Let me get the apology in early! If your love of classics doesn’t extend to WWII aircraft, then this may not be your favourite issue of Motoring Classics! However, if you’re fortunate enough to have taken to the skies in a Supermarine Spitfire, then you’ll understand my burning need to share details of my recent experience with all and sundry.
Experiencing a Spitfire is no longer restricted to the few lucky people licensed to fly them solo.
| Publication Information |
|---|
| Cover Price: Free |
| Page Count: 20 pages |
| Subject: Aviation, Cars, Military, Motorcycles, Motorsport, People, Speed Records |
| Format: Digital (pdf) |
| Frequency: Quarterly |
| Publisher: British Motor Heritage |
| Bandits at 4 O’Clock |
Download British Motor Heritage’s Winter 2017 Motoring Classics Magazine below!
Motoring Classics Winter 2017
Let me get the apology in early! If your love of classics doesn’t extend to WWII aircraft, then this may not be your favourite issue of Motoring Classics! However, if you’re fortunate enough to have taken to the skies in a Supermarine Spitfire, then you’ll understand my burning need to share details of my recent experience with all and sundry. And if you haven’t, then I hope my purple prose will convince you to book your place in the blue yonder – it could be the best thing you ever do. Military aircraft also feature among pages 10-13 – that’s because the aviation depictions of renowned artist Michael Turner are every bit as alluring as his motorsport ones.
This year is the 50th anniversary of the death of Donald Campbell, who died on Coniston Water attempting to better his own water speed record, yet he remains the only person to break both world land and water records in the same year. A complex character who began life in the shadow of his famous father, Donald unquestionably deserves wider recognition for his own extraordinary achievements. We do our modest bit towards redressing the balance.
This issue’s Missing Moniker is devoted to the Brough Superior – not the motorcycle, but the considerably less famous car, of which only c.100 were made, while our Classic Character concerns Amherst Villiers, a man whose talented fingers found their way into a unique variety of pies, from the famous racing Bugattis of Raymond Mays to portraits of Ian Fleming and Graham Hill.
With 2017 coming to a close we also: review BMH’s participation in the inaugural 3 Hour Classic Relay; take a peek at a few of the many Motoring Classics products that’d make ideal Christmas presents for classic car enthusiasts; and look ahead to the second Historic Motorsport International show, that takes place at ExCeL, London, February 15-18.
Happy reading and a very merry Christmas.
Gordon Bruce, Editor
For all the latest news, offers and great tips … Motoring Classics
Dealer Spotlight: MGOC Spares
Back in 1973 Martin Bentley was involved in the foundation of the MG Owners’ Club, which his brother Roche then ran for many years and is still associated with to this day. Martin’s career took a linked but separate path. A car mad youngster, he purchased his first MGB aged 17 and soon discovered that, aside of the vehicles themselves, MG dealers only dealt in hard parts – offering little or nothing in the way of accessories to improve the basic models.
Bandits At 4 O’Clock: Gordon Bruce recounts the realisation of a life-long dream
Are you a fellow Merlinitis sufferer – somebody whose neck hairs automatically stand to attention at the sound of any aircraft powered by one or more of Rolls-Royce’s matchless Merlin engines? Though a post-war baby, it’s a disease I’ve had as long as I can remember – I guess it must be genetic. It first manifested itself when, as a short-trousered schoolboy, I patiently constructed Airfix models of Spitfires, Hurricanes and Lancasters.
Missing Moniker: Brough Superior
David Lean’s unforgettable opening sequence to Lawrence of Arabia immortalised the Brough Superior motorcycle in the most dramatic of ways. The example on which T E Lawrence CB DSO lost his life was his seventh Brough, and an eighth was on order; such was the allure George Brough had managed to create for his eponymous brand, which H D Teague of the The Motor Cycle magazine christened ‘The Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles’.
Classic Character: Charles ‘Amherst’ Villiers (1900-1991)
Though never a household name, Villiers underpinned Raymond Mays’s early motorsport successes and contributed to powerplants for the incomparable Blower Bentley and Graham Hill’s championship-winning BRM, plus the design of Malcolm Campbell’s inaugural Blue Bird. He was also involved in a variety of major aeronautical and aerospace projects and became an accomplished artist.
The Art Of Adventure
For 60 years Michael Turner has been delighting lovers of motorsport and aviation with his alluring portrayals of man and machine. His works grace the walls of top motor racing teams and drivers, car and aircraft manufacturers, military messes, museums and private collections worldwide. Motoring Classics visited his ‘Boy’s Own’ studio in leafy Buckinghamshire to learn more about the man who’s built a stellar career from recording history on behalf of we enthusiasts.
News From BMH
BMH Confirms Major Support For Historic Motorsport International 2018, Managing Director John Yea reveals all.
Motoring Classics in Motorsport
British Motor Heritage MD John Yea reports from the cockpit on the Equipe 3 Hour Classic Relay race.
The Insatiable Need For Speed
50 years ago, Donald Campbell CBE lost his life attempting to break the world water speed record for an unprecedented 8th time. The only person ever to set both water and land speed world records in the same year, he had nothing left to prove, but was inspired by the same heady mix of patriotism and adventure that made his father Malcolm a household name 30 years before – it was in the blood.
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, 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 2017)
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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