A ONE YEAR SUBSCRIPTION (UK) TO TKC MAG COSTS £40. CLICK HERE
TKC MAG – ONE YEAR (UK) SUBSCRIPTION – CLICK HERE
Verified unique readers per month for this website currently averages 17,586 (covering MARCH, APRIL & MAY 2026).
A warm welcome to totalkitcar online … I was very saddened to hear of the death this week of Roger Cook, a man who I had known for nearly forty years. In addition to his TV work, notably The Cook Report, Roger was also a very keen car enthusiast. He owned a Costello MG V8 for many years. In the eighties he doubled as the marketing man for Spyder Sportscars and a big flag waver – and owner – of the Spyder Silverstone.
Welcome to totalkitcar online …
Next came a tie up with Grinnall Specialist Cars and he also helped them out with marketing and promotion, and also owned a Scorpion three-wheeler. Roger passed away last Saturday, June 13 after a short illness.
Being in Roger’s company was never dull. He had a bank of hilarious stories and when people inevitably were sure it was ‘Roger Cook’ off the telly, but weren’t fully certain, and didn’t have the heart to ask, he’d inevitably come out with a booming ‘Yes, it is me!’ followed by a hearty laugh.
He’d regularly call me and when I picked the phone up, I’d invariably hear “Ah, young Hole.” We’ll miss him.
A full obituary next week.
We send our sincerest condolences to Roger’s wife Frances, daughter Belnda, their family and many, many friends.
Another piece of sad news came this week, when it was announced that Complete Car Builder magazine has ceased publication with immediate effect. They had produced eight issues since evolving from Complete Kit Car magazine. We wish everyone concerned the best for the future.
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, by the way!
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 it’s the turn of the lovely little GECKO to be featured. CLICK HERE to find out more.
DON’T WANT PAPER? TRY OUR DIGITAL EDITION
An EXACT replica of the paper version it currently costs just £23.99 for a TWELVE MONTHS DIGITAL subscription to TKC MAG ANYWHERE in the world. Visit Pocketmags.com and type in ‘TKC MAG’ and all will be revealed. Alternatively, you can download our APP on your mobile and download single issues or a subscription on your phone or tablet.
Do you YouTube? totalkitcar History File Series (in association with the Enwin Motors channel). Don’t miss out, subscribe for FREE now.
Search YouTube for the ‘totalkitcar YouTube Channel’ or follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/@tkcmag.
Our popular TRACKDAY CALENDAR is where you can find out where, when and how much by CLICKING HERE. Now updated to cover JUNE, JULY and AUGUST 2026.
SNIPPETS 1 …….. If you’re looking for a special day out or a unique last-minute gift to celebrate Father’s Day on Sunday, June 21, the British Motor Museum has plenty to offer to make it truly memorable!
Those visiting the museum on June 21, can take in the Aston Martin Owners Club Festival – a celebration of the craftsmanship, performance and the unmistakable presence that defines the marque. This year, the show will mark 25 years of the V12 Vanquish, made famous by its starring role in the James Bond film Die Another Day. Whether you’re displaying your car or just taking it all in, this is where the Aston Martin spirit comes alive. Learn more and book your tickets at: www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/aston-martin-festival.
For an extra blast from the past, round off your Father’s Day visit by going to see Spoiler Alert! This new exhibition will take him on a journey into the electrifying world of 80s and 90s hot hatch culture. Inspired by freewheeling car meets and the vibrant visuals of the most iconic car magazines, discover a celebration of these iconic vehicles packed with legendary exhibits and interactive elements that bring their legacies to life. Can’t make it on the day? The exhibition runs from June 20 to February 21, 2027, so you’ve got plenty of time to visit! Discover the exhibition at: https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/spoiler-alert-the-hot-hatch-story
Already got Father’s Day plans? With a Gift Voucher, you can treat Dad to a visit to the Museum whenever suits him. Simply buy your chosen voucher online and he can redeem it when he visits! Find out more at https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/book-now
For the biggest enthusiasts, you can gift an annual membership, so your Dad can enjoy admiring over 400 British classic cars and attending a huge range of fantastic motoring shows. Starting from £42 for the year, membership also includes free entry to the museum and all its events, plus special Member-only events including ‘Museum on the Move’, where members get the rare opportunity to ride in a selection of vehicles from the museum’s collection. Find out more at https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/about-us/membership
WHAT A BEAUTY
Alternatively, Adopt a Car from the museum collections! From the Albion A1 8hp dog cart to the last of the line Wolseley 2200, there are loads of cars from across the museum’s collections available to adopt. Adoptions cost between £25 and £100 and adopters receive a digital adoption certificate, with their name added to the car’s listing in the Online Collections. The certificate arrives via email, so it makes a perfect last-minute gift! For more information and to see the complete range of adoptable cars, visit https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/support-us/adopt-a-car
Museum entry is just £18 for adults in advance or £21 on the day, £16 for concessions in advance or £19 on the day, £9 for children (5-16 years) in advance or £10 on the day and under 5s are FREE. There is also the option to Gift Aid or donate your entry fee and receive an Annual Pass in return at no extra cost. Prices vary on Annual Pass Exempt Days.
SNIPPETS 2 …….Race Retro has always been the place where the motorsport season begins and for 2027, that’s truer than ever.
It’s the Motorsport Show, the go-to event for everyone involved in racing in the UK.
Covering the past, with Group B legends back on the live rally stage, classic competition cars on show and retro racing exhibitors. The present, with everything you need to finalise your preparations for the race season ahead. For the future, they celebrate and encourage the next generation of motorsport talent.
For drivers, competitors, mechanics, preparers, and enthusiasts, Stoneleigh Park, February, 19-21, 2027, is where it all starts. Tickets go on sale in September.
More from www.raceretro.com.
SNIPPETS BONUS …….. Here’s a nice little item very close to TKC Towers. The local shop, in our village, has been in the same family ownership since it opened many years ago and is always there for residents.
The Redman family who owns the shop and sub-post office are also huge car enthusiasts and last weekend, one of the owner Derek’s sons, Huw celebrated his 60th birthday in style by enjoying the Land Rover Off Road Experience at Goodwood. He had a great time and told me: “That was just brilliant – everyone should do it.”
To find out about all the events and experiences that Goodwood has to offer, visit www.goodwood.com.
SNIPPETS 3 …….. SPECIAL OFFER: 12 months FREE Total Motor Assist for all totalkitcar.com readers!
Designed to plug the gaps in motor insurance, this multi-car package for you and your family sits alongside your insurance and gives you vital extra services, including:
UK-wide accident recovery
Approved accident repair
Like-for-like replacement car
Private treatment for injury
Specialist legal support
Saves you from paying any excess
Helps protect your no-claims
24/7 UK-based helpline
Trusted by thousands of members and over 150 organisations, we’re delighted to invite you to join free today at https://tkc.assistprotect.co.uk.
Now with free cycling support and property damage repair as well when you join!
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 26, 2026
Best regards
Steve