News
LOVELY NEW CHAIR
Jul 9th
The latest seat design to be lovingly stitched by the talented Cobra Seats craftsmen in Telford is destined to be an instant classic – in both name and design. The catchily-titled Cobra Players Classic Sports Seat may not be easy to say, but it’s easy on the eye – and even easier on the posterior.
As its title suggests, this design was originally crafted for those stylish, scene-leading types from The Players Show. Players chief, Jay McToldridge, came to Cobra’s R&D division with a clear design brief for a comfortable touring seat that would look at home in any retro/youngtimer/70-80’s sports More >
ANOTHER NICE TOOL FROM RALLY DESIGN
Jul 9th
New from Rally Design are these new Vernier Calipers, which have a 0-150mm (6in) range, a large clear display and produced in a strong and robust housing with stainless hardened rule. What’s more they also have TUV, SGS and BACL certification with a retail price of £21.48 inc VAT.
More from 01227 792 792 or www.rallydesign.co.uk ENDS.
LASER TOOLS MAKE AN IMPACT
Jul 9th
For a seized fastener, especially if it’s countersunk, the traditional remedy has been the impact driver, tried and tested, and a very good tool. However, what happens when even an impact driver cannot budge that seized screw?
Laser Tools to the rescue with a new type of impact driver (part number 6064), designed to work with an air hammer, this new tool combines the massive hammering force with the driver’s turning action.
This new bi-directional impact driver also features a half inch square drive, and when used with an impact socket, the tightest nut or bolt will soon yield. Works with both More >
VINTAGE RADIALS
Jul 9th
There are a few companies servicing vintage tyre requirements, essential wear for certain period roadster type kits, replicas, classics and hot rods and their inventory includes whitewalls.
Among the leaders in the field is North Hants Tyres of Aldershot, established in 1948 and the company has recently made available the world’s first vintage radial tyre, the Excelsior Stahl range, which comes in a variety of sizes from 16-21in with prices from £155 each. It’s a direct replacement for many vintage-type crossplies.
Brands stocked, in addition to Excelsior, are American Classic, Austone, BF Goodrich, Coker, Federal and Galaxy.
More information from www.northhantstyres.com or 01252 318 More >
COOL HEAT
Jul 9th
I guess we’ve all been there. Cold winter days and chilly evenings in the garage/workshop that leave you feeling chilled to the bones. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve had no feeling in my fingers and toes. Quite frankly, it’s pretty un-pleasant and not conducive to enjoying working on your car.
There is always an electric convector heater but these can eat electricity and only really give heat in one spot, while those little waste oil heaters, you know the ones that look like little aircraft engines, are noisy and fill the garage with un-pleasant fumes.
An alternative form of heating More >
NEW LOTUS TRACK WEAPON
Jul 9th
It impressed at the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed – now Lotus’ fastest-ever production car has hot-footed it straight to north London to make a starring appearance at the capital’s newest Lotus dealer, Hexagon.
The 3-Eleven is the company’s quickest and most expensive series production car ever, packing a 450bhp supercharged V6 engine, a 0-60mph time of less than three seconds and a price tag starting at £82,000.
Sharing limelight with ex-Senna 1987 Lotus 99T F1 car and VIPs from the world of motorsport at Hexagon’s charity evening, The Life of Ayrton Senna, the 3-Eleven joined a host of stars, including ex-F1 More >
NEW HOME FOR FROG RESTO
Jul 9th
The superb range of Frogeye Sprite bodyshells, formerly offered by Bryan Wheeler of Wheeler & Davies, are now available from marque specialists, Frogeye Spares Co of Worsley, Lancashire.
The company caters for all things Frogeye and Midget and offer the Wheeler & Davies Frogeye ‘package in three variants – Stage 1 is the basic monocoque, which costs £3990 inc VAT.
Then comes Stage 2, which adds rear wings and rear shroud to Stage 1 and as such requires no welding, as a result. This option is priced at £6456 inc VAT. Final option is Stage 3, which adds doors and bonnet meaking More >
WAX IS GOOD FOR YOU
Jul 2nd
The days of using any old polish on your car have gone. Nasty chemical-laden jollop that smelt horrible and took all your skin’s natural oils away, while leaving white dust on your bodywork. Of course, that was if you could actually get the product off the paint’s surface and if it was a sunny day, then forget about it.
One of the reasons we’re big fans of the products of Kent-based Cödeclean is that they are easy to use and work supremely well. Unlike some companies who offer far too many products, Cödeclean’s line-up is quite short by comparison.
Last weekend I More >
DEEP SEA FISHING
Jul 2nd
I’m quite taken with this new arrival on the North American scene.
It’s called the Catfish and is based on Mazda MX-5 and hails from Bauer Ltd, located in San Diego, California.
Underpinned by a spaceframe chassis, the company uses a lot of parts from the donor including engine and gearbox. It seems to causing quite a stir in the USA and I can’t help wondering how it would fare in the UK.
With a modern, stylish GRP body and an ultra-fashionable donor it could do well. In its homeland, the kit is priced at a reasonable sounding $13,900…
More information from www.bauerltd.com ENDS.
More >
PROTECT STUFF
Jul 2nd
A really useful and very effective product we’ve been using in the workshop lately is Tectane PS697.
It’s very good at protecting chrome from tarnishing, especially in winter and it’s as easy as just spraying a light coating onto the surface and offers long-lasting protection from corrosion, oxidation and dirt.
After the wax has dried it leaves a sticky, water repellent film, which is all-but colourless and resists road-salt and is heat resistant to 100-degrees C.
Tectane products are available from a variety of outlets including Toolstation and Idealsealants.com with more information from www.siroflex.co.uk ENDS.
