Day 2 started in bright sunshine, so top down motoring was a real pleasure. Our D-Road route took us into Gascony for one of our favourite lunches of the year on a duck farm! An extremely flavoursome lunch was had followed by an easy run into Pau. It is a great moment as you descend into Pau with the Pyrenees making a fabulous backdrop.

That evening we attended the drivers club gala dinner, where specialties from the region were bought in for us. The duck hamburger was a revelation! On Saturday we assembled at our parking area in the gardens of the Palais Beaumont, a wonderful setting. It was then to a real highlight….our parade laps! It is wonderful to have this opportunity to drive such a famous circuit, it is also a race track that the drivers relish. A real privilege.

We organised lunch on both days in the Paddock which is always a welcome addition as the restaurant is superb. The racing was very exciting this year with full grids of interesting cars. We think this may have been the best edition of this event to date!

The post Another superb event – Grand Prix de Pau Historique appeared first on Classic GT.

The format for the weekend consists of track sessions on the flowing former Grand Prix circuit. These were split up into car type and age group, so you were on track with similar cars to yours. There was also a fun treasure hunt style rally around the local roads, very undemanding and with beautiful scenery.

The french hospitality was also a big part of the weekend, catering for huge numbers, done with great style, providing lunches on both days and sit down dinner on the Saturday evening. The rock band who played for over two hours were very well received too, those that were dancing on the bar certainly seemed to be enjoying themselves!

Classic Grand Touring provided hospitality for their guests and also for the French too. With the finest English beer from the Hogs Back Brewery, award winning English cheese, pork pies, and Pickled onions all of which was consumed and enjoyed.

Please keep your eye out on our website for the announcement of the 2014 dates. This is one not to be missed.

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Dining with Franco Gozzi and Sergio Scaglietti

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Our group met for refreshments at the Champagne bar at St Pancras, with introductions done we got checked in for our Eurostar. With everyone sat together in premier class the conversation and stories flowed all the way to Paris, punctuated only by the complimentary refreshments bought out to us along the way!

Upon arrival into Gare du Nord our drivers were waiting to take us to the Bonhams auction preview. Thankfully the venue had been moved back to the Grand Palais which is worth a visit even if there were not hundreds of valuable cars also there to view! Our private cars then took us onto the hotel to check in. It was decided we should all meet promptly for a few aperatifs on the Boulevard de Montparnasse before taking dinner at a local restaurant. We had done some research on this prior to the tour and it paid dividends as the South West French cuisine that was served was first class.

The following day was spent at the show. It tends to be the case that you don’t get far before you see someone you know or an exhibitor you want to speak to. The quality of cars is superb particular stands worth mentioning were the Citroen DS stand pulled together by Lukas Huni complete with 1960’s styled models! Gregor Fiskins stand had a Maserati 250F and 275 GTB competizione as stars. Elsewhere the French hospitality flowed as corks were popped and the wine was offered to clients and passers by. The English end was kept up by Longstone tyres, who on their stand were serving Doncaster brewery ale and a whole stilton cheese! So you could discuss you classic tyres with their knowledgeable team and have refreshments too. Great to see them very busy too.

That evening we went to La Coupole a wonderful art deco Brasserie in the Montparnasse area. A great party was had with delicious food and wine. see someone you know or an exhibitor you want to speak to. The quality of cars is superb particular stands worth mentioning were the Citroen DS stand pulled together by Lukas Huni complete with 1960’s styled models! Gregor Fiskins stand had a 250F and 275 GTB competizione as stars. Elsewhere the French hospitality flowed as corks were popped and the wine was offered to clients and passers by. The English end was kept up by Longstone tyres, who on their stand were serving Doncaster brewery ale and a whole stilton cheese! So you could discuss you classic tyres with their knowledgeable team and have refreshments too. Great to see them very busy too.

The final day was a relaxed one, we took some of the group up the Eiffel Tower and a beautiful morning it was too for enjoying Paris at altitude! Others opted for a spot of shopping and sightseeing. We then all convened at our favourite restaurant opposite the gare du nord so we were suitably fed and watered before joining our train home. Once again we were given ample refreshments to make our journey home very comfortable.

In summary, this was a really relaxed tour with a lovely group of people to a very French and sociable event. Roll on for more of the same when Ice driving at the end of the month.

The post Retromobile 2013 tour report 6-8 February appeared first on Classic GT.

Many friends were in attendance including Jim Cameron of Mission MotorSport who works tirelessly to support service men affected whilst in duty. He was with ex-service man Gary Dunning who was seeing out his final day in the army. He is one of Mission Motorsporst real success stories and goes straight into full time employment at Aston Martin works driver Darren Turner’s ‘Base Performance simulators’. It was also fantastic to catch up with Derek Bell before he commenced with his duties of ‘master of ceremony’ for the evening. Derek was ably assisted by Duncan Wiltshire presenting the nominees and awards. And the winners were…. • Car of the Year – ‘Birkin’ Bentley • Lifetime Achievement – Lord Montagu of Beaulieu • Museum or Collection of the Year – The National Motor Museum • Motoring Event of the Year – Windsor Castle Concours of Elegance • Personal Achievement of the Year – Jeremy Jackson-Sytner and Graham Sharpe (Windsor Castle    Concours of Elegance) • Restoration of the Year – Paul Russell & Co. for the 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680S • Motorsport Event of the Year – Goodwood Revival • Race Series of the Year – Royal Automobile Club Woodcote Trophy • Publication of the Year – Inside the Paddock (David Cross) • Club of the Year – Aston Martin Owners Club Congratulations to all the deserved winners.

The post International Historic Motoring awards appeared first on Classic GT.

We saw lots of friendly faces as well as meeting new ones as well. We were very pleased to have the Bugatti on the stand which created lots of attention. The new brochure was also very well received. We will be mailing the brochure out this week so if you are not already on the mailing list do get in touch and we will ensure a copy gets sent out to you.

The post The Footman James Classic Motor Show appeared first on Classic GT.

We also have some brand new tours lined up to the Classic Days event at Magny-Cours, Villa d’Este on Lake Como and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in Monterey.

Our 2013 brochure is available from 14 November so do get in touch for your copy info@classicgt.co.uk or call +44 (0)1483 281 282

Retromobile                                             6 – 8 February

Ice Drive Sweden                                    28 February – 3 March

Classic Days, Magny-Cours                   2 – 7 May

Grand Prix de Pau Historique               7 – 14 May

Mille Miglia                                              11 – 22 May

Villa d’Este, Lake Como                          21 – 29 May

Spa Classic                                                24 – 26 May

Gordon Bennett Route, Ireland             30 May – 4 June

Vintage Cognac Festival                           6 – 10 June

Grand Prix de Tours                                13 – 17 June

Le Mans 24 Hours                                   20 – 24 June

Copenhagen Historic Grand Prix           26 July – 5 August

Pebble Beach Tour                                   8 – 20 August

Circuit des Remparts, Angoulême          18 – 23 September

Algarve Tour                                            October dates TBC

The post New tours added to 2013 programme appeared first on Classic GT.

We will also be bringing this…..

The post NEC Classic Motor Show 16-18 November 2012 appeared first on Classic GT.

2013 Provisional calendar

6 – 8 February                     Retromobile

7 – 10 March                        Ice Drive Sweden

2- 7 May                                Classic Days

7 – 14 May                            Grand Prix de Pau Historique

11 – 23 May                          Mille Miglia (event dates to be confirmed)

24– 26 May                          Villa d’Este

25- 26 May                           Spa Classic (event dates to be confirmed)

20 – 24  June                         Le Mans 24 Hours 90^th Anniversary

26 July – 5 August             Belgian tour and Copenhagen Historic GP

11 – 19 August                     Pebble Beach Tour

18 – 23 September              Circuit des Remparts, Angouleme

10 – 22 October                   Algarve Historic Festival (event dates to be confirmed)

We will be getting the full tour details updated on the website very soon.

The post 2013 Classic car tour calendar appeared first on Classic GT.

Classic Grand Touring were in attendance during all three days of the mammoth edition of the Silverstone Classic. The very kind folk at Mission Motorsport let us share their space down on the Stowe circuit. In return we bought them a Type 35 B Bugatti to exhibit on their stand. The car drew lots of attention and hopefully contributed to the very worthwhile cause they support, see http://www.missionmotorsport.org/ for more details.

It was such a huge event with some seriously impressive race cars entered. Some of the highlights of the event for us were the BMW Owners Club stand, see the picture of a wonderful array of CSL’s. Of course the Ferrari Owners Club display was as usual second to none with the 60 F40′s in attendance being a highlight for many. We were pleased to bump into http://www.hillsalive.co.uk/ who were showing off their wonderful array of bespoke luggage. They will supply luggage for most classic cars and if they have not got the design for your car they will measure it up and build the luggage for you, which they are currently doing for a McLaren MP4-12C owner! If you are regularly using your car on European trips this luggage is a real godsend. See http://www.hillsalive.co.uk/ for details.

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