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 • Following the consensus on which classic cars are good to own makes sense; rejecting it can be much more exciting
EUROPEAN UNION • Frazer Nash supremo HJ Aldington wanted Bristol to sell coachbuilt style to a brave new world. Pinin Farina obliged but only seven cars were built. We drive one to assess his success
RESTORING A BRISTOL FARINA
Shrugging off the stereotype • Despite their ubiquity, L322 prices are holding up – now’s the time to bag a minter
ASK QUENTIN
Buying bonanza • ACA’s Feb sale sees unprecedented demand
Market indicators • An extremely eclectic mix and some remarkable results for them – in both directions
PRICE GUIDE MOVERS
Jaguar wins copyright case • Swedish court orders destruction of C-type replica
WHAT THE K500 MARKET INDEX SAYS ABOUT THE…
IN THE TRADE
Play your cards right • Freshly restored AC Ace is ready for a new game
Golfer’s delight
Hampton brings classic thunder • 2021 roars into life as Central Muscle Cars support the New Zealand Grand Prix
Hannu Mikkola, 1942-2021 • 1983 World Rally Champion key to Audi Quattro success
King of the concours • Ferrari 750 Monza crowned as the overall winner from 2020’s premier international concours events
Chris Craft, 1939-2021 • A racing driver with engineering talent
Bruce Meyers, 1928-2021 • The father of the beach buggy
April-June event highlights • As the restrictions gradually unwind, we can start planning our classic year with increasing optimism. Just remember to check organiser websites for latest event status and details before making arrangements.
You wait for a barn-find Lancia... • Market shocked by the emergence of eight Lancias plus spares offered as a job lot
LETTERS
From OMG to AMG
Classic Cars
Quentin Willson • A soul-warming recent garage visit reminded me there are still old hands out there who home-restore now-valuable classics out of sheer passion
John Fitzpatrick • The 250LM holds a dear place in my heart, despite my first drive in one ending in catastrophic brake failure – leaving its patriotic mechanic devasted
QUENTIN WILLSON’S SMART BUYS 2021 • If the last 12 months taught us anything it’s that life is too short to drive dull cars – and in a surprisingly buoyant classic car market, your money needs to be working harder than ever before
CLASSICS I Should Have Bought • As buoyant as our hobby has proven itself despite the most dire circumstances, some stone-cold bargains slipped through a reassuringly resilient market in 2020. Here are the classics I’m kicking myself for not snapping up
BITTER SWEET • Despite being among the quickest, the Triumph TR7 V8 rally car was a troublesome child, put out to pasture just as the programme was coming good. We drive the ex-Lampinen, Eklund and Thérier charger to find out whether that was a mistake
‘EVERYONE SAID THE TR7 V8 WAS A TARMAC CAR...’ • ...yet SJW 548S’s works career paints a different picture, its best finish coming on a snowy Mintex
A nuova DAWN • The sleek,...