Innholdsfortegnelse for 20/5/2020 i Classic Car Buyer

If you’ve been keeping up with our Classics World YouTube videos, you’ll have seen our new project cars revealed. You’ll have seen my attempts to defend my Peugeot 205’s rough edges on account of its 201,000 miles, Jeff making the case for his Ford Puma despite its Fiesta underpinnings and Aaron insisting that his Range Rover P38A isn’t that broken. We all had a laugh ripping into each other’s cars, but afterwards, each of us went solo to film an in-depth overview. As the video editor for Classics World, it was my job to edit each video and in doing so, gained an insight into Aaron and Jeff’s choices. There’s no denying that the Puma is a genuinely nice example and the Range Rover is a lot of car for…

Regular CCB readers may have seen the three latest project cars on our staff classics pages, but if you haven’t, the big reveal can now be viewed on our Classics World YouTube channel. CCB team members drew a mixture of booby prizes and different budgets out of a hat, resulting in Joe, Jeff and Aaron hunting out a pre-2000 car with at least three months’ MoT for £750, £1000 and £1500 respectively. After a couple of weeks, each team member returned to show the others what they’d bought, trying their best to justify their choices. There’s some rule bending, rust and plenty of ridicule, but each of our intrepid staffers feel they’ve made the best choice. Visit YouTube and search for ‘Classics World’ or go direct to https://youtu.be/Q-JN7wbGEq4 to see…

The door appears to be open for classic car enthusiasts to get back behind the wheel of their vehicles following the announcement of the Government’s “conditional plan” which took effect from May 13. The plan aims to return life to as near normal as possible to safeguard livelihoods, but in a way that is safe and continues to protect the NHS. Under the new guidelines, people are still advised to stay home as much as possible. However, you may now leave home to exercise or spend time outdoors for various reasons such as getting fresh air or sunbathing. You can also meet with one person outside of your household outdoors or to play sport whilst respecting social distancing guidelines, and go to garden centres. Crucially, there are no restrictions on…

PREVIEW: H&H ONLINE, MAY 27 As you can read on page 5, even a wholesale lockdown of society doesn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the UK’s classic car fans and H&H was already well placed to operate in a world where bidding and buying is done online. Indeed, the company now plans to hold an online sale of cars, motorbikes and automobilia every four weeks. We reported earlier this month on the firm’s impressively buoyant April 29 sale and as we went to press for this issue some interesting lots had already been consigned to the May 27 auction. One which caught our MGF-owning Production Editor’s eye was an early MGF on the R-plate and showing just 26,000 miles, while another low-mileage survivor comes in the shape of a 1984 Ford…

ROVER 800 MK2 ‘R17’ (1991-1998) After launching its flagship executive 800 in 1986, Rover had initially exported the car to America badged ‘Sterling’. Hoping to increase US popularity, the ‘R17’ 800 gained additional wood and bonnet bulge - echoing traditional Jaguars, beloved by Americans - and softer suspension, as well as a chrome-bezel grille. Unfortunately, Rover pulled out of America just before the Mk2’s release. Nonetheless, the 800 tackled the European market, claiming improved quality over early cars. Priced from £19,245 – just below the sub-2-litre, sub-£19,250 tax bracket - the 800 looked well-priced, until you realise the BMW 520i was priced identically. By the mid-1990s, the 800 was ageing. The market reflected that – a £30,000 825 would be £10,000 three years on. The depreciation even affected new cars,…

Anyone who has studied the classic auctions for the past couple of years will know that the Capri is already a contender in the classic stakes, with the late-model special editions being highly sought-after. This example is the so-called ‘Brooklands’ model, the nickname referring to the Brooklands Green paint colour and the model officially known as the Capri 280. The example we see here is the absolute top of the Capri tree, with just 12,000 miles showing since it was collected from the Birkenhead Ford dealer in December 1987. The car has been part of a collection for the last six years but has been kept up to scratch with many parts refurbished cosmetically and the engine converted to unleaded spec, with the result being that it’s presented to show…

Fiat has announced the end of one of the longest-lived production car engines. The eight-valve version of its Fully Integrated Robotised Engine, commonly known as the FIRE unit, is ending production after 35 years and over 23 million units sold, having resisted many attempts to replace it. Emissions are cited as the reason for the FIRE ending production, as impending European regulations require a CO2 limit of 95g/km across manufacturers’ ranges. Instead Fiat is focusing on its new FireFly engines, with stocks of the two-cylinder TwinAir motor also set to be used up. Released in 1985, the FIRE was produced with far greater factory automation than the 100-series OHV engines – hence the ‘robotised’ tag. It first saw use in the Autobianchi Y10 (badged the Lancia Y10 for most export…

Classic car auctions have been thin on the ground recently, with most sales postponed or cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic. But while social distancing rules are likely to mean traditional affairs in front of big crowds are a no-no for the foreseeable future, the UK’s classic auction houses have been busy adapting to suit a new normality – one that not only keeps them in operation, but satisfies strong demand from enthusiasts and traders. For some, the transition has been relatively simple. H&H Classics was one of the few businesses to keep its sales going as the virus peaked, hosting no fewer than four online sales since the Imperial War Museum barred public entry to its March 17 sale at the 11th hour. Impressive sale rates of 61, 67, 98…

A pair of intriguing Fiats were among the lots which raised over £600,000 for the NHS via a silent online auction. The former Top Gear presenter and renowned petrolhead Chris Evans joined forces with a host of big-name celebs to donate a wide variety of lots, with the money raised going to the charity Scrubs Glorious Scrubs, which is a voluntary sewing collaborative making non-surgical scrubs for NHS workers. Chris Evans started by auctioning memorabilia from his garage in a three-day sale beginning on April 29, which raised £492,242 and was so successful it took place again the following week. Those to donate included Bono, Taylor Swift, Will Smith, Jon Bon Jovi, Ant and Dec and Holly Willoughby, with Rob Stewart donating the Cartier timepiece he’s had since his early…

With no events to attend, solace for many a classic vehicle owner can be found in the garage. Here are some choice workshop products and project ideas to help you on your way, which can be handily sourced without leaving home. SEALS AND TRIM Prices vary Fresh rubber seals on your classic will not only protect it against the elements, but can considerably improve its appearance, too. Based in the New Forest, Seals + Direct offers new seals for bonnets, boots, doors, windows and tank straps, together with fillet trim, running board treads, a vast variety of edging trim, plastic wing piping and much more – basically everything you need to refresh what’s already there or complete a restoration. A wealth of marques and models are catered for, including the…

The old adage of win on Sunday, sell on Monday might be fading in today’s modern climate, but way back when the world of rallying and racing enjoyed substantially more national press coverage, the opportunity to do just that wasn’t lost on car manufacturers. Admittedly a lot of these thoroughbred, street versions of their rallying siblings are out of budget for most of us, but it never harms to browse does it? We’ve teamed up with Motorsport News to pick some of our favourite homologation heroes and just a few remain enticingly within reach. LOTUS CORTINA The Ford Cortina Lotus was a bit of a pioneer of what we consider today to be a homologation car, in that it was really the first to uplift a brand with an otherwise…

Recent reports have suggested traffic volumes on Britain’s roads were akin to early 1970s levels during lockdown, so it seemed appropriate to revisit this London scene from April 1971 – especially as the driver of the TR4 has seen fit to wear PPE. However, in this case, it was to protect against air pollution rather than any virus. Mind you, he wasn’t entirely helping himself by keeping the roof open, or driving a 2.2-litre car that, while hardly an old smoker, had an engine originally developed for a late 1940s tractor. In the background you’ll see an array of coaches and traditional Routemaster buses – perhaps another reason for the mask – and what looks like a Ford Corsair concealed behind the Triumph. The van in the shot may look…

Could MG be poised to roll back the years and re-enter the world of sports cars? Since the demise of the TF in 2011, the Octagon badge has adorned a series of hatchbacks and SUVs, and while there was talk of a new sports car in 2011, it was never realised. But now the first images of the next concept MG sports car dubbed the ‘Cyberster Concept’ have been revealed in China. The images were created by SAIC, MG’s parent company, and appear to show a concept that’s markedly different from the MG E-Motion unveiled back in 2017. While the E-Motion followed more of the grand tourer, two-plus-two aesthetic, the Cyberster seems to relate more closely to traditional MG sportscars with its pure two-seater layout. Styling cues evident from the…

CITROËN DS PHASE 1/2 (1955-1967) In 1955, the French had another revolution, in motoring. Named DS after the French word for goddess, ‘Déesse’, notably innovative were its disc brakes, the first on a mass-produced car. The technology and style won hearts, taking 12,000 orders on release day, and ultimately selling 1.45 million. Launch pricing was high, however – £1700 for the DS compared to £1250 for a Rover 75. The lower-spec ID after the French ‘idée’ for idea), was a cheaper variant that increased sales further. As a used car, some people were put off by the Citroën’s eccentricities and by the 1990s they were merely a weird old car. Less than £3000 bought a DS by the turn of the century and some weren’t properly maintained, falling by the…

The modern Bentleys produced under Volkswagen ownership are a very different beast from the super-luxury Rolls-Royces currently made by BMW in Munich and assembled in Sussex, but for most of the second half of the 20th century this wasn’t the case. Prewar Bentleys may have had a proud tradition of engineering excellence and motorsport success but it wasn’t enough to keep the firm afloat financially and in 1931 the firm entered receivership and set in chain a series of events which would trigger big changes to the brand. It was acquired by a company called British Central Equitable Trust which turned out to be a front for none other than Rolls-Royce, buying its competitor purely to remove it from the market. The firm’s premises in Cricklewood, north London were sold…

One of the joys of a classic vehicle auction is the sheer unpredictability of it all, particularly if you’re a curious onlooker with no intention of bidding. Watching proceedings as two or more bidders fight it out over the same car can be an entertaining business. But when you’re one of the bidders involved, it can also be rather stressful – and somewhat disappointing. Just a couple of weeks prior to the UK going into ‘lockdown’ mode, Brightwells held another classic sale at its Herefordshire headquarters. The day before, I’d made the three-hour round trip to view the car I was interested in, to make sure it was exactly as described. After all, only a brave man buys a car at auction without seeing it first. (And yes, I’ve done…

LIFE AND TIMES OF THE XJ40 The Jaguar saloon design from the ’70s which lasted into the 21st century. BUYING THE LOTUS ECLAT & EXCEL The easy-to-own Lotus? We’ll find out. AUSTIN RIVALS: SEVEN V MINI Which offers more fun as a classic today? You might be surprised. PLUS… We see how Jeff’s getting on with his Puma project car and make up for lost time as the classic auction business gets into gear again. DOWNLOAD THE DIGITAL ISSUE OF CLASSIC CAR BUYER FROM AS LITTLE AS 94p! Visit: www.pocketmags.com or download it via the App Store; search ‘Classic Car Buyer’. The printed version of Classic Car Buyer is available in ASDA, Tesco, Morrisons and WH Smiths, plus all good newsagents…