Blog: November 2014

Success against JD Classics Ltd

Mr Michael Tuke instructed Michael Grenfell to institute multiple proceedings against J D Classics Ltd and Derek Hood the first case of which (against the Company only) was concluded successfully on the 18th of April 2018.
In 2009 Mr Tuke sold his highly successful business, and had £40m to invest in Classic Cars.
He instructed Mr Derek Hood of J D Classics Ltd as a professional advisor and his agent for buying and selling cars on his behalf. Mr Hood advised him that he could double his money.

Hrabalek v Hrabalek

Hrabalek Prototype

Wilmots have successfully secured the return of a very rare collection of classic Lancia Stratos cars to their owner, an Austrian national. The case concerned the ownership of four Lancia Stratos cars, a 1971 Lancia Stratos HF Prototype, a 1975 Lancia Stratos HF Silhouette Turbo, a 1975 Lancia Stradale Street Car and a 1975 Lancia Stratos Safari, all of which were made famous by the relentless campaigning of rally driver Sandro Munari. These cars, amongst others, had been acquired over a number of years by a very well known collector, Mr Ernst Hrabalek, for whom we acted.

Peter Groh v Jim Stokes Workshops Ltd

Alfa Romeo

Wilmots acted for Peter Groh in a High Court claim for damages against Jim Stokes Workshops Ltd for work carried out to an Alfa Romeo 6C chassis, to convert it to take an Alfa Romeo 8C 2.3 engine, which JSW Ltd had built for Mr Groh.

Mr Groh gave the Alfa 6C chassis to JSW Ltd in early 2012 so that they could carry out modification work to take the 8C engine. The modification required the chassis to be shortened slightly and narrowed in order to accommodate the different sized engine. Mr Groh was expecting a bill of between £10-15,000 for this work.

Wilmots Litigation succeed in McLaren F1 title dispute

MR ROBERT GRESHAM GRAY v  MR RICHARD SMITH 2013

This is a brief summary of a case in which Wilmots Litigation represented Richard Smith, defending a claim brought against him by Robert Gray. There were 2 other Defendants, JMPC Sales Ltd, which was dismissed early from the case, and Richard Edwards who took no part in the proceedings.

Mr Gray is a rich businessman living at Fawley in the south of England.

Wilmots Litigation successfully defends Stanley Mann

MERCEDES TRAVIS BREWER v STANLEY MANN

In this case, Mrs Brewer, an American attorney who had qualified as an English solicitor, took a 1930 Speed Six Bentley on hire purchase for a cash price of £425,000, £390,000 of which was provided by Fortis Leasing. The car was supplied by Stanley Mann Racing, the leading international dealer in this type of car. Mr Mann was represented by Wilmots Litigation.

Wilmots Litigation secures victory for David Piper

DAVID PIPER v MARK HALES 2013

In 2009, Mark Hales, a  well known motoring journalist, persuaded a reluctant David Piper, an ex-racing driver, to lend him his Porsche 917 racing car in order, for a payment of £2000, to track test it against a Ferrari for a magazine article. The car was worth about £1.3 million.

This type of contract is known as a contract of bailment. The law provides in these circumstances that the borrower must take reasonable care of the car, and return it to the owner undamaged. If he does not do so he is liable to the owner for the cost of repairs.

Wilmots Litigation case clarifies law on number plate retention

SIR JOHN MADJESKI v M HARRISON

This was a similar case to Coys v McDonald.  Sir John Madejski consigned 2 cars to Coys auctioneers in different auctions. He wanted to reserve the cherished numbers on both cars so that they were not sold with the cars. He said that his staff would deal with the reservation of the numbers with the DVLA. In the event there was no difficulty with the first car, which was sold at an earlier auction.

McDonald v Coys of Kensington Automobiles

A firm of auctioneers accepted a car into their auction on the basis that the number was not for sale. A notice on the windscreen said as much and there were no number plates on the car.

The car was duly sold to Mr McDonald who took the car away together with the documents (which included the V5, with the cherished number on it) and registered the car together with the number in his name. He declined to sign the forms whereby the number would be returned to the original owner.

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