Innholdsfortegnelse for 6/19/2024 i Classic Car Buyer

Given that we spend many column inches criticising the DVLA, it’s only fair to praise it when things run smoothly. From a personal perspective, I’ve been impressed in recent weeks. Rather than use a shipping agent to register a classic car I recently imported from the EU – France to be specific – I opted to use an agent solely for the HMRC bit (now mandatory) and complete the rest of the paperwork myself. A lot of it doesn’t apply to cars over 10 years old, so the form isn’t too difficult once you realise what can be left blank, and for added measure I got a dating letter from an owners’ club to add to the original French paperwork, fresh MoT certificate and photographs of the chassis plates etc.…

Princess calipers Four-pot Leyland Princess brake calipers were once commonly fitted as an upgrade to many Fords such as early Escorts, Capris and Cortinas, as they conveniently had the same mounting bolt pattern as the original M16 calipers. Burton Power is now able to offer a faithful reproduction for those after a period modification, supplied with a spacer kit that allows them to be used with vented discs. How much? £240.00 per pair  Where from? burtonpower.com / 0208 554 2281 Rover MAP sensor Mini Spares is now stocking the correct MAP sensor for 1996-on Minis with twin-point fuel injection. It fits to the white plastic socket in the wiring loom, and is also suitable for certain variants of the Rover 200, 400 and 800, MGF/TF and Land Rover. Order as…

With Britain gearing up for a general election next month, we could well see a new incumbent in 10 Downing Street. But there’s something that’s fascinated us rather more than the identity of the Prime Minister over the years, and that’s their vehicle. For some nations, the premier’s official car is as much a part of the office as the title. The French government is one of the few buyers of large French executive-class saloons, while the President of Germany is seldom spotted in anything other than BMW, Mercedes or Audi. What of the British government? Over the years the official cars of government ministers have changed dramatically as the UK car industry has also changed, with the traditional ‘Buy British’ approach giving way last year when current Prime Minister…

1962 - Mk1 Cortina launched, initially badged 'Consul Cortina' and available in Standard or Deluxe trim, two- and four-door saloons. 1963 – 1498cc engine with five-bearing crankshaft now offered, alongside 1500 Super and GT trims. Estate variant launched in March, shortly before Twin-Cam-powered Lotus Cortina. Reworked dash from October, with round instruments replacing the oblong speedometer.  1964 – Facelifted version released with new Aeroflow through-flow ventilation, plus redesigned front grille incorporating more rectangular sidelight and indicator units, and further revised dash and controls. Consul name dropped from title, Borg Warner automatic transmission offered, front disc brakes made available. 1966 – After selling over 1.01 million cars, the Mk1 Cortina is replaced by the Mk2. Launched with slogan “New Cortina is more Cortina”, but ironically marginally shorter – two inches extra width…

Morgans have long had a charm of their own, and while many don’t get the appeal, it’s hard to argue with the performance and thrills on offer from a Plus 8 like this one offered by Turn Two Classics. Boasting 17 stamps in its history and what’s described as “a portfolio of bills, invoices, MoTs and paperwork,” this 46,000-mile Morgan has clearly been well cared-for. The 3.9-litre Rover V8 motor in this 1998 car has also been treated to a Tornado performance remap, full sports exhaust system to unleash that lovely burble, and a switchable electric fan to ensure it keeps cool on even the most spirited drive. Electric power steering has also been fitted to make low-speed manoeuvring easier, adding to the strong specification that includes a CD player…

On Saturday June 1, Aberdeen and Edinburgh joined Dundee and Glasgow on the list of Scottish cities with enforced Low Emission Zones (LEZ) – but there’s good news for classic car owners. The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs has confirmed that historic vehicles are exempt from all Scottish LEZs following ‘extensive lobbying’ by the group that began in 2020. According to Low Emission Zones Scotland, vehicles of ‘historic interest’ qualify for exemption if “manufactured or registered under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 for the first time at least 30 years ago.” The vehicle must also no longer be in production and must have “been historically preserved or maintained in its original state and [have] not undergone substantial changes in the technical characteristics of its main components.” This…

SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER AT WWW.CLASSICSWORLD.CO.UK New research suggests potential classic car fans face a major hurdle on the journey to ownership, with record high insurance costs for young drivers pricing them out of driving and even leading to a greater number driving illegally without cover. Road safety charity IAM RoadSmart says the number of drivers aged 17-20 punished for driving without insurance increased from 2902 in 2021 to 6316 in 2023 – a 118 per cent increase. The charity says the increase coincides with rapidly rising premiums; according to research from insurance comparison site Quotezone cited in Autocar, since last year 19-year-olds have seen their premiums rise by 47 per cent to £2435, 18-year-olds by 60 per cent to £2986 and 17-year-olds by 77 per cent to £3496.…

Production of Ford’s electric compact SUV, the Explorer, began last month at the Cologne plant formerly used to stamp out Fiestas, and the company has also formally announced that a second EV will be unveiled on July 10. That news in itself doesn’t have much of a connection to the world of classic cars, but perhaps more interesting is that much media speculation has already pointed towards the new model receiving the Capri badge. You can draw your own conclusions as to whether that’s a lack of imagination from the marketing people or a canny move to revive a once-popular name, especially since the prototypes that have been spotted at the factory seem to have a familiar coupe silhouette. Ford has form here, having revived the Puma tag in 2019…

It’s fashionable to dismiss the Ferrari Mondial, a habit which has only been encouraged by the car’s longtime status as the most affordable Prancing Horse. Look closer though, and you’ll find that the Mondial is actually a fascinating proposition, and more significant to modern Ferrari history than you might realise. It also has a lot to offer as a glamorous yet remarkably practical modern classic – just think of it as a kind of Italian Triumph Stag if it makes you feel better. The story behind the car is a common one for purveyors of exotica: Ferrari made its name in racing and created its exclusive image with impossibly stylish sports cars, but was in danger of losing out as other upmarket European brands started to tread on its toes…

Remarkably, Ford entered the 1960s without a mid-sized saloon. Its first attempt to redress that, the Consul Classic of 1961, proved to be costly to manufacture and didn’t hit the high notes, but everything changed with the conventionally engineered Cortina in September 1962. To save cash, Ford of Britain went for a contrasting approach to the to the front-wheel drive Taunus produced by its Ford of Europe counterpart, going for a traditional rear-wheel drive layout, but adding tail fins and peace symbol-like back lights to form an effortlessly stylish design. At first named the Consul Cortina and available with just one engine (1198cc), the range of two- and four-door saloons grew to include a 1498cc version and a five-door estate, plus the sporty GT with its Cosworth-tuned 78bhp powerplant. There…

You’ll forgive me for gushing, but as a huge Mercedes 123 fan, this Spotlight resonated with me. A Series 3 coupe, this 1983 280CE sold by Yorkshire Classic & Sports Cars looks a lovely example – finished in the subtle shade of Petrol Blue Metallic, the bodywork appears straight, rust-free in all visible areas (not a given on any 123) and all four corner bumpers are pleasingly free of scuffs or parking dings. We spotted a small crease in the rear bumper where a bollard or similar might’ve been gently backed into, but that’s easily rectified or replaced. Being a 280, this car gets full chrome wraparound bumpers, where lesser cars got rubber corner inserts, and that extra brightwork goes nicely with the rest of the trim in that it’s…

BEST OF THREE The recent Ford Fiesta RS Turbo vs Mk8 Fiesta ST video on our Classics World YouTube channel prompted numerous comments, but our favourite was from user @MineshShah regarding the RS Turbo’s iconic wheels: “Ahh, the three spoke alloy conundrum! Personally, I say Saab 900s wore them the best, but the Fiesta also wore them very well.” To which user @550r replied: “I’d also champion the early Dodge Viper, mid-’90s Ford Mustang and Holden HSV VS models’ 3 spokes – very ‘90s look, very of that era.” What’s your favourite example of the controversial three-spoke alloy? Drop us a line! MEMORY LANE With Peugeot-Talbot owning the rights to the Alpine name given to Renault’s first hot 5 in Europe, the model was badged the Gordini in Britain as…

HONDA CRX DEL SOL (1992-1998) The Civic-derived CRX coupe represented a new breed of compact sports car when it went on UK sale in 1984, so much so that contemporary road tests couldn’t find all that much to pitch up against. Indeed, it wasn’t until the following decade that Vauxhall and Ford came up with similar supermini-derived coupes, at which point the CRX had rather changed tack. The original CRX had a tiny folding rear bench that barely offered any space at all, and while the 1988-on Mk2 was roomier, it was still a 2+2 at best thanks to a token vinyl-trimmed bench and a pair of belts. In the end Honda decided to do away with any effort at back seats altogether, creating a new variant for 1992. The…

Quotation supplied by Lancaster Insurance  Web: lancasterinsurance.co.uk | Tel: 01480 400810 Example quote: £95 or £113 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.…

Lancia ownership always seems like an exciting prospect, but is the experience worth the headaches? When it’s the legendary Delta Integrale like the one at Turn Two, it surely is. Originally a Swiss market car, this 1991 16V has the equivalent of just 67,000 miles on the odometer and was imported last year. Upon arrival in the UK, the engine was stripped and its health confirmed, before the crank was polished and fitted with new bearings, while the clutch, all belts, the water pump and all bushes were also replaced, meaning this Integrale is a picture of mechanical health and will drive like new. The turbocharged four-pot also breathes through a Supersprint exhaust to give it a tough rasp. Those lovely pepperpot wheels were also refurbished and shod in fresh…

MINI AT 65 We celebrate the 65th birthday of the Mini, tracing a life of sales success, motorsport victories and increasingly legendary status. CLASSIC CHOICE The 1990s saw three prestige manufacturers launch sporting coupes, but does the Jaguar XK8, Porsche 996-generation 911 or Aston Martin DB7 make the best buy today? SIX APPEAL Often regarded as the last of the traditional British sports cars, many consider the TR6 to be the last ‘proper’ Triumph. Here’s what you need to know to buy a good example. DOWNLOAD THE DIGITAL ISSUE OF CLASSIC CAR BUYER FROM AS LITTLE AS £1.37! Visit shop.kelsey.co.uk/classic-car-buyer-magazine The printed version of Classic Car Buyer is available in ASDA, Tesco, Morrisons and WH Smiths, plus all good newsagents…