E10 Petrol is here to stay, so there is no point jumping on forums or writing to your MP, we as classic car owners simply have to understand what the difference is, and what we can do to protect our cars. What is E10? Ethanol (a biofuel) has long been added to regular pump petrol. …
1900 to 1950 (including cars with mesh oil filters such as early VW’s and Porsche’s) These cars use a single weight oil either SAE 30 or SAE 50. It is only available as a mineral oil, so your decision is made! *Click the product you wish to view 1950 to 1970 (including non-performance cars to …
What is the best brake fluid for classic cars? The great thing about brake fluid is that there are only a couple of choices, so choosing the best brake fluid for your classic car is relatively straightforward! Is there anything better than DOT 4 or 5.1 on the market? For Historic and vintage cars the …
Suspension – How to make a classic handle without ruining the ride! Before we start talking about upgrades it is important to understand what each part of your suspension is made up of and how replacing some, or all of it will change the road manners of your car. What Components Make up Suspension? Broadly …
When should you consider having an engine rebuilt? Major heart surgery is something to be avoided if at all possible, but, engines are mechanical components and they do wear out and they suffer from poor maintenance. The first nugget of advice is: If you are concerned about the health of your engine then get it …
Every year we see over 250 classic cars through the service workshop. The mix of makes and models cover 95% of the UK classic car fleet, from obscure Armstrong Sidleys through to Eastern Bloc Volgas. Every car is brought in by an enthusiastic owner who absolutely loves it, whether it be an Aston or an …
Back in the day, when I changed company demonstrators every time the washer fluid ran out, the Motor Industry had a defined hierarchy. Cheap cars were basic, and the more expensive they got the more toys there were. You also knew where you stood with a brand. Volvos were square, rugged and dependable. Fords were …
E10 Fuel – What is it? E10 fuel has been in both the classic and mainstream press a lot recently. Pump fuel is made up from an awful lot more than just fractionally distilled mineral oil, part of that is ethanol. Currently the UK standard for ethanol content in normal unleaded fuel is less than …
Killer Fluids! Drum roll please… I am going to sound dramatic! The biggest killer of Classic Cars is manky, old fluids! They are the cancer that eats away at our cars unseen. When our cars were new, they had short, regular service intervals. There was a comprehensive service manual that gave details of ‘Summer and …
If there is one conversation that comes up more regularly at Project Shop than any other it is upgrades and modifications. I am not the type of classic car guy that sucks air through his teeth and stammers, ‘well that distributor wasn’t on the bill of materials in 1962’. A well chosen, properly engineered and …
Why is parts supply so infuriating? If there is one element of restoring, servicing or upgrading a classic car that frustrates above all others it is parts! It doesn’t matter how carefully you check or measure, you can be assured that when you open the big brown box, you are in for disappointment. Often it …
Over the past 10 years Bicester has become something of a meca for classic car fans. In 2013 the former RAF Airfield was purchased by a group who wanted to restore the site and use its amazing campus to house classic car and aviation specialists. The success of this has not just been inside it’s …
Probably one of the most unlikely cars ever to compete in international motorsport was the Austin Maxi. Desperate to rekindle the Rally glory of the Mini Cooper, British Leyland sent two works Maxi’s and 2 privateers into battle for the second ‘World Cup’ in 1970. Puff the Magic Wagon, driven by three amazing women, was …
Project Shop takes the training and advancement of young people really seriously. Everyone of our staff has been through either a Mechanical or Engineering apprenticeship scheme. Simply put, without them, we would not be doing what we love. How to apply We aim to support an apprenticeship place in every academic year. We strive to build the …
Challenging William Morris’ adage, Project Shop makes ‘automotive beauty useful.’ Our latest video showcases the amazing upgrades, restoration skills and quality workmanship we are able to apply to any classic car. William Morris: ‘Have nothing in your house (or garage in this case) that you do not know to be useful or believe to be …
Race Retro usually kicks off the start of an exciting year of Rallying with Bron, Tina and Puff, but sadly this year it might also be the last event. Whilst we are sat in isolation it is important to reflect on all the things we have to look forward to. Top of the Project Shop …
During any restoration, the moment when you start the car for the first time is a defining moment. Usually it is some way before the car is complete, but it is a hump day and something to be celebrated! ‘Amy Amazon’ was a nut and bolt restoration, carried out to a customers specific specification. The …
Building Our Ultimate Mini. Project Shop takes great pride in training our staff and participating in the apprenticeship schemes that give us our start. Project Background In July 2016 we were looking for a car for our Level 3 apprentices to take on. With these final year projects, we aim to teach the apprentices what …
The ‘Big’ Austin Healey is a car that we see in the service department at least once a month, so it is a wonder that it took us 7 years before we ended up restoring one! This BJ7 Healey was destined to live with a British couple in Spain, so was commissioned in left hand …
Another abandoned project, this rare British built, 4-wheel Isetta had been sitting in bits for a minimum of 15 years. We set about the task of repairing and repainting the body, rebuilding the engine and gearbox before finding all the missing components to rebuild her into a running example! The interior was all hand made …
