Innholdsfortegnelse for 10/11/2023 i Classic Car Buyer

Drivers will have to pay a fee to use East London’s Blackwall tunnel from 2025. Currently the Silvertown Tunnel is under construction to help reduce congestion in the area, and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has confirmed the introduction of charging for both tunnels when the project is complete. Department for Transport toll signs suggesting that drivers could pay as much as £4 to use the Blackwall Tunnel emerged recently, but Transport for London (TfL) claims that charges have not been finalised at this stage.…

WB & Sons hosts the next of its regular sales at its Newcastle upon Tyne base on October 21, and even though the catalogue was still building at the time of writing, there were still plenty of great entries to pique the interest of bidders. While the auction will feature cars as early as a 1943 Austin Seven, it’s a particularly notable one for fans of hot hatches and Italian classics. At this stage, there are two notable contenders for the headline lot. A UK-supplied Mercedes-Benz 230SL dating from 1965 in superb condition carries an estimate of £50,000-£60,000, while a very attractive 1992 Ford Escort RS Cosworth in rare Polaris Grey is guided at £55,000-£65,000. The Escort joins a host of hot hatches that includes two Peugeot 205 GTIs both…

The Metro was British Leyland’s answer to the Ford Fiesta, and many considered it to be the better car. For starters its A-Series engine was energetic in comparison with Ford’s Kent mill, and far more zesty than the underpowered 895cc unit found in Volkswagen Polo of the same era. Launched in October 1980, the Metro first arrived in 998cc and 1275cc guises, with trim levels ranging from the basic 1.0 model to the HLE and S models. Though christened as the ‘miniMetro’, that name was dropped in 1981 after which time the car was simply known as the Metro. Performance versions soon arrived in the shape of the MG Metro 1300 and MG Metro Turbo, while in 1984 a facelift delivered revised styling and new interior trim, plus the option…

DEFUNCT MARQUES We look at the final cars from several long since dead car marques, including Austin-Healey, Hillman, Morris, Talbot, Riley, Wolseley, Rover and Triumph. CLASSIC CHOICE Three modern classic saloon cars do battle in the shape of the Vauxhall Cavalier Mk3, Ford Mondeo Mk1 and Renault Laguna – but which makes for the better choice? BUYING A VW CAMPER In the market for the most iconic camper van of all time? Then don’t miss our buying guide on Volkswagen’s T1/2 to ensure that you don’t bag a lemon. 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…

A 1979 Volkswagen 1303LS Beetle Karmann Cabriolet showing just two miles from new has astonished by selling for a remarkable £49,500 during the Classic Car Auction (CCA) sale held on September 30. The right-hand drive garage-find example was offered with no reserve but was guided at £10,000-£12,000 – a figure it beat almost fivefold. Simon Langsdale, who sourced the car for CCA, said: "This was truly a once in a lifetime find. The car had literally been in storage all its life and had an incredible two miles on the odometer which we are told is correct. It had quite evidently been cossetted as it was covered in blankets in a sealed environment and had just recently been uncovered due to a bereavement.”…

The Western Desert Recce Group (WDRG) from South Lanarkshire has received a prestigious award presented by HRH The Princess Royal at the recent Restoration Awards. The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs member, which is based in High Blantyre, was presented with the award following its restoration of a Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) Chevrolet truck. The trucks were used during the Second World War as mobile consulting rooms and casualty stations, with the restoration conducted using the painstaking notes of LRDG medical officer, Doctor Richard Lawson, now held at the Imperial War Museum. Founded in 2008 by Major (Retd) Gary Wallace, the WDRG is a Scottish charity volunteer group run by veterans for veterans, supporting ex-servicemen who have physical and mental disabilities.…

The 81st Goodwood Members’ Meeting will celebrate the cars from the Canadian-American Challenge Cup (Can-Am) raced between 1966 and 1974. Earning the nickname ‘unlimited’, the Can-Am Cup delivered the most powerful sports cars the world had ever seen, racing with little or no restrictions on engine capacities. A fleet of up to 25 iconic Can-Am speedsters from the likes of McLaren, Shadow and Porsche will join on-track demonstrations at the Goodwood event, which takes place on April 13-14. Visit goodwood.com for more information.…

MGC (1967-1970) The MGC was introduced at the 1967 Earls Court Motor Show to a great deal of fanfare, but even before it had reached showrooms it was put on the back foot. A botched press launch led to a series of negative reviews from road testers in period, cursing the car for heavy steering and chronic understeer. Granted the MGC was heavier at the front than the ’B, but much of the problem was down to the press cars famously being run with under-inflated tyres. Less easy to dismiss were criticisms of the new MG twin SU-fuelled 2912cc straight-six – said to be underpowered. But the MGC was ultimately a GT rather than an out-and-out sports car, and in this regard it stacks up better. In later life, modern…

MGC If you need six-cylinders in your life then an alternative classic British sports car is the MGC. The big Austin six fitted to the legendary MGB created the MGC, and though it’s more of a cruiser it offers a classic hands-on sporting feel and a full-bodied soundtrack. TRIUMPH TR4 A predecessor to the TR6 and TR5, the four-pot TR4 gives a more traditional feel that’s firmly rooted in the golden era of British sports cars. While it is less powerful, it offers character and charm by the bucket load, creating an alluring package. MORGAN PLUS 4 British sporting icons don’t come much more traditional than the Morgan Plus 4. A timeless open-top option, its impressive following is unlike many others. However, some may think the four-cylinder engine is a…

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The Historic and Classic Vehicles Alliance (HCVA) has announced a partnership with the StarterMotor charity, which is focused on introducing the next generation to historic motoring. The collaboration will see the two outfits work on shared objectives, chiefly engaging a younger audience with the classic car industry. StarterMotor already focuses on careers and events by providing free resources to individuals, academic establishments and apprenticeship schemes. HCVA Chair, David Meek said: “Partnering with StarterMotor amplifies the HCVA’s commitment to our Education and Skills campaign pillar, while promoting knowledge, inclusivity, collaboration, and shared experiences. We’re delighted to work with such a commendable and forward-thinking charity, for the mutual benefit of our youth and our industry.”…

Alongstanding technical error on the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) website is leaving motorists frustrated. Anyone with a passport issued since 2016 is unable to renew their driving licence online, forcing them to use more expensive and time consuming over the counter Post Office services. Unsuccessful users receive a message saying that their application cannot proceed because their post-Brexit passport is invalid. The website advises customers to renew at a participating Post Office but that costs £21.50 – £7.50 dearer than the online fee. Only 1200 of the UK’s 11,775 branches are participating. Postal applications are available at £17 plus postage, but forms have to be obtained in-branch and customers then run the risk of their passports going missing in the post. According to reports, the issue is down…

Electric vehicle specialist, Everrati, has revealed its latest creation – a zero-emissions Mercedes-Benz SL W113 ‘Pagoda’. Unveiled recently at the Fairmont Monte Carlo, the latest addition to the firm’s portfolio follows its Porsche 911, Land Rover and Defender designs. Restored to concours standards by Mercedes-Benz specialist, Hilton & Moss, the SL has been fitted with a cutting-edge electric powertrain designed, developed, and manufactured in-house by Everrati. The EV system comprises an OEM-grade 3 phase AC motor and 68Kwh battery pack, which together return a range of 200 miles. Performance is impressive, with 300bhp on tap and a 0-62mph time of 7.0 seconds. There’s no word on pricing, but previous Everrati offerings have been in the region of £185,000-£230,000.…

Hobbs Parker’s third and final classic car sale of 2023 takes place at its auction centre in Kent on October 18-19, working to a timed online format and with viewing available on site. It’s a cliche to talk about variety but this sale has it in abundance, with lots ranging from a 1909 Renault AX Tourer through to various modern classics. Our attention, however, is immediately drawn to a plethora of former street furniture from the 1980s. An example of the rare Mk2 Ford Fiesta 1.4 S showing a mere 53,000 miles looks tempting at an estimated £2500-£3500, as does a contemporary Renault 5 Monaco that carries a modest £2000-£3000 guide. A 1988 Nissan Sunny Van is now a very scarce commercial, while two earlier saloon cars also catch the…

With the summer now a fading memory, we’re rewinding back to 1980 and this crowded Southend-on-Sea seafront scene. Britain’s car pool was changing to include more cars from overseas, and that’s evidenced by the contrast in the F-reg ADO16 ahead of a V-reg VW Golf, followed by an Audi 100. We can also see an Alfa Alfetta GTV, plus a Volvo 240 estate further back, and a Toyota Celica. Otherwise, it’s all Ford, BL and Rootes cars, save for what appears to be a Vauxhall Cavalier Coupe and a big Bedford CF van. Heading in the opposite direction, local brand Ford dominates. Indeed, the row of parked cars behind the ambulance is all Blue Ovals, save for a Peugeot 305 and a Skoda Estelle. Further up, we can see a…

SUMMER HOLIDAY? Regular reader David Marks contacted us asking for some pointers for his next holiday road trip. “I was wondering if you, or your readers, have any recommendations for a classic car road trip destination?” he wrote. “I am planning my 2024 summer holiday and want to take my old Mini on a road trip to remember. I am considering the UK but I really like the idea of venturing abroad, maybe not too far, but France, Belgium or even Germany appeal. I’m already working up a ‘to do’ list of jobs to complete over winter so that the car is ready to roll next July.” France, Belgium and Germany are all top destinations with plenty of classic friendly roads and classic car destinations. We have plenty of further…