STRADA 4/88 – THE ITALIANATE SOUNDING TWO-SEATER FROM SUFFOLK

STEVE HOLE tells the story of the STRADA 4/88. Pix courtesy of www.adrianflux.co.uk

A real curiosity this one. It wasn’t a kitcar but was very specialist. The Strada 4/88 was the brainchild of a Suffolk carpet shop proprietor called John Hillier, from Woodbridge with vital input from his engineer friend, John Brighty.

The two had met in the late sixties and Brighty had ‘form’ as he’d previously worked at Bill Last’s Trident Cars, a marque that Hillier supplied Wilton carpeting to.

Between them, they developed what became the Strada 4/88 with design from none other than BMC designer Harris Mann (Austin Princess, ZT More >

THIS COULD BE THE BEST NEW TOOL OF 2024!

Badly damaged wheel nuts or bolts? Are Tyre fitters too keen with the windy gun? Wheel nut socket just slipping off? Laser Tools has the solution!

These new damaged (they aren’t damaged, don’t worry!) wheel-nut extractors – specially designed spiral sockets – are designed for the efficient removal of damaged wheel fixings.

Engineered from SCM440 medium-carbon chromium-molybdenum alloy steel (for strength and wear resistance), these cold-forged sockets ensure durability and reliability. The fitted plastic sleeve protects the finish on alloy wheels. Three sizes are available: 17mm (part number 8764), 19mm (part number 8765) and 21mm (part number 8766)

Use the equivalent wheel nut More >

BRAKES. JUST LIKE MAGIC AT MERLIN MOTORSPORT

Merlin Motorsport stocks the full range of Tilton brake components. The company has been designing and manufacturing brake components for over 45 years.

Merlin’s ‘magic’ range includes Tilton’s own Master Cylinders and Kits, Pedal Assemblies and Pedal Assembly Bulkhead, Chamber Brake Fluid Reservoirs, Brake Proportioning Valves and Service Repair Kit, Standard Brake Bias Adjuster cable and Throttle Linkage.

Go to – TILTON BRAKE PARTS  See all – BRAKE & CLUTCH PARTS ENDS.

DO MORE THAN JOIN THE DOTS AT WOOLIES

If you are looking for hood fasteners Woolies Trim has a massive range to choose from ranging from the Durable Dot ‘pop’ fasteners through to the more expensive spring-loaded Tenax fasteners. They have something for every style of car so they are sure to have something suitable for your project

Lift-the-Dot fasteners are very secure and easy to use and there is a wide choice of pegs (studs) to choose from. Woolies’ sockets do say ‘Lift-the-Dot’ on them so they are not to be confused with cheaper versions available.

They also have longer pronged sockets (part no. 07A) which are good if you are More >

PRECISE MEASUREMENTS

This compact pro multimeter and oscilloscope package is quite pricey but is really very good and displays results via Bluetooth on a smartphone app.

Data is stored and logged for up to six months even without a phone connection. Set up a multimeter in one place and choose readings in another, while the oscilloscope picks up circuit noise and current variation over time.

The ultra-compact Pokit meter has the same functionality for £81 although with a 60volt capacity down from 600volts without handling attachments.

The combined package costs £163 and more information is available via www.pokitmeter.com ENDS.

WEAR A RARE BRM ON YOUR T-SHIRT!

Retro Classic Clothing’s BRM t-shirts feature many of the famed V16 single-seater, but I really like this lesser known BRM, a Can-Am car called the P154 in classic Castrol livery with the shirt available in white, sand or grey priced from £27.60.

 

More from www.retroclassicclothing.com ENDS.

CHILLED TOOLBOX!

This is a really cool product from Cool Additions and is a tool chest/fridge combo with a four-drawer tool-chest with a commercial-grade Osbourne fan-assisted fridge.

 

Six different base colours are available although custom/bespoke colours are available. A two- or three-drawer option is available if preferred. Prices start at £1074. More information via www.cooladditions.co.uk ENDS.

QUALITY LISTENING

Top-quality French audio brand, Focal has updated its K2 line of in-car speakers now in its fourth generation since its launch in 1982.

Fresh materials, improved drivers and revised visuals – tuned mass dampers, reduced distortion at high volumes.

Prices from £259.99 for entry-level 6 1/2in (165mm) co-axial kit although four-to-six-piece kits are available along with sub-woofer and low-profile sets. More from www.focal.com ENDS.

NEW STUFF FROM AUTOGLYM

Autoglym, the UK’s largest vehicle care brand, has launched three new accessories that have been designed to make it much easier to clean, enhance and protect interior and exterior surfaces. All have been engineered to work with the company’s extensive, award-winning range of cleaning and finishing solutions.

Autoglym’s new Ultra-Soft Drying Towel has been designed to make it easier to quickly and safely dry a vehicle following a wash and rinse. Made from a high-density, deep-pile twisted loop material that is designed to absorb and retain more water than regular drying towels, the new product leaves bodywork with a perfect, streak-free More >

ROCKIN’ AND ROLLIN’

If your kitcar has a Ford Crossflow read on …

Conventional rocker arms tend to produce sideways movement in the valve stems which causes high levels of friction and subsequent wear to both the stems and valve guides.

However, the wear can be prevented by replacing the standard rockers with roller-rockers; their strong-arm construction and the presence of large, low-friction needle roller bearings virtually eliminate the undesirable sideways movement.

The standard lift Burton Roller Rocker Assembly for the Ford Kent engine can be ordered as part number FP229K at £500.00 inc VAT.

The assembly is suitable for all Ford Kent engines, but an alloy More >

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