News

NEED PAINT OR GRP REPAIRS ON YOUR KITCAR? THERE MIGHT BE JUST ONE OPTION

As a pretty enthusiastic classic Lotus fan of many years standing I keep a very keen eye on that scene, which although belonging within the specialist car sector is a niche within a niche. For example, I’ve learnt the hard way that it’s never good to use the words ‘kit’ and ‘car’ in the earshot of a historic Lotus owner (well, up until 1973 and the introduction of VAT, which stopped Lotus ‘kit’ production, almost overnight).

A fine reputation with Lotus and TVRs has seen Option 1 turn their attention to the kitcar industry. They have a lot to offer…

Fact is More >

YOU TOO CAN HAVE A NEW BODY!

A project I’ve always liked it is the HSR, which has had a few false starts but remains full of potential.

A potentially brilliant project, the HSR

Our old mate, Pat Jackson, came up with the concept back in 2006 and developed it in conjunction with MK Sportscars basing it on the company’s proven, Indy spaceframe chassis. Although MK displayed the car a couple of times at shows it ultimately didn’t go much further.

It then lay dormant for a while although Pat always felt it had mileage in it and about two-years ago began marketing it himself, which is when I drove it More >

THE HUB

 

One of the lines that Merlin Motorsport sells is cast, heat-treated aluminium hubs, which are ideal for any kit or specialist car that uses Triumph uprights.

They can be supplied with three alternate wheel-stud hole pitchings and there are two types of stub axle used – small size for Herald; large size for Vitesse.

If in any doubt cal Merlin Motorsport and they will be happy to help identify the type you need for your application.  They do point out though that these hubs are more fragile than the production steel items and care needs to be taken when fitting the studs. More >

YOU MIGHT LIKE SUMMIT RACING’S BLUEPRINTS

GM’s new LS3 427ci V8 engine is quickly earning the same reputation for performance as its late-1960s 427 big block namesake. BluePrint Engine’s new line of Pro Series Chevy LS 427 Crate Engines aims to enhance that reputation.

There are four engines in BluePrint’s Pro Series:

The Pro Series Chevy LS 427ci 625bhp EFI Retrofit Dressed Crate Engine is a virtually ‘drop-in and go’ solution. It comes with everything required for installation, including an ECU that’s already calibrated. The 427 LS3-based stroker uses cylinder heads of BluePrint’s own design and cranks out an awesome 625bhp.

BluePrint Engine’s Pro Series Chevy LS 427ci 625bhp More >

QUIET!

Trackday-goers to Castle Combe circuit can often find that their anticipated fun and frolics can get curtailed before they’ve even begun thanks to the Wiltshire circuit’s ‘noise police’.

However, Merlin Motorsport, located in the paddock, manufacturer a saviour with their bolt-on exhaust noise muffler. It is an additional silencer used on trackdays where the car’s existing system fails the mandatory noise test.

The Merlin Muffler, unlike some other decibel reducers, which effectively block the end of your exhaust causing an increase in back pressure, is a straight through device that allows noise-waves to be dissipated within the can thus reducing noise levels More >

GLOW IN THE DARK

Extroverted drivers looking to make their cars stand out from the crowd under the cover of darkness now have a new tool at their disposal – the new glow in the dark range of alloy wheel protectors from AlloyGator.

Developed to protect alloy wheels from expensive and unsightly damage caused by kerbing, AlloyGators fit between the rim and the tyre. Available in a variety of colours, the line has now been expanded to include the dramatic glow in the dark option, ensuring that when the sun sets, drivers can still make a bold styling statement.

Curt Rathbone, managing director at AlloyGator said: More >

DECENT DAY OUT

Castle Combe’s vibrant 2016 show calendar is in full swing and the circuit has already played host to some of the country’s most-loved shows and race meetings, but there’s still plenty of action to come. The Classic, Kit Car and Retro Action day on Saturday June 25th promises to be a highlight and a must for anyone who likes their cars built when the Cold War was in full swing!

The place to be if you’re idea of heaven is the sound of barking downdraught carbs and screaming BDAs, the Classic, Kit Car and Retro Action Day will have something for More >

DON’T MISS THE BUZZ?

 

Best-known for their rust treatment and prevetative products, Buzzweld’s new Oxide-X high-build primer will definitely be of interest. It’s an anit-corrosive, primer, available in mid-grey and compatible with the company’s gloss top coats, which are ideal for applying to chassis’ and other metal components.

What I particularly like is the fact it dries to the touch in about eight minutes and holds nicely on edges, where others struggle and neatness is required. It comes in 100ml or 500ml tins with the latter priced at £14.99.

The company was started by Craig Jones just one year ago and the progress made in such a More >

HANDY INSPECTION TORCH

Sometimes it can be handy to have a hasty look in your engine bay when an inspection lamp would be ideal. Of course, when you are out and about this isn’t always practical, while a pocket-sized torch won’t really do the job.

Help is at hand from Ring Automotive in the form of their RIL54 Pocket Inspection Lamp, a compact but very bright torch that you can keep in your coat pocket or in the car somewhere. It used COB LED technology to give a very bright 110-lumens output, and comes with a magnet on the back of the swivel clip More >

PROFESSIONAL DRIVER

If you’ve been looking for a professional quality ratchet screwdriver then this new example from Laser Tools (part number 6197) could well fit the bill.

With a super-smooth, but very robust, 50-tooth ratchet this screwdriver is comfortable and well-balanced and stores ten commonly used bits in the handle.

The stainless steel shaft incorporates a magnetic bit holder and is knurled for speedy rotation. The bits are manufactured from S2 shock-resisting silicon steel, ten are included: PzDrive 1,2,3; Phillips Ph1, Ph2; star T25, T30, T40 and flat 5mm and 7mm. The ratchet can be set to forward, reverse and lock.

This professional technician’s ratchet More >

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