Home//Classics World/June 2023/In This Issue
Classics World|June 2023EditorialDrive It Day fell this year on 23rd April. This is the day when the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs encourages all owners to get their classic vehicles out and about, and many clubs arrange runs and gatherings to mark the occasion. I took the Midget out for a good run to meet up with the North Kesteven MGOC at the Daisy Made Farm near Lincoln who were holding a classic vehicle day. I must say that I enjoy multi-marque gatherings such as this because you never know what to expect. The three cars pictured above – acustomised Mk2 Ford Consul, a 1960s Mustang and a Series Land Rover – happened to be the three vehicles parked next to my Midget, while in the background you can see a…2 min
Classics World|June 2023FESTIVAL OF THE UNEXCEPTIONALIf you marvel at Montegos, smile at Samaras or dream of a Dolomite, then the Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional is the show for you. Similarly, if you continuously polish your Proton, fettle your Fiesta or pamper your Panda, you may like to enter your vehicle into the only concours dedicated to celebrating those mundane motors which were once commonplace, because the Concours de l’Ordinaire – quite literally, a show dedicated to sharing some of the greatest everyday classic cars on our roads – will be part of the event. It's all taking place on Saturday 29th July on the beautiful lawns of Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire. Originally staged by Hagerty in 2014, the Festival of the Unexceptional has earned its place in the automotive calendar as an attainable concours…1 min
Classics World|June 2023LOTUS REVIVALGoodwood has announced that this year’s Goodwood Revival will celebrate Lotus’ 75th anniversary, welcoming a fleet of up to 75 cars and a special on-track celebration paying homage to the Chapman years (1948-1982). Taking centre stage will be the Lotus 18 which secured the first win for a Lotus-built car at the 1960 Monaco Grand Prix with Mr Goodwood himself, Sir Stirling Moss, behind the wheel. Goodwood and Lotus’ shared history stretches back to when the motor circuit was first in operation. The Lotus 25 still holds the period lap record, which was set on Easter Monday in 1965 during the last ever Formula 1 race to be held at Goodwood, when Jim Clark tied for fastest lap with Jackie Stewart in a time of 1m 20.4. Taking place across…1 min
Classics World|June 2023STONY STREET PARTYOn Sunday 4th June the town of Stony Stratford just a few miles north of Milton Keynes will be celebrating a golden age of automotive history with a magnificent display of over 400 classic cars and motorcycles, all coming together as part of a great weekend of entertainment across the town. This free annual event is now a regular part of the vintage and classic festival calendar, and one of the largest vintage and classic street motoring festivals in the UK. This year is particularly special as they will be saying farewell to the modern Elizabethan era and welcoming our new King Charles. Further details of the Classic Stony Festival can be found at: www.classicstony.co.uk…1 min
Classics World|June 2023ALLEGROS AT LAUNCHI was a mechanic in the late 1960s and 1970s and worked on all the old pre- and post-war cars still on the roads, and on the new cars being launched from Longbridge. Our garage was in Hampton In Arden close to Coventry, Solihull and Birmingham though, so we had clients driving every make of motor. The Allegro was the first secret car to be launched by Austin. The cars were heavily disguised and driven for months around the Midlands to iron out any faults. When launch day came, our showroom was all curtained off and after going through our workshops behind closed doors so that the mechanics could ensure everything was working OK, the cars were ready for launch day. Apart from the silly square steering wheel – or…1 min
Classics World|June 2023MUMFORDI've just received the latest edition of Classics Monthly and my attention was immediately caught by the Mumford Marina. As a native of Plymouth, I was always well aware of the Mumford dealerships, but had no idea that their activities extended into convertible modifications. I see there's also a buyer's guide to the Mk1 and Mk2 Granadas. I owned a Mk2 2-litre automatic saloon followed by a Mk2 2.8i Ghia estate which I had for almost 13 years, so I look forward to getting stuck into that article. Naturally, the excellent feature on the Vauxhall Viva was of particular interest as I have a Bedford HA, but it will be a week or two before I've saved up £299,995 for the 1924 Velox mentioned! Steve Roberts…1 min
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Classics World|June 2023IAIN AYREBIO: Iain Ayre’s automotive enthusiasms span everything from Minis to Bentleys. He has prototyped several car designs without commercial success, and has written 18 books on random motoring subjects. He continues to avoid getting a proper job. I was shown around a new and very expensive electric Mercedes the other day. Several thoughts emerged. First, the interior design was as radical and sexy as a 1990s TVR, which is a compliment. It was plakky rather than Connolly and wood, but it was dramatic and textured. Second, it was bought or downloaded directly from Mercedes, the same way that you buy a Tesla or a fridge. There won’t be any more main car dealers quite soon. Mercedes dealers are working their notice now, whether they know it or not. An entire…5 min
Classics World|June 2023THE POOR RELATION?Some versions of popular models are more frequently seen in brochures than on the road. The Sunbeam-badged Vogue Arrow is one such vehicle, as is the two-door Ford Corsair and the Cresta PC Standard. For many years I regarded the single-headlamp big Vauxhall as almost mythical, a car we only saw in the terrible 1970 B-film Incense for the Damned. However, in 2022 I finally encountered Neil Haymer's 1967 example, which has to be one of the rarest cars to wear the Griffin logo. As we described in our Marques and Models series in the September 2022 issue, the PC represented the fourth and last generation of Vauxhall's post-war large saloons. It made its bow at the 1965 Earls Court Motor Show, where one talking point was that Luton had…9 min
Classics World|June 20231991 VW GOLF 1.8 DRIVER AUTOMATICvolkswagen introduced their first Golf in 1974, and it arguably saved the company. Up to that point VW had been largely relying on the Beetle to keep it afloat, but that had become a classic in its own lifetime and a replacement was long overdue. The Golf was so dramatically different with its crisp, angular styling and water-cooled engine driving the front wheels that it could all have gone horribly wrong, but the basic concept was spot on while the engineering and build quality were both exemplary and VW never looked back. The Golf nameplate is still on sale and currently in its eight generation, which was introduced in 2019. For Classics Monthly it is the Mk1 (1974- 1983) and the Mk2 (1983- 1991) that are of real interest, though…10 min
Classics World|June 2023Living nightmare narrowly avertedIain Ayre Contributor Motoring author and journo Iain has been singularly unable to resist the intriguing opportunities that now comprise his fleet of projects, but also unable to muster the focus, energy or organisational skills to complete them. However, a recent move back to the UK from Canada has helped to focus the mind. MY FLEET 1947 BENTLEY MKVI OWNED SINCE 2015 ENGINE 4.25-litre straight-six 1974 MINI MARCOS OWNED since 2010 ENGINE Cooper-spec 1100cc A-series 1981 CHEVY/GMC G20 VAN OWNED since 2022 ENGINE 5.7-litre V8 1957 BENTLEY S1 PROJECT TWO-DOOR SOFT TOP CONVERSION OWNED SINCE 2019 ENGINE 4.9-litre straight-six 1952 MKVI BENTLEY PROJECT PROTOTYPE BOAT-TAIL BENTLEY SPECIAL, BEAST I OWNED SINCE 2014 ENGINE 4.25-litre straight-six 1953 R-TYPE BENTLEY PROJECT PROTOTYPE REPLICA 1930 8-LITRE TOURER, BEAST II OWNED SINCE 2020 ENGINE…5 min
Classics World|June 2023BMW Z3 PROJECTThe first proper drive of any old car is a bit nerve wracking, but the 40-mile round trip for S56 EBW’s MoT test went very well. It drives just like a BMW should with peppy performance and a nice gearshift, plus it drives arrow straight. It takes a bit longer than usual to get up to temperature suggesting that the thermostat will need replacement at some stage, but that’s only a matter of undoing four 10mm bolts and a couple of hose clips so it is no big deal. The MoT test went fine too, the only advisory being the inevitable ‘undertrays fitted.’ That is in some ways unusual because most Z3s seem to have lost both the front one and the second one behind it, but our car still…9 min
Classics World|June 2023MGB BODYWORK REPAIRSWhat do you do when time has finally caught up with your classic and the cost of repairing it is more than the car will ever be worth? That is a dilemma that will face many owners of the more affordable models at some time or another. In recent years I spent around £16,000 restoring a Midget that is worth maybe £8000 on a good day with the sun shining, and only last year I ‘invested’ around £12,000 in a Rover P4 that is currently for sale at £6250ono. That is simply the economics of everyday classics in the real world. Not for us the option of spending £70,000 restoring an early E-Type knowing that it could be worth £100,000 afterwards! Sadly, these harsh realities sometimes collide with our cosy…8 min
Classics World|June 2023VERGIN' ON THE RIDICULOUSAs I write this, it’s now 35 glorious years since I bought my very first car at an auction, my third – but not my last – Ford Cortina. This was VGN 655R, quickly becoming known as VerGiN’ on the Ridiculous because frankly, it just was. VGN 655R started life in April 1977, spat out of the Dagenham Cortina sausage factory as a Diamond White 1.6L and registered in May. Eleven years later? Well, look at most if not all cars built in 2012. Seen a rusty one lately? Ford announced in the May ’77 all model book of lies (aka the brochure) that VGN was ‘well equipped and built to last.’ Well, compared to a Bic biro it probably was. Compared to a W123 Benz it most certainly was…4 min
Classics World|June 2023CLASSICSwww.classicsworld.co.uk Classics Monthly, Kelsey Media, The Granary, Downs Court, Yalding Hill, Yalding, Kent ME18 6AL EDITORIAL Editor: Simon Goldsworthy Email: classics.ed@kelsey.co.uk Group Editor: Paul Wager Email: classics.ed@kelsey.co.uk Design: Focused On Design Ltd WITH THANKS THIS ISSUE TO Will Armston-Sheret, Iain Ayre, Andrew Everett, Jack Grover, Rob Hawkins, Bernard Holloway, Martyn Morgan Jones, Andrew Roberts, Jeff Ruggles, Andy Starkey, Mike Taylor, Phil White ADVERTIsem*nT SALES Talk Media Sales Managing Director: David Lerpiniere 01732 445325, david.lerpiniere@talk-media.uk Head of Investment for Classic Motoring Natalie Excell: 01732 445674 natalie@talk-media.uk AD PRODUCTION Talk Media Production and Design Manager: Nick Bond production@talk-media.uk MANAGEMENT Chief Operating Officer: Phil Weeden Subscription Marketing Director: Gill Lambert Retail Director: Steve Brown Print Production Manager: Georgina Harris Print Production Controllers: Kelly Orriss and Hayley Brown Subscriptions Marketing Manager: Dave Sage Affiliate…2 min
Classics World|June 2023AUSTIN PEDAL CARS SHOWROOMAustin Pedal Cars has announced that a brand-new pedal car showroom located at Building 129 within the MT Yard at Bicester Heritage will be opening in May. The interior of the showroom will mirror the style displayed by Austin Pedal Cars at the 2022 Goodwood Revival (below) with fun, colourful signage and periodstyle furniture. The new showroom will present a variety of everchanging classic pedal cars, ranging from the recently restored to the perfectly patinated, and a selection of cars with special historic interest. The site will also be home to the Austin J40 Continuation Car due to launch later this year. This new model will be the first Austin pedal car for over 50 years, presenting the familiar J40 shape but with a brand-new pedal system, an all-aluminium body…1 min
Classics World|June 2023MOTOFEST COVENTRYMotoFest Coventry, in partnership with E.ON Drive, is gearing up for another classic Coventry Concours show with special guest appearances from the iconic Jaguar E-Type ECD 400 and a display of royal vehicles among the highlights at the event. ECD 400 will make a triumphant return to its home city, just over 60 years since it started life as one of the seven project cars built for the E-type launch in 1961. It was further immortalised in Jaguar history a month after the launch when Formula One champion and motor racing legend Graham Hill drove the car to its first race victory at Oulton Park. The Coventry Concours will take place on Saturday 3rd June and Sunday 4th June as part of the main MotoFest Coventry weekend programme, while following…1 min
Classics World|June 2023PRODUCTBEETLE BAMBOO STYLE PARCEL SHELF Price: £101.95 Most classics are a little short of stowage space for oddments, so these great bamboo style parcel shelves suitable for beam-axle VW Beetles of all ages will be a bonus. Influenced by the aftermarket accessories of old, the full-width storage surface will complement your classic interior charm and is perfect for sunglasses, mobile phones, CDs, Sat Nav and more. You can find them on HeritagePartsCentre.com by searching for part number 111-857-110/A, and as an added bonus they qualify for free UK delivery. HEAT BARRIERS Price: various Burton Power now stocks a wide range of products from the Funk Motorsport heat barrier range that includes heat barrier sheet, blanket and tape, exhaust wrap and turbo blankets in a variety of finishes and materials. The…3 min
Classics World|June 2023PLAYING SPOT-THE-PART ON THE REGALI have thoroughly enjoyed reading the May issue of Classics Monthly. The Reliant Regal looks splendid, and I do hope you have resolved, or will resolve, the running issue so that you can enjoy driving the car. In a previous episode of the restoration story you referred to the interior light being shared with a Mini, and I found it interesting to look at the pictures and identify other items shared with other cars. The ashtray, headlamps and front indicators are shared with the Mini, the interior door and window winder handles appear to be from the BMC 1100/1300 and the rear lamps are the same as some Hillman Minxes and Sunbeam Rapiers. The chrome Reliant script badges appear to be the same size and font as the Automatic badge…1 min
Classics World|June 2023A DOSE OF REALITYI have just been reading your article in the May 2023 issue entitled: A Dose of Reality. At last! A magazine article that dares to mention how much it might cost to have even a modest car like a Mini professionally restored. Before starting on the restoration of my 1992 Rover Mini Cooper, I went to visit Jason at the Mini Restoration Company to discuss the best way forward. He was very candid, and whilst offering to do the work, suggested I took the Heritage shell route if I wasn’t too concerned about retaining the few bits of steel that hadn’t rusted away. So, this is what I did in the end. However I have now bought an older Mini which looks very similar to the one in your photos,…1 min
Classics World|June 2023GREAT MEMORIES OF OUR 315 CLASSICI thought I must write to let you know how much I enjoyed the Ford Capri – Original and Best article in the Spring issue, a sentiment I wholeheartedly agree with. How lucky was Lee Pace to have a father who owned and could maintain his fleet of one of the best-looking Fords (in my opinion) ever. The first time I took notice of the Classic 315 Fords was when my brotherin-law bought a late 1963, pale yellow, white-roofed four-door model in 1965. He always had upmarket lovely-looking cars, many of them being Fords, and once I'd ridden in it I was hooked – it was spacious, smooth and with a level of extras as standard that was usually reserved for much more expensive cars. Only being an apprentice in…3 min
Classics World|June 2023PHIL WHITEBIO: Phil White’s first job, at 15, involved restoring classic cars. A decade later he began writing about them in magazines. 35 years on, he’s still at it. He plans to grow up at some point, but in the meantime climbing rocks, running, cycling and, you know, writing about classic cars, seem to get in the way. One of my closest relatives is very unwell at the moment. His problems started with a musculoskeletal issue that visits increasingly frequent chronic pain upon him. This created sleeplessness, which wore away at his resilience until his mental health collapsed. Those of us who love him have had to endure the harrowing spectacle of this intensely energetic, multi-talented, charming and beautiful human getting sucked into a quicksand of agony, anxiety, depression and despair,…5 min
Classics World|June 2023ROOTES RARITIESAvenger Sunbeam Owners club Almost all families in the UK rely on a car to get them wherever they need to go. Taking kids to school, commuting to work, holidays, shopping – in fact pretty much everything that needs doing away from home, the family car (or cars) is called into action. I say cars in the plural because most modern families will have more than one. Gone are the days when you’d plead with one of your parents for the keys to the family pride and joy so you could take your turn behind the wheel. These days every member of the household that becomes eligible to drive seems to have their own set of wheels cluttering up the drive. One big problem here is that when the family…9 min
Classics World|June 2023Wrestling with the JeepMartyn Morgan-Jones Contributor Martyn has been passionate about classics ever since he joined the Imp Club back in 1981 and has owned around 15 Imps over the years. If money were no object he’d love to own a 1972 Porsche 911S, an Austin-Healey 3000, a Renault 8 Gordini – and another Stiletto! MY FLEET 1969 SUNBEAM STILETTO OWNED SINCE: 1986-1996 and again since 2010 1983 DAVRIAN MK8 OWNED SINCE: 2000 1989 PORSCHE 944 TURBO OWNED SINCE: 2018 2000 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE OWNED SINCE: 2018 To be honest, since my last diary update I've been seeing rather more of the Jeep than I had expected. The trouble is that just like any other car, when you really get stuck into things, there's usually much more work to be undertaken than one…4 min
Classics World|June 2023Minor van is on the home straightWill Armston-Sheret Contributor Will has a collection of Morris Minors. This column follows the maintenance and modification of them for daily use, as well as the long-term restoration of a 1950 Lowlight Tourer from a desert scrapyard in America and a 1970 Morris Van which has been in his family for nearly 40 years. MY FLEET 1950 MORRIS MINOR LOWLIGHT SALOON OWNED SINCE: 2012 1950 MINOR LOWLIGHT CONVERTIBLE OWNED SINCE: 2017 1967 MINOR SALOON OWNED SINCE: 2010 1970 MINOR VAN OWNED (BY MUM) SINCE: 1980 We must be really close to finishing mum’s 1970 Morris Minor van. Dad and I have been working intensively on it, making good use of the last of the winter. Spring is on the way with all its inevitable distractions, and so we’ve been keen…4 min
Classics World|June 2023REDUCED HEADROOM SORTEDAproblem found on many cars of the 1970s and 1980s is a sagging headlining. This is rarely a problem on earlier designs because metal rods sewn into the headlining fabric keep the material up where it belongs – tears and splits in brittle vinyl tend to be more of a problem there. However, manufacturers moved from this tried-and-tested method and simply glued fabric to a backing board, which was presumably cheaper to produce and also quicker to install on the production line. Sometimes that backing board was pressed out of a kind of biscuit material into large shaped panels (the Rover SD1 comes to mind here), and if that board has started to fall apart (as it does over time, particularly if it gets wet), then there is no easy…9 min
Classics World|June 2023FIAT X1/9If you are looking for a classic and practical mid-engined two-seater open-top sports car, then the Fiat X1/9 is worth considering alongside later alternatives such as the Toyota MR2, MGF/TF and Lotus Elise. Find a good one and you will be rewarded with impeccable handling and exhilarating performance, but do be aware that you will need to be constantly on the lookout for corrosion and meticulous with maintenance. The X1/9 first appeared in 1969 as a concept car called the Autobianchi A112 Runabout. The body was designed by Marcello Gandini, who also designed the Lamborghini Miura, Countach and Diablo as well as the Lancia Stratos. It was manufactured by Bertone, leaving Fiat to fit its 75bhp, 1290cc, SOHC engine from the Fiat 128 and assemble the car at their Lingotto…17 min
Classics World|June 2023THE MIDDLE CHILDIn the early 1960s, Dagenham’s Planning Department embarked on Project Buccaneer to replace the Consul Classic. As with its predecessor, the new model was to compete in the D Class of £721-£850 family saloons. Charles Thompson developed the distinctive bodywork with its overtones of the 1961 Thunderbird after Ford GB had conducted a two-year pan-European survey of potential customers’ tastes. Roy Brown, the Head of Design, told the press: ‘We set out to create something quite elegant, yet entirely logical. Our objective was a clean aerodynamic appearance.’ Ford’s General Product Planning Manager Terence Beckett regarded Buccaneer as ‘an extension of the Cortina formula.’ The two cars shared a windscreen, door frames and windows, plus the Corsair sat on a lengthened Cortina floorpan. The suspension was from the Cortina GT, and…12 min
Classics World|June 2023AS GOOD AS NEWThe latest attraction at the Lakeland Motor Museum is a Mazda RX7 which was first registered back in January 1985 – making it now nearly 40 years old – but that has just 15,000 miles on the clock and is in mint condition. It has been donated to the museum by the family of Sheila Sides, a former Cheshire hotel owner who drove it for just six years after buying it new from a dealership in Warrington for £10,995. Her son, Chris Sides, said: 'Throughout her life my mum always had a love of stylish cars and had owned a Morris Minor, a Vauxhall Viva HB GT and a Lancia Fulvia. But when the Lancia started rusting, she looked round for a new car and fell in love with the…2 min
Classics World|June 2023FATHER'S DAY AT BEAULIEUHeld in association with the Solent Renegades club, Beaulieu’s vibrant Custom and American Show will return for 2023 on Sunday 18th June with hundreds of cool American motors, colourful custom cars and bikes, live music and great entertainment throughout the day. If you love your motors bigger, brighter, louder or more wacky than the norm, then this is the event for you! Legendary custom car builder and Custom and American Show ambassador Andy Saunders will be returning to the show, along with his latest creation, Deja. Four years since he showed fans his derelict Riley at the show, Andy will be displaying the transformed car. Participants can book their tickets in advance at www. beaulieu.co.uk/events/ custom-and-americanshow, which also include entrance to the rest of the Beaulieu attraction. Entry to the…1 min
Classics World|June 2023MORRIS MUSEUMSince 2004, The Oxford Bus Museum in Long Hanborough has been the home of the Morris Motors Museum, which charts the story of how classic British cars and commercial vehicles were produced at Cowley in Oxford. On Sunday 11th June from 10.30am until 4.30pm, a Classic Car Day is being held at the venue and drivers plus one passenger arriving in a classic car will be given free entry to the museums. There is no charge to attend, but it will assist event organisation if owners could email rp_statham@yahoo. co.uk their name, contact telephone number, email address, make of car, model and year of first registration.…1 min
Classics World|June 2023JUST HAVING A LAUGHAs well as wishing to thank you for the continuing excellence of CM, I also wished to pass my sincere thanks to Iain Ayre for his terrific tale of Crayfish in Africa which features in the May issue. His tale has had me laughing and giggling continuously since I read it, and there have been several occasions of absolute uncontrollable, eye watering mirth –- just marvellous. A great story superbly told, thank you Iain. It reminded me a little of an experience of my own when, a good few years ago, I was sent by my employer on a Mandarin language course as the company were considering setting up an operational cable ship base at Shanghai and I was the commander designate. This course took place at a language school…1 min
Classics World|June 2023MOTORING HERITAGEI have just received the May issue of your magazine through my letter box and eagerly turned straight to the final instalment of your Reliant Regal 3/25 Deluxe project. What a stunning transformation, you have done a magnificent job on the restoration and ensured the little Regal will last another 55 years. As you mention in your article, Reliant are an important part of our British motoring heritage, something it seems only us classic car enthusiasts appreciate. I hope once you cure that last remaining engine issue she gives you plenty of motoring pleasure. I was able to find a few photographs of my wife's grandfather's identical Reliant Regal (below) that were taken after it was all cleaned and polished ready to be collected by the Reliant dealer and displayed…1 min
Classics World|June 2023THE OBVIOUS CHOICEMany thanks to your reader Chris Williamson, who answered my query about the A30 publicity shot as being taken in Moreton-in-Marsh. I now recognize the place as the town where I spent a pleasant hour eating at the Black Bear Inn. Belated thanks for your archive feature in the Spring issue on affordable Fiats, which were my automatic choice as a cashstrapped youngster in the 1970s. You also highlighted the appeal of the 127, a model rather neglected by the classic press, perhaps due to its low survival rate. You mentioned too the 128 3P coupé, one of which I had the good fortune to be loaned as a courtesy car while my 127 was being serviced. Having previously been given an early Morris Marina as a loan car (which…1 min
Classics World|June 2023STAG FUEL PUMP IDEAMike Taylor suggests he has a fuel pump problem on his Stag, but this may be the crash switch that has poor contacts. (It is a grey cylinder located on the nearside rear of the engine bay.) I have had the problem he suggests on two cars, and on both of them removing the wires to the switch and inserting a suitable fuse cured the problem. Later, stripping the switch showed dirty brass contacts inside – after a clean-up and reassembly, they gave no further problem. Hope this simple trick helps. Michael Shelley Thanks Michael, a good point. But as you can see by this issue's Driver Diary, when I got a reoccurrence of the failure, I checked the inertia switch and that was OK. The culprit turned out to…1 min
Classics World|June 2023SMOOTH OPERATORConceived by the British Motor Corporation as a replacement for the ageing 4-Litre Vanden Plas Princess R and Austin Westminster/Wolseley 6/110 models, the ADO61 Austin 3-Litre was developed with a controversial exterior treatment and a Spartan interior. As such, it fell short of the mark, having neither the gravitas nor the luxury of its predecessors. Nor was the exterior styling ever going to attract a substantial number of customers away from the likes of the similarly priced and more modern offerings from Ford, Triumph and Vauxhall, or those in the Jaguar and Rover showrooms despite their higher price. Contemporary motoring commentators described the car as out of date. This is hardly surprising because while it was launched in 1967, it had been signed off in 1963, prior to the launch…8 min
Classics World|June 2023Mike buys a new toyMike Taylor Contributor Mike is based in Australia and although his Triumph Stag has been restored to a very high standard, it still require regular maintenance to keep it in tip-top condition. MY FLEET TRIUMPH STAG OWNED SINCE: 2004 Last month the Stag had an issue with a nonfunctioning SU fuel pump. Unfortunately, due to the intermittent nature of the failure, I had been unable to properly diagnose the cause as I was unable to measure the various voltages during the pump's non-operational period. I had checked the wiring, specifically the multiconnector, removed the pump and replaced the diaphragm, then reinstalled the pump that now operated correctly, but I was not confident I had got to the root cause. So convinced was I that I would get a repeat failure…5 min
Classics World|June 2023You can have too much rust-proofingSimon Goldsworthy Editor Simon always has too many projects on the go, which means progress on individual cars can sometimes be slow. On the bright side, it does mean he never gets stuck watching telly of an evening. He likes virtually all classics, but has a weak spot for anything small, basic and generally overlooked. MY FLEET 1964 ROVER 95 OWNED SINCE: 2021 1968 RELIANT REGAL OWNED SINCE: 2022 1969 FIAT 500 OWNED SINCE: 2022 1970 MG MIDGET OWNED SINCE: 2019 1984 ACCLAIM OWNED SINCE: 2020 Last month I reported on how the Acclaim had been returned to the road after a period of storage, passing its MoT with the only issue being that the handbrake was borderline at best. With the MoT ticket safely in the bag, I then…4 min
Classics World|June 2023LAND ROVERIt seems to be a trend in the world of classic car (and other engineeringrelated) services that people are either getting out of the business altogether, often to retire, or are absolutely crammed with more trade than they have time for. For Lyndale Engines in Peterborough (01733 345256) it was the latter, combined with illness putting their cylinder head machinist off work for a while, that caused delays in us getting the Land Rover engine back together. The old, worn exhaust valve guides in our cylinder head also put up a fight, resisting all standard methods of removal. In the end a drift had to be custom-made to exactly the right size (and out of hardier metal to resist the full force of the shop’s hydraulic press) before they could…9 min
Classics World|June 2023ONE I SHOT EARLIER!Harcourt Alloy-Bodied Special Believe it or not, underneath this polished alloy exterior sits a 1968 Triumph Spitfire. Even more remarkable is the fact that instead of being a money-no-object commission from professional artisans, it was built on a relative shoestring at home by two friends, Martin Harcourt and Russell Pike. They built it because genuine examples of the 1930s racers that it so brilliantly mimics are out of the financial reach of mere mortals like you and me. I shot it in 2011 and was blown away by the quality of their work. Martin said he had drawn his inspiration from certain Alfa Romeos, ERAs and Rileys of the 1930s. The English wheel used to build the car cost just £75, and had been used at Westlands to make Spitfire…6 min
Classics World|June 2023PRICE GUIDE 1945-2000Our Condition ratings CONDITION 1 Very good cars, well cared for but not concours (for which prices are higher). CONDITION 2 Good condition, with a legitimate MoT and on the road. but still requiring some work. CONDITION 3 Complete, maybe even running and possibly being used, but in need of work, usually major. Might not be able to pass an MoT making road use illegal. IMPORTANT NOTES 1 The Classics Monthly Price Guide is compiled by reference to a wide variety of sources, including clubs, auction results and advertisem*nts, both printed and online. It is impossible for anyone to accurately value a specific vehicle without first examining the car. 2 These listings are intended to provide a useful guide only. Asking prices can vary widely between different examples of the…1 min
