Sommaire pour December 2021 de Practical Classics

Hitting heights Visitors to one of the UK’s highest tourist attractions will meet a surprise visitor at the summit, after a classic Mini was given pride of place at the top of the Heights of Abraham in Derbyshire. The Mini has been loaned to the county’s oldest tourist attraction by Derbyshire’s newest one, Great British Car Journey, which opened in May this year. New Machine Mart store One of the UK’s best-known names in tools and workshop equipment has opened a new superstore despite the current challenges faced in retail. Machine Mart’s latest showroom, selling trade, DIY and garage equipment, is in Northampton and offers same day collection and local delivery. Swedish delight The Volvo Owners Club will be using its stand at the Lancaster Insurance NEC Classic Motor Show…

VSCC back to the future Entry cut-off age extended in ’22 The Vintage Sports Car Club has voted to allow post-war road-going sports cars into its ranks for the first time in its history. A proposal to admit selected cars, built before the end of 1955, was put to its 5500 members, and passed with a large majority. Club Secretary, Tania Brown, told us: ‘The VSCC organises around 40 events a year, including race meetings, hillclimbs and sprints, which until now predominantly featured pre-war cars. Cars from the post-war period, of a type that competed in period, to factory specification – although light modifications made in period are also allowed – will now be invited to apply to compete in these events starting from the 2022 season. We expect cars…

David Hart from New Romney loves his Alfa Romeo 916 Spider Phase 2, but he would give it up in a heartbeat to have his old friend, Steve Meade, back. They met marshalling for Formula 1 and formed a friendship that lasted 20 years. They were also both serving Metropolitan Police officers. Sadly, Steve lost his life earlier this year after he contracted COVID-19 in hospital during treatment for prostate cancer. ‘I’ve come along today to show some support,’ says David, ‘Prostate Cancer UK is a great charity and although it was Covid that finally took him, it would be great to think about a future where the cancer is easily detectable and treatable so that people like Steve won’t have to go into hospital. He was a legend, he…

It may not have escaped your notice that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are missing from our list. Sadly, no single beach in these places polled enough. However, that didn’t stop us from a quick excursion north of the border. I was enthused at the idea of some roof down driving but, following a period of warm weather, we were unamused that Scotland should punish us with a forecast of torrential downpours. In an act of defiance, George and I decided we’d stage our invasion at the wheel of our soft tops, so we could compare leaks afterwards. Meeting in the beautiful town of Wooler, we crossed the border at Coldstream and stopped at a café for a curious lunch involving potatoes. ‘Potatoes is all we’ve got’ sighed the waiter.…

1981 DeLorean DMC-12 I thought you might be interested i the attached? I spotted it in Stoke Gifford, Bristol while out walking the dog and have since seen it driving around, so it is in use. John Cox, Bristol 1982 Vauxhall Chevette I saw this lovely Chevette in Henleaze, Bristol. I haven’t seen one of these in years. It’s in lovely condition, but is this metallic gold is an original Vauxhall colour? Barry Cash, Bristol Morris Minor Van This well modified ’71 Minor van was parked among the moderns at Beaulieu in September. Nigel Roberts, W Midlands Triumph 2000 MkIs We spotted these Triumph 2000 MkIs on a recent holiday in Devon – our little boy fell in love with them! Peter Lobb, Hants Model T Ford and Sunbeam Avenger…

‘This initiative could make a big difference’ The Morgan Three Wheeler Club. You have been very naughty. Take one hundred lines. ‘We must not operate one the best initiatives for the future of the classic car movement and not tell the world until now.’ Hmm, to be fair, the club had no caddish intent and is now even happy to advise other organisations on putting its idea, Mog Match, into action. This oh-so simple scheme might shock anyone who loves drinking tea from recycled bags by candlelight while checking their investments, or admiring their ‘restoration projects’ festering away in the garden. Owners are encouraged to offer cars to younger club members at potentially, ssh, below market value! Crumbs! The idea was initiated in 2016 by then club chairman Adrian Murray-Leslie.…

£50 STAR FIND Can you do better! Send your high-res images to practical.classics@bauermedia.co.uk VW Beetle Ray Dengel has spotted a beautifully deteriorated and filthy Sixties-era Beetle in the car park of a block of flats in the north London borough of Hackney. A notice of removal was apparently immediately removed by the owner of the car, so they must have some plans for its return to grace. Matt says… ‘Underneath that layer of grime, this Beetle looks to be reasonably intact, so hopefully the owner has plans to bring it back to life!’ Rover 2000 P6 Paul Cartwright from Newcastle-under-Lyme spied this 1970 Rover 2000 decaying in the middle of Stoke. Paul wasn’t sure of ownership, but it seems the car is being put to use as shelter by the…

SAT-SUN NOV 6-7 Anglia Car Auctions’ classic sale, The Cattlemarket, King’s Lynn, Norfolk. (01553 771881, angliacarauctions.co.uk) TUE NOV 9 Barons Auctions’ Autumn Classic sale, Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey. (023 8066 8413, barons-auctions.com) WED NOV 10 Charterhouse Auctions, Haynes Motor Museum, Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset. (01935 812277, charterhouse-cars.com) SAT-SUN NOV 13-14 Silverstone Auctions’ Classic Motor Show sale, NEC, Birmingham. (01926 691141, silver-stoneauctions.com) FRI-SAT NOV 12-13 Mathewsons, live online, Thornton-Le-Dale, North Yorkshire. (01751 474455, mathewsons.co.uk) WED NOV 17 H&H Classics, Imperial War Museum, Duxford, Cambs. (01925 210035, handh.co.uk) SAT NOV 20 Manor Park Classics’ sale, Runcorn, Cheshire. (0161 697 5223, manorparkclassics.com) THU NOV 25 Dorset Vintage & Classic Auctions, The Old Gas Works, Stalbridge, Dorset. (01963 363353, dvca.co.uk) To subscribe to PC go to greatmagazines.co.uk/practicalclassics…

1965 Rover P5 Price: £6500 In the same family since 1973 but stored for last 38 years. Straight and unmolested, this could make a very interesting project indeed. 1993 Bentley Brooklands Price: £9500 With under 50,000 miles and in the same family from new, this looks like a lot of motor for the money. Comes with a fresh MOT certificate, too. 1965 Minor Traveller Price: £7500 Owned by mother and son from new and restored by Charles Ware 15 years ago. Always kept in dry garage. Nicely priced.…

Most expect me to say driving around Monaco, or blasting an NSX through the Pyrenees, but the drive of my life was very different. It was a torrential storm in the Alps about a decade ago that’s indelibly etched on my mind. On the final leg of a banger rally, I was in the Swiss Alps driving a Vauxhall Carlton estate. I now know it had a split fuel overflow pipe that was letting water into the fuel tank… all I knew then was that I was in the worst storm I’d ever seen, in a car that was barely running. At the apex of our chosen pass, the Carlton’s engine decided to try to cut out between every gearchange. I could barely see ahead and dared not stop in…

James likes the… EARLY ONE It’s not that I don’t like the 2005 facelift. It’s stylish, especially in black. I just prefer the purity of the original. There’s a mouldy blue 2.3 in my home town that’s been parked on the street for years. Not sure if it has moved in a while. It’d make an amusing sleeper car. Perhaps this calls for a note on the windscreen. Matt G likes the… FAST ONE Unlike most of my colleagues here, I’ve never owned a Saab. But if I was to take the plunge, the Aero HOT model appears to be a fabulous way to open my account. An otherwise fairly ordinary looking saloon, but with a frankly ridiculous 250bhp under the bonnet, plus impressive handling ability too – what’s not…

Kettle on… time for some tall tales from the PC workshop EDITOR 1971 Morris Marina Super Coupé Engine 1275cc/4-cyl/OHV Power 60bhp@5500rpm Torque 69lb ft@5500rpm Gearbox 4-speed manual 0-60mph 14sec Top speed 84mph Fuel economy 36mpg Work done Rotten forward leaf spring hangers cut out and replaced with OE-spec items; roof chopped ready for new sunroof – eek! Also in Danny’s garage 1956 RILEY PATHFINDER Engine/box at Formhalls. 1966 ROVER 2000 SC Needs rear brake rebuild. 1980 RENAULT 14 TS Offers? £300, sound body. 1981 TRIUMPH TR7 May now return to its original owner. 1994 MAZDA XEDOS Now living with a new owner 2000 SAAB 95 AERO Swift, practical and fun. 2000 MAZDA MX-5 NB Still my favourite roadster. Waxed Now the paint is on everywhere, Danny got busy with the…

PROJECTS EDITOR 1972 MGB GT Engine 1798cc/4-cyl/OHV Power 95bhp@5400rpm Torque 110lb ft@3000rpm Gearbox 4-speed man +o/d 0-60mph 13.2sec Top speed 102mph Fuel economy 22.8mpg Work done Steering rack replaced and wobble identified. Also in Matt’s garage 1937 AUSTIN SEVEN (RUBY) SPECIAL Mechanically sorted, now for the bodywork. 1960 MORRIS MINOR CONVERTIBLE Has been delightful in late summer sunshine. 1968 AUSTIN MINI COUNTRYMAN Rotisserie sourced, engine out. More progress soon, I very much hope. 1969 MORRIS MINOR TRAVELLER Just a joy to drive and incredibly useful, too! 1970 MORRIS MINOR ‘SUPERCHARGED’ SALOON Tucked away awaiting a road trip to prepare for. 1992 EUNOS ROADSTER Sitting awaiting attention. Full restoration planned. 2002 FORD FOCUS My late grandpa’s car, it’s been in dry storage all summer. Time to get it out again soon.…

Searching for rubber seals for my camper I came across a company that specialises in seals for campers, kit cars and hardtops. The website is good and they offer a free (paper!) catalogue that has advice on glazing tools, fitting windows and a lot more. Their website is sealsdirect.co.uk. John Barber, via email Organise that box full of short lengths of different colours and gauges of wire into a neatly packed set of labelled toilet roll tubes. Push a spike through the top and bottom of the roll at right angles to each other. Label the top including gauge and the length. Thread the start of the wire across the roll at the top and wind it on to the roll. Thread the final bit through the hole at the…

ED’S JOB CARD REMOVE, CLEAN, REPLACE Today we’re removing and then refitting an oil sump. On many classics, the sump simply drops straight down and off. But a front crossmember can make this tricky or impossible. A Haynes-type manual is likely to say whether (and how) the task is possible with the engine in situ. Our sump required some canoodling to coax it down and then forwards without catching on the oil pump or fouling the crossmember. How tough? You’ll need: ► Quarter-drive socket set ► Small tool kit ► Cleaning materials ► Soft mallet and/or pry bar ► Trolley jack ► Axle stands ► Gasket and sealant Will take: (HRS) 2 Will cost: (£)10 Cash saved (£)100 START REMOVAL AND CLEANING 90 MINS 1 Drain oil Drain the sump,…

An SU-type pump is a space closed by two one-way valves and a rubber diaphragm. The diaphragm is pulled down by an electromagnet. Fuel is pulled into the space through the inlet valve. When the diaphragm reaches its lowest point, the electromagnet is turned off. The diaphragm is pushed up by a return spring and the fuel expelled through the outlet valve. The electromagnet won’t fire again until the space is almost empty – so it pumps only the amount that the carburettor is using. Compact pumps use an electromagnet-operated piston instead. Buy carefully: performance pumps run at higher pressures; others have no pressure regulation at all. Pumps for fuel injection are much too high pressure for carbs. SPECIALISTS ■ Burlen Fuel Systems, burlen.co.uk ■ Southern Carburettors, southerncarbs.co.uk…

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…

All you need to v know about everything important Autumn 2021 sees the return of the biggest classic car show of them all – the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, with Discovery. Two years after the last major motoring event at the Birmingham venue (the 2020 show was cancelled due to COVID-19), thousands of visitors are expected at the NEC on November 12-14. In halls filled with inventive club displays, stands featuring traders and dealers, a restoration theatre and a huge Silverstone Auctions sale, the Practical Classics team will make its return to the live stage where editor Danny will be building a Morris Marina Coupé from scratch. He’ll be helped by members of the Morris Marina Owners Club as part of the model’s 50th birthday celebrations, with plans to…

If something sounds like it is too good to be true, then it probably is. I have always been a bit old fashioned when it comes to big claims. Show me the science, show me the evidence, show me it is independently verified and show me testimony that is accountable and transparent. This is why we’ve never been close friends with companies that can’t provide what we are looking for. Hard, independently tested, evidence. Remember when we went over to unleaded petrol? The FBHVC ran a test with a bank of A-Series engines running at 3000rpm for days on end with a different additive in each tank. This was done to clearly establish which additives provided real protection from valve seat recession. The results still tell me which gloop I…

We have partnered up with Classic Lodges Hotels for a number of years now and love their classic-friendly ethos. We stayed at Grinkle Park Hotel near Whitby – in their new self catering accommodation – and Solberge Manor Hotel on our run. Both have secure space for numerous classics and would make great bases for classic runs in the northeast and dales. To support the cause, Classic Lodges would like to offer a one-night stay at Solberge Hall in a deluxe double room for two to include three course dinner and a full breakfast, plus two tickets to The World of James Herriot (see News). Also, as part of the auction of the camper van at the NEC Classic Motor Show, CL will provide a new picnic basket, blankets and…

EMAIL OF THE MONTH New generation I’ve been reading PC for years now and have heard your concerns over the limited numbers of young people entering our hobby. Well, let me introduce you to three new recruits, plus a Triumph 2500S in Delft Blue. I have had the car since 1983, but my grandchildren considerably less. They are Emily 11, Tom 13 and William 16 and they have shown a lot of interest in the car. Tom, in particular, reads the PC copies I pass on to them. Since the loss of our son two years ago, all my hopes for the future of the car rest with them, so I hope at least one of them will come to enjoy it when I am too old. In the meantime,…

‘My other car is a Mustang – but the Mini is more fun!’ 1992 Mini Neon Miles Vincent, Inverness I found my Mini in a shed in 2008 underneath a pile of tools and sacks and dragged it out for a light restoration. It only had 9000 miles on the clock! I ran it for some years, but the wings, doors and A-pillars began to rot, so I had it sorted out properly with a little paint. I’m the second owner and aside from that previous work, it is as it came out of the factory with the original interior. It would have been a shame to put big wheels and arches on it. Everywhere you go, people wave. I run ‘Cars & Coffee’ here in Inverness and I’m an…

‘The XK8 was a Ford-mandated pastiche’ Do you remember the Austin 3-Litre? It arose from what BMC thought was a need to launch a replacement for the old Austin A110 Westminster and its siblings, even though the market for big-engined saloons from mainstream makers was in decline. The trouble was that BMC was short of development funds, so it based the new car on the centre section of the ‘Landcrab’ 1800. The design was pretty much completed by 1963, even before the launch of the 1800 itself in 1964, but it wasn’t until 1967 that the 3-litre was shown to the press just before October’s Earls Court Motor Show. As told by the late journalist Jeff Daniels in British Leyland: The Truth About The Cars, the unveiling of the 3-Litre…

REVIEW Very hot stuff Back to the Eighties at CCA’s Resto Show sale Classic Car Auctions wheeled out an impressive 129 vehicles for its auction at PC’s Stoneleigh event on Saturday September 25 and shifted 92 for a decent 71.3 per cent sale rate. It was a nicely mixed bunch, but the standout lots from the point of view of interest and results were all products of the Eighties. One that got us all nostalgic was a 1984 Fiat Strada Abarth 130TC. You just don’t see them now, probably because there are only something like six cars currently taxed and running on UK roads. This one looked really good after a recent mechanical, body and paint refresh – much better than you’d expect for an example with 119,000 on the clock.…

Buying & selling modern classics in the real world Craig Cheetham I’ve been a huge fan of the Fiat Bravo and Brava ever since they first appeared shortly after my 18th birthday, looking like nothing else on the road. The Brava, in particular, is an absolute joy to behold through my eyes, even if it does make some folk recoil in horror. Why they do, I don’t know, because it has the best tail lights of any car ever made and that’s not a matter for debate. In fact, I was working for this very magazine when I first got to drive one. As a wet-behind-the-ears young motoring journalist, my income was never going to stretch to a new car, but I had a job to do ‘up north’ back…

CONTRIBUTOR 1988 Range Rover Engine 3528cc/V8/OHV Power 165bhp@4750rpm Torque 207lb ft@3200rpm Gearbox 5-speed manual 0-60mph 12sec Top speed 106mph Fuel economy 15mpg Work done Outspan sorted; TD21 plans made; Rangey MOT’d. Who is Edd? Presenter, Mechanic, Specialist engineer and record breaker: Edd was a fixture on car fans’ TV screens for 13 years as co-presenter of Wheeler Dealers. Edd’s Workshop Diaries is his new TV venture and you can find it on your screen at youtube.com/eddchina. Well, so far, this year has been a bit of a rollercoaster in the workshop, but we recently passed the not so insignificant milestone of our 25th episode of Edd’s Workshop Diaries. Yet somehow, I have only managed to make a tiny dent in the projects! Having opened with the confident flurry of fixing…

CONTRIBUTOR 1988 Lada Samara 1300SL Engine 1289cc/4-cyl/OHC Power 65bhp@5600rpm Torque 71lbft@3500rpm Gearbox 5-speed manual 0-60mph 13.3sec Top speed 91.8mph Weight 900kg Work done Repaired fuel tank; recombobulated carburettor; resealed brake servo. Also in Ed’s garage 1985 LADA 1200 ESTATE Great fun in the bends thanks to new suspension bushes. 1991 ZAZ TAVRIA Proving a worthy machine. You should buy this,’ insisted good friend and Lada Samara enthusiast Harry Criddle. ‘This’ was a rather dumpy, beige 1988 1300SL up for £700 in Barnstaple. Plus points: early model; three-door; very straight and a current MOT. Minuses: I wasn’t sure about beige and I wasn’t into Samaras. Of course, I needed another car like I needed a hole in the head. Of course, I went and bought it. What followed was, er, disappointing.…

KIM’S JOB CARD DIFFERENTIAL REFRESH The full overhaul of a rear-wheel drive BMC differential is best left to the professionals, but some aspects – including thrust washer renewal – can be tackled at home. Today we’re seeking to banish clonks caused by backlash in the differential’s sun (side) gears and planet (pinion) gears due to bronze thrust washers and fibre spacer washers wearing out. Two main types of axle were fitted to rear-wheel drive MG and BMC models in the Fifties-Seventies. Cars powered by A-series engines had ‘banjo’ type axles in which the whole differential assembly is bolted into the front face of the axle. Our guinea-pig car is an MGB with ‘Salisbury’ axle, in which access is gained by detaching rear cover plate. How tough? You’ll need: ► Imperial…

► Transport Museum Wythall hosted a Midland Red running day at the start of October, with buses from the company’s pre-National years running all day. ► Ford’s Dagenham plant celebrates its 90th birthday this month. The factory still produces engines for the Transit, as well the joint venture with Volkswagen. ► The first of three ‘new’ 16-cylinder P15 V16 BRM racing cars, built to mark the marque’s 70th, made its on-track debut at the Goodwood Revival. ► Motoring history – the original Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost 1701 – re-enacted the 1911 London to Edinburgh trial to mark its 110th anniversary ► The first post-war ‘continuation’ Alvis has left the Kenilworth factory, destined for life in Japan. The Graber Super Coupé is a replica of the original.…

Crusader £30 ISBN: 978-1-910505-61-8 evropublishing.com The story of John Cobb’s ill-fated quest for speed is quite the tale. Cobb’s death on Loch Ness in 1952 while attempting to break the water speed record was a tragedy. Steve Holter’s book tells the story behind the fateful outcome. The Cars of BMC £30 ISBN: 978-1-787116-32-0 veloce.co.uk This new edition of Graham Robson’s 1987 book, which now incorporates a colour section, covers the foundation of BMC, the people, the cars and the succession into BMH and British Leyland. A highly informative read. Porsche 928 £15.99 ISBN: 978-1-398106-68-0 amberley-books.com Lavishly illustrated, this detailed guide to the 928 is a must-have for owners and enthusiasts. Technical details, model history and evolution is covered, as well as info on parts and servicing.…

It was one of the most ambitiously foolish shake-down runs in history, but we had no choice. Our VW Type 2 project wasn’t in a mood to play nicely, so the final few days were full of anxiety. Setting off on a 1600-mile, seven-day trip around the coast of Britain should have been preceded by a month of testing… It wasn’t. Nothing like a deadline to hit though, eh? The run itself was pegged with unmissable waypoints and emotional moments, part of our commitment to partners at Lancaster Insurance Services Ltd, our chosen charity, Prostate Cancer UK and to you, the readers of Practical Classics. Every day would involve a mighty drive at 56mph ending in a visit to one of the beaches voted for by you, at which there…

We gave our Type 2 a serious restoration, including full engine rebuild, but we didn’t go into one or two areas deeply enough. The front hubs and bearings were sound and felt good at MOT… so we left them. Big mistake. By day three, 600 miles in, both front bearings were making very unhappy noises and the offside had all but collapsed. Thanks to our friends at Motorvation, Rusty Bug Workshop and finally, Retro Revivals, we made it to the end.…

Worst road you’ve been on? The A417 in the Cotswolds. They hide the potholes with gravel, which blasts all your paint off. I’ve resprayed my bumper twice. It also seems to only be used by people who want to do either ninety, or 25mph. None of whom are particularly welcome when trying to safely navigate potholes, cyclists and random barnyard critters. Luke Benson Got to be Tognellas Road, Scott’s Creek in Victoria, Australia! Stuart Lunt Any road leaving North Yorkshire. Why would you even want to? Geoffrey Cabbageman B1104 in The Fens. Subsidence turns it into a roller coaster between rebuilds every few years. The proportion of Citroën BXs was high locally as it was the only car capable of safely negotiating it! Stuart Read The road through Den Wood…

Lowering myself into the tartan seat, the first thing that strikes me is the fit and finish of this interior. John has done a superb job of restoring it to factory standard (and better) circa 1977. Turn the key and the wedge bursts into life, that slant-four engine producing a pleasing burble at the back of the car through the peashooter OE spec exhaust system. Drop it into gear and off the kerb and the engine pulls quite happily. John had only just finished the car when we visited, so I’m getting a smell of newness as paint burns off the exhaust, reminding me not to get too carried away as he is still in the early stages of running in the new 2-litre engine. Suspension is well composed, and the…

‘Gramps’s Escort was a safe haven for me’ Waiting patiently to give me a lift home from school, Gramps would be on the lookout for my face in the crowd. He couldn’t have heard what those around me said from within his burnt orange Escort MkIII – partially deaf and not yet willing to install himself with a hearing aid, the radio invariably teetered near max – but it wasn’t just the car that my peers were mean about, the focus was quite simply, on me. The tears often tumbled before we’d had time to buckle up and, although I’m sure that he was desperate to fire up the Ford’s 1.3L CVH engine, Gramps (my father’s father) knew the real power of this misunderstood Vowden family chariot was that it…

‘I struggle to find any logic or reason’ One of the sustaining interests that sees me in my third decade of reporting on the classic car market is the subtly changing tides of fortune that occur. In this instance I’m not talking of the relentless rise of the Escort, or the current trend of expensive cars tumbling in value while more everyday classics continue to rise. No, it’s the even subtler stuff within certain marques and models that challenge long-held assumptions. For a start it was probably scratched with quill on parchment that Triumph TR3/3As shall ever more be worth more than TR4/4As. And they always were. Until recently. Likewise, when they were used rather than tucked away after £200k restorations, it was a natural law that because the 4.2-litre…

Ford Sierra Cosworth One of the great truths of our market is that you don’t bet against fast Fords. The just relentlessly rise and outperform most other classics in the value stakes. Good Cossies are now pushing £50k and rising. HOT +40% IN TWO YEARS Fiat 124 Spider With my Italian bias, it’s sad to see the Spider’s fortunes falling at a time when MGBs are on the rise. I know which is the better car, though I’m ducking as I type this. But at least the Fiat is now more affordable. NOT -6.7% IN TWO YEARS…

1987 RENAULT 25 MONACO Aaron McKay, Peterborough Aaron enjoying his Gallic business shuttle with more verve than its first owner. 2004 BMW M3 (E46) David Beese, Wiltshire Dave’s M3 probably is BMW’s genuine ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’. 1999 PEUGEOT 306 GTI-6 Steven Dutfield, Kent You can keep your 205 GTI, we’ll make room for its six-speed successor any day. 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.…

‘Now is the time to grab an MG Rover product’ After a lovely weekend spent in my 75 Tourer, I am more convinced than ever that this was one of – if not the – best cars ever to have a Rover badge attached to its snout. It’s a styling masterclass – elegantly proportioned, beautifully detailed and wonderfully understated. Rather like a good wine, the 75 is getting better with age, which to me is the sign of a great piece of styling. The destination for the weekend was the British Motor Museum, which has a special place in my heart as many of its exhibits inspired me down the path that led me into classic car journalism. What attracted me to the place, and had me returning time after…

Result! It may have taken him more than two years, but Matt can be rightly proud of his efforts in retrimming the TR’s footwell panels. PRODUCTION EDITOR 1972 Triump TR6 Engine 2498cc/6-cyl/OHV Power Enough Torque Sufficient Gearbox 4-speed man + o/d 0-60mph Unknown Top speed Undiscovered Fuel economy 25mpg Work done Footwell trim panels retrimmed and finally fitted. Also in Matt’s garage 1972 TRIUMPH 2000 I’ve ordered a new, upgraded camshaft, so fitting that is my next 2000 task. More soon. 2004 BMW 330D TOURING Clocking up the miles – it is a great shopping trolley, dog wagon and, lately, holiday bus. It was a relatively quiet summer period for the TR, with monthly trips to the TR Register Camb Followers group meeting in nearby Wistow and other local outings…

DIY There are plenty of simple checks you can do at home to maximise your chances of achieving MOT success – it is well worth making the effort. CONTRIBUTOR 1970 Triumph TR6 Engine 2498cc/6-cyl/OHV Power 150bhp@5500rpm Torque 164lb ft@3500rpm Gearbox 4-speed man+o/d 0-60mph 8.2sec Top speed 119mph Fuel economy 22mpg Work this report TR6 MOT pre-check and test; it was a resounding success! Also in Nigel’s garage 1977 RELIANT SCIMITAR GTE Still running very well. I’m risking reopening the old debate about MOT testing of classic cars, but here goes anyway. To make my position clear from the outset, I’m strongly in favour of MOT testing for classic vehicles, even though most may only cover a limited annual mileage. My reasons are twofold. Firstly, many classics are maintained by owners…

Matt Tomkins PROJECTS EDITOR Our resident workshop puppet master, Matt has ,Morris Minors and A-Series engines in his blood. This month Stripped a friend’s 1275 MG Midget engine for rebuild. Martin Domoney WORKSHOP EDITOR Former JLR technician, Martin, classics inside and out. This month Got very muddy with some serious off-roading. Theodore J Gillam ENGINEERING EXPERT Former Motor Vehicle lecturer and classic fiddling perfectionist. This month Continuing to fight GRP on our Rebel with a cause. Ed Hughes WORKSHOP GENIUS Ed singlehandedly keeps a fleet of obscure classics on the road. This month Took his ZAZ Tavria on a fault-free 1000km road trip. Nigel Clark DIY RESTORER Nigel’s driveway achievements rival those of pro mechanics. He’s our resident Triumph and BMW expert. This month Prepared his TR6 for its annual…

21st century kit for 20th century problems Why did you fit it? If the car had been parked up more than a few days, it always required lots of spinning over on the starter before the fuel pump primed itself and filled the carburettor. Also, I no longer need to worry about the wisdom of relying on 60-year-old rubber components, especially with modern fuel blends. The new pump has an ethanol-resistant diaphragm. E10 RESISTANT! Electric fuel pumps from reputable sources should use Ethanol-resistant diaphragms. Be sure to check the spec. What was the hardest part? Its generally very simple: choose your pump location, install some wires, reroute the piping. The only difficult bit is psyching yourself up to drill holes in your classic! Fortunately, someone else had been busy with…