Aston Martin Zagato AR1

After renewing its relationship with Zagato in 2001, an amazing collaboration that produced some of the most exclusive Aston’s ever, a plan for a roadster was conceived based on the DB7 Vantage Volante. Designed for the American market the AR1 debuted in 2002 at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Minki

The mini was in production for an impressive 41 years which just proves hoe versatile and loved the design, hell Rover even worked how to fit airbags to it in 1994. It even was sold against and beyond its replacements, the Metro. In 1992 though Rover planned probably its biggest shake up/ modernisation to date.

Interview: Davrian Mk6a Custom

I got to chatting to Dave Cooper about his Hillman Imp based Mk6a Davrian at this year’s Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show. Now let’s get to the chase, Dave is no amateur at car restoration with him owning a restoration company!!!!

Subaru BRAT Rear Seats

To be honest there’s probably enough about the BRAT to warrant its own article, but upon reading an article on Jalopnik about the lack of small pickups and 60 year old “chicken tax” as the reason behind it. So how did Subaru get around this?

Random Video: How a Rotary Engine Works

As with all the very best "How does a...." videos the old ones are always the best. With simple descriptions and images (some CGI ones, although look fantastic, can over complicated and simple method its trying to get a cross) and description and produced by the father of the mass produced rotary engine, Mazda-

De Tomaso Deauville Series 2

Let’s cut to the chase, this thing is fitted with the same Ford Cleveland 5.7ltr V8 that was fitted to the Pantera, with all of those 330 horses. That would have made this one very, very fast four door when it debuted in 1971 as the Series 1.

Rover TCZ

The name of Rover, thanks to the last 20 or so years of its life, is now linked with outdated cars, poor sales and that buyout!!!! However go back 40 years and Rover was a proud marque, with the Rover P6 the ultimate status symbol for the aspiring middle classes. It was at this time the concept car below was produced, and what a departure from our thoughts of Rover it was.

Zagato Zimp

Now walking past it on its stand at the recent Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show you could tell it was something special, that crisp clean body and “Z” badges made me want to know more, thankfully after a “do you want to meet the owner?” I got the chance to have a chat with Mike Hanna.

Triumph Herald Hatchback Factory Prototype

Usually when we cover prototypes their usually exotic or going for the wow factor, but this one’s a little more mundane. Built in 1965 as a styling exercise this is the original “mule”, if you look closer at the pictures below you’ll notice it’s asymmetrical with two different finishes to the rear.

Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show

This show is huge, so huge that a single day is no longer enough to take it all on. Unfortunately one day is all I had so with a 6:00am start I set off for the Midlands and the NEC in Birmingham.

Townscar / Minissima / Elswick Envoy

In the era of the “wedge” every car designers was trying to introduce it to every model. William Towns brought this philosophy to the mini, with the Townscar concept of 1972. While the body may have been right up to date (this was the 70’s) the underpinnings were taken straight from the car it was suggested it would replace, the Mini if you hadn’t guessed.

Ford Escort RS1700T

Before the start of the “Turbo hot hatch” war in the early 80’s there was Group B Rallying in which required them as standard. However at this point Ford had released the 3^rd generation of the Escort and as we all know it was now front wheel drive. Not the perfect start at the new dawn of the rallying elite.

Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show

Well thanks to our friends at Lancaster Insurance once again we will be heading over to the NEC for this year’s huge Classic Motor Show this weekend so be expecting a massive write up and no doubt some special cars and updates.

 

Oh and don’t forget if you see me there in my white logo’d hoodie give me a shout for some free sticker.

Heath

Tatra JK 2500

We’ve covered Iron Curtain sports cars before, namely the FSO Syrene Sport, which due to the political control in Eastern Europe was never going to reach production. This though is another glimpse into what the eastern bloc designers were capable off, and my it looks good.

Jaguar Kensington

Okay you’re Jaguar and just had the massive hypercar hit that was the XJ220 however the rest of your line up is looking a little dated, so what do you do? Hell get styling house Italdesign to come up with a saloon concept that blends the shapes of the XJ220 and adds in a few more doors. The result I think you’ll agree is very striking, particularly in the mundane jelly mould days of the early 90’s.

Cumberford Martinique

So another “modern” take on the 30’s style sports car, these are usually base on something else )like a beetle) and are just a crude body sat on awkward running gear to only give kind of look. This though is different, very different.

Norton Interpol 2

The name Norton is held in high esteem in the bike world, with its road and race bikes of the 60’s and 70’s being highly valued, however in the mid 80’s and with another buyout the brand took a short detour.

MG Express

Its amazing what Rover/MG tried as the company fell further and further in its demise. But he Express has to be a serious low point. Basically they took an MG ZR (Rover 25) removed the rear seats and windows and called it a van!!!!!

Random Video: 1962 British Motor Show

Now brought to you in Technicolor for the first time. The British Motor Show on the verge of the common market showing the cars that will be sold across in the Continent, with such advancements as the Super Minx which has no grease points to worry about-

Jaguar XJ13

When most people hear Jaguar, mid-engined and V12 in the same sentence they instantly think oh what the XJ220, or rather what could have been the XJ220. However Jaguar had its first crack of the mid-engined recipe back in 1966!!!!

American Auto Club North West Meet, Krispy Kreme’s, Manchester

Well with the UK show season pretty much at an end and Sunday down to be dry and sunny (both in combination in the North of England in October is a rare thing) I headed over to the American Auto Club North West’s monthly meet at Krispy Kreme’s in Manchester with my daughter.

Random Picture: Running in

I love going to car shows, as you’ve seen on here, and seeing something that just takes you back to an earlier motoring time. At the recent Footman James Manchester Classic Car, I couldn’t help but be drawn to this “Running in” sticker, a staple part of buying a new car 30plus years ago to ensure your engine was bedded in correctly. It also highlighted to the neighbours that your car was brand new as well.

Bristol Beaufighter

First introduced in 1982, the Beaufighter was basically a continuation of the 412 with some slight styling tweaks like quad lights. The main change however was these had their coachwork built at the Bristol factory. The 412’s were shipped to Zagato in Italy before having that brutal body work draped on.

ADC Scout

I know what you’re thinking, “There’s a Rover Metro in there isn’t there!!!” and you’d be right. Back in 1991 ADC (Automotive Development Consultants) drew up 6 concepts all based upon the humble 5 door Metro, out of those a concept car of the Scout was built.

Footman James Manchester Classic Car, Event City

Well it’s that time of year with the show season coming to an end and most petrolheads need just one more weekend but with us now in September that is usually hit and miss with the rain!!!! Especially in Manchester.

So the chance to get to a show that the rain cannot, to pardon the pun, dampen must be on most peoples lists. Now for most tis would mean waiting till November and the beomouth that is the NEC show. But if you need a warm up act then the Footman James Manchester Classic Car may be for you.

Schuppan 962 CR

Key headlines on this one are, former race car driver takes inspiration and a lot more from his La Mans winning Porsche 962 and builds a better faster road legal version then sells it at a production hypercar.

Ferrari FZ93 Zagato

Well what can I say, when Zagato build a one-off Ferrari prototype they don’t hold back. Based on a Testarossa chassis and running gear, it’s not a bad way to start, Ercole Spada styled it in to something that forward thinking. Well in 1993 when it was shown at the Geneva Auto Show, this thing was aggressive and away from the sleek styling that had taken over the auto industry and supercar building.

Article: Rise of the Retro Car Scene

There’s no denying or ignoring the rise of the Retro Car scene over the last 5 years or so. A new generation of “classic car owners” have looked back to the cars they saw growing up in the 80’s and now want some of that style back. Not only that but cars that were ridiculed back in the day, an embarrassment to be seen in, are now held in high esteem, we’re talking Lada Riva’s, Skoda Rapide’s, Fiat 124’s and even the Reliant Robin.

Volvo P1800 ES

There’s no denying the Volvo P1800 is one stunning car, however maybe not the most practical. So in 1972, and for only 2 years, the ES was made available, the “Shooting Brake” version and my how good looking was it.

Random Picture- Drag racing old skool

Just one question, would you?

Austin Gipsy

It may look like a Land Rover, and after the conglomeration of British Leyland later in its life, been built in the same factory as the Land Rover but this was a direct completely independent competitor when it was released in 1958.

BMW F76/79 “Cargo Donkey”

I know a 3 wheel BMW that isn’t a bubble car!!!!! Built between 1932 and 34, it was sold as a delivery vehicle. The F76 was fitted with a 192cc single cylinder 6bhp bike engine, this meant it fell under the 200cc limit meaning it was license free for use on the road. The F79 though had a 398cc engine with 12bhp but was a licensed vehicle. In total 600 trikes were built, 250 F76’s and 350 F79’s.

Phoenix Estate

Another car I noticed at the recent Passion for Power show earlier this month. What drew my attention was the roof bars, something you don’t see on Mini’s oh and lack of seams!!!!

Win Tickets to the Footman James Manchester Classic Car

 

Thanks to Footman James we have 1 pair of tickets to this fantastic show to give away, so how do you win?

Easy just head over to our Facebook page and share post to be in with a chance, and while you’re at it why not “like” the Facebook page. The competition will close at midnight on the 14^th September and the winners will be announced on the Monday 15^th September.

 

Good luck

 

 

 

 

Maserati Karif

I spotted this one at the recent Passion for Power show at Tatton Park, in amongst the individual showers. Seeing an early 90’s Maserati is rare at the best of times but after talking to the owner, this one is really rare.

Passion for Power, Tatton Park

This is a huge show and I was there for the whole of the first day on the Retrobeutes stand, which looking at the weather report would be the better of the two.

Random Video: Car adverts from the 50’s

I love old adverts but the ones in the 50’s were really selling an idea of luxury and fashion. With cars being face lifted virtually every year the need to sell the latest accessory or latest styling flare was at the heart of adverts-

BMW i8

We don’t normally have new cars on here, usually due to any car that now goes into production, particularly from a major manufacturer, are styled for mass appeal and mass production. But every now and again something comes along that breaks the mould. The BMW i8 is one such car.

Isuzu Nagisa

Now here’s a reall oddity from 1991 the Isuzu Nagisa amphibious concept car. There’s not much information out there, just a few pictures. From what I’ve found it was powered by a 3.2ltr V6, but beyond that nothing other than a few pictures, one being the concept.

If you have anymore information please get in touch.

Scirocco National Meet, RAF Cosford, Telford

Well after getting up at 6:30am and looking out of the window at the deluge of rain I honestly thought that the National Meet would quiet literally be a washout. How wrong was I, the members of the Scirocco Register (a club now help run) came out in force despite the weather.

Scirocco Register National Meet

One event that I never miss and I'll be there in my Mk2 Scirocco on Saturday. If you're at a loose end then I would recommend you head over as they'll be upwards of 60 cars there-

Strathcarron SC-5A

Between 1999 and 2001 this little car split the press, with some calling it a fantastic drive, with others saying it didn’t deliver on the looks. When Ian Macpherson and his son David set out to build a sports car it was to prove a simple and lightweight cars could deliver a great driving experience.

Guyson E12

After a serious accident the pretty much wrote off the front of hill climbing champion Jim Thomas’s E-Type Jaguar in 1972 he decided to go down a rather different route for its re-build. He took the car to William Towns and told him to re-body the car, this was the result.

Neorion Chicago

After dabbling with electric cars, Greek millionaire Giannis Goulandis wanted to build a conventional car. So taking inspiration from luxury 30’s styled cars but wanted it mixed in with cross-country capabilities. You read that right a 4 wheel drive off roader that looked like a 30’s luxury limousine.

Random Picture: Ford Fairlane 500

I saw the one below at a recent visit to the Haynes Motor Museum, what surprised me despite the size of the boot how small the actual storage area was if you wanted to drop that hard top in. The sticker on the side of the box says it all-

Cord Beverly 810

There are some cars that are just so far in advance of conventional thinking that the general public just couldn’t accept. The Beverly was definitely one of those cars with pop up headlights, electrically operated pre-selected gearbox, front wheel drive and that styling.

Ford Convair Special

In the 50’s there were lots of sports car companies that sprang up to both build and sell kits cars, Convair Development Company was one of many and this was their baby offered in 1957.

Random Video: 48 Cylinder Kawasaki

Whats not to like, and looks like one hell of a build-

Coventry Transport Museum

The Coventry Transport Museum holds a certain draw for the car people in the UK, at some point on the perusal through the web looking for information to get you classic/retro car running you’ll end up seeing pictures of a “meet” or “national club event” parked up right outside the entrance in the huge open space. At that point your interest in this place is subliminally placed in your mind popping back up every time you see another shot of a car in the square.

Honda Crossroad

No it’s not a Land Rover Discovery, well the badge isn’t anyway, it’s the Honda Crossroad. In the mid 90’s Honda had a link in with Land Rover. As part of the deal it obtained the rights to the Series 1 Discovery at a time when SUV’s were becoming the next big thing and promptly put a “H” on the front and added it to its line up to fill the hole.

The Retro Show, Santa Pod

What can I say about the weekend at Santa Pod, sun, racing, drifting and a few beers, awesome just doesn’t do it justice.

Lotus Etna

Could this have been the replacement of the legendary Esprit? Well this was a concept displayed at the Birmingham Motorshow in 1984 although it wasn’t a drivable at the time.