Innholdsfortegnelse for 8/21/2024 i Classic Car Buyer

Don’t ask me how it came about, but some office chat this week surrounded the potential purchase of a Citroën CX. Looking through CCB and the usual classified sites, some potentials were identified – one right-hand drive, and another, much closer to home, which was left-hand drive. “If there was ever a car which looked better as LHD, the CX is it,” piped up Group Editor Wager, presumably keener to drive 15 miles rather than hundreds. But does he have a point? Do we get too hung up on what side the steering wheel is on? Granted, there are practicalities at play, but some of the most iconic classics only came with the steering wheel on the left; the BMW E30 M3 for example, or the Lancia Delta Integrale. Then…

Hylite Jump-Lite Impressively versatile, the Hylite Jump-Lite combines a 330-lumen torch that features high beam, low beam, SOS and strobe functions with an 8000mAh battery that can be used as a power pack for electronics or for jump-starting a car battery. It can provide 10 to 30 jump starts from one charge, with sufficient power to jump up to a 5.0-litre eight-cylinder petrol or a 3.0-litre diesel. A 12-volt adaptor is also included. How much? £129.95 Where from? defendersecurityproducts.co.uk Electronic flasher unit On older cars, indicators do not always flash at consistent speeds. Upgrading to an electronic flasher can be the answer, with Better Car Lighting offering the black cube type in two- or three-pin configurations from just £9.99 plus VAT, or an alloy-bodied version for when the unit is…

The BMW era at Rover saw the brand lean increasingly on its heritage, the ultimate evolution of the Bavarian ideal of British style being the chintzy Rover 75. Along the way though, a few highlights slipped under the radar that proved the development engineers were still very much alive – and one of them was the Rover 200 BRM limited edition. If you’ve not heard of it then you can be forgiven, since it’s one of the rarest of all the modern Rovers, but think Clio Williams or Civic Jordan and you’re half way there. Except that in the case of the Rover, the GP team from which it took inspiration had already been dormant for over 20 years. The association between the illustrious British Racing Motors – famed for…

1984 - The 911 SC is replaced by the Carrera 3.2, gaining a larger engine and more power. Coupe, Cabriolet and Targa models are available along with a Special Wishes Turbo-look option.  1985/86 - Updates introduced including a four-spoke steering wheel, radio aerial incorporated in the windscreen, improved seats mounted 20mm lower and a revised ventilation system with new dashboard vents.  1987 - G50 gearbox and hydraulic clutch fitted. Cabriolet models get an electric hood, and the Turbo-look model is now known as the Carrera Supersport.  1988 - Fuchs alloys made standard, and two new versions appear: the stripped-back Club Sport is 50kg lighter (just 189 are made), while the Anniversary celebrates 25 years of the 911. The latter features Diamond Blue metallic paint and a leather interior. 1989 -…

Ford Fair, Europe’s biggest Blue Oval show, returned to Silverstone on Sunday August 11. Playing host to a wide range of cars including modern, modified, classic and restored examples, the event saw 11,400 Ford fans enjoy a packed schedule of attractions. Throughout the day, on-track drifting displays took place (including passenger rides in drift cars offered elsewhere on-site), as well as a celebratory ’60 Years of Mustang’ parade, which saw owners of all generations of Ford’s iconic pony car take to famous circuit. As with many Kelsey Media events, the public could also take their cars on track, with a Mk2 Granada limousine proving a particularly amusing sight amongst the modified hot hatches. Indeed, the numerous displays and club stands at Ford Fair offered plenty more for classic fans –…

SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER AT WWW.CLASSICSWORLD.CO.UK New insurance requirements for car shows could leave owners unable to show off their pride and joy. More and more event underwriters are asking organisers if guests have what’s known as ‘exhibition insurance’ – a little-known clause that covers owners for theft, damage or liability while parked up at events. Most classic car policies include this clause under ‘social use’ – but not everyone is covered. Speaking from recent experience, Jack Levy, organiser of Lymm Historic Transport Day, urged enthusiasts not to be caught out. When the show’s insurance renewal came up in May, it was taken on by a new underwriter. Jack said: “Our new insurers came to us and said, “Before we sign off on this, do all of your cars…

Aside from the odd survivor popping up at events like Festival of the Unexceptional and a few builders still running Jumbuck pick-ups, the Proton brand tends to be forgotten in the UK, consigned to history along with the likes of Daewoo. The Malaysian marque was once a significant presence here if not a massive seller, popular for its combination of attractive pricing and proven hand-me-down Mitsubishi running gear – at one point it was even owner of Lotus, via its parent company DRB-HICOM. Proton showrooms disappeared from the UK in 2014 in the face of forthcoming EU regulations that the old Mitsubishi engines couldn’t meet, but today Chinese car maker Geely – which formerly acquired Lotus from Proton – holds a 49.9 per cent stake in the company and is…

When it comes to certain Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) vehicles, it’s fair to say we missed out. While we were not short of luxury options from the likes of Mercedes, BMW, Daimler and Rolls-Royce, well-heeled Japanese buyers could also turn to the Toyota Century (G50) – a big V12-powered saloon that served as its manufacturer’s luxury flagship. The G50 was the first generation of the Century to be exported, but with a target audience of company bosses and diplomats, the vast majority remained the preserve of home-market customers. Thankfully, IGM Pedigree Classics went East in 2022, bringing this 1998 Century into the country direct from Japanese auction, then paying all the required fees and getting it a UK registration plate. Though it may lack the curtains and antimacassars (seat doilies)…

The 911 has been with us for 60 years, and in that time Porsche has provided enthusiasts with a model range that’s moved from the tradition of air-cooling to the latest bombastically fast water-cooled supercars. The end of the 1980s saw something of a revolution as the legendary sports car offered greater modernity in the shape of the 964, but prior to that was the car we are concentrating on here. Launched in 1984, the Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2 was very much of the old-school, although it was the first 911 to feature ECU-controlled fuelling and ignition. The heavily reworked flat-six engine boasted a healthy 231bhp – a useful increase over the preceding 3.0 SC – and performance was suitably impressive, with 0-60mph sorted in 6.1 seconds and a 152mph…

If today’s over-assisted cars leave you cold, we’d encourage you to look into Triumph TRs, particularly an earlier one like this lovely TR3 offered by marque specialist, TRGB. Originally a US-market car (as many TRs on the British market are, on account of the plentiful supply of rot-free cars available Stateside), it was repatriated and converted to right-hand drive in 2014. Resplendent in Old English White, the body itself presents beautifully, ably demonstrating the timelessness of the attractive styling. We spotted no signs of any bodywork dents or damage, or any rust, on top or underneath, with TRGB’s gallery of images displaying an honest but extremely tidy underbody. The panel gaps appear neat and tidy – certainly not a given on any Triumph roadster – while the chrome presents similarly…

RFH Classics often keeps a couple of MGBs in stock, usually excellent quality examples. It sold this 1973 roadster 18 months ago, and it has recently been part-exchanged against another of their cars. Accordingly, it’s already known to be a very tidy car – the black-over-tan colour scheme is unusual for an MGB but suits this chrome bumper roadster very well. The dealer confirms that the body and paintwork is in excellent condition, with very neat panel gaps, chrome that is free of pitting or damage, and no sign of any corrosion on top or underneath. The stack of invoices and paperwork with this car detail a respray in 2017, which explains why it still cuts a fine dash. The chrome wire wheels have been refurbished and complement the rest…

BEST OF BRITISH The recent Aston Martin DB9 vs Jaguar XKR video on our Classics World YouTube channel prompted plenty of debate from commentors; @ianhortonplant was firmly in the Jaguar camp: “The XKR is an awful lot of car for the money. Mine is the 4.2 version and it really shifts while still being able to cruise in comfort – cracking vehicle!” @markcarter9476 got impressive economy from his DB9: “I managed 28.5 mpg in my DB9 on a trip down the M1 at a steady 65mph. I was pretty stunned.” Meanwhile, Jaguar fan @ChristianACW preferred an older Jaguar: “Two very beautiful cars! But I’d never trade my X100 for one of those two! Honestly, I wouldn’t trade my X100 for anything…” MEMORY LANE Despite the Montego’s turbulent past, the Rover…

Austria is one of the few European countries not immediately associated with the car industry, but in reality it has a blue chip pedigree thanks to being the home of contract manufacturer Magna Steyr. In its various guises over the years, the firm has brought us vehicles as diverse as the Mercedes G-Class and M-Class, VW Transporter T3 Syncro, Saab 9-3 convertible and BMW X3. It’s also been the European production site for US models including the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chrysler Voyager, 300C and PT Cruiser. Oh, and not forgetting the glory of the Bitter SC. Having started in car making with licence-built Fiats including the Steyr 500, the firm – which combined the Steyr and Puch marques – developed the Haflinger and Pinzgauer, thus becoming a specialist in all-wheel…

A new restoration-themed show and autojumble is poised to launch at the Bath & West Showground near Shepton Mallet this autumn, with a diverse array of attractions designed to appeal to both seasoned restorers and newcomers alike. The National Restoration Show and Autojumble is set to feature live restoration demonstrations from industry experts, seminars and workshops, classic car displays and club stands. You'll also find trade stands and an autojumble – a treasure trove for enthusiasts searching for rare parts and unique finds to complete their restoration projects. The event runs from 10am until 3pm, with advance ticket holder entry from 9.30am. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit restoration-show.co.uk.…

Welsh firm MST – best known for its modern evocations of the Mk1 and Mk2 Ford Escort – has unveiled its latest model, the Mk2 Evo-X. The X part of the model’s name is in reference to the widebody X-Pack parts available for the Mk2 back in period, and it also boasts the RS2000’s ‘droop snoot’ front end. The new variant promises numerous upgrades over MST’s critically acclaimed Mk2 model. Two naturally aspirated four-pots are available: the ‘base’ unit being the 2.5-litre Ford Duratec that offers 275bhp, and the range-topper a 2.8-litre Millington Diamond unit providing a whopping 350bhp. The latter is a long-term favourite for competition-spec Escorts, and can be specified with either a conventional manual gearbox, or a sequential affair. The RS2000-aping bodywork is entirely carbon-fibre, resulting in…

No matter how successful a car manufacturer is, there’s every chance it has a back catalogue containing at least one dud. And even if there isn’t a poor design in its history of previous models, there are sure to be a few whose sales failed to live up to expectations. You see, even the big boys can’t get it right every time, particularly when it comes to predicting the market. So, we thought we’d take a look at a few of these unsuccessful models from eight major manufacturers – the kind of companies that have enjoyed sales success in the past, with certain models selling by the million, but which dropped the ball via the examples shown here. It’s not that they’re bad cars; it’s just that, particularly in the…

‘X300’ XJ (1994-1997) Often described as the car the XJ40 could – or rather should – have been, the X300 was another of those winners the British motor industry so often manages to pull from unlikely circumstances. The story goes that the XJ40 had been so long in development that even as it launched, it was ripe for replacement, with work beginning on an all-new successor in the late ’80s under code name XJ90. It was an ambitious project and when Ford management arrived to take stock of their new acquisition, they baulked at the $500m cost and diverted the funds instead to updating Jaguar’s antiquated production facilities. Meanwhile, the nose and tail of the XJ90 project were grafted on to the XJ40’s centre section and the result was surprisingly…

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With Ford Capris plentiful on the classic market today, it’s pleasing to see a few choice examples of its Opel Manta rival appearing of late. This 1989 car is something of a rarity, being a 1.8 Exclusive – one of the run-out Manta B2 models alongside the better-known GT/E Exclusive. It also looks to be one of the nicest available, sporting a meagre 39,000 miles on the clock and just two owners in its 35 years. The second owner reportedly spent a small fortune on recommissioning and mechanical work, resulting in an extremely smart-looking car – the bright red paintwork has a deep shine and details like the original-spec graphics and ‘Vauxhall/GM/Opel Dealer Sport’ window sticker are pleasing sights. The original steel wheels include the Opel centre caps and wear…

EXPORT AFTER DEATH Some cars get to enjoy life after death by shipping out and being built abroad – we celebrate the most memorable examples, from Fiat 124 to Renault 12. CLASSIC CHOICE A trio of 1970s family hatchbacks compete, but will the Vauxhall Chevette, Chrysler Sunbeam or Toyota Starlet come out ahead? CHANGING GHIA Exotic looks clothed nothing more exotic than Beetle running gear, but the stylish Karmann Ghia is a highlight of the air-cooled VW scene. We show you how to buy a great one. 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…