MARCOS CHECKER MINI COOPER MK1 TRIBUTE
Feb 8th
STEVE HOLE tells the story of the Marcos Checker Mini
A relatively little-known model from Marcos Sales was this Cooper S Mk1 Tribute. It was commissioned by Marcos’ dealer in Japan, Checker Motors in 1995.
A claimed limited edition of 100 cars – although I don’t think they made anywhere near that number – in either BRG with white roof or white with a BRG roof.
They were nicely built and were powered by special Richard Longman-tuned 1300 A-Series engines, with big valve cylinder head, gas-flowed inlet manifold, Kent 285 cam, twin SU HS4 carbs and a performance exhaust.
Exterior featured 10in steels or More >
WHAT MANX DID NEXT
Feb 1st
A new, all-electric version of the Meyers Manx buggy is available now with the company now in the hands of Trousdale Ventures after founder Bruce Meyers died in 2020.
New Manx 2.0 EV
The new Meyers chairman Philip Sarofim is joined by CEO Freeman Thomas, a prolific car designer with stuff like the Audi TT and resurrected Dodge Charger on his CV.
The new model is called the Meyers Manx 2.0 EV and is said to be a brand-new take on the beach buggy theme. Although the company hasn’t revealed the origins of their batteries and motors, they are claiming 200bhp! In a More >
AWARD FOR ELECTROGENIC
Feb 1st
Internationally renowned British EV technology company, Electrogenic, enjoyed a successful evening at this year’s prestigious UK E-Mobility Awards – a celebration of innovation and achievement across the sector.
Held at the British Motor Museum, an independent judging panel of industry experts named Electrogenic the overall winner of the ‘Working Vehicle and Conversion EVs’ category, recognising Electrogenic’s sector-leading work in the EV conversion and powertrain development space.
Steve Drummond, CEO Electrogenic, said: “It’s a real honour to be recognised by the prestigious E-Mobility awards and it’s humbling to have our technology chosen and celebrated by our peers in the industry. This award is all More >
BE ADAPTABLE!
Feb 1st
Introducing the 8716 Off-line Ball-End Socket Adaptor Set from Laser Tools, (part number 8716), consisting of three adaptors in 1/4in-drive, 3/8in-drive, and 1/2in-drive sizes.
The distinctive wobble ball-end design allows for a 10-degree movement in addition to a further 40-degree range in the shaft, enabling socket use in confined or challenging access areas.
These adaptors are uniquely designed with a 1/4in hex shank, designed for quick-release chucks to ensure speedy fastener removal; additionally, each adaptor incorporates an integral magnet, providing self-locking and self-centring capabilities. With an approximate overall length of 75mm, these adaptors are indispensable tools, though they are not intended for More >
PLANET DODO
Feb 1st
Whatever the weather is doing, nothing adds to your car’s appearance – or driver confidence – quite like having perfectly clear glass. Dodo Juice Clearly Menthol does exactly what it says on the bottle, giving you a 20/20 view of your surroundings, and all delivered with a heavenly minty smell.
Glass cleaning sprays are normally detergent- or vinegar-based – and as cheap as the chips you could probably use them on. But industrial-strength glass cleaners are jam-packed with alcohol for a smear-free finish – and that’s exactly what’s inside this grime-fighting concoction. Easy to apply, easier to remove – and it leaves a More >
WELDED TO IT
Feb 1st
The new Clarke MIG103NG MIG Welder is ideal for automotive and general fabrication, and as it does not require a gas cylinder, it is much easier to transport and store in the garage or workshop.
The MIG103NG uses flux-cored steel welding wire, a type of wire which produces its own gas shroud as it burns. This means the welder can weld steel, without gas, whilst providing optimum performance and reliability.
This new Clarke unit produces a maximum power of 90 amps, allowing it up weld mild steel up to 4mm thick.
The MIG103NG is sold complete with a welding torch, 2 x 0.9mm More >
RING RING
Feb 1st
Start your engines … which will not be a problem with Ring’s new jumpstarter!
Premium quality automotive lighting and auto electrics supplier, Ring, is starting its 50th birthday year off with a flurry of activities, the first of which is the launch of a brand-new product for the market.
While the RPPL1000 jump-starter for 12V systems has only been on the market for six months, Ring, which is always upgrading and evolving its range for further uses, has introduced the RPPL3000 to accommodate 12v and 24v systems, so that technicians can have an even greater range of options.
The RPPL3000 Lithium Professional Jump Starter is More >
NEW PROGRAMME
Feb 1st
The Paddock Speedshop, the TV Show that aims to break new ground in the Classic Car programme arena, by promoting and giving the next generation of would-be enthusiasts an insight into what it takes to restore historic vehicles – and by offering a taste of the joys (and frustrations!) of driving and maintaining them – rapidly approaches the completion of its first series.
The Paddock Speedshop story included a scene in a ‘post-race’ press conference that invited media to view its new premises in the Midlands, complete with the cars that are featured in the first series – including the MGB, the More >
THE STORY OF CARTUNE (TEESSIDE)
Feb 1st
MEET THE ‘BEETLES’ – CARTUNE TEESSIDE by STEVE HOLE
Photos from www.cartunevw.co.uk – Apal Corsa image from totalkitcar archive
Although only having a limited impact on the UK’s kitcar industry (they marketed the Belgium-made Apal models, Buggy and Corsa, in the UK in 1971-72), Cartune was once the UK’s leading Volkswagen Beetle specialists, which means they would have supplied many thousands of parts to owners/builders of Beetle-based kitcars.
Indeed, the company still exists, today.
Mike Griifin (centre),Leeds & England footballer Jackie Charlton (left) and Cartune (Teesside) branch manager, Peter Raybould
Let’s wind right back and trace the company’s history, though. The Cartune name was first registered More >
GBS SET UP FOR 2024
Jan 25th
Students enjoy a factory tour of GBS before they start their very own Zero Build this year …
Just before they broke up for the Christmas holidays, they welcomed a group of year two motorsport students from Stafford & Newcastle College (NSCG College) to the GBS factory for a full factory tour.
The college has an Ultimate Zero self-build kit on order and the students will be building it. They will be collecting their kit later this year and are ready to start the build. Ruth Hall, co-director of GBS said: “We look forward to following their build and them joining us More >
