Innholdsfortegnelse for 10/4/2023 i Classic Car Buyer

Popular auction site, eBay, has launched a new “eBay Assured Fit” programme, promising to help customers purchase the right part to fit their vehicle or their money back. Motorists using eBay’s MyGarage feature can trust they are getting the right part for their vehicle by entering their registration number to see appropriate items. Eligible parts or accessories featuring the Assured Fit badging are guaranteed to fit. However, should a part not fit as expected, the initiative provides a full money-back guarantee and a shipping label so that customers can return it for free within 30 days for a full refund, Users can browse the right parts for their vehicle using MyGarage by heading to ebay.co.uk/g/mygarage.…

The implementation of clean air zones like London’s ULEZ in Wales would be a last resort according to the county’s First Minister, Mark Drakeford. The comment came as the Environment Air Quality and Soundscapes Wales Bill was set out before The Welsh Parliament, handing Senedd Cymru greater powers to tackle air and noise pollution. The option of implementing clean air zones is included in the Bill, which seeks to help improve the quality of air in Wales. Mr Drakeford told Parliament, “The Bill sets out a whole series of ways in which we will aim to improve air quality here in Wales. It has, as a residual and fallback position, powers that could in the future lead to road charging – if all those other things do not work.”…

Iconic Auctioneers is gearing up for its return to the NEC Classic Motor Show on November 11–13, bringing its usual headline sale (previously under the Silverstone Auctions name) to the biggest classic car show on the calendar. Among the early confirmed lots are these two special Fast Fords: a 1987 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth RS500 and a 1997 Escort RS Cosworth. The former is billed as a ‘sleeping beauty’ having spent more than three decades in storage, and inow presented in mint condition with just 12,530 miles on the clock. The car began life as a Ford press car before being sold to its current owner a year later. It’s the latest in a long line of stellar Sierra RS Cosworths to be offered by sale by Iconic Auctioneers, including…

TRIUMPH TR4 Heavier, more powerful, and with a separate chassis, the 1962 Triumph TR4 was £60 more expensive than a contemporary MGB but appealed to a braver driver. It was more specialised than the ‘B, but less of an all-rounder, too. Parts support is similar, so it’s down to marque and model preference. SUNBEAM ALPINE Unibody to unibody, the ‘Series’ Alpine (along with the Datsun Fairlady 1500) had beaten the MGB to the punch. The Series VI and V cars are probably the fairest comparison, recognisable by their toned-down rear fins. On the whole the Alpine can’t quite match the MGB for performance, but it’s charming, stylish and different. FIAT 124 SPIDER Launched in 1966, the 124 Spider was as similarly long-lived as the MGB but was arguably prettier and…

Having offered custom-built MGBs since 1991, Frontline’s restomod creations have become famous around the world. Now it’s announced two new additions; the limited edition 4.8-litre V8-powered LE60 and the BEE EV models. Created to mark 60 years of the MGB and 30 years of Frontline, the LE60 is evolved from the company’s previous LE50 and Abingdon Editions, and is limited to just 30 examples, The most powerful Frontline car yet uses an all-new 375bhp version of the 4.8-litre Rover V8, mated to a five-speed gearbox and a limited-slip differential. Custom suspension and uprated stopping power also come as part of the package to create what Frontline calls the “ultimate Grand Tourer.” For those seeking a more modern system of propulsion, the BEE models are the firm’s first electric vehicles and…

Paul Walton, an experienced motoring journalist and photographer who edits our sister title Aston Martin Driver, is offering motoring enthusiasts a personalised book dedicated to their pride and joy. ‘Auto Biography’ gives owners the opportunity to experience the excitement of a professional photoshoot, building a bespoke history of their car that is then brought to life in a hardbound book – the perfect keepsake for any classic car owner. Prices start at £299 for a photoshoot, rising to £499 for the full service which includes a 22-page book. Owners will then receive a minimum of 20 images including static, detail and action shots. Paul is offering Classic Car Buyer readers a 10 per cent discount on their first order by simply quoting the code ‘CCB01’. For further information contact Paul…

FIVA, the Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens, or international federation of historic vehicles, has welcomed Nigeria to the growing list of nations it represents. The news comes as India rejoins the FIVA community after its membership lapsed earlier this year, thus strengthening the show of global solidarity amongst the world’s classic car movements. Established in 2009, the Automobile & Touring Club of Nigeria (ATCN) is now both the FIVA and FIA representative for Nigeria, representing 20 clubs, with around 300 individual members who own historic vehicles of all ages, ranging from Mercedes-Benz and Rolls-Royces to Peugeots, Volkswagens and Minis. Gabriela Magureanu, FIVA Vice-President of Membership, said: “The addition of the Automobile & Touring Club of Nigeria to FIVA’s membership is highly significant and will, we hope, trigger more and more…

Historics hosted its live Autumn Sale at Bicester Heritage on September 23, mirroring the massive diversity in today’s classic car market with a truly varied entry list. There were 167 lots in all, from bubble cars and traditional Brits through to big six-figure sellers. Illustrating the diversity was a red 1959 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible from a private collector that cruised to £72,800 – an entry that contrasted dramatically with a diminutive 1960 BMW Isetta 300. Some 2.5 times shorter than the Cadillac, it was offered for restoration and sold for a shade over £10,000. And for those drawn to restoration projects, a 1965 Alfa Romeo 2600 Touring Spider attracted an enormous web of bidding interest before finally settling on £67,200. In addition, a 1966 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 Roadster…

Victories at the likes of Le Mans prove the XK’s virtues, but it can be let down by shoddy servicing. It is vital that anti-freeze is used and changed regularly – the combination of aluminium and cast iron with plain water will have disastrous effects. On later long-stud 4.2-litre blocks, corrosion attacks the studs and as they thin, so they stretch and eventually break. Not only will the gasket fail but the block will lose its rigidity with both top and bottom falling out of true. Oil and filter changes are vital on a time span rather than miles – even if the car does not move. Acids in the oils will eat away at big and main bearing shells spelling premature failure. Of course, time will have its way…

Next month marks 60 years of the Dartford Tunnel, which was first opened in 1963. Rising traffic levels required a second tunnel to be built in 1980, and the opening of the M25 in 1986 prompted the construction of the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge that opened in 1991. This 1990 scene shows the latter in its final build stages, but we’re more interested in the cars. Emerging from the toll booth is what looks to be a left-hand drive Toyota Corolla, while others include a Mk4 Ford Escort, a BMW 5 Series, a Nissan Micra K10, an Austin Maestro, a Mk3 Vauxhall Cavalier, a Mitsubishi Space Wagon and a left-hand drive vehicle we can’t quite make out at the booth on the right, which is being followed by another Cavalier.…

BEST CLASSICS We look back at some of the classics that could once claim to be the best car in the world, including the Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, Porsche 911 and Citroën DS. CLASSIC CHOICE Three small 1950s British classics do battle to see which is the best choice; the Austin A35, Morris Minor and Ford 100E. BUYING A PUMA With its eager performance and nimble handling, the handsome Ford Puma is one of today’s top modern classics. Find out how to buy a good example. 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. The printed version of Classic Car Buyer is available in ASDA, Tesco, Morrisons and WH Smiths, plus all good newsagents…

Members of the Vintage Sports-Car Club (VSCC) used sustainable fuels for the first time during the club’s recent Prescott meeting, where they took on the Long Course event. Coryton provided its SUSTAIN Classic Super 80 free of charge via Motor Spirit, and 16 cars opted to use it including the 1930 Frazer Nash driven to victory by Patrick Blakeney-Edwards. The VSCC said that the trial of sustainable fuels was a “milestone step” as it strives to deliver environmentally sustainable vintage motoring and motorsport. Coryton’s fuels are not yet 100 per cent sustainable, but in the case of SUSTAIN Classic Super 80, carbon emissions are reduced by more than 65 per cent compared to regular pump fuel.…

The MG Car Club has dropped the organisation of its own race meetings, signalling the end of an era that’s lasted six decades. The club’s meeting at Snetterton at the end of September, run in collaboration with Equipe Classic Racing and Motor Sport Vision Racing, was its last and followed a one-day meeting at Cadwell Park on July 30, which was the final one to be independently. organised by the Club. Until now it’s been responsible for five national championships; the MG Trophy Championship for MG ZRs, the MG Cup catering for MGs or all ages, the Lackford Engineering MG Midget & Sprite Challenge, the BCV8 Championship for MGBs and MGCs, and the Cockshoot Cup that’s predominately for Midget, MGB, Austin-Healey Sprite and standard MGFs. “There is no doubt that…

A group of 60 Bentleys from the ‘Derby era’ were united in celebration of the 90th birthday of the 3.5-litre model commonly known as the ‘Derby Bentley’. Dubbed ‘the silent sports car’, more than 2400 Bentleys were produced in Derby between 1933 and 1939, with three main variants: the 3.5-litre, the 4.2-litre and the 4.25-litre Overdrive, followed by a few MkVs before war interrupted production. The Silent Sports Car Club– a group dedicated to the Derby Bentley – organised the get together, which saw a cavalcade of cars convoy to Bentley’s factory in Crewe and more than 100 guests enjoy a tour of the campus, where they explored Bentley’s Heritage Collection and visited the Mulliner workshops. Making the occasion even more special was a one-of-one 1939 MkV Corniche which took…

FORD FOCUS RS Mk1 (2002-2003) The original Focus RS was the result of a talented group of Ford engineers who were let off the lead to design and build the best Focus possible. Capitalising on the marque’s World Rally Championship activities, the RS was at something of a disadvantage over its rallying rivals on paper – it being front wheel drive as opposed to the four-wheel drive set-up employed by the Subaru Impreza and Mitsubishi Lancer Evo. Regardless, the RS was an accomplished bit of kit, utilising a Quaife ATB differential that helped transfer the 215bhp produced by its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine on to the road. A claimed 0-60mph time of 6.4 seconds was said to be conservative on the part of Ford, while its sub-£20,000 list price meant it…

The S123, as it was known within Mercedes-Benz, brought the estate body style back to Sindelfingen after years of coachbuilders (Coune, Universal et al) meeting demand. Joining the W123 saloon a year after its launch, the estate quickly earning a reputation for durability, versatility and style. It came at a price, but few European models could match the S123’s abilities during its lifetime, with the likes of Ford, Peugeot and Volvo fielding the Granada Mk2, 504 and 245/760 estates in response. By 1983, when Yorkshire Classic and Sports Car’s (YC&SC’s) 230TE was built, the S123’s career was coming to a close; the earliest W124 saloons were coming on stream, with the S124 taking up the 123’s mantle from 1985 onwards. Nevertheless the W123 remained highly prized; its reputation for strength…