Hot rods are one of those things that are supposed to be an individual expression, which is why people get a little vexed when they see row on row of identikit rods at shows.  Building a stand out '32 Ford or Model T now days is going to be harder as they have such a long history of being rodded with such a diversity of modification.  One of the best ways to make sure your modified car stands out is to choose a different base model, choose something with the right basic shape, but enough individuality to make is stand out.  Don't choose a '34 Ford, choose a 1933 Hupmobile Model K.
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It will come as no suprise to you that we do love a good retro super car here on RSM, one of our favourites being the De Tomaso Pantera, Italian style matched with American muscle is a great formular for and interesting car.  De Tomaso produced many other sexy wedges during the last four decades, however they also had a hand in some slightly more consumer level cars, most notably the De Tomaso Innocenti.
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Every year I look forward to seeing what the Grand National Roadster show throws out in terms of prizes and show cars, this year’s selection of cars on the show floor seemed to be exceptional, there has been a whole bunch of coverage elsewhere that we aren't in a position to match, check the bottom of this post for a whole load of links.  We're here to talk about the winners though, but not the winning car.
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When putting together our rare car pieces we usually have a fair idea of what’s in store, a car we already know about, or know of.  This time we started out down one path and had to change tact half way through, so this isn't exactly a rare car entry, but a rare company entry.
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We seem to be keeping an aircooled VW theme going for a bit.  There are many rare aircooled VWs, lots of coachbuilders took the Beetle chassis then built custom bodies on top. familiar names like Hebmuller and Rometsch through to Ascort and Kaiserslautern.  These would some low hanging fruit for a quick rare car feature, one day we may well run through the VW coach built cars, today however we're bringing you something a bit different.
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Considering the popularity of the VW Beetle in the UK I was always a bit confused why I never really saw many out circuit racing, sure it isn't the most perfectly set up car for racing, but given the right class and set up they could be competitive.  What’s more given all the developments for drag cars the performance and tuning inventory is there for someone to build a really quick circuit Beetle.
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Why is this Triumph Mayflower parked in the corner of this compound? It's waiting to be scrapped. It's sacrifice will save the world from global warming and save the UKs motoring industry in the process. According to this thread from Pandaselecta on Retro Rides it's been traded in at a BMW dealership under the UK Scrappage Scheme for a new BMW Mini.
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We all do it don't we? We've got a car already that needs work doing, but we can't help planning the next one. Recently I've been having indecent thoughts about Triumph Heralds (again). I'm no stranger to the little blighters having owned a variety over the years; a 1600 Vitesse, a 13/60 Convertible, a Vitesse Estate and a 302'd 1200 have all called my driveway home over the years and every now and then I start to want another.
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Volvo have a reputation, solid, reliable, family cars, usually estates, preferably with a dog guard and a Labrador in the back.  Occasionally though Volvo have stepped out of this area into more stylish territory, the P1800 and 262C stand as great examples of Volvo's willingness to build more style friendly cars.  The Volvo 780 is another of these occasional super cool two door coupes.

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I'll admit this right now, I love the TS Cup race series.  This is probably because I own a Datsun Sunny Coupe of exactly the type used in this series, but it is also because I love people that take small engines and make them scream for their lives.

The TS Cup is a Japanese race series specifically for B310 series Nissan Sunny (to them their proper name) and Toyota Starlet KP61.  The cars are in two classes, TS-1 which is vehicles up to 1,310cc and TS-2 which is 1,310cc - 1,510cc.  Other engine modifications are free, although no forced induction allowed and injection systems must be from the period.  The transmission systems are limited to certain types for the cars, chassis modifications are pretty free, but items like suspension and steering must remain as their original type, although they may be upgraded.

Body work can be replaced with fibre glass versions, as long as the rest of the monocoque isn't altered.  Fender flares are allowed and seem to be one of the most easily identified parts of the TS Cup cars.  You can see the influence of this look in a number of street Sunnys in Japan, wide wheels and boxy fender flares.

So what does this all add up to?  Screaming engines, light weight cars, wide wheels, arch flares and close racing.  In other words, an awesome race series.  The B310s are currently dominating the series with only two Toyota KP61's in the running.  The TS-1 cars are currently faster than the larger engined TS-2 cars.

Let us get some videos of the action.

 Or from a different view point

You can follow the TS Cup races on the JCCA website.