Table of contents for September 2016 in Practical Classics

Legislation and DVLA news FIVA SUPPORTS CHROME TRIOXIDE FIVA has agreed to overtly support the application by chromium trioxide producers to the European Chemicals Agency to allow the continued use of CT (for the purpose of chrome plating). LONDON EMISSION ZONE The London Mayor’s office has confirmed that classic vehicles will not be exempt from its new ‘T-charge’, which will apply to vehicles registered before 2005 entering the city centre from 2017. WRITE-OFF RESPONSIBILITIES Some motor policies now make it the right of the insurance company to decide when a vehicle will be written off and what will then be done with it. This is not likely to apply to a historic vehicle on a specialist policy…but owners should be aware. Owners of vehicles not yet suitable to go on…

Every year the Mitcham-based Buster Lang diner runs a classic meet at Sandown Park racecourse (this year’s is on August 13-14). Drawing on that event’s success, last September a breakfast club was set up on the last Sunday of each month, open to all classics. Organiser Steve Tripp said: ‘The meet runs all year round whatever the weather and there’s always a great turnout as it’s a very social gathering. Expect plenty of cars, bikes and scooters and plenty of tasty food in the diner – the meet is especially popular with owners of old American machinery.’ busterlang.co.uk…

Four hours from Calais in my Citroën CX and we were greeted by a dizzying array of classics from all over France, assembled in the historic town of Chinon, near Tours. The variety of cars was staggering – from MGBs to Dauphines, immaculate Triumphs, Porsches, Land Rovers, Audi Quattros and even a Metro 6R4. The well organised tour took us through beautiful rolling French countryside, ending with a friendly, fun-packed meal featuring some of the finest wine known to humanity. Top stuff.…

‘The Pontiac isn’t the only American car parked here’ A bit of posh Armstrong Siddeley made the most of its aero connections in the post-war years, naming a range of cars after Hawker Siddeley aircraft. It seemed to be in its pomp by 1955, but struggled even with smooth, powerful carriages like this 346 Sapphire and ceased car production in 1960. Ladder Landies What are these 107in Land Rover Series 1s doing here? Hard-top van bodies, ladders on the roofs and military registration numbers… RAF engineers checking the tower radar? Big, bonny, BEA bus This handsome one-and-a-half decker is an AEC Regal operated by London Transport for British European Airways. Passengers could check in at BEA’s Kensington Air Station in central London and board the coach for transit to Northolt…

MODERN DRIVERS – MODERN DANGERS John Simister’s Opinion column in the August PC struck a chord. I started my motoring at the age of 16 with a Bond Minicar. At the age of 17, I was insured to drive both my father’s company Morris 1800 and my mother’s Mini Traveller (which we still have) as well as my great aunt’s Rover P4 95 (which we also still have). Over the years I have driven a great many vehicles. I have always felt that the experience of driving such a variety has made me a better driver. Moderns are designed to be as easy as possible to drive but this can make modern drivers less sensitive to what is happening around them. You only have to observe people driving at high…

Standard 8 I saw this Standard 8 in Trinidad, Cuba. But I was so busy snapping it that I missed a Hillman Minx Mark IV coming past! Barry Adams, Finchampstead, Berks Peugeot 504 I recently spotted this in everyday use in Adelaide, Australia. A Peugeot 504 saloon. Note the different headlights. Raymond Winstanley, Rochdale Subaru Brat Spotted during an open day at Fawley Hill, near Henley-on-Thames. Long since on a SORN, it’s used around the estate. Mel Holley, Thorney, Cambs Chrysler Alpine Seen in Prague. I had a 1980 example some years ago. It was the most comfortable car I have ever ridden in… but it wouldn’t go around corners. Chris Baker, Taunton Fiat 500 Seen in Cagliari, Sardinia. Fiat 500s are fairly common but this Abarth was in a…

This restoration was selected for both the quality of the work and the ingenuity of the restorer in completing it. As well as appearing in Practical Classics it is also entered into Britain’s most prestigious car restoration competition, Restorer of the Year. The competition runs for 13 issues and includes each restoration story featured on the pages of this magazine in that time, at the end of which the best cars are chosen by you, the readers of Practical Classics. Watch this space for further information on Restorer of the Year.…

‘Have we tarnished the camarderie of over s classic car events?’ Brexit. How did that happen? Not, it seems, with much rational thought, judging by the Leave camp’s post-referendum backtracking, the vox-pops of people who seem to think that anyone with dark skin should be ejected, the Pandora’s box of the UK’s imminent break-up and fears that we will no longer be able to participate in European Cup football. As I write this, Boris Johnson has been made Foreign Secretary, even though we all thought his Leave campaign was actually part of a wider Boris-for-Prime-Minister project. So that hasn’t worked either, even while Jeremy Corbyn cowers behind a press spokeswoman who won’t let him speak for his political life. I know this magazine’s initials stand for Practical Classics rather than…

This incredible collection of pictures – taken by Jack Brands in the Netherlands – is owned by a family who opened a scrapyard business in central Netherlands in the Sixties, which was to later transform into a car museum. The idea was to have one part displaying restored cars, with the rest making a diorama of a Sixties scrapyard in another hall. Jack was lucky to take the photos on a club day of the Dutch Opel Club (in the background). The site has since been shut down by the local council and it now lies dormant. 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air This 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air is a less-common four-door sedan without the more familiar two-tone paintwork. The chrome work is believed to be original, which would explain why it…

THU AUG 18 Brightwells’ Modern Classics sale, Easters Court, Leominster, Herefordshire. (01568 611122, brightwells.com) SAT AUG 20 Historics at Brooklands, Brooklands Museum, Weybridge, Surrey (01753 639170, historics.co.uk) WED AUG 24 Essex Classic Car Auctions, Crowne Plaza Resort, Maldon (01702 416153, essex classiccarauctions.co.uk) SAT AUG 27 Anglia Car Auctions, The Cattlemarket, King’s Lynn, Norfolk (01553 771881, angliacarauctions.co.uk) 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, Hants (020 7468 5801, bonhams.com/cars) 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)…

1954 180bhp XK140 brings more cabin space, thicker bumpers plus rack-and-pinion steering and indicators. The FHC is six inches longer than before and the roof is an inch higher to provide space for 2+2 seating. 1955 SE gets 210bhp thanks to the fitment of a C-type cylinder head. Overdrive is now optional on cars with a 3.54:1 or 4.09:1 differential. 1957 XK150 replaces the XK140, with 190bhp for the regular model and 250bhp in S form. Single-piece windscreen servo-assisted disc brakes all round and a broader grille. Most XK150s came in 210bhp SE form. 1959 Power is up to 220bhp, while the uprated S now has 265bhp.…

Skillshack with Practical Classics is the best way to learn restoration and maintenance skills and now it has added a new course: rust prevention. Just like you, we are currently getting stuck into the summer season. Driving to shows, enjoying the B roads and fixing stuff. We are also noting where we might need to focus over winter… and that means bodywork. Just in time, we have finished filming this course on how to beat rust with Ian Allen from Rustbuster. In it, we show you how to treat and prevent rust on your classic: taking you through the stages you’ll need to master to ensure a rust-free car and worry-free motoring for years to come. We think it’s our most useful course yet. For more information on this and…

2004 Izh Oda 1.7S Engine 1699cc/4-cyl/OHC Power 85bhp@5000rpm Torque 98lb ft@3000rpm Gearbox 5-speed manual 0-60mph 15sec Top speed 102mph Fuel economy 34mpg Work done Steering rack stripped, dizzy rebuilt, new exhaust fitted. Also in Ed’s garage 1964 WARTBURG 31 Rebuilt engine and gearbox are waiting to go in. 1972 MOSKVICH 427 Built-from-scrap engine is still running beautifully after racking up 5000 miles. Fellow Eastern Bloc obsessive Julian Nowill and I have successfully driven the Sam Glover-sourced Izh Oda 1.7S (Standard) back from Moscow. Now in Devon, the Oda gets a rigorous inspection in true Practical Classics fashion. The first job was urgent: a steering boot had torn shortly before leaving Moscow, so the rack had to come off for stripping and cleaning. After removing the engine undertray – made of…

1 Sealing the deal Wellseal applied with paintbrush to ensure a good seal with the liners. 2 About face Wellseal on the liners’ seal faces. They must be in good condition. 3 Sinking the pots Carefully lowering a pair of liners into the block, complete with their Fo8 copper seals. 4 Playing it straight Tapping straight edge to align the alloy block with the main block before front engine plate fitting. 5 Blade runner The Wellseal-soaked cork gaskets being carefully trimmed to size. 6 Time for torquing Torquing up the conrod bolts. The washer lock tabs are not yet folded.…

1949 Morris Minor ‘Lowlight’ Engine 918cc/4-cyl/SV Power 29.5bhp@4400rpm Torque 37lb ft@2400rpm Gearbox 4-speed manual 0-50mph 36.5sec Top speed 62mph Fuel economy 36mpg Work done Shell stripped bare, prepared and painted. ‘The depth of shine increased with each coat’ Some fantastic progress has been made in the past month with the MMOC’s celebration car, a 1949 Lowlight. MMOC members have invaded the Practical Classics Workshop once again. A productive day was spent stripping down all the front suspension and resting the shell on a dolly ready for it to be prepared for paint. With the car as a bare shell, it took a bit of improvisation to compress the torsion bars to allow them to be removed. With this done, we set about much sanding and filling. We primed the bodyshell…

‘Just don’t break it,’ said Tom Morris as he thrust me the keys to his Morris Minor convertible. Moments later, dipping the clutch brought a loud twang. We drove the last few miles to our Belgian campsite without stopping. The clutch linkage had escaped from its pivot on the chassis leg. The bush and its holder were worn to destruction. Fortunately, we had a polyurethane bush in the boot. A tickle with a hammer and reversing it 180 ° saw the metal holder restored to serviceable condition. We were soon back up and running. What would a holiday be without a breakdown, anyway?…

DIFFICULTY RATING TIME MONEY Side-skirts These are easily damaged. Take care when jacking or lifting on a ramp. You will need Trolley jack, axle stands, oil pan, metric spanners and socket set, screwdrivers, soft-faced hammer, oil can, brake cleaner, locking wheelnut socket. Key fob Renew the battery at least every couple of years. It’s a button-type CR2032. Press the fob’s buttons a few times to discharge the circuit board after removing the old battery. Wheel alignment If tyre wear is uneven (particularly at the rear) look for play in bushes and suspension components. If you don’t find any, have the ‘four wheel alignment’ checked. As the new millennium dawned, the technical chaps at MG Rover were working on sporty versions of the Rover 25, 45 and 75. The resulting MG…

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…

I visited the BCC brakes factory in Redruth. They are using CAD and robotic technology to create brand new brake calipers for classic cars. I spent a day at Bromsgrove Engine Services and had a go on their crankshaft grinding machine… it was my favourite hour of the whole month. Therapy! The Luton Festival of Transport was excellent and gave me the opprtunity to take my Cav MkI to the big tree at Luton Hoo where Vauxhall took press shots. Jeremy Thomson, MD of Mazda UK, at Goodwood on the Mazda heritage driving day. Mazda have just invested in a heritage fleet and this is their RX-3. The challenge… to buy a 25 year-old classic that actually works for £100. After two weeks of missing out I spent £102 on…

Radio Panda A Fiat Panda was the star of a recent BBC Radio 4 programme about women and cars. The show, presented by Jane Garvey and Suzie Perry, was recorded as the pair drove around Central London in the MkI model, loaned to them by the Fiat Motor Club GB. Bottom Gear can be heard on the BBC iPlayer from August 27, 2016 RIP Saab The Saab name has officially died, after recent plans to use it on a new 9-3 based electric vehicle were eventually canned. Chinese consortium National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS) bought the Saab factory and other assets in 2012 but after lengthy discussion, it was decided the new car will be badged ‘NEVS.’ Celsus PC prize winner Celsus UK has announced that PC reader Jeff Allison…

Stuart Battersby from the Ford Sidevalve Owners’ Club has been in touch to see if PC readers know anything about a Prefect special that recently cropped up for sale in California. Stuart says: ‘The listing gave away very little other than the car is a 1951 roadster in need of restoration. The front is an E494A Prefect but the doors and back are a puzzle – we’d love to know more about a car that appears to have been built professionally – but by whom?’…

IN THE NEWS Winston Churchill resigns as Prime Minister due to ill health in April and is replaced by Anthony Eden. Stirling Moss becomes the first English winner of the British Grand Prix at Aintree in July. Earlier, in January, the UK’s first atomic bomber unit is formed – 138 Squadron flying Vickers Valiants from RAF Gaydon in Warwickshire. Whatever happened to that site? AT THE FLICKS When a star as bright as James Dean arrives – and then is suddenly extinguished – it dominates the movie memories from the year. Both East of Eden and Rebel Without a Cause came out this year while Dean was busy completing Giant , released posthumously in 1956. Some superb Dean-free films…

Don’t stop being silly moos I have been meaning to write for a month or two – just to say how stupendously wonderful the magazine is! The latest changes have enhanced what was already a great product, and can only further secure Practical Classics’ position at the head of its field. Hearty congratulations to all involved. I particularly like the thread of humour that runs through the magazine. It is a mistake to take oneself too seriously. This was one of my founding precepts and the attached image from the May 1983 issue is (literally) an illustration of this. At that time the magazine was produced using paste-ups on boards, and our designer Paul Sanderson (also a fine writer and a Wolseley-owning, cartoon-drawing stalwart of the team) added what you…

With a typical British Spring day of light rain, I try to take Vince’s suggestion that driving over 30mph will keep me dry with the top down. Once inside – don’t lean on the windscreen frame getting in – the Spitfire is cosy, but not cramped. Vince has already told me the clutch is heavy but the gearchange is beautifully smooth and very positive – there’s no hunting around for the next gear. The engine really wakes up above 3000rpm and the performance feels greater than I’d expect from such a small powerplant. The brakes are decent and the steering very accurate, with that tight turning circle so typical of this period of small Triumph. It’s a compelling blend of old and new, Vince has clearly succeeded in building a…

‘We were pulled over and issued three dubious speeding fines at once’ We were driving to Belarus in a Polish ambulance. Two days previously, we’d been driving to Belarus in a British Moskvich 412, but head gasket failure had halted progress. We were in a hurry to get to Retro Minsk – Belarus’s flagship classic car rally. On a bank holiday weekend in Poland, it’s easier to buy an FSO ambulance than a Moskvich gasket set. Crossing the Belarusian border took five hours. No guidance was offered for the uninitiated, but we muddled along by copying people who looked like they knew what they were doing. Forms had to be filled in and poked through windows, where they’d be scowled at for long periods by surly officials. It turned nasty…

‘I raised my hand… and so did about 30 other people’ More modern not-quite-classics often go for a song at classic sales, so when I spotted a 1999 Saab 9-3 Turbo Convertible coming up at one recently I put my buying shirt on. Great history, allegedly never used in the rain, and best of all in bright yellow. If I could get it bought at the lower end of its £2000-£3000 estimate then this would make a cracking new ‘daily’. I do like to travel Swedish class and can’t get on with much built after the millennium. Research showed the big 9-3 issues are cracked bulkheads and scuttle shake. This one’s was crack-free and had also been fitted with a strut brace by one of its two previous owners. More…

1982 Triumph TR7 convertible Price: £1200 Rust-free ‘garage find , dry-stored since 1998. Has only covered 54,000 miles. Includes new battery and refurbished alloy wheels. 1988 Volkswagen Scirocco GT Price: £2950 Unmolested original car in lovely condition. Comes with full service history back to the original sales invoice and factory Blaupunkt stereo. 1980 Rover SD1 V8-S Price: £2600 Very rare V8-S model. Has recently been MoT’d after ten years off the road. Much work done but more needed to finish the project.…

Ian Mills and Harry Rochez work for Twyford Moors, which works only on Jaguars. Harry told PC: ‘Virtually all of our work is on XKs. We offer routine maintenance and upgrades through to partial and complete restorations.’ Ian adds: ‘We also sell cars and can source XKs too; we have lots of customers looking for a particular XK and we do our best to match buyers with sellers.’ CLUBS & SPECIALISTS Jaguar Drivers’ Club, jaguardriver.co.uk Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club, jec.org.uk XK Club, xkclub. Twyford Moors, Hants. 02392 570900, jagxk.com Classic Motor Cars, Shropshire. 01746 765804, classic-motor-cars.co.uk/contact/ Coventry Auto Components, Coventry. 02476 471217, xkparts.com Guy Broad, Coventry. 01676 541980, guybroad.co.uk Leaping Cats Limited, Coventry. 02476 313139, leapingcats.co.uk SNG Barratt, Shropshire. 01746 765432, sngbarratt.com…

MG ZT-T 190 Engine 2497cc/V6/DOHC Power 187bhp@6500rpm Torque 181lb ft@4000rpm Gearbox 5-speed manual 0-60mph 8.2sec Top speed 136mph Fuel economy 28mpg Work done Bought. Found to be dangerous. Legal battle. Also in Danny’s garage 1950 RILEY RMA The restoration begins. 1956 RILEY PATHFINDER We need to find a donor car. 1970 INTERCEPTOR BCC brakes being made. Automec brake lines ready. This is a slightly embarrassing tale of woe that starts back in September 2015. All I wanted was an estate car with a bit of character, something swift and spacious… and classic. I found an MG ZT-T 190 online at a dealer’s in Telford that seemed to fit the bill. It was up for £890. The advert stated ‘Runs and drives well, ideal workhorse,’ it also said ‘has cosmetic defects’.…

1916 Ford Model T Engine 2897cc/4-cyl/SV Power 22.5bhp@1600rpm Torque 82lb ft@900rpm Transmission 2-speed epicyclic gearbox Top speed 45mph 0-60mph Depends on the hill Fuel economy 20mpg Colour Black Story so far Richard Skinner of Tudor Wheels and Practical Classics are restoring this 1916 car in its centenary year. Saved from a scrapyard in Colarado, it will live again 100 years on at the 50th Beaulieu International Autojumble on September 2-3. The clock is ticking, it’s got to be ready to assemble, we will have it running on the PC magazine stand at the event… hopefully! ‘The T was exactly 100 years old in June 2016’ Henry Ford had build time down to 93 minutes… but on a Model T restoration such as this we might need a bit more time.…

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 Front wheel bearings replaced, new discs and refurbished calipers fitted, oil pressure gauge fitted. Also in Matt’s garage 1971 VW KARMANN GHIA I’m looking forward to some fun in the sun this summer. 1994 FORD MONDEO 1.8 GLX Still munching the miles… not much more to say really! ‘The old brake fluid spurted out and was brown in the extreme’ Neat Used brake backing plates were made good with a wire brush and some satin black. MkII Triumph 2000/2500s have decent brakes from the factory, but given how much the amount of power available under the bonnet of my own car has increased over the…

1988 Citroën CX 25 GTi Turbo 2 Engine 2500cc/4-cyl/OHC Power 168bhp@5700rpm Torque 217lb ft@3250rpm Gearbox 4-speed manual 0-60mph 7.8sec Top speed 137mph Work done Demolition. In James’ garage 1983 AUSTIN AMBASSADOR Time to fire up the beast for the first time in 25 years. 1997 CITROËN XANTIA ACTIVA The fastest B-road saloon ever… is broken. ‘I was able to see how rotten the car was. It was a bit scary’ What’s better? Hanging onto a rusting old hulk in the hope you might possibly find the time to save it, or breaking it up into little pieces so that others may benefit by picking through the carcass? Surely it’s selfish to cling onto a car that’s only going to get worse. Are you really going to get time to finish…

Jaguar has traditionally made do with very few engines. First came the XK in 1948, then the V12 in 1971 and then the AJ6 in 1983. It’s actually a slant-six, with cylinders leaning at 15 degrees. It appeared in the XJ-S before gracing the new XJ40 saloon in 1986. The AJ6 debuted in 3.6-litre DOHC 24-valve and 2.9-litre SOHC 12-valve guises The latter's cylinderhead was close in design to the High Efficiency V12 The bore spacing was the same as the V12 to allow this. These were replaced in 1989 by a 3.2-litre and a 4 0-litre, both DOHC. Changes in emissions standards and a quest for more power led to the AJ16 in 1994 The capacities stayed the same but very little is interchangeable thanks to new castings, updated…

DIFFICULTY RATING TIME MONEY You will need Basic tool kit, inspection lamp. Rattling? Check the spherical pivot of the gearshift lever if there’s rattling or buzzing on the move. Lever position Adjusting the length of the gearchange rods or cables will alter an awkwardly-positioned gearlever. Ensure it’s correctly assembled before making major adjustments, though. Bush lubrication Nylon or bronze bushes will benefit from regular lubrication with oil or grease to limit wear and repel water. Never oil rubber bushes. Have you ever removed a gearbox and tried to operate its gearshift mechanism directly? It’s quite hard to move due to its strong detent springs, but it has a precise, clunky and very satisfying action. Why, then, do so many classics have a gearchange that, from the driver’s seat, is rubbery,…

After months of wrangling and false electric dawns, SAAB is finally dead. It’s tough to come to terms with to be honest. The Swedish car builder was always proof, in my book, that whatever the price, quality and design would always win in the end. Shows how much I know. Production lines moved to China last year and now the name is gone. Shame on us for not buying more of them. The Chinese are knocking them out cheaply by not paying their workers properly and using less expensive materials. If that’s what globalisation means then give me a closed market and civilised trading conditions. I’m bored of the great independent marques being sold off and corporatised. This glorious advert made the 18 year-old me want a 9000 Carlsson Special…

Classic British Car Electrical Systems £40 ISBN 978-1-845849-48-1 This book should never let you down when it comes to getting your head around old car electrics. It simplifies even complex concepts and should be the go-to-guide for electrical work on your car. veloce.co.uk How to Paint Classic Cars £25 ISBN 78-2-845849 -49-80 Martin Thaddeus knows his stuff. While a lot of it is too advanced for most home users, there’s nothing here you can’t do at home. Martin’s an excellent tutor, too. veloce.co.uk How to restore Triumph TR2, 3, 3A, 4 & 4A £45 ISBN 978-1-845849-47-4 Not only restoration tips but how to choose your TR, from desirable options through to places to inspect. Roger Williams tackles everything from engine to trim. Well laid out and simple to understand… a…

FRI-SUN, AUG 12-14 BERKS Retro Festival at Newbury Showground, RG18 9QZ (retrofestival.co.uk). S AT, AUG 13 CAMBS Maxey Classic Car Show, Maxey, PE6 9EB (maxeycarshow.wordpress.com). SAT-SUN, AUG 13-14 SURREY American car show at Sandown Park Racecourse, KT10 9AJ (busterlang.co.uk). SUN, AUG 14 GLOS Prescott Revival at Prescott Hillclimb, GL52 9RD (prescottrevival.net). LANCS Classic Car & Motorcycle Show at Hoghton Tower, PR5 0SH (classicshows.org). WARKS BMW Festival at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon, CV35 0BJ (britishmotormuseum.co.uk). BERKS West Berkshire Classic Vehicle Club Annual Show, Newbury College, RG14 7TD (classicvehicles.org.ukclassicvehicles.org.uk). SURREY Classic car show and autojumble at Cranleigh Showground, RH12 9QG (cranleighlions.org.uk). NORTHANTS Mini in the Park at Santa Pod Raceway, NN29 7XA (minishow.co.uk). CO. DURHAM Raby Castle Classic Show, DL2 3AH (markwoodwardclassicevents.commarkwoodwardclassicevents.com). LANCS Classic car show at the British Commercial Vehicle…

‘I imported from Texas – it was a wreck’ 1959 Porsche 356A Jeremy Gibson, Axebridge I've uprated my classic 356 in order to make it better to drive on modern roads.I actually use the car a lot – including abroad – and wanted it to be useable. It now has dual circuit brakes, independent shock absorbers and electronic ignition. I can drive it with much more confidence now. I imported it from Texas six years ago. It was a bit of a wreck but I had it restored and resprayed. It's been well worth all the time and expense! ‘It was in bits in a German barn’ 1967 Citroën Ami 6 Break Ragnar Ragnarson, Bedford I found this Ami 6 in bits and scattered across a barn owned by a…

How easy is it to own and run a classic Porsche? I have a 911 3.2, which is superb to drive. However its really not easy on the wallet. If you are good with spanners you can save quite a bit, otherwise you should budget for at least £3000 per year. Angus Barrie So far I have found it not any more expensive running one from some other more mainstream sportier cars I have owned. The most costly items are trim parts. So make sure nobody damages or scratches them. Roddy Robertson I bought a 928 S4 and enjoyed it – until it went wrong. I tried to do the work myself but ended up taking it to a specialist. My wife was furious at the cost and we ended…

1 OCTOBER 2014 Man’s best friend Vince’s first job following the strip down was removing the many layers of old paint, the discovery of a painting of a cartoon dog on the bonnet lead to the Spitfire’s new nickname ‘Snoopy.’ 2 NOVEMBER 2014 Hidden rot It soon became apparent the Triumph required major work, although the floor sections had looked solid they were rotten around the edges – the entire floor was replaced. 3 DECEMBER 2014 Skip it The Spitfire had all these areas of rot replaced with new metal, much of this rust was hidden under paint and filler when Vince bought the car. 4 DECEMBER 2014 Sill crazy Here’s the nearside inner and outer sills being replaced, almost everywhere that two panels joined there was rust, which Paul…

‘We won the war and we don’t want no Europe. Still, it might stop another war’ It was clearly well worth me squandering my luncheon vouchers for the biggest and best mixed grill the Golden Egg caff could rustle up. My elbows stick to the Formica table only slightly as I admire the traffic through a window so encrusted with grime that it looks like dusk outside. Splashing past Brentford Nylons opposite is a Ford Anglia with a vast number of holes in its sills, followed by a three-year-old Hillman Hunter sporting red oxide on its front wing tips. A Leyland National bus in drab green clatters, wheezes and smokes at its stop. A BMC 1100 – aged nine – slumps on its haunches with a collapsed subframe. Wow, that…

This restoration was selected for both the quality of the work and the ingenuity of the restorer in completing it. As well as appearing in Practical Classics it is also entered into Britain’s most prestigious car restoration competition, Restorer of the Year. The annual competition runs for 13 issues and includes each and every readers restoration story featured on the pages of this magazine in that time, at the end of which the best cars are chosen by you, the readers of Practical Classics. Watch this space for further information on Restorer of the Year 2017.…

SRN4 ‘Mountbatten’ Engine 4 x 3.800 shp Rolls-Royce ‘Proteus’ Gas turbines Power 15,200bhp Top speed 83 knots/ph Economy 520 gall/ph Cost (1964) £1.5 million Value Priceless! Britain has come up with some intriguing solutions i n the pursuit of ride excellence. From Mini to Silver Shadow, engineers have experimented and explored – all so that our bottoms might be cushioned on a bed of air, fluid, or in some cases nitrogen. In the spirit of that brand of innovation, the hovercraft is one of the greatest British post-war inventions.To pay homage we take six of the best British-built (yes, including the Citroën) air and fluid-sprung cars to the Hovercraft Museum in Lee-on-the-Solent in Hampshire. But which will be worthy of a trip aboard a British Rail Seaspeed vessel? ‘The Allegro…

1948 The XK120 debuts, and wins hearts, at the Earls Court motor show in October. 1950 Taken aback by demand, Jaguar moves to steel panelling after 242 have been made using aluminium panels. 1951 FHC production starts. Special Equipment option offers high-lift camshaft, lightened flywheel, high-compression pistons, stiffer torsion bars and rear leaf springs. Power up from 160bhp to 180bhp. 1953 The Drophead Coupé arrives. It has such mod cons as winding windows and a lined hood for improved refinement when cruising at higher speeds.…

The good news is that just about everything you need to revive an XKis readily available. Leaping Cats can supply a full range of panels and even a new bodyshell – for £44,000-£59,000 depending on model. As always, go for the best XK you can afford because restoration costs are steep. Rising XK values in recent years mean sinking significant sums of money into maintaining and restoring rough examples still makes financial sense. Upgrades may offend marque purists, but as Twyford Moors’ Ian Mills points out, finding buyers for a completely standard car can be difficult; just about any upgrade will add to a car’s value and make it easier to sell. Electronic ignition, a Revotec electric fan and an alternator conversion are popular upgrades and don’t have to be…

1969 Morris Minor Traveller Engine 1098cc/4-cyl/OHV Power 37bhp@4750rpm Torque 50lbft@2500rpm Gearbox 4-speed manual 0-60mph 32.6sec Top speed 76mph Fuel economy 45mpg Work done Serviced, brakes adjusted, then driven and enjoyed. Also in Matt’s garage 1960 MORRIS MINOR CONVERTIBLE Welding work is getting there. 1970 MORRIS MINOR SALOON Sat neglected, making me feel bad for ignoring it. 1979 TRIUMPH DOLOMITE 1850 Will it make winter warmers 2017? 1992 EUNOS ROADSTER Owned for a year now, considering a swap for another classic daily. 1992 MINI MAYFAIR I’ll get on to this one… eventually. ‘Join a club and meet like-minded people… it will change your life’ What do you do once you’re restored a car? Sit and admire it? Take it to shows? Sell it once the challenge of the project is over?…

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 liners, pistons and head gasket to the GT’s engine, Also in Gary’s garage 1980 SAAB 99 TURBO Ex-factory press car currently awaiting a full restoration. ‘I was feeling some pressure to get the build right’ Top TR The GT uses a TR3 unit. Rebuilding a wet liner engine calls for some different methods. Last month, I showed how the rear oil seal conversion kit was fitted successfully. With that done, I could concentrate on fitting the wet liners, pistons and ultimately the cylinder head. I’ve never rebuilt a wet liner engine before but am familiar with Triumph’s other four- and six-cylinder engines. Upgrading the…

1972 Triumph GT6 MkIII Engine 1998cc/6-cyl/OHV Power 98bhp@5300rpm Torque 108lb ft@3000rpm Gearbox 4-spd manual + o/d 0-60mph 10.1sec Top speed 112mph Fuel economy 27mpg Work done Exhaust system repaired and new band clamps fitted. Scimitar steering pull fixed. Also in Nigel’s garage 1970 TRIUMPH TR6 Failing rear hub bearing replaced – full tech feature in a forthcoming issue. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve had to pull the GT6’s exhaust off to carry out one job or another over the past 12 months. Re-bushing the suspension, rebuilding the engine, fitting a new differential – I’ve had to remove the exhaust every time. There’s only so much abuse that even a good quality stainless system like mine can take so it was no surprise that all that waggling…

1945 Austin 16 Engine 2199cc/4-cyl/OHV Power 64bhp@3800rpm Torque 108lb ft@3000rpm Gearbox 4-speed manual Top speed 75mph 0-50mph 18.3sec Fuel economy 22mpg Work done Discovered, purchased, extracted and assessed. Also in Guy’s garage 1953 MORGAN +4 A London Motor Show car, this interim cowl model is the family classic tourer. 1955 ROVER P4 75 Bought to be prepared and refreshed, as the goal is a Mille Miglia entry. 1958 JAGUAR MKI Rejuvenated back in 2015, now being used and enjoyed. 1963 OGLE SX 1000 Ex-USA racing car, with Sebring history. Thought to be the car Sir John Whitmore toured the USA in. 1966 AH ‘FROGEYE’ SPRITE Owned since 1990. Has racked up lots of miles over the years, many competing at the Manx Classix and the Prom Sprint. Buried Don’t rush…

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 WEEKEND TINKERER 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, AF spanners and socket set, various screwdrivers, rubber grease, copper grease. Safe support Jack the side you’re working on beneath the wishbone spring pan. Support it on an axle stand beneath a sturdy part of the underbody structure. Bump-stops Make sure the rubber bump-stops beneath each shock absorber arm are in good condition. New replacements are available for around £2 apiece. Torque setting In theory, the three securing bolts should be tightened to 30lb ft. In practice, it’s impossible to access them with a torque wrench. Tighten firmly with a ring spanner. The Austin A30, A35 and A40 Farina, the Austin-Healey Sprite and the MG Midget share the same front suspension. At the heart of the system is a…

DIFFICULTY RATING TIME MONEY Ongoing adjustment The car’s balance will alter as you add or remove components. Readjust it accordingly as you work. Lock in place Always lock the height and balance adjuster pinch bolts before you start work. You will need Welder; angle grinder; chop saw, hacksaw or plasma cutter; electric drill; step drill; measuring and marking out tools. Set length Slide the lower connecting tube to the correct position. Don’t forget to lock it with its pinch bolts. In the August 2016 issue of PC we showed you how to make a sturdy rotisserie capable of supporting a wide range of classics. Now, we’ll demonstrate how to safely attach your car, lift it safely and balance it to perfection. We’re using our own rotisserie, but the principles involved…