NEW OWNER FOR CATERHAM CARS
Apr 22nd
Image © Malcolm Griffiths
Big news for the specialist car industry is that Caterham Cars has been sold by Tony Fernandes and Datuk Kamarudin Meranun to the company’s Japanese importer. The owners of AirAsia and the majority shareholders in Queens Park Rangers FC bought Caterham Cars in April 2011.
VT Holdings, run by Kazuho Takahashi is a very large company in Japan and under their SCI Co Ltd brand, they are the official Japanese importer for KTM X-BOW and Caterham Cars. Indeed, since 2009 they have been selling over 100 Sevens per year. The Caterham brand will remain under VT’s SCI banner More >
COFFEE WITH THE LYONS
Apr 22nd
Irish classic car restorer and specialist, Lyons Garages, run by David and Michael Lyons, reckon they have the answer to your search for a proper cup of coffee for kitcar enthusiasts.
The Spanish Point, County Clare-based operation (or as David likes to call it ‘the Malibu of Ireland’!) has released the first four of their car-themed coffee bean range. The 100 per cent Arabica ‘ClassicBeans’ and ‘MiniBeans’ blends are smooth and mellow, while the French roasted ‘MGBeans’ are a stronger roast as are the Indonesian Arabica ‘BugBeans’ blend.
Lyons Garage first opened its doors way back in 1964 and has become Ireland’s More >
UPDATE TO EFI WITH RETROJECT
Apr 22nd
Converting your carburetted kitcar to electronic fuel injection has never been easier thanks to the new Weber Retroject Throttle Body from Webcon.
Essentially, Retroject is a dual injector throttle body designed to directly replace the Weber 32/36 DGV and 38 DGAS. The critical dimensions are identical including positioning of throttle lever and throttle rotation.
Thus, it will be possible to remove a Weber twin-choke carb. and bolt on the Retroject, then add any aftermarket ECU and loom and a high-pressure fuel supply from a Webcon WFP600.
In doing so you will then have the power, driveability, torque and economy of a modern EFI More >
LIKE AN ARROW
Apr 22nd
Anyone tuning a Mini or a kitcar with an A-Series engine would do well to consider forged con rods as part of the upgrade. Mini Spares has its own brand forged con rods as part of its EVO high-performance collection.
Mini Spares’steel connecting rods are machined by Arrow Precision Engineering from double-air re-melted 817M40 forgings. They weigh just 445gm per rod.
The new X rod design maintains stiffness while reducing weight where it is not required.
Naturally, ARP 2000 5/16in bolts are included, as are Colsibro small end bushes. An automated shot peening process increases the rod’s fatigue strength and durability. The connecting rods More >
GET IN GEAR
Apr 22nd
The latest addition to the Castrol Classic TQF, an automatic transmission fluid that has been formulated to meet the specifications of the now obsolete Ford ESW-M2C-33G and ESW-M2C-33F fluids required in many classic vehicle transmissions produced before 1981.
Castrol Classic TQF is formulated to an SAE20 viscosity from a high-quality mineral base and enhanced with carefully selected modern additives to provide extra protection against wear, oxidation and corrosion. The fluid is dyed red to distinguish it from engine oil.
In addition, the non-friction modified composition of Castrol Classic TQF means it is suitable for any hydraulic system or power steering set-up where More >
COMPETITION TIME
Apr 22nd
Enter Sealey’s new competition at www.sealey.co.uk/competitions to win a Trolley Jack from their new Patriot Range. This competition closes on May 31, 2021, so be quick!
The lucky winner will be able to choose from St. Georges Flag, Republic of Ireland, St. Andrews Cross, Union Flag and the Welsh Dragon.
A twin-piston rocket lift feature brings the saddle to its maximum height in minimal strokes and the profiled lifting arm gives a low clearance height of just 73mm, making them suitable for sports and custom cars.
View the full range and browse Sealey’s latest promotions at www.sealey.co.uk ENDS.
More >
NEW DESIGN FROM XCS
Apr 15th
A mention of a great kitcar name – the Rush, leads me this week to XCS Designs. They are best known for being the manufacturers of the brilliant XCS427, designed by former DAX duo, Peter Walker and Gary Sanders.
There have been plenty of developments lately at the sparkling new Saffron Walden workshop of XCS, run by Harvey Rice. The company has announced an entry-level version of the XCS 427, while regular visitors to their Facebook page in recent months will have seen news of a new Rush-inspired model.
New chassis for brand new XCS model completed
It will feature a new round More >
JK SPORTSCARS ‘RUSH’ TO HELP
Apr 15th
John Kox, currently the boss of JK Sportscars, the home of the DAX 427 Cobra replica actually began his kitcar career via his DAX Benelux company, which, from 1995, acted as agent for Brian and Pam Johns’ Harlow-based company.
John sold a large number of DAX Rush kits in Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg although later also acted as an agent for the Cobra replica, too, which later led to him buying the project and the setting up of JK Sportscars.
I received an email from John this week, telling me that he has been helping a few owners with parts and More >
THINGS ARE LOOKING BRIGHTER
Apr 15th
If your car’s brightwork isn’t looking so bright then Europa Specialist Spares might well have the answer?
It won’t be long before the top is down and you are cruising out in the sunshine. Europa has thousands of parts available for your classic, retro or kitcar to help bring it back to life this Spring.
Their range of high-quality parts features many OEM-style and custom-look interior and exterior mirrors, door handles, hinges, interior parts, engine dress-up products, boot racks, fuel caps, plus much, much more.
Various items are available including a single-bolt 90mm bullet mirror in chrome with a convex lens at £28.75 More >
A BRAND NEW DAWN
Apr 15th
Leading UK air treatment manufacturer Meaco has announced what they are calling new dawn for dehumidifiers with the launch of MeacoDry Arete One – compressor dehumidifier/air purifier.
A Morris Minor Traveller in a auto bodywork repairshop
Their new product is the result of nearly five years of development involving gathering feedback from over 2000 customers about what they liked and disliked about their Meaco dehumidifiers.
Having obtained ideas and a deeper and clearer insight into how the typical British customer uses their dehumidifier, Arete One was created not from the viewpoint of what is cheapest to manufacture or what will be easiest to put together, but from More >
