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Allon White
Morgans for sale Lotus for sale Servicing Bespoke trimming
Morgans for sale Lotus for sale Servicing Bespoke trimming

Autumn Newsletter

Hi

Another month has flown by, with plenty happening at our dealership.

Our breakfast club at the start of the month was one of our best yet, with Jon Wells, Morgan's Head of Design, providing a fascinating talk on how he designs cars and the cutting edge technology he uses.  We've plenty more great speakers lined up for future breakfast clubs and details of October's event appears later in this newsletter.

Last weekend saw us at Sywell Aerodrome's 'Piston and Props' classic plane and car show.  A fabulous event with a great turn out of classic cars and motorbikes, not to mention some excellent aerial displays from stunt planes to Spitfires and Hurricanes.  Our stand featured the full range of Morgans, with the new Aero 8 attracting more than its fair share of attention.

In our trimshop, we've just taken on a new apprentice, George Cannon, who is a real car enthusiast and is taking to his new role like a duck to water.  In addition to his time spent learning his trade in our trimshop, he'll be attending a Classic Car Restoration course at Bicester College on a day release basis.

Looking ahead a few weeks, we'll be hosting a Morgan stand at a new classic car show in London organised by 'Classic & Sports Car' magazine.  This will be at Alexandra Palace from 30th October to 1st November and promises to be a great event.  For more details see www.classicandsportscarshow.com

Hope you enjoy the latest newsletter!

A customer's tale...

If you're one of our regulars, you'll probably know that at Allon White Sports Cars we have a great capability to freshen up or fully restore a much loved but rather tired Morgan or Lotus.

Autumn is a great time for us to start such projects as it fits into our work pattern after the busy summer period.  And that is just what a Morgan owner decided should be done when he chose to bring his car to us about this time last year.

Having investigated several options and after hearing about our great relationship with our customers and the effort we put in, Chris Dunn decided to entrust his family Morgan 4/4 to us for full restoration, even though he lives in Gloucestershire - no small distance from Cranfield.

Roy Smith, a regular contributor to our newsletter, recently sat down to talk with Chris about his experience.  We felt the interview would be nice to use as the second of our occasional series, 'From our customers' point of view.'

To read Chris' story, please click on Morgan Restoration

New interiors for Elises

Our coach trimming workshop has been very busy with various Lotus Elises over the last month or two.

This work has varied from hood repairs on S1 Elises to retrimmed seats including ProBax conversions to full interior retrims.

One car we worked on was our own, recently acquired 2006 Elise.  This had an interior which was tired to say the least - grey cloth, heavily stained, holes in places, not to mention giving off an unpleasant smell!  So the brief to the trimshop was to retrim the interior, using a design that combined simplicity with quality.

To see some more pictures and further details, please click on Lotus Elise Retrim

 

News on the Morgan front

Morgan Aero 8

If you're considering a new Morgan in time for Christmas (now wouldn't that make a rather fine present?!), then for a 4/4, Roadster or +4, we can include your choice or leather interior at no extra cost.  To find out more or take advantage of this offer, please contact Phil on 01234 750205 or phil@allonwhite.co.uk

Other news on the Morgan front is we are in the process of changing our demonstrator 'fleet'.

Our rather fine looking Metallic Blue +4 demonstrator is now up for sale as it's replacement has just been ordered.  For details please click on Morgan +4

A demonstrator we're eagerly awaiting is our new Aero 8 which is due to arrive in December.  Since the launch of this new model at this year's Geneva Motor Show, there's been a lot of interest and the queue (hopefully orderly!) of people wanting to drive it is growing week by week.

Then to complete the fleet for this year, we're also planning to have the very impressive 3.7 litre Roadster.  And looking into 2016, a 3 Wheeler will be on the cards as well.

Finally and rather sadly, if you were thinking about the new Morgan ARP4, then I'm afraid it's too late as all the build slots - there were only 50 - have now been sold.  This has to go down as one of Morgan's most successful limited edition models, selling out within a matter of weeks after its launch at the Silverstone Classic.  Hopefully it will have whetted Morgan's appetite for future limited edition cars...

Saturday Breakfast Club - driving Formula 1 cars

Allon White Sports Cars Breakfast Club Allon White Sports Cars Breakfast Club

Our very successful Breakfast Clubs have now been running for over 3 years.  They take place on the first Saturday of the month, kicking off at 9:30am with bacon rolls and hot drinks, followed by a talk or demonstration with a motoring theme at 10am.

Our next Breakfast Club is on Saturday 3rd October and we're delighted to have coming along as our guest speaker, Ed McDonough who's raced all types of car, and road tested, or rather track tested, historic Formula 1 cars for a number of motorsport magazines.  A real character and great raconteur, Ed will be talking at our breakfast club about his experiences driving F1 cars.

All are welcome to our Breakfast Clubs - no need to book, but just turn up on the day.  Or for more information, including a list of the upcoming events, visit our website by clicking on Breakfast Club

DRIVE 7TENTHS Feature - skid control



Neil Furber of DRIVE7TENTHS has kindly agreed to provide a series of articles for our newsletters.  So over to you Neil...

Last month’s feature provided an introduction to tyres. Those that followed the link to the DRIVE7THENTHS website will have read about the limit of grip.  This month will look a little at what happens when this is reached.

A very common theme among keen sports car enthusiasts concerns a desire to understand, experience and learn to control their car in a skid.  The first step is to understand what causes a skid and the types of skid.

After a driver experiences a loss of control during a skid they will often blame some outside influence.  Oil, wet conditions, other road users, wet leaves and ice are regular excuses. Excluding mechanical failure, there is only one cause of a skid and that's the driver!  If the driver recognises the conditions and likely risk, they can choose an appropriate speed for their skill level to maintain full control.

There are six main ways that a driver will enter a skid: driving too fast into or through a bend; braking (heavily or whilst turning); too much power applied (in a straight line or during cornering); sharply lifting off the throttle pedal during cornering; steering (too much or too fast) and gear changing/clutch release (generally downshifts whilst braking or cornering).

Firstly, let’s look at driving in a straight line. Heavy braking to the point of wheel locking (without ABS) will cause a skid with a complete loss of steering control.  Too much power applied will cause the driven wheels to spin, particularly on a loose or low friction surface.  Sharp clutch release, especially downshifts during heavy braking, can cause over or under rotation of the driven wheels. This is equivalent to the wheels spinning or locking.

Entering or driving through a bend is more involved.  Driving too fast into or through a bend can lead to the car running wide (often described as understeer) or entering a spin (often described as oversteer).  Chassis setup, road conditions and the way the driver enters the bend affect which occurs.

Too much power applied in the bend can lead to running wide or entering a spin.  Whether a car is front or rear wheel drive and the rate of power application affect which occurs.  Sharply lifting off the throttle pedal or braking tend to lead to a spin.

For an opportunity to learn some theory, experience different types of skid and learn how to control and, more importantly, how to prevent skidding, you can email Neil at enquiries@drive7tenths.com to discuss a bespoke course in a safe environment.

To visit the website - lots of good information/tips - click on www.drive7tenths.com

Cars for sale

Lotus Elise S2 Morgan +8

Currently in our showroom we have a brand new Morgan 4/4 ready for immediate delivery; our +4 demonstrator, less than 6 months old and now up for sale as we have a new one on order; and our normal excellent selection of used Morgans.

Then on the Lotus front we can offer Elises, a rather super condition M100 Elan, and a rare original type Europa.

We also have a good condition, entry level Caterham 7 which does go rather well!

To find out more about our cars, please click on the links below:

Morgans for sale

Lotus for sale

Other makes for sale

Our used cars come fully serviced, HPI checked, have a new MOT (if applicable), and if sold for use in the UK have a 3 month warranty.

If you're interested in any of these cars, or would like advice on any aspect of Morgan or Lotus ownership, email sales@allonwhite.co.uk or call 01234 750205.

Other interesting classics - AC Cobra

AC Cobra

In this section - a regular feature of our newsletters - we look at interesting cars we've seen in our dealership or ones we'd maybe like to have...

This month we turn our attention to the rather fabulous AC Cobra.  If ever a car had a wow factor it was this one!  The very name sends a shiver down the spine - one of the most evocative cars ever to be produced.

The AC Company dates back to 1903, when a little-known company, Weller Brothers, built a special 20hp vehicle.  Weller also produced a little three-wheeler (Morgan fans take note) called the Auto Carrier - the initials, of course, AC.

AC had a car in production in 1961, called the AC Ace, powered by a 'straight 6' from the Bristol Car Company.  Then in September of that year, American automotive engineer Carroll Shelby, who had an Ace, asked AC if they would build him a car to take an American V8.  They agreed and Ford were persuaded to supply two 4.3L V8 engines and ship them to AC Cars in Thames Ditton.

AC's design team set to work and a beautiful aluminium super-light AC 'Ace on steroids' was created.  They called it the Cobra.  Carroll Shelby was delighted and so began a famous association which led to a small scale production and sale in the USA up to 1967.

Most Cobras were destined for the USA and for these, AC shipped fully built cars less engines and gearboxes to America.  Shelby then installed the engine and gearbox in his workshop in Los Angeles.

The Mark 1 version of the Cobra used a 4.3 litre engine which then grew to 4.7 litres.  In 1963 the Mark II Cobra appeared which featured a revised front end to accommodate rack and pinion steering.  Then in 1965 the Mark III entered production with a redesigned chassis and coil springs rather than the previously used transverse springs.

The most powerful version is the 427 Cobra - 427 cubic inches - or if you prefer, 7 litres of muscle in a car weighing in just over 900kg!  425bhp was available in standard form, and when tuned, 485bhp+ could be squeezed out of the readily tuneable engine.  Top speed was around 185mph and for many years the held the record as the world's fastest production car.

The Cobra was never a financial success, and this led to the eventual decision by Shelby to cease importing cars into the USA in 1967.  AC did though continue to produce its 'Roadster' in different formats until the early 70s.

The Cobras were and are fearsome cars to drive, but once mastered, usually by the experts, they put on a show of power and noise only replicated by an early Corvette or Lola T70.

The Cobra featured in competition, principly in the USA, but also competed at events such as the Le Mans 24 hour.  It was for this, that the Coupe derivative was produced with a hard top to improve speed along the legendary Mulsanne straight.

Such is the style, muscle and presence of the Cobra, that it has been much replicated within the kit car market.  Indeed, such is the rarity and value of the genuine examples, this is the only way that most of us could afford a 'Cobra'.  The best known replicas are probably made by Autocraft and DAX marques, and even Carroll Shelby himself produced some 'counterfeits' of his own car in the early 90s!

And finally...

If the summer saw you driving abroad and nerves fraying every time you took to the steering wheel, it may have been a relief to return to UK roads.  So we thought you might like to know some of the worst places to drive in the world.  After all, there’s always next year…

  • For sheer congestion we must mention Beijing.  2010 saw its infamous 60 mile traffic jam, since when it’s introduced alternate driving days for car owners in a bid to reduce the quantity on the roads.
  • And if you’re not keen on congestion and lane changing, probably best avoid Toronto. 70% of Toronto’s workforce commute by car and of particular mention is Highway 401. With 18 lanes at its widest, you really need to know where you’re going to stand a chance of exiting at the right junction.
  • Paris might be fine at 4am, but as most road users will testify there’s precious few road markings, erratic lane changing and constant braking.  But if you really want to test yourself, don’t miss the Arc de Triomphe.  With roughly 13 different entrances, no markings and no lines, you may be wanting a rest afterwards.  Oh, but there’s nowhere to park.
  • Italy has been voted the most dreaded country to drive in by 32% of motorists, and Rome seems to be the pinnacle of fear.  The Romans are notoriously aggressive drivers, tailgating is their hobby and tourists caught driving in much of the city will be fined.
  • If you felt plagued by hairpin bends, spare a thought for regular drivers on the Three Level Zigzag road on the Old Silk Route from Tibet to India.  With more than 100 hairpins in 30 km, you will have to fight the dizziness and must also cope with the sheer drops that accompany virtually all of the route.
  • When you’re off the beaten track, you may expect to find less than perfect road surfaces and few road signs but how about when you’re in the (ex) capital city?  Welcome to Lagos.  Large potholes feature regularly, traffic signs are often obscured and the rumour is that many locals never bothered with driving school.
  • And finally, we should mention that we really don’t help ourselves.  More than 20% of Brits never bother to check local driving laws before taking to foreign roads.  Now whose right of way is it…?

Contact us

If you want to talk to us on any sports car related issue, please contact Allon White Sports Cars by:

Phone: 01234 750205
Email: sales@allonwhite.co.uk
Website: www.allonwhite.co.uk

Kind Regards

John

John Bellenger
Allon White Sports Cars Ltd
 

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Allon White Sports Cars Ltd
119 High Street, Cranfield, Beds, MK43 0BS
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