Innholdsfortegnelse for 5/21/2025 i Classic Car Buyer

While travelling to Suffolk recently – for a football match I’ll admit – I made a small detour to the village of Rickinghall to take in a local monthly classic car autojumble and meeting. I’d heard good things about it, but I thought I’d be there no more than an hour, tops. I couldn’t tell you how many stalls there were, but it amounted to more than four complete rows, and the variety of classics was superb – so much so, it was a job to squeeze them all in. Anyway, that maximum of an hour soon became three, as I rediscovered just how much joy there can be in hunting through old car bits, looking for a bargain. I’ll confess, I haven’t really paid much attention to autojumbles in…

CCB contributor Craig Cheetham and several of his friends took the opportunity to raise funds for a very worthy cause as part of their 1000-mile round trip to EMWalhalla. Together, they have raised an impressive £3128 for Refuge, a charity that supports victims of domestic violence. That’s more than three times the original £1000 target. Craig’s steed for the trip was a Mazda Xedos 6 – one of only 28 left on Britain’s roads – which he’d only driven to Costa Coffee twice before and had no spare parts for. He was joined by an Austin Maxi, a Citroën Dyane, a Honda Prelude, a Perodua Nippa, a Hyundai Accent, a Renault Clio Mk1 and a Rover 416 for the journey, Despite Craig’s bonnet being stuck closed and a four-hour delay…

Clothing humble family car mechanicals in a stylish coupe body was all the rage in the late 1960s and 1970s, with cars like the Ford Capri and Opel Manta setting the trend for others to follow. In Volkswagen’s case though, things were a little bit different – its Scirocco was essentially a coupe version of the Mk1 Golf, but was launched some six months ahead of its humbler counterpart. Practical yet glamorous, the formula proved successful. So, in 1981, VW introduced an updated Mk2 successor, refining the formula while keeping production at Karmann. Kim Cairns’ 1989 GT is surely amongst the tidiest original cars left, looking every inch the 19,000-mile car it is. It’s had just two previous owners to its name, the second an elderly gentleman who covered just…

The Mk3 Cortina’s American-inspired ‘Coke bottle’ styling was a hit in 1970, but by 1976, buyers wanted something new. Though the Mk3 had dominated sales for years, Ford was ready with a sharper, more modern design. Launched in September 1976, the Mk4 Cortina was an evolution rather than a revolution. The Mk3 had introduced a larger platform shared with the German Taunus TC, and the Mk4 retained these underpinnings. Styled by Uwe Bahnsen, it had a squared-off look near identical to the 1976 Taunus TC2. The new design increased glass area by 15 per cent, creating a lighter, roomier feel. Interior updates included new trim and a fresh steering wheel, but the dashboard and seating positions remained from the facelifted Mk3. The engine options were carried over and included a…

The finalists have been announced for the 2025 Concours de l’Ordinaire, which take place as part of Hagerty’s annual Festival of the Unexceptional at Grimsthorpe Castle on July 26. The 50 finalists have been selected from hundreds of entries, and will take pride of place on the lawns at the Lincolnshire venue. Now in its 11th year, this unique motoring event celebrates the unexceptional cars that were once street furniture. Last year saw a record attendance, with over 2000 cars and more than 4000 visitors. The 2025 event is expected to bigger than ever, with the return of a live recording of the Smith and Sniff podcast to the stage, a host of speakers and entertainment, plus live music and a diverse range of food and drink. “Selecting 50 finalists…

SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER AT WWW.CLASSICSWORLD.CO.UK Historic vehicle enthusiasts now have just 10 days to have their say as part of a major survey that could have a huge impact on the future of classics in Britain. Commissioned by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC), the National Historic Vehicle Survey (NHVS) is part of an on-going research programme that can be used to inform Westminster of the historic vehicle sector’s importance to the nation. At the time of writing, almost 13,000 people had completed the survey since it went live on February 10, but more responses can only help the cause, with the deadline of midnight on May 31 fast approaching. The Federation has been at the forefront of research into historic vehicle activity for over 20…

Crossflow A-Series head A-Series seven-port crossflow aluminium cylinder heads are now available again from Webcon. Production was halted in 2017, but the tooling has now been moved to a new, state-of-the-art facility. The head allows a pair of Weber 40DCOE carburettors to be fitted, or DCOE style throttle bodies.  How much? From £2356.62 Where from? webcon.co.uk / 01932 787100 Ford Pinto/YB oil pump Burton Power is now offering a high-pressure oil pump for use on Ford SOHC Pinto and Cosworth YB 16v Turbo engines. The pump will increase pressure by around 25 per cent, making it ideal for modified or racing engines. Fitment is straightforward, but a new drive shaft (part no. FT1057 at £9.95) will also be required. How much? £39.95 Where from? burtonpower.com / 0208 5542281 The Professionals…

RENAULT CLIO WILLIAMS (1993-1996) Hard as it may be to believe, but it’s now more than 34 years since the Renault Clio first landed on British shores in March 1991. While the iconic ‘Nicole and Papa’ television adverts got much of the public talking, they didn’t quite cut it for hot hatch enthusiasts. Those fans, who had embraced the flawed but utterly loveable Renault 5 GT Turbo, were left wondering what would come next to stir their passions. The answer wasn’t far off. Later that same year, Renault unveiled the Clio 16V as the spiritual successor to the beloved 5 GT Turbo. Unlike its turbocharged predecessor, the 16V relied on natural aspiration, but it made up for it with the advanced 1.8-litre 16-valve F7P engine. First seen in the Renault…

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.…

By the Ford-funded facelift, the Jaguar XJS (no longer hyphenated) had matured into a truly alluring prospect, and Beech Hill Garage’s 1995 coupe ably demonstrates that. A sought-after Celebration model, this rather lovely Ice Blue Metallic coupe still cuts a dash. It’s a real gem – one of the final examples made – and comes with beige leather upholstery accented with blue piping, which shows some cracking on the seat bases and arm rest but could easily be restored to its supple best with a restoration kit. The headlining isn’t sagging (unusually for an old Jaguar), and only light leather peeling on the door cards hint at this car’s 127,000 miles. The most recent owner was Beech Hill’s own auto electrician, so it’s no surprise that everything works just as…

NOT STANDARD? Reader Geoff Collin got in touch regarding the Classic Scene in our April 23 issue: “The caption stated that an Austin 8 leads the jam, followed by a Standard Pennant and a Ford 100E. I believe that is incorrect, as the Standard Pennant is in fact a 1956 Austin Cambridge A40, I think.” Looks like you’re right, Geoff – apologies for the mistake! MEMORY LANE The Eclat and Elite were an attempt to push Lotus upmarket, and the 2.2-litre variants of 1980 pushed even further in this brochure: “Everything that impresses about Lotus comes as standard. The exclusive styling, specification and performance combine to make the Eclat and Elite Series 2.2 the absolute in efficient design…You may choose a Lotus for the value of its sheer business presence.…

HATCHING A PLAN As Focus production ends, we pay tribute to Ford’s family hatchbacks, from Mk3 Escort to trailblazing Mk1 Focus. CLASSIC CHOICE The Jaguar V12 was a magnificent engine that brought an exotic touch to Coventry, but was it best-suited to the E-Type, XJ-S or XJ-C? PLASTIC FANTASTIC Looking for a classic family-sized grand tourer where the bodywork doesn’t corrode? The Reliant Scimitar may be the answer – 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 good newsagents…

The Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show will return to Birmingham’s NEC from November 7-9 2025, promising another unmissable celebration of motoring heritage. Following its 40th anniversary last year, this year’s event is set to be even bigger, showcasing more than 3000 classic vehicles. A total of 338 motoring clubs will be in attendance, each displaying rare and cherished models. Over 600 classic cars will be available to purchase through specialist dealers, plus the two-day sale hosted by Iconic Auctioneers. In addition, more than 450 exhibitors will offer a vast array of parts, tools and restoration services in the vast autojumble. As ever, the Meguiar’s Club Showcase will present an array of immaculate show cars vying to be voted the winner, while the Pride of Ownership competition invites attendees to vote…

After teetering on the brink, the early 1980s looked a whole lot more positive for BL Cars Ltd. A collaborative deal had been signed with Honda, and the new miniMetro had got off to an excellent start. But it had been far from painless – a ruthless programme of factory closures and sell-offs under Sir Micheal Edwardes were fresh in the memory, as were the industrial strife and reliability issues that had blighted BL and its products. It was clear that the nationalised company would benefit from a new identity, and in 1982, that’s what it got as the car manufacturing subsidiary of BL became known as Austin Rover. A FRESH START The move signalled a fresh start from the chaos of previous decades. Lumping former competitors into one conglomerate…

With summer nearing, the lure of a drop-top classic sports car is only getting stronger – blend that open-air experience with a lusty six-pot engine and gorgeous Michelotti styling, and you get TRGB’s lovely 1968 Triumph TR5. This particular example has undergone a comprehensive body-off restoration, being thoroughly rebuilt from the ground up. The quality of the work is well-documented and supported by a detailed photographic restoration portfolio, allowing prospective buyers to appreciate the full extent of the process and care taken during the rebuild. It was clearly done well, with tight body lines, straight panels and a deeply glossy paint finish throughout. Wire wheels suit the TR5 exceptionally well. These ones are clean, straight and with a chunky tyre, fill the flared arches nicely. Inside too is tidy, with…

Some classic cars never go out of style, and the MGB is a perfect example of that timeless appeal. With summer fast approaching, this 1974 MGB Roadster offered by Beech Hill Garage is looking especially tempting. Finished in Tartan Red with black leather trim, it’s pleasingly tasteful. This particular example was fully rebuilt by Beech Hill Garage around 20 years ago and has been carefully maintained ever since. Originally Old English White, it was completely resprayed in Tartan Red during the restoration, and thanks to having been kept in dry storage and only driven in the summer, it remains in outstanding condition, with straight panels, absolutely no signs of rust, and bright chromework. The colour-matched hardtop suits it, as do the spotless Minilite-style wheels. The current owner has cherished the…