Innholdsfortegnelse for 1/3/2024 i Classic Car Buyer

Firstly, a very Happy New Year to all CCB readers. Thanks for all your support in 2023; we hope that 2024 is a good one for everyone, and you’ve managed to keep up any New Year’s resolutions so far. From a personal point of view, my vow to avoid buying any more cars is on shaky ground already. Sadly though, it seems that anyone looking for a brand-new car in 2024 will increasingly have to rule out buying a hot hatch. With new emission laws for 2025 on the horizon, stocks of Hyundai’s fizzy i20N are now restricted to the ones it has already built. With production for the Toyota Yaris GR reportedly being wound up too, and the Ford Fiesta ST having departed last year, hot hatch buyers will…

Clive Chapman, son of legendary Lotus founder Colin Chapman, teamed up with his sister Jane on December 16 for a recreation of the historic ‘first journey’ that Colin and his then-girlfriend Hazel made in their Lotus Mark 1 in early 1948. Marking the 75 years since that first journey, Clive, who currently runs Classic Team Lotus, drove the Mark 1 the 32miles from the lock-up garage in Alexandra Park Road where it as built to Dunstable Downs. It was here where Colin took the iconic image of Hazel sat in the Mark 1, well-protected from the legendary freezing winter weather of 1948. Clive’s modern Emira also made the journey as the back-up support car. The Mark 1 made the trip successfully, having safely negotiated the South Mimms/M25 roundabout that wasn’t…

Nowadays, the term pick-up is more likely to conjure up images of muscular American versions, or purpose-built double-cab machines with room for all the family. Yet, it wasn’t so long ago that manufacturers routinely built pick-up versions of their most popular models, becoming street furniture during the 1950s, ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. To celebrate this phenomenon, we’re looking back at seven of the most memorable examples, and one you probably won’t recall. Which would you choose? MORRIS MINOR (1953-1972) Brilliantly served by clubs and specialists, instantly recognisable, plentiful in number and still affordable, the Morris Minor has long been a definitive classic. It first became available in 1948, but it wasn’t until the Minor had entered Series II guise that a van and a pick-up would be offered, going…

Quotation supplied by Lancaster Insurance Web: lancasterinsurance.co.uk | Tel: 01480 809176 Example quote: £182.83 or £200.83 with Agreed value. Quote based on a 45-year-old marketing manager, access to another car, no claims or convictions, club member, 3000 miles per year, no modifications, living in SP2 0HL. Disclaimer: Subject to underwriting criteria. An additional charge may be payable. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.…

THE SAAB WAY Reader Mark Whittaker got in contact having read the ‘Class of 1984’ feature in our December 13 bumper issue. “I really enjoyed the article about the cars launched in 1984, but how come there was no mention for the SAAB 9000?” he wrote. “It was SAAB’s leap into the bigger, executive car market after having so much success with the 99 and 900 Turbo models. It also shared the Type 4 platform that was used by the Fiat Croma, Lancia Thema and the Alfa 164. “I was always a big SAAB fan and remember wanting a 9000 back in the mid-1980s, though I actually ended up with a 90, which combined the 99 front with the 900 back, and also came out in 1984! Buying a 9000…

It’s a bit late to drive home for Christmas, but a 1995 Ferrari F355 Berlinetta once owned by musician Chris Rea has come to market. Understood to be a uniquely finished in Blu Scuro Micalizzato (metallic dark blue) with a crema (cream) interior, the six-speed manual coupe sports the sought-after pre-airbag steering wheel and has enjoyed a comprehensive refresh by Ferrari specialist, Bell Sport & Classic. Tim Kearns, Managing Director at Bell Sport & Classic, said: “This sale represents a rare opportunity to acquire the 355 everyone wants: an early right-hand drive, non-airbag, manual Berlinetta in a timeless specification.” With just 25,000 miles to its name, Rea’s Ferrari is advertised as ‘POA’.…

SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER AT WWW.CLASSICSWORLD.CO.UK Hagerty’s ever popular Festival of the Unexceptional – an event dedicated to humbler, ordinary makes and models of the 1970s, ’80s and ‘90s – has been confirmed to return in 2024, with the show celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Saturday July 27 will be the date for 2024’s event, with ‘FOTU’ once again taking place at Grimsthorpe Castle in Lincolnshire. FOTU was launched by Hagerty Insurance in 2014 and has quickly grown to become a highlight of the classic car calendar. The 2023 show was vast, playing host to 1200 cars and over 3000 enthusiasts, with the 2024 show now opening earlier – from 7:30AM – to maximise time at the event for exhibitors and public. The ever-popular Concours d’Ordinaire also returns…

Affordable hot hatches are few and far between these days, especially if said car made its name in the ’80s or ’90s. As more weight and complexity crept in during the next decade, it was the city car class that kept the hot hatch formula intact. But there were precious few cars to choose from: Volkswagen’s Lupo GTI, MINI’s Cooper and Cooper S, and Fiat’s 500 Abarth were as good as it got. Said bloat scuppered VW’s beloved Golf, too; reviewers may have swooned at the Mk4’s soft touch plastics and blue mood lighting, but that generation’s GTI was a wobbling parody of what the badge once stood for. By contrast, the Lupo GTI was dynamic, focused and earned praise from critics. That said, it never sold particularly well, with…

2001 -MG ZR introduced in July, alongside ZS and ZT models. Full range available from the start: ZR105 (102bhp 1.4-litre 16-valve K-Series), ZR120 (115bhp 1.8-litre 16-valve K-Series) and ZR160 (158bhp 1.8-litre 16V-valve VVC K-Series), plus the 2.0-litre L-Series turbo diesel. ZR120 available with ‘Stepspeed’ CVT with six pre-programmed ratios. 2002 - Upgraded diesel model introduced, the ZR TD115 with 115bhp – the same 2.0-litre L-Series engine is used but in a higher state of tune (TD100 model remains available alongside it). ZR105+ model introduced, with a higher level of interior trim and equipment. 2003 - Launch of the MG Express – a three-door van derivative of the ZR. Available with the same drivetrain options as the ZR, the Express offers lower weight, better performance and much lower insurance premiums than…

Unlike today’s motor industry, which sees models facelifted within two years and usually replaced within four, a popular model used to be given a stay of execution if sales remained strong. The Triumph Spitfire is one such example – despite being a frivolous two-seater roadster, it sold well enough to last for 18 years in production. The 1500 (unofficially the MkV) was the final iteration of Spitfire and the 1977 example sold by Turn Two Classics looks to be a fine example of the breed. Owned by its previous owner for five years, it boasts decades of MoTs and receipts, as well as detailed photographs of its restoration. The chassis is described as free of corrosion and, unusually for a separate-chassis Triumph, the shutlines on the doors, bonnet and wing…

A new classic and youngtimer car and vehicle show hosted by YouTubers Ian and Carly from HubNut, Matt from Furious Driving and Steph from idriveaclassic is to take place at the British Motor Musuem on March 9, 2024. Rustival will cater for everything from clappedout to concours – the organisers say if it’s on wheels, it’s welcome! The event will see 350 display cars, talks from your favourite YouTubers (not just the hosting trio!), and mechanics’ corner where you can meet an old school mechanic (Kev from idriveaclassic) and get expert guidance free of charge. There will be much more besides, including HubNut, Furious Driving and idriveaclassic merchandise. If you’re arriving solo, there will be a meet-up spot where you can make new friends and meet the people you chat…

TRIUMPH HERALD (1959-1971) Standard’s acquisition of Triumph Cars (the car and motorcycle divisions now divorced) in 1944 led to the former ultimately being phased out. The Standard name may have been associated with stout, solidly built saloons, but the style and sporting glamour associated with Triumph was more desirable, so the Standard 8 and 10 replacement was reconceived as a Triumph. The Standard tradition of using flag-based names (such as ‘Ensign’ and ‘Vanguard’) was carried over, however, resulting in the Triumph Herald. Despite the 8 being applauded for using early monocoque construction, the Herald shocked commentators by sporting a separate chassis. Without the finances nor resources to create its own steel monocoque bodies, nor employ the likes of Pressed Steel or Fisher & Ludlow – both of whom were favoured…

One of a trio of ‘Z’ models, the MG ZR had its roots in the ‘R3’ variant of Rover 200 that was launched in 1995. The 200 was essentially a new Rover design, but one that contained considerable carryover from the previous Honda-derived cars. The front half was essentially that of the previous ‘R8’ 200/400, while the back half was from the R8 but modified to provide more boot space and to accept the cheaper torsion beam rear axle from the Maestro. The 200 was facelifted into the Rover 25 in 1999, which spawned the MG ZR two years later. Like the other Z models, the ZR was given clever changes to make it sporty without changing the sheet metal. These included a revised bumper, grille and a tailgate spoiler,…

It’s hard to imagine there was a time when the Capri was just a cheap old car, seen as a relic of a bygone era. Today, Ford’s iconic coupe is amongst the most sought-after, collectible cars of its generation, seen as evocative, stylish and lustworthy. For many, myself included, the Mk3 is the best-looking Capri and the 1980 3.0S at Car Cave Scotland embodies it perfectly – resplendent in Venetian Red, the bodyshell is immaculate cosmetically and rust-free, having recently been fully restored top and bottom. The underside has been Raptor-lined and painted body colour for the original look, whereas the rest of the shell was taken back to bare metal, any hint of rust or damage removed and treated to a thick, glossy respray, nicely complemented by fresh ‘S’…