Summer fun – saving and maintaining a classic kit car

In search of some carefree summer fun, I recently bought a used British kit car: a Marlin Berlinetta. It’s a classic open-top four-seater sports car that was first launched in the early 1980’s. Based on a solid, dependable Ford Sierra chassis and running gear, power is provide by a feisty, characterful Fiat 4-cylinder twin cam, 2.0 litre engine.

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Reliable and functional

The marriage of easily sourced, reliable Ford mechanicals and a classic, sporty Fiat engine combine to create the perfect kit car – providing that is, that all the other auxiliary, hydraulic, cooling, fuelling and electrical systems, fixtures and fittings are also up to the job in hand.

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Topping up

A trip to a local petrol station was the first indicator that something was not quite right – a strong smell of petrol was very evident after filling up.

Further investigation revealed a relatively simple problem, requiring a simple but effective fix. The rubber hose connecting the filler cap to the petrol tank was loose and leaking slightly. The hose clips securing the rubber hose were of poor quality, degraded and in need of replacement.

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Reliable, high quality

The reinforced fuel hose demanded that a reliable, high quality hose clip should be used to ensure the hose was completely secure and leak free. Quite naturally, in this instance I used JCS Hi-Torque clamps. For good measure I also changed the hose clamp on the rubber breather hose with a JCS Hi-Grip hose clip.

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Mundane but essential

The humble hose clip can be found actively employed in many mundane, but essential walks of life. It usefulness and function belies its simple form.

When the original hose clamps were fitted to the car, a few pence were probably saved by using a cheaper solution, but ultimately, at the detriment of quality and dependable reliability. If the fuel leak had gone unnoticed and unrepaired the cost in the long-term could have been much greater and more serious.

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Preventative maintenance

It is my intention to work my way through the car, and change all hose clamps with JCS stainless steel replacements.

Although a simple and straightforward job, this preventative maintenance should help lead to reliable, guaranteed summer fun for many years to come – all aided by the modest, unassuming JCS hose clip.

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If you would like to know more about the JCS range, please call us on +44 (0)1787 376212 or email us.

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