Table of contents for May 2024 in Practical Classics

It was another epic weekend, with so much to see and do. The clubs came, you came and the spirit of restoration and revival filled the air. Once again the Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show was ‘the friendly show’ with another great line-up of top-notch activities and demos from a vast array of experts rooted in a truly diverse set of backgrounds. We are all proud to have PC’s name above the door and we’re happy to join all the clubs in the work we do over the weekend on our own projects, whether it be our celebration of the restorer of the year, selling our charity Rover 3500 more than £4k to Prostate Cancer UK!) at Classic Car Auctions, putting our own projects on display in the…

Herbert Austin’s office, in which he worked from 1905 until his death in 1941, has gone on display at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon. Previously situated at Longbridge, the historic office now sits alongside William Morris’s office in a new display. The opening ceremony for the new display was performed by Julian and Laura Pritchard of the Patrick Foundation, which funded the reconstruction. Stephen Laing, head of collections at the BMM, told PC: ‘In this new presentation, we’ve tried to put the personalities of Austin and Morris back into their offices,' noting how the green rag-roll walls and assorted souvenirs in Morris’s office contrast with the wood panelling and modern air-conditioning unit in Austin’s. The move was not universally supported, however. Pride of Longbridge event founder Gemma Cartwright MBE was…

New motorway today, jams tomorrow LETTER OF THE MONTH Recently, my mind wandered back to a day in early December 1958, the day after the opening of Britain's first motorway, the Preston Bypass – eight miles long, two lanes in each direction, just a grass verge between them, all now part of the M6. Three of my Wigan mates and I decided we'd go for a drive on it to see what all the fuss was about. We piled into my dad’s 1954 Morris Cowley (having ruled out borrowing my mate's uncle's 1955 Ford Pilot V8) and, when we got there, we were amazed. There were very few cars going either way, and no junctions, crossroads or any other distractions. Drivers today would never understand what it was like –…

Across 5British makers of the Javelin saloon (6) 7 Luxury Soviet car introduced in the late Fifties (6) 9This Iso model arrived a year earlier than the Grifo (7) 10 Fashionable Singer model? (5) 11 Man’s name defining each generation of a particular car? (4) 12 This pre-war BSA sports car was a proper little trooper! (5) 16 _ litre, engine size of the Rover P5 (5)  17 & 2down French name for the Citroën 2CV (4,7)  21 Apanic-inducing deterrent to car thieves? (5)  22 Maserati’s emblem (7)  23 Lagonda saloon from the 1960s (6)   24 Hillman model first seen in 1931 (6) Down  1 Country where Vignale was founded (5)  2See 17 across 3The four shapes which make up the Audi logo (5) 4 1990s Toyota coupé (5) …

I hope fellow British Leyland enthusiasts may be interested to hear about some of the cars my late father had dealings with here in Australia. He had a lifelong career in management with British Leyland and, when I was seven (I’m 64 now), he transferred to Australia to take up a senior role at British Leyland Motor Corporation Australia (BLMCA). In fact, Leyland Australia had many name changes – anything from Jaguar Rover Australia to Rover Group Australia. My father and I got to drive most vehicles Leyland produced in the UK and Australia. The cars available at the time included the Austin 1800 ‘Ute’, Austin Kimberley and Tasman, Morris 1500/Nomad, Leyland P76 and Force 7, Leyland Moke Californian, Leyland Mini LS 1275cc and Leyland Marina 4 and 6. The…

This car came into my possession in November 2018, but I’d been after it for 20 years! It had been lying in my friend Nick’s workshop since 1998, after he took it off the road for some 'wee' jobs. These escalated into many, many wee jobs and sadly 'Helmüt' never made it back onto the road in Nick’s ownership. It then sat in a makeshift garage at my house for five years without much happening. I then had the romantic idea of reviving Helmüt to use as our wedding car – after all, he is the correct colour! It was just six weeks before the wedding when I finally made a start. The body was in great nick considering it hadn't been washed in 20 years, but being kept inside…

Would you turn your classic into an EV? As a reader of PC, I think I know what line of opinion you might follow, (my MGA, FSK, is off limits), but even if the idea puts you at risk of blowing a gasket, consider this; converts deserve goodwill and respect. I’ve met, talked to, and interrogated several owners who’ve made the switch and have come to realise that they enjoy their car just as much as I enjoy mine, they just do so in a different way. I’ve also fraternised with those who earn a living carrying out conversions and found them just as committed to keeping classics on the road as traditional specialists. They too, just do so in a different way. Like it, likely loathe it, this new…

This month, my mind has been on getting my projects in order. Over the past two years or so, I’ve bought a couple* of projects, and progress has been slow. Blame work and family commitments, as well as a house move to the other end of the country, but there are cars with my name on them scattered here and there, all looking sorry for themselves. You know how it happens. An irresistible car that ‘needs a few jobs’ is offered for an ‘absolute song’. You buy it, promising that you’ll get it back on the road. That was me from 2020 through to 2023. The problem is that I ended up with a logjam and nothing being done. So, I need to sort things out! The good news is…

WORKSHOP ED 1968 Austin Mini Countryman Engine 998cc/4-cyl/OHV Power 39bhp@5250rpm Torque 50lb ft@2600rpm Gearbox 4-speed manual 0-60mph 22sec Top speed 82mph Fuel economy 60mpg Work done Suspension rebuilt and fitted; delivered to paint shop. 3 (days) TIME 615 (£) SPENT 0 MILES Also in Matt’s garage 1937 AUSTIN SEVEN SPECIAL First track day booked. More on that soon. 1960 MORRIS MINOR CONVERTIBLE Makes me smile and turns heads wherever it goes. 1969 MORRIS MINOR TRAVELLER Sparked up first time of asking after winter hibernation. 1970 MORRIS MINOR ‘SUPERCHARGED’ SALOON Needs attention. Will get it once the Mini’s done. 1988 LAND ROVER NINETY Juicy tow car, with accommodation on its roof. 2002 FORD FOCUS Does ‘car’ beautifully, but I do need to give the bodywork some attention. Resplendent in Island Blue,…

PAY LESS AND NEVER MISS A COPY! SEE P52. Issigonis exclusive Sir Alec's former secretary Suzanne Hankey in conversation Land Rover buyer Hop aboard the Land Rover Series 3 with our essential in-depth guide Tatra adventure Ian Tisdale hits the road for a spectacular Euro mission Matt’s mega saga as he completes his massive Mini resto at the PC Show, we meet the man who revived his gorgeous Thirties MG SA and lift the lid on an incredible restoration adventure with a humble Fiesta MkIII. Our fantasy wallets are opened as we choose between a Bentley Turbo R, Lexus LS400, Jaguar XJ12 and Range Rover, while there’s further Jag action in the form of an XK8 buying guide. Plus loads from the PC workshop, as we will be working on…

The 10th Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show delivered another epic three days between March 24-26 at the NEC. The classic car clubs in particular were out in force, with some superhuman restoration activity and brilliant demonstrations. The National Car Club Awards celebrated incredible work: Ray Newell of the Morris Minor Owners’ Club received a lifetime achievement award and Freddie St George CBE and the team from The Italian Job charity won the award for charitable endeavour (more than £3 million raised for kids’ charities in 40 years). The Gay Classic Car Club, Morris Marina Owners’ Club, Jowett Car Club and Club Klasyczna all won prizes for their amazing efforts at the show. Meanwhile, Classic Car Auctions’ biggest-ever sale saw strong business done – and £4276 raised for Prostate…

Jump to it CLARKE LITHIUM-ION JUMP STARTER £179.98 With summer approaching, plenty of us will experience the disappointment of a non-starting classic, putting paid to best laid plans. With the capacity to start a petrol engine up to six litres and a diesel engine up to four litres, having this nifty device in your garage should be just the ticket to save the day. It should need to be charged only once approximately every three months with non-use, and it offers approximately twenty single-charge uses, depending on the age and condition of the battery, while the clearly-designed front panel features LED indicators for USB connection, battery capacity, connection status, voltage selection and temperature. machinemart.co.uk Non-slip grip FLEXI-HEAD ADJUSTABLE WRENCH £50.09 Designed to remove even the most rounded bolts, and handy…

Nickname game The distinctive low-nose shape of the Princess led to it being nicknamed ‘The Anteater’ within British Leyland circles. ‘The Wedge’ became more popular with the general public. No successor While it’s commonly (and erroneously) believed that the Dyane was intended to replace the 2CV, during its 1967 to 1984 sales period it only outsold the 2CV twice, in 1968 and 1969. A second Korea When South Korean manufacturer Hyundai wanted to develop its own car in the Seventies, the Marina proved inspiration for the Pony, after it hired ex-Austin-Morris MD George Turnbull. French Alps Although the Alpine was designed by British stylist Roy Axe at Chrysler’s design studio in Whitley, near Coventry, it was primarily a SIMCA model to replace the 1301 and 1501 range. Lymington, Hampshire, spring…

I enjoyed James’s very honest Staff Car Saga (PC, April 2024). I know what he means when he says a restoration can start to feel overwhelming. I have a Spitfire and a Triumph 2000. The 2000 [above] lives outside due to lack of storage; and although I had the bodywork tidied and resprayed four years ago, rust is reappearing in the wheelarches. I need to bring it back to life after the winter lay-up – but not rushing to finish it feels like hitting reset. As James says, it’s supposed to be a hobby after all. I also need to finish work on the new electronic ignition for the Spitfire, get the engine tuned and get it back on the road following a gearbox rebuild – nearly 14 months ago!…

I have a picture on my office wall of this MG – which is still on the road, according to DVLA. The photo, from the early Sixties, shows the car at a used car dealer expo, I believe somewhere in London – maybe Alexandra Palace. At that time, my dad worked for Ben Jay Auto Sales in Southend on Sea, which is why I have the photo – the MG has a Southend on Sea registration number. I thought the owner, if they read PC, may like to have the photo of NHJ 720. If it were my car I know I would love to see it! Gary Kiernan, Arizona, USA DH: Is this your MGA? If so, let us know and we’ll put you in touch with Gary.…

Here is one of the classic movement’s greatest treasures. The more we hear about the North East Restoration Club (NERC), the more we praise its 53 years of achievement. Hundreds of classics have been saved, restored by and repaired by members on the premises, with the opportunity to use the club’s excellent workshop facilities. But the NERC, a registered charity, faces a serious risk – the decayed roof of its workshops. To replace and upgrade it is set to cost £250,000, and a Facebook Fundraiser has been started. ‘Every time we have high winds we’re worried the roof, or a large part of it might not survive and that we could face closure of one or both buildings’ said NERC secretary Andrew Billington. Despite patching up efforts, leaks occur. The…

1936 Pontiac Six Another instalment of rusty relics from Jack Brands while visiting Old Car City in White, Georgia, starting with this Pontiac Six complete with wonderful waterfall grille. £50 £50 STAR FIND Can you do better! Send your high-res images to practical.classics@ bauermedia.co.ukCan you do better! Send your high-res images to practical.classics@ bauermedia.co.uk 1950 Cadillac Series 62 The first cars to greet you when entering the yard is a small group of Cadillacs, of which this Series 62 is the most prominent. Hudson Hornet 1954 was the last year that Hudson used the old style "Doc Hudson" body as seen on this Hornet. Three years later the Hudson name disappeared for good when they merged with Nash into Rambler (later AMC). In association with Surface Processing Ltd surfaceprocessing.co.uk. 01384…

Why you want one For some, the RS Cosworth was almost obscenely over the top – a grotesque-looking outrage that would doubtless shatter the peace for sleepy neighbourhoods across Britain. For others, it was Ford’s ultimate expression of its long-established performance line. Only this time… it was different. Ford Motorsport wanted to go racing again and, in doing so, 5000 road-going examples of its Group A-homologated touring car would be built. By 1986, the first few examples were swaggering off the line. While similarly cheap, practical, easy to maintain and tuneable as the elderly Capri, the Sierra had evolved into a genuine 150mph four-seater for the Eighties. Crucially, it soon began to win races. The best of the best are now shockingly expensive to buy, but take the plunge…

All you need to know everything important Starting HANDLE Danny Hopkins reflects on a rousing Rustival at the BMM Iloved Rustival. The team behind it got the price right, they got the tone right, they got the venue right and they got the organisation right. And it was full; full of a huge variety of cars and people from all four corners of our classic world. To be honest, it felt a bit like this magazine in show form. It wasn’t a free show. YouTubers plugged their wares, merch was sold, costs were covered and service providers paid, but the frustration so many of us feel with apparent greedflation and nest-feathering was answered with fair prices and a friendly face. The British Motor Museum hosted, taking away so many logistical…

Plans are underway for Donald Campbell’s restored hydroplane to run on Coniston Water. Hundreds of onlookers gathered to welcome Bluebird K7 back to the village where its skipper’s final – and fatal – speed record attempt was made in January 1967. It followed a legal dispute between the Campbell Family Heritage Trust and the team that raised the wreckage of the craft in 2001. K7 was gifted to the Ruskin Museum in 2006 and was meticulously restored by a team of engineers led by Bill Smith. The Bluebird Project ran K7 on Loch Fad on the Isle of Bute in 2018 but Bringing Coniston to a standstill. Smith subsequently staked a claim in its ownership – which was disputed by the Ruskin Museum and Donald Campbell’s daughter Gina. Smith and…

P4 marks 75 not out It's a big year for Rover P4 fans because it was 75 years ago that Rover's landmark family saloon went on sale. To mark the occasion, the Rover P4 Drivers' Guild is putting on a big weekend in Derbyshire. The club's events officer is Garry Page, who told us: ‘Our weekend will be based largely at Makeney Hall Hotel in Belper, although owners will be staying at three other hotels, too. We're going to take in some of the scenic roads of Derbyshire on the Saturday with a road run before enjoying a gala dinner in the evening. Then on the Sunday we'll be at the Great British Car Journey as part of a bigger event. It's all taking place on May 11-12 and everything…

It was meant to be a swift blast back from our winter adventure in the Highlands, but at the last minute we’ve decided to take a detour. On a road junkie’s tick list, the highest road in the UK must feature somewhere, and seeing as the sun was making a rare appearance, we chose to give it a go. It would only add a few hours to our return trip and my Fiat Coupé 20v was still in one piece. Game on. Matt George sniffs the air as we prepare to leave Beauly and takes the obvious decision to lower the roof on his E36 once we hit the big hills, while our man Craig Cheetham sizes up his Primera and decides not to press Sport mode on his auto…

I just wanted to say thank you for the coverage of the Highland Classic Motor Club in the Spring 2024 issue. It really is quite a thrill to be a part of my favourite car magazine – the only one I subscribe to. It was also a pleasure to meet you all on your Highland visit. What a nice bunch! We often find that there’s a common bond of inexplicable enthusiasm for old cars or buses, tractors, lorries and the social history that goes with them. I have been enjoying the magazine more than ever recently. Calum Pearson, Inverness…

The red arrow with the louvred flanks is 40 years-old in 2024. But it’s not holding the monopoly on sexy Italian birthday parties this year. Nope, the Lamborghini Countach, grand-daddy of the modern hypercar, is also celebrating a notable number. Fifty years for the Lamborghini in fact. Yes, you read that correctly – 50 years that it has been gracing the walls of petrolheaded teenagers. Two huge anniversaries, then, for two era defining performance cars. You would definitely want both in your Top Trumps hand, but would you want them on your driveway? Can you get as much bang for a lot less buck? Both the Fezzer and the Lambo reach sixty miles per hour well before the second hand clicks over to six, but if you don’t have six…

1973 Jensen Interceptor MkIII Engine 7212cc/8-cyl/OHV Power 284bhp@4800rpm Torque 350lb ft@2400rpm Transmission Three-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Steering Rack and pinion, power-assisted Suspension Front: independent, double wishbones, coil springs, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar. Rear: live axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs, Panhard rod, telescopic dampers Brakes Servo-assisted. Front and rear: solid discs 0-60mph 8sec Top speed 135mph Weight 1814kg COST NEW £13,275 VALUE NOW £10,000-£30,000VCF 1994 Renault Clio Williams Engine 1998cc/4-cyl/OHC Power 150bhp@6100rpm Torque 129lb ft @4500rpm Transmission Five-speed manual, front-wheel drive Steering Rack and pinion, power-assisted Suspension Front: MacPherson struts, coil springs, telescopic dampers and anti-roll bar. Rear: Trailing arms, transverse torsion bars, telescopic dampers and anti-roll bar Brakes Servo-assisted. Front: ventilated discs. Rear: solid discs 0-60mph 7.8sec Top speed 134mph Weight 990kg COST NEW £7179 VALUE NOW £15,500-£50,000 The new car…

RICH’S JOB CARD REPAIR PAINT CHIPS My task today is to touch-in some stone chips on the bonnet of this MGTF. It is a time-consuming task requiring a steady hand – anything rushed will show up as badly as the chip did in the first place… But done well, the results will protect the panel from corrosion and premature paint failure as well as ensure that the damage doesn’t draw attention from the overall image and quality of the finish. How tough? You’ll need Matched touch-in paint kit Washing equipment Alcohol/panel wipe Fibreglass pencil Protective gloves Solvent-resistant facemask (if working in an enclosed space) Wet &dry papers, 2000- and 3000-grit Polishing equipment Wax, applicators and cloths Specialists Advice and training courses, ukdetailingacademy.com Touch-up paint, chipex.co.uk General detailing supplies, mycarcleaning.co.uk Value…