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A warm welcome to totalkitcar online … NATIONAL KIT CAR MOTOR SHOW WEEKEND. If you are going to the THREE COUNTIES SHOWGROUND located in the beautiful Malvern Hills in Worcestershire, then do please come and say hello. Even better if you’d like to buy something, although that’s not compulsory, of course!
As this is the FOURTH ‘Malvern’, there’s no real excuse for going to our old home at ‘STONELEIGH’ by mistake – in any case, there’s nothing on there this weekend, so you’ll have to make a detour 55 miles west to Malvern!
Anyway, we’ll have our ‘best of’ photo review for you next Friday (June 5) if you can’t make it to the show. If you want to find any last minute about the evnt, visit https://nationalkitcarshow.co.uk.
I know that lots of readers used our GOODS & SUPPLIERS listing as a guide to the specialist car aftermarket, so essential did they regard it. It needed an upgrade but it took a couple of years to get it right. HAVE YOU SEEN IT YET? See the menu bar above or CLICK HERE.
GOODS & SUPPLIERS is BACK. It’s certainly less wieldy, is easier to use and well, see what you think. It’s not yet complete by any means but is a workable and useful A-Z listing that I hope you enjoy using and check back regularly because I will be adding to it daily, almost.
TKC MAG – MAY/JUNE 2026 ISSUE – AVAILABLE NOW
Here’s this issue’s menu, or at least some of it.
Welcome to the ‘Groovy Baby’ issue. Why groovy baby? Well, four of the cars starring this time are inspired by, or are replicas of, sixties classics … not big, not clever, but quite descriptive we thought.
So, what have we got to tickle your fancy this time?
INDUSTRY GREATS – ULTIMA SPORTS – The Lee Noble and Marlow family years. The full story.
MYTHRON CARS SEBRING FASTBACK – No, it’s not a replica or a continuation or a kitcar. This is what the company call ‘ a reimagining of a sixties Sebring Sprite’
TORNADO TS40 MKII TRIBUTE – A superb example of a Tornado TS40 (I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bad one) which is intended as a tribute to the late Dan Gurney.
ACE HAWK! – A glorious new build Hawk inspired by the AC Ace, which is the second Hawk built by Adam Cleden nearly twenty years after the first one, which was also a stunner!
WITHOUT OUR PAST SPECIAL! – This time we focus on four beatiful sports racers from the sixties.
MCLAREN M6GT – People often understandably believe that McLaren’s first road car was Professor Gordon Murray’s F1. However, a generation before that, Briuce McLaren had the idea for the GT. We tell the car’s story and also feature the replicas, the UVA M6GTR and Montage and also the Tornado TS70.
SINGLE SEAT RACECAR CONVERTED FOR ROAD USE – There have been plenty of single-seat road-legal kitcars over the years but very few racing cars have been converted for use on the road, other than the Lotus 51 ‘Flower Power’ and a Van Diemen conversion back in the eighties. The latest to tackle such a monster project is serial kitcar builder Dave Swift who found an OMS hillclimber on eBay and yep, converted it to a road car!
Hope you enjoy the issue.
TKC MAG – MAY/JUNE 2026 ISSUE – AVAILABLE NOW
IF YOU LIKE CLASSIC KIT CARS & SPECIALS you are in luck. Clicking that button will take you back in time with features on old kitcars, personalities and generally interesting companies who worked within the specialist car and sixties motorsport movements. I really hope you are enjoying them. Not all of them are kitcar-related per se but they all celebrate the underdog and often feature the wonderful world of sixties motorsport.
Classic Kit Cars & Specials has a new home at totalkitcar.com.
A lot of classic clubman motorsport features highlight underdog artisans that we hope will appeal to you dear reader, the sort of companies that we’ve often all heard of but on whom detailed information is often hard to find. Shorrock, Wade Turbochargers, Jack Knight Developments, Cannon Cars, Tom Killeen, David Ogle the list goes on and on. The sort of companies and individuals that our specialist and kitcar forebears from the sixties would have been very familiar with. You’ll find these subjects featured in CLASSIC KIT CARS & SPECIALS.
This week in CLASSIC KIT CARS & SPECIALS we look at a Salisbury-based company called EWM Motors who briefly markets a pair of kitcars (in 1984) called the Brigand and Buccaneer. CLICK HERE to find out more.
This week in CLASSIC KIT CARS & SPECIALS, you can read about the EWM Buccaneer and EWM Brigand that were launched in 1984
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SNIPPETS 1 …….. Arnold Clark Autoparts encourages drivers to conduct simple pre-MOT checks to avoid unnecessary failures
Arnold Clark Autoparts is encouraging motorists to carry out essential vehicle checks before their MOT, following the release of new figures highlighting the rise in test failures.
Every year, thousands of vehicles fail due to minor issues that drivers can identify and fix themselves. With basic pre-MOT checks potentially saving drivers between £20 and £100 in repair costs, the company says taking a small amount of time to prepare a vehicle before its test can help motorists avoid unexpected bills, retest fees and disruption to their schedules.
According to RAC data, some of the most common reasons vehicles fail their MOT include faulty lights and signalling equipment, worn or underinflated tyres, poor visibility and low fluid levels.
Craig McCracken, Group Factor Manager at Arnold Clark Autoparts, commented: “Many people don’t realise how much they can reduce their risk of MOT failure, no matter their level of expertise. Simple checks such as inspecting lighting, topping up essential fluids, checking tyre tread or inspecting wiper blades can make a significant difference when it comes to passing an MOT.”
Faulty lighting is one of the most common causes of MOT failure. Bulbs account for around 11 percent of all MOT failures yet replacing them is typically quick and inexpensive.
Before attending an MOT test, motorists are advised to check that all lights are working correctly, including headlights, brake lights, indicators, reverse lights, fog lights and number plate lights. Parking near a reflective surface or asking someone to help check the lights can help lessen the impact of test results.
Motorists are also encouraged to ensure essential vehicle fluids are topped up before heading to the test centre, including engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and screen wash, while worn wiper blades should be replaced if they leave streaks or fail to clear the windscreen effectively. Arnold Clark Autoparts offers a one-stop shop for basic vehicle maintenance products including fluids, bulbs and wiper blades.
Another simple but important check is ensuring number plates are clean, clearly readable and free from cracks or damage, Arnold Clark Autoparts also offer personalised number plates to combat this common fault, with 26 different sizes specifically designed to fit any UK-registered vehicle
McCracken added: “Spending just 20 to 30 minutes carrying out basic checks before an MOT can help drivers avoid these issues and ensure their vehicle is prepared for the test.”
For more information or to find your nearest branch, visit
SNIPPETS 2 ……..If you own a car that turns heads and starts conversations, it could be immortalised as a 1:64 Hot Wheels die-cast enjoyed by fans around the world. The Hot Wheels Legends Tour returns to the UK in search of one standout build to join the Hot Wheels Garage of Legends™ – with the winner also receiving a trip for two to California, the home of Hot Wheels.
Legends lands at CarFest’s new home at Silverstone
The UK stop of the Legends Tour has a new venue for 2026, with the live final held in front of thousands of enthusiastic fans at CarFest on Saturday, August 29th.
This huge family fundraising festival takes over the UK’s spiritual home of Formula 1 this August Bank Holiday, offering visitors thrilling track action with over 1000 cars on display and on track. Alongside, there’s live music on the Main Stage from acts that include Sir Tom Jones, Sugarbabes, Jessie J and Nile Rodgers & Chic, wellbeing sessions, cookery demonstrations and celebrities from stage and screen.
Hot Wheels’ stand – its biggest yet, located next to the iconic Silverstone Wing – will feature a Smyths pop-up store, Garage of Legends cars as well as a life-size Hot Wheels Formula 1 2026 car with a custom Hot Wheels livery.
“The Hot Wheels Legends Tour is all about celebrating builders who dream big and aren’t afraid to break the mould,” says Ted Wu, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Design for Vehicles at Mattel. “This will be our seventh stop in the UK and it never disappoints. The creativity, craftsmanship and garage spirit on show always makes the judging incredibly tough and that’s exactly how it should be. We can’t wait to see which finalists make it to Silverstone.”
2026 is the biggest Global Hot Wheels Legends Tour to date
Now entering its ninth year, 2026 is set to be the biggest Tour to date with a record 19 countries hosting Hot Wheels Legends Tour events, creating a worldwide celebration of car culture and imagination.
Whether it’s slammed classics, wild dragster customs, track-ready race cars or re-engineered modern-day icons, the UK has built a reputation as one of the toughest, most inspiring nations to beat on the Global Tour, which welcomes back Canada and adds stops in Asia-Pacific, including Indonesia.
Across the six UK winners to date, finalists have won the overall title once (in 2024), with other builds reaching the Global Grand Finale a further three times.
For 2026, the judging line-up features presenter Nicola Hume, back for her third UK stop, a Hot Wheels designer and a surprise celebrity judge. They’ll be hunting for builds where authenticity, creativity and garage spirit shine through. Late nights, early mornings, problem-solving and passion all count.
Trip to the home of Hot Wheels for UK winner
After Silverstone, the UK winner will go on to participate in the European virtual finale and, if successful, proceed to the virtual Global Grand finale, where one vehicle will achieve truly legendary status and become a 1:64 die-cast sold around the world. The UK winner will also receive a trip for two to Los Angeles, California, the home of Hot Wheels and where its die-cast models are born, later in the year.
New partners join 2026 Hot Wheels Legends Tour UK
High-performing car detailing specialist Meguiar’s and car culture brand Players will join long-term partner Smyths for the 2026 edition. All three UK finalists will receive special prize bundles from Hot Wheels and the partners during CarFest at Silverstone.
Simple to enter
Taking part is simple: owners just need to upload three photos and a brief description of their vehicle to www.hotwheelsuklegendstour.co.uk, explaining what makes their build special and how it captures the true Hot Wheels spirit. New or classic, road or track, if it’s bold, original and built with passion, it has a chance to become a Legend. Entries close on Friday, July 3rd.
Find out more at www.hotwheelsuklegendstour.co.uk and follow #HotWheelsLegendsTour.
SNIPPETS ‘BONUS’ ……. British parents are stuck in a near-constant battle to keep their cars clean during the summer holidays, with new research from Halfords revealing that a third (36%) have to clean their vehicle every week – and one in ten (11%) are forced to do it after every single family trip.
The research found that 98% of parents admit their children leave the car in a mess during family road trips, staycations and days out, with rubbish, mud, sand and food spills among the biggest causes of dirty vehicles.
Parents spend more than £25 on average on additional cleaning services throughout the summer period, with British families collectively estimated to spend almost £400 million keeping their cars clean over the holidays.
The aftermath of holiday road trips is driven by several key factors, with parents identifying accumulated rubbish (68%), mud and outdoor dirt tracked in via shoes, clothes or pets (60%), everyday dust and grime (56%), sand from beach or seaside trips (47%), and spilled food and drink (46%) as the main culprits behind messy vehicles.
When asked what prevents them from cleaning their cars more often, time pressure (51%) emerged as the biggest barrier. Other parents admitted they avoid the chore because the car simply gets messy again too quickly (30%), it feels like too much effort (29%), or it is simply not a priority (24%).
Motoring experts say families could save money by tackling smaller clean-ups themselves rather than relying on professional valeting services, while also helping to prevent longer-term damage. Professional cleaning services easily exceed £50 for just one clean.
However, Halfords experts warn that post-trip mess is more than just an eyesore — it can quickly become a legal liability.
With mud, sand, and road grime caking vehicles during high-use holiday periods, drivers who neglect the exterior of their cars risk hitting the road with obscured number plates or dirty headlights. Under UK law, driving with an unreadable registration plate carries a fine of up to £1000.
To help time-poor drivers stay safe and compliant during the holiday, Halfords Expert, Andrew McClellan, Head of Category has shared his ultimate maintenance checklist:
Check that your front and rear number plates, indicators, and headlights are completely free from dirt before every journey to avoid potential fines.
Clean windscreens thoroughly inside and out. Low summer sun combined with interior smears and exterior bug splats can cause dangerous, blinding glare.
Tackle interior mess quickly using specialised wipes or handheld vacuums to prevent stubborn food and drink stains from setting into upholstery.
Keep your screenwash topped up for long journeys, especially during high pollen and bug seasons to maintain a clear view ahead.
Keep a small, dedicated cleaning kit and a bin bag in the boot for quick, on-the-go touch-ups and daily rubbish removal.
Use protective floor mats or seat covers during family trips to minimise long-term mess
Rinse off mud, salt, and debris promptly after a trip to protect your vehicle’s paintwork and maintain clear visibility
To take the hassle out of holiday cleanup, Halfords’ extensive car cleaning range offers quick, effective, and budget-friendly solutions for busy families. From rapid interior wipes for unexpected spills to powerful exterior shampoos and handheld vacuums, the range ensures vehicles stay spotless inside and out with minimal effort.
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So, that’s about it from me for this week, so I’ll bid you a great seven days, with plenty of enjoyable driving and I look forward to welcoming you once again next week on Friday, June 5, 2026
Best regards
Steve