19 January 2010: The French Costello contingent grows by one.
Gerry Wadman's red Mk II Roadster now has a new owner in the south of France. See Jean-Pierre Giron's entry.
17 January 2010: Yet another Costello comes to light.
This one is a Mk III fuel-injected roadster, pinpointed when it came up for sale on the auction website eBay, earlier this month. Purchased by Juergen Kuhnle, more details and pictures are to be found in the Restorations section.
Racer John Kemp (Adelaide, Australia) has sent in a useful spreadsheet which calculates your car's gearing and displays (by selecting the appropriate tab) road speed in relation to rpm. John says it's "quite useful for working out up-change points and whether or not your differential ratio is appropriate, amongst other things". Try it for yourself by downloading it from here.
15 January 2010: 2010 Costello Calendar available for download.
This year's Costello calendar is now ready for download. As you'll see, it's a very slick piece of work from Costello owner John Kemp from Adelaide, Australia. Click here to be redirected to the download page.
If you like what he has done and are interested in availing yourselves of his graphical services - anything upwards from a Christmas card featuring your car - he is happy to oblige for what he describes as "a modest fee". Please contact John direct at jke17923@bigpond.net.au.
6 January 2010: Another Costello GT discovered.
Phil Rule found the MGCostello.com website whilst snowed-in in Surrey. He owns a red MkII GT which currently sits in his garage, patiently awaiting restoration. Read more about it on the
Restorations
page.
5 January 2010: Costello V8 Calendars almost ready for download.
John Kemp in Adelaide, Australia has kindly put together a 2010 calendar, using various striking images of our cars. This should be ready very soon. Watch this space.
15 February 2010: Costello Values Rising.
The relative rarity of Costello V8s and their acknowledged superiority to the BL version has always meant that they have attracted a price premium. Now, the latest selling prices from Europe indicate that values have taken off. The most recent Continental sales of a Mk I GT and a Mk II roadster, which were both sound, genuine cars but by no means mint, averaged £23,000. At today's exchange rate, that's around £20,250. According to Belgian classic specialist Bernard Marreyt, that's because Costellos have been consistently undervalued, and are now attracting more and younger aspiring owners, and because of the increased interest in the marque fostered by this website. So this raises the question, is your pride and joy sufficiently well insured?
13 February 2010: More Restorations Return to the Road.
Andrew Johnson's very rare Costello MGC is now up and running, which means that it has also been elevated from the Restorations section to the GT pages. Similarly, Brian Davey's lovely dark blue GT has also returned to the road, with its first outing being to the recent Bristol Classic Car Show at Shepton Mallet, where it was proudly displayed on the Devon Classic Cars stand on behalf of the restorers. More pictures of both these splendidly refurbished beasts are promised to follow in the Gallery.
04 February 2010: Two More Unknown Costellos.
Navigate to the Where Are They Now? page and see if you recognise either of the two "new" Costellos recently submitted.
01 February 2010: A Change of Administration.
Former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt has transferred the ownership of his Costello racer to Benjamin Mullaert in Brussels. He had a good reason, for which he should be forgiven. More details in the Racers section.
08 March 2010: Another GT joins the fold.
Alistair Rew has contacted us with details and photographs of his low mileage and very original black Mk I GT. Read more on the GT pages.
07 March 2010: Updates to David Wiggins' car.
David's GT is almost back on the road following an extensive restoration programme. An update has been posted on his profile, and we hope to have pictures of the car on the road in early April.
05 March 2010: Another lost Costello.
Chris Coote has been in touch with details of a Harvest Gold Mk I GT he once owned in the early 1970s, but where is it now? Read more on the Where Are They Now? page.
15 April 2010 (UPDATED 20th April): Costello Gathering in France.
A selection of continental (and a few British) Costellos are gathering in Champagne country, northeastern France across the weekend of 22nd/23rd May, 2010, to enjoy some driving on clear open roads, sample some tasty champagnes, and examine each others cars. If you are interested in bringing your car along, please get in touch with Lawrence via email who will enlighten you further.
UPDATE: So far we have 7 owners confirmed bringing along 5 Costellos (some are still in restoration and not quite ready). Why not come along and join in? Looking forward to seeing you there.
25 May 2010: Costellos in Champagne - a great success!
Six Costellos made it to Epernay this weekend to enjoy two days of glorious sunshine, driving the open roads and the rolling vineyard-draped hills. Taking in some champagne sampling (and purchases!), tasty lunches and a sumptuous dinner in the shadows of l'Abbaye de Dom Perignon, all cars and drivers completed the trip without any problems. We're very grateful to Thierry Denant for planning the route and selecting the eating stops, and to Peter Brodt, Ben Mullaert, Jean-Louis Beaurin and Stephane Vanoverschelde for taking part and making the event so enjoyable. Oh, and well done to the wives and girlfriends for being so patient with us!
17 May 2010: Roger Cook's 5000cc Mk III back on the road.
Roger's fabulous and unique Mk III GT is now back from the garage with its uprated 8-port injected engine working perfectly. Take a look at this car's profile on
the GT page with new pictures, and more details on the specifications on the Technical pages. More pictures may also be viewed in the Gallery.
13 May 2010: Last of the Eggbox Grilles Sold.
There are now no reproduction eggbox grilles left to purchase, the last going to Richard Fairclough and his lovely roadster "Elvis". If you still desire one of these fabulous laser-cut items, more may be manufactured dependent upon demand. Contact Lawrence if you require one.
13 May 2010: Another Costello For Sale!
This Connaught Green, Mk II rubber bumper Roadster, registered MGB 88V, has had renewed life breathed into it by Peter Collis of Devon Classic Cars - Peter has recently completed a fabulous restoration of Brian Davey's GT. The car was first registered LAC 541P in August 1975, subsequently becoming MGB 88V in January 1980. The previous owner confirms this car is a Costello and remembers that he personally took it to Ken's Kent premises for repair and servicing work during his ownership. The vehicle is now MOT'd and ready for sale, for a guide price of £15,000. More details from: www.devonclassiccars.com, or you can phone Peter direct on 01548 832393. There are more details to be found, with pictures, in the Roadsters section.
11 May 2010: Details of the Costello Gathering in France now set and available.
The first of hopefully two gatherings of Costello cars in 2010 is now finalised with plans put in place. So far 7 cars are registered (all from the Continent, bar one). We will meet in Epernay, enjoy a tour of one of the famous Champagne cellars, dinners and lunches in Avize and Hautvilliers, and some great driving on the clear open roads following the Route Touristique de Champagne. For more details regarding this get-together on 22nd May, please contact Lawrence or Thierry Denant.
10 May 2010: Last of the reproduction Costello grilles available.
We now have one more of the laser-cut, matt black Costello eggbox grilles available for sale. As ever, we insist these are only sold to Costello owners to maintain authenticity. Email Lawrence if you would like to purchase this grille. Of course, if demand increases, more can be manufactured in limited numbers once more.
28 June 2010: Costello Gathering 2010 location announced.
UK-based (and some European-based Cotello owners) will be pleased to hear the dates and location for the next Costello Gathering are now official. We will meet across the weekend of the 4th/5th September near the Whitby area of Yorkshire. Full details will come to light and be posted here as soon as they are finalised. Ken Costello has already committed to attend in his Mk I recreation GT. At least 4 other cars are also signed. If you need more details, or wish to show your support and join in the weekend, please let Lawrence know, by emailing him.
25 June: Another batch of Costello eggbox grilles manufactured.
Due to popular demand, and no doubt as a reflection of the quality of these laser-cut reporduction units, another 5 grilles have been ordered from the workshops. One is already pre-sold to Jurgen Kuhnle in Germany, the other four are still available. Get in touch with Lawrence if you wish to purchase one, but please remember - these grilles are only being sold to recognised Costello owners.
01 June 2010: Champagne Gathering Full report now online
Navigate to the new Costello Gatherings page to read more about the recent get-together of four GTs and two Roadsters in Epernay, Northern France. The story is accompanied by nearly 200 superb photographs of the event. Thanks to Benjamin Mullaert, Peter Brodt, Thierry Denant and Lawrence Wood for sending in their images. And of course, many many thanks to Thierry for organising it all so well.
07 July 2010: Another Costello is found in New Zealand - and it's for sale!
A second New Zealand-based Costello has come to light. It's a Mk II Roadster (currently on offer from local specialists Autoclassics) and is awaiting a new owner - perhaps someone anyone wishing to bring the car back to the UK, or maybe a keen New Zealander wanting to enjoy some classic V8 power. Read more about it our new Costellos For Sale section or follow the link above to the vendor's website. Ross Church would be happy to hear from you.
02 August 2010: NEW! Costellos For Sale webpage
This section lists all the Costellos currently for sale. Though the cars featured are the genuine article, mgcostello.com cannot be responsible for the accuracy of the descriptions or the true condition of the cars. Negotiations should be carried out direct with the vendor, but initial contact can be made via the site where necessary.
01 August 2010: MG Enthusiast Article available.
In the most recent edition of MG Enthusiast Magazine, read here about Brian Davey's restoration of his GT.
Footnote: In response to the article Lawrence wrote to the editor and as a result won the Letter of the Month prize. Download a copy of that page by clicking on this link.
02 September 2010: Site Updates
Patsy Turl's Mk II Roadster.
Patsy Turl's Roadster page has now been updated to reflect recent new information on this car. Read more about it on the Roadsters page but also on a dedicated page for this fascinating car.
Another Costello uncovered!
Roger Barker's agressive-looking GT has now moved to the Restorations page from the Where Are They Now? list.
Yorkshire Gathering 2010 Finalised.
There will be 7 Costellos gathering on the North Yorkshire Moors this weekend in this, the third gathering of our unique cars. Ken Costello will be attending, and all cars will be "shown" on a dedicated stage at the MGOC North Yorkshire event at Sledmere House on the Sunday 5th. Keep an eye on the site for photographs of the event.
Lawrence will bring the two remaining eggbox grilles with him in case he spots a chance of a sale!