Table of contents for July 2021 in Practical Classics

I’ve got to be honest, my dad and I didn’t want to spend seven grand on a Frontera, but there was method in the apparent madness. It started with the sale of almost twenty cars from the Vauxhall Heritage collection. For many, particularly those of us who count Luton as home, it sounded the alarm bells. The Frontera is the last passenger vehicle built in the town by Vauxhall (IBC), after 99 years of continuous production. It had to be saved by someone who recognised its significance. That is why I called my dad. The current collection has been ‘rightsized’ for a destination that is not Luton. I want to ensure we create an opportunity for it to ‘come home’ to a permanent base – in Luton. If that happens…

Ruby anniversary for Cavalier MkII The Cavalier MkII turns 40 this year. Launched in September 1981, it arrived as the Vauxhall and Opel marketing and dealerships were merged. Kevin Bricknall, chairman of the Vauxhall Cavalier and Chevette Club, told us: ‘The Cavalier MkII racked up lots of awards and it was consistently a top seller in the UK from its launch until it was replaced by the Cavalier MkIII in 1988. The club has a few events planned to celebrate the Cavalier’s 40th birthday, starting with the VBOA National Rally, continuing at the Silverstone Classic and drawing to a close at the NEC in November. And we have something special planned for September 23 that marks 40 years to the day of the launch of the Cavalier MkII.’ cavalierandchevetteclub.co.uk SINGERS…

IN THE NEWS The USSR pulls even further ahead of the USA in the Space Race, when Yuri Gagarin becomes the first man into orbit. He blasts off in Vostok 1 during April, goes around the globe and then, after re-entry, parachutes out a mere 1430 miles from where he’s meant be. Fortunately, Russia is a big place, so he’s still in the right country. AT THE FLICKS There’s a new cinematic era in the skies as Trans World Airlines (TWA) launches inflight movies on its services, using a new projection system suitable for commercial planes. It debuts Come September, an American romantic comedy starring Rock Hudson and Gina Lollobrigida. The in-air press screening happens a month ahead of the film’s release in terrestrial cinemas. IN THE CHARTS Elvis Presley…

The engine is a Senator 3-litre, 12-valve unit with modified distributor and flywheel. It is fed by three Weber 40s and cooled by an Audi 90 radiator with modified expansion tank and fans. The manifold was fabrcated by Clive using an Opel Monza item as a base and the exhaust is a homemade two-inch through pipe system. The engine is married to a Getrag 264 four-speed box from a Monza. The ‘GT-J’ is stopped with Manta rear brakes (with bias valve removed). Front brakes are adapted Audi discs drilled out to fit the original hubs and Opel Monza calipers, which bolted almost straight on. The master cylinder is from an Omega 2.0 and fits the original servo with a little adjustment. Manta 400 rally spec suspension carries the car… it…

Have you ever taken a drive in your parents car? I was too young and in my mum’s Datsun 120Y. The neighbours caught me as I drove back down the street and threatened to tell my dad. Needless to say, I never did it again! Jase Booth I remember driving the old man’s Wartburg Knight in the late Sevengties. We nicknamed it The Boat because of the handling. I would like to have another go now, but I’d guess they have all rusted away? Adrian Stewart I once tried, with my parents consent, to reverse their car off the drive. The choke was on, and the car shot backwards faster than I anticipated, hit the neighbours wall and knocked it over. I managed to lift the entire fallen section back…

In association with Surface Processing Ltdsurfaceprocessing.co.uk, 01384 242010 £50 STAR FIND Can you do better! Send your high-res images to practical.classics@bauermedia.co.uk…

RENAULT MEGANE SCENIC CAR REG R938 XFC BOUGHT IN 1998 SOLD IN 2001 LAST TAXED/DEMISE JULY 2009 Replacing a Rover 216 (R8), the blue car pictured (wasn’t I cute?) was the first of two Scenic MkIs owned by my dad, who bought a facelift edition in dark grey in 2001. ‘I needed a family car, and given the amount of kit required for you and your brother – baby seats et al – that meant a car with lots of space. I liked the quirky one box styling of the Scenic – it was like a mini Espace.’…

WITH RUSS SMITH ‘Prices are getting crazy at the moment’ What on earth is happening to the classic car market? Every auction now seems to deliver a clutch of ‘you’re kidding me!’ results. I have picked out some in my ACA report on this page, and at other sales recently we’ve seen a Vitesse convertible make £23,500, a ‘Landcrab’ go for almost £8000, a Nissan Figaro that topped £10k, and a restored Capri 3.0S sold for £36,400. These all used to be affordable classics. So, what’s happening? Well, while COVID-19 has had consequences ranging from tough to tragic for many, at the same time lockdown has caused a massive bubble in savings. It has been estimated that the UK population has collectively saved around £150bn during lockdown, which averages out…

BMW E21 3-series The sporty 323i has been on the radar for a while, but those are now priced in the mid-teens, so BMW buffs have been snapping up any good E21, from the entry-level 316 upwards – and they’re no longer easy to find. 1959 Mini Don’t worry – the sought-after Minis from the first production year are not about to crash in value. Things have just calmed down after prices peaked for their 60th birthday. They still cost as much as a Cooper S.…

James likes… THE EARLY ONE While a facelift does often improve the formula, occasionally it absolutely ruins it. For me, I’d trade any improvements to the 166 for an early car. I had a new 2.5 V6 in 2000. When it failed after a week, Alfa replaced it with a 3.0. One day later, it refused to start. I fumed but then one look at that body was all it took to forgive it. Matt G likes… THE GERMAN ONE Unlike my esteemed colleagues, I’m going to rock the boat and admit that I’ve always favoured German metal – specifically BMWs – over highly strung Italians such as the Alfa. If I were in the market for a luxury saloon, I’d plump for an E39 5-Series. Give me a smooth…

1976 Morris Marina 1.3 Engine 1275cc/4-cyl/OHV Power 60bhp@5500rpm Top speed 84mph Fuel economy 36mpg Yes. Not quite sure that this was the most seamless bit of planning. The arrival of a second ‘down on its luck’ Marina in the PC workshop was greeted with blank stares by the rest of the team. But there is method in the madness. Dougie from Glasgow had offered me the car with a massive stash of spares, all of which make finishing the Marina Coupé off a heck of a lot easier. The spares also came with a car… known as ‘Wee Mo’. I took one look and knew that I was going to get this one back on the road as well. The panels to do that came with the car and, despite…

With lockdown restrictions continuing to ease, I’m looking forward to getting back in the workshop to continue the bodywork renovation works that began early last year, but quickly had to be put on ice. Until then, I’m still focusing on jobs I can do at home without too much trouble. Which is how I came to the decision to replace the 2000’s cylinder head, which had been in situ since my dad and I rebuilt and fitted the 2.5-litre engine back in 2012. There was nothing wrong with it, which is why I’d always left it well alone… however, I did happen to have a more attractive replacement item ‘in stock’. When I was trying to diagnose an ongoing coolant/oil mixture problem on my TR6 last summer, and having replaced…

Richard Bremner CONTRIBUTOR Austin 1300 GT Engine 1275cc/4-cyl/OHV Power 70bhp@6000rpm Torque 74lb ft@3250rpm Gearbox 4-speed manual 0-60mph 14.7sec Top speed 95mph Fuel economy 28mpg Work done Parts acquisition. Fitment of NOS rear lamp clusters and boot plinth. 4 (wks) TIME 65 (£) SPENT 0 MILES Also in Richard’s garage 1974 AUSTIN ALLEGRO 1750 SS Replaced cylinder head gasket, water pump, engine mounts. Very little work has been done to my Austin since it last appeared in these pages (PC, July 2019), but a period of quiet amassing has been taking place. An amassing, that is, of mostly small parts that will make this car – I hope – a very fine example of the species indeed. This 1300 was a bit of a deceiver – as so many BMC ADO16s…

[A] YOKE This is the main body of the dynamo, also creating a path for the magnetic flux created by the electro-magnets. [B] FIELD COILS These two field coils are simply electromagnets, created by thin copper wire wound many times around formers. Wired in series, one end of the winding is connected to the insulated ‘F’ terminal, and the other end to earth via the terminal’s rivet. When current is applied, a magnetic field is created. This dynamo has two poles, one north and one south dictated by the direction the field coils were wound, and when energised, the magnetic flux flows from the north pole to the south pole, and back around the yoke. [C] POLE SHOES/PIECES The pole shoes are soft-iron blocks that clamp the field windings to…

The correct assembly of the crank, con rods, camshaft and crankcase will make the difference between having a sweet running motor or a giant oily paperweight in the back of your classic camper. Don’t be frightened by the task, but do follow the instructions here carefully. Be sure not to cut corners or make careless assumptions along the way. We’ve supplied a mildly uprated camshaft for this project which, once installed with new tappets and valve springs, will comfortably stretch engine performance (in conjunction with capacity increase and twin carbs) without putting excess stress on other components.…

There’s nothing more irritating than a stopped clock, especially if it has pride of place in the dashboard of your classic. Eighties quartz mechanisms tend to be both unerringly accurate and reliable. They deliver a powerful impulse movement to self-lubricating plastic gears that move the hands – so if you’re lucky, your enquiries will be limited to checking power supply, fuses and earths. Clocks of the Seventies and before, however, are likely to use an oscillating balance wheel similar to that found in a wind-up clock or watch. It has a coiled hairspring, which sets the speed at which the clock runs. The wheel has a magnet fixed into the rim. This reacts to a pulse delivered by an electromagnetic coil, keeping it in motion. The balance wheel, as we’ll…

Oulton Park is set to see some of its longest lap times in years on July 10 when the flag falls on the Longstone Tyres-sponsored Light Car Race. The 40 minute race, organised by the Vintage Sports Car Club, will be contested by an array of weird and wonderful light cars and cycle cars. Once a popular fixture on the VSCC calendar, the first light car race took place on May 2, 1953. Excitement is building for the 2021 return of the race, with many viewing it as an opportunity to compete in a motorsport event for the first time. Longstone Tyres’ MD Dougal Cawley told PC: ‘Racing with the VSCC is great fun and about as cheap as it gets. My son races an Austin 7 that cost £60000…

SAT-SUN JUN 12-13 WORCS E-type 60 at Shelsley Walsh, WR6 6RP (etype60.com). SUN JUN 13 YORKS Classic Car Show at Ripon Racecourse, HG4 1UG (markwoodwardclassicevents.com). HANTS Mini Cooper Day at Beaulieu, SO42 7ZN (beaulieu.co.uk). WARKS Stratford Autojumble at Stratford Racecourse, CV37 9SE (stratfordautojumble.co.uk). SAT JUN 19 HANTS Simply Volkswagen at Beaulieu, SO42 7ZN (beaulieu.co.uk). SUN JUN 20 N YORKS Classic Car Show at Castle Howard, YO60 7DA (classicshows.org). CUMBRIA Classic Car Show at Hutton-in-the-Forest, CA11 9TH (markwoodwardclassicevents.com). HANTS Hot-rod and Custom Show at Beaulieu, SO42 7ZN (beaulieu.co.uk). SHROPSHIRE Classic Car Day at Chetwynd Deer Park, TF10 8EU (classicmotorevents.com). FRI-SUN JUN 25-27 MIDDLESEX The London Classic Car Show, Syon Park, TW8 8JF (theclassiccarshowuk.com). WILTS Standard International Rally at the Alexandra House Hotel, SN4 0QJ (standardmotor.club). SAT-SUN JUNE 26-27 E SUSSEX Broyle…

First thing to register, it sounds amazing. The hand-built two-inch through pipe is made from Jetex parts. Then there’s the induction noise from the triple 40s. Smooth but nasty, a bit like a racing XK. So what’s the acceleration like? Well, obviously it goes like a rocket and, once sufficient revs are reached, it is remarkably smooth as well. The power delivery arrives progressively and feels as if it could go on forever. The injection version of this engine puts out about 190bhp, so this must be hitting 250bhp… it’s more than enough for the Manta and there is some understeer and the potential for rear end slippage is always there, but nowhere near as much as I was expecting. In fact, thanks to the way the car is engineered,…

‘I’d rather meet my own automotive choice’ Personally, I wouldn’t buy a pair of Y-fronts over t’internet in case they had horsehair in them. OK, even I’m not really that bad, but the massive recent developments in classic car buying online is still making my jaw drop. Now please let me emphasise, I’m not criticising, just bemused. A few years ago, it would seem as impossible as Boris Johnson sending gunboats to Jersey in defence of British fishing rights, or Hartlepool electing a Conservative MP. But hundreds of sane folk have bought a classic car from dealers over the past few months by ‘click and collect,’ ie switching on their computerised device and ordering without leaving their sofa or even cutting their toenails. This may have been understandable during the…

AUDI 100 CAR REG BRP 215X BOUGHT IN 1984 DEMISE 1990 While on the forest moon of Endor (our garden) with my Millennium Falcon, I knew when dad was home thanks to the distinctive five-pot warble of his approaching Audi. The three-year old GL5E Auto had replaced a Citroen Visa GT so travel to foreign parts suddenly became easier and getting dropped off at school even cooler. In a sea of Cortinas and Cavaliers, the classy 100 really stood out. And for dad back then, having helped to design Concorde among other things, only a Saab, Citroen or Audi would do. ‘Those vehicles were engineered with such precision and were so clever and comfy, I never understood why people chose to drive an ordinary car.’…

THU JUN 24 Brightwells’ Classic & Vintage, timed online, Leominster, Herefordshire. (01568 611122, brightwells.com) SAT-SUN JUN 26-27 Anglia Car Auctions’ classic sale, The Cattle-market, King’s Lynn, Norfolk. (01553 771881, angliacarauctions.co.uk) SAT-SUN JUN 26-27 Classic Car Auctions’ London Classic Car Show sale, Syon Park, London. (01926 640888, classiccarauctions.co.uk) TUE JUL 6 Manor Park Classics’ sale, Runcorn, Cheshire. (0161 697 5223, manorparkclassics.com) WED JUL 7 H&H Classic Auctions, Pavilion Gardens, Buxton, Derbyshire. (01925 210035, handh.co.uk) FRI JUL 9 Bonhams’ Goodwood Festival of Speed sale, Chichester. (020 7648 5801, bonhams.com/departments/MOT-CAR/) FRI-SAT JUL 9-10 Mathewsons, live online, Thornton-Le-Dale, North Yorkshire. (01751 474455, mathewsons.co.uk) WED JUL 14 Charterhouse Auctions, Haynes Motor Museum, Sparkford, Somerset. (01935 812277, charter-house-auction.com)…

1964 Triumph TR4 Price: £13,995 Unfinished body-off restoration project with all welding works now complete, panels superbly fitted and engine rebuilt. Wing vents added. 1955 Daimler Conquest Century Price: £6750 Much mechanical work has been done during the past two years. Car has good paint and chrome, plus patinated interior. Comes with some history and spare parts. 1989 Jaguar XJ-S 5.3 HE Price: £12,995 Genuine 53,000 miles from new, fully specced when new, cared for by last owner for 24 years. Plenty of invoice-shaped history, too.…

1989 FORD FIESTA XR2 James Mason, Cardiff Bombing around the Welsh coast – James prefers his hot hatches Eighties-style. 1989 VW GOLF GTI 16V Ray Partner, Berkshire Countless concours wins and a model made after it, Ray’s had his 16V from new. 1999 SUBARU IMPREZA STI Jeff Markham, Manchester Jeff’s car is one of just 444 RB5 Imprezas built to honour the late Richard Burns. We can help… ‘So many cars here that we would all love to have on our drives. Call us to discuss your requirements, so we can help turn your modern classic dream into a reality.’…

Alfa’s flagship saloon went on sale in the United Kingdom at the end of January 1999 and was an immediate hit among enthusiasts. But unsurprisingly, despite handsome looks and sporting pedigree, the sales figures didn’t set the world alight and the 166 was outsold by pretty much every other executive during its lifetime. In 2021, the big Alfa is growing in value because the handful that remain are being cherished by a discerning few for whom the ‘Type 936’ is one of the finest hidden gems in the modern classics landscape. Right now, it represents an absolute bargain. However, it pays to buy very carefully. Let us begin… Why you want one Okay, so you could argue that the smaller 156 of the period looks slightly neater and better proportioned…

‘The 75 is one of the best British cars ever made’ Well, I can’t be accused for not practicing what I preach. Last month found me extolling the virtues of diesel-powered modern classics – well, maybe asking you not to condemn them along with much of the rest of the automotive industry – and here I am about to tell you about my latest purchase. Yes, it drinks from the black pump, but it’s a rather wonderful thing regardless. The car in question is a Rover 75 Tourer and is something I’ve hankered after for a very long time. It’s a top-of-the-line 2.0 CDT Connoisseur SE that’s packed to the gunwales with kit – and it all works! It’s not my first Rover 75 by any means, but what sets…

At long last, as restrictions eased, my dad was able to come along and lend a hand with the Austin Seven Special project in person. He’d designed the body in two dimensions, taking inspiration from a number of period specials, but now was the time to add that all important third dimension. A family affair Arriving with a boot full of foam-core cardboard, dad quickly set to work. This sort of thing is his bread and butter, given his role as an Art Director in the film industry, and the process of creating a cardboard facsimile of the finished product is one he’s very familiar with. Along with my brother, Luke, who took several of the photographs featured in this report, we set to work, first establishing the position of…

Nigel Clark CONTRIBUTOR 1977 Reliant Scimitar SE6A Engine 2994cc/V6/OHV Power 138bhp@5000rpm Torque 192lb ft@3000rpm Gearbox 4-speed man + o/d 0-60mph 9.4sec Top speed 118mph Fuel economy 25mpg Work done Tidying jobs on the Scimitar, plus an overhaul and tune up of my Triumph bike’s carbs. 10 (hrs) TIME 110 (£) SPENT 760 MILES Also Nigel’s garage 1970 TRIUMPH TR6 Currently oil-tight. Dealing with its incontinence has been a long journey… 1972 TRIUMPH GT6 MKIII The higher ratio final drive is working well with the engine. More than three months have passed since I completed an in-situ rebuild of the Scimitar’s Ford V6 and, since then, I’ve driven the car plenty, but hardly touched it mechanically. Having covered almost 300 miles, it was time for an oil and filter change. After…

► Building the Frontera in Luton in 1993. Essentially an extensively reworked Isuzu Mu, it was in production for 12 years, including two when it was Europe’s bestselling off-roader. ► In Japan the Frontera/Mu was sold as a Honda Jazz! It was a domestic market SUV between 1993 and 1996 and featured the words ‘Pleasure Field’ on the side. ► Vauxhall didn’t exactly create the off-road/leisure vehicle market, but it made it more accessible. The Frontera was a hit from the moment it was launched. ► Under the skin it was ‘known’ technology. The two body styles, Tonka Toy two-door or ‘Budget Discovery’ five-door remained to the end. ► No technical innovations, but a whole catalogue full of marketing ones. The accessories list was huge and aimed directly at the…

Radford Lotus Recently revived luxury automotive brand Radford, co-owned by TV’s Ant Anstead, has revealed that its first car will be built in collaboration with Lotus. The new bespoke Radford will use Lotus technologies as a starting point for a coachbuilt, limited edition sports car – 62 will be built. Manor Park milestones The first MPC auction on April 27 saw a 77 per cent sale rate and the highest price ever paid for a Triumph 2500 as former lead Triumph engineer, Gordon Birtwistle’s 1973 2500 PI saloon, complete with unique modifications, sold for £24,725 including fees. A 10,000-mile Rover 3500S also sold for over £10,000. Singers on song The Singer Owners’ Club is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2021. It is still going strong, in fact, it has grown…

Under pressure 140BAR PULL-ALONG PRESSURE WASHER £155.94 This lightweight yet powerful unit is ideal for car cleaning as well as other domestic use. Its ease of manoeuvrability is a real bonus and the powerful 1800W motor packs a punch, with 40-litre water flow per hour and a maximum pressure output of 140bar. It’s supplied with a 5m hose, spray gun and lance and is fitted with convenient accessory storage to ensure that the unit stays clutter-free and mobile. Part no: PW2000PA. sealey.co.uk Matt says ‘This new pressure washer is great for car cleaning because the wheels allow the unit to be pulled along easily without falling over.’ Alternative Ulster AUSTIN SEVEN ULSTER MODELS FROM £113 (1/18 SCALE), £348 (1/12 SCALE), £521 (1/8 SCALE) Completely 3D-modelled by German company AMF Model…

Fleetwood, Lancashire, September 11, 1961 In September 1961, the TSS Mona’s Queen worked the final Isle of Man Steam Packet Company sailing from Fleetwood. Packed with 1193 passengers on-board, large numbers of locals also came to bid farewell. Seen here steaming past the 1840 Beach Lighthouse, the 1946 ferry attracted lots of less aquatic transport. On the left is a Morris Minor of the post-1956 1000 variety, blocking in a two-door 100E, which we think is an Anglia rather than a Popular. A bigger Consul MkII sibling is next door – it’s a pre-1959 ‘Highline’ with the less prominent rear fins. The Thames van in the service of Wonderloaf is obscuring another two-door 100E and a 103E Ford Popular. Roly-poly lines Next come two pre-1956 Minors and an Austin A30…

1 2011 Assessment 1 With the old set up Clive knew he would need to alter the crossmember supports, anti-roll-bar and fabricate new engine mounting brackets to fit the ‘six’ and Getrag box. 2 AUTUMN 2011 The resto The base unit needed a full restoration before he could even start, rust had ruined the front chassis legs, floor, jacking points and wings. Then Clive painted it himself! 3 DEC 2011 Mounts Once the engine bay modifications had been fabricated and applied it was time for paint. This is the redesigned crossmember and nearside mount. 4 JULY 2012 Carb cooler Controlled by an automatic switch, a former bilge pump blasts the carbs with cool air as required through repurposed and redesigned exhaust pipes. It keeps the 40s perfectly cool. 5 SEPT…

Lockdown rustoration You may not remember me but I was very fortunate to win the prestigious Golden Spanner in 2016 with Gerty, my wonderful late wife Marg’s little Metro. I would like to pass on my congratulations to this year’s ROTY winner Andy for his superb effort in restoring his stunning MGA and my thoughts are with him given the sad loss of Hilary, his wife. The lockdown has been a very strange time for everyone and I have looked forward to and enjoyed reading Practical Classics even more than usual if that’s at all possible. I’ve spent the past year restoring, or should I say rustoring, the Morris Minor that Marg and I have owned for near on forty years. Old Molly was absolutely rotten and has not been…

‘I restored the van in nine weeks flat and the Anglia is a 39k-mile minter!’ 1971 VW T2 Bay Camper, 1968 Ford Anglia Andrew Grant, Bridgend I bought the camper in 2014 after it had been off the road for 14 years. It lived in the previous owner’s back garden for 12 years, so it was in a bit of a state. I completed a full restoration on it in nine weeks flat, having towed it to my house in the April 2014. It was back on the road in July. The re-build included a full stripdown and respray, engine rebuild, re-trim and new glass. I did it for my daughter who loves it. She loves camping with her little one. My Anglia was registered in January 1968 and comes…

‘Richard Parry-Jones: the last great hero?’ Heroes of the modern motor industry are hard to identify. Companies are too corporate, things are done in teams so that individuals don’t take the credit, and maybe there’s less heroism. We all know the legends of the past: Alec Issigonis, Colin Chapman, Spen King, numerous Jaguar luminaries and many, many more. But in recent times? Not so much. Perhaps the last great hero was Richard Parry-Jones. I say ‘was’, even though the fruits of his brain are fresh and vibrant, because as of April 16 he’s no longer with us. He passed away, at just 69, of a heart attack with so much still to do. If you appreciate just how good the first Ford Mondeo was to drive after the dull Fords…

AUSTIN 1800 MKII CAR REG ODE174K BOUGHT IN 1976 SOLD IN 1980 LAST TAXED/DEMISE N/A We were quite tight for cash in the mid Seventies. Dad was working for the TUC and he had a young family. He needed a cheap car that could handle big camping trips and be worked on at home. The 1800 fitted the bill. When he bought this one, a K-reg example, in 1976 it was already a cheap car, unfashionable already, only a year out of production. But dad thought it was a brilliant bit of design, with none of the fripperies and all the things he actually wanted. Space, comfort, ruggedness and safety. He still has huge admiration for Issigonis’ revolutionary design and great memories of both his Landcrabs.…

ROVER P6 CAR REG OYE 988R BOUGHT IN 1976 SOLD IN 1978 He’d run a Triumph 2000 in his previous job, so for the new job he thought he’d try the obvious rival. He preferred his new 2200 SC to the Triumph, but the TC that replaced it two years later was a joy. Apart from its paintwork, that is. Rover’s new paint plant for the imminent SD1s also sprayed the last P6s. It was a disaster, the acrylic paint chipping and peeling off, rust festering on the scars, a car pockmarked at two years old. ‘At least I don’t have to look at it when I drive it,’ he said.…

A £20K Fiesta! And it’s not only Fords flying at ACA’s May sale Well, we can’t argue with the £8000- £10,000 estimate that Anglia Car Auctions gave the 1989 Ford Fiesta XR2 on offer. That also coincided with the top values in our Price Guide for a MkII. But once again the fast Ford market spoke, loudly. A total of £20,250 was paid, though it was a very nice one. Where are you going to find another immaculate one with a warranted 58,000 miles? The guide is being updated… It was also a surprise to see a Triumph TR7 DHC with similar mileage to the Fiesta pass its £5500 top estimate to hit £8640. Bargains were in short supply, but there was one humdinger. An ‘82 Fiat 124 Spider Europa…

with James Walshe ‘Tears were shed when the last Defender left the production line in 2016, so fondness for this automotive icon means values will remain healthy for the rest of time. The cheapest cars are usually early 200Tdi pick-ups for about five grand. Tidy 200Tdi and 300Tdi County models can be had for about £6000. A Td5 90 with windows can fetch up to £10,000. Ten grand should also get you a nice V8. If you want the 2007 Ford-engined model, you’ll pay from £12,000. Late XS models with the 2.2 are going for more than £25,000. They aren’t cheap, but that’s the price of a legend.’…

The collected gasp of horror at the new look BMW M3 and M4 reminds me of a similarly controversial era at Munich. With its toothy gape and ridiculous grille proportions, the 2021 range seems like a dramatic leap in the wrong direction, though many said the same of both the E65 7 Series and the E60 5 Series. I clearly recall Chris Bangle’s bold vision for BMW’s styling future in the early-Noughties, which was met with both high praise and deep hate. Many BMW fanboys even petitioned for his dismissal at the time. Change is always hard to accept, though it wasn’t helped when said challenging design change also came with the infuriating, near unfathomable first-generation iDrive system. During Bangle’s decade at Munich (1999-2009) it was ‘his’ E60 5 Series…

Renault 21 Turbo 15 LEFT ON UK ROADS Prefer your Eighties executive to be more fromage than frankfurter? Three-and-a-bit decades ago, Renault fancied a big slice of BMW’s market-sector pie and its incisive instrument of choice was the 21 Turbo. The year before this blown baguette hauler arrived in 1988, Autocar proclaimed the Renault 21 GTS to be the saloon car of the year. It was more than wishful thinking then prompting Renault to challenge the might of late-Eighties Munich, though sadly, it wasn’t to be. The 21 Turbo was rapid, hitting 60mph in just under eight seconds, yet it lacked the pace and grip of the contemporary Beemer (535i Sport). Even adding an extra driven axle didn’t help. Seeing any of the 2.1million 21s built is rare, but sighting…

Cheap examples will be scruffy and are likely to be missing essential service history. Don’t rule out a project car, though. These are rare cars now, so a even a banger will have some value if fixed up. For a roadworthy 166, you’ll spend a few grand – and cherished cars have begun to whoosh back up to the £5000 mark. Bargain hard if the cambelt hasn’t been changed on schedule or recently. Unless you can do the job yourself, it’ll cost you up to £700 at a specialist (for the V6). With looks like these, this big exotic Alfa will only rise in value and given its rarity, now is the time to buy. It will never be cheaper than this.…

James Walshe DEPUTY EDITOR 1985 Citroën 2CV6 Spécial Engine 602cc/2-cyl/OHV Power 29bhp@5750rpm Torque 31lb ft@3500rpm Gearbox 4-speed manual 0-60mph 32.7sec Top speed 71mph Weight 574.3kg Work done Fan replaced; oil change; epic road trip to the west coast. 3 (day) TIME 25 (£) SPENT 1160 MILES Also James’s garage 1985 CITROËN CX GTI Preparing for a journey to Scotland in June. 1987 CITROËN AX 11 TRE Still awaiting inspection. 2002 CITROËN C5 2.2 HDI Warnings lights banished! 2004 SMART ROADSTER Service due – plus rear brakes. During the lockdown of Spring 2020, with little else to do on those rather desolate weekends, I thought I’d be really cunning and book a range of cheap UK getaways for the end of the year and into 2021. In the end though, virtually…

BEFORE YOU START TEA BREAK TIP Make sure the crank is resting gently against the rear bearing while testing. CRANK GEARS TIP The dished inner edge of the wide, steel gear must face the flywheel. CRANK, CASINGS AND CAM The surprisingly delicate art of assembly… CRANK ROTATION & ENDFLOAT Fit the other casing half and gently nip up the 17mm nuts. Check for smooth rotation as you gradually tighten nuts up to their 34Nm final torque. Fit the front pulley and nip up (but don’t torque) the bolt. TEA BREAK TIP Correct endfloat after shimming should be in the range 0.05 and 0.19mm. CON RODS TIP New little end shells are best installed by a machine shop. LUNCH TIME ASSEMBLE CRANK, RODS & CAMSHAFT TEA BREAK TIP Use a dab…

DISMANTLING ED’S TIP Always use a decent set of jeweller’s screwdrivers – never worn or ill-fitting ones. It will take longer and you’ll damage the screws. TEA BREAK ED’S TIP Keep magnetised tools away from the clock. CHECKING ASSEMBLY PARAMETERS ED’S TIP Some up-down play in the balance wheel is, in fact, perfectly normal – don’t eliminate this. LUBRICATION ED’S TIP Use a light grease. Ordinary grease may become too solid in cold weather. NAILED IT! ED’S JOB CARD FIX YOUR STOPPED CLOCK Stopped clocks are annoying, but repair can be straightforward, if a little fiddly. We’ll show you how to get inside the clock, what the various parts do and what you should and shouldn’t touch. If the clock simply runs slow or fast, you’ll find a multi-turn regulator…

Determine thread type This is important where specialist fasteners are to be used. Either measure the fastener or an undamaged thread. Use calipers to determine the diameter and thread gauges to find the pitch. Confirm using thread data; this is 3/8in BSF (20tpi). Inserts allow a change of thread type. Drill tapping hole It’s important to use the tapping drill supplied with the kit. If an existing fastener has snapped off in the hole, it will need to be removed first. Ensuring the drill bit is perfectly aligned, and square to the workpiece, drill the hole oversize. Use tape to mark the depth if drilling a blind hole. TIP If you find one of a number of threads stripped on a part, it’s worth fitting inserts to all of them.…

GET READY FOR YOUR BIG ROAD RUN Time to nominate your favourite beach! Full details in the August issue BUY OR RESTORE? Perfect MG Montego restoration or canny XR4i purchase? Which one fires up your classic interest? Triumph Spitfire Resto Home-made Surrey top and cambelt conversion. A lockdown special Buying Guides Bag an iconic Volvo before prices rocket, plus in-depth Sierra advice Nineties sports cars Performance car legends for less than you might expect PLUS An amazing adventure to the Festival of the Unexceptional, via New York and Skegness… PAY LESS AND NEVER MISS A COPY! See p52 AUGUST ISSUE ON SALE JULY 7 Practical Classics magazine, ISSN 0957-6975, (USPS 9080) is published 13 times a year by H Bauer Publishing Ltd. The US annual subscription price is $105.88. Air…

Russ says ‘Buying and selling should be fun, but sometimes, it’s a nightmare. Follow these three rules for pain-free deals: be honest, be friendly, be prompt.’ 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…