This in depth video looks at the highlight of the 2013 Phillip Island Classic.Many of the “star” cars and their owners are interviewed, highlighting the huge variety of cars and personalities competing in this classic event.

Video: Phillip Island Classic 2013 is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.

Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to just go out and buy your own vintage racing team? Well, that’s exactly what happened at Bonhams London sale.

 £5.5 million pounds for a pair of Jaguars and just under £1.8m for the transporter to go with them? Sounds like Christmas came early for one lucky US buyer.

The talk of the event was the opportunity presented by Dick Skipworth’s splendid Ecurie Escosse going under the hammer as a whole. This meant that cars like the 1956 Jaguar D-type were available for purchase alongside matching team cars from earlier and later years. A final figure of £2.55million marked the successful sale of this beauty.

Startling prices all ’round were achieved at the sale, which marked the first of Bonhams efforts at their new location. Of course it was to be the aforementioned D-Type and it’s matching C-type (pictured) that would gather the largest sums, with the ’52 C-type changing hands for a cool £2,913,500.

It may never have ducked beneath a chequered flag itself, yet all eyes were on this 1960 Commer TS3 transporter. The price reflected its attention-grabbing presence, with the TS3 being purchased for a whopping £1,793,500, reportedly by the same US-based individual who took home both the C and D-Types. The converted ’60 Commer can actually carry three cars in total, meaning that the new owner has the option to expand his fleet if the urge strikes at a later point.

It wasn’t all bad news for those shopping with less than 7 figures, this gorgeous 1951 Jaguar XK120 tipped £707k.

…as well as the slightly more modern 1959 Tojeiro-Jaguar, which saw £382,300.

Further down the money tree was the 1962/63 Tojeiro EE-Buick at £214k, whilst the 1960 Cooper Monaco (below) saw the gong for around £5k more.

A bit of relative bargain, if you don’t think about it too much!

Whilst it had been predicted that the C and D-type Jaguars would collect larger figures than that which eventuated, there were those from the collection which surprised punters, such as the £62k paid for the team’s tiny 1961 Austin-Healey Sprite.

Of course, it always comes back to the weirdest and most wonderful, with the the 1960 Commer stealing the show. The transporter is desirable and rare enough to have been featured in its own ten-minute television clip. To grasp a full appreciation for how special this rolling piece of history is, take a look at this video:

Ecurie Ecosse goes under the hammer is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.

Ride onboard with John Young in the JD Classics TWR XJS at the 2013 Algarve Classic Festival. John shared the car with Chris Ward and finished 1st in Class in both Historic Touring Car Challenge races.

Video: Onboard in a screaming cat – TWR Jaguar XJS is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.

News has broken that Formula 1 drivers will now be able to select their own permanent racing numbers – but which are already accounted for by history?

What’s in a number? In Formula 1 terms, numbers emblazoned on racing cars have a resonance and a following all of their own. And ever since those single, double and, on the odd occasion, treble digits have adorned nosecones and rear-wing endplates, fans have had favourites – numbers they’ll forever associate with certain drivers and/or teams.

Recent news that the sport’s governing body has announced that drivers will be able to select permanent numbers – while also pledging to make them more visible on the cars – has spawned all sorts of retrospective reflection and integer enthusiasm.

Plenty of iconic numbers from the full spectrum of classic and contemporary motorsport spring to mind. Peter Brock’s #05 Holden V8s, Stirling Moss’s #7 Ferrari 250 SWBs (he only won once with #7 in F1, incidentally – at the Nurburgring in 1961), Barry Sheene’s #7 bikes, AJ Foyt’s #14 Indycars, Richard Petty’s #43 NASCARs and Valentino Rossi’s #46 bikes certainly strike a chord among purists.

But what about from the top drawer, the F1 world championship? Thirty-nine different numbers (excluding the 11 anomalous Indy 500s between 1950 and 1960) have won a grand prix since the championship was inaugurated in 1950. And the most successful? Fittingly, it’s #1, with 179 victories, eclipsing #5 with 129 top-step appearances. Seven numbers – #21, #31, #38, #44, #46, #71 and #101 – have taken just a single win. Discounting #13, the lowest number never to have appeared on a winning car is #29. The highest, meanwhile, is 101, used by Alberto Ascari in the 1952 German GP. The great Italian double world champion also took the next highest, #71, to its only win at the Nurburgring a year earlier.

Here are 10 numbers that stand out for us. Let us know if you disagree and which ones you’d rather have seen.

#0

Used by Damon Hill in 1993 and 1994 as a result of Williams world champions Nigel Mansell (’92) and Alain Prost (’93) failing to return the following year with the statutory #1. Damon won nine times in his first two seasons with the British squad while sporting this unique digit.

#3

Forever associated with Ken Tyrrell’s plucky machines, #3 was taken to victory by Jackie Stewart in the 006 during 1973, Jody Scheckter in the P34 six-wheeler in 1976 and Michele Alboreto in the 011 in 1982 and ’83 – Uncle Ken’s last as a race winner.

#5

Nigel Mansell fans won’t need ‘Red 5’ explaining to them. The British ace took 27 of his 31 race wins with it, but it was also part of the arsenal of fellow world champions Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Emerson Fittipaldi, Mario Andretti, Nelson Piquet, Michael Schumacher, Damon Hill, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel in their title-winning years.

#12

The great Ayrton Senna wore #12 for four consecutive seasons, his three with Lotus (1985-’87) and his first with McLaren in ’88. The sight of the Brazilian’s distinctive yellow-and-green helmet and the red-and-white Marlboro livery of the MP4-4 taking eight wins and the world title make #12 a classic.

#15

Cast your mind back to the very French sight of Alain Prost and the yellow Renaults of 1981, 1982 and ’83. The effective pairing was a grand prix winner in all three seasons and a title contender each time, with the black-and-yellow RE30, RE30B and RE40 wearing #15 throughout.

#22

This one holds a unique place in F1 history, with British world champions Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button securing their titles in the #22 McLaren in 2008 and the #22 Brawn in 2009 respectively. That’s a good enough reason to include it, frankly, but you might also like to know that Dan Gurney gave Brabham its first win in the #22 BT7 in 1964 and Jo Siffert won the ’68 British GP at Brands Hatch in his Rob Walker Lotus 49B while wearing it.

#24

The last victory for a car sporting #24 came in the Dutch GP at Zandvoort in 1975 when the Hesketh of James Hunt defeated the chasing Ferrari of Niki Lauda. If that doesn’t make it iconic, nothing does. You simply couldn’t miss it, emblazoned as it was on the tall airbox of the British machine.

#26

All six of Jacques Laffite’s F1 career victories came in French-blue Ligiers wearing #26. From the breakthrough success at Anderstorp in 1977 – via back-to-back wins in the first two races of ’79 in the stunning JS11 and a singleton win in 1980 – to a brace of podium toppers in ’81, there are few sights more evocative than the black helmet of Laffite poking out of a distinctive #26 Ligier.

#27

Almost certainly the most famous number in F1, #27 is synonymous with Scuderia Ferrari. And that’s probably thanks to Gilles Villeneuve, who guided the cumbersome 126CK to two wins in 1981. Its legendary reputation was then sealed when Patrick Tambay won at Hockenheim in ’82 in the red #27 machine after Villeneuve had been killed at Zolder a few weeks before. That Michele Alboreto, Nigel Mansell and Jean Alesi went on to win with it only adds to its mythical status.

#36

The second of only two world championship wins for #36 (Stirling Moss first used it to win for Maserati at Monza in 1956) came at Spa for the Belgian GP of 1967, when Dan Gurney gave the Eagle T1G its first and only win. And because most race fans rate the Weslake V12-engined machine among the most beautiful competition machines ever created, #36 is here.

This is the latest in our series of  photo specials showcasing the stunning images from the Cahier Archive. The collection, by photographers Bernard Cahier and his son Paul-Henri are part of a massive collection of 400 000 originals of which 17 000+ pictures are currently available on their website.

Images: TheCahierArchive©

The number of the beast is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.

Designed by Colin Chapman, driven by Nigel Mansell, and now it could be yours.

This stunning Lotus 81B of 1980s vintage is up for sale through Grand Prix Classics and remains in full race-worthy condition, presenting punters with an opportunity to own an authentic classic Formula 1 driver.

Presenting itself in Essex livery, the 81B/4 chassis features the correct 3.0L Cosworth DFV V8 – one of the most iconic Formula 1 engines of all time.

The motor is still in spectacular condition, and retains the Hewland FGB 400 gearbox.

The 81B chassis itself was developed from the Type 79, which had already proven itself as a Championship winner. Evolution saw the Type 80 and then 81 transform into the 81B, with Colin Chapman, Tony Rudd and Peter Wright chipping in on the design.

Numerous lessons were learned along the way, and the aluminum monocoque ground-effects 81B ended up being a good thing. The double wishbone suspension still looks fantastic even today.

Of course, the fact that Nigel Mansell once sat behind the wheel is a huge selling point. He debuted in the car at the Austrian GP in Zeltweg, and drove it again at the Dutch GP, as well as in practice at Monza.

Since then it’s spent some time racing with the HGP in historic Formula 1 events across America. The engine has been overhauled in order to cope with the stresses of racing for many more years than Lotus intended. Original 1980 Lotus F1 mechanic Phil Denny takes care of the car from his shop in California.

For full details check out Grand Prix Classics.

Auction: This Essex Lotus 81B is up for grabs is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.

Watch the full length highlights of the 2013 Australian Muscle Car Masters from Sydney Motorsport Park.

The events included Formula Ford, F5000, Touring Car Masters, Historic Touring Cars, Production Sports Cars and more. Check it out.

Hat Tip: Bob T

Video: 2013 Muscle Car Masters – Full program is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.

Mario Andretti’s flexibility as a racing car driver makes him one of the most famous to ever live. Most notable were his efforts as an American in Formula 1. These 12 photos from the Cahier Archive tell his story.

From the moment he took the pole on debut at Watkins Glen in ’68, the Formula 1 world knew that Andretti was destined for greatness. His career in F1 would ultimately reach a peak ten years later in 1978, when he achieved an overall World Championship victory. Buy there images here

This is the latest in our series of  photo specials showcasing the stunning images from the Cahier Archive. The collection, by photographers Bernard Cahier and his son Paul-Henri are part of a massive collection of 400 000 originals of which 17 000+ pictures are currently available on their website.

Images: TheCahierArchive©

Gallery: The best of Mario Andretti is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.

The nostalgia flows strong as these 12 awesome renderings demonstrate what the 2013 Formula 1 grid might look like in the colors of old.

Beginning with the 1980 World Championship winning Williams FW07 pictured above, this list brings forth 12 individual “what if” moments, as we contemplate the significance of each historic livery. Some of them look as at home on the modern machinery as they ever did in decades passed, whilst others are perhaps best left undisturbed – you decide.

Williams FW12 (1988)

Toleman TG184 (1984)

Renault RE20 (1980)

Lotus 98T (1986)

Lotus 81B (1980)

Lotus 98T (1987)

Benetton B185 (1985)

Ferrari 126 C (1981)

Brabham BT55 (1986)

Benetton B189 (1989)

Benetton B186 (1986)

Check out the full collection here.

Gallery: 12 current F1 cars that look better in 80s liveries is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.

Osella entered the European 2-litre Sports Car Championship for Makes in 1972 and absolutely dominated it, taking five wins along the way. This was the car that did it, and one’s up for sale at Hall & Hall now.

The Osella Abarth SE021 and Abarth team drivers Derek Bell, Tone Hezemans and Arturo Merzario scored the constructors’ championship that year, and the car helped Arturo Merzario to a drivers’ championship as well.

This particular machine was driven by Driven by Arturo Merzario and Derek Bell and is in magnificent condition. It’ll make a brilliant historic racer, or collector’s piece, for its next owner.

Via Hall & Hall

For Sale: Osella Abarth SE021 is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.

Cro-moly tubular frame, OHV racing engine, hydraulic disc brakes and proper aluminum competition wheels shod in slick tyres. This custom creation blurs the lines between toy, go kart and race car.

Say hello to the first ever 1/2 scale McLaren M8 “High Wing”. Creators Putsch Racing describe it as “a perfect gift for a young racer, or a fun pit vehicle indulgence that would be at home on the kart racing track too” – we just think it’s damn cool!

Powered by a 4 stroke overhead valve engine lifted from a racing kart, Putsch are quick to note that this thing is seriously simple and low-cost to maintain – perhaps that’s the first time such words have been used in relation to racing?

In full CanAm guise, they didn’t call it the “High Wing” for nothing! The entire bodywork, including the FRP shell, is manufactured in-house.

Surprising is the fact that it’s rated to fit an adult of up to 6’1″, and even more surprising is that this particular model runs for ‘only’ USD$12,500! Putsch explain that they can build 1/2 scale CanAm cars from around $9,500, and that recreations of cars such as the 6-wheel Tyrrell F1 car, the Shadow and Ferrari 312pb would also be possible. Imagine the possibilities!

Take a look at Putsch Racing for further information.

This 1/2 scale McLaren CanAm could be yours is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.

The mid to late 1960s saw some interesting innovations in the quest for down force.

Photo of the day: Brabham Bookshelf is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.

Join Alain De Cadenet as we drink in the rich sights and sounds of the Maserati 450S with this awesome video.

A truly incredible piece of Sportscar racing history, the Maserati 450S truly is one of the finest cars ever built to run over long distance. Just listen to the whine of that gearbox!

Video: Maserati 450S is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.

Do your kids have expensive taste? You better hope you never find this on their Christmas list.

In fact, at just over $126,000 it’s probably safer that you make sure they just don’t see it at all – this thing is so damn cool there’s little wonder it’s more expensive than some aging real Ferraris.

Hand built in Italy before being sold through a Luigi Chinetti Motors of Manhattan sometime in the late 1950s, RM Auctions describe the stunning miniature recreation as being a toy, yet not a toy. Based on the 250 Testa Rossa shape and powered by a 180-watt 12V engine, it’s been dubbed the Ferrari 180 Testa Rossa.

The BBC said it to be “Not a simple plastic child’s car with pedals.” It is believed that only 25 in total were ever built, technically making it more of a rarity than the famed 250 GTO.

Even still, such numbers fell short of conveying what this creation would sell for when the auction opened. Pre-sale predictions of between $50-75,000 were blown out of the water when the far from pristine yet entirely authentic piece of history saw the hammer for a whopping $126,500.

Via: RM Auctions.

Minature Ferrari from the ’50s sells for ludicrous figure is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.

The second episode of Motorsport Retro films surrounded the creation of one very special Porsche. Let’s get to know it better.

If you’ve watched the film already you’ll likely agree that the Autohaus 911 Group 4 is a stunning piece of machinery. Inside and out, from top to bottom, it pays beautiful homage to one of the coolest 911s ever.

Defined by the unmistakable aggression of those 911 SC Group 4 bolt-on wheel arches, the body features the full kit with matching front spoiler, rear ducktail and 935 mirrors. The car itself started life as a factory right-hook 3.2 Carrera, and has been refinished in the original GP White.

On the inside it boasts Alcantara trimming, a Momo wheel, RS carpet, carbon seats and a host of killer touches which bring it in line with Group 4 specification. Since completion, Autohaus have gone to the effort of eliminating typical rattles and squeaks.

The engine has been pulled down and painstakingly reconstructed to the finest of tolerances. The blueprinted assembly is now decked out with a 3.4L piston and barrel set, custom ground camshafts. Turning over with a cranky 10.3:1 static compression ratio, it runs purely on 98 RON premium unleaded fuel thanks to a remapped Motronic engine control unit.

Countless final details round out the puzzle, such as center lock wheels and a rebuilt G50 gearbox. We’re in love.

Photos: Autohaus

If you haven’t watched the video yet, check it out.

Gallery: Up close and personal with the 911 Group 4 is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.

A visual look back at the legacy of one worlds most successful racing car manufacturers, Lola Cars

Illustration: 50 years of Lola cars – 1958-2008 is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.

The very pretty Gary Anderson designed Jordan 191, raced in the 1991 Formula 1 season

Photo of the day: Jordan 191 is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.

Given its name by an Australian journalist after watching them corner sideways in rally racing, the Austin 1800, or Land Crab as it’s colloquially known, was plugged as the ‘Car of the Century’, and very nearly pulled it off.

Its transverse drivetrain and front wheel drive layout was developed from the Mini’s blueprint and set a framework that’s followed by most modern cars, and it had the handling; cue tales of adventures in the Austin 1800 Ute, space and reliability to make it an everyday classic in Australia.

To find out more about 1965’s Car of the Century, head to the Shannons Club here for Austin 1800: The Land Crab in a Sea of Barges.

Thanks to the Shannons Club

Image thanks to

Austin 1800: The Land Crab in a Sea of Barges is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.

“The Stefan Bellof 956 in partial test livery. I saw a photo of this car in a Porsche brochure from 1984 and of course I had to do a model of it.” – Warren Riddell

Images: Rob Scheeren

A lifelong fan of the Porsche marque, Warren Riddell has turned his passion and artistic talents into a brilliant little business.

“I like to build race models with an Australian connection, most of which have not been made by any manufacturer. Although most of my time is spent building current Carrera Cup and Australian GT cars, my all time favourite race car is the Porsche 956-962 which is still awesome today.” – Warren Riddell

Get in contact with him with your classic racer or a favourite historic racing car, and he’ll build you a hand made custom model of it in the size of your chosing. All you need are reference materials for him to work with, and any specifics or sizes that you’d like to work with.

Warren specialises in 1:43 scale models, and his works are accurate, with exacting attention to detail and a good quality feel throughout. It’s a great idea, and a nice way to commemorate a special car or season.

Head to www.modelartwerks.com for more, and to get in contact with Warren and organise a model of your own.

Via www.modelartwerks.com

Images by Rob Scheeren

Porsche 956 “ISEKI” – Vern Schuppan and Keiichi Suzuki – Japanese Sports Car Championship 1985-86

Porsche 956 “SEGA” – Rusty French and Manfred Winkelhock – Sports Car World Championship Sandown 1984.

Porsche 962C “CANON” Team Schuppan – Eje Elgh and Roland Ratzenburger – Autopolis Japan 1991. Built from photos in Encyclopedia of SuperCars magazine 1992.

Porsche 935 – Alan Jones – Australian GT Sports Sedan Championship 1982.

Matich SR3 – Frank Matich – Australian Sportscar Championship 1967-1969. This car also ran in the US CanAm Championship in 1967.

Perfectly Petite Porsches – The Classic Motorsport Models of Warren Riddell is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.

Four Phenomenal Ferraris Up For Auction At Artcurial’s Retromobile Salon Auction is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.

The Can Am racing category exploded with popularity during the late 1960s, with it’s amazing pool of driving talent and brutal race cars captivating fans.  Well known actor cum racing driver Paul Newman was a part of the ride, and this is the story of the Newman- Freeman Lola 332 Spyder NF 11 Can Am – a truly amazing machine.

Andrew Kluver from Phenix Industries has always loved his big bore racing machinery, and you don’t get much bigger than this 600+ horsepower V8 rocket ship. A chance find whilst looking to restore an old F5000, this car once driven by 1982 World Champions Keke Rosberg is the only one like it left in the world.

Andrew has lovingly restored it and enjoys racing it Australian historic racing events. It is a crowd favorite for its huge lightning bolts, big wings and of course the ear shattering sounds that it emits. But its also the camaraderie and the preservation of racing history that keeps this enthusiast addicted to our great sport

MSR Films: Can-Am Sypder – For the love of Lola is a post from Motorsport Retro, bringing you classic motorsport, cars, motorcycles and gear every day.