Innholdsfortegnelse for 23/9/2020 i Classic Car Buyer

Bit of an unusual request,” I said to the man behind the counter at a local parts factor. “I don’t suppose you’ve got a set of ignition leads on the shelf for an ’84 XR3i have you?” “Not the oddest question I’ve been asked this morning,” he returned without blinking. “The chap you passed on the way in was after a water pump for a V6 Granada.” And yes, they had both items on the shelf and off went two surprised and happy customers to tinker with old Fords in the unexpected autumn sunshine. Of course it was only later that I realised I didn’t have a plug spanner on hand to suit the CVH engine. In a situation familiar to many readers I knew I’d owned the right tool…

The MINI Y Register and 02 S Register met at MINI Plant Oxford last month to formally launch the third and final register in its Gen-1 MINI trilogy. The Cabri04 Register caters for all MINI Cabriolet variants manufactured in 2004. There were five early cabriolets in attendance alongside the Y and 02 S models. Amongst these were the oldest known Cooper with chassis number 12, and a One variant used for the Spanish press launch. A celebratory cake was cut and all members in attendance convoyed from the plant to the British Motor Museum in Gaydon. Started in 2015, the MINI Y Register has successfully raised the profile and public interest in the early R50 models. “We have seen such enthusiasm for the existing registers and this is, I think,…

The Government is to trial speed reductions on four motorways before October. The limit will be reduced from 70mph to 60mph on sections of the M6, M1, M5 and M602 in a bid to cut pollution. According to Highways England, these areas have seen higher than recommended levels of nitrogen dioxide, which is a pollutant linked to respiratory illness. “Ultimately the air quality challenge will be solved ‘at the tailpipe’ by vehicle manufacturers and changes in vehicle use,” Ivan Le Fevre, head of environment at Highways England, told the BBC. “Until this happens we will continue our extensive programme of pioneering research and solutions.” Of course, this isn’t the first time motorway speed limits have been trialled. The 70mph limit was initially introduced as a trial in December 1965 before…

FORD CAPRI MkI (1969-74) Launched in 1969 and taking the 2+2 coupe market by storm, the Capri offered the advantage of multiple engine choices, kicking off with a humble 1.3-litre four-pot. At the top of the range, however, was Ford’s 3.0-litre ‘Essex’ V6, which continued with the MkII of 1974 – a model based on the MkI’s floorpan but with new styling and the added versatility of a rear tailgate. Even when the MkIII was launched in 1978, the ‘Essex’ continued until finally being replaced by the ‘Cologne’ 2.8i in 1981. Capri values have seen plenty of upward movement in recent years, with the MkI in particular now commanding serious sums. Despite almost 1.2 million being sold worldwide, the MkI is no longer a common sight – and it’s a…

The Wartburg Trabant IFA Club has announced that what would have been its last event of the 2020 season will now be its first. In light of new ‘rule of six’ guidelines, its usual two-day event at Crich Tramway Museum in Derbyshire is now a one-day static display on October 4, with its members’ wide variety of Eastern Bloc classics to be parked up on a street within the venue. Event Organiser Richard Hemington said: “While we have had to postpone the Friday evening social dinner and Saturday road run until 2021, we’re delighted to confirm our meet on Sunday. The museum has safeguarding measures in place and is looking forward to our visit. In effect, individual car-loads will each be ‘one group’ in accordance with the government’s latest guidance.…

A strong showing of classics were sold off at the latest H&H auction with British classics dominating the listings, from 1920s commercials right up to modern classic sports cars. We saw two prewar Morris models sell above estimate right at the beginning of the auction: a 1935 Morris Eight for £3800 and a 1927 Morris Cowley flat bed that offered enough charm and promise that it shot above its top estimate by £2500 to sell for £8500. Other classic projects included a 1962 Singer Vogue, needing new sills which took only £600 and a 1959 Rover 80 that had been in storage for 30 years and, pending negotiations with the vendor, may well stay there for now. The appetite for projects seemed to be reserved for commercial vehicles and not…

MORRIS MARINA (1971-80) While browsing a British Leyland page on Facebook, we spotted an enthusiast bemoaning the fact that he couldn’t find a tidy, MoT’d Marina for less than £1000. And he made a good point, as the days when a perfectly usable example of the family-friendly Morris could be picked up for a song are now gone. Like other British Leyland models that were once a last-resort choice, the Marina is finally seeing a healthy hike in sale prices. It’s quite a turn-around for the Marina, the range that British Leyland launched in 1971 and finally discontinued nine years later – only to be replaced by a revamped version carrying Ital badges. The Marina’s 1.8 B-series engine was dropped in favour of the 1.7 O-series for the ’79 model…

Motorways have hit the headlines recently as a 60mph limit is set to be trialled to improve air quality. But back in June 1970, protesters were fighting pollution of a different kind as they took to the M4 Junction 10 construction site in Winnersh near Reading to complain about the noise and, presumably, a whacking great motorway right through their neighbourhood. In the foreground we see a Mk1 ADO16, probably an Austin 1100 given its crinkled grille, though the badge is missing. It’s followed by an Austin truck, concealing what appears to be a Farina estate. We like to think it’s an Austin ADO9 Cambridge, making for a trio of Austins. On the right is a Ford Anglia, while a Mk2 two-door Cortina on the left completes a Blue Oval…

Austin Healey Frogeye Sprite There is an argument that the original is the best and a factory Frogeye will hold its value and appreciate far more than the Rana. However, you’ll pay as much as double like-for-like to get into one and you’ve got more rust to watch for. Alfa Romeo Spider Series 4 If you fancy a classic sports car with some newer refinements, a late Alfa Spider is a great alternative. Fuel injection and power steering make this 60s icon a useable classic and prices are similar to our Tifosi, but parts are harder to come by. MG Midget 1275 (MkIII) Purists prefer a 1275 Midget to the Triumph-powered 1500 and prices are rapidly approaching £10,000. Still huge fun, but rust is more of a worry than the…

Fresh uncertainty has been thrown on to car shows, events and gatherings in the light of the Government’s ‘rule of six’, with social gatherings of six people from more than one household not permitted in England from Monday, September 14 bar some exceptions. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean the classic car calendar is heading for another shutdown. Initially, it had been feared that motoring events would be off the agenda. However, in relation to outdoor events, Jim Winship, Secretary of the Events Industry Forum (EIF), clarified to Kelsey Media that the rule of six relates to gatherings of groups within an event. It does not apply to the numbers allowed to attend an event which, as set out in the EIF/Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) guidance, should…

Mathewsons’ huge momentum looks set to carry through to its next sale on October 3, with another enormous list of classics already consigned. The doors continue to remain closed in favour of online, telephone and commission bidding, but that clearly hasn’t stopped folk wanting to do business at what must now be one of the biggest single-day classic car auction in the UK. Amongst the headliners will be a Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth and a Ferrari 308 GTS, but you’ll also find an intriguing mix of rarities, everyman classics and projects. Pre-war vehicles are well represented, such as a 1926 Dodge Brothers Bus, a lovely 1930 Armstrong Siddeley Long 15, a 1931 Jowett truck, a 1937 Alvis and plenty more. Saloon cars from the 1960s also feature heavily, such as…

Ah, the old widowmaker,” nodded an older relative sagely upon seeing photos of the GT6 I had recently been driving for a photo feature and although I experienced nothing but benign behaviour and easy handling from the little Triumph, it reminded me of the reputation some classics picked up back in the day for slightly tricky handling. Most times this was due to user error and over-confidence with the somewhat crude suspension set-ups of the day and anyone who carries too much speed into a corner in a swing-axle car then brakes heavily mid-bend can expect some white-knuckle wheel-wrestling or worse. I know: I grew up with air-cooled Beetles. In the modern era, every road test of the Golf GTI from Mk1 to Mk4 has shown it merrily three-wheeling under…

HISTORY Launched in very late 1973, the Jaguar XJ Series 2 was a facelift of the 1968 original. The car was a response to worldwide safety and emissions legislation – predominantly centred upon the American market. It featured a redesigned nose with a higher bumper, redesigned fascia, and several other upgrades. Initially available in two lengths, the short wheelbase body was relegated to the options list after a few short months. Likewise the 2.8-litre engine, officially listed but never encouraged, was dropped in 1974 in favour of the reintroduction of the time-honoured 3.4-litre configuration. Key to the Series 2’s changes was a brand new bodyshell. This featured side impact protection, and a vastly revised bulkhead design which sealed off the passenger compartment in case of an accident. Fibre-optic lighting and…