Innholdsfortegnelse for 6/1/2022 i Classic Car Buyer

The classic car world is probably split along broadly equal lines into those of us who simply want a nice, presentable old car to use and enjoy and those chasing concours trophies for whom nothing less than showroom perfection is acceptable. You can probably guess where most of the CCB team falls, especially where our project cars are concerned. So many have passed through our hands in recent months that although we aim to sort all their problems, we’ll never have a bursting trophy cabinet. Which is why I was amazed by the recent result of a friend taking his latest acquisition to a marque specialist. Having asked simply for a knowledgeable expert’s opinion of what needed sorting on a car which after all was driving very well and boasted…

The Classic & Performance Car Spectacular returns for 2022, taking place at Tatton Park, near Knutsford, Cheshire, over the jubilee weekend of June 4-5. Described as “one of Britain’s most popular car shows”, the event will feature classic cars of all types, as well as club stands, an autojumble and entertainment throughout the two days. Children can also join in the celebrations by picking up a Union Jack flag at the entrance. Thousands of classic cars are expected to attend, with something to suit all tastes and with all eras covered. For further details, visit theclassiccarshows.com.…

A final consignment of exhaust systems for the ADO16 (BMC 1100/1300) range has arrived with Ian and Dawn Kennedy of Hydragas & Hydrolastic Service Ltd. And with no more available once this batch sells out, owners are being encouraged to order a spare exhaust for their car to avoid problems at a later date. Dawn told CCB: “This is the last batch to be produced – the department at the factory that’s made them has closed down and no more will be manufactured again. Neither will these be available anywhere else.” In stock for immediate despatch, exhausts for both single- and twin-carb versions of the 1100/1300 are available, priced at £220 per full system – although fully paid-up members of ado16.info are eligible for a 10 per cent discount. A…

Morris Leslie’s latest classic car auction on May 21 was its first to be held with public attendance since before the pandemic, and saw a new twist introduced as the vehicles were started and driven through the hall in front of bidders. They had plenty to see too, with a catalogue ranging from pre-war cars to modern classics. This was a real red-letter day for Blue Oval fans, whether they preferred mild or wild. A very smart Ceramic Blue Mk2 Fiesta L that had covered just 12,850 miles sold just north of its upper estimate for £5005, with a rare Mk1 Fiesta 1300 S showing a genuine 35,577 miles easily surpassing its £3500-£4500 guide to go even better at £5060. Similarly impressive was the £11,610 achieved by a four-door 1970…

This photograph of North Gate Street, Aberystwyth, was taken in 1965, when it was obviously much quieter than today’s very busy bus route with double-yellow lines on both sides. Back then, it was possible to park at the roadside, as this impressive line-up of vehicles proves. Bottom-left we can see a Morris Minor 1000, with an Austin A40 Somerset ahead of it. In front of that, meanwhile, is an early MG Midget with a large load in its part-open boot; these days, the MG’s CE 28 registration number is on a six-year old MINI. Ahead of the Midget is what looks like a 1940s/50s Jeep with an open bonnet and someone (probably from the garage a few doors down) tending to its engine, while further on we can see an…

Here at CCB, we tend to associate Leyland with its car products; but as a visit to the Tractor World show at Malvern last week reminded us, BL was also big in the agricultural world. Just as Morris was absorbed into first BMC and then BL, so were its Nuffield-branded tractors which would be produced under the BMC and BL brands before the business was eventually acquired by Marshall in the 1980s. As this BL/Nuffield 154 proved, the standard of restoration in the old tractor world is right up there with the best classic cars.…

Sign up to our newsletter at www.classicsworld.co.uk A new report by a major classic insurer, incorporating a Driving the Future survey of UK residents, suggests the biggest fear among today’s classic vehicle owners is environmental pressure. As the world makes its transition to a ‘greener’ motoring future, 49 per cent of respondents cited this as the classic vehicle movement’s greatest challenge of the next 10 years. Issuing its 2022 Indicator Report, insurance specialist Footman James commented: “As a motor-mad nation, we have been owning, fixing and driving our vehicles for decades and for many it’s become a way of life. However, the future for classic vehicles is uncertain as the modern world makes its transition to ‘greener’ pastures.” In its latest survey of classic vehicle owners, the company found that…

Crowds gathered recently at Brooklands Museum when it hosted the Land Speed Record Celebration Day, in partnership with the National Transport Trust and National Motor Museum, Beaulieu – exactly 100 years after Brooklands played host to a record-breaking run. The celebration event included five Land Speed Record vehicles and was even joined by Wing Commander Andy Green OBE, the current World Land Speed Record holder. A century ago, a new Land Speed Record – a flying kilometre speed of 133.75mph – was set by a 350-horsepower Sunbeam (pictured), the last record ever achieved on a closed circuit. The record was immortalised in a painting by F Gordon Crosby, which depicts the Sunbeam ‘racing’ a train. Four other Land Speed Record holders were positioned along the finishing straight, making an impressive…

Holding a fresh sale every six weeks hasn’t hampered WB & Sons’ ability to build up a strong catalogue on each occasion, with its June 11 auction already shaping up to be another eclectic affair. In amongst the entries you’ll find a whole host of interesting classics from three-wheeled oddballs to prestige saloons. A steady stream of late Rover Minis has been a theme of recent WB sales, and this one is no exception. A couple of low-mileage Sportspack Coopers from 1997 and 2000 are joined by a Japanese-spec Paul Smith LE in Old English White, two earlier single-point injection Coopers and a 1996 Sidewalk LE, but it doesn’t end there. You’ll also find a 1991 998cc automatic, a 1993 1275cc automatic, a modified 1988 example and a rare Clubman-fronted…

The official prototype of the Ford Capri RS3100 – one of the rarest and most sought-after versions of the Mk1 Capri – will be heading for auction in the CCA Summer Sale, taking place on June 18 at the Warwickshire Event Centre. This pre-production RS3100 was built by Ford’s AVO division in 1972, the year prior to the model’s official launch. Just 250 cars were to be built in total, and this initial example was used for the studio shots that appeared in the single-sheet sales brochure and supplementary handbook. The prototype was retained by AVO until 1975, when it was registered for the first time – hence its P-reg number plates. It was the very last RS3100 to be registered, despite being the first one built. The Capri was…

If last week’s CCB Buying Guide has you hankering after a Triumph Herald and you like the idea of taking on a project, this left- hand drive convertible could be an interesting choice. Said to have been imported from the USA around two years ago, the 1962 Herald is obviously in need of restoration. However, its Essex-based vendor says the Triumph is in solid condition and its engine starts and runs. The car comes with all its necessary paperwork. The asking price is £1895 and you can find out more by calling 07519 591959.…

MPs participated in a heated debate last week on the subject of slashing fuel duty by 40 per cent in response to soaring prices at the pumps. Tonia Antoniazzi, Labour MP for Gower in Wales, brought the debate to the House of Commons, outlining the impact that rising fuel prices have had on her constituents and on the 100,000-plus people who signed a petition calling for the reduction in duty. “The AA has calculated that the cost of filling a typical 55-litre tank has risen during the year from £70.61 to £92.20 for petrol and from £71.94 to £99.48 for diesel,” Antoniazzi said. She also pointed to measures taken by various European governments to combat rising fuel costs, including cancellation of fuel VAT in Poland, a 15-20 per cent per…

The Royal Automobile Club, custodian of the legendary London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, has introduced a new summer run for all pre-1905 cars. Taking place on Thursday, July 21, it will enable veteran car owners to enjoy a relaxed run and provide a warm-up for their machines before the main event in November. Based at the club’s Woodcote Park clubhouse near Epsom, Surrey, the one-day run will comprise a leisurely drive into the countryside, finally ending with afternoon tea and a casual concours. Ben Cussons, chairman of the Royal Automobile Club, commented: “This will be a perfect event to showcase some of the finest veteran cars in warmer climes at our Surrey country clubhouse – and with the November event just over three months later, it’s a great test…

Historics made a return to Ascot Racecourse for the second time this year on May 21, hosting a spectacular spring sale featuring 200 entries. The wonderfully eclectic catalogue was surely Historics’ most varied ever, with the catalogue including everything from brass-festooned Edwardian vehicles right through to a 2021 Ford F150. The sale began with the more affordable entries, including around 50 cars offered with no reserve. Despite bidding starting uncharacteristically slowly – perhaps as a result of the current cost of living issues – the familiar auction hall atmosphere was soon evident and there was strong competitive bidding both online and via the telephone. Indeed, performances were robust across many price ranges and eras, with two of the three vintage cars included in the auction selling for over £70,000. Pre-war…

TOYOTA CELICA GT-FOUR (1988-1999) Those of a certain age may remember the Toyota Celica GT-Four from the Sega Rally arcade game of 1995, by which point the turbocharged fastback had racked up four drivers’ titles. It later saw Toyota banned for running illegal turbo restrictors too, but we’ll gloss over that. The GT-Four was sold in three generations: the 182bhp ST165 first arrived in the UK in 1988 and took Carlos Sainz to a title win in 1990. However, by then the sleeker 200bhp ST185 had already been launched. The range subsequently included the 5000-off RC homologation model, known as the Carloz Sainz in Europe. Just 440 came to the UK. The ST205 arrived in 1994, just at the tail end of three years of WRC dominance for the ST185.…

RENAULT 5 The Renault 5 was snapping at the Fiat’s heels as an early supermin, boasting a hatchback from the start and also having front-wheel drive, albeit by a longitudinal drivetrain with a distinctive dash-mounted gearchange. While the 127 was replaced by the very different Uno, the R5 lived on in ‘Supercinq’ form (above), which had the familiar shape and style on an all-new platform. FORD FIESTA The sharply-styled Fiesta really put a dent in 127 sales after its launch in 1977, and strong UK sales helped propel Ford to being the top-selling manufacture in Britain. Better ride and build quality than the Fiat made the Fiesta popular with families, but it lacked the flair and fun factor that even lowly 127s had – Fiesta buyers had to save up…