"Car fanatic Philip Glenister and internationally renowned car designer Ant Anstead are on a mission. To scour the barns and lock ups of GB for wrecked treasures to bring to life – as perfectly as is humanly possible. These cars are everyday classics. They’re the cars our dads drove, cars that we loved as kids, cars we first ‘parked up’ in…."
The first episode of this series is on Channel 4 on Sunday 20th April at 8pm, it features the Escort Mexico. The second episode features the Land Rover.
http://www.channel4....he-love-of-cars
In the Mini episode they're restoring a Downton modded Mk1 Cooper:
"This MK 1 Mini Cooper is a very exciting prospect indeed because Ant Anstead at Evanta Motors and Mini expert Keith Calver have managed to retain the authenticity which makes this car so special whilst building a stunning Mini Cooper, which could be used for shows or motor sport. The car had been standing in a barn in Ireland since the late nineties but was complete, structurally sound and had an interesting history backed up by its accompanying paperwork.
When 539 KYI was 2 years old then owner Mr John Hughes of Ambleside instructed local BMC Agents R.Smith of Bowness, Cumbria, to modify the car using components purchased from Downton Engineering. Daniel Richmond's firm were BMC's most famous tuning agents and Richmond himself was responsible for the engine specification of the Mini Cooper S. The period modifications to 339 KYI included an internally polished Downton cylinder head with larger valves, a Downton manifold, twin SU H.4 carburettors, a Kenlowe cast aluminium radiator bracket, Dunlop D1 alloy wheels (now with new Dunlop tyres) and wonderful Knighton seats, which have been given the minor repairs they needed but still wear their original covers. The interior also features a fabulous period Les Leston wooden steering wheel and matching gear knob.
All have been preserved during a restoration which has encompassed every single area of the car. The original bodyshell needed a small number of replacement panels but was in fundamentally sound condition (It probably has been in an accident according to Ant Antstead). It has been restored to perfect as-new condition at Evanta and totally re-sprayed, inside and out, in its original Almond Green and Snowberry White. The engine and running gear have been rebuilt by Keith Calver, the ‘dry’ suspension features AVO shock absorbers and SuperPro bushes to enhance still further the Mini’s legendary handling as well as Goodridge brake lines and many new components from Mini Spares."
http://www.channel4....ooper-mk1-998cc
