Classic Car Centre

Jaguar’s 60th Anniversary Celebration of the XK Engine
This year Jaguar is celebrating its diamond anniversary of the XK engine, and its legendary racing heritage. At the 1948 London Motor Show, Jaguar launched its XK 120 Super Sports. This original XK was not only fabulous to look at, but proved to be the world’s fastest production car. It was powered by Jaguar’s new XK engine which remained at the heart of the Jaguar range until 1986.
In a press release by the International Jaguar XK Club, the XK60 Diamond Celebrations will take place on August 8th, 9th and 10th, 2008, at two spectacular locations: Goodwood – the home of British Motor Sport and Cowdray Park - the historic residence of Viscount Cowdray, who owns several historic Jaguar sports cars.
The organizers have put together many enticing activities over the three day weekend to reach their goal and attract 600 Jaguars owners to participate in, what would be a parade of the largest gathering of classics XKs ever. There will be track competitions and events featuring C-types, D-types, Lightweight E-types, Listers and Coopers. Bonhams will conduct an auction of Jaguars and memorabilia and the Ecurie Ecosse racing team will demonstrate how they beat some of the biggest names in the world of motor racing in the 1950s, on a shoestring budget from a Scottish back street garage.
Motor racing legend, Sir Stirling Moss will be at the event to talk about his career and life long love of Jaguars. And, anyone who purchases their XK60 Goodwood Circuit tickets before April 30th will be entered into a prize drawing. Four lucky winners will have the experience of being driven around the Goodwood track by Sir Moss. Four other winners will be driven by another Jaguar legend, Chief Tester and Le Mans driver, Norman Dewis. Dewis developed every Jaguar between 1952 and 1986.
We attended Jaguar’s 50th anniversary celebration in 1998 and went on the “Taste of England Tour” leading up to the event at Donington Park Grand Prix Circuit. Those two weeks were nothing short of spectacular. There were 49 Jaguar owners from around the world on the tour, many of whom we still keep in contact with today.
Jaguar International has organized a ten day tour leading up to the Goodwood Celebration called the XK60 Diamond Tour of the UK and is scheduled for July 29th through August 7th. The Tour will explore the very best of England and Wales’s diverse countryside from the Yorkshire Dales to Cardiff before joining up with the other classic XKs at historic Goodwood.
You can find about all the events surrounding the 60th anniversary of the XK at the International Jaguar XK Club’s website.
Photo by Scott Olson - Getty Images
Thursday February 28, 2008 permalink comments (0)
Renting a Classic Car Gets a Bit Easier
Over the last ten years, we’ve seen the number of car rental companies in the US and Europe that offer classics and exotics, grow by leaps and bounds. Maybe because more people are wanting to make their special event or vacation a bit more special by adding the “car of their dreams” into the experience. But it hasn't been that easy to find a rental company to make your dreams come true.
So we were pleased to hear about a new start up company called Classic Car Hire World, which claims to be the single biggest resource on the web devoted to renting classic, exotic and modern sports cars. Classic Car Hire World was launched earlier this year by Tony Merrrigold, who also runs The Open Road Classic Car Hire in the UK. His site acts as a directory to 120 classic rental companies in 12 countries, with over 1200 cars, and more are being added each week. Tony says "you can hire virtually anything from an Alfa to a Veyron, anywhere from Australia to Vegas."
Imagine driving through the countryside roads of the Lake District or through the rolling countryside and breathtaking views of the Yorkshire Dales in a 1961 Austin Healey 3000 Mk1. How about touring Vienna in a 1962 Jaguar XKE Convertible? If you want to stay closer to home, why not pull up to the Caesars Palace in Las Vegas driving a 2007 Lamborghini Gallardo.
On the Classic Car Hire World site you will find it easy to locate a rental by country, by marque, or by type of vehicle. There is also a comprehensive calendar of events, provided by Octane Magazine, that would make for the perfect setting to have a fabulous car to arrive in - the Goodwood Revival for example.
In looking over the various countries and the marques available for rent, we did notice that the European countries have a better selection of classics, while the US seems to focus more on the exotics. Let’s hope the dollar gets a bit stronger making it not quite as expensive enjoy the classics, European style.
We have always enjoyed touring Europe in our classic cars and the tours we've joined, like this one through France.
Thursday February 28, 2008 permalink comments (1)
Hot Rod Building Legend Boyd Coddington Dies at 63
Boyd Coddington, hot-rod culture icon and star of the TV show American Hot Rod, died this morning at Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital in Whittier, California. At the time of this post, his cause of death had still not been disclosed.
Coddington is best known for building one of a kind vehicles, mostly hot rods, that were unique and different every time. His machine shop never massed produced anything, mainly because he was always dreaming up new ideas for cars and wheels.
The hot rod innovations built by Coddington have won the "America's Most Beautiful Roadster" award seven times. Boyd was honored to have the only hot rod displayed at the Smithsonian Institute when his '33 coupe was part of a 1993 exhibit titled "Sculpture on Wheels." He is a member of the Grand National Roadster Hall of Fame, the National Rod & Custom Museum Hall of Fame, the Route 66 Wall of Fame and the Street Rod Marketing Alliance Hall of Fame.
Coddington was not only a man with vision; he was a man with a heart. In 2005, he and his wife started the Coddington Foundation after they the met a young man by the name of Max Cohen. Max had a passion for designing cars and motorcycles, and his favorite shows were American Hot Rod and American Chopper. Max also had a terminal illness, Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. It was his dream to design and build his own hot rod, and when Boyd learned about this dream, he, along with the Coddington Foundation, brought Max to California to work side by side with the craftsmen in the garage and design a hot rod.
On the Boyd Coddington website, he is summed up by one word “Big is a description for Boyd Coddington that describes his many aspects, from the physical to his talent, from his design eye to his altruism and the colorful, outsized personality.”
Our About.com Cars expert posted this blog entry after talking with BJ Killeen and her husband, photographer Scott Killeen, who knew Coddington personally.
Our heartfelt condolences to his family, his friends and his fans.
Photo of Boyd Coddington courtesy of Getty Images.
Wednesday February 27, 2008 permalink comments (1)
This Week's Classic Car History Highlight - MG T-Series
Maybe the MG car company was built by the Brits, but it was kept alive by the Yanks! William Morris (later known as Lord Nuffield) founded Morris Garage (later known as the MG Car Company) in 1928. Lord Nuffield, with the help of his managing director Cecil Kimbeirst, built the MG marque to become well known as the “everyday man's sports car”.
On June 19th, 1936 the MG Car Company announced to the world its T-type. It was the first of a new series of MG’s that would last into the 1950’s. The MGTA sported the famous radiator design, the swept wings, running boards, folding windscreen, and large accessible bonnet. It was a two seater sports car with a foldable hood and side curtains.
The MGTA sales suffered because of its poor performance from a pushrod 1250cc four-cylinder engine, subsequently only 3000 were produced. In 1939, the MGTB was introduced with the XPAG engine (1250 cc fitted with a Y type camshaft) which improved its power range, but with onset of World War II, only a few were produced. The war ceased all production of MG’s and the company was put into service for the war effort making military items.
But the war did bring one good thing to the MG car company - American soldiers. Yanks stationed in England came to love the handling and good looks of traditional British roadsters exemplified by the MG, and started importing them to the US after the war. The United States had much more cash available to spend on cars than war torn Britain. This was the motivation for the MG Car Company, run under the Nuffield Organization, to change their marketing strategy and focus on North America.
The MGTC, produced from 1945 to 1949, was fitted with many elements to make it more US friendly. It had front and rear bumpers, twin horns, and dual tail lamps. But that wasn’t enough to handle American road conditions and only 10,000 cars were produced. What was really needed was a total redesign for the America market.
The MGTD, produced from 1949 to 1953, had better brakes, adjustable steering column, and an interchangeable dashboard for left or right hand driving. The TD adopted rack and pinion steering and front coil springs and wishbones. This, and a change in rear end suspension, allowed for a smoother ride and better handling. The wheel size was reduced to fifteen inches and the tire width increased to 5.50. A larger frame increased the body width five inches, and an optional radio and heater were part of the package. All of these changes made the MGTD a more comfortable and a superior riding car compared to the MGTC. Almost 30,000 TD’s were produced in four years.
One thing buyers didn’t like about the TD was that it no longer sported the wire wheels that where standard on previous models. In 1953, the MGTF was introduced with a chassis almost identical to the TD, a redesigned interior, and wire wheels were added as an option. Still the MGTF never captured the success of the MGTD in the US and was replaced by the MGA within two short years.
Photo is your Classic Car Guide winning in Restoration Class in his 1951 MGTD.
Thursday February 21, 2008 permalink comments (1)
Now You Can Chrome Your Plastic Parts!
On Sunday mornings, we like to wake up with a cup of tea and have the TV tuned into My Classic Car on the SPEED Channel. Our favorite part of the show is when Dennis Gage showcases someone’s private car collection, like Jay Leno’s, and then gets to drive one or two around the block. But they also have some great tips on caring for your classic.
Last Sunday, Dennis was joined by Jim Hespenheide of Paul’s Chrome Plating. Jim has been in the business with his father since 1977, and they have thirty employees who have worked for them from the beginning. Gage went on to say that Paul’s is the “state of the art” place to go for chroming. But in this segment, Jim was there to talk about the company’s latest technique - the chroming of plastic parts.
To show an example of this process, Jim brought a few parts with him - a dash piece and radio bezel from a 1965 Barracuda. As Dennis handled each piece, he was surprised by how heavy and thick they were. However, they still fit perfectly! Jim said that their chroming process for plastic adds a great deal of durability to the part as well as a great appearance. He also brought a Bentley grille and a passenger “grab” bar for a motorcycle with him. Each looked better than new and both were much more durable.
We were pretty impressed with the demonstration and gave Mr. Hespenheide a call to find out more about the process. He told us, “It’s very exciting to be able to help our customers restore the not only the chrome pieces of the car, but now we can repair and chrome the plastic pieces too.” Essentially what they do is encase a plastic part in copper and then plate it. The process goes like this:
1. The part is taken down to the bare plastic.
2. Any breaks or cracks are repaired.
3. The part is impregnated with silver so it will conduct electricity.
4. Then it is built up with copper, sanded and buffed.
5. A nickel-cobalt plating alloy for corrosion resistance is applied.
6. The final stage is the chrome plating.
The charge for this service depends on the part and how many hours it will take to do the job, similarly to how they charge for pot metal plating. If you would like to know more about Paul’s Chrome Plating, you can visit them online at www.paulschrome.com. Their website doesn’t have information regarding plastic part plating yet, Jim says they've just been too busy.
If you need to replate your chrome parts, check out our Restoring Your Classic's Chrome Parts page.
Monday February 18, 2008 permalink comments (0)
There's A New Kid On The Block
When we make the rounds at car shows or auctions, we see the usual products being used for those last minute touch ups and detailing. Meguiars and Mothers detailing sprays seem to be two of the most popular bits of ammunition in the battle of whose car shines the brightest. We've tried some of the more expensive brands, but quickly found out that spending more money doesn't always mean you get a better product, and go back to using Meguiars.
When we attended the Russo and Steele Auction in Scottsdale last month, we found a new product being used on the cars before they hit the block - Adam's Detail Spray. So we got ourselves a bottle and gave it a try on our cars.
You can find out how Adam's stood up against Meguiars in our review of Adam's Detail Spray.
Thursday February 14, 2008 permalink comments (0)
This Week's Classic Car History Highlight - The Mini
Necessity was the mother of invention and the motivation behind the creation of the Mini. After the Suez Crisis in September of 1956, the United Kingdom’s oil supplies were reduced and gas rationing was imposed. The sales of large cars, with high fuel consumption, plummeted and the British public turned to the economical “bubble cars” being manufactured in Germany.
The British Motor Corporation (BMC), which was formed by the merger of the Austin Motor Company and the Nuffield Organization (parent of the Morris car company, MG, Riley and Wolseley) in 1952, needed a small fuel efficient car and they needed it quickly. BMC put their chief designer, Alec Issigonis, to work on the project. Issigonis was the genius behind Morris Minor and the obvious choice build a lightweight, four-passenger car that would take up minimal space.
By October of 1957, Issigonis and his team produced a prototype that was nothing short of revolutionary. The car used a conventional four cylinder water cooled engine, but it was mounted sideways, near the front wheels, and drove the front wheels. This design not only increased passenger space, it gave the car more stability when taking tight turns.
Some of the other innovations produced in the Mini were:
The radiator being placed at the left side of the car so that the engine mounted fan could be retained
Its gears were in the engine's sump and oil was shared by both.
The tiny 10 inch wheels placed at the farthest end of the body like a go cart.
Its compact all independent suspension with rubber elements.
The boot had the hinges at the bottom and could be left it open when driven to increase luggage space.
Mounting the carburetor at the back of the engine.
Sliding windows in the doors which replaced the window mechanisms for storage pockets.
The use of exterior welded seams to permit the car to be built more cheaply using manual labor.The end result was an inexpensive, nimble little car that packed an 848 cc engine in ten percent of a ten foot car that could reach a respectable speed of 72 mph, and still seat four passengers comfortably.
The production version was available in August 1959 and marketed under two of BMC's brand names, Austin Seven and Morris Mini Minor – the only recognizable difference was the badging. The name "Mini" started being used in 1961.
Sales were slow at first, but soon the versatility and charm of the Mini made it a favorite with the jet setters of the swinging sixties. The Mini became a pop icon with celebrity owners such as the Beatles, Peter Sellers and Princess Margaret, and was featured in the 1969 movie, The Italian Job. The car was a fashion statement.
After forty years, and 5.3 million cars being manufactured and sold all over the world, and receiving the European Car of the Century award, the final Mini was produced in October 2000. Will the new BMW MINI have the same success? Only time will tell.
Every week we’ll highlight a particular car maker or model’s history. Remember, the beauty of a vintage and classic car lies not only in the way they look or perform, but also in the story of how they came to be.
Photo of the Mini courtesy and copyright of TopSpeed.
Thursday February 14, 2008 permalink comments (0)
Two Historic Duesenbergs Are Coming To Amelia Island
Few cars have the power, the luxury and the timeless beauty of a Duesenberg. When you add fascinating ownership and celebrity influence, you can put a seven figure price tag to its list of attributes. At the ‘Automobiles of Amelia Island’ event on March 8th, you’ll see not one, but two Duesenbergs that can claim all of the above.
In a press release, RM Auctions announced that they will celebrate their 10th annual Amelia Island event next month with two historic Duesenbergs crossing their auction block - a 1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe by Murphy and a 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline by LeBaron.
The 1929 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline by LeBaron was one of the very first Model Js ever built. It was purchased new by Sir William Cornelious “Billy” Van Horne, Canada’s first, and only, Duesenberg dealer. Originally, it was fitted with a Holbrook seven passenger limousine body and was reported to be the star at the launch of Duesenberg in New York. It is estimated to sell for $900,000 to $1,2000,000.
The 1931 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Coupe began its historical credits in 1949 when belonged to Pacific Auto Rentals, a well known supplier of cars to Hollywood. It was used in the movies Whatever Happened to Baby Jane and Gable and Lombard. On TV, it was the Maharajah’s personal car in the highly successful Frank Buck series, Bring ’em Back Alive. There's more, in August of 1985, it was sold at auction and set a new world record for the highest price ever paid for a Duesenberg. Then in 2002, the car went under a three year restoration costing more than $500.000. We’d say that was money well spent because upon completion, the car was shown eighteen times in a two year period, winning first place every time. It is estimated to sell at $1.600.000 to $2.000.000.
RM Auctions will preview these historic Duesenberg with one hundred other classic beauties on the grounds of the Amelia Island Ritz Carlton Hotel on Friday, March 7th. The auction will begin at 11:00am on March 8th, followed by the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, Sunday, March 9th.
Learn more about the fascinating history of the Duesenberg here.
Thursday February 14, 2008 permalink comments (0)
Collector Car Theft Deterrents
As classic car owners, one question we get asked frequently is, “aren’t you worried someone will steal your car?” Of course the answer is yes. The good news is, most car thieves target late model cars that can be disassembled easily and sell the parts quickly. Classic cars tend to be harder to resell, and the parts are more difficult to market. Still, we don’t leave any of our cars unlocked or unattended for very long when outside of our garage.
The bad news is, many of the anti-theft devices that could stop would be thieves will create visible changes that may not be acceptable if you intend to enter your car in judged contests. Certain clubs make originality concessions when it comes to safety features, such as seat belts or turn signals, but usually only allow battery cut-off switches for theft prevention. Etching the vehicle's VIN into the windows or applying theft deterrent decals are good options for modern cars, but not for winning Concours events.
Some of the inexpensive solutions you could consider to deter a thief that won’t leave a lasting impression on your car are:
Steering Wheel/Brake Pedal Locks
Removing distributor Cap or Ignition Rotor
Removing Fuel Pump Fuse
Remote Battery Cut Off Switch
DataDots If your don’t mind spending a little more money on your investment, you could install a vehicle tracking system such as Lo Jack which is monitored by the police in 22 states and costs about $600.00 to install, or an immobilizer like the Ravelco Anti-Theft device which costs about $500.00 depending on your vehicle.
If a thief really wants your car, sometimes there’s nothing you can do to stop them. As a precaution, always make sure you have your license plate number, VIN or chassis number, engine number and all relevant identifying information handy to assist the police.
Wednesday February 6, 2008 permalink comments (2)
This Week's Classic Car History Highlight – Renault
When we attended the RM Auctions in Scottsdale this past January, a 1912 Renault Type CB Coupé de Ville really caught our attention as it drove up on the block. Its extraordinary design and distinctive front shape, caused by positioning the radiator behind the engine to give a so called "coalscuttle" bonnet, was the impetus for us to research the history of the car maker.
Like other auto manufacturers that are still around today, such as Ford and Fiat, the Renault Corporation was created due to the initiative and genius of one man, Louis Renault. Louis was born in February 1877 and was the youngest of five children. His father made his fortune in the trade of fabrics and buttons and his mother was the daughter of wealthy merchants. Louis Renault had a passion for mechanics and new techniques at an early age that made him neglect his studies and spend most of his time in the workshop where Léon Serpollet used to build his racing steam cars.
After his military service, Louis turned a De Dion-Bouon cycle into a four-wheeled small car equipped with one of his inventions: a universal jointed propeller shaft that included a three-gear box with reverse, with the third gear in direct drive. He patented this principle in 1899. This little car, soon to be named the Renault Type A, was the inspiriration for Louis Renault to become an auto manufacturer when he won a bet with friends that it could drive up the slope of Lépic Street in Montmartre. Afterwards, he received twelve orders for the car.
In 1905, Louis Renault went from a niche car maker to a mass producer with an order of 250 taxi cabs. In two years time, Renault had over 1,500 taxi cabs on the streets of Paris and exported a good number to London, New York, and Buenos Aires. Renault’s luxury cars, like the Type CB Coupé de Ville, were expensive for the average worker, so it was the taxis, buses, and commercial vehicles they produced that made the company the largest automaker in France.
Today, Renault is a privately held company well known for numerous revolutionary designs, security technologies, and motor racing. It’s also Europe’s number one brand for cars and light commercial vehicles.
For more information regarding the Renault of yesterday and today, check out this website.
Every week we’ll highlight a particular car maker or model’s history. Remember, the beauty of a vintage and classic car lies not only in the way they look or perform, but also in the story of how they came to be.
Photo of the 1912 Renault, taken by Michele Hamer, Courtesy of RM Auctions.