Classic Cars

Classic Cars is the original classic car magazine. It defined the world of classic motoring 40 years ago and still does it today. Every issue is put together by our team of classic car experts and enthusiasts. Using the best expert writing and photography, the magazine helps you experience what it's like to drive, keep and restore the classic cars of days gone by. We bring the stories and people behind the cars to life - showing you how to buy, keep and enjoy your cars. Every issue of Classic Cars is packed with: - Road tests - Drive stories - Expert buying advice - News and events coverage Classic Cars is the original classic car magazine.

Welcome • All too often I hear sentiments that resent forces of change in our motoring world, but without them we’d never have the landmark designs we enjoy today

‘This lives up to everything I wanted it to be’ • Terry Taylor fell in love the Ferrari 308GT4 after reading a road test in 1975. Now he finally gets to road test one for himself

Even top examples look cheaper • When it’s worth the risk of paying extra for Porsche’s unloved 996-generation 911

Escort Cosworth record at NEC • Fast Fords fly, traditional classics suffer at Iconic Auctioneers’ Birmingham sale

Eighties excess, German style • All-white Styling Garage Mercedes-Benz 500SEC ‘Gull Wing’ tests modern tastes

Tool Room Copy is a rare opportunity • Race-winning Aston Martin recreation up for sale at Historics

Forecourt view

IN THE TRADE

Record NEC draws in the crowds • 40th anniversary NEC Classic Motor Show hosts eclectic cars and honours heroes

New rally makes ‘RAC’ annual • Rally Anglo Caledonian takes Roger Albert Clark concept into an exciting new era

Events planner • Where to head to warm the winter chills

Ex-Royal VdP hidden for 56 years • Not currently fit for a queen (or king), but VdP estate could be majestic once again

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Next Month • The March issue of Classic Cars will shake your world

Top 51 Design Classics

Classic Cars

QUENTIN WILLSON • Something vital was lost from our culture when the Sunday ritual of car maintenance and advertising of miracle-cure accessories was abandoned

“Oh, what fun it is to Drive …” • with a subscription for only £19.99

ALEX RILEY • I’m baffled why the motor industry has a blind spot over the indisputable appeal of shooting brakes. They’re better looking than the cars they’re based on

The DISRUPTORS • Radical Seventies designs that up-ended market segments face up to established models they sought to supplant. But does that make them more appealing as classics?

Brave failures

ROAD WERKS • This 1971 Porsche 917K spent its early life as a development and race car before being converted for road use for team sponsor Count Rossi. We test it on track and road…

‘It only came in for a new head gasket’ • Two bites at a restoration spaced 15 years apart isn’t the ideal method for any car. For this Mini Moke, it resulted in a shattered budget – and a brilliant result

LIFE STORY OF A BMW 3.0CSi • Squeezing a dinghy plus outboard motor into the boot and driving 900 miles in one go was a regular holiday treat for this well-travelled BMW coupé and its long-term owner

SPORT FOR ALL • Fiery Renault superminis have built themselves an enthusiast reputation as athletic and fun-to-drive small cars. With more power and focus, Nineties performance Clios offer bargain modern classic opportunities

RIOTOUS RASCAL • A powerful Clio Renaultsport too tame for you? Exotic looks and supercar performance made the Clio Renaultsport V6 an instant modern classic. We drive it and see what makes it special

Five steps to buying a Fiat 124...