Author

Simon Berry

Simon Berry is the Assistant Editor at Cars for Stars News and is responsible for commissioning work from freelance writers. Simon is particularly interested in stories related to classic cars as he is a keen collector and restorer of vintage vehicles.

Wedding car traded for a skip on bride’s big day

Every bride wants to make an entrance on their big day, and for 43-year-old Noreen Quin from Swindon, her big arrival certainly caused a stir over the weekend.

The happy couple decided to do away with tradition and the usual chauffeur driven Rolls Royce or Bentley wedding car and so opted for something a little more familiar.

Although the Noreen and her now husband Nick Kearns have known each other for 20 years, they didn’t get together until Noreen came to work at businessman Nick’s skip hire firm.

In honour of the business that brought them together, romantic groom Nick decided to convert one of his skips into a “carriage” to transport his “princess” on their special day.

Although the skip hire company owner admitted the wedding skip had been used to transport rubbish in the past, the container underwent a complete makeover ahead of the big day.

The skip revamp took approximately two and half weeks to complete, according to the groom who undertook all of the work himself. The skip was carpeted, painted blue to match the bride’s dress with a glitter effect, a Perspex roof was added, along with seat belts in accordance with health and safety laws, and also a drop down door so as to allow the bride to make a graceful exit.

As the skip has no engine, it had to be transported to the registry office on the back of a lorry. After the service, the bridal party were treated to a ride in the wedding skip back to the reception venue.

by Simon BerryDecember 7, 2010no comment

6 wheeled sports car is unveiled

It’s been 32 years in the making, but Italian car maker Covini Engineering has finally completed their 6-wheeled sports car, and it’s ready for its debut this week.

Covini Engineering’s C6W is due for its first public outing this week where it will be unveiled at the Racing Professional Motor Show in Bologna.

The unusual sports car takes its inspiration from a 1976 Formula 1 racing car, the Tyrell P34 which boasted two pairs of 10 inch wheels at the front of the vehicle.

Covini are convinced 6 wheels are better than 4. The Italian car maker says the addition of two extra wheels on the front of the vehicle helps improve traction, and the smaller space on the front of the car makes for a reduction in drag, which in turn increases speed.

According to Covini the 6 wheel car also offers a reduced risk of front tyre deflation, better grip and braking, and improved absorption of front impact. The C6W is equipped with a 4.2 litre Audi engine which provides 433 BHP, with a six speed gearbox. The sports car’s top speed is reported to be 185mph.

The C6W sports which is scheduled to makes its debut in Bologna this week is reported to be the final production model, however there’s no word yet on when the unique sports car will be available to buy, and crucially, how much it will cost.

by Simon BerryDecember 3, 2010no comment

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car set to make its final UK appearance

The original car used in the iconic 1968 children’s film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is poised to make its final public appearance in the UK this weekend before it’s shipped out to the US to be sold in auction.

Chitty will make her final appearance in Stratford this Saturday where children will have the chance to get up close to the legendary car and have their picture taken alongside the iconic ride.

The famous car, which bears the number plate GEN11, is the only road going car used in the actual Chitty Chitty Bang Bang film starring Dick Van Dyke.

Pierre Picton from Stratford has owned the famous car for over 30 years, ever since the vehicle starred in the hit children’s movie. Mr Picton was in charge of maintaining Chitty during the filming of the movie back in the 60’s, and even drove the car in some scenes in the film.

However after over 30-years of ownership, Mr Picton is reluctantly letting Chitty Chitty Bang Bang go. The car’s appearance in Stratford on Saturday will be its last UK outing, after which she will be shipped out to America where she will be sold in auction.

If you live in the Stratford area, don’t miss out of this last opportunity to see this famous car in the flesh.

by Simon BerryNovember 26, 2010no comment

Elvis Presley’s Mercedes to be sold at auction

A classic Mercedes-Benz 600 once owned by the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, is due to go on sale at Bonham’s end of year sale next week.

The Mercedes sports car, formerly owned by Elvis, will be one of the highlight’s of the Important Motor Cars and Fine Automobilia auction due to take place in Mercedes-Benz World in Weybridge Surrey on December 6^th.

According to the auction house Bonham’s, the Mercedes-Benz 600 is one of only a handful of cars to have been registered in Elvis Presley’s name. The luxury sports car was one of two Mercedes owned by the legendary singer before he gifted the top of the range ride to his friend, James Leroy Robertson.

In 2005 a UK buyer purchased the Mercedes from a car dealer in Memphis who then had the sports car shipped over to Britain. Because of the car’s illustrious links to the iconic singer, the Mercedes 600 is estimated to fetch between £150,000 and £200,000 when it goes under the hammer in Surrey next week.

Another vehicle due to be sold at Bonham’s auction early next month which is causing a stir is a vintage 1936 Rolls Royce Phantom lll which was one of just 24 Phantom lll’s to be sold to the US. The vintage limo also has another claim to fame as it featured in a chase scene for fantasy film, Pan’s Labyrinth.

by Simon BerryNovember 25, 2010no comment

Chauffeur driven Mini Cooper service launched by top hotel in the US

Peninsula Hotels have launched a brand new chauffeur driven Mini Cooper service for guests staying at either their New York or Chicago establishment.

The chauffeur driven Minis will be at the disposal of guests staying at either hotel, with those booked into a suite at the hotels being granted three free hours of travel in the snazzy new ride every day.

The fleet of Mini Coopers come in dark green known, as Peninsula Green by the hotel. Each Mini is fully fitted with an onboard fridge so passengers can enjoy a chilled drink, and also cold towels so they can freshen up during the trip. Extra luggage space has also been added with a box roof rack so there’s plenty of room for shopping bags if you’re planning a bit of a spree.

The official unveiling of the Peninsula Hotel’s Mini Cooper fleet is due to take place in New York this week. The scheme is due to be rolled out in Chicago in time for the Christmas season.

The chauffeur driven Minis will be available for guests to use for sightseeing tours, with a specific tour of New York having already been set up which will take the visitors on a ride around Cloisters Museum, Manhattan and also the Meatpacking District. In Chicago guests can take a tour of famous locations featured in top movies.

The luxurious hotel chain first introduced the chauffeur scheme at its Hong Kong hotel last Christmas, and the service proved so successful, they decided to roll it out across a number of other Peninsula hotels in key areas.

As well as launching chauffeur driven Mini Cooper hire in New York and Chicago, Peninsula Hotels are planning to offer the service at its Tokyo establishment in the New Year.

by Simon BerryNovember 19, 20101 comment

Aston Martin’s Cygnet goes on display in Harrods shop window

The latest offering from Aston Martin, the luxury city car the Cygnet, has gone on display in top London department store Harrods.

The luxury car maker chose the world’s most revered department store for the Cygnet’s world debut. Car fans can now get the first glimpse of the luxury mini-Aston Martin while doing a bit of shopping in London’s Knightsbridge.

The new Cygnet is due to go into production next year at Aston Martin’s manufacturing plant in England. Orders are already being taken for the snazzy city car by Aston Marin dealers in Europe.

The Cygnet is made for city driving with a light, compact design and excellent fuel efficiency. The 2-door Cygnet also boasts the famous Aston Martin grille, and has inverted rear lights for a stylish look.

With a starting price of approximately £30,000, the Cygnet is much pricier than the Toyota iQ minicar which shares the same 1.33 litre engine as the Cygnet and has a starting price of £10,228. The reason for the hefty price tag, according to Aston Martin, is that each Cygnet is handcrafted with everything from the door panels to the bumpers being made with the best materials, by the best craftsmen.

The Cygnet, which is billed by Aston Martin as “luxury city car” will be on display in Harrods’ shop window until December 11^th.

by Simon BerryNovember 17, 2010no comment

Car hire company Europcar wins two top awards

The car hire company Europcar was honoured at the World Travel Awards earlier this month when they took home two of the biggest awards of the night.

Europcar was named World’s Leading Car Hire Company for the fourth consecutive year, and also the Worlds’ Leading Green Transport Solution Company for the second time.

The World Travel Awards are highly regarded within the industry as the awards are voted for by some 187,000 travel experts across seven regions of the world.

Europcar were delighted to accept both awards at the glittering ceremony in London earlier this month. The leading car hire firm were especially happy to receive the green award as it shows the company’s commitment to environmental protection is being recognised by the travel industry.

It was the second time Europcar had taken home the Green Transport Solution award and the firm said that winning the accolade the first time round, spurred them on to achieve even better environmentally friendly car hire solutions.

Last year, Europcar became the first car hire company to launch a specialist environmental agency and the first in Europe to introduce an Environment charter. Europcar also boasts an impressive fleet of low emission cars, and also hybrid vehicles, which helped them to secure the green award at this year’s World Travel Awards.

by Simon BerryNovember 16, 2010no comment

Adam Sandler gifts his co-stars with £130k Maserati sports cars

Hollywood actor Adam Sandler has gifted each of his co-stars in his hit comedy movie, Grown-ups, with a brand new shiny sports car.

The movie was a smash hit across the world, pulling in $267 in box office sales. To show his appreciation Sandler, who also produced the movie, presented four of the other stars of the film, namely David Spade, Kevin James, Chris Rock, and Rob Schneider with Italian sports cars.

Adam Sandler is estimated to be worth £100 million and was recently ranked ninth in the list of the most overpaid stars in Hollywood.

In a recent interview, comic actor David Spade admitted he’s been “too embarrassed” to drive the top of the range sports car, while Chris Rock described being gobsmacked to find the sleek Maserati ride parked on his driveway one morning. Rock added that the movie Grown Ups was a big deal for Sandler and that “he appreciates the help” for the part his co-stars played in the hit comedy.

The top of the range luxury Maserati sports cars were said to be worth £130,000 apiece. The luxury car brand was established back in 1914 by the Maserati brothers in Bologna, Italy. Maserati is now widely recognised as one of the world’s leading sports car brands.

by Simon BerryNovember 12, 2010no comment

Wedding car chauffeur attacked in US carjacking

A wedding chauffeur was attacked inside of the limo he was driving after a thief attempted to make away with the luxury limousine.

The terrifying incident happened over the weekend as the wedding limo, which was transporting a group of bridesmaids, waited outside of a church in Dorchester, Massachusetts.

The attacker was reported to have been fleeing the scene of another crime he’d committed, believed to be a house break-in, when he carried out the carjacking. The robber entered the limo by smashing the passenger side window with a hammer. The bridesmaids travelling onboard fled from the wedding vehicle in fear as the chauffeur attempted to fight off the thief inside the limo.

After wrestling with the assailant for several minutes, the chauffeur was eventually ousted from the car by the violent thief, who then made his getaway in the blacked out wedding car.

The police were called, but despite their quick response, the robber got away in the stretch limo. The vehicle was later found abandoned a few miles from the church.

Not wanting to let the incident cast a showdown over the wedding day, the five bridesmaids hid the terrifying ordeal from the bride, and walked down the aisle without mentioning a word to the happy couple. The bride and groom exchanged vows completely unaware of the drama which had unfolded a few minutes earlier outside of the church.

by Simon BerryNovember 8, 2010no comment

Rolls Royce car rally to mark centenary of co-founder’s death

A vintage Rolls Royce Car rally and a statue unveiling was held this week in Manchester to mark 100 years since the death of one of the luxury car maker’s founders, Charles Rolls.

The Midland Hotel in Manchester was at the centre of the event as it is renowned for being the birthplace of Rolls Royce after a meeting between the firm’s two founders, Charles Rolls and Henry Royce, in 1904.

The pair set up a partnership during this historic meeting, however the joint venture was cut short just six years later after Charles Rolls died tragically in a air crash in 1910 at the age of 32.

However Rolls’ name lived on in the car brand he co-created alongside Royce. The company has since produced over 30 models, won numerous awards, and become renowned as one of the world’s most luxurious car manufacturers.

A fleet of pristine classic and modern Rolls Royce models were lined up outside of the Midland Hotel in Manchester City Centre as part of the centenary event. A bronze statue of Charles Rolls was presented to the hotel to symbolise the venue’s role in the birth of the iconic car brand.

Members of the Rolls Royce Enthusiasts Club turned out for the occasion and took part in a classic Rolls Royce car rally which ran through Manchester city centre.

by Simon BerryNovember 3, 2010no comment

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