Category Archives: Uncategorized

Half a century on.. celebrating Fiat’s sporty classic

By Classic Yorkshire correspondent Tony Lofthouse It’s 50 years since the European launch of a much underrated Italian open-top classic into showrooms. The two-seat Fiat X1/9, designed by the Bertone company, oozed appeal with its wedge styling, retractable headlights and impressive handling – a combination which would help sell the car in bucketloads, particularly inContinue reading “Half a century on.. celebrating Fiat’s sporty classic”

Linwood no more – the story of Scotland’s biggest car factory

by Classic Yorkshire correspondent Tony Lofthouse As the past owner of a 1978 Chrysler Sunbeam – until the engine packed up! – the sad tale of Linwood, near Glasgow, interests me. Not least because the Rootes built plant would also cease to be in 1981, just as the Sunbeam disappeared from UK showrooms. Linwood openedContinue reading “Linwood no more – the story of Scotland’s biggest car factory”

Croft Nostalgia: Race report

The Croft Nostalgia weekend returned in style (3/4 September) and even a wet and drizzly Saturday could not spoil a great weekend of historic motor sport, supported by a whole range of off-track activities. The Historic Sports Car Club’s package of racing delivered the on-track action where the headline star was young Samuel Harrison whoContinue reading “Croft Nostalgia: Race report”

Event review: Croft Nostalgia

If you have wanted to visit the Goodwood Revival but its too expensive and too far away then Croft Nostalgia is an affordable alternative. But at Croft you won’t be seeing multi million pound cars hurtling round the track. Here it is the more humble Alfa’s, Mini’s and Lotus Elans, though this doesn’t make theContinue reading “Event review: Croft Nostalgia”

West Yorkshire business successfully reviving iconic Citroen

By Classic Yorkshire correspondent Tony Lofthouse They might not be everyone’s cup of tea but for restorer Tony Shields the affection many have for Citroen 2CVs has transformed his business. After starting out buying and selling salvage cars, Tony from Brighouse, saw a gap in the market turning these ‘ugly ducklings’ into attractive runarounds. TheContinue reading “West Yorkshire business successfully reviving iconic Citroen”

Princess Diana’s Escort Turbo sells at auction

by Classic Yorkshire correspondent Tony Lofthouse The black Ford Escort RS Turbo, which was driven by the late Princess Diana in the eighties, sold for a staggering £650,000 in auction last week. The car is believed to be unique in being the only black RS Turbo Series 1 made at the time, instead of theContinue reading “Princess Diana’s Escort Turbo sells at auction”

The UK’s best Ferrari gathering?

Salon Privé’s Ferrari 75th Anniversary Class will bring together arguably the most important set of classic Ferraris ever seen in the UK. The sheer breadth of the group is mesmerising, ranging from the first production car that rolled off the line – on a rare outing from Ferrari’s own collection – to seldom-seen rarities that illustrateContinue reading “The UK’s best Ferrari gathering?”

BRM to race at Goodwood again.

British Racing Motors have announced that their MK1 P15 V16 Chassis IV will race in the Goodwood Trophy at this year’s Goodwood Revival. The MK1 P15 V16 was last raced in the Goodwood Trophy in 1952, where Gonzales, Parnell, and Wharton achieved the famous 1st, 2nd and 3rd finish for BRM. “Other than upgraded magnetos,Continue reading “BRM to race at Goodwood again.”