By Classic Yorkshire contributor Tony Lofthouse

Car giants Lancia are bringing back its stylish Gamma model from the seventies in SUV form with testing well underway.

The Gamma was launched in 1976 to compete in the executive market. It boasted sharp Pininfarina styling and powered by an all aluminium 2.5 litre flat-four engine.

It came as a four-door fastback saloon, known as the Berlina as well as in two-door coupe format.

In the seventies Fiat (who owned Lancia) had planned to use one of its V6 engines for the Gamma. That was until Lancia developed its own ‘flat’ engine which gave Pininfarina scope to lower the car’s bonnet line. After producing a 2.5L engine, Lancia added a two-litre version.

Whilst the Gamma was an ambitious and beautiful car it came with serious concerns around build quality, including a troublesome engine, issues with the belt-driven power steering pump and camshafts prone to premature wear.

That said, it’s design team certainly had fun with the Gamma range, adding a striking three-door estate version – the Gamma Olgiata – in 1982.

Despite its many faults, over 22,000 Gammas were made between 1976 and 1984.

Fast forward to 2026 and Lancia still recognise the beauty of the Gamma brand with an all-new SUV version taking its name. It’s expected to come as a pure electric model alongside a hybrid version.

Sadly, UK Lancia enthusiasts might have to wait for this reincarnation to hit local showrooms. The Italian’s pulled out of Britain in 1994 and there are no confirmed plans for a return anytime soon!

The successful completion of the expedition across Africa was a PR success.  The cars, Wait and See were sent on a tour of Jowett dealers across the UK and then used at the factory for moving parts around. Both cars were rebodied with Long 2 bodies with a Dickie seat. Car number 1 (Wait) was written off in an accident whilst working at the Jowett factory and car number two (See) was sold to a new owner in London and parked in the cellar of his terraced house. 

The trip across Africa took a toll on the cars and they were not so reliable or enjoyable to drive when they returned.  As a result, the car wasn’t driven much and languished in the cellar garage.  During the London Blitz the whole terrace of housing was destroyed and the site was levelled and covered over to create a car park.

With echoes of King Richard the 3^rd (another Yorkshireman) the car remained undiscovered under the car park until developers acquired the site in 1999.  As part of the ground works the car was discovered in the underground cellar, complete but damaged.  They recognised it as a Jowett (it said so on the grill) and contacted a Jowett enthusiast.  Following an inspection, he agreed to take the car with a view to restoring it.

It was decided to restore the car and it headed north to Bradford, home of the Jowett.   This is where David’s father Kevin (pictured below) was commissioned to bring the car back to life.  Upon stripping the car, the experienced restorers realised that the chassis had been modified and further research identified the car as the lost African car, See.

Rather than restore the car with its replacement body from 1928 it was decided to restore it with the Safari body using period photographs to make the body and wheels up.  On completion, the owner couldn’t cope with driving the car and persuaded Kevin to buy the car and keep it in Bradford.

The car has now passed to Kevin’s son David and it can be regularly seen at Jowett events.

David Metcalfe is a true classic car enthusiast.  With 30 classic cars in various stages of restoration he probably has the largest and most diverse personal collection that I have come across.  He recently told me about one of his cars that would be 100 years old in 2026.  That is remarkable, though it’s not the most remarkable part of the story, this car is a legendary part of the Jowett story.

As many of you will know Jowett was a car manufacturer founded in Bradford in 1901 by two brothers who opened a bicycle repair shop before moving into stationary engines and ultimately (in 1906) cars.  Their philosophy was simple, build lightweight cars that could cope with the hills of Yorkshire.

In 1926 former MP Frank Gray criticised the British car industry for building cars that were too flimsy and fragile for use in the British Empire.  He challenged manufacturers to drive one of their cars across Africa.   This is a daunting task today but in 1926 it was considered pretty much impossible.

Only Jowett rose to the challenge figuring that if the cars could survive the hills and roads of Yorkshire, then Africa shouldn’t be a problem.  Frank Gray led the expedition and bought the cars from Jowett to prove that he was not working for the company.  The driver of the second car was an experienced adventurer Jack Sawyer and they also took along a mechanic and a cook.

The cars were Jowett 7 hp model C’s with a 907 cc flat twin engine. They were very light as the bodies were made of aluminium over wood.  The Africa cars were fitted with Safari bodies (like a pick up) and towed trailers full of food and fuel.  Their light weight was essential as the cars would frequently need to be pushed or lifted to make progress on the rough African tracks.  When the expedition was first announced critics said the 7hp cars would never make it.  William Jowett simply said Wait and See.  In a genius stroke of marketing the two cars then had Wait painted on one car and See on the other.

The cars set off from Lagos to Massawa via Kano and Khartoum and was considered impassable due to the lack of roads and fuel stations, a total of 3 800 miles .  The journey was completed in 60 days and the cars returned to the UK by steamer and were driven through the streets of Bradford where large crowds gathered to see them. The drivers joined the Lord Mayor for a Civic Reception at the Midland Hotel where they were presented with Wait and See trophies which are still in the possession of the Jowett owners club.

Part two follows tomorrow:

By Classic Yorkshire contributor Tony Lofthouse

Is the classic car world driving into a crisis with ageing owners and a growing skills shortage?

Did you know? Of the 1.9 million classic vehicles registered in the UK, owners average 66 years old.

And when it comes to servicing and restoring these classics the knowledge and skills lie with those who see retirement round the corner.

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has found that over 47% of those with the technical and specialist knowledge are older than 45, with very few young people joining the sector. The IMI estimates that 144,000 automotive workers will retire by 2032, with the classic car sector particularly vulnerable with its reliance on older skilled workers.

Thankfully, charities like StarterMotor are working to inspire more young people to build careers within the classic and historic vehicle sector.

Its general manager Steve Cootes is clear, he says: “The sector is ageing. If we don’t do something about this, it’s going to fade away.”

StarterMotor work with Bicester Heritage to provide classroom learning alongside practical repair and restoration training for young students but resources are limited.

The fact is as well as preserving our motoring heritage and offering a rewarding hobby, classic car ownership brings economic benefits for the country. The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs estimate that spending on historic vehicles contributes £7.3 billion to the UK economy annually and supports 34,500 skilled jobs and 2,700 specialist businesses.

It’s important then that StarterMotor and others are actively engaging with young people in schools through careers events and mentoring as well as specific work to encourage more women into the sector.

When it comes to car ownership amongst the younger generation, the pressures of taking out mortgages and cost of living pressures tends to restrict interest to more affordably priced cars, such as from the 1990s and 2000s.

Interestingly, social media plays a key role in sparking younger generation interest in classic cars with more and more content on platforms like YouTube, Instagram and TikTok.

Hopefully, today’s young influencers can be tomorrow’s mechanics and restorers.

​If you are a classic car enthusiast in West Yorkshire then you are probably familiar with The Carding Shed in Holmfirth. It is a great combination of traditional British food, vintage retailing and classic car workshop. It makes for a grand day out where most family members can find something to enjoy. Throughout the year they put on various events and one of the most popular are the workshop tours.

Have you ever wanted to know what goes into restoring and maintaining an English classic?

After a full english breakfast served in The Carding Shed, join one of the workshop technicians as they take you for a guided tour around the IK Classics workshop. They will take you through the detailed restoration process, with demonstrations of specialist equipment and explanations of the cars currently being worked on.

This behind-the-scenes look offers you the chance to see first hand the skill that goes into a professional restoration, along with the opportunity to look around each department including our workshop, bodyshop and storage facility.

All tours start with the breakfast at 9:am with the tour beginning once everyone has finished eating. Tickets are priced at £25 + booking fee per person, and can be purchased through Eventbrite using the link provided below…

Book Here

2025 Dates are :–

– March 14th – 9am
– April 11th – 9am
– April 25th – 9am
– May 9th – 9am
– June 20th (Fathers Day Special) – 9am
– June 27th – 9am
– July 18th – 9am
– August 15th – 9am
– September 19th – 9am
– October 3rd – 9am

They also offer private tours for groups of 10 or more which are great for car clubs and individual parties. Please contact info@thecardingshed.com for more information.

One way to make a relatively ordinary car more appealing is to produce a special edition. This is a popular technique used by all the major manufacturers. Sometimes it is just a special paint job, extra stripes or something more substantial such as alloy wheels and different trim. A good example is the new Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, a future classic?

Škoda Motorsport’s legacy dates back to 1901, when it started with motorcycle racing events. In the present day, victories and titles are fought for and won in in the WRC2 category of the FIA World Rally Championship, the FIA European Rally Championship and other regional and national rally series. To celebrate its 125 years anniversary, Škoda Motorsport is equipping each new Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 sold to customers with additional features for the anniversary year.

This package includes rear polycarbonate windows, crossmember covers for gravel and asphalt, an extra lights bag (if the extra lights are included in the purchase), six magnesium OZ rims in special colours, light engine wiring, an updated central panel, “125 Years” welcome display, and CV joint sleeves.

The anniversary pack is completed by decals in the “125 Years” design, a new Unique Dark Chrome logo on the bonnet, an interior plaque and a cloth car cover bearing the “125 Years Škoda Motorsport” logo.

For the third year running, Škoda Motorsport will support teams participating in the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) with a dedicated Bonus Program. Additionally, Škoda Motorsport will continue to support all teams at selected FIA European Rally Championship and FIA World Rally Championship events with its dedicated spare parts truck.

In 2025, the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 was once again one of the most successful cars in international, regional and national rallies. Škoda Motorsport’s customer team, Toksport WRT, won the WRC2 Teams’ title in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). The crew of Nikolay Gryazin/Konstantin Aleksandrov became the WRC2 Challenger champions and Miguel Granados/Marc Martí secured the WRC Masters Cup title.

Mikołaj Marczyk and navigator Szymon Gospodarczyk drove a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 to the title in the FIA European Rally Championship. With similar cars, Nasser Al-Attiyah and co-driver Cándido Carrera took the FIA Middle East Rally Championship and Hiroki Arai/Hiroki Tachikui the FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship. In addition, drivers of rally cars from Mladá Boleslav won 20 national championships as well as numerous important national sub-championships.

For more information and pictures about the history of Škoda Motorsport click on this link here.

I must confess that I have never been to the Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional, but I love the concept. I am surprised that more people don’t adopt the idea, perhaps within a bigger show. These cars were mundane, even in their day and today they stand out only because they have survived.

These boring cars raise many questions. Why would anyone keep these boring cars over the long term, why would anyone want one today when there are so many interesting classics available? But it’s their rarity that makes them such fun to own.

Hagerty’s Festival of the Unexceptional is the only motoring event to celebrate base model, attracting owners and fans of unexceptional cars from all over the world. Twelve years after the first event, the 2026 festival returns to Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire on Saturday 25^th July, where thousands of enthusiasts are expected to marvel in the magnificence of the mundane.

Festival of the Unexceptional gathers the mass-produced cars of the recent past that were once a common sight, but deemed by many to be not worth saving. That’s what makes FOTU cars so special, owners spending thousands of pounds to keep cars most wouldn’t give a second glance to, on the road.

Maintaining a Talbot Solara, with limited spares, no specialist garages and a constant fight against corrosion, is more challenging than preserving any Ferrari. The Ferrari has parts available at the click of a mouse, and most counties have at least one specialist, whereas the Talbot owner struggles to find anyone who cares as much as they do. To be truly Unexceptional you have to have a passion that goes way beyond the expected.

The very first Festival of the Unexceptional, back in 2014, was a gathering of just a few hundred people admiring a small selection of cars. Now, twelve years later, FOTU attracts thousands of enthusiasts from all over the world, many being younger owners who choose to drive a FOTU car as a daily driver.

This new generation of owner tends to have experienced this era of car from their parents or grandparents and now chooses to drive one themselves for sentimental reasons. Others drive unexceptionally for the individuality a FOTU-era car offers in a sea of bland modern hatchbacks. Whatever the reason, FOTU brings these owners together, crowding the Grimsthorpe lawns year after year with a camaraderie other motoring communities can only dream of.

If you are looking for events to attend in 2026 don’t forget our event listing which you can see on the link below. It lists many classic car events in Yorkshire, car destinations and key motorsport events.

Classic car events and destinations 2026: – Classic Yorkshire

Hagerty created a film at the 2025 event to show the scale and engagement FOTU now enjoys, proving how this unexceptional festival has become the exceptional event of the motoring year and you can watch the film here.

The 2026 Festival of the Unexceptional opens 25^th July at 7.30am. More details on special FOTU attractions and features will be announced soon.

For tickets and further information click here

The Goodwood Revival (18-20 September) will mark the centenary of Maserati’s first major triumph at the Targa Florio, with an exceptional collection of cars.

No marque in history has embraced the highs and lows of motorsport more enigmatically than Maserati. From beautiful cars and legendary drivers to glorious victories – and occasional setbacks – Maserati has always chased success with unmistakable, charismatic Italian flair.

Maserati’s ascent began in 1926, when Alfieri Maserati drove the pioneering Tipo 26 to a class win at the Targa Florio. It was the first of many triumphs, laying the foundation for decades of achievements across multiple motorsport disciplines.

At this year’s Revival, that legacy will be celebrated in true Italian style. From the cars on track to chic mid-century fashion, the event will embrace La Dolce Vita. Paddocks will be transformed to evoke the dusty, sun-soaked roads of post-war Sicily and the golden era of the Targa Florio, immersing visitors in the romance and spirit of Italy.

Across the weekend, more than 50 pre-’66 Maseratis will take to the track, each reflecting a defining moment in the marque’s storied racing history. Visitors can expect the largest gathering of Maserati 250Fs, alongside notable models including the likes of the 150S, 200Si, 300S, 350S, 450S, 4CL, 4CM, 8C, 8CM, A6GCS, Tipo 151, Tipo 63, V4 and V8RI, amongst many others.

The Maserati celebration joins the previously announced Vespa track opening parade, the reunion of the 1-2-3 finishers from the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans and tribute to racing legend Barry Sheene. 

Book now to save on tickets during the early bird tickets
Customers can save on Goodwood Revival admission tickets during our early bird window, available now at goodwood.com.

For me, Race Retro is the first event of the season and a must visit for any enthusiast of historic motorsport. If you are thinking of getting into motorsport then you can literally apply for your licence, take your medical, find a race or rally series and buy a car. But the best part is that once you get tired of touring the exhibition stands, you can watch a live action rally stage with many legends of the retro rallying world.

The exhibition halls are packed with all sorts of companies that can get you on the track. Specialist engineering companies, clubs and rare race cars. There are interviews with legendary figures from the world of racing. One of these legends was Alex Brundle who I was anxious to meet.

Alex is a successful Endurance racer and often competes in historic racing with a GT40 and an E Type Jaguar. Alex also manages his own race preparation company. For those of you who are regular readers of Classic Yorkshire you will know that I used to own a Toyota Celica owned and raced by the Brundle (senior) family. I sold it a long time ago but I kept an eye on it.

Andy Harrison from Acespeed let me know that Alex had bought the car and planned to restore it to the specification from when his dad Martin, grandad John and uncle Robin raced it. After his Race Retro interview I managed to catch Alex and we had a good chat about the car and his plans for restoration. And I think that says a lot about what a friendly and approachable industry this is.

In addition to the exhibition hall there was an autojumble with everything from broken wing mirrors to model cars. Another highlight of the show is the Iconic Auction with 150 cars and 160 motorcycles available. All these cars are classics, many prepared for motorsport. There were some fine examples including Lancia Integrale, Renault 5 Turbo’s as well as classic road cars from Mercedes and Bentley. Bidding was strong and most of the lots sold. Some cars could be had for around £10 000 other fetched hundreds of thousands. Once again the fast fords did well with £132 000 being paid for a 1996 Ford Escort Cosworth with just over 3 000 miles on the clock.

For those who are interested in celebrity cars there were a few. Rowan Atkinson was selling a Toyota Aygo and Richard Hammond was selling his racing Mgb which featured on his Smallest Cog programme.

Fortunately the weather remained dry for the rally stage (at least on Saturday) though the ground was still waterlogged from the previous wet weather. Cars taking part ranged from a number of Mini’s to the legendary Audi Quatro. For me driver of the day was in a Talbot Sunbeam who was getting the rear end out on all the corners.

There was one serious incident when a Ford Anglia burst into flames and the driver suffered superficial injuries. The safety team responded quickly preventing serious injury. But it is a timely reminder of the excellent work the volunteers and safety teams do at this and many other events throughout the year.

I have no doubt that Race Retro is the show for people who work in Motorsport, though it also has plenty for the casual enthusiast. There are lots of rare cars in the exhibition hall, auction and rally track and a chance to listen to leaders in their field.

By Classic Yorkshire contributor Tony Lofthouse

I didn’t think you could top the story of the Range Rover ‘garage find’ with a meagre 756 miles on the clock (see blog, 20 February) until social media revealed a ‘new’ Renault found in Eastern France.

Tucked away in an outbuilding was a 1982 Renault 5 TL with just 12km on its odometer.

The story goes, a French lady bought her dream car from a local dealership for 40,000 Francs after saving up for many years. That’s the equivalent to around £4,000 pounds in the early eighties.

The 1108cc five-door model – finished in metallic Shale Blue – was delivered to the buyer with temporary plates as she didn’t have a driving licence to run it.

Amazingly, after being garaged it would never move again, despite its owner successfully gaining her full driving license.

Sadly, a few years ago, the owner passed away leaving her ‘new’ car covered in dust and her final licence plates still in the car boot ready to be fitted. The interior and engine were also untouched.

Fast forward to 2026 and this ‘time-warp’ Renault is due to go under the hammer with Paris auctioneers, Aguttes, on 15 March.

Initial estimates have been set at between 5,000 and £10,000 euros, but its expected to easily surpass these figures.

Hopefully, 43-years on someone will give this truly special French classic the dream start it deserves.

The Fast Lane Club are major sponsors of the famous Italian Race, offering guaranteed entry and support packages for the event.  The 1000 Miglia organisation have given them special permission to introduce a taste of the Regulatory Race as part of the Driving Tour this year.

This years Tour will include a couple of “Time Trial” tests in the route (on private land).  These sections are a series of timing points a few hundred metres apart with a set time to complete each section, it is not about speed and how fast you can cover each section though, it is all about accuracy.

There will be two official 1000 Miglia “SPIRIT OF 1000 MIGLIA“awards:

1. For classic cars built in 1957 or before in keeping with the traditions of the race.

2. Post 1000 Miglia, for cars built after 1957, of any age

It should be a huge amount of fun. But don’t worry, taking part in the trials is not compulsory and there will be some simple training and tips if you’ve never done a Time Trial test before, all you need is a stop watch.

THE DRIVING TOUR PACKAGES
There are two Driving Tour Packages on offer.  Places are very limited, restricted to 20 cars for the Tour, there are just a few places left.

The Platinum Package also includes the Driving Tour plus 3 nights accommodation at Grantley Hall to enjoy the show days of Yorkshire Elegance.

FIND OUT MORE

If you are a fan of the Goodwood Festival of Speed then you will have inevitably seen the record breaking McMurty Spéirling Hyper car. McMurtry is a UK-based electric hypercar manufacturer founded in 2016 by engineering pioneer Sir David McMurtry. Their vision is to build vehicles focused purely on driving exhilaration. Not just for professional racers, but for anyone passionate about pushing limits.

The elite team created the record-breaking Spéirling — a revolutionary fan car delivering 3G cornering via 2000kg of confidence-inspiring downforce available from 0mph. Lightweight, agile, and shockingly quick in corners, it puts pro-level performance in the hands of any passionate driver.

Helix, the UK manufacturer of the world’s most power-dense electric motors and inverters, has partnered with electric hypercar brand McMurtry Automotive. Helix has developed a bespoke drive motor system for the McMurtry Spéirling Pure Electric Fan Hypercar, to mate with McMurtry’s gearbox. 

Featuring two Helix SPX242-94 motors at the rear, Spéirling can deliver up to 1,000hp. Helix’s bespoke propulsion system works alongside McMurtry’s proprietary Downforce-on-Demand™ fan system to deliver ground-breaking performance.

Capable of accelerating from 0-60mph in 1.5 seconds, and covering a quarter of a mile in 8 seconds, Spéirling has already achieved records at Goodwood Festival of Speed and Laguna Seca Hill climb, along with setting the fastest-ever lap of the Top Gear test track.

Developed from Helix’s scalable core technology range, the SPX242-94 is one of the most powerful motors the company has ever produced. Each unit provides 500Nm of torque, all in an ultra-lightweight package of 33kg.

The SPX242-94’s packaging unlocks all-new automotive design possibilities, allowing for the most effective use of space within the Spéirling‘s compact, single-seater configuration.

Building on the success of the Spéirling programme, a new division called McMurtry Technology now offers OEMs the opportunity to access proven technologies for their own programmes, including Fan Downforce Systems to improve both performance and safety, High Performance Batteries using tailored designs or modules already developed for the Spéirling and E-Axles to deliver proven powertrain performance.

With roots in motorsport, Helix’s motors, inverters, and electric propulsion units are an established staple in Formula E and other racing series. Helix’s technology also powers record-breaking hypercars such as the Aston Martin Valkyrie, Lotus Evija & Czinger 21C. In recent years, the power density of Helix’s systems has seen the company also play a role in the electrification journey of industries such as aerospace, defence, and marine: with current and past partners including vertical take-off and landing vehicles, space launch providers, racing boats and yachts, and defence platforms spanning land, sea, and air.