Innholdsfortegnelse for 10/25/2023 i Classic Car Buyer

Lancashire will not introduce a London-style clean air zone according to a senior politician. Responding to a question about ULEZ spreading from neighbouring Greater Manchester, Lancashire County Council’s cabinet member for economic development and growth, Aidy Riggott, issued assurances that “no such scheme will be introduced.” Of course, that’s presuming the area stays under the current Conservative Party control. The fears follow a proposed ULEZ for Greater Manchester, which has since been paused as a result of a public backlash. Cllr Riggott called for the removal of signs erected in Lancashire warning of a forthcoming clean air zone across the neighbouring region, with the signs having had the words “under review” added to them earlier this year.…

The year’s final Sunday Scramble at Bicester Heritage was a bumper event, signing off the venue’s 10th anniversary year in style. A capacity crowd were present to enjoy the event, with scores of British cars packing the lawns and display areas celebrating milestones such as a century of Triumph and MG, alongside 110 years of Aston Martin. Amongst the highlights came a works Triumph TR7 rally car, four cars from the Vauxhall Heritage Collection and the oldest surviving Lotus – the Mark 2 – to celebrate 75 years of the marque. Meanwhile, debutants included the MGB-based Frontline LE60 and BEE, plus the Can-Am inspired Nichols N1A designed by Formula One legend Steve Nichols. The Alvis Grand Prix also made its European public return following its restoration in Japan. Liz Pilling,…

924 (1976-1988) The result of a joint venture between Volkswagen and Porsche, the 924 was originally intended as an entry level replacement for the 914 and a flagship sports car for VW. But it would ultimately emerge into the world wearing only a Porsche badge – the first of the marque’s front-engined ‘transaxle’ offerings. However, its Wolfsburg roots proved problematic, with Stuttgart enthusiasts struggling to accept it as a proper Porsche. The four-cylinder 2.0-litre engine, shared with the VW LT van, was one of the major criticisms, while underneath its rear semi-trailing arm suspension closely mimicked that of 1302 Super Beetle and the front wishbones were from the Golf. Despite the body being Porsche through-and-through, some of the switchgear and electronics were from the VW Polo production line. Still, those…

By the end of the 1950s, Abingdon was heaving with sports cars. The lines were churning out MGA 1600s, Austin-Healey 100-6s and the Austin-Healey (Frogeye) Sprite, while elsewhere in the BMC empire MG Magnette badges were being applied to a version of the Farina-styled 1.5-litre saloons. BMC was also revolutionising the small car market with its new Mini, and the engineers at Abingdon took a serious look at developing a sports car from this FWD package. Those plans came to nothing, but there was to be a new MG, and a revival of the Midget name to boot. This came about after BMC decided that the Frogeye Sprite needed updating. Strange as it may seem, they allegedly tasked Healey in Warwick with redesigning the front end and MG in Abingdon…

Our journey into the past takes us overseas this week, more specifically to the centre of the then-Yugoslavian capital, Belgrade, in 1974. This was 20 years after Zastava had signed a deal to produce Fiat cars, and so many of the cars shown look familiar, including a least three examples of the 1300/1500 that became Yugoslavia’s most popular upmarket car and was known as the ‘Tristac’. We can also spy a Zastava 125PZ on the left, and what we presume are locally built variants of the Fiat 600T/850T van. However, there are a few exceptions–most notably the Hillman Hunter on the right, plus the Mercedes W114/115 and Citroën Ami 8 in front of it. We can also spy an Opel Reckord D in the distance, and a Renault 12 on…

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HOT OR NOT? Classics that were rated or slated go head-to-head, including the Mazda MX-5 and Lotus M100, VW Golf GTI and MG Maestro, plus the Ford Cortina and Morris Marina. CLASSIC CHOICE Three large family cars fight for our affections as the Volvo 240 and Peugeot 505 compete with the all-round ability of the Mercedes W123. BUYING A MINOR TOURER Few cars have the charm of a Morris Minor Tourer, but don’t let love blind you into making an expensive mistake – read our essential buying guide! DOWNLOAD THE DIGITAL ISSUE OF CLASSIC CAR BUYER FROMAS 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…

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of MG, and the 50th birthday of the MG Owners’ Club (MGOC), Lancaster Insurance has revealed the top MG model favoured by enthusiasts. According to the specialist’s data, the MGB makes up 54 per cent of all Lancaster Insurance MG policies, followed by the Midget at 16 per cent and the TF at 11 per cent, making the ’B top dog. Lancaster Insurance was originally formed as the MGOC’s insurance division nearly 40 years ago. Despite now being independent and catering for a wide range of classic cars, Lancaster still has a close association with the marque. The classic car insurance specialist offers MG owners a wide range of benefits with its policies, including club membership and limited mileage discounts, plus the option for owners…

A new Channel 4 TV series, produced in partnership with eBay, will celebrate iconic cars from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. ‘Bangers: Mad for Cars’, will be presented by musician Tinie and Formula One analyst and stunt driver, Naomi Schiff. The show sees its presenters go head-to-head in the “Battle of the Bangers” to decide which is the best in class. With the help of car lovers all over the UK, they delve into the performance, history and culture of each car, before a final challenge decides which one comes out on top. Each episode features new and used car parts purchased from eBay. Throughout the series, Tinie will meet some of the most passionate car owners in the UK, whose task is to convince him to choose their model…

Drive Co is aiming to create the world’s largest online classic car sharing community following its acquisition of DriveShare, a peer-to-peer car sharing platform formerly owned by insurance provider Hagerty. Drive Co already operated a group of companies, including BookAclassic, Vinty and Small Car Big City, and now it will bring everything under a single DriveShare brand. Aiming to create the ‘complete package’ for classic car owners, DriveShare will allow classic car owners to monetise their machines for extra income by connecting them with fellow enthusiasts, offering listed classics for rental so that customers get to experience the thrill of driving iconic cars without the hassles of ownership. Plans are afoot to streamline the existing classic car sharing experience, relaunching under the DriveShare name in the coming weeks, with all…

News that the Government has approved the use of rear-facing red flashing lights for recovery vehicles assisting broken down vehicles has been welcomed by national breakdown providers, including Start Rescue and the RAC, which both operate across the UK. While the change in law does not come into force until 2025, recovery vehicles can use red flashing beacons starting immediately. It is hoped that the move will improve their visibility and keep workers safer by better alerting drivers to an incident ahead.…

We can’t begin a celebration of 100 years of MG without delving into the history of its formation, even if the actual date of that occurrence is open to interpretation. Indeed, it’s a history that’s been fraught with debate about when it truly started. The octagon badge was first used in 1923, but MG itself recognises 1924 as the beginning, and has done since at least 1994. There’s even been models to commemorate 1925 over the years, too. It’s all rather confusing, but the club fraternity have gone with 1923, and if we have to continue the centenary bash into next year too, then that’s something MG enthusiasts aren’t likely to mind too much. What we know with more certainty is that William Morris (later known as Lord Nuffield) started…

It looked for all the world as though the MG name had died with the closure of Abingdon in 1980, but its demise was to be short-lived. As it was closing the Abingdon factory, British Leyland announced the new Austin Mini Metro, a car that had to succeed if the company were to survive. The plan was that eventually this would take over from the Mini and lay that to rest, but the Mini would keep going with a pruned range. The Metro was a very smart and up-to-date hatchback, but no car is ever a brand-new design from end to end, especially one from a cash-strapped company like BL. So, under that very modern skin, the Metro had the Mini’s transverse A-Series engine with a four-speed gearbox in its…

Known as the ‘New Generation Models’, the Mercedes W115 (four-cylinder) and W114 (six-cylinder) saloons were larger than the W108/109 models that they replaced, but their Paul Bracq-penned vertically arranged headlamps and three box design made them instantly recognisable as Mercedes products. Underneath came a pioneering front-end ball-joint/rear trailing arm suspension set-up that would become a brand mainstay. The four-cylinder motors comprised the M11 200, 220 and 230.4, with the six-cylinder models being the 230, 230.6, 250 and 280. Diesels were limited to the 240D model in the UK. A facelift in 1973 brought a revised bonnet, broader grill and a single front bumper, the ribbed taillights being an easy way to identify these cars over their forebears. More than 1.9 million of these models were produced (1.8 million being saloons)…

Audi’s high-performance subsidiary, Audi Sport, has been celebrating its 40th anniversary. Evolving from quattro GmbH in 1983, Audi Sport has given birth to memorable road-going models, many enjoying significant success, including its famed RS cars. The sub-brand has also given rise to racing royalty, tackling high profile events such as the World Rally Championship, Pikes Peak hillclimb, with circuit offerings taking part in the Super Touring era of touring car racing, DTM, and GT racing. This year has seen several celebratory events, including an exhibition at its Neckarsulm base, near Stuttgart.…

Anglia Car Auction’s final sale of 2023 is set to be a cracker with an interesting mixture of established choices, intriguing modern classics and some very rare old survivors. British classics seemed to form the backbone of the entry list at the time of writing, though further lots will be added to the catalogue prior to the November 4-5 auction date. Amongst several early Austins comes a tidy 1974 1300GT. Estimated to make £6000-£8000, it is ready to roll and really stands out thanks to its smart Black Tulip paint. Those looking for an older Austin might have their heads turned by a 1938 Seven Ruby, very appropriately finished in a ruby hue. Restored just under two years ago, it is also anticipated to sell for between £6000-£8000. And sticking…

The immediate closure of the Abingdon design office following the sale of MG to Morris Motors was a huge blow to Cecil Kimber and his team, with ever more interference coming from outside their small empire. In commercial terms that was probably no bad thing, and it also gave rise to models that have stood the test of time such as the legendary T-Type line and the sumptuous SVW cars. Bigger storms were on the horizon though, and all car manufacturing came to a halt from 1939-1945. In that time MG made a massive contribution to the war effort, but Cecil Kimber was unfairly dismissed for procuring government contracts outside the Morris Group chain of command, and was tragically killed in February 1945 in a freak rail accident. MG emerged…

After the hand-to-mouth existence that typified virtually all of MG’s life, the famous name is now owned by a huge Chinese company with vast resources and a global reach. As a result, cars bearing the MG octagon are once more on sale in countries all around the world and are being produced in greater numbers than ever. Yet some enthusiasts are unhappy – perhaps at the thought of losing another British brand to foreign ownership, or because the models produced most recently have been hatchbacks and SUVs rather than sportscars. When the dust finally settled on the collapse of MG-Rover in 2005, NAC (Nanjing Automobile Corporation) bought the Longbridge factory’s production plant and machinery, the unfinished cars and a smattering of intellectual rights to the MG part of MG-Rover. In…

DMCDELOREAN Another of Giugiaro’s famed wedge-shaped designs, the DeLorean shares much with the Esprit – chiefly its very similar chassis and the fact that Lotus ultimately got it into production. Thanks to a certain film trilogy the prices of the past are not coming back, but you can still find one for Esprit S3 money. FERRARI MONDIAL The most affordable classic Ferrari is another period wedge-shaped design. The Mondial went unappreciated for years but in more recent times it’s found favour. Around £25,000-£30,000 buys a decent one today, and for that you’ll get a practical Italian supercar that should appreciate further in value. PORSCHE 911 SC After the 911 survived its impending demise, the base and Carrera models were replaced with one new version – the SC (or Super Carrera)…

SOUTHEND CLASSIC SCENES Nigel Taylor from Solihullwrote to us following our Classic Scenes image in the October 11 issue, which depicted Southend-on-Sea in 1980. “I love the picture of the crowds and cars on the sea front,” he said. “My favourite is the V reg Cortina 80 (as I own one). You identified all the cars as usual, and you did ask if readers thought you’d missed anything. Well, how about the big punch-up and skirmish happening on the right of the picture?” Nigel, you’re absolutely right! We must’ve been distracted by all the fantastic classic cars on show. Looks like it might have been time to call in The Professionals… WORLD’S GREATEST? David Watson contacted us following our feature in the October 11 issue. “I enjoyed your feature on…