AND FASTER THAN ANY OTHERS TOO!

Eighties music may well be back in (otherwise Bonnie Tyler would never ever get a shot at Eurovision) and somehow 80s clothes are fashionable again (NOOOO! Not legwarmers and puffball skirts PLEASE!) and I have also seen the odd mullet or two walking around Stockport – although that may JUST be Stockport – but what is disappearing are the likes of the Austin Metro, Allegro and Ford Sierra; cars from the 80s now sat firmly at the top of the ‘endangered family cars’ list.

That is according to new research into the top British family cars commissioned by consumer motoring champion HonestJohn.co.uk who is concerned for these once plentiful road icons.

In a week where we revealed that a car driven by Princess Diana is going up for sale at an extortionate amount of money, where has the Austin Metro gone? Before she became the face of British Hearts, Diana Spencer drove her Austin Metro in London; it was the car that everyone knew someone who had one; and it was the car of choice for driving instructors – especially those working at BSM. Yet now, from an original 1.5 million produced between 1981 and 1991, there are only 823 taxed or SORN’d. How many of them are now square blocks of metal waiting their turn in the furnace?

The Austin Allegro, a car that battled through recession, obsession and mass-derision, has all but gone the way of the Dodo, with just 291 remaining in the UK (taxed and SORN) at the end of 2011, from a total production run of 640,000 between 1973 and 1982.

And what about the Ford Sierra?; the Rover SD1?; and, most surprising of all, the Ford Cortina? The mere fact that the Cortina is an endangered species may raise a few eyebrows because, after all, between 1973 and 1980 it was Britain’s best-selling car between 1973 and 1980, and achieved a brief moment of 21st Century fame with its appearances in the BBC TV drama Life On Mars. But the car that was once the ‘darling of a million sales reps’ has now all but disappeared from our streets (or roads) with a mere 5,411 remaining registered in the UK, from more than 4 million built.

Image courtesy of Toa55 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Yes; time moves on, traditions move on, parts get worn, rust sets in and products get made obselete over time. Look at the humble VHS video recorder. Having fought off the challenge of Betamax in the 80s, it is now relegated to a corner of the attic with the SodaStream and Ronco record sorter, or sat forlornly on a car boot table top being ignored along with its bulky collection of films that have been released, revitalised and re-coloured on DVD. And it doesn’t help being called a design classic either. Like all of the cars that feature in Honestjohn.co.uk’s Top 20 Most Endangered List they have a survival rate of less than 1%.

There are the odd exceptions with the more ‘sporty’ cars doing a lot better in comparison to the mass market production models; for example, the most popular classic car (with 38% of its pre-1995 models (3,361) still surviving today with an astonishing 24% (2,151) still on the road) is the Lotus Elan.

Keith Adams, Editor of Honest John Classics, said: “This list of endangered cars is fascinating – pretty much all of them littered the UK roads as recently as 10 years ago and now you’ll be lucky to spot them at a classic car meeting. The low survival rate for these models is shocking. 1980s cars are particularly vulnerable – because their passage into popular classic status is yet to happen and their disappearance has been hastened by needless scrappage and artificially low market values in recent years.”

The results of the research – which examined DVLA records of classic cars (those cars registered between 1950 and 1995) to find out how many were still registered today (both on the road and SORN) compared to the amount originally built – were published on a new classic car website (classics.honestjohn.co.uk) created by Honestjohn.co.uk to provide a whole host of information and research to do with classic cars.

But to save you the trouble of going there to see if your car is on the list, here are the Top 20 fastest disappearing family cars by model with a percentage of originally produced v. number remaining figure.

OK! I was a fashion victim in the 80s.And yes; that is Paul Weller at the piano.

Austin Allegro 0.05% remaining

Austin Montego 0.05% remaining

Austin Princess 0.05% remaining

Hillman Avenger 0.06% remaining

Vauxhall Viva   0.07% remaining

Morris Marina  0.08% remaining

Austin Maxi  0.08% remaining

Morris Ital  0.1% remaining

Rover SD1    0.1% remaining

Vauxhall VX-Series 0.1% remaining

Austin Metro   0.1% remaining

Ford Cortina   0.1% remaining

MG 1100|MG 1300  0.1% remaining

Austin Maestro   0.2% remaining

Vauxhall Chevette 0.2% remaining

Austin Ambassador   0.2% remaining

Hillman Imp  0.2% remaining

Rover 200   0.3% remaining

Triumph Acclaim    0.4% remaining

Ford Sierra  0.4% remaining

Memories? I bet. But some still survive (as Gloria Gaynor so poignantly sang) to this very day.

Lotus Elan 38% remaining

Triumph Stag 25% remaining

Reliant Scimitar and SS1  21% remaining

Aston Martin V8 21% remaining

Lotus Europa   20% remaining

Aston Martin DB5  19% remaining

Aston Martin DB6  18% remaining

Daimler SP250 Dart  17% remaining

Aston Martin DBS   15% remaining

Triumph TRS 13% remaining

MIGHT BE A GOOD TIME TO CHECK AT THE BACK OF THE GARAGE, OR THAT OLD LOCK-UP THAT YOU FORGOT YOU HAD, OR IN THE BARN…….

IT’S BACK!

The GT Academy competition from Nissan and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe – and it has promised to be the biggest one to date, featuring more countries than ever before battling it out in July on a demo of the hotly-anticipated Gran Turismo®6 game exclusively on PlayStation®3.

Having originally kicked off back in 2008, the “highly acclaimed virtual-to-reality competition” has managed to elicit over 2,000,000 entries, as gamers battle it out with motor sport fans on Gran Turismo for the chance to become real Nissan racing drivers.

The incentive? If that’s not enough, how about the news that 6 former winners of the competition – that now takes part in Europe, the USA, Germany, Russia, the Middle East and South Africa – are now Nismo Athletes competing in top-level motor sport on behalf of Nissan.

Nissan’s Director of Global Motorsport, Darren Cox, revealed the plans for GT Academy 2013 at the world famous Silverstone Circuit, whilst announcing the arrival of the next Gran Turismo game. He said: “Every year of GT Academy has provided excitement and firsts, and 2013 will be no exception. The selection process and Driver Development Programme are now so robust that we are turning out some genuinely fast racing drivers. At its core GT Academy remains a highly-accessible route into professional motor racing for people who would otherwise not have the opportunity. Unearthing genuine driving talent from the world of gaming is a real example of digital age performance and the innovation for which Nissan is famous. We are predicting that more people than ever will enter the competition this year on the stunning new GT6 demo.”

Kazunori Yamauchi, President of Polyphony Digital, explained: “GT Academy is a fitting platform for the Gran Turismo community to preview GT6 for the first time, as we aim to bring the worlds of virtual and reality closer than ever. We are very proud of this partnership with Nissan, and we have aimed to make a very appealing and accessible competition featuring a range of their cars. The challenges, even at this early stage of the competition, are designed to improve people’s race craft before they even make it to driving real cars. We have also incorporated the Silverstone circuit for the first time in Gran Turismo. This should ensure that competitors will arrive at Race Camp better prepared than ever.”

Details of how to enter GT Academy 2013 can be found on various social media platforms including: www.facebook.com/GTAcademy, http://eu.gran-turismo.com and www.twitter.com/GTAcademy with the online qualification rounds offering not only a sneak preview of GT6, but the chance to become a Nismo athlete  following in the footsteps of 2008 winner Lucas Ordoñez and 2011 winner Jann Mardenborough who are this year racing at the 2013 Le Mans 24 Hours for Nissan. But you will need to get your virtual skates on because the entry levels for this year’s motorsport talent-spotting contest are expected to reach an all-time high.

Obviously they need to sort out the wheat from the chaff, so the high quality format of GT Academy sees the fastest PlayStation® gamers from each country get the chance to join winners from a number of live events to compete in their respective National Finals. After this trip into both the unknown and the virtual world, it’s time to face up to facts and move onto real Nissan sports cars at the Silverstone circuit in the intense international final at Silverstone Circuit, now firmly set as the established home of the GT Academy Race Camp.

Having got there the pressure does not ease up as “the winners of each of the GT Academy competitions will then be put through an incredibly intensive and thorough Driver Development Programme, rated among the best in the world, in order to qualify for the ultimate competition prize – a full season racing a Nissan GT-R GT3 Nismo in a top-level championship.”

And they say that sitting on a game all day is bad for them!

TRACK CAR SPECIALS LINE UP TO CHALLENGE LAP RECORD

The 2013 Cholmondeley Pageant of Power takes place from 14-16 June at Cholmondeley Castle, Malpas, Cheshire, and as usual there will be an almighty clamour as cars attempt to set a new lap record on the Pageant circuit as part of the track-day specials.

Yes: there are a stack load of supercars and classic cars and modern race cars to have a look at; Yes, there is an almighty fireworks display to watch on the Saturday Night in a Last Night of the Proms stylee; Yes, there are air displays that will include Lancaster, Hurricane and Spitfire flypasts; Yes, there will be terrifying stunts on water including fly and wakeboarding, jet skis and powerboats; Yes, there are an unbelievable amount of different food stuffs on offer; and Yes, there is an exclusive lifestyle pavilion and trade area.   But if you were to ask anyone going to the Pageant what they were particularly going for, it would be the fact that on each of the track days, supercars will be undertaking six potentially record-breaking runs on the 1.2-mile twisty, undulating Pageant circuit during the event. In fact, there will be over 80 cars and 40 bikes straining every nut and piston to achieve their best laps driven and ridden by humans straining every sinew and muscle to do the same.

The current course record was set last year by Caterham’s 330bhp SP/300.R, and currently stands at 61.89 seconds, but there are at least 4 potential challengers to that time in the shape of the Ariel Atom, BAC Mono, Radsical SR8 RX and Caterham SP/300.R

Ariel Atom 3.5

Driven by pilot Niki Faulkner, who set a new lap record of 62,68 seconds in 2010 when driving a Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera LP 570-4, will be behind the wheel of the latest model from Somerset-based Ariel.

Fitted with a compact 245 bhp 2-litre Honda i-VTEC engine and close-ration six-speed transmission, there’s a good chance that the Atom 3.5, with a kerb weight of just 520 kg, could once again find itself right at the top of the leader board.

BAC Mono

A car selected by Top Gear’s The Stig as his Car of the Year 2011 can’t be that bad really, and the Cheshire-built BAC Mono single-seater with a super-sleek aerodynamic body and top speed of 170 mph certainly isn’t. With a 280 bhp, 2.3-litre normally aspirated engine under the bonnet with a six-speed paddleshift gearbox, the Mono won last year’s supercar class with a 63.06 lap, and can reach 60 mph in 2.8 seconds.

The BAC team hopes to do well this year with local driver Oliver Webb, just 22 years old, at the controls. Currently competing in the World Series by Renault FR3.5 championship with 2012 title-winning team Fortec, Oliver has previously raced UK Formula 3 and Indy Lights in the USA, and has already raced the Mono when it made its Pageant of Power debut in 2011.

Radical SR8 RX

This latest generation of Radical’s acclaimed 2.7-litre RP V8 engine can only be described as ‘Awesome’ as Radical Sportscars, the world’s largest manufacturer of trackday and racing cars, bring it to Cholmondeley in more ways than one. The engine produces 430 bhp and powers the SR8 RX through a unique six-speed paddleshift transaxle, enabling the car to reach some amazing speeds – and some! In fact, the SR8 RX currently holds the Nürburgring Nordschleife road car lap record, with a lap time of 6 min 48 seconds.

Away from this particular Pageant, the two-seater car with physics-defying grip, relentless acceleration and powerful brakes has already shown its metal by lapping Silverstone in the same time as a Formula 3 single-seater. And behind the wheel is one of Radical’s own in the fine figure of Marketing Manager Roger Green. Already a highly respected racer, having competed in GT3 and Radical race series over several seasons, Roger also works as a features writer for EVO magazine.

Caterham SP/300.R

The reigning champion with Scott Mansell behind the wheel will be looking to not only maintain their place at the top of the tree, but to extend it.

A complete departure from Caterham’s legendary Seven, the SP/300.R was developed in cahoots with Lola Cars, and features a mid-mounted supercharged 330bhp engine, Hewland FTR racing gearbox and racecar aerodynamics encased in a lightweight (545 kg) machine that can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 2.8 seconds towards a top speed of 180mph.

It is going to prove to be hard to beat with Scott behind the wheel as he is not only a Caterham Drive Experience instructor, but he also drove successfully in the EuroBOSS, Indy Pro Series and Superleague Formula during the 2004-to-2009 seasons.

James Hall, Event Director for the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power, said: “With current and previous lap record holders in the running this year, the battle for supremacy between this quartet of British track day heroes is going to be a thrill to behold.  The innovative engineering embodied in the latest creations from Ariel, BAC, Caterham and Radical will ensure a fascinating fight for first place.  It’d be wonderful to see yet another lap record set, and these cars are among the most likely to manage it.”

To buy tickets for the Pageant, now in its 6th year, or to find out further information, visit www.cpop.co.uk.

AN ‘ESPECIALLY FOR HGVs’ CYCLIST DETECTION SYSTEM

With HGVs involved in 20% of all cyclist deaths in London, it is good news for both HGV drivers and cyclists that the Global Live Cycle Scanner has been launched and brought to market by Cobra as an urgent response to what is an obvious growing need for on board cyclist protection systems – especially in the overcrowded urban road environment.

Being able to see cyclists is an integral part of driving an HGV, and although cyclists sometimes don’t help themselves, they are still road users, and drivers of a great big metal killing machine should be taking notice (or at the very least be aware) of the little small metal thing with a very squidgable bit on top!

The Global Live Cycle Scanner is all based around the new technology that some cars now have when it comes seeing what’s behind them with a scanner and six sensors along the nearside of a vehicle to detect a cyclist, and a live video camera to see exactly what is happening.  Quite simply, if a cyclist enters the vicinity of the nearside of the vehicle, the Global Live Cycle Scanner warns not only the driver in the cab but the system operator back at base with an automatic alert along with live images and a recording of every journey. This is just in case the worst happens and then there is instantly available evidence along with a GPS location to show the vehicle journey and location.

Andrew Smith, Managing Director of Cobra UK comments: “The new Global Live Cycle Scanner is a must have product for all HGV fleet operators to help their drivers who operate in busy city centres.  It brings the safer HGV of 10 years time to today’s roads.  The technology ensures cyclists are kept safe and drivers are given an added protection system in order to safely carry out their job.”

The number of cycle deaths involving HGV lorries in London and other urban areas is of great concern to road safety campaigners and the Government; in fact, Transport Minister Stephen Hammond has recently launched an inquiry to examine HGV danger to cyclists.

All this is ahead of a European Commission proposal to introduce new rules so that manufacturers will be able to design radically safer heavy goods vehicles with improved field of vision for drivers so that vulnerable road user become just road users and not a sad statistic. The rules in place at the moment were actually put in place back in the dark ages of 1996 and need updating.

Unfortunately, these new rules are unlikely to be in place until 2018 (red tape and all that palaver) so until then the Global Live Cycle Scanner, Cobra say, s bringing the safer truck of the future to today’s roads.

As Andrew Smith says: “The sight of Ghost Bikes on city streets shows the tragedy and waste caused when vehicles and cyclists collide and our low-cost solution can help to control the risks of such accidents.” 

Image copyright of RoSPA

FAMOUS SQUIRREL HONOURED IN LONDON EXHIBITION

Are you sitting comfortably? Than I’ll begin.

Back in the days of innocence and Green Cross Codes, before PlayStations, iPads and texting, there was once a red squirrel called Tufty Fluffytail who was the face of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents’ (RoSPA) road safety campaigns throughout the 50s, 60s, 70s and even into the 80s and 90s.

Image copyright of RoSPA

Born in 1953 as a creation of the late Elsie Mills MBE in order to promote safety messages for children in a simple yet informative way, Tufty and his friends – Minnie Mole, Willy Weasel (who was a bit naughty and always got into scrapes and need telling off and rescuing), his teacher Mrs Owl and Policeman Badger (who was always there to pop up just in time to save the children) – featured in original stories that featured many adventures and situations that children of the time would find themselves in.

Following on from these stories, in 1961, the Tufty Club was set up as a nationwide network of local groups to help continue to promote the messages of road safety, giving out around 30,000 books about road safety to parents. Although the original membership of the club was to the under-fives, in 1962 this was expanded to admit older children who had been clamouring to join, reportedly mithering their parents to death.

At its peak there were 24,500 registered Tufty Clubs with membership reaching – and passing – 2,000,000 in 1972, and even the Royal Family joined in with HRH Princess Michael of Kent becoming the first president of the Tufty Club in 1979 when Tufty underwent a makeover to keep him up to date with the times.

Image copyright of RoSPA

He was re-styled and modernised in 1993 before embarking on a nationwide tour of the country the following year; but by then time had caught up on the old fella, and considering that the average lifespan of a red squirrel is a mere 3 years (10 in captivity), the 41 year-old dressed in his signature blue and yellow clothing had done very well to get this far, and retired to a secret squirrel sanctuary somewhere in the UK with a never-ending supply of seeds and nuts in his drey.

Now, as part of an exhibition in London which explores “international state-related propaganda from the 20th and 21st centuries,” which opened on 17 May at the British Library, Tufty will be coming out of retirement/hibernation until September 17.

The exhibition, entitled ‘Propoganda: Power and Persuasion’, features state-related propaganda from all around the world, and is separated into six different sections – origins; nation; war; enemy; health; and ‘propaganda in the 21st century.’

The Tufty section features memorabilia from the Great British icon drawn from the archives of the British Library and includes a bag and greetings card as well as a RoSPA poster from the 1960s featuring statistics about children and road accidents. All the Tufty material is displayed alongside other examples of “the ways in which state organisations, and those with close links to the state, attempt to change behaviour and influence attitudes on a range of issues relating to health and risky behaviour.”

Image copyright of RoSPA

Tom Mullarkey, chief executive of RoSPA, a safety charity with a great history itself stretching back 97 years, said: “The exhibition is a wonderful opportunity to mark Tufty’s 60th birthday and to acknowledge his contribution to society. Tufty was an iconic aid to road safety education, teaching generations of children right through the 60s and 70s and into the 80s and 90s. Although it might seem strange to consider him as propaganda, the British Library’s exhibition is a fitting reminder of Tufty, his powers of persuasion and his enduring legacy as artwork.”

Jude England, head of social sciences at the British Library and curator of Propaganda, said: “Tufty is featuring in our exhibition as a wonderful example of a successful propaganda campaign. At its peak in the early 1970s, around two million children were members of local Tufty Clubs.

“The best public health campaigns use a number of techniques to relate their messages, ranging from shocking to humorous; Tufty’s appeal lay in the friendly images and accessible language used, for example, in the ‘kerb drill’. We expect that the Tufty exhibits will evoke childhood memories for many of the visitors to the exhibition.”

Although Tufty did make a bit of a comeback in the BBC TV series ‘Life On Mars’ in April 2007 when DCI Gene Hunt (Philip Glenister) donned a Tufty costume to escape detection when being sought for murder – DI Sam Tyler (John Simm) helped him after spotting Tufty being used in a school road safety lesson – it was fleeting cameo appearance, and he was soon back to the retirement tree.

Tufty has his own web page – www.tuftyclub.org.uk - and still features on educational material that the RoSPA produces to help to educate children.

Good work fella!

In a compact, city-friendly package, the Honda Jazz offers up incredible versatility, generous levels of space and strong levels of equipment.

Saving you up to £73 a month, the Honda Jazz 1.2 i-VTEC S [AC] is now available to lease from only £124.95 + VAT… What’s more, while stock lasts, metallic paint is available free of charge!

Ideal for those used to driving larger cars, the Jazz is far from your average little car! Despite compact proportions, levels of comfort are strong and the ride quality is excellent. It boasts a larger boot than most of its rivals with a minimum capacity of 399 litres. Folding rear seats enable you to tailor you vehicle in accordance with changing requirements.

Whether young or old, you can drive in confidence that maximum protection is at hand should you come into trouble in the Jazz. Euro NCAP recognise this, awarding this vehicle a maximum safety rating of five stars.

A 1.2 litre petrol engine is perfect for urban driving, returning respectable fuel economy and therefore affordable running costs. A tight turning circle and precise steering makes parking up in tricky spots a doddle.

The 1.2 i-VTEC S [AC] is comprehensively specified, with the following features as standard:

• Stereo radio/ CD player and MP3 facility;
• Aux in for external MP3;
• Speed dependent audio volume control;
• Manual air conditioning;
• Reclining rear seats;
• Remote keyless entry.

Because there is plenty of stock of the Honda Jazz 1.2 i-VTEC S [AC], delivery is likely to be very speedy. To find out more about this deal, simply follow the links above or call us at Nationwide on 0844 482 9595…

Prices based on a 4 year contract + exclude VAT, initial payment and processing fee. Terms and conditions apply. Limited stock availability.

Blending superb handling with limousine-like comfort, the BMW 5 Series is one of the most complete executive saloons on the market. Bringing you huge monthly savings of up to £204 a month, it is now available to lease from just £324.95 + VAT per month.

Despite a sleek coupe-like roofline, a long wheel base means that the BMW 5 Series Saloon boasts an extremely spacious interior. Ride quality is supreme thanks to the incorporation of high quality materials that insulate against external road, tyre and wind noise. Luggage capacity is generous, meaning that the 5 Series Saloon is likely to meet your every day needs regardless of what they may be.

BMW 5 Series safety is impeccable and it was awarded a maximum rating of five stars when tested by Euro NCAP. Intelligent features such as Dynamic Stability Control Plus (DSC+), cornering brake control, traction control and brake fade compensation mean that you drive in confidence that an optimum level of protection is available, should an impact occur.

We think a deal worth making the most of is on the BMW 5 Series Saloon 520d SE Step Auto [Start Stop], available from only £338.95 + VAT…

Driven by a powerful 2.0 litre diesel unit, this model reaches 0-62MPH in only 8.1 seconds. a smooth shifting automatic transmission contributes to lower fuel consumption and an ecologically responsible emission output of 123g/km.

This model is well equipped with the following items of specification featured as standard:

• Cruise control with brake function;
• Enhanced Bluetooth telephone functionality;
• Front/ rear parking distance control;
• DAB digital radio;
• 6 speaker loudspeaker system;
• Dakota leather upholstery;
• Dual zone automatic air conditioning;
• Keyless ignition;
• 17” light V spoke alloy wheels;
• Run flat tyres.

To make the most of our massive BMW savings, simply follow the links above or call us at Nationwide on: 0844 482 9595…

Prices are based on a 4 year business contract hire. Terms and conditions apply. Limited stock available.

Nationwide Vehicle Contracts is pleased to announce that the new Peugeot 2008 Crossover is now available to lease, with rates starting from as little as £144.95 + VAT…

Stylish and elegant, the Peugeot 2008 never looks out of place and is at home on urban streets. Its robust design and crossover capabilities mean that it also fares well when taken out of the city and onto the beaten track.

Taking a seat inside, you will be impressed by the level of comfort on offer. Build quality is high and cabin space ample. There are opportunities aplenty to customise your 2008, including a wide range of distinctive trims to pick from, meaning that there is something in the line up to suit everyone.  A panoramic glass roof allows light to flood the cabin and allows you to make the most of your surroundings.

The new Peugeot 2008 Crossover is available with a wide choice of engines, each of which returns exceptional fuel economy and low emissions. Not only is performance powerful in this vehicle, the 2008 is environmentally responsible.

We think a model worth leasing is the Peugeot 2008 Crossover 1.4 HDi Access+, available to lease from only £194.95 + VAT…

Driven by a frugal 1.4 litre diesel unit, this model returns up to 70.6 MPG and emissions of just 104g/km…

Levels of specification on the 1.4 HDi Access+ are generous, and the following features are included as standard:

• Radio/ CD;
• Auxiliary 12V power socket;
• Cruise control + speed limiter;
• LED daytime running lights;
• Manual air conditioning;
• Refrigerated glovebox;
• 1/3 to 2/3 split folding seats.

To make the most of our exciting new deals, simply follow the links above or call us at Nationwide on: 0844 482 9595…

Prices based on a 4 year contract + exclude VAT, initial payment and processing fee. Terms and conditions apply. Limited stock availability. 

Image courtesy of antpkr/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

As more and more people look for bargains in the used car market, the illegal practice of ‘clocking’ is also on the rise; illegitimately adjusting a vehicle’s mileage so that it looks as if it has done less than it actually has. And the less mileage, the more money the seller is likely to be able to make from a sale – either to a private vendor or a dealer. And for a dealer it could have legal repercussions as well as an adverse change to a reputation if they are found to have sold a clocked car.

Vehicle information expert HPI, along with the premier provider of vehicle values, CAP, have revealed just how much can be made by this illegal activity as sellers con their way towards a quick buck.

Daniel Burgess, Managing Director for HPI, explains just how much could be involved: “The CAP figures show that it’s not always the highest value vehicles that make the most for clockers. For example, the popular VW Golf is a particularly lucrative model – by reducing the mileage from 90,000 to 30,000 an unscrupulous seller could add nearly £3,000 to the value, setting consumers back £9,125 for a vehicle that’s actually worth £6,225 – equating to almost a 50% increase on its true value. And the Land Rover Discovery could go up by nearly £8,000, bumping the cost up from £21,350 to £29,150 for an innocent buyer – nearly a 40% increase in its true value.”

Unfortunately, the tools of the trade for the clocker are easy to buy on the interne, and the cars that have been clocked are often taken in part exchange for another car; and it’s not just unscrupulous dealers that are doing it. The ease of purchase of these tools, and the availability of instructions of how to do it via the web, mean that the average customer is just a likely to be trying it on with a dealer too. If the Office of Fair Trading find out that you have sold a clocked car, knowingly or not, they will come down hard on you.

Derren Martin, Senior Editor of CAP Black Book Live, the leading trade valuations guide, says, “CAP’s valuation data conclusively shows the potential cost to dealers and motorists of the clocking problem. With the value of a typical family car varying by anything in the region of 20% upwards when 30,000 miles are wiped off the clock, you can certainly see the motive for the clockers. Dealers are hurt just as much by this practice as the motorist and that is why provenance services are so important in protecting both trade and consumer alike.”

Dealers do have the access to something that protects them – or at least gives them more of an opportunity to find out of the car has been clocked or not – in the shape of the National Mileage Register. This contains over 160 million mileage records covering vehicles of all ages, dating as far back as 1992, and more importantly it also has the mileage readings of vehicles less than 3 years of age, sourced from the likes of manufacturers, as part of their warranty offering, and leasing companies’ service records and disposal declarations.

Here are some examples of just how much money fraudsters can make when it comes to clocking, with these figures using an average clock-back of 60,000 miles from the original mileage reading.

A hatchback can rise in price by 42% with the popular vehicles such as the VW Golf rising by as much as 47%; 4x4s by an average of 30% with more prestigious models like the Land Rover Discovery rising by 37%; the Alfa Romeo Spider Convertible which can rise by over 46% with other sporty vehicles getting a 40% increase; and people carriers rising by an average of 50% post-clocking.

Brings a whole new meaning to the phrase ‘Beat The Clock.”

The 15th Annual Gumball 3000 rally will make history this weekend through being 100% carbon neutral.

Don’t worry. The annual spectacle of supercars isn’t about to be replaced by a high-tech cavalcade of electric and low-emission vehicles. The green coup has instead been realised through, shall we say, redistributing emissions.

One of the world’s most famous super car rallies, Gumball 3000 have partnered with CNI UK, who have pledged to offset the greenhouse gas emissions from the event with the use of their Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) credit system.

Through procuring, selling and retiring VCS credits, this initiative supports carefully chosen projects around the world including Indian wind farms, Brazilian hydroelectric schemes and waste heat recovery in China.

Credits are generated when areas that might otherwise have depended on a carbon intensive source of power are instead able to draw from a renewable energy source. It’s good news all-round, then. Communities benefit from cheap, clean and green energy, Gumball 3000 get to reduce their carbon footprint, and fans need not compromise on the fast-paced thrills they’ve come to expect.

Gumball 3000 2013

For its 15th year, the 2013 Gumball 3000 will follow a very special anniversary route from Copenhagen to Monte Carlo – taking in Scandinavia, Russia, Latvia, Poland and Vienna along the way.

The rally kicks off on May 18th and lasts for nine days. Confirmed to be taking part are such supercars as the Bugatti Veyron, Koenigsegg CCXR, Ferrari F12, Porsche Carrera GT, Mc-Merc SLR 722, Ferrari 458, Lamborghini Aventador, McLaren MP4-12C, SLS Black Series, Mc-Merc SLR Sterling Moss and the new Jaguar F-Type.

But none of them have anything on the custom-built road version of the Batman Tumbler – the Batmobile from Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy – which may transform into a motorcycle if it undertakes significant damage.

For a bit of Gumball 3000 fun – and to fully cement the mutually beneficial commitment to carbon neutrality – CNI UK’s MD Edward Carlton will himself be taking part in the rally.

He says: “By taking part in Gumball 3000 and offsetting the rally’s emissions we aim to demonstrate that those who enjoy motoring but are conscious of environmental impact, there are steps that can be taken.”

Edward will be Tweeting his progress throughout the course. If you wish, you can stay up to date through following him @CNI_Ltd.