SPECIAL: JACK FISHER

Cutting my teeth on a magazine called Kitcars & Specials (there’s a clue there) back in the eighties, it’s quite obvious that I have an attraction to hardcore, scratch-built cars.

Indeed, in recognition of this our ‘new’ magazine ‘Classic Kitcars & Specials’ tips its hat to my origins and more importantly to ‘special’ cars.

I’d heard of Jack Fisher but never met him and until I got my teeth into this cracking little biography, I had no idea that he’d built a laudable 22 specials during his lifetime.

Shamefully, I was only aware of two of them, the Fisher Spyder and Fisher GT. More >

QUICK DRYING DEGREASER

Muc-Off, the global leaders in bicycle and motorcycle care and maintenance (a lot of their stuff is ideal for kitcar use, too) is excited to launch the all-new High-Pressure Quick Drying Degreaser.

This innovative new product comes with a high-pressure turbo spray action and heavy-duty formula which cuts through dirt and grime in seconds. Its unique quick-drying ‘zero residue’ formula evaporates after application to leave the area clean and dry, with no need to rinse after use.

“It’s epic to be able to release an innovative new product that makes light work of tough maintenance tasks that can be messy and time-consuming. More >

DOWNDRAUGHT FOR PINTO

Webcon has updated and returned to production its downdraft inlet manifold for the Ford Pinto engine.

This manifold will allow the fitment of a single Weber 32/36 DGVDGAV, 38 DGAS/DGMS or DCD type two-barrel progressive carburettors as well as the Webcon Retroject Electronic Fuel Injection Throttle Body.

The Webcon manifold for the Ford Pinto can be ordered as part number MW4232A and many original linkage parts are also available. The retail price is £346.27 inc VAT.

Available from 01932 787 100 or visit www.webcon.co.uk ENDS.

HIGH VOLTAGE

This is a very handy device that I can see being attractive to TKC Mag/totalkitcar readers.

It comes from Honiton-based Retronics and is a fiendishly clever Voltage Tester. A deliciously simple yet robust device it is ideal for fault-finding electrical foibles – and/or finding live wires – on your kitcar.

It is available for both positive and negative earth cars for 6v, 12v and 24v vehicles.

Available now priced at just £12.99 via www.retronicsonline.com ENDS.

HIGH DEFINITION POLISHING

The royal-warranted car care experts at Autoglym have expanded the company’s range-topping Ultra High Definition line with a new product that represents the pinnacle of more than 56 years of advancements in car care treatments.

UHD Polishing Compound is Autoglym’s ultimate paint renovation blend, an easy-to-work cream that is designed to make swirl marks and other light to medium paint defects vanish before your eyes.

  • Autoglym UHD Polishing Compound. Pack contains 500ml polishing compound, 160mm medium foam renovating pad (white), 160mm soft foam refining pad (black), and finishing cloth
  • Professional paint restoration and polishing formula
  • Designed to be used with dual action machine polishers
  • Creates More >

FACET PILE ON THE CARBS!

These new Facet electric fuel pumps from Merlin Motorsport are designed for carburettor applications.

Merlin boss, Steven Roberts told me: “We receive a lot of enquiries from customers who are trying to replace a worn or sometimes failed Facet Fuel Pump for various applications; from Historic racing cars to diesel generators and dumper trucks.

“There are a few different specifications for the more popular Facet pumps – from the rectangular Solid State fuel pumps to the race-spec Cylindrical Red Top Facet pumps, so we came up with this article to try and help customers how to identify their existing Facet pump so that More >

‘AIR’ ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION! (I’M PLEASED WITH THAT ONE!)

Ring Automotive has launched a handheld rechargeable inflator to meet the needs of today’s on-the-go consumer.

The new RTC2000 does not need to be operated via a 12V socket. Instead, it operates from a rechargeable lithium battery, making it ideal for motorcyclists and cyclists where there is no 12V socket available.

This flexibility makes it truly versatile for use across numerous applications, including kitcars, motorbikes, scooters, bicycles, air beds and sports balls.

Featuring a built-in LED light and digital display with four programmable settings, Ring’s portable tyre inflator is the latest product addition to its award-winning RTC Tyre Inflator range.

It will inflate a tyre More >

HELLO SUNSHINE

Solar power is continuously gaining momentum and popularity and this new solar-powered battery charger from Gunson (part no: 77170) is an effective way to charge and maintain 12-volt batteries. It prevents batteries from being damaged if they completely discharge. It will work in all daylight conditions and is fully weather resistant.

Modern cars draw a lot of power from their battery, powering systems such as clocks, alarms, immobilisers and trackers. When the vehicle is not being used regularly the alternator doesn’t get a chance to top the battery up. Returning from holiday to discover a flat battery is less than ideal. More >

ENJOY YOUR OWN SPACE

Webcon has announced the addition of the Edelbrock 8715 carburettor spacer to its comprehensive range of Edelbrock parts.

The 8715 is a precision-made, ½in thick, aluminium spacer kit that is used to increase the length of the intake to increase throttle response in the low to mid rev range.

8715 is supplied as a kit complete with gasket, washers, nuts and longer mounting studs and priced at £58.15 inc VAT.

For further details contact Webcon UK on 01932 787 100 or visit www.webcon.co.uk ENDS.  

MAXXIS SUCCESS

Swedish automotive magazine, Vi Bilägare, recently undertook a test of eight 225/45 R17 summer tyres and confirmed the Maxxis Premitra 5 HP5 summer tyre as the overall winner.

The test, which was conducted in Mireval, France, comprised wet handling, braking and cornering grip, curved and straight aquaplaning, dry handling and braking, fuel consumption, noise, comfort and rolling resistance. According to Vi Bilägare: “It quickly became clear that Taiwanese Maxxis Premitra HP5 are here to be taken seriously” [translated].

The dry road driving test, comprised of the average lap time of three laps, revealed that the Maxxis Premitra 5 had the fastest lap More >

z library