Innholdsfortegnelse for 2/14/2024 i Classic Car Buyer

Restoration specialist JD Classics wowed the crowds at this year’s Retromobile event in Paris by at revealing its ‘True Spirit of XJ13’ recreation project for the first time. The original Jaguar XJ13 of 1966 was built as a Le Mans racer, and JD Classics claims that its new creation “faithfully embodies the grace and precision of the original, maintaining the pure lines conceived by the legendary factory aerodynamicist Malcom Sayer.” The factory car was extensively 3D-scanned to create dimensionally perfect specs for the car, before aluminium panels were hand-crafted based on these measurements. Details such as the dashboard layout and even spacing of rivets on the body have been exactly replicated, with identical wheel specs and even the use of E-Type front suspension as per the factory car. It does…

At this year’s Goodwood Revival – taking place on September 6-8 – numerous displays will celebrate eight-time World Champion, John Surtees. It’s now 60 years since Surtees won his Formula one World Championship, and 2024 would have seen him celebrate his 90th birthday. Surtees’ career includes the 1964 Formula One World Championship, 1966 Can-Am Championship and seven motorcycle World Championships between 1956 and 1960, making him the only person to win world titles on two and four wheels. The Revival weekend’s displays will include a Surtees tribute, featuring everything from 250cc, 350cc and 500cc motorcycles to Grand Prix winners, unlimited sports cars and GTs. In April, the 81st Members’ Meeting will assemble an array of Can-Am cars; Surtees having won the inaugural championship with his eponymous team in 1966. The…

Morris Leslie’s first classic car sale of 2024 takes place at its Perth headquarters this Saturday (February 17), and should have plenty to tempt bidders. Over 70 entries were listed at the time of writing, covering everything from rare restoration projects to concours-worthy classics. Numerous Jaguars feature, starting with a 1998 X308 XJ8 3.2 which, with just 73,000 warranted miles, could prove great value given its lack of reserve. It joins two more X308 3.2s – one a late 2002 Executive with a low £1000-£1500 guide price, the other a tidy 2000 car with the same estimate. Elsewhere, a late 2007 S-Type with the 2.7-litre TDV6 is another potential no-reserve bargain, and an early 4.0-litre XK8 Convertible from 1998 could be tempting at an estimated £6000-£7000. Prefer its XJ-S predecessor?…

The rubber-bumper MGBs aren’t to everyone’s taste, but the later cars have finally coming of age and perhaps look their best in run-out LE Special Edition guise. Just 421 LE Roadsters were built, all in lovely Bronze Metallic which, on RFH’s 1981-registered car is in fine fettle, with a deep shine that complements the MGB’s slender lines beautifully. The bodywork is extremely tidy, with no significant dents, no rust in any of the trouble areas, and those divisive rubber bumpers straight, unmarked and still fitting tightly. The previous owner carried out extensive restoration work to this car, including new inner and outer sills both sides, lower rear wings, doors, boot panel and both front wings, wth all lining up nicely. Throw in the classy gold sidewinder stripes and Stag-esque GKN…

On a recent visit to Hill Farm Automotives, amongst the plethora of rare and exciting classics was this 1978 Mini Clubman Estate. Often the Estate gets the 'woodie' nickname on account of its ash-wood frame at the back, but this one takes that a bit further – as well as a textured wood-effect paint job and polished wood load area, this Mini’s bumpers, mirror caps and grille are all custom-made out of real wood. The recently reconditioned 1098cc engine will likely be needed to cart around the weight of the extra timber, but we can neither confirm nor deny that this Mini has wooden handling……

The Clubman nameplate that first made its debut on the Mini in 1969 has bowed out after 55 years The last MINI Clubman rolled off the production line at MINI Plant Oxford last week, signalling the end for the model characterised by its split rear doors. The original 1969 Clubman was the result of an effort to simplify a complex Mini range and thus boost profits. Ex-Ford man Roy Haynes was drafted in to produce a restyled model to replace the existing Morris Mini Traveller and Austin Mini Countryman estates, along with the range-topping Riley Elf and Wolseley Hornet, which could be sold at a premium price but with lower production costs. He came up with the Mini Clubman, featuring a distinctive long nose that resembled the Mk2 Cortina. Both…

Iconic Auctioneers kicks off its 2024 sales as part of the Race Retro event at Stoneleigh Park on Saturday 24 February, with plenty of motorsport-inspired classics to suit the prestigious surroundings. The auction is divided into collectors’ cars and competition cars, with around 120 entries in total, plus automobilia. Fords are always motorsport favourites, and first up is a Lotus Cortina Mk1, fresh from a bare-shell restoration to ‘fast road’ specification and estimated at a very reasonable £35,000-£40,000. Next are a pair of Sierra Cosworths, the first a black 1987 RS500 owned by the vendor for 34 years and carrying a £75,000-£85,000 guide price, the second a Moonstone Blue RS500 that was treated to a ‘near-concours’ standard restoration in 2016 and is estimated at £85,000-£100,000. The perfect complement to either…

There’s also a Lotus connection in our wild card choice. Brian Luff and Keith Lain were two of the men who departed the firm to set up on their own, with the former involved with the aforementioned Clan Crusader. Luff came up with a couple of kit car designs under his own ‘Status’ banner, and would also design the Mini Minus – a lightweight fibreglass replacement body for the original that would never rust. In the meantime, Lain had started Minus Cars in the early 1980s, working from a converted farm in Wymondham, Norfolk. The car was initially offered as the Status Mini Minus, but when Luff moved to Jersey, he gave the job to Lain and the car was renamed. The new shells used all Mini parts, but the…

We’re looking ahead to the summer holidays this week… by looking back at this scene from Cornwall in July 1967. Anyone who has ever tried to drive through Polperro will know how narrow it is, but cars from the 1960s fare a little better than today’s SUVs and there’s still room for several motors in this picture. A Ford Anglia dominates the shot, with an Anglia van evidently used as transport for servicing Hoovers heading the other way. Judging by the grille, the Farina saloon on the right is a Morris Oxford, and we can also spy what we think is an Austin 1100 on the left, complete with a roof rack. Heading up the hill, meanwhile, looks to be a Ford/Thames 400E pick-up. If you spot anything we’ve missed,…

A petition has been launched to try and reverse a decision that has seen a classic car club’s members being told they can no longer meet in a public car park. Manhood Classics Car Club has been meeting at the East Beach car park in Selsey on the third Sunday of each month for 13 years, but in mid-December, Chichester District Council issued a formal notice telling the club to stop using the location. Now 400-strong, the club was formed by locals Les Payne and Mick Hemmings in October 2010, bringing together classic and vintage car owners in the Manhood Peninsula and neighbouring towns. The pair began by organising get-togethers at East Beach public car park, and as the years went on, the meets moved to Sidlesham Football club. When…

The British Motor Museum will be hosting a brand-new family-friendly show for the 2024 season. Rustival, the all-new classic/young-timer car and vehicle show hosted by YouTubers Ian and Carly from HubNut, Matt from Furious Driving and Steph from idriveaclassic, is already set to be a massive hit. The event takes place at the British Motor Museum on March 9, with over 500 exhibitor spots already sold. The show will feature hundreds of display cars, talks from the YouTube stars, and an Ask the Experts feature where visitors can chat with industry experts and get professional automotive guidance free of charge. For those visiting on their own, there is a meet-up spot called Friendship Corner, where visitors can enjoy socialising with other attendees, making new friends and meeting people to chat…

The first auction from SWVA’s all-new headquarters proved to be a resounding success, with 50 varied classics ranging from projects to pristine going under the hammer. All but five of the cars entered found new homes, many for impressive figures. Pre-war cars proved popular – a pair of Austin Sevens kicked things off, a 1935 Pearl Cabriolet offering a tempting project for the fair price of £2000, while a 1931 Chummy presented in excellent all-round condition and sold for £8500. A 1939 Standard Flying 10 Saloon boasted excellent bodywork and a comprehensive history file to contribute to its £6250 hammer price, while the standout pre-war car was unquestionably a 1933 Alvis Firefly 12. Despite being a non-runner, its superb bodywork and interior earned it a winning bid of £10,000. Sports…

BMC 1100/1300 (1962-1974) The Morris Minor was a huge success, but it was the Mini that really showed the genius of Alec Issigonis. It wasn’t the first car to employ front-wheel-drive, and nor was it the first to mount an engine transversely to save space, but the way it combined these elements was unique. With a wheel at each corner and clever attention to maximising interior space, it set a new blueprint. It was therefore no surprise that Issigonis would expand on the formula. The purest repurposing was probably the first – the BMC 1100/1300 range, often referred to by its ADO16 model code. The car was first launched in August 1962 as the Morris 1100, but badge-engineered versions came thick and fast. Before the final car, a Vanden Plas…

BMW E30 325i The Audi 80’s arch rival was the E30 3 Series, with the top-rung 325i the challenger to Audi’s 2.2. True, the BMW offers a nimbler rear-driven chassis and lovely straight-six sountrack, as well as better parts support, but the quirky quattro’s all-weather ability and engine note make this one a hard call. FORD CAPRI 2.8 INJECTION If you find the Audi a bit too German, the full-fat Mk3 Capri might float your boat – the 2.8 Injection can rival the non-turbo Audi’s performance and enjoys better parts and club support, but you’re paying more for poorer quality and dynamics. RENAULT FUEGO TURBO We’re going properly left-field with this one – Renault’s front-driven fastback borrowed mechanicals from the 18 saloon, granting it a plush ride and quirky yet…

SUPERCHARGED ICONS We look at the cars that famously used a supercharger to boost performance, from superminis to full-on exotics. CLASSIC CHOICE Iconic people’s cars from mainland Europe do battle as the VW Beetle takes on the Fiat 500 and Citroën 2CV. BUYING THE MG MIDGET Few classic fans won’t be familiar with the MG Midget, but that’s why it still makes so much sense today. We share what you need to know. 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…