Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week – Update on our talented apprentice here at GBS....

Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week – Meet Lauren!

As it’s National Apprenticeship Week, we’re excited to share an update on Lauren, our talented apprentice here at GBS.

Lauren joined us in 2022 and is based in our fabrication and welding department. She’s now approaching her final year of apprenticeship while studying a Level 3 Fabricator course at West Notts College, attending one day a week.

We’re thrilled that Lauren will be staying with us after completing her apprenticeship, with plans already in place for her future role at GBS. She’s a valued member of our team, and we couldn’t be prouder of her progress and dedication!

We’re also looking forward to welcoming another apprentice later this year, as we continue to invest in the future of engineering and manufacturing.

Hopefully, you’ll get to meet Lauren at our GBS events later this year and even see her out on track at our GBS Track Day, putting the Zero through its paces!

#NationalApprenticeshipWeek #FutureOfEngineering #GBSTeam

The next generation of car builders are the future to the British Motor Industry.
— Great British Sports Cars

Another Zero being enjoyed on the road and performing well in USA with its recent upgrades.....

We always love hearing from our customers and seeing how their Zero builds are coming along! Recently, our USA representative, Paul, shared an exciting update on Frank’s Zero. It’s great to see the progress, and we look forward to following the next steps he has planned!

After Building and driving his car in Southern California for the last few years, GBS Customer Frank Aceves was ready for an engine upgrade to take his GBS Zero to the next level of performance.  Frank built and installed a fully reconditioned Mazda 1.8L engine with a heavily reworked  ported and polished BP4W cylinder head,  new high performance cams,  forged high compression pistons and upgraded bottom end.  With the support of Great British Sports Cars North America, Frank installed the engine in late 2024 and after a few hundred miles of breaking the engine in, took the car for a re-tune at Advanced Engine Dynamix in Corona California to see the results of all his effort.  The Engine performed on the dyno flawlessly giving more than a 15% increase in horse power and close to 20% increase in torque.   The vastly experienced Mazda engine tuners at Advanced Engine Dynamix were given the opportunity to road test the car and had one word to describe their first experience in the GBS Zero,  Wow and a big grin.  Frank now has is eye on the new GBS High-Flo Exhaust manifold as his next performance upgrade after getting to know the new performance profile of his GBS Zero.

We look forward to sharing more updates from Frank with you throughout the year. Earlier this week, another Zero kit was collected and is now on its way to a customer in the USA! With more kits currently being prepared for shipment over the next few months, it’s fantastic to see the growing Zero community worldwide.

Thinking of starting your own Zero build? Get in touch to discuss your options!

Our First Full GBS Factory Tour of the Year.... More dates coming soon!

On Saturday, we hosted our First Factory Tour of the Year, and it was a massive success! We’re delighted to offer this exciting opportunity for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look into everything that goes into creating the GBS Zero and the range of products we manufacture.

Whether you’re considering purchasing a GBS Zero, already own one, or simply have a passion for motorsport and engineering, this tour is for you. Led by Richard, the Director of Great British Sports Cars, and our dedicated team, the tour provides a unique insight into various parts of our operations, including:

  • The GBS Workshop

  • Parts Department

  • Engineering and Assembly Areas

  • Fabrication

  • Composites and much more.

To ensure a personal and immersive experience, spaces are limited on each tour. When’s the next tour? We’ll be announcing dates for our next Factory Tour opportunity very soon, so keep an eye on our Events Page for updates. In the meantime, check out our GBS Facebook and Instagram page to see a short video of the Factory Tour experience.

Interested in group bookings?
We also cater to larger groups, car clubs, students, and bespoke corporate or private tours and events. If you’d like to arrange something special, please contact us with your requirements, and we’ll be happy to assist.

Thank you to everyone who joined us this weekend—we look forward to welcoming even more of you later this year! Visit our GBS Events page to see what other events we can be seen at and have planned for this year!

Autocar Magazine visit GBS and Test Drive the Zero....

At the end of last year we were thrilled to have welcomed Matt Prior from Autocar Magazine and photographer Jack Harris to GBS, where he had the opportunity to see first-hand what goes into crafting our cars and products. Autocar was founded in 1895 and is the longest standing automotive media brand in the world. Matt enjoyed a comprehensive tour of our factory, getting a behind-the-scenes look at our production process and the meticulous attention to detail that defines everything we do.

After the tour, Matt got behind the wheel of our Zero 2.5 Duratec demonstrator for a test drive, experiencing its performance, handling, and road presence. His feedback? He was thoroughly impressed—not only by the setup and operations here at GBS but also by the exhilarating driving experience the Zero delivers. Also looks forward to trying a Zero out on the track later this year!

We’re delighted to share his thoughts and review of GBS and the Zero that can now be seen in their magazine this week (29th January).

A Fresh Look for Our Duratec-Powered Zero Demonstrator....

We’re excited to share that our Duratec-powered Zero demonstrator has just undergone a stunning transformation—perfectly timed for its exciting week away! (you will be able to read all about this later in the year) This refreshed Zero now features the brand-new vented nose cone, available for both the standard and GT Zero models, as well as sleek new rear LED lights that will officially launch for sale next month.

Once back with us next week, this Zero will return to its busy schedule of test drives and events. Interested in experiencing it firsthand? Contact us today to book your visit and passenger ride.

Or why not join us for our first GBS Cars & Coffee event of the year on Saturday 8th March? It’s the perfect opportunity to see this updated Zero in person, chat with the team, and even sit inside to get a feel for what it’s like! Or click here to explore more about the Zero.

More landing gear manufactured & assembled for Vertical Aerospace....

We are proud to have been collaborating with Vertical Aerospace for several years now, supporting the design and manufacturing of the landing gear systems for both the nose and main landing gear of their cutting-edge aircraft. This ongoing partnership has been an exciting and rewarding journey, contributing to a transformative chapter in the future of air travel and advanced UK engineering.

Our involvement has encompassed precision engineering and innovative design to ensure the landing gear meets the highest standards of performance, reliability, and safety. The latest milestone in this project was completing another set of landing gear, marking another step forward in Vertical Aerospace's vision of sustainable aviation.

We are looking forward to visiting Vertical Aerospace later this year, where we’ll explore opportunities to continue contributing to the next phase of this ground breaking project. It's an honour to play a part in shaping the future of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and supporting the advancement of greener, more efficient air travel.

Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting partnership, and if you’re interested in our bespoke engineering services or would like to know more about our contributions to innovative projects like this, feel free to reach out to us! Click below to see the video of the first flight that took place and we look forward to sharing more videos soon.

See the GBS Team & the Zero at the Race Retro Show next month.....

Join the GBS Team at Race Retro Next Month!
We’re excited to announce that after a few years away, we’re returning to the Race Retro Show at Stoneleigh Park next month from 21st–23rd February!

Come and experience the thrill of retro motorsport as the event brings together legendary figures, iconic cars, live rally action, and a fantastic range of exhibitors showcasing unique products and automotive inspiration.

You’ll find us in Hall 2 with the Zero, and a range of products ready to chat about our cars, kits, engineering and everything motorsport. Follow us on our social media channels to see more updates about the show and what we will be displaying on our stand.

Don’t forget to visit our Events Page for more details about other shows we’ll be attending and hosting this year. We look forward to seeing you there!

Busy start to the year for the GBS Team..... First Zero kit of 2025 is collected & on the way to Malta.

The new year has kicked off with incredible momentum here at GBS! The first Zero kit of 2025 was collected just yesterday and is now on its way to an excited customer in Malta. Meanwhile, we are now finalising another export Zero kit destined for the USA later this month. With several more collections scheduled over the coming weeks, it’s shaping up to be an exciting start to the year for many new Zero owners collecting and taking delivery of their Zeros all over the world.

In the workshop, several Zeros are now panelled and prepped for paint. We can’t wait to share updates on these stunning cars as they return from paint, with each one being bespoke to the owner. Keep a look out on our social media channels for behind-the-scenes glimpses and updates on these painted Zeros as they appear.

We’re always excited to see our customers progressing with their builds and a customers Zero build in Norway is coming along nicely, with the owner planning to get it completed and on the road this spring (See photos below).

Whether you’re considering starting your own Zero self-build kit project, our factory build option or simply curious about the options available, now is the perfect time to explore. Click here for more details about our Zeros, or feel free to contact us to discuss how we can help you bring your dream car to life.

The First GBS Cars & Coffee event of 2025 is announced......

Saturday 8th March

We are excited to share with you all that we have now confirmed the date for the first GBS Cars & Coffee event of 2025, which is proudly sponsored by Howden Insurance and will be taking place on Saturday 8th March at GBS from 10am-2pm.

Sponsored By

 

As many of you know everyone at GBS has a strong passion for cars and anything to do with motorsport and we love our Cars & Coffee events and Track Days etc and we all love to host our Cars & Coffee days which are getting busier and attracting a variety of sports cars each time we host one.

After working with Howden Insurance formally known as A-Plan Insurance for several years now and promoting their Insurance services we are delighted that they are joining us again this year and will be sponsoring our first GBS Cars & Coffee event of 2025.

About Howden Insurance-
Formally known as A-Plan Insurance since announcing its name change in October 2023 has been providing a personalised service to over 600,000 clients since the 1960s. We have over 100 high street branches however, Thatcham branch is the specialist vehicle centre. It opened in 1994, focusing on private car, commercial vehicle and home insurance and offering an independent professional service with a dedicated in-house claims management team.

With a total of over 100 years of insurance experience in our Thatcham branch, the team are on hand to offer a professionally qualified personal service when you need it. Due to our enthusiasm for specialist vehicles, we have developed an experienced team dedicated to classic, kit, high performance and modified cars, as well as imported vehicles… and let’s not forget our track day cover!

We are proud to be associated with many car clubs and associated businesses within this specialist arena and we offer discounts and access to bespoke policies for car club members. So, if you own a specialist vehicle, or are thinking of buying one give us a try. To find out how competitive our prices are give us a call on 01635 874646 and we'll be delighted to discuss your needs. 
Great prices, great cover, great people - we're confident you'll agree!

The GBS Cars & Coffee event at GBS was created in 2016 and has since been a massive success & we have continued to hold the event again for several years. Its an event that we have created that gives the chance for you all to have a ride out in your sports cars / meeting point and enjoy a coffee (plus biscuits/ cake of course) and chat about your cars, all are welcome to join us in any car (modern or classic including bikes). Everyone is welcome to join us and this year we will have even more parking available!
Another great thing about our GBS Cars & Coffee events are that we raise more money for two great charities…. We collect for the Notts & Lincs Air Ambulance & Cancer Research, and will be collecting on the day. Refreshments are free and all we ask for is a donation to our chosen charities.

The Kit Spares shop and showroom ( www.kitspares.co.uk ) will be open on the day. Please feel free to call us or email and pre order and parts, ready to collect on the day to avoid any delays.

All of the GBS and Howden team look forward to seeing you and welcoming you to GBS on Saturday 8th March.

ALL CARS ARE WELCOME TO JOIN US…..

Improving our production and finishes with a New Laser Etching Machine.....

We are always looking for ways to improve the production process and elevate the quality of the Zero and our entire product range. Last year, we were excited to invest in a new Boxford laser marking machine, a state-of-the-art addition to our engineering department.

This advanced machine has opened up a world of possibilities, enabling us to offer bespoke personalization, enhanced brand awareness, and precise tracking and traceability of our products. Whether it's custom touches for your Zero or improved processes for product identification and quality control, this technology is already making a big impact.

Our investment in this cutting-edge equipment reflects our commitment to delivering the highest standards for our customers, ensuring precision and excellence in everything we do. We’re excited to see how this machine will continue to shape future products and create even more personalized experiences for you. Stay tuned for more updates on what’s coming next!

A very Happy Christmas to you all and best wishes for the New Year.... From all the team here at GBS.

 
 

All of us here at GBS and Kit Spares would like to wish you and your families a very Happy Christmas! We’d also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to you all for your support this year.

This year has been filled with milestones and memories, and we’re already looking ahead to an even more exciting 2025. Stay tuned for some big announcements coming in 2025, some of which we’ll share in January!

For now, we’re ready to enjoy a well-deserved break over the holiday season and can’t wait to see you all in the New Year. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates over the Christmas break.

To celebrate, we’ve put together a short video looking back on 2024 and giving a peek at our 2025 plans. Head over to our GBS YouTube Channel to watch it.

Happy Christmas, everyone! Stay safe and have a wonderful break.

Best wishes,
Richard and all the GBS & Kit Spares Team


GBS & Kit Spares Christmas & New Year Opening Times….
Both GBS and Kit Spares will be closed from Tuesday 24th December and we will be open again and back to normal opening hours on Thursday 2nd January 2025.

You can still place your orders online from our parts website Kit Spares but please note any orders placed after 22nd December 2024 may not be processed or dispatched until 2nd / 3rd January 2025. www.kitspares.co.uk

Happy Christmas & Happy New Year

First GBS Track Day of 2025 date is confirmed....

The first GBS Track Day of 2025 is happening on Saturday 22nd March 2025 at Blyton Park and the GBS team would like to invite you all to join in your Zero’s.

Its on the outer circuit of Blyton Park which is 1.5 miles and an open pit lane, starting at 9am and finishing at 5pm you will be guaranteed to get lots of laps in. We can’t wait and hope you can all join us and enjoy the day with us. We will be there with the Zero’s which we will be offering passenger rides with one of the GBS team. Passenger passes can all be purchased on the day with Javelin Track Days along with Helmet hire too.

More details about this GBS Track Day can be found on our event page with a link of where to book your place. We recommend that you book soon to avoid disappointment as this is likely to get booked up quite quickly. We will also be doing other track days later in the year so there will more opportunities to join us!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Book your spot now and enjoy a 10% discount if you book before 31st December

Cadspec CAM Technical Training Event happens at GBS....

Last month is was great to have hosted the Cadspec CAM Technical Training Event here at GBS! The event was not only training it also included a full factory tour, giving attendees the opportunity to see first hand what we do here at GBS and how we create the Zero and products. The training event covered Powermill tips and tricks, the latest in Autodesk Fusion & Fusion technical demo then a factory tour with Richard and the team.

The attendees came from diverse backgrounds and levels of experience, but everyone was been eager to dive in and sharpen their CAM skills. The focus has been on boosting productivity and efficiency in machining processes, and the full factory tour to see these CAM techniques in action within a real-world factory setting was very received and enjoyed by everyone.

If you are looking for a venue to host a meeting / training course or interested in one of our factory tour opportunities please get in touch with us or visit our events page to see more of what we can offer.

GBS & Kit Spares 2024 Christmas Opening times & Gift Ideas….

The GBS and Kit Spares team are all looking forward to a well-deserved festive break! Here are our Christmas opening times:

The GBS Factory and Kit Spares Shop will be closed on Tuesday, 24th December and will reopen on Thursday, 2nd January 2025.

You can still place orders on our Kit Spares website over the holiday period. However, please note that any orders placed on or after 23rd December may not be processed or dispatched until 2nd/3rd January 2025. For details, visit www.kitspares.co.uk.

Don’t forget to keep following us on our GBS, Kit Spares & ATR Products social media channels over the holidays to see what we’re up to and our plans for next year!

We would also like to thank everyone who joined us last Saturday for our Christmas Cars & Coffee event. Check out our GBS events page for details on next year events.


Christmas Gift Ideas

Below are just a few Christmas Gift Ideas for you and your Zero’s, visit our parts website Kit Spares or contact us for details.

A Kit Spares Gift Voucher could make the perfect gift….

GBS Christmas Cars & Coffee.... the weather warning didn’t stop an amazing turnout!

What a Fantastic Final Event of 2024! Last Saturday (7th December) marked one of the wettest GBS Christmas Cars & Coffee event we’ve ever had, and despite the weather warning it didn’t stop an amazing turnout! A huge thank you to everyone who braved the chill, wrapped up warm, and joined us for a day filled with cars, mince pies, and great company.

The GBS & Kit Spares showroom was buzzing with activity, and the Kit Spares shop was kept busy with plenty of sales and inquiries. Visitors also got to explore our GBS Workshop—click here to learn more about the workshop services we offer.

One of the highlights of these events is the chance to give back. Thanks to your generous donations, we were able to support two fantastic charities—Cancer Research UK and the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance. We also welcomed Nottinghamshire Blood Bikes and collected for them, which is another great charity, you can read more about what they do here. All three charities provide invaluable support to so many people and their families. Thank you for helping us make a difference.

We’re already looking forward to hosting more GBS Cars & Coffee events next year. Stay tuned—details of the first event in 2025 will be announced next week! In the meantime, follow us on Facebook and Instagram for photos and videos from the day.

Thank you again for all your support this year, and here’s to more exciting events in 2025!

Just a few of 2024 Highlights - With lots more exciting things planned for 2025....

2024: A Year to Remember for GBS

This year has been filled with exciting milestones, memorable events, and powerful moments that celebrate the spirit of the GBS community. Below are just a few highlights that truly stand out from 2024. We’re also thrilled to share that even more exciting plans are in store for 2025, and we can't wait to bring you along!

GBS Track Days & Zero Race Car Debut
From circuit to circuit, our new Zero race car has been leaving an impression with stellar performance. The feedback has been fantastic, with each track day offering drivers an exhilarating experience behind the wheel. Seeing everyone enjoy these track days makes them a huge highlight.

Cars & Coffee & Friday Night at the Factory
With each event, the support and turnout have been incredible! Our gatherings have brought together like-minded enthusiasts, and we’re already busy planning next year’s events. Together, we’ve also made a meaningful impact by raising funds for our chosen charities, The Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance and Cancer Research UK. Join us on Saturday 7th December for our GBS Christmas Cars & Coffee event.

Factory Tours Take Off
This year marked the debut of our GBS Factory Tours, offering a closer look at the craftsmanship behind each GBS Zero. The feedback has been so enthusiastic that we've already scheduled the first 2025 tour date for February. Be sure to reserve your spot, see more details on our event page!

Stig at Santa Pod
A memorable day saw Stig himself take the Zero for a spin at Santa Pod Raceway, where he pushed it to its limits and was thrilled by its performance.

New UK Dealer: Central GB in Nottingham
We were delighted to welcome Central GB as our first official UK dealer, with a factory-built Zero proudly on display in their stunning new showroom. It’s fantastic to expand the GBS family, bringing more people closer to the Zero experience.

Media Spotlight with EVO Magazine
In September, we had the pleasure of hosting EVO Magazine for a feature in issue 235. The team took a deep dive into the Zero, bringing it to a wider audience and sharing what makes it special. Read more here.

Supplying ATR Products to TOCA Junior Championship
We were proud to contribute to the next generation of drivers by supplying our ATR product range to the TOCA Junior Championship. Supporting young racers reflects our commitment to high performance at every level.

Miata Reunion in the USA
The GBS team’s trip to the Miata Reunion in California was unforgettable. The opportunity to connect with enthusiasts in the USA was a definite high point!

Thank you to each of you who helped make this year so memorable. Your passion fuels our journey, and we can’t wait to create new memories together in 2025. We have so many more great moments to share that can be seen on our news page over the last year and still a few more exciting things happening this year.

The GBS Zero is perfect for any adventure....

The GBS Zero is designed to offer versatility, excitement, and performance for all kinds of driving experiences. Whether you're aiming to carve corners on track days, take on the thrill of hill climbs, enjoy leisurely Sunday drives, or even use it for everyday commuting, the Zero is built to deliver. It’s also perfect for long-distance traveling and touring, with a customizable setup to suit your unique driving style and needs. Whatever your vision is for your Zero, we’re here to help you make it a reality—working with you to create a personalized build that meets your specific requirements and turns every journey into an unforgettable adventure. Contact us today to discuss in more detail the options we offer.

Busy time in the USA for the GBS Team...

The start of November has been very busy for the GBS team! We flew to the USA for an amazing event, then headed straight back to the UK to exhibit at the Classic Motor Show. Richard, Matt, and our USA representative, Paul Barnes, had an incredible time representing GBS at this year’s Miata Reunion 2024 at Sonoma Raceway in the USA earlier this month! Our stand showcased a stunning line up of Mazda-based Zeros, joined by several customers who proudly displayed their finished Zeros alongside us.

In addition to the weekend’s event, two freshly completed Zero kits were recently shipped and are on their way to new U.S. owners and have now arrived. Back at GBS we have another Zero that is now packed and prepped for collection soon, and we’re aiming to have it arrive just in time for the Christmas holidays or just after! Excitingly, we’re also launching our GBS USA Hire Car in 2025, giving U.S. enthusiasts the chance to experience the thrill of driving a Zero for themselves.

The Miata Reunion was a fantastic opportunity to connect with our growing community in the USA and it was also great to catch up with many Zero builders out there. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to see the Zeros and talk to the team! Afterwards, the team headed to Las Vegas for the SEMA Show—an unforgettable experience and great day meeting new contacts and suppliers.

Please contact us for more information on the Zero models, USA options, or global shipping.

Fantastic weekend at the Classic Motor Show with the Zeros….

We had an fantastic weekend at the Classic Motor Show at the NEC in Birmingham! Thank you to everyone who visited our stand over the three days—it’s always such a pleasure to connect with so many of our customers and meet new faces. This show is one of our annual highlights, and Saturday, in particular, was bustling with energy.

This year, we were thrilled to showcase a brand-new Zero powered by the Ford Duratec engine, recently featured at Central GB, our new dealership in Nottinghamshire. Alongside this was a classic-styled Zero build, which drew a lot of attention, as well as a Mazda chassis and an exciting display of Kit Spares and ATR Products. For those interested in our parts, visit Kit Spares, or drop by our showroom and shop, open Monday through to Friday. The shop will also be open for collections during our Christmas Cars & Coffee event next month. Visit our GBS YouTube channel to see a short video of our stand at this years Classic Motor Show, click here.
Though this was our last major show of 2024, we’re now eagerly looking forward to our upcoming Christmas Cars & Coffee event on Saturday, 7th December. This is always a great opportunity to celebrate the season, see more details here.

Looking ahead, the 2025 GBS calendar is shaping up to be our busiest yet, with even more shows, track days, and exciting new events in the works. Keep an eye on our events page, as we’ll be releasing the full line up very soon. We can’t wait to see what the next year has in store!

GBS Christmas Cars & Coffee is happening at GBS on
Saturday 7th December.

Start your Christmas shopping early - Kit Spares Christmas Gift Ideas.....

Looking for the perfect Christmas gift ideas for you and your Zero? Below are just a few ideas to help make this holiday season extra special. Whether you're after performance upgrades, unique accessories, or essential parts, our Kit Spares website has a fantastic range to explore. If you’d prefer, come visit us in our Showroom & Shop for a more personal experience—we’d love to help you find just the right items.

Plus, the Kit Spares Shop will be open for collections on Saturday 7th December , during our Christmas Cars & Coffee event! Be sure to place your order early to have your parts ready to pick up on the day.

A Kit Spares Gift Voucher could make the perfect gift….