Practical Classics January 2022

Editing PC has always been a pleasure. Partly because I work with a brilliant team (don’t tell them I said that – keep ’em keen), partly because I have made my hobby into a job (don’t tell my boss!) and partly because you lot are a pretty decent bunch, too. That’s why this issue is dedicated to you and your classic car stories. I don’t understand how anyone can simply look at a classic and ignore the human tale that goes with it. Seriously, from designer to owner to enthusiast, all our classics are only defined as such because we – the people – give oxygen to the idea that they are something to cherish. More than simple inanimate objects. It is crucial to the passion, to the enjoyment and…

Editing PC has always been a pleasure. Partly because I work with a brilliant team (don’t tell them I said that – keep ’em keen), partly because I have made my hobby into a job (don’t tell my boss!) and partly because you lot are a pretty decent bunch, too. That’s why this issue is dedicated to you and your classic car stories. I don’t understand how anyone can simply look at a classic and ignore the human tale that goes with it. Seriously, from designer to owner to enthusiast, all our classics are only defined as such because we – the people – give oxygen to the idea that they are something to cherish. More than simple inanimate objects. It is crucial to the passion, to the enjoyment and to…

All you need to know about everything important The construction of smart motorways should be paused until promised safety improvements have been delivered, a group of MPs has urged. Classic -friendly MP, Karl McCartney was particularly vocal, demanding that, after a recent Smart Motorways Report, the rollout should be stopped pending a public inquiry. Following the publication of the Transport Select Committee’s report on smart motorways the Conservative MP for Lincoln, a long-standing Committee member, PC subscriber and classic owner, called for the use of motorway hard shoulders as additional motorway lanes to cease with immediate effect. Karl has also called for a public inquiry to investigate failings and to hold those involved, including from National Highways/Highways England, to account. ‘It is clear that historic evidence alongside other recent revelations…

All you need to know about everything important The construction of smart motorways should be paused until promised safety improvements have been delivered, a group of MPs has urged. Classic -friendly MP, Karl McCartney was particularly vocal, demanding that, after a recent Smart Motorways Report, the rollout should be stopped pending a public inquiry. Following the publication of the Transport Select Committee’s report on smart motorways the Conservative MP for Lincoln, a long-standing Committee member, PC subscriber and classic owner, called for the use of motorway hard shoulders as additional motorway lanes to cease with immediate effect. Karl has also called for a public inquiry to investigate failings and to hold those involved, including from National Highways/Highways England, to account. ‘It is clear that historic evidence alongside other recent revelations about operational…

Having too many classics is worse than having none at all. Seriously, I’ve learned this the hard way, haven’t you? I have rushed fixes and broken cars, I have left cars to go feral and I have forgotten where some of my cars are. I kid you not… I have actually ‘lost’ classics for days on end (and their keys, pretty much daily. It’s foolish. As, when you get above ten classics, there is always too much to do, so much in fact that you simply end up not doing much at all, at least not as much you would do if you only had two or three vehicles to work on. It’s a real problem. I’m a classic junkie and I need my fixes, but if I overdose then I…

TRIED AND TRUSTED Matt T: ‘I’ve used this on the DPF sensor connector on my Volvo V50. After applying Stabilant 22, the light went out and stayed out!’ Stabilant 22 Electronic Contact Enhancer £49.99 morethanpolish.com With winter upon us, failing electrical contacts are rife and can cause anything from frustration to failure to proceed, especially for more modern classics with delicate multi-pin connectors and sensitive electronics. Stabilant 22 is an electronic contact enhancer that is used to improve the conductivity, reliability and performance of electronic connectors and contacts. It is actually a liquid semiconductor that provides the effect of a soldered joint without having a physical bond and is incredibly effective. It promises to not just make new contacts better, but to keep contacts operating as it they were new,…