THE ‘FUTURA’ (SADLY) WASN’T BRIGHT
Nov 3rd
Jem Developments (they became Jem Cars in 1970) was a division of Robin Statham’s Fellpoint Ltd as he was producing the Mini Jem at the time had taken over the project from Jeremy Delmar-Morgan.
The (over) ambitious Futura was the car that sent Fellpoint Ltd to the wall. They introduced the Mini Jem Mk2, developed it and launched it at the Racing Car Show of 1969. It was going well for the ex-Tornado Cars employee, and by the time he unveiled the space-age Futura at the Racing Car Show in January 1971, he’d sold 180 Mini Jem kits, which was going More >
EXCITING ELECTRIC GBS SUPERCAR CONCEPT BREAKS COVER
Oct 27th
Great British Sportscars has unveiled an exciting new arrival this week in the shape of the Low Carbon 4WD EV Sportscar.
The GBS team, led by Richard Hall, have been working behind the scenes on this one for the past few years.
A collaboration with two other partner companies the brief called for an all-new low-carbon supercar, with the project focused on a zero-emission, high-performance supercar for low-volume production.
The project has been supported by Innovative UK whose involvement has been a key part in the GBS journey towards EV zero emissions, collaborative R&D nature of the project has allowed GBS as a More >
RAM SPEEDSTER AND MOTO
Oct 27th
I’ve known Adrian Cocking since the mid-eighties and he has been based in rural Worcestershire for many years trading as Realm Engineering where he concentrates on a variety of Jaguar-based activities including his Heritage C-type, five-speed gearbox conversions for Jaguar XK engines and knock-on wheels.
More recently he has also entered the world of Porsche Boxster conversion kits with his Ram Speedster, which uses a 986-generation Boxster in un-modified form, which is priced at £10,140 inc VAT.
RAM Speedster – Boxster (986)-based
For that, you get GRP front and rear body sections, double-skinned bonnet and boot lids, traditional 356-style door handles and bumper More >
AS ‘LIVE’ AS A DODO
Oct 27th
Soundproofing and thermal acoustic liners are very useful products for kit and specialist car use and there are some very good ones out there.
Heat soak can be a real issue as can rumbles and creaks within the cockpit and the problems can be exacerbated the faster you go and the revs rise.
The latest product range to arrive on my radar comes from Oxfordshire-based Dodo Mat. They offer a range of products but I think the ones that are of prime interest to totalkitcar.com readers are ‘Deadn Pro’ panels and the heat-reducing Super Liner.
A pack of forty self-adhesive Deadn Pro panels More >
CUTTING – VERY CUTTING!
Oct 27th
Cutting automotive battery cable can be problematic — it’s difficult to cut and even more difficult to get an even, professional-looking cut. Is there actually a way of doing it easily and above all, neatly? Well, there is now!
This handy cable cutter from Laser Tools (part number 6872) is designed to effortlessly snip through automotive cables of up to 70mm² in size. Just as easy as using a pair of scissors and it leaves a professionally cut cable.
Removing the insulation is just as easy and the tool also includes a handy insulated terminal crimper, which makes very neat crimps.
This is More >
THROW THE SINK AT IT
Oct 27th
The best-selling Clarke CW1D Floor Standing Parts Washer provides a simple way to clean components covered in oil, grease and dirt. An internal pump continuously circulates the cleaning fluid, delivering it to just where it’s needed.
An essential product for any garage or workshop, the CW1D has a tank capacity of 75 litres, fluid capacity of 45 litres and has a maximum pump rate of 90 litres per hour.
This model has a flexible link to automatically close the lid in the event of a fire. There is also an integral, replaceable filter.
The CW1D requires a 230V power supply.
This model is available More >
GONE GALACTIC!
Oct 27th
Yet another new product from Californian car care company, Chemical Guys. I think their range of brightly coloured, heady-smelling potions and elixirs features some 200 products.
The latest is Galactic Black Tyre Shine which if you like your tyres with a dripping wet black look then this is the product for you. It can also be used on vinyl, rubber and plastic.
The blue-green liquid has an intriguing smell and although I’m no expert on picking out around I’m sure this one is a mint and cucumber concoction.
It certainly gives the desired affection tyres and it lasted on my tyres for a More >
DON’T WORRY ABOUT THE SMELL, IT WORKS GREAT
Oct 27th
One of my favourite wheel cleaners of late is the foul-smelling Reactive by Auto Finesse. The majority of wheel cleaners smell as bad so it’s not the Auto Finesse product that is unique! It has that distinctive aroma of rotten eggs and peroxide!
What I like about Reactive is that it really does work and traps and grabs crud on your wheels and absorbs them into the liquid ready for wiping away.
Like an iron fallout remover, when it finds dirt it turns blood red and depending on the severity of the dirt may appreciate some further agitation with a soft wheel More >
‘RODS’ AND ROCKERS
Oct 27th
Just because your classic Mini has a rod-change gearbox doesn’t mean it’s immune from gear lever vibration. In time, the ball at the end of the lever wears allowing unwanted movement. The ball is not replaceable on its own; replacing the lever is the only answer.
Thankfully, Mini Spares can provide a complete new gear lever. The gear lever comes with a fitted dome washer, spring, rubber and a brand-new ball. It even has a smart chrome finish that will stay looking good for years in spite of constant gear changing.
Order as part number 22A1932CHROME at £115.20 inc VAT.
For more details More >
WINTER LIGHTING
Oct 27th
Ring Automotive is urging drivers to check their headlights ahead of winter, to ensure they are both working properly as the days get darker, and to ensure the safety of everyone on the roads.
Winter is approaching and with the clocks going back on 30th October, motorists will be driving in the dark more often. This provides challenges as visibility becomes limited, especially with bad weather conditions and driving on roads with no streetlamps.
A faulty bulb is one of the main failures in an MOT test – one in five vehicles is diagnosed with an issue with the lights. And this is More >
