STEVE SAYS - FRIDAY MAY 9 2008
totalkitcar – buy it, enjoy it, ‘AVE IT!
Welcome to totalkitcar online……crikey, what a great show Stoneleigh 2008 was. Just like the old days in terms of visitor numbers and lots of manufacturers I spoke to were feeling good about life, with the majority taking orders at the show, and certainly from our point of view it was a mega-successful bash…really, I have to say dear reader, that the standard set by some of the industry’s leading players was simply, fabulous and the likes of Gardner Douglas, Hawk Cars, Ultima, AK, MK, Quantum and Westfield put on a BRILLIANT display – made me proud to be part of a great BRITISH industry…
 |
| Welcome to totalkitcar online... |
For all the latest NEWS HEADLINES……………just CLICK HERE.
 |
| Among the superb stands at Stoneleigh was that of Gardner Douglas, displaying some beautiful examples of their work, including this sublime GDT70... |
You can buy ……..totalkitcar May/June NOW. You can get it from ALL WH SMITH and SAINSBURY stores in the UK as well as other outlets, including mail order, from us. It’s also available in BELGIUM, GERMANY, IRELAND, NETHERLANDS and for first time, AUSTRALIA, too.
Now, hand on heart I’d have to say this one is, in my opinion, akin to a perfectly executed cover drive or a full-on volley, and is our best effort yet, with no fewer than 15 features for you to read and hopefully, enjoy. Here’s the line up for totalkitcar May/June 2008:
|
Hawk Cars Profile |
|
Quantum Sunrunner feature |
|
Range Over Kits feature |
|
Race Retro 2008 review |
|
Great British Sportscars Update |
|
Aries Motorsport LocoBlade |
|
MAC#1 Motorsport Worx RR |
|
Kitcars & Specials Part 2 – Tornado Cars |
|
Made in England – SPAX |
|
The Specialists – RimTec Alloy refurb |
|
A Guide to Cooling Fans |
|
Wall of Death feature |
|
Blaze Motorsport – Blaze F MGF |
|
Tales ‘Not’ From the Riverside |
|
Forced Induction Part 3 – Nitrous Oxide |
 |
| We were really chuffed to have Toyo Tires UK as guests on our stand at Stoneleigh last weekend. Here's Toyo sales manager, Malcolm Robinson. |
There really is something for all tastes…CLICK HERE UK to buy your copy NOW or CLICK HERE EUROPE or even CLICK HERE RoW.
 |
| MAY/JUNE 2008 - OUT NOW! We love it, I hope you will, too! |
Next kitcar show on the horizon………is the excellent and under-rated NEWARK show on June 21-22 and it’s a cracking event that organisers, Kevin and Lesley Musson work incredibly hard on to make it one of the friendliest gatherings of the season…and it doesn’t clash with le Mans this year! Visit www.kitcarshow.co.uk
SNIPPETS 1……..A few weeks ago I alluded to a spate of new (and current) Italian replicas. Well, one of the first to break cover is from a new company called Spyder Sportscars and their Ga**ardo model! Based on a spaceframe chassis power comes from an Audi V8. We’ve got the exclusive on this one as well! This is just the first of a flood of such clones, believe me…
 |
| Another new Italian exotic replica about to break cover... |
SNIPPETS 2…….. Regular readers might recall that a couple of months back I asked whether readers knew a good Perspex supplier as I was in need…well, Robert Craig very kindly tipped me off about a great company based in Scotland called http://www.plantglazingltd.co.uk or 01738 626 421. A very helpful chap there called, Sandy, identified that I needed a riot-shield-spec polycarb material called Macrolan and supplied me with a 3mm sheet within 24-hours and their service was superb. They come highly recommended. What did I need it for? My parrot’s cage – DON’T ASK! But if you knew Jacko!
 |
| Spotted this outside at Stoneleigh and my mate Garry Biddiss is involved in it somewhere! Ford didn't make a Mk1 Escort Pick-Up, but from what I know this one was cannibalised as a donor for a Dutton Sierra, before being in-turn used as a donor for the 'Escy'! Don't they call that reverse engineering?! |
SNIPPETS 3……..Apparently, a survey by leading aftermarket warranty specialists, Warranty Direct, has revealed that the Ford Mondeo piles on more miles than any other model, with each one covering an average 15,500 miles per year!
 |
| Now, talking of Pick-Up trucks, this cool Chevy 3100 caught my eye. I even wound Michelle up to ask the bloke what the donor was!!!!! Cruel? Maybe, Funny? HILARIOUS... |
Seen on eBAY………..spotted this Hensen M30 on eBay this week. Obviously needs a load of work, but what really caught my eye was the Ford V8 that comes with it. The package could be a bargain at three grand. CLICK HERE to visit the page…
 |
| Spotted this Hensen M30 for sale on eBay this week. |
You can now access the past five weeks NEWS HEADLINES. Just click on the relevant link below…
 |
| Neat Tiger's head graphic on one of Chester Sportscars' lovely Tiger Cat's |
PREVIOUSLY ENJOYED
Have you got a kitcar for sale? If so, why not advertise it within our Previously Enjoyed, cars for sale section. A colour photo and 30-ish words for just £12 until sold is a bargain in my book… You can CLICK HERE to pay for your advert via our secure server and send it to us by E-Mail – and we'll do the rest - SIMPLE AS THAT…
Is it a bird? Is it a .......... ? We got sent this image this week of a new model under development, and we’re sworn to secrecy until the finalised frontal shape and upper contours are finally finished. We’ll bring you more as soon as we have it.
 |
| Even though it's under wraps, this image still shows an intriguing shape. I wonder where the driver sits? |
In BOOK REVIEWS this week…………..we have a new CarTech title called ‘High Performance Chevy Small Block Cylinder Heads’ by Graham Hansen. CLICK HERE to go there.
2008 EVENTS |
|
Motorexpo, Canary Wharf |
June 9-15 |
|
NEWARK SHOW |
June 21-22 |
|
Brooklands Festival |
June 28/29 |
|
SPEED ON WHEELS (NEW) |
July 5-6 |
|
Goodwood Festival of Speed |
July 11-13 |
|
British International Motor Show |
July 23-Aug 3 |
|
PETERBOROUGH SHOW (NEW) |
August 9-10 |
|
ZANDHOVEN SHOW (Belgium) |
August 23-24 |
|
DONINGTON |
September 13 |
|
STAFFORD SHOW (NEW) |
September 13-14 |
|
Goodwood Revival Meeting |
September 19-21 |
|
totalkitcar LIVE! ROCKINGHAM (NEW) |
November 2 |
|
EXETER SHOW |
November 15-16 |
We love TRACKDAYS here at totalkitcar…..and there really is no better way to get the best out of your car, within the controlled environment of an airfield or race circuit. You won’t have to worry about speed cameras or other road users. CLICK HERE to view our list of the major dates taking place in May and June…
 |
| Wouldn't you just love to have a go at this? Lucas Oils sent me a pic of their sponsored Monster Truck doing what it does best this week. Cheers, Steve, and visit www.lucasoil.co.uk |
We’re delighted to officially……..announce that totalkitcar LIVE! is back for 2008. The date for your diary is Sunday, November 2, the venue is the fabulous ROCKINGHAM circuit, which is located in Corby, Northamptonshire, making it easy to get to.
We’ll be using the International Super Sports Car circuit (as used for British Touring Cars), at 1.95-miles long and from the main grandstand you can view nearly all of it.
The formula will be the same as before, enabling you to sample manufacturers demonstrators from the passenger seat, and we’ll have dedicated owners areas and an auto-jumble too. Should be a great day out. You can save money by booking your admission tickets in advance if you CLICK HERE to visit the Rockingham site…
We can’t wait. It’s going to be a GREAT day out for all the family and all kitcar enthusiasts…more information to follow…confirmed thus far are Adrenaline Motorsport, Aries Motorsport, JMA Automotive, Marlin Cars, Nostalgia Cars UK Ltd, Quantum Sports Cars, Raw Striker UK Ltd, Spire Sportscars, Tiger Racing and Z Cars.
IT’S BACK! BY POPULAR DEMAND……..DisCarNect Special Offer…
Most kitcars and older production cars don’t have any security. Forget alarms and immobilisers…
By fitting a DisCarNect you can deter thieves by immobilising your pride and joy and also using it as a battery isolator when the vehicle isn’t being used. Works on ANY battery.
Fit the unit in minutes and the removable knob isolates your battery and also stop scumbag thieves, as if the car is started, ALL power is cut. However, by inserting a new fuse into the by-pass and replacing the knob you won’t be left stranded.
RRP is £12.95, BUT you can buy one for just £9.95 INCLUDING P&P
CLICK HERE to buy yours…WHILE STOCKS LAST
In CD REVIEWS this week………..we have a fist-pumping new début album from Australian band, Airbourne. CLICK HERE to go there.
 |
| I've got a soft spot for the beautifully crafted Dunsmore, made back in the eighties by a lovely chap called, Bill Hines. He only made a few but each one is different. Superb. |
If you’ve just discovered totalkitcar magazine….BACK ISSUES are of course available, although the Almanac is now extinct along with Winter 2004, Summer 2005, Jan/Feb 2007 and Mar/April 2007 all SOLD OUT. Apart from that we can supply all the copies you’ve missed out on simply click on the title you want to buy: SUMMER 2004, AUTUMN 2004, SPRING 2005, AUTUMN 2005, WINTER 2005, SPRING 2006, MAY/JUNE 2006, JULY/AUGUST 2006, SEPT/OCT 2006, NOV/DEC 2006, MAY/JUNE 2007, JULY/AUGUST 2007, SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2007, NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2007, JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008 or MARCH/APRIL 2008 of course you can SUBSCRIBE, which is the most cost effective way of buying our magazine.
Until next Friday (May 16), have a great week and enjoy the site. Spinning on Stevo’s Classic Rock CD Player this week is the latest album from the one and only, Neil Young, called ‘Chrome Dreams II’. Visit www.neilyoung.com for more. See Ya…
Best Regards
Steve
May 9, 2008, 09:00
