Innholdsfortegnelse for 6/15/2022 i Classic Car Buyer

What makes a great rear-wheel drive car? If it’s a sporting saloon or a roadster, it has to offer rewarding road manners, great grip and the kind of handling that inspires confidence. But then there are those people who favour comfort and refinement over firm suspension and roll-free cornering, which means they’re likely to choose a model built for luxury rather than faultless handling. So, who’s right? Probably both groups, as it’s one of those subjects on which we all have our own opinions. We certainly do here at CCB anyway, hence this week’s team feature looking at our favourite rear-drive classics – as well as those that, for one reason or another, have managed to bite us. (Hard in some cases.) My own ultimate choice of a Triumph Dolomite…

Scramblers, the Bicester Heritage membership club, is inviting members to sign up and access additional benefits as it celebrates its first anniversary – having attracted more than 6000 members since its launch in June 2021. Members have been able to access the historic site monthly via Scramblers members-only gatherings or through digital content on the website, with standard membership offered free of charge. Now though, there are two new Scramblers paid-for membership tiers – Pegasus and Merlin – that give members access to a range of benefits exclusive to Bicester Heritage and several of its on-site specialist businesses, in addition to making a donation to the site’s charity partner, StarterMotor. Additional benefits include the opportunity to enjoy a car portrait or photographic session at the historic Bicester Heritage location, up…

SUZUKI CAPPUCCINO (1991-1998) Japanese market constraints produced the Cappuccino, the ‘C’ in the so-called ‘ABC’ of tiny sporting coupes built in the 1990s to push the yellow-plate, taxcheating ‘kei car’ class to its limits. Unlike the Mazda-Autozam AZ-1 (A) or Honda Beat (B), official UKmarket versions of the Cappuccino were produced between 1993 and ’95, before emissions legislation killed it off. Unlike our other cars, the Cappuccino was turbocharged – allowed under the kei car rules despite a maximum horsepower extraction of 63bhp imposed on its 657cc engine. UK cars were all red or silver; that turbo-intercooled 12-valve engine made a decent fist of pushing along its 725kg kerb weight. Rust claimed many examples, with parallel Japanese Domestic Market import cars particularly vulnerable unless a winter rust protection pack was…

On the face of it, here we have two very different propositions: the V12-engined Jaguar (forever the affordable classic) and the rather more exotic Aston Martin in top-end Vantage form. Under the skin though, they share more than you might realise. And although they weren’t direct rivals back in the day, the twists of fate and the classic car market see them closer on value today than they’ve ever been. So, which of these V12 grand tourers gets our vote? JAGUAR XJS You’ll see the title above is ‘XJS’ rather than the hyphenated ‘XJ-S’, which signifies our choice of the post-1992 facelifted car to challenge the baggage of Aston Martin heritage. Financed by incoming Jaguar owner Ford Motor Company as an alternative to a proposed ‘F-Type’ then in development, the…

The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant on June 5 saw Jaguar Classic showcasing a bespoke E-Type, with the one-off renovation featuring a comprehensive list of enhancements carried out by Classic Works. The unique E-Type made its debut alongside 15 other Jaguars to feature in the Jubilee Pageant, including a selection of historically important E-Types and seven convertible Jaguars carrying famous Dames. The one-off E-Type was commissioned by a client who wanted a roadster manufactured in the year of his birth and finished to his own specification. The team at Jaguar Classic tracked down a suitable Series 1, and over the next 12 months it underwent a complete rebuild. The hand-finished interior features leather upholstery in a shade of red inspired by British pillar boxes, while the Union Jack flag was the…

Tickets to the three-day NEC Classic Motor Show, which this year takes place from Friday, November 11, are now on sale. And with over 300 car clubs attending, as well as the usual array of trade stands, dealer displays, autojumble stalls and the Live Stage, it’s guaranteed to be another season-ending extravaganza. This year’s theme is ‘Part of the Family’, which is sure to see different clubs interpreting it in their own ways. Displays might include groups of cars from one manufacturing family, a car that has passed from generation to generation, or family projects and builds that are a labour of love. To find out more about the show or to book tickets, go online to necclassicmotorshow.com.…

Tasked with bringing more enthusiasts into grassroots motorsport, an accessible new initiative has been launched by the governing body, Motorsport UK. The idea behind the StreetCar project is to overturn the long-held perception that motorsport is out of reach for most people, demonstrating that it’s affordable to just about any car owner – as well as being great fun. A wide range of low-cost options is available via StreetCar, split into Autotest, Trials & Cross Country, and Rally sections. All 12 disciplines within those sections can be participated in with a standard unmodified road car without special safety kit. And to take part, only a free Motorsport UK RS Clubman licence is required. Motorsport UK will work with its Regional Associations and motorsport clubs to promote clear entry into the…

DeLorean is making a comeback, with plans to eventually launch a comprehensive lineup of cars using an array of different powertrains. The brand is being revived by a US-based team headed by CEO Joost De Vries, taking over from Stephen Wynne, who had run DeLorean as an aftermarket support service since 1995. Spearheading the rebirth is the eye-catching battery-electric coupe shown here – a design far removed from the wedge-shape silhouette of the original DeLorean. Called the Alpha5, it will make its debut at Pebble Beach in August before being put into production in 2024. The new DeLorean is said to have performance to match high-end Mercedes-AMGs and Porsches. Despite it being all-electric, De Vries insists the Alpha5 is “more catering to the internal-combustion crowd than trying to become a…

CORNICHE (1971-1981) Keen to revive a pre-war nameplate, Rolls-Royce and Bentley took the 1939 Corniche badge – applied in the first instance to a Mark V-based two-door prototype – and used the moniker to broaden the Silver Shadow and T-series range. And these days, it’s the Bentley-badged models that offer the most exclusivity. Although convertibles were also offered (77 Bentleys were completed), it’s the fixed-head coupes (effectively two-door saloons) that we’re interested in. It’s an indication of just how dominant the Rolls-Royce marque was that just 69 Bentley Corniche coupes left Pyms Lane during the model’s 1971-81 career, with the convertible soldiering on (later badged as the Continental) for much longer. Just as the scarcity of the standard Bentley T-series has never done much for its values against the easily-sourced…

This Chester street scene dates from July 1969, when the city was teeming with a fascinating array of different vehicles. Heading towards the camera is a Bristol Lodekka bus, overtaking a BMC LD van that’s parked at the roadside. Behind the bus we can see a Mini and a Mk1 Cortina, while heading in the other direction are a 1966 Rover 3 Litre and a Hillman Hunter. The lengthy line-up of parked cars is particularly fascinating, with another Mk1 Cortina being nearest the camera – this one a four-door model with a Lotus-like paint job. Ahead of that is a Triumph Herald with rust issues, an early Mini, a BMC 1100 and two more examples of the ubiquitous Cortina – a nearly-new Mk2 and another Mk1. In front of those…

The annual Historic Vehicle Gathering at Powderham Castle, near Exeter, is back for the weekend of July 9-10 after a three-year absence – and with over 2000 vehicles expected, it’s one of the biggest events of its type in the south-west. Among the many car club displays will be the Devon Austin Seven Club, which is celebrating the centenary of Britain’s first truly affordable mass-produced British car, of which around 290,000 were built during its 17-year career. And for anyone with an appreciation of Stuttgart’s finest, the Porsche Club GB’s south-west region will be staging its own concours competition on the Saturday, with a diverse range of rear/mid-engined and transaxle models expected. The Historic Vehicle Gathering will be raising funds for various local charities. For further information on the event,…

As part of its aim to nurture and develop a new community for classic enthusiasts, Footman James has announced its Coffee & Chrome Collective, created to help celebrate classic vehicles of all types via a range of UK meets combined with what’s described as “engaging social media and digital content”. Built on the success of Footman James’ well-established Coffee & Chrome get-togethers, the Collective has big plans for the next 12 months – with an increased calendar of events and expanded digital membership. The next Coffee & Chrome meet, known for its friendly and relaxed atmosphere, is aiming to play host to over 1000 classics – double the usual amount – and will return to its origins at the Impney Estate in Worcestershire on Sunday, July 3, from 9am to…

PREVIEW: BRIGHTWELLS, TIMED ONLINE, JUNE 18-23 Brightwells’ next classic motoring auction will include a twist on its regular timed format as it switches to a two-day sale. Bidding for its usual broad range of classics will begin this Saturday (June 18) and end on June 22 from 7pm, with bidding for a second group of British cars to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee closing 24 hours later. Naturally, that means a bumper entry list. The regular sale is particularly interesting for fans of German prestige. A 1984 280SL estimated at £13,500-£15,500 is arguably the pick of the nine Mercedes currently consigned, but a later R129-generation 320SL-24 and couple of 1990s W124 Cabriolets should also prove popular. For those wanting V8 power, a 1992 500SE is guided at £5000-£7000. Fellow Stuttgart brand…

Paul Guinness Editor ALL-TIME GREAT: TRIUMPH DOLOMITE SPRINT The launch of the Triumph Dolomite in 1971 was a perfect example of how product development can lead to major success. Using the same bodyshell as the existing Triumph 1500, the Dolomite was different in that it employed rear-wheel drive – and for performance car fans, that meant some serious potential in the years ahead. Within just two years, the hugely impressive Dolomite Sprint was on the scene – and for Dolomite fans everywhere, it’s the Sprint that will always be the ultimate high-performance saloon. Well, with 2.0-litre 16-valve power on tap (the first 16-valve engine to make it into a mass-produced car), what do you expect? Aided by its twin carburettors, the Dolomite Sprint developed an entertaining 127bhp, enough for a top…

Could it be that BMW’s E85-series Z4 is the bargain roadster of the moment? MX-5s are alright if you want mousey synthetic fabrics and four cylinders, while the previous Z3s are getting pricey for what is undoubtedly an inferior car. I mean, BMW didn’t spend millions of euros to develop a car worse than the Z3, a car that was okay but a bit challenged in some areas being based on technology that was old even when it was launched. With good 2.8-and 3.0-litre Z3s now in the five-to-ten-grand arena, the Z4 is looking like a bargain at around half the price. Many may not consider it a true classic yet, but it’s 20 years old next year and probably a better bet than the 2009-onward E89 car with its…