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Welcome to totalkitcar online …

A warm WELCOME to totalkitcar online … I was pleased to hear about the John Haynes Classic (Sunday, September 7) announced by Haynes Museum in Sparkford to commemorate their founder, the late John Haynes OBE.

We’ve always been BIG fans of everything Haynes at TKC Mag/totalkitcar. When I did my A-Z of Kit Cars book for Haynes in 2011 (news on that front. Look out for a re-booted, revised and massively expanded version of that one. That’s all I can say at this stage) John was very supportive and took a real interest in it. His first books were on ‘Specials’ and so he’d always had a soft spot for kitcars.

One of the highlights of the John Haynes Classic will be the Haynes Manual Display and a curated collection of cars and motorcycles immortalised by those manuals.

There will also be a Car Club Arena (which will surely feature some kitcar clubs) providing a showcase for hundreds of cars and bikes to be displayed.

Haynes Museum CEO, Chris Scudds said: “The John Haynes Classic will be a tribute to John Haynes OBE and his legacy.

This inaugural annual event will also mark forty years since the museum was founded in 1985 and, it will be a celebration of a shared passion for classic cars and motorcycles.”

OUT NOW

TKC MAG – JAN/FEB 2025 issue of TKC MAG is OUT NOW.

OUT NOW – shop, digital and mail order

Welcome to the first issue of TKC MAG in 2025

Hopefully, we have more winter warmers to entertain you with.

The front cover feature is the Foreman P4R – a popular kitcar making a welcome return to the scene

Solus Motorsport ‘Sinner’ – a brilliant body conversion based on Toyota MR2 Mk3. Originally designed by Wayne Blackwell, it’s been productionised by Lincolnshire-based Mark Gray

Lovely visit to Hawk Cars this week. Look out for the feature in TKC MAG March/April 2025 issue

Microlino – this fun little car taking its inspiration from ‘bubble’ cars of yesteryear is now available in the UK via Caterham/Morgan dealer, Krazy Horse. Response to the little electric bolide has been exceptional

Morgan Super 3 – Talking of Morgan, we recently tested the latest Super 3 demonstrator. Like Roses, it grows on you (ask your grandad!)!

Industry Greats – Martin Keenan. Plenty of people in the industry realise what a clever bloke Martin Keenan is and the part he has played in building and promoting great kitcars but hopefully this feature will make more people aware of him

ERA R10 – A new era for Tiger Racing. A name change may be but the people are the same and the cars are still great just like this, their new R10 demonstrator

EXO Concepts – A new company set up to promote the exo-skeletal kitcar movement, namely the products of Exo Sportscars and Halcton Sportscars.

Plus, much more inside

DENNIS ADAMS OBITUARY – Very saddened to hear of the death of Dennis Adams late last year. One of the specialist car industry’s greatest designers, he was best-known for his work with Marcos, but there was lots of other stuff, including, of course, the Probe, Glenfrome Facet, Rotrax and Adams Roadster not to mention wrought iron work…

Alternatively, you can CLICK HERE to pre-order your JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025 copy NOW.

A little plug (well, it’s my website and I have good things to make you aware of!) for the digital version of TKC MAG. If not having a hard, paper copy of the mag in your mitts doesn’t bother you then may I recommend the digi edition.

An EXACT replica of the paper version it currently costs just £23.99 for a TWELVE MONTHS DIGITAL subscription to TKC MAG ANYWHERE in the world. Visit Pocketmags.com and type in ‘TKC MAG’ and all will be revealed. Alternatively, you download our APP on your mobile and download single issues or a subscription on your phone or tablet.

If you live overseas and want to swerve FIERCE airmail postage costs, why not get TKC MAG on your phone … tablet … MAC … or PC. The digital age, I’m told …

We are getting a lot of new subscribers on the totalkitcar YouTube channel. If you like this website, you are sure to find something you like on the ‘totalkitcar YouTube channel’? In addition to our usual monthly video upload, we now have a weekly series called the ‘totalkitcar History Files Series. The latter isn’t rocket science. We verbally look at old kitcars with photos added, but we seem to be capturing people’s imaginations.

As the name suggests we look at some of the classic marques, great cars, not so great cars, plus the personalities, events and designers who have graced this wonderful industry over the last 75 years.

If you don’t already subscribe to our channel (just search ‘totalkitcar YouTube Channel’ on YouTube) please do, as it’s free and if you click ‘all’ you’ll be notified every time a new video drops. Finally, may I ask you to hit the thumbs up button please as that helps the channel greatly.  THANK YOU, dear reader.

1989 ROVER MINI THIRTY ELECTRIC – HERITAGE RECHARGED Owned by singer, Chris Rea and with echoes of ‘driving home for Christmas’ this special Mini will be sold at The Iconic SALE at Race Retro On February 22, with all proceeds donated to domestic ABUSE charity Refuge

Don’t miss out, subscribe for FREE now.

Search YouTube for the ‘totalkitcar YouTube Channel’ or follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/@tkcmag.

Our popular TRACKDAY CALENDAR is where you can find out where, when and how much by CLICKING HERE. Now updated to cover January and February 2025.

IF YOU LIKE CLASSIC KIT CARS & SPECIALS you are in luck. Clicking that button will take you back in time with features on old kitcars, personalities and generally interesting companies who worked within the specialist car and sixties motorsport movements. I really hope you are enjoying them. Not all of them are kitcar-related per se but they all celebrate the underdog and often feature the wonderful world of sixties motorsport.

A lot of classic clubman motorsport features highlight underdog artisans that we hope will appeal to you dear reader, the sort of companies that we’ve often all heard of but on whom detailed information is often hard to find. Shorrock, Wade Turbochargers, Jack Knight Developments, Cannon Cars, Tom Killeen, David Ogle the list goes on and on. The sort of companies and individuals that our specialist and kitcar forebears from the sixties would have been very familiar with. You’ll find these subjects contained in CLASSIC KIT CARS & SPECIALS.

Classic Kit Cars & Specials has a new home at totalkitcar.com

SNIPPETS 1 …….. News from Race Retro, which takes place on February 21-23.

Nicky Grist, co-driver to rally icons like Colin McRae and Juha Kankkunen, is bringing his thrilling WRC stories to Race Retro this year. With 21 career wins, 17 alongside McRae and, even a WRC championship, his tales of high-speed calls and daring victories are unmissable. Catch him on the Talk Motorsport Stage – and maybe even in the live rally stage commentary box!

A unique MG barn find that was raced by the late British Formula 1 driver, Chris Bristow will make its first public debut at this year’s show. Coinciding with the launch of BHP Publishing’s latest book, ‘Forever Young: Six Lost Talents of Motor Racing’, the MG Special will be revealed thanks to the Bristow Sports Cars. Once restored it will be back on the circuit and ready to race!

To book tickets visit https://raceretro.seetickets.com/content/ticket-options/?src=EMAIL but you can  USE DISCOUNT CODE ‘EM17′ TO SAVE £2 PER TICKET!

To find out more about the show itself visit www.raceretro.com.

SNIPPETS 2 …..…The British Motor Museum is delighted to announce the renewal of its partnership with Peter James Insurance, one of the UK’s leading classic vehicle insurance brands, for a second year.

Greg Nock (left) and Phil Beck of Peter James Insurance

The renewal of the partnership cements Peter James Insurance as a pillar of the classic vehicle community and demonstrates the broker’s commitment and dedication to advocate for historic motoring.

As part of this, Peter James Insurance has pledged its support for three key 2025 shows – National Metro & Mini Show (June 1), BMC & Leyland Show (July 13) and Old Ford Rally (July 20).

Peter James Insurance already has strong links to each of these iconic marques and by sponsoring these shows, the company is giving back to the motoring heritage of Britain. The partnership will also see the continuation of Peter James Insurance’s Junior Judge initiative where the future generation of classic car enthusiasts are given the opportunity to pick their favourite vehicles at each show.

Tom Caren, Shows Manager at the British Motor Museum, said: “These three iconic shows sit at the heart of our events season and reflect the values of the British Motor Museum. We’re delighted to be working with Peter James Insurance for a second year and are very grateful for the support they give us.”

Fancy a Shelby Mustang ‘OVC’ GT350? This one is currently being auctioned on www.collectingcars.com – at the time of writing bidding had reached €125,500

Garry Carlin, Head of Classic at Peter James Insurance said: “We’re proud to continue our support of the British Motor Museum and three of the key shows in the classic calendar. We know that the marques the shows celebrate, along with the museum and the vehicles in its collection, are loved by many motoring enthusiasts across the world.

“The renewal of the partnership perfectly aligns with our club-focused strategy, and we acknowledge that as a key element of the classic vehicle community, it’s important to support organisations like these, to help keep the spirit and enthusiasm for classic vehicles alive both now and for future generations.”

Peter James Insurance can cover an extensive range of classic marques and models, from vintage vehicles through to the ever-growing list of later classics. To learn more about Peter James Insurance and to get a quote call 0330 124 9523, or visit: https://www.peterjamesinsurance.co.uk/

To learn more about the National Metro and Mini Show, please visit: https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/national-metro-and-mini-show

To learn more about the BMC & Leyland Show, please visit: https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/bmc-leyland-show

To learn more about the Old Ford Rally, please visit:https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/old-ford-rally

SNIPPETS 3 …….. SPECIAL OFFER: 12 months FREE Total Motor Assist for all totalkitcar.com readers!

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STEVO’S BEER TIP – CHISLET BREWERY – CHISLET PORTER

CHAMPIONING THE BEERS OF THE UK’S BRILLIANT CRAFT – AND MICRO-BREWERIES.

Nothing like enjoying a beer after an afternoon in the garage or following a drive out. OBVIOUSLY, we don’t condone or promote drink driving at totalkitcar.com/TKC MAG but once the driving is done there’s nothing like a quality drop of real ale.

I’ve been amazed at some of the low-volume craft beers that have been appearing. The names of some of them are crazy enough, some of those I have tasted have been off the charts. A recent one that tasted like Battenberg or breakfast pancakes springs to mind.

A lovely porter-style ale this week, which hails from Canterbury-based Chislet Brewery and it’s a rich, Kentish porter of 4.8% ABV, with mahogany hues, offering aromas of roasted malt and subtle dark fruit.

The palate balances smooth chocolate and toffee notes with a hint of tart plum, adding complexity and finishing with a velvety, lingering bitterness and very nice it is too. More from www.chisletbrewery.co.uk.

So, that’s about it from me for this week, so I’ll bid you a great seven days, with plenty of enjoyable driving and I look forward to welcoming you once again next Friday – JANUARY 31 – La vie et belle!

Best regards

Steve