Classic & Racing Cars, Motorbikes & Automobilia Nov 7th 2010

An MG TA Racing Car Special
















An MG TA















An MG TA
















An MG TC



Classic & Racing Cars, Motorbikes & Automobilia Nov 7th - (Page 2)

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Why Keep A Fiat?

So, it's been almost a year since I posted! Sorry. Life, work, etc. All got in the way.

A few weeks ago we listed our Fiat 500 for sale. We decided it was 'do or die' time. Either we restore the Fiat (a year outside under a tarp in a yard in the south of France has not been kind to it) or we sell. With that in mind, we placed an ad for the car, as it is, rust, dent in the roof, squeaky brakes and all, at 4,500€ on a French website.

In all honesty we didn't expect it to go. And we actually needed an offer to decide whether we really wanted to sell it or not.

And today that offer came. And we couldn't. Bottom line is, this car is special to us. We thought if we got 4,500€ for it we could get something else. Maybe a Mk 1 Golf Convertible, maybe a Jaguar XJ-S 3.6 Cabriolet, something we could at least ride the motorways with and use to go on holiday.

But when push came to shove, we realised we would rather spend a few thousand Euros getting the Fiat perfect again than have something else. This car is truly an icon. Though the would-be buyer is a sincere fan of the marque and model, we felt we wanted to keep this car in the stable and ensure its future personally.

So our Fiat 500 is not for sale. We will restore it in the spring and look forward to many happy years (and blog posts) to come. Ok, we'll never do 2,000km road trips with it, but it's fine for ducking around the region, and as practical classics go it's near-impossible to beat. It costs us nearly nothing to run and the joy we get every time we take it out is hard to surpass.

Here's to another 20 happy years of Fiat 500 ownership!

And I might buy that Golf separately, but that will be another story.

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Cars in all Shapes and Sizes at Charterhouse

The monster Vauxhall Magnum V8 racer £25,000-35,000
The Charterhouse autumn auction programme offers collectors and dealers of model cars and classic cars a great opportunity to add valuable and rare items into their garages and cabinets. First up on Thursday 21st October is a sale devoted to model vehicles and trains, which is then followed on Sunday 7th October with a sale of classic cars at The Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet.

“We have been instructed to sell a huge selection of Dinky, Corgi and other models from a Dorset client. There are probably somewhere in the region of over 2,000 models, some of which are play worn and some of which are in their original boxes, it is the largest collection I have seen for several years.” Commented Matthew Whitney. “This auction is then followed by our classic car sale which includes one of the best selection of vehicles we have had the please to be instructed to sell including a 1919 Model T Ford through to a very special Vauxhall Magnum known as The John Pope Special. This is far from standard and is fitted with a sanctioned Aston Martin V8 engine with Le Mans cylinder heads, bolted onto which are two massive turbo’s. It is quite a monster and was raced extensively in the early to mid 1970’s.”

Amongst the Dinky and Corgi cars there are some real little gems, There are motors from James Bond films, complete with rockets and other gadgets to Police cars with detailed engine bays and steering suspension, and with estimates from £50 up to a few hundred, there will be something for every collector. In the full size cars, there are several convertibles including an Austin Healey 3000, Morris Minor and Beetle convertibles, an Armstrong Siddley tourer and two well detailed and authentic replica cars in the shape of a Ferrari Daytona convertible and a Jaguar SS100 convertible, each being about the tenth of the cost of the real thing.

Charterhouse is now accepting entries for both of these sales. For further information or to arrange a free home visit to have you classic car or Dinky models valued, please contact Matthew Whitney at Charterhouse, The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne DT9 3BS www.charterhouse-auctions.co.uk or via email mw@charterhouse-auctions.co.uk

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Top Marques at Charterhouse Classic Car Auction

July 18th 2010
Classics @ The Castle
Sherborne, Dorset

The Charterhouse 18th July auction of classic and vintage cars at Sherborne Castle, Dorset looks to be another great success for this Dorset company with many top marque motors up for auction.


“We have covered many miles across the West Country advising clients on their classic cars such as vendor of a fine Rolls Royce series II Corniche Convertible.” Commented Matthew Whitney. “And now it appears summer is now well and truly upon us, this Corniche Convertible looks resplendant in red with a black leather interior piped in red and with an automatic hood. Powered by a fuel injected V8 engine with ABS it is just one of 1226 of the series made and looks certain to be a perennial favourite with buyers.”

Whilst this beautiful Rolls Royce is in fine condition, the same vendor has also decided to sell his Mk VI Bentley, but with a difference. The original engine blew up and is now replaced with a Daf lorry 8 litre 6 cylinder diesel engine! The vendor reports a 0-60 second sprint time of about 5 seconds, but not much speed after that! With plenty of torque on offer, the car would make either an excellent towing car for vintage racers or it will appeal for someone looking for a project they can improve on.

Also entered is a 1925 Gardner Town Coupe which has been owned by the vendor for ten years, at £18,000-22,000. Some twelve years younger, is a rare 1937 Morris GPO engineers van which is believed to be just one of three in existence and is up for £8,000-10,000. In the post war section, there is a 1953 MG TD at £15,000-18,000, a 1963 Morris Minor Mini £1,500-2,000, a Triumph Stag £7,000-9,000, a 1974 Aston Martin V8 £18,000-22,000, and a Somerset Morris Minor which has spent the vast majority of its life in one garage at £4,000-5,000.

Charterhouse is now accepting further entries for this auction classic cars and motorbikes on Sunday 16th July. For further information regarding these sale, or to arrange a free home visit, please contact the Matthew Whitney, Head of Department at Charterhouse in Sherborne 01935 812277 or via email mw@charterhouse-auctions.co.uk

Rolls Royce Corniche Convertible £23,000-25,000

Bentley Mk VI diesel powered £6,000-8,000

Morris GPO engineers van £8,000-10,000

Morris Minor Mini £1,500-2,000








Sunday 18th July 2010

Classic Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia
Classics @ The Castle, Sherborne DT9 5NR

Catalogues are £10 on the door or £12 by post, and admit 2 people to the auction. Alternatively you are able to by a wristband which will allow entry to the auction for £5 per person, with no catalogue.

You will also need to buy tickets to gain entry to the show at the gate.

Venue, Sherborne Castle

View Larger Map



We anticipate this will be a very exciting sale, with a record number of vehicles consigned to sale at this stage.

The preview page will be updated regularly - please check!
 
Vehicles already consigned for the sale include:

A 1970 Ford Escort 1300 Super, full service history, including original bill of sale £3,000 - 3,500

1951 Wolseley 1500 Black, for restoration with many spares

1966 MGB GT, dry storage for 40 plus years

A Trojan Toraktor, very rare tractor made between 1961-1964 and 1 of 500 made , estimate £1,500 - 2,000

A 1978 Triumph Bonneville 750 , estimate £2,200 - 2,500

1966 Austin Healey 3000 Mk III phase II, fully restored , estimate £28,000 - 30,000

A 1951 Jowett Javalin De-Lux, recent engine rebuild and it was featured in the film Viera Darke £4,500 - 5,000A 1975 Honda CB 400/four, lady owner, estimate £800 - 1,000

A 1948 Bentley Mk VI standard steel saloon, fitted with an 8 litre diesel engine "a wolf in sheep's clothing", estimate £6,000 - 8,000

A 1973 Bentley T1, one family owned from new, estimate £2,500 - 3,500

A 1980 Buick Le Sabre limited four door saloon, 23,300 miles from new with full service history, estimate £3,500 - 4,500

A 1997 Mercedes Benz 320 SL, full service history and panoramic hardtop, estimate £9,000 - 10,000

A 1953 MGTD, older restoration with bills for £14,000, estimate £15,000 - £18,000

A 1957 Morris Minor two door saloon, one family owned from new with the valuable registration number 4AYA, estimate £4,000 - 5,000

A 1989 Porche 911 Carrera Cabriolet, recent engine rebuild, new black carpets and electric mohair softtop, estimate £11,000 - 13,000

A 1982 Rolls Royce Corniche convertible, estimate £23,000 - 26,000

A rare 1939 Morris 8 Post Office Engineer 5 cwt light van, fully restored with photographic record, estimate £8,000 - 10,000

A 1925 Gardener town coupe with coach work by Brougham, estimate £18,000 - 22,000

A 1963 Morris Mini Minor, 37,500 miles from new, estimate £1,500 - 2,500

A 1974 Aston Martin V8 mark II, 44,000 miles from new, estimate £18,000 - £22,000

A 1953 MGTD, older restoration with bills for £14,000, estimate £15,000 - £18,000

A 1972 Triumph Stag, manual overdrive, full restoration, estimate £8,000 - £10,000

A 1974 Lotus Elan +2S130/5, rebuilt in 1998 with bills for £16,000, nominal mileage since, estimate £6,500 - 7,000

A 1973 Bentley T1, one family owned from new, estimate £2,500 - 3,500

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Classic & Racing Cars Nov 7th 2010 (page 2)

An 1967 historic rally prepared Austin Healey Sprite £5,000 - 6,000















A John Pope Vauxhall magnum Aston Martin DBS V8 twin turbo charged super sports saloon £25,000 - 35,000















A 1967 Austin Healey 3000 MKIII £28,000 - 32,000
















A 1933 Armstrong Siddley 15 HP tourer, in original condition, current owner for over 40 years £10,000 - 15,000
















A 1919 Ford Model T tourer, in very original condition, current owner of over 40 years £6,000 - 8,000
















A 1970 Citreon ID 19 saloon, low mileage, two owner car with recent bills for £7,000 £3,600 - 4,200















A Jaguar SS100 replica, 300 miles since completion £22,000 - 25,000















A replica Ferrari Daytona Spyder, less than 5,000 miles since completion, original Daytona bumpers, made by Southern Autocraft £20,000 - 25,000





Classic & Racing Cars Nov 7th 2010 (page 3)

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Classic & Racing Cars Nov 7th 2010 (page 3)

A 1972 Morris Minor van, a great advertising tool £2,000 - 2,500
















A circa 1950 Fordson tractor, full restoration £1,250 - 1,500



















A 1968 Jaguar 420, barn find, totally original and one owner from new £1,000 - 2,000




















A 1948 Sunbeam Talbot 80, new leather interior, last on the road in 2001 £1,000 - 1,500

















A 1987 Ford Capri 280, one owner and 9,500 miles from new, full service history including original bill of of sale £9,700.07 £9,000 - 11,000















A 1936 Austin Seven Ruby MKII £3,500 - 4,000

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Classics @ the Castle 18th July 2010 (page 4)

A 1960 Morris Minor Traveller, valuable registration number YAA 241 and new MOT £2,600 - 2,800
















A 1997 Caterham classic narrow body, 1.6 Vauxhall DOHC 8 valve engine with twin 40 Webber carburettors £7,000 - 8,000
















A 1973 Triumph Stag, lady owned for 20 years, no MOT £3,500 - 4,000

















A 1979 Rolls Royce Shadow II, 57,000 miles from new, previous titled owner £5,000 - 6,000

















A 1967 Morris Minor, 2 door saloon, fully rebuilt by retired engineer £4,000 - 5,000













MGTD: A 1954 MGTD, restored running gear, new MOT £13,500 - 15,500

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Stance 2.0

After lining up where I will locate the springs, I cobbled everything together and wheeled the little body over to the chassis. It may seem too high, but it is about right where I want it. With the actual sprung weight of the completed car, the rear should sit about 1" lower. All in all, I like the high look. This is no rat rod; it is a "cute" rod! There, I said it. And stop laughing...!



This view shows the long '36 rear radius rods and the front split Model A wishbones. I chose to run them long and close- it gives balance and breakup to the car's tall profile and to the smaller Model A frame. This first complete mock up puts the suspension, body and rake right where I want them to be.

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Stance

Stance is the big issue now. I need to determine where and how I want the body to sit in relation to the wheels, frame and wishbones. And one must actually put stuff together in order to really see the pieces relate. This is why the wheels and tires are connected to the axles, and axles are being set to their fore/aft positions. I can then begin to determine ride height goals and possibilities concerning the springs and frame. I am now at the stage where I can see how far I can alter the parts I have to make the car's rake.

The wheels are Wheel Vintiques 16x4.5" front and back. This is how I want them to look. I painted them with single stage Martin Senor urethane that Brian's Auto Napa mix for me. It is excellent paint. The tires are 7.50x16 Nanco rears, with a perfect traditional tread and pie crust edge. (And these tires are WAY cheaper than original reproductions of the same size). The fronts are the B.F. Goodrich 5.50x16 Long Miler that Coker sells. These are a little taller than the 15- inchers on the Model T roadster, and I chose this because the A coupe body is bigger mass. It needs a better (bigger) proportioned tire/wheel combo to match up like the little coupes from the '40s and '50s did.


Above shows the rear Model A spring, with alternating leaves removed, before I installed it on the axle. It ends up still much too tall, which required more ideas...


Here is what started as Speedway's rear spring weld-on perch. I had to severely cut and shorten the perches, and then add new plate to them for proper fit on the '64 GM A-body rear end. This ended up being a perfect width rear, and I am planning to use the lower control arm brackets to connect to the wishbones. These modified spring perches now sit as close to the axle as possible without allowing the spring eye to bottom out. And the perches are spaced at 49.5 inches, which is where they are on the original A axles.


After trying to make the rear spring set the car lower by removing leaves, I realized it wasn't enough. The Bishop/Tardell book shows the rear Model A spring main leaf reversed. So I decided to give it a try. Above shows the pattern traced on the floor of the main leaf before reversing, and the reversed leaf. I simply used my shop press for two full hours of slight bending, checking, bending, checking... And the end result is a good piece! After installing the rear spring wih the reversed main leaf, the frame sat much closer to "proper" in relation to the axle.

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Chassis Mockery

Chassis mock-up is in full swing. I have bolted up the front end using the So-Cal 4" drop forged axle, Speedway 29" spring, and original Model A front wishbone. The above picture shows that I am using Speedway spindles and disc brake adapter kit. Disc brakes...it's a shame, I know. But I got the rotors and calipers for free. Plus, I am wanting to make a cool little backing plate that will make the disc brake assembly look old. Or weird. Maybe old-weird...
After the front is put together completely, I get to mount wheels and then start estimating where and how to mount the rear end. And all this stuff will be assembled and disassembled more than once! After I determine the chassis assembly, I have to remove everything and weld up the frame mounts, drill body mount access, etc. Mock-up stage, its a big part of the build. BIG!

Here is the mount for the driver side split wishbone. I used weld-in 11/16 bungs and Ford 7 deg. rod ends. The mounts are made from Speedway tapered generic mounts that I lengthened.


Above shows the front of the driver side split wishbone. I decided to flip these '29 'bones to allow for my tie rod to clear; hence the reversed forged end. I still wanted the factory weld of the 'bone to face the ground, so the rest of the wishbone is facing up-just the front is flipped. The two welds show the flipping and the pie-cutting, which give me 10 degrees caster. I figured I would be safe this way, since there will be rake to the car once the wheels are installed.

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