Innholdsfortegnelse for 10/5/2022 i Classic Car Buyer

I’ve been a Jaguar fan for as long as I’ve been a car enthusiast. I’ve driven countless different examples (and owned others), and have had the pleasure of editing CCB’s sister title, Classic Jaguar. As someone born and raised in the Midlands, whose interest in the British motor industry is almost inbred, Jaguar is a marque I’ve always been passionate about. And that’s why I’m particularly saddened about the current state of affairs. As this week’s main news story (see page 5) reveals, Jaguar’s sales in Europe have been plummeting in 2022. And the marque is faring little better in the UK, where sales have fallen by almost 38 per cent this year (January to August) against an overall market decline of 10.73 per cent. Some of Jaguar’s current situation…

Sign up to our newsletter at www.classicsworld.co.uk The decline of Jaguar, one of Britain’s best-loved historic marques, has a new twist thanks to plunging sales in 2022, which have seen it falling behind Alfa Romeo – a company that’s famously had its own recent struggles – in terms of European success. Showing confidence in the marque, however, JLR is pushing ahead with Jaguar’s all-electric plans, set to start coming on stream from 2025. Jaguar’s current sales appear to be in freefall, with Italy’s troubled Alfa Romeo brand overtaking it in Europe. To the end of July, Alfa’s 2022 European new-car sales totalled 16,145, up two per cent year on year. This compares with 15,449 Jaguar sales, a figure that represents a massive fall of 41 per cent for the British…

What was formerly the J40 Motor Company enjoyed a successful relaunch as Austin Pedal Cars at last month’s Goodwood Revival, marking the start of a new era for the world’s only dedicated Austin J40 pedal car sales, service and restoration specialist. The firm, which now holds the Austin trademark for use on pedal cars, displayed its J40 continuation series prototype at Goodwood. A specially built racetrack was fully-booked throughout the weekend, giving many young racers their first experience behind the wheel. Further details of the J40 continuation series will be released soon, along with a full range of upgraded parts.…

Pre-war cars will share auction hall space with a trio of three-wheelers, traditional Brits, projects, wildcards and several more besides as Charterhouse hosts its third classic car sale of the year on October 12. Once again, the venue will be the Haynes Motor Museum in Somerset, with the sale beginning at midday. Headlining the pre-war selection is a 1935 Derby Bentley restoration project that’s been stored in an old cart shed for the past 54 years and is estimated to sell for £50,000-£70,000. Several Austin Sevens are also included, with a 1929 project offered with no reserve, a 1934 Tourer guided at £7000-£9000 and a 1937 Nippy set to make as much as £20,000. Alongside, a contemporary Seven rival in the shape of a 1932 Morris Minor ‘Cammy’ is estimated…

We’re heading back to June 1988 this week, when this British Rail girder bridge that crosses the A1 south of Cramlington, Northumberland, was sporting some fresh graffiti. We know it was new, because the artist involved was thoughtful enough to include the year as part of their ‘signature’. Of more interest to us, however, are the cars passing underneath, in the shape of a 1976 Triumph Dolomite 1300 and a 1987 Vauxhall Cavalier 1.6 L, while way ahead we can make out an Austin Maestro. The Dolomite was an aged model by 1988, with production ceasing eight years earlier. According to the DVLA, this particular example had less than three years left in it, as records show it’s not been taxed since early ’91. As for the positively youthful Cavalier,…

What’s described as a ‘timewarp’ example of a 1979 Lotus Esprit JPS World Championship Commemorative Edition – number 61 of a planned run of 100 for the UK market – is heading for auction on October 20 as part of H&H Classics’ Fast Road Sale at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford. The rare survivor has covered just 26,000 miles and is said to be exceptionally original throughout, winning the Judges’ Choice trophy at the 2015 Cholmondeley Pageant of Power concours, as well as being featured in various magazines. The JPS-liveried limited-edition Esprit was built by Lotus between December 1978 and July 1979 to celebrate the company winning its seventh World Championship title, and featured the same black and gold detailing as its Formula One cars. The original idea was to…

A 1965 Morris Mini Cooper S that’s had just one owner since it was a year old and which recently emerged from long-term storage managed to exceed expectations at the latest Classic Car Auctions (CCA) sale on September 24. The highly desirable 1071cc model, featured in the CCA auction preview of our September 21 issue, was estimated at £28,000-£32,000 but ended up changing hands for £52,875 including fees. The Cooper S, which hadn’t been used since 1988, was offered in original as-found condition with an indicated mileage of just 39,000. The number-matching Mini was treated with Waxoyl by its long-term owner before being put into storage more than three decades ago. No attempt had been made to start the car since its recent emergence from storage. For details of other…

British motorsport specialist Ginetta has announced a new three-year partnership with SRO Motorsports Group, a global leader in GT racing. The announcement marks the end of the company’s long-term relationship with BTCC organisers, TOCA. Ginetta will run a total of three championships, competing at the British GT Championship rounds from the 2023 season. The new set-up allows Ginetta to run its entire race series under one package, while continuing to enable drivers – from those looking to kickstart their racing careers to experienced drivers looking to hone their skills – to progress to the highest levels. Ginetta will also commit to a number of GT4 entries in British GT from next season, meaning customers who own G56 GT4 cars will have the opportunity to compete in the series. Mike Simpson,…

MG MIDGET (1961-1966) The Mk1 Midget was introduced at the same time as the all-but-identical Mk2 Austin-Healey Sprite, the latter losing the original’s ‘Frogeye’ front end in favour of a more conventional look. Engine size increased from 948cc to 1098cc in 1962, with power rising from 46bhp to 56bhp, and front disc brakes were fitted. The Mk2 Midget came along in 1964, featuring upgrades like wind-up windows and a bigger windscreen; but mechanically the big change was to the rear suspension, where semi-elliptic springs provided more predictable handling and a better ride. The engine now had 59bhp, enough for a top speed of 90mph. Early Midgets now command the highest prices of the type – no longer are the 1275cc Mk3s the most valuable, even if they remain the most…

MAZDA MX-5 The original MX-5 gazumped the M100 when it came to offering a contemporary take on the classic sports car – and in an ironic twist, it was conceptually and visually little more than an update of Lotus’ original Elan. Offering less performance, more traditional handling and equal reliability at a lower price, the MX-5 was (and remains) a default choice for a reason: it’s a brilliant package. FIAT BARCHETTA Like the M100, the Barchetta was a two-seater sports car with a front-drive layout, in this case using a modified Fiat Punto platform. Don’t dismiss this Fiat as a mere style-over-substance roadster, however, as it’s not only very pretty but also blessed with excellent road manners and very engaging handling. UK-spec cars came with left- hand drive, which may…

Stellantis Group has revealed its new Heritage Hub, a 15,000 square-metre exhibition space that houses over 300 cars at Fiat’s famous Mirafiori complex in Italy. Now open to the public, and with bookings for private or corporate events also available, the Heritage Hub celebrates the Fiat, Lancia and Abarth marques, as well as showcasing a number of Alfa Romeo, Autobianchi and Jeep models. The project is the result of long-standing collaboration between the Stellantis Heritage department, the Municipality of Turin and the Museo Nazionale dell’Automobile (the Italian national motor museum). The space will host two guided tours per day, and will be open on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. To highlight the link between the city and the motor vehicle industry, the former Officina 81 at Mirafiori was selected as the…

British sports car manufacturer Caterham has revealed two retro-inspired models that draw inspiration from the Super Seven cars of the 1970s and ’80s – bringing that legendary name back to life in the process. The new Super Seven 600 and 2000 offer classic styling cues and colour options combined with modern mechanicals and drivetrains. Caterham’s revival of its Super Seven nameplate comes as the company prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2023. Classic styling touches include flared front wings, retro alloy wheels, a leather Moto-Lita steering wheel, polished exhaust, and four exclusive colours: Bourbon, Ashdown Green, Windsor Blue and Fawn. The Super Seven 600 is powered by the 660cc turbocharged three-cylinder Suzuki engine that’s also found in the Caterham Seven 170. Its total output is 84bhp, giving a 0-60mph…

The Rover P6 is seen by many as one of Britain’s ultimate four-seater classic saloons. It combines simple elegance with technical audacity, in a package that stands up almost 60 years later as an excellent all-rounder and regular-use classic. It also offers great value, which is why for the last few decades there has been a long line of motoring writers with a P6 on the fleet. When new, the P6 competed with the Triumph 2000 and cars like the Austin 3 Litre. Today they’re the most sensible buy of the three, with many clubs happy to offer support and specialists eager to supply just about anything you might need. Mechanical parts aren’t hard to come by, and a competent upholsterer can handle all but certain types of nylon trim…

Reader’s suggestions Reader Roy Franklin has written in after reading the front-page story of our September 21 issue, which covered the HCVA’s call for the age of Low Emission Zones (LEZ) classic vehicle exemption to be lowered from 40 to 30 years. Roy explained that in his view, a car needs to be at least 25 years old to be considered a classic, followed by ‘historic’ status at the current 40 years: “Most car clubs have applied cut-off dates – such as pre-2000 – for events and show purposes.” Roy goes on to suggest a potential compromise for classic vehicle owners: “As this is all about pollution, can I suggest that classic and historic cars be subject to an annual mileage limit – say 3000 miles? Then if exceeding this,…