Latest news with #classiccars
Forbes
15 hours ago
- Automotive
- Forbes
How Everrati Rebuilds Classic Cars As High-End Electric Vehicles
Everatti re-engineers and rebuilds models such as Porsche 911 into an electric vehicle. U.K.-based Everrati is turning classic internal combustion cars into electric vehicles. Founder and CEO Justin Lunny has a background in tech, including software. But he also has an interest in autos. 'I've been passionate about anything with four wheels,' Lunny said in an interview. He said he got the idea for Everrati in 2018, when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle drove an especially built electric Jaguar following their royal wedding. 'We are a business that takes iconic vehicles and remanufactures them,' Lunny said. 'We're selling the dream.' Depending on model, an Everrati can cost anywhere from about $250,000 to more than $500,000. Everrati offers electric versions of the Land Rover Series IAA, Porsche 911 (964),Mercedes-Benz W11 SL 'Pagoda,' and the GT40, a supercar Ford Motor Co. originally developed to beat Ferrari at the 24 Hours of LeMans in the 1960s. The company begins with a 'donor car,' an original version. Most Everrati customers don't own an original. So, Everrati will acquire one for an additional fee. The donor car 'is stripped back to the chassis,' Lunny said. The donor car also is treated to ensure there's no rust. The donor car 'is rebuilt back up.' Lunny said Everrati engages in thousands of hours of engineering. 'We're really re-engineering that vehicle.' Brakes and suspension systems are upgraded. New audio systems are installed. The cars are equipped with Everrati's proprietary software. Each Everrati takes about a year to build. 'To the outside eye, it looks like a beautifully restored vehicle,' the CEO said. Everrati was founded in 2019, with the first deliveries a few years later. The company doesn't disclose precise sales statistics but Lunny said it has sold between 20 and 30 EVs to date. 'We almost tripled our sales this year from last.' The company has multiple manufacturing centers, including one in the U.S., which handles output of the Porsche cars. 'Things like tariffs are less problematic,' The CEO said. The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has levied tariffs on an array of products, including vehicles and automotive parts. Tariffs are paid by importers. Everrati's board advisors include Andy Palmer, a former CEO of Aston Martin. The company's models have an obviously high price point. Still, Lunny said there is a market. Everrati is working on additional vehicle programs. 'We're busier than we've ever been,' the CEO said. 'It is a lifestyle proposition.'
Forbes
a day ago
- Automotive
- Forbes
Test-Driving The 2025 Morgan Plus Four – 8/10
The iconic British brand has expanded its appeal abroad with dealers now in North America, Asia and ... More the Middle East In a world of SUVs and a diminishing amount of character, Morgan is a refreshing juxtaposition. Straight out of the 1950s, the Plus Four has been a constant in the brand's lineup for 75 years. Originally known as the Plus 4, in 2020 it moved to a new chassis and earned a lettered name instead. Discussing the latest iteration of the Plus Four which launched in 2024, Jonathan Wells, chief design officer at Morgan Motor Company said, 'To think of a Morgan is to picture the unmistakable silhouette of the Plus Four. During this exciting time in the company's history, whilst we look towards broader visual experimentation across our model range, the continuous evolution of Plus Four – our time-proven brand anchor – is rightly afforded a more delicate approach. The Plus Four has been sympathetically modernised over the years Wells continued, 'The changes we have made – as with any longstanding design-led product – consider the delicate balance between tradition and innovation. For the latest Plus Four, we are proud to present an extensive list of component design updates that come together to deliver an undeniably refreshing yet reputably authentic impression. 'The wings have been entirely reformed with a greater level of intelligent surfacing to control highlights and add poise. Our new headlights feature the latest illumination technology yet were born of a desire to address a more traditional and balanced frontal proportion. Our new mirrors are now formed of beautifully machined aluminium. Strategic design simplification has reduced visual distraction and celebrates enhanced quality at a component level throughout.' What is the 2025 Morgan Plus Four like to drive? Its sleek lines make it such a recognisable model There's a strangely romantic and wistful feeling behind the wheel of the Plus Four. Somehow the world around seems dangerously modern and you feel like you've time travelled to a place that's much more complicated and high tech than where this motor car hails from. Glancing down the louvers, you're acutely aware that this car is a piece of motoring history reincarnated with subtly modern touches. Under those beautiful hand formed louvers is a 2.0-litre twin-turbo, inline four-cylinder BMW engine. Capable of 255 bhp and 295 lb ft, in a car that weighs little more than one tonne, it's the perfect amount of power. Depending on your preference, it can be had with a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. It's incredible to see how Morgan has maintained its history While the Morgan Supersport feels targeted towards sports cars that border on supercars, the Plus Four creates the traditional sports car experience. Fitted with slightly chunkier tires than the Supersport to cushion the ride, you can imagine spending days touring Europe and never one complaining about your back. For more spirited driving, the Sport button highlights the Plus Four's performance credentials. What is the 2025 Morgan Plus Four like inside? The focus remains on high quality feeling materials and gorgeous leather colors It's almost unheard of now that a car doesn't have a huge iPad-like screen dominating the interior. I'm pleased to say, there's not a touchscreen in sight inside the Morgan Plus Four. Behind the steering wheel, there's a small digital display but it's unobtrusive and features minimal information so as not to be a distraction. Unlike most modern cars that have to fit an array of annoying safety features that continuously bing and bong, Morgan is able to side step these requirements as a low volume manufacturer. Although you're definitely better off with the airbag that's now integrated into the steering wheel, you can't help but daydream about an old style wooden wheel. There's something truly special about driving a modern Morgan Even though it's resolutely subtle about technology, it's easy to connect a phone and play music through the Bluetooth system, enhancing its everyday usability. All other controls are tactile buttons and dials and the cabin remains fairly minimal and relaxed. How much does the 2025 Morgan Plus Four cost? A Plus Four is a staple in many classic car lovers' collections The Plus Four is the entry point to Morgan's four wheeled range. Starting from around £70,000 ($94,500) for the manual version, a variety of optional aesthetic and functional extras can be added to tweak the specification to your liking. Part of the magic with Morgans is seeing each owner's personality gradually come to life as the vehicles make their way through the factory. The example I drove was fitted with around £15,000 ($20,200) worth of options from simple things like a special paint colour to exciting enhancements like an active sports exhaust. Both the touring and dynamic handling packs add just under £2,000 ($2,700) to the vehicle's price tag to include air conditioning and heated comfort plus seats. Morgan Plus Four Technical Specification Price as tested: £89,515 ($120,900) Engine: BMW 2.0-litre TwinPower Turbo, inline four-cylinder Power: 255 bhp Torque: 295 lb-ft 0-62 mph: 4.8 secs Top speed: 149 mph
Auto Car
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Car
I bought 70 classic Skodas, and I keep them in the garden
Think this year's Festival of the Unexceptional winner knows about Skodas? Mark is the real Skoda oracle Open gallery Mark's Skodas live barn-find style in assorted farm buildings Mark says generally classic car people are very interested in Estelles... ...but much less so with Favorits and Fabias. Close Mark Torok says his love affair with Skodas has, at times, got a little out of hand. 'There was a stage in my life when I was buying Skodas like other people buy groceries,' he admits. The Skoda enthusiast has amassed a collection of more than 70 cars for what he calls his 'Skoda orphanage', many of them dating from the company's transition period in the 1990s. The oldest is a 1973 S110 DeLuxe that Mark rescued from a scrapyard in the Czech Republic. The newest is a 2006 Skoda Superb V6 that he saved from re-export to eastern Europe. His favourite is an original 'stretched Passat' Superb of 2002. Mark says: 'In the UK, people's interest in Skodas stops at the Estelle and starts again with the Skoda Fabia and Skoda Octavia of the 2000s. Sadly, the Favorit and Felicia in between are trapped in that no man's land of obscurity. That's where I come in.' Mark's Skodas live barn-find style in assorted farm buildings but his aim is to get them together under one roof. For the time being, the main thing is that they are safely hidden away from the scrapyard. Remarkably, most of them require just basic recommissioning and a good wash. Skoda can trace its origins to 1895 when it was founded as Laurin & Klement. It made its first car in 1905 and was renamed Skoda in the 1920s. A succession of well-regarded models followed until progress was interrupted by World War II. The firm barely recovered under communism and, by the 1980s, 'Skoda' was a byword for unreliability. With the fall of communism and the arrival of new partner Volkswagen, things began to improve and a succession of impressive new models including the Favorit, Felicia and Skoda Fabia helped prepare the ground for the brand's revival. 'My grandfather was the biggest Skoda fan going and got me hooked on the company,' says Mark. 'It's been fascinating seeing the firm develop and grow. I often wonder what he would make of it all now.' He says the UK scraps and wastes cars far too quickly and believes there's never been a more important time to secure vehicles such as his Skodas for preservation: 'People say I am wasting my time but my girlfriend Victoria says they are not thinking in the fourth dimension, as Doc Brown does in Back to the Future. She says I am creating a treasure trove that will delight future fans of the Skoda marque. 'The doors to my orphanage will always be open to any unwanted Skoda. I will be to Skoda what the Schlumpf brothers were to Bugatti!' Join our WhatsApp community and be the first to read about the latest news and reviews wowing the car world. Our community is the best, easiest and most direct place to tap into the minds of Autocar, and if you join you'll also be treated to unique WhatsApp content. You can leave at any time after joining - check our full privacy policy here. Next Prev In partnership with
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Telegraph
I own six Morris Minors – including the rarest in the world
Car auctions can be nervous affairs at the best of times, especially when your heart is set on a particularly special vehicle. Just when you think the gavel's strike will signify yours is the winning bid, another offer is submitted, increasing the tension. Such see-sawing emotions were certainly part of the experience for Nottinghamshire-based Anna Ellison, 53, before she became the proud owner of a 1949-registered Morris Minor 'Lowlight'. But this isn't any old Morris Minor. It was the seventh example of the popular British classic to leave the production line, carrying serial number 507. With 501 (the first production car) in a museum and no trace of 502-506, Ellison owns not only the second oldest Minor in existence but the oldest in private ownership. Launched as an economy saloon in 1948 for under £400, the Morris Minor became so popular that it remained in production for more than two decades. The earliest model The 'Lowlight' tag instantly identifies this car as one of the earliest MM-Series production cars, which had headlights set low in the grille. Later 'Highlight' models had the lights set much higher, to meet new US regulations. Lowlights are rarer and more valuable than later models. Ellison, a corporate banking manager, spotted the car on Facebook. 'Earlier in the year Damian, my partner, and I had seen the very first Morris Minor ever produced at the British Motor Museum at Gaydon while attending the Morris Minor Owners' Club annual national rally,' she said. 'I loved the car, which was in platinum grey, had a wonderful comfy leather interior, large Bakelite steering wheel, incredibly long gearlever and gorgeous 1940s lines. 'Not long after, I spotted a similar car being auctioned. It was every bit as beautiful as 'Number 1' and I was smitten. I passed the iPad to Damian, saying: 'I think we have to buy this,' tongue in cheek really, because we already had three Morris Minors at that point.' However, the more they discovered about the car's history, the more determined they were to turn the dream into reality. 'Having read about the dedication and attention to detail the previous owner, Phillip Hughes, had shown in restoring and preserving the car, we wanted to ensure it continued to get the same care and attention. The only way to achieve that was to own it,' said Ellison. In tribute to the previous owner, the car is nicknamed Hughie. Nail-biting auction Ellison will never forget the day of the auction. 'A representative was there while Damian and I were on the other end of the phone. After a stressful few minutes, which felt like hours, we were literally jumping around our living room when it was confirmed ours was the winning bid.' They collected the car on the same day. 'The pride I felt when collecting him was immense, and I've felt that ever since.' How does Hughie perform, I wonder? 'He's much slower than other cars, even our Morris 1000s,' admitted Ellison. 'The 918cc side valve engine was only used in Morris Minors for a few years before changing to the 1,098cc A-series engine in 1952. But he's very smooth and feels safe and solid.' Who needs seatbelts? The lack of seatbelts takes some getting used to, according to Ellison. 'Many people fit them retrospectively, but we want to keep the car as original as possible. With the low speeds that we do, combined with limited mileage, we're comfortable with the risk that not having seatbelts represents. 'The interior is comfortable, too. Luxurious leather seats mean it's a pleasure to sit in and drive, viewing the way ahead above the Art Deco-styled dash, gorgeous brown steering wheel and curved bonnet. Of course, there's no air-conditioning, but the quarterlights are a decent alternative.' Ellison, who is the sixth registered owner of Hughie, admits that the car is very cosseted and only driven short distances on occasional dry days, usually to shows. As for its history, it's believed that the car was used as a showroom vehicle by Llantrisant Motors Ltd in Wales before being sold a few months later. 'Phillip Hughes bought the car in 1965 from a neighbour,' said Ellison. 'It had been re-sprayed blue with mod cons added. Realising how early the car was, Phillip restored it to the original condition. He was a real stickler for getting the details right and spent around 20 years searching for the correct rear lights.' The pursuit of happiness Why does Ellison have such a strong predilection for Morris Minors? 'They are 'happy' cars,' she replied. 'You meet so many people who either learnt to drive in one, had one as a first car or whose mum drove one when they were little. They were so popular that most people seem to have some form of connection.' Ellison and Damian have taken part in shows and events home and abroad, courtesy of the Morris Minor Owners' Club. Most recently, they drove to France as part of Minors on Tour. 'Every year, a member or group of members organises an overseas trip, usually to France, Belgium or the Netherlands,' said Ellison. 'Members make their own way, though many arrange to travel in convoy because there is safety in numbers in case of breakdowns and so on. 'This year around 70 Morris Minors gathered in the Loire Valley. It's a great opportunity to meet owners from further afield. Over the years, we've made many friends.' She said that her fascination with Morris Minors started during Covid, although she has always been interested in classic cars. 'My dad bought classic car magazines and I remember working through the classified adverts, circling all the cars I wanted,' she said. 'Fast forward to 2020 and for something to do while stuck at home, Damian and I started watching car auction sites which live-streamed their sales.' The John Noakes connection While watching an Anglian Car Auctions sale, a Morris Minor saloon sold for a reasonable sum. 'I mentioned to Damian how much I liked it and that we could afford one. He replied that the only Morris Minor he'd be interested in was registration plate 284 UPH, the Minor convertible used in the TV series Go With Noakes.' Six series were screened between 1976-80, with the late John Noakes travelling the country with his trusty dog, Shep. Said Ellison: 'John Noakes was Damian's childhood hero. A few days later, unbelievably, 284 UPH appeared on eBay. Some things are just meant to be, so we quickly bought it.' The 1961 Morris Minor 1000 Convertible – christened Nellie by Noakes – is the 'perfect classic car', according to Damian. 'We attended a Morris Minor rally in Wales, and as the parade of cars drove past we were applauded and everyone waved. It was a lovely feeling. Not many cars have that effect on people, perhaps it's because they hark back to happier, more simple times.' Since buying Nellie, five other Minors have joined their collection. Ellison explained: 'We enjoy all the aspects that Morris Minor ownership has provided, particularly the social aspect. We've developed a true passion for the cars. 'Each has its own character and they are a joy to own. We've had such great times because of the cars and feel a responsibility to ensure they will be around for future generations. 'I've fallen in love – hook, line and sinker – with the Morris Minor.' Minor obsession: Anna and Damian's collection Hughie Morris Minor MM Lowlight saloon, registered 1949, platinum grey. Bought at auction in September 2023 for £25,200. Little Richard Morris Minor MM four-door saloon, registered 1952, mist green, partly restored. Bought at auction in April 2023 for about £6,000. Big Dave Morris Minor 1000 Traveller (estate), registered 1966, old English white. Bought at auction in July 2023 for £16,200. Nellie Morris Minor 1000 convertible, registered 1961, old English white. Bought in September 2020 for about £10,000. Anthon Morris Minor MM Lowlight saloon, registered 1949, platinum grey. A barn find and currently unrestored. Bought February 2025 as part of a larger transaction, including spares. Unnamed Morris Minor MM Lowlight saloon, registered 1949, platinum grey. A barn find and currently unrestored. Bought February 2025, as above.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
In photos: Hundreds of classic car owners gather in Southend for car show
HUNDREDS of classic car owners have gathered for a classic car run and show, bringing together a wide range of vintage vehicles from across south Essex. Southchurch Park, Southend played host to a classic car show yesterday July 27, put together by South Eastern Vintage and Classic Vehicle Club and bringing other cars clubs from across the county together. Vintage - Classic cars arrived at Southchurch Park, Southend. (Image: Richard Turner) The park was the final destination of a London to Southend circuit run, where car owners convoyed from Fairlop Waters Country Park in Ilford to Southchurch Park as the final destination for the car show. The South Eastern Vintage and Classic Vehicle Club hosts this annual pilgrimage to Southend, with variations on the final destination of the car show changing each year. Run - The cars drove in convoy from London to Southend. (Image: Richard Turner) Drivers headed out onto the winding lanes of the Essex countryside, covering approximately 50 miles before dropping down on to Southend on Sea. The event was sponsored by Atspeed Classic Engine Tuning and Elite Mot Ltd, supported by Essex based funeral directors T. Cribb and Sons. Gathering - The event attracted many to check out the wheels. (Image: Richard Turner) The event brought together vehicles from across the 20th century, in addition to some more modern yet quirky models. It was open to all vehicles, including cars, bikes, light goods and military age 25 and older. Variety - The car show brought together a wide range of vehicles. (Image: Richard Turner) Canvey Island Classic Car Owners Club was one of the car clubs in attendance, joining with other car groups from across the county. Read more Car insurance in Southend sees significant drop despite remaining regional highest Free parking trial to be introduced at south Essex council's car parks 'Need to test this!' - Celebrity mathematician shares hack to cool your car fast Retro - Cars from a bygone age were on display. (Image: Richard Turner) For more information on how to get involved with classic car events in south Essex, visit
