AC Bluebird

27/05/2024

Never expected this…

Robin Tojeiro and I pitched up with AC Bluebird at the AC Owners’ Club National Day on Saturday. I had promised to get the car to Derby for this special 75th Anniversary event.

The event was held at the Northern Classic Cars, which Googles maps mistakenly thinks is in the main shopping centre, next to M&S! We arrived much later than planned and the car then had to be hoisted to the first floor to be displayed. There was a lovely informal dinner in the evening and I had a chance to meet many interesting AC owners, and between us be got through a few bottles of red wine.

Sunday morning Robin and I reconvened at Northern Classics and spent most of the day chatting with fellow AC enthusiasts who turned up to put their cars on display. I was amused by some of the parking antics and the wide selection of cars on display. It was great to meet with Jon Evans to hear all about his car, and it was kind of Ann-Marie to give Robin and myself a goodie bag, which came in useful later in the day.

I sold a few copies of my book ‘Reckless!’ to people who wanted to see me and the car before parting with their cash, and that was nice. Then it was time for the 75th Anniversy Cake to be cut and the prize giving. I was thinking about the cake and what size the slices might be when Robin nudged me and said I had won the top prize in the AC Aceca category. AC Bluebird had won first prize in the AC Concours. Utterly amazing and brilliant.

This little car continues to amaze me. Beating some Ferraris and Lamborghinis in the 2019 Mille Miglia, and several Porsches and Mercedes in the Ennstal Classic 2022, now winning a Concours! AC Bluebird is not a concours car, I never even bothered to wipe the car clean as I never end expected it to win. Really thrilled.

Special thanks to Robin who very kindly hauled the car up to Derby and half way home. And thanks to the AC Owners’ Club, especially Leo Archibald for organising a brilliant event

21/05/2024

On the road again… to DERBY!

There are many places I want to visit in the UK with AC Bluebird, but Derby is not very high on my list.

However, AC Bluebird will be attending the AC Owners’ Club National Day and Concours on Sunday 26 May, at Great Northern Classics in Derby. AC Bluebird is not really a concours car, it is set up for racing rather than trying to outshine other motor cars. Still, I will give AC Bluebird a quick wipe over before the judging.

The highlight for me this weekend will be spending time with Robin Tojeiro, the son of John Tojeiro, who was a brilliant car designer and who designed the AC Ace and the Aceca. Robin is towing AC Bluebird to Derby for me to ensure it arrives in time and in one piece. I’m sure we will share lots of AC stories over a few bottles of wine, and Derby may turn out to be not quite so bad after all.

23/04/2024

I had Seasick Sam join me for my first drive in AC Bluebird this year and she also took a few photographs and filmed our conversation.

23/04/2024

Ok, I hold my hands up and apologise. I’ve had a lot of emails complaining that I don’t keep the AC Bluebird website up to date and a few grumbles that I never competed at the Goodwood Easter Sprint this year.

Visit the webpage below to see AC Bluebird on it's first drive of 2024 and to hear more about plans for this year.

I had Seasick Sam join me for my first drive in AC Bluebird this year and she also took a few photographs and filmed our conversation.

14/03/2024

Ruskin Museum has confirmed that Bluebird K7 will run on Coniston Water again with new engineering team in place.

21/12/2023

Home for Christmas! After several months of work following my last outing at Goodwood. AC Bluebird is back home at Eden Lodge. The car’s next outing is in January to Gun Hill Studios for another photo session.

A Merry Christmas to all AC Bluebird fans and all the best for 2024. Hope to see as many of you as I can next year.

29/11/2023

I am often asked by people who have read my book ‘Reckless!’, when will the TV programme, that is referred to in the book, be broadcast? So I popped into Gun Hill Studios last Monday to get an update from Rupert Cobb, the Producer and Director of the TV show, and we also talked about other topics connected with ‘AC Bluebird’. It was a lively discussion as you can see below.

I popped into Gun Hill Studios last Monday to get an update from Rupert Cobb on the TV programme.

21/09/2023

Dents multiply!

That is what I’ve discovered since owning a classic car. You never get just one dent in the bodywork. When an expert like Lauren Drake checked over AC Bluebird she found several cracks and dents along the rear boot and the nearside wing.

That is what happens when you ask an expert to look at your car.

However, there is no doubt that Lauren and the team at Lights, Cars Action in Kingsley, have very sharp professional eyes and are experts at spotting bumps and cracks in bodywork.

Lauren explained to me what needed to be done to AC Bluebird to get it immaculate again, and I happily agreed. I still have several commitments this year for the car so I want it looking great for those events.

https://www.acbluebird.com/

05/09/2023

It has been a busy summer for AC Bluebird, with various trips to Brands Hatch, Brooklands and a few races and track days at Goodwood. AC Bluebird has returned to Jim Stokes Workshops in Waterlooville for some much-needed TLC.

It has been a busy summer for AC Bluebird, with various trips to Brands Hatch, Brooklands and a few races and track days at Goodwood. Most recently the brakes have been pulling to the left, or, on a few occasions, I had no brakes at all. A few bumps had appeared on the bodywork. The […]

09/08/2023

Another great Track Day at Goodwood, and over £30,000 raised for the amazing charity Dementia Support.

AC Bluebird was back at Goodwood recently, along with an amazing array of cars and drivers, to help raise funds for the charity Dementia Support, which does brilliant work for people suffering with the disease and their families.

Read more about the event here > https://www.acbluebird.com/another-great-track-day-at-goodwood-and-over-30000-raised-for-the-amazing-charity-dementia-support/

AC Bluebird was back at Goodwood recently, along with an amazing array of cars and drivers, to help raise funds for the charity Dementia Support.

30/07/2023

Back at Goodwood with AC Bluebird helping with Dementia Support. Lovely morning, looking forward to some exciting driving.

29/07/2023

After winning Best Driver Award at Goodwood yesterday, Ryan shows Mia how to tackle turns at Eden Lodge. Great fun, hope to see you both back here soon.

25/07/2023

Hope to see you at Goodwood!

AC Bluebird is back at Goodwood on Friday 28 July to sponsor another Track Day for the amazing charity, Dementia Support.

This year Don Wales, the nephew of land and water speed record breaker Donald Campbell, will be joining me, and we look forward to seeing Andy Mewis take on Goodwood again in his speed machine, while Colin Wynn is likely to tear up the track in his Porsche.

The top semi-professional racing driver Max Bird, competing in the Porsche Carrera Cup will also be at Goodwood on Friday, showing everyone how the Circuit should be driven!

It promises to be another great day at Goodwood, I hope you can be there too!

PS. I’ll be signing copies of my book ‘Reckless!’ on Friday and AC ‘Bluebird’ caps, T-shirts and hoodies will also be on sale.

AC Bluebird is back at Goodwood on Friday 28 July to sponsor another Track Day for the amazing charity, Dementia Support.

17/06/2023

This weekend AC’Bluebird’ is at Brooklands with the Campbell Family Heritage Trust. There is lots to see, including Donald Campbell memorabilia, brilliant photographs and a chance to chat with Don Wales, DC’s nephew. AC Bluebird is looking good alongside the photographs, books and models. And my book, ‘Reckless!’ Is selling well. If you are visiting Brooklands this weekend then pop along and say hello.

14/06/2023

I had a great day out at Brands Hatch recently where AC Bluebird was alongside Don Wales, (nephew of Donald Campbell and speed legend in his own right).

Don was at Brands to gather support for his campaign to get K7 back to Coniston, something he is devoting his life to. I was happy to help Don at Brands, although I don’t understand all the arguments about the ownership of K7, no doubt the lawyers will decide and make a lot of money at the same time.

Don had a Stand at Brands Hatch and there was genuine interest in what he had to say from the racing fans who wandered by. The Stand was festooned with Campbell family action photographs, memorabilia, models, and books. Don has several Stands organised at other motoring events throughout the Summer, look out for them.

Don and I had a short conversation (see the video on my website > https://www.acbluebird.com/in-conversation-with-don-wales/), with him sat behind the wheel of his uncle’s old car; he laughed at the sticky Dymo labels that I have in AC Bluebird, to remind me what the switches are for. Don said that K7 has Dymo labels on the dashboard too!

I had a great day out at Brands Hatch recently where AC Bluebird was alongside Don Wales, (nephew of Donald Campbell and speed legend in his own right).

23/05/2023

SeaSick Sam gives AC Bluebird a Wave
Last week local musician and keen photographer SeaSick Sam, (aka Sam Faulkner) popped round to checkout AC Bluebird.

Sam is more into four-legged horsepower but she wanted to photograph AC Bluebird and I was happy to oblige. I also asked Sam to film a short video of me talking about some recent news. See video below.
https://www.acbluebird.com/seasick-sam-gives-ac-bluebird-a-wave/

04/05/2023

AC 'Bluebird' continues to get wide coverage across the USA and also the UK. Hagerty Insurance produced a great article about the car, written by Andrew English, with brilliant photographs from Barry Hayden. It all happened through the support of the redoubtable Chuck Cantor in KC, an amazing man. Because of the wide coverage my book sales of 'Reckless!' are increasing, life is good. Click like to find out why.
https://www.hagerty.com/media/car-profiles/saving-donald-campbells-favorite-british-hot-rod/?utm_source=SFMC&utm_medium=email&utm_content=MED_UN_NA_EML_UN_UN_DailyDriver_Wednesday&hashed_email=32535fd93f4d793d30631a34235feff2ccf488a34f7f1b83fd212fca91d6e1e7

05/04/2023

Camera, ACTION!
A crazy few days when AC Bluebird was the star. On Tuesday I was interviewed and AC Bluebird was photographed by Hagerty for a feature they plan to run in their brilliant motoring magazine.

The day involved driving around Hampshire in AC Bluebird and being photographed by Barry, a top professional photographer, who was leaning precariously out of a car window snapping away on a heavy duty camera.

Back at home AC Bluebird was again photographed from various angles for the magazine article. For more photos please visit my website > https://www.acbluebird.com/camera-action/

I was interviewed for the magazine and asked about Bluebird, so I related the whole AC Bluebird story. I dropped a couple of hints about me winning the top Trophy at the AC Owners Club Dinner on Saturday night, but top motoring journalist, Andrew English, was only interested in hearing about AC Bluebird. Totally understandable I think.

On Tuesday I was interviewed and AC Bluebird was photographed by Hagerty for a feature they plan to run in their brilliant motoring magazine.

02/04/2023

So proud of my little AC ‘Bluebird’ after picking up the top award for Best Performance at the AC Owners’ Club Annual Dinner last night. The Award was in recognition of ‘Bluebird’ winning the ACOC Sprint Race at Goodwood four years in succession. The car is absolutely brilliant to drive and continues to take me on an amazing journey. The evening ended with too much wine, a bottle of bourbon and happy faces. Debbie and I hope to be back next year, and maybe I won’t drink too much.

23/03/2023

AC Bluebird and friends will be there, supporting an amazing charity.

20/03/2023

Another amazing day at Goodwood on Saturday. It was wet and slippery for the practice session but then the sun came out. AC Bluebird did well but we could not compete with the quick, nippy Mini Coopers, who were exciting to watch. The Goodwood event was part of a bigger picture, a warm up to future events this year. It was great to have the support of Neil Fouracre at the damp start in the morning, then Colin Wynn arrived with his usual big grin to provide support for the rest of the day, and to shoot the video.
The car performed well, and apart from a slide at St Mary's, it was reliable and steady. I still brake to soon for Woodcote Corner, but having seen so many people crash there I lose my nerve. But one day I'll take it flat out.

17/03/2023

Preparing for the annual Goodwood Sprint Race

Oil checked, water checked, brakes checked, all ready for Saturday at Goodwood. Car looking and running great, just the driver who has a dodgy, bruised knee, but otherwise, all set to go!!!

28/02/2023

A big thank you to various people who have been in contact about the absence of AC Bluebird from the Straightline event at Elvington last weekend. With Bluebird K7 not being allowed to attend the event I was advised not to attend also. I was also advised not to make any public comment about the Bluebird K7 situation, so I won’t. But in my book ‘Reckless!’ I describe my idea of donating my ‘AC Bluebird’ to the Ruskin Museum, if the Trustees were ever likely to be interested, but that is certainly not an offer I’d make after the bitter fiasco last weekend.

20/02/2023

We're off drag racing!

On 26 February AC Bluebird will be at Elvington Airfield, near York, joining the Straightliners at their Open Day event.

Bill Smith will be rolling up with his brilliantly restored Bluebird K7 and it is expected that Bill will fire up K7's engine. It will be the first outing for AC 'Bluebird' this year and I'm keen to get a photograph of my AC alongside the iconic Bluebird K7. The two vehicles have will not have been this close for over 60 years.

Obviously, I will be using this opportunity to sell and sign copies of my book, 'Reckless!' at the event, in aid of Dementia Support, whilst also showing spectators around AC 'Bluebird'. It will be a fun, noisy, and fabulous weekend.

18/02/2023

Interesting link, worth reading;

https://www.bluebirdproject.info/post/donald-s-ac-aceca

18/02/2023

I feel honoured that the amazing Bill Smith has bought a copy of my book ‘Reckless!’ and he approves what I have written about Donald Campbell’s Bluebird K7. Bill is the diver and engineer whose team recovered K7 from the depths of Coniston Water a few years ago and is restoring Bluebird to her previous glory.

Bill gets a lot of abuse from some Campbell fans but he has always been genuine and honest with me. I look forward to shaking his hand when I meet him next weekend.

02/02/2023

Check out this video to hear about the exciting plans for AC Bluebird in 2023 from owner Kevin Shilling, and Lloyd Wakelin of Vintage Historic Classic Promotions who looks after the website dedicated to the history and future of AC Bluebird.

https://www.acbluebird.com

21/12/2022

MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HEALTHY NEW YEAR
to all AC Bluebird fans and classic car enthusiasts.

‘Reckless!’, the book that anyone interested in classic cars should read, is selling very well and books have been despatched to the USA, Argentina, Belgium, Austria, Finland, Canada, and even Solihull.

Thank you to everyone who bought a copy of my book and in doing so, supported the amazing charity, Dementia Support.

I’m looking forward to meeting more AC Bluebird enthusiasts in 2023, when we will be back at Goodwood several times; visiting Coniston Water to recreate some classic photographs from the 80’s, and finally, if all goes to plan, AC Bluebird will participate in an iconic rally in America.

Have a wonderful Christmas and an amazing 2023.

https://www.acbluebird.com/merry-christmas-and-a-healthy-new-year-to-all-ac-bluebird-fans-and-classic-car-enthusiasts/

07/11/2022

It was great to receive an email from Michael Boeck in Austria with photographs of him following AC Bluebird in his Frazer Nash during the Ennstal Classic in July.

I encountered Michael at the Goodwood Revival, where I had AC Bluebird on display. Michael remonstrated with me that he spent all of the Ennstal Classic following my car, even though his Frazer Nash has the same engine and gearbox as my AC, he could never overtake AC Bluebird. He sent these two photographs to prove his point and to show there were no bad feelings.

Michael is a wonderful character and he has a big car collection. However, if he ever does the Ennstal Classic again it won’t be in his Frazer Nash!

https://www.acbluebird.com/not-in-a-frazer-nash/

It was great to receive an email from Michael Boeck in Austria with photographs of him following AC Bluebird in his Frazer Nash during the Ennstal Classic in July.