Lot number	13
Hammer value	£2,150
Description	Pilgrim Bulldog
Registration	OCT 178 M
Year	1973
Colour	Navy blue
Engine size	1,275 cc
Chassis No.	MA4S9S337A4M

The British kit and component car scene was well into its stride by the 1970s and reached its heyday in the 1980s.

Although many of these fledgling companies were little more than one-man-bands and soon faded into obscurity, a few made the grade and grew into the solid specialist car sector that makes the British car scene so vibrant and interesting today. One of those that lasted was Pilgrim Cars of Henfield, Sussex, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year

In 1984, Pilgrim introduced the Bulldog, a component car that evoked the MG T Series and Morgan sports cars of the early 1950s. A sturdy one piece body was moulded from GRP with a simple but effective steel box section chassis, with running gear from either a Morris Marina or Ford Cortina.

This Pilgrim Bulldog looks well in Navy Blue with a smart grey interior. It is specced exceedingly well with full weather gear, clip on side windows, a large lockable boot and easy-clean faux wire wheels by Mangel. Traditional chrome bezel gauges are mounted in a full width ‘faux walnut veneer’ dashboard, complimenting the traditional wood rimmed steering wheel. A two speed heater is fitted for chilly days out.

The vendor bought the car after it emerged from twenty years in storage, the previous owner being the proprietor of a specialist beer shop in Birmingham. Appreciating the appeal of a car with classic lines but easy to maintain body and mechanicals, the vendor has used the Bulldog for events with Knighton vintage car club, attending many car shows and enjoying regular runs across the Welsh mountains to the seaside town of Aberystwyth.

This 1973-registered Bulldog was constructed from an A-Series powered Morris Marina, which endows the car with spritely performance while being easy to maintain with service parts available over the counter of most motor factors. It has recently been fitted with a new clutch kit, a new exhaust tail pipe, a new battery and five new tyres in preparation for sale, and also benefits from tax exempt status.