TIES THAT BIND
Jun 1st
New from Connect Workshop Consumables is this pack of ten cable-routing clips (part number 36642), that feature a swivelling plastic C-clip mounted on the cable tie and is designed for clipping hoses and pipes to electrical looms, chassis rails, pipework, etc. Designed to ensure the safe and secure routing of pipes and wiring by clipping them onto other fixed cables or structural fixings. The C-clip allows the pipe or wiring to be removed and refitted without cutting the cable tie.
Offers a very convenient and professional solution to routing additional wiring spurs or small-bore pipework in the engine bay or under More >
THE STORY OF MAIL-ORDER PIONEER CHARLES CARD JR AND HIS HONEST CHARLEY SPEED SHOP OPERATION
Jun 1st
Images courtesy of honestcharley.com
Here’s a first for our Classic Kit Cars & Specials series as we cross the pond and take a look at some heroes and icons from drag and short oval racing. We kick off with the automotive industry’s pioneer of mail-order shopping Charles Card Jr better known as Honest Charley. STEVE HOLE is our guide.
There are several things that make Charles Card Jr a very notable figure in the automotive aftermarket. He was the first to offer a mail-order service for go-faster speed parts. He was the second inductee into the Specialty Equipment Market Association’s (SEMA) Hall More >
NEW SEVEN. IT’S ELECTRIC!
May 25th
Caterham has revealed EV Seven – its technology development concept for a future fully electric Seven.
The concept will test the feasibility of a lightweight electric Seven and enable Caterham to move a step closer to bringing a battery electric model to market that is as driver-focused as its petrol counterpart.
EV Seven is being engineered in collaboration with Swindon Powertrain Ltd – a leader in the development of advanced and ultra-robust powertrains for both road and motorsport applications. EV Seven is based on the larger Seven chassis and features a bespoke version of Swindon Powertrain’s E Axle, combined with an immersion-cooled More >
THE MANAGEMENT!
May 25th
Summit Racing™ Megasquirt Engine Management Combos give you the flexibility to precisely tune your engine from startup to wide-open throttle at a very affordable price. The combos are based on the DIYAutoTune Megasquirt Gen 2 Engine Management System. It’s a standalone system that is a fully plug-and-play replacement for the factory ECU with no additional wiring required for basic operation. It has a preloaded base map to get your engine up and running, ready for additional tuning.
Basic Tuning Features • Real-time tuning and datalogging with a laptop connection • 16 x 16 fuel tables allow high-resolution tuning • 12 x 12 ignition More >
ARE YOU SITTING COMFORTABLY?
May 25th
Move around the garage or workshop in comfort and in style with this new Clarke mechanic’s seat, from Machine Mart, complete with handy tool rack!
This compact and lightweight mobile seat and tool rack solution makes tasks a whole lot easier, allowing you to sit while you work with your tools close at hand to help tackle the job.
Another benefit of the CMSTRT is that the seat can be easily removed to allow you to use it for kneeling!
As well as the easy-to-reach tool rack, this seat has also been designed with a convenient storage tray underneath.
Finally, the CMSTRT is fitted More >
INFLATION IS RAMPANT!
May 25th
With drivers at the forefront of the development process, Ring has launched a new cordless tyre inflator.
To complement its cordless tyre inflator range, lighting and accessory giant, Ring, has introduced the RTC4000 to fill a gap in the market for a compact, yet powerful and high-quality cordless tyre inflator for cars and motorbikes.
The RTC4000 is easily chargeable via a USB Type C cable or 12V DC cable and is quick to inflate a tyre, even from flat, making this product an easy sell for retailers and reassures drivers if they go back to their vehicle and the tyre is flat, More >
KEEP WATER OFF
May 25th
Car care maestros, Gtechniq has announced the launch of EXOv5 Ultra Durable Hydrophobic Coating for automotive paint.
The development of the latest version of EXO has been extensive and has taken over two years. EXOv5 utilises the latest in composite siloxane technology that when applied to paint delivers incredible dirt and water repellency that lasts more than eighteen months.
Gtechniq’s in-house laboratory took over 26,000 water contact angle measurements, 4200 gloss measurements and 750 application assessments to ensure that the product worked in any country and any climate.
To validate Gtechniq’s internal testing, they worked with a well-known university that specialises in material More >
WE’RE GOING ON A JOURNEY
May 25th
A unique piece of BMC history – a restored ‘skeleton’ example of the Austin 1100 Countryman – is now on display at Great British Car Journey.
The Austin 1100 ‘skeleton’ car has been lent to the award-winning Derbyshire-based classic car museum by The 1100 Club.
The skeleton body of the unique vehicle is designed to show the electric motors which control the movement of front and rear seats, demonstrating the car’s carrying capacity to its full extent.
The arrival at Great British Car Journey follows the end of an eight-year search by the club for a new home for the car following the More >
THE STORY OF GEORGE ROBINSON’S VEGANTUNE VTA TWIN CAM
May 25th
‘POWER IS A VEGAN ISSUE’ so said George Robinson of engine builders, Vegantune who also manufactured the Evante kit because he always felt that there was much more life in the Elan than Lotus realised.
Based in Cradge Bank, Spalding, Robinson and his business partner, John Sisme founded the Vegantune operation in 1965. Both were ex-BRM in Bourne and Robinson had latterly been responsible for building Graham Hill’s F1 engines. George’s son, Jeff and his son-in-law, Phil Gardner also later joined Vegantune
George was a Lotus enthusiast – he loved the Elan – and had developed a real liking for the 1558cc More >
MAKING LIGHT WORK OF DETRITUS
May 18th
There was me thinking that a vacuum cleaner was a vacuum cleaner. Wrong. The missus recently got a VAX Blade 4 Dual Pet & Car cordless vacuum and I have to say it is brilliant.
I initially felt it expensive at a penny under 370 quid but you can find deals around if you search and you also get a handy attachment ‘toolkit’ worth over £50. This includes a mini-motorised pet hair tool, and a handy flexible hose
Very cool that you also get two 4Ah battery packs – or what VAX describes as their ONEPWR system – meaning they fit other More >
