YOU MAKE ME DIZZY
Nov 19th
I’ve got a real passion for those amazing little tethered racers aka ‘spin-dizzies’ and am often fascinated by grainy old YouTube videos of them in action, often operated by old blokes in flat caps smoking pipes.
They could easily reach speeds of over 250mph hence the need to be tethered. There were loads of manufacturers of cars back in the day and although they are still available much like bicycle speedway their best days are well behind them.
Those specialists of the bespoke gift, Meandmycar have come up with this superb little Bantam Midget replica (a very collectable pre-war tether car in More >
THE RIGHT SET
Nov 19th
New from Machine Mart is this extremely handy driver set featuring seventeen screwdrivers with flat, Phillips and Pozi-drive head from 75-100mm.
There’s a ¼in bit driver with ten assorted 25mm Hex/Star bits plus sixteen metric and imperial Allen keys – all supplied in a robust holder.
Available now at £32.29 from www.machinemart.co.uk ENDS.
ULTIMATE KIDS CAR
Nov 19th
Nice update from the J40 Motor Company regarding their little Austin J40, which has remained largely unchanged between 1945-1971.
They’ve recently unveiled a revised model including a new aeroscreen, new bumpers, revised grille and headlights, while it also now gets larger wheels which are tucked into the wheel arches to give a sleeker look with longer, lower front wings.
A ‘race’ version adds double stripes and a side-pipe exhaust!
The J40 Motor Company is a subsidiary of SU and Amal carb makers and rights holders, Burlen who purchased the rights to the Austin J40 from marque authority Roy Halford in 2019. The company More >
FINE LINE
Nov 19th
Here’s a really useful fuel line repair kit from Britpart that will help keep your fuel system in tip-top condition and is the sort of handy little box that should be in all of our garages.
It repairs damaged fuel lines as the name implies and Britpart says that using their kit you can make a repair in less than five minutes.
Using OEM-quality materials the kit makes it easy to identify what you require thanks to some great product descriptions and is mega easy to use. It is supplied with quick connector spigot connections.
Priced at £74.80 inc VAT get yours now More >
MINI ELECTRIC CRATE!
Nov 12th
Customers can now order Swindon Powertrain’s electric Classic Mini Kit and explore optional EV upgrades, including 12 kWh battery pack, motor controller, onboard charger and DC-DC converter.
Swindon Powertrain is now offering a stand-alone electric 80kW continuous (120 kW peak), Classic Mini Kit, which can be used in isolation or in addition to a range of aftermarket Swindon Powertrain EV components such as 12 kWhr battery pack, motor controller, onboard charger and DC-DC converter.
Suitable for classic and kitcar enthusiasts, specialists or EV conversion businesses that want to electrify a classic Mini, order books are now open with prices for the Classic More >
THERE’S NO BOOK BUT IT’S DOOMSDAY!
Nov 12th
New from Car Builder this week is this cool chrome aluminium doomsday aka ‘kill switch’ panel.
It’s 90mm x 65mm x 2.5mm thick with deep, stamped ‘legends’ and is fitted with an on/off doomsday switch, rubber-shrouded engine start push button and 12-volt red warning light.
It features four countersunk mounting holes at 70mm x 45mm centres.
Part number ‘SWPN7’ is available now and costs just £12 – more information from www.carbuilder.com or at the other end of 01580 891 309 ENDS.
DIGGING THE DIRT
Nov 12th
To protect the flywheel and clutch and prevent the ingress of dirt and grit Burton Power offers these Engine-to-Bellhousing Dirt Plates.
Part number FT660 is suitable for the Pinto SOHC engine and Burton Power can also provide similar dirt plates for Cosworth YB, Essex V4 and V6, Kent Crossflow and the following engines which have been fitted with a 2000E/Bullet gearbox: Ford BDA/BDG 16v, Crossflow Kent, Ford Lotus Twin Cam 1558cc.
More information from 0208 554 2281 or of course via www.burtonpower.com ENDS.
DURATEC DELIGHT
Nov 12th
Ford’s Duratec engine has long been the tuners’ engine of choice and one of the most popular enhancements is to fit either a pair of Weber DCOE carburettors or EFI throttle bodies.
However, this can be problematic in certain applications, such as mid-engine layouts, where space limitations prevent a conventional intake manifold from being used.
The new short billet intake manifold from Webcon is just 35mm long and is perfect for space-limited installations.
Webcon’s new manifold is superbly manufactured in the UK from billet aluminium and ported at 45mm, but it can be easily increased to 48mm to suit higher-powered engines.
The manifold can More >
STRAIGHT LINES
Nov 12th
Inserting lines, bundles of wires or hoses into split line sleeving can be frustrating and tedious.
These new tools from DEI make the task a breeze and enable the job to be done in a fraction of the time, with no nipped fingers either!
Simply insert the line, wires or hose into the tool, twist to lock and slip it into the end of the split sleeve. Then pull it along and the split sleeve opens as you pull the tool and closes behind it. Presto! Your line, wire or hose is inside the sleeving with the minimum of fuss and effort.
The More >
HAPPY TO RUN A VW BEETLE-FLAVOURED PRESS RELEASE
Nov 12th
Not a kitcar-related release per se, but there’s such a love for all things Beetle in the kitcar game I thought I’d include it this week.
If your Bug has a bigger corrosion problem than first expected, you might find yourself searching for replacement rear quarter panels. Sadly full ‘top to bottom’ panels are no longer available, but this offering from Heritage Parts Centre is the next best thing.
Pressed for a pre-64 Beetle with the smaller side window aperture, it can also be adapted for later cars by using the metalwork below the swage line. The B pillar has a threaded More >
