Owners' Cars 4

(Chassis 15)

(Chassis 16) This is Gavin Perry's Cyclone. He built the car originally while working as an apprentice with Car Craft. Subsequently sold on, it has now been through a couple of owners before Gavin was able to buy it back again in 2008 and set about a series of upgrades. These include HiSpec 4-pot front brake calipers, a new dash instrument pod and, most significantly, a move to Calibra turbo engine, complete with 6-speed gearbox which has been modified to 2-wheel-drive from its original Vauxhall 4-wheel-drive installation. As you can see, it has just undergone a complete respray with Auto Mirage, who also made the housings for the neat headlights (or bike origin) and the now flush fitting instruments. Still to do are a comprehensive rewire and also a professional re-trim for the interior. It looks spectacular.

(Chassis 17) This car is currently owned by Ciaran Mooney, who's previous Cyclone (chassis 14) was sadly destroyed by fire. This current car was bought from previous owner and builder, Brian Bidewell in 2006. The pics above are of the car when Brian owned it and it was featured in Which Kit? magazine.

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(Chassis 18) This is Steve Lowcock's Cyclone, which he bought second-hand in around 2002. It's a Vauxhall 2-litre 8-valve with a Blydenstein big valve head. Originally running a pair of Weber 45s on Weber Alpha management, Steve struggled to get it running properly, eventually changing to Jenvey throttle bodies and an Emerald ECU. Steve bought the Cyclone to replace a Fisher Fury he'd built himself.

Modifications to the Cyclone include a Polo 3-speed heater fan mounted under the bonnet (see pic) which draws cold air through the ventillation when the car is travelling in traffic. The front brakes have also been changed to Renault Laguna vented discs fitted behind the hubs a la Cyclone/Manta with some second-hand alloy 4-pot calipers from Ebay and a specially made mounting bracket. To cure the Cyclone inherantly weak rear handbrake mechanism Steve has used Meriva 4-stud 264mm solid discs mated to Astra/Zafira calipers (1800cc or above) with built-in hand brake mechanism. The only non standard part is the specially made mounting bracket from hub to caliper. Steve did have to do a bit of cutting and rewelding of the handbrake cable guide bracket to retain the rear access of the original Metro hanbrake cable, but he tells me it's not beyond the capability of most mechanically minded Cyclone owners. Sounds like a great modification.

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