Classical Gas: Interesting Cars

Here it is!

Fri, 09 May 2008 06:07:47 GMT

Hadn't actually decided when this picture was taken but a few minutes later and the deal was done. Many thanks to Don Stringer for coming up to Yorkshire and looking at it with me. It's still there at the moment so I have to sort getting it back to Chaos Manor. Hasn't been used for six or seven years so will need a good check over.

Michael has a new Trials Car!

Thu, 08 May 2008 20:06:03 GMT

Its an Austin Seven. More soon.

More Stoneleigh Stuff

Wed, 07 May 2008 06:19:21 GMT

Had a note from Brian Colman which I am sure he won't mind me publishing here:-

John Rhodes and I were at Stoneleigh too yesterday - but in my yellow Caterham, rather than the Yeller Dutton. It cruises a little faster and more comfortably!

We too saw the Tempest, but didn't actually realise it was back in production. We spent a little longer looking at the Chinese made off-roader on the Pipercross stand - road legal, loads of suspension travel . . . but which class would it go into? Not a special in the true sense as I bet they've made 100's of them worldwide, and probably not quite a production car . . .

You weren't looking hard enough at the Marlin club stand - or at the wrong time. There was a red Marlin, complete with 14" wheels, body damage, jacked up suspension and loads of dried on mud under the arches, towing a rolling chassis/body on 13" wheels which was for sale . . . John likes the idea of doors, so we looked at it, but not very hard. Now if only I was allowed to use a Ford axle . . .

Did you spot the RS200 replicas outside - a sawn off Subaru Impreza with GRP bits stuck on top. Not too sure about the engineering in that one, so we moved swiftly on, straight past the four quid for a baguette stands - it's the first time I've know John baulk at buying food ;-)

I first went to the show about 20 yrs ago - and the main row of sheds was FULL all the way down - although the custom vans right at the bottom weren't quite my thing then - or now! Either I've grown up, or I've too much junk already, but I find I don't need to look in every box on every stand anymore - still, a relatively good day out - only rained on the way home and we were travelling fast enough for it to go over head.

Stoneleigh Kit Car Show - The Tempest is Back

Sun, 04 May 2008 16:26:31 GMT

Mike Hayward talking to John Melody who has bought the rights for the Tempest. He has all the jigs and moulds and a stock of brand new, galvenised Kitten chassis! Click Here for the new Tempest Website.

The show didn't seem as comprehensive as in the past. Not so many cars and far fewer trade and autojumble stands.

Only trials cars I saw were the Leiges which were in one of the covered areas. At least six so I guess there was a Legion of Leige's!

Lots of Marlins but no trials versions although I did meet Mike Hobbs brother who is a regular marshal at the foot of Axe.

More pictures below or Click Here for the full Stoneleigh Photo Album.

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I had to work this week! Sweden in the Snow

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 07:41:54 GMT

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Click here to enlarge the pictures and read the captions

Stoneleigh Historic Motorsport Show

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:33:46 GMT

OK, I know its now called Race Retro or something, but I really don't like that name! Anyway, I had an enjoyable day but it was noticeable how the show has changed since I first visited three years ago. Not so many interesting stands, no MCC/ACTC, no Teng Tools and no really nice stands like that Neil Revington diorama. Generally I felt much less for the clubman and at £25 to get in and £5 to park the car its not a cheap day out when there's not much new to see. I guess its inevitable that there's lot a lot new each day at an historic show. There didn't seem so many people around today, lets hope I'm wrong and they have a good show and its financially successful so it can continue.

CTCRC Chariman Richard Langeveld, Neil (who is working the stand for three days) and the one and only Adrian Fuller

Falcons Julie Fleet and Verdun Webley looking round the show after setting up the Rally Stage

Click here for more Stoneleigh Pictures

More on Classics on the Common

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 10:49:36 GMT

Extract from Peter Maddens's email (copy of entry form in previous post):-

Classics on the Common

Wednesday 30^th July 2008

The date is now set for Wednesday 30^th July and I am ready to start taking your entries, an entry form is included with this email. I’ve increased the entry fee to £5, I know many of you won’t mind as you already send that and more. For those who mind a bit, it will hopefully be the best £5 you spend all year! This years main beneficiaries will be Townsend School, St. Albans, Keech Cottage Hospice, and Trinity Hospice in Clapham South London. Many of you will know that I’ve generally supported local charities/good causes. I’m making an exception with Trinity Hospice, it’s my last year organising Classics on the Common, and I want to acknowledge the care that Trinity gave to my mum many years ago.

The website is currently off line, it will hopefully come back soon.

As in recent years we will not be allowing any entry on the night without a pre-booked entry pass. Last year it was a sell out about two weeks prior the event, and I had to turn people down who turned up at the house. So please don’t leave your entry too late. To try to avoid any confusion all vehicles who want to come onto the Common including scooters and motorbikes should have an entry pass. PLEASE DON’T FORGET TO INCLUDE A STAMPED ADDRESSED ENVELOPE with your entry form. At a peak I get and have to process 30-40 entries a day, and it makes it surprisingly more time consuming when I have to write out envelopes.

I’m pleased to announce that once again Harpenden Village Rotary Club will be assisting us with the event they very kindly get more and more involved each year to the point where we now couldn’t manage without them.

After 15 years this will be my last year as organiser. There is a team in place from Harpenden Rotary and the Carpenters Arms Classic Car Club who will be shadowing me this year to take over in 2009. More on the transition later in the year.

Peter Madden

Mark Hayward and his Ornithological Dellows!

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:26:33 GMT

Added Photos of the Autosport Show

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:46:42 GMT

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Autosport Show Today

Fri, 11 Jan 2008 20:45:36 GMT

Nice visit with Neil and Alistair. Lots of different bits including a Kart section. Will post some pictures tomorrow.

Talking about tomorrow I'm off to a March Hare working party in Binghams Wood.

Interesting Day Yesterday

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 20:23:50 GMT

Up at 3am and knocking on a door in Southampton at 6.30 to pick-up some Hillman Minx wheels for my Dellow (thanks Ed). Then onto Portsmouth to pick up an Escort Mk1 that Neil had bought un-seen off Ebay. On the way home around 8.30 to deal with some traffic on the A3 to get back home in Bromham for Lunch.

Michael, Neil and his new Escort at a coffee stop on the way home.

All they need is someone with a VW floor-pan going spare!

Michael with his newly acquired Rocking Horse S**t

VW Swap Meet in Slough

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 22:50:10 GMT

This always clashes with Stroud's Mechanics but with the trial canceled it was off to Slough. As with most auto-jumbles E-Bay has reduced the amount of decent stuff on sale and I didn't actually buy any bits. Did get a book and a Tee Shirt though and some Herts VW Club Mugs for presents. Spoke to Jim Calvert who along with Robert Clough built the engine in my Beetle. I knew he had built JP's type 4 engine but he told me he is also responsible for Ian Davis's motor. Also talked to Pete from The Cog Box as I need to build up a box with a higher ratio than what I have in the Beetle. The 4.86 is great for some sections but it is difficult to get the road speed for hills like Simms and Litton so I want to try a 4.375 again.

As well as the indoor Autojumble there was a lot to see in the car park.

All prepared and ready to go for The Exeter

There were more Type 2's than Beetle, mostly slammed to the weeds like this one.

Nice turbo on this Karmann Ghia, shame about the deck lid though.

NEC Classic Car Show

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 21:07:06 GMT

Had a nice day out with Neil although I may not had gone if I had realised that pr**k Jeremy Clarkson was in the building doing his MPH show.

I had never been before and it was well worthwhile to see some interesting cars and a nice autojumble. Some of the cars were a bit OTT though. Too shiny with door gaps and engine compartments probably fare better than they ever left the factory. Going back to the issue of shiny. I wonder if they get marked down for non-originality when they use two-pack or its modern equivalent instead of cellulose or coach paint. There were a couple of instances where two cars were side by side. One in an original paint finish, the other with modern paint. The original finish looked much, much better.

Started my way to Austin Seven ownership by buying a book!

Michael wondering if he should go for a Ford V8 instead of an Austin Seven

Neil thinking about expanding his Capri fleet

There was some interesting stuff if you looked. Like this Ford V8 Special that raced at Brooklands.

Dellow for sale

Fri, 02 Nov 2007 18:20:50 GMT

Mark Worsfold, ex-MCC biker who now has a Fiat engined Liege, is selling his ex-Potter blown Dellow Mk2 For more information click on Dellow Sales

Good News - It Fits!

Sun, 28 Oct 2007 09:29:17 GMT

DELLOW MK11 for sale on Ebay

Sun, 07 Oct 2007 06:59:33 GMT

Link to DELLOW MK11 - eBay Other Classic Cars, Classic Cars, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 14-Oct-07 19:00:00 BST)

Shorty Returns to David Alderson

Sat, 08 Sep 2007 10:02:01 GMT

From John Aley's NOTW we learn that David Alderson will re-acquire Shorty from Oliver Bettinson. For those of you that don't know the car its a Beetle with about 12 inches cut out behind the B post. It was done in a very neat way and it will be very nice to see it back on the hills in Davids hands. Oliver hints at V5 issues. Hope David can resolve these as there are a number of trials cars with V5 problems.

The Day Job

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 13:58:56 GMT

As some of you know the day job involves caravans and naturally this means going to caravan shows. I was in Dusseldorf yesterdat and found some interesting things for us petrol heads amongst the usual white boxes. Click here for pictures

Geoff Confirms The Sprint now has a X-Flow

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 10:14:13 GMT

Had a mail from Geoff concerning the engine in The Sprint.

Please note the Sprint has a super tuned 1650 Xflow engine under the bonnet with tuned DC40 carbs,hence the exhaust now on the left hand side."

Thanks Geoff.

Michael

The Sprint's Motor

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 20:01:31 GMT

Just had confirmation (thanks Simon) that Geoff Jackson did indeed replace the original 1500 Triumph Spitfire Engine with a Cross Flow. Wonder what it would be like with a K series!

Geoff Jacksons Sprint

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 12:25:35 GMT

Thanks to Peter M for pointing out that the exhaust is now on the other side, perhaps indicating a change to a cross-flow. Will try to find out but meanwhile if any one knows the answer perhaps they will let me know.

Classics on the Common

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 13:05:39 GMT

Another super Classics on the Common. OK, it wasn't picnic weather but there was a great turnout of cars and lots of people to chat to.

You always see people you haven't seen for a while. I bumped into Jack Taylor who I know from my days as a student in the late 60's and afterwards ended up at the same company. Jack had his Lotus Six with a one off all enveloping body. We were so busy talking I didn't get a picture but you can Click Here for one on the Historic Lotus Register Site. where you can also find a picture of its interesting DeDion rear end. Jack does not believe in over-restoring his cars!

No Nashy (people asked where he was) but Neil substituted with his Skoda V8.

Link to Classics on the Common Photo Album