Top 5 ways to modify your car

Having bought your new (or not so new) car, it's time to start thinking about adding a few modifications. I've put together a list of my favourite car modifications to give you a bit of inspiration.

1.

Window Tint

Now I'm not just putting window tint at the top of the list because we're the leading UK's supplier of pre cut car window tint kits (end shameless plug), I do truly believe that it is one of the cheapest and best ways to completely transform your car. Window tint looks good on any car, from a Fiesta to a Ferrari, and you can buy DIY tint kits for around £30. Make your car really stand out by going for a siver mirrored or coloured tint like the blue tint below.



2.

Alloy wheels

Have you ever seen a decent modified car running on standard steel wheels? No, me neither, and that's why I've put alloy wheels 2nd in our list. You're going to have to cut down on treats for the girlfriend for a few months though as alloy wheels (and the tyres you'll need on them) don't come cheap. Expect to pay anywhere from around £300 for a basic set with tyress. If you can't quite afford that, car wheel trims are a decent alternative and only a fraction of the price.



3.

Exhaust

You've got your car looking all nice, but you can't have it sounding like a shopping trolley. So next on our list of top modifications is a new exhaust. These range from just a back-box to give your car a bit of a growl, to a complete exhaust system to increase performance and give your car that sporty sound. Prices for exhaust back-boxes start at around £50.



4.

Lexus lights

It seemed at one point a few years ago, that every other car you passed had a set of Lexus lights fitted, looking pretty tacky in some cases to be fair. Together with other modifications I think they can definitely look nice, I personally prefer the Lexus lights with a darker backing (see image below) rather than the silver backed lights with looked a bit stuck on. Something else you could try if you don't want to fork out on a new set of lights is some tail light tinting spray; you'll definitely get a more unique look.



5.

Painted brake callipers

I drive a Skoda Octavia VRS, and one of the things I still like most about it is its green brake callipers (sad I know). This will only work if you've got a set of wide spoke alloys, but it will give your car that definite sporty look. Brake calliper paint is available as either a spray can or a pot of paint. You'll probably need to take your wheels off to apply it.


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Cars in all Shapes and Sizes at Charterhouse

The monster Vauxhall Magnum V8 racer £25,000-35,000
The Charterhouse autumn auction programme offers collectors and dealers of model cars and classic cars a great opportunity to add valuable and rare items into their garages and cabinets. First up on Thursday 21st October is a sale devoted to model vehicles and trains, which is then followed on Sunday 7th October with a sale of classic cars at The Royal Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet.

“We have been instructed to sell a huge selection of Dinky, Corgi and other models from a Dorset client. There are probably somewhere in the region of over 2,000 models, some of which are play worn and some of which are in their original boxes, it is the largest collection I have seen for several years.” Commented Matthew Whitney. “This auction is then followed by our classic car sale which includes one of the best selection of vehicles we have had the please to be instructed to sell including a 1919 Model T Ford through to a very special Vauxhall Magnum known as The John Pope Special. This is far from standard and is fitted with a sanctioned Aston Martin V8 engine with Le Mans cylinder heads, bolted onto which are two massive turbo’s. It is quite a monster and was raced extensively in the early to mid 1970’s.”

Amongst the Dinky and Corgi cars there are some real little gems, There are motors from James Bond films, complete with rockets and other gadgets to Police cars with detailed engine bays and steering suspension, and with estimates from £50 up to a few hundred, there will be something for every collector. In the full size cars, there are several convertibles including an Austin Healey 3000, Morris Minor and Beetle convertibles, an Armstrong Siddley tourer and two well detailed and authentic replica cars in the shape of a Ferrari Daytona convertible and a Jaguar SS100 convertible, each being about the tenth of the cost of the real thing.

Charterhouse is now accepting entries for both of these sales. For further information or to arrange a free home visit to have you classic car or Dinky models valued, please contact Matthew Whitney at Charterhouse, The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne DT9 3BS www.charterhouse-auctions.co.uk or via email mw@charterhouse-auctions.co.uk