JamesList.com purports to be the world’s smartest luxury marketplace. P & A Wood, the Official Rolls-Royce and Bentley Heritage Dealers appear to agree, as an entry on JameSpotting, the official blog for JamesList, announced that the Wood brothers have just listed 29 rare Rolls-Royces and Bentleys with them. The total asking price for all 29 vehicles is many millions in any currency. Heady stuff!

Sometimes Google Maps throws out an unexpected bonus – it’s almost worth their efforts to record images of the whole world.

This D-Type Jaguar was captured at 136 Viale della Bornata, Brescia, Lombardy, Italy. You can view the original Google Map.

The coolest cats of all-time go head-to-head in a unique shoot-out!”

The cars reviewed are SS1 Airline, SS100, XK120, C-Type, D-Type, Mk I saloon, XK150, MkII, XJ13, E-Type, XJ6, XJS, XJ (XJ40), XJ220, XJ (X300), XK8, XJ (X350), X-Type, XF, XK, and XJ (new).

Jaguar has announced its return to the classic 24 hours of Le Mans race in 2010 with the Jaguar RSR XKR GT2. The Jaguar RSR XKR GT hopes to continue the brand’s tradition at the 24 hours of Le Mans and add to the Jaguar record of seven wins between 1951 and 1990.

Jaguar Press Release follows:

The year 2010 marks 75 years of the Jaguar name on both road and race cars. As a continuation of this great heritage, Jaguar can confirm it will return to the famed Le Mans 24 hours. With a total of seven wins between 1951 and 1990, Jaguar is the single most successful British make in the race’s history. Jaguar will return to Le Mans this year lining up on the starting grid on 12th June 2010 with an XKR GT2 run by JaguarRSR.

Paul Gentilozzi, Principal Partner, JaguarRSR commented: “We are delighted the ACO has granted us entry in the prestigious 24 hours of Le Mans. It is a race that is held dearly in the hearts of motorsport fans across the world and for Jaguar to be racing again is something special.

“We are fortunate to bring an international line up of the world’s finest driving talent including Scott Pruett and Marc Goossens as our drivers for this race.”

Gentilozzi, who will drive the JaguarRSR XKR GT2 in the 2010 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) added: “Spirits will be high around Jaguar’s return to Le Mans but we must remember the incredibly high level of competition – a podium place in our category will not fall into our hands. That said, I can guarantee 100 per cent commitment from JaguarRSR and urge fans of Jaguar and Britain’s racing heritage to support the team whole heartedly.”

C.J. O’Donnell, Global Marketing Director of Jaguar Cars said: “Motorsport has always been important to the Jaguar brand. Our domination of Le Mans in the 1950s was a foundation on which the company was developed. It was twenty years ago that Jaguar last won Le Mans with a TWR Jaguar Sport entry driven by John Nielsen, Price Cobb and Martin Brundle. Returning to Le Mans will reignite excitement for the marque across the globe, all the more poignant in our 75th year.

“With the introduction of the new XK, XF and XJ, the Jaguar brand has advanced cutting-edge technology, stunning design and our ‘R’ performance driving experience. We now return to motorsport to demonstrate this achievement and the prowess of the Jaguar XKR.”

In addition to the Spring (April 21 – April 25) and Fall (Sep 29 – Oct 3) Carlisle Collector Car Swap Meets, the organizers at Carlisle are promoting The Carlisle Import & Kit Nationals (May 21 – May 23), which will feature German vehicles this year. Expect enough Classic Brits to be on hand to keep things interesting!

Full deatils at: www.carlisleevents.com/ce/events

Press Release after the break…

Carlisle Import & Kit Nationals 2010: May 21-23 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds

The Carlisle Import & Kit Nationals: New Look – New Name – Same Excitement!

CARLISLE, PA – The Carlisle Import & Kit Nationals, a unique and exciting automotive festival that showcases over 1,200 classic and high-performance vehicles on the 102-acre Carlisle PA Fairgrounds, has a new name and a new look for 2010. The new name, The Carlisle Import & Kit Nationals, formerly known as the Import-Kit/Replicar Nationals, was changed to simplify the first impression of what the must-see automotive event is: one of the largest gatherings of classic, special interest and collector imported vehicles in the United States. The world’s largest Kit-Replicar gathering can also be found on the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds that same weekend, showcasing amazing hand assembled kit automobiles and reproduction vehicles, based on the rarest and most collectible models.

Ed Buczeskie, Import & Kit Nationals Event Manager, is excited about the direction the event is going and the growth that he expects in 2010 and beyond. “This is one of the few events in the country that really celebrates the diversity of Import cars. All countries are represented, the cars are both old and new, some are geared toward performance, while others are content just glistening in the sun enjoying a fresh coat of wax.” Buczeskie continued: “We expect to grow all aspects of the event by working more with car clubs and reaching out to enthusiasts and groups that may be new to the event. This year we are hoping to see more air-cooled VWs, more late-model European cars, more vintage British cars and a bigger swap meet.”

2010 marks the 75th anniversary of the first use of the Jaguar name. To celebrate this anniversary, Jaguar is planning special appearances at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Revival, Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and the Mille Miglia among other top events.

Mike O’Driscoll, managing director of Jaguar Cars said

In 2010, we celebrate our past, and 75 years of designing and building cars that celebrate the art of automobile making. We’re also celebrating the promise of the future, and the introduction of the all-new XJ sedan.

1935 Jaguar SS-100

Not due to be officially announced until the upcoming Geneva car show, the newest version of the MINI is all over the internet.

Details are still sketchy, but the top of the line Countryman Cooper S is said to come with a 184bhp turbocharged 1.6 litre four cylinder engine, and optional all-wheel drive with auto or manual six-speed transmissions. With four doors, a hatch, and four individual seats this appears to be an interesting version of the MINI.

The Jaguar Heritage Trust and the Historic Sports Car Club have announced plans for a series of races with FIA specification E-Types to be held in 2011, the 50th anniversary of the iconic Jaguar E-Type. Races are planned for Brands Hatch, Silverstone, Oulton Park, and other locations are being considered.

Full Press Release after the break …

PRESS RELEASE 10th December 2009

NEW MOTORSPORT SERIES CREATED TO CELEBRATE THE JAGUAR E-TYPE 50th ANNIVERSARY

In 1961, Jaguar created what would become one of the most famous marques in the world, the iconic E-Type Jaguar. To mark the milestone of reaching 50 years, Jaguar Heritage is delighted to announce a series of races with FIA specification E-Types which will take place in 2011.

In conjunction with the Historic Sports Car Club, three to four races are planned at prestigious race meetings around the UK, already confirmed are races at Silverstone, Oulton Park and Brands Hatch with another venue to follow and also one in Europe. The event format will consist of a practice session for qualifying and a minimum of a 30 minute race.

Peter Mitchell of the Jaguar Heritage Trust is fully supportive of the celebrations saying: “The 50th anniversary of the famous Jaguar E-Type is a milestone well worth celebrating and in what better way than announcing a race series featuring the cars themselves. We are confident that these races will be extremely popular and that they will attract owners and drivers alike.”

Despite this new race series being over a year away, planning is underway and excitement is gearing up. These special races are expected to be heavily subscribed so entrants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Jaguar Heritage is currently looking for suitable cars and drivers to enter the races. If you are interested please contact: Grahame White at the Heritage Sports Car Club office@hscc.org.uk or Terry Dye blue.dye@virgin.net

UK’s MailOnline reports that comedian Rowan Atkinson had a mishap with his Jaguar Mark VII while returning from dinner with his wife.

A fire in the engine compartment was extinguished by “Mr. Bean” and a mechanic from the RAC.

The car was eventually towed to Mr. Atkinson’s home.

On a happier occassion, here is Rowan Atkinson racing the Mark VII at the 2006 Goodwood Revival Festival.