CATEGORIES

MGF

Currently one of the best modern classic bargains around, the MGF has the potential to become the MGB for a new generation of classic fans.

Bmw E28 5-series

This comparison is the tale of a plucky underdog succeeding against the established big-hitters. Except that when you’re talking early-’80s executive cars, it’s the BMW that’s the challenger. And it deserved its success.

Rover SD1

Regular contributor Eddy starts at the beginning with this pair: he remembers both being launched and has owned similar examples of each.

Triumph 2500TC Part 3

With the engine’s bottom end rebuilt, we turn our attention to the leaky screen and the many smaller jobs. 

Record Breaker

The most-produced car model ever ended production in its homeland 40 years ago. We consider where the other 10 million VW Beetles came from.

Vauxhall Cuts 250 Jobs

Vauxhall’s historic plantat Ellesmere Port inCheshire is set to shed a further 250 jobs.

The Changing Face Of Fuel Retailing

Fuel prices are up again –back in the summer a litre of unleaded could be bought, if you shopped around, for £1.05 or so. Today, the cheapest anywhere is £1.20 and you need to hunt to find it for that – most outlets are £1.22-£1.24 or more.

March Of Technology

Having stood still for about 25 years engine technology leapt forward in the 1980s, with electronic and high-tech features coming along which, to some, marked the end of the classic era of motoring.

Porsche Boxster 986: Entry Ticket

The thinking man’s Porsche is almost as quick as the 911 and a fraction of the cost. We bring you the lowdown on the first generation Boxster.

MGF

The original is always the best... isn’t it? One man well versed in all things MG puts the case for the MGF.

MG TF

It may look like a facelifted MGF but the TF’s talents run much deeper and may just make it the better buy.

The Rise And Fall Of Mid-engined Cars

Mid-engined cars typically featured 12 cylinders, were Italian, and above all else, very expensive. But amongst the expense, affordable mid-engined cars do exist in numbers. Or at least they did.

Vauxhall Victor F-series

It’s almost exactly 60 years to the day since the original Vauxhall Victor was launched. We look back on both the car and its launch year of 1957 

Classic Scenes

It’s Milton Keynes’ 50th anniversary this year, originating from an Act of Parliament in 1967 to offer ‘opportunity and freedom of choice’ as a means of tackling the overcrowding problem in London. A long building programme followed which went on for over a decade to create a city of nearly 22,000 acres, providing housing, shops and jobs for 250,000 people. “By real city terms Milton Keynes is at best an adolescent”, says one of the original planners, Lee Shostak. Which probably explains why its 124 roundabouts, originally intended as a temporary arrangement until traffic lights were installed, are still with us. 

Rover 800

In terms of car for your money, there’s little that can touch a well-sorted Rover 800. With even the best examples struggling to reach £3000, you can get a tidy example for just over four figures. In that price range though, there are pitfalls to be made aware of

Honda Prelude

A brand whose name has long been synonymous with engineering excellence, reliability and quality build, Honda has a back-catalogue that’s filled with cars that are as satisfying on an intellectual level as they are to drive.

Affordable Jaguar Mk2

How many of us wish we’d bought a Jaguar Mk2 when they were still affordable? With some lateral thinking the Mk2 experience is still within reach.

Rover SD1 2000-2600

Launched in 1976 solely in V8 guise, the SD1 began to widen its appeal the following year with the announcement of two new engines. Forty years on, does a non-V8 version of the rakish Rover offer the best value?

SAAB 99

It may be hard to believe but it’s half a century since Saab unveiled its first mainstream car in the shape of the 99.

Volkswagen Type 2

The legendary VW ‘Bus’ is unrivalled when it comes to mixing classic appeal with practicality – it’s the only choice as far as I’m concerned.

Citroen H Van

My ripple-panelled riposte to the VW is the equally practical H Van, which is as capable (if not more so) than the overrated Type 2.

Range Rover P38A

The second generation Range Rover has always been a desirable vehicle, but it has also gained a less than appealing reputation as being an expensive and horror-prone secondhand option. Care must be taken, but it’s not all bad news…

BMW E28 5-series

The sharknosed ’80s BMW saloon which offers practical retro appeal, strong performance, and a hint of economy depending on the variant you choose.

Ford Capri 2.0

The Capri was one of Britain’s best loved cars and sold remarkably well over its lifespan. Now, with a continued strong following, the numerous variants mean entry into Capri ownership is an easy and exciting one.

Porsche 924

This crucial entry-level model marked a new direction for Porsche, and the 924 went on to be a major success. It still makes a canny buy now, four decades on from its launch...

£1m Dragstrip Boost

In an era where smaller motorsportvenues seem to be closing their doorsall too frequently when faced with noise restrictions, Health and Safety requirements and the ever-increasing demand for housing development land, it’s refreshing to see a venue making a big commitment to its facility.

50 Years Of British Leyland

Saved by a government bailout in 1975, BL’s final decade was a mix of occasional optimism and long overdue reform against a background of continual decline.

Austin 10 Cambridge

Of all the pre-war Austins, the Ten is one of the most budget-friendly both to buy and to run. Of these it’s the Cambridge which makes an ideal stepping stone for the pre-war novice.

Jaguar X- Type

“Not a proper Jaguar” is what the purists will say. Built under Ford ownership and representing excellent value for money, it’s still an excellent car to own.

Rover 75

Rover’s last chance saloon is rapidly gaining a following among enthusiasts. And with many a good reason…