Innholdsfortegnelse for 3/19/2025 i Classic Car Buyer

While strolling through town the other day, I saw the back of a Skoda SUV emblazoned with stickers such as “my brain has too many tabs open” and “can I put that in a spreadsheet for you?” While I confess to not really understanding the point they were trying to make, it got me thinking… what happened to the humble bumper (or more usually, window) sticker? Time was, no trip to the seaside or the local motor spares shop would be complete without perusing those rotating stands full of tacky, self-adhesive car stickers. Here was a way you could proudly remind everyone of what car you drove, just in case the badges weren’t enough. A nice shiny foil sticker saying Cortina, or one that told everyone how much you loved…

VW twin Weber kit Webcon has introduced a twin Weber 34ICT conversion kit to suit the VW Beetle and Van fitted with the 1600 twin-port air-cooled engine. The kit is complete with the carbs and air filters, plus all the necessary manifolds, linkages, fittings and gaskets. How much? £838.33  Where from? 01932 787100, webcon.co.uk Cosworth clutch kit With original Cosworth YB clutches becoming increasingly hard to obtain, Burton Power is offering its own three-piece, standard spec kits for two- and four-wheel drive RS Sierras, as well as the Escort Cosworth. They come complete with a clutch cover, plate and release bearing.  How much? From £145  Where from? 0208 5542281, burtonpower.com Mini wiper blades In 1990, Rover changed the classic Mini’s wipers from a clip-on end to a hook-end to prevent…

In today’s fast-changing world, the average lifespan of a new car model is around seven years, so desperate are manufacturers to keep up with fashion and technology. But this wasn’t always the case – historically, some cars were on sale for decades beyond the expected shelf life, adapting and evolving to stay fresh, or sometimes trading on their original appeal despite their age. We celebrate eight memorable examples of a manufacturer getting its money’s worth out of a model. MORRIS MINOR (1948-1971) Designed as Britain’s people’s car to spiritually replace the Austin Seven, Project Mosquito kicked off in 1941. A young Alec Issigonis played a key role in its development, applying clever engineering to create an affordable yet desirable car. Every design choice was made with practicality in mind, but…

 1989 - Figaro unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Show with the slogan ‘Back To The Future’. Goes on sale only in Japan, built at the ‘Pike’ factory. 1991 - Initial 8000-strong production run exceeds all sales predictions, selling out. A further 12,000 commissioned, lottery held in Japan to win a build slot. 1992 - Figaro production ends with just over 20,000 produced – 5632 in Emerald Green, 3989 Pale Aqua cars, Topaz Mist being the rarest with 2279 produced and some 8156 Lapis Grey cars built.…

Think of an upmarket car from a blue collar brand, and you’re probably picturing the Ford Granada, but almost exactly as Ford’s Americana-inspired executive saloon hit the market in 1972, so too did the FE, the final generation of Vauxhall’s Victor. Marketed with the “Transcontinental” slogan, the FE sought to ape American styling trends in much the same way as Ford, and indeed previous Victors. Its distinctive style is beautifully embodied in Kim Cairns’ Venetian Red 1972 example. Dry stored from 1976 to 2010 then placed into a small collection until recently, this 31,000-mile car presents beautifully, with straight, unmarked bodywork, absolutely zero rust and a lovely deep lustre to the paint. The original gold coachlines are present and correct, while all the chrome brightwork presents extremely well and appears…

With spring finally arriving, what better car to enjoy it in than a supercharged V8 convertible? Beech Hill Garage’s 2004 XKR 4.2 Convertible looks to be a true gem of an example of Jaguar’s landmark GT, with just 47,000 miles on the odometer, supported by an extensive service history. Originally supplied by Stratstone of Mayfair, this stunning convertible spent much of its early life in an underground car park in Belgravia, only taken out for occasional drives. This careful preservation, combined with meticulous maintenance by its two previous owners, has ensured that the car remains in outstanding condition. Its metallic silver bodywork presents extremely well, with no visible dings, nor scuffs on the bumpers or stone chips on its low nose. The headlights have escaped any fogging or damage too…

Bob Wilkinson, founder of Borrow a Classic, is to step down from day-to-day management of the pioneering scheme at the end of March, after nine successful years at the helm. Since 2016, Bob has been instrumental in encouraging the next generation of classic enthusiasts via the initiative, which was previously known as the Classic Car Loan Project (CCLP) before it was rebranded at the FBHVC’s Club Expo event earlier this year. The scheme was launched back in 2016 to provide selected drivers with a unique chance to live with a classic car for a whole year, free of charge save for insurance. There have been over 100 participants during that time, and around 25 of them have gone on to buy their own classic as a result of their experience.…

SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER AT WWW.CLASSICSWORLD.CO.UK Anticipation is building ahead of what will act as something of a curtain raiser for the 2025 classic car event season this weekend, with headline events taking place in the Midlands and the South East. The annual Classic Car and Restoration Show runs from Friday to Sunday (March 21-23) at Birmingham’s NEC, while the Sunday will also see fans of air-cooled VWs enjoy the VolksWorld Show at its new South of England Showground location, and Mini fans head to Brooklands Museum. The Restoration Show will feature three busy halls featuring 1300 cars and more than 160 car clubs – most of which will include live working. You’ll also find over 250 exhibitors and autojumblers including restoration companies, as well as the Classic Car…

Designed by Shoji Takahashi and Naoki Sakai, the Figaro was one of Nissan’s ‘Pike Factory’ cars – which included the Be-1, Pao and S-Cargo – and was launched at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show. Developed from the concept of ‘Nostalgic Modern’ according to the company, it was a feast of retro design cues and a car that turned heads quicker than most supercars. Just 20,000 were built, all of them in 1991 and for the Japanese market only, and such was its popularity that a lottery had to be held to pick the buyers. Underneath the eye-catching skin was the running gear from the Nissan March (Micra to us) with the turbocharged 1.0-litre four-cylinder engine driving the front wheels via a three-speed automatic transmission; 75bhp meant modest performance, but this…

Ford’s habit of sprinkling magic on its conventionally engineered models was hard at play in the 1970s, as Car Cave’s 1974 1300E ably demonstrates. Ford had already had great success with its ‘E’ (for Executive) badge, most notably with the Mk2 Cortina 1600E, and opted to apply similar treatment to the Escort. Taking the 1300 Sport as the basis, the E got rectangular headlamps, an upgraded cloth interior, wood trim, a six-dial dash, special paint and a vinyl roof, proving a neat mix between sporting and luxurious. Originally purchased from Skelly’s of Glasgow, this charming little car has led a cherished life in the hands of just a few dedicated owners. The first owner kept the car from new until 2018, when it was passed on to a private collector.…

One of the best aspects of the MG Midget as a classic is its plentiful nature, with cars in all sorts of conditions to suit all tastes and budgets. Beech Hill Garage describes its 1974 Mk3 as “probably the best example available for sale,” and on first impressions, we’d have no reason to doubt that. Having undergone an exhaustive rebuild using a new Heritage bodyshell, it boasts impeccable attention to detail. Originally supplied to a dealer in Essex, this Midget is finished in its original and rare Damask Red, a colour that beautifully complements the correct black trim and carpets. The paintwork was clearly done to an excellent standard, with a lovely deep lustre to complement the seemingly very tight panel gaps. The car sits pretty on grey Minilite-style wheels,…

FAMILY FAVOURITES The Austin 1300 vs Allegro video on our Classics World YouTube channel prompted some debate from commentors as to their favourite British classic. @NicholasSadlier appreciated both: “As a ‘70s child, I was old enough to appreciate the 1300’s desirability. I would add that, in its day, the Allegro was considered a reasonably desirable car, only becoming the butt of jokes in recent years.” @daveshongkongchinachannel, however, was firmly in one camp: “I’d go for the ADO16 every time. My grandad actually had an 1100 in pale blue. The GT version really adds some nice details to the styling.” @tonychallinor6721, meanwhile, went in the other direction: “Allegro. I had an X-reg one when it was five years old. Brilliant car for a young family!” MEMORY LANE Malaysian manufacturer Perodua entered…

Rolls-Royce and Bentley restoration specialist, Evice, has joined the EV restomod market by launching Halcyon, a new brand focused on remastering classic Rolls-Royce models with bespoke design and advanced electric powertrains. The brand’s first project, a 1978 Corniche, has been devised to showcase cutting-edge features while preserving the luxury associated with a classic Rolls. The company’s bespoke 800-volt electric platform delivers an estimated 500hp – over double the output of the original 6.75-litre L-Series V8 – and up to 250 miles of range. The drivetrain offers silent operation, while the electronically-controlled active suspension incorporates three driving modes – ‘Drive’, ‘Spirited’, and ‘Touring’ – to alter the driving experience while reportedly maintaining the trademark floaty ride comfort. Limited to just 60 units, the cars are tailored to individual client specifications, with…

Quotation supplied by Lancaster Insurance Web: lancasterinsurance.co.uk | Tel: 01480 400761 Example quote: £137.42 or £155.42 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.…

MERCEDES-BENZ C124 (1987-1996) The late Bruno Sacco set an incredibly high bar in his long career at Mercedes-Benz, designing a host of the firm’s most significant models. But if you could only pick one range to showcase the Italian’s broad talents, then the W124 might just be the one. In production from late 1984, the W124 built upon the successes of its W123 predecessor by combining key components from the smaller 190E range’s chassis and drivetrain – including its multi-link rear suspension – with a series of larger four- and six-cylinder engines. It then clothed them in a sleek, aerodynamic body that looked crisp and modern, but was still unmistakably a Mercedes. The result was car that combined solid build quality with good taste and discretion, appealing just as strongly…

SLIPPERY CUSTOMER We celebrate the sleek cars that pioneered slippery, aerodynamic designs and features, from the radical Citroën CX to the cool Vauxhall Calibra. COOL CAT With Ford funding, Jaguar updated its XJ40 into the car many reckoned it could have been from the start, the X300. We share our buying tips. CLASSIC CHOICE The Clubman Estate updated the Mini into a more grownup, spacious car, but how does it compare to its Riley Elf and ADO16 stablemates? 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…