MIRROR-FINISH

Top Gloss from car care product specialist’s Autobrite Direct is pretty self-explanatory if you think about it although it’s worth taking a closer look at it, I think.

It gives a mirror-like finish to your car’s bodywork and can also be used on glass, rubber and plastics. No effort is required aside from tipping the prescribed amount into a bucket or soap dispenser from a pressure washer.

I tried both ways and I have to say it worked like Autobrite said it should. A 500ml bottle costs £10 and other sizes are available, right up to 5-litres.

More information from www.autobritedirect.co.uk or 01782 623 More >

BUGGIES ARE BACK. WHERE’S THE METALFLAKE?

FF Buggy re-launched

If you’ve been following the kitcar scene for a few years the name FF Kit Cars & Conversions was a popular manufacturer producing a nice range of beach buggies, from 1983.

Founded by a nice chap called Tim Cooksey the company sold a good number of their Beetle-based kits especially in long wheelbase format. In 1986, the kit moved to Country Volks.

TV presenter, Anneka Rice used a pair of FFs in her ‘Challenge Anneka’ TV show (built by Stevespeed) before she moved on to a beefier Dakar, but the FF kit was a pretty looking buggy, although clearly inspired More >

RIGHT ON THE BRACKET!

New from Hawk Cars and joining their growing range of own-made parts for Cobras and Stratos’ are these cast mounting brackets and slave cylinders for five or six-bolt bellhousings for Cobra 289 and six-bolt items for Ford 302 V8. Priced from £182 and available now from www.hawkcars.co.uk or 01892 750 341 ENDS.

GREAT FOR YOUR TYRES AND A GREAT COLOUR TOO!

I hate old and discoloured-looking tyres and they can really ruin the appearance of an otherwise clean car that you have spent a few hours washing and polishing.

However, Infinity Rubber Wax should help you achieve and maintain a better look, as the maker’s claim that it returns faded sidewalls to showroom-like condition leaving them with a subtle sheen rather than false over-glossy look.

Also, via the soft applicator included in the pack the product is solvent-free so won’t perish the tyres while water will bead-up on the sidewall, too. It impressed me.

Infinity Rubber Wax costs £14.99 inc VAT and is available More >

SHE’LL GIVE YOU SHORT-‘SHIFT’ ER, SHRIFT!

Fidanza has just released a short shifter for all models of the Mk1 (1990-2000) five-speed Mazda MX-5.

A Fidanza short-shifter will help sharpen and smooth the gear changes by shortening the distance between gear positions with a shorter throw. It weighs just 1.36kg.

The shifter comes as a complete bolt-in assembly that totally replaces the original shift. All that you have to transfer is the gear knob and the gaiter boot!

For more information on Fidanza’s aluminium flywheels, adjustable cam gears, premium clutches or to find a dealer in your area, visit www.fidanza.com

In the UK Fidanza products can be ordered through Cambridge Motorsport More >

WOW! AT LAST. DECENT WHEEL SPACERS

Fitting new wheels and then making them fill the arches of your kitcar is a practice about as old as automotive modification itself, one that’s traditionally been typified by inelegant, oversized wheels with bolt-holes drilled at approximate locations.

Regular wheel spacers simply haven’t evolved in-line with car tuning as a whole, and when you consider just how significant wheels and their fixing systems are from a safety point of view, that’s simply unacceptable (I had a spacer let go at 120mph+ at Bruntingthorpe once. It ain’t clever…).

Fortunately, there’s now a far more sophisticated way of going about widening your car’s track, More >

TWO SUGARS? MASSIMO? IT’S A WHEEL NOT COFFEE!

MOMO-UK has announced the arrival of the Massimo; this cutting-edge matt black alloy wheel is distinguished by ultra-modern diamond cut spokes leading the eye inwards to the iconic MOMO ‘Arrow’ centre cap.

It comes in a Matt Black and Diamond Cut finish and available in 16in, 17in and 18in diameters in five-stud with TPMS and Run-Flat compatibility.

Prices start at £161.99 inc VAT per wheel for the 16in item.

To find your nearest MOMO Alloy dealer visit www.momo-uk.co.uk or call 01268 764 411 ENDS. 

IF IT’S GOOD ENOUGH FOR A LANCASTER BOMBER; IT’S GOOD ENOUGH FOR OUR ABSTER PROJECT CAR!

When building, or installing new components to your engine, it really does pay to use a proper assembly lube. A high-quality assembly lubricant, in fact t, designed specifically for the job.

Graphogen is just such a product that has unbelievably been around since 1946 gaining favour when used on aircraft engines. It’s been used by many specialists ever since.

The colloidal-graphite paste is ideal as a lubricant in precision machinery as it forms a protective film on all treated surfaces and engine components and improves lubrication, protection and is corrosion inhibiting.

As it’s a paste, rather than a runny liquid, it won’t run More >

SWARFEGA SPECIALS

 

As part of marking Swarfega’s 70th birthday, the Derby-based business has launched its largest ever promotion; a buy-one-get-one-free offer on its heavy duty Red Box and Black Box hand-wipes.

The Red Box wipes are perfect for use in the workshop or on the go. These extra-large wipes are combined with heavy-duty hand cleaner to get rid of oil, grease and grime.

The Black Box wipes have been specially created to remove paints, seam sealers and resins and are for use in the bodyshop and by mobile workers. The wipes are impregnated with an advanced formulation of liquids that quickly and safely remove More >

POWER PACK

Replacing the existing heavy lead acid battery with a lithium-ion battery is the easiest and most effective method of reducing the overall weight of a kitcar.

Such a battery also enables the location to be changed to lower the centre of gravity. Since lithium-ion batteries are sealed they can be mounted in any orientation, even flat on their side.

The RPS (Racing Power Solution) RPS-LB-B20 battery is a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) Battery that has been produced to the highest quality by utilising the latest materials and production methods.

This RPS RPS-LB-B20 lightweight is suitable for use with racing car engines up to More >

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