A GOOD DAY WAS HAD BY ALL
Jun 15th
The recent XCS Designs Open Day at the firm’s Saffron Walden HQ saw the sportscar manufacturer throw open its doors once again to welcome customers and prospects, old and new, to tour the factory for themselves and examine the firm’s latest designs and demonstrators.
The weather played along, offering an incredible 30 degrees of heat and blistering sunshine from the very start of the day. If anyone was needing a meteorological encouragement to push them gently towards an open-top sportscar, then this definitely played its part, with XCS’s all-new Dieci and 427 Demo cars literally glinting in shimmering heat to welcome More >
A VERY COOL IDEA
Jun 15th
Seeing the new XCS 427 LT at Malvern I was quite taken with the ‘slave’ wheels the car was riding on. The GUNIWHEEL™ 45S is an alternative to axle stands or other mounting systems and mean you can wheel your car around the workshop. I think they are ideal for kitcar builders.
They keep vehicles in a mobile, stable, safe and secure state when tyres and wheels are removed. Its universal lug pattern fits most cars and light SUV vehicles with four- or five-hole lug patterns and a max centre hub of 77mm.
The potential uses are endless, really.
They weigh about 16kg More >
HANCOCK’S HALF HOUR (YEP, ANOTHER ONE FOR MUM AND DAD!)
Jun 15th
Another of the UK kitcar industry’s hardest working and nicest blokes is Rob Hancock of Quantum Sports Cars and since the start of 2023 the ANC Replicar, too.
In recent months, Rob has been burning the midnight oil on a brand-new kit, a heavily revised version of the Replicar that he has christened the LMR-141. In effect, the company has shortened and narrowed the original bodyshell and made other changes such as moving the doors back. However, the Replicar ‘shell remains available.
The result is a coherent-looking package which remains based on the Mazda MX-5 donor car. Kits are priced at £7295 More >
NO HINGES BUT PLENTY OF BRACKETS (ASK YOUR MUM AND DAD!)
Jun 15th
Another incredibly handy product from Car Builder Solutions is this 36-piece angle bracket set.
This set includes:
90° folded angle brackets:
4 off 25 x 25 x 16mm wide
8 off 40 x40 x 16mm wide
4 off 60 x 60 x 16 mm wide
4 off 75 x 75 x 16 mm wide.
Flat plates: 4 off 40 x 40 x 12 mm wide and 4 off 60 x 60 x 12 mm wide and flat strips: 4 off 80 x15mm and 4 off 40 x 15mm.
All are made from 2mm thick plated steel and each piece has four 3.5mm countersunk holes.
The pack includes 144, 3mm x More >
A TESTING TIME
Jun 15th
New from Laser Tools is this voltage tester (part number 8599) that features a backlit LCD display, making it easy to read even in poor lighting conditions. It’s for direct current (DC) systems only and suitable for use on 3- to 60-volt systems, making it essential for use in the modern automotive workshop.
The stainless-steel test probe is two-position: pushed forward into the external position to measure voltage straight from a terminal or switch or held within the hook to pierce and test an insulated wire.
Use the tester with confidence – reverse-polarity, over-voltage or connection to an AC system is instantly More >
IT’S MAGIC
Jun 15th
Following its policy to consistently develop and improve, Ring has upgraded its MAGFlex Twist to conform with EU laws that are coming into force and provide a new, better and brighter inspection lamp for professionals in a host of different industries.
In line with EU law that states that by the end of 2024, all consumer electronics must use USB-C charging, Ring has adapted its RIL3600HP, or more commonly known as the MAGFlex Twist, to comply with these new laws and has therefore launched the RIL3600C. While first and foremost this new model fits into this EU law, USB-C charging has More >
TAKE IT UP A NOTCH!
Jun 15th
If you’re fabricating a roll cage, bumpers, bull bars, or some other part made from pipes or tubing, then you’re going to need a way to make round cuts and/or angled notches.
The Summit Racing Tubing Notcher is designed for use with 1/2in hand-drill and can create round or fishmouth holes in metal pipe and tubes from 3/4in to 3in in diameter. Other features include:
- Cuts angles up to 50 degrees in one-degree increments • Accepts standard hole saws • Hardened and ground spindle with needle bearing support for accuracy • Can be mounted to either a bench top or in a More >
TOUGH AS A RHINO
Jun 15th
If strength is at the top of your air-cooled VW transmission wish list, you should absolutely consider starting with one of these ‘Rhino’ gearbox cases, with extra webbing and gussets for maximum durability.
Originally manufactured by Volkswagen for the Brazilian Kombi, they represent the ultimate OEM+ gearbox upgrade for your Beetle, Ghia or Split Bus. With extra clearance for 12v flywheels as standard, they are box-fresh and ready to accept your cogs of choice inside.
With stock strictly limited, they are offered for sale by Heritage Parts Centre, priced at £499.95. Simply surf on over to HeritagePartsCentre.com and search for part number More >
NORTHERN LIGHT – KIT EBIKE
Jun 8th
On Sunday morning at Malvern, a new kitcar rolled into the hall (having missed the first day due to other commitments).
The Northern Light 630, a very innovative three-wheeler, is classed as an eBike and weighs just 77kg. One of the men behind the project, Graham Browne, is a noted automotive designer.
He started working at TVR in Blackpool as a student under the late Peter Wheeler, initially working on the Tuscan, interior stuff on the Lee Hodgetts, Daren Hobbs and Martin Smith designed T350 and then the T400, Typhon, the Sagaris, Tuscan convertible and Sagaris 2 as chief designer.
When Wheeler moved on More >
LATEST BOXSTER-BASED KIT BREAKS COVER
Jun 8th
New manufacturer Vale Automotive debuted their Porsche Boxster 986-based Boxster GT1 at Malvern last weekend.
Based near Derry in Northern Ireland the company endured a nightmare week pre-show, with a marathon Stranraer to Plymouth journey, an issue with their hired trailer that delayed the six hours saw them arrive at Malvern looking slightly frayed around the edges.
Their very striking demo car wasn’t completely finished but showed lots of promise. Kits are priced at £11,000 and the company can supply directly to anywhere in the UK (and Ireland, of course) from their base.
We’ll be bringing you more on this one in due More >
