Herridge & Sons Ltd

10/10/2025

At last — an originality guide for the Defender.
From the first 200Tdi models to the final Heritage editions, Factory-Original Land Rover Defender (1990–2016) by James Taylor is the definitive reference for enthusiasts and restorers.

💷 £30 (save £12.50)
📘 Hardback, 136 pages, 300+ illustrations
📏 255 × 255 mm
🔗 Pre-order now at herridgeandsons.com

10/10/2025

At last — the originality guide the Defender has been waiting for.
From the first 200Tdi models to the final Heritage editions, Factory-Original Land Rover Defender (1990–2016) is the first book to document every production change, trim level and special edition in detail.

By James Taylor — the definitive reference for restorers, collectors and enthusiasts.
📘 Hardback, 136 pages
📏 255 × 255 mm
🖼️ Over 300 illustrations
💷 £30 (save £12.50) — available to pre-order now at Herridge & Sons
🔗 https://www.herridgeandsons.com/factory-original-land-rover-defender

By James TaylorISBN 978-1-914929-12-0136 pages, Hardback 255mm x 255mmOver 300 illustrationsFactory-Original Land Rover Defender is the essential guide to original specifications for all Defender models built between 1990 and 2016. It covers body styles, trim levels, mechanical components, special ...

08/10/2025

Jeep Commando C101

Introduced for the 1967 model year, the Jeep Commando C101 carried forward the spirit of the postwar Jeepster into a new era. Built on a 101-inch wheelbase derived from the CJ-6, it came with a 72 bhp F4-134 “Hurricane” four-cylinder as standard, or the optional 160 bhp Dauntless 225 cu in V6 bought from Buick – good for lively performance and an 87 mph top speed.

Four body styles were offered – Roadster, Pickup, Wagon and Convertible – the last always the flagship of the range.

📘 The Complete Catalogue of Jeeps tells the full story of every model, from wartime MB to Grand Cherokee.
Now available to pre-order from Herridge & Sons:
👉 https://www.herridgeandsons.com/the-complete-catalogue-of-the-jeep

06/10/2025

🎉 We Have a Winner!

Congratulations to Jackie from Dorset, who’s won our signed copy of Factory-Original Wartime Jeeps by James Taylor.

A big thank-you to everyone who entered — it’s been brilliant seeing so much enthusiasm for these iconic vehicles.

If you missed out, don’t worry — we’ve got another Jeep book coming soon: The Complete Catalogue of Jeeps by James Taylor, covering every model from 1942 to 2005. It’s available to pre-order now:
👉 https://www.herridgeandsons.com/the-complete-catalogue-of-the-jeep

📘 Factory-Original Wartime Jeeps is available now from Herridge & Sons:
👉 https://www.herridgeandsons.com/factory-orignal-wartime-jeeps

03/10/2025

Not all Ford Es**rt GTs were two-door. This October 1971 example is a rarer four-door GT, built on the Type 5G bodyshell (the two-doors were Type 48).

Practicality, six-dial dash, Weber-fed Kent engine – it had all the GT essentials, just with easier access for the family.

📖 Featured in Factory-Original Sporting Mk1 Es**rts.

👉 https://www.herridgeandsons.com/factory-original-sporting-mk1-escorts

29/09/2025

📢 Last Chance to Win!

Our giveaway for a signed copy of Factory-Original Wartime Jeeps ends tomorrow at 6pm – so if you haven’t entered yet, now’s the time!

James Taylor’s book is the definitive originality guide to the WWII Willys MB and Ford GPW, packed with factory photos and detail for restorers and enthusiasts alike.

📌 Enter here before it closes: https://mailchi.mp/3bc9cb022505/wartimejeeps
👏 Thanks to everyone who’s already entered – feel free to share this post with any Jeep-loving friends who might want a chance to win!

Enter for your chance to win the definitive originality guide to the Willys MB and Ford GPW, packed with factory detail and hundreds of specially commissioned colour photos. Free to enter – closes 30 September.

26/09/2025

WANTED FOR PHOTOGRAPHY – Triumph Spitfire MkIV

We’re looking for a Triumph Spitfire MkIV in original, factory-correct condition to photograph for our upcoming book Factory-Original Triumph Spitfire & GT6.

The car should be in the UK and close to standard specification — original paint colours, trim, and wheels a bonus.

If you have (or know of) a suitable car, please get in touch via DM or email us at [email protected]

This is a great opportunity to have your car featured in a major reference book and properly documented for enthusiasts worldwide.

📸 Please share with anyone who might have a suitable car!

24/09/2025

SLAT vs PRESSED – the rare early Jeep grille
Did you know the very first Willys MBs didn’t have the familiar pressed-steel grille?

🔧 The slat grille
The first 25,000 Jeeps built in 1941–42 had a grille welded from 12 flat iron slats with shaped headlamp surrounds – a labour-intensive design. Early examples even had two-piece radiator deflectors, later replaced by one-piece types. Canadian-contract Jeeps briefly gained simple welded headlamp guards.

⚙️ The pressed grille
Ford GPWs had a pressed-steel grille right from the start in January 1942 – lighter, cheaper and quicker to make – and Willys adopted it in March 1942 (MB 125809). This nine-slot grille remained in production until the end of the war and became a Jeep trademark that survives to this day.

📖 You can explore all these fascinating details in James Taylor’s 'Factory-Original Wartime Jeeps'.

🚙 We’re giving away a signed copy!
🕕 Enter free before 30 September at 6pm
📲 Tap here to enter: https://mailchi.mp/3bc9cb022505/wartimejeeps

22/09/2025

🚨 Advance Copies Have Landed! 🚨

We’ve just received the advance copies of our four brand-new titles – fresh from the printer. They look fantastic, and they’ll be arriving with you in mid-November.

They’ll be arriving with you in mid-November, but here’s a sneak peek:

• 'Syd Enever – The MG Man' – biography of MG’s quiet genius
• 'Factory-Original Land Rover Defender' – originality guide to 90, 110 & 130 models, 1990–2016
• 'The Complete Catalogue of the Jeep' – every Jeep variant worldwide, 1942–2005
• 'BMC Farina Cars In Detail' – all of BMC’s Farina-designed cars

I’ll be showing you more of these books soon.

🔗 Pre-order now and be among the first to get your copies:
https://www.herridgeandsons.com/new-books

19/09/2025

Es**rt RS1600i – Built to Go Racing

The RS1600i wasn’t just another hot Es**rt – it was built to homologate the Mk3 Es**rt for the brand-new Group A racing rules introduced in 1982. Developed by Ford Motorsport in Cologne and built at Saarlouis, this limited-production special brought fuel injection to the Es**rt for the first time, reworked the 1.6 CVH to 113 bhp, and sharpened the chassis with Koni dampers, revised suspension geometry and shorter gearing.

It looked sensational – spoilers, stripes, Ronal alloys and those Scheel bucket seats – but its importance ran deeper. The RS1600i was the homologation car that allowed Ford to go racing, and it set the template for every FWD RS that followed, including the RS Turbo.

Yes, it was pricey, roughly built and barely faster than the cheaper XR3i – but none of that mattered. It gave enthusiasts the ultimate Rallye Sport Es**rt to aspire to, and it legitimised the XR3i that followed.

Only 8659 were made (2608 for the UK), making it one of the rarest and most desirable Mk3 Es**rts today.

📖 Read the full RS1600i story – plus every Mk3, Mk4, Mk5 and Mk6 Es**rt – in 'The Complete Catalogue of the Ford Es**rt Mk3, 4, 5 & 6', the definitive model-by-model reference.

17/09/2025

🚙 Jeep Book Giveaway!

We’re giving away a signed copy of Factory-Original Wartime Jeeps – James Taylor’s definitive originality guide to the WW2 Willys MB and Ford GPW.

Packed with factory details, production changes, and hundreds of specially commissioned colour photos, it’s the ultimate reference for restorers and enthusiasts.

🔴 Enter free before 30 September at 6pm.
📲 Tap the link below to enter now ⬇️

Enter for your chance to win the definitive originality guide to the Willys MB and Ford GPW, packed with factory detail and hundreds of specially commissioned colour photos. Free to enter – closes 30 September.

15/09/2025

📸 Found in the Files – My First Car

Here it is – my very first car, a 1969 Fiat 500L. I discovered it in storage, surrounded by limousines and hearses, and bought it in 1989 when I was just 16.

It needed plenty of love: new floors, a proper going-over, and a fresh coat of bright red paint to replace its original blue.

Later, I fitted a 650cc engine and synchromesh gearbox from a Fiat 126 – which made it much easier to drive (and quite a bit quicker too!) – plus a sports exhaust, more for the noise than any real extra performance.

Small, simple, and full of character – this little 500 will always be special.