Innholdsfortegnelse for 16/12/2020 i Classic Car Buyer

The ubiquitous Haynes Workshop Manual has reached the end of an era, with the publisher confirming it will no longer physically print manuals for new cars in favour of digital content. However, you’ll still be able to buy existing manuals from its extensive back catalogue. Long a staple for the DIY mechanic, the first Haynes Workshop Manual was produced in 1966 and in all around 200 million manuals have been published. Established by John Haynes more than 50 years ago, Haynes Publishing was sold to French firm Infopro Digital earlier this year after its founder’s death in 2019. In a statement, the brand said it was currently in the process of creating a new automotive maintenance and repair product that “will cover around 95 per cent of car makes and…

During 2020, we’ve regaled you with tales of our trio of budget project cars in the pages of CCB and our sister title Classic Car Mart, as well as on our Classics World YouTube. Joe’s Peugeot 205, Jeff’s Ford Puma and Aaron’s Range Rover P38 have all served us surprisingly well during their time on the fleet, but all three are now in the hands of a new owner. Of course, we couldn’t let them go without a fitting send off, so we’ve created a farewell YouTube video. Filmed at Caffeine & Machine and the British Motor Museum before the second lockdown, it covers all the highs and lows of our ownership experiences with the cars, how much we’ve spent, which one we really wanted to drive home and a…

The Association of Heritage Engineers has launched a new initiative called the Sustainable Skills Network, designed to amplify the importance of the amazing hand skills possessed by UK’s heritage businesses and artisans and demonstrate their value to the next generation. To this end the AoHE is putting together a broad spectrum of ‘ambassadors’ from a diverse range of backgrounds willing to spread the word. While the project is officially launched at the AoHE’s ‘Festival of British Engineering’ as a part of Coventry MotoFest and Coventry City of Culture 2021 in June, work is already underway. The ambassadors include Salvage Hunters: Classic Cars TV star and longtime AoHE supporter Drew Pritchard, who started his career as an apprentice and has gone on to build up a worldwide antique business. He’s joined…

MGA TWIN-CAM (1958-60) The MGA had enjoyed almost three years of sales success by the time the Twin-Cam version arrived in 1958, which initially offered an impressive 108bhp to ensure class-leading performance. Unfortunately though, the car’s reliability let it down, with the DOHC version of the B-series engine being plagued by problems. In the end, just 2111 Twin-Cams were built – and all those still surviving are highly sought after. At the start of the 2000s, it was still possible to buy an MGA Twin-Cam for anywhere between the high teens and £20,000. Fast-forward twenty years, however, and prices in the mid-£30,000s seem the norm for a car in good (but far from perfect) condition, while those that are immaculately presented and restored to an exceptional standard can command asking…

The way we, and probably most others, remember Michael Edwardes is for his extraordinary leadership of British Leyland during one of its darkest hours. However, it was only for five years that he was chairman of the board and apart from a later stint at General Motors, that was his total time in the car industry. His appointment as chief executive and then chairman soon after was arguably because he had outside knowledge – it seemed that no other traditional car industry loyalist had succeeded so far – and because he had a reputation for rooting out and solving problems. He started his career at battery producers Chloride, where over 25 years he worked his way up by recovering ailing divisions throughout the company. The moving about from one division…

This week we’re looking down on the staff car park outside Volvo’s Torslanda plant in Sweden, just outside the city of Gothenburg. The mix of vehicles is fascinating. As you might expect, there are plenty of Volvos ranging from Amazon and its predecessor the PV544 – a rally-striped example visible on the end of a row to the right of the image – to the facelifted 140-series with the diagonal grille bar dating the image to be from the early 1970s. What’s particularly noticeable is the number of VW Beetles in shot. With its air-cooled engine impossible to freeze and the engine weight over the driving wheels giving it good traction in snow, the VW was a popular car in Sweden and we counted at least 17 examples. There’s a…

Despite looking uncannily like a Honda Ballade, the Acclaim was assembled from scratch at Cowley using mostly locally sourced materials. In that respect it was hardly 'traditional' but nevertheless had enough UK credentials to be considered a home-spun affair. British Leyland even tweaked the steering and suspension as well as seats, fabrics and switchgear inside to make it all feel a bit more British. The result at launch in 1981 was a saloon that while not exactly what Triumph purists would have wanted as a replacement for the Dolomite still impressed with its level of quality and comfort. As a result, sales exceeded BL’s predictions. What fuelled its success, of course, was that Swiss watch smooth 68bhp overhead cam 1335cc Honda engine. Virtually silent, free-revving and able to do as…

You can't get more traditional, or more British, than the handsome P6. Regardless of engine size, they're lovely to drive and easy enough to maintain thanks to a good spares backup and a raft of specialists. They're nice inside, too; plush, with the feel of a true classic, especially if there’s leather trim instead of the vinyl which appeared on the later models. There were a number of changes in the P6’s 14 year production run; key dates to remember include the arrival of the twin-carb 114bhp TC in 1966, the V8 in 1968, and the big facelift that happened in late 1970 that saw a more aggressive honeycomb plastic grille replace the previous chrome item, twin bulges appear on the bonnet and a vinyl covering on the rear screen…

One of the accusations often levelled at the BMW 6-Series was that it was somehow softer than the preceding E9 Coupes that had arrived in 1969. There’s an element of truth to that as the E24 was certainly heavier and it initially had less of a sporting bias, but it was a better resolved product. The E9 might have been lighter but the shell was a bit flexible and being based on the New Class 1500-2000 floorpan, it wasn’t as good to drive as the E3 six cylinder saloons upon which the 1972 E12 520 – and subsequently the E24 – were based. In any case, accusations of softness were dispelled by the original 1978 635CSi and later the 1984 M635CSi – all 24 valves and 286bhp of it. HISTORY…

The London Classic Car Show, which will take at its new Covid-compliant home of Syon Park on April 16-18 next year, is to celebrate the history of motoring under its central theme of ‘The Evolution of Design’. A special display to mark the 60th birthday the Jaguar E-Type has already been confirmed. Now comes the announcement that one of Italy’s most influential models – the Lancia Lambda – will be saluting its centenary. The Lambda not only laid the foundations for one of Italy’s most illustrious marques but is also renowned for its technical innovation. It was the first car to feature a load bearing monocoque body, and also featured pioneering independent suspension. The special 100th anniversary Lambda display is being curated by the Lancia Motor Club, which is one…

One advantage of moving sales online is that potential buyers aren’t put off by the winter weather and so it proved for EAMA’s latest sale, with brisk bidding for the eclectic catalogue of bikes and cars. A particular highlight for most of us on CCB was a Cadillac rarity – a 2001 Seville with 4.6-litre V8 and righthand drive which was hammered away for a provisional £1600. Meanwhile, Mini lover Jeff was more interested in the Mini Clubman which sold for £5500 and MGF-owning Aaron was impressed by the £3800 made by an early N-plated example. Everyone was intrigued by the tidy-looking Mercedes 420SL which was more affordable than usual thanks to Cat C status, selling for £11,000. Star performer of the day was an example of the first M-badged…

With the exception of perhaps the Mini, very few of the enduring classic cars were the work of just one person but so often there’s just a single name associated with a car, usually the stylist: think William Lyons for the ’60s Jaguars, Pininfarina for Italian sports cars, Giugiaro for sharp ’70s and ’80s hatchbacks and Colin Chapman for pretty much all pre-Elise Lotuses. Behind them though, there’s invariably a team of talent from engineers to corporate decision-makers whose contribution to the world of automotive history is often overlooked. We pick just a few of our current favourites. Where better to start a tribute to the major players in British automotive history than with a true individual who became one of the most influential car designers of all time? The zenith…

The fact that he was at Morris Garages before Cecil Kimber says a great deal about the influence of Syd Enever on MG. Starting in 1920 as a showroom errand boy, he quickly gained recognition for his practical talents and when Kimber did arrive on the scene he noticed Enever and moved him into the fray at Abingdon in 1927. History, and Enever’s career followed. In 1938 he became chief planning engineer, then chief engineer in 1954, a post he kept until his retirement in 1971. Most widely famed for his crucial role in developing the MGA and MGB sports cars, he can also be credited with contributions to much of the other, past engineering achievements borne out of MG in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. As racing and record…

TECH SPEC ROVER 75 ENGINE: 1991cc V6 POWER: 148bhp 0-60mph: 10.2secs TOP SPEED: 130mph BUY ONE FOR: £500-£3000 The motor industry in the late ’90s was characterised by a desperate rush to achieve the ‘critical mass’ production volume which academics had predicted would be crucial for survival, with BMW’s acquisition of Rover intended to achieve just that, while Ford was pushing its Jaguar subsidiary to go further than the 100,000 cars a year the S-Type had already achieved. In both cases the foreign owners of the two British brands had decided that what the market wanted from a British car was retro styling which invoked the 1960s. This was an era when retro was all the rage, from PT Cruiser to New Beetle, but the cars did date quickly. Since…

The instantly recognisable Minor might be a bit of a cliché for some but who cares because it’s fun to drive, simple to maintain, and while being a far less common sight on our roads than a decade ago, good examples are still tantalisingly affordable. The very early ones are now in the hands of collectors, but that’s okay because the later A-Series-powered Minors are better suited to regular use anyway. The 1098cc model from 1962 on makes the most sense, its extra 11bhp over the earlier 948cc motor translating into a car that’s a lot more responsive and more able to cope with the cut and thrust of modern traffic. And on a run it will easily do 40mpg, so you will seldom need to fork out for fuel.…

Traditional six-cylinder British sports cars rarely come cheap, do they? And they'll cost a king’s ransom to keep. Well, the no-nonsense plastic-bodied Reliant Scimitar with its lusty Ford V6 proves otherwise because it isn't dear and will be a doddle to maintain. Its true ace card though is the fact that it’s likely to prove hugely practical. Arriving decades before breathed-on Audi Avants and fast family Volvos, its estate-like body with folding rear seats and opening rear hatch make it ideal for everyday use. That’s another reason to buy one. The first SE5 GTE appeared in 1968, with the squarer SE6 arriving in 1975 and the lightly revised SE6a a year later with improved brakes and suspension. The SE6b from 1980 and the soft top GTC used Ford’s newer Cologne…

It’s difficult to go wrong with a prewar Austin. Thanks to their simple but charming design, they’re easy to work on and enjoy a great enthusiast following. This 12/4 has basic leaf spring, rigid axle suspension front and rear, and a robust four-cylinder engine making a healthy 24bhp. Being a 1936 model, it also benefits from synchromesh on first and second gear, plus an X-bracing in the frame. As you can tell by the boot at the rear, this is an Ascot body style, particularly useful for trips out with the family. This example has been painted in a rather dashing combination of dark blue separated by a coachline to the grey bonnet and roof above. It presents very well indeed, and inside it’s much the same – with the…

ATKINSON WINDOW SCREEN MK1 £50. Good condition. Please call 07759 198070, South East. 104872 BMC FARINA AND FORD PARTS POA. A60 plus A55 pls od. Bezzels, bumper, lamps, handles etc. Please call 07787746630, South East. 104854 BMW WHEELS £50. Set of 17" x 8" bmw wheels.style 236. with Goodyear Excellence run flats with delivery mileage [off 5 series f10] that I purchased from BMW dealer some time ago with intention of using, but have since sold the car. They are in amazing condition and alloys are like new, tyres have 8mm tread with coloured bands still showing, £ 800. Also have an identical set of wheels that are used but still in beautiful condition, tyre tread depth from 5mm to 7mm, no puncture repairs, balanced and ready to use, £…

Peering down this track next to a 4x4 dealer we visited last week revealed an early Mitsubishi Shogun festering away at the bottom. Launched in 1982, it was available as a short wheelbase model or in a big seven-seater guise as seen here. Sadly, this one looks to have off-roaded to its final resting place. KEEP IN TOUCH Have CCB delivered or read our digital edition! Call 01959 541444 or visit shop.kelsey.co.uk for a postal or digital subscription Read the latest issue online at www.pocketmags.com Sign up for our newsletter at www.classicsworld.co.uk…

The debate over electric classic vehicles is far from a new one, but it’s been brought into sharper focus following the Government’s intention to ban the sale of all new cars and vans powered solely by petrol or diesel in 2030. Few would argue that steps need to be taken to protect the environment, and for the automotive industry, electric vehicles are currently leading the charge. It’s only new ICE cars that are being banned rather than existing ones, but it has encouraged discussion on how the historic vehicle movement will survive in the long term. There’s a lot at stake: the historic vehicle sector contributes £7.2bn annually to the UK and employs 34,000 people. For some, a converted classic is deemed to have lost its historic status. Last year…

A list of 10 classics and modern classics that can be enjoyed without fear of depreciation has been released by Hagerty. The Bull Market List was originally launched in the USA in 2017, but now the insurer has complied its inaugural list for the UK market. To compile the report, Hagerty analysed its market valuation and insurance data, as well as auction results and private sales. Three of the entries are at the more exotic end of the market, with Hagerty noting a slight rise in Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG values, and predicting that the Aston Martin DB7 will bounce back after a significant 2019-2020 drop. The report also notes that the annual drop experienced by the Ferrari 328 has slowed dramatically and it should now be a fairly safe bet.…

TRIUMPH HERALD (1959-71) The Herald differed from most of its contemporaries thanks to its rather old-fashioned use of a separate chassis, although it still went on to enjoy a highly successful twelve-year career. The coupe version was short-lived, but the saloon, estate and convertible models stayed the course, with engines sizes increasing from 948cc to 1147cc and 1296cc in later years. As with most compact British saloons of the ’60s, prices have risen significantly over the last couple of decades. What was once a cheap classic that could be snapped up in good order for a few hundred pounds is now worth considerably more. You might find a project car for less than £1000 but it’s going to need a serious amount of work. Herald saloons are the most commonplace…

Any discussion on Alec Issigonis’ car design inevitably includes Alex Moulton. Without Dr Moulton’s rubber suspension designs, the Mini might have never been the marvel of packaging it became. Issigonis’ coilsprung 9X would sadly mark the end of their profession and personal friendship, but Moulton’s designs would continue to flourish. Moulton was born into the rubber business. After the war, he began work in the technical department of his family’s firm – a supplier of rubber suspension systems to the railway industry – and began to develop his ideas for using rubber as a vehicle suspension medium. His first automotive design was the Flexitor of 1948, a torsional shear rubber spring that eventually saw use in the Austin Gypsy 4x4, but was also fitted to a prototype Morris Minor and…

Unlike some of the other characters here, Spen King’s strengths were in a pragmatic approach to problem solving to give the market what it wanted, rather than complex engineering-led solutions. He was also more than slightly conflicted in later life about his achievements, pointing out that the rise of the SUV as a lifestyle statement rather saddened him. “The 4x4 was never intended as a status symbol, but later incarnations of my design seem to be intended for that purpose,” he told the Scottish Record in 2004. It is however the Range Rover for which King will forever be remembered by anyone with an interest in old cars – there was even a CSK special edition using his initials – although his career in Rover and BL would see him…

While it’s fun to take a turn down an unknown country lane occasionally rather than taking the usual route, it’s easy to get lost. The same goes when buying a classic. Sure, snapping up an obscure, long-forgotten-about car from the past might appeal, but you could very well live to regret that when you hit a dead end finding replacement parts or seeking advice. Now you could argue that’s all part of the joy of owning a classic that will raise eyebrows and keep people guessing wherever you go. But if you're on a budget and want to keep running costs to a minimum it makes more sense going for one of the more traditional classic choices such as the ones here, all of which are cheap to buy and…

We've always been big fans of the Herald, largely because of its simplicity. Indeed, as the entire bonnet section conveniently hinges forward to give access to the front end, it’s recognised as one of the easiest to work on and cheapest to keep classics on the market. It’s nice and easy to drive, too, and no, not just because of its taxi-like turning circle. Plus, ones that have had Spitfire gearboxes fitted or other subtle upgrades over the years will be even more user friendly. Unsurprisingly corrosion will be the only real deal-breaker when going to view a Herald. The chassis outriggers and suspension mounts front and rear suffer rot and the rails themselves can also rust out as moisture works its way through the sills and floors. The good…

There’s huge scope to buy and run a fun to drive, easy to own open-top MG Midget or MGB on a shoestring, especially if you’re willing to sidestep the chrome bumpered models and pick a generally better value post-’74 example with the black polyurethane bumpers instead. And although the changes were never massive, things were continually evolved. For example, the B quickly got its deleted front anti-roll bar back, teamed up with a rear one for 1977, while other improvements included a nicer interior and an electric cooling fan. Almost all Midgets and MGBs will have undergone some form of restoration work by now so it’s a case of assessing what’s been done, checking panel gaps, lifting doors on their hinges, climbing underneath, etc, to spot the real bodges and…

Mazda RX-7 SA The same compact rotary sports car recipe, in a more classic package. Whilst a few FDs are for sale at any given time, SAs are exceptionally rare, so prices are hard to pinpoint. Parts are even harder to come by than our FD and you’re giving up a lot in performance and technology, however. Porsche ‘996’ 911 Turbo The RX-7 was priced to compete with the 911 Carrera, but the monstrous Turbo is now available for Mazda money. However, the 911 Turbo offers four-wheel drive, substantially more power and German quality, all with a more approachable twin-turbo flat-six engine. Whilst the Porsche is an easier ownership prospect, it looks a bit ordinary compared to the RX-7. Mazda RX-8 If you fancy rotary power in a cheaper, more…