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Restoring the Roar
001 JANUARY 2026
Hands up for Capital Gains Tax Free Returns Build Wealth From Your Passion Classic cars aren’t just admired — they’re assets that can appreciate with time. Invest in the stories, the style, the value. Consult with the experts and build a collection that generates tax free returns or join one of our open syndicates enabling investment from just £ 2000 Start investing in future classics today. Capital at Risk - Please consult financial advisors before entering into any investments
Welcome
Welcome to the first edition of our brand-new GP59 Magazine. Inside, you’ll find updates on our latest work, partner stories, and a few nostalgic touches. We closed 2025 with the exciting news of our partnership with TheCarCrowd, bringing cost ‑ effective classic car ownership to more enthusiasts through their well ‑ established syndicate model. Read on to learn more about restorations and collectible car syndications. October marked the end of the race season and our first true run in the Motor Racing Legends Stirling Moss Trophy at Silverstone with our 1958 Lotus Eleven after months of preparation, delivering standout results. The Evolution/GP59 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car also wrapped up 2025 with a solid second season. So what will 2026 bring? The debate about the future of classic cars and the generational change in the market continues and the HCVA continue to provide great support to our industry. We still firmly believe the market will continue to be strong for the right cars from any decade in the last 70 years but with regulation seemingly stifling much of modern design, we have seen increasing interest in mildly updating old classics to suit modern day life and roads. It still amazes us that many are willing to take the VAT hit on a new SUV box and the subsequent depreciation and express surprise at the cost of the restoration or even a few updates of a classic which offers so much more pleasure. It’s probably a good job we aren’t all so passionate about classics or there may not be enough to go round!
Finally, a big thank you to our clients and partners. Your support and friendship keep this newsletter meaningful and help us strengthen the GP59 name.
Gavin Spencer GP59 Ltd
Visit us for a workshop tour. Individuals and Clubs welcome
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GP News Recent news highlights
A healthy contribution During its annual meeting at the British Motor Museum on 18 October, the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs presented the 2025 National Historic Vehicle Survey. Completed every five years, the survey provides a detailed look at the state of the UK’s classic vehicle world, drawing on responses from nearly 20,000 enthusiasts, clubs and businesses. The sector continues to grow, now valued at £7.3bn, up from £7.2bn in 2020. Further good news comes as UNESCO has granted approval for the Federation to continue its application to recognise the UK’s Historic Vehicle Enthusiasts’ Movement as Intangible Cultural Heritage. This is the first step in a thorough process aimed at ensuring the nation’s interest in historic vehicles is officially recorded and protected as part of the UK’s living heritage. Click on the logo for more information on both these good news stories.
HCVA campaign delivers As members of The Historic and Classic Vehicles Alliance, GP59 welcomes the DVLA’s updated guidance on registration rules. Key updates include: no need to report like ‑ for ‑ like repairs if the vehicle keeps its original look and matching log book; structural changes allowed while keeping the original VIN and registration when informed; and electric conversions now able to keep their original identity with DVLA notification.
The HCVA is a not ‑ for ‑ profit group working to protect classic vehicles and the specialist industries behind them. It tackles challenges such as registration issues, the future of suitable fuels, post ‑ Brexit changes and the impact of new environmental rules — helping preserve this rich heritage for everyone.Click the logo for more information.
Motor Racing Legends gears up for 2026 Motor Racing Legends introduces GP Icons, a new grid celebrating Formula 1 cars from 1966 to 1985. These years delivered unforgettable machines marked by inventive engineering, standout colours, star drivers and the fierce Ford Cosworth DFV. GP Icons embraces everything from the first 3 ‑ litre racers to the aero ‑ driven 1970s, the rise of ground ‑ effect and the sleek, flat ‑ bottomed cars that defined the mid ‑ 1980s. The new grid will make its debut at the BRDC Classic at Silverstone, held on 24th-26th July 2026. This landmark event provides a fitting stage for the new series to be unveiled, before GP Icons moves toward a full calendar of fixtures in 2027. GP59 will be there with our 1958 Lotus Eleven competing in the Stirling Moss Trophy. Click the logo for more information.
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Lap Time
The year was spent testing, checking and testing again to make sure our Historic Lotus Eleven was ready for the 2026 season. The work felt endless: a rebuilt engine, refreshed carburettors, gearbox and differential, plus a full rewiring to chase out stubborn electrical problems. We were lucky to have former Lotus driver Adam Wilcox test the car earlier in the year. His racing experience and thoughtful feedback helped guide us through the final push. After a second test with ex‑MINI racer Bradley Gravett, the car was finally ready for the last race of the season in the Motor Racing Legends Stirling Moss Trophy at Silverstone in October. That race proved to be a standout moment for the little Lotus, with Michael O’Brien steering it to a strong second in class and fourth overall after a lively battle with our friends Ollie Crosthwaite and Nick Finburgh in their Cooper‑Monaco.
as we take on the MRL Series across the UK and Europe. On a final note, a very special moment took place at GP59 in November. Alan Gough’s daughter and grandson visited to see the Lotus he owned and raced in GT form back in the 60s. It was their first time experiencing the car in person, and it turned into an emotional day for everyone involved. Picture below shows Alan in blue overalls with the Lotus in GT form in 1965.
Michael O’Brien brings deep experience as a leading McLaren driver and is a familiar face in historic racing, with success in single-seaters and wins at Goodwood Revival and Silverstone Festival. As an ambassador for British Army Motorsport, it was a real privilege to have him with us. Now we look to 2026, when racing duties will be shared between Michael and our star Porsche driver Josh Stanton
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Workshop What’s In?
A brace of Aston Martin DB6's grace our fabrication workshop with Ben at the helm. The first is our syndicate 1966 car featured later in this magazine and the second is a crash repair.
The full rebuild of the very rare Gordon Keeble is coming to completion with final fittings and tuning. Full chassis, body and engine rebuild already done.
1978 Lotus Esprit S1. Another rare car which is being transformed and updated for today’s living, James Bond-style
1969 Porsche 911 Targa Restomod in our unique metallic green. Some incredibly exciting mods to this car in the pipeline.
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1962 Lotus Elite from bare shell to finished body, Coventry Climax engine rebuilt and Jenvey Fuel- injection Throttle bodies that look like Webers - improve the performance, don’t lose the charm.
1986 Porsche 911SC backdate. From red to striking blue with unique cream/blue leather interior. Gearbox rebuilt and engine refreshed.
Very rare, one of 84 ever produced. 1962 AC Greyhound engine rebuild. Ford Zephyr 6 engine now fitted with triple Webers increasing power to 165bhp.
Coming up 1978 Porsche 911SC backdate.
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Featured Classic Aston Martin DB6
Tucked away in a shed for several years, work had started on this 1966 Aston Martin DB6 by having all the underside and chassis repaired and the body had been painted but that's when the money ran out and the project stalled. The car is an all-matching numbers car with a V5 and apparently she “just needed the finishing touches”. But...once she reached our workshop the truth came out. Beneath the shiny paint sat deep layers of filler, a badly repaired front wing, and body panels fitted so poorly that even the headlights had a positive squint! The only option was to strip it down to a bare shell and start again. That process revealed even more hidden damage, including an old crash on the rear quarter and the frame fell far short of what a full restoration deserves. Seeing advertisements for Aston Martin’s that have been the subject of £100k restorations really makes you think twice about the extent of that restoration as a full restoration is considerably more costly.
In Trevor Gotheridge bought this DB6 and she was driven by her first owner for over a decade before being taken off the road in 1978. Sold in 2000 to Peter Eyles of Olney, she remains a rare two ‑ owner car making her restoration particularly worthwhile. 1966 Mr. Around 900 hours have been spent straightening the body and perfecting the panel gaps, and she is now ready for final prep and paint. In keeping with the GP59 vision, the aim is to preserve her charm while adding comfort and safety for today’s roads, including air ‑ conditioning, electronic power steering and improved lighting and brakes. A brand ‑ new Tremec 5 ‑ speed manual will replace the original automatic for better performance and smoother cold starts, while Jenvey Heritage throttle bodies will bring clean fuelling without losing the period look. This special DB6 is one of the first joint restorations by GP59 and TheCarCrowd. To find out more get in touch on www.GP59.com
When this Aston Martin DB6 arrived at our workshops all was not what it seemed.
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Syndication Syndication
collectible cars or to join with other members via their Collectible Car Syndicates. The collaboration has opened up a unique opportunity - Fractional classic car restoration and ownership. Our Syndicated Restorations programme allows enthusiasts and investors to share in the ownership of rare, high-potential vehicles, while the GP59 Team handle every technical detail through their workshop. Sharing the financial commitment of restoration, servicing, and ongoing maintenance across the entire group, makes ownership significantly more affordable. All storage and management can be centrally handled by GP59 or The Car Crowd, ensuring expert care and consistent oversight.
GP59 has carried out repairs and full restorations to many great marques including Aston Martin, Ferrari, Jaguar, Lotus and Porsche. The company’s workshops have expanded to 10,000 sqft and encompass component, engine-builds, body and paint shop. The team continue to reimagine ways to further access the experience of ownership of our automotive heritage whilst building the skills of the next generation of specialist technicians. The recent partnership announcement with TheCarCrowd extends the options for access to this exciting sector.
TheCarCrowd use proprietary data analytics tools to curate high- performing assets and collections providing a means for individuals to build their own Capital-Gains-Free collection of fast-appreciating .
Get yourself into the classic you’ve always wanted without breaking the bank
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instead of investing everything into a single vehicle, fractional sharing in multiple classics allows each group member to experience being part of the restoration and decision-making process and then enjoying the ownership of a selection of iconic cars, currently an Aston Martin DB6, Porsche 911 Targa and S1 Lotus Esprit, through a booking system throughout the year, with the added bonus of potentially realising a CGT-free profit on sale after five years.
Ownership
is
secured
through
comprehensive agreements, transparent central accounting, and independent auditing. This structured framework ensures clarity, legal accountability, and complete peace of mind for every syndicate member throughout the entire restoration and ownership process. GP59 and TheCarCrowd provide an unbeatable combination of industry investment knowledge, collectible car sourcing and storage with historic and classic car restoration and maintenance. Click the logo to watch the launch event.
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Classic Partner Spot t
Every issue we feature two of our trading partners and friends. Click their logos to find our why we love them!
Company: Historic Cars Web: cars@historiccars.fr
Company: Oshe Automotive Web: osheautomotive.com
Historic Cars Paris sources exceptional classic, racing and historic cars. Founded in 2014 by Gaël Regent, they stood out to us in January 2023 with a beautifully detailed 1958 Lotus Eleven Le Mans. They coordinated its full re ‑ import, and the car has since been refreshed ahead of its planned return to racing in the UK and Europe in 2026. Gaël’s time running a classic workshop, together with his long involvement with the French Historic Technical Homologation Group, makes him a reliable expert for restoration and HTP needs. In 2017, Guillaume Le Metayer came on board, bringing over twenty years of international historic racing experience. His extensive knowledge, lively nature and strong European network offer meaningful support for collectors and drivers.
We first met David Lane of Oshe Automotive in 2022 and quickly realised we shared the same outlook: a deep respect for classic machines and a focus on building restomods shaped around each client. Oshe revive Land Rovers with fresh performance and timeless style, taking pride in turning big ideas into reality. David’s roots trace back to Zimbabwe, and the name Oshe honours the African God of Thunder. Since 2017, the team has blended influences from different eras to craft unique vehicles for clients who want something truly personal. Most recently, they asked GP59 to restore and paint the shell of an African ‑ imported 1970s BMW 3.0CSA Restomod, modified for a modern M ‑ Series engine and gearbox—set to become something quite special.
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Shoulda Bought It
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GP59 Ltd, Unit 1 The Stone Wharf, Wharf Road, Fenny Compton, Warwickshire CV47 2FE Tel: 01295 771046 www.GP59.com
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