehicles that’ve been honoured with TV series, feature films, music albums, a live show and more than 15 books, oh, and completely changed the world they were born into. However, those are the accolades attributed to the ‘Little Grey Fergie’, or Ferguson TE20 tractor to give it its correct name.
Perfect Presents For Petrolheads: Motoring Classics has the answers…
Trying to find that special present for the motoring guy or gal who appears to have everything can be quite a teaser, 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 2016)
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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