Custom Car May 2024 by Assignment Media Ltd

MAY 2024

£5.99

Nitro-tirement

Spend the rest of your life staring out the window… or develop a taste for nitromethane?

PLUS: The Headhunter lives again • Love it or hate it ‘32 rat rod WITH SARAH CC Apr 24 Cover.indd 1

28/03/2024 17:29

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 13th March 2024.

Custom Car_2024_05_May_Adrian Flux_FP.indd 1

19/03/2024 10:53

Contents

is Ju su n e e 9 o ’2 Ap n 4 ril sal e

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

Regulars 2

News & reviews A very good Friday

32 Centre Spread The return of the Headhunter

56 SoCal Diaries Hanging out with drag racing royalty

58 Events

Is this the busiest summer ever?

64 Next Month A show-stopper of a Chevy pick-up

Features 8

Nitro Happy Bored? Reach for the good stuff…

18 Southern Swapmeet The winter must be over

24 The Headhunter Hotrod Tiki’s Brookwood wagon reborn

www.customcarmag.co.uk

36 Steampunk ‘32 Relax. No steel was harmed…

44 Prestige Motor Gallery DB becomes a kid in a sweet shop

50 Leadroom Invitational Traditional custom show hits the spot

SUBSCRIBE! 54 Custom Car subs offer

The best value way to get your monthly fix

MAY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 1

CC Contents Apr.indd 1

28/03/2024 17:57

News & reviews

Easter charity

he 2024 staging of the Good Friday spectacular known as Wheels Day will have come and gone by the time this issue hits the newsstands. We’ll be bringing you the lowdown on the show in a future issue but we wanted to take this opportunity to keep you updated as to what’s going on behind the scenes. The team behind Wheels Day, the members of Surrey Street Rodders, are well known for their untiring efforts in raising money for local charities from the show and other events. This year they’ve gone a step further and raised money before Wheels Day even happened. Thanks to the support from showgoers when asked to cover the cost of posting out passes, SSR saved a whopping £1,250 which club funds would normally have had to cover. That saving is being donated to a charity called Cherry Trees. Based just outside Guildford, Cherry Trees

provides home-from-home care for children with complex disabilities. The charity is a lifeline for over 50 families whose children who are regularly cared for, whether that be for a few hours after school or an overnight or longer stay. That ensures families can beneﬁt from a meaningful and much-needed break. To ﬁnd out more about the work of

AD PRODUCTION

SUBSCRIPTIONS AGENCY

Tandem Media Ltd.

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

custom@tandemmedia.co.uk

MANAGEMENT www.customcarmag.co.uk 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

Contributors Dave Biggadyke, Mike Pye, Olly Sack, Jamie Webster, Tony Thacker, Dan Fenn Photographers 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

Cherry Trees visit www.cherrytrees.org.uk Surrey Street Rodders has promised more charity donations shortly and we’ll bring you news of them as soon as we can. In the meantime, we would like to praise the unwavering efforts of club members in raising money for good causes and thank the Wheels Day participants for their generosity.

Distribution in Great Britain:

Publisher: Sarah Moss

Marketforce UK Limited,

sarah.moss@assignment-media.co.uk

121-141 Westbourne Terrace,

SUBSCRIPTIONS 13 issues of Custom Car are published 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 2024 All rights reserved

01283 742970

2 CUSTOM CAR MAY 2024

News-reviews-May24_4pgs.indd 2

28/03/2024 16:17

The best for less

The National Hot Rod, Custom and American Car Show rolls back into the Lincolnshire Showground on 29 and 30 June. All pre-1972 vehicles are welcome, along with any year of American vehicle, and the supporting cast includes live bands and entertainment, fun fair rides, and even some wrestling. Admission to the show also gives access to the Ink & Oil Tattoo Convention and the Modified Nationals. Entries are open for the indoor display area, including the prestigious Best in Britain competition. This is open to pre-’72 hot rods, classics, retro, custom and American vehicles, but spaces are limited so get your application in now. Weekend tickets are priced at £60 (plus booking fee) per person and include camping on Friday and Saturday nights, along with access to the extensive list of evening entertainment. The nice people behind the show, however, are offering Custom Car readers a massive 25% discount on ticket prices. Simply enter the discount code CUSTOM25 when booking tickets online and pay just £45 per person. What are you waiting for? www.hotrodandcustomshow.co.uk

Swap at the track

Celebr ating 74 years

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

VISIT OUR ONLINE STORE & DOWNLOAD CATALOGUES

Stop by the showroom today to check it out.

Pit-side swap meet pitches will be available at both the NSRA Nostalgia Nationals on 4-6 May and the Hot Rod Drags on 13-15 September. Booking is open now, and with limited availability, the advice is to get in early. www.nostalgianationals.com / www.hotroddrags.com / www.santapod.co.uk

MAY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 3

News-reviews-May24_4pgs.indd 3

28/03/2024 16:17

News & reviews

Something for the weekend?

Remembering the dead Following the success of last year’s event at Burghley House comes Breakfast of the Dead at Industry & Supply at Weedon BEC, Northants on Sunday 12 May. Organised by ClassicLine Insurance, the breakfast meet kicks off at 9:30 am, when all vehicle marques no longer manufactured will be made welcome. Admission is free, but spaces are limited so prebooking a spot is essential. www.ticketsource.co.uk

Mopars and more Sunday 26 May is the date for this year’s staging of American Cars and Hot Rods at the Brooklands Museum in Surrey. Hosted by the Mopar Muscle Association, the show runs from 9:00 am through to 5:00 pm and museum admission

Cool filters

Ali air filters for Stromberg 94 / 97, and Ford and Holley 94 carbs, are offered via Facebook by Justin Smith. The filters are priced at £75 each and fit directly onto the top of carbs (25/8 inch) and may also fit other makes with the same diameter top rings. Speedway carb scoops fit on top of the filter and can be supplied at an additional cost, and longer filters can be manufactured if required.

charges apply. events@brooklandsmuseum. com

Vantastic Vanditos VJ #5 takes place at Fir Tree Farm, Warmington, Banbury on 31 May to 3 June. If you’ve been before you know the score but for those who don’t know, Vanditos is a classic American van club for those who adore and admire ‘60s, ‘70s and cool ‘80s classic American vans. Admission to VJ #5 is by ticket only and these are available to cover 1, 2 or 3 nights, or a day ticket only. www.vanditos.co.uk

All Wight As the name may suggest, Wight Wheels takes place on the Isle of Wight, Chale Recreation Ground PO38 2JE to be exact. Presented by Wight American Cars, the date is Sunday 30 June from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm and the show is open to all modes of transport from vintage to modern. Facebook: Wight American Cars

by V8 Hot Rods, the day offers live music, a barbecue and trophies. The show runs from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, is open to pre-1972 vehicles only, and the venue can be found on The Street in Redgrave, Diss IP22 1RW. Facebook: V8 Hot Rods

Banking on it The 5th annual Hot Rods and Customs at The Cross Keys takes place on Bank Holiday Monday, 26 August. Organised

Seaside fun

The on-off situation has finally been resolved, as the NSRA has officially confirmed that Fun on the Beach will be returning to Great Yarmouth on 13-14 July. Full details will follow shortly but for now, make a note in your diary and get your digs sorted. www.nsra.org.uk Facebook: NSRA U.K. Official Group

4 CUSTOM CAR MAY 2024

News-reviews-May24_4pgs.indd 4

28/03/2024 16:17

News & reviews Supporting quarters

Kestrel Beer has confirmed its continued support of Santa Pod Raceway with a 2-year agreement as the official lefthand lane sponsor. In addition to the sponsorship agreement, Kestrel has negotiated to continue the Pourage rights for Kestrel beer as the only draught lager at Santa Pod. A further support announcement is that Wossner Pistons will be sponsoring the 4-cylinder class at the 2024 Doorslammers on 17-19 May. For more information about Wossner Pistons visit www.wossnerpistons.co.uk or for details

of Doorslammers and other Santa Pod events visit www.santapod.com

Pop up customs

The Leadroom is hosting a lineup of traditional American customs during the Retro Rides Weekender at Goodwood Motor Circuit on 11-12 May. The Pop Up Show will have pride of place in the paddock area and will be displaying differing styles of customs from the ’40s through to the early ‘60s, both finished and in progress cars. www.retroridesevents.com

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

• Polite, friendly & knowledgeable service

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

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

To view our huge range of items, company information and technical library visit our

WEBSITE & ONLINE SHOP

Need help with what you want? Call our knowledgeable team on

01934 864310 www.speedflow.co.uk MAY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 5

Custom Car_2024_05_May_Speedflow_QP.indd 1 News-reviews-May24_4pgs.indd 5

07/03/2024 13:46 28/03/2024 16:18

News & reviews Deuce art

This year’s Deuce Day event artwork has been created by the talented Mick Smith. The design features the recipient of the 2023 Deuce of the Day award, Hotrod Tich’s 5-window, along with Mike Key’s Honky Chateau sedan and Rob Shipley / Shug’s 3-window. Complimentary poster quality prints of the artwork, printed on 300gsm silk art paper, will be handed to everyone who takes their Deuce along to Deuce Day on 21 July at the British Motor Museum in Gaydon, Warwickshire. One lucky Deuce owner will be going home with the original framed artwork which will be awarded to the 2024 Deuce of the Day. If you haven’t already booked your ticket, do it now. Camping is available at the British Motor Museum with full facilities including permanent shower and toilet blocks. Camping pitches can be booked together with event tickets. www.deucesofbritain.co.uk/deuce-day

Power update

You will all be aware of the decision taken by Santa Pod’s management team to postpone the Easter Weekend Festival of Power due to waterlogged grassland car parks and campsites. The new dates for the event are 26-28 April, previously scheduled as the Springspeed Nationals. The rescheduled Festival of Power offers an extensive mix of race classes from Fuel Funny Car through to Pro Modiﬁed, and Nostalgia Funny Car to Outlaw Anglia. www.santapod.co.uk

It’s twins

Webcon offers its own production intake manifolds to allow the fitment of twin Weber IDF carburettors to the Ford Pinto engine. Cast and machined in the UK, the manifold can be fitted with Weber 40, 44 or 48IDF carbs. The manifold is ideal for anyone wishing to recreate a Group 1 Escort as well as general Pinto tuning where space is too restricted to allow the fitment of a conventional horizontal twin Weber DCOE manifold. Priced at £454.87 including VAT, the manifold is suitable for both right and left-hand drive cars. www.webcon.co.uk

A cut above

The cable cutter from Laser Tools is designed for clean and effortless cutting through various cables, including starter motor and battery main cables up to 10mm in diameter. The cutter features two sets of cutter jaws, one for coaxial cables and the other for steel and aluminium-clad cables. The spring-loaded, cushion-grip handles enable one-handed operation, whilst the curved jaws facilitate cutting without ﬂattening or damaging the cable. www.lasertools.co.uk

Easy cornering

The Laser Tools magnetic corner welding clamp features an easily readable gauge with a range of 20 to 200 degrees. Simply set the desired angle then lock the clamp using the supplied hex key. The clamp can support both internal and external surfaces enabling quick and easy alignment of components in readiness for welding. www.lasertools.co.uk

Good vibrations

Good Vibration Motorsports has conﬁrmed its continued sponsorship of the Supercharged Outlaw UK race class. The class itself has announced a change in format for this coming season as it will be participating in the Good Vibrations Motorsports Cannonball championship, along with the new Melbourne Retro Revival event. Staged at Melbourne Raceway on 13-14 July, the Supercharged Outlaws will be joined by teams from Wild Bunch, Gasser Circus and Nostalgia Superstock.

6 CUSTOM CAR MAY 2024

News-reviews-May24_4pgs.indd 6

28/03/2024 16:18

USED V8 ENGINES/AUTO TRANS’ see our Website for more items!                

ALL UNITS ARE USED but- SUITABLE FOR REBUILDING LONG ENGINES: Block, Crankshaft, conrods, pistons, camshaft, timing gears, lifters, pushrods, cylinder heads, rockers.

..................................................................................................................................................... RETAIL: ........................ GOLD CARD:

Chevy 350- ‘86 on, one piece rear seal version ............... £826.06 ....... £743.45 Chevy 350- Vortec, needs 8 bolt inlet manifold ................ £917.83 ....... £826.05 Ford 302- Roller cam version, 1pce rear seal ................... £934.73 ....... £841.26 Ford 351W- 1 piece rear seal version ............................... £934.73 ....... £841.26 Mopar 383- .......................................................................... £734.27 ....... £660.84 Mopar 440- 1977-78 ............................................................ £917.83 ....... £826.05 SHORT ENGINES: Block, Crankshaft, conrods, pistons, camshaft, timing gears. ..................................................................................................................................................... RETAIL: ........................ GOLD CARD:

Ford 302- pre 75, can be used for Kit car build ** ............. £917.83 ....... £826.05 Ford 351W- 1 piece rear seal version ............................... £747.78 ....... £673.00 LM7 GM 5.3ltr 1999 on,CUTOUT UNITS: These units have either a cable or electronic throttle, & come with a 4L60E 2wd auto transmission. The LM7 is from the LS family. In pickup trucks they are around 270-295bhp. The block is cast iron & so is much stronger that the OE Aluminium block. It can be rebored & has 6 bolt mains. We keep many parts for them, including Edelbrock or Holley kits to run the std injection & ignition. ..................................................................................................................................................... RETAIL: ........................ GOLD CARD:

LM7 5.3 V8 Gen111 cutouts ............................................... £1140.00 ..... £1026.00 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS: With a used torque converter, also available rebuilt.

Chevrolet TH350 3 speed ................................................... £826.06 ....... £743.45 Chevrolet TH200-4R 4 speed, [4th is overdrive] ............... £505.73 ....... £455.16 Chevrolet TH700-R4 4 speed, [4th is overdrive] ............... £872.03 ....... £784.83 Chevrolet 4L60E 4 speed, [4th is overdrive] electronic ... £367.18 ....... £330.46 Ford C4 3 speed- with bellhousing ................................... £467.41 ....... £420.67 Ford C6 3 speed for 289/302/351W- with bellhousing ...... £467.41 ....... £420.67

Building a project, or an engine? Check our website & join our Gold Card Club [£40yr]-SAVE 10%-check exclusions. Over 6200 parts in stock. Owner in this business 50+ years

REAL STEEL-

Unit 9, Tomo Ind Estate, Packet Boat Lane, Cowley, Middx, UB8 2JP Tel: 01895 440505 Fax: 01895 422047 E-mail: sales@realsteel.co.uk Web: www.realsteel.co.uk www.realsteel.co.uk

Custom Car_2024_05_May_Real Steel_FP.indd 1

20/03/2024 13:57

Retirement, or semi-retirement, can do funny things to people. Some devote all their time to an allotment while others hop from one cruise ship to the next, but a very small number decide to dabble in nitromethane… Words: Mike Pye Pics: Alan Kidd (static) / Julian Hunt (action)

8 CUSTOM CAR MAY 2024

8pp Whitfield Fuel Altered.indd 8

28/03/2024 15:39

e unknown I

“

t were Covid really,” says Bryan Whitfield, “that’s when it all started…” When what started? I asked. “The silly ideas,” he laughs. He does a lot of laughing, does ‘our’ Bryan. “I’d not long retired – well, sort of – and Ian [Tubb, the other constituent part of this potent cocktail] is in his 70s now, so when Covid hit he felt like he were being robbed of his retirement. I remember ’im sayin’, ‘What’m I gonna do now, just stare out the window ’til I die?’ “We were like, what about this, what about that, and eventually got talking about the old school-style, back-in-the-day Fuel Altereds.” When talk turns that way, it doesn’t take long for Nick Davies and Rob Loaring’s names to come up in the conversation and, sure enough, they did. “I’m good mates with Nick and Rob – I painted their Pro Mod – and I’d seen them win at Bakersfield. At first, we were like, build a Nostalgia Fuel Altered? You’ve gotta be kidding. But then when we heard you only need to make about 1300 or 1500 horsepower, so you’re not leaning on it so hard that you break things at every meet, it started to make a bit more sense.” Sense you say?! “Well, it never makes sense, but you know what I mean.”

Ground rules

And so a plan was hatched. The regulations for the newly proposed OSCAR race class lay out a few basic ground rules, all the duo had to decide upon was a body style, and who was going to do the work. And who was going to drive it of course. “Make no mistake, this is Tubb’s deal. All I did was paint it and sit in it,” says Bryan graciously. “We’ve been mates for over 30 years and anyone will tell you we argue like hell, but we both wanted to do this.” Unfortunately, a side effect of the whole Covid debacle was the cost of everything went through the roof, almost overnight. On top of that, businesses around the world closed their doors, others shut down

MAY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 9

8pp Whitfield Fuel Altered.indd 9

28/03/2024 15:39

The Build

1. Body is a glass fibre replica 1931 Austin Bantam coupe by US Body, though it won’t have escaped your notice that the car looks quite unlike the body that – after a two and a half year wait – finally arrived from Florida.

7. With those areas exposed, the whole lot was flatted again in preparation for…

2. The rear wings were cut off, the cowl shortened, the windscreen posts laid back and the header panel completely re-shaped to make High Spirits look less like grandad’s first car.

8. …the brandywine candy party shirt that lets the gunmetal underneath show through and brings all the elements joyfully together.

Overhead shot shows just how tight things are in the cockpit. The lack of roof and window in the ’glass body must give the feeling of being out in the open, and very little protection from the potential bomb sitting up front!

3. After prepping and priming, the body was given a base coat of gold flake…

9. Out in the sun for the first time, the beautiful candy paint job comes to life. Last stop was Craig Ainge who sprinkled on the fairy dust lettering.

completely, and even communication became a major problem. “I really can’t thank John Reid enough for all his efforts on our behalf. When people in the States wouldn’t reply to us about stuff, he just got in his car and went round to see them. This car would never have happened without his help,” notes Bryan. He also remembers the build of this car as “the most painful 18 months ever”, but we won’t dwell on that, as the end result more than makes up for all the stress and hassle involved in its construction. Having decided that of all the hundreds of Fuel Altereds that ran in the late ’60s and early ’70s, the one they liked the look of best was Gabby Bleeker’s wild ride, an Austin / Bantam coupe body was the one for them. Once again, Reidy came to their aid, contacting a company in Florida that appeared to offer a ’glass reproduction of the body they were after. “John placed the order for us, we sent a $1000 deposit and that were the last

10 CUSTOM CAR MAY 2024

8pp Whitfield Fuel Altered.indd 10

28/03/2024 15:39

4. …which was then ﬂatted and some of the main graphic elements added, before…

5. …a major masking session saw the panel work and striping laid out.

A coat of reduced gunmetal grey went on next to give the panel painted sections some additional depth.

Left: While Bryan was getting dirty in the paint booth, Ian was keeping things clean in his workshop putting the blown, 427ci, nitro Chevy together.

“when we heard you only need to make about 1300 or 1500 horsepower, so you’re not leaning on it so hard… it started to make a bit more sense”

10.

Right: Ian’s not one for the limelight but, as he’s had so much input into the construction of High Spirits, we felt he deserved to be part of the feature. Fantastic work gentleman, you’ve opened the OSCAR door in style

we heard of them for two and half years,” recalls Bryan wryly.

Chevy metal

After weighing up the engine options, the duo decided to use a big block Chevy rather than the more traditional Hemi, and Ian put his hand up to build it, so the boys started amassing the parts they needed while they waited for the body to arrive. “It were always a budget thing, all the way through,” explains Bryan. “The price of a nitro Hemi is just nuts, easily three times what we had to spend on the Chevy, but we didn’t make life easy for ourselves going that route.” Reason being it seems very few people have ever successfully run nitro through a big block Chevy. That’s not to say it can’t be done, but there’s usually a good reason why the vast majority of people don’t do something. Small block Chevys are apparently better suited to fuel, but not their bigger brothers.

Bryan’s partner in crime in High Spirits is long-time drag racer, two-time Super Pro ET champion and all-round top engineer, Ian Tubb, who Bryan credits with “doing everything on the car except the paint.” Word is Ian is currently declining to share the exhilarating driving experience.

MAY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 11

8pp Whitfield Fuel Altered.indd 11

28/03/2024 15:39

theaccelerationarchive.co.uk

The inspiration

The two cars Bryan cited as inspiration for High Spirits are Barry Sheavill’s old Jaguar-powered Competition Altered, Stagecoach, which used a 1947 Austin Ruby body, and Gabby Bleeker’s Bantam coupe-bodied Fuel Altered. Bleeker, from Evergreen Park, Illinois stood out on the ‘awful Altered’ circuit for his choice of a 1930’s American Austin / Bantam body for his race car. He wasn’t unique in that, but it did make his car more unusual, and popular with the crowds. He started racing in 1952 in Gas Altered, but transitioned into AA/Fuel Altered in 1961 by ‘tipping the can’ into the car’s four-port Hilborn injected, 428ci Olds engine. The car ran a best of 8.90 at 176mph in that conﬁguration before swapping to a Chrysler Hemi at the end of the ’67 season. That saw its best time drop to 8.02 at 181mph in 1968 in Bleeker’s ﬁnal year of competition. Bleeker was a tough competitor and won many races in the mid-

west, as well as the ’61 AHRA Nationals in Texas, the ’64 March Meet in California and the ’68 US Nationals, beating ‘Wild’ Willie Borsch in Winged Express in the ﬁnal, a spectacular conclusion to his racing career. Bleeker passed away in September 2022. The ﬁnal pic (Bleeker 6), shows the car when it came up for sale on Craigslist in 2012 for $79,000. It still had its original steel body, mag’ wheels and a blown 354ci Hemi, but the chassis has clearly been updated, maybe even replaced completely, as the ’cage is different and it’s way longer than the 75-inch wheelbase machine Bleeker piloted.

“It’s all to do with the heads,” explains Brian. “Ian’s the engine guy, not me, but I do know you need tiny inlet ports and massive exhaust ports, and that most big block heads aren’t very well suited to running fuel. “We spoke to a guy out in the States who had done it. He was in his 80s and told us he’d built his ﬁrst nitro motor when he were 17, and had built quite a few in between, but he said, ‘I think I got three down the track!’” Having consumed as much information as they could, a 427 Dart iron block was

Fuel is pumped through the system by a Waterman Big Bertha pump and squirted into both the hat and ports via 16 injectors, then ignited by a Mallory Super Mag V and coil.

12 CUSTOM CAR MAY 2024

8pp Whitfield Fuel Altered.indd 12

28/03/2024 15:39

“it costs us between £700 and £1000 per run, and that’s if we don’t break anything”

deemed the right starting point, partly due to its inherent strength – containment being a major consideration when nitro is concerned – but also its extra 80-odd pounds of weight over a factory Chevy block, which helps keep the front end down in an ultra-short wheelbase car like this. Some suitable second hand heads were eventually tracked down in Montana, of all places, and the happy stuff up top includes a BDS 8-71 blower (the largest size allowed

in the class), Waterman Big Bertha 70gpm fuel pump, Enderle Birdcatcher and a full complement of 16 injector nozzles, eight into the hat and eight direct into the ports.

Learning curve

“Of course, we knew nothing about nitro, so it’s been a huge learning curve. There’s just so much duff information out there on the internet, so you really have to ﬁnd out for yourself.”

They were all just experimenting back then, weren’t they? I suggest. “Exactly, and they still are,” laughs Bryan, adding, “We are kings of the unknown!” Another part of the learning curve has been just getting hold of the nitromethane the car largely runs on. It’s a controlled substance in the UK and anyone wanting to buy some has to go through a rigorous checking procedure before they are even allocated a licence to buy it. G-Max Racing

Right: 427ci nitro motor is based on a Dart iron block, with a Crower crank, MGP rods, Wiseco pistons and a custom ground Comp Cams cam all going round inside it. Heads are old solid Brodix BB-1s with stainless valves and T&D Machine rockers and the regulation 8-71 blower is a BDS unit, sitting on a Blower Shop manifold with an Enderle Birdcatcher hat. Power output? “Not a clue,” says Ian, with a grin.

MAY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 13

8pp Whitfield Fuel Altered.indd 13

28/03/2024 15:39

Left: One major difference from Gabby Bleeker’s car that Bryan and Ian took as their main inspiration is the seating position. “I didn’t want my head through the roof,” says Bryan adamantly. “That was the only constraint I gave Jon [Webster]. A car should contain the driver else it’s all out aesthetically.”

“We knew nothing about nitro, so it’s been a huge learning curve”

Fuels is the supplier in this country and it’s all kept pretty low level, for obvious reasons. The cost? A 55-gallon drum of fuel will set you back around £1100. To put that into perspective, on a warm-up, burnout and full run, High Spirits will consume between seven and nine gallons, so that one drum is enough for about six or seven runs. “It’s not just the fuel though,” says Bryan. “The car takes three gallons of 70W oil and that’s £100 a gallon. It’s only good for one run ’cause the nitro contaminates it. So, if we warm the car up and come to the line but then there’s oil down ahead of us, we’re knackered. We have to go back to the pits, drain it and re-ﬁll it. “We’re lucky that Wayne Nicholson gives us all his old plugs ’cause he’ll only use

them once, whereas we can burn them right out. That saves us a bit, but it still costs us between £700 and £1,000 per run, and that’s if we don’t break anything. “The saving grace is we’ll probably only run the car three or four times a year, but it’s still a big commitment.”

It’s a steel

As time ticked by and still there was no word on the body, Tracy Chantry stepped into the frame and offered the boys a steel Topolino body for nothing, generously sending it up to Sheﬃeld on a transporter. “So, at one point we were building a Topolino,” laughs Bryan, “and we even got as far as taking the body down to Pro Laminates to take a mould from to make a

’glass one but then, just after we’d done that, the call came in saying our body was ready.” Typical, huh? “We’ve had discussions about making it a dual body car since, though that’s not as easy to do as it is to say. Maybe one day.” The chassis is another convoluted story, but to keep this feature down to a reasonable length we’ll just say the axles and wheels eventually ended up at the Webster Race Engineering workshops at the gates to the Pod. Jon is building an OSCAR car himself, so he made light work of welding up another, slightly shorter wheelbase, chassis alongside. “He turned it round in four months,” recalls Bryan in obvious admiration. “I’m no stranger to work, but I’m totally in awe

While some of the original Fuel Altereds were direct drive, OSCAR regs stipulate all cars must use a clutch, so a two-speed Lenco transmission with air shift was settled upon, with a Molinari Racing triple plate clutch pack.

For cost and safety reasons, Bryan and Ian chose modern wheels with a nostalgic ﬂavour. Fronts are bead blasted 18 x 3-inch Radir 12 spokes with 110/80-18 Pirelli motorcycle tyres. Rears are 15 x 16-inch as cast ET High Angles, with 13.0 / 33.3-16 M&H Racemaster Vintage Drag slicks screwed to them for safe keeping.

OSCAR regs stipulate a maximum wheelie bar length of 36 inches, again to keep the cars looking as period correct as possible, while also remaining slightly more under control than they might be otherwise

Bryan painted the car himself at his Roberts Motor Bodies premises in Sheﬃeld, then called upon fellow Yorkshireman and Nostalgia Super Stock stalwart, Craig Ainge, for the turned gold leaf lettering.

14 CUSTOM CAR MAY 2024

8pp Whitfield Fuel Altered.indd 14

28/03/2024 15:40

250ml

400ml

£18.99

£24.99

£49.00

£21.99 Prices shown are plus P&P. Ametech Automotive Ltd, Technology Centre, Station Road, Framlingham IP13 9EZ

H12 AMETECH AUTOMOTIVE.indd 1 Automotive Ltd_FP.indd 1 Custom Car_2024_04_April_Ametech

27/01/2023 14:09:12 29/02/2024 14:22

SUNDAY 21 JULY ‘24

LIVE MUSIC FROM The Sixteenth’s

FREE PARKING FOR VISITORS

EXHIBITORS & TRADERS

WANTED

10:00-16:00

SHOW AND SHINE DISPLAY IN THE MAIN ARENA TROPHIES AWARDED 3PM ONSITE CAMPING TRADE FAIR & AUTOJUMBLE MOTION PICTURE MOTORS - MOVIE CARS DISPLAY STREET FOOD LICENSED BAR

CAR & DRIVER

£5.00

PASSENGERS / VISITORS

£10.00 PER PERSON*

Under 16’s FREE

*Pre Booked discounts available

CARROTTOWNGARAGE.CO.UK

Stonham Barns Park, Pettaugh Road, Stonham Aspal, Suffolk IP14 6AT

Custom Car_2024_05_May_Carrot Town Garage Ltd_FP.indd 1

26/03/2024 10:08

Paint yer wagon

Initial thoughts were to paint High Spirits black, in line with the look of Gabby Bleeker’s car, but Bryan’s mates were having none of that. He has run Roberts Motor Bodies in Sheﬃeld for many years after all, so a full-on candy paint job it was then.

With a wheelbase of just 100 inches, and what we suspect is over 1,000bhp on tap, there’s no doubt this car is going to be a proper handful. Having Jon Webster build the chassis was therefore a very sensible move. It’s chromoly and to SFI 25.6 spec and, as the boys have got one in stock, there’s vague talk of having an alternate Topolino body ﬁtted to it in the future.

of that guy. What he gets done in a day is just unbelievable.” Even with such expert help, things haven’t always gone entirely to plan. The chassis has had to be modified since the car was finished as Bryan found it too difficult to get in and out. Likewise, the first fuel tank fitted proved to be too small, only holding enough

for a warm up, burnout and launch, not a full pass as well. “Yeah, there’s been a lot of frustration with this car,” admits Bryan sagely. But surely that all paled into insigniﬁcance when you dropped the hammer for the ﬁrst time? “We haven’t put a representative run on the car yet, and we think it will be next year

OSCAR ceremony

Narrowed and braced Ford 9-inch back axle has Sportsman gears, Strange axles and Strange Pro Series four-piston calipers and slotted discs. It was built by Hauser Racing and rated to 1800bhp. “If I break that I’ll be quite pleased,” says Bryan with a grin Note there’s also a plumbed in ﬁre extinguisher system, not mandated by the regs, but a very sensible precaution when you’re playing with nitro.

Webster Race Engineering constructed the traditional looking, but state-of-the-art chromoly chassis to SFI 25.6 spec. Front suspension is straight tube with transverse

Old School Classic Altered Racers. That’s what OSCAR stands for, and it’s a new class of nostalgia, Fuel Altered-style race cars that we hope we’ll soon be seeing a lot more of very soon. The concept is to bring back a taste of the wild, overpowered, short wheelbase drag cars that had their heyday between 1967 and ’71, when the oil crisis and dramatic changes in drag racing regulation, and safety, largely led to their demise. Knowing at least some of those who plan to run in the class, some of the unpredictable (often, frankly dangerous) nature of the original Fuel Altereds may be lost along the way, but you can be sure the explosive, edge-of-the-seat entertainment aspect will be alive and well. Word on the street is that at least two of the seven other OSCAR cars currently under construction will be out testing this year, though not necessarily all running nitro to start with. Body styles range from

now before we have it dialled in, so I don’t really know what it’s going to be like. But the burnout and launch was like nothing else I’ve experienced. It’s kind of a sensory overload. “I used to say my old Nova was a bit boring after the launch – like you could take a book to read – but an Altered on 80% nitro is a slightly different deal…” CC

a steel Fiat Topolino and Morris Minor to ’glass roadsters and ’34 coupes. We may not ever see the ﬁre-up lane at Santa Pod full of Fuel Altereds but, if we have enough to see three or four pairings blast down the quarter right here in lil’ old England we will die happy. So far, the regulations have been kept deliberately loose, but with some concrete footings that will ensure cars are period in style and approach, but safe and in compliance with current racing practice. Cars can have a maximum wheelbase of 110 inches, a maximum engine setback of 25% (to the forward most spark plug), a minimum weight of 4.5lbs per cubic inch of engine capacity, a minimum crankshaft centre line height of 13 inches to crank centre line, a maximum blower size of 8-71 and no wings or aero aids (unless an accurate recreation of a historic race car). A clutch is mandatory and so is the use of nitro, 60% minimum by weight.

MAY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 17

8pp Whitfield Fuel Altered.indd 17

28/03/2024 15:40

NSRA Southern Swap Meet North Weald, Essex, 3 March 2024 Words and pics: Mike Pye

Unleash your inner Burt Reynolds with this Smokey and the Bandit Trans Am? It’s a ’78, not a ’77 as used in the classic ﬁlm (actually they were facelifted ’76s, but let’s not split hairs), and doesn’t have a T-top, but you’d still be a rolling hero. £35k.

he rain had been incessant leading up to the start of March, so it was a very welcome surprise to find myself standing in the middle of the exposed North Weald airfield on a Sunday afternoon shooting the shit, with the sun on my back, not actually wanting to go home. I don’t know how numbers of traders and punters through the gate compared

to previous years, but it seemed as busy as ever to me, and there was no shortage of good stuff on offer. I’ve never seen so many sets of Buick ﬁnned brake drums, for example, and there seemed to be more car parts and less general car boot sale tat this year, too. Prices, on the whole, seemed very reasonable, and more than one vendor I spoke to commented on how expensive early

Ford stuff and vintage speed parts are now at the established events like Hershey in the States. And you can forget eBay these days. More importantly, you just can’t beat picking something up and inspecting it ﬁrst hand before committing your hard earned. Talking of which, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Matt Bolt and Jerry Denning for being generous beyond all measure with some of the parts I came

This was really neat, and is one of the things we’re kicking ourselves for not buying. A complete, German edition, set of show rod picture cards. Reprints no doubt, but still a great reference tool.

£700 didn’t seem bad at all for this complete, brand new, straight axle front end.

How kewl is this?

Right: This was the ﬁrst chance most rodders would have had to check out the new steel ’32 roadster bodies available from The Deuce Company. First impressions are good, though perhaps not quite up to Brookville standards. That said, we’re sure the £9,500 price tag will be appealing to some, with a boxed repro chassis available for an additional £1,200.

18 CUSTOM CAR MAY 2024

4pp NSRA Swapmeet.indd 18

28/03/2024 15:14

I’m still impressed as I write this that I managed to put my love of vintage rubber to one side and not come home with any of the many tasty tyres that were on offer this year. Here’s just a few that got me hot under the collar. Hey, I didn’t even buy any wheels I don’t need (though I’ll admit I’m kicking myself about that now).

Here’s the wheel I should’ve bought – an NOS, still in the display packaging, gold 14-inch Keystone Klassic. The single mag’ 5-spoke on the right was nice, too.

“a start of the season social, and an opportunity to catch up with old friends and help each other out”

Not a lot of vintage plastic on offer this year, and we surprised ourselves by being able to walk past this Revell HOT ROD edition Tony Nancy dragster set.

Best swapmeet rig this year was Chris Nash’s English ’32 Panel Van. Just a neat old thing and perfect for hauling gear to and from North Weald.

The Kauffmans brought two of their cars out for the day, both with unmistakable Dave Haskell (RIP) ﬂavour. We’ve been trying to bag the ’34 sedan for a feature for a while now and will continue to do so. Such a ﬁne, understated hot rod.

MAY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 19

4pp NSRA Swapmeet.indd 19

28/03/2024 15:14

More mag lust. Carl Harris was letting go of this pair of 15 x 8.5s with a 5.5-inch bolt pattern, which would have paired perfectly with Gavin Meanley’s 12-spokes. You’d be into a cool four grand for the full set mind.

home with, and also my old wing man, Dave Biggadyke, for collecting and transporting other parts I’d previously bought to the swapmeet, saving me driving half way across the country. Yep, I love the NSRA’s Southern Swap Meet, but I love the people that make it what it is even more. It’s a start of the season social, and an opportunity to catch up with old friends and help each other out, whether it’s selling some parts you don’t

need any more, or relieving someone else of bits that will clear space and help them move forward with their own projects. It’s tough building a hot rod, or custom, or race car in this country, but the helpful nature of the British hot rod community, and the NSRA who facilitate this particular meeting place, make it an enjoyable and rewarding experience. I very much hope you all had as good a day as we did. CC

Deal of the day had to be this set of Cragar Star Wires that my mate Adam snagged for £150. Great score.

If you don’t see something you like in this collection of vintage goodness then you might want to check your heart is still beating.

There was more than one set of Rodders Journals on offer, and £10 or £15 an issue to ﬁll the gaps in a collection is a steal. This chap was very pleased with his haul.

I’m a sucker for original Eelco stuff and this mint 3½ gallon tank with hand pump for £800 was choice. Rarer than the Moon equivalent and arguably more desirable because of that.

Some things you’ll never ﬁnd cheap, and an original ’34 grille shell is one of them, but if you need one this restorable example is £1,200

If you were in the market for Buick ﬁnned drums, you had plenty to choose from, but you can’t get better than NOS.

One for the custom fans – a ’61-’63 T-Bird front grille and headlight bezels. They sure don’t make ’em like this any more.

20 CUSTOM CAR MAY 2024

4pp NSRA Swapmeet.indd 20

28/03/2024 15:14

There are always some interesting cars for sale at the Swap Meet, and these are my picks from the day…

If you’re looking for something more muscular, this rare ’71 454 SS 4-speed Elky was getting a lot of attention. An older US restoration, it looked very solid and beneﬁtted from MSD Atomic EFI on its matching numbers big block. 35 grand to you sir.

This chopped ’n’ bobbed ’32 pick-up was the car of the show for me. Most likely an old hot rod, it comes with an early Halibrand quickie, dropped heavy axle, 8BA Flathead and the all-important V5. Fix it and drive as is or as the start of a full build, it’s a long way into a very cool car for the £24k being asked by Vintage Hot Rod Supplies in Saltash.

This sweet ’64 Falcon was just lovely. Only a six-cylinder base model but it looked rock solid, in original paint and over here, not on a website in America. We don’t know if it sold for its £10,995 asking price, but it looked a great start to a project, or even just a very useable Yank to us.

Johnny Gumble left his slot mag collection at home and brought this big ole’ F-100 Panel to sell. Jag front and rear, power steering, 350 Chevy, TCI ’box, it’s all there and ready to go. £18,500.

Fancy something rarer than a Ford? How about this wonderful ’49 Willys Overland station wagon. No longer four cylinder, but with a dressed 327 in the hole, it looked in mint condition for its 15 grand asking price with Early Steel in Whitstable.

Want a bigger project, with shades of Al Ca’blown, how about this unusual 1937 Lanchester, with a Jensen 440 six pack motor and Jag’ front and rear suspension already installed? £5,995.

MAY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 21

4pp NSRA Swapmeet.indd 21

28/03/2024 15:14

Contact Tim on:

07714 018359 Parts P arts & P Panels anels ffor or C Customs, ustoms, Classics, C lassics, Hotrods Hotrods & T Trucks rucks

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, SAE5W40, SAE5W-50 and SAE15W-50 viscosities.

aaoil.co.uk +44 (0) 1929 551557 +44 (0) 1929 551557 ANGLO AMERICAN OIL COMPANY

The Mobile Pinstriper!

Custom Car_2024_05_May_Anglo American Oil Company_QP.indd 1

19/03/2024 11:00

I come to you!

Unique one off designs on your Car, Bike & Hot Rods www.aartvart.com | Lawrence - 07725 841617 22 CUSTOM CAR MAY 2024

Custom Car_2024_05_May_Composite Page_FP.indd 22

28/03/2024 11:03

Custom Car_2024_05_May_No Limits Events & Promotions_FP.indd 1

25/03/2024 12:56

Last month we brought you a car that we previously featured in 2002, and here’s another one. What are the chances of that? Words: Dave Biggadyke Pics: Alan Kidd

uly 2002 issue. then editor Kev Elliott penned a feature entitled The Headhunter, the name given by Sue and Dave Wright to their ’59 Chevy wagon. The car was referred to as a Tiki and Los Banditos-inspired wagon, hailing from the Southlands of Poole, Dorset. Kev opened the feature by referencing that sticking to a theme and keeping mods

ckal,

24 CUSTOM CAR MAY 2024

CC_HotRod Tiki Headhunter_MAY24_6pgs.indd 24

28/03/2024 16:56

simple the car was built within a 3-month time span. The car, a 59 Brookwood wagon, was the couple’s first joint project, despite each of them previously owning a number of cool rides. Sourced at the Pomona Swap Meet in October the previous year, Dave had described the primer-coated car as having straight bodywork, a shot interior, knackered brakes, and being mechanically shagged.

In saying that, it was a runner which was, at least, a starting point. When the wagon landed on these shores Sue and Dave were straight onto it, replacing the front passenger side floorpan, removing all the badges, and shaving the rear handles. Friends Colin and Mark from Unity then shot the satin finish pearl green paint directly over the Mexican-applied primer, before coating

The wagon as featured in 2002, rolling on Astro Supremes with wide whites, and finished in satin finish pearl green with metalflake layed on the roof, rear fins and tailgate.

Dave fitted the custom tube grille, whilst the pinstriping on the bonnet was from the steady hand of Neil Melliard.

the roof, the tops of the rear fins and the tailgate in a darker metalflake green. Neil Melliard then entered stage left to liberally pinstripe the dash, tailgate, the inside of the rear window, front wings, bonnet and flitches. To tie in with the Tiki theme running throughout the car, Neil also added The Headhunter script to the glovebox door.

Neil also striped the rear window and the ‘flake-painted top section of the tailgate.

MAY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 25

CC_HotRod Tiki Headhunter_MAY24_6pgs.indd 25

28/03/2024 16:56

The Watson factor

1. Dave trial-fitted one of the tunnelled headlamp bezels he’d picked up in the States

4. The exterior trim was removed prior to the wagon going off for fresh paint

2. Following our original feature, Dave installed all round air bags…

5. Mike Wareham bare metalled most of the bodywork and also fitted and moulded in the custom headlamp bezels

3. …along with a front disc brake conversion

6. With the white basecoat masked off the lighter of the green metallic colours was applied

Despite a lot of it being visible at this stage, ultimately the basecoat will only show through as edge-defining pinstriping

The scallops on the bonnet were masked out and painted in the same way. Note the fogging has already been applied at this stage

Painted but undressed at this stage, the new powerplant ready for its new home in the wagon’s engine bay

The Moon-sourced door lock buttons and shifter, the shrunken head hanging from the surfboard mirror, the bamboo floor mats and the Tiki carvings in the load area all embellished the same theme. To complete the interior the seats were retrimmed and covered with Mexican blankets, new carpets and headliner were fitted, and the original steering wheel was treated to a dip in the metalflake tank.

and all the brake and suspension overhaul parts they could think of. Save for the fitting of overhaul components and a new carb the Chevy remained pretty much stock, although a couple of coils were removed from the springs on each corner to lower it. All round drum brakes, a straight six 235ci engine and Powerglide transmission were the spec of the wagon when it left the production line, and Sue and Dave saw no reason to change that, although it was mooted a switch to small block Chevy power may be the way forward sometime in the future. Dave’s longterm El Camino project did donate its brake servo to the cause though, along with a fair bit of brightwork (see the July ’11 issue to see how The Golden Idol El Camino turned out) and Dave also fitted the custom tube

front grille. With the wagon build the ethos of keeping things simple worked really well. In a very short time frame, Sue and Dave were on the road and having fun in a great looking cruiser. Dave then bought an air ride kit, and around a year later got around to fitting it, along with a Classic Performance Products power steering kit to suit the 235ci lump which apparently is a rare item to find. Various replacement steering components were fitted to keep the car on track, and the wagon also became home to a full set of Impala side trim which was treated to a metalflake infill to match the roof. The Chevy then served the couple well, putting in many years of service including seeing duty as both wedding and funeral transportation.

Six appeal

Sue and Dave had been on a shopping trip whilst still in the States after buying the car, saving on transportation costs by stashing all they bought in the wagon before it was shipped. That list included the 15-inch Astro Supreme rims, Coker Classic whitewall tyres

26 CUSTOM CAR MAY 2024

CC_HotRod Tiki Headhunter_MAY24_6pgs.indd 26

28/03/2024 16:56

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

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

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

Custom Car_2023_08_August_Berkshire Body Shop_EP.indd 1

21/06/2023 16:12

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

Nationwide Transportation Available

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

03/11/2023 13:55 Custom Car_2023_01_Jan_Mobile Welding Services_EP.indd 1

Custom Car_2023_12_Winter_Goodale_QP.indd 1

Universal Polyurethane Products for your Custom Build

08/12/2022 10:25

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

28 CUSTOM CAR MAY 2024

Custom Car_2024_05_May_Composite Page_FP.indd 28

28/03/2024 11:03

There was always that itch to take things further

10. Back at Stylecraft Coachworks, the darker green metallic is being applied

11. Dave reluctantly decided the tailgate pinstriping had to go as it didn’t fit in with the new paint scheme

Original instruments and switchgear are now supplemented by under-dash mounted gauges and switches for the air ride, along with a Stewart Warner oil pressure gauge. The gearshift knob and shrunken head hanging from the rearview mirror have enhanced the Tiki theme for over two decades

12. Gently does it. It’s always a daunting task lowering the engine and transmission into a freshly painted car

There was always that itch to take things further though, and ultimately that’s just what the couple did.

Chris Vining expertly recovered the seats and door cards in green with GM Geometric pattern and 1953 Kaiser Bamboo vinyl inserts that Sue and Dave sourced in the States. The new carpet is a repro set that Dave also sourced in the States and then dyed slightly darker green

The Headhunter script and pinstriping that Neil Melliard created over 20 years ago still adorn the wagon’s dashboard

Levelling up

Fast forward 15 or so years, and circa 2018 the decision was made to take the wagon to the next level. “A few small rust bubbles were showing through on the tailgate bottom and in a couple of other areas,” Dave recalled. “I decided it was time to do what I’d always wanted to with the car but couldn’t afford the first-time round. The straight-six and ‘Glide came out, replaced with a small block and an overdrive auto’.” Progress then ground to a halt though when Sue and Dave moved house, with Covid rearing its ugly head shortly after.

The repro headlining was fitted as part of the initial build in 2002

MAY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 29

CC_HotRod Tiki Headhunter_MAY24_6pgs.indd 29

28/03/2024 16:56

The GM crate 350 small block is dressed with finned Edelbrock rocker covers and assorted chromed and polished ancillaries. Under the finned air filter there’s a 600cfm Edelbrock carb, whilst the transmission is a 200-R4 4-speed automatic overdrive

The previously fitted Impala side trim has been retained, the green metalflake infill suiting the fresh paint scheme to a tee

The 15-inch Astro Supreme rims are still the ones shipped over from the States in the back of the wagon. Dave has switched the tyres to white bands though, as they better suit the early ‘60s Watson-style paint

The twin tunnelled headlights transform the wagon’s front profile. The tube grille is the one first fitted by Dave over 20 years ago

Under the rear end is the original rear axle, with dropped spindles and an air bag on each corner achieving the lower-thanstock stance. Billy from NAMCO fabricated the twin exhaust system which features chromed Bellﬂower tips

The wagon lay untouched for a couple of years or so, but then, with the body stripped bare and the minor rust issues attended to, it was time for Mike Wareham at Stylecraft Coachworks in Bournemouth to lay on some paint. The green metalflake roof was left just as it was, save for a few coats of fresh lacquer, as was the ‘flake on the tops of the rear fins and the tailgate. With those ‘flaked areas masked off the rest of the body was coated in white basecoat. Dave and Mike then got their heads together to come up with the design for the Larry Watson-style panel paint scheme. With the plan finalized, careful masking out of the panels defining the areas of different colours ensured the previously applied basecoat effectively formed a pinstripe edge to each panel. Mike

30 CUSTOM CAR MAY 2024

CC_HotRod Tiki Headhunter_MAY24_6pgs.indd 30

28/03/2024 16:57

the design for the Larry Watson-style panel paint scheme also sprayed the engine bay before the new motor went in. Chris Vining at Custom Coach Trimming in Evesham was called upon to trim the interior using the vinyl Sue and Dave had sourced from SMS Auto Fabrics in Oregon. The company specialises in a NOS and reproduction cloth and vinyl for American cars dating from the 1940s through to the 2000s, and the patterns chosen are a perfect extension to the Tiki theme of the wagon. If you’re in the market for some period-correct interior fabric, check out the company’s website to ﬁnd out what SMS has to offer (www.smsautofabrics. com). Chris certainly did the vinyl justice, with the patterns and colours perfectly complementing each other.

Never ending

A last-minute thrash saw the wagon debut at the Giant Killers show in June of last year, with final assembly being finished the night before. “It drives much better now,” Dave enthused. “Whilst the six was fine it was a bit sluggish, and as it needed to come out for a rebuild I was adamant it wasn’t going back in again.” So what does the future hold for The Headhunter? “These sorts of cars are never truly finished,” Dave admitted, “there will always be little jobs to do. Having fitted an uprated anti-roll bar at the front, I will be fitting one at the rear. That’s the only plan I have right now though.” Twenty-plus years on, the wagon looks better than ever and is sure to be turning heads for many

Sue and Dave with the Chevy wagon they share as a family car. In the foreground is a glimpse of Dave’s El Camino, The Golden Idol

more years to come CC

Thanks “Billy for the exhaust, Mike for the paint, Chris for the interior and, of course, Sue - it is our car after all” MAY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 31

CC_HotRod Tiki Headhunter_MAY24_6pgs.indd 31

28/03/2024 16:57

32-33 Centrefold May.indd 32

28/03/2024 17:03

32-33 Centrefold May.indd 33

28/03/2024 17:03

Car_2022_11_Nov_Graham 34Custom CUSTOM CAR MAY 2024 Sykes Ltd_HP.indd 1

Custom Car_2024_05_May_Composite Page_FP.indd 34

05/09/2022 14:59

28/03/2024 11:03

MORE PROTECTION

MORE POWER

LUBRICANTS

MULTIPLE ANTI-WEAR CHEMISTRIES (HIGH ZDDP)

OXIDATION REDUCING DETERGENT DISPERSENT

GET IN TOUCH

01327 220 777 nwilliams@ocs-group.co.uk

williamsbrosspeedshop.co.uk

Custom Car_2024_03_March_William Bros Speed Shop_FP.indd 1

RUST/CORROSION PROTECTION

VISIT US Williams Bros Speed Shop Brook Farm, Bugbrooke Northamptonshire NN12 8LQ

23/01/2024 11:26

Punk’s not dead

If hot rodding has gone from being a bunch of young guys refusing to follow convention to a bunch of old guys following convention, maybe it needs a bit of punking up. Neil Hill’s steampunk ’32 is definitely not conventional – but it sure Words: Olly Sack Pics: Richard Hair pulls a crowd

‘

t started like every night,’ says Neil Hill. ‘I was sat looking through eBay and Facebook at the cars for sale.’ That’s how it started: you can already guess how it ended. ‘I spotted this Ford rat rod, and as you do I saved it to my watch list to see what the bids would go up to. I waited and waited, right to the last minute, but no one bid. ‘That sends your mind into overdrive. ‘Why hasn’t anyone bid?’ I was thinking. ‘It looks really cool to me…’

He could have seen this as a sign to walk away… or as a sign that he was better than everyone else at seeing the potential in a vehicle. Which is kind of a given, actually – the man builds rods, after all. ‘I contacted them, asked a few questions then made them an offer,’ Neil goes on. ‘And they accepted it. ‘Oops, now the challenge of telling her indoors! I had a plan: sit next to her, put it up on my laptop and pretend to watch TV. Trap set, time to wait…’

He didn’t have to wait long. He was hoping to hear some sort of promising comment about how cool the car he was vieweing looked, presumably… ‘What’s that scrap you are looking at? Don’t even think about it! It looks like a scrap yard!’ Not the most promising of reactions so far… ‘I got it for a great price, darling. Love it…’ The strategy must have worked, somehow, because next thing you know he’s booking a transport company to bring it home. Which

36 CUSTOM CAR MAY 2024

5pp Steampunk 32.indd 36

28/03/2024 14:33

You might be familiar with the Pompidou Centre in Paris, a huge museum of art and culture whose building is ‘inside out,’ with all the ducting for plumbing, heating and wiring on the outside of an exoskeletal structure. A landmark of modern architecture, it was opened in 1977 – when the Scimitar whose chassis is underneath Neil’s steampunk special was just a few months old. This picture in particular shows how the car was created using the same philosophy, with exposed mechanical systems becoming an element of the art

went about as smoothly as the laptop blag described above. ‘So on the eBay listing, it showed it running,’ he explains. ‘But that was before it was sheeted over and put by the side of a barn for two years. While there, unbeknown to me it decided to empty the remainder of the petrol tank into the sump. ‘I had told the transport company it was a runner. So the guy was not a happy bunny as it didn’t run, a rear brake drum was locked on solid and oil was pumping out the engine

oil pressure pipe. So by the time he got from Northampton to where I live in Mansﬁeld, he was not as calm as you would like. He was able to drag it up on to his wagon by winch, but getting it back off again was a different ball game.

Lightbulb moment

‘Finally it was off, about a hundred yards from my gate. Lump hammers, blow lamps, trying to drag it with my van to free the brakes… not going to happen. Light bulb

moment, get my car skates on the rear and get ﬁve people to push it down the drive. I’ve been down Neil’s drive. It’s so steep, I had to put my truck into four-wheel drive on the way back up to stop the back wheels from spinning. And we’re talking about ﬁve blokes pushing it DOWN the hill. That’s one properly seized on set of shoes… So anyway, what is is that he had bought? You’re made of pretty stern stuff if you’ve read this far, so I’m relieved to tell you that a Deuce didn’t die for the cause. I mean, I kind

MAY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 37

5pp Steampunk 32.indd 37

28/03/2024 14:34

Left: According to the DVLA, the car is still a Reliant Scimitar GTE. And this is indeed no more than a rebodying job, so they’re right. The chassis is Scimitar and so is the 3.0-litre Ford Essex V6, seen here beneath the new old stock Holley Neil ﬁtted to ﬁnally get it running right (and, ultimately, a couple more rats)

of love this car, but I’ve seen the reactions to it on social media and if it’s deﬁnitely not one to make hot rod traditionalists jump for joy… It looks like a Deuce because up top, it’s a glass-bodied ’32 Ford. Just a glass body, breathe easy. Well, easy-ish. But what this is mounted on is not Ford at all. Breathing easier now; no Deuce rails were harmed in the making of this vehicle. Instead, down below are the chassis and running gear from a 1976 Reliant Scimitar GTE. A common choice for hot rod builders, obviously. It’s not every day a steel chassis loses one glass body and gets another, but this was that day. The Scimitar’s 2994cc Ford Essex V6 was mated to the optional three-speed Borg-Warner self-shifter, all of which was retained along with the

38 CUSTOM CAR MAY 2024

5pp Steampunk 32.indd 38

28/03/2024 14:34

‘I set about sorting out the unbelievable amount of wiring – lights, four horns, six cameras and more’

It wouldn’t be a rat rod without rats, or so the reasoning appears to have gone. These little characters crop up all over the place TBelow: Neil said that when he bought the car, there was an ‘unbelievable’ amount of wiring to make right. Count up the lights and horns on this corner alone and even a pro sparky might need to go for a lie-down

This may be the ﬁrst set of 31x10.50R15 light truck all-terrains ever to have featured in the pages of Custom Car…

independent front coil-overs within double A-arms and live rear beam axle on equallength upper and lower trailing arms and a Watt’s linkage. Back, then, to Neil and his four mates pushing the car down the steepest drive in Mansfield. Obviously this is not a car in the best of health. ‘I set about getting it running first,’ says Neil. ‘I drained the sump, carb off, free the float, new plugs, leads, distributer, coil, flushed the engine, new oil and filter, new sump gasket, new oil pressure pipe, filled the holes in the exhausts and got it started, but it wouldn’t run properly. So I bought a new old stock Holley carb and set it all up.’ So now it lives, which is a step in the right direction. But did it drive? Oh hell no.

Warming to his subject, Neil continues: ‘I set about sorting out the unbelievable amount of wiring – lights, four horns, six cameras and more. I pulled all the rear brakes off and renewed the shoes, cylinders, adjusters, pipes and brake hardware. Then there was the auto box modulator, gearbox ﬁlter, oil and sump gasket, new axle pinion oil seal and oil…’

No messing

Neil deﬁnitely wasn’t messing about here. He was, however, also running a business, which put a pretty strict limit on the time he could spend on the car. Talking of time, the original build took seven years. Neil knows this because the guy who sold him the car also presented him

MAY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 39

5pp Steampunk 32.indd 39

28/03/2024 14:34

with a day-to-day project diary. ‘I felt their pain as I read about the good days and bad days,’ he says. ‘One of their family members called Tony passed away during the build, God rest him. ‘All the bits and bobs were sourced from eBay, Facebook and autojumbles. They even pulled the seats out made a new pair. The amount of work, thought and determination that went into the build is incredible.’ So he’s not taking credit for all the creative touches, but the fact that this is still a functioning car and not a static amusement in the corner of a museum somewhere is all thanks to him. He did still put his own stamp on it too, anyway. ‘I was not keen on the tractor front end it used to have,’ he explains. ’So I found a fibreglass nose cone for sale in Nottingham. Talking to Mark who sold it me, he told me he had seen the car for sale on eBay and was going to buy it. He asked me to let him

know if I was ever going to sell it – and looking at his collection of crazy cars and custom bikes, he was the perfect guy for the car. I couldn’t sell it to anyone else.’ Which is exactly what he did, shortly after we took these pictures. But having got the car running again, he did at least have his fun with it first. ‘I drove it round quite a bit. The reaction from people was to say the least interesting! ‘One time we were parked outside Tesco. When we came out, we couldn’t see the car for people crowded around it taking pictures – including a guy in a brand new Bentley!’ That’s the power of a truly individual car, of course. You might love the originality, which is straight out of the madcap era of customising, or you might hate the sight of a car you think should be done a particular way ending up like this. But you can’t deny that among all the ’32 Fords you’ll ever see, this one stands out in a way few others do.

‘What’s that scrap you are looking at? Don’t even think about it!’

Left: What’s it like in the cabin? Even more cluttered than it is on the outside. But it’s a good kind of cluttered, because everywhere you look there’s something to smile at – whether it’s the door and dash decor, the bewildering amount of switchgear, the bank of monitors above the windscreen or the person sitting next to you, as you take in the way literally everyone within eyesight is giving their undivided attention to your ride Below: Suspension is all Scimitar too, with a live rear axle on equal-length trailing links and a Watt’s linkage and, up front, coil-overs on twin A-arms. Not sure they looked quite like this when they were still tucked away beneath the glass body of a GTE though…

5pp Steampunk 32.indd 40

28/03/2024 14:34

NSRA FUN RUN 2024 31ST MAY - 2ND JUNE

Custom Car_2024_05_May_NSRA_FP.indd 1

NSRA FUN ON THE BEACH 13TH - 14TH JULY

27/03/2024 14:19

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

Vintage Hot Rod Supplies Ltd

1928 Ford Model A pickup, original all steel, no rust, original mechanics £14,000

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, £36,000

1932 Ford Model B pick up Original chassis ,dropped I beam 2.5 inch chop, Halibrand rear axle 8 ba Flathead and 39 box £24,000

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

24/11/2023 11:27

For trade advertising in

please call Charlotte on 01233 555735

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

42 CUSTOM CAR MAY 2024 Custom Car_2024_03_March_Vintage Hot Rod Supplies_QP.indd 1

Custom Car_2024_05_May_Composite Page_FP.indd 42

02/02/2024 13:48

28/03/2024 11:03

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.

1985 Chevy El Camino, V8/Auto, P/S, PDB/A/C, Excellent California Pickup since new, on the button, ready to cruise $12,450

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.

1965 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88, Convertible V8/Auto. California Convert, with P/Top, P/Seats, P/S, P/B, Rare A/C Convertible, Fresh paint, all new chrome, Polished stainless trim, new door & trunk rubbers, Car is complete, still requires some putting back together, Runs and Drives $14,250.

1932 Real Henry Steel Ford Sedan Delivery, v8/Auto, p/s, pub, p/w, a/c, Dakota digital dash, mustang two/9” rear excellent condition throughout and ready to show, the last part of a good friends Model B collection who recently passed away $68,850

1967 Chevy G-10 Rust free, Black plate California Van, V8/Auto, Vintage Mags, Originally a factory Martin Walters type Camper conversion, on the button, runs great $9,875

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_05_May_Rays Classics_FP.indd 1

650-361-8083

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

25/03/2024 10:10

Aussie Rules

Out & About Words and pics: Dave Biggadyke Prestige Motor Gallery is located alongside Princes Highway in Carss Park, New South Wales – just a short drive from Sydney airport. Having driven past on a couple of occasions, I couldn’t help but notice the ’36 pick-up temptingly displayed in the showroom window. It would, therefore, have been remiss of me not to pull in when I was next passing to explore further. Stepping inside the showroom, I became that proverbial kid in a sweet shop, surrounded by all manner of candy. Hot rods and muscle abounded, with plenty of restored classics boosting the bounty that lay before me. I didn’t do a head count at the time, but looking back there must have been at least 40 tempting gems displayed in this veritable toy store. The question is, are cars for sale in Australia of any relevance to Custom Car readers in the UK? Maybe not, but then again… At the time of writing, the exchange rate was quoted as 1 AUD to 0.57 British pounds, meaning that for example the ’67 Mustang pictured here weighs in at £28,508. Maybe not a bargain at first glance, but this is an original and unmolested C code ‘Stang in great condition with just 63,266km (39,000 miles) on the clock. A quick eBay search Built in the late ‘80s, this ’28 Model A roadster pick-up runs a built 327ci small block Chevy mated to a 4-speed Muncie, along with a narrowed Ford 9-inch rear axle. The pick-up bed has been shortened by 6 inches and the interior has recently been retrimmed. Price $69,990

I became that proverbial kid in a sweet shop turned up a couple of similar Mustangs for sale at a dealership in the UK, both priced at a touch under £60k, so maybe the Australian option is competitively priced. The issue is of course that it’s located on the other side of the world, and we all know how expensive shipping can be these days. I was, however, pleasantly surprised when I did a generic enquiry through a UK-based shipping agent. The quote for £4791.59 included port-to-port shipping in a shared container, customs and handling fees at both ends, insurance, NOVA and DVLA registration fees and a roadworthiness check due to MOT exemption. Essentially, the only things not included are import duty and VAT. But as the vehicle is more than 30 years old, there would be no duty to pay and the VAT would be at a reduced rate, an estimated £1359. There may also be a fee to transport the car to the docks, but as Port Botany is less than a 30 minute drive from the showroom there’s every chance you could negotiate that into the deal. Totting it all up, the Mustang could be sat on your drive for around £35k. Maybe buying in Australia is a viable option after all – with the added bonus of a holiday when you fly out to view the car. The hot rods in the showroom sported

steeper price tags though, so may not be such an attractive proposition. In saying that, Australia has strict regulations that must be adhered to when building a hot rod and the vehicle must undergo official inspection before it can be registered, meaning there’s little chance of getting bitten when buying one. In addition, the majority of vehicles pictured here are righthand drive, making them more appealing to some UK buyers. I’m not saying Australia rules when it comes to buying overseas – but it could certainly be in the running. You can check out what’s currently in the showroom by visiting www.prestigemotorgallery.com.au. Aussie ’71 Ford Falcon XY GT replica is powered by a 500bhp 351 Windsor stroker motor. Transmission is a C4 auto with full manual valve body, while the rear axle is a 9-inch Ford. Paint is Wild Violet with gold stripes and the car rolls on Simmons FR1 3-piece rims. Price $149, 990

44 CUSTOM CAR MAY 2024

Out and About - Prestige.indd 44

28/03/2024 16:59

Above Left: Fully restored ’72 Valiant Charger VH 770 runs a numbers-matching 265ci straight six mated to a 3-speed auto transmission. Painted Bahama Yellow, the Charger rolls on 17-inch Jellybean-style wheels. Price $109,990 Above: With just 82,858 km (51,485 miles) showing on the clock, ’77 Valiant CL is a tidy example of classic Chrysler – Australian style. Price $109,990

Above: This is the ‘67 Mustang Coupe highlighted in the intro. Powertrain is 289ci V8 mated to a C4 transmission, and the car rolls on original 14-inch steel rims with hub caps. Paint colour is Lime Green, with the original interior being covered in Lime Gold trim. Price $49,990

Above: Ford’s San Jose plant turned out just 4118 Mustang GT/CS models in 1968 and this is one of those California Specials. The car runs the factory fitted 289ci V8 and C4 transmissions, and still wears its Candy Apple Red paint and original 12-slot wheels and hubcaps. Price $79,990

Above Right: Fibreglass bodied ’34 coupe runs an LS1 engine with custom-made injection throttle bodies. Transmission is a TH700R4, front axle a Rodtech I beam and the rear axle a 9-inch Ford. The interior features a Dakota Digital dash, leather trim and a billet steering column and wheel. Price $149,990 Below: Built By Webbys Speed Shop in Newcastle, NSW, this ’36 Ford pick-up features an original steel body with the cab roof having been chopped 6 inches. The pick-up runs a 350 / 350 combo, the small block fitted with Powerpack Heads and an Edelbrock manifold with twin Stromberg 97 carbs. Paint is a custom PPG mix and the interior is fully trimmed but, as you may have guessed from the script on the cowl vent, doesn’t feature air conditioning controls. Price $124,990

Above: The provenance of this ’75 Ford XB GT 4-door sedan has been confirmed by the Ford Motor Company of Australia. Under the bonnet lies a 351ci small block mated to an automatic transmission. No price tag on this one at the time of my visit

Above: With its boot lid signed by Bill Maverick, Scott Geoffrion and ‘Big Daddy’ Don Garlits amongst others, this ’73 Dodge Challenger now sports the running gear from a ’69 Superbee that unfortunately lost a disagreement with a tree. Date coded 426ci Hemi made 425bhp from the factory but now benefits from mild head work and a Hughes hydraulic cam. Transmission is a Torqueflite auto’ Price $124,990

Right (Above & Below): With its Coke bottle styling, this ’72 Ford Fairmont XA 351GT sported the second highest price in the showroom. This particular model was only in production from March 1972 through to September 1973 which undoubtedly makes it a rare beast. Price $179,990

MAY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 45

Out and About - Prestige.indd 45

28/03/2024 16:59

Above Left: Another with no price tag on the day was this ’78 XC Falcon GS Rally Pack. This ‘Redback’ sedan was part of the final line up of third generation Falcons and runs an emission-regulated 302ci small block with 3-speed auto transmission. Above: Ford XY Falcons were produced from October 1970 through to March 1972 so are understandably pretty rare. It will be no surprise the 351 script relates to the size of the Cleveland small block under the bonnet, and only 1557 GT variants were produced. This one, however, is a replica with no price tag on display

Above: A British factory-built hot rod – not quite. Sanctioned by Ford, a mere 500 Capri Perana V8s were built by Basil Green Motors in South Africa based on the 3000XL model from Ford’s Port Elizabeth plant. This particular Perana runs a warm 302 stroker motor (347ci) producing around 500bhp, mated to a 4-speed Toploader transmission. Price $98,990

Above Right: A 5-speed Tremec manual box transfers the output from the 302ci small block to the 9-inch Ford rear axle in this ’70 Falcon 500 XW. The Ute rolls on 14-inch five-slot wheels and the interior features GS spec dash, seats and steering wheel. Price $84,990

Above:The rear section of the showroom houses a raft of cars awaiting preparation, with some requiring far more work than others

Blown V8 makes for a far more interesting artefact than those found in more mundane car showrooms

The furniture in the reception area isn’t all run-of-the-mill. The base of this glass-topped coffee table is a brace of Holley carbs atop a wooden blower

The trophies and photos on display hint that the guys behind the Prestige Motor Gallery are true petrol heads

Left: The highest price tag I found was attached to this ’73 Monaro HQ GTS. This is the top-level spec of Monaros of that era with a 350ci small block Chevy nestling under the bonnet. The price tag may be a reflection that the second generation Monaro is often now considered one of the best looking body designs to come from an Australian manufacturer. Price $199,990

Out of the 2-wheeled machines on display, this ’70 Honda 70 Deluxe Cub is the one that caught my eye. The unrestored and original machine sports a 72cc engine, spoke wheels, front and rear luggage racks and even its original tool kit. Price $8490

46 CUSTOM CAR MAY 2024

Out and About - Prestige.indd 46

28/03/2024 16:59

See the very latest shipments on www.facebook.com/hillshipping

1983 Lincoln Mark VII

Some vehicles n ca over 30 years ed rt now be impo

OF D%U) TY FREEorm (N ally 10 AT & Just 5% V (Normally 20%

Recently imported & delivered to client

hipping Contact Hill S ation r inform for furthepeen dent on D ions certain condit

twitter.com/ hillshipping

Tel: 01795 876000 • Mob: 07885 600226

Email: hill-shipping@outlook.com

Email: hill-shipping@outlook.com www.hillshipping.com Custom Car_2024_05_May_Hill Shipping_FP.indd 1

26/03/2024 14:54

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

01264 353646

➢ Fabrication ➢ Engine Shop ➢ Full Restorations ➢ Suspension Upgrades ➢ Custom Stainless headers and exhaust systems ➢ Brake Upgrades ➢ Chassis Building ➢ Parts Shop ➢ Shop open Alternate Saturdays 9am – 1pm

20 Doman Road, Camberley, Surrey, GU15 3DF Mon -Fri 8.00-5.00 Sat 9.00-1.30

You one stop Hot Rod and Custom shop.

www.Valleygasspeedshop.com

Custom Car_2024_05_May_Valley Gas Speed Shop_QP.indd 1

Custom Car_2024_05_May_Gunslinger Speed Shop_HP.indd 1

Custom Car_2024_05_May_Composite Page_FP.indd 49

19/03/2024 11:10

07/03/2024 12:55 MAY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 49

28/03/2024 11:03

East is east

The occasional East Side Invitational was back for 2023 – with a fantastic new venue in Essex which would (hint hint) make the ideal forever home ■ Words and pictures: Jamie Webster of Liberty and Lows

The East Side Invitational, a traditional kustom car, nostalgic hot rod and vintage chopper show run by The Leadroom, was held on the weekend of 16-17 September at the Historic Tilbury Riverside Station and Cruise Terminal in Essex. This was the first running of the show since Miles Sherlock of JackHammer Hot Rod and Kustom Supply had organised two others, one in Brighton in 2016 and the other in the Netherlands in 2019.

The location set the tone for the event, a brilliant indoor space with plenty of history and lovely natural light. This terminal was the place where the Windrush generation would come into the UK via boat and was their first step off into the UK. On to the show itself and wow, quality was everywhere. First there was a display of hot rods outside the venue that was there for both days, in addition to the driveins that came for the day. These included Paul Barrow and Ben Barnett’s model A

sedans, a really neat black model A coupe owned by Paul Madden and Liam Bates’ T Roadster. I knew that once inside, I was in for a treat! The first hall contained the bike display, an art display and clothing for sale. Some brilliant artists were showing off their traditional art and photography work, including some coming from mainland Europe: to name a few, Tiki Tony pinstriping, Tim Odell, VHRA, Paul Barrow and Ella Mae Walker.

50 CUSTOM CAR MAY 2024

4pp Leadroom.indd 50

28/03/2024 15:10

“The location set the tone for the event, a brilliant indoor space with lovely natural light”

Owner Perry bought his Mercury from the Netherlands

Gary Knight stood out from the crowd with his ‘50 Buick Sedanette, and the crowds were duly attracted

To the back of the hall were some outstanding kustom 50s/60s style models made by Lee Croden and Jon Rackam. Then in the centre was a plethora of kustom choppers and vintage bikes including a line-up of four different generations of Harley’s, all brilliantly lit by the natural light I mentioned earlier.

ALL HAPPENING

It was in the second hall that it was all happening, though. The headline car of

the show was Palle Johansen’s Ayala/Barris built ’41 Ford, aka The Jack Stewart Ford. Palle painted the car as it had been done by George Barris in its white primer stage in 1951; the Leadroom was its first show outside of America. As well as bringing the car itself from Denmark, Palle was selling copies of his hardback book about the car. The other headline car was the Adam Coffee built Model A roadster, Coffee Grinder. Having been built in 1959 then purchased by pop artist Gerald Laing in

1965, it was the first hotrod imported into the UK. If these two weren’t enough to make you want to come along, the amount of quality everywhere was incredible. There were seven chopped Mercurys and five chopped shoeboxes, to mention just a few of the cars within the hall. And if Fords and Mercs aren’t your thing, there was also an excellent selection of Chevys. Here, the stand-outs for me were Dave and Sue Wright’s ’59 Brookwood wagon, out

MAY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 51

4pp Leadroom.indd 51

28/03/2024 15:10

after a refresh and, coincidentally, featured in this very issue of Custom Car, and Milton Homan’s ’58 Impala. This is believed to be one of the first UK cars fitted with hydros to get that low 50s’ kustom look; he’s owned it car for 45 years or more, and was bringing it back out after a hibernation lasting 30-odd years.

FLAWLESS

The Fly by Knights Car Club brought along three of their kustoms, two of which are in bare metal but are flawless. I can’t wait to see them in paint. The amount of customising done is top notch. Gary Knight, Wayne Large and David McAnulty were there showing that Buicks are also worthy of traditional kustom status, and the crowds were definitely attracted. The House Of Kolor on Gary’s Sedanette just pulls people in, while the panel paint job on David’s Riviera and scallops on Wayne’s ’54 do likewise.

Some British tin was also on show, with Andy Saunders’ Riley-based former Custom Car cover star Déjà, Scarlett Davey’s Austin Somerset and Sally Phillip’s ’63 Morris Minor. In what was a sad but brilliant tribute, Ian Webb brought Neil Williams’ stunning Mercury along. Neil, who was a stalwart within the UK custom scene, had only recently passed away. The Angel Hair was in full force under and around some of the cars, too, giving the show a real 50s/60s vibe. It suited the whole event perfectly as it was like you had just walked back in time; more shows like this are needed, I feel! The Leadroom team put together one hell of a show. Now it’s back, it is something I hope will be on the show calendar for years to come. Look out for it in 2024 – and if it happens, wherever you are in the UK you should definitely think about heading east-side. CC

Built in 1959 then bought by pop artist Gerard Laing in 1965, the ‘30 Model A Coffee Grinder lays claim to having been the ﬁrst hot rod imported into the UK

A hugely significant moment was the appearance of the Jack Stewart Ford at its first ever show outside of the US. Owner Palle Johansen has recreated the white primer finish in which George Barris presented it in 1951

Ian Webb presented Neil Williams’ Mercury in tribute to its owner, who had only recently passed away

52 CUSTOM CAR MAY 2024

4pp Leadroom.indd 52

28/03/2024 15:10

Awards JackHammer Favourite Kustom

Ludovic Bonin-caze: ’58 Ranchero ‘Mayan Riviera’

Leadroom Favourite Kustom

Perry: ’49 Mercury

Leadroom Favourite Chopper (awarded by Vincent Summers)

Carl Parker’s Triumph

Kustoms Illustrated Pic (awarded by Palle Johansen)

Tim’s ’49 Mercury

Fly by Knights CC Pick Best Static Lowered

Morten Jonsson’s ’50 Chevy

Pidis am, asperisseque remporrum ipsus aut est dolore sin net perfere quid quistium enis idebitiamus

Custom Car_2024_04_April_RTTS Events Ltd_HP.indd 1

4pp Leadroom.indd 53

19/03/2024 11:04

MAY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 53

28/03/2024 15:10

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

Racing with the Rich

SoCal W Diaries

Former Custom Car editor Tony Thacker lives in California these days, and this month he’s been hanging with a bona fide legend…

Below: Cory Lee took the Nostalgia Funny Car in Gary Turner’s beautiful ‘79 Challengerbodied ‘The Pedlar’, beating out Jeff Arend with a strong 5.658 at 260.01

hen Rich ‘Pure Hell’ Guasco says “Get to Bakersfield,” you go – straight away. Now 87, and straight outta hospital, Rich has been racing his iconic AA/Fuel Altered since 1963. Rich got his start while at high school. His dad owned a wrecking yard and his first hot rod, a ’29 Roadster on Deuce rails, won America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Award in 1961. He still owns it today. Originally known as the US Fuel & Gas Championships, the Good Vibrations Motorsports March Meet began in 1959 and attracts some 500 racers, this year including 13 Nostalgia Top Fuelers, 23 Nostalgia Funny Cars and 10 AA/Fuel Altereds, of which Rich’s was one. As races went, we didn’t have the best weekend. Part of the problem is that Pure Hell, a classic short wheelbase AA/FA is up against Funny Car-based ‘Transformer’ cars. Driver Brian Hope made a good first pass with a 6.332/209.23, placing him third. Unfortunately, for the second run Rich changed the tune up – however it was just too much for the conditions and we slipped to fourth. Even more unfortunately, in the first round of eliminations the fuel shut-off valve shut off and Brian had to click it off early. The win eventually went to Lyle Greenberg of Albuquerque, NM in his ’23 T roadster. Not out day but it’s a fantastic event if you like nostalgia drag racing. For more info go to FamosoDragstrip.com

Owner Rich Guasco has been racing various iterations of his classic AA/Fuel Altered ‘Pure Hell’ since 1963. Driving here at the 2024 Good Vibrations March Meet is Brian Hope, son of Ron ‘Rat Trap’ Hope

With a short wheelbase, no wings and a 417ci engine, albeit lower than the original SB Chevy, Pure Hell is a classic Fuel Altered when compared to modern Funny Car-based Transformer cars

Beer company 805 have recently got into the hot rod scene and the siding of their booth carries this great image of vintage racers at the RPM Nationals – one of my favorite events

Rich’s daughter Jill backs up Brian Hope in Rich’s Pure Hell at the 63rd Bakersfi eld March Meet. Best run of the weekend was 6.33, but the car has run a best of 5.92 at 244.74 mph

Newest member of the team is mechanic and photographer Liz Leggett, seen here pulling the plugs of Rich’s Pure Hell. Under the pan is Rich’s grandson Will Swain

When NHRA more or less banned AA/Fuel Altereds in 1973, most racers like Rich Guasco gravitated into Funny Cars. This is his 1972 Dodge Demon bodied FC, restored by team member EJ Kowalski

I don’t want to own a Willys but you’ve got to love the stance and patina of this ’40 in the spectator parking area

Red Line Oil keeps everything lubricated on Pure Hell. On that subject, here are Will Swain and Scott Campbell diving into the hot oil to check the bottom end. They found that one bearing needed replacing after the fi rst qualifying run – and while they were working, Michael Hope was busy adjusting the clutch.

Rich Guasco is 87 years young and you would be hard pressed to fi nd anybody more competitive – here, he’s grumbling about one of seven plugs destroyed when the fuel shut-off accidentally shut off

56 CUSTOM CAR MAY 2024

SoCal Diaries May 24 2pgs.indd 56

28/03/2024 15:48

Below: I don’t want to own a Willys but you’ve got to love the stance and patina of this ’40 in the spectator parking area

Poncho Villa – lovin’ this maroon suede 1950 Pontiac and liked the way the owner went against the grain and retained the waterfall hood trim with one of the coolest hood ornaments ever

A Model A coupe is more my line. I was diggin’ this ’30-31 on Deuce rails that are narrowed in the rear, and I know Pete Chapouris would be pushing the top of that grille out to parallel the fi rewall

In a sea of fake patina, the rust looks real enough and I’ve got to admit I’m a sucker for these big ’63 Ford Galaxies. Established in 1913, Haberfelde Ford in Bakersfi eld is now Jim Burke, a modern Ford dealer

Ya gotta love the fact that people still build engines like this for the street, with a Gene Mooneyham blower atop a big-block Chevy crate motor

Pickup trucks are part of the American culture and for the most part the Chevy Bowtie dominates. I love these two ’54 3100 models

1933 Model 40 Fords are pretty rare, and a 1933 Cabriolet resto-mod must rarer than rockin’ horse manure as only about 12,500 Cabriolets were produced – and none with the Chevy engine shown here

To quote a line from ‘Pulp Fiction’ “What is it?”

Despite a weather forecast straight out of England, the 63rd March Meet and its attendant swap meet was well attended with everything from intakes to rims (American speak for wheels). I even managed to take a few items home myself

Now, as much as I admire a ’63 Ford the ’64 Galaxie 500 is the killer. I wouldn’t touch a thing and let’s hope it’s equipped with the Z-code 390 with a four-speed - what a sleeper

If memory serves me, Jago took their mold from a Plymouth 5-window and not a Ford. But this is a 1934 Plymouth PG coupe with the ubiquitous small-block Chevy powerplant and those super 12-spoke spindle mounts

1949 ‘Shoebox’ Fords are always going to get your attention, but especially when they are chopped and dropped and bright green. I like the way the owner left the ‘FORD’ script

Fiat Topolovers are tight and I’ve said it before, I love the way Americans seem to cram it all in without making it look like a fat kid on a bicycle. Not that this is all crammed in, a lot of it is sticking out, but still it’s sweet

It’s matte black Mad Max 1980 all over again, but how can you not dig on this customised Vette with fl ared fenders, sunken headlights and a fl oating-bar grille? Just a bugger to drive in the rain with no wipers…

MAY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 57

SoCal Diaries May 24 2pgs.indd 57

28/03/2024 15:48

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

APRIL 2024 13-14 Straightliners Race Meet Melbourne Raceway, York. www.straightliners.events 14 ‘Normous Newark Autojumble Newark Showground, Newark, Notts. www.newarkautojumble.co.uk 15 Top Speed Monday Elvington Airfield, Elvington, West Yorkshire. www.straightliners.events 16 VW Air-Cooled Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 20 Drag & Drift Dakota Raceway, Honiton, Devon. www.straightliners. events 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 28 Classic and American Car Show. Wakefield town centre. www.wakefieldbid.co.uk

28 Gathering of Geezers. Whitewebbs Museum of Transport, Enfield www.whitewebbsmuseum.co.uk

19 Classic Wheels Rutland Showground, Oakham www.classicwheelsrutland.co.uk

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 7 Hayling Hot Rods at the Beach. Hayling Island Seafront, Hampshire. Facebook: Hayling Hotrods at the Beach 10-12 Race the Waves Bridlington. www.backfirepromotions.com 11 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 11-12 Retro Rides Weekender Goodwood Circuit, West Sussex. www.retroridesevents.com 11-12 Straightliners Race Meet Melbourne Raceway, York. www.straightliners.events 12 Breakfast of the Dead Industry and Supply, Weedon Bec, Northants. www.ticketsource.co.uk 12 Classic Ford Show South of England Showground. Facebook: Classic Ford Show 12 Spring Break Car Show. Stonham Barns, Suffolk www.stonhambarns.co.uk 12 Victory Wheelers Hayling Reunion Funlands Amusement Park, Hayling Island. Facebook: Victory Wheelers 17-19 Doorslammers Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk

19 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride Gaydon to Weedon, Northants www.industryandsupply.co.uk 20-26 UK and ITA International Speed Week Elvington Airfield, Elvington, West Yorkshire. www. straightliners.events 21 VW Air-Cooled Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 23-27 The Main Event Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 24-27 Run to the Sun Newquay. www.rtts.co.uk 24-27 Misfits Vanboree Chillout Husbands Bosworth. Facebook: NSVA National Street Van Association. 25 All American Cruise In. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 26 American Cars and Hot Rods. Brooklands Museum, Surrey events@brooklandsmuseum.com 31-1/2 June NSRA Fun Fun www.nsra.org.uk 31-2 June Rods and Rockers Dunnington, York. Facebook: Kays Barn 31-2 June Vanlife Festival West Mid Showground, Shrewsbury. thevanlifefestival.co.uk

58 CUSTOM CAR MAY 2024

4pp Events Apr.indd 58

28/03/2024 16:41

31-3 June VanJam Fir Tree Farm, Warmington. www.vanditos.co.uk

JUNE 2024 1 North Yorkshire Custom Show Northallerton. Facebook: North Yorkshire Custom Show 1-2 Duchy Ford Club Show St Merryn, Padstow. duchyfordclub.co.uk 1-4 NSRA Fun Run TBA. www.nsra.org.uk 2 Plus 44 Show Hartham Park, Corsham, Wilthsire. www.plusfourfourautomotive.co.uk 2 American Car Show Hooters, London Road, Nottingham. www.hootersnottingham.co.uk 4 Hayling Hot Rods at the Beach. Hayling Island Seafront, Hampshire. Facebook: Hayling Hotrods at the Beach 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 7-9 STP Sporstman Nationals Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 8 Drag Racing Meet Bishopscourt Airfield, Downpatrick, Northern Ireland Facebook: Bishopscourt Diff & Drift 8-9 Players Classic Goodwood, West Sussex. www.players-show.com

9 American Truck Nationals Rose Inn, Shotley, Suffolk. Facebook: American Truck Nationals UK

28-30 Hangar Rockin St Stephan Airfield, St Stephan, Switzerland. www.hangarrockin.com

9 BHP Fuel Fest Westpoint Arena, Exeter, Devon. bhpshows.com

28-30 MPH 1/8th Mile Vintage Sprint RAF Deenethorpe, Corby. www.mphvintagesprint.co.uk

9 ‘Normous Newark Autojumble Newark Showground, Newark, Notts. www.newarkautojumble.co.uk 14-16 Street Weekend Santa Pod Raceway / Melbourne Raceway. www. santapod.co.uk / straightliners.events 15 The Fast Show Reloaded Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 15-16 Straightliners Race Meet Melbourne Raceway, York. www.straightliners.events 16 Bespoke Show West Malling, Kent. bespokeshows@gmail.com 16 Custom and American Show Beaulieu. www.beaulieu.co.uk 17 Top Speed Monday Elvington Airfield, Elvington, West Yorkshire. www.straightliners.events

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 29 All American Cruise In. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 29-30 Wheels Festival. Great Yarmouth. www.visitgreatyarmouth. co.uk 30 Wight Wheels. Chale Recreation Ground, Isle of Wight. Facebook: Wight American Cars

JULY 2024

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

2 Hayling Hot Rods at the Beach. Hayling Island Seafront, Hampshire. Facebook: Hayling Hotrods at the Beach

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

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

22-23 Run What Ya Brung Machrihanish Airport, Campbeltown, Argyll. www.straightliners.events

5-7 Dragstalgia Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk

22-23 Pendine Sands Hot Rod Races Pendine Sands, Carmarthenshire. www.vhra.co.uk

6 Drag & Drift Dakota Raceway, Honiton, Devon. www.straightliners. events

MAY 2024 CUSTOM CAR 59

4pp Events Apr.indd 59

28/03/2024 16:41

BRENTACRE CUSTOM CAR & HOT ROD INSURANCE

9-11 Retrofestival Newbury Showground. www.retrofestival.co.uk 10 Drag & Drift Dakota Raceway, Honiton, Devon. www.straightliners. events 11 ‘Normous Newark Autojumble Newark Showground, Newark, Notts. www.newarkautojumble.co.uk 11 Ford Fair Silverstone Circuit www.fordfair.co.uk 15-19 Hillbilly Hoedown Crystal Lakes Leisure, Huntingdon. Facebook: Hillbilly Hoedown Weekend 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 NSRA Fun on the Beach Great Yarmouth. www.nsra.org.uk 13-14 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 13-14 Straightliners Race Meet Melbourne Raceway, York. www.straightliners.events

26-28 Kings Lynn Kruisers Extravaganza. Walpole St Andrews, Cambs. www.kingslynnkruisers.co.uk 26-28 Weekend of Wheels Moorgreen, Nottingham. www.coffeencarsuk.club 27 All American Cruise In. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 28 Rally of the Giants. Stonor Park, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire www.allamericanautoclub.com

AUGUST 2024

16-18 Hot Rods in the Borders Liliardsedge Holiday Park, Jedburgh. 01835 830271 16-18 NSVA Truck-In Drum and Monkey, Upton-on-Severn. nsva.uk 16-18 STP Greenlight Nationals Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 18 Classic Car Show. Stonham Barns, Suffolk. www.stonhambarns.co.uk 20 VW Air-Cooled Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 24-25 Eastbourne Feastival Hampden Park, Eastbourne. www.visiteastbourne.com

15 Top Speed Monday Elvington Airfield, Elvington, West Yorkshire. www.straightliners.events

1-4 NSRA Hot Rod Supernationals Old Warden, Cambridgeshire. www. nsra.org.uk

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

2-4 Hot Rod Hayride Bisley Shooting Centre, Brookwood, Surrey. hotrodhayride.co.uk

25 Throttle Auto Races Bicester Heritage, Oxfordshire. www.vhra.co.uk

2-4 Ultimate Street Car Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk

26 Drive and Jive Auto Show. Whitstable Bends, Whitstable, Kent www.driveandjive.uk

19-21 Hot Rod Rumble The Camp, Ramsey, Huntingdon. www.hotrodrumble.co.uk

25 Knuckle Busters at the Barns. Stonham Barns, Suffolk. www. stonhambarns.co.uk

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

3-4 Straightliners Race Meet Melbourne Raceway, York. www.straightliners.events

13-14 CTG American Car, Bike and Hot Rod Show. Stonham Barns, Suffolk. www.stonhambarns.co.uk

5 Top Speed Monday Elvington Airfield, Elvington, West Yorkshire. www.straightliners.events

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

21 Deuce Day British Motor Museum, Warwickshire. www.deucesofbritain.co.uk

6 Hayling Hot Rods at the Beach. Hayling Island Seafront, Hampshire. Facebook: Hayling Hotrods at the Beach

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

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

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

26-28 Bug Jam Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk

9-11 Mopar Euro Nationals Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk

26 V8 Hot Rods at the Keys. Redgrave, Diss. Facebook: V8 Hot Rods

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

60 CUSTOM CAR MAY 2024

4pp Events Apr.indd 60

28/03/2024 16:41

34880

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 £155.98 INC VAT * WAS £394.80 inc.VAT Dims. Model LxWxH (mm) CWB1500D 1500x650x985 CWB2001P 2000x650x978 CWB2000D* 2000x650x978

329

£ FROM ONLY .00 DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £394.80 FOOTER inc.VAT

SELLER

SUPERSTORES NATIONWIDE

289

5 DRAWER WORKBENCH

EXTRA LONG 1700mm WORK TOP

INCLUDES SINGLE LOCKABLE DRAWER exc.VAT £289.98 £299.00 £319.00

Britain’s Tools & Machinery Specialist

inc.VAT £347.98 £358.80 £382.80

CWB1700P

MODULAR GARAGE STORAGE SYSTEMS SAVE UP TO

PRICE CUT NOW FROM ONLY £ .00

£394

1149exc.VAT

£1378.80 inc.VAT DOUBLE

WAS £1437.60 inc.VAT

COMBGSM01

10 PACKAGES IN THE RANGE

A choice of stainless steel or wooden worktops

Customer Pictures

compared to individual prices

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

Corner units in stock

HEAVY DUTY & PROFESSIONAL

154

£ FROM ONLY .99 DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £185.99 FOOTER inc.VAT

CHESTS/ CABINETS

THE ULTIMATE IN TOOL STORAGE!

FULL DETAILS SEE IN STORE OR VISIT WEBSITE

279

NB Overall length includes handles

TOOL SETS

PRICE CUT £ DOUBLE.95

PRO396 222 PIECE TOOL SET WITH 7 DRAWER TOOL CABINET

WAS £131.98 inc.VAT

PRICE CUT £ DOUBLE.00

629exc.VAT

£754.80 inc.VAT DOUBLE

WAS £778.80 inc.VAT

CHT859 300 PIECE AF/METRIC HOME GARAGE REPAIR KIT

£12 inc.VAT

LxWxH (mm) 716x316x256 710x315x420 710x315x420 710x315x475 758x468x815 758x468x975

104exc.VAT

£125.94 inc.VAT DOUBLE

exc.VAT inc.VAT £86.99 £104.39 £149.98 £179.98 £154.99 £185.99 £169.98 £203.98 £249.00 £298.80 £279.00 £334.80

£FROM ONLY .99 DOUBLE exc.VAT DOUBLE FOOTER £68.39 inc.VAT

PRO378 PROFESSIONAL 1/2" DRIVE SOCKET SET

WAS NOW Model Desc. LxWxH (mm) exc.VAT inc.VAT inc.VAT 1 CLB900C* 9 Dr Chest 685x305x474 £159.95 £203.98 £191.94 2 CLB1007C 7 Dr Cabinet 740x465x955 £259.00 £310.80

259

£ FROM ONLY .00 DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £310.80 FOOTER inc.VAT

PRICE CUT £DOUBLE.99

84exc.VAT

£101.99 inc.VAT DOUBLE

NEW DIY & PROFESSIONAL FROM ONLY

MECHANICS/

WAS £107.98 inc.VAT

FULL EXTENSION ROLLER RUNNERS FOR SMOOTH OPENING ACTION

.98 139 3 £DOUBLE DOUBLEexc.VAT PROFESSIONAL £167.98 FOOTER inc.VAT

• Superb quality & value for DIY & professional

TOOL CHESTS/ workshops * WAS £107.98 inc.VAT CABINETS # WAS £310.80 inc.VAT

PRO394 PROFESSIONAL 91 PIECE TOOL KIT WITH CANTILEVER TOOLBOX

PRICE CUT £ DOUBLE.00

249exc.VAT

£298.80 inc.VAT DOUBLE

CHT634 MECHANICS TOOL CHEST AND TOOLS PACKAGE

WAS £310.80 inc.VAT

Model Desc. LxWxH (mm) exc.VAT MECHANICS RANGE 1 CTC600C* 6 Dr Chest 620x257x335 £84.99 CTC900C 9 Dr Chest 620x257x380 £89.98 CTC500C 5 Dr Cabinet 680x330x765 £149.98 CTC800C 8 Dr Chest/Cab Set 616x295x1027 £149.98 2 CTC700C 7 Dr Cabinet 680x330x875 £179.98 PROFESSIONAL RANGE CTC103C 3 Dr Step Up Chest 691x310x256 £74.99 3 CTC109 9 Dr Chest 685x305x419 £139.98 4 CTC107C# 7 Dr Cabinet 739x461x953 £249.00 NB Overall length includes handles

BOLTLESS SHELVING/ BENCHES Simple fast assembly in minutes using only a hammer

RED, BLUE, SILVER, GREY & GALVANISED STEEL

189

BOTTOM DRAWERS

* WAS £203.98 inc.VAT

CHOICE OF 5 COLOURS

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

EXTRA LARGE

SAVE

HUGE CHOICE OF HAND TOOLS

* WAS £310.80 inc.VAT

30KG

MAX DRAWER LOAD

SEE WEBSITE FOR PACKAGE DEALS WITH TOOLS

32 PIECE SET

2 £ FROM ONLY .00 DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £334.80 FOOTER inc.VAT

Model Desc. CBB203C 3 Dr Step Up CBB205C 5 Dr Chest 1 CBB209C 9 Dr Chest CBB210C 10 Dr Chest CBB215C* 5 Dr Cabinet 2 CBB217C 7 Dr Cabinet

159exc.VAT

£191.94 inc.VAT DOUBLE

WAS £203.98 inc.VAT

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

• Extra heavy gauge double wall steel construction

Rubber grip side handles

PRICE CUT £ DOUBLE.95

279

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

MM1 Custom Car 275x200 pg1.indd Mart_3PS.indd 1 Custom Car_2024_05_May_Machine 1

PRICE CUT NOW FROM ONLY £ .98

39exc.VAT

£47.98 inc.VAT DOUBLE

WAS £51.59 inc.VAT

NOW inc. VAT £101.99 £107.98 £179.98 £179.98 £215.98 £89.99 £167.98 £298.80

179

£ FROM ONLY .98 DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £215.98 FOOTER inc.VAT

WORKBENCHES WITH PEGBOARD

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

• Dimensions (LxWxH) - 1150x560x1440mm • Pegboard back wall with 30 hooks supplied

LOADING OPTIONS

150 350 KG KG

PRICE CUT FROM ONLY £ .99

74exc.VAT

PER SHELF PER SHELF EVENLY DISTRIBUTED

Dims WAS NOW Model WxDxH(mm) exc.VAT inc.VAT inc.VAT CSM5150BP 150kg 800x300x1500 £39.98 £51.59 £47.98 CSM5350BP 350kg 900x400x1800 £57.99 £71.98 £69.59

£89.99 inc.VAT DOUBLE

WAS £95.98 inc.VAT

CWB-R1B

Available in Red or Galvanised Finish

25/03/2024 25/03/2024 14:19 15:50

35164

TURBO AIR COMPRESSORS PRICE CUT £ DOUBLE.98

109exc.VAT

£131.98 inc.VAT DOUBLE

WAS £143.98 inc.VAT

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

SUPERSTORES NATIONWIDE

B = Bench mounted F = Floor standing Motor (W) * WAS £406.80 inc.VAT model Speeds exc.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 £358.80 CDP352F* 550 / 16 £329.00 £394.80 CDP502F 1100 / 12 £699.00 £838.80

Britain’s Tools & Machinery Specialist 8/260 Motor Tank WAS NOW Model HP CFM ltr exc.VAT inc. VAT inc.VAT 8/260 2 7.5 24 £109.98 £143.98 £131.98 11/260 2.5 9.5 24 £119.98 £155.98 £143.98 8/550 2 7.5 50 £149.98 £191.98 £179.98 11/550 2.5 9.5 50 £169.98 £215.98 £203.98 16/550 3 14.5 50 £239.00 £298.80 £286.80 16/1050 3 14.5 100 £299.00 £370.80 £358.80

INDUSTRIAL AIR XEV16/100 COMPRESSORS £

FROM ONLY HEADER

.00 exc.VAT 589 £706.80 inc.VAT

†V-Twin *230V # WAS £1438.80 inc.VAT ‡ WAS £1678.80 inc.VAT ▼ WAS £1774.80 inc.VAT AIR. DISP MOTOR AIR 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 30 7.5HP 200Ltr £1179.00 £1414.80 XE36C200†# 28 2X3HP 270Ltr £1349.00 £1618.80 XE29/270†*‡ XE37/270 (OL)†* ▼ 36 2x 4 270ltr £1459.00 £1750.80 SE46C270† 40 10HP 270Ltr £2129.00 £2554.80

DEHUMIDIFIERS & AIR CON £

110 VOLT

IN STOCK FROM £214.80 inc.VAT

89exc.VAT

£107.98 inc.VAT DOUBLE

WAS £113.99 inc.VAT

*WAS £113.99 inc.VAT # WAS £143.98 inc.VAT ▼ WAS £322.80 inc.VAT

Max. Output kW exc.VAT 10.3 £89.98 15 £114.99 24.9 £159.98 36.6 £189.98 49.8 £249.00 131 £479.00

Model Little Devil II* Devil 700# Devil 900 Devil 1600 Devil 2100▼ Devil 4000

exc.VAT 239 £286.80 inc.VAT

inc.VAT £107.98 £137.99 £191.98 £227.98 £298.80 £574.80

BATTERY CHARGERS /ENGINE STARTERS FROM ONLY

£ DOUBLE .98 DOUBLE exc.VAT FOOTER £107.98 inc.VAT

Ammeter Multiposition charge regulator Overload protection on charging cycle

Model BC125 BC190 BC210C WBC180 WBC240 WBC400 BC520P

3-in-1 ✔ Air Con ✔ Dehumidifier ✔ 2 Speed Fan

DIESEL FIRED ONLY SPACE HEATERS £ FROM DOUBLE.00

2850

£274.80 inc.VAT

ELECTRIC HEATERS

DEVIL 7003

230&

110 VOLT

IN STOCK FROM £214.80 inc.VAT

XR80 Model XR60B XR80 XR110 XR160 XR210

WAS MAX output exc.VAT inc. VAT 14.7kW £229.00 20.5kW £279.00 29.3kW £319.00 £394.80 46.9kW £389.00 £478.80 61.5kW £449.00 £550.80

NOW inc.VAT £274.80 £334.80 £382.80 £466.80 £538.80

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

2800PTC-B

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

DEVIL 6003 Heat Model Voltage Output exc.VAT inc.VAT Devil 6003 230V 1.5-3kW £64.99 £77.99 Devil 7003* 230V 3kW £64.99 £77.99 Devil 7005 400V 5kW £89.98 £107.98 Devil 6009 400V 4.5-9kW £119.98 £143.98 Devil 7009# 400V 9kW £147.99 £177.59 Devil 6015 400V 5-10-15kW £179.98 £215.98 Devil 7015 400V 15kW £219.98 £263.98 * WAS £81.59 inc.VAT # WAS £179.98 inc.VAT

JUMP STARTS

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

FROM ONLY

EXTRA LONG 1m LEADS

exc.VAT £89.98 £104.99 £149.98 £159.98 £184.99 £219.00 £259.00

inc.VAT £107.98 £125.99 £179.98 £191.98 £221.99 £262.80 £310.80

WORKSHOP AIR TOOLS

INTELLIGENT BATTERY CHARGER/ MAINTAINERS Max. exc. WAS NOW 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 £62.99 £80.39 £75.59 IBC25 12/24V 25A £79.98 £101.99 £95.98 IBC40 12/24V 40A £99.98 £125.99 £119.98

Extraction Rate CAT131 Motor (ltr/day) exc.VAT inc.VAT PRICE CUT 785W 16.8 £239.00 £286.80 £DOUBLE exc.VAT 59.98 1100W 21.6 £279.00 £334.80 £71.98 inc.VAT DOUBLE 1370W 28.8 £319.00 £382.80 WAS £83.98 inc.VAT

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

Provides essential home, garage

and roadside assistance Integral exc.VAT 96inc.VAT work light 910 includes air DOUBLE £116.39 FOOTER £ DOUBLE .99

IBC20

Max Amps Charge/ Boost 20/120 38/180 25/200 35/180 45/240 60/350 50/510

SELLER

NEW

2.8kW

FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE .99 exc.VAT DOUBLE FOOTER £77.99 inc.VAT

BEST

DUAL VOLTAGE

AC7050

FAN HEATERS 2.8kW

229exc.VAT DOUBLE FOOTER

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

Propane gas ﬁred

PRICE CUT £DOUBLE.98

BC210C

.00

Model AC7050 AC10050 AC13050

230&

Offering low cost, efﬁcient heating

FROM ONLY HEADER

Inc. Remote control, ﬂexible outlet hose & window slider vent

DUAL VOLTAGE

TURBO FAN GAS HEATERS

STARTS VEHICLES UP TO 6L

MICRO JUMP STARTS

Model 910 JS1100C BEST 4000 SELLER JS12/24

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

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

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

WHEEL DOLLY (PAIR)

CW1D

AWD1

BEST SELLER LOAD RATING: 500KG PER DOLLY

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

PGF14

GARAGES/WORKSHOPS

603x370x150mm

SWIVEL, NON MARKING CASTORS

ANGLE GRINDERS

249

£ FROM ONLY .00 DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £298.80 FOOTER inc.VAT

FROM ONLY

Start Peak exc. Model Boost Boost VAT inc.VAT JSM180 180A 360A £36.99 £44.39 JSM100 1000A 400A £49.98 £59.98 JSM1200 600A 1200A £69.98 £83.98 * WAS JSM350* 350A 500A £79.98 £95.98 £105.59 JSM600 300A 600A £49.98 £59.98 inc.VAT

* WAS £179.98 inc.VAT # WAS £226.80 inc.VAT ‡ WAS £275.98 inc.VAT Tank Model Cap. Type exc.VAT inc.VAT CW2D 10Ltrs Bench £59.98 £71.98 CW1D* 45Ltrs Floor £144.99 £173.99 CWM20# 22.5Ltrs Floor £179.00 £214.80 CW40‡ 75Ltrs Floor £219.00 £262.80

CW2D

PRICE CUT £ DOUBLE.00

HOT WASHERS

589exc.VAT

SANDBLASTERS

£706.80 inc.VAT DOUBLE

WAS £718.80 inc.VAT

Heavy duty steel construction

145 Bar 2100 psi

sandblasters for the quick exc.VAT 29 DOUBLE FOOTER £35.98 inc.VAT removal of surface rust, £ DOUBLE .98

CIG81220 Ideal for use as a garage/workshop Extra tough triple layer cover Heavy duty powder coated steel tubing Ratchet tight tensioning Model CIG81212 CIG81015 CIG81216 CIG81020 CIG81220 CIG81224 CIG1432 CIG1640

size (LxWxH) 3.6x3.6x2.5m 4.5x3x2.4m 4.9x3.7x2.5m 6.1x3x2.4m 6.1x3.7x2.5m 7.3x3.7x2.5m 9.7x4.3x3.65m 12x4.9x4.3m

exc.VAT inc.VAT £249.00 £298.80 £279.00 £334.80 £329.00 £394.80 £349.00 £418.80 £399.00 £478.80 £499.00 £598.80 £1099.00 £1318.80 £2599.00 £3118.80

ALUMINIUM RACING JACKS

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

KEEPS THE WEATHER OUT! BRIGHT WHITE INTERIOR

CIS8612

FROM ONLY HEADER

.00 exc.VAT 269 £322.80 inc.VAT

Model CTJ2GLS CTJ3GLS CTJ5GLS CTJ10GLS

Tonnes 2 3 5 10

150mm PAD DIA.

64exc.VAT

£77.99 inc.VAT DOUBLE

WAS £83.98 inc.VAT

CP150

exc.VAT .VAT 109inc.VAT DOUBLE £131.98 FOOTER

exc.VAT £109.98 £139.98 £169.98 £199.98

inc.VAT £131.98 £167.98 £203.98 £239.98

MM2 Custom Car 275x200 pg2.indd Mart_3PS.indd 1 Custom Car_2024_05_May_Machine 2

169exc.VAT

DOUBLE £202.80 FOOTER inc.VAT

1 TONNE FOLDING WORKSHOP CRANE Folding and ﬁxed frames available Robust, rugged construction Overload safety valve

69exc.VAT

WAS £89.99 inc.VAT

Fully tested to proof load

AMAZING LOW PRICE!

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

INC. CONTAINER FOR DETERGENT

2 & 3 TONNE TROLLEY JACKS

219

£83.98 inc.VAT DOUBLE

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

FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE.00

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

PRICE CUT £DOUBLE.98 FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE .98

paint, dirt/grease etc.

* WAS £718.80 inc.VAT inc.VAT # WAS £1437.60 inc.VAT Tank Flow Rate £322.80 Model Volume Req. exc.VAT inc.VAT Model BAR Press. VOLT exc.VAT inc.VAT £430.80 £574.80 CPSB100B* 32 litre 6-25 cfm £169.00 £202.80 Harry 2 145 2100psi 230 £589.00 £706.80 £766.80 CPSB200B# 63 litre 6-25 cfm £209.00 £250.80 KING 200 150 2175psi 230 £1169.00 £1402.80

CFC100

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

CTJ1250AB

Lifting Cap. 1.5T 1.25T 2.5T 1.8T

exc.VAT £269.00 £359.00 £479.00 £639.00

PRO SANDER/ PRICE CUT POLISHERS £DOUBLE .99

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

Model CTJ1500QL CTJ1250AC CTJ2500QLGB CTJ1800AB

HEAVY DUTY LONG REACH JACKS

CTJ2GLS £

inc.VAT £35.98 £44.39 £83.98

PRICE CUT £DOUBLE .99

18V ½"

£51.59 inc.VAT DOUBLE

WRENCH

42exc.VAT IMPACT

WAS £53.99 inc.VAT

3 forward and reverse gears

£FROM ONLY .98 DOUBLE exc.VAT DOUBLE FOOTER £119.98 inc.VAT

CTJ2250LP

BRUSHLESS

450NM # WAS £53.99 inc.VAT ‡ WAS £63.59 inc.VAT Model Type Tonne exc.VAT inc.VAT CTJ2L# Long 2 £42.99 £51.59 X2AH CTJ2250LP*‡ Low Profile 2.25 £49.95 £59.94 CTJ3000GB Pro Garage 3 £109.98 £131.98 CIR18LIC CTJ3000QLB Quick Lift 3 £122.99 £147.59 Low Quick Lift 2 £159.98 £191.98 Model CTJ2QLP Desc Batteries exc.VAT inc.VAT CCIW160 Cordless 2X 2AH £99.98 £119.98 * CTJ2250LP has a 2.25 tonne capacity, has a LI-ION low entry of only 80mm and includes 2 sockets JACKS ALSO IN STOCK UP TO 5 TONNE

25/03/2024 25/03/2024 14:20 15:51

35164

PAY Monthly

EASY TO USE WEBSITE

HYDRAULIC FROM ONLY PRESSES £ DOUBLE.98

21,000

NOW OVER

Spread the cost over 12, 24, 36, 48 or 60 months Any mix of products over £300 5 MIN 19.9% APR APPLICATION!

For 15,000 hard to ﬁnd items vist the

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

* Available with/without BEST 7 pce pin, bracket & pressing plate kit SELLER safety screen # Economy model Model Tonne exc.VAT inc.VAT CSA4B# 4 £169.98 £203.98 10 £289.00 £346.80 ‡ WAS CSA10BB* CSA12F# 12 £379.00 £454.80 £598.80 CSA20FBT‡ 20 £489.00 £586.80 inc.VAT

section on:

BRITAIN’S NO. 1 FOR WELDING

1 TONNE

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”

up & use

See www.machinemart.co.uk

BEST

SELLER

SSC1000G

HEAVY DUTY PETROL POWER WASHERS PLS195B

69exc.VAT

Rotates through 360˚

0.00 FOOTER £161.99 inc.VAT * Gas/No Gas MIG103NG

PRICE CUT £ DOUBLE.00

135TE

£322.80 inc.VAT DOUBLE

130AMPS

269exc.VAT

WAS £334.80 inc.VAT

exc. WAS Model Capacity VAT inc.VAT CES340 340kg £69.98 £87.59 CES450 450kg £79.98 £99.59 CES560 560kg £104.99 CES680F 680kg £135.99 £167.98

NOW inc.VAT £83.98 £95.98 £125.99 £163.19

* WAS £334.80 inc.VAT CAN DRAW # WAS £598.80 inc.VAT OWN WATER ‡ WAS £922.80 inc.VAT Pressure Engine Model Bar/PSI HP exc.VAT inc.VAT Tiger1800B* 110/1595 3 £269.00 £322.80 Tiger2600B 180/2610 4 £379.00 £454.80 Tiger3000B 200/2900 6.5 £399.00 £478.80 PLS195B# 182/2640 5.5 £479.00 £574.80 PLS220 230/3335 9 £679.00 £814.80 PLS265B‡ 225/3263 13 £749.00 £898.80 PLS360 248/3600 13 £998.00 £1197.60

Honda engine models available

WAS NOW Model KVA HP exc.VAT inc.VAT inc.VAT PG2500A 2.2 5.6 £209.00 £262.80 £250.80 PG3800A 3 5.6 £239.00 £322.80 £286.80 PG3800ADV 3 5.6 £279.00 £358.80 £334.80 PG6500ADVES 5.5 9.7 £519.00 £646.80 £622.80

BEST

SELLER

£FROM ONLY .98 DOUBLE exc.VAT DOUBLE FOOTER £95.98 inc.VAT

139

£ FROM ONLY .98

DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £167.98 FOOTER inc.VAT

MMA200A 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

£47.99

£57.59

ELECTRIC PRESSURE WASHERS Makes easy work for washing vehicles, patios, stonework, etc. JET7500, JET8500 & JET9500B include hose reel 180 Bar 2610 PSI

Professional Engine Diagnostic & EOBD/ OBD ll Fault Code Reader

exc.VAT inc.VAT £134.99 £161.99 £249.00 £298.80 £259.00 £310.80 £289.98 £347.98 £345.00 £414.00

• Compact & lightweight • Efﬁcient inverter technology • Variable output

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

DIAGNOSTICS

Min-Max Amps 35-90 24-90 30-150 30-130 30-150

MMA & ARC/TIG INVERTER WELDERS

AT165

219 DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £263.98 FOOTER inc.VAT

£ FROM ONLY .98

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

CHECK FRAME TYPE WHEN ORDERING

Model MIG103NG* PRO90 151EN 135TE Turbo 151TE Turbo

CAR RAMPS

PETROL GENERATORS

PG3800A

MIG103NG

DOUBLE.99 exc.VAT 134

Honda & Diesel engine models in stock

£83.98 inc.VAT DOUBLE

WAS £87.59 inc.VAT

Fully tested to proof load

Professional

189

PRICE CUT £DOUBLE .98

*Folds for storage

135TE

type torches DOUBLE.98 exc.VAT 289 Easy to set 0.00 FOOTER £347.98 inc.VAT

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

ENGINE STANDS

CES680F

PAGE

• IN-STORE • ONLINE • PHONE 0844 880 1265

machinemart.co.uk

STRUT

484

CATALOGUE OUT NOW!

PRODUCTS ONLINE!

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

CSA4B

NEW

CEOBDPRO

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

ACCESSORIES GWH7 AUTO DARKENING WELDING HEADSHIELDS

7 MODELS IN THE RANGE

JET8500 Motor Max. exc. WAS Model W Press. VAT inc.VAT inc.VAT JS1850 1400 1523psi £59.98 £71.98 JS1950 1600 2030psi £94.99 £116.39 £113.99 Jet7500 1600 2030psi £149.98 £185.99 £179.98 Jet8500 2100 2610psi £189.98 £231.59 £227.98 JET9500B 2400 2900psi £229.98 £275.98

HUGE RANGE

LEATHER GAUNTLETS

GAS

01226 732297 0121 358 7977 0121 7713433 01204 365799 01274 390962 01273 915999 0117 935 1060 01283 564 708 01223 322675 029 2046 5424 01228 591666 01242 514 402 01244 311258 01206 762831 024 7622 4227 020 8763 0640 01325 380 841 01304 373 434 01332 290 931 01302 245 999 01382 225 140 0131 659 5919

EXETER 16 Trusham Rd. EX2 8QG GATESHEAD 50 Lobley Hill Rd. NE8 4YJ GLASGOW 280 Gt Western Rd. G4 9EJ GLOUCESTER 221A Barton St. GL1 4HY GRIMSBY ELLIS WAY, DN32 9BD HULL 8-10 Holderness Rd. HU9 1EG ILFORD 746-748 Eastern Ave. IG2 7HU IPSWICH Unit 1 Ipswich Trade Centre, Commercial Road LEEDS 227-229 Kirkstall Rd. LS4 2AS LEICESTER 69 Melton Rd. LE4 6PN LINCOLN Unit 5. The Pelham Centre. LN5 8HG LIVERPOOL 80-88 London Rd. L3 5NF LONDON CATFORD 289/291 Southend Lane SE6 3RS LONDON 6 Kendal Parade, Edmonton N18 LONDON 503-507 Lea Bridge Rd. Leyton, E10 LUTON Unit 1, 326 Dunstable Rd, Luton LU4 8JS MAIDSTONE 57 Upper Stone St. ME15 6HE MANCHESTER ALTRINCHAM 71 Manchester Rd. Altrincham MANCHESTER CENTRAL 209 Bury New Road M8 8DU MANCHESTER OPENSHAW Unit 5, Tower Mill, Ashton Old Rd MANSFIELD 169 Chesterﬁeld Rd. South MIDDLESBROUGH Mandale Triangle, Thornaby

139exc.VAT

DOUBLE £167.98 FOOTER inc.VAT

NEW

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

WIRE 0.6, 0.8 & 0.9mm SIZES IN STOCK

01392 256 744 0191 493 2520 0141 332 9231 01452 417 948 01472 354435 01482 223161 0208 518 4286 01473 221253 0113 231 0400 0116 261 0688 01522 543 036 0151 709 4484 0208 695 5684 020 8803 0861 020 8558 8284 01582 728 063 01622 769 572 0161 9412 666 0161 241 1851 0161 223 8376 01623 622160 01642 677881

FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE.98

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

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

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

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 1HA B’HAM GREAT BARR 4 Birmingham Rd. B’HAM HAY MILLS 1152 Coventry Rd, Hay Mills BOLTON 1 Thynne St. BL3 6BD BRADFORD 105-107 Manningham Lane. BD1 3BN BRIGHTON 123 Lewes Rd, BN2 3QB BRISTOL 1-3 Church Rd, Lawrence Hill. BS5 9JJ BURTON UPON TRENT 12a Lichﬁeld St. DE14 3QZ CAMBRIDGE 181-183 Histon Road, Cambridge. CB4 3HL CARDIFF 44-46 City Rd. CF24 3DN CARLISLE 85 London Rd. CA1 2LG CHELTENHAM 84 Fairview Road. GL52 2EH CHESTER 43-45 St. James Street. CH1 3EY COLCHESTER 4 North Station Rd. CO1 1RE COVENTRY Bishop St. CV1 1HT CROYDON 423-427 Brighton Rd, Sth Croydon DARLINGTON 214 Northgate. DL1 1RB DEAL (KENT) 182-186 High St. CT14 6BQ DERBY Derwent St. DE1 2ED DONCASTER Wheatley Hall Road DUNDEE 24-26 Trades Lane. DD1 3ET EDINBURGH 163-171 Piersﬁeld Terrace

ARC WELDER For home user, automotive and industrial applications.

NORWICH 282a Heigham St. NR2 4LZ NORTHAMPTON Beckett Retail Park, St James’ Mill Rd NOTTINGHAM 211 Lower Parliament St. PETERBOROUGH 417 Lincoln Rd. Millﬁeld PLYMOUTH 58-64 Embankment Rd. PL4 9HY POOLE 137-139 Bournemouth Rd. Parkstone PORTSMOUTH 277-283 Copnor Rd. Copnor PRESTON 53 Blackpool Rd. PR2 6BU SHEFFIELD 453 London Rd. Heeley. S2 4HJ SIDCUP 13 Blackfen Parade, Blackfen Rd SOUTHAMPTON 516-518 Portswood Rd. SOUTHEND 1139-1141 London Rd. Leigh on Sea STOKE-ON-TRENT 382-396 Waterloo Rd. Hanley SUNDERLAND 13-15 Ryhope Rd. Grangetown SWANSEA 7 Samlet Rd. Llansamlet. SA7 9AG SWINDON 21 Victoria Rd. SN1 3AW TWICKENHAM 83-85 Heath Rd.TW1 4AW WARRINGTON Unit 3, Hawley’s Trade Pk. WIGAN 2 Harrison Street, WN5 9AU WOLVERHAMPTON Parkﬁeld Rd. Bilston WORCESTER 48a Upper Tything. WR1 1JZ

01603 766402 01604 267840 0115 956 1811 01733 311770 01752 254050 01202 717913 023 9265 4777 01772 703263 0114 258 0831 0208 3042069 023 8055 7788 01702 483 742 01782 287321 0191 510 8773 01792 792969 01793 491717 020 8892 9117 01925 630 937 01942 323 785 01902 494186 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 Mart_3PS.indd 1 Custom Car_2024_05_May_Machine 3

25/03/2024 25/03/2024 14:21 15:51

MAY 2024 £5.99

J on ’24 une sa iss le ue 9M ay

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

e is To pre-order the Jun 1p Next Month Apr.indd 64

28/03/2024 17:08

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

RESTORATION – CUSTOMISATION – RESTOMOD Mustangs, Corvettes & Your Classic

Disc Brake Conversions, Gearbox Upgrades, Engine Upgrades, Air Conditioning, Apple Car Play, EFI Conversion, Rally Preparation

Find out more at www.belchers.uk or call 0330 8281823 Custom Car_2024_02_February_Belchar Engineering_FP.indd 1

20/12/2023 11:36