Practical Classics的May 2019目录

The Alvis beginners A charity that encourages teenagers to learn about classic cars has launched this month at Bicester Heritage. In partnership with Hagerty Classic Car Insurance and supported by the Alvis Owners Club and the FBHVC, StarterMotor is open to youngsters aged between 12-17. startermotor.co.uk Griffin greats Vauxhall will transform Luton into a classic ‘Motor City’ this summer, with a low-cost family day out for enthusiasts. The firm will throw the doors open at its Heritage Centre on the special Vauxhall Open Day and Luton Transport Fest on June 9. The 75-vehicle collection will be open to visitors – admission to the event is free. The borrowers Another group of young enthusiasts have been handed the keys to classic cars in the annual Classic Car Loan Project. Ten drivers…

Gemini Events has got a packed schedule for this year and kicking off the season the show organiser has got a spanking new venue: Chetwynd Deer Park near Newport in Shropshire (TF10 8EU). Event director Stephen Smith told PC: ‘We’re expecting 1000 classics from the Thirties to the Nineties, more than 30 local clubs will be displaying and we’re offering free entry to Mini owners to mark its 60th birthday. Alongside the live arena there is the Pride of Ownership display, a ‘Decibel Duel’ with judges looking for the loudest car at the show, plus a concours. Live music will be from The Quik Beats and The Del Ray Rockers plus there’s an Easter Egg hunt, free face painting, children’s disco. More information is at classicmotor shows.co.uk .…

The Mini’s 60th birthday celebrations have been planned by the British Mini Club (britishminiclub co.uk ) and the Mini Cooper Register (minicooper.org). Events include the Spring Autojumble (May 18-19), the London to Brighton Run (May 19), Beaulieu’s National Mini Day (June 9), plus the British Motor Museum’s Mini 60 (August 3-4). The International Mini Meet is August 8-12 and National Mini Day is September 15.…

Tell us your car factory stories! I worked at Peugeot during the Italia ’90 football tournament. When England were doing well, the management realised that half the workforce weren’t going to bother to turn up if England were playing! So they erected a massive tent with a big screen and loads of smaller TVs and let us watch the match at work. What a great idea and the place was buzzing… until we lost, that is! Ian Storer I worked on the Ford production line and it was a hive of activity. We’d work hard but also joke around and laugh, too. Made great friends. It was always great to see the Cortinas screeching off the production line. Keith Foster At the Austin test bay, I saw a wrongly set-up…

Victor FB pick up! A derelict limestone quarry in Malta is the location, with all photos coming from our roving rust-hunter Jack Brands. Here’s a (we think) unique factory-built Vauxhall Victor FB pickup (chassis number 3143001). It’s an almost unbelievable find, nobody we have spoken to has ever heard of a factory built FB pick-up. This car needs to be rescued, pronto. Ford Transit MkI Two of the several LWB Ford Transits stuck in the quarry; the green one sits in the shallow section and the white one down in the deepest part – forlorn but complete. Ford Consul The Maltese like to build walls around everything according to photographer Jack – that includes this makeshift one surrounding a Fifties Ford Consul. Simca 1501 There are a total of four…

For some years now there’s been a regular spectacle at auctions. Largely it takes place at the posher ones, but the others have not been immune from it either. At these it seems like there’s been a constant procession (if that word can be used in relation to something not fit to move under its own steam) of sporty Jaguar two-seater project cars clinging to the extreme end of that term. They are generally described as ‘barn-finds’, because ‘barn’ is a far more romantic-sounding prefix than ‘scrapyard’, ‘swamp’ or ‘leaky lock-up in Romford’. ‘Perhaps the fear of financial uncertainty has got a toe-hold’ The next step is that cynical market commentators like myself gather in front of these scruffy cars pre-sale, pull funny faces and say things like, ‘They are…

1958 Ford Zodiac MkII Price: £15,000 Very original and top-specification early car with overdrive gearbox. Rebuilt engine – only real flaws are bubbles in a rear door and split in driver’s seat. 1984 Nissan Skyline Price: £6500 Rare car in UK, recently imported and comes with service history, import papers and proof of its 48,000 miles. Now just needs registering. 1968 Vanden Plas 1300 Price: £5750 In fine condition with just 45,000 miles. Auto ’box in good order. £700 spent refurbishing leather seats. Dash re-veneered, too.…

The basic problem with a 406 project is the very low values of these cars, which are unlikely to rise soon. So any major work is hard to justify financially, but you could buy a tatty 406 for buttons and use second-hand parts. The huge array of colours, trims and bodystyles mean it’s a bit of a lottery finding matching parts. It’s no problem sourcing mechanical and service parts whether they’re pattern or OE. However, many other genuine parts are getting scarce although pattern bits are often available. The main issue is coupé-specific bits with front fog lights, headlights, bumpers and door seals really hard to find. The V6’s induction system is inefficient and the ‘sock’ to the airbox deteriorates and can collapse, cutting off the air supply. The low…

1970 Morris Minor Saloon Engine 1275cc/4-cyl/OHV Power Plenty Torque Unknown Gearbox 5-speed manual 0-60mph Yes Top speed Sufficient Fuel economy Who knows! Work done Paint stripped; steering sorted; supercharger modified to fit neatly. Also in Matt’s garage 1960 MORRIS MINOR CONVERTIBLE Will be coming out to play now the weather’s better. 1968 AUSTIN MINI ESTATE Barn find still awaiting its turn in the workshop. 1969 MORRIS MINOR TRAVELLER Being gradually readied for a camping trip to Belgium. After many hours work with chemical paint stripper, Mirka OSP paint-stripping discs on the DEROS sander and a rotary wire brush in an angle grinder, I’ve finally finished taking the shell of my Minor back to bare metal. I’ve been snatching moments hither and thither to continue this arduous ask, after which I…

1972 Triumph GT6 MkIII Engine 1998cc/6-cyl/OHV Power 98bhp@5300rpm Torque 108lb ft@3000rpm Gearbox 4-speed manual + o/d 0-60mph 10.1sec Top speed 112mph Fuel economy 27mpg Work done Triumph 2500S engine stripped and assessed, ready for the GT6. Also in Nigel’s garage 1970 TRIUMPH TR6 The TR is still waiting for the speedo drive to be fixed. 1977 RELIANT SCIMITAR GTE A perennial problem with brake judder has been solved. 1998 BMW 328i COUPÉ Fuel up, drive, enjoy, repeat. Life with the BMW coupé is satisfyingly simple! My big classic project for 2019 is gathering pace. Late last year I bought a Triumph 2500S engine from Triumph enthusiast and serial 2.5PI restorer Ross Taylor. He and his father Paul have a thing about big Triumphs, having collected and restored a number of…

You will need Oscilloscope, power supply, short lengths of wire, paperclip. High tension caution Don’t trail wires across HT leads under the bonnet. They cause interference – and there’s a chance that the HT may jump across and ruin the ‘scope and the item being tested. Interference A jagged line when nothing’s connected to the ‘scope is caused by outside electrical/radio interference, not a fault. Not so many years ago, oscilloscopes were unwieldy devices costing hundreds of pounds. Now, thanks to the miracle of the Chinese gulag-industrial complex, you can pick up a pocket-sized one online for £15. It’s a very powerful diagnostic tool for the money. So, what does an oscilloscope do? It’s an aid to measuring a voltage that varies with time. You can’t see this fluctuation on…

Prices are researched from several sources, including clubs, auctions, the trade and advertisements online and in print. Prices are reviewed and updated every issue. Our C/D rating is a basic guide to what you can expect to pay (£) for the best examples of a model, a concours car or something from a dealer. CONDITION 1 means well-presented cars that have no obvious faults. CONDITION 2 cars are capable of regular use. They have a current MoT certificate but will need work and/or original parts. CONDITION 3 cars usually need a full rebuild, but may be driveable and MoT’d. PLEASE NOTE You can’t value any car without seeing it – don’t buy blind. KEY auto: automatic cab: cabrioletcon: convertible est: estate lhd: left-hand drive lim: limousine rwd: rear-wheel drive sal:…

Readers have nominated the country’s best driving roads to guide the judging team on the summer tour of Britain’s Best Classic Car Clubs. The top ten most-voted for regional and local clubs were revealed last month and visitors to the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show chose the best routes for the team to travel when the tour takes place at the end of June. The winner nomination, winner of a £50 voucher, was Chris Lewis, a member of the South Wales Classic Car Club. He suggested the PC team take a route around the Brecon Beacons starting at the B4560 north of Beaufort, then taking in the A4069 Black Mountain road. ‘You’ll have some of our members joining you for that leg, for sure! ’ He said. ‘The…

The Essential Buyers Guide to the S-series £12.99 ISBN 978-1-787112-90-2 A great companion for anyone considering buying TVR S-series, it greatly increases your chances of bagging a bargain while preventing you buying a pup – saving you far more than the cover price. veloce.co.uk Ford Mustang II & Pinto £19.99 ISBN 978-1-787112-67-4 This book examines these icons of the custom car and racing scene, and how Henry took on the imports, battled bureaucracy and gave America the economy and sports luxury sub-compacts that it wanted. veloce.co.uk Sports Car Racing in Camera 1980-1989 £50 ISBN 978-099-2876-975 The In Camera series returns to tackle sportscar racing in the Eighties, an era that provided a cornucopia of power and speed courtesy of Porsche, TWR Jaguar, Sauber Mercedes, Aston Martin, Lancia,…

SAT, APR 20 LONDON Waterloo Classics gathering, SE1 7RG (waterlooclassics.com). SUN, APR 21 HANTS Simply Audi at Beaulieu, SO42 7ZN (beaulieu.co.uk). ESSEX TransportFest at the Museum of Power, Maldon, CM9 6QA (museumofpower.org.uk). YORKS Huddersfield Autojumble, Old Market Building, HD1 1RG (phoenixfairs.jimdo.com). LINCS Transport Festival at Lincolnshire Road Transport Museum, LN6 3QT (lvvs.org.uk). SUN-MON, APR 21-22 SHROPS Classic Car Show at Weston Park, TF11 8LE (classicshows. org). SUN, APR 22 GLOS Coleford Carnival of Transport, GL14 2SH (colefordcarnivaloftransport.co.uk). SAT-SUN, APR 27-28 SUFFOLK Classic Car Show at Stonham Barns, IP14 6AT (stonhambarns. co.uk). SUN, APR 28 (DRIVE IT DAY) SURREY British Marques Day at Brooklands, KT13 0QN (brooklandsmuseum.com). SOMERSET Classic Car Show at Haselbury Mill, TA19 7NY (haselburymill. co.uk). ESSEX Coffee & Classics at the Museum of Power, Maldon, CM9 6QA (museumofpower.…

IN THE NEWS The old pounds, shilling and pence are replaced by the new pound and pence when Britain goes decimal on February 15. Only a few days previously, car-maker Rolls-Royce went bankrupt and had to be saved by the UK government. And the House of Commons voted convincingly to join the fledgling EEC… AT THE FLICKS After George Lazenby’s brief tenure as 007, Sean Connery returns to his signature role in Diamonds Are Forever. Clint Eastwood launches police inspector Harry Callahan in Dirty Harry, and there’s dirtiness of a different sort in Carnal Knowledge, which shocks many – and thus becomes a huge box office hit. IN THE CHARTS The first year since the Beatles’ split see the two main ex-Fabs put out hit albums. John Lennon’s Imagine is…

The Bedford HA van, and even the Ritz-beating luxury of the Beagle motorhome variant may not be a regular entrant into your thoughts. An example in British Rail livery dumped in a litter-strewn station yard full of tatty carriages and oily puddles on a grim Seventies day is not really stuff of fantasy. However, an example was possibly among the most bizarre vehicles booked into this year’s wonderful Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show at the NEC. Now owned and restored by Mike Jordan, the ‘Baldy van’ was famous in the Eighties custom scene, having been transformed by the legendary John Baldacchino, complete with a beefy Rover V8 engine, Borg Warner automatic transmission and a sturdy Jaguar XJ6 rear axle. The roof was also lowered by six inches. What…

Bought as a standard 2.0-litre, when the bottom end of the engine went, self-confessed MR2 nut Egil Jones had the choice of rebuilding it (again) or attempting to fit the 3.0 V6 engine from a scrap Lexus RX300. He chose the la tter, and did all the work himself. At the tender age of just 23, that’s an incredible achievement, especially as the install is so neatly worked. ‘It’s an absolute beast,’ he says. And he’s right. Mike Stafford knows more about MGFs  than most people. He’s the owner of MJS Auto and Marine in Littlehampton, Sussex (mjsautoandmarine. co.uk), one of the UK’s most dedicated K-Series engine specialists. ‘All people ever talk about when you mention the K-Series is the head gaskets,’ he says. ‘But the K-Series is a terrific…

There’s no such thing as an impractical 406, whichever body style you choose. Even the coupé can seat four adults comfortably, with their luggage, but if you want a true load-lugger the estate should fit the bill nicely; with the seats down, it’ll stow 1741 litres, which beats all of its contemporary rivals. Thanks to multi-link rear suspension you get comfort with handling and if you need to tow, not a problem, as the 406 scooped the Caravan Club’s Tow Car of the Year award in 1997, then again in 2001.…

1999  Mar: Saloon and estate get refreshed styling, a 2.2-litre option and more equipment. Jun: Revised coupé styling. Dec: The 3.0 V6 gets more power: 194bhp to 210bhp. 2000  Brake assist is now fitted to all cars; Electronic stability Programme (ESP) is also fitted to the 3.0 V6. 2001  Mar: Sat-nav standard on 2.0 SE and 3.0 V6 coupé. Sep: first-ever diesel coupé. 2.0HPI engine arrives for saloon and estate. 2002  A 2.2-litre petrol engine is now available in the saloon and estate; it replaces the 2.0-litre unit in the coupé.…

Ben Wanklyn There’s nothing like a deadline to focus the mind. That was certainly the case when my everyday Fiat Panda was smashed into by a careless roundabout lane-changer in a 4x4. Mercifully unhurt, but with the crumpled Panda written-off, I was left without a car in which to tackle my 70-mile daily commute. I needed wheels, and fast! The replacement would have to be interesting yet inexpensive and more than a match for the traffic jams, fast dual carriageways and rutted pony-strewn New Forest Lanes that I drive along to get to my day job at National Motor Museum, Beaulieu. A car I’ve long lusted after fitted the bill; the Rover 75. At this point, you might expect to read about how I paid peanuts for a 75 with…

2000 Honda Insight Engine 995cc/3-cyl/OHC Power 67bhp@5700rpm Torque 66lb ft@4800rpm Gearbox 5-speed manual 0-60mph 11.1sec Top Speed 107mph Fuel economy 65mpg (AV EPA) Work done Bought, driven, serviced, battery conditioned. Also in Danny’s Shed 1951 RILEY RMA Timing chain sprocket replacement completed. 1956 RILEY PATHFINDER Engine stripped by Formhalls Vintage & Racing. 1971 JENSEN INTERCEPTOR Rebuilt engine dropped in. 1972 TRIUMPH 2000 Time for a carb rebuild and new bottom ball joint. 1973 WOLSELEY SIX Er… I’ve bought this. It’s great. 1980 TRIUMPH TR7 Waiting for under body wax. 1984 DAIHATSU CHARADE DIESEL Needs floor, sills, a deep clean and a new owner... 1987 MAZDA 626 COUPÉ GT Still camping at the workshop. 1998 ROVER 825 COUPÉ STERLING Side trims need refixing and new front discs on their way. 1998…

1 Start at the bottom The lower section of the column was chopped off then welded to the correctly-splined universal joint supplied with the kit. 2 Check again… With the lower section fitted, the position of the motor could be finalised. With the seat fitted, boot-clearance was checked. 3 Commence fabrication A mounting bracket could then be designed and made to support the motor, which is bolted to the bottom of the dash. It’s weighty and very Brunellian. 4 Sit comfortably The upper column and sleeve were chopped so the position of the steering wheel could be finalised for comfort before the upper splined UJ could be cut then welded to it. 5 Power up With the ECU and control panel connected and a battery hooked up, it was time…

Sam Glover TECHNICAL EDITOR Sam has broken down in a gigantic variety of classics over the years, then worked out how to fix them. John Simpson MASTER MECHANIC Big John has worked at the greasy end of the motor industry since leaving school. Theodore J Gillam TECHNICAL EXPERT Theo taught automotive engineering and makes amazing things in his shed. Ed Hughes WORKSHOP GENIUS Ed singlehandedly keeps a fleet of obscure classics on the road. He’s never owned a modern car. Kim Henson CLASSIC CAR GURU Kim’s been restoring classics for over four decades. BMC vehicles are his speciality. Nigel Clark DIY RESTORER Nigel’s driveway achievements rival those of professional mechanics. He’s our resident Triumph expert. Use appropriate leverage If the manufacturer chose small fasteners, take the hint. A standard-length ½in…

You will need AF spanners and sockets, breaker bar, levers, soft-faced hammer, impact driver, paint pen, dial test indicator, feeler gauges. Avoid vandalism Don’t cut, file or punch parts to mark them. Use a paint pen instead. Inspect your ooze Don’t clean out the sump until you’ve analysed its contents. Carbon gloop and metallic sludge spell neglect. Metal particles suggest some sort of event. Ours also contained three oil pump drives... Consider your spine An Essex is a heavy lump, so get someone to help you lug it around and reposition it as you strip it. Ford’s Essex V6 first appeared in the Zephyr and Zodiac MkIV in 1966. It went on to power the Consul, Granada and Transit, plus various AC, TVR, Marcos, Gilbern and Scimitar models and a…

PARKING BILL CELEBRATED A parking bill to prevent motorists being treated unfairly has been passed. The bill was the brainchild of East Yorkshire MP Sir Greg Knight. The Parking (Code of Practice) Bill will help to stamp out dodgy parking operators. Sir Greg says it is proof that politicians of all parties reckon change is overdue. ‘Some operators have been engaging in practices such as deliberately unclear signage, ticketing people while they are  getting change and even when their own parking payment machines are out of order. Until now the law was powerless to prevent this’. Following a ban on wheel clamping in 2012, the number of privately issued parking tickets rose to a staggering 4.7-million last year.…

Enthusiasts have been snapping up copies of the newest of our special one-marque publications, The Enthusiasts Guide to Austin Rover. With a focus on the cars built at Longbridge and Cowley during the late Seventies through to the Nineties, our team present the stories behind the cars – from the Austin Metro to the Rover 800 and everything in between. There’s an exclusive look behind the scenes with legendary designer Harris Mann and intriguing interviews with former managers, including the former Chairman and Chief Executive of ARG, Howard Musgrove. Along with technical guides and road trips in some of Austin Rover’s finest, it’s a real must-have.…

V8 winners Our Rover V8 prize was won by Doug and Lauren Harwood from Aylesbury. They are going to do a father and daughter restoration of a Triumph TR7. Rover V8 guru, Philip Christian, will be helping Doug and Lauren recalibrate the Land Rover ECUs to get the engine firing. If you have a Rover V8 with an ECU issue, email philip@pscan.uk. Destination Bicester Bicester Heritage has unveiled plans for the UK’s first ‘automotive resort’, dubbed ‘Bicester Motion’. Among the proposals are an on and off-road driver training academy, large events and conferencing facilities and a country park with lodges across a 444-acre site. Clubbing together The National Car Club awards were once again a huge success (March 23). The Judge’s Special Recognition award was posthumously bestowed on both John…

The British have the Beaulieu Autojumble, the French the Salon Champenois du Vehicule de Collection. It’s France’s oldest and biggest autojumble and this year it took place on March 9-10 near Reims. Put on by 100 volunteers from the Club Le Belles Champenoises (bce-reims.com), the event attracted 32,000 fans, 122 clubs and 600 exhibitors (with another 250 on the waiting list), so you’ll be doing well to see it all. There’s another event (Oct 26-27) at the Parc des Expositions, Reims. More info: 2 cesalons-reims.com.…

Friendly faces make for the best show! I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show this year. It’s my third year of attending and it seems to get better each time. Personally, I favour this show to the November NEC show; the vibe is far nicer, people seem far more friendly, it’s certainly less crowded and easier to walk around and look at the different stands. It was good to put faces to names, as I ‘talk’ to many people via Facebook and catch up with other people who I tend to meet at such event Also, I must congratulate all of your team as well for their presenting skills on stage! It was nice watching everyone working on Matt’s TR6,…

Shorn of BL strife – no risk of interior bits dropping into my lap, here – the SD1 really shines. It’s a bellicose brute of a car; all intimidating presence and with a big V8 growl to back that up. Lay down the rubber and for such a large beast it certainly shifts; there’s torque aplenty and with composed high-speed manners it’s a motorway blaster par excellence. You can see just why the traffic police lads loved (and ne’er-do-wells detested) them. But the big surprise is just how well this big car handles on smaller roads. There are no ropey dynamics here. The steering is precise, brakes are sharp and while the suspension cossets it’s never to the detriment of fun. Chuckability is the last thing expected, but its presence…

Since 2003, I have been on the European Car of the Year jury, the organisation that instigated the original Car of the Year award now aped by a dozen others. There comes a time, though, when the years have stacked up and it’s time to step down. The COTY statutes insist on it; how would the next generation of journalists have a chance otherwise? So, COTY 2019 has been my last year of judgment. In 16 years, only three of the cars I voted top has actually won – the Ford S-Max, the Fiat 500 and the Vauxhall/Opel Ampera – but my top vote has sometimes ended up as the runner-up. Here’s the breakdown of those runners-up: the VW Golf in 2004 (the Fiat Panda won), the wacky Citroën C4…

Spark plugs Coil Distributor cap and rotor arm HT leads Contact breakers Condenser Air filter Oil filter Fan belt Cambelt Carburettor rebuild kit Fuel pump Accelerator cable Engine gasket set Engine mounts Gearbox mount Radiator Hose set Expension tank cap Thermostat Water pump Heater cock Brake master cylinder Brake caliper rebuild kits Wheel cylinders seals Front brake pads Front brake discs Rear brake shoes Rear brake spring set Flexible brake pipes Handbrake cable Rear brake load-sensing valve Clutch cable Clutch kit Gearstick bush kit Spigot bearing Front balljoints Trackrod ends Steering rack gaiters Shock absorbers Suspension bush set Exhaust mounts Universal joints Propshaft flexible coupling Propshaft centre bearing Wheel bearings Engine oil Gearbox oil Axle oil Brake fluid Antifreeze Multipurpose grease…

Engines MAZDA Listen out for whine from the cambelt or a distinct rumble form the bottom of the engine, which could indicate crankshaft wear. An unsteady idle or a failure to hold an idle at all while warming up is most likely a problem with the engine temperature sensor, and can be easily fixed. TOYOTA MR2s can suffer from head gasket failure, which is often caused by air locks in the cooling system. The cooling system is complex thanks to the mid-engined layout, and air locks can cause the engine to overheat, causing the problem. MGF Head gaskets. There, we’ve said it. The K-Series engine’s notorious Achilles’ Heel, though it’s usually down to poor maintenance or failure in the cooling system rather than the engine itself, and repairs won’t break…

FRI APR 26 South West Vehicle Auctions, Parkstone, Poole, Dorset. (01202 745466, swva.co.uk) TUE APR 30 Barons Auctions’ Spring Classic sale, Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey. (023 8066 8413, barons-auctions.com) SAT MAY 11 Silverstone Auctions, Heythrop Park, Enstone, Chipping Norton, Oxon. (01926 691141, silverstoneauctions.com ) WED MAY 15 Brightwells Classic & Vintage, Easters Court, Leominster. (01568 611122, brightwells.com) SAT MAY 18 Historics at Brooklands, Mercedes-Benz World, Weybridge, Surrey. (01753 639170, historics.co.uk) SAT MAY 25 Classic Car Auctions, Warwickshire Exhibition Centre, Leamington Spa, Warks. (01926 640888, classiccarauctions.co.uk) SAT MAY 25 Morris Leslie Classic Auctions, Errol Airfield, Perth. (01821 642574, morrisleslie.com) TUE JUN 4 Barons Auctions’ British Heritage sale, Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey. (023 8066 8413, barons-auctions.com )…

Carl Chambers runs Peugeot specialist CM Chambers Cars in Suffolk. Says Carl: ‘I’ve been into Peugeots for over 30 years, bought my first in 1990 and started working on them in 1996. I service and repair all models, with 406s popular with those who want practical, budget transport.’ SELECTED SPECIALISTS CM Chambers, Norfolk. 07889 082466, tinyurl.com/y73blrpl BB Autos (breaker), Chesterfield. 01246 261110, bb-autos.co.uk Dean Hunter, Yorks. 01977 677877, peugeotparts.co.uk Euro Car Parts, eurocarparts.co.uk…

The 406 V6 in the pictures is Jonathan Moses’ second coupé. Says Jonathan: ‘I bought it eight years ago and it took nine months to find the right one; many have been neglected. Today it’s a second car but practical for everyday use, with a big boot and folding rear seats for added usability. Comfort is excellent; the coupé is at its best on long journeys. In 2017 I drove it to Milan for an international club meeting and arrived feeling completely fresh after two days on the road.’ OWNERS’ CLUBS 406 Owners’ Club, 406oc.co.uk 406 Coupé Club, 406coupeclub.org Club Peugeot, clubpeugeotuk.org…

2003 Volvo S80 D5 Engine 2401cc/5-cyl/OHC Power 163bhp@4000rpm Torque 251lb ft@3000rpm Gearbox 5-speed manual 0-60mph 9.5sec Top speed 130mph Fuel economy 51.8mpg Work done Cruise control system fixed. Also in James’ garage 1980 CITROËN DYANE Major welding underway. 1988 CITROËN CX 22TRS Wafting perfectly again after some tweaks to the carb. 1997 MAZDA 323F V6 I was going to sell it but I love that engine too much. As you’ll know, being a club member is extremely rewarding – from the pursuit of obsolete spare parts to an event where you forge new friendships and join fellow enthusiasts for a pint. I have been a member of the Citroën Car Club and 2CVGB for years and while still relatively new to the Saab Owners Club, I have been given generous…

What do you look for in a body filler? Strength? Tenacity? Malleability? Yep, all of those things. This product, bought to slather onto my Porsche 924, is so sticky it won’t even relinquish its lid. Light prising turned into full-on prying, which developed into sweaty levering, resulting in the rolled edge becoming unrolled, its stuffing  coming out, the lid remaining firmly intact and an overwhelming sense of failure. It’s been on my bench for months. I’ve given up.…

’If you head down to Hounslow Men’s Shed workshop in Isleworth Cemetery you will find an industrious group of avid car restorers. I’ll be there, too, with ‘Kitesurf’, my CX convertible. ‘I created it about eight years ago. I was running the technology department at a local school and decided to bring the car in and do it with the students. I’ve done car projects with kids several times because it really inspires them and Kitesurf was no exception. It took less than a day to remove the roof – then the real work started. We welded up the rear doors and then created the load bay area, the rear boot door becoming structural using five bolts to secure its position. The rear spoiler is a tribute to the Citroën…