FBHVC News 3/2023

Issue 3/2023 of FBHVC News is available below to read online or download to your device.
Thanks to Anthony Osborne for sharing it with us.

FBHVC News 3/2023 Highlights

MoT
FBHVC responded to the relevant parts of a recent DfT consultation on the MoT to largely request the continuation of the status quo. A copy of the full response is on the Federation website.
Advice that it is probably wise to obtain a MoT for a historic vehicle before venturing abroad is repeated in the absence of any definitive guidance of the actual legal position of UK MoT exempt vehicles in foreign lands.
​Smart Motorways
Government announcement that no further Smart motorways would be constructed is noted.
ALK      (Automatic Lane Keeping)
Following earlier discussions around the implications of such semi-autonomous designs for historic vehicles the limited introduction in the UK by Ford of such a system is noted. This development will be closely monitored to ensure satisfactory interaction with historic vehicles.
DVLA
Nothing further to report on the ongoing DVLA problems as no information has been provided by the Agency, due in part to litigation brought by a vehicle owner.

Fuels
An interesting article sets out the details of seasonal variations of petrol volatility and notes a recent change in the appropriate standards that should lead to a quicker change-over at the pumps. This should benefit those historic vehicles which suffer from vapour lock difficulties.
Museums
Details are provided of various museum activities including -

• News of the National Motor Museum project to return the 1927 1000hp Sunbeam land speed record car to running condition by the anniversary in 2027. Some details of the car and its history are also provided.
• Announcement that the British Motor Museum will not increase its prices for this year.
• BMM also offer a special package for clubs wishing to hold events at Gaydon which is already proving popular.
• The London Transport Museum joins FBHVC. This award winning museum of urban transport is situated in Covent Garden in London and houses exhibits ranging from railway locomotives and buses to posters.

Drive It Day
Lead times preclude detailed DID reports in this edition of News but we know Sir Greg Knight (Chairman of the APPHVG) was out in East Yorkshire with his 1936 Cord. Intriguingly the office received a request for some DID plates to be sent to New South Wales, Australia! More news is eagerly awaited!
Features

• The Hillman Wizard
• James Bond Aston Martin DB5 and other cars
• Ambassador motorcycles
• Zwicky (an automotive company with aviation interests)
• John Lee Hargreaves 1933-2022 (originator of the Classic Manx GP)
• Introduction to the new Federation secretary, Mel Holley
• Review of magazine ‘Rare & Unique Vehicles’
• Club Chatter