BMW
May 10th, 2009 by NZ Classic Car
An excellent soft-cover offering from reprint specialist Brooklands. However, this is not a series of reprints but a specially commissioned restoration and maintenance guide for the E30 cars. And, with the E30 BMWs now becoming very affordable, many of these cars are now within the scope of enthusiasts who would rather maintain their cars at home rather than through the expensive BMW service agents.
Everett identifies all the models within the E30 range, then starts with tips on selecting a sound car and how to set up a proper maintenance schedule, before embarking on a series of comprehensive chapters covering suspension, brakes, electrical, engine and interior restoration. There is even a section on engine modification. A very useful adjunct to a standard service manual, the strength of this book is in its detailed explanations — anyone who has read the phrase, ‘installation is a reverse of the removal process’ in their official service manual will instantly be able to gauge the value of the additional information contained within this book’s pages.
BMW E30 3 Series Restoration Bible by Andrew Everett
Review book supplied by Techbooks
Review by Allan Walton
April 29th, 2009 by NZ Classic Car
At last weekend’s Villa d’Este show in Italy, British favourite Morgan previewed its new Aero SuperSports, its latest aluminum-chassis’d roadster.
Like some of its more recent offerings, the limited-edition roadster will once again make use of BMW power, in this case, BMW’s 4.8-litre V8 paired with either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission (Morgan is staying mum about power figures at this time).
Its buxom bodywork features a two-panel detachable roof arrangement, giving both the feel of a hardtop coupe or a convertible (the panels fit in the boot), and the interior is loaded with the expected quantities of hand-stitched leather and polished timber.
Scheduled for production in 2010, the Super Sports is “anticipated to cost around £127,000 including VAT” (around $333k NZD), although you’ll want to queue quickly with a £25,000 cheque in hand as a deposit for this centennial special. Read below for the full press release.
PRESS RELEASE:
April 2009
For immediate release
Morgan Aero SuperSports
Throughout 2009 the Morgan Motor Company is celebrating one hundred years of continuous manufacture of motorcars. The company has remained in one family’s ownership since the founder HFS Morgan made his first car in 1909.
As part of the Centenary celebrations Morgan announces a truly special model.
Designed and engineered in house, the Morgan Aero SuperSports is a lightweight aluminium sports car with a luxurious specification. The interior features a comfortable combination of polished hardwoods, hand stitched leather and electronic technology to create a driving environment that is efficient, ergonomic and sumptuous. In spite of all this opulence the overall weight of the car is still minimal so the car is responsive to driver inputs and economical to run. The unique way Morgan can achieve this is down to our use of aircraft style superformed aluminium outer panels and the skills of our craftsmen to hand finish the assembly of each car.
This technology debuted in the 100 AeroMax coupes built by the factory in 2008 and 2009.
Such was demand for this model, that Morgan have taken the decision to produce the Morgan Aero SuperSports. A limited edition, the car makes use of two aluminium detachable roof panels. These can either turn the car effectively in to a coupe or when detached bring fresh air and the aromas of the seasons to the driving experience without undue wind disturbance to spoil the journey. The panels can be stored conveniently in the boot.
The car of course benefits from the lightweight aluminium Aero chassis which is adhesively bonded for class leading rigidity. Exceeding global crash protection standards, this is also the platform used by the Morgan Aero Eight GT3 currently competing successfully in the 2009 International FIA GT3 Championship. This chassis combined with the aluminium 4.8 litre BMW V8 engine and a choice of 6 speed automatic or manual gearboxes offers an unrivalled driving experience. No other automatic car offers such dynamic power transmission.
Drawn by Matthew Humphries, and engineered for production by the experienced “Morgan Design” team, the new Aero Super Sports is due to enter production in early 2010. A deposit of £25,000 is required to ensure the supply of one of these exciting new models. It is anticipated to cost around £127,000 including VAT.
Charles Morgan, Grandson of the founder said ” The Morgan Aero SuperSports is a luxurious flamboyant sports car which also remains true to Morgan’s philosophy of lightweight minimalist simplicity. It is a celebration of our love of cars and the romance of travel and is a fitting model to announce during Morgan’s Centenary year.”
April 27th, 2009 by NZ Classic Car
A prolific author, Robson delves through BMW’s archives to produce a really interesting book and, instead of dealing with the marque’s history on a car-by-car basis, instead he concentrates on BMW’s factories. It may seem like a pretty dull idea, but Robson manages to bring it off with a certain sense of style.
The early chapters are easily the most interesting part of the book — dealing with BMW’s beginnings, its early career building aero engines, motorcycles and its forays into license-built Austin 7s and Isettas. From the ’80s onwards the books loses its classic interest, although the sections on BMW’s acquisition of Rover and its flirtation with Rolls-Royce are useful additions.
However, the main core of this book is a collection of rare factory photographs — Herman Goering and Adolf Hitler touring the Milbertshofen factory; lines of BMW apprentices in their Hitler Youth uniforms; Dornier and Junkers aircraft assembly; and a whole series of photos that chart the growth of BMW’s massive industrial might. Fascinating stuff, indeed.
BMW’s Bavarian blue and white propeller logo harks back to its early 20th-century roots as an aircraft engine manufacturer. How this venerable company weathered two world wars, moved from aircraft to motorcycles and, finally, to the cars that would provide its greatest glory is the remarkable story recounted in this book. With unique access to BMW’s factories and archives, author Graham Robson gives readers an inside look at how the great German automaker works and how its methods have evolved over the decades. Visiting factories throughout Germany and in the United States, he offers readers a rare, behind the scenes, nuts-and-bolts account of how BMW produces its famed models. Illustrated with rare photographs from BMW’s own archives, this book constitutes an unprecedented tour of the history and culture of one of the world’s great automakers.
Inside the BMW Factories: Building the Ultimate Driving Machine by Graham Robson
Review copy supplied by Techbooks
Review by Allan Walton
April 12th, 2009 by NZ Classic Car
Forget about The Italian Job for a moment, as Tim uncovers a new world of Mini collecting in Taranaki
Hot on the heels of the DVD release of the latest version of Mini action movie, The Italian Job, I fielded a phone call from a Waitara family which said it had an interesting collection of Minis if I wanted to take a look. Spokesperson Craig Williams was well into his story about a special 1980 Mini he had restored, with no expense spared, before he went on to say his brother owned a Mini and that his parents, John and Wendy Williams, owners of Waitara’s New World supermarket, were also Mini mad.
In fact, father John Williams started the whole Mini ball rolling in 1995, when he returned home from a trip to Auckland with a 1967 Austin Mini Countryman as someone else’s unfinished project.
John takes up the story: “I was away on business up north, and although I’ve always been interested in Minis, I was kind of supposed to return home with a new vacuum cleaner for my wife, but instead I brought back a ’67 Countryman, a Woody in about a thousand pieces! The whole thing was like some sort of jigsaw puzzle, or Austin Mini version of a Meccano set.” Some wives wouldn’t have been too happy to find a desired vacuum cleaner had turned out to be a huge box of Austin Countryman. Well, rather than be annoyed (and I have to say here that John’s wife Wendy Williams is a true car enthusiast), Wendy eventually got even, in 2005 taking delivery of the latest model (BMW-derived) Mini Cooper S. The story certainly doesn’t end there either, as John has since gone on to purchasing another rare Mini van, this time a low mileage clubman-shaped version dating from 1974. Four Minis, all with different characters, are now part of the Williams’ family lifestyle. A combined photo shoot on a warm Waitara evening and Mini tales over a good quality New World wine and meal set the scene for a rundown on the Williams’ unique collection.
Read the rest of this entry »March 20th, 2009 by NZ Classic Car
The Historic Racing Club has two days of classic motorsport planned for this weekend, with a packed race programme.
Saturday’s racing will include the AES TradeZone Series, Historics, Alfa Romeo Trofeo Series, Castrol BMW E30 Group 1 & 2, Muscle Cars, Tracer Series, Castrol BMW Open, ING Classic Trial, Super Historics and Sports Cars and Arrow Wheels Sports & GT Challenge.
A similarly full programme for Sunday will include a series of special races, including an eight-lap staggered reverse grid Muscle Car race, the Jim Palmer AES TradeZone race, Geoff Manning Historics, Jim Richards Muscle Cars, Ray Williams Arrow Wheels Sports & GT Challenge, Dennis Marwood Alfa Romeo Trofeo Series, Ross Jensen BMW E30 Group 1, Ralph Watson ING Classic Trial, Ross Jensen BMW E30 Group 2, Leo Leonard Tracer Series, Ross Jensen BMW Open and Ferris de Joux Super Historics / Sports Cars.
Racing starts on Saturday at 10am and on Sunday at 9am, head out to Pukekohe and be part of the action.
January 21st, 2009 by NZ Classic Car
The Bimmersport Car Club are hosting an Auckland Anniversary Day cruise this Monday the 26th of January, meeting at Botany Motorworx at 302 Te Irirangi Drive, East Tamaki, Auckland. Assembling from 10:00 am, all new and existing members are welcome.
The convoy will be leaving by 11.00 am for a short drive on some great roads out through Maraetai, through Kawakawa and out to Kaiaua to the reserve for a BBQ lunch and a game of cricket.
There are picnic and BBQ facilities at the reserve. A big day is planned with an expected attendance of over 30 Beemers, which in convoy will make a great sight. All cars must be WOF’d and Reg’d to attend the event.
There will be an Bimmersport prizepack for the best presented car on the day, so get polishing.
To find out more about the Anniversary Day Cruise or about joining the Bimmersport Car Club click here to visit the Bimmersport website
December 5th, 2008 by NZ Classic Car
Watson’s in Christchurch will host a classic car and motorcycle auction this coming Sunday. Viewing times are scheduled for today until 5pm and Saturday till 3 pm, with the auction starting Sunday at 1pm.
Going under the hammer are a wide range of classic motorbikes and one classic car. A 1923 Fiat 501 which received a ground up restoration in 1978. The engine is a straight 4 side-valve, 1460cc, 23 horse-power single carburettor. The car is warranted and registered and ready to be enjoyed immediately.
The assortment of motorbikes include a 1965 BSA Lightning Rocket 650cc, a 1967 Triumph 6T 650cc, a 1925 Triumph Model P 500cc, 1966 BMW R60 600cc, and a rare 1916 Ariel V Twin 770cc. The pick of the bunch might be an award winning 1956 BSA Shooting Star A755 500cc finished in green and black in showroom condition.
To find out more on the Auction and to see a full catalogue click here and visit the Watson’s website.
November 12th, 2008 by NZ Classic Car
Brabham Racing is back, and is now modifying BMW M-series vehicles.
Brabham was once a well-known name in racing. Founded in 1960 by legendary Australian F1 driver Jack Brabham, the racing constructor went bust from financial liabilities back in 1992, but not before winning the F1 drivers’ title four times and the constructors’ crown twice with such noted drivers as Dan Gurney, both Damon and Graham Hill, Niki Lauda and Nelson Piquet. Brabham’s own 1966 title remains the only championship won in a car bearing its driver’s name. Now after a nearly 16-year break, Brabham is back, and BMWs will never be the same.
Brabham will be offering go-fast BMWs for road and track, and will be showcasing a trio of Bavarian monsters at the upcoming Essen Motor Show in Germany. They will include the M5-based BT 60, the X6-based BT 70 and the M3-based BT 92 pictured. Little else is known at this point, but it’s good to have a classic racing company back in the fold.
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