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.

Price Guide • Our quarterly guide brings you freshly updated prices for 1400-plus classics

Welcome • Affordability of your next classic is important, but suitability is the key to ensuring a wealth of meaningful moments

‘I defy anyone not to be amazed by the acceleration’ • He owned the Matchbox model as a child; now reader Clive Button gets to realise his Bentley Blower dream in 1:1 scale

CLIVE’S DREAM DRIVE LIST

[Want a Drive?]

CLIVE BUTTON’S CLASSIC CV • Clive’s car history has a distinct pre-war bent; the latter three make up his current fleet

The tale of a Baur BMW brace • A project and a minter in the same sale – but which was better bought?

ASK QUENTIN

Porsche swing • On-trend 944 stars at Historics sale

Market indicators • Values are rising across the board, but rarity helps as this disparate bunch demonstrates

PRICE GUIDE MOVERS

RM to sell French collection • 75 of Jean Guikas’ cars to be offered at Paul Ricard circuit

WHAT THE K500 MARKET INDEX SAYS ABOUT THE…

IN THE TRADE

Four of a kind • Lagonda racing team quartet to be offered by Bonhams

Gordon the go-for

Goodwood’s comeback kings • Festival of Speed makes a triumphant comeback, bolstered by US collectors

Silverstone shines through the gloom • A host of new restorations make the first Silverstone Classic in two years a bonanza

Shelsley’s McRae nod • Rally hero honoured at Classic Nostalgia Weekend

John Sprinzel, 1930-2021

Carlos Reutemann, 1942-2021

August-December highlights

Early Vauxhall works rally steals • Storied rally car and usefully parts-laden replica sell for a sub-£6000 total

Next Month • The November issue of Classic Cars is shaping up nicely

A £625 Aston DB3S

Classic Cars

Quentin Willson • A launch-year E-type project with precious original features has sold at auction for less than £30k. I’m almost lost for words, but I’ll have a go...

John Fitzpatrick • I raised an eyebrow when this 928 fetched £130k at a recent sale – and it brought back some colourful memories of my time driving one around California

THE HOT 30 • And we thought 2020 was strange. In our introduction to last year’s Hot 30 we were concerned about a recession that was forecast to be steeper and deeper than anything in living memory, yet that idea seems to have fallen out of the news. We consoled ourselves with short-term optimism ‘as we return to a full events calendar in 2021’... if only. But while covid-19 looks set to be with us for the long haul, vaccination is making some outdoor events viable once more. And two key points from last summer seem truer than ever: while interest rates stay low, alternative investment in cars remains attractive, and the ‘now or never’ mood remains. Add that to continuing restrictions on foreign travel and we must take our fun where we can get it – behind the wheel.

WHEN THEY WERE CHEAP • In any market, past performance can give an insight into future fortunes. Here we revisit four decades of classified ads – you might want to sit down for...