AND IN OTHER NEWS...

FORD MUSTANG GT

With new aluminium heads fitted, the Mustang’s 289cu in V8 heart is once again beating and, after a long period away from Dorset, it’s set to return home in a couple of weeks. The replacement Holley fourbarrel carburettor proved to have similar problems to the original Autolite it replaced, and has now been changed for an Edelbrock unit. JM

VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE 1300

It finally feels as if progress is being made on the Beetle. A few false starts have delayed reassembly of the engine, but things are now moving in the right direction. Importantly, the body repairs are also nearing completion – I just need to find a good painter now. MP

OLDSMOBILE TORONADO

I exhumed the Toronado after months of inactivity at the beginning of March when the sun came out, had the wheels balanced and went round making sure all the lights worked, which they did. The only issue is cold starting; despite the electric pump Gus Meyer fitted, it is reluctant to fire unless I pour fuel down the carb, then starts beautifully all day afterwards. MB

MG MAGNETTE

The imminent loss of my current storage will be all the impetus I need to extract the MG and use it in the coming weeks. At the moment I’m frantically trying to engineer a solution that keeps the Magnette warm and dry, and hopefully a bit closer to home so I can get a few jobs done on it over the summer. AC