Indice dei contenuti per December 2017 in Practical Classics

‘The Revival is my event highlight of the year’ We’re privileged in this industry to be able to attend many events such as the wonderful Goodwood Revival free of charge. Press passes give journalists access to events and in return they’ll write good things. The journalist wins as they get to attend the event to do their job and the organisers win as they get coverage. When I attended the Revival in September, though I paid for my ticket. I bought it back in December 2016 to be precise. I went as a punter and loved every minute. Why? The Revival is the event highlight of my year, so I don’t attend in a professional capacity, I go as a punter so I can fully enjoy it. I don’t have…

I went to the Malta Classic – an island where you still see classics being used as everyday transport. Citroën Super Sunday was held at Coventry Motor Museum so it would have been rude not to attend. I discovered a Mini collection near Zurich. Proprietor Gregor began his career working at BL in Switzerland. I’ve bought many old brochures and manuals in the last few weeks, just by visiting my local car boot sale. A trip to Pembrokeshire was followed by a enjoyable amble through the breathtaking Brecons in my Smart.…

Don’t miss out The Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery, will be at the NEC Birmingham from November 10-12. Buy tickets or find out more by visiting necclassic motorshow.com Variety show The Vanden Plas owners club will showcase five of its key models in Hall 4. The centrepiece will be the famous one-off ‘Landcrab’ prototype built from a Wolseley 18/85 into a beautiful four-window saloon before the project was cancelled by BL. Your vote counts Twenty finalists will hope to win the hearts and votes of NEC visitors in a bid to win the Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership. The winner will be announced at the show on Sunday afternoon. Wedge-tastic A complete line-up of the early ‘Wedge’ will be on the leylandprincess.co.uk stand in Hall 4, with the…

At your bidding eBay says car repair is at the top of shopping lists, with engine parts, wipers and lights among the most wanted items. It comes as the site marks 18 years trading. The most expensive car to be sold on eBay was a 1959 Ferrari 250 GT California, at $3.26m. Candid cameras Classic owners using dash cams could see footage automatically sent to emergency services to assess the severity of a crash. Built-in G sensors in the latest generation of cameras will be especially helpful, should the car leave a road where there are no witnesses. Skill Shack paint guide Everything you need to know about prepping and painting your classic but were too afraid to ask. Visit skillshack.co.uk and discover the new courses available. Over 120 other…

This year’s Andrew Whyte Lecture will be headed by Michael Quinn, grandson of Jaguar founder William Lyons. The Jaguar Drivers’ Club has held the lecture every year since Whyte died in 1988. The club’s Bob Beecham explains: ‘He was a journalist, historian and PR officer for Jaguar and the lectures celebrate Jaguar’s past, examine the present and consider future developments of the marque.’ More details from Bob on 01676 522037, 07976 152550, bob.beecham@ btinternet.com…

Brian wasn’t bowled over by his first taste of driving his GT6 after restoration, though he’s growing more fond of it as the car beds in. I beg to differ. Installed in the GT6 cabin, the classy walnut dash and the view down the curvaceous bonnet has me smiling in anticipation of the drive to come. The straight-six starts and settles to a smooth purr at tickover. As I pull away, the steering is moderately weighted at slow speeds and lighter once on the move. Accelerating up though gears, the little coupé gathers pace quickly but it’s the glorious six-cylinder exhaust note that dominates. Down-shifts are rarely needed as the 2.0-litre motor is so flexible – I enjoy hustling along twisty B-roads. Brian’s car is taut and showroom fresh. It…

I’ve owned two A30s and one A35. I love these cars. So easy to drive and very advanced for early Fifties. John Robinson James Hunt drove an A35 van, transported his budgies in it and enjoyed beating other drivers away from the lights – thanks to his lightning reactions, not a tuned van! Gary Taylor I remember driving my cousin’s A30 and was surprised how much quicker it was than my Ford Prefect 100E! Jim Tidmarsh In the Seventies my cousin used to buy them for pennies, run them until the MoT ran out, then store them in my uncle’s chicken shed. He had quite a collection in the end. Michael Johnson My dad’s 1956 Austin A30 was the first car I ever drove. I learned to drive in it…

‘This is the only fully loaded Phase 1 RXE in the country’ 1994 Renault Safrane V6 RXE Phase 1 Dave Hiscock, Seaton I worked for Renault for 25 years and I still have lots of Renault contacts. I’m a Safrane fan and own a fantastic top-of-the-range Phase 1 model, the V6 RXE. It is carefully stored and I lavish it with attention. It only travels a few miles a year and only on bone dry days (damp and Renault don’t combine well!). It is a superb example and the only one of its type left on the road, so it deserves the care. Renault only sold about 700 in the UK and to find one today in RHD is near impossible – it makes an Avantime seem common! It was…

‘I went to view The Cortina at the previous lady owner’s house back in 2006,’ says Kevin Burns. ‘She wanted £300 for it but when my finger went through the rust round the filler cap she said: “I’ll take £150!”’ Kevin seems to have a knack for finding cars at this end of the market. At various times he’s snared a Capri MkIII for £60, an Escort MkIII 1600 Ghia for £80 (it had been acting as someone’s works van and took a lot of cleaning up) and most unlikely of all, a 1980 Cadillac Coupe de Ville for £100. This one was all but dissolved underneath and, unlike the other two, Kevin never quite got it on the road. So however well he’d done to buy his Cortina 1.6L…

The urge to buy cars after writing about them is a dangerous force for the weak-willed classic car journalist. After spending many happy hours digesting the contents of books, websites, period press reports and dusty boxes in the Practical Classics basement, it’s easy to conclude that the subject would be a perfect addition to one’s garage. Research often wraps up with an eBay search. Our bi-monthly Grand Designs series is particularly high-risk. The cars we feature are not necessarily chosen by popular demand. Instead, they come from the automotive Christmas lists of myself and design historian Ian Tisdale. By the time we pull the ‘publish’ lever on the PC printing press, the desire to own the car in question has often been elevated from ‘passing’ to ‘burning’. Rarity and/or value…

‘American cars have always been a hard sell in the UK’ If you don’t mind me completely misquoting that wartime saying: ‘Yanks: over here, oversized and undervalued.’ American cars have always been a hard sell in the UK, and often provide an easy win when a few of us are gathered at an auction playing ‘guess the next result’ – I always plump for no-sale if it’s American and more often than not win. But recently some kind of reality has dawned. I’ve heard of quite a few US cars being repatriated to their homeland as the cost of doing that can be covered by the higher prices they fetch. And back here in the UK, sellers’ expectations have been lowered and we’ve recently seen some prices low enough to…

‘We jagged from hairpin bend to scary hairpin bend’ 1972 Triumph 2000 Engine 2498cc/6-cyl/OHV Power 135bhp (est) Torque Sufficient Gearbox 4-speed man + o/d 0-60mph Unknown Top speed 114mph Fuel economy 28mpg Work done Topped up oil and water when required; burned lots of fuel! Also in Matt’s garage 1992 TALBOT EXPRESS Patiently awaiting its next weekend assignment. New engine mounts ready to fit. 1997 BMW 318IS Still here, still good to drive and still incredibly orange! After months of anticipation (and careful car preparation) the waiting was over… it was finally time to hit the road and join 84 other cars on the Club Triumph 10 Countries Run 2017. Co-driver Lee Dreher and I met up with numerous crews when we arrived at Dover on September 5…

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 Choke cable fitted, steering boss repaired, overdrive gear lever made and wiring fitted and checked. Also in Gary’s garage 1980 SAAB 99 TURBO TWO-DOOR One of 200 homologation cars. Full restoration needed. 1958 RENAULT 4CV Ignition system and distributor need checking. With the engine now a runner, my focus is mopping up the smaller electrical details at the front of the car. This will be followed by the hydraulics. The brake and clutch lines are all in but need a last check before they are bled. Once complete, I’ll connect the propshaft and hopefully be able to drive it out of the workshop. First job…

Lancia’s late-Fifties range consisted of the opulent V6 Flaminia and the little V4 Appia. To fill the gap, Lancia started with a clean sheet of paper. The result was the Flavia. One of many radical features of Antonio Fessia's design was an all-new watercooled flat-four engine, which drove the front wheels via a transaxle placed behind it. The all-alloy unit started out at 1.5-litres in 1961, but grew to 1.8-litres in 1963 and 2.0-litres in 1969, accompanying a restyling. Our engine is a last-of-the-line version from 1971, when the range was rebranded Lancia 2000. [A] ROCKER COVERS AND CASTINGS Underneath the cast aluminium rocker covers are two little water manifolds that fit on the front of the crankcase. The larger casting is the oil filter base, which fits into the…

You will need Welding shield, TIG gloves and overalls; TIG welding set, torch and argon regulator; 2% lanthanated tungsten electrodes; argon gas; filler rods; bench grinder with fine stone; drill; acetone and rags. Practice makes perfect Practice is the only path to TIG mastery. Fill sheets with weld beads. Hone your rod-feeding skills in front of the television wearing your TIG glove until proficient or sectioned under the Mental Health Act. GTAW Technically, the correct term for TIG welding is Gas Tungsten Arc Welding. 1 The TIG process The earth clamp [A] goes on the workpiece. A focused arc is initiated between the tungsten electrode [B] and the workpiece, melting it in a localised area. Inert argon gas [C] shields the molten puddle and filler rod [D] is dipped into…

It is approaching that time of year when some of us decide to put our beloved classics away for the winter. In many cases this will mean SORNing our vehicle. You might be avoiding salt and ice, but tucked away, is your car really as safe as you think? Most home insurance policies don’t cover liability arising from the ownership or custody of any motorised vehicle. In these cases, if the worst should happen your pride and joy wouldn’t be insured. You can add endorsements to your home insurance to cover motor memorabilia or car parts – but not the vehicle itself. This is where Heritage Insurance can offer a solution. Changes are coming A 2014 legal battle could lead to the rules around this matter being changed after a…

‘We wanted to pay homage to a great Vauxhall racer’ One of the most iconic Vauxhalls ever will be recreated on the Vauxhall Heritage stand at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show. Gerry Marshall’s V8 Holden-Repco Ventora ‘Big Bertha’, which was destroyed by fire following brake failure at Silverstone, will live again on Vauxhall’s show stand in Hall 5, using the company’s latest Insignia Grand Sport as its base. ‘We wanted to take our Large Car theme and pay homage to one of Vauxhall’s greatest racers, Gerry Marshall,’ said Simon Hucknall, PR manager for Vauxhall & Vauxhall Heritage. ‘We displayed Gerry’s ‘Baby Bertha’ on our stand a few years ago, but this time we wanted to remind people about his other race weapon. The latest Grand Sport is a similar…

The weekend of September 23-24 saw the third running of the ever-expanding Les Grandes Heures Automobiles at the stunningly banked historic circuit of Linas-Monthlery, just outside of Paris. This event grew from the ashes of the Reims Revival event masterminded up to 2010 by Franz Hummel. Once that event had been closed down after pressure from locals Franz sought a new venue and decided Monthlery was the place to use. This third running saw more than 300 historic vehicles gather for an event that allows entrants the chance to do some laps on the amazing test track. This is divided into 25 minute sessions so that all drivers of all abilities, and cars of mixed performance can all be given an equal chance. Some sessions are dedicated to the more…

Socket to ’em baby HALFORDS ADVANCED 120-PIECE SOCKET SET £200 Compact and comprehensive, this is the perfect tool set for any classic car owner. Small enough to fit in the boot, yet complete enough to adorn your garage workbench and tackle most tasks. ¼in, ‡in and ½in ratchets and sockets are included alongside a breaker bar, extension bars, wobble joints, spanners, screwdriver bits and handle, spark plug sockets, impact sockets and Torx keys. It’s just the right size to sit behind the seat of your classic. What’s more, all these tools come with a lifetime guarantee – simply take the broken tool into any Halfords store for inspection and replacement. If your classic uses AF fixings, you’ll need to complement it with sockets and spanners to suit, also available in…

You’ve got to be pretty fanatical to run a Morgan, so it came as no surprise when more than 5000 people and 1500 Morgans hit the Three Counties Showground to celebrate Run For The Hills. There were pieces of history everywhere you looked, from Morgan’s earliest cars to all three SLR racers, alongside ‘TOK 258’, which won its class Le Mans in 1962. It all came up to date with the latest electric Three Wheeler, and the English Symphony Orchestra was there to provide the soundtrack. More at morganmotor.co.uk/rfth morganmotor.co.uk/rfth…

The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu has announced its speakers for this year’s autumn lectures. First up is Stuart Graham, historic racer on two wheels and four, talking on October 14 about his career. Dick Skipworth follows on November 18, speaking alongside Tom Purves about the Ecurie Ecosse racing team. The final event is on December 9 and is a film presentation about the Supermarine Spitfire. Tickets cost £10 apiece, or £7.50 for Friends of the National Motor Museum Trust. Book tickets via friends@beaulieu. co.uk  or 01590 614792…

Really reliable Reliant Comments on the PC Facebook page about Reliant three-wheelers triggered memories of one I had around 1960. It wasn’t one of the ‘plastic pigs’, it was aluminium-clad with a beech frame, an Austin 7 side-valve engine and a soft top. It gave many miles of trouble-free motoring all over Scotland and the Lakes. The passenger could set the timing and carb while on the move by removing the engine cover inside the car – brilliant! I put a post through the side during an off-road moment and just beat the metal together with hammers. You can’t do that with modern cars! I haven’t seen one since the early Sixties. Wonder if any are left today? John Martin, Cumbria SAVED BY CITROËN’S SUSPENSION I enjoyed James Walshe’s journey…

Had a 230E as my daily driver for six months. It was completely knackered and the fuel bills nearly broke me, but it was the most hilarious car I’ve owned and I miss it. Howard Darvill Here’s the bargain barge I bought a few weeks ago for £350, now on the road with 12 months MoT after a bit of welding, plus new brake lines and calipers. Scott Blythe Had a 200D, and tried driving it from Poland to the UK. Germany’s biodiesel did a great job of cleaning the fuel tank and dumping the contents into the filters, so I had a final top speed of 40km/h by the time I reached Calais. Richard Tatham Had a 200T as a work van and loved it. Had to let it…

1970 Rover 3500 James Dean, Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria I’m 25 and this was my first car back in 2013, which I bought sight unseen with 43,000 miles. I always wanted to restore a car having been inspired by Wheeler Dealers and Practical Classics and did it in a gazebo on my parents drive, including a new paint job! I use the car every day and just love the way it drives! 1989 Toyota Supra Rhys Watkins, Narberth, Pembrokeshire I sold one of my tractors to buy this Toyota! I was looking for a Calibra but found the Supra instead. It’s got the big 3-litre 24 valve 6-cylinder engine and goes very quickly! It has never been messed with by the boy racers so it’s unusually original. I’ve had a new…

‘Relations between myself and the racing community have much improved’ Good evening everyone. Yes, it’s the gala event you’ve been waiting for – destructive thrills and spills from Littlehampton. Firstly we’re blowing up this row of terraced cottages to recreate all the fun of the Blitz. Remembering naughty Uncle Adolf with his incendiary bombs! Then it’s medieval glassware smashing with loveable orange antiques man Mr Daaaaavid Dickinson. Let’s get that old glass into a thousand pieces, guys! Finally. we’re lighting the blue touchpaper for a funeral pyre of Chippendale chairs. You won’t feel like sitting down when all fiery action is going on, ladies and gentlemen. None of the above is ever likely to happen and if it did, there would be a national outcry over the destruction of our…

Riley One-Point-Five This poorly Riley was an exhibit at the Cae Dai 50s Museum in Wales. All the cars there were wrecked in a fire in 2009 and this is the last burnt-out reminder of the original collection, resting in brambles. Reliant Scimitar This 1979 Scimitar GTE has been off the road for nine years but has not been forgotten about, currently having a SORN in place. MG Midget This rubber bumper Midget is on a forecourt full of dismantled MGs that had Oliver going snap happy. It’s at Hall’s Garage in Bourne, Lincs, one of the region’s top restoration specialists. Honda Z600 Our young roving reporter Oliver DaCosta Evans has sent in a collection of finds from his extensive rust hunting travels. Best of the bunch is this 1973…

1974 VW Passat Price: £4495 Super-rare Volkswagen Passat B1 from the very first year of production. 14,300 miles on the clock and stored away for most of its life. Has some surface rust but is generally solid underneath. 1965 Humber Sceptre MkI Price: £5500 Only 51,000 miles and recently fitted with new clutch, carburettor and tyres. Long MoT and comes with hundreds of very rare spare parts. 1953 Ford Zephyr Six Price: £10,500 Previously owned for 36 years by the vendor. Resprayed in 2004 and fitted with period modifications including a Raymond Mays cylinder head and twin carburettors.…

1988 A new dash and higher quality interior trim are fitted, including a leather-trimmed wheel. The 205 CJ Cabriolet is introduced. 1989 The 309 is facelifted with a bigger tailgate, new rear lights, a redesigned dashboard and (in most cases) extra standard kit. 1990 A facelift gives the 205 recoloured bumpers and dash (now black). The CTi gets an electric roof. Turbodiesel 205 and 309 are launched. 1991 The CTi gets the 1905cc motor with 105bhp. ABS and air-con become rarely chosen options. A three-door D-Turbo debuts. 1992 A catalytic converter becomes standard on petrol cars from August.…

My RMA project is entering an exciting new phase… the bit where refurbished stuff starts to be put back on and new stuff is gathered. In order to make the newly welded body tub mobile I cleaned, repainted and refitted the front suspension with new Polybush bushes. More durable but identical to look at, the bushes are sold through the excellent RM Club spares department (worth the annual subs in its own right) and they went on a treat. Next on the list were tyres and wheels. The 16in steel wheels, in a semi-advanced state of decrepitude, were despatched to John Spencer, after he did such a superb job on the Riley’s panels. I sent the chromed hubcaps, too – without having them rechromed first. I would like the patinated…

1993 Mini City E Engine 998cc/4-cyl/OHV Power 40bhp@5000rpm Torque 50lb ft@2500rpm Gearbox 4-speed manual 0-60mph 17.9sec Top speed 80mph Fuel economy 40-49mpg Work done Welding, body preparation, shell primed and painted, rear subframe rebuilt. Also in Matt’s garage 1969 MORRIS MINOR TRAVELLER Towed the caravan to Derby for a friend’s wedding. 1970 MORRIS MINOR SALOON Off to a friendly welder soon . 1972 MGB GT Pressed into daily service. Last issue we chronicled the end of the welding, and the Rowan Atkinson family Mini’s stripped shell had left the PC workshop in Lincolnshire for CBR Motor Bodies in Cannock, Staffordshire. We’d cut out the drivers’ side door brace (in situ when we acquired the car), but on arrival at CBR, seasoned Mini veteran and PC contributor Andy Waters spotted a…

‘The interior was practically unworn, and even included the original mats’ 1997 Citroën Xantia 1.8i LX Engine 1761cc/4-cyl/dohc 16V Power 110bhp@5500rpm Torque 114lb ft@4250rpm Gearbox 5-speed manual 0-60mph 10.0sec Top speed 118mph Fuel economy 32mpg Work done New radio aerial, rustproofing vulnerable rear sill/lower wheelarch areas. Also in John’s garage 1934 SINGER LE MANS Wiring finished, engine back together – the end is in sight. 1961 SAAB 96I I must change the seal on the fuel gauge’s sender unit. Not so long ago, classic diehards used to deride ‘bland Eighties Eurotrash’, yet now it’s the Eighties cars whose stars, and values, have been rising the fastest. Soon it will the turn of Nineties machinery, the interesting examples at least. So, with the context set, please meet my new…

1978 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow 2 Engine 6750cc/V8/OHC Power 250bhp@4500rpm Torque 398lb ft@3500rpm Gearbox 3-spd auto 0-60mph 10.7sec Top speed 113mph Fuel economy 11-12mpg Work done Bought. Stripped, welded, and then body thoroughly rustproofed. Also in Dave’s garage 2003 ALFA ROMEO GTV Another hands-on project – now a daily driver. Conventional wisdom when buying a classic car is to bag the best possible example as, although its purchase price will seem to be initially expensive compared with a project car, in the long run it will work out far cheaper. So obviously I disregarded this sound wisdom and went ahead and paid £2000 for a barn find that was in need of a major restoration. But hopefully in this particular case my reasoning was sound. First, let’s be honest – as…

You will need Balljoint splitter, wire brush, degreaser, grease, circlip pliers, vice or G-clamp. Wear pattern The ball of a top or bottom suspension joint wears predominantly on its left and right sides, not its front or back. Turn the ball 90° on reassembly to equalise wear. Grease type Standard lithium-based bearing grease is fine, but CV joint grease is better as it eases sliding motion. No nipples? If the joint has a large fine-threaded plug in place of a grease nipple, remove the nipple clasp from the hose of a grease gun and screw it on directly. 1 Remove the joint Trackrod ends generally have tapered stems. Remove them with screw-type balljoint splitter. Suspension balljoints [A] may be straight-sided or tapered. A cotter bolt [B] indicates a straight-sided stem.…

You will need Scraper, straight-edge, valve spring compressor, vernier, dial test indicator, micrometer, feeler gauges, mandrel for guides, valve seat cutter, grinding paste, valve lapping tool, torque wrench. Hardened seats? If your engine doesn’t have hardened valve seats, now’s an ideal time to fit them. Pandora’s box Overhauling your cylinderhead is relatively straightforward, but you might be lifting the lid on more work if you find – for example – the bores are worn or the waterways are corroded. Be prepared for the job to escalate. Head skim? If the head needs refacing, carry out all the other work before taking it to the engineering shop. CHECKS AND DISASSEMBLY 1 Check for wear Remove the rocker cover. Turn the crank until a cylinder has both valves fully closed with the…

It has been a few months since the news broke of my new role on Wheeler Dealers , and I’ve read reactions to the announcement with mixed feelings. Clearly there has been discussion because people care deeply about this show. There is a sense that it belongs to the fans – that after 13 years they are invested in it, and that’s absolutely right. It does belong to the viewers. Wheeler Dealers is the original – and the biggest – car restoration show in the world. Like many fans I grew up watching it and I’ve always had a great respect for the experience, skill and knowledge to be found in each episode. Now that I’ve hopped aboard I’m excited to be working with Mike Brewer and I am dedicated,…

 Prices in this guide are researched from several sources, including clubs, auctions, the trade and advertisements online and in print. These 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 complete rebuild, but might be driveable and MoT’d – candidates for restorations. PLEASE NOTE You cannot accurately value any car without seeing it in the…

If your club’s contact details have changed, please let us know! A 750 MOTOR CLUB 01379 741641, 750mc.co.uk AC OWNERS’ CLUB 07768 363250, acownersclub.co.uk AMERICAN AUTO CLUB (UK) 0845 644 0345, americanautoclubuk.com AMBULANCE PRESERVATION SOCIETY southambpres.wordpress.com CLASSIC AMERICAN AC (GB) 020 8286 1120, classicamericanautoclub.co.uk/ PRE -’50 CLASSIC AMERICAN 01530 831170, pre50aac.com AEC SOC aecsociety.com ALFA ROMEO GIULIETTA REGISTER giulietta.com ALFA ROMEO OC aroc-uk.com ALLARD OWNERS’ CLUB allardownersclub.org ALVIS OWNER CLUB alvisoc. org ALVIS REG 01509 412289, alvisregister.co.uk ARMSTRONG SIDDELEY OC 01225 723809, siddeley.org A-SERIOUS (A-SERIES ENGINED CARS) http://aserious.freeforums.org ASSN OF OLD VEHICLE CLUBS OF N IRELAND 028 9146 7886, aovc.co.uk ASTON MARTIN OC 01865 400400, www.amoc.org AUDI 100 COUPÉ S CLUB GB 01702 461513 audi100coupes.angelfire.com AUDI OC 07788 588449 , audiclub.co.uk CLUB AUDI…

Let us register the car and put it back on the road. We take the car on a drive from John O’ Groats to the Practical Classics workshop for detailing and careful revival. We then spend six months making the car famous, telling its story and Ford’s part in it – consciously stating that Ford made an exception in this case owing to the condition and age of the car. Then, at the PC Restoration Show at the NEC next March, we enter it into the CCA Classic auction with a blaze of publicity. When the car is sold every penny of the sale price goes to the charity of Ford’s choice. You (Ford) will be our guests at the show along with your charity representatives. I’d like to offer…

Practical Classics is embracing the Family Ties theme of this year’s Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery. Our stand in Hall 2 (2-760) will host editor Danny Hopkins’ Triumph 2000. It’s been in the family since being bought new in 1972 by his grandfather Harold Hopkins FRS, inventor of the zoom lens, endoscope and twice Nobel Prize-nominated ‘father of the fibre optic cable’. After his death in 1994 the car was used by Danny’s auntie until 1997. It then rested in a barn until restoration in the PC workshop. Family ties are also an important part of the Live Stage build in Hall 5: a replica of Mr Bean’s Mini, based on a 1992 Mini City E that used to belong to Atkinson’s son Ben, will come alive over…

Who’d have thought the aroma of cow-pat on hot exhaust would evoke such feelings? Combined with the faint whiff of unburnt petrol, it’s been a staple of British countryside living for seventy years. Because there’s no point in having an old 4x4, especially a Land Rover, and not taking it off-road. You’ll work the engine hard, testing the cooling system, get the gears to mesh in the ‘other’ set of ratios and give the springs a proper workout. It’ll also give your face a workout as a smile slowly creeps across your face. We crash and bang along the lanes. This is no-frills motoring and as basic as can be. Want to know what it was like driving in the early part of the twentieth century? This is it. No…

The Big Healeys £13.49 ISBN 978-1445673806 This comprehensive guide to the design, development and manufacture of Austin’s Big Healeys is a must for any enthusiast of these iconic British sports cars. amberley-books.com Performance Mk1 Ford Escorts £14.99 ISBN 978-1-4456-6712-6 An exciting and enthralling story of the legendary Ford Escort MkI, and how it became one of the most successful rally cars of all time. Well written and relatable, it’s a really great read. amberley-books.com Volkswagen: The air-cooled era in colour £19.99 ISBN 978-1787111219 A lovely addition to your bookshelf or coffee table, this beautifully compiled collection of artwork and contemporary advertising tells the Volkswagen story through the Fifties and Sixties. veloce.co.uk…

SAT NOV 4 CUMBRIA Lakeland Motor Museum monthly meet, LA12 8TA (lakelandmotormuseum.co.uklakelandmotormuseum.co.uk). YORKS Rufforth Auto-jumble at Rufforth Park, YO23 3QH (rufforthautojumble.comrufforthautojumble.com). LONDON: Regent Street Motor Show, W1B 2EL (regentstreetmotorshow.com). SAT-SUN NOV 4-5 SOMERSET Classic Resto Show, Bath & West Showground, BA4 6QN (bristolclassiccarshows.com). SUN NOV 5 WARKS National Restoration Show at Stoneleigh Park, CV8 2LZ (restoration-show.co.uk). SOMERSET Haynes Breakfast Club, BA22 7LH (haynesmotormuseum.com). SOUTH EAST London to Brighton Veteran Car Run – Hyde Park to Madeira Drive (veterancarrun.com). MON NOV 6 LONDON German Night (BMW & Mercedes) at the Ace Cafe, NW10 7UD (london.acecafe.com). THU - MON NOV 9-13 SUSSEX Rhythm Riot 1950s weekend at Pontins Camber Sands, TN31 7RL (rhythmriot.com). THUR NOV 9 LONDON Italian Night at the Ace Cafe, NW10 7UD (london.acecafe.com). FRI - SUN NOV 10-12 BIRMINGHAM…

The guy with the red shirt is looking at the Fiesta’s extensive MoT failure sheet, and saying: ‘Excessive corrosion to inner and outer sills, both inner wings, front crossmember and front chassis legs. I’ll give you £40 for it.’ Gary Bates They’re trying to divert attention away from the fact that they’ve picked a rancid colour for their new Fiesta. Matthew Davies They’re saying: ‘We are time travellers from the future and our map says there is a Tesco here.’ Paul Barnard She’s asking the guy on the bicycle about the rattling tappets on her newly-purchased car, he’s showing her the adjustment procedure. ‘But I’ve already done them this morning,’ she says. ‘Get used to it, love, they all sound like it,’ he replies. Wayne Richards…

Morris Traveller & Renault 4 A sunny afternoon in Velp and a Morris Minor Traveller had company from a Renault 4 commercial. Both carry badges from the two motor associations (KNAC and ANWB) in period style. Rob Vermaas, Holland 1988 Nissan Laurel I’ve seen this Laurel around town a few times recently. It looks in good condition for the age and is evidently used daily. James Glen, Darlington Fiat 127 An old boy parked up this lovely FIAT to visit the post office in Portugal last week. Scott Riddell, Devon Ford Taunus I spotted this Ford Taunus in northern Cyprus earlier this year. Mick Pollard, Kent Renault 8 Please find attached a photo of ‘an older car’ in daily use spotted on the streets of Madrid. Alan J. Woof, Madrid…

The connected world. Forums. Social media. Facebook. The internet in all its communication-enhancing, instantly-available forms. It has changed our lives, obviously, including the way we car nuts interact with each other. But I believe that it is all starting to go a bit wrong. The very idea of an internet forum, either run by a car club or as a standalone enterprise, was perfect for bringing together classic car owners with a common interest in particular cars or marques. Advice could be shared, announcements about new parts could be made, cars and parts could be advertised, wanted ads placed, events planned, announced and joined. Threads could be created and added to, stories of restorations told as they evolved, all of it easily findable, searchable. An archive and reference source for…

REVIEW Condition is all Historics wins with Lotus and BRM offerings Historics packed 153 classics into its September sale, without resorting to much in the way of filler. Just over 70 percent of them found homes too, the result helped by offering 20 percent of the cars at ‘no reserve’. I’ve already mentioned one of the bargains that triggered in my column, but it can also work the other way. Quite a few bidders were attracted by the idea of perhaps bagging a similarly good no reserve deal on the Rover 200 BRM that appeared later in the sale, grinning at the audience with its distinctive wide orange mouth. An 85,000-miler, though looking in far better order than that suggests, our best guess was maybe £2750, but it went all…

Visiting the Burlen factory takes you on a journey back to the future. Arriving at the group of prefabricated units on the outskirts of Salisbury there is a definite sense of time travel. Back to 1942 to be precise – that’s when they were erected to manufacture Spitfires after the Southampton factory was destroyed. Burlen Ltd is based here, and as the World’s sole manufacturer of genuine SU carburettors, fuel pumps and spares, the buildings are the perfect fit. It is a bit like walking into classic car Narnia, because on the inside are dozens of artisans and engineers, building, repairing and researching the art of fuel supply. The company dates back to 1971 when a partnership between John Burnett and Mike Cullen created a garage workshop called Burlen Services.…

1983 The five-door 205 goes on sale with 1.0, 1.1, 1.4 or 1.6 petrol engines or a 1.8 normally aspirated diesel. The 1.6 GTi soon joins the range. 1985 A three-door 205 arrives. 1986 The convertible 205 GTi, the CTi, goes on sale with a 115bhp engine. A 1.9-litre engine is introduced in the GTi. The five-door 309 is launched. 1987 The 309 is offered in three-door form including the 309 GTi; the following year a five-door model is launched.…

1977 Reliant Scimitar SE6A Engine 2994cc/V6/OHV Power 138bhp@5000rpm Torque 192lb ft@3000rpm Gearbox 4-spd man + o/d 0-60mph 9.4sec Top speed 118mph Fuel economy 21mpg Work done Servicing the Scimitar, fixing its weak handbrake, and dealing with another weak handbrake on the TR6. Also in Nigel’s garage 1972 TRIUMPH GT6 MKIII Ben and Jamie at Complete Car Care are hanging the doors and fitting screens then the GT is coming home. Once again, the Scimitar was due for a service. Nothing remarkable or particularly noteworthy about that, just routine stuff that’s needs doing I tend to think. But on almost every occasion, servicing a classic throws up one or two points of interest. The first job was an oil and filter change – always a genuine Ford EFL90 filter for 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 teaches automotive engineering and makes amazing things in his shed. Ed Hughes WORKSHOP GENIUS Ed singlehandedly keeps a fleet of obscure classics on the road. He’s never owned a modern car. Kim Henson CLASSIC CAR GURU Kim’s been restoring classics for over four decades. BMC vehicles are his speciality. Nigel Clark DIY RESTORER Nigel’s driveway achievements rival those of professional mechanics. He’s our resident Triumph expert. DIFFICULTY LEVELS One to two spanners An easy job that’s well within the reach of…

You will need Trolley jack, axle stands, oil pan, long lever, test lamp or multimeter, oil can. Shock absorbers Bounce each corner of the car to check the function of the shock absorbers. It should rebound once, then settle. Steering rack This has no filler. If it requires relubricating after – for example – changing a split gaiter, detach the cover plate and fill with EP90. Automatics Check the fluid level with the engine warm and running. Top up with Ford M-2C-33G ATF if necessary. Drain and replace if it’s discoloured. Capacity: 11 pints (6.3 litres). Wheels and tyres Check the tyres for wear, damage and age-related deterioration. Pressures vary between sizes – consult your manual. 1 Front suspension arms Support the car on axle stands beneath the front crossmember.…