Innholdsfortegnelse for 4/3/2024 i Classic Car Buyer

There can be little doubt that classic cars prices, overall, are dropping. We’re still seeing exceptional prices for exceptional cars, but the post-pandemic boom seems to have waned if recent auction results are anything to go by. It’s hardly surprising of course, as people negotiate the cost-of-living crisis and have to watch their spending. There appear to be positives to this. Classic cars become more affordable for those previously priced out, and cars will still sell if sellers are realistic with their valuations. For me though, I’m hoping this is all temporary. Not because I’m worried about my own cars; they weren’t particularly valuable to start with. No, I’m concerned with the knock-on effect for the industry. If cars are worth less, restorations become less viable, and that means less…

Jump Starter To make sure your classic’s battery doesn’t let you down this spring, Machine Mart is offering this new Clarke JS1224LIN 12v/24v lithium-ion jump start. This lightweight, portable power bank even comes with an in-built LED work light for easier use at night, plus a USB port.  How much? £179.98 Where? machinemart.co.uk / 0115 956 5555 Italian Job mugs Joining the range of Mini mugs inspired by The Italian Job film, this latest creation from Art by Bex features her limited-edition artwork, ‘Get Your Wheels in Line’. The newcomer is available individually, or you can order a set of three mugs at a discounted rate of £56. How much? £19.99 Where? artbybexstudio.com / 07720 876250 Solid-state condenser MGOC Spares has been working closely with a UK company called Retronics…

SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER AT WWW.CLASSICSWORLD.CO.UK Lunaz Group, the Silverstone-based firm known for converting high-end classics such as Bentleys and Aston Martins to electric power, has paused all of its current operations as it seeks a restructure. The group is made up of two arms: Lunaz Design, which converts classics to EVs, and Lunaz Applied Technology, which does the same for bin lorries, ‘upcycling’ them by taking out their diesel engines and putting in an electric powertrain instead. Last month, Lunaz Applied Technology went into administration, causing the loss of around 40 jobs. This has since developed into a company-wide cessation of business operations. The firm was founded in 2018 and made its name restoring and converting high-end classics to electric powertrains. Its profile was raised further in 2021…

The modern car market has a distinct lack of upmarket British saloons, unless you look to exotic marques like Rolls-Royce. But from the late-1940s right up to the mid-2000s, Rover produced saloon cars with class, luxury, comfort and quality in abundance. The Rover P4 ushered in a new era for the firm, featuring unusual modern styling in stark contrast with the outdated P3. While not necessarily the most sporting offerings – or the perhaps the highest quality towards the end – a saloon with the Viking on the nose ensured that you were in for a memorable driving experience. With 75 years having passed since the P4 emerged, we’ve decided to look at six decades of Rover saloon cars. P4 (1949-1964) Rover was so keen to start building cars again…

There are few cars that were considered gorgeous when launched, remained respected as impressive design through the decades and are still amongst the best-looking cars ever made 75 years after release, but the Jaguar XK is among them. The XK150 of 1957 was arguably the model’s design peak, with a single-piece windscreen, higher wings and larger doors gently revising what was unquestionably a stunning piece of design – the 1960 XK150 FHC offered by Milestone Classics perfectly exemplifies how good this car can look. Discovered as a barn find in 1996, it was treated to a body-off restoration that Milestone describes as “no corners cut.” The chassis was stripped and shotblasted, while bodywork was thoroughly repaired and replaced as necessary. The colour was changed at this time from the original…

Hotted-up Fords from all eras tend to overshadow fast Vauxhalls, but the 1963 VX 4/90 offered by Car Cave demands your attention. Imported by Car Cave from South Africa in 2019, this unrestored hot Victor is described as extremely solid underneath and has never been welded, two comments you couldn’t make about most surviving examples. The light grey paintwork is nicely complemented by the chrome trim and red flash, with Car Cave suggesting that all paint bar the roof is original, and looks extremely smart regardless. The white steel wheels wear all their chrome hubcaps for a lovely finishing touch, and all four tyres are good – the previous owner has regularly used this car since import, ensuring that this VX 4/90 is reliable. The red interior looks in fantastic…

TURBO SALOONS We celebrate the cars that made family saloons fast and exciting through use of a turbocharger, from the SAAB 99 to the Sierra Sapphire Cosworth. CLASSIC CHOICE Three rugged off-roaders do battle, but can the Land Rover Defender topple the Mercedes G-Wagen and Toyota Land Cruiser? Z CAR The BMW Z3 was the Bavarian outfit’s contribution to the back-to-basics roadster revolution of the late 90s – and now it’s the cheaper alternative to a Mk1 MX-5. We show you how to buy a good one. 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…

On page 8, we mention how we haven’t seen an Avenger at auction in years, but like buses, now there’s another – and it’s a rather special one. Finished in attention-grabbing Sundance Yellow also used on the Tiger model, this 1972 Hillman Avenger GT offered by South Western Vehicle Auctions (SWVA) is thought to be one of just six licensed in the UK. Bought by the vendor in 2021 as a rolling project, it’s been restored to a high standard, including a respray and retrim. It’s now described as being in impeccable condition and comes with a comprehensive history file, plus an MoT until next March. Introduced in October 1970, the four-door Avenger GT made its mark with a twin-carburettor 1498cc engine. The model was recognisable by its twin round…

How times change. In the mid-1970s, people began converting chrome bumpered MGBs to the new rubber bumpers as they modernised the car, and dealers offered hefty discounts on outgoing models. Of course, the burgeoning classic car market eventually swung tastes back the other way, reappropriating the earliest chrome bumpered cars to the top of the investment tree. Then again, if you like the car enough, you continue its upkeep. Clearly, a previous owner of Conwy Classics’ 1980 MGB GT was emotionally invested enough to write a cheque to ensure its survival: ringing the till for an inflation-corrected £12,000 at the MG Owners’ Club Workshop in 1992. The work comprised new wings, inner and outer sills, castle rails, jacking points, doors and other sundries. That’s before a reconditioned engine and a…

It’s been more than 20 years since Smart’s tiny two-seater micro-car hit the UK’s roads, and there really was nothing else like it. But the company had ambitions to launch something sportier and after being shown as design concepts, the Roadster and Roadster Coupe were launched in 2002, reaching the UK the following year. Swapping the easy-to-park diddy dimensions for a more stylish look, the new models were powered by a turbocharged, 698cc three-cylinder engine offering sprightly performance. The automated manual gearbox was the weak link of the driving experience, but you could drive around its foibles for the most part, and it didn’t really detract from what was a very fun package. Compact and light – the Roadster weighed less than 800kg – they blended frugal motoring with fresh-air…

Salon Privé London will celebrate supercars with three special themed days at Royal Hospital Chelsea. Porsche Day, McLaren Masters and Supercar Saturday will all feature during the event, highlighting their respective manufacturers. Porsche Day on Thursday April 18 is the first up, celebrating 50 years of the 911 Turbo. Some 50 examples will be presented on the venue’s lawns, including the one-of-11 RHD 964 Turbo S Leichtbau (pictured). McLaren Masters on April 19 will see the British brand showcase iconic models including an Elva, the firm’s lightest road car ever. Also part of the line-up will be the now-legendary 675LT, and the latest hybrid supercar, the Artura. Finally, Supercar Saturday on April 20 will see the event welcome the exclusive SCC private members supercar club, which plans to showcase over…

FORD FIESTA Mk1 (1976-1983) For many of us, the lack of a Fiesta in Ford’s current model range seems alien. For all of its 46 years on sale in the UK, the baby Blue Oval was rarely out of the top five list of best-selling cars and continued to dominate until the pandemic. Yet, Ford was initially a latecomer to the fast-growing supermini sector. Indeed, the movement was already in full swing by the time Ford entered the race with the European launch of the Fiesta in 1976. The Volkswagen Polo, Renault 5 and Fiat 127 were already well established, but playing catch-up didn’t harm the Fiesta’s fortunes. Six months after launch it was Europe’s fastest-selling car, becoming the UK’s best-selling supermini in 1978, and a million-seller in 1980. There…

Quotation supplied by Lancaster Insurance Web: lancasterinsurance.co.uk | Tel: 01480 809176 Example quote: £220 or £238 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 modern 3 Series can trace its lineage back to the 1960s, when the 2002 offered a BMW saloon in a compact package. Stylish, reliable and fun to drive, the 2002’s appeal only grew when coachbuilder Baur beheaded it to create a convertible, such as Car Cave’s 1975 car. Numbers are vague, but there were certainly fewer than 250 right- hand drive 2002 Baurs, with this car benefitting from a nut and bolt restoration seven years ago. At that point it had a new bonnet, wings, boot floors and sills, before a full respray in its original Chamonix White. The floor is painted underneath as well, and a lack of underseal proves how immaculate the underside is. At the time of restoration, the chassis and all cavities were given the…

RUST-FREE R107s The Mercedes R107 SL Buying Guide video recently released on our Classics World YouTube channel prompted a comment from user @peterriggall8409 that made us a little bit envious; “Very unusual to see a rotten MB in Australia. Our cars have faded paint, lacquer peel, faded and sun damaged interior, dashboard cracks, gravel rash, chipped windscreens, baked rubbers…Not much really! Cheaper to fix than rust repairs though…” With how rotten R107s can get in our wet, cold, salty climate, we’d take some sun-damaged trim any day! AFFORDABLE FUN Following our favourite driver’s cars feature last issue, reader Simon Johnstone got in touch with an interesting observation: “reading through all the team’s budget choices (BMW E36 Compact, Audi TT, Ford Puma, Toyota MR2 Mk3 and MGF VVC), I was interested…