Table of contents for April 2022 in Practical Classics

VNUK OFF The so-called ‘Vnuk’ ruling is retained EU law that could impose tedious insurance requirements on classic motorsport vehicles, and other vehicles used on private land, while pushing up premiums by £50 and costing the taxpayer £2bn. Fortunately the Motor Vehicles (Compulsory Insurance) Bill, prepared by Peter Bone MP, is challenging the Vnuk law and is expected to be approved by House of Commons as we go to press. Sir Greg Knight, who was a member of the Committee scrutinising the Bill, and is also chair of the All Party Parliamentary Historic Vehicles Group, said: ‘This is good news indeed. The Vnuk case is not only a threat to the pockets of all British drivers who stood to suffer a premium hike, but also to classic motorsports, which would…

If you’ve attended any of the classic car events at the NEC in recent years, you’ve probably seen (or at least heard of) the Sporting Bears Motor Club, which runs its popular ‘Dream Rides’ passenger experiences from the back of the halls. Sporting Bears is a group of car enthusiasts who raise money for UK children’s charities through their social meets, tours, and Dream Rides events. The club has 1500 members from all over the UK. All are volunteers and give up their time, fuel, and maintenance costs completely free of charge. The club is run entirely on its membership fee and 100 per cent of the money it raises goes to the charities it supports. It has TV pundit Mike Brewer as its patron, who is said to be…

A group of serving and ex-servicemen in North Yorkshire are about to embark on a project in order to raise money for Help for Heroes and other armed forces charities. Charity Build is stripping a 1975 MGB Roadster ready for restoration at the British Army base in Catterick, North Yorks, where former and current soldiers are rebuilding the car to sell on. Jason Sheehan, founder of Charity Build, said: ‘These projects give a lot back to Armed Forces charities and lot back to the guys involved, from whom the experience of restoring the cars is a great way of learning new skills and enjoying a hobby.’ Anyone who can help with parts or expertise should email Jason at charitybuild@hotmail.com.…

1 APRIL 2017 Engine rebuild The fibre timing gear – a known weak spot – was replaced. 2 AUGUST 2017 Hidden horrors With the wing removed, the extent of the rot was clear. 3 JULY 2018 Up on the roof More rot uncovered. Rear roof section had previously had a dubious repair. 4 DECEMBER 2018 Lock and load Door lock location was lead loaded in order to avoid using body filler. 5 JULY 2019 Prep makes perfect As is always the case, the good work done before primer and top coats made all the difference… 6 JULY 2019 Isn’t she lovely … which meant that, once it was time for some colour, it wasn’t long before Capri body was looking as good as new.…

‘Please let’s try and keep it real, guys’ Among my classic-car-owning friends, three of the most hands-on with restoration and maintenance have intriguingly different mindsets as far as originality is concerned. I sit somewhere between them on the question of improving classics (as seen by one of those friends) or spoiling them (as seen by the other two). Friend One is all for using modern knowledge to improve his old cars, so they can work as well as, or better than, their creators ever dreamed they could without suddenly ceasing to do so. In his pre-war Singer Le Mans, for example, that means an Accusump system to pre-pressurise the oil before start-up, a modern oil filter instead of no filter at all, an alternator built into the original dynamo casing,…

Classic values & essential buying advice REVIEW With a yawning seven-week winter hiatus with no live gavel-banging auctions to report on, I turn this issue to action in the world of online sales. Specifically, The Market by Bonhams. Yes, those Bond Street boys never sleep, having acquired The Market last April for their portfolio. It seems slickly run, and produces some interesting results – in both directions. The £16,275 achieved for a 1972 Reliant Scimitar GTE SE5A was way off both our guide scale and the £10-15k estimate. This was, though, a very good example – one of the best. Out of 35 years of no expense spared ownership and with an uprated, unleaded (and dyno’d) 160bhp V6, and custom wiring to avoid the usual GTE electrical issues. That result…

Austin Allegro Who’d have thought it, but the Allegro is now officially cool and sought after. And the big leap in values just refers to the regular fare. Find one of the rare sporty 1750 models and grab it. Their values are rocketing! MG TD The poor old TD is by far the least-loved of the T-series, largely due to the common steel wheels that make it look like a replica. It featured here two years ago and is still falling. Very nice ones can be bought in the mid-teens.…

‘We are all in it together’ Recently I’ve noticed I have a developed a trigger phrase that never fails to see me looking for the nearest polite exit from a conversation. It’s the dreaded mention of the ‘like-minded enthusiast.’ Argh! I’m sure in most cases it’s uttered without any conscious thought, but having heard it for years, I’ve noticed certain types use it to reinforce a close-minded, echo-chamber mentality, that sadly still pervades some corners of our hobby. I know there are excellent car clubs out there whose staff and members would never dream of uttering the accursed phrase. However, equally there are some who seem to think that their membership is akin to that of a swanky country club. Look, just because you meet at a stately home once…

1993 VAUXHALL SENATOR 3.0-LITRE 24V Lee Armstrong, Lancashire Lee’s white Senator apparently was never a police car – it must be the only one. 1998 FIAT ARCHETTA Colin Alexander, Lancashire Few drop tops are as enjoyable as this little Fiat – Colin uses his whenever the sun comes out. 2002 PORSCHE BOXSTER S Andy McLennon, Norfolk We’ve tipped the Boxster for greatness many times – Andy’s S is definitely the one to have, too. 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.…

DEPUTY EDITOR 2001 Ford Puma 1.7 Engine 1679cc/4-cyl/OHC Power 123bhp@6300rpm Torque 116lb ft@4500rpm Gearbox 5-speed manual Fuel economy 29mpg Work done Engine replacement, fettling, fluids checks and all that! Also in James’s garage 1985 CITROËN CX GTI TURBO Having a hydraulic fluid wee. 1985 CITROËN 2CV6 Know what? I’m going to drive it to the Monaco Grand Prix. 2004 SMART ROADSTER Tucked up in my garage for a little winter rest. When you see just how badly a Ford Puma rots, you’ll understand why I’ve pulled this one to pieces. It’s all in the name of saving the silver bullet in time for our annual winter road trip challenge, (p24). In short, I needed a spares car, as the engine in mine had eaten itself. As this is my very…

Matt Tomkins PROJECTS EDITOR Our resident workshop puppet master, Matt has Morris Minors and A-Series engines in his blood. This month Finally made progress on his Mini project. Martin Domoney WORKSHOP EDITOR Former JLR technician, Martin, knows his modern classics inside and out. This month Has taken on a former James Walshe project. Theodore J Gillam ENGINEERING EXPERT Former Motor Vehecle lecturer and classic fiddling perfectionist. Has a love of compression ignition. This month Has finally got all the paint stripped off the Rebel. Ed Hughes WORKSHOP GENIUS Ed singlehandedly keeps a fleet of obscure classics on the road. He’s never owned a modern and will keep it that way. This month Wartburg water pump bearing replacement. Nigel Clark DIY RESTORER Nigel’s driveway achievements rival those of pro mechanics. He’s…

NIGEL’S JOB CARD SERVICE YOUR LUCAS PI My TR6 PI engine isn’t running quite right. Full throttle performance is good, but idle is rough with high emissions and progress is hesitant at low throttle openings and low rpm. These are typical problems with Lucas PI, and getting the fuel injection running sweetly is definitely a DIY proposition. Today I’m running through the TR6’s PI system from tank to injectors, servicing it, replacing worn parts and finally synchronising the throttle butterflies and adjusting the mixture. We will also look at a couple of useful upgrades along the way. How tough? You’ll need: ► Basic tools ► Fuel pressure gauge ► Airflow meter ► Vacuum gauge Specialists ► kmipetrolinjection.co.uk ► fredmillturnparts.com Will take: Will cost: Cash saved EXPLAINER: WHY LUCAS PI IS…

All you need to know about everything important The halls of the NEC will be filled with the sounds and smells of car revival and restoration once again when the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show returns next month. Held this year on March 18-20 at the National Exhibition Centre, more than a thousand classics, 150 car clubs and 250 exhibitors and autojumblers will greet thousands of enthusiasts for the first time since 2019. Numerous anniversaries will be marked by clubs in attendance, from the MG Car Club’s celebration of the MGB’s 60th year and the Triumph Dolomite Club’s nod to 50 years of Triumph’s family favourite, to a display on the TVR Owner’s Club stand to commemorate the TVR Chimaera’s 30th birthday in a year that also sees…

Restorer of the Year with Flux Practical Classics is proud to announce a new partnership with Adrian Flux. Our celebration of home restoration, Restorer of the Year, will be even bigger and better than ever with the Kings Lynn based company behind it. Watch out next issue for the reveal of the cars for the PC Resto Show. MX-5 Bentley Ad of the month? Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow engine on Chassis No.1956. This special was built by Jim Hailey (Bill Hailey’s nephew). Engine runs, but needs a fuel pump and the carbs setting up. Lots of paperwork. The most extraordinary thing about it is the rear body, which appears to be an MX-5 Mkl. Bonkers... and also brilliant. Calling female mechanics! It’s International Women’s Day on March 8 and, to celebrate,…

St Boswells, Scottish Borders, March 1964 Despite its substantial stone-built structure, you’ll search in vain for any remains of St Boswells railway station today. Situated on the North British Railway’s Waverley Route from Edinburgh to Carlisle and opened in 1849, passenger services here lasted until 1969. After which, everybody had to rely on roads. Here, five years before closure, cars were already making their presence felt. First in the line-up is a Vauxhall Victor FB, looking rather plain in grey. On posher De Luxes, the roof was often in a contrasting paint shade while sporty VX4/90s got a side flash, among other cosmetic tweaks. The Vauxhall is almost completely obscuring a Mini, after which there’s a Ford Consul Cortina MkI, its lack of chrome side trim suggesting a Deluxe. Crumples…

This 1972 Triumph 2000 MkII was featured in Practical Classics in 2018 as ‘Star Find’ of the month, among the Rust in Peace pages. I saw it for sale on eBay soon after, so me and my friend, fellow classic car enthusiast Lee Robinson, decided to snap it up for a grand! Having rescued it from the barn near Loughborough, we brought it back to where we live, in the Aberdeenshire town of Insch. I’ve been friends with Lee for years, but we have only worked on our little fleet of classics together for the past six years or so. Nevertheless, we’ve developed an effective system of restoration and we were therefore easily able to hatch a plan! As every restorer knows, it’s always good to know what you’re dealing…

Were you a Scalextric kid? Oh, yes! I had the Mighty Metro set. Ian Beatty My set had been in the attic for 40 years. I dug them out on Boxing Day and they still run perfectly! Tim Wilks I always wanted the Le Mans 24hr set with the Porsches, but ended up with the Matchbox Powertrack instead. A few years ago I bought a Scalextric set, reduced from £120 to £35. Finally, after 35 years, I had one of my own! Lee Greaves My brother and I had a Mondeo Valvoline touring car and a Sierra Cosworth cop car complete with lights and siren. When James May was doing his big toys programme at Brooklands, they had a ‘Run What Ya Brung’ slot car drag race. I went in…

1988 Volkswagen Scirocco I saw a Scirocco at a retail park in Bristol, reminding me of the days when they were everywhere. I owned four of them, but they’re so rare now. Few like this Scala are left. Rory Anderson, Bristol Lotus Elan +2S Spotted this lovely Elan +2S in Hinton Charterhouse, near Bath. John Goff, Calne. Bentley S1s These two Bentleys belong to the Cambridge Garden House Hotel and are often seen driving guests around. Benjamin Thorndyke, Cambridge 1983 Renault 4 van I saw a superb R4 van in Aldeburgh which appears to be in daily use. Richard Smith, Suffolk Honda Insight Spotted in Corris, mid-Wales, it appeared to be in everyday use. A brave choice given limited range and lack of charging infrastructure in such a rural location.…

From its vast bonnet stretching out ahead of you like the landing strip of an aircraft carrier, to its low-slung driving position, it’s as close as you’ll get to a US muscle car from a European model. Fire up the Essex V6 and the rumble from beneath that vast bonnet delivers a promise of excitement. It’s unrefined, slightly crude even, but in a way that stirs the senses. Even in automatic form, it’s an exciting car with more than enough power for its relatively light weight, while the power steering and uprated brakes in this example make it an effortless and enjoyable car to drive both in town traffic and out on the open road. With fuel economy in the low twenties at best, you probably wouldn’t want to use…

Can a woman be a mechanic? It’s a tricky question that’s been answered by the actions of females determined not to be hamstrung by gender stereotypes and the ‘F’ on their birth certificate. There’s classic car restorer and workshop owner Hannah Gordon, aka the Female Mechanic. Star of Channel 4’s Mend It for Money, the former firefighter is one of Britain’s best, and most proactive, role models in the automotive industry, which she describes as inclusive and full of opportunity. There’s motorsport mechanic Eliza Seville who founded her own women’s workwear brand; the mechanic and entrepreneur Laura Kennedy who set up London’s first all-female garage; and there’s Patrice Banks who started the #SheCANic movement. A decade ago, Patrice considered herself an ‘auto airhead’ and panicked when anything went wrong with…

‘The trimmer must have worn Ray-Bans’ A regular refrain from my earlier motoring years, uttered by almost anyone of advice-giving age, was: ‘Don’t modify your car. It’ll wreck the resale value and nobody will ever want to buy it.’ Obviously, given my past spent hopping up Minors and building street rods, it was advice I ignored. My theory, that served me well as it turned out, was that if you carry out the right modifications, tastefully, there will always be a ready buyer. Among others, two Fiat twin-cam powered Minors and a 1930 Ford Model A Coupé all flew out the door for asking price to the first candidates. But I also accept you can go too far. I was reminded of this when a friend sent a link to…

Mitsubishi FTO 46 LEFT ON UK ROADS Sadly, Mitsubishi will soon be leaving Europe. The Japanese company left our shores last year; selling its heritage fleet in the process. I managed to enjoy a few of its back catalogue before then, but I never had a go in an FTO. Talk to anyone who’s driven one of these front-driven (usually) V6 coupes and they have nothing but good things to say. The closest I’ve got to getting my hands on one was via a PlayStation controller on Gran Turismo. It doesn’t look likely that I’ll correct that anytime soon either, as a measly 46 FTOs remain taxed in the UK today. Pretty rough attrition considering it went out of production in 2000 with 36,805 made – though official imports only…

Kettle on… time for some tall tales from the PC workshop 1971 Jensen Interceptor II Engine 6313cc/V8-cyl/OHV Power330bhp@5000rpm Torque 425lb ft@2800rpm Gearbox 3-spd automatic 0-60mph 7.4sec Top speed 136mph Fuel economy 14.4mpg Work done Electrical and engine rectification and careful rebuild. Full service and checks. Also in Danny’s garage 1956 RILEY PATHFINDER Returning to workshop. 1966 ROVER 2000SC Needs a rear brake rebuild. 1972 TRIUMPH 2000 Steps up in emergencies. 1998 MERCEDES SLK New heater blower fitted. 1998 MAZDA MX-5 NB Winter funster. 2004 MAZDA RX-8 231 Engine rebuild anyone? Of all the Staff Car Sagas that there have ever appeared within the folds of PC, the Jensen Saga is probably the most saga-ish Saga of them all. Twelve years of toil, trial and tribulation have delivered myself and ‘HOF…

2004 Citroën Berlingo HDi Engine 1997cc/4-cyl/OHC Power 125bhp@4000rpm Gearbox 49.6mpg I’ve got plans for the old TARDIS in 2022. I’m hoping to head for France, Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar in April for a cheap adventure and a visit to friends. Pandemic permitting, of course. As you may have read previously, the Berlingo is now set up as a (basic) mini camper van with a few mods, so I’m hopeful. I’ll test them out in Wales beforehand this month, so will report back here soon. I do need to look into the Piccadilly Circus display on the dashboard. Firstly, the airbag warning light. Interrogation by my laptop and some PSA software revealed a fault with the seat mounted side airbag. This is most likely a broken wire under the seat –…

CONTRIBUTOR 1995 Mini Cooper 1.3i Engine 1275cc/4-cyl/OHV Power 63bhp@5700rpm Torque 70lb ft@3000rpm Gearbox 4-speed manual Top speed 94mph 0-62mph 12.2sec Fuel economy 43mpg Work done Restoration project ongoing, Also in Andy’s garage 1958 AUSTIN A35 Still festering, having been saved from scrap. I might get around to it one day. 1959 MORRIS MINOR Owned since I was 16. Respray and TLC planned. 1959 MORRIS MINOR Future 1300cc 5-speed, Tomkins-esque project. 1961 LAND ROVER Ex-RAF. Sam’s next project. 1967 MORRIS MINOR My daily driver. Bought for just £40 in 2006. One recent successful result has been our alteration to the door of my son’s Mini Cooper; our current restoration project. You may recall I described how, with a new door skin and with fresh paint on, the door would shut but…

I was amazed by the six days’ wet sanding that went into the Rover 3.5 with blotchy paint. I’d recommend two coats of Raceglaze Signature Pre-wax Cleaner, which restores the lost oil compounds that have made the paint patchy in the first place. Follow with a coat of wax. Mark Wibberley, Stamford When replacing ‘open’ bearings, which need greasing, upgrade to sealed-for-life types (denoted 2RS – two rubber seals). They cost hardly any more and are suitable for most applications. The seals keep grease in and dirt and water out. James Wright, Blackpool…

Save £2k in 48 hours START DAY 1 MEASURE, MEASURE AGAIN, MARK 1 Find the centre line Lucky to have a ready made hole in the roof here. Centre line is crucial to the whole measuring process. A flexible measure is required. Take measurements and mark centre line at regular intervals. 2 Measure to the sides This is the least exciting and yet most crucial part of the process – particularly with a secondhand kit and no instructions. I laid out my frame, measured it and then applied those measurements to the roof. 3 Mark up side bar Having measured several times, mark off the position of the side runners. This will be your cut line, so it is crucial it is accurately located. If in doubt, go back and…

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. Russ says ‘Buying and selling should be fun, but sometimes, it’s a nightmare. Follow these three rules…

In a world that can seem selfish and perplexing, there’s a lot of positivity to be found in helping each other. And in the classic car world, that’s what we do. From rallying together to help out with projects, sourcing parts, putting together show stands, sharing advice or just a bit of social camaraderie, being there for each other is second nature. It’s no surprise, then, that classic car owners are among the most charitable in the world and that every year our hobby raises millions of pounds – and that’s no exaggeration. Put simply, this is the reason why Practical Classics and Lancaster Insurance Services Ltd have decided it was time to celebrate the classic car heroes and hero events that give back. We want to do this because…

Practical Classics and Lancaster Insurance raised £16,100 for Prostate Cancer UK through the sale of our VW camper van, restored last year and sold via Silverstone Auctions at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show at the NEC. But while Yvette Goodge from Lincolnshire was delighted to win the camper, the story was marred by a tragedy that brings home more than ever the important work done by Prostate Cancer UK. ‘The camper van was always something I’d wanted, and I was going to take my dad, Colin on antiques tours, as he loved antiques, but tragically he died two weeks after I got it,” said Yvette. ‘He’d been having injections to help cure prostate cancer, though he died peacefully. He was absolutely delighted I’d managed to get the camper when…

IN THE NEWS The man responsible for the demise of St Boswells station – along with many other stations and thousands of miles of railway lines – announces his resignation as chairman of the British Railways Board in December. Richard Beeching headss back to ICI after his two controversial reports calling for the culling of much of the BR network. AT THE FLICKS Michael Caine starts his ascent to stardom with Zulu, his first movie starring role. The film depicts the Battle of Rorke’s Drift between the British and the Zulus in 1879. Bit-part player Caine was up for the role of a Cockney private but the American director reckoned he looked more like an officer, so he put on a posher accent. IN THE CHARTS During a June gig…

TIME TO POUNCE ON A PUMA! I thought James Walshe’s Ford Puma articles were excellent (PC, Feb 2022). I’m with him about how good they are to drive. They just handle just so well. My own Puma is my pride and joy. I bought it new in 1999 and the mileage is now 37,297 and it’s kept in the garage. It is thought there are only 6000 examples left out of 50,000 UK cars sold and if you could find one, now is the time to pounce! Jeff Beynon, via email ED SAYS: Fords of this era are stunningly good to pilot. WINSTON’S AUSTIN I wonder if your readers could help me with my charity book project I am working on about Sir Winston Churchill. I want to get a…

‘I was spitting feathers and feeling old!’ Ah, finally, what better way to spend a few free new year hours than to catch up on some classic car reading with a big glass of Tizer and some monkey nuts before a roaring fire? Half an hour later found me spitting feathers and feeling very old. Firstly, I was captivated by a dealer ad for a Fifties Sussex-registered Wolseley, complete with original silver on black number plates including, it appeared, the ‘Ace’ makers badge. What a truly delightful vehicle. A proper car from a proper era with no namby pamby plastic bits. Hang on, what do I see prominent in the advert? ‘Transferable plate.’ Whaaaaatt? Is someone honestly promoting the fact that this vehicle of unrestrained joy could be bought and…

Suzuki Alto & Merc-Benz 220 Joe Willis supplied all the images this month. Who knows how many years Vanna’s Car Rentals & Sales in Paphos, Cyprus has been out of business, but there are no modern cars on show. Just this Suzuki and Mercedes-Benz W114/W115 out front. FSO Polonez Was Vanna’s formerly an FSO dealer? This white FSO Polonez still survives around the back of the building and is showing the same surface rust areas as most of the cars here. £50 STAR FIND Can you do better! Send your high-res images to practical.classics@bauermedia.co.uk Triumph Herald and FSO pick up Surviving relatively well indoors there’s an FSO Polonez pick-up, and in front a Triumph Herald looking out to sea. VW Golf MkI Fronting a batch of classics from the Seventies/Eighties;…

SAT FEB 19 Morris Leslie Classic Auctions, Errol Airfield, Perth. (01821 642574, morrisleslie.com) TUE FEB 22 Barons Auctions’ Winter Classic, Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey. (023 8066 8413, barons-auctions.com) WED MAR 2 Charterhouse Auctions, Haynes Motor Museum, Sparkford, Somerset. (01935 812277, charter-house-auction.com) SAT MAR 5 Silverstone Auctions’ Season Opener, RAF Hendon, London. (01926 691141, silver-stoneauctions.com) THU MAR 10 Dorset Vintage & Classic Auctions, The Old Gas Works, Stalbridge, Dorset. (01963 363353, dvca.co.uk) SAT MAR 12 Historics, Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire. (01753 639170, historics.co.uk) SAT MAR 12 Manor Park Classics’ sale, Runcorn Cheshire. (0161 697 5223, manorparkclassics.com) WED MAR 16 H&H Classics, Imperial War Museum, Duxford, Cambs. (01925 210035, handh.co.uk)…

1976 Triumph 2000TC Price: £6950 Nice-looking example with twin carbs and overdrive gearbox. Resprayed and recently treated to a new clutch and tyres. 1987 MG Maestro Price: £6000 Said to be the best of the 27 survivors. Restored with three new doors and a tailgate. £800 recently spent on a brand-new exhaust manifold! 1989 Audi 80 1.8 Price: £4750 Manual car with just 82,000 on the clock and two past owners – the last since 1993. Superbly straight body with no rust evident.…

PRODUCTION EDITOR 1972 Triumph 2000 Engine 2498cc/6-cyl/OHV Power 135bhp (est) Torque Enough Gearbox 4-speed man + o/d 0-60mph Unknown Top speed 114mph Fuel economy 25mpg Work done Cam and followers replaced; radiator removed and sent away for refurbishment. Also in Matt’s garage 1972 TRIUMPH TR6 Enjoying the odd run out when the weather allows. 2004 BMW 330D Recent MOT pass means that it is good to go for the next year or so. Having previously swapped the 2000’s cylinder head over for a TR6 version (PC, July 2021), I then ran the car around for a few months to get a feel for the difference that the new ‘head had (hopefully) made. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem to have provided the amount of extra pep that I’d been hoping for. Having…

PROJECTS EDITOR 1968 Austin Mini Countryman Engine 998cc/4-cyl/OHV Power 39bhp@5250rpm Torque 50lbft@2600rpm Gearbox 4-speed manual 0-60mph 22sec Top speed 82mph Fuel economy 60mpg Work done Revolved; subframe and fuel tank removed; underseal stripped from underside. Also in Matt’s garage 1960 MORRIS MINOR CONVERTIBLE A delight on crisp winter mornings. 1969 MORRIS MINOR TRAVELLER Tucked up in the dry. At last! Some meaningful progress on the Mini! Having spent a day some months ago beginning to mount the car on a rotisserie (PC, February 2022), Clive Jefferson made quick work of adding a couple of triangulating braces to the rear framework to finish the job. While Clive worked on the frame, I broke out the slide hammer and began working to reverse the light accident damage that the car had suffered…

So, last year was very busy; ignoring world domination by a microscopic menace and the separation anxiety of Europe being permanently cast aside by the UK, Mrs C and I embarked on our intrepid Eddventure into the mysterious world of YouTube. We all know better than to think a shiny new project will be anything like as easy to complete as it is to start but somehow you just can’t heed the good sense of your conscience, experience and better judgement or for that matter, the sageful advice or incredulity of those around you. And so, Workshop Diaries was born and we set out to bring you weekly videos following the slow progress down my endless to do list thanks to a plethora of projects. We are very lucky to…

NIGEL’S JOB CARD REPLACE YOUR BRAKE FLUID Regularly replacing brake fluid is a service essential as DOT 3 and DOT 4 fluids absorb water over time. This time, I’m flushing out the old fluid and replacing with new on a Reliant Scimitar. Equipped with a dual circuit hydraulic system plus disc brakes at the front and drums at the rear, this is typical of many Seventies classics and shows how to go about renewing the fluid on almost any classic car. It is a relatively straightforward process, provided that the system can be bled effectively. It helps to have an assistant to pump the brake pedal, though vacuum or pressure brake bleeding tools can make this a simple one person task. How tough? You’ll need: ► Jack and axle stands…