Innholdsfortegnelse for 4/2/2025 i Classic Car Buyer

There are certain events that will never happen again. For me, one standout was Fatboy Slim’s Big Beach Boutique II back in 2002 – a crazy free gig that brought 250,000 people to Brighton beach and was never allowed to run for a third time. And the same goes for those massive car cruises that took place at seaside towns in the ’90s and 2000s. They’ll never be the same again. Except that’s not quite true, for a massive gathering of old school cars and classics took place in Southend in late March, acting as something of a revival. Cruises of such a nature have long had a bad name of course, not helped by sections of the media. But for many of us of certain age, such culture played…

The Sandringham Pageant of Motoring is set to return to the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk on May 25, promising a family-friendly event showcasing over 1000 classic vehicles, plus vintage traders, modern car manufacturer stands and main arena activities. New for 2025 will be live music performances, plus a debut for the Holt Sunday Market, bringing the picturesque town’s renowned selection of local artisans, independent businesses and specialty goods to the Sandringham Estate for the first time. Owners of classic, vintage, race or rare vehicles are encouraged to participate by securing a spot in the exclusive Pole Position Parking area, offering a prime showcase location for their vehicles. In addition to the classics, manufacturer stands from the likes of Hyundai, Toyota and Skoda will be present, as will a craft and…

Rolls-Royce has faced challenges, both financial and strategic. The Silver Shadow was a major gamble – the company’s first monocoque car, smaller than its predecessor, and a costly project. However, it became its best-selling model, attracting millionaires worldwide. By the late 1970s, the Shadow was ageing, but Rolls-Royce lacked funds for an entirely new model. The successor had to use the existing platform while appealing to markets like the United States, where bigger meant better. To create the illusion of size, Rolls-Royce cleverly redesigned the Silver Spirit with wide horizontal headlights, broader taillights and a shorter yet wider grille. The strategy worked – the Silver Spirit looked larger than it was. Kim Cairns’ 16,000-mile Spirit II shows it all off in the best possible way. Resplendent in Royal Blue, it…

The world of late-model Saabs can be confusing, with the original Saab 900, the ‘new generation’ GM 900 and the first 9-3 models all very similar at a glance. However, look closer and the big bumpers of the classic 900 single it out, but the late-model 900 and the early 9-3 are so similar apart from the rear plate repositioned between the lights that it’s generally assumed they were simply a badge-engineering exercise. According to Saab though, it was far more, the Swedish maker claiming that over 1100 changes were made. Chief among them was sharper steering, 20 per cent more wheel travel, raised suspension turrets and revised struts. The 9-3 retained the GM platform but in finest Saab tradition, the Trollhättan engineers couldn’t resist improving it, notably by improving…

SKID MARKS Following Jeff’s Welcome column on bumper stickers in our March 19 issue, reader Ed Sinclair got in touch: “Luckily, my local motor factors, (Mon and Border) in South Wales has a huge array of stickers. I thought they were obsolete, apparently not! Can’t see the appeal of this one I saw, though…” Not sure it’ll get you out of a speeding ticket! MEMORY LANE Based on the Capri II GT, Ford unveiled the ‘S’ in 1975 – commonly known as the John Player Special (being similar to the F1 livery), the JPS name wasn’t mentioned anywhere, but Ford still enthusiastically touted it: “Anything that tops the Capri II GT has to be special. And this is. For a start, there is only a limited number of models available.…

SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER AT WWW.CLASSICSWORLD.CO.UK Hot hatches of the 1980s and early 1990s continue to thrive amid a challenging classic car market, with an astonishing five new live auction world records set at the Classic Car and Restoration Show last weekend. A quintet of iconic models spanning 1985-1990 all broke new ground as the Classic Car Auctions by Iconic Auctioneers sale took place over two days at Birmingham’s NEC. Four of these came on the Saturday. First up was a 1989 Ford Escort RS Turbo Series 2 showing just 5673 miles. It was estimated at a hefty £45,000-£55,000 so anticipation was high, but it still set a new live auction world record by selling for £50,625. Next up were two rare Fiats – one a 1985 Strada Abarth…

Quotation supplied by Lancaster Insurance Web: lancasterinsurance.co.uk | Tel: 01480 400761 Example quote: £350 or £368 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.…

When Peter Sellers commissioned a bespoke Lotus Elan coupe for wife Britt Ekland, the resultant Shapecraft Elan looked like something from The Jetsons. Only 20 original examples were thought to have been built, but Allon White has a rare later-built evocation, with genuine Shapecraft-produced bodywork. Based on an S2 chassis to 26R competition specification, it also sports a unique ducktail rear end. The car looks fantastic thanks to a restoration by BD Racing and Ricketts Racing, with a high-quality repaint by Finishline completing the job. That rare bodywork is accordingly in excellent condition; the metallic silver paintwork is unmarked and the fragile fibreglass body is free of cracks or crazing, with neat panel gaps and no signs of neglect or damage. The body-coloured bumpers integrate nicely, while the faired-in headlights…

A rare pre-production Rover 75, chassis number 001507, is up for sale. The Moonstone Green model is believed to be the only remaining S-registered 75 in this colour combination and bears the digits ‘AOX’ on its numberplate, denoting a pre-production 75. Built as the 507th car, it was used as a static display vehicle during the 1999 Spanish press launch before the car’s public release. It retains unique pre-production features, including a black hazard switch and lock surround, a prototype driver’s airbag and smooth steering wheel trim. The seller extensively restored the vehicle from a rolling shell. Many external parts have been replaced with gloss black powder-coated items for a cleaner look, while retro-fitted features include power-folding mirrors, a Harman Kardon entertainment system, custom wood gear knob and an electric…

MINI 850 (1959-1980) The Mini is a car that barely needs an introduction. It was Leonard Lord who set things in motion, tasking Alec Issigonis with designing a “proper small car” to counter the rise of bubble cars following the fuel rationing brought on by the Suez Crisis. The new model had to seat four with some provision for luggage, using as little space as possible. Initially, Issigonis experimented with a two-cylinder engine, but he ultimately chose the A-Series from the Morris Minor and Austin A35, mounting it transversely. This, along with fitting the gearbox in the sump, allowed the engine and transmission to fit within just 18 inches of length, freeing up more space for passengers. At just 10 feet long, the Mini was a masterclass in packaging. Clever…

After the Datsun 240Z made the West take notice of Japanese sports cars, decades later the Skyline GT-R became the stuff of dreams for the younger generation – especially after being made famous by the Gran Turismo video games in the late ’90s. Stone Cold Classics’ 1991 example is an R32 model – the first of the turbocharged breed – and was originally imported to the UK in June 2003. Remarkably, it’s remained in the hands of a single private owner since its purchase in October 2003. During that time, it has been meticulously maintained and always stored in a garage, preserving its condition to an impressive standard, and been serviced and cared for by Abbey Motorsport, a well-regarded specialist. Most recently, in February 2025, the car received a comprehensive…

If you fancy a drop-top Porsche sports car but occasionally need to carry kids or extra luggage, the Boxster won’t work for you. Enter the evergreen 911 Cabriolet, and Allon White’s lovely 996 C4 looks a great example. This ‘996.2’ model dodges the controversial ‘fried egg’ headlights of the earlier cars, and boasts the 320bhp 3.6-litre variant of Porsche’s fabled flat-six. It’s had just four owners in total, with a new engine fitted by Porsche Silverstone in 2008 at 21,736 miles. The clutch was also replaced at the same time. It now shows just over 74,500 miles. Allon White sold this car to its most recent owner 12 years ago, and during that time, it has been meticulously maintained, with a detailed service history. In addition to routine servicing, the…

THE SAME, BUT DIFFERENT We look at memorable examples of makes and models rebranding, from DAF becoming Volvo to the Talbot-Chrysler transition. X-RATED The Jaguar X-Type is an affordable and practical modern classic. We share our in-depth buying advice. CLASSIC CHOICE A trio of iconic British sports cars go head to head – can the evergreen MGB ward off the Triumph TR4 and Lotus Elan? 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…