Custom Car Magazine - January 2024

JAN 2024

£5.99

Modern Medicine

After four decades in a barn, this ‘47 Anglia lives again – powered by a new engine from a Ford of an altogether less historic vintage

CC Jan 24 Cover.indd 1

09/12/2023 23:30

r u o y r o f e c n a r u s n I

The hum of the engine.

The open roads.

The incredible history.

We know that every custom car is built from a vision, and seeing that vision come to life creates a bond like no other. That’s why we provide insurance that can be customised almost as much as your pride and joy.

Policy benefits can include: M Agreed value cover M Laid-up cover M Limited mileage discounts M Club member discounts M Track and rally day cover

Call us today on 0344 728 0348 adrianflux.co.uk Authorised & regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority Trustpilot rating checked on 21st November 2023.

Custom Car_2024_01_January_Adrian Flux_FP.indd 1

01/12/2023 10:49

Contents

F is eb su ru 18 e a Ja on ry ’ nu sa 24 ar le y

Find us on Facebook at mCarMagazine www.facebook.com/Custo

Regulars

26

2

News & reviews New faces at the NSRA

32 Centre Spread Ha ha, fooled you…

48 Readers’ Rods A beach buggy – with a proper engine

54 SoCal Diaries I love the smell of nitro in the morning…

58 Events

It’s going to be a busier year than ever

64 Next Month

36

24

Russo’s Rat returns

Features 8

Automotive Alchemy Andy Saunders’ mighty tome reviewed

12 Anglicism Len Marriner’s Zetec-powered Anglia

20 Run to the Sun Free tickets as RTTS goes back to its roots

24 Hot Rods and Hills

48

And it really was hot, too…

26 Plymouth Perfection Mark Hughes’ Goodwood show star

36 Hot Rod Drags Après nous le déluge…

12

56 Mike’s Motor Mania

www.customcarmag.co.uk

In memory of a much-loved car guy

SUBSCRIBE!

62 Custom Car subs offer

The best value way to get your monthly fix

20

JANUARY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 1

CC Contents Jan.indd 1

10/12/2023 13:22

News & reviews

Matthew Stanley

NSRA news Keith Elliott

Alison Milward

Days for gassing

Grant Pinney

A

t the recent NSRA AGM, Keith ‘Roasty’ Elliott took over the role of Chair from John Proctor who was standing down. Other new faces on the committee were confirmed as Alison Milward, Secretary; Grant Pinney, Public Relations Officer; Trevor Gardiner, Legislation Officer; and Matthew Stanley, Pre-29 Member Co-ordinator. The meeting welcomed the new committee members and thanked those who also stood down; Pauline Cox, Stephen Cartledge and Wendy Newman.

Trevor Gardiner

The latest inductees to the NSRA Hall of Fame were announced as: NSRA Member, Brian Lucas; Individual, Andy Saunders; Organisation / Supplier, Jerry Denning; Street Rod, Small Fry. Event dates for 2024 were confirmed as: Southern Swap Meet, North Weald, Sunday 3 March; Nostalgia Nationals, Santa Pod, 4-6 May; Fun on the Beach, Great Yarmouth, 8-9 June TBC; Dragstalgia, Santa Pod, 5-7 July; Hot Rod Supernationals, Old Warden, 1-4 August; Hot Rod Drags, Santa Pod, 14-15 September.

Assignment Media Ltd, PO Box 8632, Burton on Trent DE14 9PR

EDITORIAL Group Editor: Alan Kidd alan.kidd@assignment-media.co.uk Art Editor: Ian Denby-Jones Design: WW Magazines 01283 742970

Dave Biggadyke, Mike Pye, Dan Fenn

SUBSCRIPTIONS AGENCY WW Magazines, 151 Station Street,

Production and Design Manager

Burton on Trent, Staffs DE14 1BG

Neil Hepden – 01233 220245

01283 742970

responsibility for errors or omissions nor

DISTRIBUTION

a result of these. When responding to

Marketforce UK Limited,

sarah.moss@assignment-media.co.uk

121-141 Westbourne Terrace,

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Alice Fairhead

13 issues of Custom Car are published

Matt Woods, Matt Richardson, Julian Hunt, Vic Peel, Harry Hamm, Richard Hair

ADVERTISEMENT SALES Tandem Media Ltd Account Manager Charlotte Dryhurst – 01233 555735 Charlotte@tandemmedia.co.uk

Distribution in Great Britain:

Publisher: Sarah Moss

Tony Thacker, James Webber, Olly Sack,

Photographers

Santa Pod Raceway has announced it is now the owner of Motovation, the third car built by the legendary Allan ‘Bootsie’ Herridge. The Herridge and Beadle Bros Junior Fuel Car is a lovingly preserved time capsule, a true holy grail of times gone by.

Tandem Media Ltd.

MANAGEMENT Contributors

Welcome home

AD PRODUCTION

custom@tandemmedia.co.uk

www.customcarmag.co.uk

For fans of race cars with altitude, the Gasser Circus guys have released their race dates for 2024. All the rounds are at Santa Pod: Nostalgia Nationals, 4-6 May; Retro Show, 8-9 June; Dragstalgia, 5-7 July; Mopar Euro Nationals, 9-11 August; VW Action, 30 August – 1 September; and Hot Rod Drags, 13-15 September.

per annum UK annual subscription price: £64.87 Europe annual subscription price: £78 USA annual subscription price: £78 Rest of World annual subscription price: £85 UK subscription and back issue orders: ccsubscriptions@wwonline.co.uk

London W2 6JR Tel: 0330 390 6555 www.marketforce.co.uk

Every effort is made to ensure the contents of Custom Car are accurate, but Assignment Media accepts no the consequences of actions made as any advert in Custom Car, you should make appropriate enquiries before sending money or entering into a contract. The publishers take reasonable care to ensure advertisers’ probity, but will not be liable for loss or damage incurred from responding to adverts Where a photo credit includes the note ‘CC BY 2.0’ or similar, the image is made available under that Creative Commons licence: details at www.creativecommons.org © Assignment Media Ltd 2023 All rights reserved

01283 742970

2 CUSTOM CAR JANUARY 2024

6pp News JUST NEEDS ADS.indd 2

11/12/2023 16:18

Pride of Ownership

Congratulations to Andy Murrell, whose ex-CC featured 1962 Ford Consul was one of the finalists in the Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership competition at the recent NEC Classic Motor Show.

Andy has owned the car for almost 30 years and although he didn’t make the top three, he certainly did a great job of representing hot rodding in this prestigious display. Also in the lineup was Joshy Hodson’s ‘66 Chevrolet C10 pick-up, another great representation of our sort of vehicle.

Celebr ating 74 years

Holiday snapshot

In the December issue, we published a pic of Teri Smith reading CC when lazing in a pool. Well, this month’s holiday snap was sent in by Mark Barrett. It shows him with friends holding that very issue during their trip to SEMA in Las Vegas.

Where in the world will CC be spotted next?

RAISED WHITE LETTER TYRES 13”-15” MOST SIZES IN STOCK NARROW BAND, WHITEWALLS 13’-15”

File it

This Micro Round Diamond Coated File Set from Laser Tools is designed for precision filing and shaping.

The 12 files have flexible shafts and are coated with hard-wearing diamond particles. Each file has a length of 125mm and a vinyl-dipped handle, and the set is supplied in a plastic storage case. www.lasertools.co.uk

VISIT OUR ONLINE STORE & DOWNLOAD CATALOGUES

Stop by the showroom today to check it out.

JANUARY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 3

6pp News JUST NEEDS ADS.indd 3

11/12/2023 16:18

News & reviews

Something for the weekend?

More MPH

Following the success of the inaugural event, the MPH Vintage Sprint will return to Deenethorpe Aerodrome, Northants, in 2024.

This time round though, it’s growing as the dates are 28-30 June. Yup, a full weekend of it.

Details to follow soon. www.mphvintagesprint.co.uk

Hats and cars

Hoedown lowdown

Easter Monday, 1 April is the date 2 MARCH forCUSTOM the KingsCAR Lynn Kuisers’2023 Easter Bonnet Parade. It takes place at Station Wheels, Wisbech St Mary Community Centre, PE13 4SS, from noon onwards. A licensed bar, food and live music are on offer, as are trophies for the best car and the best hat.

Terry: 07979 442920

The Hillbilly Hoedown is upping sticks for 2024 and moving from Newark Showground to Crystal Lakes Leisure in Huntingdon. The dates are 15-19 August and the venue offers full camping facilities including electric hook-up.

Facebook: Hillbilly Hoedown Weekend

Running blue The combined Blue Ridge Runners Motor Show and South West Van Nationals takes place on 30 August – 1 September.

The venue is just two miles from junction 23 of the M5 and all classics, customs, VWs, hot rods, Americans, trucks, bikes and trikes are welcome.

Weekend participants can arrive from 9:00am on the Friday, and the Sunday show is open to the public from 10:00am. www.blueridgerunners.co.uk

A602’s date Full details are to follow, so all we can tell you for now is that the date for the 2024 staging of the A602’s Autorama is Sunday 8 September. www.autoramashow.com

Love it or hate it

Available from Keith Harman at Crossroads Speed Shop are a couple of T-shirts by Church Equipped. With designs by Australian Evan Daines and Jimmy Smith, the two very different shirts depict Coby Gewertz’ radical ’34 coupe, the car that upset the apple cart when it debuted at the 2023 Grand National Roadster Show. Love it, or hate it, there’s a design to suit. Check them out, along with all the other cool merchandise on offer at Crossroads Speed Shop. www.crossroadsspeedshop.company.site

Managing the bends

The Shell V-Power Motorsport Park has appointed Daniel Melrose as Manager of The Dragway at The Bend. Having previously worked at Sydney Dragway and Santa Pod Raceway, Dan returns to Australia as part of the country’s newest drag racing facility. Dan takes on the role of Manager from February 2024. We wish him all the best in his new job.

4 CUSTOM CAR JANUARY 2024

6pp News JUST NEEDS ADS.indd 4

11/12/2023 16:18

News & reviews Intelligent being

Laser Tools’ new mains-powered intelligent battery charger works with both 6V and 12V batteries. It employs a 10-stage charging cycle with microprocessor control that monitors the battery’s state and adjusts the charging output accordingly. The trickle charge mode prevents overcharging, while the winter mode ensures the battery gets the right treatment even in freezing conditions. www.lasertools.co.uk

Quiz masters

Ten teams did battle in the Surrey Street Rodders Grand Quiz at the end of November.

Following 80 mind-boggling questions asked by MC John Price, after careful adjudication the winning term was declared as the ACME Hot Rod Club (but only just), with the cheque for £1000 going to Felix Fund.

SSR then decided to give £100 to each team entered in the quiz, to be presented to their nominated charity. The teams and charities are Black Rats (2nd Sandhurst Scout Group); Lip Hookers (Royal Surrey County Hospital); French and Saunders (RSC Hospital); Rumbles (Frimley Park Hospital Children’s Ward); Pub Shutters (St Wilfrid’s Hospice, Chichester); Sheep Worriers (RSC Hospital); Unhinged (Marie Curie); Smithys (Charlie’s Promise Charity); and Coopermen (RSC Hospital).

The nice people at SSR also pledged £1000 to the Just Giving page set up by Unhinged team member and the lady behind Valley Gas Speedshop, Eloise Hibberd. Ellie is running the 2024 London Marathon and raising money in memory of her friend. Go to Just Giving online and search for Eloise vs London Marathon 2024 to find her page.

Praise the raised

Whengparts can supply laser-cut leaf spring shackles to any length. Give them a shout if you fancy bringing back that stylish ‘70s jacked-up look. www.whengparts.com

Universal Polyurethane Products for your Custom Build SF0293 BUSH 17/8 ” OD SF1276 BUSH

1” OD

Weld On Shells In CDS Tube

SF2043 BUSH 11/8 ” OD SF0478 BUSH 13 /16 ” OD

SF1450 Range 10 – 30mm

Universal Anti Roll Bar Mounts

Clamps & Crush Tubes are Stainless Steel

SF1543 Range 10 – 20mm Typically Rear

For prices, dimensions, hardness options and on-line sales see www.superflex.co.uk

JANUARY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 5

6pp News JUST NEEDS ADS.indd 5

11/12/2023 16:19

News & reviews Transatlantic crossings

Dragstalgia 2024 will see the re-running of the Transatlantic battle between two former Hot Rod Reunion winners. Yes, Randy Bradford’s Topolino Altered will once again be on these shores, running alongside Nick Davies in Havoc. Former CC ed Tony Thacker will also be bringing along the Dos Palmas dragster. Do you need more reason to be at Santa Pod over the weekend of 5-7 July?

What a gas Moving Monkeys

Last issue, we brought you news of this year’s Brass Monkey Run organised by Iceni C.A.R. Club. The club has been in touch since then to say they have had to change both the route and the destination. The run will now make its way from The Ram public house in Brandon, Suffolk to a stop-off point at Sainsbury’s in Kings Lynn (PE30 4LR).

The monkeys will leave there at 11:00am, heading to the final destination of the Clifftop Car Park in Hunstanton (PE36 6EL). The date remains unchanged, Saturday 30 December, and it is anticipated the cars will arrive in Hunstanton around 11:30am.

Tony 01842 810720, Liam 07399 903476, icenicarclub@gmail.com, Facebook: Iceni C.A.R. Club

Rebels with a cause

For those prepared to travel, yet more nostalgia racing is on offer in 2024. The Race of the Last Rebels takes place at Dunavarsány, Hungary from 29 August to 4 September. The week-long event offers eighth-mile racing, straw bales and pin-up girls with chequered flags.

There will also be pursuit races on a newly formed dirt track. Two entrants start off from opposing ends of the track at the sound of the gun, with the winner being whoever ends up closer to the other. www.lastrebels.hu

Get a grip Added lubrication

Lucas Oil has been appointed the Official Lubricant and Additives Partner of the National Motor Museum. The Museum workshop already uses a range of Lucas Oil additives including Safeguard Ethanol Fuel Conditioner for engines designed to run on lead-free petrol.

The announcement was made at the recent Classic Motor Show. www.beaulieu.co.uk

Securely grip rods and studs with this new Threaded Rod Wrench from Laser Tools. The wrench is specifically engineered for a range of applications, has a capacity of up to 10mm and boasts a swivel handle with a knurled grip. www.lasertools.co.uk

On offer from Laser Tools is this lightweight and compact butane gas-powered torch.

The torch features a piezoelectric ignition system and incorporates safety features such as a lock to prevent unintentional ignition and a flame lock for continuous usage. The refillable gas tank boasts a 12ml capacity, delivering a runtime of approximately 20 to 30 minutes and achieving a maximum temperature of 1300°C. www.lasertools.co.uk

New quarters

New for Race the Waves in 2024 comes The Quarter Miler. Designed to celebrate the final Bridlington Speed Trials in 1924, for one hour only on Sunday 12 May those who recorded the fastest eighth mile speeds the previous day will be offered the opportunity to run in the first-ever quarter mile speed trials.

This is a one-shot chance only, with trophies being awarded to the quickest pilots and the fastest drivers and riders. www.backfi reinfo.weebly.com

6 CUSTOM CAR JANUARY 2024

6pp News JUST NEEDS ADS.indd 6

11/12/2023 16:19

KIT & CLASSIC CAR PARTS SPECIALIST

ISSUE 36 OUT NOW!

ORDER YOUR COPY FROM OUR WEBSITE

www.carbuilder.com Contains Wiring Diagrams Hints & Tips Installation Guides Specification Charts IVA Approved Products

7500+ PRODUCTS

AVAILABLE FOR NEXT DAY DELIVERY Contact Information: 01580 891309 info@carbuilder.com Redlands, TN12 0JJ, UK

Custom Car_2023_07_July_Car Builder Solutions_FP.indd 1 Issue 36 Advert.indd 1

98% Positive Feedback from our great customers

24/05/2023 09:35 25/04/2023 11:28:22

Review

The Automotive Alchemist

By Andy Saunders Published by Dalton Watson. 464pp, hardback, £90.00 IT’S OFTEN SAID that the people with the best cars are the ones who don’t boast about them. The guy with a humdrum kit car he thinks is a hot rod will be quick to open his mouth and tell everyone why he’s right (and they’re wrong) – while the other guy, who’s built a world class custom car, will stand quietly by and let his work do the talking.

Andy Saunders is a very well known name in the scene, and indeed beyond. But seldom has there been a better example of someone who lets their cars do the talking. It’s an approach that’s writ large in his book, The Automotive Alchemist, which was published last year to great acclaim.

A feature of the customising game is that there’s more to it than just skill. Your ability

in the workshop defines the quality of what you turn out, perhaps – but the knowledge you put in defines its worth. Hot rodding and customising are a heady blend of history and artistry, expressed through the media of spanners and welders, hammers and dollies and so on.

Reading Andy’s words, the breadth and depth of his knowledge is never far from the surface. His famous sense of humour shines through at every turn of a page, too – as does his self-effacing modesty.

The title of the book, for example, might lead to you assume that he’s talking about his own ability to turn base metal into gold.

But the first use of the word ‘alchemist’ we could find in the text is in fact referring

to Uncle Reggie, a friend of his dad, who Andy describes watching in awe at an early age.

‘He was welding a new roof on to a virtually new Capri that had been rolled.

Dad and I arrived as the new roof skin was being positioned. I was mesmerised and watched the whole process from the positioning of the roof, to hammer welding the large C pillar and finally the grinding of the welds. I felt I had witnessed the working secrets of an alchemist.’

Uncle Reggie was to become a seminal figure as Andy accompanied him on recovery duty at the banger races at Spedeworth oval. It was here that his interest in working with metal started to take new forms, as he studied the damaged vehicles they towed

8 CUSTOM CAR JANUARY 2024

6pp News JUST NEEDS ADS.indd 8

11/12/2023 16:19

Review

from the track: ‘Hidden within the dark shadows of the twisted bodyshells, I saw shapes and disfigurations that had been worked into the tortured metal… Some of these shapes appeared so beautiful, mutilated metal that transfixed me.’ Andy believes this was an early manifestation of what he calls one of his greatest tools – the ability to see shapes that did not yet exist.

This is a gift which has been at the heart of his prodigious output over forty-plus years of building custom cars. None more so, of course, than his latest masterpiece, the famous Déjà, which we featured in our March 2023 issue following its triumphant debut at the 2022 Classic Car Show.

To skip from Andy’s days with Uncle Reggie to the final chapter of the book would be to miss out an entire lifetime’s work.

Nonetheless, we can consider his thoughts on how his hand-built, steel-bodied Delahaye roadster came to be the way it is. This is where an intense knowledge of the subject elevates a true master above a mere expert; Andy explains that he was inspired by the flamboyant side profile and sweeping curves of the Jacques Saoutchik Delahaye 175, once owned by Diana Dors, and the opulent front of the 165 styled by Figoni et Falaschi.

Not wanting to build a mere replica of either, however, he set out to create his own by amalgamating the two styles – the result being a vehicle ‘eighty-five years late for her debut at the Paris Salon de l’Automobile.’

Many of the world’s finest cars came from an era in which industrial design paid a proud homage to fine art. If Déjà is a car from the art nouveau tradition, Metropolis, a 1939 Peugeot 202 pick-up, deserves to be seen alongside the Chrysler Building, Hoover

Dam and Rockefeller Plaza as world-class examples of art deco.

So too was the unique styling of the Cord 812, a vehicle which looked like a custom car when new. Cord was the first manufacturer to use front-wheel drive – but even with this pioneering approach to engineering, the vehicle’s so-called ‘coffin-nose’ styling was what really set it apart.

It would be futile to try and pick out one of Andy’s builds as his best or most famous, however if you were to ask a group of people at a car show it’s certaim that Tetanus would be among those most frequently mentioned. This is a 1937 Cord 812 Westchester, which he bought as a restoration project in 2003 and finally presented in its finished form almost a decade and a half later. It’s not until you read his anecdotes about the utter plight of the vehicle when he took it on that you start to understand how the job could have taken so long.

Each of these vehicles is described in great detail as the book progresses. The text is conversational – a deliberate choice, Andy says, as he experimented with writing styles and found it the best way to be himself – and the layout is as beautiful as the cars themselves, with abundant pictures both from during the builds and after their completion. So many icons of the custom world are here: Jag-ged Edge, Indecision, Claustrophobia, Mentally Insane and Picasso, to name a few. In particular, the salvation of the extraordinary Aurora Safety Sedan makes for remarkable reading – a story in which

he laments contemporary commentators’ inability to see past the vehicle’s appearance and understand its significance to the future of automotive design.

In between these many chapters on Andy’s builds are others considering more general themes. The Influence of Dream Cars, The Art of Kustom, Wild Wheels and Grease Machines… this is very much a man sharing his knowledge and learning, not just talking about himself and the cars he has built. Nonetheless, a sure stop-off as you flick through the book’s 464 pages will be the

The breadth and depth of his knowledge is never far from the surface final appendix, titled Where Are They Now?; though some of these unique creations are no more, the sheer number to have survived is testament to the fact that customising truly is a form of art that goes far beyond the car itself.

That much will be obvious from your first look at Déjà on the cover, through the array of vehicles featured and indeed in the many examples illustrated of artwork by Maxine Xavier, Andy’s partner, whose skills with an air brush are on a similarly high level to his own in the workshop. This is a vast, lavish and beautiful book, but one whose appeal is never just skin deep; in it, you will find glorious illustrations without end but, more importantly, a treasure trove of knowledge and experience as told by one of the world’s most prolific and creative car builders – and, as it turns out, a beguiling storyteller, too.

JANUARY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 9

6pp News JUST NEEDS ADS.indd 9

11/12/2023 16:19

Wishing all Custom Car readers a

Happy and Successful New Year 2024

belchers.uk superflex.co.uk

valleygasspeedshop.com

vintagehotrodsupplies.com

performanceunlimited.co.uk

chevsofthe40s.com

Ray’s Classics

San Carlos CA since 1980

California Collector Car Export Sales Specialist

realsteel.co.uk

raysclassics.com americanspeedshop.co.uk

nankangtyre.co.uk bghgeartech.co.uk

www.nsra.org.uk WE CAN LOCATE THE CAR OF YOUR DREAMS Vehicle shipping to the UK inspection services available in the Western States

650-361-8083

Thank you for your support in 2023 Custom Car_2024_01_January_Happy New Year Logos_FP.indd 1

11/12/2023 11:07

Modified, Close Ratios, Heavy Duty Modifi 50 Years of Experience Complete Boxes and Parts Mail Order or Collection Telephone: 01580 714114 bghgeartech@btconnect.com www.bghgeartech.co.uk Kent, TN17 3LE

The Mobile Pinstriper!

Custom Car_2023_01_Jan_The Pop Shop_QP.indd 1

08/12/2022 15:56

I come to you!

Unique one off designs on your Car, Bike & Hot Rods www.aartvart.com | Lawrence - 07725 841617 JANUARY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 11

Custom Car_2024_01_January_Composite Page_FP.indd 11

11/12/2023 13:44

Anglicism Some build and sell, others buy and drive.

That’s what makes the world go round Words: Dave Biggadyke Pics: Alan Kidd

L

en Marriner’s involvement in the custom car scene dates back to the early ‘70s, the pinnacle coming when he exhibited his Mk3 Cortina at the Rod and Custom Show at Belle Vue. Known as The Sting, the ‘Tina sported paint

by Clive Miles of the Custom Car Centre in Boscombe, Dorset, the man who is possibly best known for having also painted the multi-award-winning E-type Jaguar called The Egyptian.

Len’s passion for custom cars was then put on hold when his family came along. The car bug never leaves us though, but instead merely lies dormant until the time is right.

When that time came, it took a more classic

approach, but at least Len was back among old cars.

The next twist saw him behind the wheel of a Mustang notchback, and soon after a hot rod beckoned. That came in the form of a Jon Golding built full fendered roadster, a great car to mark your return the hot rodding.

That was to be Len and his partner Sandra’s ‘nice’ car for the next four years. I say ‘nice’ car, as they also had a more of a daily driver Chevy 3100 pick-up, which they still own. Len and Sandra enjoy hot rodding weekends away during the season but more often than not travelled in the Chevy as they weren’t keen on leaving the unlockable roadster in hotel car parks overnight. The

reality was they needed the holy grail, a far more practical hot rod – assuming such a beast exists.

Trade-in

Len’s eye was then drawn to a listing on the St Andrew’s Autos website. His interest was piqued so he paid a visit to the Chelmsfordbased dealership. A deal was struck, the roadster went back to where he’d bought it from, and Len now owned the 1947 Ford Anglia pictured here. That was on 8 December 2022, just north of a year ago.

So what is the story behind the car? To find out, I had to contact the guy who kicked it all off, Gavin Tilling. Gavin is the man

12 CUSTOM CAR JANUARY 2024

8pp Len Marriner Anglia.indd 12

10/12/2023 11:53

behind Tilling Autos, an independent garage and repair shop down in Bognor Regis.

Having an interest in old motors, Gavin also does restoration work in his spare time, and with a friend of his running a Pop with a Rover V8 and Jag rear he fancied some of that for himself.

His quest for an unfinished project proved fruitless, so instead Gavin settled on a stock Ford Anglia that had reportedly sat in a barn for nigh on 40 years. That was at the end of 2018 and while essentially original, the E04A front-end metalwork the car was fitted with when it rolled off the Dagenham production line had been switched to panels from a later E494A model at some point in its life.

Gavin got stuck in with the bodywork pretty much straight away, with thoughts of him needing a completely fresh rolling chassis buzzing around in his head at the same time. Not being keen on tackling the job himself (he’d never built a hot rod before, after all) he set to and did his homework.

The name Wayne Clark at Odd Rods Customs cropped up on more than one occasion, quite a lot more as it happened.

That was enough for Gavin and he was soon heading towards Heathrow to pay Wayne a visit. Impressed with what he saw, Gavin was even more convinced that Wayne was the right man for the job, despite him questioning the choice of engine.

“I already had a ’66 Mustang with a V8,” Gavin explained to me. “Petrol was dead expensive even back then, and as I didn’t want a run-of-the-mill Pinto a Zetec made sense. Besides, I had a couple of them kicking around at work.”

With the power plant agreed upon, a time slot was arranged and a shopping list was drawn up. That did, however, mean Gavin had an etched-in-stone deadline to work to with his restoration of the aged Ford bodywork.

Fate accompli

Saving graces were that the doors were good, as was the roof, but that’s about all.

Making full use of the replacement panels

JANUARY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 13

8pp Len Marriner Anglia.indd 13

10/12/2023 11:53

Odds & sods

1.

The Anglia as bought by Gavin Tilling in 2008

6. …he would switch to the other and start afresh Headlights are original Ford buckets fitted with cut-down eBay sourced 7-inch lamps and modified to incorporate integral Model A indicator units from O’Neill Vintage Ford

available from The Pop Shop and Pop Parts Plus, along with plenty of metalwork massaging, Gavin hit his deadline and the Anglia was ready to relocate to the Odd Rods workshop.

Who knows if fate then took a hand or not, but the date agreed upon to deliver the Anglia was in March 2020. At the eleventh hour, due to trailer availability and impending bad weather, Gavin brought it forward by a couple of weeks – just before lockdown brought the country to a standstill.

Maybe it was also fate that Wayne had given Gavin a precise shopping list of all the rolling stock components he would need to complete the build. You know, shocks, suspension joints and so on, right down to the wheels and tyres the Anglia would be rolling on. Gavin had shopped well and, with Odd Rods holding a vast stock of steel and ali, not to mention being a home-based business, if anything lockdown came out in favour of the build. Read that in June 2020,

11.

The boot lid also needed attention…

16. …Gavin added an internal bracing frame…

21.

Wayne Clark set up the Anglia ‘shell at the desired ride height on his chassis table …whilst up front is an Odd Rods IFS with a Wayne narrowed Ford steering rack

Engine is a 2.0-litre Blacktop Zetec straight out of a Ford Mondeo. Left alone internally, it’s been cleaned and painted and enhanced with Omex Fuel Injection linked to a selfprogramming ECU. RetroFord in Corby supplied the fitting kit, along with the replacement Type 9 5-speed ‘box that Len fitted. An Escort propshaft from Motorsport-Tools in Wales unites the ‘box to the rear axle

26.

Right (27): The customfabricated stainless exhaust manifold is more of Wayne’s handiwork…

14 CUSTOM CAR JANUARY 2024

8pp Len Marriner Anglia.indd 14

10/12/2023 11:53

2.

3.

Stripping the car down revealed the extent of the body restoration needed

Being an experienced restorer Gavin wasn’t fazed by the challenge…

8.

7.

Many bodywork repair panels for the Anglia / Pop range are available off the shelf…

Gavin was a man on a mission with a deadline to meet

12. …but the roof drip rails were solid

13.

…and piece by piece cut out the rot and grafted in fresh steel

When he finished working on one side of the car…

…before lifting the body off the chassis

The body was then prepped and primed…

22.

23.

With the engine and ‘box mocked up in the chassis rails…

28. …which feeds a full stainless system. Gavin has since added an additional silencer as he found it a bit on the noisy side

10.

9.

Although Gavin had to fabricate filler pieces around it

…including the rear pan

Gavin fabricated fresh rear wheel tubs

18.

17.

27.

5.

14.

New outer sills were grafted on, albeit modified for a better fit

With measurements triple-checked, the new chassis was fabricated from steel plate and tube

4.

15.

With the bodywork repairs completed…

20.

19.

…when the Anglia was relocated to the Odd Rods Customs workshop

…in readiness for the next stage of the build…

24.

25.

…new engine mounts were formed and a gearbox crossmember fabricated

Out back is a narrowed Mk2 Escort Sport rear axle with triangulated location…

29.

30

The exhaust passes through the chassis rails to maximise ground clearance…

…and splits into two behind the rear axle to keep people guessing what’s under the bonnet

JANUARY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 15

8pp Len Marriner Anglia.indd 15

10/12/2023 11:54

31.

The custom ali fuel tank mounted under the boot floor incorporates baffles and a swirl pot

32.

33.

New floor panels were formed sheet steel and feature access apertures and a storage area under the driver’s seat

With the Anglia being strictly a 2-seater a new squab was formed to fill the void behind the seats…

36.

There are seat runners, then there are Odd Rods Customs seat runners

A new boot floor cloaks the fuel tank

just as lockdown was easing, Gavin once again headed out towards Heathrow Airport, this time to collect the fully rolling chassis.

There’s no doubting Wayne’s work rate.

Working on the project in his spare time, Gavin then spent the next 12 months or so finishing off the build. The body was fully prepped in readiness for paint, which was expertly applied by Gavin himself. He wired the car, sorted the interior with upholstery

by Joe at Trimdeluxe in Littlehampton and completed the almost endless list of jobs needed to get the car on the road.

That was achieved towards the end of 2022, which didn’t give Gavin much opportunity to clock up the miles. He did, however, take in a Sunday car meet in Port Solent where he placed a discreet ‘for

…which provides yet another useful luggage storage area for those weekends away

38.

37.

35.

34.

A freshly fabricated bulkhead optimises both under bonnet space…

…and that inside the car for both occupants and for mounting essentials such as the master cylinder reservoirs

sale’ sign in the window. He was surprised with the attention that drew, and someone suggested that if he was serious about selling he should have a word with Andrew Hebron at St Andrew’s Autos. A short time later the Anglia was on the back of a trailer heading towards Chelmsford.

Opposites attract

That highlights the difference between Gavin and Len (remember him from the start of this feature?), who are polar opposites on the hot rod spectrum. For Gavin, the thrill is in the building and taking a project from conception through to completion. After that his interest wanes and he needs to refocus and get his hands dirty once again. Len, however, is more than happy to buy a built

The boot is fully carpeted but doesn’t offer much in the way of luggage-carrying capacity. The modified Model A rear lights have been converted to LED

Paint is mile-deep dark base coat black, applied by the original builder Gavin Tilling.

After the car had changed hands, the subtle pinstriping was added by Eyeball Mike

16 CUSTOM CAR JANUARY 2024

8pp Len Marriner Anglia.indd 16

10/12/2023 11:54

40.

39.

The gearbox is stirred by a quick shift lever from Retro Ford

43.

Mixing the old and the new, the bulkhead provides anchorage for the Anglia’s original Bakelite dashboard

41.

The under-dash console houses the sound system head unit and a polished switchgear panel with a storage compartment underneath

42.

The windscreen wiper motor is mounted out of the way in the passenger footwell

44.

45.

The seats in their raw, as-bought state. Note the extensive use of Dynamat throughout the interior

Gavin handled the wiring using a kit from Duksville Speed Shop

The hand-formed door cards were coated with Dynamat on the reverse

46.

With the dry build complete, it was ready to be stripped back down for detailing

If anything, lockdown came out in favour of the build

JANUARY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 17

8pp Len Marriner Anglia.indd 17

10/12/2023 11:54

Sourced through eBay, the ali bomber seats were made to order by a guy in Oxford. They tilt forward for easier access to the rear storage area on Odd Rods runners, and are secured with latches by Gavin. The tilt column is by Ididit and the steering wheel by Billet Specialities. The door furniture is all original, as is the sun visor, while the custom headlining is from Small Ford Spares. Joe at Trimdeluxe made an excellent job of the Chestnut leather trim and German Weave carpet

car, make it his own and enjoy driving the nuts off it.

When you analyse that scenario it all makes perfect sense. The likes of Gavin cannot thrive without the likes of Len and vice versa. It’s a sort of hot rod utopia and our world is all the better for that.

Gavin came across as somewhat hesitant when I asked if would build another hot

rod. “I loved every minute of the build,” he admitted with reticence. “It’s certainly been an experience but I’m not sure I would ever build another car like this, and if I did it definitely wouldn’t be a build from scratch.”

Well used

Casting my mind back to Len’s rationale for buying the car, I had to question if a Ford

Gavin may not have spent that much time behind the wheel, but Len has more than made up for that.

When you next come across the Anglia, take a close look – the build quality is truly exceptional

Anglia be described as a practical hot rod.

There’s not a lot of space inside, but as Len and Sandra travel light on their weekends away that’s not an issue for them. And, speaking of weekends away, during the rodding season just gone they only spent one weekend at home.

“It’s such a well-built car, and so usable with the Zetec engine,” Len enthused. “It’s

Besides, I had a couple of them kicking around at work

18 CUSTOM CAR JANUARY 2024

8pp Len Marriner Anglia.indd 18

10/12/2023 13:26

like a modern car with an old car body, and it drives like a go-kart on rails.”

Such is the quality of the build, the only issue Len has had is with the gearbox, which hadn’t been touched internally. “It was a bit notchy in second and third, and the first gear ratio was too long for my liking.” RetroFord in Corby supplied a replacement and the odometer now reads just shy of 3000 miles.

“I’ve had some pinstriping added, and I will be changing to LED headlights but that’s about it. To be honest, I’ve struggled to find anything I want to change to stamp my own mark on the car. I may fit a new sound system at some point, but that is probably just to give me something to do. Cleaning, polishing and servicing are the only things that the car actually needs – apart from diving of course.”

That sounds like utopia to us. CC

Gavin would like to thank Wayne Clark at Odd Rods for the cracking job he made of the rolling chassis. Len would also like to express his thanks to Wayne, along with Gavin, Eyeball Mike and Andrew at St Andrew’s Autos

It may not have its original front-end sheet metal but the car proudly sports its ID badge Below: Wanting wheels that are a bit different from the norm, Gavin opted for custom-made Image Racing rims, 6x15” up front and 8x17” at the rear. Tyres are 165/60R15 Maxxis Mecotra 3 and 235/50R17 Maxxis M3 Bravo HP respectively

47.

Here it is fully stripped.

The next build-up would be the moment of glory

49.

Once that had cured it was time for the colour coats

48.

The body was final prepped in readiness for several coats of primer

50.

The end is in sight now. Body bolted on the rolling chassis with just ancillary panels and the interior to be fitted

JANUARY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 19

8pp Len Marriner Anglia.indd 19

10/12/2023 11:54

T

he team behind Run to the Sun relaunched the notorious custom car festival in May 23, with a scaled down version of the threeday event. It was 10 years since the last

RTTS in 2013 – which at the time the team had named the Final Chapter.

Now it’s back, with a new focus – on the cars. And not just any cars. Run to the Sun is once again about the custom cars that built the event in its early years.

In 2013, it was no secret that RTTS had become more about the boy racers and all-night raves. It was wild! It had started out as a custom car event but it took the view that anyone should be accepted – anyone with that passion, that fire in their hearts, they would all be welcome. This was a noble idea but, sadly, it opened the doors to a demographic which pushed away the traditional rods, custom cars and air-cooled

Volkswagens on which Run to the Sun’s fame was built.

The scaled down version in May 2023 was a test run for a bigger three-day event in 2024. The organisers moved the focus back to the cars, tightening eligibility rules to make it about the classics while limiting access to modern vehicles.

It’s fair to say the new regulations were hailed as a great success. The event had a great old school feel, and there wasn’t a ‘boy racer’ or ‘chav’ in sight. Everyone we know who attended only had positive things to say about the new Run to the Sun. RTTS now focuses on what the organisers call the ‘Preferred Vehicle Class.’ That’s pre-

20 CUSTOM CAR JANUARY 2024

RTTS.indd 20

11/12/2023 16:16

‘Run to the Sun now focuses on pre-1980 customs, classics and hot rods as well as air-cooled VWs’

1980 customs, classics and hot rods and all air-cooled Volkswagens. The whole event is built around this. The organisers do still accept some people in modern vehicles and even have a specific camper van area for people not in preferred vehicles – but they limit these ticket numbers so the event can remain focused on the cool and classic cars that built it up in the early years.

It’s not just the new eligibility rules, either.

The organisers are intent on keeping it a smaller affair, limiting tickets to 3500 on site while only having 150 show’n’shine places up for grabs. Quality over quantity is a mantra we have heard the organisers preach, and it’s great to see.

For RTTS ’24, they are back in Newquay for the full three-day event on the last Bank Holiday weekend in May. It starts with an organised cruise from Reading to Newquay, followed by and three days of car shows and entertainment on the new site.

The RTTS team are still teasing us with their full entertainment line-up, however we know there’s a huge mix of funk, soul, hip hop, world music, dance, DnB, folk, indy, comedy and much more across three venues on their greenfield site.

It’s been a big transition, moving back to the sort of cars we all love. The organisers feel strongly about creating a balanced event between custom cars and air-cooled VWs. There has already been some push back and calls for them to lighten the restrictions

from other car enthusiasts, but they have stayed true to their word and kept the new rules in place.

What this means is that Run to the Sun is relying on you. The hot rod and custom car world largely turned its back on the event – or was it the other way round?

Either way, the organisers have set their hearts on recreating a Run to the Sun that you will want to be part of. They’re put their faith in Britain’s rodders to support the event once more – now it’s up to you to put your faith in their ability to put on a show worthy of its name!

Run to the Sun 2024 takes place in Newquay on 24-27 May. You can find out more by visiting www.rtts.co.uk

Run to the Sun 2024 – be there FREE! 10 pairs of complimentary tickets up for grabs for Custom Car readers The organisers of Run to the Sun know that hot rodders and custom car owners were put off the event during the latter years in its old format. That’s why they’re anxious to let you know that the event is not like that any more – and that they’re bringing back the vibe from its early years, when it was among the very most popular events in the custom scene.

To help attract the right participants, the organisers are offering 10 pairs of free tickets to Run to the Sun 2024. These are available on a first come, first served basis – but with the strict rule that winners must attend in a qualifying vehicle. Tickets will only be issued once you have completed an entry form proving that your car fits the eligibility criteria.

To apply for these free tickets, send an email enquiries@assignment-media.co.uk, titled ‘RTTS 24.’ Include your name and contact details, and if possible a photo of the car in which you’ll be attending.

JANUARY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 21

RTTS.indd 21

11/12/2023 16:16

COOLING & CNC Fabrication Serck Motorsoport have been manufacturing cooling systems for the custom car and drag racing market for over 40 years.

Built to the highest standards in both Aluminium or Copper Brass Construction we have supplied to all levels of performance from Drag Racing to Custom Cars, Classic and Muscle Cars. We can also help you design your Cooling System from scratch with our CAD Software programs.

We have recently added a new 5 Axis CNC Machine to our manufacturing department supported by the latest design software to enable us to meet your requirements for any parts machining or cooling solutions. We are also the official UK Distributor Setrab Oil Coolers with a huge range in stock from Diff Coolers to Transmission and Engine Coolers all instock and featured on our growing website.

From Colin Millars 6 Second Ford Pop to Mark Todd’s 2000hp Street Legal Aston Martin to Paul Morton’s MK1 Zephyr Zodiac and many many more we have the perfect Cooling Solution for all Custom and Race applications.

PERFORMANCE PARTS We have over 35,000 listed parts featured on our growing web site with a huge stock for quick and efficient delivery times for over 30 high quality brands in the market today, from Race and Road Tyres, Race Wheels to Water Pumps to Nitrous Kits to Turbos to Performance Oil to Fuel Injection Systems.

We have also added a full range of Clear View Oil Filtration as featured on Street Outlaws.

NITROUS Did you know there are now 7 Nitrous Filling Stations throughout the UK plus at our site in Hayes ? You can find them directly on our Website!!

You can also get your refills direct at Santa Pod Raceway in the Pod Shop as well as a range of racing products from Serck Motorsport to support racers at the track.

We are also appointed Nitrous Express UK Distributors and can supply all your performance requirements from Bottles to Kits to Parts direct from Stock.

RACING SERVICES Rebuilding or Refreshing your engine?? Consider Contamination from your Coolers!!

We have a full Cooling System Micron Analysis Cleaning and Testing facility in house and can fully service your Coolers, Lines, Oil Tanks.... DOWN TO THE MICRON! We also Flow Test, Helium Pressure Test and carry Endoscopic Inspections as well as Fin Repair keeping your cooling performance to 100% efficiency.

www.serckmotorsport.co.uk Custom Car_2023_11_November_Serck Motorsport_DPS.indd 1

06/09/2023 09:44

General Enquiries: +44 (0)20 8813 7470 Email: motorsport@serckglobal.com

DO YOU WANT TO JOIN THE SERCK DEALER NETWORK? We are looking for more dealers to help distribute and supply the racers all over the UK by providing such brands as:  Setrab oil coolers  Autometer gauges  Clear view oil filters  Nitrous express parts and kits  Race star wheels  Race gas  Fitech  Brian crower  Turbo smart And many more.

We are also looking for more Nitrous filling stations to join the Serck network to help provide Nitrous refills across the UK Please send any dealer enquires to: steven.morton@unipart.com

www.serckmotorsport.co.uk Custom Car_2023_11_November_Serck Motorsport_DPS.indd 2

06/09/2023 09:43

Out & About

Very hot rods

Words & Pics: Martin Drake Event: Hot Rods and Hills Date: 8-11 June Venue: Park Foot Holiday Park, Ullswater The Lake District is such a quiet, peaceful place. But once every year, it becomes the Mecca for some of the best vehicles you will ever see – turning a nice, quiet village into a V8 full-force zone of noise and beautiful things other than the wildlife and hills.

Actually, some would say that it still is wildlife viewing… it’s just that the wildlife in question is, well, a little different…

Hot Rods and Hills is held at Park Foot Holiday Park, in the foothills of Ullswater.

It’s one of the most iconic weekends of the show season – yet one big, big thing that sets it apart from all the rest of the shows is that it’s not one. A normal show weekend will end on the Sunday with the show field filled with all sorts of classic and American cars of all shapes and sizes hoping to get a trophy – but at the end of the day this event is simply about enjoying your car.

There’s no show and shine. Hot Rods and Hills is simply about driving your pride and joy and spending time with friends who you may have not seen for some time.

A welcome bonus of being at Park Foot is that it’s just a short walk down to the waterside. You are in Pooley Bridge, with its shops, pubs and all sorts of goodies to buy. When you are finished, another short walk takes you back to camp to have a walk

around and take in all the American and British custom cars and hot rods.

As a bonus this year, the sun was out for most of the weekend, melting you to a pile of goo – as opposed to some years in the past, where waterproof underwear wouldn’t have saved you on the highest part of dry land! If you didn’t manage to make it up to the on-site shop for some ice to help you reform yourself back to feeling almost human again, the bar was open to help you along too.

Hot Rods and Hills is the only event to hold three cruises over the weekend, with runs out on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I did see a few heads hanging out of the cars’ windows as drivers and passengers tried to catch a breath of air to help cool them down. God help you if you had leather seats, that’s all I’m saying!

A nice walk out with something cold in your hand did help, and if you didn’t there were places that could help with that problem if you get my drift! The waterside on Sunday normally has a few people sitting on the rocks enjoying the sun – but as we walked down on the eve of the day, I have to say I have never seen so many people sitting out and going for a swim in the lake. Even our dog Shadow went and had a paddle, which to be honest is most unusual for her, then again it’s not often you see a Husky in an inflatable boat and not having a care in the world.

Hot Rods and Hills is the place to just chill and see everyone you don’t get to see under normal circumstances. It’s a hot rodder’s paradise.

As it is the Lake District, the cruises vary in the types of roads you experience.

24 CUSTOM CAR JANUARY 2024

Hot-rods-and-hills_JAN24-2pgs.indd 24

10/12/2023 12:52

It can be a tight country road to the infamous Kirkstone Pass, where only the strongest survive! Over the years, they have had loads of sub 10-second quarter mile cars do the pass, all of them road legal of course.

Thanks go to Craig Dixon and his crew for putting on such a great event for us all to enjoy. The added bonus is that with the venue being a campsite, you can book yourself in for before and after the dates of the event itself – and most people do indeed treat it as their annual holiday, taking a week away with the event right in the middle of it. Fantastic idea, if you ask me – this coming year’s Hot Rods and Hills will take place on 6th-9th June 2024, so search out Park Foot Holiday Park and, when you book, let them know you’re with the with the hot rods.

JANUARY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 25

Hot-rods-and-hills_JAN24-2pgs.indd 25

10/12/2023 12:53

One of the lines Plymouth used to sell its cars in the 1940s was “low priced beauty with the luxury ride.” Mark Hughes might have missed the low price bit, but his sweet custom is definitely a luxury ride Words: Mike Pye Pics: Alan Kidd

26 CUSTOM CAR JANUARY 2024

Mark Hughes Plymouth TO SORT.indd 26

10/12/2023 12:46

L

ast time we ventured into Mark Hughes’ garage, it was in Barnsley, not Lincolnshire where he lives now. It also contained a very sweet 1960’s-style Model A coupe, not the tail dragging custom Plymouth you see here.

As it turns out, a lot has happened in Mark’s life in the interim, some of which we’ll share. Suffice to say, he’s back up and

running again now and already deep into his next build, but we’ll come to that in a minute.

Asked when the change came that saw him move from hot rods into customs, Mark was quick to reply: “I’ve always been into customs. I used to get into trouble at school because I’d be busy drawing chopped Mercs and flame jobs when I should have been doing school work,” he laughs.

So really it was only a matter of time before those childhood sketches became a full-size vehicle.

“I bought a ’47 Ford a few years back that I was going to do as a custom, and I had collected just about all the bits to build it, only to came back from a trip away to Bonneville and find that I was getting laid off at work.”

JANUARY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 27

Mark Hughes Plymouth TO SORT.indd 27

10/12/2023 12:46

The build 3.

2.

1.

Within a week of landing in the UK, the interior and windows were out and the car was at Johnny Best’s. In the words of Alan Partridge, let battle commence

Bit different to how it looks now, huh?

Fresh off the boat, or at least just about to go on the boat. Here’s how a 1940 Plymouth Business Coupe looks off the production line

6.

4.

First job was to plan the chop, and where the roof was going to be cut

7.

A whole lot of grinding later and the rear of the roof is largely finished

5.

A huge amount of work has been done between the previous picture and this one, but that’s the flow of the roof sorted

Sail panels were cut out first. Note the rear window has been well braced, and the body was too before any cuts were made

8.

Now on to the sides and the window apertures, which were drastically reduced in size and re-shaped…

9. …requiring whole new infill panels be made by hand with a little gutter (not the finished shape at this point) to keep the rain out

Car started life as a 1940 Plymouth Business Coupe, though you’d never know it to look at the sweeping roofline it has now. Fenderskirts are ’40 Ford / Mercury ones, modified to fit the Plymouth wheel openings, and the side trim is also ’40 Merc’, requiring only the slightest tweak of the forward section to fit the old Mopar

28 CUSTOM CAR JANUARY 2024

Mark Hughes Plymouth TO SORT.indd 28

10/12/2023 12:46

10.

On to the window frames. Curving the stainless U-channel wasn’t easy, but heat and this empty gas bottle fixture Johnny made got the job done

11.

Here’s the end result. Compare this to the first and third and pictures above and you get an idea of just how much work was involved

12.

Compared to all that, the smoothing and moulding of the rear was straightforward work.

Note the stock external boot lid hinges are still present at this point

13.

15.

Tail lights are now in the overriders. Yep, these insignificant slivers of red do it all – stop, tail and indicator

14.

That’s the ride height and stance sorted, just paint and interior to go

As the front still uses the original Plymouth IFS, the factory lower A-arms were modified into air bag platforms

16.

318 Mopar small block came with the car – but it certainly didn’t look like this, or have a Mopar tri-carb intake on it

That slight bump in the road unfortunately forced the sale of the ’47, but Mark was determined not to let go of the custom dream. So in 2015, he started looking in earnest for a base car.

Mercury crazy

“I’d always wanted a ’49 / ’50 Merc,” he says, “so that’s what I started looking for.

But I suppose your tastes change a bit, so I stared looking at ’39 / ’40 Mercs instead – but just couldn’t find one that wasn’t either crazy money or needed a whole lot of work.

That’s when the Plymouth came along.

Mark dismissed it at first as there are already two others in the Originals hot rod club, of which he is a fully paid-up member.

But something kept drawing him back to it.

17

18.

Engine and gearbox mounted and bodywork prep underway

Now with paint, it’s on to the home straight, but still a long way to go to a finished car

“The more I looked at it, at the body lines, the more I could see it was going to work for what I had in my mind. It was also half the price of any of the Fords or Mercurys I’d been looking at, and already had a small block Mopar in it.”

The vision Mark had was of a Matranga / Hirohata-style hardtop chop, with a bit of Kevan Sledge’s ’40 Merc’ thrown in, and he knew just the man to make that happen.

“I always try and do as much of my own work as I can. I chopped my Model A, but this was too much for me, so I called Johnny Best and told him my ideas. He went away and thought about it for a bit, and then came back all excited. Only problem was, that was in November and he was moving to the Isle of Wight in the new year.”

Not wanting to miss that window of opportunity, the day the car arrived from Northern California in December 2016, Mark started stripping it and, by the end of the week, it was at Johnny’s place and the angle grinder was ready and revving.

“For me, a car like this has to flow, and I wanted the chop to be taller at the front than the back – fastback style. But it’s really hard to get that back quarter right,” explains Mark.

Johnny Morris

Johnny took it all in his stride though, slicing 2½ inches out of the front pillars and 4½ out of the back, laying the stock height rear window down and then re-purposing some Morris sail panel sections to fill in the gaps. That makes it sound easy, but one

JANUARY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 29

Mark Hughes Plymouth TO SORT.indd 29

10/12/2023 12:46

Above: Dash is largely stock, just with some LED back lights in the original gauges, which are set off by a laser cut graphic overlay that came out a bit greener than Mark expected. The handmade acrylic knobs were a wedding present from Johnny Best, while the horn ring that adorns the original steering wheel was picked up years ago while Mark was on holiday in the States. Now it’s found its forever home Below: Interior was done in distressed leather by Paul at East Coast Upholstery in Scarborough, in double quick time too so Mark could take part in the prestigious Style and Substance Custom Low-Riders (their hyphen, not ours) display on the Cartier Style et Luxe Lawn at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed

look at the build pictures will better explain the reality.

The neatest part in our eyes is the modification made to the sides of the roof, which were extended downwards to reduce the size of the window apertures and make look them more reminiscent of those on a ’40 Mercury.

Then we come to the windows…

Mark wanted these done in stainless steel and Johnny duly obliged, even though it was a massive ballache to work the U-section into the appropriate flowing curves. He did manage to get there in the end, though, and produced exactly what Mark had in his mind.

A bunch of other body mods were done in Johnny’s shed, including moulding the rear wings and bumper infill panel into the body, shaving the door and boot handles, rear lights and filler cap and, subtlest of all, removing some – but not all – of the horizontal swage lines in the body.

Compared to the rear of the car, the front end remains largely stock, albeit without its bumper.

“It just seemed to flow best that way, but I’m now thinking of putting a front bumper on it, I’ve just got to get the style and shape right. That’s the trouble with cars like this, get one bit wrong and you ruin the whole thing.”

Gentleman Jim

From Johnny’s, the car went to Jim’s Autos, aka J&S Engineering in Stourport, for the mechanical work. This included mounting the 318ci Mopar small block and 904 auto’ transmission properly, putting the steering in and lowering the car using a pair of dropped uprights on the factory IFS. “It’s a cruiser, not a race car, but it does move on a bit. What it’s not so good at is stopping, so I might have to have a look at improving that at some point.”

Other life factors meant the car sat at this stage for a few years before Mark was in a position to get the ball rolling again. When he did, the next stop on the journey was another

30 CUSTOM CAR JANUARY 2024

Mark Hughes Plymouth TO SORT.indd 30

10/12/2023 12:46

The vision Mark had for it was of a Matranga / Hirohata-style hardtop chop, with a bit of Kevan Sledge’s ’40 Merc’ thrown in

Mark’s fortunate to have this lovely wooden garage / work space at home, but with that comes other problems: “That’s always deadly, isn’t it? Having space for another car,” he laughs. Some of that space is now taken up by the ’70 ’Cuda he’s now working on, but there’s still room for a little one…

Originals member, Emma ‘Tia Loco’ Evans’ shop in Gainsborough, Bomber County Classics, to have air ride installed.

Curiously, Mark says an older Chevy C10 system was a surprisingly good fit. It’s just a single box control system with twin Viair pumps, but is four-way adjustable and works just fine.

“We had to put a tunnel through the car, modify the exhaust and notch the chassis at the rear to get it all to sit the way I wanted it – not flat, just a little lower at the rear than the front. That’s the way I like ’em.’

While it was with Tia, she also did a chunk of the body prep and re-made the window frames in steel. Yep, you read that right.

Take two

“It wasn’t that there was anything wrong with the ones Johnny had made, he’d just had to put so much heat and stress into the stainless that it was starting to go brittle. We took the opportunity to make them half an inch deeper at the same time to make the side glass a little shallower still, and to put a little more rake into the rear corners. It’s surprising how much difference that made.”

A stroke in 2020 put another bump in Mark’s road, but he used the time he was laid up in hospital to good effect.

“I’ve never been a glass half empty person, ever, so I just figured I had to get on with it.

So there I was, lying in bed, paralysed down one side, ordering parts for the car from Geordie Paul with my other side,” he recalls with a grin.

Having had a bit of time to ruminate over colours, by the time the car went into yet another Originals member, Mark ‘Eff’ Fox’s place of work for final preparation and top coats, the decision had swayed from green to purple.

“It had to be a Mopar colour, didn’t it?” says Mark, and so it came out of Eff’s place resplendent in its new coat of Hellraisin’, a 2020 model year Challenger colour but one which is also perfectly suited a 1940’s-style custom.

JANUARY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 31

Mark Hughes Plymouth TO SORT.indd 31

10/12/2023 12:46

Mopar or no part

“Everything on the car is Mopar,” says Mark proudly, “except the rear number plate surround, which is off a Chevy. If I could have found a Chrysler one I liked as much I’d have used it, but I couldn’t.”

When Mark bought the car, the only interior in it was a seat – meaning everything else needed to be made from scratch. And it needed to be made in double quick time, too. When Mark was orignially contacted about having the car on display at Goodwood last year, he assumed they were going to want it to be at the Revival in September – but it turned out to be the Festival of Speed in July. As the car needed to have an interior to be on show, that suddenly became number one priority.

After getting a couple of quotes that caused him to have a sit down in a dark room, he called Paul Beedham at East Coast Upholstery in Scarborough. Paul understood immediately what Mark was after, at a more palatable cost. It still wasn’t cheap, but good work never is.

“I wanted very simple, very traditional tuck ’n’ roll, no cup holders,” explains Mark, “and I wanted it in leather… with a matching

headliner in the same material.” That latter request did cause a certain amount of grief but, with the addition of a couple of extra bows to hold the weight of the material snug against the roof, Paul managed to make it happen.

“He really knocked it out of the park,” says Mark enthusiastically. “It’s exactly what I wanted – quality work, plush and it smells nice, too.”

In the club

Speaking to Mark, it’s clear the whole car is exactly what he wanted. Every part of it has been considered and carefully executed, almost entirely by members of his Originals car club. While it’s been great to keep so much of it in the family, as it were, it didn’t mean he hasn’t had to fork out some coin to make it happen.

“When I started out, I thought I’ll build this for twenty grand, no problem,” he says with a grin. “No chance!”

While clearly it’s a totally different kind of car, we were still interested to hear about how the Plymouth compares to the hot rod in terms of the driving experience. “You can’t see a bloody thing!” comes Mark’s

immediate response. “I really didn’t want to put any mirrors on it, but I’ve had to concede to having a small rear-view camera in the back window that I can see when I look at the rear mirror. That’s saved me a few times on the motorway.

“The biggest problem is people taking photos and filming the car when I’m out in it. I’ve had people overtake and then pull in front and put the brakes on to get a better look. What they don’t realise is I can’t stop as well as they can.”

I guess that’s the price you pay for driving something so cool, and so refreshingly different to the boring modern Euroboxes that fill the roads today.

As for that next build we mentioned at the beginning. Well, it’s another Plymouth, but this one is getting a Billadeau big block transplant and is going to be a kind of Super Stock car for the street.

Whether the Plymouth you’re looking at here has to go to fund the new one remains to be seen, but we’re hoping Mark can keep the two as what an amazing pair they would make together in the garage. A garage which I rather suspect we’ll be visiting again in the future… CC

32 CUSTOM CAR JANUARY 2024

Mark Hughes Plymouth TO SORT.indd 32

10/12/2023 12:46

Left: 318ci Chrysler engine is stock internally but has tubular stainless headers and a tri-carb intake with three Demon 98s under Edmunds-style air filters. Mark laughs when he recalls searching in America for a set of the Cal Custom valve covers, only to find a pair 20 minutes away in Lincolnshire. He took them back to America to have them polished, mind Below Far Left: You may think wheels and tyres are an easier choice on a custom, but it takes a good eye to get them jus’ right – both for the ride height and the period you are going for. Mark has used rare 4 x 15-inch Mercury wheels on the front and ramped up the plain polished ’caps with simple bullets. Rear wheels are regular 10-hole steels with 6.70-15 Goodyear Super Cushion whitewalls all round, though you’ll never see the rears Below Far Left: Dummy Appletons are for looks only, but the reluctantly fitted wing mirrors are out of necessity, Mark commenting that visibility when driving the car is dreadful

That’s the trouble with cars like this, get one bit wrong and you ruin the whole thing

Above: If you shave your rear lights, you’ve got to put them somewhere else. Mark chose to set them into the overriders, which sit either side of an early Chevy number plate surround.

They don’t give a lot of warning to following cars, but they sure look cool

JANUARY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 33

Mark Hughes Plymouth TO SORT.indd 33

10/12/2023 12:47

LS3 powered ®

®

Driven’s range of street performance oils includes the Driven LS30. A fully synthetic SAE5W-30 engine oil that is perfect in LS2, LS3 and LS7 engines. High in ZDDP and with a medium detergent level this oil runs cooler, protects better and keeps its viscosity throughout its service life.

Driven’s street performance range is available in SAE5W-20, SAE5W-30, SAE5W-40, SAE5W-50 and SAE15W-50 viscosities.

Anglo American Oil Company +44 (0) 1929 551557 www.drivenracingoil.co.uk

Custom Car_2023_11_Nov_Anglo American Oil_QP.indd 1

Contact us on:

@BomberCountyClassics

07579 785260

bombercountyclassics@gmail.com

01/09/2023 10:26

CLASSIC WIRE WHEELS FOR CREATIVE CUSTOMS Add a classic, unique look to your Hot Rod or custom with Turrino's custom made wire wheels

• Restoration • Hubs & Spinners • Tyres • Alloy Rims • Steel Rims From Alloy and Steel Rims restoration to fully custom creations hubs and spinners all wrapped in your choice of tyre – if you can think it Turrino can build it.

PHONE: +44(0)1780 470460 EMAIL: info@turrinowheels.com WEB: turrinowheels.com Car_2023_12_Winter_Torrino Wheels_HP.indd 1 34Custom CUSTOM CAR JANUARY 2024

Custom Car_2024_01_January_Composite Page_FP.indd 34

13/11/2023 12:34

11/12/2023 13:44

New!

YOUR SINGLE-SOURCE STREET ROD PARTS PROVIDER! 800,000+ PARTS IN STOCK!

1947–1953 BILLET GRILLE available plain or polished, with or without Chevrolet lettering. $1595–$2295

Electric Wiper Motors #EWFORD47

Buick 37–58 . . . . . . . . . . . . $230–$239 Cadillac 37–58 . . . . . . . . . . $230–$250 Chevy 37–67 . . . . . . . $198 .75– $253 .50 Dodge/Plymouth 40–50 . . . $239–$400 Ford 37–65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . $230–$400 Oldsmobile 37–58 . . . . . . . . .$239 Lincoln 40–60 . . . . . . . . . . . $230–$239 Packard 38–40 . . . . . . . . . . .$239 Mercury 39–62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $239 Pontiac 37–58 . . . . . . . . . . .$239

CALL US TODAY! 01-360-835-9799 WWW.STREETRODHQ.COM FREE CATALOG WITH YOUR ORDER! SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER AND FOLLOW US ON

20 Doman Road, Camberley, Surrey, GU15 3DF

ALL PRICES, PRODUCT IMAGES AND AVAILABILITY ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. PLEASE CALL FOR CURRENT AVAILABILITY AND PRICES

Vintage Hot Rod Supplies Ltd

Mon -Fri 8.00-5.00 Sat 9.00-1.30

Contact Tim on:

07714 018359 Parts P arts & P Panels anels ffor or C Customs, ustoms, Classics, C lassics, Hotrods Hotrods & T Trucks rucks 1932 Ford Model B roadster Original chassis, original axles Brookville steel body 8BA flathead £26000

This is a 1965 Streamline Travel Car motorhome, 427 Ford V8 with C6 Auto, runs, in the UK and V5 registered, very rare, 30FT long, £36000.

1932 Ford Model B pick up Original chassis ,dropped I beam 2.5 inch chop, Halibrand rear axle 8 ba Flathead and 39 box £26000

1930 Model A roadster, very original in green and black , all running and driving and in very good order throughout. £22,000

Tel: 07813135360 Email: sales@vintagehotrodsupplies.com Vintage Hot Rod Supplies, Moorlands Lane, Saltash PL12 4HJ, United Kingdom

JANUARY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 35 Custom Car_2023_12_December_Vintage Hot Rod Supplies_QP.indd 1

Custom Car_2024_01_January_Composite Page_FP.indd 35

12/10/2023 14:11

11/12/2023 13:44

Hot Rod Drags Gasser Circus

Huge respect to Aaron Haywood and Mark Fox for putting the Flathead-powered Chinese Bandit Topolino back down the track after a 56-year slumber. 15.4 was the best this time round, but of course they’ll now be wanting to go quicker

Chris Layram went into the first round of qualifying on Saturday morning as the points leader in the championship and continued to run consistently close to his 10.14 dial in, but with 26 entries it was all to play for. Nick Brooke-Langham (11.510 / 106 on an 11.48 dial) took an early lead, only to be ousted by a flying Lee Pike in Honky Tonkin II (9.415 / 147 on a 9.40 dial).

Ray Turner made his move in Q2, up from 18 to the number two spot, only to then be knocked down again by Patrick Hobbs, who had the same done to him by that man Layram. It was Billy Jones, though, that nailed it, posting a 10.520 on a 10.52 dial to take first place.

In Q3, Jason Pickett came on strong, as did Martyn Hallam and John Gibson, Harvey Turner

Billy Mills was really hauling ass.

His new PB of 10.35 at 129mph is thought to make the Barracuda the quickest small block Mopar in the UK, possibly Europe

36 CUSTOM CAR JANUARY 2024

Hot-rod-drags-race-report-feature_Jan 2024 8pgs.indd 36

10/12/2023 12:16

■ Words: Mike Pye ■ Pics: Julian Hunt (action), Mike Pye (static)

but the top three at the end of the session were Jones, Hobbs and Pike.

Come eliminations on Sunday, Pike red lit his chances away, as did Adam Kruczynski, allowing Ray Turner to stay in contention for the championship, along with Simon Prest and Layram.

In round two, Layram was pushed out

by Graham Barton, but still clinched the 2023 championship. There was still the event win to race for though, and John Gibson, Sean Milsom, Nick Hewison, Steve Matthews. Martyn Hallam and Billy Jones all had eyes on the prize.

In the next round, Hallam went through on a bye, Hewison holeshot Jones and Barton and Matthews progressed.

When rain called a halt to the day’s racing before the semis could be run, Hallam was declared the round six winner.

Chris Layram

Friday at this year’s Hot Rod Drags was a glorious sunny day. Shame I spent most of it sitting in traffic trying to get to the Pod to watch the RWYB racing. It was, by all accounts, rather good, with over 120 people signing off for the RWYB, so it was disappointing to miss the majority of it.

Still, Saturday dawned nice too, and a great day’s racing was enjoyed by all, topped off with the traditional ‘Cracklefest’, fireworks and live music in the marquee.

Knowing heavy rain was forecast for Sunday afternoon, we got up bright and early in the morning and watched a good few hours’ racing until the predicted deluge arrived bang on time around 3 o’clock. As we all knew it was in to stay, the meet was called early, so it was home for an early bath.

If we’re honest, we found this year’s event a bit quiet, particularly on the Friday.

Not just visitors but the number of racers

present, too. It livened up considerably on Saturday but, as the camping areas remained sparsely populated, we figured a lot of people just came for one day. You could blame the Sunday weather forecast, or the cost of living crisis, or any number of other things. Bottom line is this end-ofseason event has been better attended in the past.

We still thoroughly enjoyed it, though, and hope more people make the effort to support the NSRA Hot Rod Drags next year.

Martyn Hallam

Andy Cobb

AJ Denning

JANUARY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 37

Hot-rod-drags-race-report-feature_Jan 2024 8pgs.indd 37

10/12/2023 12:16

NSRA Dirty Dozen winners Dougie Hill

Motor Mouse Slingshot Frankie Taylor

Outlaw Anglia The big guns came in hot in the first round of qualifying, with Gary Bird, Colin Millar, Martyn Payne and Jon Webster all running into the eights. Of those, Webster was the quickest (8.051 / 134), and improved in Q2, posting a rapid 7.184 / 188, only to be outdone by Millar’s blistering 6.906 at a hair off 200mph.

John O’Sullivan, meanwhile, kept enough throttle in the outrageous Mr. Mopar car to make number 14 in the 16-car ladder.

Ben Kennedy in the Lexus turbopowered car made a hard charge in Q3 into the no.7 spot and Rob Brindle stepped up ahead of Payne.

In Sunday’s eliminations, Dalton Scarlett put in a flying 7.154 / 192 to improve his PB. Likewise, Kennedy, who clocked his Ben Kennedy

first eight (8.940 / 146), while through went Millar, Payne, Scarlett, Kennedy, Webster, Andy Cunningham, Wayne Power and Rob Brindle.

In round two, Kennedy went quicker still, upping his PB to 8.710 / 140 but with Millar going 7.907 / 167 alongside it wasn’t enough to stay in the running.

Likewise, Payne, Power and Cunningham all bowed out to Brindle (8.762 / 148), Webster (7.700 / 136) and Scarlett (8.319 / 146) respectively.

Just before the rain came in and halted play, the ET Q&E combo match ups took place, Doug McClure beating Brian Nixon, Aaron Bird taking out Shane Bird and Alex Strike enjoying a solo pass when Spencer Tidswell didn’t show.

Jon Webster

Banshee Topolino Paul Quick

’28/’29 A sedan Simon Foster

’32 Euro sedan

Kevin Bingham

Belly tank Stuart Smith

blown 32 pick-up

25 grand was the price on the Model A roadster pick-up the late Steve Lang put together for his partner, Sue Manners, and which featured in various technical articles in CC during its construction

38 CUSTOM CAR JANUARY 2024

Hot-rod-drags-race-report-feature_Jan 2024 8pgs.indd 38

10/12/2023 12:16

Alex Strike

Wayne Power

Colin Millar Andy Bloomfield

We can’t recall ever seeing this Mk1 Fiesta drag car before, but it had Pete Hodgett’s name on the door and was up for sale, complete with its home brew turbo’d and dual Weber fed Pinto. We kinda dig it

JANUARY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 39

Hot-rod-drags-race-report-feature_Jan 2024 8pgs.indd 39

10/12/2023 12:17

Wild Bunch

In Saturday’s time trials, it was great to see both the historic Flathead-powered slingshots, the Cooper family’s Back From The Past and the Charlie Bang Special, piloted by Gavin Meanley, running side by side (11.216 / 118 vs 12.282 / 112, and 11.076 / 119 vs 12.474 / 111 respectively), while new PBs over the weekend came the way of Alan Lloyd in Gonzo the Great (7.594 / 162), James Griffen in Timelock II (9.151 / 140), Ford Skipp (9.224 / 141), Allan Schofield (7.598 / 172), Elliott Jones in Ragin’ Cajun (9.761 / 136), Dave Shoemark (10.514 / 134), and James Auld (12.220 / 110).

Bob Hawkins was on his usual form in Time Traveller II, clocking 6.797 / 188, then upping that to 6.747 with

Bob Hawkins

a magical 200 on Sunday morning, and a 6.171 / 199 to earn himself the Wild Bunch quickest ET and fastest mph awards.

On Sunday, there were yet more PBs being posted, including a very welcome 10 for Ruaridh Hart in the Brave Heart Opel GT (10.602 / 116) and Robert White (10.911 / 118).

Allan Schofield

James Griffen

Sadly, as per all the other classes, the Wild Bunch were denied their chance to run to conclusion by the weather. At the end of play, Rob and Pete Brown were in the top spot, with an average variance of 0.031, followed by Allan Scholfield (0.061) and Andy and Gordon Roy (0.073) in second and third respectively.

Alan Lloyd

Dave Shoemark

Ruaridh Hart

Glynn Boardman bagged the Goodale Speed Shop-sponsored award for running closest to dial in. Though the car runs into the nines, three 10.0s on a 10.0 dial is the definition of consistent

Three generations of the (Whiff) Smith family will soon be racing the 460 big block Ford-powered Smurfstang, making it a true family affair. It ran 11.578 / 110 for Kieron on this occasion, but has a best of 11.2 seconds

40 CUSTOM CAR JANUARY 2024

Hot-rod-drags-race-report-feature_Jan 2024 8pgs.indd 40

10/12/2023 12:17

Ray’s Classics

San Carlos CA since 1980

California Collector Car Export Sales Specialist

1953 Ford Zephyr MK 1 LHD American spec, excellent rustfree body and undercarriage, original 6cylinder engine/transmission starts and runs good clutch, new master cylinders, wheel cylinders included - not installed, $10,600.

1960 Vauxhall Velox, LHD canadian car, 46,000m, excellent original interior, on the button, great driver $12,250.

1950 Austin A40 devon LHD USA car, small fortune spent on extensive restoration, only a handful of miles since completion $11,250.

1959 Austin A55 van LHD, MGB engine/overdrive gearbox, rear axle, brakes $8800.

1964 1/2 F Code Mustang 260CI/Auto, P/S, matching numbers california black plate car, rustfree stripped to bare metal 100% complete $11,750.

1967 C Code Mustang 289/Auto, P/S, factory A/C, deluxe hood, California rustfree body, runs and drives, restoration started $4000 in new parts purchased and included with purchase $13,750

1947 Chevy factory built sedan delivery 6CYL/3spd, on the button driver $13,850.

1963 Mercury Comet 2DR Sedan , 6CYL/3SPD, complete new interior, lots of mechanical work completed, on the button running driving, great entry level to american car ownership $13,250.

25 VEHICLES UK REGISTERED READY FOR PURCHASE IN THE SW OF ENGLAND POA Prices include shipping from Oakland CA to UK mainland. Check the website for complete inventory list.

WE CAN LOCATE LOCA THE CAR OF YOUR DREAMS

Vehicle shipping to the UK inspection services available in the Western States

Custom Car_2024_01_January_Rays Classics_FP.indd 1

650-361-8083

Tel: e: raysclassics@earthlink.net www.raysclassics.com

08/12/2023 13:54

Custom Car_2022_11_Nov_Graham Sykes Ltd_HP.indd 1

05/09/2022 14:59

UK's best buyer of Hot Rods, Classic American & Modified Cars INSTANT DECISIONS & PAYMENTS

Contact Andrew on: 07836 226228 | 01245 248888 | sales@standrewsautos.co.uk www.standrewsauto.co.uk

Custom Car_2024_01_January_St Andews Autos_EP.indd 1

www.berkshirebodyshop.co.uk | info@berkshire-bodyshop.co.uk YouTube: @berkshirebodyshop6031 | facebook.com/berkshire.bodyshop Berkshire Bodyshop, Unit B, Sterling Court, Hambridge Road, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 5SQ

24/11/2023 Custom Car_2023_08_August_Berkshire 11:27 Body Shop_EP.indd 1

21/06/2023 16:12

08/12/2022 Custom Car_2023_02_Feb_Valley 10:25 Gas Speed Shop_EP.indd 1

20/12/2022 12:04

Nationwide Transportation Available

42 CUSTOM CAR JANUARY 2024 Custom Car_2023_01_Jan_Mobile Welding Services_EP.indd 1 Custom Car_2024_01_January_Composite Page_FP.indd 42

11/12/2023 13:44

Exhibitionists Four great cars, and a huge amount of racing experience between those running them, but this is drag racing and everything doesn’t always go to plan.

Julian Webb has clearly got a handle on the new Spiderman jet dragster, storming through to a 5.945 / 256 on Saturday evening, while Robin Read was splitting eardrums like only he can in the old Daimler-powered car, 7.192 / 192.

James Charman, meanwhile is getting to grips with the Gotavit nostalgia slingshot, an 11.833 / 67 shakedown, while everyone on site was pleased to see Norm Wheeldon back out to play in Two Much – though clutch slip prevented him getting a clean pass in the fabulous twin-engined machine.

James Charman

Norm Wheeldon

Robin Read

Julian Webb

Right: Santa Pod owner, Keith Bartlett, and Andy Bond ran a series of tri-Chevy grudge races over the weekend. Keith clocked a 10.041 / 132 PB on Sat morning and won the first round; Andy the second when KB red lit, and the third in similar circumstances. Keith then pulled one back when Andy blew his pinion apart, but returned with his other car, the Ugly Sister ’56 – only to break out, 7.428 / 202 on a 7.50 dial, handing the win to Keith. We make that 3-2 to KB

Nostalgia Super Stock

Though NSS wasn’t a featured class at the HRD, the opening rounds of the event were, in fact, the final rounds of the Mopar Euronationals, which was struck down in its prime by the good old British weather.

So, picking up where we left off in the December issue, Dan Williams took out Chris Goodale, while Vic Parsons saw off father Williams, setting up a Parsons vs Wiliams final. With both engines built by Dan, and Vic’s the more powerful, Dan

Dan Williams

had to pull out all the stops. And that’s exactly what he did, a quicker reaction time getting him out of the hole ahead and his 10.670 / 117 being just enough to stay ahead of Parsons’ storming 9.824 / 136. What a race.

JANUARY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 43

Hot-rod-drags-race-report-feature_Jan 2024 8pgs.indd 43

10/12/2023 12:17

Joe Bond

Aaron Windridge

Kirsten van Croonenborgh

Supercharged Outlaws Another class that seems to grow in entries every meet recently, these guys know how to put on a show.

Wayne Allman finally got the 200mph pass he’s been after for a long time when running against Simon Barlow in Q1 (7.157 / 201 vs 7.221 / 192). Jim Usher then bagged a PB 7.324 / 185 in Hemi Hunter and Joel Kerr had the Stiff ShIfter Pontiac back into the sixes (6.989 / 194) for the number one spot.

Kirsten van Croonenborgh was back out with what looked like the Suzy Q ’Cuda but is a completely new, much more powerful car under the old skin. That’s why she was just doing test launches this weekend.

As was Elaine Hancock in the ex-Ray White Zephyr, another car that’s all new under the all-new paint on what’s left of the old skin.

Young Dougie Hill is the new shoe in the ex-Steve Johnson Motor Mouse slingshot,

fresh from attending Frank Hawley’s drag racing school in Florida.

The biggest cheer, though, was reserved for Bryan Whitfield (and Ian Tubb) for the first of the new OSCAR (Old School Classic Altered Racers) nitro cars to break cover.

High Spirits appeared at Dragstalgia, but this was its first foray down track. A not so tentative burnout and a 15-second test pass set the stage for a lot more to come.

Despite this being the Hot Rod Drags, we’re always surprised how few traditional hot rods turn up. Of those that did, a few took the opportunity to run them up the quarter mile, including 2023 Pendine King of the Beach, Dave Sollis (inset). After recording 130.12mph on sand, his Chrysler 440-powered sedan reached 109mph in 12.768 seconds on the Santa Pod concrete

44 CUSTOM CAR JANUARY 2024

Hot-rod-drags-race-report-feature_Jan 2024 8pgs.indd 44

10/12/2023 12:17

Elaine Hancock Bryan Whitfield

Mark Flavell

In Q2, Mark Flavell had the Mustang flopper on song, 7.152 / 184 to move up to third, Usher upped his PB again (7.276 / 185) and Joe Bond blasted into first position with a fine 6.418 / 226 pass.

In Q3, Paul Dale and Ron Bartlett did the Anglia double seven (7.816 / 174 vs 7.929 / 173), Mike Couch backed up his earlier PBs with an 8.313 / 161, Wayne Allman went quicker still – 7.031 / 202 – and Aaron

Windridge and Roy Wilding put on the burnout show of the weekend, keeping their feet in almost to the finish line before running 8.085 / 173 vs 7.965 / 175.

Not to be outdone, Robbie Grabham, with the A35 body on Freddyd, laid down a huge smoker with Usher alongside then ran a 7.151 / 196 for fourth spot.

The big excitement on Sunday was Joe Bond’s wild ride in Q4, which saw him up

on two wheels before swiping the wall and leaving some of the bodywork of the beautiful rail on track.

Then in the one round of qualifying that took place before the rain, Roy Wilding and Mick Hannah produced one of the best races of the weekend, 7.437 / 185 vs 7.324 / 190, but the top three remained as before – Bond, Kerr and Allman in that order.

Congratulations to Danny Wilson for breaking into the eights in his 100E street car. That’s an incredible achievement

JANUARY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 45

Hot-rod-drags-race-report-feature_Jan 2024 8pgs.indd 45

10/12/2023 12:17

                



SALE: £1550 Net. 4 only!

                                                                                

                             

                        

-Zero bump steer & anti-dive built in-





Ford Mustang 1964-70. Billet coil over shockabsorbers [adjustable], tubular suspension arms, complete, manual steering rack assembly, forged spindles for suspension, 11” ventilated disc brakes, Ford bolt pattern, 600lb coil springs, coil over bearings, [makes it easier to adjust height]. ................................................ £2954.76 net.

1937-39 Chevy Pickup, tubular suspension arms, 2” dropped spindles, shock thru coil spring, manual stg rack,300lb coil springs, 11” ventilated disc brakes, 23.375” inside to inside-can fit other models ... £2369.23 net.

1947-54 Chevy Pickup, as above except-std spindles, 350lb spring, anti-roll bar- ............................. £2324.96 net.

  

  





1947-53 Chevy pickup ............................ £651.80 net 1956 Ford 1/2 ton pickup ........................ £581.28 net

1957 Chevy car use OE bezel ................. £607.87 net 1965-6 Mustang-use OE bezel ............... £623.14 net

  

  

 



               

Custom Car_2023_12_Winter_Real Steel_FP.indd 1

03/11/2023 11:15

Specialist suppliers of U.S. Muscle Car & Drag Racing Parts & Accessories

GM, Mopar, Ford • The Best Parts Straight From The U.S. at The Best Prices • Regular Air & Sea Freights with Option For Express Service

LET US SAVE YOU MONEY! For more details call or message Chris on: Tel: 07951 121389 | Email: chris@fgoodale.co.uk www.americanspeedshop.co.uk

Custom Car_2023_12_Winter_Goodale_QP.indd 1

03/11/2023 13:55

Distributors of some of the most respected racing components manufacturers in the United States.

We are very proud of our machine shop which is equipped with the finest machiner y availab le. A number of Europe’s leading engine builders utilize our facility due to our extensive equipment capabili ties and reputation for accuracy.

41 Ings Road, Wilberfoss, York, North Yorkshire YO41 5NG, England tel: +44 (0) 1904 489332 email: sales@performanceunlimited.co.uk website: www.performanceunlimited.co.uk

JANUARY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 47

Custom Car_2024_01_January_Composite Page_FP.indd 47

11/12/2023 13:44

S D O R ’ S R E D A RE post to Custom Car, alan.kidd@assignment-media.co.uk, or Email photos and details of your car to details – and when t DE14 9PR. Please include your contact Tren on on Burt 2, 863 Pox PO Ltd, ia Assignment Med file size you have available sending digital pictures, use the largest

Bug-8

Words and Pics: James Webber

B

each buggies are just plain cool, full stop. They make onlookers smile – and a lightweight body on top of Beetle running gear, plus a fairly hearty motor, can only make for a thrilling drive.

So what happens when you decide to come at this from a different angle, by creating your own body and deciding that a flat four out the back and trying to keep the wheels firmly on the ground just isn’t enough? Enter Tod Davies – who, as you can see, felt a flat four definitely wasn’t enough… and decided to put a hearty 215ci Rover V8 out the back!

Tod isn’t scared of driving this crazy contraption, either. Far from it, he’s been out in it in the wind, rain, you name it – this beast gets used often. Tod takes up the story on how it came to be:

‘Since I was a small boy I watched my Dad build everything from beach buggies, RSK Spyder replicas, Madisons and many more for GP projects. But for me, beach buggies just stood out for me more than anything else. On occasion, I’d get picked up in one of these cars, which was just a great feeling.

‘In the late 90s, Dad and my stepmum set up JAS buggies (it stood for John And Sharon). The body here is a LWB version myself and Dad created. It’s based on a 1971 Type 1 Beetle chassis which I strengthened to take the weight of the engine – it’s not just able to house traditional air-cooled lumps but water-cooled as well.’

A bit of compromise There was little doubt about which watercooled engine he was going to fit. ‘After a bit of compromising, I got to put my favourite

engine in the back while my fiancée Laura got to choose the colour, RAL chart Turquoise. Great deal, I thought!’

With that settled, Tod was able to rub his hands with delight and get ripped in to building himself an engine. His favourite engine, indeed, which was the legend that is the Rover V8. ‘It now features a Real Steel “Hurricane” camshaft, Holley 4-barrel carb and Pertronix electronic ignition,’ he explains. ‘It runs really well and has hardly missed a beat.’

Standing up proudly behind the seats, a Chevy 4-core alloy rad helps keep the motor cool. Then downstream of the engine is a standard Type 1 gearbox, which Tod rebuilt and mated to a homemade and strengthened adapter plate.

Suspension is by GAZ adjustable shocks all round and polyurethane torsion

48 CUSTOM CAR JANUARY 2024

Tod Davies Beach Buggy_2024-Readers Rods 3pgs.indd 48

10/12/2023 13:00

bushes. Braking, meanwhile, is a hybrid of Type 1 discs and calipers at the front and Mk4 Golf calipers clamping on Mercedes discs at the rear. The buggy rolls on 10x15” chrome modular wheels all round, shod with 225/50R15 Coopers up front and 325/60R15 Kumho out back.

‘Inside’ might not be quite the right word for the cockpit of a vehicle that’s so thoroughly exposed to the elements, but you get the idea. ‘I fitted a pair of Cobra buckets in the front, with Sparco harnesses, and Cobra Classics in the rear purchased from Bad Boy Classics. The steering wheel is a Sparco item, then there’s a Scat quick shifter, Auto Meter rev counter, Moon foot pedal and single roll bar for protection.’ And talking of protection, as it is says on the back of the vehicle, ‘loud pipes save lives.’ Joking apart, twice in the last year our colleagues have been driving electric cars and had pedestrians step out right in front of them, and that would be unthinkable had they been

The 3.5-litre Rover V8 has been in everything from the MGB and TVR wedge to the Sherpa van and Land Rover 101. And now it’s been used in the back of Tod’s buggy. Before installing it, he rebuilt it with a Real Steel camshaft, 4-barrel Holley and Pertronix electronic ignition

JANUARY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 49

Tod Davies Beach Buggy_2024-Readers Rods 3pgs.indd 49

10/12/2023 13:00

Standing behind the seats is a Chevy 4-core alloy rad, which definitely looks like enough to keep a mere Rover V8 cool Tod sits in a Cobra bucket while gripping a Sparco steering wheel and pressing on Moon pedals.

Moon is also responsible for the rev counter and Sparco for the harnesses, while a Scat shifter takes care of the gearchanges. A single roll hoop keeps the car’s occupants safe if things go badly wrong, and more to the point its chromed finish looks cool

in something that made its presence felt the way this thing does.

Smiles per mile ‘Out of everything I have built previously, this just keeps making me smile,’ says Tod. ‘The power that comes from the motor, the grunt, the ability to power up hills without changing gears is amazing. The noise she makes at around 5500rpm is just awesome. It’s just a shame I can’t fit a bigger fuel tank then I wouldn’t have to keep filling up so much!

‘I owe everything to my Dad and my brother (who built a SWB V8 buggy) when it comes to my knowledge of cars. I recently took the plunge, after having a few people ask me to build engines and do work for them, to set up my own business, TD Classics, specialising in engine rebuilds, mechanical work, custom wiring looms for buggies and potentially ground-up builds.

‘I’ve picked up lots on the way. And I will continue to learn and build more in the future.’ It might not be your everyday Custom Car fare – but if every beach buggy was as cool as this one, we don’t think many of you would mind seeing them more regularly on these pages.

50 CUSTOM CAR JANUARY 2024

Tod Davies Beach Buggy_2024-Readers Rods 3pgs.indd 50

10/12/2023 13:00

34012

65

ENGINEERS HEAVY

DUTY STEEL • Sturdy lower shelf • Durable powder WORKBENCHES coated finish FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE.98 exc.VAT DOUBLE £347.98 FOOTER inc.VAT

BEST

Shown fitted with optional 3 drawer unit ONLY £188.39 INC VAT * WAS £370.80 inc.VAT # WAS £406.80 inc.VAT Dims.

Model LxWxH (mm) CWB1500D 1500x650x985 CWB2001P* 2000x650x865 CWB2000D# 2000x650x978

PRICE CUT

DOUBLE.00 exc.VAT 329

£

SELLER

SUPERSTORES NATIONWIDE

289

5 DRAWER WORKBENCH £394.80 inc.VAT DOUBLE

WAS £406.80 inc.VAT

EXTRA LONG 1700mm WORK TOP

INCLUDES SINGLE LOCKABLE DRAWER exc.VAT £289.98 £299.00 £329.00

Britain’s Tools & Machinery Specialist

inc.VAT £347.98 £358.80 £394.80

CWB1700P

MODULAR GARAGE STORAGE SYSTEMS SAVE UP TO

FROM ONLY DOUBLE .00 £ exc.VAT DOUBLE FOOTER £1437.60 inc.VAT

£286

1198

10 PACKAGES IN THE RANGE

A choice of stainless steel or wooden worktops

Corner units in stock

Customer Pictures

compared to individual prices

✔ CREATE THE PERFECT FITTED GARAGE / WORKSHOP ✔ HEAVY DUTY, PROFESSIONAL PACKAGES ✔ ALL UNITS ALSO AVAILABLE SINGLY FOR CUSTOM BUILD

NEW

1 PRICE CUT DOUBLE.99

HEAVY DUTY & PROFESSIONAL

154exc.VAT

£

£185.99 inc.VAT DOUBLE

WAS £191.98 inc.VAT

CHESTS/ CABINETS

THE ULTIMATE IN TOOL STORAGE!

FULL DETAILS SEE IN-STORE OR VISIT WEBSITE

2

SEE WEBSITE FOR PACKAGE DEALS WITH TOOLS

32 PIECE SET

PRICE CUT

DOUBLE.00 exc.VAT 279

Rubber grip side handles

SAVE UP TO

£334.80 inc.VAT DOUBLE

WAS £346.80 inc.VAT

NB Overall length includes handles

TOOL SETS

HUGE CHOICE OF HAND TOOLS

exc.

Model Desc.

LxWxH (mm) VAT CBB203C 3 Dr step up 667x310x249 £86.99 CBB205C 5 Dr chest 710x315x420 £149.98 1 CBB209C 9 Dr Chest 661x305x418 £154.99 CBB210C 10 Dr Chest 710x315x475 £169.98 CBB215C 5 Dr Cabinet 758x468x815 £259.00 2 CBB217C 7 Dr Cabinet 676x461x958 £279.00

109

£ FROM ONLY .98 DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £131.98 FOOTER inc.VAT

£12

NEW

DIY & PROFESSIONAL £FROM ONLY .99 DOUBLE exc.VAT 74 3 £89.99 DOUBLE FOOTER inc.VAT

CHT859 300 PIECE AF/METRIC HOME GARAGE REPAIR KIT

CHT634 MECHANICS TOOL CHEST AND TOOLS PACKAGE

EXTRA LARGE BOTTOM

FROM ONLY .98 4 £239 DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £287.98 FOOTER inc.VAT

NOW Model Desc.

LxWxH (mm) exc.VAT inc.VAT MECHANICS RANGE 1 CTC600C 6 Dr chest 600x260x340 £89.98 £107.98 CTC900C 9 Dr chest 597x257x380 £89.98 £107.98 CTC500C 5 Dr cabinet 675x335x770 £149.98 £179.98 CTC800C 8 Dr chest/cab set 610x330x1070 £149.98 £179.98 2 CTC700C 7 Dr cabinet 616x330x880 £169.98 £203.98 PROFESSIONAL RANGE 3 CTC103C 3 Dr step up chest 691x310x256 £74.99 £89.99 CTC109 9 Dr chest 662x305x421 £139.98 £167.98 4 CTC105 5 Dr cabinet 685x465x790 £239.98 £287.98 CTC107C 7 Dr cabinet 739x461x953 £259.00 £310.80

MM1 Custom Car 275x200 pg1.indd 1

FROM ONLY

EXC.VAT 42 DOUBLE FOOTER £51.59 inc.VAT

£ DOUBLE .99

WAS £322.80 inc.VAT

£FROM ONLY .98 DOUBLE exc.VAT 89 1 £107.98 DOUBLE FOOTER inc.VAT

Strong

mm 350 12fibreboard

PER SHELF

PER SHELF

shelves

2

169

£ FROM ONLY .98 DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £203.98 FOOTER inc.VAT

Easy to assemble, providing valuable working space and plenty of additional storage capacity.

150 9mm fibreboard KG

279

£310.80 inc.VAT

WORKBENCH WITH PEGBOARD

BOLTLESS SHELVING / BENCHES CHOICE OF 5 COLOURS

£ FROM ONLY .00 DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £334.80 FOOTER inc.VAT

PRICE CUT

DOUBLE.00 exc.VAT 259

£

2

MECHANICS/ PROFESSIONAL quality & value TOOL CHESTS/ •forSuperb DIY & Professional workshops CABINETS

Strong

189

NOW inc.VAT £163.19 £203.98 £286.80 £310.80

FULL EXTENSION ROLLER RUNNERS FOR SMOOTH OPENING ACTION

Simple fast RED, BLUE, GREY, assembly in minutes SILVER & GALVANISED using only a hammer STEEL

£ FROM ONLY .98 DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £227.98 FOOTER inc.VAT

30KG

MAX DRAWER LOAD

inc.VAT

PRO394 PROFESSIONAL 90 PIECE TOOL KIT WITH CANTILEVER TOOLBOX

649

DOUBLEEXC.VAT 259.00 FOOTER £203.98 inc.VAT

DRAWERS WAS NOW PRICE CUT £DOUBLE.99 inc.VAT inc.VAT 56exc.VAT £107.98 £104.39 WAS £68.39 inc.VAT DOUBLE £191.98 £179.98 PRO378 WAS £71.98 inc.VAT Model Desc.

LxWxH (mm) exc.VAT inc.VAT £191.98 £185.99 PROFESSIONAL CLB600 6 Dr chest 660x305x365 £135.99 £209.99 £203.98 1 CLB900C 9 Dr chest 685x305x474 £169.98 £322.80 £310.80 1/2" DRIVE CLB1005 5 Dr cabinet 685x465x795 £239.00 £346.80 £334.80 SOCKET SET 2 CLB1007C 7 Dr cabinet 740x465x955 £259.00 £322.80

PRO396 222 PIECE TOOL SET WITH 7 DRAWER TOOL CABINET

£ FROM ONLY .00 DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £778.80 FOOTER inc.VAT

169

£ FROM ONLY .98

Combines premium quality with fiercely competitive pricing & super smooth ball bearing roller drawers

• Extra heavy gauge double wall steel construction

£

1

KG

Dims exc. inc.

Model WxDxH(mm) VAT VAT 150kg 800x300x1500 £42.99 £51.59 350kg 900x400x1800 £59.98 £71.98

• Dimensions (LxWxH) - 1150 x 560 x 1440 mm • Pegboard back wall with 30 hooks supplied

shelves

CWB-R1B

Available in Red or Galvanised Finish

06/12/2023 16:24

34636

65

TURBO AIR COMPRESSORS FROM ONLY DOUBLE.98 exc.VAT DOUBLE £143.98 FOOTER inc.VAT

119

£

Superb range ideal for DIY, hobby & semi-professional use

CDP102B

DRILL PRESSES

Range of precision bench & floor presses for enthusiast, FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE .95 engineering exc.VAT 99inc.VAT & industrial DOUBLE £119.94 FOOTER applications B = Bench mounted F = Floor standing Motor (W) WAS model Speeds exc.VAT inc.VAT inc.VAT CDP5EB 350 / 5 £99.95 £119.94 CDP5RB 350 / 5 £99.95 £119.94 CDP102B 350 / 5 £115.95 £139.14 CDP152B 450 / 12 £209.00 £250.80 CDP452B 550 / 16 £299.00 £406.80 £358.80 CDP352F 550 / 16 £339.00 £406.80 CDP502F 1100 / 12 £699.00 £934.80 £838.80

SUPERSTORES NATIONWIDE

Britain’s Tools & Machinery Specialist 8/260 Model Motor HP CFM Tank ltr exc.VAT 8/260 2 7.5 24 £119.98 11/260 2.5 9.5 24 £129.98 8/550 2 7.5 50 £159.98 11/550 2.5 9.5 50 £179.98 16/550 3 14.5 50 £249.00 16/1050 3 14.5 100 £309.00

exc.VAT £143.98 £155.98 £191.98 £215.98 £298.80 £370.80

INDUSTRIAL AIR XEV16/100 COMPRESSORS

Top quality belt driven air compressors for industrial & commercial users inc; garages, factories, workshops and farms.

10 bar/150psi max working pressure £

FROM ONLY HEADER

AIR. DISP MOTOR AIR †V-Twin *230V MODEL CFM (HP) RCVR EXC.VAT INC.VAT XEV16/100 (OL)†* 14 3 100ltr £589.00 £706.80 XEV16/150 (OL)†* 14 3 150ltr £659.00 £790.80 XEV16/200(OL)†* 14 3 200ltr £719.00 £862.80 XEV16/150(400V)† 14 3 150ltr £699.00 £838.80 XE18/200 (OL)†* 18 4 200ltr £759.00 £910.80 XE36C200† 30 7.5HP 200Ltr £1199.00 £1438.80 XE29/270†* 28 2X3HP 270Ltr £1399.00 £1678.80 XE37/270 (OL)†* 36 2x 4 270ltr £1479.00 £1774.80 SE46C270† 40 10HP 270Ltr £2129.00 £2554.80

DEHUMIDIFIERS £

Model AC7050 AC10050 AC13050

Propane gas fired

Extraction Rate Motor (ltr/day) exc.VAT inc.VAT 785W 16.8 £239.00 £286.80 1100W 21.6 £279.00 £334.80 1370W 28.8 £319.00 £382.80

Max. Output kW exc.VAT inc.VAT 10.3 £94.99 £113.99 15 £119.98 £143.98 24.9 £159.98 £191.98 36.6 £189.98 £227.98 49.8 £269.00 £322.80 131 £479.00 £574.80

BATTERY CHARGERS /ENGINE STARTERS

PRICE CUT NOW FROM £ .98

Ammeter Multiposition charge regulator Overload protection on charging cycle

model XR60 XR80 XR110 XR160 XR210

MAX output 14.7kW 20.5kW 29.3kW 46.9kW 61.5kW

89exc.VAT

JUMP STARTS

FROM ONLY

INTELLIGENT BATTERY CHARGER/ MAINTAINERS Max. exc.

WAS Model Volts Charge VAT inc.VAT inc.VAT IBC7 12/24V 7A £39.98 £47.98 IBC15 12V 15A £49.98 £59.98 IBC20 12/24V 20A £66.99 £83.98 £80.39 IBC25 12/24V 25A £84.99 £107.98 £101.99 IBC40 12/24V 40A £104.99 £131.98 £125.99

£FROM ONLY .99 DOUBLE exc.VAT DOUBLE FOOTER £32.39 inc.VAT

WHEEL DOLLY (PAIR)

AWD1

BEST SELLER LOAD RATING: 500KG PER DOLLY

63

£FROM ONLY .99 exc.VAT DOUBLE £76.79 inc.VAT PER PAIR

PGF14

603x370x150mm

FROM ONLY

exc.VAT 29 DOUBLE FOOTER £35.98 inc.VAT

£ DOUBLE .98

* WAS £45.59 inc.VAT # WAS £87.59 inc.VAT

CIG1432

LENGTH UP TO 40’

Model Disc (mm) Motor exc.VAT CAG800B 115 800W £29.98 CON1150* 115 1150W £36.99 CAG2350C# 230 2350W £69.98 CTJ2GLS £

KEEPS THE WEATHER OUT! BRIGHT WHITE INTERIOR

CIS8612

FROM ONLY HEADER

.00 exc.VAT 269 £322.80 inc.VAT

69

CP150

Dual action combines rotary & orbital motions to produce an excellent polished finish FROM ONLY

.98 DOUBLE exc.VAT .VAT 109

† WAS £215.98 inc.VAT Model Lifting Cap. exc.VAT inc.VAT CTJ1500QL 1.5T £109.98 £131.98 CTJ1250AC 1.25T £134.99 £161.99 CTJ2500QLGB† 2.5T £169.98 £203.98 CTJ1800AB 1.8T £199.98 £239.98

MM2 Custom Car 275x200 pg2.indd 1

£

Model 910 JS1100C BEST 4000 SELLER JS12/24

IRD20B

FROM ONLY HEADER

Model IRD20B IRD40B

Max. Output 20kW 40kW

Fully tested to proof load

FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE .98 exc.VAT DOUBLE FOOTER £71.98 inc.VAT

59

FROM ONLY

exc.VAT 36 DOUBLE

£ DOUBLE .99

FOOTER inc.VAT MICRO £44.39 JUMP STARTS

◆ WAS £63.59 inc.VAT Start Peak Boost Boost 180A 360A 200A 400A 300A 500A 400A 800A

Model JSM180 JSM200 ◆ JSM300 JSM400

CW1D

exc.VAT £36.99 £49.98 £69.98 £99.98

inc.VAT £44.39 £59.98 £83.98 £119.98

CW2D Tank Model Cap. Type CW2D 10Ltrs Bench CW1D 45Ltrs Floor CWM20 22.5Ltrs Floor CW40 75Ltrs Floor

exc.VAT £59.98 £149.98 £189.00 £229.98

inc.VAT £71.98 £179.98 £226.80 £275.98

HOT WASHERS £ FROM ONLY .00 599 DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE FOOTER

145 Bar

SANDBLASTERS

2100 psi

Heavy duty steel construction sandblasters for the quick removal of surface rust, paint, dirt/grease etc.

£718.80 inc.VAT

PRICE CUT NOW FROM

exc.VAT 169.00 £202.80 inc.VAT

£

WAS £214.80 inc.VAT

INCLUDES SANDBLASTING GUN, DELIVERY HOSE, 4 CERAMIC NOZZLES AND SAFETY HOOD

AMAZING LOW PRICE!

Tank Flow Rate INC. CONTAINER FOR DETERGENT Model Volume Req. exc.VAT inc.VAT CPSB100B* 32 litre 6-25 cfm £169.00 £202.80 Model BAR Press. VOLT exc.VAT inc.VAT CPSB200B# 63 litre 6-25 cfm £209.00 £250.80 Harry 2 145 2100psi 230 £599.00 £718.80 * WAS £214.80 inc.VAT # WAS £274.80 inc.VAT KING 200 150 2175psi 230 £1198.00 £1437.60

2 & 3 TONNE ONLY TROLLEY JACKS £FROM .99 DOUBLE

44

exc.VAT DOUBLE FOOTER £53.99 inc.VAT

CTJ2250LP

18V ½" IMPACT WRENCHES 3 forward and reverse gears

PRICE CUT £ DOUBLE.98

109exc.VAT

£131.98 inc.VAT DOUBLE

WAS £119.98 inc.VAT

Folding and fixed frames available Robust, rugged construction Overload safety valve

£89.99 inc.VAT DOUBLE

compressor Long life battery Starting Peak Boost Amps exc.VAT inc.VAT 400 900 £96.99 £116.39 500 1100 £96.99 £116.39 700 1500 £164.99 £197.99 1000 2000 £179.98 £215.98

exc.VAT inc.VAT £399.00 £478.80 £799.00 £958.80

1 TONNE FOLDING WORKSHOP CRANE

WAS £95.98 inc.VAT

Provides essential home, garage

PARTS WASHERS

.00 exc.VAT 399 £478.80 inc.VAT

219

74exc.VAT

Inc. hook & loop backing pad and wool polishing bonnet CP185 180mm PAD DIA.

STARTS VEHICLES UP TO 6L

DIESEL INFRARED HEATERS

£ FROM ONLY .98 DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £263.98 FOOTER inc.VAT

PRICE CUT £DOUBLE.99

DOUBLE £131.98 FOOTER inc.VAT

HEAVY DUTY LONG REACH JACKS

CFC100

£FROM ONLY .98

exc.VAT DOUBLE DOUBLE FOOTER £83.98 inc.VAT

inc.VAT £35.98 £44.39 £83.98

Model Tonnes exc.VAT inc.VAT *WAS £562.80 CTJ2GLS 2 £269.00 £322.80 inc.VAT CTJ3GLS 3 £349.00 £418.80 #WAS £766.80 CTJ5GLS 5 £459.00 £550.80 inc.VAT CTJ10GLS# 10 £609.00 £730.80

PRO SANDER/ POLISHERS

£

SWIVEL, NON MARKING CASTORS

ANGLE GRINDERS

£298.80 inc.VAT DOUBLE

CTJ1250AB

Max. Model Output exc.VAT inc.VAT DEVIL 2000PTC-B 2kW £29.98 £35.98 Devil 2850 2.8kW £42.99 £51.59 Devil 2800PTC-B 2.8kW £49.98 £59.98

EXTRA LONG 1m LEADS

£FROM ONLY .98

150mm PAD DIA.

2800PTC-B

and roadside assistance Integral exc.VAT 96inc.VAT work light 910 includes air DOUBLE £116.39 FOOTER

WAS £310.80 inc.VAT

Quick lift Non-marking nylon wheels Rubber contact pad - helps protect vehicle undersides

DEVIL 6003 Heat Model Voltage Output exc.VAT inc.VAT Devil 6003 230V 1.5-3kW £69.98 £83.98 Devil 7003* 230V 3kW £76.99 £92.39 Devil 7005# 400V 5kW £98.99 £118.79 Devil 6009 400V 4.5-9kW £124.99 £149.99 Devil 7009 400V 9kW £152.99 £183.59 Devil 6015 400V 5-10-15kW £189.98 £227.98 Devil 7015 400V 15kW £229.98 £275.98 * WAS £83.98 inc.VAT # WAS £117.59 inc.VAT

£ DOUBLE .99

249exc.VAT

ALUMINIUM RACING JACKS

inc.VAT £274.80 £334.80 £394.80 £478.80 £550.80

69

SELLER

IBC20

CAT131

69

29

39

£107.98 inc.VAT DOUBLE

Max Amps WAS Charge/ inc.

Boost exc.VAT VAT inc.VAT 20/120 £89.98 £112.79 £107.98 38/180 £104.99 £135.59 £125.99 25/200 £149.98 £179.98 35/180 £159.98 £191.98 45/240 £184.99 £227.98 £221.99 60/350 £219.00 £262.80 50/510 £259.00 £310.80

exc.VAT DOUBLE DOUBLE FOOTER £83.98 inc.VAT

FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE .98 EXC.VAT DOUBLE FOOTER £35.98 inc.VAT

FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE .98 DOUBLE exc.VAT FOOTER £47.98 inc.VAT

WAS £112.79 inc.VAT

BC210C

WORKSHOP AIR TOOLS

exc.VAT £229.00 £279.00 £329.00 £399.00 £459.00

FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE .98 EXC.VAT DOUBLE FOOTER £83.98 inc.VAT

DEVIL 7003

IN STOCK FROM £226.80 inc.VAT

PRICE CUT £ DOUBLE.00

Ideal for use as a garage/workshop Extra tough triple layer cover Heavy duty powder coated steel tubing Ratchet tight tensioning WAS Model size (LxWxH) exc.VAT inc.VAT inc.VAT CIG81212 3.6x3.6x2.5m £249.00 £310.80 £298.80 CIG81015 4.5x3x2.4m £279.00 £334.80 £394.80 CIG81216 4.9x3.7x2.5m £329.00 CIG81020 6.1x3x2.4m £349.00 £418.80 CIG81220 6.1x3.7x2.5m £399.00 £478.80 CIG81224 7.3x3.7x2.5m £499.00 £598.80 £1318.80 CIG1432 9.7x4.3x3.65m £1099.00 CIG1640 12x4.9x4.3m £2599.00 £3478.80 £3118.80

ELECTRIC HEATERS BEST

NEW

2.8kW

XR80

GARAGES/WORKSHOPS

CIG81220

2850

£274.80 inc.VAT

110 VOLT

26

AC7050

FAN HEATERS 2.8kW

229exc.VAT DOUBLE FOOTER

230&

94

Model BC125 BC190 BC210C WBC180 WBC240 WBC400 BC520P

✔ Air Con ✔ Dehumidifier ✔ 2 Speed Fan Inc. Remote control, flexible outlet hose & window slider vent

IN STOCK FROM £226.80 inc.VAT

DIESEL/PARAFFIN FROM ONLY HEATERS £ DOUBLE.00

Ideal for fast efficient heating Extra-long run fuel tanks – up to 53 litres Variable heat output with thermostat control

DUAL VOLTAGE

.00

3-in-1

110 VOLT

FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE .99 DOUBLE exc.VAT FOOTER £113.99 inc.VAT

FROM ONLY HEADER

exc.VAT 239 £286.80 inc.VAT

230&

Offering low cost, efficient heating

Model Little Devil II Devil 700 Devil 900 Devil 1600 Devil 2100 Devil 4000

.00 exc.VAT 589 £706.80 inc.VAT

DUAL VOLTAGE

TURBO FAN GAS HEATERS

JACKS ALSO IN STOCK UP TO 5 TONNE

BEST SELLER

Model Type Tonne exc.VAT inc.VAT CTJ2L Long 2 £44.99 £53.99 CTJ2000LPB DIY Low Profile 2 £46.99 £56.39 CTJ2250LP* Low Profile 2.25 £52.99 £63.59 CTJ3000GB Pro Garage 3 £109.98 £131.98 CTJ3000QLB Quick Lift 3 £119.98 £143.98 CTJ2QLP Low Quick Lift 2 £159.98 £191.98 * CTJ2250LP has a 2.25 tonne capacity, has a low entry of only 80mm and includes 2 sockets

BRUSHLESS 450NM

2 2AH X

* WAS £131.98 inc.VAT CIR18LIC • WAS £147.59 inc.VAT Model Desc Batteries exc.VAT inc.VAT CCIW160* Cordless 2X 2AH £99.98 £119.98 LI-ION CIR18LIC• Cordless, 2X 2AH £119.95 £143.94 Brushless LI-ION

06/12/2023 16:25

34636RH

GIFT CARD

EASY TO USE WEBSITE

PERFECT FOR CHRISTMAS! BUY AND REDEEM: IN-STORE ONLINE PHONE

21,000

NOW OVER

• IN-STORE • ONLINE • PHONE

section on:

machinemart.co.uk HYDRAULIC FROM ONLY PRESSES £ DOUBLE.98

STRUT

PROFESSIONAL QUALITY Built for tough daily use in automotive/ industrial workshops

* Available with/without 7 pce pin, bracket & pressing plate kit safety screen # Economy model Model Tonne exc.VAT inc.VAT CSA4B# 4 £169.98 £203.98 10 £289.00 £346.80 CSA10BB* CSA12F# 12 £379.00 £454.80 CSA20FBT 20 £499.00 £598.80

BEST

SELLER

MIG GAS/NO GAS WELDERS

COMPRESSOR

Hydraulically powered, foot control operated device Adjustable spring retainers Springs up to 400mm diameter & 520mm in length Tough steel safety guard

“Excellent machine and exactly as described. Easy to set up and comes with everything you need to start welding straight out of the box”

135TE

Professional

type torches DOUBLE.98 exc.VAT 289 Easy to set 239.00 FOOTER £347.98 inc.VAT

£

up & use

See www.machinemart.co.uk

BEST

SELLER

189

£ FROM ONLY .98 DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £227.98 FOOTER inc.VAT

35/135 AMPS

MIG145

SSC1000G

ENGINE STANDS

239

£ FROM ONLY .00 DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £286.80 FOOTER inc.VAT

HEAVY DUTY PETROL POWER WASHERS PLS195B

FROM ONLY

exc.VAT 72 DOUBLE FOOTER £87.59 inc.VAT

£ DOUBLE .99

Honda & Diesel engine models in stock

Rotates through 360˚

130AMPS

279exc.VAT

inc.VAT £87.59 £99.59 £125.99 £167.98

Pressure Engine Model Bar/PSI HP exc.VAT inc.VAT Tiger1800B 110/1595 3 £279.00 £334.80 Tiger2600B 180/2610 4 £379.00 £454.80 Tiger3000B 200/2900 6.5 £399.00 £478.80 PLS195B 182/2640 5.5 £499.00 £598.80 PLS220 230/3335 9 £679.00 £814.80 PLS265B 225/3263 13 £769.00 £922.80 PLS360 248/3600 13 £998.00 £1197.60

Honda engine models available

WAS Model KVA HP exc.VAT inc.VAT inc.VAT PG2500A 2.2 5.6 £219.00 £270.00 £262.80 PG3800A 3 5.6 £269.00 £346.80 £322.80 PG3800ADV 3 5.6 £299.00 £370.80 £358.80 PG6500ADVES 5.5 9.7 £539.00 £646.80

BEST

SELLER

INC. ELECTRODE HOLDER, EARTH CLAMP, & BRUSH/HAMMER

Min/Max Electrode Output Dia. Model Current (mm) exc.VAT inc.VAT MMA140A 20A-140A 1.6-3.2 £104.99 £125.99 MMA200A 20A-200A 1.6-3.2 £139.98 £167.98 AT165 10A-160A 2.5/3.2/4.0 £219.98 £263.98

39

£57.59

ELECTRIC PRESSURE WASHERS Makes easy work for washing vehicles, patios, stonework, etc.

JET7500, JET8500 & JET9500B include hose reel 180 Bar PRICE CUT FROM ONLY £ .98

2610 PSI

59exc.VAT

ACCESSORIES GWH7 AUTO DARKENING WELDING HEADSHIELDS

7 MODELS IN THE RANGE

CEOBDPRO

Motor Max. exc.

WAS Model W Press.

VAT inc.VAT inc.VAT JS1850 1400 1523psi £59.98 £77.99 £71.98 JS1950 1600 2030psi £96.99 £119.98 £116.39 Jet7500 1600 2030psi £154.99 £191.98 £185.99 Jet8500 2100 2610psi £192.99 £239.98 £231.59 JET9500B 2400 2900psi £229.98 £287.98 £275.98

HUGE RANGE

LEATHER GAUNTLETS

GAS

NEW

FROM ONLY DOUBLE £ .99 DOUBLE exc.VAT FOOTER £9.59 inc.VAT

7

WIRE 0.6, 0.8 & 0.9mm SIZES IN STOCK

EXETER 16 Trusham Rd. EX2 8QG 01392 256 744 GATESHEAD 50 Lobley Hill Rd. NE8 4YJ 0191 493 2520 GLASGOW 280 Gt Western Rd. G4 9EJ 0141 332 9231 GLOUCESTER 221A Barton St. GL1 4HY 01452 417 948 GRIMSBY ELLIS WAY, DN32 9BD 01472 354435 HULL 8-10 Holderness Rd. HU9 1EG 01482 223161 ILFORD 746-748 Eastern Ave. IG2 7HU 0208 518 4286 IPSWICH Unit 1 Ipswich Trade Centre, Commercial Road 01473 221253 LEEDS 227-229 Kirkstall Rd. LS4 2AS 0113 231 0400 LEICESTER 69 Melton Rd. LE4 6PN 0116 261 0688 LINCOLN Unit 5. The Pelham Centre. LN5 8HG 01522 543 036 LIVERPOOL 80-88 London Rd. L3 5NF 0151 709 4484 LONDON CATFORD 289/291 Southend Lane SE6 3RS 0208 695 5684 LONDON 6 Kendal Parade, Edmonton N18 020 8803 0861 LONDON 503-507 Lea Bridge Rd. Leyton, E10 020 8558 8284 LUTON Unit 1, 326 Dunstable Rd, Luton LU4 8JS 01582 728 063 MAIDSTONE 57 Upper Stone St. ME15 6HE 01622 769 572 MANCHESTER ALTRINCHAM 71 Manchester Rd. Altrincham 0161 9412 666 MANCHESTER CENTRAL 209 Bury New Road M8 8DU 0161 241 1851 MANCHESTER OPENSHAW Unit 5, Tower Mill, Ashton Old Rd 0161 223 8376 MANSFIELD 169 Chesterfield Rd. South 01623 622160 MIDDLESBROUGH Mandale Triangle, Thornaby 01642 677881

FROM ONLY

96 exc.VAT

£ DOUBLE .99

DOUBLE £116.39 FOOTER inc.VAT

13

36

FROM ONLY DOUBLE £ .99 DOUBLE exc.VAT FOOTER £7.19 inc.VAT

5

SEE THE FULL RANGE OF WELDING ACCESSORIES ONLINE & IN-STORE

VISIT YOUR LOCAL SUPERSTORE Open Mon-Fri 8.30-6.00, Sat 8.30-5.30, Sun 10.00-4.00 BARNSLEY Pontefract Rd, Barnsley, S71 1EZ 01226 732297 B’HAM GREAT BARR 4 Birmingham Rd. 0121 358 7977 B’HAM HAY MILLS 1152 Coventry Rd, Hay Mills 0121 7713433 BOLTON 1 Thynne St. BL3 6BD 01204 365799 BRADFORD 105-107 Manningham Lane. BD1 3BN 01274 390962 BRIGHTON 123 Lewes Rd, BN2 3QB 01273 915999 BRISTOL 1-3 Church Rd, Lawrence Hill. BS5 9JJ 0117 935 1060 BURTON UPON TRENT 12a Lichfield St. DE14 3QZ 01283 564 708 CAMBRIDGE 181-183 Histon Road, Cambridge. CB4 3HL 01223 322675 CARDIFF 44-46 City Rd. CF24 3DN 029 2046 5424 CARLISLE 85 London Rd. CA1 2LG 01228 591666 CHELTENHAM 84 Fairview Road. GL52 2EH 01242 514 402 CHESTER 43-45 St. James Street. CH1 3EY 01244 311258 COLCHESTER 4 North Station Rd. CO1 1RE 01206 762831 COVENTRY Bishop St. CV1 1HT 024 7622 4227 CROYDON 423-427 Brighton Rd, Sth Croydon 020 8763 0640 DARLINGTON 214 Northgate. DL1 1RB 01325 380 841 DEAL (KENT) 182-186 High St. CT14 6BQ 01304 373 434 DERBY Derwent St. DE1 2ED 01332 290 931 DONCASTER Wheatley Hall Road 01302 245 999 DUNDEE 24-26 Trades Lane. DD1 3ET 01382 225 140 EDINBURGH 163-171 Piersfield Terrace 0131 659 5919

ARC WELDER For home user, automotive and industrial applications.

FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE .49 DOUBLE exc.VAT FOOTER £16.19 inc.VAT

FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE .99 DOUBLE exc.VAT FOOTER £44.39 inc.VAT

£71.98 inc.VAT DOUBLE

79exc.VAT

WAS £103.19 inc.VAT

£47.99

WAS £77.99 inc.VAT JET8500

PRICE CUT £DOUBLE.98 £95.98 inc.VAT DOUBLE

DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £167.98 FOOTER inc.VAT

MMA200A

• Lift cars safely and quickly • Tough angled steel construction Model CR2 CRW25 2500kg

Professional Engine Diagnostic & EOBD/ OBD ll Fault Code Reader

£ FROM ONLY .98

• Compact & lightweight • Efficient inverter technology • Variable output

FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE .98 exc.VAT Capacity exc.VAT inc.VAT £47.98 DOUBLE PER inc.VAT 2000kg £39.98 £47.98 PER PAIR

DIAGNOSTICS

139

MMA & ARC/TIG INVERTER WELDERS

AT165

219 DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £263.98 FOOTER inc.VAT

£ FROM ONLY .98

CAR RAMPS

PETROL GENERATORS

CHECK FRAME TYPE WHEN ORDERING

inc.VAT £215.98 £286.80 £298.80 £334.80 £347.98 £310.80 £586.80

DOUBLE £334.80 FOOTER inc.VAT

Fully tested to proof load

PG3800A

Min/Max exc.

Amps VAT 40/100 £179.98 35/135 £239.00 24-90 £249.00 40/180 £279.00 30-130 £289.98 30-150 £259.00 50/240 £489.00

FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE.00

CES680F

exc.

WAS Model Capacity VAT inc.VAT CES340 340kg £72.99 CES450 450kg £82.99 £101.99 CES560 560kg £104.99 CES680F 680kg £139.98

Model MIG106 MIG145 PRO90 MIG196 135TE Turbo* 151EN * WAS £356.39 inc.VAT MIG240

135TE

CAN DRAW OWN WATER

*Folds for storage

0844 880 1265

BRITAIN’S NO. 1 FOR WELDING

1 TONNE

169exc.VAT SPRING DOUBLE £203.98 FOOTER inc.VAT

CSA4B

PAGE

CATALOGUE OUT NOW!

PRODUCTS ONLINE! For 15,000 hard to find items vist the

492

FREE

NORWICH 282a Heigham St. NR2 4LZ 01603 766402 NORTHAMPTON Beckett Retail Park, St James’ Mill Rd 01604 267840 NOTTINGHAM 211 Lower Parliament St. 0115 956 1811 PETERBOROUGH 417 Lincoln Rd. Millfield 01733 311770 PLYMOUTH 58-64 Embankment Rd. PL4 9HY 01752 254050 POOLE 137-139 Bournemouth Rd. Parkstone 01202 717913 PORTSMOUTH 277-283 Copnor Rd. Copnor 023 9265 4777 PRESTON 53 Blackpool Rd. PR2 6BU 01772 703263 SHEFFIELD 453 London Rd. Heeley. S2 4HJ 0114 258 0831 SIDCUP 13 Blackfen Parade, Blackfen Rd 0208 3042069 SOUTHAMPTON 516-518 Portswood Rd. 023 8055 7788 SOUTHEND 1139-1141 London Rd. Leigh on Sea 01702 483 742 STOKE-ON-TRENT 382-396 Waterloo Rd. Hanley 01782 287321 SUNDERLAND 13-15 Ryhope Rd. Grangetown 0191 510 8773 SWANSEA 7 Samlet Rd. Llansamlet. SA7 9AG 01792 792969 SWINDON 21 Victoria Rd. SN1 3AW 01793 491717 TWICKENHAM 83-85 Heath Rd.TW1 4AW 020 8892 9117 WARRINGTON Unit 3, Hawley’s Trade Pk. 01925 630 937 WIGAN 2 Harrison Street, WN5 9AU 01942 323 785 WOLVERHAMPTON Parkfield Rd. Bilston 01902 494186 WORCESTER 48a Upper Tything. WR1 1JZ 01905 723451

MMA200A 20-200 Amps

5 EASY WAYS TO BUY...

SUPERSTORES

SUPERSTORES NATIONWIDE ONLINE www.machinemart.co.uk TELESALES

0115 956 5555 CLICK & COLLECT OVER 10,500 LOCATIONS

CALL & COLLECT AT STORES TODAY

Calls to the catalogue request number above (0844 880 1265) cost 7p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge. For security reasons, calls may be monitored. All prices correct at time of going to press. We reserve the right to change products and prices at any time. Check online for latest prices. All offers subject to availability, E&OE. Terms & conditions apply see machinemart.co.uk/finance for more details

*

MM3 Custom Car 275x200 pg3.indd 1

06/12/2023 16:26

Nitro Revival

SoCal T Diaries

Former Custom Car editor Tony Thacker lives in California these days, and this month he’s been loving the sound of nitro…

Below: Nitro Revival is not all about drag racing and the hot rod fraternity is well represented by cars such as this black and flamed Deuce hiboy Roadster

he last six years have been a long hard push for Steve and daughter Cindy Gibbs with their Nitro Revival event, but in the past couple of A set-up shot by Jonathan Jones of two famous Funny years it has rocketed to the very Cars of the day: Phil Castronovo’s Custom Body Ent Camaro driven in the day by Tom Prock. The car is now top of the nostalgia drag racing owned by Ross Howard. In the left lane, Veney’s Vega, calendar. And this year’s event, NR6, now owned by photographers Darrell and Pam Conrad did not disappoint.

Scott Campbell, myself, Pat Coyle and the team at Mick Jenkin’s Mick’s Paint in Pomona, California, worked hard to get the 1964 Dos Palmas Machine Spl. running for the event. Dos Palmas was the first American dragster to run at the 1st British International Drag Festival at Blackbushe in 1964.

Of course, Dos Palmas is a Gas dragster and the Nitro Revival is all about, well, nitro and big loads of it. The Saturday night ‘Rolling Thunder’ display hosted some 75 drag cars blasting nitro-laden flames high into the California night sky. It sure was a sight and sound to behold.

Timing also adds to the Revival’s attraction as, being the first weekend in November, it sits slap bang in the middle of numerous other bucket-list events and is located at the historic Irwindale Dragstrip close to all the Los Angeles attractions. If you’re planning a trip Stateside, this is the time to go.

Photos courtesy of Jonathan Jones and Geoff Stilwell.

This shot of the Van Ronk and Bumgarner ‘Vagabond’ perfectly captures the atmosphere of Nitro Revival. In the background, the Beach City Chevrolet Corvette driven then by land speed racer Gary Gabelich

Bill Pitt’s ‘Magicar,’ the AA/FD restoration that more or less kicked off the whole nostalgia restoration movement, remains the poster child of the hobby. The car was originally created by legendary chassis builder Kent Fuller

AA/Fuel Altereds remain as popular as ever and few more popular than Pete and Harry Burkholder’s Fiat, which raced in this form in the early seventies and set a National Record at 7.06/205.94

Fossil fuels are running out and we need to use them wisely, and a Cacklefest is one of the best uses. L-R: Larry Dixon’s ‘Fireside Inn’ A/Modified Fuel Roadster, Magicar and the Burkholder Bros’ AA/FA Fiat

Kelly Anderson is a 53-year-old mother who just started drag racing a few years ago but she always puts on a great, wheels-up show in her nitrous-injected LS-powered Camaro ‘Stacey’ Right: One of the all-time favorite AA/Fuel Altereds was the 554 ’34 5-window coupe of Mooneyham & Sharp, driven here by Luke Balogh

Above: Before they were Funny Cars they were known as A/FXs and none were more feared on the dragstrips than Al Van Der Woude’s ‘Flying Dutchman’ Plymouth circa 1964

54 CUSTOM CAR JANUARY 2024

SoCal Diaries Jan 24 2pgs.indd 54

10/12/2023 11:37

The 7-11 ’34 5-window first appeared in orange circa 1961 when owned by Kent Singleton, with Ray Rucker as the driver/ tuner. Now owned by Gabe Brown

Albeit a tad wavy in the rear, this straight-axle ’64 Nova with fender dumps, Moon tank and two-fours gets our clock ticking

Tim Avila’s ’41 Willys coupe ‘Tequila Sunrise’ has been raced since the early seventies and epitomizes the classic Gasser look

I just love the lines of those classic diggers with small chute packs such as the 1966 Samurai of Walt Zaveruka. Now restored and owned by Pete ‘P-Wood’ Eastwood. In back is the famed Speed Sport Roadster

One of my favorite cars of all time, the 195658 rear engine Speed Sport Roadster of Gary ‘Red’ Greth, Lyle Fisher and Don Maynard. Can you imagine driving this on the street?

The original ‘Bad News’ coupe, built around 1960 with a steel Fiat Topolino body, was owned by Bruce McDowell and driven by Demar Ray. Car changed hands a couple of times with Hawkins, Webster, and Martinez campaigning it in 1968

This D-Gas Camaro had a great motif in the windscreen: ‘Yes, it is fast. No, you can’t drive it’

Sadly, the late Boyd Duane Penington lost his life in a Fuel Dragster in 1964, but his legend lives on in this Bantam-bodied Fuel Altered

Frank Baney, the big guy in the driver’s seat of the push truck, is the son of legendary racer Lou Baney – who fielded the famous purple flake Baney, Rapp, Lisa and Rossi AA/FD

Rodney Flournoy has been putting on a show and racing the multi-winged ‘Godzilla’ for many years, having made his first pass in a Funny Car at age 16 in 1976

No doubt one of the most emotional events of an emotional event was the appearance of Rich Guasco’s ‘Pure Hell’ Funny Car, restored just in time by EJ Kowalski with some assist from Liz Leggitt. Photo by Geoff Stilwell

JANUARY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 55

SoCal Diaries Jan 24 2pgs.indd 55

10/12/2023 11:37

d

Out & About

In memoriam

Words & Pics: James Webber Event: Mike’s Motor Mayhem Date: 10 September Venue: Perranporth Airfield, Cornwall At the end of April 2023, Mike Allen, a local petrolhead who helped out at drag and drift events in Cornwall, went on a night out with his mates and, tragically, never came home. A victim of knife crime, his loss left his family and the community totally devastated.

In his memory, his family set up Mike’s Trust to raise awareness of knife crime and put on events in the area to raise money that would support victims. As Mike loved his cars, it was only fitting that a car show would be on the cards. And so plans for Mike’s Motor Mania were put in motion.

The event was initially scheduled for the summer – but thanks to bad weather, it was rearranged for a new date of 10 September, with Perranporth Airfield chosen as the location.

The show was open to any make and model of cars, bikes and indeed anything with a motor. There was no entry fee, but members of the Trust asked for donations to support the cause.

Along with the cars there was a soapbox competition, kids’ play areas with a selection of toys and games, local craftspeople trading from stalls and a selection of ‘motor olympics’ style events.

A selection of trophies were up for grabs,

built by Dan Barrett who runs local garage Thirteen05; categories included Best in Show, Best Wheels, Best Paint, Best Interior, Best Trader and Most Unique Mod. On the Saturday, members of the family and close friends took part in a cruise around Cornwall and ended up back at the campsite at Perranporth.

Mike must have been watching over the event as the weather held off and it’s guesstimated that around 500 people, maybe more, came to attend. Everyone had a really good day and said how much they enjoyed it and how much fun it was.

A quick chat with Mike’s dad Kevin shortly after revealed that they had raised £1400 from donations and absolutely thanked everyone who attended and made it a day (a weekend, including the cruise) to remember. Plans

are underway for next year’s Motor Mania, which the Trust is hoping to make coincide with one of the local drag and drift events to make it a really big spectacle. They’re investigating the possibility of other car themed events, too.

For details on the Trust and to get involved, visit mikes.org.uk.

Mike Allen, 9 January 1991 – 30 April 2023, RIP

56 CUSTOM CAR JANUARY 2024

Mikes Motor Mania_January 2024_1pgs.indd 56

10/12/2023 11:33

N729

NA-1

Classic American Sizes Designed for UK Roads 165/70R13 165/80R15 175/70R13 175/70R13 175/70R14 185/65R14 185/70R13 185/70R14 185/75R14 195/65R14 195/70R14 195/80R14 205/50R15 205/60R15 205/65R16 205/70R14 205/75R14 215/50R13 215/60R15 215/60R17 215/65R16 215/70R15 225/50R15 225/60R14 225/70R15 225/70R15 225/75R15 235/50R13 235/60R13 235/60R14 235/60R15 235/75R15 245/50R14 245/60R14 245/60R15 255/60R15 265/50R14 275/60R15 295/50R15

www.nankangtyre.co.uk

Nankang Tyre UK Custom Car_2023_12_Dec_Nankang_FP.indd 1

0121 500 5010

sales@nankangtyre.co.uk 16/10/2023 12:48

BRENTACRE CUSTOM CAR & HOT ROD INSURANCE

NB: We advise you to double check with organisers that the event or show as listed is still going ahead, to avoid any wasted journeys.

To submit an event, email alan.kidd@assignment-media.co.uk

DECEMBER 30 All American Cruise In. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 30 Brass Monkey Run. Brandon, Suffolk. Facebook: Iceni C.A.R. Club

JANUARY 3 Hot Rod Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 11-14 Autosport International NEC, Birmingham. www.autosportinternational.com 16 VW Air-Cooled Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 27 All American Cruise In. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 28 ‘Normous Newark Autojumble Newark Showground, Newark, Notts. www.newarkautojumble.co.uk

FEBRUARY 7 Hot Rod Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com

18 ‘Normous Newark Autojumble Newark Showground, Newark, Notts. www.newarkautojumble.co.uk 20 VW Air-Cooled Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 24 All American Cruise In. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 24-25 Straightliners Top Speed Show. Elvington Airfield, York. www.straightliners.events

MARCH 2024 3 NSRA Southern Swap Meet North Weald, Essex. www.nsra.org.uk 3 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 6 Hot Rod Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 9 Dial-In Day Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 13 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk

6 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod. co.uk

14 The Fast Show Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk

7 Straightliners Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk

19 VW Air-Cooled Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com

13-14 Straightliners Race Meet Melbourne Raceway, York. www.straightliners.events

22-24 Classic Car and Restoration Show NEC, Birmingham. www.necrestorationshow.com 24 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 28-31 Festival of Power Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 30 All American Cruise In. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com

APRIL 2024 1 Kings Lynn Kruisers Easter Bonnet Parade. Wisbech St Mary, Cambridgeshire. www.kingslynnkruisers.co.uk

14 ‘Normous Newark Autojumble Newark Showground, Newark, Notts. www.newarkautojumble.co.uk 16 VW Air-Cooled Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 20 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 21 GTI Spring Festival Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 26-28 Springspeed Nationals Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 27 All American Cruise In. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com

3 Hot Rod Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com

58 CUSTOM CAR JANUARY 2024

Events Winter.indd 58

11/12/2023 11:05

MAY 2024 1 Hot Rod Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 4-6 Nostalgia Nationals Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 5 BHP Show Kent Showground, Detling, Maidstone. bhpshows.com 10-12 Race the Waves Bridlington. www.backfirepromotions.com 11 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 11-12 Straightliners Race Meet Melbourne Raceway, York. www.straightliners.events 17-19 Doorslammers Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk

5 Hot Rod Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 6 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 6-9 Hot Rods and Hills Penrith, Cumbria. www.parkfootullswater.co.uk 8-9 NSRA Fun on the Beach Great Yarmouth. TBC. www.nsra.org.uk 7-9 STP Sporstman Nationals Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 9 BHP Fuel Fest Westpoint Arena, Exeter, Devon. bhpshows.com 9 ‘Normous Newark Autojumble Newark Showground, Newark, Notts. www.newarkautojumble.co.uk

21 VW Air-Cooled Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com

14-16 Street Weekend Santa Pod Raceway / Melbourne Raceway. www. santapod.co.uk / straightliners.events

23-27 The Main Event Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk

15 The Fast Show Reloaded Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk

24-27 Run to the Sun Newquay. www.rtts.co.uk

15-16 Straightliners Race Meet Melbourne Raceway, York. www.straightliners.events

25 All American Cruise In. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 31-3 June VanJam Fir Tree Farm, Warmington. www.vanditos.co.uk

JUNE 2024 1-2 Duchy Ford Club Show St Merryn, Padstow. duchyfordclub.co.uk 2 Plus 44 Show Hartham Park, Corsham, Wilthsire. www.plusfourfourautomotive.co.uk

22-23 Pendine Sands Hot Rod Races Pendine Sands, Carmarthenshire. www.vhra.co.uk 26-28 Kings Lynn Kruisers Extravaganza. Walpole St Andrews, Cambridgeshire. www.kingslynnkruisers.co.uk 28-30 MPH 1/8th Mile Vintage Sprint RAF Deenethorpe, Corby, Northants. www.mphvintagesprint.co.uk 28-30 National Hot Rod and Custom Show Lincolnshire Showground, Lincoln. www.hotrodandcustomshow.co.uk 28-30 STP Summer Nationals Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk

16 Bespoke Show West Malling, Kent. bespokeshows@gmail.com 18 VW Air-Cooled Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 21 Deuce Day British Motor Museum, Warwickshire. www.deucesofbritain.co.uk 22 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk

JANUARY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 59

Events Winter.indd 59

11/12/2023 11:05

BRENTACRE CUSTOM CAR & HOT ROD INSURANCE

27 All American Cruise In. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 28-30 National Hot Rod, Custom and American Car Show Lincoln Showground. www.hotrodandcustomshow.co.uk

AUGUST 2024 2-4 Hot Rod Hayride Bisley Shooting Centre, Brookwood, Surrey. hotrodhayride.co.uk 2-4 Ultimate Street Car Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk

29 All American Cruise In. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com

JULY 2024 1-4 NSRA Hot Rod Supernationals Old Warden, Cambridgeshire. www. nsra.org.uk 3 Hot Rod Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 5-7 Dragstalgia Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 9-11 Retrofestival Newbury Showground. www.retrofestival.co.uk 11-14 European Street Rod Nationals Ellivouri Sastamala Finland. www.fsra.fi 11-14 Goodwood Festival of Speed Goodwood Estate, West Sussex. www.goodwood.com 13-14 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk

3-4 Straightliners Race Meet Melbourne Raceway, York. www.straightliners.events 7 Hot Rod Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 9-11 Mopar Euro Nationals Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 11 ‘Normous Newark Autojumble Newark Showground, Newark, Notts. www.newarkautojumble.co.uk 15-19 Hillbilly Hoedown Crystal Lakes Leisure, Huntingdon.

Facebook: Hillbilly Hoedown Weekend 16-18 Hot Rods in the Borders Liliardsedge Holiday Park, Jedburgh.

01835 830271 16-18 STP Greenlight Nationals Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 20 VW Air-Cooled Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 24-25 Eastbourne Feastival Hampden Park, Eastbourne. www.visiteastbourne.com

31-1 Sep Straightliners Race Meet Melbourne Raceway, York. www.straightliners.events

SEPTEMBER 2024 4 Hot Rod Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 4-8 FIA Euro Finals Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 6-8 Trip Out Euston Gardens, Thetford. www.thetripout.co.uk 6-8 Goodwood Revival Goodwood Estate, West Sussex. www.goodwood.com 8 A602’s Autorama Stevenage, Herts. www.autoramashow.com 13-15 Hot Rod Drags Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 15 ‘Normous Newark Autojumble Newark Showground, Newark, Notts. www.newarkautojumble.co.uk 17 VW Air-Cooled Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 19-22 Isle of Man Festival of Motoring www.iomfm.com 20-22 STP National Finals Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk

13-14 Straightliners Race Meet Melbourne Raceway, York. www.straightliners.events

30-1 Sep VW Action Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk

28 All American Cruise In. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com

16 VW Air-Cooled Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com

31 All American Cruise In. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com

28 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk

19-21 Rock’n’Ribs Festival Wincanton Racecourse, Somerset. www.rocknribsfestival.co.uk

29-4 Sep Race of the Last Rebels Dunavarsány, Hungary. www.lastrebels.hu

29 VHRA Swap Meet Ramsey, Cambridgeshire. www.vhra.co.uk

21 Ford Show Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk

30-1 Sep Blue Ridge Runners Motor Show / South West Van Nationals West Huntspill, Somerset. www.blueridgerunners.co.uk

25 Throttle Auto Races Bicester Heritage, Oxfordshire. www.vhra.co.uk 26-28 Bug Jam Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk

OCTOBER 2024 2 Hot Rod Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 5 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk

60 CUSTOM CAR JANUARY 2024

Events Winter.indd 60

11/12/2023 11:05

Custom Car_2023_11_November_RTTS Events Ltd_HP.indd 1

30/08/2023 16:35

JANUARY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 61

Custom Car_2024_01_January_Composite Page_FP.indd 61

11/12/2023 13:44

CC_Subs_DPS_July23.indd 2

14/07/2023 07:14

ter,

ereaf

th onths m 2 ry 1 6 eve ch year.

5 £ t es a e ea ntinu over pric o c n ec riptio off th ubsc % s 8 t i 2 b g t De savin Direc

CC_Subs_DPS_July23.indd 3

14/07/2023 07:14

FEB 2024 £5.99

on ’2Febr sa 4 uar le iss y 18 ue Ja nu ary

h t n o m t x e n g n i Com issue, visit www.amedia-shop.co.uk

ruary To pre-order the Feb 1p Next Month Winter.indd 64

20/11/2023 23:26

Official Broker of the NSRA Authorised and regulated by the FCA

Custom Car_2023_01_Jan_Classicline Insurance_FP.indd 1

30/11/2022 12:05

ESTABLISHED OVER 40 YEARS THE WORKSHOP, BRIAR LANE, RICKINGHALL, DISS, NORFOLK, IP22 1NA

American Car Parts Supplier with a large stock of Spares and imports each week from the USA. Body Panels, Service Parts, Windscreens etc., all sourced.

Keeping Your Dreams on the Road

NEW WEBSITE launched with large selection of parts available online, including engine dress up kits.

Examples of the services we offer: Full Car Restoration  Car Customization  Car Parts supplied or made ‘in house’ Vintage/Classic/American car rally preparation Period or modern component upgrades (engines, gearboxes etc.)

Servicing, repairs, and maintenance (No job too small) Full Details of our products and services can be found on our website: www.belchers.uk Please contact us with your enquiry at info@belchers.uk or call 0330 8281823 where we can provide examples of customer car work undertaken and references if required.

Custom Car_2023_11_Nov_Belchar Engineering_FP.indd 1

03/10/2023 15:00