'A must-have for anyone interested in historic vehicles... I advise acquisition, sooner rather than later...'
Hello,
Welcome to my Summer Newsletter – as the historic racing season continues at pace and the concours d'elegance season sees some of its finest gatherings.
Other things go on busily. I have been active with historic car mediation and expert witness work, as well as with lectures and presentations. Perhaps most pleasing of all, from the proceeds of the books’ sales, donations continue to go out to those excellent bodies whose activities and works sustain historic cars and their use and memory.
Included below are some recent activities, as well as news of more to come. And, I am pleased to say that sales of The Past And The Spurious – The Case of Legitimacy in Historic Cars continue strongly, and to all corners of the globe. Thank you.
Best wishes,Paul
What a privilege! At this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed, I had the honour of driving the Birkin Blower No. 1 ‘Up The Hill’ on behalf of its owner.
Created through the passion of Tim Birkin and funded by Dorothy Paget, this is the first of the legendary Birkin Blowers.
The holder of the outer circuit record at Brooklands at 137mph - and the airborne at 77ft! - one can only marvel at the bravery of Sir Henry ‘Tim’ Birkin.
The car is maintained and prepared by Neil Davies and the Neil Davies Racing team.
Thank you to all those who have kindly placed orders for my book, The Past And The Spurious - The Case of Authenticity in Historic Cars.
Always a highlight! The biennial Monaco Historic Grand Prix took place in May and we were fortunate to be invited to race our 1954 Connaught ALSR in the sports car race. And, as you can see, it was an opportunity for a much decorated car to gain more decorations still.
A perfect weekend was complemented by a best-ever Monaco finish for a delighted, yet exhausted, driver!
See the video here.
To mark the launch of The Past And The Spurious - The Case of Legitimacy in Historic Cars the Pall Mall headquarters of The Royal Automobile Club kindly hosted an evening under the title of: 'Handshakes, Snakes and Possibly Fakes: Salutary Tales For Classic Car Owners'.
The gathering saw a panel of Gregor Fisken, Michael Squire, Matthew Collings KC, Neil Twyman and Eddie McGuire moderated by Simon Taylor in a discussion of some of the issues raised in the book.
Watch the video above to hear the first reactions.
Coming up in the calendar...
The Goodwood Revival (6th - 8th September 2024)
"Give me Goodwood on a summer's day and you can forget the rest of the world."
And who could disagree with Roy Salvadori's timeless comment. This year's Goodwood Revival takes place on the 6th - 8th September. It is very generous of the Duke of Richmond and Gordon to invite us to race two or our cars. The Cooper T51 Grand Prix car goes in the Richmond & Gordon Trophies for 2.5-litre Grand Prix cars from 1952-1960 and the Connaught ALSR in the Freddie March Memorial Trophy for Icons of the Goodwood Nine Hour Races. Can't wait! (Image: Steve Tarrant)
Benjafield's 24 Cars for 24 Hours (3rd - 7th October 2024)
To celebrate Bentley’s first ever win at Le Mans in 1924, the Benjafield’s Racing Club is taking 24 vintage Bentleys on a 24 hour test of endurance at the famous Algarve Circuit of Portimão.
This event takes place from 4pm on Saturday 5th October to 4pm on Sunday 6th October and will give viewers and drivers a real, visceral sense of what it would have been like at Le Mans in 1924. Pitting the tortoises against the hares for 24 hours on the 2.891 mile Portimão circuit will be a once-in-a-lifetime event. But, participants aiming simply to win are missing the point because this exquisite race is all about being part of the team, just as it was one hundred years ago.
Serious levels of adrenaline and stamina, alongside healthy doses of competitive spirit, gritted-teeth and lashings of coffee will be needed to ensure that every car and team-mate makes it safely over the finish line. To experience a true 24 hour event in a vintage Bentley is a lifetime’s dream and I am so fortunate to be able to take part.
See video here.
