Sommaire pour June 2019 de Classics World

The last few weeks have seen something of a juggling act being performed on the Goldsworthy drive. Not with flaming torches, knives or anything like that, but with cars – at various times there have been the two project MX-5s plus Kelsey’s rather fine Renault 21 Symphony vying for space alongside my MG TF and my wife’s Micra. That, of course, is in addition to the four cars I am able to fit in our extended garage. Now don’t worry, because I am not angling for sympathy here and I do realise that I am extremely fortunate to have the space and the opportunity to play with so many cars. I can certainly remember having no garage, no driveway and working on my only car in the street, and I…

Every two years Club Triumph holds its Round Britain Reliability Run, a gruelling 48 hours that sees club members driving their aging Triumphs non-stop for 2000 miles around Britain. The event was started in 1966, and was conceived as a way to demonstrate the reliability of the Triumph cars then in production. Just six cars took part in that first event – Herald 1200, Vitesse Six, Spitfire Mk2, TR4, FWD 1300 and a 2000 saloon. Today it is a very different matter, with up to 140 places being snapped up within days of the event opening for entries. Another change is that since 1990, entrants have been asked to raise money for charity through sponsorship. In that year £13,500 was raised for the British Heart Foundation, and by 2016 (the…

FROM BRADFORD TO NEW ZEALAND During a visit to a relative at Kaitoke, Upper Hutt, I was shown a rare and immaculate Jowett Bradford estate car of 1950s vintage. It was stored in a barn on their farm and was in full working order, despite not seeing everyday use. The car’s owner allowed their son to take me out for a run in the Bradford, which saw us make a visit to the Wellington Vintage Machinery Club’s base at Mangaroa and the Rimutaka Incline Railway’s depot at Maymourn. The journey was not all flat running because first gear had to be engaged on some of the steep hills on State Highway 2, thus causing tailbacks! The vehicle has a flat two-cylinder, water-cooled engine of 1-litre driving a three-speed gearbox, and…

Remember those magazine ads showing a small schoolboy with a bicycle, peering into the window of a Jaguar showroom? ‘Some day, some day,’ went the accompanying strapline. Back in 1973 or thereabouts, the unattainable dream car was an XJ6 Series 2 saloon, but the same aspirational scenario might work for any of the last 75 years given an appropriate change of vehicles and small boys. Although perhaps our little person would have to be gender neutral now in the interests of equality? Still, it’s also possible that current research shows that only 16.3% of similarly small girls have the slightest interest in cars, so stereotyping might not be such an issue after all. I know it's hard to believe, but only a few years before Jaguar launched its memorable 'Some…

Calvin Packwood is a serial Triumph owner and restorer, having run a string of Canley’s finest over almost three decades: Heralds, a Vitesse and several GT6s feature on his lengthy list. Asked how he first got the Triumph bug, Calvin explains: ‘Years ago I wanted a kit car and bought a Gentry, which is based on the Triumph Herald chassis. I found a rusty Herald as the basis for the kit and built it up. Sadly the Gentry was stolen and burned out, but the insurance payout funded the purchase of a tired Spitfire Mk2 and some much needed garage equipment.' It’s the very same Spitfire that we’ve come to see today. Bought by Calvin for just £800 in November 1995, it came with a year’s MoT, but as he…

The development of a new model to replace the Rover P6 began in 1971. David Bache headed the design team and is thought to have been influenced by the likes of Ferrari and Pininfarina. Charles Spencer ‘Spen’ King was put in charge of the engineering. The SD1 name refers to it being the first car to be designed by British Leyland’s Specialist Division, although the project was originally codenamed RT1 (Rover Triumph Number 1). The British car industry was under mounting pressure from foreign competition at the time, and a lot was expected from the new model, which was largely funded by the British government, who had bailed out the company in 1975. Surveys at the time had shown that customers were sceptical about complicated engineering, so simplicity was the…

From its first production cars in 1971 to the final one in 1996, the Renault 5 was one of the most successful small cars built, selling over 5.5 million units in its first generation and almost 3.5 million from 1984 (1985 in the UK) as the second generation ‘Superfive,’ outselling the VW Polo and Fiat 127. It was effectively replaced in 1992 by the Clio, but a budget Campus version remained popular until that too was discontinued in 1996. In 1972, the R5 was almost in a class of its own – along with the Fiat 127, it was competing against the outdated Mini, the almost as ancient Hillman Imp and the VW Beetle, and in some ways the only serious competitor was the Datsun 100A Cherry. However, competitors came…

My first task this month was to source a replacement tacho generator for the E-Type. On the Monday I phoned SNG Barratt, they confirmed they had one in stock and so I ordered it. Next day I received an email advising it had been shipped, then was pleasantly surprised when a courier delivered it on Thursday. That’s great service – it takes longer than this to get a letter from Sydney to Brisbane. Next day I removed the existing tacho generator from the car, compared it with the replacement and could immediately see that the drive shaft protruded further on the replacement. It is difficult to measure the distance from the cam cover to the camshaft as there is limited space between the engine and bulkhead, but I confirmed that…

Lubricants are made using base oil and blended with additives that enhance and add to the desirable properties. An engine oil is typically made up of around 85% base oil, and between 15-25% additives. These additives must be compatible with engine seals and other components within the engine as per the specifications. One of the easiest examples of where an additive enhances the properties of the base oil is a pour-point depressant, which will allow the lubricant to have a lower pour-point than it would otherwise have. Others include anti-oxidants and viscosity modifiers, which help prevent the lubricant oxidising and cover a wider viscosity range respectively. Then there are the performance additives that bring with them (amongst many others) detergent properties that keep the engine clean and dispersants that stop…

The Jaguar XK8 is a rare example of the automotive industry getting it exactly right. The car was based on the fine, fully developed and well-proven structure of the XJS, but investment money from new and wealthy owners Ford was used to sort out all the components properly so that the car was reliable. It was also very fast, governed to 155mph which is probably enough. The main reasons these cars are so astonishingly cheap is that they’re old, they’re very common with over 90,000 made, and everybody assumes they can’t afford to run a 150+mph supercar. However, apart from a few recognised and relatively inexpensive faults, they are reliable and practical. If you don’t fancy the idea of a bargain Porsche-killing supercar for five grand, you can optionally pay…

The 31st Techno-Classica Essen ran from 10th-14th April, and as usual there was a huge variety of cars to admire. Essen is a relatively easy hop from the UK, and one of the benefits of making the effort to travel a little further afield is that you are treated to cars that do not normally grace a UK show field. For instance, Spanish car maker SEAT was showing the variety and diversity of its history with some of the most popular vehicles to have driven off the brand’s production line. Two versions of the 50-year-old 1430 were on show – a first series saloon as pictured top right and a more powerful estate – as well as a gorgeous example of the 850 Sport Spider. The Spider was particularly significant…

The first episodes of The Car Years, presented by Vicki Butler-Henderson and Alex Riley, hit TV screens on 7th May with a double bill on ITV4. Sponsored by Footman James, the new show for petrol heads celebrates some of the most important cars in automotive history, the format being for each episode to ask lead presenters Vicki and Alex to champion what in their opinion was the best car released in a certain year. Only one car can win, and adjudication comes in the form of three expert judges. A panel of famous faces and industry experts join the show’s cast, each doubling up as an expert commentator and helping tell the stories and backgrounds behind the stand-out cars. The first episode focused on 1964, while episode two will shine…

April 13th saw the annual Pride of Longbridge event return to Cofton Park in Birmingham. It’s been 10 years since the first event took place in Cofton’s picturesque grounds opposite the main gates of the historic former factory responsible for so many of the UK’s best-loved cars. Although production has ended on the factory site and much of the land has been redeveloped, the main entrance building remains, sporting the MG logo as it’s now the headquarters of MG UK, and it was great to see them supporting the event. With the Mini celebrating its 60th anniversary, there was naturally a great display of those, as well as an impressive turnout of Metros and Maestros, but the majority of cars on display seemed to be MGs of the MG-Rover period…

Variety, apparently, is the spice of life, and Brooklands Museum’s British Marque Day had it in spades on 28th April. This famous site contains so much history relating to British motorsport and aviation, making it the perfect venue for this gathering. There were more than enough great cars on display to keep visitors busy all day, but anybody who needed something else to entertain them could have sloped off to the London Bus Museum, viewed Concorde or enjoyed any of the other attractions on site. As the event coincided with Drive It Day, there was a great turn out, with cars parked the full length of the re-instated start/finish straight. The show is mainly static, but there was also a procession lap around Mercedes World’s demo track for some of…

It was only the other week when I was travelling by train from Clapham Junction to Willesden, (yes, I have other interests – don’t even ask...) that I had a shock. Pottering up this suburban line, soon after we had passed the massive Chelsea football stadium at Stamford Bridge, we suddenly cruised through a massive scene of devastation – of rubble, of tall cranes, and of new construction. This was Earls Court, but where was Earls Court? I was appalled. What I had always thought to be a vast, elegant (by Art Deco standards, that is) building had been flattened, seemingly without remorse or ceremony. As a country yokel living three hours from central London, I had realised that the famous exhibition hall had stopped hosting motor shows some years…

Launched in 1972 to universal acclaim, the X1/9 was possessed of a sublime chassis and razor sharp styling courtesy of Bertone. It went on to sell in large numbers, and it did particularly well in North America. In fact it was marketed for an impressive 17 years, initially as a Fiat and then, from 1982, as a Bertone-produced and branded product. So yes, the X1/9 (which from 1978 utilised a 1498cc engine and five-speed gearbox in place of the original 1290cc unit and four-speed transmission), is an Italian masterpiece. FIAT FIND It’s fair to say that electrical contractor Jon Griffiths, owner of the fabulous feature car, is very much a classic car enthusiast. Over the years his portfolio has included various Minis, air-cooled Type 2 VW Campers, a TR7 and…

Fifty years ago, ownership of a Ford Capri 1600L such as this one finished in Fern Green metallic could elevate a travelling salesman for a firm of potted meat distributors into a Jason King-style international man of mystery. For just £951/2s/1d, you too could own the British equivalent of the Mustang, and even today Keith Robertson finds that when he takes his Capri for a drive through Hastings, everybody seems to have owned one or has a link to someone who once possessed one – a parent, an elder brother, an uncle etc. Not many of them will have been in such superb condition as SCV 387G, but Keith’s car is not just a prime example of the first-generation Capri, it also represents the model in one of its most…

One thing you can be certain of when you start a project is that it will never run entirely to plan. That was certainly the case with our Mk2 MX-5 when, shortly before our planned road test, Kelsey Staff Writer Aaron McKay got the back end up close and personal with a kerb after exiting a roundabout at a different angle to the one he had intended. As a result, the nearside rear wheel was wrecked and clearly no longer pointing the same way as the rest of the car. To give Aaron his due, he did manage to locate a set of the rare California wheels along with all the suspension components he needed to straighten things out, and he got everything fitted in good time for our test.…

Having got the Tourer into the jig a few months ago, I have become somewhat preoccupied with other projects, such as helping Dad with the restoration of the van and keeping the Lowlight in working order. Despite my best efforts last month when I replaced the faulty switch on the gear lever, the overdrive’s still been causing problems. In order to locate the fault I jacked the car off the ground, put the gear lever into 4th, turned the ignition on and then flicked the switch on and off repeatedly, listening for a clunk from the solenoid – there was a click, confirming this was doing its job. The next possibility was low oil pressure. I knew there was some sort of oil leak from the gearbox, but had topped…

The lubricants market is served by both the major global lubricant companies and independent blenders. Although the number of independent blenders has reduced over the past decades, the remaining ones have grown to make up a significant portion of the market supply. To claim the ACEA specifications, lubricant companies are required to sign a letter of conformity and hold an accredited quality certification. In addition to this, the UK has VLS (Verification of Lubricant Standards) which is owned and operated by the UKLA (United Kingdom Lubricant Association). Its job is to react to instances where products have been found to be non-compliant with their stated specifications or physical characteristics. A more detailed explanation of their work as well as past cases can be found at http:// ukla-vls.org.uk/case-outcomes/ The independent blenders…

Knowing how to use a multimeter and what all of its functions can do may seem like a bit of a dark art, and it doesn’t help that the motoring industry assumes everyone should know how to measure voltage, test a fuse and work out whether a sensor is correctly working or not. So the following pages aim to provide a general guide to fixing problems and checking electrical wiring and components using a variety of simple and sophisticated multimeters. Modern multimeters have a red lead for positive or live connections and a black lead for negative or earth connections. However, some classics from the 1960s or before have a positive earth system instead, whereby the positive lead from the battery is earthed to the bodywork and the negative lead…

ECO NEUTRAL SOUND DEADENING PADS Price: £21.60 This new product from car interior specialist Newton Commercial has been developed by their in-house team in response to the growing demand for eco-friendly products. The sound deadening pads are made from a flexible and pliable material that can be used all over the vehicle, but which is perfect for floorpans and lining doors. Made from recyclable high-density sound deadening material, a layer of high quality adhesive on the underside makes them very easy to fit and ensures they stay where you have put them. Acoustically tested at an approved test facility, they will provide added refinement to any classic. The pad size is 300mm x 200mm and the pads are 2-3mm thick, with four pads per pack. Call 01728 832810, email: sales@newtoncomm.co.uk…

If it weren’t for getting emotional, we would all buy 2017 Kias and drive them until they died. If we were cheap and lived somewhere with reasonable fuel prices, we might instead pay $2000 for a 1992 Jeep Cherokee and get 125,000 miles and 13 years out of it without anything more than servicing, a rad, batteries, tyres and brakes. I know, because I've done it! Buying that Jeep was originally a decision untainted by any emotion at all. Good price, very strong structure, locking diffs and low-range 4WD, tow bar, roofrack, lots of boxy room inside although quite small outside. Fast and handles quite well. Cheap, easily available parts. Good enough. 13 years later, just like my small dog, it’s old and manky but I can’t bring myself to…

I cannot believe that a year has passed since the Gentry had an MoT. The car is old enough to avoid an annual inspection of course, but I like the idea that an independent test has confirmed the car is safe and in good order. I think it is well worth the small fee for peace of mind, and fortunately it passed without problems. However, on the front suspension where the upper wishbone assembly meets the vertical link, there is a protective rubber gaiter to preserve the integrity of the joint. Although the joints are currently in perfect order, the gaiters on both sides had deteriorated. The tester wisely suggested that I replace these gaiters before any road dirt gets in which could attack the joints. His advice will be…

Work on the Land Rover has reached the stage where jobs have become interdependent and I can’t complete one stage without at least starting a couple of others. The bodywork is almost there (if you ignore the fact that the rear tub is half finished and the bonnet and tailgate aren’t even started), but my problem for a while has been that I’ve nowhere to safely store any more painted panels – the only place they can go is onto the Land Rover. The wings have now been on and off twice, and I’d really like them to be fixed permanently. The issue here is that all the underbonnet paraphernalia – pedal boxes, heater box, fan housing, air cleaner and battery tray – needed cleaning up and painting, and they…

All vehicles, whether old or new, need oil in their engines and on working parts to help keep them lubricated and avoid expensive repairs and breakdowns. Engine oils also help with fuel economy and reduced C02 emissions. Not having enough oil or using the wrong type can spell disaster and causes an estimated 10% of all machinery and vehicle breakdowns. Oil is to an engine what blood is to the human body. If it is too thick then it can cause the engine’s oil system to clog (think heart attack); too thin and you risk uncontrolled wear. So, selecting and maintaining the consistency (viscosity) is key. We’ll come back to this point later, but it is important to realise that viscosity is not the whole story. The quality of an…

In the last issue, we followed the strip down of a Volkswagen air-cooled four-cylinder petrol engine and started to look at the cleaning and checking of any components that can be reused. In this second and final instalment, we’re showing what’s involved with overhauling the cylinder heads, checking and cleaning the pistons and barrels and reassembling the engine. As with any engine, it’s worthwhile making sure all threads are thoroughly cleaned and any nuts or bolts that are heavily corroded or damaged are renewed. Renew any studs that are prone to shearing, such as those for the rear of the exhaust manifold. Rebuilding a VW air-cooled engine is quite a complicated and time-consuming job. Everything needs to be meticulously clean, and many parts need to be refitted in their original…

The Kei car is Japan’s war baby. Like most participants in WW2, the land of the rising sun had to rebuild itself from the ground up once hostilities had ended. Personal transport was key to mobilising a workforce, and by 1949 the Japanese government realised that it was presiding over a burgeoning nation of motorcyclists for whom a car was financially out of reach. And so a category of vehicle was devised to serve the needs of people requiring more space than a motorcycle could provide, but unable to afford a full-size car. Strict limits on physical dimensions and engine capacity had a dual effect: they both constrained manufacturers and forced them to employ as much inventiveness as they could muster. As a result the Kei class of micro-vehicle features…

Little known in the UK, Nash had a long and proud history in the USA dating back to its founding as Nash Motors in Kenosha, Wisconsin in 1916. They specialised in selling well-equipped and innovative products that ranged from entry level to the luxury end of the market, absorbing marques such as Ajax and LaFayette along the way. From 1937 the company became the Nash-Kelvinator Corporation after taking a controlling interest in the Kelvinator Corp, a leading manufacturer of fridges and kitchen appliances. The expertise brought to the company by Kelvinator allowed Nash to introduce a new air conditioning system into their cars from 1938. Never afraid to innovate, in 1941 the Nash 600 was the first unibody car to be made in the USA, a change in construction that…

The 450bhp Rob Spencer/ Martin Overington BGT V8 is a fine car in which to tour the streets of Angoulême – so long as you want to do it flat out, of course. The car is well known in MG racing circles, but its career hasn’t always gone well – check out the Youtube/Autosport video of a spectacular multiple rollover crash in 2008. (Google Youtube 2008 Rob Spencer Snetterton rollover crash) Being a tough-as-old-boots MGB, a few rolls on the grass only did relatively minor damage, and as you can see the car is still charging around ten years later, although it’s a bit faster now. The V8 Rover engine has been replaced with more developed versions along the way, and in its current incarnation by TN Racing, it’s making…