Trip to JD Classics Maldon - 09/11/09

Once again a fine turn out of cars, you never know what you will see apart from the fantastic array of cars in JD’s showroom and workshop some of which I have captured here, the car park is packed with little gems that have a history to tell.

You have to give full praise to Derek Hood and his team for putting the event on in the first place, but more importantly spending the time with people and not just customers, but the event sees a wide range of spectators, some are not owners of classics and have seen the cars go by when they have been shopping at nearby Morrison’s. Derek and his team make sure that everyone is made welcome, taking the time to answer the visitors many questions.
It could be argued that this is a PR day for JD to attract new customers, why not?, however these mornings bring a lot of joy to people who for what ever circumstance can only dream of owning some of the cars on display.
My view is that this is good for the classic car movement in general, well done JD Classics.

E Type FHC 3.8 What a time warp car this is, and next to it stood a XK150 FHC in black with original paint, Derek where do you find them? Interestingly it appears that a lot of customers want the original paint interior where possible, recently an Aston Martin DB2 was at auction bidding far over the expected price based on the “dings and dents gained at Le Mans and the original interior.

Daimler 1948

This car is a real time warp, purchased new by an exiled European Princess in 1948 and used daily until the lady moved to Swiss Cottage where the car was put on a ramp in an underground car park in 1968 and forgotten about.
The engine bay still has Bakelite fittings that usually break, when I started out work, dismantling, cars like this and Triumph Renown’s , Rover’ s were still being broken as they had no value and the thought at the time was that who will want them?
It is great that this grand old lady has survived and is being left in her original state.

Preview of the Silver Ghost at P&A woods - 29/11/09

The new Ghost designed by Andreas Thurner. On the RR website he is quoted as saying the car “looks natural not styled”. The design is based on a 2.1 ratio to wheel height to body, I believe that the Ancient Greeks had a formula based on beauty to eye with a ratio of distance. The interior space, the doors open at 83degrees, a styling feature to add to the drama of passenger’s entering and exiting the Ghost, I found the panoramic roof to be fantastic. The level of quality in the car is amazing, the carpets are Blenheim wool, the car even has a cashmere blend head lining. How’ this for a Safety feature night time vision!! The engine is a V12 6.6 L pushing out 563 bhp, this is a change from the past when RR would never divulge the power output always saying it was adequate. From any angle this is a fantastic looking car, the boot is “tardis” like and yet the lines of the car remain compact and in keeping with the environment, my view is that RR have a car that is competitively priced in its market sector and gives the brand of RR a fresh more modern approach. Since the mid 1980’s the brand became staid and unfashionable with the Vickers owned RR both developing and marketing the Bentley marque by drawing on its racing heritage. With BMW now in control, the Rolls Royce brand has a different feel, watch out Bentley as this will clearly target the Flying Spur market.