Salon Privé’s 31 August to 2 September Blenheim Palace event will mark EXP4’s first ever appearance at a concours d’elégance
Century-old Bentley originally used by factory to prove viability of four-wheel braking
Raced extensively by Margaret Allan for 20 years, with first Brooklands win in 1933
First short-chassis Bentley to be fitted with 4½-litre engine
The last of four Bentley 3-Litre experimental cars to be produced in the vintage period, which not only performed a vital role in proving the company’s future technology, but later enjoyed a successful racing career, will be making its maiden show appearance at the Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance presented by Aviva at Blenheim Palace from 31 August to 2 September.
Recently restored by marque expert William Medcalf after 50 years in the Schellenberg Collection, EXP4’s current owner, Jonathan Turner, has now returned the car to the race track after a 70-year hiatus. Since then, it’s had significant showings at Goodwood Revival and the Benjafield’s 100 race at Silverstone – a perfect tribute to its pre-war competition history with Margaret Allan, the first woman to win a scratch race at Brooklands.
But long before chassis number EXP4 was pounding the banking at Brooklands, it became an important player in Bentley Motors’ transition to four-wheel braking in the early 1920s. Originally built as a 3 Litre model with a touring body in 1922, EXP4 was employed by Bentley’s chief designer, Frank Burgess, to prove the safety benefits of fitting brakes to the front, as well as the rear axle. Burgess faced plenty of mistrust from the press and public – and even W.O. Bentley himself – about the potential danger, and discomfort to passengers, of such a system. However, to show how much quicker a car would stop with all four wheels braked, he developed a device for EXP4 that used a whitewash-soaked paintbrush mounted beneath the chassis, marking the road when the brakes were applied, and once again when the car drew to a halt. Needless to say, EXP4’s braking performance bettered that of a standard rear-braked-only 3 Litre, and the system went on to be adopted by the company.
Burgess obviously had an affinity for EXP4 and continued to use it as his personal car thereafter. But it’s development role hadn’t yet finished, and when Bentley started experimental trials for the new 4 ½-litre engine, EXP4 was once again used as a ‘mule’ for the larger powertrain – the first short-chassis Bentley to do so – hence why today the car has the unusual union of a 3 Litre chassis, and a 4 ½ Litre’s bulkhead and radiator.
Nearing the end of its development life, EXP4 was re-bodied as a saloon, but in 1929, Burgess, who had taken ownership of the car and used it as family transport, died prematurely. Two years later, the car was once again re-bodied, this time with a tourer body by Park Ward. And it was in this form that Margaret Allan, whose father owned the Allan Line Steamship Company, purchased EXP4 in 1933.
Allan was already an accomplished racing driver and had received Brooklands’ prized 120mph badge after recording 122.37mph on the banking in a Bentley 6 ½ Litre, as well as her aforementioned success in scratch racing at the circuit. Allan immediately pressed EXP4 into service at Brooklands, winning the Junior Long Handicap outright on July 8th, 1933, with The Motor’s journalist reporting that, ‘Miss M Allan…handled her big Bentley superbly.’ Further success was to come, with Allan frequently reaching 92mph on the gnarled and bumpy banking of the Surrey track. She was often placed in the top four in races, and traversed the nation competing in EXP4, at events as far apart as the Glasgow Scottish Rally and Brighton Beer Trial. The car was also Allan’s daily driver, and the cushion she used to attain a comfortable driving position still remains with EXP4 today.
Allan’s last event, after nearly two decades of ownership, was the 1950 Circuit of Ireland Rally, where she won the Ladies’ Cup. EXP4 was then sold in the early ‘50s to Keith Schellenberg who preserved the car in the Schellenberg Collection, with minimal use, until Jonathan Turner purchased it in February, 2015.
Today, EXP4 has been restored to how it was when Margaret Allan was campaigning it from the ‘30s to the ‘50s. William Medcalf spent a year carrying out the work and was careful to maintain the car’s originality at all costs. “The body is the one it raced with,” said Medcalf. “(It’s) a 3 Litre body with a 4½ Litre bulkhead, so the scuttle is different.”
Medcalf’s challenge was to decipher what appeared to be ‘wrong’ about the car. Because so many changes had been made by the factory during its life as a development ‘hack’, Medcalf’s team was at pains not to strip out parts that were non-standard, knowing that the chances were they formed part of its unique history. Medcalf again: “Some (parts) we can explain, some we can’t. The wing irons, for example, are all in different places….Then there’s the handbrake. It’s unique, forged and with a big boss… (and) every vintage Bentley bonnet has 12 louvres on each side. This has 13.”
Beautifully patinated, thanks to Medcalf’s sympathetic approach to bringing EXP4 back to life, the car is set to be a star attraction at the Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance presented by Aviva next month. And Salon Privé’s chairman Andrew Bagley is looking forward to seeing EXP4 on Blenheim’s South Lawn: “This car represents an important part of Bentley’s engineering history, and was the lynchpin for two significant technical advances: standardising four-wheel brakes, and the introduction of the 4½ litre engine. That it’s been so painstakingly returned to the race car that it went onto be in later life makes it a compelling entrant at Blenheim next month.”
With a programme that includes Ladies’ Day presented by Boodles on Friday, the Salon Privé Club Trophy presented by Lockton on Saturday, and Sunday’s Classic and Supercar event, all the elements are in place for another unmissable Salon Privé Week.
ENDS
Salon Privé Week 2022 31 August – Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance presented by Aviva 1 September – Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance presented by Aviva 2 September – Salon Privé Ladies’ Day presented by Boodles 3 September – Salon Privé Club Trophy presented by Lockton 4 September – Salon Privé Classic & Supercar at Blenheim Palace
Mercedes cars will be the stars of the show as Beaulieu’sSimply Mercedes returns for its fourth year on Sunday 21st August, with an impressive line-up in the grounds of the National Motor Museum.
From luxury saloons to glamorous sports cars and even rugged vans and utility vehicles, look out for all manner of high-quality motors wearing the famous three-pointed star badge, as they park up in the show, as part of this motoring themed day out that all the family will enjoy.
From impressive classics to their high-performance modern counterparts, last year’s show gave a snapshot of the rich variety of Mercedes on the roads. This year’s display promises to be just as varied, with the chance to admire all manner of Mercedes on show.
Make sure to head inside the National Motor Museum to see Beaulieu’s replica 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen, ancestor to the modern-day Mercedes and representing a key moment in the development of the motor car. This fascinating machine is just one of the objects in the brand new exhibition, The Story of Motoring in 50 Objects, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of the National Motor Museum.
Event-goers can vote for their favourite Mercedes of the show in the People’s Choice Award, with the winner receiving a Beaulieu trophy and an Autoglym prize. Voting is open to all visitors until 1pm that day, with the presentation taking place at 2pm.
Participants are encouraged to buy their tickets in advance at beaulieu.co.uk/events/simply-mercedes. Participant tickets, for those driving into the show in a Mercedes to join the display, include entrance to the rest of the Beaulieu attraction.
All other visitors should purchase normal visitor admission tickets, which are available to book at beaulieu.co.uk.
Simply Mercedes is just one of the exciting Simply rallies taking place at Beaulieu during 2022. Simply BMW will be following in its tyre-tracks on 18th September, along with Simply British Classics on 25th September and Simply Smart on 13th November. For Beaulieu’s full 2022 event calendar, visit beaulieu.co.uk/events.
Visitor and participant tickets include entrance to all that Beaulieu has to offer, including Bond in Motion – No Time To Die in the National Motor Museum, Little Beaulieu, World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, the ancestral Montagu home Palace House, Secret Army Exhibition, 13th century Beaulieu Abbey and the stunning grounds and gardens.
One of Beaulieu’s biggest and best-attended Simply rallies, Simply Japanese, will be returning on Sunday 24th July with a diverse line-up of Japanese cars and motorcycles in the grounds of the National Motor Museum, as part of a huge family day out.
At last year’s show, over 1,000 Japanese cars took their places in the busy show. From the Nissan Skyline, 350Z, 200SX and Cube, to the Toyota Supra, GT4 and MR2, Mazda MX-5 and RX-7, the Subaru Impreza WRX, Honda Civic Type R and even a Honda Acty Kei truck, all manner of marques, models and ages were represented in the line-up, with this year’s show promising to be equally impressive.
From luxury saloons and cheerful camper vans to economy hatchbacks and high-powered performance cars, every Japanese car and motorcycle is invited to join the event, giving owners the perfect opportunity to catch-up, talk cars and admire the varied display, as well as enjoying all of the features of the Beaulieu attraction.
Make sure to head inside the National Motor Museum to see Beaulieu’s 1935 Datsun Type 14 saloon, which marks the beginning of the Japanese motor industry’s rise to global success during the twentieth century. The fascinating Datsun is just one of the objects in the brand new exhibition, The Story of Motoring in 50 Objects, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of the National Motor Museum.
Event-goers can vote for their favourite Japanese car of the show in the People’s Choice Award, with the winner receiving a Beaulieu trophy and an Autoglym prize. Voting is open to all visitors until 1pm that day, with the presentation taking place at 2pm.
Participants are encouraged to buy their tickets in advance at beaulieu.co.uk/events/simply-japanese. Participant tickets, for those driving into the show in a Japanese car or motorcycle to join the display, include entrance to the rest of the Beaulieu attraction.
All other visitors should purchase normal visitor admission tickets, which are available to book at beaulieu.co.uk.
Simply Japanese is just one of the exciting Simply rallies planned for 2022. Simply Mercedes will be taking place on 21st August, followed by Simply BMW on 18th September and Simply British Classics on 25th September. For Beaulieu’s full 2022 event calendar, visit beaulieu.co.uk/events.
Visitor and participant tickets include entrance to all that Beaulieu has to offer, including Bond in Motion – No Time To Die in the National Motor Museum, Little Beaulieu, World of Top Gear, On Screen Cars, the ancestral Montagu home Palace House, Secret Army Exhibition, 13th century Beaulieu Abbey and the stunning grounds and gardens.
It’s almost time for the automotive highlights of the year, and there’s still time to grab a ticket for the 2022 Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional taking place on Saturday 30th July at Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire.
Festival of the Unexceptional showcases long forgotten ordinary classics of the late 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s, and remains the only concours where a sporty or luxury model is rejected over a base model for a spot on the judging lawn. If you remember a time when windows were wound up and down, when central locking meant leaning over to unlock the door from the inside, and when a passenger door mirror was optional, this is the show for you.
A number of special attractions will be added for the 2022 event, including esteemed motoring journalist Steve Cropley joining the Concours judging panel, and TV Wheeler Dealer Mike Brewer attending the show. In addition, there will be a number of exhibitors, a children’s play area and hundreds of unexceptional cars to view in outside of the 50 chosen to be a part of the concours judging.
Tickets for the 2022 Festival of the Unexceptional are priced at just £20 per car, meaning the more friends and family guests bring along, the better value the ticket price. Limited tickets remain available and early booking is advised to avoid missing out.
More vehicle brands represented at The British Motor Show than any other UK car event since 2008
More halls, more space and a record number of exhibitors expected for 2022
Three exclusive model reveals to take place, including the UK’s first glimpse at a British-built and designed electric van.
The British Motor Show sponsored by cinch takes place at Farnborough International on August 18-21, 2022
Over 70,000 visitors expected
The British Motor Show 2022 is truly marking its place on the world auto exhibition stage as it grows considerably this year, with more car brands represented than at any UK car event since 2008.
The last time as many different manufacturers’ models were exhibited was at Excel in 2008, when the last British International Motor Show took place.
Over 25 manufacturers are represented at the show, which takes place over a much greater area than the 2021 event and has new halls alongside the already successful 2021 layout.
The show will also have at least three exclusive model reveals, including an exclusive first opportunity to see a new British-designed and British-built electric van – proof that the Show is being seen as a real opportunity for international launches thanks to its high footfall and media profile.
With most of the major brands on sale in the UK represented at the show, this is the largest collection of car brands to be seen in one place for over 14 years. The British Motor Show will also have more than 20 cars available to test drive live at the event, plus a dazzling array of classics and supercars – things that weren’t ever seen at British Motor Shows of old.
Over 150 exhibitors have already signed up to the event, from manufacturers to retailers, tech companies, modifiers and marketplace retailers. More exclusive content reveals includes an important new piece of technology set to be exclusively revealed by the AA for the first time.
The British Motor Show CEO, Andy Entwistle, said: “We were quite bold in our plans for the show at the start and have committed to the growth we said we’d deliver in 2022, which a lot of people didn’t believe we were capable of.
“But after some sensational feedback on our launch event last year from exhibitors and visitors alike, we’re delighted to say that our commitment has paid off and we’re now counting down to deliver an even bigger, better and more content-packed show than we did last year – and that’s saying something.
“There are more halls, more features and – importantly – more cars. Yet we’re committed to ensuring the show remains a great value, interactive and family friendly event that’s a “must-attend” in the summer holiday calendar.”
The British Motor Show will be held across 18-21 August 2022 at Farnborough International. Building on the success of its scheduling at last year’s show, The Live Arena – featuring stunt shows, car reviews, supercars and more – will be hosted again by Wheeler Dealer, Mike Brewer. Mike will be supported by petrolhead and Olympic silver-medal sprinter, Iwan Thomas. The Family Zone will also be extended in 2022 to feature a unique car-themed escape room, as well as popular features from 2021 including car wrapping and The Racing Bug’s racing simulator. Ticket prices are held from 2021 at £18.50 each, or £37 for a family of four. Tickets are available at www.thebritishmotorshow.live
The 2022 British Motor Show will take place from August 18-21 at Farnborough International
2021’s Show was the first after a 13-year hiatus and its return in 2022 promises an even bigger event, featuring even more interactive content, with manufacturers and exhibitors having already booked stand space following the show’s successful return
The 2021 Show featured new, used and classic cars, supercars, driving displays and marketplace sellers, with the halls and outdoor areas of the show packed throughout with more than 47,000 visitors praising its size, value, layout and content.
Celebrity guests included Fuzz Townshend and Tim Shaw from Car SOS, TV motoring pundit Mike Brewer, presenter Vikki-Butler Henderson and YouTube sensation Yianni, who mixed happily with the crowds.
A Live Stage and Live Arena featured the Paul Swift Stunt Show, the British Army Lightning Bolts parachute display team, Car Football, supercar and motorsport displays, with many weekend pass holders returning for a second day to make sure they didn’t miss any of the action.
The British Motor Show is unparalleled in the UK in terms of delivering such a variety of content, celebrity guests and live action, and supporting the automotive industry, which contributes £18.6 billion to the British economy.
For tickets to The British Motor Show 2022, and for all the latest event news, visit www.thebritishmotorshow.live
The winners in the automotive and aviation categories at this year’s charity Heveningham Concours were announced at a summer garden party for owners and guests on Saturday 2nd July at Heveningham Hall in glorious Suffolk.
The judges in the automotive concours Max Hunt (chairman), Ian Callum, Malcolm Wilson, David Gandy, Tony Hatter and Marino Franchitti awarded top prize in the pre-war category to the 1933 MG K3 Magnette.
In the post-war category, the judges awarded top spot to the 1963 Jaguar E-type Lightweight and in the supercar category the winner was the 2021 Bugatti Chiron Super Sport 300+. Over at Horsepower Hill, the winning car in the drag race up the main estate drive was a Ferrari SF90 Spyder.
In the aviation concours, chairman of the judges Vic Norman, who was joined by Paul Bonhomme and Jeremy Warren awarded top prize – the Hanna Aviation Trophy – to the 1934 de Havilland DH.83 Fox Moth Speed Model.
Commenting on the event, chairman of the judges Max Hunt, said: “We brought it back with a bang this year, the terraces lit up with some amazing cars – a huge thank you to all our owners.”
All proceeds and profits from the event go to charity including the East Anglian Air Ambulance and the concours funds a full ‘i-mobility’ scholarship at the Royal College of Art.
Heveningham Concours takes place at the same time as the annual country fair which attracts over 20,000 people for main ring events, entertainment, shopping, livestock, flypasts, agricultural vehicles and more.
