Innholdsfortegnelse for 10/12/2022 i Classic Car Buyer

This week’s four-page tribute to some of the greatest wedge-shaped cars of the 1970s and ’80s brings back memories for me. I’d like to say my recollections come from a childhood ride in a Lotus Esprit or even a Triumph TR7, but sadly not. No, my earliest memory of wedge-influenced motoring dates back to my father collecting his brand new Princess 1800 company car in March 1977. For me, the arrival of a new Princess was an even more thrilling prospect than my 12th birthday, which was also happening that same month. To a car-mad lad whose family had never enjoyed a fresh-from-the-showroom new car before, the imminent arrival of Leyland’s infamous wedge was just about the best thing ever. Compared with the three-box predictability of a Cortina, my 12-year-old…

Sign up to our newsletter at www.classicsworld.co.uk The entire collection from a Kent-based microcar museum is being offered for sale later this month, when the widely-visited Hammond Collection of Microcars goes under the hammer with Charterhouse Auctioneers. The museum was established by Edwin and Jean Hammond, whose microcar obsession began in the mid-1970s when they bought a Heinkel bubble car for their son, Andrew. It marked the start of a major collection, with the Hammonds going on to buy a Nobel 200, Scootacar Mk1, AC Petite Mk2, Frisky Family 3, Messerschmitt KR200, Berkeley SA322, BMW 600 and Allard Clipper among many others, along with a vast array of spare engines and automobilia. The couple went on to purchase a rural pig farm that they then converted into a microcar museum.…

A cherished low-mileage example of the iconic Ford RS200 Group B rally car is set to go on sale at the NEC Classic Motor Show in November, with Silverstone Auctions suggesting an estimate of £225,000-£275,000 for the mid-engined rarity. Built in 1988, this RS200 is one of just 90 examples converted to more refined ‘road car’ spec – and with just 7800 miles under its wheels, it’s as close to a ‘new’ example as you’re likely to find. Launched in 1985, with road-going customer cars built for homologation purposes, the RS200 was a quick machine, its mid-mounted 1.8-litre Cosworth BDT lump pushing out a minimum of 250bhp. The hand-built all-wheel drive legend catapulted Ford into the heart of Group B rallying – although its best-ever result was third place in…

Having already enjoyed success with the sporting saloon that we now refer to as the Mk1, Jaguar was confident of the trend continuing as it unveiled its new-for-1959 Mk2. Although inevitably derived from its predecessor, the newcomer took what was already a handsome design and transformed it into one of the most desirable, most exciting classic Jaguar saloons of all time. And the Mk2’s star continues to shine brightly in the 21st century, with many enthusiasts still citing it as their ‘compact’ Jaguar of choice. Biggest changes for the Mk2 were above the waistline, where there was a dramatic increase in glass area; the side windows were deeper, the windscreen was larger and the rear screen was of a wrap-around design. Combined with a redesigned grille and new-look lights, the…

A collection of Ferrari-inspired original artworks created by musician Chris Rea is heading under the hammer with Anglia Car Auctions (ACA) in November. The 68 pieces are part of a unique collection entitled ‘La Passione’, themed around Ferrari’s legendary rampant horse logo. Rea is renowned as a motorsport enthusiast, having seen Grand Prix races at Monza as a child, plus the 1955 Mille Miglia in which Stirling Moss won the world’s most gruelling road race. These images stayed with Rea, eventually materialising in his 1996 film ‘La Passione’, which centred on a young boy’s fascination for his idol, Grand Prix driver Wolfgang Von Tripps, who was killed in his sharknose Ferrari 156 at the Monza Grand Prix in 1961. Following on from the film, Rea turned to the medium of…

If the onset of autumn has you thinking about car covers for one or more of your classics, Holden Vintage & Classic – now part of the SNG Barratt group – has a wide range of indoor and outdoor versions in stock. The car covers come in various sizes to suit all makes and models. And at the time of writing, Holden is even throwing in a free car care bundle, including shampoo, wash and wax, polish and tyre shine protection. For information or to check out the whole range of essentials, go to holden.co.uk.…

Hobbs Parker returns to classic car action with its third sale of 2022 on October 19-20, working to its familiar timed online format. The auction begins at 12pm on the Wednesday, with bidding ending for the first lots from midday on Thursday. Physical viewing is also possible at Hobbs Parker’s Ashford Auction Centre during the weekdays preceding the sale. This looks set to be a great auction for fans of traditional British classics, with a smart 1967 MG Midget carrying a £6000-£7000 estimate and a trio of MGB GTs – including a no-reserve 1976 car converted to automatic transmission. There’s an even wider choice of classic Minis though, as no fewer than six are set to go under the hammer. A lovely 1964 Mk1 is joined by a 1968 Mk2…

ROVER ‘P6’ 2000 This is the sort of car with which Ford was hoping to compete via the Corsair. The innovative (and now still very usable) Rover was smaller than the typical upmarket saloon, more modern in its styling and more dynamic in its handling. It was essentially a shrunken sports saloon rather than a specced-up family car, which showed in its superior refinement and clever engineering. FORD CORTINA 1600E The iconic Cortina 1600E ultimately proved to be the spiritual successor to the Corsair in offering an upmarket mid-size saloon with premium appeal. It may have been fundamentally the same car as a junior rep’s, but it came loaded with a high-tune engine, burr walnut dashboard and door caps, bucket seats, a sports steering wheel, a row of extra dials…

Escort-loving couple After seeing the photographs of Jayne and Vincent Clemo’s ‘hers and his’ Mk1 Golfs, published in our September 14 issue, we’ve heard from reader Martin Woods: “My wife, Shirley, and I currently own Mk3 Escorts, both from 1985 but at opposite ends of the model scale.” Martin’s pride and joy is a first-generation RS Turbo, which has recently undergone a complete strip-down and bare-metal respray. He bought it in 2002, using it as his daily transport for a year before taking it off the road. It remained virtually untouched until the Covid-19 pandemic struck, which finally provided the time and impetus to carry out the long-awaited full rebuild. The second Escort in the family, meanwhile, is a completely standard three-door Popular that’s covered just 23,000 miles from new…

The National Motor Museum has announced that its ‘Bond in Motion – No Time to Die’ exhibition will be officially closing on November 15, making the October half-term holidays the ideal time for a family visit. Visitors can see up-close many of the original vehicles, gadgets and costumes from the latest Bond film, set against a backdrop of large screens showing action shots from the movie. You can also uncover some of Q Branch’s top-secret creations, from the gadgetladen Aston Martin DB5 to Bond’s Q-enhanced Omega Seamaster Diver 300M watch. For more details or to book tickets, which allow access to the entire museum and grounds, visit beaulieu.co.uk.…

Rolls-Royce is celebrating the centenary of its legendary 20hp, better known as the Twenty, which debuted in October 1922. Designed by Sir Henry Royce, it ranks among the most important models ever produced by the marque, offering a more accessible entry point into Rolls-Royce motoring and aimed at the owner-driver more than the chauffeur market. The Rolls-Royce Twenty featured a straight-six 3.1-litre engine (less than half the size of the contemporary Silver Ghost’s 7.5-litre unit) and was advanced in its design. Rolling chassis were supplied to many of Britain’s best-known coachbuilders, leading to a wide array of different body styles over the years. As the first of Rolls-Royce’s ‘small horsepower’ models, the Twenty marked the start of a successful era, leading to its successor – the 20/25 – of 1929,…

The Citroën Visa-derived C15 van, which proved such a big seller in France and throughout Europe from its launch in 1984, is becoming sought after among French classic vehicle enthusiasts, according to ConnexionFrance.com. The English language website reports: “Speculation that the little Citroën C15 van could become a collectable ‘youngtimer’ vehicle has begun to appear in some sections of the French media.” The C15 enjoyed a long career, finally ceasing production in 2006 after a run of 1.18 million vehicles. A combination of wornout tooling and Citroën’s focus on the more modern Berlingo van forced its demise, despite the C15 still having a loyal following in later life. French car magazine Youngtimers, which specialises in vehicles from the 1980s onwards, recently ran a lengthy feature on the C15, citing its…

Everrati Automotive, a company specialising in battery-electric conversions for classic cars, has announced an increase in production thanks to what it describes as “surging international demand”. The company’s electrified version of the 964-generation Porsche 911 is doing particularly well, with bespoke commissions currently in build for customers in both the USA and UK. With order books quickly filling up, clients can now expect a lead time of up to 12 months. Everrati’s 964 range comprises coupe, targa and cabriolet models in a choice of narrow body, wide body and officially licenced Gulf Edition spec. The firm’s flagship 911 Signature wide body version combines a 500bhp EV powertrain with an advanced battery pack, giving a driving range of up to 200 miles and a 0-62mph time of below four seconds. Customers…

PORSCHE 912 (1965-1969) When initial sales of the six-cylinder 911 proved disappointing, Porsche decided it needed to offer an entry-level alternative at the price of the old 356, which inevitably led to the idea of a four-cylinder version of the company’s latest model. A modified version of the 356’s 1.6-litre pushrod unit – a direct descendent of the classic Volkswagen air-cooled engine – was decided upon, with lower-quality trim, fewer instruments and a four-speed gearbox also featuring in what was badged as the Porsche 912. Unsurprisingly, this 90bhp newcomer was significantly slower than the 130bhp 911, but the lighter engine combined with the 911’s modernised suspension gave the 912 a reputation for balanced handling and superior roadholding. The 912 outsold the 911 in the late 1960s, but then the 911…

Taken in the very early post-war years is this great shot of Ford’s Dagenham plant, showing newly built examples of the Anglia E04A emerging from the factory. This was the first car to carry the Anglia name, but was essentially an update of the previous Ford 7Y. It hit the market in 1939 but was soon withdrawn thanks to the onset of the Second World War. The E04A re-entered production in 1945, with the 933cc sidevalve-engined saloon being little changed. The old-style running boards were dropped in an effort to modernise the car, but there was still no mistaking its 1930s origins. Nevertheless, the post-war E04A proved successful, with the model’s 1945-1948 run seeing a healthy 48,000 produced, mostly for export markets. The E04A was replaced by the Anglia E494A…