Get your classic car restoration sorted with our restoration guide

27 November, 2015

We all know that there’s always something that needs attending to, whether it’s simply tidying up interior carpets and upholstery, fixing that scratched windscreen, touching up the front guard after a shopping trolley hit it last summer, or something bigger, such as replacing a rusted-out exhaust system. You may even want to push the boat out and seriously contemplate a full restoration.

In any event, you can rest assured in the knowledge that there’s plenty of specialist help out there, with professionals who know exactly what they’re doing when it comes to classic cars — whether they be European, American, or Australian. To help you on your way, we’ve compiled a Restoration Guide that’s sure to send you in the right direction. 

This article was originally published in New Zealand Classic Car Issue No. 298. You can pick up a print copy or a digital copy of the magazine below:


Merry Christmas from NZ Classic Car magazine

The Classic Car magazine team is taking a few weeks’ holiday from the work computer and heading to the beach for some kickback time.
Merry Christmas, and have a wonderful summer holiday to all our readers, followers, and fans. Enjoy this special extra time with the family. We will be posting archive articles again in mid to late January.
Have fun, be good and be careful out there.

Two engines instead of one?

Popping two motors into a car is not only complicated, it doesn’t always end well. Donn Anderson recalls early attempts, including John Cooper’s ill-fated original Twini Mini built 58 years ago

For a boost in performance, better traction, and perhaps improved handling to some, two motors seems an obvious solution. It would also eliminate the need to develop a larger engine replacement from scratch, but would that outweigh the not inconsiderable technical difficulties?
The idea of using a pair of engines dates back at least 86 years to the Alfa Romeo Bimotor single seater racing car that was officially timed at 335km/h, or 208mph. Taking a lengthened Alfa P3 chassis, the Italians fitted two supercharged straight eight 2.9-litre and 3.2-litre engines, one in front of the cockpit, and the other behind the cockpit.