PROPER MINI TYRES

In 1974 with the introduction of the bigger disc brakes on the 1275 GT, the Mini began to move away from it’s cute little 10in rims, and fitted 145/70 boots, onto 12in wheels, instead.

For some considerable time now, a proper tyre has not been available to compliment the handling of these sporty and fun little cars that are such an endearing part of the British driving culture, not to mention the thousands that have been used as kitcar donors.

The good news is that Michelin has stepped up to the mark and filled the gap with the reintroduction of the perfect More >

YEP, THIS IS COOL! WAY COOL

It’s not every day we get a product press release like this….VW Heritage has managed to turn up five new old stock Brazilian Beetle chassis that have been gathering dust in a warehouse for the past twenty years!

We’re not sure how or why they’ve spent this long hidden in the dark, but it is great news for those with Beetles with flaky floors or those who want to build a Beach Buggy or Speedster replica from the ground up.

Complete with brakes, ball-joint front axle, and a gearbox already in place, it only needs some wheels, a steering column and an More >

GRIP LIKE A TYRE-FITTER’S HANDSHAKE!

Invented by a United States Air Force aircraft mechanic Grypmat could just be a very special product that will greatly help you in the garage and/or workshop.

Fed up with not being able to reach tools and nuts and bolts to hand while working on jet aircraft, he decided to create his own tool-tray, which has ended-up winning crowd-funding and entering production as Grypmat.

It’s a funky, orange-coloured non-slip, non-magnetic and chemical resistant anti-static rubber tool-tray that keeps your tools and fasteners in place. It’s really advanced stuff and it can be placed at any angle, with not so much as a More >

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. 

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