Which Kit? first came into print in 1987 and quickly came to be
recognised as Britain's best and most authoritative magazine on
the subject of hand-built cars. Its offices at the time were in
two buildings, linked by a courtyard, that were originally used
by a firm of undertakers. If there were ever any old ghosts around,
they still haven't frightened us away, although whenever any of
our staff have been daft enough to lose something important like
a special photograph or computer disk, they naturally blame it
on the buildings' unseen inhabitants.
The Which Kit? production team is led by Peter Filby, the country's
best-known and longest-serving kit car journalist and expert -
hence his nickname 'Fossil'! He has specialised in writing about
kit cars for over 30 years now, giving him an unparalleled level
of knowledge and experience. He started out writing freelance
stories for magazines like Car, Autocar, Motor, Custom Car, Hot
Car and Auto Enthusiast and eventually decided to publish the
UK's first dedicated specialist car magazine, Alternative Cars,
in 1979.
Peter has also written several significant automotive books,
the most successful of which were Specialist Sportscars in 1974,
TVR, Success Against The Odds in 1976, Roadsters, Replicas &
Fun Cars in 1977, The Fun Car Explosion in 1979 and Amazing Mini
in 1981. He has also collaborated on or edited other tomes such
as Performance Roadsters, Three-Wheelers (by Chris Rees) and The
Filby Files; Classic Kit Cars (also by Chris Rees).
Born in Plymouth, Devon, Peter is keen to write more car books
before ultimately retiring to a country cottage overlooking the
Devon or Cornish coast. And to do that, he knows he's going to
have to write something more like a best-selling novel. Still,
you never know...
Trouble is, Peter is a bit behind the times and still writes
with a ballpoint pen, so a best-seller could take him rather a
long time. True, he hasn't yet recognised the delights of a keyboard,
screen and a box of black magic.
Main features writer for Which Kit? is Ian Stent, whose nickname,
for some reason, is 'Stumpy'. Nowadays living in Taunton, Somerset,
Ian has scribbled for the magazine for over ten years and in that
time has become much respected for his skills, knowledge and understanding
of the kit car industry. His informative stories, superb photography
and general commitment have played a vital role in the magazine's
success.
Daily production, basic page layouts, regular columns and some
features are all the work of the indomitable Adam 'OK' Wilkins,
so named because that's always his reply to requests, demands
and orders from the boss. A lovely chap, is Adam. In fact, whenever
he has to stay away for a night whilst researching a story, his
boyish innocence does tend to light up the eyes of wicked, love-hungry
landladies countrywide. So far, he's returned to the office unscathed.
What does he drive daily? A lime green and black Smart 'Pulse'
that somehow looks just as fresh-faced as he does.
Also closely involved with Which Kit? are the incredibly knowledgeable
specialist car expert and nutcase, Chris 'Reefer' Rees, and Peter
Filby's lovely daughter, Amy 'Muscles' Filby. Chris is a regular
contributor of columns like 'Krazy Kits' (rather appropriate,
we think) while Amy looks after the monthly Club Chat column,
writes Readers' Cars features and muscles-in on the occasional
road test feature whenever she can get her hands on the ignition
keys. She's also following in her famous father's footsteps via
her increasingly slick photographic skills.
University student Amy is a keen kit car enthusiast and, at the
tender age of 21, has already owned a Tiger Cat, Westfield SEi and
a part-share in a Dax Cobra. Things are more down to earth with
her daily transport, a Nissan Micra.
Another highly skilled craftsman working with the magazine goes
by the name of John 'Lemonade' Watson. Situated in deepest Cornwall,
John's workshop has played host to the assembly of a series of
superb cars, including his own V8-powered JBA Falcon, Royale Sabre
and Royale Windsor. For us, John is responsible for building most
of our in-house project cars, machines that naturally have to
set standards and be finished immaculately. Amongst these magnificent
creations have been a Marlin Berlinetta, GCS Hawke V8, Rickman
Ranger, Quantum H4 and two JBA Falcons. Long may he continue to
create for Which Kit? some of the best kit cars in the country.
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