Table of contents for July 2019 in Practical Classics

Classic shows are in trouble. Lack of volunteers is the biggest problem, but the age of most organizing committees is also an issue. The most recent casualty was in Scotland, and the official announcement says it all: ‘It is with deep regret that, after 27 years, the Selkirk Rally Committee announce that the 2019 Selkirk Rally will be the last Selkirk Rally. The majority of the committee wish to retire at the end of this year and despite attempts to recruit new committee members to continue the rally, this has proved to be an impossible task.’ It’s tragic for local enthusiasts, but it is not an isolated case. ‘A lack of volunteers is the biggest problem’ We are hearing of other events that are under threat or not happening through…

On May 14, the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs presented it’s 2019 National Cost of Ownership Survey at the Palace of Westminster. Part One, Attitudes and Behaviours, was based upon a survey of the general British population. It showed a growing national interest in historic vehicles, from 16 per cent in 2016 to 19 per cent in 2018. The survey also showed that younger people are the most likely to want to own a classic car, but over 55s are the most likely to agree that historic vehicles are part of the country’s heritage and it’s important to maintain them. When it came to attitudes towards historic vehicle originality, younger people were less likely to agree that historic vehicles should be maintained in as original condition as possible, but…

In a trend that is seeing more and more collaborations between owners clubs, Swedish Day brings together both Saab and Volvo fans for a weekend geared to ‘those who love Sweden and Swedish ideas’. Brainchild of John Green and Robin Mosely, it has been running for the past twelve years and was this year set in the stunning grounds of Haselbury Mill, Somerset. ‘This is not a show and shine event’ says John. ‘It’s more about just coming along to celebrate innovative Swedish engineering and design, whether you’re into cars or not.’ The next one takes place on May 10, 2020, venue TBC.…

The early to mid-Seventies are littered with victims of the era’s political chaos and ‘Project Diana’ was right there in the thick of it. The second-generation Capri was a brilliant car stifled by the effects of fuel rationing, which for once made a 1.3-litre model more appealing than the grunty new 3.0-litre Ghia model. Sales soon picked up though with a nod of approval from buyers who appreciated the fresh new styling. Related visually to its predecessor and with mechanical similarities, the Capri II featured a larger body and a tailgate – making it Ford’s first hatchback. The car also got a completely redesigned interior with a range of funky Seventies trim colours to match the exterior paint options such as ‘Purple Velvet’ and ‘Signal Orange’. Another cunning ad campaign,…

IN THE NEWS While we may be trying to sever certain European links at the moment, the first land connection between the UK and the continent for about 8000 years was made in December, when British and French Channel Tunnel workers broke through to each other 40 metres under the English Channel. AT THE FLICKS Julia Roberts became a star following the mega-successful Pretty Woman, the rom-com in which her heart-of-gold hooker character taught businessman Richard Gere how to drive a manual Lotus Esprit. Sequels also did well at the box office, with Back to the Future III and Die Hard 2 both top 10 hits. Yippee-ki-yay… IN THE CHARTS Elton John belatedly got his first ever solo UK number one hit with Sacrifice/Healing Hands during the summer, while an…

1968 Triumph TR5 Paul paid £750 for the TR in 1976. He restored it in 1984 and, despite regular use since, it remains very smart. 1969 Triumph 2.5PI MkI Paul and Ross bought this rusty Mk1 in late 2018. The engine has been machined and they are now about to strip the body, ready for Ross to get welding again. Completion is estimated for Christmas 2019. 1973 Triumph 2.5PI The Carmine Red car arrived in 2013 as a stalled project, with just 11,000 miles from new. Ross and Paul have this one up and running again. 1972 Austin 1300GT This one is now waiting for Ross to restore it. Paul also has a pair of MG 1100s awaiting restoration… 1962 Jaguar Mk2 3.8 Paul bought his Mk2 as a project…

My dad had a thing for the Triumph Herald. I also remember a Vauxhall Viva HA saloon, Morris 1800 Landcrab, Vauxhall VX 4/90… one of my favourites was his Ford Granada estate. Happy memories all round. Ian Harbour 1956 Austin A35, 1962 Morris 1100, Ford Zephyr 6 MkIII and a Singer Gazelle estate – replaced by a Ford Anglia 1200 Super for mum… Andrew Hall The Rover 2600 that I can remember towing the caravan from Holland to France. I was able to buy my own EFi Vanden Plas 20 years later so I can enjoy all those memories again. Oscar Bakker Volvos and Saabs were the order of the day in my household. Best of the lot was a burgundy 1985 Saab 900 T16. Andrew Sloan Dad had a…

H Bauer Publishing, Academic House, 24-28 Oval Rd, London NW1 7DT Email: practicalclassics@bauermedia.co.uk. Editorial Phone 01733 468000 Editor Danny Hopkins Deputy editor James Walshe Art director Lisamarie Johnson Production editor Matt George Technical editor Sam Glover Projects editor Matt Tomkins Designers Rachael Bambrough, Grace Bloye, Chelsea Nelms, Karen Warren Editorial assistant Pam Webster Contributors Richard Bremner, Craig Cheetham, Nigel Clark, Richard Dredge, Theo Ford-Sagers, Theo Gillam, Matt Howell, Ed Hughes, Jonathan Jacob, Nick Larkin, John Simister, Russ Smith, Gary Stretton, Ian Tisdale To advertise in PC call: 01733 468315 and ask to speak to Qasim Nasib Group commercial director Nicky Holt Account manager Qasim Nasib Marketing Phone 01733 468000 Marketing manager Rachael Beesley Marketing executive Chanel Brown Digital marketing assistant Lewis Plumb Head of newstrade marketing Leon Benoiton Production Phone…

Five simple words could have a profound impact on the future of the classic car movement – and should be uttered much more. ‘Have a sit in it!’ This simple fact seized me after experiencing the joys of two contrasting classics during the recent British Marques Day at Brooklands. In the window of a gloriously-original Austin A35 was a simple, handwritten invite. ‘Welcome all to sit inside and enjoy the ride, J xx.’ Well done J, whoever you are! I was seized by a flashback to 1976 when a nice lady neighbour answered my questions about a vehicle I deeply loved, her immaculate Speedwell Blue Austin A35, rarely seen out of the garage, The driver’s door was opened for me. I remember plonking myself down inside and savouring the joy…

Jaguar MkIX Another random selection of rusty relics via Jack Brands – this month spotted all over Europe! Here, a Jag MkIX sits trapped in a partially-collapsed barn in Dorset. 1929 Ford Model A Fordor Here we have the oldest car in the collection – a Ford Model A Fordor found in an unknown location inthe Netherlands. Incredibly dating back to 1929, it is still looking quite sturdy today. Could it be saved? Chevrolet Corvair At the same resting place as the Ford Model A, this is a Sixties-era Chevrolet Corvair that is disappearing into the undergrowth. It could provide some useful parts, at the very least. Roundabout of rust… Before and after shots of the clear-up process on a roundabout in Holland, which appears to be an art project…

S AT JUN 15 Anglia Car Auctions’ classic sale, The Cattlemarket, King’s Lynn, Norfolk. (01553 771881, angliacarauctions.co.uk ) WED JUN 19 H&H Classics, Imperial War Museum, Duxford, Cambs. (01925 210035, handh.co.uk) SUN JUN 23 Charterhouse Auctions, Bath & West, Shepton Mallet, Somerset. (01935 812277, charterhouseauction.com ) WED JUN 26 Brightwells’ Classic & Vintage, Bicester Heritage, Bicester, Oxfordshire. (01568 611122, bright-wells.com ) FRI JUL 5 Bonhams’ Goodwood Festival of Speed sale, Goodwood House, Chichester, West Sussex. (020 7468 5801, bonhams.com) WED JUL 10 Brightwells’ Classic & Vintage, Easters Court, Leominster, Herefordshire. (01568 611122, brightwells.com) THU JUL 11 Dorset Vintage & Classic Auctions, Henstridge Airfield, Henstridge, Somerset. (10963 363353, dvca.co.uk) S AT JUL 13 Historics at Brooklands, Brooklands Museum, Weybridge, Surrey. (01753 639170, historics.co.uk)…

1973 Wolseley Six Engine 2227cc/6 cyl/OHC Power 110bhp@5250rpm Torque 125lb ft@2500rpm Gearbox 4-speed manual 0-60mph 13.1sec Top speed 108mph Fuel economy 22mpg Work done Suspension rebuilt; inner sill fixed; polished and serviced. Also in Danny’s garage 1950 RILEY RMA Engine runs beautifully. 1956 RILEY PATHFINDER Engine away at Formhalls. 1971 JENSEN INTERCEPTOR Paperwork with the DVLA. 1972 TRIUMPH 2000 Front line car for a week. 1980 TRIUMPH TR7 Aquajet tyres sent for tests. 1987 MAZDA 626 COUPÉ I still own this car. 1997 SAAB 900S My new daily driver. 2004 LR FREELANDER New tyres ordered. Ridiculous, illogical, nostalgia is a major reason why many of us are obsessed with our classics. The motoring experiences of youth are a powerful tonic. With me, my dad’s Seventies cars (Cortina MkIs, followed by…

The Practical Classics team hits the road this month and you are invited along for the ride. Each stage of the official route has been revealed for the tour of Britain’s top ten classic car clubs between June 24 and July 5. With colleagues from Footman James, the gang will embark on a 2000-mile run around England and Wales to discover the best local club of the lot. After an evening spending time with the Pembrokeshire Classic Car Club, the team will meet at midday on June 25 for the first main stage – at the southern end of the A4069 Black Mountain Road. ‘This first section of the route is a real cracker,’ said editor Danny Hopkins, ‘taking us over the Brecon Beacons and finishing with members of the…

In a real departure from the hands-on norm, the latest Practical Classics special edition focuses on pure nostalgia. The Ultimate Guide to British Cars of the 1960s is a feast for the eyes, with fab fins, footballer’s favourites and performance legends from this decade of style, speed and sound. We tell the story of the car that broke up the Beatles and look on as the rozzers take on the Ton-up Boys at the Ace Café. With a foreword by the Ace’s reviver Mark Wilsmore, it’s an evocative read. Don’t worry, though, it still includes two epic reader restos and a look inside the Jensen C-V8’s engine, so you’ll still get your filthy fingernail fix!…

Edd China: Grease Monkey ISBN: 978-0-753553-54-1 £20 Mechanic, designer, engineer, inventor and former Wheeler Dealers presenter Edd China’s very first book is packed with never-before-told stories from his days at Wheeler Dealers and beyond. greasejunkie.com A Cat to Kill For ISBN: 978-1-787114-09-8 £8.99 When a classic car dealer learns that the client who commissioned him to restore a seemingly ordinary old Jaguar has been found dead, he and the victim’s quirky sister are drawn into a dangerous world in search of the murderer. veloce.co.uk The Cars You Always Promised Yourself ISBN: 978-1-907085-76-5 £44.95 A beautifully-presented 300-page hardback, The Cars You Always Promised Yourself is written by former Ford designer and executive Steve Saxty, and delivers in-depth content on the development of the Capri. porterpress.co.uk…

Another club that’s notching up half a century in 2019 is the Sunbeam Talbot Alpine Register (STAR). The group’s John Donegan says: ‘The club was founded in 1969 for owners of Rootes-built Talbot, Sunbeam-Talbot and Sunbeam cars built between 1936 and 1957. Our membership is global and the highlight of our Golden Jubilee celebrations will be a weekend at Charlecote Park, Stratford-upon-Avon over the weekend of July 12-14, including in a dinner, display of members’ cars and a drive out.’ More at sunbeamtalbotalpineregister.co.uk.…

S AT, JUNE 15 LONDON Waterloo Classics gathering, SE1 7RG (waterlooclassics.com). HANTS Simply VW at Beaulieu, SO42 7ZN (beaulieu.co.uk). SAT-SUN, JUNE 15-16 CLWYD Vintage Vehicle and Steam Rally at Oswestry Showground, SY11 4TB (cvvms.co.uk). HANTS Hot Rod and Customs at Beaulieu, SO42 7ZN (beaulieu.co.uk). SURREY Double Twelve Motorsport Festival at Brooklands, KT13 0QN (brooklandsmuseum. com). WARKS Pre-1940 Triumph Motor Club Day at Wroxall Abbey, CV35 7NB (pre-1940 triumphmotorclub.org). WORCS Classic Nostalgia at Shelsley Walsh, WR6 6RP (shelsleywalsh.com). SUN, JUNE 16 STAFFS Trentham Gardens Classic Car Show, ST4 8JG (classicmotorshows.co.uk). LANCS Classic Car Show at Hoghton Tower, PR5 0SH (markwoodwardclassicevents.com). YORKS Classic Car Show at Castle Howard, YO60 7DA (classicshows.org). LINCS Vehicle Rally at Lincoln Castle, LN1 3AA (lvvs.org.uk) SAT-SUN, JUNE 22-23 SOMERSET Bristol Classic Car Show, Shepton Mallet, BA4 6QN…

There are many Ford clubs out there, so the first step in buying a Capri – whichever generation you hanker after – is to join one or more of them and get to know your fellow enthusiasts. This will be particularly relevant if you’re after a Capri MkI, as there aren’t many out there. Sourcing an example that hasn’t been extensively restored will be harder still so check the quality of the restoration and find out who was responsible for it. Panel availability isn’t great so although the shell is a simple affair with repair work straightforward compared to many classics, try to find a car with the best possible panels and exterior trim you can. ‘Rust and crash damage are the enemy of all Capri models’ The 1974 Capri…

ROSS’S 2.5PI Bought by Taylor junior to practice on while doing a college bodywork restoration course. Having transformed the ’71 model from rusty heap to restored beauty, he was allowed to work on his dad’s car. PAUL’S 1973 2.5PI Retirement project now all welded up by Ross. Ongoing subject of a father-and-son resto… RESTORERS Paul Taylor (right) has been a petrolhead since he was a teenager. He’s passed his lifelong passion for Triumphs onto son Ross (left), a trained tool maker with a steely precision when repairing rusty bodywork. Father and son team Paul and Ross Taylor have a thing about Triumphs. Their present outbreak of Triumph mania began four years ago when Paul bought an original (but rusty) Triumph 2.5PI to restore. However, the family’s affection for…

We had a 1934 Riley Kestrel 9hp as our family car for about ten years while I was still at school. It used to take us round the Lake District, including over Hardknott Pass, with no trouble. Cruising speed was about 50-60mph, so we never took it on the motorways. Dad said it steered like a train (whatever that meant!) and it returned about 26mpg. I believe it’s still being used by a member of the VSCC. Ian Lambert 1935 Riley. Rolling restoration, without much rolling. Starts on the button, not too difficult to work on. Easy to drive once you get used to it. Jeremy Ball I have a 1930 Morris Oxford Six with fabric body. It’s a delightful, if leisurely experience. Peter Haywood I had a 1927 Essex…

‘It’s lived its entire life in the UK’ 1967 Pontiac GTO convertible Phil and Anne Cumberlidge, Lutterworth This particular model was first shown at the Olympia Show in 1966 and this car was imported to the United Kingdom in November of that year. That means that it’s a 1967 model-year car and it has lived its entire life in the UK. I’ve had it now for about two years, having bought it at auction in Leamington. There’s family history connected with the American auto industry – my grandad worked for Ford in Detroit in the Twenties and my dad was born in Detroit. It must be in the blood, because I have always loved American cars. I have had three big Yanks, including a 1965 Mustang, so this is my…

The Ford Capri, cover star of this PC issue. Memories abound, from sitting in an original-type, Classic-based Capri (yellow, with a white roof) in the showroom of Ford mega-dealer Godfrey Davis of Neasden when a small boy in 1963, through to a twin test for Motor magazine of a Capri 280 final edition in 1987. The premise of that twin test was new versus classic: would you be better off buying a tasty old car for the money you’d pay for a dimly-comparable but less exotic new one? That’s a theme often visited over the years, but the Capri’s rival back then was telling: an Aston Martin DB6, available then for around the £11,000 or so that you’d pay for the Capri. Today a really good Capri 280 might sell…

No more than a couple of weeks removed from a significant birthday milestone, it may just be that I was feeling bit more mortal than usual. But something jumped out of an auction catalogue that I was casually perusing: the words ‘from a deceased estate’. There were so many, I totted them up and came to 14. That was not far off ten per cent of the cars on offer. More than I can ever remember. It was a reminder that time is catching up with each and every one of us, and begged a meaning of life kind of question that you might like to share in asking yourself. Have I owned enough cars yet? Yes, I know that is, or at least ought to be, a rhetorical question.…

1991 Alfa Romeo Spider S4 Price: £12,000 One of the official right-hand drive conversions. Only 49,000 miles on the clock and recently recommissioned. New paint, hood and suspension. 1980 Volvo 244 DL Price: £2950 Good condition throughout, with much service history. Recent radiator, timing belt and carb overhaul. Original apart from halogen head lamps. 1997 Fiat Coupe Turbo Price: £3500 141,000 miles, same meticulous owner for last 18 years, new belts last year. Always run on Selenia Racing 10w60 oil, just serviced.…

If you’re looking for a project worth saving you can sometimes acquire one for under £1000, but you might have to hunt around a bit. If you’d prefer a roadworthy GT you can pick something up for £2500-£3000; anything cheaper is likely to need expenditure in the near future. Don’t lose sight of how easy these cars are to work on, and how good the parts availability is; a cheap GT that someone has lost interest in can make a good buy if you’ve got a few spare weekends and a good tool kit. A really nice example will set you back £7000, but if you come across a superb low-mileage GT with a few sympathetic upgrades you can easily pay twice this. Some cars are advertised for closer to…

Danny Hopkins When you have £250 from a Passat sale in your pocket, make sure you don’t answer the phone. In particular, don’t answer if it is Nic Cooper calling with the offer of a cheap 1997 Saab 900S Convertible. Definitely don’t go and see it and, for goodness’ sake, don’t offer £200 of your hard-won proceeds. As if you do, you will end up like me, driving around in one of the great soft-top bargains. The GM-era 900 and 93s are criminally cheap at the moment, just like the Pug 306 cabriolet and Golf MkIII rag-top. I briefly owned one last year (a disaster of a car), but Nic knows his Saabs, and this one was ‘a good un’. He was right – it has great potential having had…

1 Cleanse and moisturise Use an automotive shampoo, two buckets and good cloths, then dry. Try a moisturiser (Meguiars No. 7) if the car has really flat paint. 2 Choose your weapon & test Use a rotary polisher to cut paint. Try a test patch first. Use a good cutting agent and a cross hatch motion. Keep the pad flat to the paint. 3 Keep it clean Make sure you brush the pad between cuts and only cut a small patch at a time. Always mask anything that might get damaged.…

1972 Triumph TR6 Engine 2498cc/6-cyl/OHV Power 104bhp@4500rpm Torque 146lb ft@2000rpm Gearbox 4-speed man + o/d 0-60mph 10.7sec Top speed 109mph Fuel economy 25mpg Work done Core plug replaced; fuel mixture adjusted; Mountney steering wheel fitted. Also in Matt’s garage 1972 TRIUMPH 2000 Some bodywork TLC is in the pipeline now that the TR is close to being ‘finished’. 2002 BMW 318I TOURING New arrival means that this is up for sale. If you fancy it, email me for more details. I explained in my most recent communiqué ( Practical Classics , June 2019) how an errant core plug had foiled the plan to use my newly-restored and MoT’d TR6 for our wedding in April. With the big day and immediate mini-moon now just a happy memory, it was time to…

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 Heater box stripped and then repainted. Also in Gary’s garage 1980 SAAB 99 TURBO Ex-press car now awaiting full restoration. After a couple of idle months, the Peerless’ engine was started up and the car moved into a more accessible position in and outside the workshop for another big progress push. Drive It Day came and went, as did a local car display it was invited to. I say local, it was almost in touching distance, but I decided against it for fear of the forecast rain filling the interior due to the lack of door seals. The tasks in hand were to fit the…

Ed Hughes CONTRIBUTOR 1991 ZAZ 968M ‘Zaporozhets’ Engine 1197cc /V4/OHV Power 41bhp@4400rpm Torque 55lb ft@2700rpm Gearbox 4-speed manual 0-60mph 25sec Top speed 74mph Fuel economy 34mpg Work done Dragged out of a garage after 25 years and recommissioned; driven back from Moscow to Beaulieu… via Kiev. Also in Ed’s garage 1969 WARTBURG TOURIST New front tyres have improved the noise, vibration and harshness of the car. 1993 LADA RIVA 1500L Feeble heater points to a minor head gasket leak. Another fantastic Beaulieu Spring Autojumble reminded me of my epic trip alongside Sam Glover to last year’s Beaulieu bash. We had driven a garage-find Zaporozhets 968M from Moscow to the Ukrainian border, where we met the full force of border crossing bureaucracy. Let me set the scene: Captain Haddock of the…

Sam Glover TECHNICAL EDITOR Sam has broken down in a gigantic variety of classics over the years, then worked out how to fix them. John Simpson MASTER MECHANIC Big John has worked at the greasy end of the motor industry since leaving school. Theodore J Gillam TECHNICAL EXPERT Theo taught automotive engineering and makes amazing things in his shed. Ed Hughes WORKSHOP GENIUS Ed singlehandedly keeps a fleet of obscure classics on the road. He’s never owned a modern car. Kim Henson CLASSIC CAR GURU Kim’s been restoring classics for over four decades. BMC vehicles are his speciality. Nigel Clark DIY RESTORER Nigel’s driveway achievements rival those of professional mechanics. He’s our resident Triumph expert. Sly sensors Sensor wires in an electronic distributor can flex themselves to breaking point, but…

Improve cheap tools You can very easily tune up a cheap panel-beating tool set by refacing or polishing hammers and dollies. You will need Ear defenders, hammers and dollies, body file, blowlamp or oxy-fuel set, paintless dent removal kit (lined board, rods, punch and hot-air gun). Upcycle a file A spoon or slapper made from an old file will mark the surface, helping it to shrink and also showing the high points Paintless removal Complete PDR tools kits are available from about £60. Clean and de-wax the area before starting work. A dent in an otherwise perfect panel can be as upsetting as a bondage scene in the middle of Gardeners’ Question Time. Meanwhile, the starting point of basic metal-shaping using hand tools is to rain a series of major…

You will need Workshop manual, valve spring compressor, soft-faced hammer, degreasant and brush, micrometers, internal bore gauges or Mercer gauge, feeler gauges, straight edge. Does it need rebuilding? If your engine is in good order, just cleaning it and putting it back together will cost you a set of bearing shells, piston rings, a bore hone, a gasket set and some consumables. Factor this in when weighing up the cost of machining and a full rebuild. Save your energy You don’t have to go too mad on cleaning parts at this stage. If bits are clearly knackered, don’t bother. In the previous instalment, we stripped our Essex. You’ll already have formed an opinion as to whether your engine’s worn and knackered or fresh and frolicsome, because you will have intimately…

Some people see wood as an outdated material, heavy and weak. I just don’t think they have exploited or imagined its potential. This car was the best way to prove them wrong. I designed it from scratch over 25 years ago and I built it myself – inspired by the work I did with racing builder Frank Costin. I used the 2CV components because they are light, compact and clever. Then I created 1/5th scale drawings of the design. I wanted to make as much as possible from wood: the body, chassis, everything bar the engine and suspension. I made a scale body model to check the drawings then I drew out the lines full size on two sheets of hardboard. Time to construct the car. I created a mould…

Citromobile near Amsterdam was a highlight but in the end, I fell in love with this beautiful Panhard 24. I drove this 1995 Canta microcar. Apparently it can be used on cycle paths. Probably the best place for it. Citroën ‘CX-pert’ Stan Platts hosted a technical weekend, giving owners a great insight into their cars. The Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals in the USA featured this 2-door Renault 9-based ‘Alliance’. I took my S80 to the brilliant Swedish Day, where hundreds of models built by Saab and Volvo gathered.…

Slick new oil for modern classics Duckhams has launched Classic Q 10W-40. Formulated with an additive package for owners of Seventies, Eighties and Nineties cars, it is designed for engines found in emerging classics such as the Golf. Meanwhile, Duckhams Classic Oils has become the official lubricant partner of the Classic Car Loan Project – the scheme designed to get youngsters into classics. At the launch, those taking part were given enough oil to see them through the year. Coventry Clean Air Zone Coventry City Council has been ordered to implement a Clean Air Zone (CAZ) after an £83m plan to improve the city’s air quality was rejected by DEFRA. The CAZ would require driver of high polluting and older vehicles to pay a charge to use the city’s arterial…

Something to Ogle at… On May 6, amid Mini 60 celebration that attracted all shapes and sizes of Mini, Elf, Hornet and Mini based specials, Paul Ogle was paired with an Ogle SX 1000, chassis number 37, at Blyton Park for the first time since his unique ‘Fletcher Ogle’ was stolen and burned out some four years ago. Track time was taken up by many over the three days and Saturday night guest speaker was ace Sixties Mini racer, Christabelle Carlisle. It’s a Triumph The Association of Heritage Engineers has acquired what is said to be the only remaining Triumph Herald 1200 ‘training chassis’. Certainly the last one that will continue to be used as intended, for the education of apprentices. It will be restored with the help of apprentices…

This year marks the centenary of Armstrong Siddeley, so the Armstrong Siddeley Owners Club is doing something pretty special. The club’s David Welch said: ‘The main event will be a Centenary Rally starting July 6 in Northumberland and culminating on July 14 with a dispay in the Coventry Memorial Park. All owners of Armstrong Siddeleys, Siddeley Autocars, Wolseley Siddeleys, Siddeley Deasys, Stoneleighs and Wilson-Pilchers are invited. The aim is to get 100 cars in the final display.’ More at siddeley.org.…

Steve Saxty is a Ford product designer and motor industry executive turned author, who once worked alongside many of the designers and engineers of some of Ford’s most iconic performance cars, including the Capri. He reckons it had a sense of romance and honesty missing from many cars of the time. ‘Even the iconic tagline ran true for me and so many others. It beat the system, and fended off the XR4i intended to replace it, it won on the track and Aston Martin even made a version!’ However, Steve says it wasn’t always easy. ‘Over the long-run Ford was always at its best when it was brave with new vehicles like the Capri and then Sierra. It was a unique time, when the competition appeared to be so weak…

1 My best bodge Ross says: ‘I’m a tool maker and we can’t get away with anything at all, so I don’t do bodges’! Paul backs that up by adding that when the car was built up, he fitted a Borg and Beck clutch – but this wasn’t good enough for Ross, as Triumph had fitted Laycock clutches when new. At Ross’s insistence, the gearbox was removed and a perfectly good clutch was swapped out for a new old stock Laycock unit. Fortunately, having a pit in which to work made the whole job a bit easier. 2 My biggest fail Ross and Paul found fitting the Webasto folding sunroof was a nightmare. ‘When we got it, it was all in bits with the car’ says Ross. ‘So, not having…

Five’s enough? I’ve settled on the optimum number of cars to own at any one time and, to get similar minds out of trouble, I wished to share my findings. Here we go: There’s the Long Term Project (plus optional Donor Car) as a solid foundation for starting one’s collection. Usually blocking the garage, this one realistically isn’t seeing the road again anytime soon and is ultimately destined to be someone else’s Barn Find. To keep away from working on the Long Term Project is the Rolling Restoration. Regular use and frequent fettling mean it’s the perfect distraction to ensure the Long Term Project never gets worked on. For times when the Rolling Restoration is more restoration than rolling, you have the Daily, usually justified by being practical and incredibly…

I polished my tailpipe, extremely vigorously. Martin Chamberlain Turning up at a funeral in my old Volkswagen Type 2 van that was hand-painted in cheese shop livery – amid all the people queueing behind the hearse, and being late of course! Dmitri Urbain Well there’s this (above) for starters… Ben Charlie Wilson Gymkhana in a Citroën CX against a hoard of Minis. Chris Hatton In my other life I’m a BB-flat tuba player in a brass band. At one point I did have to go to band practice in my Toyota MR2, tuba in the footwell! Andi Cook My friend was seen transporting a Fiat 1100 front sub-frame on the roof of his Fiat X1/9! Nimal Wimalasuriya…

I’ve grown out of breaking down on road trips. Blind youthful enthusiasm has given way to timeworn pragmatism, plus a desire to spend time in places other than lay-bys, garages and motor factors. My standards have increased with my mechanical knowledge. I used to relish the challenge of nursing car with significant defects – but I’m now driven to distraction by the slightest of errant clonks and rattles. In short, I’m enjoying getting old, boring and pernickety. My former approach driving a car home from somewhere distant was to do a bare minimum to make it mobile and safe, then address other issues as they arose en route . My more recent approach is to assign a realistic period of time to addressing as many potential issues as possible before…

As an owner of two Triumphs (TR4 & MkI saloon) already they are like a disease. I came across this ’71 2.5 PI on ‘Fleabay’ in Wigan. Work fell through one day, so I decided to have a look. I liked what I saw, so left a £600 deposit. I borrowed a trailer off Triumph Club friend Mike Helm and another team member, Steve Radley, came to tow it back with his Discovery. I paid the outstanding £2000 and got a fat A4 folder of paperwork. We delivered it to a friend’s house in Cheshunt as my wife has banned me from keeping Triumphs on the drive; they always leak oil. It’s now up and running, was MoT’d and is booked into Andy Dann in Suffolk to take care of…

Each of these cars has an appeal of its own, and while it’s certainly the most practical of the group, the CityRover is the hardest to recommend. This was a golden era for city cars and the CityRover failed to even make bronze. The Twingo and Smart are also fun cars, but ones with compromises. The Smart likes to do things differently and it’s a funky choice, but only if you gel with the gearbox. Likewise the Twingo – if you can get on with LHD, it’s a fine car, but that will always be a compromise. Which leaves the Volkswagen, Ford and Fiat. Despite having more pizzazz than most VWs of its era, the Lupo lacks some of the character that’s brimming over from the Ford and the Fiat.…

1 How did you come to buy your GT? Back in 2005 I was attempting to buy a Triumph Vitesse on eBay and the seller refused my bid because he thought that I was a tyre kicker. But I really wanted a classic car and, when I saw this MGB GT, I bid on that instead – I didn’t even look at any other cars. I got the winning bid and, 14 years later, we’re still together. 2 What was your first drive like? Rather disappointing, because I was expecting the car to feel sportier to drive; the problem was that everything was rather tired. Fitting a fresh set of suspension bushes and dropping the ride height by an inch made a really big difference to how the car performed.…

James likes… EVERYTHING I’ve been lucky enough to have two company E46s on my drive – a 330Ci and a 330D. Both were fast, handsome, beautifully-made and very enjoyable to drive. I was a bit miffed I didn’t get the Alfa 166 I requested, but the E46 was so unbelievably good at everything, it was impossible not to concede that it isn’t just one of the best BMWs – it’s one of the best saloon cars ever made. Matt G likes… THE ROOMY ONE I currently own a 2002 E46 318i Touring and it has been a superb addition to my fleet over the past six months or so. Spin dryer, fridge/freezer, sideboard and heck, even my TR6’s rebuilt engine – all of the above and more has been in…

1985 Citroën CX GTi Turbo Engine 2473cc/4-cyl/OHV Power 168bhp@5000 Torque 217lb ft@3250rpm Gearbox 5-speed manual 0-60mph 8.6sec Top speed 128mph Fuel economy 20mpg Weight 1410kg Work done Initial inspection; deal done. Also in James’s garage 1988 CITROËN CX 22TRS Ready for the big PC round Britain run in June. 1997 MAZDA 323F V6 Intoxicating engine still thrills. Need new tyres. 2004 SMART ROADSTER Poorly fitted sump gasket almost costs me an engine. It happened in Hall 3 of the NEC on October 21, 1984. My dad and I stopped just short of the dazzling white lights of the Citroën stand at the British International Motor Show and, on spying the brand-new silver saloon rotating gracefully on a plinth, my jaw hit the floor. It was the most beautiful thing I’d…

1972 MGB GT Engine 1798cc/4-cyl/OHV Power 95bhp@5400rpm Torque 110lbft@3000rpm Gearbox 4 speed man +o/d 0-60mph 13.2sec Top speed 102mph Fuel economy 22.8mpg Work done Rebuilt MGB short block. Also in Matt’s garage 1968 AUSTIN MINI COUNTRYMAN Was on our stand at Beaulieu. 2001 CITROËN C15 VAN Is full of Morris Minor parts. My Morris Minor saloon build took a back seat this month. With the shell at CBR Classic Restorations, waiting for me to have time to get stuck in with body preparation and paint under MD Andy Waters’ watchful eye, I sent the remaining panels away to be blasted back to bare steel. I also opened the tap on my bank account following the successful sale of the ‘Bean’ Mini at CCA’s PC Resto Show sale and bought a…

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 27mpg Work done Several small jobs tackled on the Scimitar. Triumph 2500 engine bored out in readiness for fitting it to the GT6. Also in Nigel’s garage 1970 TRIUMPH TR6 I’m embarrassed to say that the poor old TR is still waiting for me to fix the speedo. 1998 BMW 328I COUPÉ Running beautifully but causing conflict at home as we fight for the keys on most mornings! The Scimitar had been running extremely well and getting plenty of use but, as a result, a list of minor jobs had gradually developed. It was time to give my trusty machine a bit of well-earned spanner time to…

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