Long-time friend, Pedro Bessa sends this wonderful 3-part story, accompanied by some fabulous photos.  Part One FROM PORTUGAL WITH A HUG  "AutoClássico 2015" was held in Oporto, Portugal, in recent days 2, 3 and 4 October in the the "autoClássico 2015" hall. This is the largest international motor show and classic motorcycle event in the Iberian Peninsula. This thirteenth edition closed with about 35,000 visitors to its 40,000 m2 of exhibition space.

At Zandvoort the history of motor racing bursts in to life again when the yearly Historic Grand Prix event is held. According to former Formula 1 racing driver and Le Mans winner Gijs van Lennep, this is the most interesting and entertaining event of the year at Circuit Park Zandvoort. And indeed, with more than 50000 spectators, the Historic Grand Prix is the most visited event of the year for this legendary Circuit ! Of course the fine weather conditions were an important factor to this success. The fourth edition of this event entertained the audience with an extensive programme of 19 races and several demonstrations.

International auctioneers Coys showed over 70 classic and sports cars in their big hospitality tent. The auction on Saturday afternoon has become a long-standing feature at the Oldtimer Grand Prix. The auction featured a wide variety of vehicles such as Lancias, Ferraris, Porsches, Formula 1 cars and even some microcars.

This 43st edition of the AvD Oldtimer Grand Prix came up with two special races: a race of the Jaguar Heritage Challenge and a Touring Car race of which the majority of the cars were Alfa Romeos GTA/GTAm. This year it is the celebration of "50 years of Alfa Romeo GTA" and also the 80th birthday of Jaguar. The three-day historic racing event at the Nürburgring attracted  52,000 spectators to the Eifel area.

Mercedes-Benz has more history than any other automobile manufacturer. Mercedes-Benz is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, where the main production facilities are located. Their museum is also located in Stuttgart and it should be on every car enthusiast's bucket list.

Have you ever thought of owning an original 1964 Ford Mustang but were you afraid of all the problems which may occur during a restauration ? Now’s the time to make your dreams come true as one of America’s most iconic cars of the sixties, is back in production and better than ever. A specialty automobile manufacturer based in Winter Park, Florida, named Revology Cars, is building brand new first generation Mustangs with modern technology. The first car was unveiled March 14 2015, at the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, one of the nation`s most prestigious automotive events.            

A new race series for all models of pre 1966 Jaguars will run with the UK's Historic Sports Car Club in 2015. The Heritage Challenge Series builds on the success of the E-type Challenge that ran for for three seasons with the HSCC. It also comes at a time when Jaguar Heritage is busier than ever, with the launch of the recreation Lightweight E-type, the Heritage Driving Experience and the growing Heritage parts and restoration business. Jaguar Heritage is part of Jaguar Land Rover's Special Operations Division.                                    

 Sheltering from the heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in one of the old pit boxes during the Six hours race on Saturday-evening, the 22nd edition of the Spa Six Hours reminded me of the same race four years ago. Also in 2010 the clouds bursted open just before eight o’clock. On Sunday these reminiscings were even strengthened as the weather turned out to be the same as the Sunday four years ago.

Text and photos by Guus Docen After the successful first two editions of the Historic Grand Prix Zandvoort, the third edition was also a huge success. Over three days 50.831 visitors witnessed a stunning racing festival, where the rich racing history of Zandvoort stood central. Matches with historic formula, touring and sports cars from the period 1948-1985, formed the main part of the program. There were also lots of demonstrations and presentations, autograph sessions with prominent (former) drivers and a parade on Saturday with racing cars from the circuit to the historic center of Zandvoort.

On Saturday, at 16.00 hrs. the Coys auction started in the big tent in the middle of the Grand Prix circuit. Fifty classic cars were noted in the Coys catalog, but around twelve 12 extra cars were added. To sell these so-called late entries is sometimes difficult as there’s no chance for interested bidders to inform themselves about the cars, they are forced to bid spontaneously. Despite some of these entries got a new owner, like the Alfa Romeo Junior Zagato 1300 for 29,900 euros or a 1926 Fiat 509 MM, which was upgraded in the 30s with a compressor, for 72,900 Euros. Most of the cars were sold under the estimated price. A Fiat Dino Coupe 2400 went for 26,450 Euros or a 1966 Jaguar E-Type Roadster Series 1 4.2 litre for 123,500 Euros. Particular interesting were the four Mercedes SLs with extremely low mileage. The 1978 450 SL with just 3464 miles on the clock found a buyer for 65,200 Euros. The even more attractive 380 SL with only 12,721 miles from new, went for 55,200 Euros.