PRACTICAL CLASSICs - JUNE 2019

In the latest issue of Practical Classics...

In the June 2019 issue of Practical Classics, we celebrate 30 years of the K-Series – one of the best-loved (not to mention misunderstood!) engines of all time. Craig Cheetham takes an in-depth look at all the variants.

We also meet a young restorer who transformed an MGB with help from his late father in a heart-warming and heroic story, we take the wheel of a Model T Ford to see what it’s like to drive in modern traffic and, as always, we present a vast variety of classics of all eras and types for you to enjoy.

There’s news from the Practical Classics workshop, where our writers are busy restoring their project cars and we have technical tips and advice on buying, restoring, maintaining and enjoying your classic.

Buy the latest issue of practical classics here

BRITAIN’S BEST CLASSIC CAR CLUB: THE ROUTE!

Come join us on our epic tour this June/July with our pals at Footman James. See the route below. Full details in the new issue of Practical Classics!

Week 1 - June 24-28

Monday June 24 - 4pm-8pm: Pembrokeshire Classic Car Club, Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre, SA72 6WS

Tuesday June 25 - 11am: Scenic drive to Penarth via Brecon/the Black Mountain Road.

Tuesday 4pm-8pm: South Wales Classic Car Club, Ysgol y Deri, Sully Road, Penarth CF64 2TP

Weds June 26 - 9am: Bridgewater to Paignton via Exmoor, Lynmouth and Dartmoor.

Weds 4pm-8pm: Torbay Old Wheels Club, The Blagdon Inn, Paignton TQ4 7PT

Thurs June 27 - 10am: Paignton to Hampshire via Dorset coast.

Thurs 4pm-8pm: Locks Heath Classic Car Club, The Strawberry Field Tavern, SO31 6DX

Friday June 28 - 11am: The Hickstead Hotel to Storrington, via Brighton and South Downs.

Friday 4pm-8pm: Storrington And District Classic & Sportscar Enthusiasts, The Spur, Arundel BN18 0NE.

Week 2 – July 1-5

Monday July 1 - 4pm-8pm: Scotch Piper Classics, Scotch Piper Inn, Lydiate, L31 4HD

Tuesday July 2 - 10am: Preston to Warrington, via the Forest of Bowland

Tuesday 4pm-8pm: North West Casual Classics, RAF Burtonwood, Old Hall, WA5 9YZ

Wednesday July 3 - 10am: Ironbridge to Silverstone via the Severn Valley Railway.

Wednesday 4pm-8pm: Silverstone Social Classic Car Club, Turweston Aerodrome, NN13 5YD

Thursday July 4 - 10am: Peterborough to Ipswich via The Fens, Ely and Lavenham.

Thursday 4pm-8pm: East Coast Retros, The Rose Inn, Shotley, Ipswich OP9 1NL

Friday July 5 - 4pm-8pm: H Town Classic & Dub Club , The Hitchin Lavender, Caldwell Farm, Ickleford SG5 3UA

k-series at 30

On the drawing board since 1984, the new compact alloy K-Series powerplant was the Rover Group’s first all-new engine since the S-Series unit in the Maestro and Montego and was designed to replace the company’s small capacity engines in one fell swoop, including the ancient but much-loved A-Series. The K-Series made its debut in the 1989 Rover 200 ‘R8’ – the company’s most important new car since the 1981 Metro, as it would bring the brand back to competitiveness in the most hotly contested area of the car market, where the Ford Escort was king. But this was only the beginning… Get the full fascinating story in the new issue of Practical Classics.

model t ford daily driver

The ‘T is far from conventional behind the wheel so Matt Tomkins’ plan was to use the gentle, slow routes around the New Forest for driving lessons from friend of PC and ‘T’ owner Richard Skinner. Where do we start though? The two speed epicyclic gearbox ‘clutch’ is controlled from the left foot pedal. The handbrake lever to its left holds the pedal half way down its travel. A little bit of hand-throttle and push down of the clutch sees the car lurch forward into first gear. Letting the handbrake off allows the clutch to come back through neutral all the way up into top gear and up to 45mph. When you want to stop, it’s down into first to slow the car with engine braking then raising the clutch back to the half way point – neutral – and a hard push on the right foot pedal which (allegedly) applies the foot brake (which lives, usefully, in a bath of oil within the gearbox). Opposite the hand throttle sits another lever – advance/retard – and between the clutch and brake pedal sits the reverse pedal which should only be pressed with the forward gear clutch either held on the handbrake or carefully balanced in neutral with your left foot. That’s a lot to remember when out on forest roads with – as it turns out – crazy horses and mad tourists to avoid. Find out what happened in the new issue of Practical Classics!

mgb V8 restoration

Will and his dad started the project at home in 2013 with the purchase of donor car. They looked into other 4 and 6-cylinder options, including TVR Speed Six and a Red Top. In the end though, they decided on a Rover V8 conversion and began a project that would prove to be significant beyond anything they’d ever experienced. As the pair progressed, Will’s dad was diagnosed with cancer. Despite pauses for his chemotherapy, they worked closely and made great progress together. This meant dad teaching son how to weld, among many other things. But time was, sadly, running out. Find out how a brave Will coped in this inspiring story in the new issue of Practical Classics.

how to buy a Triumph stag

The Triumph Stag is in a class of its own – and for all the right reasons. It's the only affordable British-built four-seater convertible with a V8 engine, and thanks to stylist Michelotti it also happens to look pretty damned handsome. Find out how to buy one in our exclusive guide – in the new issue of Practical Classics!