Innholdsfortegnelse for 11/6/2024 i Classic Car Buyer

We’ve spoken at length about the Up ‘n’ Down 24-hour Endurance Challenge we did a couple of weeks back, when we drove our Mercedes W124 to Stuttgart to raise money for the Sophie’s Legacy charity. As I write, I can confirm that over £22,000 has now been raised, the video of the trip is now on our Classics World YouTube channel and you’ll be able to see our W124 in the metal at the NEC Classic Motor Show this weekend, but I can’t yet reveal who was the overall winner of the challenge. Naturally, that had me musing about where points were gained and lost, with one of the challenges being to spot pre-2000 cars (with five points awarded each time). And that’s where our decision to head to Germany proved…

Ford Fiesta carpets Newton Commercial has launched brand-new Fiesta MK1 and early Mk2 (pre facelift) moulded carpet sets, produced to the OE style and perfectly shaped to fit the floorpan. They come with deluxe underfelt and pictorial instructions, with RHD and LHD options and a choice of colours including black, red and grey. How much? from £284.40  Where from? 01728 832880/newtoncomm.co.uk XK8/XJ8 LED dimmable illumination kit Better Car Lighting has developed a new LED bulb kit to replace the notoriously dull instrument illumination ones on the Jaguar XK8 and XJ8, which are also known to cause heat damage. The LED items dim with the standard rheostat and come in bright ivory white as standard, but are also available in green and ice blue. How much? £71.99  Where from? 0121 7737000/bettercarlighting.co.uk…

With much market talk surrounding more modern classics gaining momentum, the door is open for affordable traditional classics. Historics’ next sale at Mercedes-Benz World on November 23 offers a couple of cases in point, with a classic due of 1960s Fords, both offered with no reserve. First up is a very smart Ford Zodiac Mk3 dating from 1964, which has been restored to a good standard and has only covered 25,064 miles in its 60 years on British roads. The engine has also been rebuilt at a cost of over £2500, and has covered little more than 100 miles since. Currently in the hands of a private collector, the Zodiac has been kept in a dry garage environment throughout his stewardship and could offer a lot of classic Ford for…

The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu has announced that Formhalls Vintage and Racing Ltd has been named as its ‘preferred Engineering partner’, while Page Automotive Group is its ‘preferred bodyshop partner’. Both companies are owned by Automotive Vision, and have been instrumental in supporting the museum’s Sunbeam 1000hp World Land Speed Record vehicle restoration project, providing white metalling of the engines. They also have been working on other vehicles in the museum’s famous collection of cars and motorcycles.…

Typically, American cars struggle in Europe – best suited to the long, straight interstates and comparatively low fuel prices found locally, vast and thirsty Americana isn’t often sold in Europe officially, and rarely sells all that well when it is. However, some models make enough of an impact – be it due to looks, performance, luxury or iconic status in pop culture – to resonate with Europeans. Here are our favourite American idols that have found fans on this side of the Atlantic, too. FORD MUSTANG (1964-2024) When Ford Vice-President Lee Iacocca ordered development of a compact, desirable car to suit the new generation of ‘baby boomers’, he likely never could’ve imagined the revolution he’d kickstarted. Iacocca’s brief was quite demanding, stating that Ford’s new car must have bucket seating…

MINI COOPER S (2002-2006) After insurance premiums had all but killed the hot hatch by the mid-1990s, the new millennium witnessed a sterling comeback for the genre. It also witnessed a comeback for the Mini, with the original 1959-2000 icon giving way to the reborn MINI (in capitals, BMW insisted), now a standalone brand under Bavarian control following the break-up of Rover. For obvious reasons, the original Issigonis design didn’t qualify as a hot hatch despite the legendary Cooper S doing so much to set the template for small cars with giant-killing pace, but with the new car now featuring three doors as opposed to two, it could be part of a resurgent new market. It didn’t happen straight from the off, though. When the MINI made its delayed bow…

If you read our ‘importing classics from abroad’ feature some months ago, you’ll recall Jeff’s adventure to France to buy a Mk1 Fiesta. And if you fancy one of your own, this delightful 1983 Ghia offered by Car Cave looks like one of the best available. With just two owners in its 41 years, this 18,000-mile supermini was with its original owner until a few years ago, when a collector snapped it up, had it professionally detailed and then dry stored it. Accordingly, the bodywork looks superb – Car Cave describes it as “as original as you’ll ever find a Mk1 Fiesta,” and it presents incredibly well for it. Every panel looks straight and rust-free, the side trims don’t appear to have ever been kissed by a door or shopping…

The front-wheel drive Lotus Elan M100 is another often-overlooked British roadster, with a fun driving experience and charming character that belies its unfair reputation as underwhelming. The 1991 Monaco White example offered by Beech Hill is anything but – the firm has been after an M100 to add to stock for some time, and this example stood out on account of its exemplary bodywork. A fibreglass-bodied car might be rustproof, but crazing and cracked paint is all too common. No worries here though, with panels that are straight, smart, glossy, free of chips or cracks and described as “in remarkable shape.” The same goes for the original wheels, which don’t appear to have ever seen a kerb. The turbocharged Isuzu-sourced engine is also said to be in rude health, with…

SUBTLE SPOTS Reader Bernard Peel has been catching up with previous issues, and spotted something in the Classic Scenes of our September 25 issue; “what a delightful picture of the Cowherds pub in Southampton – you have correctly identified all the vehicles in the picture, except one: on the far right of the picture, behind the wooden fence, lurking in the distance is a Renault 16!” You’re absolutely right, Bernard – if only someone hadn’t parked that Cortina in the way… SPORTY STARION The Mitsubishi Starion road test video on our Classics World YouTube channel prompted various nostalgic comments. @crazyforcars said: “Wow Lucas, I’m jealous! This was one of my favourite cars in the ‘80s, along with the ZX, or Supra.” @robsawalker fondly remembered the boosted power. “Turbo lag is…

Rustival, the family-friendly show created by YouTubers Ian and Carly from HubNut, Matt from Furious Driving and Steph from idriveaclassic, is among the nominees as the Royal Automobile Club gears up for its coveted annual Historic Awards ceremony, held in Pall Mall, London, on November 21. The awards recognise outstanding achievements within the British historic motoring and motorsport world. Rustival, which took place in March and September at the British Motor Museum, is nominated in the Innovation category, where it joins Goodwood Revival (for being the first full historic race meeting to run entirely on sustainable fuel) and the HCVA’s ‘Action on Parts’ initiative. The British Motor Museum itself is also a nominee in the Museums and Collections category, going up against the National Motor Museum and the Tyrrell Shed…

SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER AT WWW.CLASSICSWORLD.CO.UK Fears that rolling Vehicle Exercise Duty (VED) exemption for historic vehicles could be halted as part of the Labour government’s first Budget have fortunately not transpired. Before Chancellor Rachel Reeves outlined her Budget on October 30, speculation had been growing online that the government’s desire to fill what it called a £22billion ‘black hole’ in finances would affect the rolling 40-year exemption, leading to calls for such concessions to be left alone. Much to the collective relief of enthusiasts, historic vehicles were not mentioned when it came to VED changes. However, there are big changes to the first-year rate (FYR) for new cars from April 1, 2025. In order to strengthen incentives to purchase zero emission and electric cars, zero emission cars will…

SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER AT WWW.CLASSICSWORLD.CO.UK CLUB CLASS Clubs are the heart of the Classic Motor Show, and 2024 will be no exception. A whopping 330 clubs are set to exhibit – the biggest gathering of car clubs in the world! The Federation of Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) will once again host its Federation Village, while, fittingly, many clubs will join the show in celebrating a 40th anniversary – whether that’s the organisation itself or a model it covers. Clubs marking their own 40th birthdays include the Jaguar Enthusiasts’ Club, the X1/9 Owners’ Club, the Land Rover Series 2 Club and the Ford Cortina Mk2 Owners’ Club. As for the models, it’s a feast of milestones. The Lancia Motor Club will be celebrating the Thema’s 40th, while the MG…

Perhaps it’s a typical case of familiarity breeding contempt but most of us writing about cars for a living, even though we’ve all sampled the thrill of an E-Type’s XK or Porsche flat six at full chat, have an almost unhealthy fascination with those humdrum car models which survive in tiny numbers. They didn’t come any more basic than the Yugo, the car from the former Yugoslavia, which at one point was Britain’s cheapest car in £2999 Yugo Tempo form. By the standards of Eastern Bloc cars at the time, the Fiat-derived Yugo was in fact pretty decent and a definite cut above the likes of the Lada, while being more modern than the rear-engined Skodas. In the UK, the Yugo was marketed as a budget option, an alternative to…

What was originally designed as a potential replacement for the Morris Minor – featuring the same platform, torsion-bar suspension and rack-and-pinion steering – was moved upmarket prior to launch. BMC endowed the newcomer with a posher badge, a bigger engine and a more luxurious twist; the end result being the Wolseley 1500, which made its official debut in 1957, and the Riley One-Point-Five that arrived a few months later. Both saloons appealed to motorists who appreciated traditional-style luxury in a relatively compact package. They shared essentially the same basic design, but with BMC-style badge-engineering giving them their own identities. There were also differences under the bonnet: despite the 1500 and One-Point-Five each using the same 1489cc engine, a 43bhp single-carb set-up featured in the Wolseley (later rising to 50…

UGLY DUCKLINGS We revisit cars that didn’t achieve the success they deserved on account of their divisive looks, from the rakish Alfa SZ to the ‘frogeye’ Ford Scorpio. CLASSIC CHOICE Is the original really the best? We pit the Jaguar Mk2 against the S-Type and Daimler V8 250 that it spawned to find out. BEST OF 3 BMW’s original E21 3 Series was a big hit for BMW and spawned one of its all-time greatest model lines. We share our buying advice. 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…

Some 50 years after the model ended production, Jaguar has built two brand new E-Types to order. Created using original blueprints by the firm’s in-house historic division, Jaguar Classic, the pair of ‘Series 1’ roadsters were commissioned by a client from Southeast Asia. Inspired by the Series 3 Commemorative Edition runout special, the pair of new E-Types are finished in Signet Green and Opal Black, both variations of colour schemes available in 1974. Although powered by the same 3.8-litre XK straight-six used in 1961, Jaguar Classic has fitted fuel injection on the new cars, pushing power above the original 265bhp to what we’d estimate is around 300bhp. The theme of subtle modernisation continues inside, with a Bluetooth radio and heated windscreen discreetly integrated within a cabin containing hand-woven Bridge of…

New data has revealed an alarming lack of tyre safety knowledge, indicating that a significant number of motorists are putting lives at risk. The research commissioned by mobile date capture firm Anyline and TyreSafe reveals that fewer than a fifth (19 per cent) of those surveyed check their tyre tread depth every month, which is the recommended frequency. Over a third of drivers rely on a simple and subjective visual inspection of their tyres, rather than using a proper gauge, which only 29 per cent of drivers said they did. Additionally, only 36 per cent knew the correct potential licence penalty for insufficient tread depth, which is three points for each illegal tyre. Misconceptions about fines also persist, with many believing the penalty is lower than the actual potential of…

Originally penned by the late Marcello Gandini as a concept that would ultimately influence the Fiat X1/9, the Bertone Runabout concept car has been revived over 50 years later as a production model. Faithful to the 1969 concept’s original shape and proportions, subtle changes have been made to ensure the car’s roadworthiness, such as pop-up headlights instead of the head-height items on the original. Unlike the concept, the new Runabout features doors and side mirrors, while a new wider intake grille on the nose helps to feed the 489bhp V6 engine – a unit that, although not confirmed, is thought to be the 2.9-litre twin-turbo unit found in Alfa Romeo’s Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio – a stark contrast to the 1.1-litre Autobianchi unit used in 1969. A targa-top roof will…

Quotation supplied by Lancaster Insurance  Web: lancasterinsurance.co.uk | Tel: 01480 400761 Example quote: £98.38 or £116.38 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 MGC is something of an anomaly, neither as raw as the Healey 3000, nor as approachable as the MGB that spawned it. Yet, it could be the perfect middle ground, and the 1968 roadster offered by Beech Hill looks the perfect way to enjoy it. This Tartan Red MGC was supplied new with the optional wire wheels, overdrive and heater, combined with the simpler pack-away hood, which are all features it retains now. The C-Series engine is described as feeling particularly healthy, with good oil pressure and all the signs that it’s making the advertised power. This C also benefits from a new brake servo for reassuring stopping power, as well as hydraulic power steering to make low-speed manoeuvring easier. This car had an older restoration, but the quality…