WINTER 2024
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Half a century on from a hot rod epiphany, Nick Mellett has the pick-up he always wanted CC Winter 23 Cover.indd 1
06/11/2023 23:03
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Contents
J is an s 21 u ua De e o ry ce n s ’24 m al be e r
Find us on Facebook at mCarMagazine www.facebook.com/Custo
Regulars
22
2
News & reviews Start filling that diary for 2024
32 Centre Spread
Been a while in the making, this one
20 Auto Focus The Pod crew who keep it ticking over
62 Events
Time to start filling up next year’s diary
64 Next Month
NIck Mellett’s glorious Model A pick-up
Features
58
10 Moon Unit Nick Mellett’s gorgeous Model A pick-up
22 ‘Ere’s ‘Enry Mopar man Ian Dawes’ other car…
36 The Main Event
56 48
Records tumble on a massive weekend
48 Low is the way to Peugeot A different kind of slammed classic
36
54 Knuckle Busters at the Barns Rain did not stop play
56 Plus 44 Show Lots of customs among the modern cars
58 V8 Hotrods at Redgrave
10
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Ultimate pub meet takes over the village
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News & reviews
Going straight
W
ith the aim of promoting straight line sport for cars, bikes and boats, the Straightliners Top Speed Show highlights sprinting, drag racing and speed records on both water and land. The third staging of the show takes place at Elvington Airfi eld, just outside York, on 24-25 February 2024, with exhibits housed in four large marquees which will be heated and lit. The organisers are also planning live displays from exhibition vehicles, weather
Drag dates
Santa Pod’s 2024 Championship drag racing programme kicks off with the Easter weekend Festival of Power on 29-31 March. From then on, the Pod offers a full season
permitting, together with a 100-metre ‘dash-for-cash’ track. Last year’s Top Speed Show featured Top Fuel bikes, a rocket bike and two jet cars, along with more than 100 race bikes and 60 race cars. Of note were the ex-Dennis Priddle Tudor Rose slingshot, the Fireforce 3 Jet car, the Spider Man Jet dragster, the Force of Nature steam rocket bike and the ex-Brian Johnson Imperial Wizard Top Fuel bike. Additional attractions included custom car and bike club displays, trade stalls and talks by tuning experts.
The organisers’ goal this time round is to top that and make this the biggest and best Top Speed Show to date. Take advantage of this perfect fi x for escaping those long dark nights and lack of racing and dig out what you’ve got stashed away in your garage or workshop. Take the plunge and become part of the show, if only just to meet up with friends and chat. Send that email now confi rming your attendance! Exhibitors: graham@gspe.co.uk Trade stands: trevor@straightliners.co.uk
of national and international competition, including the Motorsport UK Championship and the opening and closing rounds of the FIA and FIM European Championships. The full race date calendar can be found online at www.santapod.co.uk. Melbourne Raceway has also announced race dates for next season. Details will follow, but for now the dates to pencil in on
your 2024 calendar are 13-14 April, 11-12 May, 15-16 June, 13-14 July, 3-4 August, 31 August–1 September and 5-6 October. www.straightliners. events
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VISIT O
UR
TE & WEBSI SHOP E O N L I N
Sheffield shine
Long-term hot rodder Richard Crookes has launched a new venture based on his many years of experience of bodywork and paint spraying. Based in Sheffield, Time 2 Shine will take on anything from small repairs to full restoration work. Although mainly focusing on body and paintwork, Richard will point his spray gun at everything from engines and axles, through to panels and complete cars. If you need Time 2 Shine in your life, you can contact Richard through Facebook or by calling 07940 911046.
One year only
Back for one year only is the UKDRN drag racing wall calendar. Featuring a mix of unpublished images and some of photographer Jon Spoard’s favourite captures over the last decade, the calendar embraces a cross-section of the sport with images including information such as times and speeds. Priced at £22 including packaging, postage and PayPal charges, the calendars are available by preordering only and will be delivered in time for Christmas. Facebook: UKDRN
01934 864310
www.speedflow.co.uk
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News & reviews
Something for the weekend?
2 CUSTOM CAR MARCH Monkeying about2023 Organised by the Iceni C.A.R. Club, the annual Brass Monkey Run is an ideal way to shake off the post-Christmas blues and escape the left-over turkey. All you have to do is wrap up warm, jump in your car and set off to the starting point at The Ram public house in Brandon, Suffolk (IP27 0AX) on Saturday 30 December. The run will head off at 10am to the second meeting point, Waitrose in Swaffham (PE37 7HT), where more Monkeys will join in. It will then be back on the road at 11am, heading to the final destination of Wells Town Car Park, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk (NR23 1BF). Tony 01842 810720; Liam 07399 903476; icenicarclub@ gmail.com; Facebook: Iceni C.A.R. Club
Open wide
Long live the king
Sand stormers
Following the success of its debut earlier this year, Street Weekend is back on 14-16 June 2024. Aimed squarely at finding out who really is king of the street, drivers need to set and submit a time at Santa Pod Raceway in Northamptonshire on the Friday before driving around 200 miles to Melbourne Raceway in York to set another time on Day 2. It’s then back to Santa Pod to set a final time on the Sunday. Track conditions will be different on each day, starting at Santa Pod on Day 1 at the Sportsman Nationals Test Day, an unprepped 1/8-mile challenge at Melbourne on Day 2 and finally alongside the Sportsman Nationals at Santa Pod on Day 3 on a championship-prepped track. Then, of course, there’s that little matter of a 400-mile road trip in between. Full details coming soon… www.santapod.co.uk
Hot Rod Racing returns to Pendine Sands on 22-23 June 2024, courtesy of the Vintage Hot Rod Association. As always, racing and pit passes are exclusively available to VHRA members, but non-members can spectate for free outside the pits. Such is the popularity of this event, racing and pit passes promptly sold out after they went on sale at 7pm on 20 October. The racing starts around 10am and will run for around 5 to 6 hours each day, subject to the tide of course. Full details are available online by visiting the VHRA website and clicking on the events tab.www.vhra.co.uk
Supplied in a set of three, these wide-mouth adjustable wrenches from Laser Tools feature super-thin hardened and tempered jaws with capacities up to 55mm wide. Their ergonomic design ensures a comfortable and secure grip, with the lengths of the wrenches ranging from 165mm to 265mm. www.lasertools.co.uk
Going continental The 2024 European Street Rod Nationals will be held in Finland on 11-14 July. The venue is Ellivouri Sastamala, a resort surrounded by forests and lakes. Only European Street Rod Association members can attend (the NSRA UK is a member body) and full details are to follow. www.fsra.fi
Feast of a time The Eastbourne Feastival (not a spelling mistake) happening on 24-25 August 2024. The Feastival is a celebration of family food, music and culture, and the next staging will also feature a custom car and bike show. It takes place at Hampden Park, Eastbourne and, in association with Gunslinger Speed Shop, the weekend will feature stunt shows, live music, a kids zone, street food and trade stands. www.visiteastbourne.com
Hot spots
Laser Tools’ new Heat Inductor Kit utilises advanced heating technology to help loosen rusted or seized nuts and bolts. The inductor, rated at 1000W, precisely targets the component effectively expanding the metal and breaking the rust or corrosion bond. The kit includes a six-piece coil set, including a fully-adjustable soft coil, and a carry case. www.lasertools.co.uk
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Pics: Julian Hunt.
News & reviews John Sleath 7.9276 / 171.75
Julian Webb 6.2086 / 261.17
Roger Goring 6.0999 / 225.86
Mark Coulsell 8.5466 / 160.72
Martin Hill Fireforce 3 5.8265 / 271.36
Final times
That’s it, Santa Pod’s Flame and Thunder has come and gone so the UK drag racing season is officially over. More than 100 vehicles
RUST KILLS CARS
Martin Hill Fireforce 5 5.3942 / 263.48
made their final passes of the year down the hallowed track; pictured above are some of the quickest.
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News & reviews
No show
High Spirits tee
The chances are you will be aware of the Whitfield & Tubb Nitro Fuel Altered which made its inaugural pass at the Hot Rod Drags earlier this year. Assuming you like what you’ve seen of High Spirits so far, and why wouldn’t you, you’ll soon be able to show your support for the team by wearing an exclusive T-shirt by Peter Walters Race Designs. Powered.Co will be relaunching its store in the near future, so keep an eye on the company’s website and social media pages for updates. www.powered.shop
Steve Reddan
Cannibals Car Club-UK and Deuces of Britain member Steve Reddan passed away peacefully on the morning of 12 July. Steve had been an enthusiastic participant in the rodding scene and those who didn’t know him personally will certainly know of his red ’32 coupe with black scallops. Steve was down-to-earth, genuine and one of the funniest guys you could ever meet. He was a big man with not just a big heart, it was a heart of gold. His passing will leave a big hole in the hearts of many. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends. RIP Steve.
Mark Butterworth
Mark Butterworth passed peacefully on 27 July. Having touched the hearts of so many, Mark leaves a vast void in the hot rodding scene. He truly was one of the good guys in life who will be sadly missed and fondly remembered. Mark had been a contender in the National Street Car Challenge in his Fox-body Mustang, and also regularly ran his ’58 Ford F100 pick-up at Melbourne Raceway. Kind, caring, strong-minded and considerate, Mark always had time for others. He will be missed by so many but never forgotten. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends. RIP Mark.
Andy Brizio
Legendary hot rodder, Andy Brizio passed away on 1 August. Known as ‘The Rodfather’, he was a true pioneer, with his Instant-T winning the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster award in 1970. Andy will be remembered for his immense contribution in advancing hot rodding, not just in the US but worldwide. His passion for hot rods will live on as his legacy, not just as a builder but for bringing together fellow rodders at annual events. In recent years, Andy made the most of driving his distinctive purple and flamed ’32 roadster built by his son Roy. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends. RIP Andy. Pics: Gary Hollamby
It is with heavy hearts that the organisers of the Herts Auto Show have taken the decision not to continue with the event. This is due to not having found a suitable venue or adequate sponsorship. Over the years, the show has raised money for charities such as the Make a Wish Foundation UK and Rennie Grove Hospice, and the organisers would like to thank everyone for their support and generosity. Future projects are on the horizon, though, including a vehicle-related TV series. If you own a classic, custom or supercar and would like to take part in the programme, email Neil at customandclassicshow@gmail.com. Facebook: Custom and Classic Show
Debbie Coles
Debbie Coles sadly passed away at the end of September. A kind and generous woman, Debbie was liked and loved by all who met her. A true hot rod girl, Debbie will be best remembered for her distinctive ’34 roadster, being the lady behind the Hot Rodder’s Ball for many years, her passion for dancing and her love of animals, especially her dogs. Fittingly, Debbie requested that at the recent celebration of her life, people wore something fuchsia pink as a nod to her hot rod, and instead of flowers donations be made to the Wildlife Aid Foundation. Our thoughts go out to her family and friends. RIP Debbie.
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e m y Fl
to the
It was in 1978 that Nick Mellett saw Jim ‘Jake‘ Jacobs’ pick-up at the Street Rod Nationals in Columbus, Ohio. Almost half a century later, he’s behind the wheel of his own version Words: Nick Mellett and Mike Pye Pics: Alan Kidd
I
love hearing the back stories behind the cars we feature. How the owners came to go down a particular route, and why they made the choices and decisions they did that end up with the cars we see – all of which are expressions of individuality and a desire for personal freedom, to paraphrase Nicolas Cage on his snakeskin jacket in Wild at Heart. In Nick Mellett’s case, it all started in a small newspaper shop in England in the early 1970s. “I called into my local newsagent one lunchtime while studying at tech college.
They had a few American car mags on the shelves, but one in particular caught my eye. It was an issue of Street Rodder with a couple of Model Ts on the cover with enormous slicks on the rear and motorcycle tyres on the front. “The closest I’d ever come to seeing anything like that at the time was my cousin buying American model kits at some of the early Santa Pod meets. They had whetted my appetite, but I didn’t appreciate at the time that there was a massive scene going on in the US that was at the root of those wild kits.
Full exposure
In what has become a familiar tale with hot rodders of a certain vintage, the next exposure to American hot rodding came at the cinema, in 1973. Yep, you guessed it. “I’d seen the promotional posters for American Graffiti, so just had to excuse myself from an evening college lecture to go and see the movie. I came away from that spellbound. Like many, it really did change my life. It’s a cliché, I know, but it’s true!” Now, Custom Car magazine had only been around for three years at that point, but was already the hub of all things rod
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“It just looked so right. The stance, colour, everything. It just had the look”
and custom in the UK. So, when Nick saw a small mention in the mag of a local club, Maidenhead Rod and Custom, he and his two buddies who shared his passion for motorsport headed over to see what it was all about. “It took us a while to find the venue as, despite the name, the club was actually based in Bracknell, but we were welcomed in and met some great people that night that have gone on to become lifelong friends.” Fast forward to 1978 and the three amigos are on one of Freddy Laker’s finest, destination New York, with a plan to visit the
NSRA Street Rod Nationals in Columbus, Ohio, to experience American street rodding with their own eyes.
Press pass
Long story short, they arrived at the show ground a day early, where a bemused security guard took them for UK press – I mean, why else would three guys have travelled all the way from England to a show in Ohio? – and invited them in to take some photos as the show was being set up. “Our introduction to US street rodding took a pretty monumental leap forward several
moments later,” Nick recalls. “As we walked toward the main show hall entrance, still not really believing our luck, we came across Tom McMullen’s black ’n’ flamed roadster and Jim Ewing’s Super Bell Axle coupe parked outside, nose to nose!” But it was a ’29 Ford pick-up, painted in a kind of off-yellowy gold colour, parked by one of the trade booths inside the hall, that really took Nick’s breath away. “It just looked so right. The stance, colour, everything. It just had the look,” Nick recalls enthusiastically. “It was, of course, Jim Jacobs’ Pete & Jakes pick-up truck. It wasn’t
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“It started going down more of a show car direction than I initially planned”
Above: Front end features the full range of polished stainless and chromed goodies, all supplied by Home Grown Hot Rods, including So-Cal smoothie spring shackles, tube shocks, hairpins, tie rods and a chromed ’n’ drilled front axle. Perimeter drilled and chromed back plates on the ’40 Ford front brakes follow suit, and their shoes work against vapour blasted Buick finned drums
Above: Peek under the rear and you’ll find a host of niceties, including a louvred roll pan, Winters V8 quickchange with 3.48:1 gears, LSD and ’40 Ford side bells, ’40 Ford brakes,
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Above: Like a good roast dinner, the 350ci Chevy small block benefits from all the trimmings, including ceramic-coated Sanderson headers, Cal Custom valve covers, polished hi-torque starter, chromed alternator, Moon finned fuel pump block off and Moon ignition leads
There are always lots of subtle details on an HGHR build that help create the overall picture, but one Nick particularly likes is the way the two rows of louvres in the bonnet top perfectly line up with the stock louvres in the bonnet sides. Things like that don’t happen by accident Above: A trio of chromed Stromberg 97s on a polished Edelbrock manifold are the crown on the jewel. It’s a stock motor under all the polished brightwork, backed by a TH350 auto box, but with the 3.48:1 gear set it’s proving quite enough to scoot the little truck comfortably on down the line
so much a case of ‘I’ve got to get one of those’, as much as a ‘man, I love the way those things sit and look’ moment. To this day, I still absolutely love that little truck.” As so often happens, though, what one desires in life and what one is in a position to own in life are not always mutually compatible. At least not always at the time you might like them to be. Another friend of Nick’s, however, was living at least part of that life.
Head turner Aldan coilovers with 300lb springs, a Panhard bar and So-Cal Speed Shop forged ladder bar brackets. Twin, low slung, bell-mouth pipes add visual and aural appeal
“My good buddy, Mike Halls, used to regularly go out to California – and he brought some amazing cars back with him to the UK, one of which was a white ’68 Camaro with a 454 LS6 and a four speed.
The thing was awesome and, having ridden in it a few times, my head was turned away from hot rods.” In January 1980, Nick accompanied Mike on a trip to California, on the hunt for an early Camaro for himself. Following up a lead from a guy in a local speed shop led the pair to Lil’ Wopper, a ’68 RS Camaro drag car with a bored 427, stout 5.38 gears and a four speed. If you’re not familiar with the story, Google Lil’ Whopper Camaro and you might be surprised at what you find. Suffice to say, the car is still around, but you’d never recognise it these days. “Yeah, that one definitely falls into the category of the one I wish I’d never sold but, after a few years of ownership, real life stuff came along and suddenly I was looking for a
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Above: No commercial truck ever came from the Ford factory looking like this. The pick-up bed is more like a piece of fine cabinet work than a load area, and where else would Nick go for a fuel tank than the Moon?
Right: Wheels are E/T Classic Vs, weighing in at 5 x 15 and 8 x 15, endowed with tall caps. The car’s very noticeable rubber rake is provided by 5.60-15 and 8.90-15 Firestone Deluxe Champion blackwalls
Just a neat little ole’ hot rod truck, huh? Jim ‘Jake’ Jacobs’ truck may have provided the initial inspiration, but Nick – with a lot of help from Jon Golding at Home Grown Hot Rods – has made this one his own
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deposit on my first house. So, sadly, I had to part with the Camaro.” That first visit to the west coast of America sowed a few further seeds that have gone on to flourish in Nick, particularly his love of the California beach scene. “I’d only seen it in the movies up until then, but we went to ‘Surf City’, Huntington Beach, and I just loved the whole vibe, and to this day it’s still one of my favourite places to visit.” Family life, children and other priorities led to a 30-year hiatus from the hot rod world for Nick but, with some of his closest friends remaining actively involved, he never lost the love and, whenever he did have time to think about it, that little yellow truck came to mind.
Brief encounter
“I had a brief encounter with the VW Cal Bug scene, but that was pretty short lived. I saw it as a more affordable way to stay involved during that period, but it wasn’t really where my heart was.” But then around 2011, some 33 years after that formative visit to Ohio, Nick decided the time was right to get among it all again. “I mentioned this to a few friends and they kindly agreed to keep an eye out for a suitable car for me. “When they asked what I was looking for, I didn’t really give it that much thought, though I did mention that I’d always liked the early Model A pick-ups.” There’s that Jake influence again.
Give a hot rodder the opportunity to spend someone else’s money and they’re on it like a shot. And sure enough, a few weeks later, one of Nick’s friends called to say there was one for sale on one of the UK hot rod forums. “Sod’s law, I was about to go on holiday, but I dropped the owner a message anyway and said if it was still available when I got back, I’d arrange to come and look at it.” It was, and one trip to the north of England and back later, Nick was the proud owner of a running, driving ’28 / ’29 Model A closed cab pick-up. “I ran the truck around as it was for a couple of years as it looked great. But it just wasn’t quite how I had pictured my dream truck.
“The more I looked around, the more I knew this was the man I wanted to carry out the work on my little truck”
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“Why else would three guys have travelled all the way from England to a show in Ohio?”
Truck’s stance is absolutely spot on. Jon Golding recalls it took three front axle swaps to get it like this, but it was definitely worth the effort. Just look how those raked 5.60 and 8.90 ’Stones tuck into the arches, with just a little sidewall bulge at the back. Perfect
Advice column
Not wanting to rush into changing things, he sensibly decided to take his time and get some expert advice. Enter Jon Golding at Home Grown Hot Rods. Jon’s reputation as one of the UK’s pre-eminent hot rod builders preceded him, but Nick had never actually met him at that point, so he introduced himseIf one Sunday at the NSRA Supernationals and explained the situation. “Jon was really helpful, so I arranged to go and meet him at his shop for a cuppa and a chat. That really was the start of the journey for me. “My first impression of his shop was how well organised and clean it was. And the
more I looked around the vehicles he had in progress, the more I knew this was the man I wanted to carry out the work on my little truck. When Jon asked what kind of style Nick was interested in, that trip to Ohio in ’78, Jake’s truck, Street Rodder magazine – in particular the artwork of Dave Bell and the Henry Hirise pages – Huntington Beach, the Mooneyes Speed Shop in Santa Fe all came out, and the two found a lot of common ground in the process. “It was clear right away that Jon not only understood where I was coming from, but shared the same passions as me. So no further explanation was needed.”
Parts counter
With a plan and a timescale for the truck’s evolution formulated, the first step was to amass the necessary parts. Out went the glass fibre fenders the truck had come with, replaced by steel ones sourced by Jon. The old pick-up bed, which turned out to be from a Model T, was replaced with a Model A one and principal components such as the Winters quickchange, ET wheels, ’40 Ford brakes and So-Cal Speed Shop suspension and steering parts began stacking up at HGHR HQ. “Admittedly, once the rebuild was in progress, it started going down more of a show car direction than I initially planned,
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Below: Neil Tadman at Neil’s Auto Interiors is the man responsible for the sumptuous leather trim that turns what was once a spartan commercial vehicle into another dimension, one of a comfortable, driveable street rod
Above: The big Mooneyes love in continues into the cab, with one of the company’s 15inch, black vinyl, finger grip steering wheels supported by a ’32-style column drop. All the gauges are from Mooneyes too, as is the ball topper on the Hurst shifter that stirs the TH350 ’box into life. Those turned dash knobs are from the So-Cal Speed Shop Art Deco range
Right: There’s not a lot of room in an Early Ford closed cab pick-up, be it the Model A or ’32’34 variety… but without getting too personal, let’s just say it’s not exactly a squeeze for Nick. When he’s on the throne, he surveys a kingdom of black leather diamond stitch, with a vista of louvres ahead through the screen
but that was inevitable really, seeing the quality of all the other cars that were being built alongside it,” says Nick with a smile. The truck was black when Nick bought it, and right up until the point when colours were being discussed, he assumed it would stay that way. But so good was everything else looking that he began to re-consider. “Again, it was a case of going back in my memory to earlier influences and cars that had made a lasting impression on me. In this case, it was my love of Big John Mazmanian’s candy red Willys Gasser. So, the search was on for a suitable colour that would reflect that. It actually ended up as a modern pearl paint, but it’s called Candy
Rouge, so that worked for me.” With the colour decided upon, Neil Tadman was brought in to stitch up a suitable leather interior to complement it, while Neil Melliard added the final flourishes that lift the incredible paint to an even higher plane. Naturally, given Nick’s love of all things Moon, that famous name features on the cowl and adds a little identity, in a similar way to how Jake’s old truck that started the whole ball rolling had ‘Pete & Jake’s Hot Rod Repair’ lettered on its wooden bed sides. “People often ask me if I’m happy with the end result. And the honest answer is, should I win the lottery tonight, I wouldn’t
change a single thing on my little truck. “And it’s all thanks to Jon Golding at Home Grown Hot Rods for making my longheld dream a reality.” Yep, another satisfied customer alright. CC
“As well as Jon, I’d like to extend my thanks to Neil Tadman, who sewed the numerous diamonds into the stunning black leather trim, Jay Adams for the incredible paintwork and Neil Melliard for his absolutely amazing pinstriping skills”
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Auto focus ■ Words and Pics: Keith Lee
Ian Marshall
O
ne thing is inescapable, if you keep an eye on the track crew at Santa Pod. That is the fact that they are always busy, as they work to keep the action going. It struck me that during the whole existence of the track, which has now seen 58 seasons of racing: during that whole period, apart from a couple of years, only two names have featured as chief starters! The late Stu Bradbury and Ian Marshall have been prominent focal points as they control the thousands of racers who have done battle on track. Ian has racked up the most years on the line since taking over in 1991 – the point at which the race start button was switched from being in the tower to the man standing between the competitors on the track. These two well known figures represent the two different eras of the sport’s progression. Stu was a flamboyant character, who embodied the times he operated in. Ian is a model of quiet professionalism – ever ready to control a situation or sprint to the tractor in order to repair the surface of the strip. Something also shared between them is the totally decisive nature of both these characters, as the starter is the last link to ensure the drivers are safe to go. Track prep and safety are a hugely bigger concern in the current era of racing. One of the major issues is fuel or oil leaking, and all of the crew in the start area are eagle-eyed in this respect. Methanol
Above: The John Deere tractor is a true multi-purpose vehicle, as is this case it makes impressive work of clearing water after a heavy downpour. At the rear is a rubber skid for track prep. In the shutdown area, a motor sweeper and dryer are available
Above: The cutthroat sign that race teams hope not to see on the start line, as Ian signals Hemi Hunter to shut off Right: It is hard work, manually scraping smaller areas of rubber back, by way of a propane burner and scraper to get rid of excess rubber
tends to be the worst culprit for attacking the track surface, as Ian explained to me. Ian first turned up on the Pod’s banking back in 1972, when the young seven year old came down from Stockton on Tees with his father and witnessed the first six-second run by Dennis Priddle, in that memorable era of his battles with Clive Skilton. A number of cars stick in his mind from that 70s era; like Fire Injun’, Al’s Gasser, Keith Potter’s Devil and Hellzapoppin. He was also a member
of the Roz Prior fan club. ‘My favourite car of all time is the original Gladiator funny car, driven by Allan Herridge.’ Interestingly, though unsurprisingly, Stu’s favourite driver was that self same character, who he knew so well. The recent Euro Finals demonstrated just how much effort the track guys put in to keep an event rolling. Captured by the live stream was the look on Ian’s face as a fuel pipe unfortunately let go on the Spiderman
Above: Those two shoes dangling out from the back of this car belong to Ian – who was straight under, like a rat up a drainpipe, to tie up a broken prop and allow the car to be safely moved!
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Above: Steve Meyer keeping the burnout area clean of debris and lubricated with water before every burnout
Start line man Bob Day in an interesting pose as he tries to help out with Ronnie Mercer’s stricken Outlaw Anglia. Time is of the essence to keep the show rolling
Below: The tractor, now fitted with a contrarotating slick trailer constructed by Andy Robinson. This lays down a fresh coating of rubber which, when topped with a glue spray, can stand up to 11,000bhp of fuel car power!
jet, at virtually the end of an already hard day. It was a look of utter despair – which lasted for just a couple of seconds before work began to repair the track. Those who worked on repairing the length of the track didn’t hit the sack until around 1am, before an an early start to two more days – including a challenging and ultimately very successful finals day. ‘To be fair,’ Ian commented, ‘the camaraderie that came out of that incident, the people who came out and offered to help – it was brilliant. It shows what drag racing is all about.’ Work on the track surface does not stop between race events, as it requires fully scraping off, prior to retreating, to ensure racers get the best surface possible. The glued rubber laid is very thin on top of the concrete track, and one of the challenges is to prep it for a wide range of machinery with different needs. ‘Santa Pod Racers Club (of which Ian works as Secretary) have been a big help, allowing us to invest in equipment like the contra-rotating tyre dragger. We have got a few ideas going forward to continue improvements. We are trying to maintain the surface to a level, but also consistent, to help the tuners.’
the top end, who ensure racers get safely and efficiently off track. Then there are the rapid response quad riders. Add to them the fire crew, who are the hottest people at the track in summer, and the excellent medical team. Under the tower, two more track crew are involved in watering and sweeping the burnout box, which is pretty much a nonstop job. When you see the sheer amount of effort involved in a race meeting – and I haven’t mentioned the pit and staging lane marshals, timing crew, race controllers and so on – it probably involves more track support than any other type of motor sport. A big thank-you must go to all of the Pod crew who have dedicated their time to the sport we all love. Ian summed it up well: ‘We are not just track crew – we are also some of drag racing’s biggest fans.’
Much effort went in to building up the practical knowledge of dealing with the very different concrete track, which went down for 2018. Ian has worked at NHRA events alongside their chief starters, while he and other crew members provide track prep work as part of SPRC’s support of a number of European events, such as Hockenheim, Mantorp, Gardemoen and Kunmadaras. Ian must surely have done more laps of the track than anyone, when you consider how many times he will have been up and down it in the tractor as he cleans the surface before putting more rubber down. Then there is the appropriately named Gluebird, which tows the glue sprayer. The smallest item of kit is used the most, as you see the crew on the line squirt on and squeegee off a small amount of liquid to clean minor spills and drips on a very regular basis. I did wonder what it actually was; Ian informed me that it is the delightfully named Billy’s Magic Mix, which was formulated by Antony Billinton. Although Ian is the focal point of this feature, he is keen to point out the efforts of the large team dedicated to keeping the racing going. From the track spotters, who effortlessly glide over the concrete walls to check the surface after a run, to those up at
Above: The Gluebird about to head up the track to quickly spray another sticky coating on the race surface Above: Dragstalgia. In 2018 we saw Dave Warren and Ian flanking track manager Darren Prentice during a break between proceedings, as they reprised the gentleman’s era of motor racing
Left: One thing that both Ian and Stu Bradbury shared was their appreciation of Allan Herridge. This was Allan driving Ian’s favourite race machine – the original Gladiator Vega
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My other car is a... Mention Ian Dawes and most will nod knowingly and say Fat Rat, or at least reference one of Ian’s Willys. Years from now, they might just say Henry J instead Words: Mike Pye Pics: Alan Kidd
I
n January 1986, when Tony Thacker wrote the feature on Ian Dawes’ other car, he made it all sound so easy. Call a couple of guys in America and, a couple of months later, you’re picking up a steel 1941 Willys coupe and a hot L88 427 from the docks here in Blighty. “Yeah, that’s exactly what I did,” says the ever-enthusiastic Ian of that whole process. “I don’t know about everyone else, but I used to subscribe to every American hot rod magazine going. I mean every one there was. I’d read them all cover to cover and go through all the adverts in the back. I must have made a million ’phone calls over the years looking for cars, or parts for cars.” That incessant enthusiasm, not to mention his dogged determination, has seen him send large chunks of money to America
on many occasions for cars he’s never actually seen. “I took massive risks, really,” he laughs “I’d never seen any of the cars I’ve bought, just sent the money.”
Blind faith
That blind faith / optimism (there are other words…) has served him well, though, as has a deep friendship with Don Waldron of Rods West in Ridgecrest, California. Don has long been known as the Willys man, as well as the vintage wheels man, and once Ian had his number and made that first tentative call in 1980 that resulted in the ex-Gas Coupe ’41 heading to these shores, he’s never looked back. Many of the cars he’s bought since have come through that same source, including the ’51 Henry J here.
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Though he does a lot of the work on his cars himself, Ian is quick to acknowledge the help he gets from experts in the field along the way – people like Geoff Cousins at GC Engineering and Neil Tadman at Neil’s Auto Interiors in particular. “I know I can tell them what I want and then just wait for the ’phone call, and I know I’ll be happy with what they’ve done. There’s a lot to be said for that.” Geoff, in particular, had a lot to say about Ian as well, which we’ll weave into the story as we go along: “Ian has the biggest passion for hot rods I’ve ever known. I’ve known him for many years and have helped with a couple of his cars – the ’37 Ford and ’39 Willys sedan – and I had a big input with the Henry J from the beginning.”
Birthday boy
Though the box elsewhere in this article traces Ian’s timeline in hot rodding, this car has been a longer stretch due to a couple
of, as Ian put it, “life-changing situations” between him importing it as a stock car in 2001 and finishing it in 2016. That’s right, this car has been on the road for seven years now, but only made its first major public appearance at last year’s Hot Rod Drags, on the weekend of Ian’s 70th birthday. “Against the advice of my good friend, Dave Bateman, I had to take it down the strip that weekend, didn’t I? It was my birthday after all!” he says with a grin. The combination of 750+bhp, the unsuitable Mickey Thompson street tyres and a desire not to put all the hard work into the wall led to a gentle 12.994 / 115.95mph pass and an NSRA Dirty Dozen trophy for his troubles. “That was just letting it creep off the line, and taking it easy. The next morning, I got a bit more confident and gave it a bit more, but it went all over the place and was heading for the wall so I lifted and thought that’s enough for me.” There’s that laugh again, a constant in any conversation with Ian.
Like the Willys coupe, the Henry J is a definite like it or loath it car, a curious combination of classic mid-’50’s Americana with a dash of Eastern Europe austerity thrown in. Or, as Ian puts it, “They look like three cars that have been welded together ’cause the front’s different to the back and they’re both different to the middle!”
Which seems like an apt moment to ask how the car drives. “It drives great, but you have to be a bit careful with it. I just let it creep on the auto’ ’box, then gently give it a bit. When I ordered the engine, I asked for a race-type motor but streetable, and that’s just what I got, but it’s still over 750 horsepower and you know about that when you put your foot in it. “Like all hot rods, the temperature goes up if you get stuck in traffic, but it cools down straight away once you’re on the move. And the visibility is brilliant all round, so much better than a Willys,” he adds cheerily.
Pleasanton times
But let’s go back to the Goodguys meet at Pleasanton in 2000 to find out how this deviation from his favoured Willys brand came about. “I was walking round the show with Don [Waldron] and we saw a massive crowd around something. We’d figured we’d come
“It made my heart sink and my Willy go all funny”
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The 392 Hemi with 6-71 huffer and dual Edelbrock 650s on a Weiand manifold was ordered as a complete unit from Phillips Precision Products in Canada, on the advice of a good friend in America. Ian specified a street motor so it’s largely stock inside, but the dyno sheet that accompanied it on its journey over still showed over 750bhp peak power. Yeah, that’ll do it.
Everywhere you look on this car are exquisite Geoff Cousins’ touches, including the new top pulley for the blower drive, after the one Ian that came with the motor just fell off one day while Ian was out driving. Fortunately, the lack of high-pitch whine when he hit the throttle alerted him to the problem before it was too late.
Right: Art Morrison coilover struts mount to a tubular structure Geoff added to the boxed original chassis. They’re located by Geoffmade unequal length tubular lower wishbones, which connect to a modified Pinto steering rack.
If you can tear your eyes away from those delightful Moon polished ali valve covers, you’ll notice the twin Holley fuel regulators, which are fed through half-inch fuel lines by dual Holley fuel pumps from a Pace Products fabricated 20-gallon tank out back. “It’s all or nothing on this baby,” grins Ian. Incidentally, Ian’s advice for anyone worrying about fuel quality these days: “Just put the higher octane stuff in. It’s what I’ve always used in my hot rods and I’ve never had a problem.”
Rear axle is a Currie Enterprises 9-inch with Truetrac LSD, narrowed to 44 inches by Geoff Cousins, and supported by coilover shocks and a Geoff Cousins 4-link with diagonal track locator. Connecting that to the transmission is an ali propshaft from a drag racing specialist in Norway rated for 1,200bhp. Wilwood disc brakes feature all round.
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The build 1.
2.
The car pretty much as Ian bought it from Don Waldron of Rods West in California. It was a stocker then but he couldn’t resist a quick early mock-up.
4.
5.
Ian did the rust repair and bodywork himself at home…
7.
4-link rear suspension with diagonal Panhard bar was designed and fabricated by Geoff Cousins.
…which was quite extensive in places, especially the sills, which had to be completely rebuilt.
8.
The idea with the body was stock, but smoothed. To that end, the bumpers were removed and the resulting holes welded up. All lights and badges were kept though.
10.
Don supplied a full set of original trim with the car, which saved Ian a lot of hassle. The ET Gasser 10-spokes were only a temporary addition.
Literally the day the Hemi was picked up from the docks, a rather younger looking Ian had it in the hole to see how it looked.
3. Thanks to Geoff Cousins, the chassis is now a neat combination of boxed original rails and inboard rectangular ladder frame to suit the Pro Street rear end.
6. Floors were cut out and re-made too, and tubs added for the big meats in the rear.
9. Ideally, he would have had it all hidden under the bonnet, but the blower and dual quads were having none of that.
11. Likewise, the unequal length A-arm and strut suspension at the front, more of Geoff’s handiwork.
14. While a narrowed Currie 9-inch keeps the back wheels apart. You can see the neatly routed dual fuel system in the car well here.
12. Tubular front-end structure supports the Art Morrison coilover struts.
13. Backing the 392 Hemi is a Turbo 400 ’box on an adapter plate.
16. 15. The completed chassis at Geoff’s place, on its wheels and rolling.
A very exciting day. Firing the engine for the first time, here with the first exhaust system with cut outs in place. The system on the car now uses stainless 1¾-inch primaries into three-inch pipes and Flowmaster silencers.
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“Ian loves hot rods, and also likes t he American street rods with nice interiors and gizmos” back and see what it was later, but there was still a huge crowd round whatever it was, so we decided to wait. When they eventually dispersed, there was the lowest… the cleanest… the blackest… the meanest Henry J you ever did seen. It made my heart sink and my willy go all funny. “I’d been up at Don’s place the week before and he had four Henry Js in a line. I’d been walking round them saying fuck me they’re ugly, but in a good way.” One look at that black car, though, and his mind was made up. All he had to do was pick which one of the four he brought home with him. “I chose the grey primered one ’cause it looked like it wanted to be a hot rod,” he laughs. Naturally, John Reid sorted out the shipping, and the car arrived in the UK in 2001. Due to the aforementioned situations, and Ian not having anywhere to put it for periods of time, it spent a good chunk of the time since either at Geoff’s place, at Ashley Markham’s body shop or at Neil Tadman’s, all of whom contributed their considerable skills to bring Ian’s vision to a conclusion.
Joint venture
Ian describes the car’s transformation into what you see here as “a collaboration between Geoff Cousins and Ian Dawes. It’s my car, but he’s had first sight of everything that went into it.” By that he means Geoff built the chassis, mounted the engine and
Above: The plate is tongue in cheek, of course, but the minimal exterior trim and badges are all originals, restored, while those functional wheelie bars are another Art Morrison production. Right: Front wheels are a set of rare Rods West A/Gas wheels, of which only 100 sets were made. A pair of skinny 155/15 Firestone F-560 tyres do their best to keep ole’ Henry on the straight and narrow.
tranny, designed and built the suspension, painted and detailed the chassis, built the exhaust (twice, as the first system with cut outs proved too loud) and wired it. Geoff: “After paint and interior, it came back to me for final fitting of the chrome, lights, badges etc. up to the point of being a
finished car. I drove it round the yard outside my workshop and made sure everything worked then loaded it onto my trailer and headed off to Ashford to deliver it to Ian. That was in September 2016. “I arranged to meet him in pub car park about eight miles from his place so he got chance to drive it
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“a collaboration between Geoff Cousins and Ian Dawes”
November 1980, the V6 hi-rider Pop Ian taught himself to weld on.
January 1986, 427 big block Chevypowered ’41 Willys coupe.
HERE’S ONE I MADE EARLIER Plenty of people have been described within these pages as the UK’s most prolific hot rodder over the years so we’re not going to use that phrase again here, but we will say there are few UK hot rodders as committed, and that remain as enthusiastic about building cars, as Ian Dawes. His Fat Rat ’41 Willys was described by Pat Ganahl in HOT ROD magazine as the car that changed the face of UK hot rodding. Through his friendship with
Mike Key his cars have been featured in countless magazines worldwide and, of course, dear old CC. He’s also been responsible for bringing, and assisting in bringing, more steel Willys bodies and cars into this country than just about anyone else we can think of, including the cars of Barry Grimes, Paul Kennedy, Tony Osborne, Alan Mearns, Phil Bowen and John Claydon. Here are just a few of his previous conquests.
October 1992, 388 small block Chevypowered ’37 Ford Club Cabriolet.
July 1999, 454 big block Chevy-powered ’39 Willys sedan.
and could follow with spanners, just in case. He turned gently out of the car park and then nailed it. “When we arrived at his place, the smile said it all.”
Classic Pro Street
Ian’s part in the build was to buy the car, the blown 392 Hemi, Turbo 400 transmission, Currie Enterprises 9-inch rear, Art Morrison struts, Wilwood disc brakes and the wheels and tyres, tell Geoff how he wanted it all to sit – what he describes as classic Pro Street – and then to do all the rust repair and body mods prior to paint, as well as a ton of other small jobs along the way.
“Ian loves hot rods, and also likes the American street rods with nice interiors and gizmos like key fobs to open doors and windows,” Geoff comments. “What he wanted was a car that looked 100% hot rod / racer from the outside, but drives nicely on the street and with the plush interior of a street rod.” The end result is a clever combination of all those desires. Open the bonnet and it says tube frame race car with that big ole’ Hemi rearing up between the strut front end, but open the door and the waft of leather, Wilton carpet and Alcantara headliner says street rod. You’ll notice there are no handles,
To keep the cost down, everything on a Henry J was an option. You want wipers? Tick the box. A sun visor? Likewise, though passengers had to squint. Even an opening boot was only an option available from 1951. A glovebox was deemed a luxury, but whoever ordered this car paid extra for it, giving Ian a handy way to access the fuse panel Geoff mounted behind.
“It drives great, but you have to be a bit careful with it… it’s over 750 horsepower and you know about that when you put your foot in it” inside or out, all of that is taken care of by a remote key fob, thanks to Geoff’s clever re-working of an E Z Wiring harness. Fire the motor, though, and you’re left in no doubt this car is an animal, just one with a playful side that means Ian can get in and drive it any time he likes.
Tunnel rammed
“I always say to people I live the wrong side of the tunnel for hot rodding [that’s the Dartford Tunnel by the way], and I won’t tackle that tunnel or the M25 in this car ’cause you always end up sitting in traffic. Maybe I’m just getting old.
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Dash is remarkably standard, Ian’s choice of Dolphin white-faced gauges nestling comfortably in the original Kaiser gauge pod. Even that column drop is an original part, albeit with a machined spacer above to adjust the angle of the Limeworks column.A B&M Quicksilver shifter motivates the full manual valve body Turbo 400 transmission.
“I still use it pretty much every week, but prefer to just go to local meets in Kent and nice pubs for lunch, that’s why it hasn’t been seen much since I finished it.” Asked why he had deviated from a Willys this time round, Ian was quick to answer. “They’re just so ugly, but great at the same time, and they have the same history in American drag racing as Willys coupes. “I don’t think I realised at the time I built my ’41 how iconic Willys coupes would become [the film Hot Rod came out in 1979, and Ian bought his in 1980] and I let that one go too easily. It’s alright though ’cause I’ve just brought a ’40 coupe in, so that’s my next
project after the Fordson I’m doing at the moment. I’ll keep all three of them forever.” If you’ve never spoken to Ian, make sure you do if you ever have the opportunity. His enthusiasm for hot rodding is infectious. He knows his history, he knows what he likes, he knows who he can trust and he doesn’t build cars to please other people. I like that attitude a lot. He’s retired now but shows no sign of slowing up when it comes to cars. “I’ve got my flights booked to go to the March Meet next year already, and I’ll be going there with Don,” he says excitedly, before proudly announcing, “I’m 71 now, and I don’t think I’m doing too bad. I build my
Old Henry J would turn in his grave if he saw the sumptuous sophistication Ian has added to one of his budget runarounds. The original seats did everything asked of them, but absolutely nothing more, so Ian had Neil Tadman rebuild and re-pad them, make all new interior panels and trim the lot in scarlet leather tuck ’n’ roll. Over a healthy dose of Dynamat and insulation, he then added red Wilton carpet with leather binding and a scarlet Alcantara headliner. Colour-coded seat belts finish it off.
own barns to live in, I build my hot rods, I ride choppers and I’m in a rock ’n’ roll band. I don’t think that’s bad, is it?”. CC
Massive thanks to Don Waldron, my bestie, Jon Reid for all the shipping, Ross Parkes for his help with the roof, Pace Products, Geoff Cousins, Neil Tadman and Ashley Markham. And also my lady partner, who now finds herself staying at home looking after the dog ’cause the motor’s too loud for her, so I’m now a loan wolf when I’m out in it!
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32-33 Centrefold Winter.indd 32
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32-33 Centrefold Winter.indd 33
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SALE: £1550 Net. 4 only!
-Zero bump steer & anti-dive built in-
Ford Mustang 1964-70. Billet coil over shockabsorbers [adjustable], tubular suspension arms, complete, manual steering rack assembly, forged spindles for suspension, 11” ventilated disc brakes, Ford bolt pattern, 600lb coil springs, coil over bearings, [makes it easier to adjust height]. ................................................ £2954.76 net.
1937-39 Chevy Pickup, tubular suspension arms, 2” dropped spindles, shock thru coil spring, manual stg rack,300lb coil springs, 11” ventilated disc brakes, 23.375” inside to inside-can fit other models ... £2369.23 net. 1947-54 Chevy Pickup, as above except-std spindles, 350lb spring, anti-roll bar- ............................. £2324.96 net.
1947-53 Chevy pickup ............................ £651.80 net 1956 Ford 1/2 ton pickup ........................ £581.28 net
1957 Chevy car use OE bezel ................. £607.87 net 1965-6 Mustang-use OE bezel ............... £623.14 net
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13/11/2023 12:34 WINTER 2024 CUSTOM CAR 35
13/11/2023 14:13
FIA The Main Event 26-29 May
Main line racing The FIA Main Event at Santa Pod traditionally produces some great racing, and this year’s event was definitely one to remember ■ Words: Mike Pye ■ Pics: Julian Hunt
FIA Top Fuel Dragster The biggest field so far this year, with six names on the card in drag racing’s premier class, including Denmark’s Stig Neergaard, back after a four-year absence. However, tyre shake, tyre spin, a broken blower belt, a DNS from Duncan Micallef and a drift over the centre line from Jndia Erbacher wasn’t the most auspicious of starts. That left Dennis Nilsson on top after round one, 4.517 / 255, with Susanne Callin behind, 5.044 / 140. It was a similar story in Q2, Micallef, Neergaard, Ida Zetterström and Callin all going up in smoke, while Erbacher was pushed back, leaving only Nilsson to put in a full pass. While the rest of the field continued to struggle in Q3, it all came together for Callin. With a fresh engine installed overnight, she clocked a blistering 3.840 / 320.20 to set a new FIA speed record and claim the top spot on the six-car ladder. Final qualifying proved a rather more successful affair, Micallef and Erbacher having a great race (4.079 / 221 vs 3.916 /
282). Next up, Zetterström and Neergaard, the former’s 3.843 / 304 being enough to move into second spot, before Nilsson and Callin brought the round to a close with a double four. There was huge drama in round one of eliminations when Micallef went through the traps in a fireball on a 4.106 / 213 run against Erbacher (3.850 / 316), followed by Nilsson, whose engine went pop at 60ft, while Zetterström blasted through in 3.805 / 317 alongside. The final pairing saw Callin produce a 3.880 at 275mph to defeat Neergaard, 7.450 /64, earning herself a bye into the final, while Erbacher and Zetterström had to duke it out for the other lane. That semi produced the race of the weekend, a double three with Zetterström setting a new European record at 3.773 / 321 with Erbacher hot on her heels, 3.945 / 252. Zetterström then continued her charge, clocking 3.803 / 311 in the final as Callin went up in smoke off the line.
Jndia Erbacher
Ida Zetterström
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T
he last weekend in May offered the best and longest opportunity to lose yourself in the spectacle of European drag racing so far this year when the FIA / FIM Main Event rolled into town. Things kicked off on the Thursday with a test day, which was followed by a full day of Sportsman qualifying on the Friday. After this came two whole, almost uninterrupted days of qualifying on Saturday and Sunday,
in preparation for finals day on the Bank Holiday Monday. The weather and atmospheric conditions remained good all weekend, every session ran to completion and visitors were not left disappointed by the variety and performance of the four-wheeled action on track. An impressive two-wheeled supporting cast of Top Fuel, Pro Stock, Supertwin, Super Street and Junior bike classes and the ever-popular Fireforce 5 jet dragster and Firestorm and Fireforce 3 jet
Funny Cars all added up to an assault on every sense. Highlights of the event included not one but two European FIA terminal speed records being re-set (Susanne Callin, 320.20mph in Top Fuel and Rikard Gustavsson, 260.65 in Top Fuel Bike). If that wasn’t impressive enough, Ida Zetterström then improved the European record to 3.773 / 321 – a run that will stay in the memories of all who witnessed it for a long time. CC
Tony Morris Carburetors Super Gas Lots of position swapping Pete Cresswell Stuart Doignie at the top in early qualifying, but Dan Page had the number one spot by the end of Q1, 9.910 / 153 against the class’ 9.90 index. Page lost the lead to Pete Cresswell, 9.903 / 153, in Q2, who was back out to play and clearly determined, holding the position firm through Q5 until, bizarrely, he was ousted by Wayne Hiscock in As number one qualifier, Dibley benefitted round and Fulton fouling, Q6 with a 9.901 pass with a terminal from a bye in round one, which was reducing the field to Doignie, Dibley, speed of just 99mph. peppered with break outs and a cherry from Cresswell, Huxley and Hiscock. The only late changes at the top were Morrice, leaving Hiscock, Cresswell, Jazmine Huxley then saw off Hiscock in round Stewart Morrice moving up into third Tunstall, Ronald Huis, Stuart Doignie, Tim three, Doignie took the win over Dibley position in Q7, Andy Dibley nailing a Moore, Stevan Reffeltrath, Marc Huxley and when he ran 9.88 and Cresswell went perfect ET to the tree in Q8, 9.9002 / Simon Fulton in the running. through on a gentle bye. It was then 148, to take pole and Dave Cherrett going A similar pattern of misdemeanours Doignie’s turn to enjoy a bye while 9.903 / 125 in the final session to jump characterised round two, with Moore and Cresswell defeated Huxley with a tight into fourth. Tunstall breaking out, Reffeltrath not coming 9.961 / 136 vs a 10.094 / 129.
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Funny Car Cup Kevin Kent
Jason Phelps
The first sniff of nitro in the air came late morning Saturday when the modern-day floppers came out to play. Kevin Chapman came round first but lost fire off the line. Jason Phelps in Gladiator then lined up alongside Kevin Kent and both made it down track, but off the throttle at different times, 4.926 / 200 vs 5.447 / 132. In qualifying two, Chapman did a 7.534 / 89 observed run, Kent a slow 13.626 / 61 and Phelps 5.683 / 122 to Kevin Chapman
hold first position. Kent delivered a 4.281 / 271 in Q3 while Phelps went up in smoke off the line. Steve Ashdown then rolled around in the totally refreshed Undertaker Dodge Charger-bodied car and did a checkout burnout before idling through. In Q4, Chapman completed another successful observed run and Phelps and Kent both made it down track, the former minus the blower belt at the end. Ashdown, appeared to have a problem with the body not closing properly, was
Steve Ashdown
Nostalgia Funny Car Cup The first session saw only Tim Garlick in Apache and Tony Betts in Venom make it to the start line, but both put in solid passes, 6.029 / 226 vs 6.529 / 213 to get the ball rolling. Paul Harris then came out for Q2 in the Chi-Town Hustler, a clean full pass at 6.652 a good start, while the Timewarp team continued working on the engine in the pits. Garlick and Betts both improved, 6.044 / 229 vs 6.372 / 234, and Garlick came so close to the fives again, 6.006 / 228, in Q3, ensuring he stayed at the top of the ladder. Sadly, Wendy Baker and Timewarp never did make it to the start line, and Betts was
given special dispensation to try again at the end of the day and managed another burnout, but no pass under power, yet. That left just Kent and Phelps in the running after qualifying, 4.281 / 271 and 4.926 / 200 respectively. On Monday, all four cars made it to the line, Chapman still on observed runs and Ashdown with a 12.879 time trial, not without incident, but a pass nonetheless. In the final, Kent ran off the end of the track after a 4.307 / 282 blast against Phelps (5.383 / 140) when his ’chutes came out late.
Tony Betts vs Tim Garlick
Paul Harris
denied a final bite of the cherry when Venom refused to go into reverse, but the string of confident sixes going into eliminations was applauded by the crowd. Come race day, first place qualifier, Garlick, was awarded the bye, while Betts and Harris put on another great show,
6.286 / 223 vs 6.365 / 203, the losing run still a PB for the now very much on form Chi-Town Hustler team. That set the stage for a Venom vs Apache final, and it didn’t disappoint, Garlick getting away first and staying there, but only just – 6.111 / 228 vs 6.085 / 229. Fantastic racing.
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01/11/2023 12:25
13/11/2023 14:16
Jonny Lagg
FIA Top Methanol FIA Pro Modified Under glorious skies at lunchtime on the Saturday, a huge field of 15 Pro Mods lined the fire-up lane for the first battle of the weekend. Things didn’t go so well for Norbert Kuno, Walter Strobel and Dave Smith, but Wayne Nicholson was on fire, 5.983 / 239 against Jon Webster, who was testing new fuel and launch systems on the Fast Company Mustang. Freddy Fagerström had the crowd on its feet with his trademark half-track burnouts, as did Micke Gullqvist, back racing in the UK for the first time in four years, though tyre shake slowed the Swede’s progress. To be competitive in this class these days, you need to run in the fives and Bobby Wallace (5.953 / 245), Andres Arnover (5.908 / 241), Marck Harteveld and Michel Tooren all did just that, the latter two both posting new PB ETs and terminal speeds, 5.888 / 242 and 5.871 / 248 respectively. In Q2, Andy Robinson posted a solid 6.273 / 234, but Mats Eriksson’s double PB 5.835 / 246 put him on pole, ahead of Gullqvist’s flying 5.885 / 242. Lunchtime Sunday saw more PBs for Smith (6.502 / 216), Strobel (6.686 / 207) and Bobby Wallace (5.855 / 242), but David Vegter’s 5.825 / 247 against a shaking Ericsson took him into the number one spot. The final qualifying round on Sunday was a real crowd pleaser. Norbert Kuno just
made it onto the ladder with a 7.258 / 188, while Ericsson pulled a flying 5.769 / 250 out of bag to re-take the top spot. Smith carded another PB (6.480 / 203), Strobel went quicker still at Walter Strobel 6.703 / 208 and home boy, Andy Robinson, clocked a flying 5.876 / 247 to jump into sixth. Come eliminations, tyre shake and traction issues persisted. But there were yet more new personal bests for Harteveld (5.862), Tooren (5.814 / 250) and Ericsson (250.59), as Gullqvist, Robinson, Nicholson, Fagerström, Jan Ericsson Strobel, Hilt and Kuno were all shown the door. Smith was out too after failing to start, while 190 after Eriksson lit an uncharacteristic Vegter’s 5.768 / 245 was the quickest pass red alongside. of the event so far. After that, the semis were a bit tame, Round two saw some incredible racing, though not for Bader who used all the track with all competitors in the fives – Ericsson and a bit of the wall too in his race against narrowly beating Harteveld, 5.781 / 250 Ericsson. Then, when Arnover didn’t come vs 5.951 / 242, Bader equally tight over round, Wallace became his opponent in Tooren, 5.847 / 245 vs 5.984 / 248, Wallace the final. Both got a wiggle on, but the just squeaking past Vegter, 5.827 / 248 vs consistent Swede didn’t lift and took the 5.775 / 249, and Arnover clocking 5.986 / win, 5.743 / 250 vs 6.443 / 181.
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Belgium, Germany, Sweden and Norway were represented this weekend in the ear-splitting Top Methanol class. Silvio Strauch and Linn Fløysvik were first out, getting the crowd suitably revved up with a screaming sideby-side 5.864 / 255 vs 5.714 / 251. Jonny Lagg and Sandro Bellio made up the other half of the four-car ladder but didn’t fare so well, tyre shake forcing them both to lift early doors. In Q2, Bellio put in a solid 5.535 / 248 solo and Fløysvik followed that with a fine 5.582 / 255 alongside a wayward Strauch who was up on two wheels at one point, but somehow managed to keep the dragster sunny side up. Another great side-by-side five in Q3 by Bellio and Lagg, 5.500 / 267 vs 5.339 / 271,
Matt Davison vs Kev Jenkins
then Strauch followed suit, 5.549 / 260 alongside an ailing Fløysvik. The final qualifying session on Sunday was a bit of a damp squib. Strauch, with a new engine onboard, shut off on the line, Fløysvik lost traction, Lagg went up in smoke and Bellio only just made it to the stripe under power, cementing his number one qualifier position but lifting the blower in the process. In round one of eliminations, Fløysvik posted a PB 5.546 / 262 as Lagg lifted with tyre shake. The second pairing saw Strauch take an unexpected win over Bellio after the Belgian’s burst panel popped mid-track, 5.517 / 263 vs 6.605 / 148. That decided the final, which saw another superb race and the win for Fløysvik, 5.519 / 259 vs 5.446 / 262.
Linn Fløysvik
Silvio Strauch
David Swift vs Ahmed Jamshaid
Track Worx Comp Eliminator Debut in the class for Matt Davison in the Honda Civic, and showing great promise with a perfect light award in Q2, 9.318 / 158 on A 9.20 dial with all the zeros in his reaction time. An exciting, but disqualified, run for Dave Swift in the AMXpress when he crossed lanes, while Spencer Tramm remained calm on top of Q1, 11.082 / 116 on an 11.68 dial in, holding position through to the end of Q5, despite some very rapid passes from Swift (PB 7.169 / 192 in Q5), Brendan Clancy and Ahmed Jamshaid in particular. Friday’s final run saw Nic Williams in the COPO Camaro up against brother, Dan, in Nic’s ’69 Camaro, 8.512 / 146 vs 9.855 / 131 respectively.
Q6 on Saturday saw Jamshaid briefly taking the lead, 8.565 / 171 on a 9.20 dial in, plus the return of Kev Jenkins in the Fraudster Escort – though not for very long, after blowing yet another block to kingdom come. But, by the end of the session, the lead had changed again. This time it was Nic Williams on pole after posting an 8.261 / 163 on a 9.10 dial, improving that to 8.237 / 166 to stay ahead in Q7. Further runs raised the bar higher than ever, first to 8.180 / 167 PB in Q8 and then 8.134 / 168 in Q9. Come eliminations one on Monday, though, things went a bit pear shaped. Terry Newton, Simon Crowley, Kev Jenkins all out with breakages, Chris Todd didn’t show, Luke Stevenson was pushed back,
Jamshaid was also out and Swift red lit, leaving the door open for Nic Williams, while Dan Williams, Tramm, Davison and Clancy all solo’d, the latter with a bye into the semis. Next time out it was Davison who didn’t show and Dan Williams who broke, leaving just Clancy, Tramm, Swift and Nic Williams in the running. Then, when Clancy and Swift didn’t show for the semis, the final effectively came early. Nic Williams posted 9.151 / 106, Tramm 11.591 / 86 with a cherry. That pairing was then repeated at the end of the day, but this time Williams really nailed the COPO Camaro, clocking 8.221 at 159mph to defeat Tramm’s 11.103 / 117.
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Peter Nee Super Pro ET Double timing in this class and Super Gas this weekend, Stuart Morrice set out his stall early on, going 8.634 / 155 on an 8.63 dial in Q1, and stayed there through Q2 before Switzerland’s Thomas Haas knocked him off the top spot in Q3 by running 8.051 / 169 on an 8.05 dial and held firm all the way through Q7. Scott Hauser came on strong in Q5, 7.312 / 180 on a 7.31 dial, for the number two spot. Barry Giles great job in the hot seat of Martyn Jones’ Small Fortune Super Pro ET dragster, smashing his own PB (6.297 / 207), while John Tebenham seemed determine to change the weather system at the Pod with his monster burnouts, which delighted the crowd. An interesting entry was Patrick Dubois from France in the 781ci Pro Stock Pontiac
Grand Prix, running under Custom Gang Racing colours, along with team mate, Elodie Dubois, in a seven-second dragster. Further PBs in qualifying for Allan Schofield (8.011 / 160) and Mark Coulsell (8.091 / 166), some great strategy from the latter team in Q8 seeing him leapfrog from 24 to the number two spot with an 8.182 / 164 on an 8.18 dial in. Matt Peters also made a big move in that round, up from 15 to four. The final round of qualifying saw drama when Simon Barlow dumped engine parts in the staging area, and elation as Andy Thetford posted a PB 7.668 / 184. Come Monday eliminations, Haas checked out unexpectedly early with a red light. Likewise, AC Bell, Ashley Bell, Matt Peters and Elodie Dubois, while Simon Barlow, Pete Walters, Allan Schofield and Bob Doyle didn’t make it to the start line.
Add in a couple of break outs and the field was down to 15 runners, which reduced further to Tebenham, Billy Gane, Alan Didwell, Joe Kellett, David Russell, Scott Hauser, Brian Pateman and Nick Good by the end of round two. Round three was decided on the start line, when Didwell, Gane and Good all lit cherries, leaving just Kellett and Russell to race to the stripe, 8.997 / 143 vs 8.704 / 160, the former taking a holeshot win. In the semis, Hauser despatched Tebenham, 7.291 / 177 vs 8.909 / 146 and Kellett (8.905 / 166 on an 8.90) saw off an over eager Pateman who uncharacteristically broke out, 8.304 / 159 on an 8.35. That set the stage for an all-dragster finale, which went the way of Kellett, 8.977 / 155 on an 8.90 dial vs 7.306 / 181 on a 7.28.
Topspeed Automotive Street Eliminator Ethan Lisle
Mike Lalouette
Twelve racers on the entry card, and credit to Rob Slater for driving his red ’57 to the track in the true spirit of Street Eliminator and clocking a PB 9.184 / 147 in Q5, then improving to 8.905 at 163mph in Q6. While many of the competitors in this class seemed to be struggling for traction over the weekend, Andy Bond posted the only seven in class in qualifying, 7.327 / 199, and held onto pole position firmly. There was great excitement, and perhaps a new pair of shorts, for Joe Stevens when the Stiletto went up on two Joe Stevens
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Andy Thetford
Joe Kellett vs Scott Hauser
Patrick Dubois
Barry Giles
wheels during qualifying, did a little dance and eventually came to rest alongside the opposite wall. Joe was fine, but out of the competition this weekend. Rob Carter was well happy with his new PB in Q6, 8.228 / 167, moving him up to fourth, but Bond carded a 7.296 at a whopping 203mph and Al McSweeney was back in the sevens, 7.762 at 184mph. Come race day, Sheridan turned up the wick and recorded a flying PB top speed of 207.94mph while taking out James Murray, Bond despatched Slater, Al Williamson solo’d against an ailing Nick Hale, Rob Carter likewise as Ricky Hale had engine damage and McSweeney was handed a free pass when Ash Cooper didn’t show. Next time out it was Williamson with problems, letting Sheridan off lightly, and Bond with a bye. McSweeney didn’t have it so easy, Carter recording a PB 8.176 / 169
alongside, but the Volvo had the power to stay ahead, 7.694 / 182 for the win. McSweeney earned his bye in the semis and Sheridan gave it his all against Bond, narrowly losing a fantastic 200mph+ race, 7.716 / 204 vs 7.470 / 203. And just when
we thought it couldn’t get any better, McSweeney and Bond produced a cracking finale, the former off the line first and holding the advantage all the way to the stripe, 7.582 / 188 vs Bond’s quicker 7.310 / 207.
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Markus Ochsner
Clement Dubois
BeFastR Super Comp Lee Huxley was on top on the 8.90 class in Q1, 8.946 / 125, while a new entrant from Switzerland, Markus Ochsner, made his presence felt in the tough looking Dodge Ram pickup in Q2, 8.982 / 146. Great to see Frenchman, Clement Dubois, racing in the class and up to third spot by the end of play on Saturday. Leah Kellett then unseated Huxley in Q2, 8.915 / 167, and held position
through Q3, but Steve Hudson was on a charge, moving up into the number two spot in Q4 and then to number one in Q5, 8.908 / 148, holding that through Q8, where he went marginally quicker, 8.905 / 147, to go into race day on pole. Steve Hudson earned his bye in round one of eliminations, which saw a bunch of no shows, but Curbishley holeshot Clifford (8.938 / 144 vs 8.868 / 150), Kellett earn a bye into round two defeating Ochsner and
ModUrStang Pro ET A huge field of 38 racers this meet and first time out this year for Chris Newsam in the MG ZS, and straight into the nines in testing on Thursday (9.806 / 134). Come Friday qualifying, Marc Huxley posted a new PB (9.696 / 136), Nick Mugridge clocked his first nine (9.984 / 133) and Sean Law also posted a PB, 8.890 / 148. However, it was Dave Fulton who topped the ladder at the end of Q1 (9.383 / 142 on a 9.38 dial in), and held position through Q2, before Mason Griffiths nailed an 8.992 on his 8.99 dial to take the lead in Q3 and hold on to it all the way through Q8, just keeping ahead of a late charging Dave Rudd in the Banzai Cobra, 9.562 / 139 on a 9.56 dial in and Dave Fulton, 9.383 / 142 on a 9.38. By Q9 on Sunday, the top 15 runners were all within a few thousandths of their dial ins, showing just how close this class races. Leigh Morris came into race day as points leader, only to be pushed back with a leak in round one, which saw its fair share of excitement and break outs, reducing the field by half. The same pattern
Chris Newsam
repeated in round two, where breakouts by Laura Baynton, John Dalrymple, Tom Kaye, Marie Mills and Mason Griffiths reduced the numbers again. Add in a red light for Alfie Wratten, a push back for Simon Innes and the field was down to Baynton, Law, Huxley, Mugridge, Mills, Neil Watkins and Tom Kaye and newcomer to the class, Kirstie Tramm. Yet more breakouts in round three saw Huxley and Mugridge exit stage left, while Mills cut out on the line and Kaye defeated Watkins, 9.992 / 121 on a 9.94 dial vs
Laura Baynton vs Marie Mills
Richard Tunstall see off Clement Dubois. In round two, it was Tunstall who didn’t show, letting Doignie through, while Curbishley sent Steve Hudson home and Simon Fulton took the win over Huxley (8.949 / 149 vs 8.884 / 145). In the semis, Doignie continued, at the expense of Curbishley, and Kellett sent Fulton packing, only to have the same done to her in the final, which went Doignie’s way, 8.987 / 148 vs 8.955 / 165.
11.226 / 117 on an 11.17 dial. Over eagerness at the light by Kaye let Laura Baynton through into the final against Tramm, who despatched Law, 11.781 / 117 on an 11.17 dial vs 9.099 / 146 on a 9.03 dial. Tramm then took the win in the final with an 11.721 / 118 pass on an 11.76 dial as Baynton red light alongside.
Dave Rudd
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PRICE CUT
DOUBLE.00 exc.VAT 279
Rubber grip side handles
SAVE UP TO
£334.80 inc.VAT DOUBLE
WAS £346.80 inc.VAT
NB Overall length includes handles
TOOL SETS
HUGE CHOICE OF HAND TOOLS
exc. Model Desc. LxWxH (mm) VAT CBB203C 3 Dr step up 667x310x249 £86.99 CBB205C 5 Dr chest 710x315x420 £149.98 1 CBB209C 9 Dr Chest 661x305x418 £154.99 CBB210C 10 Dr Chest 710x315x475 £169.98 CBB215C 5 Dr Cabinet 758x468x815 £259.00 2 CBB217C 7 Dr Cabinet 676x461x958 £279.00
109
£ FROM ONLY .98 DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £131.98 FOOTER inc.VAT
£12
NEW
DIY & PROFESSIONAL £FROM ONLY .99 DOUBLE exc.VAT 74 3 £89.99 DOUBLE FOOTER inc.VAT
CHT859 300 PIECE AF/METRIC HOME GARAGE REPAIR KIT
CHT634 MECHANICS TOOL CHEST AND TOOLS PACKAGE
EXTRA LARGE BOTTOM
FROM ONLY .98 4 £239 DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £287.98 FOOTER inc.VAT
NOW Model Desc. LxWxH (mm) exc.VAT inc.VAT MECHANICS RANGE 1 CTC600C 6 Dr chest 600x260x340 £89.98 £107.98 CTC900C 9 Dr chest 597x257x380 £89.98 £107.98 CTC500C 5 Dr cabinet 675x335x770 £149.98 £179.98 CTC800C 8 Dr chest/cab set 610x330x1070 £149.98 £179.98 2 CTC700C 7 Dr cabinet 616x330x880 £169.98 £203.98 PROFESSIONAL RANGE 3 CTC103C 3 Dr step up chest 691x310x256 £74.99 £89.99 CTC109 9 Dr chest 662x305x421 £139.98 £167.98 4 CTC105 5 Dr cabinet 685x465x790 £239.98 £287.98 CTC107C 7 Dr cabinet 739x461x953 £259.00 £310.80
MM1 Custom Car 275x200 pg1.indd 1 Mart_3PS.indd 1 Custom Car_2023_12_Winter_Machine
FROM ONLY
EXC.VAT 42 DOUBLE FOOTER £51.59 inc.VAT
£ DOUBLE .99
WAS £322.80 inc.VAT
£FROM ONLY .98 DOUBLE exc.VAT 89 1 £107.98 DOUBLE FOOTER inc.VAT
Strong
mm 350 12fibreboard
PER SHELF
PER SHELF
shelves
2
169
£ FROM ONLY .98 DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £203.98 FOOTER inc.VAT
Easy to assemble, providing valuable working space and plenty of additional storage capacity.
150 9mm fibreboard KG
279
£310.80 inc.VAT
WORKBENCH WITH PEGBOARD
BOLTLESS SHELVING / BENCHES CHOICE OF 5 COLOURS
£ FROM ONLY .00 DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £334.80 FOOTER inc.VAT
PRICE CUT
DOUBLE.00 exc.VAT 259
£
2
MECHANICS/ PROFESSIONAL quality & value TOOL CHESTS/ •forSuperb DIY & Professional workshops CABINETS
Strong
189
NOW inc.VAT £163.19 £203.98 £286.80 £310.80
FULL EXTENSION ROLLER RUNNERS FOR SMOOTH OPENING ACTION
Simple fast RED, BLUE, GREY, assembly in minutes SILVER & GALVANISED using only a hammer STEEL
£ FROM ONLY .98 DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £227.98 FOOTER inc.VAT
30KG
MAX DRAWER LOAD
inc.VAT
PRO394 PROFESSIONAL 90 PIECE TOOL KIT WITH CANTILEVER TOOLBOX
649
DOUBLEEXC.VAT 259.00 FOOTER £203.98 inc.VAT
DRAWERS WAS NOW PRICE CUT £DOUBLE.99 inc.VAT inc.VAT 56exc.VAT £107.98 £104.39 WAS £68.39 inc.VAT DOUBLE £191.98 £179.98 PRO378 WAS £71.98 inc.VAT Model Desc. LxWxH (mm) exc.VAT inc.VAT £191.98 £185.99 PROFESSIONAL CLB600 6 Dr chest 660x305x365 £135.99 £209.99 £203.98 1 CLB900C 9 Dr chest 685x305x474 £169.98 £322.80 £310.80 1/2" DRIVE CLB1005 5 Dr cabinet 685x465x795 £239.00 £346.80 £334.80 SOCKET SET 2 CLB1007C 7 Dr cabinet 740x465x955 £259.00 £322.80
PRO396 222 PIECE TOOL SET WITH 7 DRAWER TOOL CABINET
£ FROM ONLY .00 DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £778.80 FOOTER inc.VAT
169
£ FROM ONLY .98
Combines premium quality with fiercely competitive pricing & super smooth ball bearing roller drawers
• Extra heavy gauge double wall steel construction
£
1
KG
Dims exc. inc. Model WxDxH(mm) VAT VAT 150kg 800x300x1500 £42.99 £51.59 350kg 900x400x1800 £59.98 £71.98
• Dimensions (LxWxH) - 1150 x 560 x 1440 mm • Pegboard back wall with 30 hooks supplied
shelves
CWB-R1B
Available in Red or Galvanised Finish
11/10/2023 06/11/2023 11:07 13:46
34355LH
65
TURBO AIR COMPRESSORS FROM ONLY DOUBLE.98 exc.VAT DOUBLE £143.98 FOOTER inc.VAT
119
£
Superb range ideal for DIY, hobby & semi-professional use
CDP102B
DRILL PRESSES
Range of precision bench & floor presses for enthusiast, FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE .95 engineering exc.VAT 99inc.VAT & industrial DOUBLE £119.94 FOOTER applications B = Bench mounted F = Floor standing Motor (W) WAS model Speeds exc.VAT inc.VAT inc.VAT CDP5EB 350 / 5 £99.95 £119.94 CDP5RB 350 / 5 £99.95 £119.94 CDP102B 350 / 5 £115.95 £139.14 CDP152B 450 / 12 £209.00 £250.80 CDP452B 550 / 16 £299.00 £406.80 £358.80 CDP352F 550 / 16 £339.00 £406.80 CDP502F 1100 / 12 £699.00 £934.80 £838.80
SUPERSTORES NATIONWIDE
Britain’s Tools & Machinery Specialist 8/260 Model Motor HP CFM Tank ltr exc.VAT 8/260 2 7.5 24 £119.98 11/260 2.5 9.5 24 £129.98 8/550 2 7.5 50 £159.98 11/550 2.5 9.5 50 £179.98 16/550 3 14.5 50 £249.00 16/1050 3 14.5 100 £309.00
exc.VAT £143.98 £155.98 £191.98 £215.98 £298.80 £370.80
INDUSTRIAL AIR XEV16/100 COMPRESSORS
Top quality belt driven air compressors for industrial & commercial users inc; garages, factories, workshops and farms. 10 bar/150psi max working pressure £
FROM ONLY HEADER
AIR. DISP MOTOR AIR †V-Twin *230V MODEL CFM (HP) RCVR EXC.VAT INC.VAT XEV16/100 (OL)†* 14 3 100ltr £589.00 £706.80 XEV16/150 (OL)†* 14 3 150ltr £659.00 £790.80 XEV16/200(OL)†* 14 3 200ltr £719.00 £862.80 XEV16/150(400V)† 14 3 150ltr £699.00 £838.80 XE18/200 (OL)†* 18 4 200ltr £759.00 £910.80 XE36C200† 30 7.5HP 200Ltr £1199.00 £1438.80 XE29/270†* 28 2X3HP 270Ltr £1399.00 £1678.80 XE37/270 (OL)†* 36 2x 4 270ltr £1479.00 £1774.80 SE46C270† 40 10HP 270Ltr £2129.00 £2554.80
230&
110 VOLT
Offering low cost, efficient heating
IN STOCK FROM £226.80 inc.VAT
94
Propane gas fired Max. Output kW exc.VAT inc.VAT 10.3 £94.99 £113.99 15 £119.98 £143.98 24.9 £159.98 £191.98 36.6 £189.98 £227.98 49.8 £269.00 £322.80 131 £479.00 £574.80
BATTERY CHARGERS /ENGINE STARTERS
PRICE CUT NOW FROM £ .98
Ammeter Multiposition charge regulator Overload protection on charging cycle
Ratchet action for quick height adjustment Sold in pairs
Model BC125 BC190 BC210C WBC180 WBC240 WBC400 BC520P
FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE .99 exc.VAT DOUBLE FOOTER £21.59 inc.VAT
17
model XR60 XR80 XR110 XR160 XR210
MAX output 14.7kW 20.5kW 29.3kW 46.9kW 61.5kW
Model CAX2TFB CAX3TPB CAX-3TBC CAX-6TBC CAX3TAB*
inc.VAT £21.59 £38.39 £35.98 £58.79 £71.98
89exc.VAT
Max Amps WAS Charge/ inc. Boost exc.VAT VAT inc.VAT 20/120 £89.98 £112.79 £107.98 38/180 £104.99 £135.59 £125.99 25/200 £149.98 £179.98 35/180 £159.98 £191.98 45/240 £184.99 £227.98 £221.99 60/350 £219.00 £262.80 50/510 £259.00 £310.80
FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE .98 EXC.VAT DOUBLE FOOTER £35.98 inc.VAT
inc.VAT £274.80 £334.80 £394.80 £478.80 £550.80
Max. Model Output exc.VAT inc.VAT DEVIL 2000PTC-B 2kW £29.98 £35.98 Devil 2850 2.8kW £42.99 £51.59 Devil 2800PTC-B 2.8kW £49.98 £59.98
exc.VAT £229.00 £279.00 £329.00 £399.00 £459.00
29
2800PTC-B
JUMP STARTS
FROM ONLY
INTELLIGENT BATTERY CHARGER/ MAINTAINERS
LOAD RATING: 500KG PER £FROM ONLY .99 DOLLY exc.VAT DOUBLE
£76.79 inc.VAT PER PAIR
FROM ONLY
exc.VAT 29 DOUBLE FOOTER £35.98 inc.VAT
£ DOUBLE .98
£298.80 inc.VAT DOUBLE
* WAS £45.59 inc.VAT # WAS £87.59 inc.VAT Model Disc (mm) Motor exc.VAT CAG800B 115 800W £29.98 CON1150* 115 1150W £36.99 CAG2350C# 230 2350W £69.98
inc.VAT £35.98 £44.39 £83.98
Ideal for use as a garage/workshop Extra tough triple layer cover Heavy duty powder coated steel tubing Ratchet tight tensioning WAS Model size (LxWxH) exc.VAT inc.VAT inc.VAT CIG81212 3.6x3.6x2.5m £249.00 £310.80 £298.80 CIG81015 4.5x3x2.4m £279.00 £334.80 £394.80 CIG81216 4.9x3.7x2.5m £329.00 CIG81020 6.1x3x2.4m £349.00 £418.80 CIG81220 6.1x3.7x2.5m £399.00 £478.80 CIG81224 7.3x3.7x2.5m £499.00 £598.80 £1318.80 CIG1432 9.7x4.3x3.65m £1099.00 CIG1640 12x4.9x4.3m £2599.00 £3478.80 £3118.80
Model Tonnes exc.VAT inc.VAT *WAS £562.80 CTJ2GLS 2 £269.00 £322.80 inc.VAT CTJ3GLS 3 £349.00 £418.80 #WAS £766.80 CTJ5GLS 5 £459.00 £550.80 inc.VAT CTJ10GLS# 10 £609.00 £730.80
ALUMINIUM RACING JACKS
PRO SANDER/ POLISHERS
HEAVY DUTY LONG REACH JACKS
CTJ2GLS FROM ONLY HEADER
exc.VAT 269 £322.80 inc.VAT
.00
150mm PAD DIA.
69
exc.VAT DOUBLE DOUBLE FOOTER £83.98 inc.VAT
FROM ONLY
.98 DOUBLE exc.VAT .VAT 109
† WAS £215.98 inc.VAT Model Lifting Cap. exc.VAT inc.VAT CTJ1500QL 1.5T £109.98 £131.98 CTJ1250AC 1.25T £134.99 £161.99 CTJ2500QLGB† 2.5T £169.98 £203.98 CTJ1800AB 1.8T £199.98 £239.98
MM2 Custom Car 275x200 pg2.indd 1 Mart_3PS.indd 2 Custom Car_2023_12_Winter_Machine
CTC150LI
BODY REPAIR KIT
12V TYRE INFLATORS
49
£FROM ONLY .98 exc.VAT DOUBLE DOUBLE FOOTER £59.98 inc.VAT
FAST SNAP CONNECTOR
12V
CORDLESS FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE .99 exc.VAT DOUBLE FOOTER £44.39 inc.VAT
MICRO JUMP STARTS
PADDED SEAT
36
◆ WAS £63.59 inc.VAT Start Peak Boost Boost 180A 360A 200A 400A 300A 500A 400A 800A
Model JSM180 JSM200 ◆ JSM300 JSM400
145 Bar 2100 psi
MECHANICS UTILITY SEAT exc.VAT £36.99 £49.98 £69.98 £99.98
inc.VAT £44.39 £59.98 £83.98 £119.98
BALL BEARING DRAWERS
PRICE CUT £DOUBLE.98
79exc.VAT
SWIVEL CASTORS
£95.98 inc.VAT DOUBLE
WAS £101.99 inc.VAT
CMUS3
HOT WASHERS PARTS WASHERS £ FROM ONLY .00 599 DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £718.80 FOOTER inc.VAT FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE .98 exc.VAT 59 DOUBLE FOOTER £71.98 inc.VAT
PRICE CUT NOW FROM
exc.VAT 169.00
£
£202.80 inc.VAT
WAS £214.80 inc.VAT
INCLUDES SANDBLASTING GUN, DELIVERY HOSE, 4 CERAMIC NOZZLES AND SAFETY HOOD
AMAZING LOW PRICE!
Tank Flow Rate INC. CONTAINER FOR DETERGENT Model Volume Req. exc.VAT inc.VAT CPSB100B* 32 litre 6-25 cfm £169.00 £202.80 Model BAR Press. VOLT exc.VAT inc.VAT CPSB200B# 63 litre 6-25 cfm £209.00 £250.80 Harry 2 145 2100psi 230 £599.00 £718.80 * WAS £214.80 inc.VAT # WAS £274.80 inc.VAT KING 200 150 2175psi 230 £1198.00 £1437.60
CFC100 CP150
2 & 3 TONNE ONLY TROLLEY JACKS £FROM .99 DOUBLE
44
exc.VAT DOUBLE FOOTER £53.99 inc.VAT
219
£ FROM ONLY .98 DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £263.98 FOOTER inc.VAT
CTJ2250LP
1 TONNE FOLDING WORKSHOP CRANE
£89.99 inc.VAT DOUBLE
WAS £95.98 inc.VAT
Fully tested to proof load
CW1D CW2D Tank Model Cap. Type CW2D 10Ltrs Bench CW1D 45Ltrs Floor CWM20 22.5Ltrs Floor CW40 75Ltrs Floor
exc.VAT £59.98 £149.98 £189.00 £229.98
inc.VAT £71.98 £179.98 £226.80 £275.98
18V ½" IMPACT WRENCHES 3 forward and reverse gears
PRICE CUT £ DOUBLE.98
109exc.VAT
£131.98 inc.VAT DOUBLE
WAS £119.98 inc.VAT
Folding and fixed frames available Robust, rugged construction Overload safety valve
74exc.VAT
Inc. hook & loop backing pad and wool polishing bonnet CP185 180mm PAD DIA.
compressor Long life battery Starting Peak Boost Amps exc.VAT inc.VAT 400 900 £96.99 £116.39 500 1100 £96.99 £116.39 700 1500 £164.99 £197.99 1000 2000 £179.98 £215.98
FROM ONLY HEADER
Heavy duty steel construction sandblasters for the quick removal of surface rust, paint, dirt/grease etc.
PRICE CUT £DOUBLE.99
DOUBLE £131.98 FOOTER inc.VAT
SWIVEL, NON MARKING CASTORS
SANDBLASTERS
£FROM ONLY .98
Dual action combines rotary & orbital motions to produce an excellent polished finish
CTJ1250AB
603x370x150mm
STARTS VEHICLES UP TO 6L
Model 910 JS1100C BEST 4000 SELLER JS12/24
.99 exc.VAT 112 10 TONNE £135.59 inc.VAT
Max. exc. WAS Model Volts Charge VAT inc.VAT inc.VAT IBC7 12/24V 7A £39.98 £47.98 IBC15 12V 15A £49.98 £59.98 IBC20 12/24V 20A £66.99 £83.98 £80.39 IBC25 12/24V 25A £84.99 £107.98 £101.99 IBC40 12/24V 40A £104.99 £131.98 £125.99 AWD1
ANGLE GRINDERS
WAS £310.80 inc.VAT
£
WHEEL DOLLY (PAIR)
PGF14
Provides essential home, garage
and roadside assistance Integral exc.VAT 96inc.VAT work light 910 includes air DOUBLE £116.39 FOOTER £ DOUBLE .99
BEST SELLER
249exc.VAT
£
229exc.VAT
DEVIL 7003 Heat Model Voltage Output exc.VAT inc.VAT Devil 6003 230V 1.5-3kW £69.98 £83.98 Devil 7003* 230V 3kW £76.99 £92.39 Devil 7005# 400V 5kW £98.99 £118.79 Devil 6009 400V 4.5-9kW £124.99 £149.99 Devil 7009 400V 9kW £152.99 £183.59 Devil 6015 400V 5-10-15kW £189.98 £227.98 Devil 7015 400V 15kW £229.98 £275.98 * WAS £83.98 inc.VAT # WAS £117.59 inc.VAT
IBC20
£FROM ONLY .99 DOUBLE exc.VAT DOUBLE FOOTER £32.39 inc.VAT
PRICE CUT £ DOUBLE.00
Quick lift Non-marking nylon wheels Rubber contact pad - helps protect vehicle undersides
DOUBLE £274.80 FOOTER inc.VAT
63
69
£FROM ONLY .98 exc.VAT DOUBLE DOUBLE FOOTER £83.98 inc.VAT
£
SELLER
NEW
2.8kW
EXTRA LONG 1m LEADS
CAT131
GARAGES/WORKSHOPS
ELECTRIC HEATERS
EXC.VAT 69 DOUBLE BEST FOOTER £83.98 inc.VAT
39
26
Max Min/Max Tons Height exc.VAT 2 235-360mm £17.99 3 325-490mm £31.99 3 300-430mm £29.98 6 400-615mm £48.99 3 295-395mm £59.98
FROM ONLY
£ DOUBLE .98
FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE .98 DOUBLE exc.VAT FOOTER £47.98 inc.VAT
£107.98 inc.VAT DOUBLE
WORKSHOP AIR TOOLS
*Aluminium
FAN HEATERS 2.8kW 2850
FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE.00
XR80
WAS £112.79 inc.VAT
BC210C
AXLE STANDS
DIESEL/PARAFFIN HEATERS Ideal for fast efficient heating Extra-long run fuel tanks – up to 53 litres Variable heat output with thermostat control
DEVIL 6003
FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE .99 DOUBLE exc.VAT FOOTER £113.99 inc.VAT
Model Little Devil II Devil 700 Devil 900 Devil 1600 Devil 2100 Devil 4000
.00 exc.VAT 589 £706.80 inc.VAT
DUAL VOLTAGE
TURBO FAN GAS HEATERS
JACKS ALSO IN STOCK UP TO 5 TONNE
BEST SELLER
Model Type Tonne exc.VAT inc.VAT CTJ2L Long 2 £44.99 £53.99 CTJ2000LPB DIY Low Profile 2 £46.99 £56.39 CTJ2250LP* Low Profile 2.25 £52.99 £63.59 CTJ3000GB Pro Garage 3 £109.98 £131.98 CTJ3000QLB Quick Lift 3 £119.98 £143.98 CTJ2QLP Low Quick Lift 2 £159.98 £191.98 * CTJ2250LP has a 2.25 tonne capacity, has a low entry of only 80mm and includes 2 sockets
BRUSHLESS 450NM
2 2AH X
* WAS £131.98 inc.VAT CIR18LIC • WAS £147.59 inc.VAT Model Desc Batteries exc.VAT inc.VAT CCIW160* Cordless 2X 2AH £99.98 £119.98 LI-ION CIR18LIC• Cordless, 2X 2AH £119.95 £143.94 Brushless LI-ION
11/10/2023 06/11/2023 11:07 13:46
34355RH
PAY Monthly
EASY TO USE WEBSITE
Spread the cost over 12, 24, 36, 48 or 60 months Any mix of products over £300 5 MIN 17.9% APR APPLICATION! HYDRAULIC FROM ONLY PRESSES £ DOUBLE.98
21,000
NOW OVER
PROFESSIONAL QUALITY Built for tough daily use in automotive/ industrial workshops
section on:
0844 880 1265
BRITAIN’S NO. 1 FOR WELDING
1 TONNE
169exc.VAT SPRING DOUBLE £203.98 FOOTER inc.VAT
CSA4B
• IN-STORE • ONLINE • PHONE
machinemart.co.uk
STRUT
PAGE
CATALOGUE OUT NOW!
PRODUCTS ONLINE! For 15,000 hard to find items vist the
492
FREE
MIG GAS/NO GAS WELDERS
COMPRESSOR
Hydraulically powered, foot control operated device Adjustable spring retainers Springs up to 400mm diameter & 520mm in length
“Excellent machine and exactly as described. Easy to set up and comes with everything you need to start welding straight out of the box”
135TE
Professional
type torches DOUBLE.98 exc.VAT 289 Easy to set 239.00 FOOTER £347.98 inc.VAT
£
up & use
See www.machinemart.co.uk
BEST
SELLER * Available with/without 7 pce pin, bracket & pressing plate kit safety screen # Economy model Model Tonne exc.VAT inc.VAT CSA4B# 4 £169.98 £203.98 10 £289.00 £346.80 CSA10BB* CSA12F# 12 £379.00 £454.80 CSA20FBT 20 £499.00 £598.80
BEST
SELLER
189
£ FROM ONLY .98 DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £227.98 FOOTER inc.VAT
35/135 AMPS
MIG145
SSC1000G
ENGINE STANDS
239
£ FROM ONLY .00 DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £286.80 FOOTER inc.VAT
HEAVY DUTY PETROL POWER WASHERS PLS265B
FROM ONLY
exc.VAT 72 DOUBLE FOOTER £87.59 inc.VAT
£ DOUBLE .99
Honda & Diesel engine models in stock
Rotates through 360˚
135TE
CAN DRAW OWN WATER
279exc.VAT
inc.VAT £87.59 £99.59 £125.99 £167.98
PETROL GENERATORS
Pressure Engine Model Bar/PSI HP exc.VAT inc.VAT Tiger1800B 110/1595 3 £279.00 £334.80 Tiger2600B 180/2610 4 £379.00 £454.80 Tiger3000B 200/2900 6.5 £399.00 £478.80 PLS195B 182/2640 5.5 £499.00 £598.80 PLS220 230/3335 9 £679.00 £814.80 PLS265B 225/3263 13 £769.00 £922.80 PLS360 248/3600 13 £998.00 £1197.60
CHECK FRAME TYPE WHEN ORDERING
WAS Model KVA HP exc.VAT inc.VAT inc.VAT PG2500A 2.2 5.6 £219.00 £270.00 £262.80 PG3800A 3 5.6 £269.00 £346.80 £322.80 PG3800ADV 3 5.6 £299.00 £370.80 £358.80 PG6500ADVES 5.5 9.7 £539.00 £646.80
DIAGNOSTICS PRICE CUT NOW ONLY £ .98
79exc.VAT
£95.98.19 inc.VAT DOUBLE
WAS £103.19 inc.VAT
£ FROM ONLY .98
DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £167.98 FOOTER inc.VAT
• Compact & lightweight • Efficient inverter technology • Variable output MMA200A
CAR RAMPS
• Lift cars safely and quickly • Tough angled steel construction
INC. ELECTRODE HOLDER, EARTH CLAMP, & BRUSH/HAMMER
Min/Max Electrode Output Dia. Model Current (mm) exc.VAT inc.VAT MMA140A 20A-140A 1.6-3.2 £104.99 £125.99 MMA200A 20A-200A 1.6-3.2 £139.98 £167.98 AT165 10A-160A 2.5/3.2/4.0 £219.98 £263.98
39
Model CR2 CRW25 2500kg
Honda engine models available
139
MMA & ARC/TIG INVERTER WELDERS
AT165
219 DOUBLEexc.VAT DOUBLE £263.98 FOOTER inc.VAT
£ FROM ONLY .98
FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE .98 exc.VAT Capacity exc.VAT inc.VAT £47.98 DOUBLE PER inc.VAT 2000kg £39.98 £47.98 PER PAIR
PG3800A
inc.VAT £215.98 £286.80 £298.80 £334.80 £347.98 £310.80 £586.80
DOUBLE £334.80 FOOTER inc.VAT
Fully tested to proof load
exc. WAS Model Capacity VAT inc.VAT CES340 340kg £72.99 CES450 450kg £82.99 £101.99 CES560 560kg £104.99 CES680F 680kg £139.98
130AMPS
Min/Max exc. Amps VAT 40/100 £179.98 35/135 £239.00 24-90 £249.00 40/180 £279.00 30-130 £289.98 30-150 £259.00 50/240 £489.00
FROM ONLY £ DOUBLE.00
CES680F
*Folds for storage
Model MIG106 MIG145 PRO90 MIG196 135TE Turbo* 151EN * WAS £356.39 inc.VAT MIG240
£47.99
£57.59
ELECTRIC PRESSURE WASHERS Makes easy work for washing vehicles, patios, stonework, etc. JET7500, JET8500 & JET9500B include hose reel 180 Bar PRICE CUT FROM ONLY £ .98
2610 PSI
59exc.VAT
ACCESSORIES GWH7 AUTO DARKENING WELDING HEADSHIELDS
7 MODELS IN THE RANGE
LEATHER GAUNTLETS
GAS
SELLER
FROM ONLY
96 exc.VAT
£ DOUBLE .99
DOUBLE £116.39 FOOTER inc.VAT
FROM ONLY DOUBLE £ .99 DOUBLE exc.VAT FOOTER £9.59 inc.VAT
7
WIRE 0.6, 0.8 & 0.9mm SIZES IN STOCK
FROM ONLY DOUBLE £ .99 DOUBLE exc.VAT FOOTER £7.19 inc.VAT
5
SEE THE FULL RANGE OF WELDING ACCESSORIES ONLINE & IN-STORE
VISIT YOUR LOCAL SUPERSTORE Open Mon-Fri 8.30-6.00, Sat 8.30-5.30, Sun 10.00-4.00 EXETER 16 Trusham Rd. EX2 8QG 01392 256 744 GATESHEAD 50 Lobley Hill Rd. NE8 4YJ 0191 493 2520 GLASGOW 280 Gt Western Rd. G4 9EJ 0141 332 9231 GLOUCESTER 221A Barton St. GL1 4HY 01452 417 948 GRIMSBY ELLIS WAY, DN32 9BD 01472 354435 HULL 8-10 Holderness Rd. HU9 1EG 01482 223161 ILFORD 746-748 Eastern Ave. IG2 7HU 0208 518 4286 IPSWICH Unit 1 Ipswich Trade Centre, Commercial Road 01473 221253 LEEDS 227-229 Kirkstall Rd. LS4 2AS 0113 231 0400 LEICESTER 69 Melton Rd. LE4 6PN 0116 261 0688 LINCOLN Unit 5. The Pelham Centre. LN5 8HG 01522 543 036 LIVERPOOL 80-88 London Rd. L3 5NF 0151 709 4484 LONDON CATFORD 289/291 Southend Lane SE6 3RS 0208 695 5684 LONDON 6 Kendal Parade, Edmonton N18 020 8803 0861 LONDON 503-507 Lea Bridge Rd. Leyton, E10 020 8558 8284 LUTON Unit 1, 326 Dunstable Rd, Luton LU4 8JS 01582 728 063 MAIDSTONE 57 Upper Stone St. ME15 6HE 01622 769 572 MANCHESTER ALTRINCHAM 71 Manchester Rd. Altrincham 0161 9412 666 MANCHESTER CENTRAL 209 Bury New Road M8 8DU 0161 241 1851 MANCHESTER OPENSHAW Unit 5, Tower Mill, Ashton Old Rd 0161 223 8376 MANSFIELD 169 Chesterfield Rd. South 01623 622160 MIDDLESBROUGH Mandale Triangle, Thornaby 01642 677881
BEST
13
36
£71.98 inc.VAT DOUBLE
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MM3 Custom Car 275x200 pg3.indd 1 Mart_3PS.indd 3 Custom Car_2023_12_Winter_Machine
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FRENCH FA
Driving a custom car is all about standing out from the crowd. A slammed French furniture van might not be the first thing that comes to mind – but it’ll stand out in any crowd you care to name Words: Olly Sack Pics: Speed Merchants Garage
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FANCY
R
etro panel vans are a subculture all of their own in the custom car world. Mainly, we tend to see Fords and Chevys, either prewar or from the 1950s, and they absolutely lend themselves to being modified. Celebrating its 50th birthday this year, though, is this Peugeot J7. And what a beautiful thing it is, too. Beautiful and, before you start, just nicely modified. It’s the property of Mike East, who runs Speed Merchants Garage in the French town of Angoulême. Draw a triangle with Limoges, Bordeaux and La Rochelle at its corners, and you’ll find him pretty much smack bang in the middle of it with you mainly being jealous of him. ‘I’m into cars and love barn finds,’ he says. ‘For the last three or four years, I’ve been dealing mainly in Peugeot J7 and J9 vans. Sourcing, importing, restoring and everything in between.’ What a hellish way to live. Told you you were jealous. The J7 was build between 1965 and 1980. During that time, Peugeot sold 336,220 of them, powered by a choice of 1.4-litre petrol and 1.8-litre diesel engines. No V8 option, sorry. It was succeeded in 1981 by the J9 which had bigger engines but, in true 1980s style, didn’t look as good; this in turn was facelifted in 1991 and looked even less good, then it was replaced in 2006 by the J5 which is basically a Fiat Ducato by any other name and it’s time to stop talking and skip back to the good old days. As we said, this particular J7 is now a half-centurion. It’s a long-wheelbase model with coachbuilt bodywork and Mike found it right down there on the French/Spanish border, where it had spent its entire life shifting furniture in the employ of its one and only owner. Well, almost its entire life: head gasket trouble put it off the road a few years back and rather than fixing it, the company just replaced it with something else.
Organ donor
Mike bought the van a couple of years ago and it sat in his yard until the second half of 2022. Then he bought a late J9 which wasn’t nearly as interesting but it hadn’t covered a lot of miles, and that made its engine and gearbox ideal for donating. So out came the knackered old 1.4 and in went a fresh 2.0, complete with an enlarged radiator to keep it cool. Another benefit of using the newer stuff is that the gearbox from the J9 has longer gearing. Ideal for a van that had done its last
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Above: If you like nothing more than a French model with a huge rack, look no further. Mike bolted it on to give the Peugeot a little extra je ne sais quoi – and when you compare the effect with how it looked before, it’s a definite example of the devil in the detail Below: We can’t imagine any seat being capable of looking this good after half a century in a working delivery van, so we’re assuming they’ve been refurbished at some point. There’s still a lovely shine of patina on them, though, and the rest of the cabin looks to be in a similarly good original condition, so perhaps this one’s just been incredibly well preserved. The tan leather finish certainly was factory-fit on the J7
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The body is still that of an original J7, albeit the coachbuilt long-wheelbase model. Mike transformed the van’s appearance, however, by slamming it on its suspension and fitting it with lower-profile tyres
delivery and was now ready to have some fun in its retirement. Fun? Oh yes. Mike lowered the J7 on its suspension and binned its old tyres, replacing them with lower-profile jobs on rims with Cortina Mk1 hubcaps. Now we’re talking, right? Behind these, the older van’s front drums didn’t sound like a very good idea with a heavier, more powerful engine sitting above them. Happily, the J9 came with discs and four-pot calipers, so that was the answer right there. No point in using spent consumables, though, so while retro-fitting them he renewed everything that can be renewed. So now Mike was sitting aboard a mechanically restored and modified J7
that could kind of be described as a mild custom, if you don’t mind stretching the definition of what that means. Quite a lot of you do mind stretching the definition of what it means, though, so if you’re feeling ready to erupt right now let’s offer you the alternative of calling it a modified classic that’s been gently modernised without costing it any of its period originality. And there’s the benefit of sourcing your vehicles on the French-Spanish border. It’s a little bit scarred and a little bit crinkly but the bodywork is wonderfully authentic, as is the signwriting that gives it so much character. Talking of which, Mike added a huge roof rack with a storage box strapped to the back of it and you wouldn’t believe
how much of a difference it made to the van’s lines. It’s not customised much, this J7. But it’s an outstanding example of how a little customisation can go a long way… if the vehicle you start with was already cool. It might not be a retro Ford or Chevy, or a V8, but with this here Peugeot Mike can grab people’s attention away from pretty much anything else on the road. CC
Thanks to Mike East at Speed Merchants Garage for his help in compiling this article. The company imports Peugeot J7s and J9s; you’ll find them by looking for speedmerchantsgarage on Facebook WINTER 2024 CUSTOM CAR 51
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California Collector Car Export Sales Specialist 1949 CHEVY 300 PANEL VAN 6CYL/3SPD, ONE FAMILY OWNED SINCE NEW VERY GOOD CONDITION THROUGHOUT RUNS AND DRIVES EXCELLENT $21,400
1951 AUSTIN A40 DEVON LHD $9850. VERY NICELY RESTORED TO ORIGINAL CONDITION
1960 VAUXHALL VELOX LHD 46,000 MILES, LHD CAR SOLD NEW IN CANADA , 3 OWNERS FROM NEW EXCELLENT ORIGINAL INTERIOR , ONE REPAINT , VERY GOOD ORIGINAL - $12,250
1947 CHEVY STYLEMASTER SEDAN DELIVERY, 6CYL/3SPD, VERY STRAIGHT BODY NICELY DONE BLACK VINYL INTERIOR, JUST OUT OF LONG TERM LOCAL STORAGE, STARTS & RUNS, NO BRAKES AT PRESENT - $14,250
1956 CHEVY 3100 BIG WINDOW 6CYL/3SPD SAME LONG TERM OWNERSHIP, ON THE BUTTON DRIVER - $12,250
1967 FORD MUSTANG 289/AUTO, P/S, A/C, CALIFORNIA CAR $4K IN NEW RESTORATION PARTS INCLUDED. STARTS AND RUNS $11,750
1965 HARLEY DAVIDSON SERVICAR, ELECTRIC START, ORIGINAL METAL SHIN GUARDS AND MOTOROLA TWO WAY RADIO, ON THE BUTTON, STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO SURVIVOR - $15,800.
1963 MERCURY COMET 2DR SEDAN 6CYL/3SPD, REBUILT ENGINE. BRAKES, REAREND, NEW INTERIOR, RUSTFREE CAR - $13,800
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03/11/2023 11:46
Barnstormer
Out & About Words & Pics: Alice Fairhead Event: Knuckle Busters at the Barns Date: 25-28 August Venue: Stonham Barns, Suffolk The August bank holiday weekend arrived with the Knuckle Busters not far behind, as they hosted their annual event at Stonham Barns, Suffolk. As usual, this offered weekend camping as well as a variety of live music throughout the weekend, as well of course as a cruise on the Saturday. Come Sunday and it was show day, with people arriving throughout the morning to fill up the show arena and surrounding area. There was everything on site from classic American cars, hot rods, European cars, muscle cars old and new, trucks to suit everyone and even a few motorcycles. To keep us occupied, John Price was on the mic catching some owners for a chat. There were plenty of traders to keep everyone busy, too, with something for everyone on offer – including parts from local company Belcher Engineering to mention just one. Unfortunately, early afternoon saw the skies turn grey and the heavens open, leading to a lot of people deciding to go home early. The trophy presentation was moved forward to work around the rain and just as well, because soon after this the skies opened again – this time to a thunderstorm, and with that all who came for the day were off home.
The blue finish on this beautiful ’41 Ford pick-up really popped when the sun came out
These four don’t have much in common, but one thing they do share is that they won Top 10 awards. Angel-eyed ’54 Bel Air took the main prize
All of this was as forecast, and I suspect the threat of dodgy weather meant numbers were a little down this year. But we’re all as grateful as ever for the work
the Knuckle Busters put in – since lightning never strikes twice in the same place, we’re already looking forward to it being back bigger and better than ever next year.
Among the traders was local outfit Belcher Engineering
Suffolk Hotrodders out in force. Great line-up of cars, guys
Paul Newton bought the Rollin’ Gold wagon out for the day
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23/03/2023 09:26 13/11/2023 14:13
Plus points
Out & About Words & Pics: James Webber Event: Plus 44 Automotive Show Date: 4 June Venue: Hartham Park, Wiltshire Now in its third year. the team at Plus 44 Automotive produced their best show to date. Held in the grounds of the wonderful Hartham Park and House for the second year running (the first was at Melksham Football Ground), there was room for more than 750 cars and bikes – with new showcase areas including the Meguiars Lawn, classic showcase and Hartham showcase. Rather than a regimented parking regime, cars were parked at all angles spread out over the grounds – making it far more interesting for to walk around. A small section was set aside for food vendors, while a licensed bar and a couple of coffee trucks providing much needed refreshment was backed up by a trade area. To keep children occupied, a couple of bouncy castles were set up. It was an early start for participants as trade and media entry was from 7.00am, while show cars were asked to be in between 7.30 and 9.30am prior to general admission from 10am. The quality of vehicles on show was second to none and varied from American pick-ups to a bagged Volvo C30 and a track inspired Saxo. Come 3.30 it was time for prize giving,
‘The variety of vehicles was awesome and gets better each year’ and some of the trophies were really something else. Best in Show went to James Rudland’s outstanding Porsche, Best Paint went to Clive Hardy’s 52 Chevy 3100 pickup, David Bond won Best Engine Bay for the second consecutive year and Top 20 awards went to a Chevrolet low rider, Darren Chown’s bagged ’57 Chevy pick-up and an awesome VW Trekker called ‘Shrekker’. ‘The show went amazingly well,’ organiser Christian Gale told me shortly afterwards. ‘The variety of vehicles was awesome and gets better each year.
‘I think we roughly had 1800-2000 people through the gates, which with what’s going on in the world is incredible and a huge thanks to all that did. I’d like to thank all my sponsors for sticking with us and hopefully they will continue to do so, and to my team who always do an incredible job. We will start planning for next year’s show shortly.’ This is fast becoming a very popular show in the calendar and I’d certainly recommend plotting it in for next year – 2 June 2024 is the date for your diary.
There were Top 20 awards for this Chevy lowrider and Volkswagen ‘Shrekker’, as well as Darren Chown’s bagged ’57 Chevy 3100
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Clive Hardy’s stunning Chevy 3100 Stepside is a previous Best in Show winner at Beaulieu. On this occasion it went home with the Best Paint trophy
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Out & About
Keys in the song of life
Words & Pics: Alice Fairhead Event: V8 Hotrods at the Cross Keys Date: 28 August Venue: Redgrave, Suffolk The August bank holiday Monday has become the date for the annual one-day event at the Cross Keys pub in Redgrave, Suffolk. It’s organised by Kev and Tracey Bridges with the help of the rest of the V8 Hotrods group. People were there bright and early at 9am to make a day of it, with the village centre pretty much packed by 11am. The pub was serving bacon rolls and coffee early on, changing the menu to burgers and beer later in the day to keep us lot in line. In the beer garden, a couple of bands were playing in the afternoon, with the trophy presentation in between. Cars on show were strictly pre-’72, with public parking available elsewhere in the village. Once you arrive, you’re there for the day, with everyone being packed in tight to get as many around the village green as possible – even the surrounding gardens are used. This year, a quick count up yielded a total of 160 vehicles. That’s a lot of cars for a little village. Just like last year, the village was full of gorgeous cars and people having a great day. Big thanks to Kev, Tracey and the V8 Hotrods crew for organising the event – and to the residents of Redgrave for giving up their village for the day!
Gary Knight bought the big ol’ Buick out for the day Shaun Larnder came in his ’36 Left: Terry Barton’s Consul Capri has a lot of history – and, thanks to his work restoring it, a bright future to look forward to. We’ll be featuring it in a forthcoming issue of CC Below: Eyeball Mike was on site again this year doing live pinstriping
Stuart Farr cruising aboard Tilly
Pic: Nikki Jordan Photography
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NB: We advise you to double check with organisers that the event or show as listed is still going ahead, to avoid any wasted journeys. To submit an event, email alan.kidd@assignment-media.co.uk
19 VW Air-Cooled Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com
21 GTI Spring Festival Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk
30 All American Cruise In. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com
26-28 Springspeed Nationals Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk
30 Brass Monket Run. Brandon, Suffolk. Facebook: Iceni C.A.R. Club
FEBRUARY 24-25 Straightliners Top Speed Show. Elvington Airfield, York. www.straightliners.events
NOVEMBER 25 All American Cruise In. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com 25 NSRA AGM. Venue TBC. www.nsra.org.uk 25 Spitfire Raceway Drag’n’Drift. Parranporth Airfield, St Agnes, Cornwall. www. perranporthdrivingcentre.com
DECEMBER
MAY 2024 4-6 Nostalgia Nationals Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 5 BHP Show Kent Showground, Detling, Maidstone. bhpshows.com
MARCH 2024
10-12 Race the Waves Bridlington. www.backfirepromotions.com
3 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk
11 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk
9 Dial-In Day Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk
11-12 Straightliners Race Meet Melbourne Raceway, York. www.straightliners.events
13 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 14 The Fast Show Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 22-24 Classic Car and Restoration Show NEC, Birmingham. www.necrestorationshow.com
17-19 Doorslammers Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 23-27 The Main Event Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 24-27 Run to the Sun Newquay. www.rtts.co.uk
6 Hot Rod Night. Ace Café, London. www.acecafe.com
24 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk
31-3 June VanJam Fir Tree Farm, Warmington. www.vanditos.co.uk
10 ‘Normous Newark Autojumble Newark Showground, Newark, Notts. www.newarkautojumble.co.uk
28-31 Festival of Power Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk
JUNE 2024
APRIL 2024
1-2 Duchy Ford Club Show St Merryn, Padstow. duchyfordclub.co.uk
10-13 Autosport International NEC, Birmingham. www.autosportinternational.com
6 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 7 Straightliners Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 13-14 Straightliners Race Meet Melbourne Raceway, York. www.straightliners. events 20 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www. santapod.co.uk
2 Plus 44 Show Hartham Park, Corsham, Wilthsire. www.plusfourfourautomotive.co.uk 6 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 7-9 STP Sporstman Nationals Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 9 BHP Fuel Fest Westpoint Arena, Exeter, Devon. bhpshows.com
60 CUSTOM CAR WINTER 2024
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16-18 STP Greenlight Nationals Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 24-25 Eastbourne Feastival Hampden Park, Eastbourne. www.visiteastbourne.com 30-1 Sep VW Action Santa Pod Raceway. www. santapod.co.uk 31-1 Sep Straightliners Race Meet Melbourne Raceway, York. www.straightliners.events 14-16 Street Weekend Santa Pod Raceway / Melbourne Raceway. www. santapod.co.uk / straightliners.events 15 The Fast Show Reloaded Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 15-16 Straightliners Race Meet Melbourne Raceway, York. www.straightliners.events 21 Deuce Day British Motor Museum, Warwickshire. www.deucesofbritain.co.uk 22 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 22=23 Pendine Sands Hot Rod Races Pendine Sands, Carmarthenshire. www.vhra.co.uk 28-30 National Hot Rod and Custom Show Lincolnshire Showground, Lincoln. www.hotrodandcustomshow.co.uk
13-14 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 13-14 Straightliners Race Meet Melbourne Raceway, York. www.straightliners.events 19-21 Rock’n’Ribs Festival Wincanton Racecourse, Somerset. www.rocknribsfestival.co.uk 21 Ford Show Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 25 Throttle Auto Races Bicester Heritage, Oxfordshire. www.vhra.co.uk 26-28 Bug Jam Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 28-30 National Hot Rod, Custom and American Car Show Lincoln Showground. www.hotrodandcustomshow.co.uk
AUGUST 2024
28-30 STP Summer Nationals Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk
2-4 Hot Rod Hayride Bisley Shooting Centre, Brookwood, Surrey. hotrodhayride.co.uk
JULY 2024
2-4 Ultimate Street Car Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk
5-7 Dragstalgia Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk
3-4 Straightliners Race Meet Melbourne Raceway, York. www.straightliners.events
9-11 Retrofestival Newbury Showground. www.retrofestival.co.uk 11-14 European Street Rod Nationals Ellivouri Sastamala Finland. www.fsra.fi 11-14 Goodwood Festival of Speed Goodwood Estate, West Sussex. www.goodwood.com
9-11 Mopar Euro Nationals Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 16-18 Hot Rods in the Borders Liliardsedge Holiday Park, Jedburgh. 01835 830271
SEPTEMBER 2024 4-8 FIA Euro Finals Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 6-8 Trip Out Euston Gardens, Thetford. www.thetripout.co.uk 6-8 Goodwood Revival Goodwood Estate, West Sussex. www.goodwood.com 13-15 Hot Rod Drags Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 19-22 Isle of Man Festival of Motoring www.iomfm.com 20-22 STP National Finals Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 28 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 29 VHRA Swap Meet Ramsey, Cambridgeshire. www.vhra.co.uk
OCTOBER 2024 5 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www.santapod.co.uk 5-6 Straightliners Race Meet Melbourne Raceway, York. www.straightliners.events 12 Run What Ya Brung Santa Pod Raceway. www. santapod.co.uk 13 Straightliners Santa Pod Raceway. www. santapod.co.uk
WINTER 2024 CUSTOM CAR 61
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03/10/2023 15:00