Marilyn Stokes's blog

Tiger Racing Limited, headquartered in the greenest rolling hills in England at Cambridgeshire, have something for everyone to add to true racing auto collections. And considering the image and history of quality that comes with the Tiger Racing tradition, race car collectors can enjoy a surprisingly affordable value. Take the Tiger Avon, as their entry level "lowcost" example, which can be purchased starting factory built at around $25,000 US.

The American Revolution notwithstanding, through more than two centuries the British have never loosened their powerful influence on American life, business, finance, psyche, and maybe even our raw genetic memory. In their own low key way, Brits go about controlling a huge amount of US and Canadian real estate, corporate interests, pop culture and entertainment, and keep living their own inimitable version of the good life on both sides of the pond. And while we in the US may not look on with envy, exactly, there's no question that we do look on.  Just like ordinary conversation sounds so much more compelling in a British accent, English automobiles, like the Sebring International collection, have that undeniable charisma that whispers character, an aura of history, and class.

Is there any topic more talked about today than fuel economy? All the members of the various classic car clubs that Frank and I belong to are moaning and groaning about costs to go to events, shows and cruises. The national clubs' chat line threads are all about fuel costs and how to work around the problem to keep club entries and attendance up, as a lot of popular competitions have really been suffering serious declines this year. And never mind the used-to-be-careless Sunday drives to different places just for the fun of getting out in your classic car - according to what I'm hearing, these threaten to become a thing of the past for many people, unless and until we can all get a handle on what to do about fuel costs.

A large contingent of kit builders take great pride and accomplishment in starting a distinctive car from scratch, and taking it all the way up to a hot, drivable beauty that they have put together every single part of. Judging from the huge La Bala owner/builder fan club, the GraberCars La Bala has become a phenomenon that happily positioned itself into a super-avid customer base of builders. This enthusiastic bunch are having a great time building their La Balas, wonderful fun communicating with fellow builders via the web build diaries and forums, and most of all, they are as a group looking forward to driving these hot little performance cars as roadsters and fun competition cars! What more upbeat and satifsfying experience could a do-it-yourself kit car builder want?

Everyone familiar to kit building and renovating of cars knows what it's like to be on the lookout for donor parts. There may be those who actually enjoy spending the tons of time it takes to locate salvage parts, the traveling around for weeks, months, sometimes years, finding some here, finding some there. Then the spending of what adds up to be a lot of money refurbishing components and parts, and ultimately, there's always the disappointment of discarding some parts bought that prove, after all, not to be worth the effort to redo.

The story you are about to read is not real. It could be real, but it is a nightmare, a nightmare you are going to avoid, so don't panic. Here it goes. Your dream kit car is on its way and you have cleared and cleaned your garage for the big day. You can't wait to see a big truck pull up in front of your place with your new baby inside. Your brother, your brother-in-law and your best friend are there to help you celebrate. They pat you on the back as the truck pulls up, and watch as the big pieces are loaded into the clean, waiting garage. No doubt you'll grin from ear to ear and rub your hands together with excitement for at least a few minutes while the pallets and packages get unloaded onto your floor.

Ginetta Cars Ltd. of Leeds, England has been a part of that “racing for everyone” tradition in the UK for 50 years, and they are going stronger than ever. At the upper performance level, the British Ginetta G20 race series is the largest single class, one-make racing championship in Europe at this time with nearly 100 registered competitors in the 2008 series.  And now, Ginetta offers a performance sports car based around its formidable G20 racer at a remarkably affordable price of  about $31,000 US.  What fun! 
 

Seeing an improper or mediocre wheel on a beautiful car is like seeing your prom date come down the stairs wearing a pair of plastic crocs. It just ruins the whole effect.  On the other hand, going down the display rows at car shows, you are sure to hear, "Nice wheels!" That's one of the first remarks my husband Frank, who's a frequent 60's vintage model car show judge, always says when we're looking at the best-executed show cars.  So, I was quite interested to learn more about Vintage Wheels based in Del Mar, California, a popular and respected source for collectors of 60's vintage cars and 60's inspired performance kit and replica owners, because they offer classic-style genuine knockoff wheels at an affordable price.

As many Shelby multi-generational families as there are around the country, this 1965 Ford Shelby GT 350 inspired pedal car- the only pedal car whose manufacture was approved and overseen by Carroll Shelby and Ford Motor Company--is a real "must have" for any little kid of a certain age--from 3 to 90!

The Shelby Cobra is travelling into the twenty-first century powerfully as ever, looking hip and happening just like it did in the sixties and still generating buzz. I was in my heyday in the mid-sixties when the Cobra roared on to the popular scene, so my generation spans the lengthy Cobra era. Durn it, I wish I was still as hot and desirable today as the Cobra continues to be! If you ask 100 men the question: "Of any sports car, which one would you most like to have in your garage?" it's absolutely mind-blowing how many--from guys back in the day to guys now that weren't even born in '67--will say "A Shelby Cobra!"