BIZ Karts is part of the family run BIZ Group based in London. Founded in 1816, B.I.Z., which stood for Builders Iron & Zinc Work, supplied sheet metal & building materials to the trade. Over time, the BIZ Group has evolved and now consists of 3 companies: BIZ Karts, BIZ Engineering & BIZ Power Tools. BIZ Karts is one of the leading go-kart suppliers in the world and they have been manufacturing karts for over 20 years.
BIZ Karts was set up in 1994 when Mike Smith, Managing Director of the BIZ Group, met with some of the leading figures in the UK Karting industry. They were looking for a new company to house their ambitions and provide the UK Karting market with a friendly service that customers could trust. Since then the company has grown considerably, providing karts & service to customers across the world. The current business is now mainly focused on the manufacture of commercial (rental) karts and they can be found at commercial karting venues across the world. Their range now includes electric karts, petrol karts, race karts, off-road karts and 2-seater karts.
Bizzarrini, a small but nonetheless influential Italian sports car company, was founded in 1964 by ex-Ferrari engineer Giotto Bizzarrini. He was responsible for the iconic Ferrari 250 GTO but left the company after significant disagreements in 1961. Before setting up his own business Giotto worked for Iso Rivolta, developing three models for them. Giotto Bizzarrini is also renowned for his work in building the famous Lamborghini V12 engine, first used in the early 350 GT.
Probably the most important car he produced during the lifetime of the original company was the almost impossibly beautiful Bizzarrini 5300 GT. The company failed after just five years in 1969, but during that time enjoyed considerable competition success. Despite some prototype developments in the early part of this century, nothing of significance was produced under the Bizzarini name.
However, in 2020 the rights to the Bizzarrini name were acquired by Pegasus Brands. The reborn company announced plans to revive the marque with new models that acknowledge Giotto Bizzarrini's racing and design heritage. The first creation will be a continuation model of the rare and much sought after 5300 GT, to be known as the Bizzarrini 5300 GT Revival Corsa. Just twenty four handbuilt cars will be produced at the company's purpose-built premises in Northamptonshire.
The first car will be completed and delivered to its lucky customer in summer 2022.
Behind Blizzard Motor Cars Ltd is a wealth of great history and experience in the British classic car industry. The founders, Stephen Pearson & Christopher Pearson of Chesman Motorsport, and Jeremy Padgett of Padgett Motor Engineers, started a journey together back in 2015 to build one of the finest classic vehicles seen for decades: the Blizzard.
Chesman Motorsport is owned and managed by father and son duo Stephen and Christopher Pearson. Founded in the 1950s on the same site where they still stand today, the company has restored and modified some of the world's most successful road and race engines. Stephen has built and developed a team of the world's finest engineers securing a client base of the highest calibre.
Jeremy and Padgett Motor Engineers are Rolls-Royce and Bentley specialists of the highest regard. Established 60 years ago in Newbury, Berkshire by Alan Padgett, father of present owner Jeremy, a reputation was built on being the leading authority on R Type Bentley Continentals. Since taking the reins in 1995, Jeremy has continued to build some of the finest concours and race Bentleys in existence.
Coventry-based firm Blizzard Motor Cars are going to build a two-seater sports car based on a Bentley concept model that was designed in 1950, but never made. They will build fifteen examples of the forgotten car to meet modern safety regulations and stringent concours standards. Bentley is aware of the project.
Bowler, a name synonomous with extreme off-roading vehicles, has grown over the last few decades through the vision and lifelong work of founder Drew Bowler and a skilled and dedicated team.
During this time the company has grown from eight people designing and manufacturing 4×4 rally cars and aftermarket parts for UK based customers, from the Bowler family farm in Derbyshire, to a 35 strong team in a dedicated facility with international customers.
Rapid expansion came in 2014 with the commencement of a Bowler initiated and government backed, high profile R&D programme to develop a unique next generation vehicle platform – the Cross Sector Platform (CSP). This can be utilised for a range of vehicle applications including on road, off-road racing, emergency response, defence and protection, humanitarian, filming, utility and exploration.
As the UK pioneers of Rally Raid cars for legendary long distance and extreme off-road racing events such as the Dakar, Africa Eco Race and Baja Aragon, the adventure of racing is in Bowler’s DNA and Bowler cars have competed at the highest levels during this time in the hands of established teams and privateers.
Remaining true to the company’s heritage and Drew’s vision before his sudden passing in 2016, Bowler continues to produce quality performance vehicles for race and road and has integrated its extreme motorsport engineering and competition expertise into wider vehicle R&D.
Still based in Derbyshire, Bowler has always worked closely with Jaguar Land Rover and in 2019 Bowler became part of JLR's fast-growing Special Vehicle Operations division. Apart from their existing projects, a number of exciting new vehicles are planned.
Standing for Birmingham Small Arms Company Ltd, BSA was founded in 1861, for the production of firearms. The brand’s motorcycle division was set up in 1903, and the first motorcycle followed in 1910.
During and in between the two world wars BSA was involved in a wide range of manufacturing including rifles, machine guns, motorcycles and cars and in various ways helping out this nation's war effort.
In 1950 BSA purchased Triumph Engineering Co. Ltd. and in 1953 BSA Motorcycles Ltd. was created by separating from BSA Cycles Ltd. By the 1950s, BSA was the world’s largest motorcycle maker, with one in every four motorcycles sold worldwide sporting the BSA badge. The company also enjoyed phenomenal success on the race track, with notable victories at Daytona and Santa Catalina.
In 1967 and 1968 the company was awarded the Queen's Award to Industry for the export of BSA and Triumph motorcycles. By 1969 they accounted for 80% of the British motorcycle industry's exports. Many organisations, like the AA, used BSA motorcycles for their patrol machines, and police forces all over the world preferred the BSA. The new three-cylinder machines were launched, with a reputation for performance and reliability.
In 1971 the Group found themselves with a trading loss of £3m, despite all their success. In late 1971 rescue attempts were undertaken with 13 new revised BSA and Triumph models. Due to numerous production problems they missed the market at home and in America. Towards the end of the year they were on the verge of bankruptcy. Sixty-three years of non-stop production ended abruptly in the summer of 1973.
In 2021, after a tantalising wait, BSA Company Ltd launched its first new model, following its acquisition in October 2016 by Classic Legends Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of the Mahindra Group. Manufacture of BSA motorcycles has once again returned to the UK with the launch of its first new model, the Gold Star.
