Innholdsfortegnelse for 7/27/2022 i Classic Car Buyer

After more than six decades spent overseas, a rare example of one of Britain’s fastest and most exclusive pre-war cars has returned to the UK and will make its first public appearance at the Salon Privé Concours d’Elégance, taking place at Blenheim Palace from August 31 to September 2. The 1939 Lagonda V12 Rapide Drophead was one of just 17 W.O Bentley-designed cars fitted with the uprated ‘Sanction IV’ engine, derived from Lagonda’s V12 team cars that finished third and fourth at La Sarthe in 1939. Chassis 14107 was also one of only two such cars to wear James Young coachwork, having originally been ordered as a rolling chassis from the Lagonda factory. To find out more about this year’s Salon Privé, visit salonpriveconcours.com.…

Mercedes-Benz vehicles of all ages will be heading to Beaulieu on Sunday, August 21, as the National Motor Museum’s Simply Mercedes event returns for a fourth year. Classic and modern Mercedes from every genre will be out in force, with plenty for the whole family to enjoy – including Beaulieu’s replica 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen, ancestor to the modern-day motor car. Other Mercedes exhibits at Beaulieu include a 1903 60hp, a 1928 Model S 36/220 and the 2006 McLaren Mercedes MP4/21 F1 show car. To buy tickets in advance, head online to beaulieu.co.uk/events/simply-mercedes.…

BMC 1800 & 2200 Launched as the Austin 1800 in 1964, the front-wheel drive Landcrab range was developed to include Morris and Wolseley versions, all with 1798cc B-Series power. Eight years later came the Austin/Morris 2200 and Wolseley Six, with the 2227cc six-cylinder E-Series engine. The range was discontinued in 1975. Austin 3 Litre Arriving three years after the Landcrab and sharing essentially the same centre section (but with front door quarter-lights) was Austin’s new flagship. Despite the resemblance, the 3 Litre was rear-drive to appeal to executive buyers, but just 10,000 examples were sold during only a four-year career. Austin Maxi The third car to use the same doors was the Maxi, launched in 1969 as the first genuinely new model from what was now British Leyland. With front-wheel…

The Triumph Spitfire underwent a gentle evolution during its lengthy production life. In 1970, eight years after launch, the biggest overhaul of its styling took place to create the Mk4, with Michelotti’s magic continuing with a new Stag-inspired tail and meatier snout, as well as body-coloured headlamp surrounds and a deeper front valance. The changes weren’t just skin deep though, with ‘swing spring’ rear suspension grafted on to tame that previously wayward rear end. By allowing the transverse leaf spring to move on its mountings, it was much harder for a rear wheel to tuck-under, making cornering at speed rather less risky. You also now got synchromesh on all forward gears, a new dashboard and taller gearing. That combined with a minor reduction in power (75 down to 68bhp) meant…

When in the market for a comfortable classic cruiser, it’s hard to look beyond Rolls-Royce. A marque renowned for its silent cabins and silky-smooth suspension, it’s easy to see why its opulent saloons are held in such high regard. The Silver Shadow is one of the most plentiful classic Rolls-Royces out there, which means there’s never any shortage of examples for sale – from ropy ex-wedding cars to concours contenders. This particular Silver Shadow II, however, has just 48,000 miles on its odometer and has led a very sheltered existence in the south-west of England. As its history folder shows, the 1980s and ’90s were a busy couple of decades for the car. It was during this 20-year period that the Shadow II amassed the vast majority of its mileage,…

When you’ve been involved in this motoring journalism malarkey for as long as I have, you tend to accumulate an impressive (or depressing, depending on your point of view) amount of… well, ‘stuff’. Old press packs, brochures, press photographs and books are allowed to take up valuable space around the home, with each item falling into the ‘It Might Be Useful One Day’ category. And then there are the magazines… I was going through some old boxes a few weeks ago and rediscovered a hoard of women’s magazines from 1987. At this point you’re probably wondering why I not only bought countless copies of magazines aimed at a female readership 35 years ago, but why I still have them all these years later. The simple answer is that back then…

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is to become the second-largest shareholder of Aston Martin, acquiring almost a 17 per cent stake as part of the company’s efforts to pay off debt. Aston Martin has stated that it plans to raise £653 million via the PIF’s £78 million investment and a separate rights issue of £575 million. The Saudi fund will own a 16.7 per cent share of Aston Martin, behind the 18.3 per cent holding that chairman Lawrence Stroll’s Yew Tree will have after the rights issue. Current second-largest shareholder, Mercedes-Benz, will own around 9.7 per cent of the company after the capital increase. Aston Martin is faced with high debt and a dramatic stock market fall. Since the company’s initial public offering in late 2018, its London-listed shares…

Quotation supplied by Lancaster Insurance Web: lancasterinsurance.co.uk Tel: 01480 809176 Standard quote: £89.97, or £109.97 with Agreed Value. Quote based on a 45-year-old marketing manager, access to another car, no claims or convictions, club member, 3000 miles per year, no modifications, living in SP2 0HL. Disclaimer: Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may vary between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. An additional premium may be payable.…

JAGUAR XJ-S 3.6 Just as Jaguar’s legendary V12 made its debut in the Series 3 E-Type, the 3.6-litre XJ-S of 1983 continued the company tradition of introducing a new engine via a sporting model, in this case previewing the AJ6 that was destined for the XJ40 three years later. Today, the smallest-engined XJ-S makes the perfect entry point into sporting Jaguars if you want something with a little more heritage than a tired XK8. Enthusiasts have a choice of clubs too, with the long-running Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club and Jaguar Drivers’ Club being complemented by the XJS Club for those who want the company of the like-minded. From behind the wheel, the 3.6 is a more sporting drive than its big brother V12 too, especially when fitted with a manual gearbox.…

Contact: Car Cave Scotland Unit 6A Butlerfield Industrial Estate Bonnyrigg, Midlothian Tel: 01875 820527 carcavescotland.co.uk British weather has felt decidedly South African over the past few weeks, so here’s a classic that fits the theme to a tee. The Cortina-based Ford P100 was quite a success within the African continent where it was built, and later in Europe too. As is rather evident though, this is no regular Ford family saloon. Instead, the Mk3 Cortina was given a far more utilitarian identity under the P100 moniker, sporting a low-slung pick-up truck body – or ‘Bakkie’, as South Africans might call it. First popping onto the scene in 1971, the P100 evolved in tandem with three generations of Cortina and would even go on to be part of the Sierra family.…

This year’s Beaulieu International Autojumble – which takes place over the weekend of September 10-11 – will be celebrating a golden era of motoring with a new Nifty Fifties display, bringing together a range of classic vehicles from 1950-1959. Owners of all classics from that decade are invited to take part, with bookings for the display now open. To apply to join the line-up, visit beaulieu.co.uk/events/international-autojumble/nifty-fifties. Places are limited and show entry is free for those vehicles that are accepted. This year’s International Autojumble coincides with the National Motor Museum celebrating its 50th anniversary. As always, there’ll be a huge selection of spare parts on offer, as well as motoring books, model cars, vintage clothing, signs, collectables, automobilia and other automotive treasures. Advance one- and two-day visitor tickets are available.…

Hot on the heels of news that Ford plans to cease production of its long-running Focus family in 2025 (as revealed in our July 6 issue), its once-successful rival from France – the Renault Mégane – is also being discontinued. The current model will live on in mainland Europe for another two years but is being withdrawn from the UK with immediate effect. Four generations of Mégane have been produced since 1995, when the initial model was launched to replace the Renault 19. The Mégane family went on to spawn a number of highly successful variations, including the Mégane Scenic mini-MPV and various high-performance RenaultSport models. The Mégane was traditionally a big seller for Renault in the UK, with the first and second generations (the latter famous for its distinctive…

When a car’s career is cut short, it can be something of a blessing. Perhaps its manufacturer has made a major mistake, launching a compromised design or one that was simply wrong for the market it was aimed at. In many cases, however, the early loss of a production model is something to be mourned. When a well-designed car doesn’t get the chance to fulfil its true potential, fans of the model have every right to feel aggrieved. Over the next four pages, we’ll take a look at some of the models that we feel deserved a chance at extra longevity, most of which now enjoy a following on the classic scene. So, let’s pay tribute to an array of machines that were gone too soon… SMART ROADSTER (2003-2006) Parent…

Jack Grover, Production Editor MG MIDGET The Midget was the Spitfire’s rival throughout its life, even if for much of it they were both British Leyland products. From 1974, both Midget and Spitfire also shared the same engine and transmission, but at least the Spitfire 1500 avoided the Midget’s rubber bumpers. Smaller, snugger and less refined than the Spitfire, Midget 1500s are slightly cheaper to buy today – and debate will continue to rage as to which is better to drive. Your final decision might simply come down to marque preference and the availability of cars for sale. Andrew Evanson, Senior Operations Manager, Lancaster Insurance Services FIAT X1/9 Launched during the Spitfire Mk4’s run, the X1/9 was as modern as the Triumph was traditional, with its wedge-shaped body, pop-up headlamps,…

Contact: Classic & Sportscar Centre, Corner Farm, West Knapton, North Yorkshire, YO17 8JB Tel: 01944 758000 classicandsportscar.ltd.uk Having started its life in Scotland, this Java Green Mini 1275GT then moved to the opposite end of the UK, where the roads of England’s south coast became its new home. According to its MoT history, the little pocket rocket had covered a grand total of 124,000 miles by the time 2006 rolled around, at which point its future seemed uncertain. Happily though, this car’s story doesn’t end there: the Mini’s most recent owner purchased it in 2020 and took it to their garage in Essex with a view to bringing the car back to full fitness. A simple glance at these images will tell you that they certainly achieved that. In fact,…

THE IMAGE CHANGERS There’ve been times when a single model has helped to transform the image of its maker – and we’re about to examine a selection of favourites. 2+2 GT CONVERTIBLES When it comes to four-seater soft-top GTs, the Stag is perennially popular – but can the Scimitar GTC and Peugeot 504 Cabrio beat it at its own game? BUYING A MINOR 1000 It offers the best value and is also the most commonplace of all the variations, but don’t buy a Morris Minor 1000 without reading our full guide. PLUS… All the latest classic news, updates and auction results from around the UK. 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’.…