So a little while ago we were thinking about cars that didn't get modified that much, ones that also had bags of potential.  Sitting pretty at the top of the list was the MGB, cheap, plentiful and a great shape to work with.

Recently I set out to find some modified examples.  There are a lot of V8 conversion floating around, what is good to see is the number that have received some kind of aesthetic modification, not all perfect to our eyes but at least people are trying things out.

The home of a lot of these cars is the American site British V8.  If you look through their page of MG conversions you'll find some really interesting work done on the MGB platform.

Here are a couple of our favourites :



Don Coleman's car not only packs a 4.9ltr V8, but also has a really nice look going on, the dished Intro Custom Wheels are a nice addition with a cleaned engine bay and some serious detailing completing the look.

Read all about it here




Terry Schulte's car has smoothed out the body nicely with the removal of the front bumper, clear indicators and some subtle flares.  Whilst I'm not a great fan of the wheels, they actually match the details in the engineering.

Read all about it here




How about a car from the UK now, Darren Jones' Sebring kitted V8 is a mean purposeful looking car, but it didn't start out like that.  With pretty much everything upgraded the finished article is as eye catching as it is fast.

Check out the full build up from tatty rubber bumper car to roaring V8 Sebring here




Finally a break from the V8, Kyle Bingham's SR20 DET powered car is scare on detail and has been floating around the net for a couple of years.  Is the smaller 4pot turbo power the future for MG modification, or just the stuff that great sleepers are made of?

There isn't much info on the site, but some more pictures can be found here, if anyone knows any more we'd love to hear it.


To our eyes there is still some way to go before the perfect marriage of aesthetics and power is made in the MG scene, but we're keeping an eye on things and will jump up and down excitedly the moment we see it.

This week is dedicated to one car building partnership who between them have built some really inspiring rides.  The Beardmore Brothers, John and Robin, have turned out a fantastic array of machinery, here is a selection along with the reasons they are great.


2000cc Lada : Weblink

Why is it important?
You know when a car is the a joke?  Like when Skoda became the punch line on a bunch of Jasper Carrot jokes.  Well Lada was one of those.  Eastern European built Italian car?  Could there be a more uninspiring combination?  The Beardmore Bros. saw through that image and looked at the car underneath.  Rear wheel drive on a Fiat floorplan?  Ideal for a Fiat Twincam conversion then.  Which leads directly to the reversal of the stereotype.  Suddenly all these hot hatches are getting smoked off the line by a car that is the butt of jokes.  This is perhaps the epitome of the street sleeper.

Where is it now?
The car was sold in 1993.  I wonder if it is still alive...


Hillclimb Morris Minor : Weblink



Why is it important?
When the UK retro scene was a fairly new thing, or at least when it first got its own magazine and a name to cover a range of spread out people, there was a car that a lot of people were already waiting for.  John Beardmore was building another minor, not any old minor though, a mid mounted fiat twincam powered convertible lowlight minor.  The result lived up to expectations, fantastic finish, great engineering, all round a quality car.  Again though it is more important than just another nice car, the fact that it was built in a garage, a small one at that, the fact that it is a complete home brew project serves as inspiration to all those that lament their lack of space, or money.  You can achieve great things in a small amount of space working evenings and weeks, this car is proof of that.

Where is it now?
John still owns the car and plans to do more hillclimbs this year.


V8 Reliant Kitten : Weblink



Why is it important?
If the Lada was the butt of some jokes, then the Reliant Robin was the comedians best friend.  The three wheel Reliant Robin was the epitome of the uncool, mainly driven by old people as a mobility device, rather than an actual car.  The Kitten was its four wheel equivalent and was for the most part ignored.  Whilst it four wheels it still retained the deeply uncool body shape of the Robin.  When it the Beardmore brothers decided to build a drag car they picked the Kitten as a base.  Whilst it seems like an odd choice they looked at it for what it actually was, a small, chassis built, rear wheel drive car with a very light body.  Perfect for a V8 conversion then.  Easy to work on and already super light.  Once again the Beardmore brothers show that you can look through the perceived image of a car and get to the actual machine underneath.

Where is it now?
John sold the car on and it is being reconditioned and bought back out to play again.


Concours Morris Minor GPO Van : Weblink


Why is it important?
People who modify cars have a bit of a bad reputation within certain elements of the 'classic' car community.  The thing is, we love our cars just as much as they do, we just choose to do something different with them.  Robin Beardmore owned and modified many Morris Minors, so I'm sure that certain elements of the classic community were dreading to see what he'd do with a very rare rubber winged Post Office van.  They shouldn't have worried, Robin restored it to concours condition and has since won a number of prizes for it.  It is important as it serves as reminder to the classic car community, that may not appreciate some of what we do, that we do love and cherish our cars.

Where is it now?
As far as we know it still lives with Robin.


Whats next from Beardmores....
Those Beardmores never stop though, Robin is currently building a Minor on an Mazda MX5 floor plan, you can follow the build and get more information about all their cars on their fantastic site : http://beardmorebros.co.uk

 

 

It's about time we gave you some more influential cars to have a look at.

We're going to cover the whole budget range this time, starting with a couple of VW's that really turned heads when they came on the scene.

Brian Burrows Squareback

Why is it important?
I could write a lot about this car, in fact I did once, although due to various circumstances it never ended up printed, which is why I think this car isn't as famous outside of VW circles as it should be.  This is another of those uncompromising vehicles, built to one mans specific vision of what he wanted.

Take one relatively obscure end of the VW scene, a Type 3 estate, add the power unit from a Porsche 993 GT2, strip down to the bare essentials, smooth, then drop the whole lot on a custom build chassis.  In a scene that has been around for twenty or thirty years it can become difficult to cause a stir, this car did that.  Taking it initial look principles not from other cars but from the Bauhaus' design principles of making no distinction between between form and function.  From this jump off a whole series of design decisions got made outside of the scope of traditional car modfication, which made for a really fresh car.

 

Not only does this car look great, enough to win the Volksworld Show best car, but it went well and was driven on the street, no trailer queen this.

Where is it now?
The car has changed hands a few times over the past couple of years.  It has appeared in the odd auction listing recently so you may yet have the chance to own it.


Linde Bus

 

Why is it important?
Even though Bug Jam had Rust & Prime events for many years (instigated by our very own Rmad) it took a car from Germany to really set the wheels of full patina'd rat look to full speed.
When Bug Box's Linde bus first appeared in Volksworld magazine it was the first time a lot of people had seen an intentionally ratty looking car that was aimed at the street and went like stink!  It wasn't the first vehicle to be done this way, but it was one of the first to get such a high level of exposure.  Arguably it became the benchmark by which all the rat look VW vans that followed got judged by.

The bus is the very definition of rat look as well, the outside is scruffy, rusty with a lovely patina, the underneath is perfectly solid, well screwed together with power to push it along.  It caused a fair amount of internet based debate when it first came out, some loved it, other hated it.  We'll let you make your own mind up, but there is no denying its infulence on a generation of modified car builders.

There is a write up in English and German here about its history.

Where is it now?
The bus has made its way to the UK and now lives in the hands of Type2Detectives.


Rmad's Cressida

Why is it important?
If the Burrows Squareback is a car built to a vision then Rmad's Cressida is a car built to a budget.  A relatively tiny budget.  Up until a couple of months ago the car had cost a total of £700.  It may have been built with budget in mind, but it has turned heads at every show it has been to, it has caused a stir.  The base model was chosen for practicality rather than having one eye on the emerging Japanese car scene, in fact it predates the current trend by a year or so, this was always intended as a car that could drive the family to the shops if needed.  4 doors, reliable, cheap, bland?  Some would think so, but not Rmad.

This is a simple build, lowered on a cheap set of wheels and some nice details (stickers, seat covers and the like).  It is important because it shows that a diverse taste in cars and the ability to look at anything with an eye for its potential could mean your driving around in a scene defining car for as little as £700.  It just requires that you keep your eyes open at all times.  This could happily be parked along side any of the other cars here and still turn heads.  It proves your budget isn't a limit, in fact you can use it to your advantage.

The car has had an actual measurable impact, directly on the price of Lotus Eclat wheels, as well as influencing others to just get on and build rides rather than sitting around planning them.

Where is it now?
Currently undergoing a facelift and will be back out this year in a new guise.  The current build can be read here

 

There are more influential cars to come, in fact there may even be an actual theme for the next one.

 

Take a look at this picture:  

Depending on your interests there's a few points that might grab you. Old school BMX fans will have no doubt spotted ex-BMX legend and MOBO boss Andy Ruffell polishing off a pint, others may have been instantly scanning the street for early Estelles and Maxis but that's not the reason I'm posting it. Check out that T25! Some original livery can make an otherwise bland ride something really special - how much would you want to roll up at Bug Jam, Vanfest or even the Backyard Jam in that beauty? To take things further, how about a replica complete with appropriate aging and the occasional rat-look inspired detail? A couple of old school Mongooses (Mongeese?!) on the roof rack, faded paint, the obligatory lowered stance and maybe a set of BMX inspired rims; some five-spokes painted to look like (Skyway) Tuffs or Moon discs with a Motomag stencil! Perhaps you could apply the same principal to another vehicle...a Kuwahara Honda Acty (with a white to burgundy fade paint scheme from the ET bike!) would rule!

 

Finds

You might find the original Ammaco/Mongoose team bus, but it's unlikely. That's not to say that liveried vans aren't out there, find the right one and it could be your admission to the VIP room reserved for retro heroes. These guys are inside right now, sipping champagne delivered by busty bunny-girls: 

Q-Vans

The perfect disguise - Robin Beardmore's inconceivably cool GPO van replica packed a Fiat Twin Cam, but could've easily performed duties on the set of Heartbeat. Incidentally this van went on to win the 'Street Machine of the year' award albeit in it's later guise as a new-school turquoise roadster pick up. Take a trip to www.beardmorebros.com for the full story.

 

Something's Not Quite Right Here....

Taking Robin's example above and adding a humourous or clever twist might get you in our fictitious VIP room too, like the Rover V8 powered 'Royal Male' van, or the 'Bun In The Oven' pro-street MKIII Escort: 

I've always fancied a nose-in-the-air Bedford HA van with 'British Gasser' on the side!

 

Not Just Vans

There's no reason why you should restrict your ideas to just commercial vehicles, a 'Croydon Social Services' MKIII Escort Estate would still get you noticed. This Japanese Carina wears original fire service livery: 

Get your thinking caps on, and get into the VIP room. Whether you resist re-painting that barn find or mock up a humourous rat-wagon rollin' with the retro scene's A list could be just one cleverly executed idea away.

 

There have been many many cars that have been inspirational across the history of car modification, from the early hot rods to stand out legends like the Hirohata Merc and wild 70's show cars.

People modifying cars now are leaving their own legacy that will inspire other people to build cars.  So what cars will people be referencing with phrases like "that was the reason I started ..." and "it inspired me to build...." in five, ten or even twenty years time?

Here are a handful, but I suspect this will be a subject we will be returning to, so don't fret if your favourite isn't here yet!

First up a personal favourite, Ed Ratley's 510 :





Why is it important?  It was one of the first Datsuns to get coverage in the new era of retro car modifying in the UK.  It showed that this often over looked car manufacturer deserved attention for more than just the 240Z.  Almost single handily the inclusion of this in a feature on Japanese cars in Retro Cars magazine sparked part of the modern resurgence of interest in 70's Japanese cars, particularly Datsuns.

What is it doing now?  Eddie is planning to rebuild it at the end of this year, so expect it out and about in 2009.


Next, Mattias Vöcks Amazon Estate :





Why is it important?  Twice flown to SEMA by Volvo to be put on display, it has pretty much cleaned up awards everywhere it has gone in the highly competitive Swedish car modification scene.  It is important because it has pushed the limits once again, Koenisegg brakes, a screaming 600 BHP engine and a totally killer look.  The completely functional/sexy interior a total hybrid of hot rod, custom and race influences.  All done with expert skill and a real eye for detail.

What is it doing now?  Last thing we heard it was for sale, if you fancy it drop us a line and we'll pass on the message.  65k Euro and its yours.



Which brings us to Ronnie Hilmersson's Volvo powered Opel Manta A :





Why is it important?  As the fledgling retro scene made its way onto the internet one car repeatedly got posted up, usually with the comments of "this thing is insane".  This is that car.  Another car with a ludicrous 600bhp-ish Volvo engine it was the fact that Hilmersson racing had gone against the grain of sticking with the same make of engine in the car and built a total Frankenstein car that opened a lot of peoples eyes.  Shell is Opel, engine is Volvo, transmission is BMW, rear axle is Volvo, brakes are Corvette.  The car is a total focus on performance.  Painted bright orange.  Oh yeah and its turbo and super charged.

What is it doing now?  The Hilmersson racing site is still live.  As far as we know he is still campaigning it.



Finally, for the time being, 'Big' Ron's Mk1 Golf :





Why is it important?   When a scene has been around for a long time it becomes much more difficult to stand out, it is much much harder to build a stand out Euro look VW for example than it is just to Euro look another type of car.  However Ron Huyzer's MK1 Golf stands out a mile because, put simply, it is absolutely perfect.  Most interesting of all it also changes the accepted Euro look rules.  If you'd have asked most people what wheels to put on a Euro look Golf it would have been a set of 14 or 15 inch wheels, probably BBS.  What Ron did was take the accepted idea and alter it a little, it would have been easier to go for a different type of wheel, instead he chose 16".  The genius and the reason it is so inspiration is that he then went about making sure that they fitted and filled the arches in the way a 14" would, the suspension, arches, and track width of the car all required serious work in order to do this.  Total dedication to stance and perfection.  Inspirational.

What is it doing now?  Ron still has the car and it has made appearances at a number of UK and European shows.  Make sure you get to see it if you can.


There are more... they will be covered soon..