From Swedish Car Culture to Jaguar Auctions
March 17, 2025
Nifsta Classic Cars: Stockholm’s Summer Delight
As summer approaches in Sweden, car enthusiasts emerge from the long winter, seeking gatherings to showcase their prized vehicles. While several spots exist, Nifsta Gård, home to Nifsta Classic Cars, stands out as a welcoming hub for Swedish car culture every Thursday evening.
Nifsta Classic Cars, acquired by the Eriksson family in 2016, has grown into one of Sweden’s largest American classic car dealers. Initially focused on American models, the weekly meet-ups now embrace all makes and models, fostering an inclusive environment for enthusiasts of all ages. Organizer Mats Eriksson emphasizes the importance of welcoming younger enthusiasts, recognizing their role in preserving Swedish car traditions. From American muscle cars to European and Japanese models, the gatherings offer something for everyone, even embracing the controversial “Pilsnerbilar” and attracting a variety of vehicles, including big rigs and unique finds like a 1969 Lotus Europa S2.
With its laid-back atmosphere, live music, and Swedish “körv,” Nifsta Classic Cars offers a unique experience reminiscent of Daikoku PA, but with small winding roads and a grassy garden. As plans for upgrades, including asphalting internal roads and creating a burnout pit, are underway, the future looks bright for this beloved Swedish car meet.
Project Rough: DIY Corner Balance Take 2 with Physics
Diving into the world of DIY car modification, a recent discussion sparked online about the feasibility of corner balancing a vehicle at home using simple physics and everyday tools like bathroom scales. The original article, though unseen, clearly ignited a passionate debate.
Commenters weighed in, pun intended, on the accuracy and practicality of such an approach. While some lauded the author’s ingenuity and problem-solving skills, particularly for casual enthusiasts, others cautioned against relying on DIY methods for serious racing applications. The core of the debate centered around the precision required for competitive performance, with many arguing that professional corner weighting equipment is essential to achieve truly optimal results. The conversation highlighted the spectrum of car modification, from budget-friendly tinkering to high-stakes performance tuning. Ultimately, the online discussion underscores the blend of ingenuity and precision that defines the automotive world.
Coup de Coeur
Jean-Philippe Duval, a trade school graduate, found his calling in upholstery, drawn to its immediate and hands-on nature. Specializing in Porsche 356s, he appreciates their simplicity and ease of disassembly, a stark contrast to modern sports cars.
Duval admires the original interiors’ functional elegance, crafted by coachbuilders like Reutter and Karmann with a focus on purpose over excessive flair. He meticulously deconstructs and reconstructs each interior, sourcing materials from Germany and refining the precision beyond the original production standards.
His clients seek a seamless integration of old and new, an interior that feels original and authentic to the car’s history. Duval’s work embodies a deep respect for the 356’s heritage, resulting in interiors that appear timeless and untouched.
First Five
For Alex Yust, the road to freedom began with a driver’s license and a bicycle. The bike offered an escape, a direct connection to the world through his own power. Years later, that feeling is amplified by something far more potent: a black-on-beige E28 M5.
This M5 offers a pure, mechanical experience, a raw connection between driver and machine reminiscent of that first bicycle. But why did BMW create such a beast? The original M5 was a statement, a hand-built, over-engineered sedan that could outrun most sports cars. In the US, it came in one stark configuration: black over beige. This singular focus created the super-saloon market, forcing every other manufacturer to play catch-up.
Alex’s M5, massaged and improved over the years, carries 212,000 miles of history. Despite the offers, he’ll never sell it. Some connections are too deep, too personal to ever break.
Have a big cat itch to scratch? These 8 Jaguars should do the trick
Grace, space, and pace define Jaguar’s legacy, with a century of suave cruisers and weekend racers that rivaled European and American competitors. Oldtimer Galerie Toffen’s upcoming sale on March 22nd presents a golden opportunity to own a piece of this history.
The auction features eight exceptional Jaguars, ranging from a golden-era 1963 E-Type Series 1 Roadster to a long-bodied 2005 XJR. Other notable models include a 1989 XJS V12 Le Mans Special Edition, a 2000 XKR Convertible, and a classic 1959 XK 150. Whether you favor the classic E-Types or the modern XJRs, this sale offers a Jaguar for every enthusiast.
Citroën’s forgotten BX 4 TC is now in the Group Bargain section of rally heroes
Homologation specials are cars transformed from racing legends to road-going vehicles, and Citroën’s BX 4 TC was a worthy Group B contender. Despite not achieving great success or proving its true potential, its unique character and rarity make it a significant piece of motorsport history. This particular model is heading to Aguttes on Wheels’ Spring sale in Paris on March 16.
The BX 4 TC project started in 1983, with Citroën aiming to compete in the World Rally Championship at Group B level by 1985. However, delays in development hindered its progress. Although homologated in 1986 with 200 examples, each equipped with a 2.1-liter turbocharged engine producing 200 horsepower and four-wheel drive, the discontinuation of Group B after tragedies in Portugal and Corsica led to only 86 sales. Citroën destroyed the remaining 114 cars under supervision.
This makes surviving models incredibly rare. This specific BX 4 TC, exported to Switzerland in 1986 and used as a display piece in a collector’s garage, boasts only 2,800 kilometers. Following a recent overhaul and injection tune-up, this is a chance to own a piece of rallying history almost 40 years after its debut.