Goodwood Press Day 2012 – Blog 7

I was lucky enough to take my father to the re opening of the Goodwood circuit in 1998…. and keen enough to get us there at 8am, at the moment Ray Hanna flew his spitfire along the start finish straight, at the same level as the grandstand seats, as a show opener.

14 years later, even without the sound of the merlin engine and the tear in my father’s eye, press day in front of Goodwood House was as special. The 100 plus top draw cars ranging between a 1904 Mercedes to Ferrari 250 GTO/SWB, half a dozen Cobras, motorcycles, bunny girls, hospitality (cottage pie on silver trays) and bunny girls, did it for me!

Interestingly, the Earl of March was showing his Kellison, a late 50’s early 60’s V8 Coupe from the USA. A stunning looking machine (all be it with fuelling problems) during the afternoon. It looks however a formidable contender for the TT race in September.

Last week, I was lucky enough to hitch a ride with Mathew Humphries, Morgan’s chief designer. We ‘smoked rubber’ (in a gentlemanly fashion) in the stonking new Plus8 during a brisk demonstration running the full length of the hill climb course (front drive) – how nice it would be to be back next year with a light-weight race version!

Below you will find a selection from the 359 photos I’ve taken and a selection of our British-made. weather proof picnic rugs, in case you fancy one for a Goodwood occasion!

Holden at Goodwood Press Day

Browse Perfect Picnic Rugs for any Occasion:

Robertson Square Drive Screws – Blog 5

http://www.holden.co.uk

Pomeroy Trophy Competition – Celebrating 60 Years

I had wanted to do this peculiar and oddly popular event, held at Silverstone and run by the VSCC for the last 15 years, or more.

Since its launch 60 years ago, the “Pom” earned a cult status. Truly a one-off with multiple driving tests, hood and suitcase tests, followed by a 40minute Regularity Trial.

Why was this normally sub zero event so popular? I had no idea but at long last I was about to find out, and very unexpectedly in the sunshine too!

Why I had I failed to enter in the past? Maybe that is easy to understand, with plenty of excuses coming to mind. The fact that it is the first track event of the season, with car prep taking place alongside trials repairs, end of year tax bills, snow, rain and ice, is just a start to understanding why not.

Why so popular?  I guess the extraordinary diversity of the cars, wacky formulas and likewise people make it special. Would I go next year? Well, until the results appeared I was not convinced. But being only 3.1 points away (348.1 v 351.2) from an award and with the knowledge that fitting old fertilizer bag as a roof and a Tesco’s basket for additional luggage space would have gained me another 30 points….well, as it is said, I will be back!

www.holden.co.uk

Retromobile 2012 – Automotive Vices

For all of us affected with an automotive addiction Retromobile has something to sate most variants of these oily vices.

This year’s show was no exception, noticeably bigger, busier and more exotic than ever.  Inside the exhibition at Porte de Versailles, Paris  -  was the place to be, especially as outside it was -11C and starting to snow.

At the show and organized by the Mullin Automotive Museum, ten French exotics: The two incredibly shaped divas of the Californian museum are the 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic and the 1939 Delahaye Type 165 V-12 speedster bodied by Figoni & Falaschi. The exhibition is completed with a 1934 Voisin C25 Aerodyne (the 2011 Pebble Beach Best of show), a 1937 racing Delahaye Type 145 V12 , a Delahaye Type 145 coupé, the exuberant Dubonnet Hispano H-6C Xenia, a Talbot Lago T-26, an Hispano-Suiza H6B Skiff and a Bugatti Type 46. www.mullinautomotivemuseum.com

As seen on the Lucas Huni stand www.lukashuniag.ch

 

A personal favourite: Ferrari 250 SWB Competition ……

…….for which,

the following weekend in Northampton junk shop..

I found two tail lights, at £1.00 each…

…it’s a start!

 

Not all cars were polished to perfection. For those who have a preference for paten, rot and rust, the choices were varied.

From the ultimate delight of the barn find Ferrari 250 Monza , that by all accounts had raced during the 1956 Mille Miglia – to the charming and never restored 1939 Irat.

Automotive art lovers

Find out the details of these guys………

…….and for the ULTIMATE VICE………..

 …………………………………………………………………its made by Bugatti!!!!!

The Bugatti vice that Tula Engineering www.tula-bug.co.uk have recently made directly  copies the original.

It is a machined from Bugatti’s drawings and they have used all the specified materials where marked. The hardened and ground vice jaws close to a perfect fit and when used lead to a perfect closing action. There is no other vice like it.

The vice has a total length of 500mm, width of 200mm and height of 245mm and its total weight is 48Kg. The Price for the vice is £3500 plus VAT.

www.holden.co.uk 

Captain Jack Discovers a Stash of Land Rovers in the Caribbean

When visiting Grenada (Jan. 12) our landing party came across 20 or more old Land Rovers, only one of which was on the road. Anyone visiting with an interest in these wrecks from Solihull should travel NE from the capital of St. George’s.

I have no idea if they are for sale or even if they are allowed to be exported, but it may be worth asking. Even if you are not interested in buying, it is an intriguing, friendly Island where you drive on the left hand side of the road, buy petrol in gallons and speak English

- well worth a scouting visit!

 

 

http://www.holden.co.uk/

 

 

 

 

Soap Boxing Day Racing

Spectators await action.

Now in it’s 27^th year this ‘off the radar’ event takes place at a little known lane in Herefordshire.

The course is ¼ mile long, all downhill, and at times 1:5. It has a sweeping S bend half way down where locals choose to stand to see the action, namely dramatic understeer into the very bank where they are standing.

The cars/creations themselves are many and varied this year. Anything on wheels goes and breaks are optional.

First of all the collection of Boxing Day wacky (very) racers meet for beer and drivers briefing. This takes place in the conveniently placed Wing Commanders Arms.

The newcomers are briefed as to the rules, two rules actually:

Rule 1, whatever you race it is not to be powered by anything other than gravity.

Rule 2, It’s your round!

Entries include this year include:

Bathomatic, Logjam, various stripped out wrecks of small cars and the last of the “Plastic Pig” powered Reliant Robins.

Previous years have seen:

Pianos, a toilet, wheel barrows, beer barrels and a bed with it’s pyjama’d occupants on top of a car!

If like me you would like to follow or take part you need to have a pint or three in one of the Bromyard pubs and start to enquire as to the location. See http://www.bromyard.info/

This will first of all be met by suspicion…. but this is easily overcome by the administration of a few pints of Wye Valley Bitter!

Reported by Holden Vintage & Classic  http://www.holden.co.uk/

Snowsox and Snowchains

www.holden.co.uk

Gripping Stuff…

This time last year …the thermometer read -8C and roads were impassable because of heavy falls of snow.
Like many others we had not planned for it and sold out of the few snow chains we had in stock.

This year we are prepared.  We have in stock excellent value chain sets and have added snow socks, either are a blessing when the snow does come. We have also posted 2 videos showing how easily these are to fit, just click through to view….

We suggest that you get prepared too, order yours today and enjoy the winter driving!

PS. Excellent Christmas presents for ones offspring working away from home

PPS No excuses for the family not to return home for Christmas!

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Snow Sox and Snow Chains

Snow Sox	Snow Chains