Starting on Tuesday until the Friday next week is the annual SEMA 2017 show which Adam attends each year. However Adam tells us this is a chore and “Somebody has got to do it” suggesting that he doesn’t really want to go to fantastic city for the night life or being at America during the wonderful Halloween time. He also says that he has to go to a motor show and look around some pretty awesome and unique cars, innovative new parts and be distracted by some very pretty ladies promoting various companies products. After a stressful day he will be in need of some serious beers, not that we are jealous or anything of course. (Much). Seriously though Adam will not be back into the UK until the 14th November, he will have limited access to emails so please bear with us during this time.

Customer Cars:

We have the 69 Mach1 being worked on this week with the brakes and steering being fitted. The worthwhile upgrade for the cars is always the Borgeson power steering, and this little lady was getting just that along with a nice new shiny dual master cylinder and brake booster.

A new set of disc brakes to the front, no corners are cut here and even the bolts are sprayed silver to protect from rust and also for a little show.

The front suspension was replaced with nice new control arms, shocks and springs.

The brake pedal installed and connected up to the booster, followed by the top quality signature work from Yogi, his bespoke brake lines that are unmistakable and unique to each car.

All of a sudden the painted shell starts to look like a car again, from the outside just for now.

Convertible: 

Another suspension upgrade on a convertible. The suspension over the years starts to degrade at such a slow rate that you don’t realise until one day you think to yourself there is something wrong here. So another replacement shocks, springs front and rear, control arms and updated sway bar. The next time the owners gets in this car it will feel totally different. First the old stuff.

Then the new parts fitted.

The great debate. (Yes – it still rages on)

It seems the next announcement from the lunatic asylum that is the DVLA is that while cars over 40 years are no longer required an MOT – any classic car (which they call historic cars) over 40 years old, but has had its power-to-weight ratio increased by more than 15% will require MOTing and then be assigned a Q plate, which will stay with the car for life and can’t be removed. The complete madness in a few examples:

Scenario 1: changed the carb from a smokey old relic to a modern more fuel-efficient fuel injection system….MOT/Q

Scenario 2: change the stock cast iron heads and manifold to a more efficient aluminium set….bingo you have a double whammy as not only have you increased the power you have also reduced the weight – seriously altering the power-to-weight ratio…..welcome back to MOT and Q!

Scenario 3: 1930s Ford fitted with a 350/350…..forget it!

It now seems since this latest “idea” was made by people in the DVLA that know about these things, (who obviously have an IQ the same as the number of wheels on their own cars), have now relented and will will not pursue the ‘power to weight ratio increase’ exclusion in the MOT exemption process. While there might be some kit cars and some heavily modified vehicles that will still require an MOT, all other classics will not. This means that Mustangs that have been “improved” will still classify as historic. About time that somebody took a long look at what they are trying to achieve. Virtually nobody wanted this to change, so “If it ain’t broke – don’t fix it!”

Ken Block is at it again with Gymkhana 10 Trailer. 

We have been sent this link to a trailer on YouTube (thanks Gary), for the latest instalment of the fire-breathing AWD Mustang now with 1200bhp and twin turbos. We were lucky enough to see the car last year at SEMA. We can’t wait for this next instalment!

We hope to bring you some pictures from SEMA again this year so watch this space.

Have a safe trip and not to stressful “working” break Adam.