FRUGAL BUT FUN

Inspired by the panic at the pumps, members of the C&SC team count down the finest sub-1-litre classics and pick their favourite fuel-saving sports cars

- COSC TEAM/SIMON HUCKNALL

Although it is perhaps not yet officially recognised as a full-blown fuel crisis such as those we suffered in the 1970s, there is little doubt that times are currently pretty tough for fans of the internal combustion engine. As ever-changing world conditions cause prices at the pump to spiral and thirsty, big-engined machines increasingly become pariahs in the face of the electric revolution, we decided it was time to gather together a group of classic greats with a compact carbon footprint, to prove that you don't have to give up to go green.

Our rules were simple: each car had to have a proper engine - there are no Enfield Electrics or Zagato Zeles here - with a maximum capacity of 1000cc, and to sit on four wheels: our focus was on genuinely usable machines, rather than wacky bubble cars. The final stipulation was that they had to be fun, so it came as no great surprise that we arrived at a quintet of drop-top sports cars for our shortlisted set.

So grab a thimbleful of fuel, pick one of our diminutive selection and prepare to enjoy the hobby with a cleaner conscience...

Thanks to Bicester Heritage (bicesterheritage.co.uk) and Scramblers (scramblers.bicesterheritage.co.uk)

SUZUKI CAPPUCCINO

CHARLIE CALDERWOOD, FEATURES EDITOR