Table of contents for October 2016 in Practical Classics

The Saab Owners’ Club met for the annual bash in Wales. One owner came all the way from Shetland! My nine year-old niece Eloise visited from Canada and was delighted to ride in the Walshe family Dyane. What better way to spend summer? A picnic at the Newark Park Austin Seven Rally in Gloucestershire. Spotted at the BMC/BL Day in Peterborough.BT leased more than 8000 Itals between 1982-1984. An utterly joyous Citroën Car Club gathering of GSA and Ami models at the Rural Life Centre in Surrey.…

Farewell to… Three motoring figures have recently died. Colin Neale (89, below) was Ford’s chief stylist during the Fifties, Chris Amon (73) took part in 96 World Championship Grand Prix and won the 1966 Le Mans 24 Hours, and Jack Sears (86) won the British Touring Car Championship in 1958 and 1963. PC Resto Show barn find plea Organisers of the National Restoration Show at the NEC have issued a plea for barn finds and pride of ownership entrants. The PC-sponsored event hosts displays for individuals as well as clubs, and is searching for pre- and post-restoration classics. Contact features director Andrea Seed by email at andrea@poppyseedmedia.co.uk with details and photographs. A thousand SADCASEs Total membership of the Storrington and District Classic and Sportscar Enthusiasts – or SADCASE for short…

Running a classic car can take a lot of dedication. That’s why joining a club is important, especially when it’s a pro-active one such as the Austin Ten Drivers’ Club, which is in the process of publishing a raft of guides to make its members’ lives easier. The club’s Tony Mealing told PC : ‘Following the demise of the old MoT we have produced self-assessment MoT sheets designed to help the owner driver keep his car safe. We’ve also created fact sheets to help fix some of the more difficult areas; the aim is to have 100 available by the end of 2017.’ austintendriversclub.com…

‘I also restore violins’ 1957 Jensen 541 Deluxe, Daniel Bristow, Tetbury I’m currently restoring a Jensen 541, but I’m using this one in the meantime. It’s quite special as it completed the Daily Mail Bleriot Anniversary race between London and Paris in 1959. It won, beating Stirling Moss by 28 minutes, and still holds the record to this day. The car started life as a 541 Deluxe but was crashed while on loan to a Peer of the Realm. The Jensen brothers then used it as a prototype for the 541R to race at Le Mans, where it was prepared using an uprated Austin DS7 engine. It never competed, however, after the driver Lesley Johnson had a heart attack and died the night before the race. PEA 541 then embarked…

Fiat Multipla Spotted this Fiat Multipla in Monaco, on the French Riviera. It was in pristine condition with wickerwork seats! Rob Smith, Newmarket Peugeot 504 I spotted this Eighties Peugeot 504 Pickup in a car park at Portswood. It’s obviously in daily use. Mike Earley, Eastleigh Wartburg 1.3 Spotted in Berlin – a Wartburg being used to hold up a market stall. Alistair Alexandra, Australia Karmann Ghia We stopped for lunch in Biloxi on the Gulf of Mexico in Mississippi recently and this Karmann Ghia Type 14 was parked outside the restaurant. David Horner-Glister, Lincoln R-R Silver Dawn The Roller is in the Bahamas and is still in regular use. I found it there during Speed Week. Rob Scorah, Sheffield Mkll Cortina Angra do Heroismo on the island of Terceira…

‘Modern vehicles just don’t inspire that sort of pride of ownership’ Ten minutes discussing lacquer, or the lack of it, on Talbot Samba wheels (I kid ye not) got me thinking of a great British automotive tradition that has recently all but disappeared. This activity has gone the same way as regular decoking, which, I’d better add, involved lifting the cylinder head and removing carbon deposits from the valves – not throwing away certain illicit white powdery substances before the police arrived. But what has happened to the great Sunday tradition of owners washing their cars and having a nice chat to passers-by? Sabbath suburbia was once full of proud motorists out there with bucket and sponge, or if you were a serious washer, a hose. Many owners followed an…

FRI SEP 2 Silverstone Auctions’ Salon Privé sale, Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire (01926 691141, silverstoneauctions.com) SAT SEP 3 Bonhams’ Beaulieu Autojumble Sale, National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, Hampshire (020 7468 5801, bonhams.com) WED SEP 7 RM Sotheby’s, Battersea Evolution, London (020 7851 7070, rmsothebys.com) THU SEP 8 Dorset Vintage & Classic Auctions, Athelhampton House, Dorchester, Dorset (01963 363353, dvca.co.uk) SAT SEP 10 Bonhams’ Goodwood Revival sale, nr Chichester, West Sussex. (020 7468 5801, bonhams.com/cars) SAT SEP 17 Barons Auctions’ Jaguar Heritage sale, Kempton Park, Surrey. (023 8066 8413, barons-auctions.com barons-auctions.com) WED SEP 21 Brightwells, Easters Court, Leominster, Herefordshire. (01568 611122, brightwells.com) SAT SEP 24 Classic Car Auctions, Warwickshire Exhibition Centre, Leamington Spa, Warks. (01926 640888, classiccarauctions.co.uk)…

1998 MX-5 MkII debuts, dispensing with the pop-up headlamps of the original, but with a glass rear window, revised cabin and more power. 1999 1.8-litre Special Edition has green paint and a tan leather interior. There’s also a 10th Anniversary edition – UK gets 600 of each. 2000 The special edition Isola and California have a 1.6-litre engine while the Icon and Jasper Conran editions get a 1.8-litre powerplant. 2001 1.8i S is replaced by 1.8 Sport and the 1.8-litre engine gets variable valve timing to boost power. These cars are known as the Mk2.5.…

Chris Loader (left) and Gareth Smith run The MX-5 Restorer in East Sussex; Ashley Martin (right) works with them. The company gets involved in sales of parts and cars, servicing and restoration and has even developed its own Speedster edition. Gareth and Chris also offer a free pre-purchase inspection service. SELECTED SPECIALISTS 5 Speed, Notts, 01159 642102, 5-speed.co.uk Border MX-5s, Berwickshire, 01361 883727, bordermx5s.com Broadspeed MX-5, Staffs, 01785 252423, broadspeedmx5.co.uk CBS Autos, Lancs, 01282 697413, mx5specialists.com Kent MX-5 Services, Kent, 07412 061296, kentmx5.co.uk MX-5 Heaven, Dorset, mx5heaven.co.uk MX-5 Motors, Yorks, mx5motors.com MX-5 Works, Beds, 01525 372982, mx5works.co.uk South West Roadsters, Devon. 01237 451513, southwestroadsters.co.uk The MX-5 Restorer, 01323 768356, themx5restorer.co.uk Total MX-5 Repair, South Wales, 07971 293332, totalmx5repair.weebly.com…

1992 SAAB 9000 2.3 Turbo Engine 2290cc/4-cyl/DOHC Power 200bhp@5200rpm Torque 243lb ft@2000rpm Gearbox 5-speed manual Top speed 143mph 0-60mph 7.6sec Fuel economy 28mpg Work done Clutch slave fitted and niggles ironed out by experts. Michelin Cross Climate Tyres fitted by Vintage Tyres. Also in Danny’s garage 1956 RILEY PATHFINDER Still hunting for a bodyshell 1970 JENSEN INTERCEPTOR Project on the go again… more next time. 1972 TRIUMPH 2000 Running, driving, like a car. 1976 VAUXHALL CAVALIER GL Show going and gentle trips. 2001 MG ZT AUTO Fast and quite noisy… exotically red. ‘More squidge than squirt – so I kicked a bin’ I was bored with not being able to drive my 1992 SAAB 9000 2.3 Turbo. So after a second gearbox removal session resulted in the rebuilt slave cylinder…

1972 Triumph 2000 Engine 2498cc/6-cyl/OHV Power 135bhp (est) Torque Sufficient Gearbox 4-spd manual + o/d 0-60mph Unknown Top speed 112mph Fuel economy 28mpg Work done Visited numerous filling stations… does that count? Also in Matt’s garage 1994 FORD MONDEO 1.8 GLX Currently coveted by more than one of my colleagues… My workshop time has been limited over the past five or six weeks – instead my classic endeavours have focused on a duo of long weekends away, both here in the UK and further afield. Although I enjoy getting my hands dirty – it certainly makes a nice counterpoint to the days spent driving a desk in the office – I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments Matt Tomkins asserted in his most recent saga… you just can’t beat a long-distance…

1992 Mini Mayfair Engine 998cc/4-cyl/OHV Power 42bhp@5250rpm Gearbox 4-speed manual Works done Bought Tyres & contemplated what to do next With the welding work finally drawing to a close on the convertible Minor (no… really!) my thoughts turn to another project which I’ve abandoned at the back of the PC workshop. I was in the pub – a place where all the best stories start – a while back when I was offered a Mini for £250. ‘Yes’ was the only answer, clearly. Back at PC HQ, it seemed I hadn’t made too stupid a purchase. The sill and floor edge had been replaced on one side and the other side braced and cut out ready to weld a replacement set of panels (included) in. A little softness above one…

DIFFICULTY RATING TIME MONEY Keep outside Use long leads to keep the power supply dry indoors while the tank’s outside. You will need Plastic container, scrap mild steel plate, wire, connectors, crocodile clips, washing soda, battery charger, rubber gloves and goggles. Plastic tank Never use a steel container as the anode as it will corrode and leak. Check current Monitor the current for the first hour of the process and make sure the charger isn’t overheating. Electrolytic rust removal is a magic way of reversing the rusting process. Iron, oxygen and water are required for the creation of rust. Rusting involves an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte. The anode is the iron or steel component that readily gives up electrons; the cathode is another part of the metal that…

It’s the sheer cheek of it that gets me. It might well have been the early Eighties, but was this daring advert REALLY stating the boxy old Lada resembled a Mercedes-Benz, an Audi or a Volvo? Punching above its weight in bewildering fashion, this poshed up version of the Soviet saloon got four headlights, a rev counter and a dashboard clock. And look at those alloys! Although related to the fizzy Fiat 124 Special, the Lada had thicker gauge steel, so while it rusted less, it weighed more. It was therefore no Mercedes chaser. White-collar workers in the USSR loved it though and joined a long waiting list for this most prestigious of models. Now, in 2016, I wouldn’t mind owning one at all – if only because of the…

If your club’s contact details have changed, please let us know! A 750 MOTOR CLUB 01379 741641 AC OWNERS’ CLUB 07768 363250 AMERICAN AUTO CLUB (UK) 0845 644 0345 www.americanautoclubuk.com AMBULANCE PRESERVATION SOCIETY www.southambpres.org.uk CLASSIC AMERICAN AC (GB) 020 8286 1120 PRE -’50 CLASSIC AMERICAN 01530 831170 AEC SOC yellowayreliance@hotmail.com ALFA ROMEO GIULIETTA REGISTER www.giulietta.com ALFA ROMEO OC www.aroc-uk.com ALLARD OWNERS’ CLUB David Moseley, 19 Bramham Gardens, London SW5 0JE ALVIS OWNER CLUB www.alvisoc. org ALVIS REG 01509 412289, www.alvisregister.com ARMSTRONG SIDDELEY OC 0121 459 0742, www.siddeley.com, www.siddeley.net A-SERIOUS (A-SERIES ENGINED CARS) http://aserious.freeforums.org ASSN OF OLD VEHICLE CLUBS OF N IRELAND 028 9146 7886, www.aovc.co.uk ASTON MARTIN OC 01865 400400 AUDI 100 COUPÉ S CLUB GB 01702 461513 AUDI OC 07788 588449 , www.audiclub.co.uk CLUB…

Blackborough House near Cullompton, Devon, has long been famous as the site of Britain’s stateliest scrapyard. The faded grandeur of this unfinished 1830s mansion was perfectly complemented by the decaying Jaguars and Armstrong Siddeleys that surrounded it until recently. Environmental legislation finally doomed the business some years ago and now the Grade II-listed house has been sold. Blackborough’s last custodian-owner, Ralph Sanders, puts a lifetime’s collection of automobilia under the hammer in September. There are rare parts and ephemera garnered from the yard, noted for classics dating from the Twenties onwards. But it’s not just a load of old scrap. Ralph augmented his stocks with many cars – some ready to run and the rest eminently restorable – which he’s kept dry-stored for years. His collection includes a number of…

The Classic Car Book (DK) £25 ISBN: 978-0-2412-4048-9 A lavishly illustrated journey through classic car design and development over the years. Dedicated profiles of manufacturers and designers make this a great page-turner. dk.com How to Restore Volkswagen Beetle ISBN: 978-1-845849-46-7 How to Restore Triumph TR2,3,3A,4&4A ISBN: 978-1-845849-47-4 £45 EACH These new books walk you through the various stages of restoration, with photographs displaying common areas for concern, plus in-depth discussion describing the best methods for repair. veloce.co.uk Jaguar XK DIY Restoration & Maintenance £35 ISBN: 978-1-907085-35-2 This book tells the story of how one man restored his XK120 Roadster. The author shares advice that makes this book an invaluable guide if starting your own XK120 resto. porterpress.co.uk.…

THU-SUN SEP8-11 SHROPS National Microcar Rally, Lower Lacon Caravan Park, SY4 5RP (national-microcar-rally.co.uk). FRI-SUN SEP 9-11 SUSSEX Goodwood Revival, PO18 0PX (good-wood.comgood-wood.com). SAT SEP 10 CAMBS TRGB Open Day, Long Drove, Somersham, PE28 3HJ (trgb.co.uk). GLOS South Midlands Autojumble at Ross-on-Wye Livestock Centre (midlandsautojumble.co.uk). SAT-SUN SEP 10-11 WARKS Retro Truck Show at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon, CV35 0BJ (britishmotormuseum.co.ukbritishmotormuseum.co.uk). ESSEX Heritage Weekend at the Museum of Power, CM9 6QA (museumofpower.org.ukmuseumofpower.org.uk). SUN SEP 11 WORCS Shelsley Walsh Breakfast Club (advance tickets only), WR6 6RP (shelsley-walsh.co.uk). HERTS St. Mary’s Motor Show at St. Mary’s Catholic School, Bishop’s Stortford, CM23 2NQ (stmarysmotorshow.co.uk). KENT Classic Car Show at Aylesford Priory, ME20 7BX (kentsclassiccarshow.co.ukkentsclassiccarshow.co.uk). GLOS Classic Car Day on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway. Based at Toddington station, GL54 5DT (gwsr.com). LANCS Blackpool Vehicle…

Hot Tiger? Consider the obvious! I thought that I’d write in after reading the letter from PC reader Brian Boxall that appeared in the August edition’s ‘Ask Our Experts’. Mr Boxall was concerned about his Sunbeam Tiger running hot and PC’s response was something of a tour de force. Sadly your diligent reply failed to identify the most likely cause of his woes, which relates to the principle of taking a perfectly good British Sixties two-seater designed for a straight-four engine, and then trying to shoehorn an American V8 engine into it! The fact that the Ford V8 was the only such engine that could be made to fit – and then only with the judicious attentions of the Jensen workforce, who used sledge-hammers to achieve the required ‘reshaping’ of…

‘It had an immediate advantage over a car that has merely been restored’ It’s September 2043. A 2016 Ford Focus RS, with only 7986 miles on its electronic display, has just sold at the Milton Keynes Formula E Autodrome auction for £251,242. It’s a headline result as reported in popular mini-tablet Practical & Virtual Classics , albeit influenced by the loss in value of the pound following Britain’s controversial joining of the European Federation. The point, though, is that its new owner bought this 27-year-old, but barely-used, example of a classic ‘hot hatchback’, a late example of a car that actually required its user to assume full control and drive it, for almost exactly 10 times what its first owner paid for it. True, a pound buys far less than…

1 AUG 2009 Engine strip The 3.5-litre V8 from an early Range Rover was given the works, even though it did admittedly already run fine. 2 SEPT 2009 Rear chassis The crumbling remains of numerous previous chassis patches. 3 SEPT 2009 Body talk Engine out, front axle rebuilt, dumb-irons repaired and painted but horrors lurked under body. 4 OCT 2009 That’s a keeper! The Land Rover’s original bulkhead was fortunately salvageable although Alex had to find a replacement dashboard from a standard Series 3. 5 SEPT 2010 Ready for a run! All the hard work done – chassis, bulkhead, engine and gearbox – it’s time for a run. V8 sounded epic without exhaust!…

‘XJ-Ss are often cheaper than a B GT in similar condition’ Pundits continue to tip the Jaguar XJ-S as ‘the next big thing’, but – as often the case with the domestic variety – the dear old pusscat simply fails to cooperate. Of eight shared between the last two mainstream classic auctions, only half of the lots sold, and all those were either offered with ‘no reserve’ or eventually let go for below their original estimates. It doesn’t paint a picture of any great buzz in the market for these cars, and the truth is that the only ones that are fetching any decent money this year are the most exceptional examples, largely with low mileage, and that makes them no different to anything else. It’s not that there is…

1972 Hillman Avenger Tiger Price: £13,950 An entertaining rarity you simply can’t lose money on. Comes with full history and all MoTs, new headlining and seats recovered in leather. 1987 Saab 900 2dr Price: £1200 A good fixer-upper? Nice looking and MoT’d 110,000-miler that has overheating issues and needs a bit of trim repair work on the driver’s seat. 1958 Riley 2.6 Price: £13,150 We had to put this in as you may never see another. Totally original 33,000-miler with no rot or past repairs to the body. The only downside is LHD.…

2002 The Phoenix and Arizona special editions are offered with 1.6 or 1.8-litre engines. Montana and Trilogy get bigger powerplant only. 2003 The Angels and Nevada are this year’s specials in 1.6 or 1.8-litre forms; the Indiana gets a 1.8 engine only. 2004 The limited edition Euphonic and Arctic come in 1.6 or 1.8-litre forms. 2005 The MX-5 MkIII is launched in August, soon after the MkII Icon reappears in 1.6 or 1.8-litre forms. The 700,000th MX-5 is built.…

There’s no shortage of ropey MX-5s available if you fancy taking on a project, but don’t get carried away. You can soon spend far more on an MX-5 than it’ll ever be worth – especially if a specialist does a significant proportion of the work. However, the MX-5’s construction is straightforward so if you can weld you should be fine, although the complex inner sills will probably need specialist attention. With basic mechanicals you don’t need any special tools so you can set everything up at home and because you can get anything you might need either on a new or used basis, parts availability is excellent. Many owners opt for a few upgrades when doing up an MX-5, not that the car is lacking in any way. One of…

1959 Peerless GT Engine 1991cc/4-cyl/OHV Power 110bhp@4800rpm Torque 117lb ft@3000rpm Gearbox 4-spd manual + o/d 0-60mph 10.8sec Top speed 120mph Fuel economy 28mpg Work done Fitted rocker shaft, timing chain, distributor pedestal. ‘So I couldn’t fit the engine… if it had been ready, that is’ I had been expecting to show you the fully rebuilt engine being lowered into the Peerless’s engine bay, but I was foiled – not once, but twice. The first reason was a Lancia Zagato Sport that’s currently alongside the Peerless in the workshop. It came in with a blown head gasket and is still there while wet liner shims are made for it. The left cylinder head has been removed three times now because coolant is seeping past the new head gaskets. Just as with…

DIFFICULTY RATING TIME MONEY You will need Jack and axle stands, inspection lamp, oil pan, cable ties, basic tool kit. Detent balls Double-check that the detent balls are engaged in their centre slots before refitting the cover. Keep in neutral Make sure the gears and selectors remain in neutral throughout the job. This makes refitting the selectors and cover plate much easier and ensures the gears will select correctly afterwards. Ford’s classic gearboxes have a well-deserved reputation for longevity, slick changes and well-spaced ratios. The Dagenham-built Type F and the similar German-built Type H are no exception. The two gearboxes do, however, have one weakness: they’re prone to oil leaks. The prime culprit is an unusual selector mechanism that enters the gearbox through a removable side-plate rather than through the…

FBHVC’S BODY OF EVIDENCE The FBHVC has submitted documents to the DVLA demonstrating that only a car’s chassis – and not its body – is ever considered when identifying it. A Ministry of Transport document states that: ‘The most reasonable assumption is that the chassis constitutes the vehicle and that the chassis consists not only of the frame but also front and rear axles, gears, steering and transmission units. [A] change of body… does not by itself constitute a change of identity.’ WATCH OUT – SCAMMERS ABOUT! Clubs are being warned of companies offering a listing in an International Fairs Directory, following printed listings in the 2015 Classic Motor Show guide. Club Co-ordinator Alison Judge says: ‘On some occasions, these listings are utilised by unofficial companies touting for business or…

New Skillshack course added The latest Skillshack course documents the treatment and removal of rust from your classic with help from expert Ian Allen. The six part series normally costs £29.99 but PC readers can save 25% simply by visiting skillshack.co.uk and quoting ‘PC25’ at the checkout. 100 favourite classics The poll for Britain’s 100 favourite classics has now closed. By the time this issue goes on sale, PC will have gathered examples of each at a secret location for a feature appearing in the next issue. There are a few surprises, so stay tuned!…

There are some great one-off events throughout the year at the Museum of Power, in Maldon. This fabulously historical venue started a monthly classic car gathering a year ago and it’s really taken off. The mueum’s James Gulleford says: ‘We had about 25 vehicles turn up to the first meeting; now it’s closer to 200. Anything is welcome as long as it’s something you don’t generally see on the roads any more.’ There’s plenty to see in and around the museum itself. Entry to the Cars & Coffee meetings is free, but donations are welcome and entry to the museum is chargeable. Contact: trocltd.com…

After 42 years this event has acquired a huge following in the south west of England and fabulous weather meant a huge turnout of classics this year. The great thing about this fund-raiser is that anything goes, so alongside the lines of cars there were traction engines, classic tractors, military and commercial vehicles, motorbikes – you name it, it was there. The vintage fairground kept the kids amused and the lindy hoppers were exhausting just to watch. We can’t wait for next year’s bash. See you there! glosvintage extravaganza.co.uk…

Glassed off Just under 50 coupés were made, using a Jaguar XJ6 rear screen in place of the giant curvaceous rear glass of the original interceptor. Just the two of us Two steel roof coupés were made… this one (chassis number 1850) and another that was never registered for road use and was displayed for a time in the Birmingham Science Museum (chassis 1721). Kelvin Way, West Bromwich, August 18, 1976 This is the closed down and carved up Jensen Factory in Kelvin Way. Manchester businessman Eric Powell has just bought the Interceptor coupé in the foreground for £12,500 and the two in the background for £10k each. It is day two of the three-day auction of Jensen’s assets, after the company was dissolved and split into 1650 lots. Ten…

Puma and Tigra? I’d stick the Puma in a barn. The Tigra can be left to rot as far as I’m concerned. Only problem is that the Puma will do that anyway, so I’d have a barn full of orange dust! Richard Kitchen The Puma. Racing models are already desirable and a hoot to drive. The Tigra was a shocking attempt at using the same formula. Appalling vehicle. Rob Blair Tigra. I just can’t stand plastic Fords. Luke Darby I always had a sneaking admiration for the Tigra, and the 1.6 in particular. Shame they never dropped the XE in one to make a hot version like Ford did with the Racing Puma. I’m not a Ford fan, but I can appreciate the Puma. David Henderson I’d have both. Then…

‘The Parisian traffic halted and we were rear-ended by a Citroën Jumper’ I was asked a stupid question: ‘Would you like to work in the Team Audi beer tent at Le Mans? You can stay on the posh Audi campsite and we’ll pay you in beer.’ I answered: ‘Well, duh!’ This exciting proposition came from Bavarian car connoisseur and brewmeister Theo Wochinger. Theo’s family brewery, Wochinger-Bräu, was to be the sole provider of alcoholic lubrication to the Team Audi camp. This was no minor undertaking. German engineers take lubrication seriously. Fellow beer and hydrocarbon enthusiasts Simon Redrup and Kris Radzikowski subscribed to the plan and agreed that my freshly-imported FSO Polonez ambulance would be an ideal conveyance. The ambulance expressed its disagreement by snapping a rear leaf spring a few…

Ford Escort MkI These pictures come from Ashley Jackson of Cornwall, who is often out on the hunt for rusty classic cars to snap. The abandoned Ford Escort MkI is owned by a chap who sadly has no interest in restoring or selling it. Austin A30 This Austin A30 was driven into this spot more than 25 years ago and the owner says he is keeping it for the registration plate (whatever it may be). Hillman Minx This 1937 Minx has been parked up on a Cornish farm since it was last used as a daily runner in the early Eighties. There is also a Thirties Fordson Pick up next to it that has completely rotted away. Land Rover The Escort and this Land Rover are both owned by the…

‘Despite the focus on efficiency, there is a ver obvious passion for cars’ Given that Frost has been operating from their current premises for almost 100 years, you’d think they’d be feeling a little emotional at the thought of moving out. ‘Not at all’ says Director Mike Wood, whose family took over in 1947, when Rochdale was still in a smog of industrial productivity. ‘They used to build steam engines next door! But it’s only a few walls. We have to be realistic and expand - to take the company to the next stage.’ Frost is on the move. The team is transferring to an all-new base near Warrington, where the firm will have the space to modernise and increase production of tools and equipment for car restorers. ‘We want…

A two-up trip from Peterborough to Cornwall with a week’s worth of luggage is a test for any two-seater roadster but it’s one that the MX-5 copes with surprisingly easily. Sure it’s not the most practical classic around, but the shallow boot can hold enough for a week away if you pack carefully and use squashy bags to make the most of the available space. Our Cornish week was as showery as you’d expect of England in June, but with the roof up the Mazda is pleasantly refined and with Japanese build quality there was no danger of the cabin being waterlogged when the heavens opened. Throw in efficient wipers plus a decent heater and it’s easy to see that the MX-5 is THE year-round sportscar. Compared with the MkI…

1997 Citroen Xantia Activa Turbo Engine 1998cc/4-cyl/DOHC Power 148bhp@5300rpm Torque 173lb ft@2500rpm Gearbox 5-speed manual 0-60mph 8.9sec Top speed 132mph Fuel economy 25mpg Work done Service, new alternator, sphere pressure test, new tyres. Also in James’s garage 1971 CITROËN AMI Doing huge miles and not one splutter. 1978 AUSTIN MAXI 1750 Completed its 1000-mile mission to Scotland. 1988 CITROËN CX 22 TRS Another trip to France and the CX is singing. What you’re looking at here is a car that is proven to be quicker than an Audi R8 or any production Ferrari. In tests carried out each year, it’s still eating Lamborghinis and Porsches for breakfast. But how? The answer lies underneath that handsome but innocuous Nineties bodywork... I’ve bought a Xantia Activa – a fairly short-lived Citroën and…

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 teaches 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. DIFFICULTY LEVELS One to two spanners An easy job that’s well within the reach of…

DIFFICULTY RATING TIME MONEY You will need Jack and axle stands, oil pan, Whitworth spanners, screwdrivers, lever, test lamp or multimeter, grease gun, oil can. Bodgework Even the youngest examples have existed for eight decades. There’s plenty of scope for finding well-worn, bodged or non-original components. Keep your eyes peeled, especially when servicing safety-related items. Tracking Later trackrods are adjustable at both ends. Early versions are adjustable at one end only – achieved by detaching the trackrod end and rotating it in multiples of one full turn. Adjustment is therefore not terribly precise. Wheels and tyres Check the wheels for loose spokes and warping. Ensure the wheel nuts are securely fastened. Inflate the tyres to 22psi all-round. The pre-war Austin Seven lends itself beautifully to DIY maintenance. Owners have been…

DIFFICULTY RATING TIME MONEY Clean externally Thoroughly clean the carburettor externally with clean petrol and a brush before you start to prevent the ingress of grit while working. Luxury screwdriver You’ll need a perfectly-fitting unworn screwdriver to get the throttle butterfly screws out. You will need Screwdriver, spanners, cleaning equipment, oil, rebuild kit. Surgical cleanliness The carburettor and the working area need to be spotlessly clean during reassembly. The SU HS is standard fitment on a gigantic range of British classics – from Mini, to MGB, to Dolomite. It’s a brilliantly simple device. If it’s in good order and well set up, the sophistication of its fuel delivery is second only to injection. It does, however, feature a number of moving parts that can wear with use and adversely affect…