This year out subscriber list has doubled in size and we want to make sure that our new subscribers understand what the Blog has to offer. For those of you who are new, here is all the information you need to know.
Who are we:
We are an enthusiast based news service about Classic and Prestige cars. We cover all kinds of classic cars, but on the prestige side it tends to be older cars, recreations or continuations. We provide news of national importance as well as Yorkshire based stories.
The Blog:
On average we issue three stories a week direct to your inbox (and you can read older articles on the web site). Some are original and others are releases from clubs, businesses and event organisers. We occasionally issue a snippets page comprising stories we think you might be interested in, but are too small to warrant their own article.
Events:
Whilst we do issue articles on events the main source of events information is the classic car events and destinations page on the web site. If you are looking for events then you will need to keep checking back to the website. We publish the information supplied and readers are advised to check with the organisers before setting out.
We are happy to promote events being held in Yorkshire. Send us a poster as a Jpeg (PDF’s are a lot of work to add) or a few words and an image.
Discounts and offers:
Every now and again we get the chance to offer discounts for events or products. These can be found on the website.
Comments:
We think of our subscribers as a community and we encourage you to make comments on our articles and even better to share your experiences. But be kind and remain on topic. Comments that are not about classic/prestige cars will be deleted and the account holder removed (no Candy Crush emails).
The Cadillac Formula 1® Team today announced the signing of two star drivers – 10-time Grand Prix winner Valtteri Bottas and fellow F1® standout and six-time Grand Prix winner Sergio “Checo” Perez – to lead the team into its debut season in Formula 1® in 2026.
New event at Harewood
There has been a Facebook posting from Harewood Hillclimb. It advises that you should put December 13th in your diary, we are holding a day/night hillclimb which we are calling Rallye Harewood! There is nothing further on the website so we will just have to wait for more details.
More details to follow when they have firmed up the regulations for this exciting new event. http://www.Harewoodhill.com
In the noughties the compact Suzuki Swift put the Japanese car maker in the ‘market leader’ bracket as a competitive alternative to rivals like the Mini and Polo.
But, did you know Suzuki started out making textile looms over 100 years ago?
Prompted by a global decline in the cotton industry, Suzuki moved into motorcycle production in the early fifties and in 1955 they produced their first car.
The Suzulight was an affordable two-door car measuring less than three metres and weighing just over 500kg. It was powered by a 360cc two-stroke engine.
It defined Suzuki’s reputation for building practical cars and proud owner Michio Suzuki delivered the very first model to a local doctor to help him with his rounds.
In the seventies, they brought us the quirky Jimny, a four-wheel drive off-road mini SUV. It would become a global hit and continued into a fourth generation. Unfortunately, sales ceased in 2020 across the UK and Europe in the face of new EU emission regulations.
The Vitara model came along in 1991 and proved another big success for Suzuki. This lightweight SUV was badged as 11 different brands including a GMC Tracker and Mazda Proceed Levante.
Fast forward into the 2000s and the company’s second generation super-mini, the Swift, clocked up sizeable sales on these shores. It’s a car that has a loyal buyer base and is now available as a hybrid model.
Seventy years on Suzuki will celebrate their enduring success with the arrival of the all electric e-Vitara.
It’s quite a journey, from a company founded on textile production to one producing over three million vehicles a year worldwide.
There are two things that I consider to be the ultimate pleasure. Being in Italy and classic Italian cars. My Italian motoring adventures have primarily featured modern Fiat hire cars but in another world it would be a Ferrari or a Maserati.
The 1000 Miglia—the “most beautiful race in the world”, as Enzo Ferrari famously called it—came to a close on Saturday, June 21st, after passing through some of Italy’s most picturesque towns. Maserati was one of the event’s stars, participating in the famous regularity race for classic cars with an iconic A6 GCS/53, which finished 49th.
The start took place on Tuesday, June 17th from Brescia, where the Maserati A6 GCS/53 embarked on another adventure in the 2025 1000 Miglia historical re-enactment. Under the hood, the 2-litre inline six-cylinder engine designed by Gioachino Colombo—with a short-stroke “Superquadro” architecture, twin-ignition, and gear-driven double overhead camshafts—showcased the reliability of a classic engine that remains surprisingly relevant to this day.
From Lombardy, they headed south, crossing the Po Valley before reaching Bologna. The next day they took on the Apennine crossings, including the world-renowned Raticosa and Futa passes. After navigating the mountainous terrain, the route gently descended into central Tuscany, with its rolling hills and historical towns, before arriving in Rome, where the second day came to a conclusion.
The vehicles reversed course the following day, heading back through central Italy along a more technical and varied route. After passing through Arezzo, the Maserati crossed the eastern Apennines to reach San Marino, where the winding ascent of Monte Titano posed one of the toughest tests of the entire competition.
The following leg led the crews toward the Tyrrhenian coast. After crossing the Tuscan hinterland, the Cisa Pass, and a memorable pass by the Italian Naval Academy in Livorno, the day ended in Parma, where a crowd of adoring fans welcomed the vehicles in front of the sumptuous Palazzo della Pilotta.
On the final day—Saturday, June 21st—the Maserati traversed the countryside of Emilia and Lombardy, passing through various towns before completing the route with a return to Brescia. This 1,900-km journey once again showcased the historical and technical merits of one of the purest expressions of Maserati tradition.
Privately-owned and currently undergoing the Certification of Authenticity process at Maserati Classiche, this extraordinary model participated in five consecutive editions of the 1000 Miglia speed race (1953 to 1957). Some world-renowned talents, including Luigi Musso, have been behind its wheel. Interestingly, the A6 GCS/53 achieved its first significant success at the 1000 Miglia, when Emilio Giletti came in sixth place overall and first in the Sport 2-litre category.
It is truly remarkable the number of companies that can offer new versions of classic cars. Either faithful new builds, restorations, continuation models and improved with modern technologies. The quality of these cars often exceeds the original build quality though the price is many times the original cost. However, there are times when this makes sense. I can’t justify £100 000 for a remanufactured Mini to go to the shops in, but £75 000 for a competition prepared Escort seems like a good buy, given recent auction prices for fast fords.
MST are going back to basics with the all new MST Mk1 & Mk2 Sports, based on the iconic sporting models of the 1970s. Over the last 10 years, MST have brought back to life the legendary Mk1 and Mk2, mixing modern technology with a timeless classic design,
As they keep working on their top end models, they are at the same time going back to basics with an all new MST Sports, based on a narrow arched AVO and Rally Sports road cars of the 1960’s and 70s.
The Mk1 Sports model will be going into production in 2026 and the Mk2 coming later in 2027, both models will feature a 2.0L twin cam engine on throttle body fuel injection, 180bhp, 5 speed T5 gearbox, and an Atlas rear axle with torque biasing diff. Adjustable sports suspension, 4 pot brakes, AVO / Rally Sports style interiors, all combined with modern electrical systems for reliability.
The build Brand new car, hand built in the UK. Registered on current UK registration New UK built bodyshell, with AVO strengthening upgrades Build Right hand drive as standard / LHD also available
Exterior White colour as standard AVO front flared arches Chrome exterior pack 6×13 4 spoke alloy wheels
Upgrades Various period correct body colours Various modern colours, metallics etc. Mex/RS stripe pack In car entertainment pack Alarm & Tracker pack 2 x Removable Cibie spot lamp pack 4 x Removable Cibie spot lamp pack Alloy sump guard Strut brace Minilite Wheels, various colours Left Hand Drive Option — Base price £74,500 + VAT Limited to an initial production run of 25 cars in each model, Mk1 / Mk2 £5,000 + VAT deposit to secure a build slot Delivery time approx. 12-18 months, based on a first come first served basis
This week, I’m stepping briefly into ‘van world’ to celebrate Britain’s biggest selling commercial vehicle, the enduring Ford Transit.
The Transit was originally a collaboration between Ford engineers in the UK and Germany and for most of its life it was made here – first at Langley in Berkshire and then Southampton.
In terms of engineering and design it was a revelation with the van’s compact front-engine positioned in front of the cab.
It would quickly become the ideal carrier for tradespeople and become an important ‘driver’ for the UK economy.
Production moved to Europe in 2013 with Ford citing ‘lower production costs’.
The Transit has been redesigned over the years and decades later it holds its own in a competitive van market. Across the globe, more than 13 million have been produced.
Here are five things you might not know about the Ford Transit:
The first Transit rolled off Ford’s Langley plant on 9th August 1965
Sixty years ago, the base model cost just £542
Today, an early Transit with low mileage can fetch over £20,000
A new Transit was sold every two minutes in Europe in 2024
The main European production hub is now in Turkey.
As well as being a popular commercial carrier, the Transit was a popular mode of transport for the criminal fraternity as many of the ‘The Sweeney’ episodes show.
In 1972, a Scotland Yard spokesperson famously said: “Ford Transits are used in 95 percent of bank raids.”
Indeed, its speed and ample loading space made it Britain’s ‘most wanted’ van and that also included orders from Police forces up and down the country.
It also proved a cheap transport option for up and coming rock bands. Among those cramming their kit inside ready for gigs were Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin.
Today, the Transit is now in its sixth generation and its design and development is divided between the UK, Europe and the US. Key components are made here including diesel engines at Dagenham and power packs for electric vans at Halewood.
In 2025 Ford offer an ever expanding range of models including electric versions and large two-tonne Transits. It’s a van that is here to stay!
The special cars at Yorkshire Elegance are not just on the display field, they can be found in the car park and on display in front of the hotel. It was here that I spotted an estate car (or shooting brake) that I had never seen before. It was badged Aston Martin and labelled Jet 2.
It took a bit of research to find the story behind this unique one off car. It was businessman and car collector Barry Weir who designed the car on the back of a serviette. He took idea of the Jet to Bertone and Aston Martin in the summer of 2012. Of course not just anybody can design a car for Aston Martin, Barry was well known in Aston circles for his round the world exploits. Barry became the first man to drive world in 80 days in a 1954 Aston Martin.
It all began in the summer of 2012, when Barry found himself sitting with the men from Bertone at the Marco Polo airport in Venice proposing a more useful shooting brake based on the Rapide.
The plan was that It would share 70 per cent of its DNA with the Rapide, including its 470bhp, 5.9-litre V12 engine. A donor car was shipped to Italy towards the end of 2012. Drawings, renderings and photographic imagery were shown to the Board of Aston Martin who were so impressed they approved the idea of putting it into production.
The design and build took around fourteen weeks, with Bertone scanning the model and creating reverse moulds before the company’s team of engineers beat the panels by hand using aluminium, and carbon fibre.
The estate-like rear increases roof space for passengers significantly, an electronic sliding boot floor, and the back seats folding flat in unison, creates a substantial load space.
A dimmable panoramic glass roof, which changes colour from clear to blue using the latest smart-glass technology, makes the interior feel airy and much larger than the standard Rapide.
With an identical wheelbase to the Rapide, Bertone managed to keep the kerb weight almost identical to the donor car, at around 1990kg, resulting in the same blistering performance in a far more practical package.
The paintwork and interior touches, including wood, two-tone leather and glazed aluminium were chosen by Barry, whose name is etched into a plaque inside the cabin.
“It was a halo car for Aston Martin,” says Barry, the fastest shooting brake in the world at 200mph, reaching 60mph in about 5.3 seconds. “It’s something truly unique, and is registered as an Aston Martin Jet 2 because it was never registered as a Rapide.”
Production was scuppered by Berton’s bankruptcy, but now the possibility of more Jets has been revived by the discovery of the moulds and tooling in Turin
The retired entrepreneur, who lives in Guernsey, decided to put the whole package up for sale, not only the car but, potentially, the means to create further examples.
“When Bertone went bust I negotiated to get the actual car from them and went back and said I want the moulds and model, but they said ‘no, they belong to us and the receiver has taken them’.
“Two or three years ago, my man in Italy, who was the works manager at Bertone, said it had all been cleared out, it was all gone.
“Then I saw online an auction house was selling off old Bertone stuff, including what I considered to be my moulds. I phoned them up and said ‘you can’t sell that because it’s mine’.
“Initially they said that had not been proved by the courts, but they came back half an hour later and said they’d taken it out of the auction.
“I went out there and in a dusty old warehouse were my moulds and the full-size clay model. We came to an agreement and now they’re all being cleaned up, with the model repaired, and sent over to the UK.”
The car, along with the moulds and tools by Bertone were sold recently for a rumoured £3million by a well known Aston Martin collector. Technically they have everything they need to go into production, though I suspect it will remain a one off. Afterall the value is in it being a one off.
I strongly recommend a visit to Barry Weirs web site where you can read more about his cars and adventures. There are plenty more pictures of the Jet 2.
Formula One has certainly got its act together when it comes to marketing and promotion. Following on from Brad Pitts movie (F1) comes a docuseries covering the establishment of the Cadillac Formula One Team.
Keanu Reeves, Host and Executive Producer, New Series Documenting the Birth of the Cadillac Formula 1® Team. Photo credit: Boo George / All Rights Reserved TWG Motorsports
The team is described as uniquely American and this docuseries will reveal just how American it is, rather than a American branded package of European expertise. Having listened to a podcast on the subject it promises to be an interesting series.
Filmmaker and longtime motorsport enthusiast Keanu Reeves will front the new multi-part, unscripted documentary series that showcases the behind-the-scenes story of the Cadillac Formula 1® Team’s effort to join the pinnacle of world motorsport.
With exclusive access from Cadillac Formula 1® Team, TWG Motorsports and General Motors (GM), the series traces the creation of the sport’s newest and uniquely American team as it prepares for its debut at the 2026 FIA Formula 1 World Championship™ season opener in Melbourne.
“I’m very honored and excited to be a part of telling the remarkable Cadillac Formula 1® Team story and its incredible journey into the world of Formula 1® racing,” said Reeves. “Our goal with the docuseries is to bring audiences into the heart of this journey and showcase what it takes to participate in one of the most exclusive sports arenas in the world.”
The documentary follows the Cadillac Formula 1® Team, launched by TWG Motorsports in partnership with GM, as it embarks on the formidable task of building a Formula 1® organization from the ground up. Audiences will get an intimate look at the unique challenges of assembling a competitive team on an accelerated timeline and receive a first-hand account of the vision behind establishing a distinctly American presence in a sport long dominated by European powerhouses.
A barn fully of dusty-covered classic cars including Jaguars and MGs are set to go to auction next month.
The collection of over 20 cars, two motorbikes and an array of car parts, engines and tools belong to a retired mechanic.
They vary in condition and include a 1967-registered Jaguar E-Type, three Jaguar MkII MOD saloons and a 1956 XK140. Other finds include an Austin Healey 3000 and rare Lenham 100-4 model, a Lotus Elan S4, three Rover 3500S’s, a Triumph Stag and six MGAs. There is also a more modern VW Golf R32.
The seller began collecting the vehicles as far back as 1969 with the intention of restoring them later. The condition of the find range from complete original cars to partially restored and some needing full restoration.
The auction takes place on Wednesday, 10 September at the Charterhouse Long Street Salerooms in Sherborne, Dorset. Viewings take place on the 8th and 9th September.
The Royal Automobile Club will once again honour the stars of Britain’s historic motoring and motorsport worlds at its coveted Historic Awards, which this year will be held in Pall Mall, London on Thursday, 20 November. Here at Classic Yorkshire we want to make sure that Yorkshire gets its fair share of nominations so we are asking our readers to nominate for the categories below.
Nominations for this year’s awards close on 23 September
Eight independent panels of specialist judges, each handpicked for their expertise in the category they assess, will scrutinise nominations received from classic motoring enthusiasts and industry professionals alike. These will be thoroughly debated and whittled down to create shortlists – and the judges will then have the even more difficult task of selecting the winners…
Nominating is easy!
This ‘how-to’ guide tells you all you need to know.
The price of rare and collectable cars seems to be on a constantly upward trajectory, but the sale of these two rare Aston Martins may prove to be a salutary lesson. The cars could only be purchased as a pair for a hefty £6.1m and despite the price tag 19 pairs were sold and disappeared into private collections.
The first of these pairs will come back to the market on August 13th-14th in Monterey. Unfortunately, the estimate for the pair is almost half the original price at £3.4m. Talk about depreciation.
The partnership between Aston Martin and Zagato spans over 60 years and in 2019, Aston Martin teamed up with the Milanese styling house to create the DBZ Centenary Collection.
What emerged was the highly desirable pair of the historic DB4 GT Zagato Continuation and the modern DBS GT Zagato. Sold strictly together, only 19 of each were built and they sold out instantly with a price tag of £6.1 million ($8.1 million).
Aston Martin began production of its DB4 GT Zagato Continuation series in 2017, each example an impeccable recreation of the original 1960s model that was built to take on Ferrari on the racetrack. The modern DB4 GT Zagato elevates this masterpiece of design, with subtle updates to enhance the ownership experience.
Chassis no. DB4/GT/0239/L features an original Vehicle Identification Number that justifies the continuation moniker that dates it as a 1963 example. Finished in Caribbean Pearl, its interior is upholstered in opulent Obsidian Black and Connolly Blue leather with blue carpeting.
This example took 4,500 hours to build, with craftspeople employing traditional methods. With only 62 test and delivery miles on the clock, it features period-correct Smiths gauges, a black crinkle finished dashboard and a wood-rimmed steering wheel. The DB4 GT Zagato Continuation is offered with a Florida title.
Sympathetic modern engineering and performance enhancements include carbon fiber seats, while the engine displacement has been increased from the original 3.7-liter straight-six to 4.7-liters, with 390hp at 6,000rpm, a rise in power of 76hp. The competition-specification four-speed gearbox is non-synchronized, the suspension is heim-jointed, and the beautiful silver Borrani wire wheels add an extra element of elegant jewelry to the overall design.
Equally stunning is the other half of this incredible set, the 2020 Aston Martin DBS GT Zagato, also finished in Caribbean Blue. Enhancing Marek Reichman’s styling of the DBS Superleggera was never going to be easy, but with the DBS GT, Zagato showed exactly what has made it one of the world’s most respected design houses for over a century. The ‘double-bubble’ roof, created to allow space for the driver to comfortably wear a racing helmet, is a signature piece of Zagato design. Constructed from carbon fiber to match the rest of the bodywork, the roof extends to the beautiful and aerodynamically designed tail, while the ‘double-bubble’ styling can also be seen in the sculpted hood. The signature Aston Martin grille is another focal point of the design, with individual pieces of carbon fiber that move to adjust airflow, further defining the DBS GT Zagato as an instantly recognizable and desirable model.
Aston Martin’s engineers have elevated the performance and status of the DBS Superleggera to another level. The power of the 5.2-liter twin-turbo V12 has been increased to 760hp with 900Nm of torque, all pushed through an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox.
The interior features opulent Dark Knight monotone leather with embossed Zagato headrest logos. In a first for Aston Martin, many of the trim elements utilize 3D-printed carbon and metal finishes. This includes the famous silver 3D-printed trim inlay that was a £25,000 ($33,000) option on the car.
Here are a few highlights from Yorkshire Elegance and the Concours results…
OVERALL BEST IN SHOW
Ferrari 275 GTB (1964)
The Overall Best in Show as voted for by the Concours Judges and owners of cars was awarded to the stunning Ferrari 275GTB. The Ferrari is the first UK RHD car and has been restored by Ferrari’s Classiche Department in Maranello.
Class Winner Vintage Category
Bentley 8.0 Litre (1931) The Vintage Class winner went to a magnificent 8.0 Litre Bentley. The Bentley 8 Litre is often regarded as the crowning achievement of W.O. Bentley’s engineering career—and the last model he designed before Bentley Motors was taken over by Rolls-Royce in 1931. Just 100 were built and it was the most luxurious, powerful, and refined car the company had built up to that point
Class Winner Classic Category
Lamborghini Islero (1968)
The Classic Category is for cars built between 1945 – 1970. This year featured some incredible motor cars including a beautiful Maserati 450S, Mercedes Benz 300 SL “Gullwing”, a stunning 1954 Corvette and the first AC Cobra.
The class winner was this Lamborghini Islero, one of Lamborghini’s more elegant and lesser-known grand tourers, produced in very limited numbers between 1968 and 1969, just 225 were built. It was designed to be a refined, discreet GT car for discerning customers powered by a 3.9L V12 engine.
Class Winner Classic Aston Martin Category
Aston Martin DB5 (1965)
The Aston Martin display this year featured examples of every model built in the David Brown era between 1947 – 1970. YE created a specific category in the Concours for classic Aston’s built in this period. The class win was taken by a beautiful DB5, newly restored by Richards of England.
Class Winner Future Classic Category
McLaren SLR (2005) The McLaren SLR pays homage to the success of the Mercedes Benz 300 SLR that propelled Stirling Moss to victory in the 1955 1000 Miglia 70 years ago.
Class Winner “Resto Mod” Classic Category
Porsche 914 by Fifteen Eleven Design
The mid-engined, Targa-topped roadster has been married with a Porsche 987 Cayman S base, thanks to its Mid-mounted, six-cylinder boxer engine, offering the legendary Porsche soundtrack. The 3.8-litre engine has been extensively reworked to offer between 380-400BHP, coupled with steel internals, forged pistons and a Life Racing ECU and power management system which offers in total, over three times the performance of the factory original. The powerplant is mated to a 6-speed transmission unit, offering the ultimate delivery across the rev range, and the handling and ride are courtesy of Reiger three-way adjustable coil-over shock absorbers, usually found on World Rally Cars, set into Cayman-based suspension architecture.
For 2026 Yorkshire Elegance will be looking to honour 100 Years since Mercedes-Benz was formed so if you own a classic Mercedes-Benz please get in touch.
