Complete Kit Car – September 2019

http://www.completekitcar.co.uk September 2019 29

SUPER SCRAMBLE

One-off nose on this Pembleton three-wheeler

makes it almost unrecognisable, although that model

has always had lots of scope for personalisation.

Two GN cyclecars line up together. The smaller one

in the foreground is a recent special build, the one at

the back is a period piece.

A TVR from the era when they still made kits. That all

changed when the introduction of VAT got rid of the

tax advantage for kit form cars in 1973.

This is a genuine XKSS continuation built by Jaguar

Land Rover. Most of these will likely end up in air

conditioned collections never to see the light of day.

The ex-Denny Hulme Ford GT40 has been

recently reconstructed. It was a magnet for

GT40 fans!

Lurid colour for this Gilbern is in contrast to

its subtle, understated styling. It definitely had

the ability to turn heads.

Light Car Company Rocket is one of Gordon Murray’s

lesser known designs... but it has a cult following

that influences the cars’ values.

Gary Axon takes a look at Bicester Heritage’s recent Super Sunday Scramble.

Here are some of his highlights from the inaugural expanded event.

Words and pictures: Gary Axon

What: Sunday ‘Super Scramble’

Where: Bicester Heritage, Bicester, Oxfordshire

When: June 2019

(next Scramble is on 6 October 2019 )

W: bicesterheritage.co.uk/whaton/superscramble/

THE DETAILS

OUT &

ABOUT

Why should I be there? In the few short years since

Bicester Heritage first opened its doors to the public,

Britain’s first dedicated classic motoring hub has

become something of a Mecca for all petrolheads,

with a growing number of enthusiasts discovering

the attractions of this fascinating Oxfordshire venue.

In late June, Complete Kit Car was tempted back

to Bicester for the third time in quick succession as

the venue held its very first Sunday Super Scramble;

an enlarged and day-long version of the ever-popular

Sunday Scramble, with additional attractions added

such as live track action, an indoor autojumble, and

even an exhibition of transportation art.

Outside, some unusual kits and specials, old and

new, helped to wave the niche motor industry flag.

Numerous 1950s and ’60s specials included a very

rare and desirable drop-top Frazer-Nash Sebring, as

well as tidy Lotus Elans, a TVR 2500M and Gilbern

Invader MkII, all constructed as home-assembly kits

in the pre-VAT era.

More recent kits included scarce Magic, Charisma

and NG TD roadsters, plus a trio of Marlins (Series

1, 2 and Berlinetta) as well as a Pembleton three-

wheeler, plus various Caterham Sevens and Cobra

replicas, the latter contrasting with some genuine AC

and Shelby originals, including the famous yellow

‘Hairy Canary’ competition 427.

The reconstructed ex-Denny Hulme GT40 and a

brand new JLR Classic Jaguar XKSS continuation

caught our attention, as did an intriguing 1966

Bentley T-Series-based single-seat racer, plus a

delightful Light Car Company Rocket.

Two Marlin Roadsters lined up. There was a ‘rightness’ to the design from the very start.

029 Out and about Bicester.indd 29 01/08/2019 1:07 pm