A VERY SPECIAL ‘SPECIAL’

CAROL HARDY tells the story of the Harold Biggs Special – colour photos by CAROL HARDY

A very warm welcome to CLASIC KIT CARS & SPECIALS online … I have always had a soft spot for ‘specials’ be they beautiful coachbuilt efforts with aluminium bodies on Derby Bentley chassis or lock-up garage-built homebrew. All have an attraction in equal measure for me.

Sadly, there aren’t that many new ones being built these days as I suspect that IVA regulations have put paid to many of them. It took a true, hardcore enthusiast to take on a scratch-built car project. In the depths of Winter, More >

HYPER HIPERCAR FROM ARIEL

Ariel Motor Company, manufacturers of the Ariel Atom and Nomad cars as well as the Ariel Ace motorcycle, has released further details and first photographs of the HIPERCAR ultra-high performance electric sportscar due for low volume production.

Designed by Ariel Electric Ltd, part of the Ariel Group, HIPERCAR (standing for High-Performance Carbon Reduction) is shown for the first time with production intent bodywork and as a fully operational prototype. As with other Ariel vehicles, the focus of HIPERCAR is on extreme performance, light weight, agility and usability, now coupled with zero emissions plus the option of a lightweight turbine range extender. More >

BURTON ROCKS IT IN RED

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If you are looking to dress up your Ford’s engine bay then Burton Power has just the thing – a BURTON alloy red rocker cover.

It is suitable for all Pre-Crossflow and Crossflow Kent engines including the transverse version used on early Fiestas (although the filler cap is at the opposite end of the cover).

The rocker cover will secure to the original holes in the cylinder head using four FP453 bolts and can be ordered as part number FP227RED at £139.90 inc VAT.

It isn’t suitable for Kent engines converted to dry sump and for further details call 0208 554 More >

BEETLE INTAKE

For many years, Webcon has offered a superb twin Weber 45DCOE kit to suit the VW 1.6 and 1.8 eight-valve engines.

However, for some tuners, the twin setup is not suitable either for space or race regulation reasons; the only option is to fit a single DCOE, but, up until now, single DCOE manifolds have been extremely difficult to find.

Webcon is therefore pleased to announce the introduction of a quality intake manifold to allow the fitment of any size of Weber DCOE or DCO/SP to the VW 1.6 and 1.8 8 valve engines.

Using a crossover design to ensure even fuel distribution, More >

STICKY ADHESIVE

This summer the UK experienced high temperatures the like of which we’ve never seen before, so it’s good to know DEI has improved the formula of its Hi-Temp Spray Adhesive.

The new formula is sure to maintain its bond despite the hottest of heatwaves.

Now you can park your car in the sun, safe in the knowledge that DEI’s Hi-Temp Spray Adhesive won’t let go. The headlining will stay where it’s supposed to be and not draped over the seats!

DEi has also redesigned the can and made it bigger; so it will go even further so that you can get even more More >

PATCHES

New from Car Builder Solutions is this new Liqui Moly Exhaust Repair Bandage.

It repairs small holes and cracks in exhaust pipes and silencers and comes with a tub of heat-resistant exhaust paste and one metre of 60mm wide ceramic tape.

You will need to clean any loose rust, grease or dirt from your repair area, give the repair paste tub a shake and apply the paste to the pipe, then a layer of bandage and paste, alternately as you wrap the repair. Secure with wire until cured.

Exhaust heat will cure the paste and complete the repair and it can withstand temperatures up More >

LIGHT UP DARK NIGHTS

With darker nights coming Machine Mart wants to make the point that they stock a wide range of free-standing work lights and floodlights to help keep you in action over the winter months.

Their lights are all portable and have an IP44, IP54 or IP65 rating, making them suitable for internal or external use.

We supply lights on a strong, sturdy tripod or with a useful carry handle meaning they can also be used for a variety of purposes.

The Clarke COB10CR is a rechargeable work light, ideal for site or home use, offering a 650lumen floodlight and 2½ hours of working time More >

LOWERED MANUAL

In keeping with its policy of producing parts for the classic Mini which are no longer available from the original source, Mini Spares is pleased to announce the introduction of a Lowered Engine Mount Bracket for manual transmission Minis.

This engine mounting bracket fits to the alloy bracket (12G1318) on the front cover of the gearbox which also holds the radiator support bracket.

The bracket can be ordered as part number 12A361 at £54.72 inc VAT.

For more details call 01707 607 700 or visit www.minispares.com ENDS.

STING IN THE TAIL – TOM KILLEEN’S SCORPION K19

The Scorpion K19 was created by serial specials builder, and ex-Jensen engineer, Tom Killeen and derived (funnily enough) from his Rycam Mirage K18 creation (qv) although it was 3in longer

Rycam Engineering marketed the kit package although in 1973 they went into liquidation. Innes Lee, part of Innes Lee Industries of Lutterworth, took over and launched the car at the Earls Court Motor Show in November of that year where it was part of the Tudor Safety Glass Campaign.

Powered by – and based on – Hillman Imp with the 875cc engine hanging out back, with a fibreglass semi-monocoque and pressed steel floorpan More >

SUPERCHARGE YOUR TYPE 1 VEEDUB ENGINE

Now, here’s a brilliant new tuning kit for Volkswagen Type 1 air-cooled engine. Therefore, it has massive potential for most Beetle-based kitcars including Speedster, 550 Spyder and RSK replicas. It’s a supercharger kit for the Type 1 unit from aviation jet engine engineers, Mark Allen and Dave Godfrey of Nottinghamshire-based Kompressorhaus.

Two versions of the kit are available – the Sleeper at £1295 inc VAT includes items such as Serpentine pulley kit, Aisin AMR500 supercharger, stainless-steel brackets, pipework, fasteners and more. The Ultimate package costs £1650 inc VAT and adds genuine twin Weber DCOE carbs which are pre-tuned and tailored to your engine. The Ultimate better suits 1600cc More >

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