Custom Car Magazine - November 2023 by Assignment Media Ltd

NOV 2023

£5.99

Recouperation

How a tired Graﬃti clone went home to be reborn as a 5-window ﬁt to be driven every day CC Cover Nov 23.indd 1

18/09/2023 16:02

EUROPE

45,000 Volt Coil enables larger plug gaps for greater fuel efficiency & more power.

Our Ignitor III ignition modules are designed for the serious performance enthusiast who demands serious power.

45,000 Volt Coil maximizes energy and reliability over the full rpm range.

60,000 Volt Coil our HC (high current) and HV (high voltage) E-Core Coils were engineered specifically for our ignitor III ignition modules.

Billet Distributors plug n’ plat billet distributors are designed for maximum ignition performance at a price you can afford.

Low resistance, high performance spark plug wires, available in two versions.

New Flame-Thrower “Stock-look” Distributors are loaded with all the features that would expect from a high performance part, yet maintain the original look for the ultimate “sleeper”.

HEI DISTRIBUTORS we’ve engineered our module and coil to work together, to provide you with superior ignition performance on the street or track.

Not just another ignition box… a powerful 2nd spark throughout the entire rpm range.

All the benefits of the original ignitor & more… averages 4 times more available energy between 3000 & 5000 rpm.

Fool proof control designed for use h any 4, 6 or 8 cylinder engine. with

40,000 Volt Coil delivers more spark energy and voltage.

Optimized coil design yields at least 15% more energy available for the spark than the most common OEM Coils.

Integrated patented Ignitor II technology with a powerful micro controller and adaptive dwell algorithms.

Multiple sparks throughout the entire rpm range.

Performance cast distributors for British engines replace your worn out distributor with one that will deliver performance you demand.

Performance cast distributors for VW and Alfa Romeo engines now you can get a quality distributor that delivers excellent performance and doesn’t break the bank.

Power Relay Kit Universal design…

Quick change Crimp Tool Professional quality crimp tool designed for people who want to make plug wires on a regular basis.

works with most battery ignition systems.

THE ORIGINAL DOUGS HEADERS

there’s only one Doug – his engineering genius in header design is only available here. The no-compromise fit and quality of Doug’s headers has been the choice of those seeking maximum performance for almost five decades.

CORVETTE SIDEMOUNT HEADERS

JBA PERFORMANCE EXHAUST SYSTEMS add even more power to your car, truck or SUV, stainless steel construction, high flow muffler designs and great looking tips are the perfect complement to any vehicle.

PATRIOT EXHAUST products offer the best value for money of any brand in the industry.

Electric Exhaust Cut-outs un-cork your exhaust with the flip of a switch.

JBA Performance Exhaust more power, more sound, higher quality, the original is still the best.

Since 1920 the world’s oldest performance muffler is now available for that “resto-rod” on your 1950’s custom.

Varaflow Tunable Muffler Get the exact sound you’re looking for, or tune out annoying drones when driving down the highway.

www.pertronixeurope.com

Untitled-1Car_2023_10_Oct_Petronix Custom 36 Europe_FP.indd 1

RATING

25 T

UR O

PerTronix EUROPE, 5, Elliott Park, Eastern Road, Aldershot, Hants GU12 4TF Tel/Fax. 01276 65554 Email. info@pertronixeurope.com

CE L

A SOLID-S STATE ELECTRONIC IGNITION SYSTEM… “Never change points again!”

The home of PerTronix In Europe

YEA

10/07/2020 15/08/2023 12:10:26 10:34

Contents

D is ece s 26 ue mb O on er ct s ’2 ob al 3 er e

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

Where’s ‘Enry?

We promised you Ian Dawes’ Henry J on our previous issue’s Next Month page. The story is already written, and it’s Mike Pye at his brilliant best, but with so many shows to fit in this month we simply didn’t have enough space to do Ian justice. Apologies to Ian, and Mike, and all of you looking forward to the story – rest assured you won’t have to wait long.

Regulars 2

News & reviews Festive fayre for budding rodders

30 Readers’ Rods

An oval-racer’s modified 105e Anglia

60 Auto Focus The drag strip that lives on in car meets

62 Events

2023 lives on… and 2024 gets underway

64 Next Month

Best-in-Britain winning ‘37 Chevy pickup

Features 8

Hot Rod Hayride 3000 acres of heaven in Bisley

12 Ex-Graffiti ‘32 5-window built by Valley Gas. Twice

22 Supernats

www.customcarmag.co.uk

A little controversy, a lot of great cars

36 KLK Extravaganza A proper old-school custom car show

42 Well I’ll be burgered The coolest ever way to sell burgers

50 Dragstalgia The must-do event, as must-do as ever

SUBSCRIBE! 48 Custom Car subs offer

The best value way to get your monthly fix

NOVEMBER 2023 CUSTOM CAR 1

CC Contents Nov.indd 1

18/09/2023 14:49

News & reviews

Flying ahead

e hate to mention the dreaded C word so early in the year, but the truth is the festive period will be upon us before we know it. Should you have a little hot rodder in your life, the burning question is what should you ask the fat man with the white beard and wearing a red suit to drop down the chimney for them? Well, how about something sort of practical that makes light of transporting their tired bodies around a rod run or the pits at a drag race meet? Not convinced. Well, chuck in the fact it makes a great parts

hauler for those parts you buy at a swap meet and does that sway your mind? Lee Blythe is the man behind Coventrybased Kustom Kartz, and essentially, he builds custom Radio Flyer carts, made to order to the customer’s spec and colour choice. That somewhat simpliﬁes what Lee offers, however. The hand-built chassis are made from 25mm x 25mm x 3mm fully seam welded box section steel, with the rolling stock featuring 4-link rear suspension, wheel and steering bearings, and racing go kart wheels with

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, Keith Lee,

Marketforce UK Limited,

sarah.moss@assignment-media.co.uk

121-141 Westbourne Terrace,

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Dan Fenn

13 issues of Custom Car are published

Julian Hunt, Alice Fairhead, Vic Peel, Harry Hamm, Richard Hair

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

Distribution in Great Britain:

Publisher: Sarah Moss

James Webber, Graham Scott, Olly Sack,

Photographers

treaded or slick tyres. The pull handle is 1 metre long, the stained wood sides are handmade, and as standard the tubs are ﬁnished in either red, yellow, blue, black or white but can be custom painted at extra cost. The logos are laser cut and additional sign writing can be added. Prices for a standard kart start at £450 and, as each takes approximately 2 weeks to manufacture, should you want one under your Christmas tree you need to get your order in pretty quick to avoid disappointment. Facebook: Lee Blythe Kustom Kartz

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

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

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

01283 742970

2 CUSTOM CAR NOVEMBER 2023 CC_News & Reviews_ November.indd 2

18/09/2023 12:18

Pic: Julian Hunt

The heat was on Amongst the likes of Top Fuel Dragster, Top Methanol, Nitro Funny Car, Pro Modified and so many other race classes, there were other true stars of the Euro Finals at Santa Pod held over the first weekend in September. Less sexy and appealing admittedly, but just as much a part of the event as the race cars. The unseasonal heatwave meant that Ian Marshall and the startline and track crew, along with the fire and ambulance marshals, put in long shifts on each of the 5 days. Whilst spectators and race crews took refuge from the sun in whatever way they could, these guys stood their ground, some wearing extensive protective clothing, in sweltering temperatures with no shade at all to take advantage of. Then, when the racing was over they carried on working to ensure the track was ready for the following day. To round off the weekend they spent 5 hours tirelessly working to clear water and dry the track after the torrential rain hit around 2 pm on Sunday. Their efforts resulted in a couple of hours more track time to ensure the meeting ran to a conclusion, albeit well into the evening. Top job guys and gals, we salute you all.

VISIT O

TE & WEBSI SHOP E O N L I N

Belcher’s web Belcher Engineering’s new website focuses on the company’s extensive automotive brand of service and dress-up / accessory products. Although the parts listings are already extensive, the website is still in its infancy with more items to be added over the coming months. Whether you need a stock Model A speedo drive gear, a track rod end for a Chevy C10 pick-up, or a chrome TH350 transmission pan, you may ﬁnd that Belcher Engineering stocks just what you need. The website also highlights the services the company offers, along with a for sale page. www.belchers.uk

Orange turns green

Pic: Julian Hunt)

During the Greenlight Nationals at Santa Pod in August, Simon Barlow ran the Orange Pop Racing Fordson to a best of 7.2611 / 190.48 in Greenlight Pro on Saturday. Sunday morning saw an improvement to 7.1834 / 192.97. That sixsecond pass is getting ever closer. Top job guys.

01934 864310

www.speedﬂow.co.uk

NOVEMBER 2023 CUSTOM CAR 3 CC_News & Reviews_ November.indd 3

18/09/2023 12:19

News & reviews

Something for the weekend?

Yorkshire sales

2 CUSTOM CAR MARCH 2023

All-day sunset

If you’re reading this within a few days of the issue hitting the newsstands, you’ll be in time to head along to the 9th staging of Hayling Sunset. Organised by Victory Wheelers, it takes place at Funland Amusement Park, Hayling Island PO11 0AG on Sunday 1 October kicking off at 10.00 am. Hayling Sunset is billed as a chilled-out day for all things custom, rod, rat, muscle, chopped and bobbed. Sounds like a perfect day for rounding off the season to us.

The NSRA Northern Swap Meet returns to Melbourne Raceway on Sunday 29 October. Entry access for traders is from 7:30 am, with the public being allowed in from 9:00 am. Admission prices are £4 for NSRA members (membership cards must be shown) and £6 for non-members. Anyone interested in a trade pitch should contact Andy via email at nsra.trade@nsra.org.uk or by calling 07810 770256. The address to head for on the day is Melbourne Raceway, Ash Lane, York YD42 4SS. www.nsra.org.uk

November. The show brings together a vast array of displays by classic car and motorcycle clubs, with a large number of exhibits being of particular interest to Custom Car readers. Along with the vehicles on show, there is an autojumble area, live Silverstone Auctions, talks from motoring celebrities and experts, and even the opportunity to enjoy a drive out in a unique classic supporting the HERO-ERA or Sporting Bears charities. Single-day adult admission tickets are priced from £33.50, with weekend pass prices starting at £56.00. www.necclassicmotorshow.com

Gala induction The British Drag Racing Hall of Fame’s 2023 Gala Awards Dinner takes place on Saturday 18 November. The occasion reverted to its usual midNovember weekend after taking place a week earlier last year. The location, however, remains unchanged: Oatlands Park Hotel at Weybridge, Surrey, whose elegant, four-star luxury has served the Hall of Fame so well since 2017. The highlight of the evening will be the induction of this year’s four new Hall of Fame Members. Other notable presentations will include the Stuart Bradbury Junior Drag Racing Awards to the season’s winning Junior Dragster and Dragbike racers. www.britishdragracinghof.co.uk

Classical arrangements The Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show takes place at the NEC, Birmingham on 10-12

Ken Barrow Ken Barrow sadly passed away on 21 July. Founder of the Leicester Street Cruisers, Ken built a number of hot rods over the years including a Ford 8 but will probably be best remembered for his widened and channelled Model Y which ran a small block Chevy topped off with a dummy blower. He also ran a successful wedding hire car business utilising a trio of cars that he built himself based on Matchbox models. Ken was a real character and a very clever man. He was uncle to ‘hot rod legend’ Lee Cox, and mentor to me, Melv Jarvis. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends. RIP Ken.

4 CUSTOM CAR NOVEMBER 2023 CC_News & Reviews_ November.indd 4

18/09/2023 13:49

News & reviews German ﬁnalists

Time travel

Congratulations to a couple of British race teams who reached their respective class ﬁnals at the NitrOlympx staged at Hockenheimring over the last weekend in August. The ultimate laurels didn’t go the way of the Brits, but that didn’t overshadow their achievements in reaching the ﬁnals. A big shout out for Mark Coulsell in Ball Breaker running in Super Pro ET and Leah Kellett in Dolly Daydream running in Super Comp.

(from an NSRA UK Facebook posting by Angi Findlater) Many years ago Tim Baggaley parked my daughter, Miki Thompson, in front of her namesake tyre and she subsequently got a mention in Custom Car. Some 27 years later at the Supernats we recreated the photo with the same car, same wheels, same Mickey Thompsons. Tim Baggaley’s pic was taken at either the NSRA Supernats or NASC Nats in 1996. I remember him coming up to us and asking if the baby was Miki Thompson. When we said yes, he ran off with her to take the photo in front of Steve Porter’s Cresta. I hasten to add we knew Tim quite well at the time as he used to come to Smoke City Wheelers club nights. When Steve dug out his Cresta again after many years tucked away he said, “Do you know it’s still got the same wheels and tyres that were on it when Tim did that article?” Too good an opportunity to miss!

NOVEMBER 2023 CUSTOM CAR 5 CC_News & Reviews_ November.indd 5

18/09/2023 13:51

News & reviews Mutual Alliance The Historic and Classic Vehicles Alliance is a not-for-profit trade organisation representing small and medium-sized enterprises within the historic and classic vehicle sector. It seeks to improve awareness of the sector’s economic and social benefits and to ensure those responsible for policy and regulation are challenged and held accountable. The Alliance has recently highlighted the proposed government independent review of the DVLA, and is actively representing its membership by directly engaging with MPs, policymakers and stakeholders. The aim is to ensure existing and proposed regulations are fit for purpose while offering impartial consultation and expertise. We can only applaud the HCVA for all it is doing, and recommend readers find out more by visiting its website at www.hcva.co.uk.

The year ahead With many rodders having to book time off work in advance to attend events it makes sense for organisers to publish dates as soon as possible. Rest assured, as soon as we get conﬁrmation of any such dates we will inform readers at the earliest opportunity. So, those of you who already have a 2024 calendar can make a note of the following: Race the Waves, Bridlington – 11-12 May; National Hot Rod, Custom & American Car Show, Lincoln - 28-30 June; Deuce Day, British Motor Museum – 24 July: Hot Rods in The Borders, Jedburgh – 16-18 August.

cast

The latest happenings at the home of UK drag racing – Santa Pod We are so excited about our Flame & Thunder event here on Saturday 28 October. Where else would you see Drag Racing, Stunt Shows, Jet Cars, JCB Dancing Diggers and Monster Trucks all in one day? Feel the force and power of the FireForce 3 and 5 Jet Cars as they fly down the track at 270 – 300 mph, or we have our brand-new Spiderman Jet Dragster that is just as mighty. There will be plenty of other drag demos that will light up the quarter mile, and make you shake in your seat. Also in the mix will be the Oklahoma Willy Jet Bus, a 1958 VW pick-up, which is complete with a Rolls Royce Viper 535 jet engine from a fighter jet. On the other side of the track, we have plenty for the family to watch, with jaw-dropping stunt shows from our massive monster trucks with their crushing and daring skills. Plus, we are delighted to welcome back our stunt masters, Lee Bowers and Terry Grant,

as they pull out some amazing and scary edge-of-the-seat crazy stunts. If you want to see more mindblowing action, then you will love the JCB Dancing Diggers, who will put on a show like no other. Also off the track we have all the fun of the fair, plus inflatables, Mad Dom, Circus skills and magic, Action Wheels to test the kids’ skills, plus a spook-tacular monster disco for the under 12s. Then as the darkness falls, and the FireForce Jet Car crosses the finish line, you will witness a spectacular fireworks display to finish off the evening with a bang! Get your tickets online now at santapodtickets.com, or by phoning the Box Office on 01234 782828.

EMAIL: amglass100@gmail.com

www.americanglass.co.uk

Unit 2, Viking Business Park, Queens Farm Rd, Lower Shorne, Kent DA12 3HU Tel: 01474 824007 www.burnhamautos.com

6 CUSTOM CAR NOVEMBER 2023 CC_News & Reviews_ November.indd 6

18/09/2023 12:18

CUSTOMCAR

T S E B & T S E G IG B ’S THE UK BIRMINGHA , C E N | R E B M E V O N 2 -1 10

*Saving offered on advanced tickets available online until midnight Thursday 9 November 2023. To beneﬁt from £2 discount the code must be entered at time of booking.

446752_CMS03_Advert_A4_P_2023_CUSTOMCAR_AW1.indd 1 Custom Car_2023_11_November_Clarion Events_FP.indd 1

21/08/2023 16:33 10:15 30/08/2023

Makin’ Hay ■ Words & Pics: Mike Pye

Hard to believe, but this year saw the 15th running of the Hot Rod Hayride. There have been some changes to the format over the years, and to the location, and to the clubs that underpin it, but last year saw a very welcome return. And boy, did it come back with a bang. Everyone saying it was as good as any of the previous Hayrides, and hadn’t lost any

Back to Bisley for a hot rod weekend like no other. There really is nothing quite like the Hot Rod Hayride

of its soul along the way, thanks to the massive efforts put in by Jerry Chatabox and the Detonators car club. Nevertheless, we all went home with the knowledge that its return could be a one off. But news started to leak out toward the end of the year and, in January, tickets went on sale for the 2023 event. And if it didn’t sell out within a matter of days, it surely came close.

and the venue at Bisley Shooting Ground near Woking, Surrey is over 3000 acres, so that’s roughly an acre per person, which feels just about right to us. Showing the eagerness with which the Hayride is anticipated, we started seeing posts online about people leaving for the event early doors on Thursday morning and, while the unfortunate / annoying

From what we’re told, capacity is 3000

If you’re not a fan of ’57 Chevys, look again at a le ’57 Nomad. This ’un, wearing Rumblers colours, prestigious Cartier Sty Fresh from his win in the i was as sweet as they get, just lowered over his chopped Merc’, Ter h wit od dwo Goo at e et Lux Ford to the Hayride chrome reverse. It didn’t need anything else ’35 us geo gor his t ugh Smith bro

We tend to leave bikes to the moto rcycle mags but, given the amount of effort Carl Parker went to to get his just ﬁnished Triumph chop to the show, and how damn cool it is, it deserved an honourable mention

8 CUSTOM CAR NOVEMBER 2023

3pp Hot Rod Hayride_Event Report_3pgs.indd 8

18/09/2023 12:59

‘If it didn’t sell out within a matter of days, it surely came close’

We don’t think we’ve ever seen so many ’49-’51 Mercurys in one place. Here’s just two of the less familiar ones to us

clash with the Mopar Euronats at Santa Pod meant I had to leave early on the Saturday, I suspect I was the only one that did. Bisley is just such a great place to hang out, and it doesn’t get any better than on Hayride weekends. The format remained largely the same as last year, with a great line up of DJs and rockin’ bands, traders, a flea market and the Demon Drome wall of death, but added

to that an increased range of food vendors, even more beers to sample, the Bisley Pavilion back in action as the late night (10pm-2am) bar / dancing / burlesque show venue and the return of both the dirt oval track racing on the Saturday and, bringing the event to an entertaining close, the Soapbox Derby. The weather couldn’t compete with last year’s effort, but there was still plenty

of sun and the occasional downpour did nothing to dampen spirits. As anyone who attended will concur, the 15th Hot Rod Hayride was an absolute blast. Will there be a 16th Hayride in 2024? My feeling is yes, but nothing is confirmed yet, so keep your ears to the ground and jump when the announcement is made. It really is the best traditional hot rod weekender of the year.

Bisley Pavilion makes a great backdrop for pictures, but even better to see it back in action for the latenight entertainment

Andy Saunders brought Deja, his Delahaye tribute act built from a 1950 Riley four door saloon, out to play and it looked stunning in the sun

NOVEMBER 2023 CUSTOM CAR 9

3pp Hot Rod Hayride_Event Report_3pgs.indd 9

18/09/2023 12:59

show ﬁeld is pre-’66, so The only stipulation for entry to the , headed up in this show on mix tic eclec the quite there was y CC featured iousl prev , erful wond es’ Jam shot by Richard ’41 Ford custom

Jon Golding does it again, this unde rstated ’32 3-window being one of two new cars out of Home Grown Hot Rods at this year’ s Hayride

Another one over from the continent, this mild custom ’59 Buick was the size of an aircraft carrier, but carried it well

h, e Frith, son of Carl Frit Now in the hands of Pac has deﬁnitely an sed ’32 t net Bar rv the ex-Me found the right home

Meanwhile, in the vintage caravan corner, it could easily have been the mid-1950s

A new one on us, the ’ﬂake in the paint on this mild custom ’61 Olds Dynamic 88 convertible really popped in the sun

‘Will there be a 16th Hayride in 2024?’

Detonators Dust Up Big thanks to Dave Mcanulty for the pics

This year saw a return to Tongham Motor Club in nearby Four Marks for an opportunity to thrash your hot rod round a dirt oval track and beat one of your mates, or just stand and watch the spectacle, waiting for the cloud of red dust that invariably swamps spectators when the track is dry. As there was both rain and sunshine this year, visitors were treated to both a wet dousing of mud and a dry one – the best of both worlds if you will. Race format was two cars and three pursuit laps, starting 180 degrees apart. It’s more for fun than anything else, with the 21 racers choosing their opponents, though the second session ran in a knockout format with stalwarts, Russ de Barr and Nick Blanche, declared overall winner and runner-up respectively. Adding to the entertainment were the BriSCA Heritage Stock Cars who ran in two separate sessions, and thanks must go to Clive ‘CJ’ Prew at Stromberg 97 for generously sponsoring the racing and donating a couple of carbs to the cause.

10 CUSTOM CAR NOVEMBER 2023

3pp Hot Rod Hayride_Event Report_3pgs.indd 10

18/09/2023 12:59

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

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

FROM £1860.47 [Gold Card]

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

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

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

-Zero bump steer & anti-dive built in-





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

1937-39 Chevy Pickup, tubular suspension arms, 2” dropped spindles, shock thru coil spring, manual stg rack,300lb coil springs, 11” ventilated disc brakes, 23.375” inside to inside-can fit other models ... £2369.23 net. 1947-54 Chevy Pickup, as above except-std spindles, 350lb spring, anti-roll bar- ............................. £2324.96 net.

  



  



1947-53 Chevy pickup .......... £651.80 net

1957 Chevy car use OE bezel £607.87 net

1956 Ford 1/2 ton pickup ...... £581.28 net

Late ‘65-6 Mustang-use OE bezel ............................................... £623.14 net

1953-55 Ford 1/2 ton p/up ...... £665.74 net   

  

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

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

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

Custom Car_2023_11_November_Real Steel_FP.indd 1

08/09/2023 10:47

Recouperation Sometimes the only way to move forward is to take a car back to its roots Words: Dave Biggadyke Pics: Alan Kidd

16 CUSTOM CAR NOVEMBER 2023

Anthony-bushell 32_ 8_pgs.indd 12

18/09/2023 11:09

The Graffiti-influenced coupe that Anthony bought.

hen it comes to modified cars, Anthony Bushell was ahead of the game in his formative years. He cut his teeth on a DAX Cobra when he was still a teenager. “It was pretty hanging,” Anthony recalled. “But I fixed it up and it served my needs for a while.” Hanging or not, that’s a pretty formidable starter car and very few teenagers can lay claim to owning such a cool ride at that tender age. Things then got a touch bizarre though. “After the Cobra I had the SierraStang.” Perplexed and intrigued, I naturally probed Anthony to find out exactly what he was talking about. “Essentially it was a replica Eleanor Mustang body grafted onto a Ford Sierra floorplan.” That clears that up then, and the chances are it looked a lot better than you may first think. Returning to normality, if that is an appropriate adjective for a hot rod, Anthony then bought a Deuce coupe. That was in 2016 and it was quite a distinctive 5-window as it happens, being a clone in the style of Milner’s coupe in American Graffiti. Anthony bought the car from Phil Forth, who had originally had it built at Valley Gas Speed Shop circa 2004. Apart from the Graffiti look, Phil had been specific on a couple of aspects relating to the car. First up it had to return reasonable gas mileage as he planned to drive it a lot and that criteria resulted in higher ratio gears in the rear axle than would normally be fitted. Then, as Phil enjoys his weekends away, the car had to be capable of towing, hence it had a marginally increased altitude at the rear. True to his word Phil drove the car thousands of miles over the years, with the

NOVEMBER 2023 CUSTOM CAR 13

Anthony-bushell 32_ 8_pgs.indd 13

18/09/2023 11:09

It was clone in the style of Milner’s coupe in American Graffiti Pic: DB

Under the ownership of Phil Forth, the coupe seen sporting its Perspex bonnet at the Steel City Cruisers show in 2011.

The first transformation was when Anthony removed the rear wings.

By the time the car arrived at Valley Gas it was also devoid of the front cycle fenders and the rear nerf bar.

coupe being instantly recognisable thanks to the transparent bonnet top he added.

Ford 9-inch rear axle with Strange shafts, bearings and studs, along with a disc brake conversion and Panhard rod – it was just that they needed spicing up a bit to be more in tune with Anthony’s needs. Knowing of the car’s lineage, Anthony contacted Jimmy Hibberd at Valley Gas to discuss the changes he had in mind. That chat resulted in the coupe returning to its place of birth and then being stripped down to a bare chassis. The rails were C-notched at the rear to facilitate the planned lower ride height, and fresh gears were fitted to the rear axle for improved acceleration. At the front, the axle was switched to a chrome I-beam for added bling, along with a fresh steering box arrangement for improved driveability. The engine was cleaned up and painted, and a new stainless steel exhaust system was fabricated complete with cut outs for

Minimalistic

Whilst he now had the hot rod he lusted after, the problem was as he started to drive it Anthony found the car didn’t really do it as far as he was concerned. As is often the case with a car that doesn’t tick all the boxes, the driving of it became less and less enjoyable and more and more minimal. “I just didn’t use it all really and I knew I had to do something about that.” While there was nothing wrong with the ingredients themselves – Rodline ‘glass 5-window body, American Stamping rails boxed with tubular crossmembers, dropped I-beam front axle with a transverse leaf spring, hairpins and a disc brake kit, and a ladder bar located, Hauser Racing prepped,

14 CUSTOM CAR NOVEMBER 2023

Anthony-bushell 32_ 8_pgs.indd 14

18/09/2023 11:09

It needed spicing up a bit to be more in tune with Anthony’s needs NOVEMBER 2023 CUSTOM CAR 15

Anthony-bushell 32_ 8_pgs.indd 15

18/09/2023 11:09

Picking up the pieces

The rolling stock was stripped to a bare chassis in readiness for the modifications that were planned.

The Perspex bonnet had served its time so a replacement was formed from sheet steel.

With the suspension upgrades completed the rails were painted black and the team at Valley Gas rebuilt the rolling chassis.

The team at the paint shop tweaked the fit of the doors…

…before separating the body from the chassis. Note the C-notched rear rails.

A yellow car never featured in his plans

This is the blown ’57 Chevy pick-up that now vies for Anthony’s attention.

those times when Anthony really needed to make an entrance. Or exit come to that. Less exciting, but equally as important, fresh headlights were fitted, along with new door and boot lid handles.

Seeing red

Attention then turned to the bodywork. The car had never been painted and, unsurprisingly considering the mileage the coupe had clocked up, the gel coat finish was beginning to show its age. That aside, Anthony was trying to move away from the Graffiti look anyway so a yellow car never featured in his plans. With a distinctly more

16 CUSTOM CAR NOVEMBER 2023

Anthony-bushell 32_ 8_pgs.indd 16

18/09/2023 11:09

With the body prepped it was treated to a few coats of primer.

The body and chassis reunited eady to head back to Anthony’s garage.

The fuel tank is housed within the boot, and a metal bubble has now been added in the floor for increased diff clearance.

Similarly, a steel trans tunnel shrouds the gearbox inside the car.

Ultimately back at Valley Gas it was found that water ingress had done the engine no favours so it was stripped for a rebuild and treated to a healthier cam at the same time.

NOVEMBER 2023 CUSTOM CAR 21

Anthony-bushell 32_ 8_pgs.indd 17

18/09/2023 11:09

Below: Standard hot rod fodder at the front end; I beam, transverse leaf spring and hairpins.

Dash panel houses a complement of Ford script AutoMeter gauges, whilst a polished Speedway column is topped off with a wheel from the same source. The three pedals beneath the dash hint at the Tremec ‘box and connect to a Kugel clutch and brake master cylinder assembly.

The rebuilt small block Chevy now displaces 355 cubes and is fitted with a livelier cam. Fuelling issues resulted in Anthony ditching the Barry Grant Road Demon carb in favour of a 600cfm Edelbrock. Gearbox is a Tremec TKO 5-speed manual.

18 CUSTOM CAR NOVEMBER 2023

Anthony-bushell 32_ 8_pgs.indd 18

18/09/2023 11:10

appealing shade of red firmly in mind, the car was shipped off to Gavin at Reef Paint Shop in Trowbridge. However, with the car freshly painted Anthony’s situation changed resulting in the rebuild being put on hold for a year or two. With his life back on track, the coupe returned to the Valley Gas workshop to be finished off. That work involved wiring using a Ron Francis kit and a dashboard refresh among other jobs. The engine also required major attention this time round and that resulted in it producing a few extra horses – which suits Anthony fine, especially with a manual ‘box adding to the fun factor. That just left the interior to sort. The coupe’s first incarnation had seen Phil Forth tackle the trimming himself, and while that was fine for his needs Anthony wanted to up the ante a bit. The fresh paint deserved the company of a fresh interior after all. Valley

Gas fabricated new door cars and then called upon the services of Matt Ellison at Herbert and Ellison in Stockbridge, and what a ﬁne job he made of the stitchwork.

Pulling power

The car was completed and back on the road in 2021, just in time for Covid to hit. Understandably Anthony didn’t clock up many miles that year, but he’s made up for that of late. The only niggly teething issue was resolved by a change of carburettor, with Anthony telling us: “It ran sweet right out the box and has made such a difference.” That comment prompted me to ask how the car drove in general. “When I ﬁrst bought the coupe it was like I was ﬁghting it all the time. It wandered all over the place. Now though it goes straight and steers just where I want it to. The ride is nice and smooth and

with the engine upgrades and the change of gearing it pulls away just as I wanted it to.” Inevitably the next question was if Anthony had any future plans for the car. “Well, much as it’s now just as I want it to be and I really enjoy driving it, I may not own it for that much longer. A friend of mine is keen to buy the coupe and it would sort of make sense to let it go and then invest some of the money in my blown ’57 Chevy pick-up.” So, will this fresh-looking 5-window coupe be getting its third owner? Only time will tell, but our guess is that if it does there won’t be any radical changes on the horizon. At least not for the time being CC

Thanks

Jimmy and the team at Valley Gas Speed Shop, Gavin Alcock formerly of Reef Paint Shop, and my dad Gary.

The engine required major attention and that resulted in it producing a few extra horses – which suits Anthony fine

NOVEMBER 2023 CUSTOM CAR 19

Anthony-bushell 32_ 8_pgs.indd 19

18/09/2023 16:27

COOLING & CNC Fabrication Serck Motorsoport have been manufacturing cooling systems for the custom car and drag racing market for over 40 years. Built to the highest standards in both Aluminium or Copper Brass Construction we have supplied to all levels of performance from Drag Racing to Custom Cars, Classic and Muscle Cars. We can also help you design your Cooling System from scratch with our CAD Software programs. We have recently added a new 5 Axis CNC Machine to our manufacturing department supported by the latest design software to enable us to meet your requirements for any parts machining or cooling solutions. We are also the official UK Distributor Setrab Oil Coolers with a huge range in stock from Diff Coolers to Transmission and Engine Coolers all instock and featured on our growing website. From Colin Millars 6 Second Ford Pop to Mark Todd’s 2000hp Street Legal Aston Martin to Paul Morton’s MK1 Zephyr Zodiac and many many more we have the perfect Cooling Solution for all Custom and Race applications. PERFORMANCE PARTS We have over 35,000 listed parts featured on our growing web site with a huge stock for quick and efficient delivery times for over 30 high quality brands in the market today, from Race and Road Tyres, Race Wheels to Water Pumps to Nitrous Kits to Turbos to Performance Oil to Fuel Injection Systems.

We have also added a full range of Clear View Oil Filtration as featured on Street Outlaws. NITROUS Did you know there are now 7 Nitrous Filling Stations throughout the UK plus at our site in Hayes ? You can find them directly on our Website!! You can also get your refills direct at Santa Pod Raceway in the Pod Shop as well as a range of racing products from Serck Motorsport to support racers at the track. We are also appointed Nitrous Express UK Distributors and can supply all your performance requirements from Bottles to Kits to Parts direct from Stock. RACING SERVICES Rebuilding or Refreshing your engine?? Consider Contamination from your Coolers!! We have a full Cooling System Micron Analysis Cleaning and Testing facility in house and can fully service your Coolers, Lines, Oil Tanks.... DOWN TO THE MICRON! We also Flow Test, Helium Pressure Test and carry Endoscopic Inspections as well as Fin Repair keeping your cooling performance to 100% efficiency.

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

06/09/2023 09:44

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

DO YOU WANT TO JOIN THE SERCK DEALER NETWORK? We are looking for more dealers to help distribute and supply the racers all over the UK by providing such brands as:  Setrab oil coolers  Autometer gauges  Clear view oil filters  Nitrous express parts and kits  Race star wheels  Race gas  Fitech  Brian crower  Turbo smart And many more. We are also looking for more Nitrous filling stations to join the Serck network to help provide Nitrous refills across the UK Please send any dealer enquires to: steven.morton@unipart.com

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

06/09/2023 09:43

Pic: Steve Baines

22 CUSTOM CAR NOVEMBER 2023

Hot Rod Supernationals 6pp.indd 22

18/09/2023 12:38

Super tonic ■ Words & Pics: Dave Biggadyke

The 32nd staging of the Hot Rod Supernationals was always going to be a tough act. What could the NSRA do to follow last year’s awesome 50th anniversary event? Not wanting to shy away from the challenge, the committee stepped up to the plate and mixed things up a bit. The entertainment marquee fell by the wayside, replaced with a festival-style outdoor stage. A brave move indeed but, as the weather pretty much played ball, it was a move that appeared to work. The entertainment itself is best described as Marmite. At least there was the option of Baldy’s Bar for those who weren’t keen on the acts performing on the main stage. After a quiet Friday daytime, Saturday’s cruise proved as popular as ever and was very well supported. Similarly, the IVA talk

by Trevor Gardiner on Saturday afternoon was well received. Unfortunately, I missed that as I was still out enjoying the cruise, but speaking to people who did attend everyone was unanimous in that it was extremely enlightening. Organisation-wise, the scan-and-go entry system for new arrivals was a great success with no gripes about queuing to be heard. Personally, I feel the issuing of show numbers needs addressing as many vehicle owners were oblivious to the need for one for their car to be included in the judging. I must also mention the so-called beer glass deposit at the bar. I’m all for reducing plastic usage, and while I applaud the idea there was a great deal of confusion surrounding it. Had the situation been clearly explained, people would have been far more appreciative and accepting.

NOVEMBER 2023 CUSTOM CAR 23

Hot Rod Supernationals 6pp.indd 23

18/09/2023 12:38

These are only minor issues though. The weekend was highly enjoyable from Thursday through to Sunday. The vibe was there and, although not rammed, the show field took some getting around on Sunday. The atmosphere was relaxed, and the company was great. What more could you ask for? Top job committee and helpers, it was just the tonic we all needed. As this was the last Supernats for outgoing NSRA chairman John Proctor, it’s only right to give him the last word. ‘Overall this year the event was well attended, with

lots of members taking advantage of the full day on Thursday. Quicker access to the site saw a steady flow of attendees with not too much queueing. ‘The weather was kind and we had tweaks this year with an open-air stage and a varied mix of bands and DJs. There was a relaxed feel and we had our American guests Lucky Burton and Piero de Luca, along with a great presence from all over Europe and brothers Neil and Dave Roper over from New Zealand. ‘A great cruise on Saturday saw loads of hot rods and customs set out to two

destinations this year and it was a great success. Sunday saw our largest ever public attendance, and although there were slight problems with prize giving it was a very successful 32nd Supernationals. ‘I hope everyone had a very enjoyable long weekend. A number of new faces will be on the committee next year, so I will be back again in a new capacity as a paying participant. It will be nice to catch up with some of the many friends I’ve made while being on the committee. See you all next year for the 33rd Supernationals.’

Steve Young’s Hemi-powered ’33 Ford received a hefty roof chop at Buckland Automotive earlier this year, with louvred bonnet sides and a rear pan being added at the same time. The coupe was selected as both Traders’ and Lucky’s Hot Rods / Mad Fabricators’ Picks

Hailing from Sweden, this ‘48 Chrysler Windsor convertible runs an LT1 engine with 700R4 transmission, Volvo rear axle, Saab rack and pinion steering and all-round hydraulic suspension

things down of late, Ian Burton has scaleding some really wellduc pro n bee has and models in steel detailed hand-crafted

Can you spot the common denominator? The answer is one of the people in this shot. Yup, all these hot rods were built by Dave Rothwell, along with at least half a dozen more.

Not sure if it was the lines laid down by Loony Pinstriping on Friday that clinched the deal, but Mick Hewitt’s ‘56 Chevy pick-up bagged the Shuttleworth Pick trophy

nders’ Riley I’d seen Deja, Andy Sau This was the ﬁrst time disappoint. The n’t did it and , esh ﬂ Motors RMB, in the rk is sublime Delahaye-esque bodywo

24 CUSTOM CAR NOVEMBER 2023

Hot Rod Supernationals 6pp.indd 24

18/09/2023 12:38

Ray’s Classics

San Carlos CA since 1980

California Collector Car Export Sales Specialist 1963 FORD RANCHERO FACTORY V8/4SPD P/S, GT RALLY WHEELS, ON THE BUTTON $9,850

1971 PONTIAC LE MANS SPORT, 350ci/AUTO, P/S,P/B GOOD SOLID CAR, ON THE BUTTON DRIVER $9,850.

1964 THAMES 400E LHD CALIFORNIA VAN SINCE, NO ENGINE/TRANS VERY STRAIGHT AND RUSTFREE, EXTREMELY SUNBLEACHED OR TERRIFIC PATINA HOWEVER YOU SEE IT $5300.

1947 CHEVY STYLEMASTER SEDAN DELIVERY, 6CYL/3SPD, VERY STRAIGHT BODY NICELY DONE BLACK VINYL INTERIOR, JUST OUT OF LONG TERM LOCAL STORAGE, STARTS & RUNS, NO BRAKES AT PRESENT $14,250

1956 CHEVY 3100 BIG WINDOW 6CYL/3SPD SAME LONG TERM OWNERSHIP, ON THE BUTTON DRIVER $12,250

1967 FORD MUSTANG 289/AUTO, P/S, A/C, CALIFORNIA CAR $4K IN NEW RESTORATION PARTS INCLUDED. STARTS AND RUNS $11,750

1965 HARLEY DAVIDSON SERVICAR, ELECTRIC START, ORIGINAL METAL SHIN GUARDS AND MOTOROLA TWO WAY RADIO, ON THE BUTTON, STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO SURVIVOR, $15,800.

1963 MERCURY COMET 2DR SEDAN 6CYL/3SPD, REBUILT ENGINE. BRAKES, REAREND, NEW INTERIOR, RUSTFREE CAR $13,800

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_2023_11_November_Rays Classics_FP.indd 1

650-361-8083

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

14/09/2023 12:09

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

bers SS clone. 1970 Chevelle is a matching num features a full Imported to the UK in 2010, the car olt rear axle 12-b a with along ior inter SS nal origi n ensio susp and upgraded

On the road

The nice people of the A602’s organised Saturday’s cruise, which left the show field at noon. The first leg was a 17-mile jaunt through the countryside to a friendly village pub… well, that was what the paperwork said. Thanks to sat navs, most people made it to the destination, with some inevitably clocking up a few extra miles Zoe Hincliffe prepares to set the wheels in motion, slow motion, in the slow drags staged on Saturday afternoon

Horse power paddock The Cricketers public house in Weston offers a large paddock directly behind the beer garden which coped with the number of vehicles on the cruise with relative ease. Once parked up, it was time to grab a drink and maybe something to eat, then relax in the sunshine

Ginner giving the evil eye to the devil’s head aerial topper on this ’55 Chevy…

…and then extolling the virtues of the Bel Air side trim from the same year

Green credentials

The next stage of the cruise was a journey of just over seven miles to Stotfold to take in a classic show known as Cars on the Green. This was optional, with some cruisers heading directly back to Old Warden instead. Those who did visit Stotfold were treated to all manner of classics, with the green being almost full to bursting point

Jerry Denning’s gorgeous ’32 roadster, as featured in the March ’18 issue. Engine is a 365ci V8 from a ’58 Cadillac, while the rear axle is a Winters quickchange

NOVEMBER 2023 CUSTOM CAR 27

Hot Rod Supernationals 6pp.indd 27

18/09/2023 12:39

Having spent several years putting this stunning ’32 coupe together themselves, right down to the paint and interior, the emotions on the faces of Chris and Ali Taylor were plain to see when they collected the Participants’ Choice trophy. After all, there is no greater accolade than one voted for by your peers. Top job guys, you are well-deserving winners

Hall of Fame Soon after 3pm on Sunday, the crowd began gathering in readiness for prizegiving. Prior to that though came the presentations to the latest NSRA Hall of Fame inductees

He hasn’t turned his back on the real thing, though, and his latest ride, this ’50 Chevy pickup, is spot on The ﬁrst inductee was Revenge, drive The latest member to be inducted is Tim n into the arena by the current owner Gerr in recognition of his dedication and y Gaughan. Horsfall, Sitting alongside him was Nick Butle assistance to the NSRA for half a century r who built the iconic C cab almost 50 years ago

The induction for Supplier / Organisation went to Saturn Industries and was gratefully accepted by company founder Mike Cobell

Lucky Burton accepted the induc tion of an individual to the Hall of Fame on behalf of the late Pat Ganahl

Fresh from being featured in our August issue, Steve’s Burnham Autos-built ‘55 Cadillac appeared larger than life on the show ﬁeld at Old Warden. A subtle roof chop and super-rare Sabre accessory alloys are just a couple of the car’s features

28 CUSTOM CAR NOVEMBER 2023

Hot Rod Supernationals 6pp.indd 28

18/09/2023 12:39

The winners

Bob and April Sheppard were presented with an NSRA Special Award in recognition of their dedication and hard work over many years

A happy Maverick Leyton collecting the award for Best Tot Rod

Andy Saunders steps forward to present another of his awards to Rob for his ’53 Chevy Bel Air

Gary Chester pulls into the arena in his gorgeous ’55 Chevy to collect a well-deserved Top Ten trophy

This is the Consul Capri that Kev Rooney built many years ago. It was featured in Street Machine in ‘99, then CC in ’02. Terry Barton bought it around a year ago and has completed a full restoration, with the car now running a 2-litre Sierra engine with automatic trans. The Capri took an Andy Saunders award and the trophy for UK Kustoms Pick

Another Top Ten winner, another Dave Rothwell-built car – Chris Hay’s Maserati V8-powered ’34 Standard

A Hanomag is a rare sight anywhere, yet there were two of them at this year’s Supernats – both built by Dave Rothwell. Harvey Rothwell collected the Top Ten award presented to this 1940 Type 13

Here’s something you don’t come across every day. Richard Woolmer is the proud owner of this ‘46 Armstrong Siddeley Lancaster, his tender years netting him the NSRA Under 29’s award. The car was also placed in the Top Ten

Chevy Vortec LS1 motor with FiTech fuel injection, GM 4L60E four-speed automatic transmission, Ford 9-inch rear axle, Mustang II IFS and air bags all round are just part of the spec of Mark Belcher’s ’38 Chevy coupe, another recent CC feature car and another Top Ten winner

On the back of its win at the National Hot Rod Show, Mark Barrett’s ’37 Chevy pick-up took a Top Ten placing at Old Warden. A full feature is on the cards, so watch this space

The team that pulled it all together, along with a couple of American guests for good measure. We tip our hats to them all

The winners’ line-up in front of the Old Warden Mansion House – an impressive group and a worthy ﬁnale to another memorable event

NOVEMBER 2023 CUSTOM CAR 29

Hot Rod Supernationals 6pp.indd 29

18/09/2023 12:39

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

E’s are good…

ith its American styling and a new 997 OHV engine, the 105e Anglia was quite a car for its time. Unlike the 100e and sit-up-and-beg Pops, the 105e had fins, a distinctive grille and a slanting rear screen. Later on, many a retro Ford builder and beginner hot rodder have found its back axle to be a decent replacement. Over the years, many warmed up, hot rodded and drag racing variations have been created on the 105e theme – and more recently, it has gained popularity with a younger audience after starring in the Harry Potter movie franchise. This model here is owned by Andy Boswartick, a former driving instructor turned sign writer whose work features heavily on oval racers. He’s a man who says his favourite vehicle is, ‘realistically,’ a Mk2 RS droop-snoot, but that if money was no object he’d have a ’32 Highboy.

Words and Pics: James Webber

One day, maybe. For now, let’s focus on his 105e. It’s a home-built vehicle that gets driven regularly, and it’s powered by an engine conversion that’s definitely not one you see every day. Andy takes up the story… ‘I bought the Anglia for a project in 2009, when the imminent closure of our local short oval was announced. It was biog standard; I got it from a friend who had acquired it for the transferable registration. ‘Although very crispy around the edges, it was a fairly solid shell and a good basis for what I had in mind – a low budget road car with nods towards my short oval interests. I drove it the 400 miles home and straight into the garage, and the stripdown began. ‘There were a few ground rules set by Lisa, my wife, before I started. She said it still had to look classic, both inside and out. ‘The shell required many repair panels, which I fabricated. It needed upper and lower wing sections, a lower nearside door skin,

front crossmember and floor sections, and I opted for steel trailer arches reminiscent of the old hot rods I loved watching as a child at Newton Abbot.

Done different

‘I fitted an Escort front crossmember and suspension, converted it to coil overs, put it on homemade compression struts and lowered the rear on 1” blocks. The wheels were initially 8” and 9” Minilights but after a while, I had the original Anglia rims banded to 7 and 8”. I was bored of seeing the same rims on every classic Ford!’ Being different is definitely a bit of a theme here, and so too is changing stuff. As Andy explains. ‘Engine wise, first came a tuned 1300, then a 1600 crossflow. But then I decided I wanted something that would drive nicely in traffic but still make me smile on the open road.

30 CUSTOM CAR NOVEMBER 2023

Andy-boswarthick-anglia_2023-Readers Rods_4pgs.indd 30

18/09/2023 10:48

‘That’s when another friend told me about a rather sad incident his son had had. After spending a few weeks doing up his MX5, he managed to plant it through the armco on a roundabout on his very first outing, writing the car off within 30 minutes of getting it on the road. ‘I bought the whole car, took off what I needed and sold what I could that was left.’ That was four years ago. And a car that had always been kind of a minor project was about to turn into kind of a major one. ‘I cut out the bulkhead, dropped in the twin cam and box and rebuilt the car around it.’ says Andy, which makes it sound like the work of an afternoon. ‘I fabricated the mounts, pedal box, tunnel and a bulkhead, and after much head scratching I spliced in the MX5 loom and fuse box.’ Not sounding quite so much of an easy job now, then, and sure enough by the time he was able to get it on the rollers another two years had come and gone. So now the Anglia is running a 1.8-litre Mazda VVT engine with a four-branch

The cabin has a motorsport vibe to it but without being over the top. Andy’s wife Lisa said it had to stay classic in its looks, which it does even though it’s now home to a pair of MX5 seats and a half rollcage. The rear bench is original 105e, as is the steering wheel, and the upper dash is pretty much unchanged despite all the bits and bobs that have been added

NOVEMBER 2023 CUSTOM CAR 31

Andy-boswarthick-anglia_2023-Readers Rods_4pgs.indd 31

18/09/2023 10:48

Standard 1.8 DOHC engine from a 2003 MX5 runs a Ramair filter, stand-alone ECU and four-branch manifold into a home-made 2” exhaust. When Andy finally managed to make a date with a rolling road so he could get it properly set up, the read-out said it was making 159.6bhp and 132lbf.ft of torque

manifold into a home-made stainless 2” exhaust. And what did the rollers say? With the engine properly set up, and running a Ramair filter and stand-alone ECU, it was putting out 159.6bhp and 132lbf.ft of torque. The standard Mazda gearbox is still bolted to the back of the 1.8, with a custom pedal box using MX5 parts and clutch master cylinder and a custom prop turning the Anglia axle. At the time of writing, Andy was soon to be fitting a Blackline slipper (much needed, he says) with a 1:3.89 ring and pinion. The suspension continues to use coilovers, with a Rally Design 2.25” kit running 200lb springs on Escort struts and Gaz gold inserts. At the back, standard rear springs are mated to a Milton bolt-on Gaz damper kit.

Braking up front is by Escort discs and M16 calipers, with Corsair 8” drums at the back and the MX5 handbrake lever and cables pulling on them when it’s time for bed. The wheels are 7x13” up front and 8x13” at the back, with 175/50 and 185/50 Nankang tyres keeping the Anglia stuck to the ground.

Upsetting hatches

‘It drives nice now,’ comments Andy, ‘pulling from 30 in 5th and plodding around town, and it will give 40mpg on a sensible run. But it will upset a few hot hatches when necessary, too!’ Happily, one person it didn’t upset was Lisa. Things were definitely moving away from the classic build she wanted, especially

as the MX5’s leather seats somehow found their way into the cabin and the seatbelts ended up mounted on a half rollcage. But the standard rear seat remains – aa does the steering wheel, which Andy says was at her insistence. You don’t want to built something like this only for it to look like a shed, right enough. And last year Andy decided it was time to do something about a body that had spent a couple of years buried under parts in his garage. ‘It had suffered a lot while it was off the road. So I sent the car to Matt Rogers, at MJR Classics in Newquay, and with a firm budget I let him work his magic on the tired body.

32 CUSTOM CAR NOVEMBER 2023

Andy-boswarthick-anglia_2023-Readers Rods_4pgs.indd 32

18/09/2023 10:48

Custom Car_2023_09_September_Wildest Cats Ltd_FP.indd 1

14/07/2023 14:29

‘He did a superb job. I always highly recommend him now.’ The Anglia recommends him itself too – as well as being a self-propelled tribute to the dedication Andy showed in turning a crispy low-budget project car into a very well sorted resto-mod with a healthy dose of down-home motorsport attitude. ‘I’m a sucker for old skool oval racing,’ he says. ‘That’s why my favourite mod is probably the trailer arches. ‘Looking back, if I could I’d have built the car on a spit in a larger workshop – it would have been quicker and involved less rolling around on the floor! But it would still have ended up as the same car – though I’m going to be sorting the rear suspension a bit next to improve traction.’

Short oval racing is about as honest as it gets, and a cleverly tweaked postwar family car like this is the perfect antidote to a world of stance mingers cruising the streets of the housing schemes that keep being built on the land where the tracks once stood. And hear this from Andy: ‘Including the initial cost of the donor car, the conversion cost me just under £1000!’ It’s not about big money, it’s about the real world. And like all the best cars, the real world is where Andy and his 105e firmly belong.

Andy and his son Liam are keen oval racers and try to keep their hand in when they can. But with more and more tracks closing, it’s becoming difficult. Luckily, St Day in Cornwall has managed to fight off redevelopment and is open for at least this year, and possibly next as well. There is a big petition doing the rounds on the socials, so if you have five minutes it would be worthwhile signing it, because as a cheap fun day out it’s a great alternative to the run of the mill tourist attractions. A big thanks to owner Crispin for allowing us to use the venue for the photoshoot.

175/50 and 185/50 Nankang tyres wrap around original Anglia wheels, which Andy had banded to 7 and 8” because he was bored of every classic Ford having the same rims

Thanks ‘Matt at MJR Classics, family and friends for getting stuck in when needed and my wife Lisa for pushing me to get it finished a couple of times when the project stalled’

34 CUSTOM CAR NOVEMBER 2023

Andy-boswarthick-anglia_2023-Readers Rods_4pgs.indd 33

18/09/2023 10:48

Custom Car_2023_07_July_Turbo Zentrum_FP.indd 1

15/05/2023 13:59

Extravagance ■ Words & Pics: Dave Biggadyke

Back in 1976 a group of young Norfolk residents got together and decided to host a weekend rod run. Amazingly, unlike so many other similar events of that era, almost half a century later the Kings Lynn Kruisers weekend is still on the event calendar. Nowadays it’s

known as the KLK Vehicle Extravaganza and the faces have changed, with maybe the exception of Dave Newman, but essentially, it’s the same event. After numerous changes of location over the years, it now takes place at the Community Centre in Walpole St Andrew, Norfolk. The venue provides a social club

for evening entertainment, and as it’s not licensed participants are free to take in their own alcohol, which helps keep the cost down. This old-school weekend harks back to years gone by, with plenty of chilling out enjoying the company of good friends. Saturday’s cruise went to Jacks Restaurant

This old-school weekend harks back to years gone by 36 CUSTOM CAR NOVEMBER 2023

3pp KLK Extravaganza_Event Report_3pgs.indd 36

18/09/2023 15:59

at Woodlakes Leisure Park, near Kings Lynn, which offered great food in a picturesque rural setting. Later on it was party time, with a strict eye on the clock as an early night was needed to be fresh and alert for the following day of course! And what a day that turned out to be. In recent years the Sunday show has been

It’s been a while since we came across the hand-sculpted ’32 roadster Tim Hammond built for his daughter Diane. Dubbed The Hamster, the roadster is powered by Corvette LT1 fuelinjected V8, and Tim collected the Best in Show award.

the unfortunate victim of adverse weather, all the way down to it being cancelled altogether on one sad occasion. Thankfully that was not the case this year. The sun tried its hardest to shine, the rain stayed away and exhibitors and visitors came along in droves. I’m hard

pressed to recall the show field ever looking so full. The eclectic mix of vehicles provided something for all tastes, with trade and autojumble stands offering plenty to rummage through. Top job guys – this was an Extravaganza to remember!

Away from the Bowtie brigade, classic Yank iron was well represented by this ’56 Buick Special, ’56 Pontiac Starchief and ’53 Buick Special.

NOVEMBER 2023 CUSTOM CAR 37

3pp KLK Extravaganza_Event Report_3pgs.indd 37

18/09/2023 16:00

ded ’65 Thames was ﬁrst rod Jim Andrews’ 6-wheel ed end ext an s ture fea p 40 years ago. The pick-u unted Rover V8. cab, tilt bed and a mid-mo

A space in the KLK members’ cars lineup was occupied by Terry Tibbs’ Devils Lake Highway Patrol liveried ’51 Chevy.

Okay, it’s not a rod or custom but this ’76 Sunbeam Rapier pillarless coupe is one coollooking car.

is capable Wobbly Bob’s chopped Bedford CF ks to its midof running 8-second quarters than V8. mounted blown big block Mopar

What’s not to like about this ’62 Corvair 95 van? Roomy, practical and you wouldn’t be afraid to park it anywhere. Pete Rowland’s latest acquisition, a ’53 F100 pick-up. It’s always good to see a Ford in a Ford. Loving the paint colour too.

The NSRA Pick trophy went the way of Len Mariner for his Zetec-powered Ford Pop, as did the Wisbech Engineering award.

Top Ten winning Another Bedford CF, this one the as. Judging by Thom Amy and h Smit r van of Pete be powered by well may it grille the badge on the a small block Ford.

One of the rarest cars at the show was the ’36 Auburn Cord 810 owned by Alan Hansell, with the car being a well-deserved Top Ten winner.

Each year host club members vote for the KLK member vehicle of their choice and this time round the award went to Andy Bliss for his gorgeous ‘63 Ford Galaxie.

38 CUSTOM CAR NOVEMBER 2023

3pp KLK Extravaganza_Event Report_3pgs.indd 38

18/09/2023 16:00

34012

ENGINEERS HEAVY

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

BEST

Shown ﬁtted with optional 3 drawer unit ONLY £188.39 INC VAT * WAS £370.80 inc.VAT # WAS £406.80 inc.VAT Dims. Model LxWxH (mm) CWB1500D 1500x650x985 CWB2001P* 2000x650x865 CWB2000D# 2000x650x978

PRICE CUT

DOUBLE.00 exc.VAT 329

SELLER

SUPERSTORES NATIONWIDE

289

5 DRAWER WORKBENCH £394.80 inc.VAT DOUBLE

WAS £406.80 inc.VAT

EXTRA LONG 1700mm WORK TOP

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

Britain’s Tools & Machinery Specialist

inc.VAT £347.98 £358.80 £394.80

CWB1700P

MODULAR GARAGE STORAGE SYSTEMS SAVE UP TO

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

£286

1198

10 PACKAGES IN THE RANGE

A choice of stainless steel or wooden worktops

Corner units in stock

Customer Pictures

compared to individual prices

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

NEW

1 PRICE CUT DOUBLE.99

HEAVY DUTY & PROFESSIONAL

154exc.VAT

£185.99 inc.VAT DOUBLE

WAS £191.98 inc.VAT

CHESTS/ CABINETS

THE ULTIMATE IN TOOL STORAGE!

FULL DETAILS SEE IN-STORE OR VISIT WEBSITE

SEE WEBSITE FOR PACKAGE DEALS WITH TOOLS

32 PIECE SET

PRICE CUT

DOUBLE.00 exc.VAT 279

Rubber grip side handles

SAVE UP TO

£334.80 inc.VAT DOUBLE

WAS £346.80 inc.VAT

NB Overall length includes handles

TOOL SETS

HUGE CHOICE OF HAND TOOLS

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

109

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

£12

NEW

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

CHT859 300 PIECE AF/METRIC HOME GARAGE REPAIR KIT

CHT634 MECHANICS TOOL CHEST AND TOOLS PACKAGE

EXTRA LARGE BOTTOM

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

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

MM1 Custom Car 275x200 pg1.indd 1 Custom Car_2023_11_November_Machine Mart_3PS.indd 1

FROM ONLY

EXC.VAT 42 DOUBLE FOOTER £51.59 inc.VAT

£ DOUBLE .99

WAS £322.80 inc.VAT

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

Strong

mm 350 12ﬁbreboard

PER SHELF

shelves

169

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

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

150 9mm ﬁbreboard KG

279

£310.80 inc.VAT

WORKBENCH WITH PEGBOARD

BOLTLESS SHELVING / BENCHES CHOICE OF 5 COLOURS

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

PRICE CUT

DOUBLE.00 exc.VAT 259

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

Strong

189

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

FULL EXTENSION ROLLER RUNNERS FOR SMOOTH OPENING ACTION

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

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

30KG

MAX DRAWER LOAD

inc.VAT

PRO394 PROFESSIONAL 90 PIECE TOOL KIT WITH CANTILEVER TOOLBOX

649

DOUBLEEXC.VAT 259.00 FOOTER £203.98 inc.VAT

DRAWERS WAS NOW PRICE CUT £DOUBLE.99 inc.VAT inc.VAT 56exc.VAT £107.98 £104.39 WAS £68.39 inc.VAT DOUBLE £191.98 £179.98 PRO378 WAS £71.98 inc.VAT Model Desc. LxWxH (mm) exc.VAT inc.VAT £191.98 £185.99 PROFESSIONAL CLB600 6 Dr chest 660x305x365 £135.99 £209.99 £203.98 1 CLB900C 9 Dr chest 685x305x474 £169.98 £322.80 £310.80 1/2" DRIVE CLB1005 5 Dr cabinet 685x465x795 £239.00 £346.80 £334.80 SOCKET SET 2 CLB1007C 7 Dr cabinet 740x465x955 £259.00 £322.80

PRO396 222 PIECE TOOL SET WITH 7 DRAWER TOOL CABINET

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

169

£ FROM ONLY .98

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

• Extra heavy gauge double wall steel construction

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

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

shelves

CWB-R1B

Available in Red or Galvanised Finish

13/09/2023 12:26 13:14 14/09/2023

34066LH

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

119

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

SUPERSTORES NATIONWIDE

Britain’s Tools & Machinery Specialist 26

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

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

WORKSHOP AIR TOOLS

JUMP STARTS

FROM ONLY

EXTRA LONG 1m LEADS

PGF14

ANGLE GRINDERS

STARTS VEHICLES UP TO 6L

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

FROM ONLY HEADER

exc.VAT 269 £322.80 inc.VAT

.00

charge regulator Overload protection on charging cycle

CAR RAMPS

AXLE STANDS

DOUBLE £334.80 FOOTER inc.VAT

Model BC125 BC190 BC210C FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE .98 WBC180 exc.VAT 39inc.VAT Model Capacity exc.VAT inc.VAT £47.98 WBC240 DOUBLE PER CR2 2000kg £39.98 £47.98 PER PAIR WBC400 CRW25 2500kg £47.99 £57.59 BC520P

FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE .99 exc.VAT DOUBLE FOOTER £21.59 inc.VAT

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

WHEEL DOLLY (PAIR)

DIAGNOSTICS Max Min/Max Tons Height exc.VAT 2 235-360mm £17.99 3 325-490mm £31.99 3 300-430mm £29.98 6 400-615mm £48.99 3 295-395mm £59.98

AWD1

PRICE CUT NOW ONLY £ .98

*Aluminium

79exc.VAT

inc.VAT £21.59 £38.39 £35.98 £58.79 £71.98

£95.98.19 inc.VAT DOUBLE

WAS £103.19 inc.VAT

LOAD RATING: 500KG PER £FROM ONLY .99 DOLLY exc.VAT DOUBLE

£76.79 inc.VAT PER PAIR

GARAGES/WORKSHOPS PRICE CUT £ DOUBLE.00

249exc.VAT

£298.80 inc.VAT DOUBLE

WAS £310.80 inc.VAT

TAP & DIE SETS FROM ONLY

£ DOUBLE .99

exc.VAT DOUBLE FOOTER £29.99 inc.VAT

High quality tungsten steel Supplied in metal storage case (except 16pce)

ALSO MECHANICS SEAT ONLY £45.59

Model Tiger1800B Tiger2600B Tiger3000B PLS195B PLS220 PLS265B PLS360

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

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

FROM ONLY HEADER

.99 exc.VAT 112 10 TONNE £135.59 inc.VAT

BODY REPAIR KIT

IBC20

FAST SNAP CONNECTOR

BC210C

• Lift cars safely and quickly • Tough angled steel construction

Ratchet action for quick height adjustment Sold in pairs

WAS £112.79 inc.VAT

FROM ONLY

DOUBLE.00 exc.VAT 279

exc.VAT 37 DOUBLE FOOTER £45.59 inc.VAT

Model Description exc.VAT inc.VAT inc.VAT CMC36 Car creeper £37.99 £45.59 £35.98 CMC45 With adjustable headrest £54.99 £65.99 £44.39 CMC60 Car creeper reclining £59.98 £83.98 seat & mechanics seat £49.98

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

CAN DRAW OWN WATER

£ DOUBLE .99

• Oil resistant vinyl covered padded backs & headrests • Swivel castors for easy manoeuvrability

HEAVY BATTERY CHARGERS DUTY /ENGINE STARTERS PRICE CUT LONG Ammeter NOW FROM REACH Multi£ .98 89exc.VAT JACKS position £107.98 inc.VAT DOUBLE

CTJ2GLS £

Honda & Diesel engine models in stock

FROM ONLY

CAR CREEPERS

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

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

.00 exc.VAT 589 £706.80 inc.VAT

Model CAX2TFB CAX3TPB CAX-3TBC CAX-6TBC CAX3TAB*

compressor Long life battery Starting Peak Model Boost Amps exc.VAT inc.VAT 910 400 900 £96.99 £116.39 JS1100C 500 1100 £96.99 £116.39 700 1500 £164.99 £197.99 BEST 4000 1000 2000 £179.98 £215.98 SELLER JS12/24

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

FROM ONLY HEADER

HEAVY DUTY PETROL POWER WASHERS PLS265B

Provides essential home, garage

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

BEST SELLER

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

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

£ DOUBLE .99

CAT131

INDUSTRIAL AIR XEV16/100 COMPRESSORS

Top quality belt driven air compressors for industrial & commercial users inc; garages, factories, workshops and farms. 10 bar/150psi max working pressure

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

CDP102B

DRILL PRESSES

603x370x150mm

SWIVEL, NON MARKING CASTORS

Max. exc. WAS Model Volts Charge VAT inc.VAT inc.VAT IBC7 12/24V 7A £39.98 £47.98 IBC15 12V 15A £49.98 £59.98 IBC20 12/24V 20A £66.99 £83.98 £80.39 IBC25 12/24V 25A £84.99 £107.98 £101.99 IBC40 12/24V 40A £104.99 £131.98 £125.99 FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE .99 exc.VAT DOUBLE FOOTER £44.39 inc.VAT

MICRO JUMP STARTS

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

Model JSM180 JSM200 ◆ JSM300 JSM400

2100 psi

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

12V TYRE INFLATORS

£FROM ONLY .98 exc.VAT DOUBLE DOUBLE FOOTER £59.98 inc.VAT

12V

CORDLESS PADDED SEAT

145 Bar

SANDBLASTERS

CTC150LI

INTELLIGENT BATTERY CHARGER/ MAINTAINERS

MECHANICS UTILITY SEAT exc.VAT £36.99 £49.98 £69.98 £99.98

inc.VAT £44.39 £59.98 £83.98 £119.98

BALL BEARING DRAWERS

PRICE CUT £DOUBLE.98

79exc.VAT

SWIVEL CASTORS

£95.98 inc.VAT DOUBLE

WAS £101.99 inc.VAT

CMUS3

HOT WASHERS PARTS WASHERS £ FROM ONLY .00 599 DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £718.80 FOOTER inc.VAT FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE .98 exc.VAT 59 DOUBLE FOOTER £71.98 inc.VAT

PRICE CUT NOW FROM

exc.VAT 169.00

£202.80 inc.VAT

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

SANDBLASTING GUN, * WAS £74.39 inc.VAT AMAZING DELIVERY HOSE, 4 Type exc.VAT inc.VAT LOW PRICE! CERAMIC NOZZLES CHT203 16pce Metric £24.99 £29.99 AND SAFETY HOOD CHT302 24pce UNC/UNF/NPT £23.99 £28.79 CHT303 28pce Metric £29.98 £35.98 Tank Flow Rate INC. CONTAINER FOR DETERGENT CHT304 33pce Metric/UNF/BSP £37.99 £45.59 Model Volume Req. exc.VAT inc.VAT CHT527 32pce Metric £57.99 £69.59 CPSB100B* 32 litre 6-25 cfm £169.00 £202.80 Model BAR Press. VOLT exc.VAT inc.VAT CHT775 52pce Metric/UNF/BSP* £59.98 £71.98 CPSB200B# 63 litre 6-25 cfm £209.00 £250.80 Harry 2 145 2100psi 230 £599.00 £718.80 CHT776 76pce Metric £79.98 £95.98 * WAS £214.80 inc.VAT # WAS £274.80 inc.VAT KING 200 150 2175psi 230 £1198.00 £1437.60

ALUMINIUM RACING JACKS

PRO SANDER/ POLISHERS

WAS £214.80 inc.VAT

INCLUDES

150mm PAD DIA.

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

CFC100

£FROM ONLY .98

exc.VAT DOUBLE DOUBLE FOOTER £83.98 inc.VAT

CP150

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

CTJ1250AB

FROM ONLY

.98 DOUBLE exc.VAT .VAT 109

DOUBLE £131.98 FOOTER inc.VAT

219

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

MM2 Custom Car 275x200 pg2.indd 1 Custom Car_2023_11_November_Machine Mart_3PS.indd 2

CTJ2250LP

1 TONNE FOLDING WORKSHOP CRANE

£89.99 inc.VAT DOUBLE

WAS £95.98 inc.VAT

Fully tested to proof load

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

exc.VAT £59.98 £149.98 £189.00 £229.98

inc.VAT £71.98 £179.98 £226.80 £275.98

18V ½" IMPACT WRENCHES 3 forward and reverse gears

PRICE CUT £ DOUBLE.98

109exc.VAT

£131.98 inc.VAT DOUBLE

WAS £119.98 inc.VAT

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

74exc.VAT

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

exc.VAT DOUBLE FOOTER £53.99 inc.VAT

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

PRICE CUT £DOUBLE.99 £

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

CW1D

JACKS ALSO IN STOCK UP TO 5 TONNE

BEST SELLER

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

BRUSHLESS 450NM

2 2AH X

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

13/09/2023 12:26 13:15 14/09/2023

34066RH

PAY Monthly

EASY TO USE WEBSITE

NOW OVER

Spread the cost over 12, 24, 36, 48 or 60 months Any mix of products over £300 5 MIN 17.9% APR APPLICATION! HYDRAULIC FROM ONLY PRESSES £ DOUBLE.98

21,000

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

section on:

0844 880 1265

BRITAIN’S NO. 1 FOR WELDING

1 TONNE

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

CSA4B

• IN-STORE • ONLINE • PHONE

machinemart.co.uk

STRUT

PAGE

CATALOGUE OUT NOW!

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

492

FREE

MIG GAS/NO GAS WELDERS

COMPRESSOR

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

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

135TE

Professional

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

up & use

See www.machinemart.co.uk

BEST

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

BEST

SELLER

189

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

ENGINE STANDS FROM ONLY

exc.VAT 72 DOUBLE FOOTER £87.59 inc.VAT

£ DOUBLE .99

Rotates through 360˚

MIG145

Fully tested to proof load

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

239

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

SOCKET SETS Top quality chrome PRO360 vanadium steel. 18 Sockets 8-32mm Reversible ratchet Comfort grip handle ONLY £ DOUBLE .98 exc.VAT DOUBLE FOOTER £35.98 inc.VAT

LIFETIME GUARANTEE

inc.VAT £87.59 £99.59 £125.99 £167.98

130AMPS

PETROL GENERATORS

1/2" TORQUE WRENCH - CHT141

219 DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £263.98 FOOTER inc.VAT

£ FROM ONLY .98

CHT141

CHECK FRAME TYPE WHEN ORDERING

Honda engine models available

WAS Model KVA HP exc.VAT inc.VAT inc.VAT PG2500A 2.2 5.6 £219.00 £270.00 £262.80 PG3800A 3 5.6 £269.00 £346.80 £322.80 PG3800ADV 3 5.6 £299.00 £370.80 £358.80 PG6500ADVES 5.5 9.7 £539.00 £646.80 CEW520

CORDED IMPACT WRENCHES

Inc 17, 19, Ideal for FROM ONLY 21, 22mm £ DOUBLE .99 Sockets garage EXC.VAT 56 DOUBLE mechanics £68.39 & Case FOOTER inc.VAT Model Power Torque exc.VAT inc.VAT CEW520 1/2" 520W 320Nm £56.99 £68.39 CEW1000 1/2" 1000W 450Nm £72.99 £87.59

139

£ FROM ONLY .98

DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £167.98 FOOTER inc.VAT

MMA200A

BENCH BUFFERS/ POLISHERS

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

For a brilliant shine *WAS £209.99 inc.VAT Model Dia. exc.VAT inc.VAT PRICE CUT CBB150 150mm £79.98 £95.98 NOW FROM £ .98 CBB200 200mm £94.99 £113.99 79exc.VAT CHDB500 150mm £126.99 £152.39 £95.98 inc.VAT DOUBLE CBB250* 250mm £169.95 £203.94 WAS £99.59 inc.VAT PG3800A

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

• Compact & lightweight • Efﬁcient inverter technology • Variable output

ONLY

exc.VAT 29 DOUBLE FOOTER £35.98 inc.VAT

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

MMA & ARC/TIG INVERTER WELDERS

AT165

5" Extension bar 1/2" 3/8" adaptor 28-210 Nm £ DOUBLE .98

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

135TE

HUGE RANGE OF RATCHETS, SPANNERS AND SOCKET SETS

CES680F

*Folds for storage

35/135 AMPS

SSC1000G

ELECTRIC PRESSURE WASHERS Makes easy work for washing vehicles, patios, stonework, etc. JET7500, JET8500 & JET9500B include hose reel 180 Bar PRICE CUT FROM ONLY £ .98

2610 PSI

59exc.VAT

ACCESSORIES GWH7 AUTO DARKENING WELDING HEADSHIELDS

7 MODELS IN THE RANGE

HUGE RANGE

LEATHER GAUNTLETS

GAS

SELLER

FROM ONLY

96 exc.VAT

£ DOUBLE .99

DOUBLE £116.39 FOOTER inc.VAT

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

WIRE 0.6, 0.8 & 0.9mm SIZES IN STOCK

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

BEST

£71.98 inc.VAT DOUBLE

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

ARC WELDER For home user, automotive and industrial applications.

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

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

WAS £77.99 inc.VAT JET8500

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

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

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

115N Turbo fan cooled

30-110 Amps

5 EASY WAYS TO BUY... SUPERSTORES

SUPERSTORES NATIONWIDE ONLINE www.machinemart.co.uk TELESALES

0115 956 5555 CLICK & COLLECT OVER 10,500 LOCATIONS

CALL & COLLECT AT STORES TODAY

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

MM3 Custom Car 275x200 pg3.indd 1 Custom Car_2023_11_November_Machine Mart_3PS.indd 3

13/09/2023 12:26 13:16 14/09/2023

Chris Carr, his van and the chain of diners he owns all date from the same year Words: Graham Scott Pics: Alice Fairhead

42 CUSTOM CAR NOVEMBER 2023

Chris Carr.indd 42

18/09/2023 16:18

emember 1976? Oh, you don’t. Well, to be fair, nor does Chris Carr, since that was the year he was born. It was also the year the first Zaks American diner opened in Norfolk. And it was the year this Chevy van rolled off a production line in the USA. The fates of all three have been intertwined ever since. But actually there’s another date that is perhaps more important. In 1942 the county of Norfolk became known as ‘Little America’, due to the influx of 50,000 American servicemen, many of them in the USAAF Eighth Air Force. They brought with them things wartime Brits had either never seen or had forgotten about: peanut butter, donuts, racial segregation, jitterbug, Coca-Cola, nylons, STDs and chewing gum among them. Spread over 17 air bases in just Norfolk alone, this was a cultural invasion, albeit a fairly friendly one. By the end of the war they left behind some of that culture, although they also carried some back with them – it took two cruise ships to transport the 40,000 women who chose to leave for the USA! By 1976 some of the Yankee culture had become entrenched in Norfolk culture, everything from burgers to cars. A year after the Americans had finished yet another war, this time in Vietnam, Americana was here to stay in East Anglia. Of course it’s entirely possible this was two-way and there are small communities in Ohio or Iowa where they still have a fondness for crabs and warm beer and where the term ‘Broads’ does not refer to women. But back in Norfolk we find local musician Harvey Platt – a man who had ‘experience of the American war machine in South East Asia’ – opening the ‘Original Zaks Caravan’, serving chargrilled burgers to his own recipe and cooked to order. Fast-forward the better part of half a century and the burgers at Zaks restaurants are still made by the same local company to the exact same recipe.

But also back in Norfolk in 1976 there was a screaming baby we’re going to take a momentary and passing interest in. Mostly because we can then fast-forward the better part of half a century and talk to the coowner of the Zaks restaurants, Chris Carr. Over 40 years of time helped Zaks move from a caravan in a field to several American diners. It changed hands, private, then corporation, then in 2020 Chris and his business partner bought the business, helped by Chris having worked at the restaurants for years in his past. Chris and partner have made the restaurants a success and they’ve made them perhaps a bit more in their own image. And that means Yankee wheels. There are several, including a modern Ford Ranger decked out to look like a Sherriff’s pick-up, a ’78 GMC Sierra and a Chevy Step Van. And Irene.

Good Day Irene

We’d been chatting about this 1976 Chevy G20 van for only a few moments before Chris fidgeted and said: ‘The van is called Irene by the way.’ Clearly, saying ‘the van’ or ‘it’ was no longer acceptable. From then on it was Irene all the way. But he’s not looking over my shoulder right now, so ‘it’ came off the line, as mentioned, in 1976 but it never made it to a dealership. This is the third-gen model, in which the engine moved from the rear to the front for the first time. This major redesign allowed more room inside – which, given this was the time of the US space programme, inevitably led to the marketing team calling it ‘The Space Vehicle’. Starting in 1971, this was in production for a quarter of a century, with GMC and Chevrolet mixing and matching parts along the way. One outcome is that spares are still relatively easy to find, even over in the UK, and are readily available from the US. That’s for the regular parts but, like we said, this one didn’t go to a dealership.

NOVEMBER 2023 CUSTOM CAR 43

Chris Carr.indd 43

18/09/2023 16:18

The paintwork dates from 1976 and shows plenty of patina – which has been lovingly sealed in beneath several layers of clear lacquer to keep it from developing beyond patinated and into tatty

Instead it went to the specialist coachbuilders Recreational Vans Incorporated. RVI, operating out of Torrance in California, breathed their magic on the stock vehicle, including the paintjob that you still see here.

thing I love about custom vans is that there’s no etiquette. There’s nobody saying you have to do this or can’t do that. Irene has been added to over the years, and we’ve done what we want.’

‘I’ve had offers to sell her but she is the one. I’m committed to Irene until the day I die’ Our screen goes fuzzy and when the image clears it’s 2016 and the van is in the UK, owned by a famous car builder. Then he sold it. Then he tried to buy it back but no dice, it was now the property of Chris Carr.

No etiquette

He wasn’t happy. But Chris Carr is pleased, very pleased indeed. ‘You know,’ he says, ‘the

Externally that means much is original. There’s also the original 5.7-litre V8 under the bonnet, still churning out the power and torque as it always has done. Perhaps these days everyone is slightly more aware of that V8 thanks to the Thrush side pipes. Chris recommended we didn’t go for a drive if I was trying to interview him as I wouldn’t be able to hear much apart from the exhaust.

The engine runs through the three on the tree Powerglide auto box, allowing Irene to cruise at her (oh it’s happened) sweet spot of 60mph. At that point she’s sucking juice at about 15mpg but obviously more liberal use of the right foot drops that to single figures. However Chris is happy with the balance since with tax exemption and low classic car insurance he reckons running costs are pretty good value. So the exterior, powertrain, all the mechanicals, they’re standard, well maintained, and so far that’s pretty normal. Then you look inside. Which obviously you already have done in the photos, so I’ll try and catch you up. The interior. It’s not quite as Chevy or RVI envisioned. It’s about as similar to stock as a McDonald’s is to a Zaks Freakin’ Frickle Burger. Take a seat in the rotating captain’s chair at the front and feast your eyes. Humans have cones in the back of their eyeballs that can detect long wavelengths,

We were going to say ‘you don’t need to like the colour red to admire the interior Chris has created,’ or something dopey like that. But mainly you just need to like red

44 CUSTOM CAR NOVEMBER 2023

Chris Carr.indd 44

18/09/2023 16:18

Policy benefits can include:

M Agreed valuations M Breakdown cover M Limited mileage discounts M Club member discounts M Laid-up cover for projects M Track and rally day cover

Policy benefits can include M Agreed valuations M Club member discounts M Limited mileage discounts

M Laid-up cover M Breakdown cover M Track & rally day cover

Celebr ating 74 years

Call our UK team on

adrianflux.co.uk

0344 728 0348 adrianflux.co.uk

Authorised & regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority Trustpilot rating checked on 17th May 2023

Custom Car_2023_07_July_Adrian Flux_HP.indd 1

Authorised & regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

New!

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

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

Electric Wiper Motors #EWFORD47

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

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

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

NOVEMBER 2023 CUSTOM CAR 45 Custom Car_2022_12_Winter_North Hants Tyres_HP.indd 1

Custom Car_2023_11_Nov_Composite Page_FP.indd 45

08/11/2022 14:00

18/09/2023 10:29

Car_2022_11_Nov_Graham Ltd_HP.indd 1 46Custom CUSTOM CAR NOVEMBERSykes 2023

Custom Car_2023_11_Nov_Composite Page_FP.indd 46

05/09/2022 14:59

18/09/2023 10:30

but most animals can’t. And long wavelengths mean we can see the colour red. Which is handy in this particular case. If this was a magazine read mostly by dolphins the interior would look grey and I’d have to spend a thousand words trying to describe the colour red to them. I’ve checked the database, and there are no dolphin subscribers although some on that list do appear to be from other parts of the ape family. But that’s not a problem because they can see red too. Anywhere, where were we? So, very red, mostly in corduroy and velvet, covering pretty much everything that isn’t covered in polished veneer panels. This is Chris’s work and his vision. I diﬃdently point out that in certain lights it’s a bit New Orleans cat house but I get away with this possible slight against Irene. Chris bristles – and he has a lot to bristle with in the facial hair department – and defends Irene. ‘Well, there’s no shag pile!’

Limp Bizkit

But there are stickers, a lot of them. Some are original and some are a mash-up of things that Chris likes, everything from Limp Bizkit to, somewhat inevitably, Vans. And on the rear spare wheel cover there is equally in-

evitably a depiction of Irene herself. Maybe there’s an echo there of the sort of art that B-17 Flying Fortress crews who ﬂew out of here would have painted on the nose of their bomber. We know the heartbreaking stories of how those young bomber crews always named their planes after women and how they came to love and trust and obsess over their aircraft as the bombers took them deep into enemy territory. Chris may not be going for an aerial view of Essen every night but there’s no question that Irene takes him places and there’s a real bond there. Apart from anything else, she’s virtually a daily driver. She goes to work, she goes to shows, she tows a trailer and is a working vehicle not a show vehicle. Well you probably guessed that last part since there’s no way Irene looks like she’s ready for the catwalk.

It’s lived and you can see it’s lived. Like a woman ageing who accepts who she is and doesn’t go for Botox or lifts. And that confidence is attractive. And that’s before Chris goes on again about what a great vehicle Irene is. After a while I began to get a feeling that something was a bit strange, a bit off. As we chatted I thought about the feeling and finally I blurted out the accusation: ‘You’re happy aren’t you?’ Dear reader, sorry to spring that on you, I know how difficult it is to deal with. But Chris just laughed. ‘We love everything American. We’ve got the big skies and the long country roads, and it rains less here than virtually anywhere in the UK. And I love my job, I love what I do, and it’s fun. And Irene is really reliable, really easy to work on. ‘I’ve owned quite a few really nice cars but Irene I’m really attached to. I’ve had offers to sell her but she is the one. The one I’m most

(Oh gods, I’m getting that anthropomorphic disease now.) But Chris is careful. Underneath she’s covered in more protective oil and wax than a Brazilian supermodel (and you know how slippery they can be). And, while the paintwork is original and largely untouched, it’s all covered in protective seals. The idea is that this is a vehicle that shows it has lived, it’s not for sticking in an air-conditioned, humidity-controlled suite only to be brought out on special occasions. This goes to shows and helps shift burgers.

emotionally attached to. I’m committed to Irene until the day I die.’ As you might say when you look at a Zaks burger and what you can put on it: top that.

NOVEMBER 2023 CUSTOM CAR 45

Chris Carr.indd 47

18/09/2023 16:19

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

Dragstalgia A glorious sunny Friday saw a full day of RWYB action, followed by the first qualifying session of the weekend – ending with a new world record for a steam-powered vehicle when Graham Sykes clocked 6.718 / 161 on the Force of Nature drag bike. This was clearly going to be a fantastic weekend. Everyone knew rain was coming on Saturday morning, though it proved more persistent than we hoped and some dramatic thunder storms kept spectators in their tents, or sampling the merchandise

in the beer festival, and cars off the track most of the day. Huge applause to the track crew who tried again and again to dry the track, only to be thwarted by another shower until eventually, at 5pm, things cleared up and the Cannonball rolled into stage, racing then going on later than advertised in order to get through more qualifying. The delay put proceedings back and meant many missed the cacklefest as it took place in the pits while the racing was still going on track but hey, at least we heard it.

Come Sunday, the weather was improving again and racing kicked off on time at 9.30 with a massive 64-car ladder in Nostalgia Super Stock, and continued pretty much uninterrupted through to the finals around 6pm. We’ve concentrated on the fourwheeled racing here, but throw in all the additional facets of the event such as the nostalgia race and show car displays, vintage drag bikes, the CC invitational on track, NSRA-organised show ’n’ shine, live music, traders and exhibitions in the Vintage Hub, a beauty parlour, Wall of

Other attractions

Here’s just a few of the other things that caught our eye over the weekend Standard Pic: Mike Pye

We’ve been waiting about 10 years, maybe more, to see this wonderful Dave Rothwell creation and, thanks to Chris Hay, it’s ﬁnally ﬁnished. Car is a 1934 Standard Flying 9 with 18 and 20-inch Dayton wires and a Maserati (well, Ferrari really) quad-cam V8 out of a 2000’s Quattroporte.

Pic: Mike Pye

Chinese Bandit

Recently imported by Mark Fox and Arron Haywood, Chinese Bandit is a Flatheadpowered ’37 Topolino race car built in 1959 and raced on the east coast of America by Don Salvagio. It’s a periodperfect piece of drag heritage.

Donovan

Pic: Mike Pye

The motor in the True Blood tribute slingshot is not only the original Donovan 417 block that Dennis Priddle set a new world record with in Mr. Revell in 1975, but it wears the Ed Pink mag’ blower off Raymond Beadle’s Blue Max ﬂopper that came here in 1978. This is the ultimate UK nitro cackle car.

50 CUSTOM CAR NOVEMBER 2023

Dragstalgia_Race Report_8pgs.indd 50

18/09/2023 10:28

Spirit of ’76 We were particularly chuffed to hear the names of Alan Martin, Steve Tristram and Martyn Payne being called round to the start line on Sunday afternoon to receive the Spirit of ’76 award from British drag racing legend, Pete Crane, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the sport of drag racing.

These three (plus Mark Fullard) were the driving force behind both the Hot Rod Drags and the Nostalgia Nationals at Avon Park, which started in 1989 and 1993 respectively. Obviously, things have changed a lot in the interim but, without these fine gentlemen, neither of those nostalgia events would exist in the form they do today. Cheers guys.

■ Words: Mike Pye ■ Pics: Julian Hunt

Death, the aforementioned beer festival, jet car demonstrations and more and it’s easy to see why this is one of the most popular drag racing events of the year. We’re still not convinced it needs to try and be a ‘lifestyle event’ as, once again, we witnessed bands playing to an empty field while the stands and banking were packed with spectators watching the racing. That tells us plain and clear what people go to Dragstalgia for. Either way, it remains one of our absolute favourite weekends of the year, and we wouldn’t miss it for the world.

AA FA

Below: First of the new, upcoming Old School Classic Altered Racer cars to be ﬁnished is Bryan Whitﬁeld’s American Austinbodied entry, High Spirits. Beautifully detailed car has now set the standard for the class. Not that we ever had any doubts about that with the names involved.

Pic: Mike Pye

Commuter

Pic: Julian Hunt

Above: Built in 1966, Commuter was the UK’s first AA/Fuel dragster and, to this day, still holds the British Land Speed Record for a wheel-driven vehicle, having posted a two-way average of 207.4mph over a flying kilometre at Elvington airfield in 1970 with Tony Densham at the wheel.

David Vincec

We haven’t seen this Pro Street Nash Metropolitan since we featured it in our May 2020 issue, and here it was running in the CC Invitational, now in the hands of David Vincec. 13.785 / 78 on this pass.

NOVEMBER 2023 CUSTOM CAR 51

Dragstalgia_Race Report_8pgs.indd 51

18/09/2023 10:28

NSRA show ’n’ shine winners Pics courtesy of the NSRA

Clifford Evens

BEST OF

SHOW

’56 Chevy Bel Air Steve Norton

’55 Chevy Truck

Ben Barnett

Len Marriner

’28 Model A Sedan

Dragstalgia Cannonball Despite losing a few competitors to engine damage early doors, the much-anticipated Dragstalgia Cannonball started strong, with 18 entries and flashes of brilliance from some of the teams. A new PB 6.301 / 206 for Paul Harris in the Mr Six tribute Monza in session one, side-byside sixes by Apache (number one qualifier on 6.238 / 211) and Time Traveller II, as well

’Ford Popular

as Venom and Nitro Bug. Great to see Havoc back out to play too, Nick Davies having to fight the Bantam’s errant urges on every run, and Rob Elsom’s Dirty Deeds Camaro flopper, now with John Hale at the controls. Steve Johnson might be trying to sell the Motor Mouse slingshot, but that didn’t stop him leaning on it hard, 6.925 / 197 on Friday, while with the West Country Shaker Avenger body on, Robbie Grabham had the Andy Raw vs Wayne

Allman

Chris Wade

’69 Pontiac GTO

Nick Davies

52 CUSTOM CAR NOVEMBER 2023

Dragstalgia_Race Report_8pgs.indd 52

18/09/2023 10:28

Adam Clayton

Adam Gleadow

Robbie Grabham

crowd on its feet with a dramatic, bouncing 7.422 / 189 pass. Less fortunate were Paul Stephen, who brought the Double Trouble Bantam over from Australia only to be sidelined early on Friday with engine damage. Likewise, Robin Read in the old Daimler-powered rail. Switzerland’s Christian Zulauf, meanwhile, clocked a fine 6.842 / 202 PB in testing, but then went for a roll in the field Christian Zulauf

when the parachutes didn’t open so his elation was short lived. Come lunchtime Sunday, the ’ballers pulled round for a final round of qualifying and Tim Garlick was out to show what he can do in Apache. A blistering 6.057 / 228 was the result, alongside old hand, Steve Johnson, in Motor Mouse (7.021 / 198). Adam Clayton then had the ride of his life in the Firecracker Topolino when a Paul Harris

fuel leak got under the tyres and sent him across track on two wheels, less at times, which rather took our attention away from Joe Bond’s fine 6.412 / 222 in the other lane. Bob Hawkins, Nick Davies, Adam Gleadow (now with a highback T body on Motor Psycho) and Wayne Allman all put in solid performances, but the pairing of Paul Harris and Tony Betts produced one of the Tony Betts

NOVEMBER 2023 CUSTOM CAR 53

Dragstalgia_Race Report_8pgs.indd 53

18/09/2023 10:28

best races of the weekend, 6.377 / 205 vs 6.302 / 220. The standings at the end of the session were Garlick, Davies and Betts, 1, 2, 3, with less than three tenths between them on aggregate ETs over two runs. In session three, Alman put in a flyer, 7.149 at 198mph, Hale was shut off on the line and Ricky Gowen was still in test mode in The Cannonball. Again, it was Betts and Harris that had the crowd on its feet. The latter’s 6.336 / 208 was solid, but Venom put in its fastest ever pass, 5.964 / 237, bagging a new European and Nostalgia Funny Car ET record, as well as lowest ET of the meet, in the process. Yep, the team were pretty pleased with that. It’s not over ’til it’s over though, and those that stayed to see the final pairing of Apache and Havoc weren’t left wanting. Apache ran through straight as an arrow, 6.083 / 226, while Havoc took Davies on a hair-raising trip across both lanes, crossing the stripe in Apache’s wake. And the crowd went wild.

Ricky Gowen

Steve Johnson

Paul Stephen

Tim Garlick

Gasser Circus To show how close this class races, Ray Irish was number one after qualifying one, but was then down in 13th place by the end of session two, with Jason Hollamby in the number one spot (10.762 / 117 on a 10.75 dial), followed by Chris Layram and Laurent Levi, who travelled up from France to run his tough Mercury Comet in the Circus. Round one of eliminations was marked by a bunch of red lights and break outs, cutting the 22-car field in half, losing points leader going into the weekend, Jason Pickett, in the process. Racin’ Ray Turner was on a charge, two holeshot wins in two sessions keeping him in contention, while Jason Hollamby went through on a bye and Chris Layram, Steve Matthews, Patrick Hobbs and Sean Milsom all progressed to round three. Then it was all change, Hollamby took out Turner (10.837 / 119 on a 10.74 vs 11.098 / 118 on a 10.95), while this round it was Milsom and Matthews’ turn to pop their cherries on the tree. That just left Hobbs, Hollamby and Layram to duke it out for a place in the final.

Of the three, it was Hobbs that didn’t emerge the other side of the semis, thanks to Hollamby, while Layram took it easy on a bye. Then, in the final, Hollamby was too eager off the line, handing the round win to Chris Layram in the Outta Gas Anglia (11.106 / 88 on a 10.24 vs 11.104 / 116 DQ on a 10.75). Harvey Turner

Jason Hollamby

Chris Layram

on Prest

Laurent Levi vs Sim

Patrick Hobbs

54 CUSTOM CAR NOVEMBER 2023

Dragstalgia_Race Report_8pgs.indd 54

18/09/2023 10:28

LS3 powered ®

Driven’s range of street performance oils includes the Driven LS30. A fully synthetic SAE5W-30 engine oil that is perfect in LS2, LS3 and LS7 engines. High in ZDDP and with a medium detergent level this oil runs cooler, protects better and keeps its viscosity throughout its service life. Driven’s street performance range is available in SAE5W-20, SAE5W-30, SAE5W-40, SAE5W-50 and SAE15W-50 viscosities. Anglo American Oil Company +44 (0) 1929 551557 www.drivenracingoil.co.uk

Custom Car_2023_11_Nov_Anglo American Oil_QP.indd 1

Custom Car_2023_11_November_RTTS Events Ltd_HP.indd 1

Custom Car_2023_11_Nov_Composite Page_FP.indd 55

01/09/2023 10:26

30/08/2023 16:35 NOVEMBER 2023 CUSTOM CAR 55

18/09/2023 10:32

34143

Britain’s Tools & SUPERSTORES Machinery Specialist 65 NATIONWIDE

GARAGES/WORKSHOPS UP TO 40’ (12M) LONG

LENGTH UP TO 40' (12m) LONG ZIP CLOSE DOOR

PRICE CUT NOW FROM £ .00

249exc.VAT

BRIGHT WHITE INTERIOR

£298.80 inc.VAT DOUBLE

WAS £310.80 inc.VAT

MODEL SHOWN CIG81220

Great for use as a garage, workshop or storage area

WAS NOW Model size (LxWxH) exc.VAT inc.VAT inc.VAT CIG81212 3.6 x 3.6 x 2.5m £249.00 £310.80 £298.80 CIG81015 4.5 x 3 x 2.4m £279.00 £334.80 Triple-layer, waterproof cover Fully UV treated for CIG81216 4.9 x 3.7 x 2.5m £329.00 £394.80 £418.80 long-term protection Heavy duty, powder coated steel CIG81020 6.1 x 3 x 2.4m £349.00 CIG81220 6.1 x 3.7 x 2.5m £399.00 £478.80 tubing Ratchet tightening to ensure drum-tight cover CIG81224 7.3 x 3.7 x 2.5m £499.00 £598.80 CIG1432 9.7x4.3x3.65m £1099.00 £1318.80 Includes ground anchoring system

5 EASY WAYS TO BUY...

CALL & COLLECT CLICK & COLLECT OVER 10,500 LOCATIONS AT STORES TODAY

IN-STORE TELESALES SUPERSTORES NATIONWIDE

0115 956 5555

ONLINE machinemart.co.uk

Calls to the catalogue request number cost 7p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge. Calls may be monitored. All prices correct at time of going to press. We reserve the right to change products and prices. All products subject to availability, E&OE.

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

SPECIALIST SUPPLIERS OF U.S. MUSCLE CAR PARTS & ACCESSORIES

Contact Tim on:

07714 018359

GM, Mopar, Ford

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

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

LET US SAVE YOU MONEY! For more details call or message Chris on: Tel: 07951 121389 | Email: chris@fgoodale.co.uk www.americanspeedshop.co.uk 56 CUSTOM CAR NOVEMBER 2023 Custom Car_2023_11_Nov_Goodale_QP.indd 1 Custom Car_2023_11_Nov_Composite Page_FP.indd 56

12/09/2023 15:28 18/09/2023 10:33

Outlaw Anglia Plenty of action in qualifying one, from Phil Middleton’s high-speed reverses to Dalton Scarlett’s 7.853 / 177 PB for top spot in only his third pass in the Hooligan Fordson and Simon Barlow’s 198mph speed PB, so close to the magical 200. Sevens are still just eluding Ben Rushforth, even working the blower harder, but it’s surely just a matter of time. A PB 8.387 / 161 in qualifying one put him briefly into second place, before Mick Taylor pipped him with an 8.029 / 168. Talk of the town, however, was Australian John Willard’s storming 6.713 at 197mph for a new Outlaw Anglia ET record. Come qualifying two, all eyes were on the outrageous Mr Mopar car of John O’Sullivan, back out after 17 years, now with a screw blower and 30% more than what was already an outrageous amount of power in his Hemi-fied Pop. It’s a handful alright. No one was going to beat Willard’s time, but both Barlow and Colin Millar put in very low sevens to hold second and third positions respectively. In round one eliminations, Scarlett went quicker still, 7.427 / 185, John Webster carded a fine 7.168 / 185 to beat Andy Cunningham, Rushforth edged ever

closer to the sevens with a PB 8.153 / 163 and Colin Millar just dipped into the sevens, 7.999 / 161, against Aaron Bird. By the end of the round, the 30-car field was down to 15. Round two saw Rushforth, Millar, Middleton, Webster, Scarlett, Mick Taylor, Spencer Tidswell and Al O’Connor all progress, the latter taking it easy on a bye. Things were equally exciting in round three, Millar pumping gas to overcome Rushforth (7.306 / 182 vs 8.180 / 164), Scarlett storming through past Taylor in a fine race (7.463 / 185 vs 8.070 / 164), while Middleton took out a wayward Tidswell (8.609 / 156 vs 10.219 / 127) and O’Connor had another easy solo when Webster lost fire on the line. Lastly, Lee Taylor came out in the new pick-up for a time trial, 9.099 / 149 and looking strong. In the semis, storming Scarlett easily dispensed with O’Connor (7.525 / 161 vs 10.290 / 99) and Millar really let Middleton have it with a belting 7.064 / 196 pass to Ginner’s game 8.531 / 155, paving the way for a double seven finale. It wasn’t to be though. Millar’s off form 8.148 / 176 being no match for Scarlett’s 7.759 / 184 to take the event win.

Mick Hannah

AndyCunningham

Dalton Scarlett

Lee Taylor

Spencer Tidswell

Brian Watson

Aaron Windridge

Good Vibrations Motorsport Supercharged Outlaws Session one saw a new PB, and first seven, for Ian Merryweather in the Banzai Topolino (7.924 / 175) and another balls-out, wheels-up pass by Aaron Windridge (9.003 / 167), but the quickest runner in the class was Jim Usher (7.606 / 178), improving that to 7.376 / 182 in session three to hold the top spot. Jim Tucker is really getting to grips with the Hemi in Hellfire now, 8.877 / 157 on Friday and 8.704 / 156 in session two,

which also saw Brian Watson make a first full track pass in the beautiful O Black Betty slingshot (14.583 / 52) vs Mick Hannah in the equally pleasing Haggis Hunter (9.941 / 90). Bob Glassup was out to play in yet another red Mk1 Capri, this time running with a blown 454 in SO, improving from an 11.438 / 100 shakedown on Friday, to a 9.324 / 148 best. Aaron Windridge got our vote for most entertaining act of the weekend in the blown 350-powered Grim Reaper Altered, running consistent low eights with wheels-

up launches and laying down an almost full track burnout prior to an 8.003 / 167 pass in session two alongside Paul Dale’s PB 8.046 / 166 in the Acute Angle Anglia. Dale then improved his PB to a stonking 7.860 / 182 in session three to take the number two position. And his team went wild. Brian Watson must have been pretty happy at the end of session four, too, carding an 8.684 / 157 in his new to him rail, but the top three remained as before, Usher, Dale and Merryweather.

NOVEMBER 2023 CUSTOM CAR 57

Dragstalgia_Race Report_8pgs.indd 57

18/09/2023 10:28

l Smail

Chris Goodale vs Pau

Lite Steer Nostalgia Superstock Vic Parsons’ ’65 Belvedere has had a full rebuild and new engine at Williams Brothers Racing and proved its worth with a PB 9.969 / 135 first time out, improving to 9.804 / 136. Likewise, Paul Smail had a great debut in the new Thirsty Work Chevelle, 10.708 / 125 first time out, then 10.565 / 124.

Qualifying one was like revolving doors, Adrian Portelli bagging the number one spot, then Stewart Arthur, Kiwi Thompson before settling at Mick Sharpe (10.400 / 125 on a 10.39 dial). By round two of qualifying, the 73-car field had been reduced to 64, this time with Karl Kenyon in the 318ci Valiant (14.903 / 92 on a 14.90 dial) on top of the

heap, with Beavis Allen and Gary Semper in hot pursuit. Come eliminations on Sunday morning, a few no shows slimmed the field further and a few of the big hitters went out early doors, Gary Carr putting Dave Billadeau on the trailer and Don Scott despatching Stuart Thompson. It was a similar story on round two,

Springbridge Direct Wild Bunch New PB for Andrew Clifford (8.761 / 149) and quickest in class in the first round time trial on Friday. Next time out it was Ford Skipp collecting a PB ticket (9.520 / 139) and then John Sharod blew his PB out the water by over four seconds in the Never Say Never Wild Bunch T, 8.958 at 142mph. At the end of the day, it was Pete Brown in the number one spot (8.374 / 158), with

Phil James and Dan Wilson close behind. In round one, Alan Lloyd put in his quickest pass of the event at 7.664 / 168, Ruaridh Hart squeezed a PB out of the Opel GT mini flopper (11.601 / 107) and Steve Field clocked a fine 8.369 / 159. By the end of round two, in the average variance from dial in table Wild Bunch runs to, Philip James was on top, followed by Dan Wilson and Callum Swinchatt.

In round three, it was Rob Brown’s turn to post a PB, 8.356 / 157, winning his race against Dan Wilson, while other wins went the way of James Auld, Jim Tanner, Pete Brown, Ruaridh Hart, Alan Loten and Chris Hartnell. When the numbers were added up at the end, though, it was Wilson who emerged victorious with an average of just 0.015 on his dial in, with Auld the runner-up, an average of 0.038 off his dial in.

Dan Wilson

James Auld Ruaridh Hart

John Sharod

Elliott and Danny Jon

58 CUSTOM CAR NOVEMBER 2023

Dragstalgia_Race Report_8pgs.indd 58

18/09/2023 10:28

Jon Pratt

Ash Rawson

Karl Kenyon Keith Williams

Spencer Tramm sent packing by Lee Chiles and Duncan Watts by John Sleath, leaving just 16 drivers in contention in round three. Through that went John Sleath, Karl Kenyon, Matthew Dowdy, Vic Parsons, Dan Williams, Ash Rawson, Pete Dodd and Glenda Thompson, Jon Pratt, Mojo and Chris Goodale, amongst others, falling by the wayside.

Willys Wars 23 cars signed or this year’s Willys Wars, and John Dalrymple ran quickest of ’em all (9.844 / 143) in the first round of qualifying for this heads-up, just-for-fun class. In round one, which brought Saturday’s racing to a close, Damien Bacon, Chris Cockburn, Jonny McClure, Guy Davenport, Phil Moules, Pete Rivers, Ian Rattan and Alan Mearns all won their races, along with Mark Bishop and Ian Challenor who went down track on byes. In session two, Dalrymple ran quicker still (9.787 / 142), with Moules, McClure, Graham Harrison and James Griffin all in the 10s and Guy Davenport bringing up the rear with a leisurely 21.977 / 60mph pass. By session three, however, only three competitors pulled round, Cockburn, Rattan and Dan Bates, posting 12.961 / 103, 12.260 / 109 and 10.621 / 124 respectively. Then, in the final pairing on Sunday evening, Cockburn took on Bates and emerged victorious when the latter saw red, 13.118 / 105 vs 10.653 / 124.

Paul Smail

A rash of surprising red lights from experienced racers in the next round narrowed the field to Ash Rawson, Matthew Dowdy and Vic Parsons, while underdog, Karl Kenyon, continued by taking out Pete Dodd on a holeshot (14.937 / 91 on a 14.86 dial in vs 9.318 / 143 on a 9.30). That set the stage for a

Daniel Bates

Ian Rattan

Kenyon vs Rawson and Dowdy vs Parsons semi-final, which went the way of Rawson and then Parsons when Dowdy red lit. Eventual round winner in a double breakout final was Rawson (10.234 / 130 on a 10.24 dial) over Parsons (9.762 / 135 on a 9.78 dial).

Chris Cockburn

Left: John Dalrymple

NOVEMBER 2023 CUSTOM CAR 59

Dragstalgia_Race Report_8pgs.indd 59

18/09/2023 10:28

Auto focus ■ Words and Pics: Keith Lee

Motor Mouse

ack in July at Dragstalgia, Steve Johnson made his final run down the Santa Pod quarter mile. It is something he has done more times than most who have ventured into competition. Few can say that they have reached their 50th season, and Steve’s final run in the Dragstalgia Cannonball was not a gentle sign off. He had already recorded one of his best times earlier in the meeting – but that last one was a nail-biter, as the car decided it wanted to flirt with the wall at high speed! ‘I thought there was just about a foot to the wall at the front,’ commented Steve. ‘But then the car is wider at the back!’ Happily, he got away without any damage, as few at the time would have known that he already had a buyer for the nostalgia dragster – who was watching the run in the start area, no doubt keeping everything crossed! Prior to buying the beautifully turned out gold slingshot from Jon Webster, Steve had enjoyed many years of competition running in Super Pro. Indeed, he was one of the few drivers who started out in this class, which has become so popular and competitive since its inception. However, the Steve Johnson racing career started many years before that. Initially, Steve tried his hand at circuit racing, in a Formula Ford single seater for the best part of a year. It was fun, but an accident meant a repair bill which was not viable to afford. Then a trip to Santa Pod saw Steve taking the opportunity to chat to a number of

Above: Steve in action at Dragstalgia, against Joe Bond, and aiming to keep the wheelies well under control! Left: Brother Hedley helped out, back in the Rochdale days. The car competed in Street Altered. Picture courtesy of Steve Johnson Below: The very beginnings of running dragsters. The neat Harold Bull chassis is shown unclothed, as the transplanted twin cam Lotus Ford motor now resided in place of Glen Read’s Volvo engine. Picture courtesy of Steve Johnson

racers – and return home with a plan to put a 1275S engine into a Mini. Racing in the Modified Street ranks, the name Motor Mouse was given to the little car which was ready for the start of the ’74 season. The inspiration for the name came from a series of Hanna-Barbera cartoons which first aired in 1969. Motor Mouse and Autocat featured dragsters and chopper bikes; Steve figured the name fitted, and

Motor Mouse 3 was immediately successful in the Junior ranks – and the lightweight car enjoyed being airborne

long time friend Steve Young did indeed race a Topolino altered called Autocat in 1976. After a year spent having fun in the Mini, running low 14s, Steve got hold of a Rochdale Olympic kit car powered by a crossflow Ford motor. This was soon replaced by a twin cam 1600 Lotus Ford, which was slotted into Motor Mouse 2. The body was painted purple and the combination ran down in the low 12s, which was quite an improvement. Late 1976, and Steve sealed a move into the dragster ranks. He retained the potent motor from the Rochdale, which had been upped to 1760cc, and this was used in a Harold Bull chassis acquired from Glen Read. Ready for the start of the ’77 season, he would join the Junior Dragster ranks which included Glen’s brother, Robin. Steve would soon find himself fighting to keep the front end somewhere near the track surface in his lively little dragster, in a competitive class. It proved to be a powerful combination, as Steve actually clinched the overall RAC National Championship win!

60 CUSTOM CAR NOVEMBER 2023

Auto Focus November_23_2 pgs.indd 60

18/09/2023 13:03

Above: After a complicated motor build, the Cosworth GAA V6 made a stunning sight in the pits when it appeared Two litres of Cosworth BDA power would result in even quicker times, and the front end was even less keen to stay on the tarmac!

Power would next be improved with a two litre Cosworth BDG motor, which kept the times dropping. Up until this time, it was strictly four banger power in the Johnson cars, but for 1982 he turned up at Santa Pod with a jaw-dropper of a motor installed in a brand new race car. Totally different in looks, and sounding like a screaming banshee, this Ford based Cosworth GAA motor boasted 460bhp from its 3400cc quad-cam V6 configuration. A good number of these motors were destined for F5000 Indy series use. There were a number of them in bits, destined for the skip, but Steve knew where they were and was able to buy two of them. That was the easy part. The hard part was how he was going to assemble a working motor, as the bits were not labelled and there were no assembly instructions! Steve smiled wryly when remembering the hundreds of bolts needed just to put a pair of heads together… The finish on the wedge-shaped machine was first class and he was propelled into the high 8-second bracket on pump gas. Of

the cars he raced, this little dragster was his favourite. The only issue was with the car floating about at the top end, which was a little distracting! This brought about the next Motor Mouse, for which Steve constructed a rear-engined chassis. With the aid of some nitrous, the V6 screamer would get down to times in the 8.1s. The V6 cars had proved to be very successful, running in Super Comp eliminations. Eventually though, in 1989, he decided to sell everything off and would soon start afresh. This time, Steve bought a rear-engined Chevy dragster over in Florida. This import would see him competing at the beginnings of Super Pro, in which he was one of just three competitors. Steve is a multi-time championship winner, in what has developed into a very well supported and highly competitive class. Eventually, he hit best times of 6.7s/198mph in the dragster. There was

Sat behind the blower of his ﬁnal ride, Steve warms the slicks, courtesy of 509 cubes of BBC Chevy power

Steve pictured alongside the cockpit at his ﬁnal event, at Santa Pod this July

Below: You can tell by the pained expression on the face of the guy behind that he really wished he had some ear defenders when that Cosworth screamed away from the line!

the intention of putting a blower on – ‘but at the same time I instead blew the motor!’ Retirement beckoned instead. Very sadly, Steve lost his greatest supporter in 2016 when his wife Pat died. She had been there throughout a shared racing career. The lure of racing proved too strong, after a year away, and retirement was shelved in favour of the aforementioned gold slingshot. It was a not dissimilar colour to the first Motor Mouse dragster – only this one had that blower! Just like the first one, this car pulls wheelies, but Steve was not prepared for the monumental display it put on at the 2019 Summer Nats. The wheelie bar collapsed, leading to a landing that wrote off the car’s front end – and more painfully, cracked and crushed two of Steve’s vertebrae. Undeterred, both car and driver would be rejuvenated, returning best times of 6.98s/198.98mph – just frustratingly short of the magic 200. After so many years, anyway, and now into his seventies, retirement is now a reality – though he is still going to help the new car owner to get dialled in. Enjoy your retirement, Steve.

NOVEMBER 2023 CUSTOM CAR 61

Auto Focus November_23_2 pgs.indd 61

18/09/2023 13:04

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

SEPTEMBER 30 All American Cruise In. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 30 Drag & Drift Dakota Raceway, Honiton. www.straightliners.events

17 VW Air-Cooled Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 21 Run What Ya Brung Saturday Night Special Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk

25 Spitfire Raceway Drag’n’Drift. Parranporth Airfield, St Agnes, Cornwall. www.perranporthdrivingcentre.com

DECEMBER 6 Hot Rod Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com

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

22 ‘Normous Newark Autojumble Newark Showground, Newark, Notts. www.newarkautojumble.co.uk

OCTOBER

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

10 ‘Normous Newark Autojumble Newark Showground, Newark, Notts. www.newarkautojumble.co.uk

1 Hayling Sunset Funland Amusement Park, Hayling Island. victorywheelers.co.uk

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

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

28 Flame & Thunder Show Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk

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

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

MAY 2024

29 NSRA Northern Swap Meet Melbourne Raceway. www.nsra.org.uk

24-27 Race the Waves Bridlington. www.backfirepromotions.com

NOVEMBER

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

1 Wheels on the Waterfront Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne. Facebook: The Waterfront Eastbourne 3 Hayling Hotrods at the Beach. Hayling Island, Hampshire. Glenn: 07889 710189 4 Hot Rod Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 5 Krazy Horse Late Nights Bury St Edmunds. www.krazyhorse.co.uk 7 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 7-8 Straightliners Race Meet Melbourne Raceway, York. www. straightliners.events 9 Top Speed Monday Elvington Airfield, Elvington, West Yorkshire. www.straightliners.events

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

JUNE 2024

10-12 Classic Motor Show NEC, Birmingham. www.necclassicmotorshow.com

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

18 British Drag Racing Hall of Fame Gala Awards Dinner Oatlands Park Hotel, Weybridge. www.britishdragracinghof.co.uk

28-30 National Hot Rod, Custom and American Car Show Lincoln Showground. www.hotrodandcustomshow.co.uk

19 ‘Normous Newark Autojumble Newark Showground, Newark, Notts. www.newarkautojumble.co.uk

14 Classic Car Breakfast Meet Jack’s Patch, Kirton Lindsey. Facebook: Bomber County Classics

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

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

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

15 Straightliners Race Meet Santa Pod. www.straightliners.events

25 NSRA AGM. Venue TBC. www.nsra.org.uk

AUGUST 2024 16-18 Hot Rods in the Borders Liliardsedge Holiday Park, Jedburgh. 01835 830271

62 CUSTOM CAR NOVEMBER 2023

1p Events Nov.indd 62

18/09/2023 14:03

Nationwide Transportation Available

Enthusiastic buyers of

Classic American Cars, Trucks & Hot Rods Call Andrew on

07836 226228/01245 248888 sales@standrewsautos.co.uk www.standrewsautos.co.uk

For trade advertising in

Custom Car_2023_01_Jan_Mobile Welding Services_EP.indd 1

08/12/2022 10:25

please call Charlotte on 01233 555735

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

Vintage Hot Rod Supplies Ltd

Custom Car_2023_08_August_Berkshire Body Shop_EP.indd 1

21/06/2023 16:12

reathe B e n i g n es rE wing Intak lo F e re Let You F r ou Discover ies d throttle bo Individual aspirated Normally duction Forced in

rming High perfo ved Race deri ead Direct to h

Contact our friendly team:

1967 Ford Mustang Fastback, 347 stroker engine with 5 speed manual, disc brakes all round, nice useable classic. £57,500

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

1934 Ford Pickup, all steel, unknown Ford Flathead, great project, V5, age related plate £12500

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

 info@gradient-engineering.com www.gradient-engineering.com

 

 0116 403 0399 Unit 21, Saffron Way, Leicester, LE2 6UP

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

NOVEMBER 2023 CUSTOM CAR 63 Custom Car_2023_05_May_Gradient Engineering_QP.indd 1 Custom Car_2023_11_Nov_Composite Page_FP.indd 63

23/03/2023 09:26 18/09/2023 10:34

DEC 2023 £5.99

on ’2 De sa 3 i c le ss 26 ue Oc tob er

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

ember To pre-order the Dec 1p Next Month Nov.indd 64

18/09/2023 14:15

Official Broker of the NSRA Authorised and regulated by the FCA

Custom Car_2023_01_Jan_Classicline Insurance_FP.indd 1

30/11/2022 12:05

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

American Car Parts Supplier with a large stock of Spares and imports each week from the USA. Body Panels, Service Parts, Windscreens etc., all sourced. Belcher Engineering believes in keeping Vintage, Classic and American cars on the road for future generations to marvel and enjoy. From the driving experience of a vintage vehicle to the sound of a rumbling V8 muscle car, our services are designed to help you, keep your car on the road. Examples of the services we offer: Full Car Restoration  Car Customization  Car Parts supplied or made ‘in house’ Vintage/Classic/American car rally preparation Period or modern component upgrades (engines, gearboxes etc.) Servicing, repairs, and maintenance (No job too small) Full Details of our products and services can be found on our website: www.belchers.uk Please contact us with your enquiry at info@belchers.uk or call 0330 8281823 where we can provide examples of customer car work undertaken and references if required. Custom Car_2023_10_Oct_Belchar Engineering_FP.indd 1

08/08/2023 10:55