Andy Inskip joins RPS We are very pleased to report that Andy Inskip has joined Rally Preparation Services, bringing his vast experience on a wide range of different car makes and models. Andy is often seen on events working for organisers to provide mechanical support for competitors. His remarkable abilty to bring a car back to life has helped many competitors reach the end of an event when retirement seemed likely... he relocates from his London workshop, and immediately got stuck in with the preparation of a pre-war Alvis.

In The WorkshopComing up is the Nile Trial, a rally for historic and vintage cars with a route across North Africa through Tunisia, Libya and into Egypt. We have just completed a programme of various jobs on a lovely 1938 Alvis 4.3 Tourer for this event.

Preparing the Alvis for unleaded fuel.

The Alvis needed the valves sorting for unleaded petrol, and we overhauled the cylinder head at the same time. Then fettled all three carburettors, went through the wiring, attended to the radiator as it will be working hard with hot days throughout the duration, and made an all-steel sumpguard. We also had the hubs stripped down and rebuilt, with fresh tyres, as well as routine items like changing the oils in the gearbox and axle. The work on the electrics discovered that one cylinder was not performing anywhere near as it should… and once we put that right the performance was greatly enhanced. The car also stops a lot better following some time spent on the brakes.

Alvis head and carbs are refitted as engine work nears completion

Also into the workshop at the same time came a 1938 six-cylinder Oldsmobile, a fantastically simple yet strong car. It had a great deal of play in the steering, and the brakes were very worrying, but we have gone right through these areas and the car is coming back for more attention – this car is also being driven to Egypt.

We have also spent some time looking a various potential purchases for customers – something of a coincidence as they were all six-cylinder Chevrolets of the late ‘30s.

I recently flew to Holland to check out a Chevy Fangio Coupe for one customer, and as this ticked all the boxes, a deal has been struck, and this car will be into the workshop soon. Also lined up is a smart aero-fastback Chevy Coupe with the same six cylinder engine – it was a Chevy Coupe that won the last Peking to Paris so it’s no surprise these cars are now sought after. We also have found an ex-military Canadian-built four-door Chevrolet saloon for a customer who is eager to take part on the Peking to Paris in 2010. These Chevrolets are good value, and strong performers on long distance events, and the preparation is perfectly straight-forward.

Andy and I also spent some time checking out a 2.6 Alvis saloon, but the bodywork was rather tired, so were not able to recommend that car as an economical proposition.

Checking cars for potential rally-entrants before purchase is all part of our service. It’s better for a purchaser to consult us before buying a car rather than taking the plunge only to regret it later… so, if you have something in mind, do feel free to give us a call.

Simon Ayris