Self Drive Classic Car hire for Yorkshire, Harrogate, York, Leeds, Hull

Mallory Ignition for the Mustang

The Admin — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 11:32:00 GMT

We pulled the gearbox and clucth the other day to check for any problems with oil contamination as I was getting a bit of clucth judder. The whole clutch set-up was clean and not even run in!

I spoke to Peter at Real Steel about it who suggested we look at the distributor to make sure the vaccuum advance/retard was working properly. A bit 'off-the-wall' I thought, but took a look and found a split diaphram.

Parts for the original dizzys are a bit hard to find so I decided to upgrade the whole lot and replaced the distributor with a new Mallory unit, also opting to get rid of the points and went for electronic ignition as this unit works really well on our Corvette. A matching Mallory coil completed the system.

The new dizzy slotted straight in and timed up perfectly with a strobe. The only other thing I had to do was to set the amount of advance on the vaccuum to 10 degrees - she runs like a dream now.

Osbaldwick Gala

The Admin — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 11:34:14 GMT

Last Sunday we were invited to put on a car show for Osbaldwick Gala. The gala is growing year by year and the classic cars added another dimension to an already successful show - look out for it next year and GO!!

Some great people from Osbaldbick were kind enough to help me drive the cars over - I think they had a good time :-)

If you want to see some pictures go to http://www.osbaldwickandmurtonchurches.org.uk/photos/gala_jul12.htm the car pictures start at No. 31 but it is worth a look at all of them as I said; a good day out!

I've Bought a Mustang!

The Admin — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 19:10:00 GMT

Well, it's official, I have just bought a beautiful Ford Mustang. She is a 1966, which is the last of the first generation Mustangs, the original 'Pony car' and my personal favourite of the Mustang series.

Desigh Chief Jo Oros said:
I told the team that I wanted the car to appeal to women, but I wanted men to desire it, too. I wanted a Ferrari-like front end, the motif centered on the front – something heavy-looking like a Maseratti, but, please, not a trident – and I wanted air intakes on the side to cool the rear brakes. I said it should be as sporty as possible and look like it was related to European design.

- and I guess that's why so many of us Brits like the Mustang!

If you want to drive her, give me a ring or drop me an email. We have managed to get the minimum age reduced to 25 now which gives more of you the chance to drive our American cars.

Ford Mustang 1966

The Admin — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 11:47:00 GMT

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Our 1966 Ford Mustang is finished in Shelby racing colours and has the original 'Pony upgrade' interior. She has a 289 cubic inch Hi-Po engine breathing through a four barrel Holley carburettor on Edelbrock manifolds. A Mallory distributor and coil with electronic ignition lights the fire and a pair of 4 into 1 Hedman headers with twin 2 1/2 inch exhausts let the 'fire' out.

The gear box is 4-speed manual top-loader, driven through a diaphragm clutch. The rear axle is fitted with traction control arms as the Americans would say. Over here we call them 'Tramp Bars' but I think that means something else in the States. She also had the disc brake option on the front wheels from new as well as power steering.

The Mustang has lowered suspension front and rear and sits on 17 inch daisy racing mags. She has uprated rear springs, the front suspension is tubular construction from Global West Suspension Specialists, replacing the original pressed steel items. The shock towers are also braced with the 'Monte Carlo' kit. This gets rid of that wallowing ride typical of so many American cars.

She is now a fantastic car to drive!

A Corvette Within Reach!

The Admin — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 10:08:00 GMT

Good news for all you younger classic car enthusiasts - after much haggling with our insurers, and ultimately moving our insurance to another company, we have managed to reduce the minmum age for drivers of our Bentley Eight and our Corvette Stingray from 30 to 25!

Wehave also managed to reduce the excess on the Bentley as well as many of our other cassic cars. Unfortunately the excess is still the same on the Corvette - no doubt to encourage careful use of the 350bhp it has available.

This is great news for all you grooms out there wanting to arrive in style but were too young to hire a gorgeous classic car until now!.

If you want any more information just pick up the phone and call us on 01759 368288

1978 VW Campervan

The Admin — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:04:00 GMT

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I couldn't resist this camper when she was offered to me. She's had a full body and engine rebuild. The engine is now 1798cc with twin Dell'Orto carbs, so she really motors on - for a campervan :-)

Inside she has a rock and roll bed, overhead locker, hanging space, a drop-down worktop, which links up with the cooker. The cooker can be swung out to keep the cooking smells outside.

If you want the camper for a day trip or a wedding then the cooker can be replaced with an additional bench making her a seven seater plus the driver.

And if you are thinking about using her for your wedding then she has the perfect number plate!

Five-Speed Morris Minor!

The Admin — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:21:00 GMT

We have spent a small fortune this winter upgrading our gorgeous Morris Minor Convertible to better cope with modern traffic conditions. She now has a 1275cc engine/flywheel and clutch assembly. The clutch is hydraulically operated dispensing with the old rod mechanism.

To transmit all that extra power :-) we have fitted a five-speed gearbox conversion.She also has upgraded half-shafts to cope with the extra torque.

The car has a smooth and positive clutch action and extra torque from the 1275cc engine helps greatly on hills. It also gives you a much more comfortable cruising speed on dual carriagways and keeps the engine revs down. The driving experience is greatly improved and, in conjunction with the servo assisted disc brakes, makes her a lovely manageable car in modern traffic conditions.

This doesn't make her a racing car; she is still all 'Moggie', just more so. This is what the factory would have done if they had continued making Morris Minors!

Jaguar and Campervan for Children in Need

The Admin — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 13:26:00 GMT

Adam Tomlinson, from Radio York's breakfast show, took on the challenge of circumnavigating Yorkshire in '80 Ways' - a new take on the Jules Verne classic. For details have a look at Radio York's website

I got involved in the last leg of the Journey, collecting Adam from Malton Station and taking him to York Station. Adam wanted two different modes of classic transport, so what better than a beautiful Jaguar MkII and a classic VW campervan.

At Malton Station we met up with the crew. There was Anna who was coordinating everyone; Dougie, who is usually reporting but took a back seat for this and looked after all the technical stuff; and of course Adam.

Having met Dougie previously, we knew he loved his classic cars, and it transpired that Adam did as well. We did the run to York in two legs with Adam taking a turn in each vehicle. As a treat for all his hard work I let Adam drive the MkII Jaguar. I think it is safe to say that he enjoyed it immensely. Unfortunately, due to insurance restrictions, I couldn't let him drive the camper as well.

It was an enjoyable morning and a pleasure to be able to help Adam with his fund raising in some small way.

A Double Surprise!

The Admin — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 19:22:00 GMT

Dear Niki and Chris,

Sorry it has taken so long to send these pictures to you. We have been having problems with our internet connection (again!!)

We/I would just like to say a big THANK YOU to you both for making Phils' birthday so special on the 5th Oct. 2010. We had a superb time driving the Triumph TR6. Phil really enjoyed himself, and as you can see from the pictures, showing off to his parents and brothers !! The service you gave me organising the surprise and to Phil on the day, was second to none. There was a time there I thought it wasn't going to come off, but your advice and experience saved the day.

Little was I to know at the time it was to be a special day for another reason. After a thoroughly exciting drive to the White Horse, whilst eating our picnic, after 12 years....Phil proposd to me....and I said "Yes". So now we are busy making wedding plans. Sorry we didn't say anything at the time as we wanted to tell family first. I had to keep my gloves on to cover the ring (very sneaky).

So maybe we will be using your services again in the not too distant future!! Thanks again for the part you played in making it a truely memorable day.

Best Wishes, Pauline Sturmey & Philip Whaley.

Collecting the Triumph From Classic Car Hire Yorkshire

Outside Parents House in York

Phil and his Brothers with the Triumph TR6

Mini Cooper

The Admin — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 00:54:00 GMT

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For an exciting drive you can't beat a Mini Cooper!

Our Mini Cooper is one of the last of the 'proper' 1275cc engines running on a carburettor; she also has the factory Sports Pack including the gorgeous Minilite wheels.

And this one is really special as she has a matching red ''mini' trailer for luggage or tents. For a modest addtional insurance premium a family of four (or two couples) can comfortably go away on a touring holiday without having luggage packed around them in the back of the car. Once you get to your destination just un-hitch the trailer and the fun begins!

A lovely car, recently restored, finished in the original red and fitted with super-comfortable Corbeau seats . She runs like a dream and is a joy to drive.

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