Table of contents for October 2021 in Practical Classics

SUN AUG 29 YORKS Classic Car Show at Ripon Racecourse, HG4 1UG (markwoodwardclassicevents.com). CAMBS Little Gransden Car & Air Show, SG19 3BP (littlegransdenairshow.co.uk). BUCKS Classics on the Crick, HP14 4SX (classicsonthecrick.co.uk). SUN-MON AUG 29-30 CHESHIRE Classic Car Show at Capesthorne Hall, SK11 9JY (classicshows.org). HERTS Classic Car Day at Knebworth Park, SG1 2AX (classicmotorevents.com). NOTTS Classic Car Show at Thoresby Park, NG22 9EP (classicshows.org). LINCS Stamford Car Show, Stamford Town Meadows, PE9 2QU (stamfordcarshow.co.uk). MON AUG 30 YORKS Classic Car Show at Ripley Castle, HG3 3AY (markwoodwardclassicevents.com). HANTS Gosport Vehicle Rally, Stokes Bay, PO12 2BL (gosportrotary.co.uk). KENT Oldtimer Rally at The Grand, Folkestone, CT20 2XL (grand-uk.com). THU SEP 2 WARKS Kineton Classic Gathering, CV35 0DF (kineton.info). WORCS Cars in the Valley; classic gathering at Shelsley Walsh, WR6 6RP (shelsleywalsh.com). SAT…

E10 – WHERE’S THE ACTUAL BENEFIT? Thank you for the articles on E10. I too cannot understand how the environment benefits from this fuel. Ethanol takes energy to produce and either good arable land Is used to grow the fuel or further wild land is cleared. So, can someone please tell me where the advantage is in using this type of fuel? I can’t see any advantage on a planet where so many people are still starving. Mike Westerman, Lincolnshire End of August? The September issue popped through the letterbox today. Why is it that the list of events does not cover the last two weekends of August, one of which is the Bank Holiday weekend – when there are dozens of events – and yet the next issue is…

Michael King wasn’t looking for a Golf specifically when he first came across this MkII GTI back in July 2008, nor was he on the hunt for another project. However, events conspired to send the car his way… and for a bargain ‘price’, too. ‘My mate had owned it for a while, but it was suffering from a badly knocking bottom end and he didn’t want to get into the works required to sort it. I decided that I wanted to save it and use it as my daily driver.’ In the end, Michael got the Golf, plus a secondhand bottom end, in exchange for – wait for it – a front bumper for a Volkswagen Type 2 ‘Split Screen’ van! With the engine repairs completed and a suspension refresh…

Amigos, mes amis, vriendschaps (love that one, it’s Dutch!), china plates, wor maaattes. Wherever and whoever you are, you got to have… friends, for companionship, fun and guidance, even love. It’s just struck me that the classic car movement is extremely fortunate to have so many friends, some in high places. But just like a compadre ringing up at midnight to discuss whether they really should have that Citroën CX restoration project they’d put a deposit on, do we rather subject some of our allies to rather heavy criticism, and make harsh demands? Take our old muckers who have a fine detached gaff at Long View Road, Morriston, Swansea SA7 6JL. That will be the DVLA, boy. As far back as April 1995, I wrote that clubs were being invited…

THU SEP 9 Dorset Vintage & Classic Auctions, The Old Gas Works, Stalbridge, Dorset. (01963 363353, dvca.co.uk) SAT SEP 11 Morris Leslie Classic Auctions, Errol Airfield, Perth. (01821 642940, morrisleslie.com) THU SEP 16 Brightwells’ timed online classic car auction, Herefordshire. (01568 611122, brightwells.com) SAT SEP 18 Bonhams, Goodwood Revival sale, West Sussex. (020 7648 5801, bonhams.com/departments/MOT-CAR/) WED SEP 22 Manor Park Classics’ sale, Runcorn, Cheshire. (0161 697 5223, manorparkclassics.com) FRI SEP 24 Barons Auctions’ Jaguar Heritage sale, Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey. (023 8066 8413, barons-auctions.com) SAT SEP 25 Historics, Ascot Racecourse, Ascot, Berkshire. (01753 639170, historics.co.uk) SAT SEP 25 Classic Car Auctions’ Autumn sale, Stoneleigh Park, Warks. (01926 640888, classiccarauctions.co.uk)…

I ha ve always wanted a ’57 Chevy. Now, thanks to Gary Josling, I have one. It is an SE Matiz and it belonged to Gary’s dad. For the price of a hired trailer, it is mine and, at 169k miles, it sounds like a high mileage money pit. It isn’t. Gary’s dad (Mike) has lavished the sort of attention on it over the years that a Rolls-Royce would be pleased with. It is in remarkable condition and a tribute to Mike and his diligence. It is also huge fun to drive and does 52mpg. It will be a great first car for someone – needs an MOT first though. ASKING PRICE Free PAID £150 for trailer, needs MOT VERDICT OK, not quite a classic, but it will be.…

2002 LOTUS ELISE 111S Mark Sol, Lancashire Good to see Mark’s taken JJ’s advice this month by using his Elise 111S on track. 2002 FORD MONDEO ST220 Paul Heath, Cheshire Paul’s another owner who uses his car in all weathers and on circuit. Keep it up. 2005 BMW 650i Will Gebbie, South Lanarkshire With 203k miles, Will’s V8 Beemer gets used; living where he does, we’d use it, too. We can help… So many cars here that we would all love to have on our drives. Call us to discuss your requirements, so we can help turn your modern classic dream into a reality.…

Buying & selling modern classics in the real world Danny Hopkins Mazda might be my ‘go to’ Japanese manufacturer but, honestly, I had completely forgotten about the Xedos.... both the 6 and the 9. Less than 100 remain in service and, of those, only three are V6 SE autos. So finding myself suddenly working on one to get it through an MOT was, well, a surprise. It had a number of issues that needed sorting, but no matter. I bought it for a bottle of good whisky (plus what it cost me to get it home), so the adventure was going to be ‘cost nuetral’ whatever happened, as is ‘the way of the Banger’. Still, three day’s hard labour was required to replace the front wishbone, a broken spring, both…

Matt Tomkins PROJECTS EDITOR Our resident workshop puppet master, Matt has Morris Minors and A-Series engines in his blood. This month: Finally reassembled his Austin Seven’s engine. Martin Domoney WORKSHOP EDITOR Former JLR technician, Martin, knows his modern classics inside and out. This month: Replaced an MX-5’s broken window regulators. Theodore J Gillam ENGINEERING EXPERT Former Motor Vehicle lecturer and classic fiddling perfectionist. This month: Has been diagnosing condenser faults. Ed Hughes WORKSHOP GENIUS Ed singlehandedly keeps a fleet of obscure classics on the road. He’s never owned a modern and will keep it that way. This month: Lada brake rebuild. Nigel Clark DIY RESTORER Nigel’s driveway achievements rival those of pro mechanics. He’s our resident Triumph and BMW expert. This month: Has been enjoying a leak-free Reliant Scimitar. Job…

The ignition coil is essentially a step-up transformer comprising thousands of turns of thin wire wound around a soft-iron core to form the secondary (HT) windings, around which are several hundred turns of thicker wire to form the primary (LT) windings. One end of the primary windings is connected to the ignition switch and the other end is connected to the contact-breaker points. When the points are closed, ignition on, the primary circuit is energised, becoming an electromagnet. At the instant the points open, the magnetic field collapses, producing a voltage of 3-400V in the primary circuit, in turn inducing a voltage of 20-30,000V in the secondary windings, one end of which is connected to the king lead. THE CONDENSER When the low-tension circuit is disconnected, current is still flowing…

The mixture of components in the fuel we burn in our classics is already greatly different to that which many of them were designed for. The removal of tetraethyl lead, changes in fuel volatility and introduction of ethanol into petrol available from the pump have all caused great concern for classic owners and enthusiasts over the years. The latest change to UK fuel is the introduction of E10 as the standard grade of petrol at the pumps by September 1, 2021. E10 refers to the fact that the new fuel contains between five and 10 per cent ethanol, as opposed to the old standard of between zero and five per cent, known as E5. Concerns have been raised that many vehicles built before 2011 will not be compatible with the…

All you need to know about everything important ‘We can’t wait to get out and enjoy yet more events this summer!’ The UK has experienced the sound of engines firing up and heading out to car shows for the first time since the recent national lockdown ended. With the curse of COVID-19 gradually beginning to ease, venues across the nation have been bustling with classics, many seeing record numbers returning to events in the last month alone. Celebrating its 30th year, the recent Silverstone Classic saw its best-ever ticket sales, with thousands of fans flooding through the gates to watch 21 retro races and 900 entries battle it out on track. In a slower, but no less spectacular display, the Triumph Stag’s delayed 50th birthday gathering took place at Silverstone,…

What an incredible summer. It’s as if we have all breathed out at the same time. After so long restricted, the lifting of lockdown has been a huge relief and a cause for great celebration – every show I have been to has been absolutely rammed. We haven’t stopped and will be on our front foot again in early September when we get back on the road for our epic round-Britain road trip. We’ll start at the Beaulieu Autojumble on September 4-5, where our two-year VW Type 2 restoration project will be on view for the very first time in Green Field. I can’t wait to be able to say hello to you all again. The Beaulieu International Autojumble will be the first show this year at which the mag…

You probably have one of his books on your shelf. In 50 years he produced more than 170 of them, being one of the most prolific authors in the classic business. His writing was always crisp, clear and to the point, befitting a man who was a motorsport team manager, engineer and rally co-driver in his time. He entered journalism in the Sixties with Autocar and, after a short spell at seat-belt maker Kangol, he went freelance with a plan to write books that would appeal to the growing classic car movement. That led to him becoming probably the most well-known and best-loved of all historic motoring authors. He never retired and was working on a big project at the time of his passing. Our thoughts are with his family…

Original Jaguar E-type £65 ISBN 978-1-907085-93-2 This stunning hardback provides a comprehensive list of chronological production changes to Jaguar’s incredible E-type, while ID numbers, paint and colour options and extras are also examined, too. porterpress.co.uk Cranswick on Camaro £25 ISBN 978-1-787116-68-9 Author Marc Cranswick takes a look at the Camaro story, taking in marketing, model evolutions, motorsport and much more. Well-written and full of interest and information, it’s a must-buy for fans of the first and second generation Camaro. veloce.co.uk Automotive Art Project £100 ISBN 978-1-913089-26-9 This weighty tome features 150 works of art: six artist’s depictions of 25 of the cars from the famous N collection, owned by Claude Nahum. The artworks are superb and beautifully presented, too porterpress.co.uk…

South Queensferry, August 26, 1960 Back in 1960, the quickest way across the Firth of Forth was by train via the magnificent 1890 Forth Rail Bridge. Cars had to float over by boat. But the ferry’s days were numbered; work was already underway on the nearby Forth Road Bridge. Its 1964 opening would kill off the 800-year-old boat service. The combination of light and faded film means that early Ford Anglia 105E Deluxe could be in Morocco Beige or Cirrus White; either way, it would be practically brand new here, the 105E only having been launched in September 1959. Slightly older is the Series 1 or 2 Hillman Minx in Seacrest Green and Pearl Grey, with a Morris Minor Traveller beyond that. The blue Austin is an A35, and then…

Show us your endangered species… A rear-wheel drive Toyota Starlet. It’s not endangered. It’s already extinct. Tymon Grabowski My daily driver is a Belmont SRi. Cheap to run and maintain, averages 47mpg on a run and is pokey for a 1.8 eight-valve. Besides, who doesn’t love that Burberry interior? James Howard I own the sole surviving UK Talbot Tagora SX in roadworthy order! Martin O’Dowd My Astra L 1.3N with 32,000 miles. Just 68bhp, but she’s a happy little car after being recommissioned. David Salter I’ve got an Audi 200 turbo, which I’ve owned for sixteen years and won’t be letting it go any time soon. Luke Cleary One of three Fiat Uno MkI SXs left on the UK roads is my daily driver. It’s one of about 70 MkIs…

Having owned a couple of MkII GTIs, I had a fairly good idea as to what this one might be like. And initially, it was exactly what I had expected. In fact, this car drives just like a MkII GTI in A1 condition should do… but better. The steering offers plenty of feel, while you can snick through the different gears with consummate ease. As Mike intended, there is more power on tap than standard, without being too outrageous, while those larger brake discs borrowed from elsewhere within the behemoth that is VAG means you can attack corners with plenty of confidence, too. All in all, this car now behaves pretty much as the factory intended, just with a little bit more of everything in each critical area. Which is a…

My friends, Bryan and Richard, have just acquired a ‘garage find’ project, whose last tax disc expired in 1993. It’s a 1970 Rover 2000 TC, so naturally I’m delighted given that I have a 1972 example. I could even have come in on the project myself, but having been through my own car’s resurrection and improvement, I don’t really need another P6. However, I’m thoroughly enjoying dabbling with it and passing on what knowledge I’ve acquired when my friends need it. The next job to do on this amazingly solid and original machine is to extract the valves and regrind them, which means the joy of resetting the clearances and calculating the shim sizes isn’t far behind. But Bryan has lost his valve-spring compressor. Can he borrow mine? Yes, of…

REVIEW Minor victory Restored saloon tops £15k at SWVA auction SWVA set a bit of a landmark at its July sale and has now maintained a sale rate of over 90 per cent at its classic auctions for five years. This time it was 94.7 per cent as it shifted 90 of the 95 lots on offer on the day. There were some strong estimate-busting results too, topped by a remarkable £15,070 for the pictured 1961 Morris Minor four-door. That was against a rather pessimistic and oddly pitched pre-sale estimate of £5950-£6950. But then this really was quite a car. In the same family from new, so 60 years, it was restored around five years ago and in 2017 and ’18 picked up Minor Club concours awards. It’s way over…

1966 MGB GT Price: £13,495 Expensive, but superb example from the first year of GT production. £20k+ of restoration bills and an unleaded Stage 2 cylinder head fitted. 1964 Singer Vogue Price: £4950 This looks to be very good value and presents well in Lavender Grey paint that is wearing very well. Nice interior and plenty of recent work done, too. 1973 Triumph Stag Price: £8699 Attractively priced Stag that has a good body, but needs some attention to the hood. The engine is also said to be good and has been treated to an uprated radiator.…

1 Prep correctly Use a good-quality gasket (they are different for SC and TC cars) and always make sure the mating faces are perfectly flat (use a straight edge) and scrupulously clean. 2 Order! Caps, followers and bolts should go back on in the same places that they came off. 3 Alignment The cam must go back on in the same position it came out. The engine should be locked in place as well as timing chain. Oil bearing faces before placing the cam. 4 Tightening It’s essential that the top caps and bolts are drawn down in order and then torqued up in order. Incorrect tightening will lead to failure in use – possibly spectacular! 5 Timing chain Refit the chain sprocket to the camshaft and don’t forget the…

My sincerest thanks must go to all those who joined the impromptu funeral procession that marked the death of Frisky’s speedometer. Your attendance, although involuntary, was greatly appreciated, because without the presence of each of you who was forced into an inescapable convoy on a stretch of motorway (reduced to one lane because of roadworks) it may have taken a lot longer for me to realise that FSK’s cable-driven Jaeger speedometer had failed in its sole purpose in life. I’d had had my suspicions, but it was an unusually long queue of traffic behind us that led me to voice my concern. ‘Er, Daaaad,’ I said. He returned what remained of the cream cake he’d been eating to a cardboard box in the passenger footwell. ‘I think Frisky’s speedometer is…

Ref the London Ultra Low Emissions Zone: provided your car is in the ‘historic’ taxation class, then the free concession will be applied at the last stage of the online process, producing a zero charge. Do check before you travel, though, not after. Note that classics are not exempted from the Congestion Charge Gus Davies (TfL), Mark Morris and Derek Spooner Get your wife and her friends to give you those knicker bags that have a built-in hanger. They’re a great way of storing your wiring offcuts in an easily visible way. Ron Palgrave, via email…

► START DAY 1 REMOVING THE STEERING WHEEL ► Remove steering wheel Prise out the horn button. Grip the wheel and loosen the centre nut using a one and one sixteenth AF socket. Pull the wheel back free from its splines. Completely undo the nut and remove the wheel. NUMPTY ALERT Disconnect the battery before disturbing the electrical connections for the steering column. ► Remove switch cowlings Undo the countersunk self-tapping screws that secure the pair of cowlings around the column indicator and light switches, and withdraw the cowlings over the switch stalks. Disconnect wiring. ► Remove impact clamp The upper column is secured to the lower column by a clamp that allows it to telescope in case of frontal impact. Loosen the large nut and Allen screw then undo…

Last Rangey’s big day out There was rare outing for the very last Classic Range Rover at Silverstone Classic. The team from the British Motor Museum brought the 1994 Rangey along to help celebrate the model’s 50th anniversary. Ex-Rover meet The first Austin Rover/ Rover Group meet-up of ex-employees took place at the British Motor Museum on July 24. The BMM’s workshop team had worked hard on both R3 No.1 and the Rover CCV Design model to have them ready. Haynes tech Haynes has launched a digital product for more modern cars. AutoFix covers nine out of ten cars on the road in the UK, and features an interactive fault finder, DIY tutorials, videos, technical drawings and more. haynes.com Golf MkIV a hit A rare, 25th Anniversary GTI, ‘No 0718’,…

Back with a vengeance! National Microcar Rally 2021 As with so many events last year, the National Microcar Rally didn’t take place, although there was an unofficial gathering that consisted of a camping weekend, but no organised runs or displays. This year the biggest microcar gathering in the UK is back with a vengeance, and it’s happening in Shropshire on September 9-12. Alison McCarthy is organising it and she told us: ‘The long weekend takes place at the Lower Lacon Caravan Park in Wem (SY4 5RP) and it will consist of a couple of road runs on the Friday and Saturday before the grand finale on the Sunday.’ More at (national-microcar-rally.co.uk). RAZOREDGES KEEP IT MOVING Variety really is the spice of life John Bath from the Triumph Razoredge Owners’ Club…

1971 Mercedes 280S I recently spotted this fabulous Mercedes 280S automatic parked outside a pub near to where I live, while on my way to attend a local ‘cars and coffee’ meet. James Broad, Gainsborough 1977 Peugeot 304 Cabriolet I came across this rather nice Peugeot 304 cabriolet in Yateley. Andy Flounders, Surrey 1965 Aston Martin DB5 I spotted this lovely DB at a petrol station in Kent. The owner to old me that he has owned it for 30 years! Andy Padmore, London 1992 VW Golf GTI Cabriolet A rather sad looking Golf. It’s a 1992 Cabriolet seen in Broadstairs, Kent. Grant Mackay-Howard, Kent Bedford M Series A Bedford M Series lorry. Off on a job, spotted on my road. Rich Smith, Ipswich 1967 Volvo PV455 My ‘second vaccination’…

Commer FC Camper Van Dave Morgan from Essex came across this Commer FC camper in a barn in Hampshire. The front-end damage is the result of faulty brakes after an engine rebuild! Eagle-eyed readers may notice a semi-covered Lancia Gamma Coupé behind, too. Porsche 944 Derrick Thornton came across this forlorn-looking 1986 944 in Surrey recently. It appears to have been off the road for 14 years, but looks like it could come back to life quite easily one day. Land Rover Series 1 SWB Damian Arbon spied a lucky and unscathed Land Rover Series 1 in a semi-burned down barn beside the road while walking his dog in the Suffolk countryside. More modern cars on the scene had perished. £50 STAR FIND Can you do better! Send your high-res…

‘Things are starting to overheat a bit’ As has been regularly detailed on these pages in recent months, the bulk of the classic car market has had a very good pandemic. Auction results have been strong, both in the number of cars being sold and the prices they are fetching. In fact, the values of everyday classics have probably risen faster in the past year than they did during the previous classic car boom of a decade or so ago. Which makes me wonder if things are starting to overheat a bit. It’s certainly getting hard to find really nice cars for reasonable prices. Further alarm bell-ringing evidence comes from the almost ferocious bidding wars now frequently being fought for interesting rarities that come up for auction. Jaw-droppers like the…

DON’T FEAR THE TRACK You don’t know what you or your car is capable of before you do a track day. I’m not on MSV’s payroll, I’m just very much a fan of a race track. I first took to a circuit in 2009 and vividly remember every moment of that thrilling 30-minute taster session. I drove a track-modified Peugeot 205 GTI 1.9 at Rockingham. Frankly, I was rubbish, but when I returned to the pits, I felt 30-feet tall. In the years since, I’ve done laps in everything from a BMW X6M (awful) to a Formula Renault single seater (heavenly), around circuits up and down the UK. I’d like to think my car control has improved a bit, mostly due to copious training. Eventually this all culminated in me…

James likes the.., EARLY ONE Sheer nostalgia for the turn of the millennium, when I was yobbing about in a 225 Coupe, showing off to my late nan, who was most amused by the little bumper robots that pop out of flaps to squirt the headlamps. Good days. A period of great hope, fab cars and the start of a revolution in quality, style and desirability. Matt G likes the... RARE ONE Or should that be, the uber-rare one? The TT Club Sport was only built for a year or so at the back end of production, with fewer than 1000 sold in the UK. The trusty 1.8 turbo engine had even more power and retained the handling balance compared to the more nose-heavy VR6, while a 75kg weight-shedding programme also…

My successful trip to Scotland recently (p64), gave me time to reflect on how well-sorted the CX appeared to be. Mile after mile, the unexpected noises and fluid leaks never materialised. There’s still time, naturally. You know what old cars are like... After two years of work, the months before setting off had been spent doing lots of short test drives, chasing electrical faults and the odd perished rubber part. A PC road trip to Skegness highlighted one concern. As you’ll have read a few issues back, the team took a bunch of classics to the Lincolnshire seaside. I had borrowed a friend’s BX for the trip and was surprised to note how much better the ride quality felt compared to my CX. How could this be? Same basic system,…

START LOCATE FAULT 5MINS 1 Fuelling confusion Condenser faults can be mistaken for running out of fuel. Trying to restart can seem to confirm this, the engine almost catching, but not quite. Check fuel, but move on. 2 Investigate ignition fault HT sparks should be strong/blue: disconnect the king or HT lead, hold it about 3-9mm from earth, and crank engine. A weak yellow spark indicates issues. Spark testers are better (£11 for four), indicating fluctuations. Check for 12.6V at the battery. NEXT TEST IGNITION COMPONENTS 15 MINS 3 Quick voltmeter checks With the points closed, ignition on, connect one lead to battery live and the other to the coil’s IGN/15 terminal. >0.2-0.5V (unballasted/before ballast resistor) suggests high resistance. Expect to see a 3-6V drop after a resistor. TIP Ideal…

MATT’S JOB CARD GET READY FOR E10 Today we’re looking into how we can best protect our classics against the new standard, E10, petrol introduced to forecourts this month. We’ll start by explaining what E10 is and how to identify it before taking an look at the vulnerable components in a typical classic’s fuel system and the upgrades available to ensure that the car is protected against the dangers posed by the new fuel. How tough? You’ll need: ► Basic tools ► Replacement parts as required Useful contacts: ► Parts: burlen.co.uk ► Additives: classic-oils.net ► Information: fbhvc.co.uk Will take: (HRS) 2 Will cost: (£15) from Cash saved (£) N/A YOU HAVE A CHOICE SELECT YOUR FUEL CAREFULLY 1 Check the label Know what you’re buying. Fuel containing between zero and…

Prices are researched from several sources, including clubs, auctions, the trade and advertisements online and in print. Prices are reviewed and updated every issue. Our C/D rating is a basic guide to what you can expect to pay (£) for the best examples of a model, a concours car or something from a dealer. CONDITION 1 means well-presented cars that have no obvious faults. CONDITION 2 cars are capable of regular use. They have a current MoT certificate but will need work and/or original parts. CONDITION 3 cars usually need a full rebuild, but may be driveable and MoT’d. PLEASE NOTE You can’t value any car without seeing it – don’t buy blind. Russ says ‘Buying and selling should be fun, but sometimes, it’s a nightmare. Follow these three rules…