Keeping the Home Fires Burning

By the 1950's Britain was the second largest car manufacturer, behind the USA, and the largest exporter of vehicles world-wide.

Since the mid Seventies a steady decline in UK Car manufacturing has seen the loss of may prestigious marques, with Car Factories closing, the demise of many companies and brands and the wholesale acquisition of much of the industry by foreign companies. However we still retain an enormous automotive manufacturing base, core design and engineering knowledge which in recent years has bucked the trend and keeps Britain at the forefront of the World Car Industry with factories in this country producing 1.5M units per annum.

Factor in supply companies, spares, after-market and associated car related products to discover a healthy, vibrant market sector which still leads the world in many aspects.

British Car Design and Engineering expertise is still in global demand. After many years of what seemed like terminal decline we're proud that, although many may not be owned by Brits, the following companies fly the flag in manufacturing cars in these Isles and contribute to £30 billion in exports.

Aston Martin        Land Rover        Jaguar        Arial        Honda        Rolls Royce        Bentley   

Ginetta        Vauxhall        Toyota       Noble        McLaren        Nissan        Morgan        Mini   

Radical        Westfield         Lotus        Caterham        Ultima

An Indian Adventure

Visited Delhi and Rajasthan recently. Was expecting to see a load of "Classic" Cars but the government there has done a very effective job of phasing out old polluting personal transport and replacing it with small, modern cars. Mainly Suzuki if our ad hoc survey is anything to go by!

A throwback to a byegone era that we encountered on our travels was this

A Premier Padmini, a Fiat 1100D, designed in 1962 and licensed for Indian manufacture from 1974

The transport of choice is the redoubtable Auto-Rickshaw (tuk-tuk), all mainly Gas powered these days. Over here we occasionally play the "how many people can you get in a Mini?" game, for fun. In Delhi the population generally cram unfeasibly large numbers of human beings into, and onto, the "Auto" as a means to an end. The going rate for transport in these contraptions is incredibly low, mere pence but the game of arguing long and hard about the fare is ongoing as the drivers are truly reluctant to use the Meter for tourists - agree the price prior to the journey or better still INSIST they use the Meter, but then be prepared for a sullen chauffeur and extended detour of a journey.

Driving, or more accurately, being driven, is more scary than any rollercoaster. The idea is that Mirrors are NEVER used, the game of head-on "CHICKEN" is played as the norm and any rules of the road have been totally forgotten.

There is however one extremely sensible, simple and practical piece of road furniture that should immediately be adopted here. At all the major intersections with traffic lights they have prominent timers, counting down the time till the lights change. These timers are the only means possible yet discovered to prevent an Indian driver incessantly blowing their horns. The most apt sign in the whole of Delhi......

The cars may be mostly modern, that isn't true of the trucks and busses. The "All India Permit" proudly signwritten onto the majority of commercial transport implies the driver has actually passed a driving test, sadly they all, without exception drive as if they are in "Mad Max", as for the roadworthiness of almost any vehicle, well let's just say that there isn't enough paper available for the list of "Advisories" which would be required!

The highlight of our motoring in India has to be the sedate trip taken in a 1939 Chevrolet Master 85 Limousine. Driven impeccably by Rav, our ex Indian Army driver, we toured Jodhpur in decadent luxury, visiting the Polo Club and the magnificent Forts.

Silverstone Classic

A great time was had by all at the Silverstone Classic this year, apart, that is, from the hardy souls braving the Saturday downpour to watch The Hollies.

We set up shop on Thursday to an amazing soundtrack of an eclectic mix of historic cars being put through their paces in testing, and throughout the weekend it was that wonderfully evocative noise which provided the event's signature.

A fabulous turnout of cars of all marques......

 ...... complemented the serious side of the event - the racing. Practice and qualifying was stimulating enough, but there was no quarter given racing some of the most precious vehicles on the planet.

One thing which sets The Classic apart, for me, is the unfettered access to the pits and the friendly welcome given by the mechanics and drivers alike, all perfectly happy to share their tales of joy, woe and mechanical triumph and disaster.

All in all we had an excellent time, working hard of course.

We'll be back next year for some more "Rockin 'n' Racing"

Women Only

"The Prestige Track Club is the UK market leader in teaching women how to handle powerful sports cars safely.  They include instruction on track, off-road, and ABS, ESP and Anti-HiJack demonstrations with the aim to build confidence and experience in customers own cars on race circuits and rally stages. We also are concerned for your safety in an increasingly dangerous driving environment."

Sarah Hutchinson has been racing, and organising racing, for 20 years and has instructed for major manufacturers at circuits including Mallory Park and Goodwood. She is the Principal Instructor at Prestige and, with her "All Girl" team, they specialise in Women Only race, off-road and car handling courses.

Prestige runs a variety of vehicles but Sarah enjoys events with her historic racing cars and maintains a fleet including Lotus 18, Lancia Beta Coupe, Lotus 61 Formula Ford and a Reliant Scimiter (remember them!) at home.

Prestige invested in a Glenfinnan 4 Post which doubles up storage space and also acts as the maintenance bay.

Sarah says "The lift has added a whole new "garage space" to our block, which avoids planning issues with the house being Listed, and also works as a very handy lift to work on the cars' undersides!"

A Glenfinnan 4 Post Lift, "Just the Job!"

You've decided on a 4 Post Lift. Well, if your name is Martin and you live near Newcastle, you did.

You speak to the supplier; they take all the relevant details regarding the size of your garage, types of car you're going to work on, or store;  your architect is happy and according to the drawings it's going to fit. The council have signed off the plans, we've agreed the price, you've paid!

What happens now?

Your lift is selected from stock and loaded onto transport

We get up early, check the map and drive North,

to arrive just as the rain stops for a cup of tea!

Then we set about transforming the garage left by the builders from a single car store to one that'll securely hold your prize possessions.

Only stopping for some wonderful seaside fish & chips!

Completing the install,

thoroughly testing and demonstrating the lift

before leaving the site clean and tidy and taking all our tools, packaging etc away

We were happy to receive these comments from the customer:-

"Very pleased with the install and the efforts that you went to install and check the lift, I know with the clearance the installation wasn't easy. I have removed the ramps for present when bringing in the lower car but will play about with the height of these ramps in the near future with the hope to leave them on permanently at present wheel chocks hold the car in place besides being in gear and handbrake on. Attached picture of Renault GTA Turbo (soon to be sold) on top of Jaguar Mk2. When I get my Cobra replica back I will take some more photos and send them on.

Again thanks for all your efforts very much appreciated and the lift is perfect.  

Martin"

together with his picture of the lift being put to good use....

If you'd like your own 4 Post Lift at home, then please click this link for more information

They're all the same - Cars!

My first car recollection is being whisked down to Clacton, must have been three or four years old. Chauffeured by a distant relative. We didn't own a car ourselves and all our journeys were by bus or train, so this was very exciting. I can't tell you what the car that I made my first, remembered, journey in was but I know it was black, had a V bonnet with engine covers that hinged upwards - possibly an Austin 8?

My Grandfather had a Herald. He did ALL the work on that car himself and I spent whole summer holidays in awe whilst he pottered, swore and coaxed the engine to run smoothly, spending most of his time with the distributor and emery cloth to hand.

Our first family transport was a Mini. URE 307 C. Green, two doors - which were opened with string - tilt front seats that were not located in any fashion when down. My brother and I used to spend the hours being driven to North Wales kneeling on the back seat, looking out of the rear window and driving my mother mad playing with the hinge out rear windows - seatbelts / child-seats / radio / air-bags / anti-lock brakes NONE, just basic transport.

The Mini and all cars of that ilk and era were accessible. Teenagers could work on the things, discover how they functioned and, through trial and error, get to grips with spanners and oil to make them go, and stop!

The Mini had sensors. A speedometer and, more importantly, a temperature gauge.

Motoring today is far more comfortable. Safer. Insulated.

Technology, regulations and necessity ensure a better world for all, I'm sure, but I miss "the old days".

My daughter will want a car next year. I'll ensure it is the safest, most reliable, vehicle we can afford. It will have airbags and safety cells, crumple zones and will be fantastically economical. She'll be taught to check fluids, tyres and her mirror - told to keep the MP3 player off as she negotiates town traffic and to concentrate at all times. The car will tell her if it's running out of fuel or if one of the light-bulbs has failed. It won't let her drive without a fastened seatbelt. I know I'll be happier in the knowledge that she will be driving a computer controlled box, but I'd always opt for the carburettor and distributor controlled ignition for me - given the choice. It doesn't always work but it's more fun!