Spannerman - from CMM May 2014, Issue No. 302

We’ve a saying down at the Chequered Flag that there’s no such thing as a coincidence. Rather, if two things happen at around the same time, then there’s probably a reason for it.

Somebody reminded me of this after they’d read the April piece I wrote, and out of the blue they asked me whether I was going to do a technical article on hydraulic locking.

Every weekend in Britain, 1000s of enthusiasts go hunting through the autojumbles for those hard to find spares they need. But getting the most out of these spares bonanzas takes a little forethought - as the editor of Classic Motor Monthly, John Hodson, pointed out in the show guide to the 1994 Classic & Sportscar Show at the NEC, an event in which CMM were the official supporters of the autojumble. Of course, these days the event is now called the Classic Motor Show, we still support the autojumble and it is still the best indoor event in Britain...

More than 350 Aston Martins cruised across the New Forest to Beaulieu on Sunday 10th April for the attraction’s first ever Simply Aston Martin rally, making it one of the largest gatherings of Aston Martins in the south.

A rare Aston Martin Works team car – chassis number DB3S/5 – which was campaigned in period by such legendary racing drivers as Sir Stirling Moss, Peter Collins and Roy Salvadori, and latterly went on to co-star with Terry-Thomas in 1960s movie classic ‘School for Scoundrels’, will be offered at Bonhams Aston Martin Works Sale on 21 May 2016. It is estimated at £6,000,000-7,000,000.

Bank Holiday Monday's Gawsworth Hall Classic Car Show has been cancelled after poor weather, and more forecast.

Gemini Events' Classic Motor Show at Old Warden on 3rd April proved so popular that the organisers had to turn away some 'on-spec' traders who turned up on the morning of the show as every trade stand was already pre-booked!

Fair weather brought crowds and a superb range of vehicles to the grounds of the Shuttleworth Collection - famed for its vintage aircraft and vehicles. Some of the Collection vehicles were on display in the arena during the day.

2016 marks the 8th Haslemere Classic Car Show and Tour. This popular community event is growing in status every year and is rapidly becoming a 'must do' in the classic car calendar.

Taking place on Sunday 29 May at Lion Green, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 1LD and will be a day filled with stunning pre-75 classics and vintage entertainment for all the family.

Live Promotions, the organisers of The Restoration Show & Sywell Classic Pistons & Props, will drive London’s Motorsport at the Palace event into a new era, after taking over the two-day event held at Crystal Palace on Sunday 29th and Monday 30th May 2016.

Previously organised by Sevenoaks and District Motor Club since its revival in 2010, Live will work with the club to grow the event both on and off the circuit using its valuable knowledge of outdoor events.

A staggering 800 Fords are already booked to take part in Simply Ford at Beaulieu this weekend (Sunday May 1st 2016) with even more owners expected to join the rally with their treasured cars.

Tickets are selling fast for this hugely popular event in the grounds of the National Motor Museum, open to every age and model of Ford, from Cortinas, Zodiacs and Anglias to Mondeos, Focuses and Transits. For a day out that will appeal to Ford fans and family visitors alike, Simply Ford is an unmissable event.

A giant portrait of Her Majesty the Queen, created entirely out of car and truck parts, has been unveiled to celebrate the monarch's 90th birthday on Thursday 21st April.

The technical tribute, which utilises over 800 individual components, was created by car servicing giant Kwik Fit's staff to honour Her Majesty's contribution to the Second World War, during which she trained and served as an Army mechanic in the Women's Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS).