Innholdsfortegnelse for 5/14/2025 i Classic Car Buyer

The classic car world is full of perceived wisdom, perpetuated myths and Chinese whispers that give many cars – often unfairly – a bad reputation. A recent YouTube trend involves buying the cheapest L322 Range Rover possible, then declaring it unreliable when, half a mile later, it expires in a cloud of steam and collapsed air suspension. Yes, Range Rovers are generally unreliable – even new ones are common sights on breakdown trucks or in dealership service bays. But for every five or ten that put their owners through hell and earned that reputation, there might be one or two that haven’t. I remember chatting to an owner of a supercharged V8 L322 who said she’d had it seven years and the only issue was a failed alternator, and swore…

Lotus has revealed the Emira Clark Edition, a limited-edition model created in collaboration with the Jim Clark Trust to mark 60 years since Jim Clark’s extraordinary 1965 season — hailed by many as “the greatest season of successes by any racing driver.” Only 60 units will be made available in select markets and priced at £115,000, with the world premiere taking place at the 2025 Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix. Based on the Emira V6, it’s powered by a 400hp supercharged 3.5-litre V6 engine, paired with a six-speed manual gearbox and limited-slip differential. Sporting performance is enhanced with the Lotus Driver’s Pack, which includes Track Mode and sports suspension. Design pays homage to Clark’s 1965 Indy 500-winning Lotus Type 38, featuring a bespoke Clark Racing Green finish, black roof, silver…

Fuel Pressure Relief Kit Hot starting issues in carburettor cars can stem from fuel line pressure causing flooding. Webcon’s Fuel Line Pressure Relief Kit solves this without major modifications. It includes hose, clamps, and tee pieces to create a pressure-relieving bypass loop. Available in 6mm or 8mm sizes. How much? £26.90 plus VAT Where from? Webcon.co.uk / 01932 787100 Corgi Triumph TR7 To celebrate the TR7’s 50th birthday in 2025, Corgi’s latest 1:43-scale model is of Yorkshire-based Rover and Triumph enthusiast Guy Gilfillan’s 1981 FHC in Persian Aqua. Details include all badging, the real car’s numberplate and modelled interior. How much? £37.99 Where from? uk.corgi.co.uk Uprated Mini Oil Pressure Switch A sudden oil pressure loss can ruin an engine in seconds, with the standard 7lb switch on classic Minis often…

CITROËN GS (1970-1981) We make no apologies for a second Citroën dating from 1970 in this week’s issue – especially when it’s a car as impressive as the GS. Launched in the same year as the flagship SM, the GS came about because of the French firm’s desire to expand its range with a new model to fill the gap between the Ami 8 and DS – and compete with mainstream family car rivals. Citroën turned to Robert Opron to draw up a design for the GS, and the results really set the car apart. Bearing more than a passing similarity to the highly streamlined Pininfarina BMC 1800 Aerodynamica concept of 1967, the new semi-fastback boasted smooth lines and a Kamm-tail rear end, serving to make it more aerodynamic than…

Quotation supplied by Lancaster Insurance Web: lancasterinsurance.co.uk | Tel: 01480 400761 Example quote: £109.97 or £127.97 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.…

S-EXPRESS Reader Ian Francis got in touch regarding the Porsche 944 buying guide in our May 7 issue: “I enjoyed reading about the 944 as I love German cars of this era, but I’d like to nominate a ‘thinking man’s choice’ in the 924 S – the 944’s little brother with the same 2.5-litre engine. It’s rarer, great fun to drive and offers similar performance to the 944!” An often-overlooked gem indeed, great suggestion Ian! MEMORY LANE The stylish H120 fastback coupe variant of the Sunbeam Rapier was one of Chrysler UK’s flagships, boasting Holbay-tuned power in this 1972 brochure. “The interior of the H120 shares the same luxury as the Rapier, that means a 5-star classification. Externally we’ve made a few subtle changes – making a beautiful car even…

Luxury electric vehicle conversion specialist, Inverted has unveiled electrified versions of the Land Rover Series I, II, and III, expanding its portfolio beyond the successful Range Rover Classic conversions. These reimagined Land Rovers maintain their classic charm while featuring modern electric powertrains. Each build is customised in collaboration with Inverted founder Harry Millington, allowing customers to retain the traditional aesthetic or opt for a bespoke design. The vehicles feature a 62kWh waterproof battery pack, split between front and rear for improved weight distribution and traction. A 160bhp motor delivers 664lb.ft of torque to the original transfer box, retaining high/low range ratios and a locking differential. This results in a 0-60mph time of 8.1 seconds and the same famed off-road ability. The models include both a 6.6kW Type 2 charger and…

To mark the 50th anniversary of the Volkswagen Polo, a special Harlequin-themed race livery has been unveiled on a 2018 Polo R World Rallycross (WRX) show car. The bold, pop-art inspired colour scheme, selected by fans via a global social media poll, features the original hues from the 1990s Harlequin Polo: Chagall blue, Flash red, Ginster yellow, and Pistachio green. It was revealed at the Bicester Motion Spring Scramble on April 27 and will appear on championship-winning Polo rally cars during upcoming celebratory activities later this year. Volkswagen showcased the car on its Bicester stand, with the design replicating Johan Kristoffersson’s multiple FIA WRX title-winning car. The Harlequin concept was one of four liveries inspired by the quirky 1990s model, with this vibrant version winning the fan vote. Also on…

1975 - Austin, Morris and Wolseley 18-22 Series four-door saloon launched in UK. Engine options are 1.8-litre B-Series and six-cylinder 2.2-litre E-Series, though the Wolseley is only available with the six-cylinder unit and luxury trim. Austin, Morris and Wolseley names dropped in September and range renamed Princess; 1800 four-cylinder models have twin headlamp arrangement, 2200 six-cylinder models have square headlamps. 2200HLS replaces Wolseley.  1977 - Princess Special Six Automatic launched. Based on 2200HL but fitted with HLS seats, wooden dash, rear courtesy lights and Webasto sunroof. Only available in Black and limited to 1200 units.  1978 - Princess 2 launched with new OHC O-Series engine in 1.7- and 2.0-litre forms.  1979 - 2200HL model discontinued, 1700HLS and 2000HLS models introduced with same trim as 2200HLS. 1982 - Thoroughly updated Austin Ambassador…

The use-and-abuse nature of 1970s family cars (not to mention their tendency to rust) means few nice examples survive – Kim Cairns’ 1979 Triumph Dolomite 1300 is surely amongst the nicest non-Sprint examples left. This particular car is one of six development 1300s fitted with the trimmings of the higher-rung 1500SE, including walnut door cappings, vinyl roof and overdrive – all these features survive and are in excellent condition, the door cappings bearing minimal marks, the vinyl roof unblemished and the overdrive reportedly functional. Indeed, the bodywork overall is superb – an older restoration saw it resprayed in its original Denim Blue to what is clearly an excellent standard, with a deep gloss to the paintwork, tight panel gaps and only a small spot of bubbling on the offside rear…

SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER AT WWW.CLASSICSWORLD.CO.UK The unintended side effects from President Trump’s trade war continue to affect the UK’s classic car industry, with the news that lower-value consignments to private customers may soon face additional duties. As we mentioned in our April 16 issue, very few parts for British-made classic cars are made in the USA, meaning that the market is a big one for the UK’s established classic car parts suppliers – and a significant source of revenue for them. Historically, shipments under the value of $2500 have been subject to only minimal paperwork, while packages under $800 were exempt from duty entirely under the so-called ‘de minimis’ rule. However, the introduction of the tariffs has been accompanied by tighter customs checks on the higher value $800-$2500…

Famed Porsche 911 ‘restomod’ firm, Singer, has revealed its latest reimagination of the G-Series 911, in the form of the Singer Carrera Coupe. Limited to just 100 commissions, each car is restored and personalised by Singer in collaboration with its owner. Inspired by the rare wide-body “Super Sport Equipment” Carreras, this reinterpretation features a 4.0-litre flat-six engine based on the Type 964, developed with Cosworth, and delivering 420bhp with variable valve timing and water-cooled cylinder heads. Rob Dickinson, Singer’s Founder, notes: “At its heart is a remarkable flat-six…bringing together our learnings from the last fifteen years.” Restoration begins with complete disassembly of a Type 964 donor car. The chassis is strengthened using techniques developed with Red Bull Advanced Technologies, boosting rigidity for enhanced dynamics. Carbon fibre bodywork reduces weight and…

In the ‘993 vs 996 911’ video on our Classics World YouTube channel, I referred to the 993 911 as “The ultimate air-cooled 911”. Whether you think of it as the best or not, this was Porsche’s final effort at producing an air-cooled sports car, the Carrera 2S probably being the most desirable of the standard 993 cars too. While it didn’t get an uplift in power over the standard Carrera 2 and the mechanical underpinnings are almost identical, the 2S does benefit from wider hips at the rear which add to the looks and rear-end traction, but ultimately harm top-end performance. Bringing the top speed down from 171mph to 168mph. A small price to pay for what many consider to be the most attractive variant of the 993 generation.…

It’s fair to say that the BMC Landcrab missed its mark. Originally intended as a replacement for the Farina series, it grew too big, lacked the sense of style that came naturally to an Italian styled saloon, and unless your budget would stretch to a Wolseley, the interior was austere in the extreme. The designer, Alec Issigonis, felt that regardless of the size of the car, there was no need for any sort of luxury aside from space – a view that was perhaps part of the car’s downfall. Even when the Landcrab gained a six-cylinder engine, it stole few sales from Ford or Vauxhall. Ultimately the Landcrab would fracture Leyland’s mid-range – there were two further efforts to replace the Farina in the form of the Maxi and the…

Fast Fords seem never to fall out of fashion, remaining consistently desirable, and in recent years, increasingly valuable. Few iconic fast Fords can match a hot Mk1 Escort, however, and Car Cave’s RS2000 is surely one of the best examples on the market. According to the AVO Owners Club, only four of these cars were ever built in Marine Blue, and it’s believed that just two still exist today. Of those two, one has been modified with bubble arches, making this example effectively one of a kind in its original form. It offers an exclusive ownership experience, with literally no risk of parking beside an identical model. The car changed hands around 12 years ago in Scotland, sold by a dealer in Perthshire to a car collector based in the…

The handsome Bruno Sacco styling of the Mercedes W124 arguably got even better in pillarless coupe guise, as Kim Cairns’ immaculate 1989 230CE proves. Being a first facelift car, it gets the clear indicator lenses, but retains the two-tone ‘Sacco boards’ in grey, which contrast nicely with the blue-black paintwork, which shines up well and demonstrates a straight, undamaged body throughout with absolutely no rust in any of the 124 model’s trouble areas. The 15-hole wheels are unmarked and wear good tyres, the bumpers have escaped being rounded off or scuffed, and even the rear window isn’t clouding at the edges. Inside is a similar story, the cream leather seats showing minimal light cracking and wear from the last 36 years, while the cream carpets are remarkably free of not…

AUSTIN POWER When British Leyland became Austin-Rover, the brand took a new direction – we revisit this turbulent era and the cars it spawned, from Metro to Montego. CLASSIC CHOICE A trio of 1990s hot hatch heroes go head to head – will the Renault Clio Williams, Peugeot 306 GTI-6 or Honda Integra Type R come out ahead? BEST OF THE REST Having started the 1970s with a boxy Cortina, Ford would end the decade the same way – the Mk4 and Mk5 Cortina make great family classics today, and we show you how to buy a good 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…