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 • Our experts gave us a fascinating mix of classic tips for this year’s Hot 30 and a few surprises. No planes though

‘It has beautiful balance, poise and positivity’ • Automotive explorer Chris Dady has raced, restored and toured his way through 70 cars. Will a day driving a 1956 AC Aceca sway his next classic purchase?

Range Rover prices pressurised

Ferrari California T prices are looking more attractive

How low can Mercedes SLK R170s really go?

ASK QUENTIN

Market indicators

Coming into bat

Take a look at Alfa Spiders while they’re still cheap

Interest reawakens in Rover’s P6 saloon at last

PRICE GUIDE MOVERS

IN THE TRADE

HAGERTY SPOTLIGHT

All change at the auctions

Rolling invitation

Pebble honours return home • Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance returns first American winner in nearly a decade

Silverstone’s Eighties eulogy • Group C 40th anniversary and touring-car action defines bumper Silverstone Classic

French BAT flies in to California

Sept-Nov event highlights

Nicola Materazzi, 1939-2022

CCW is hiring…

COFFEE MEET OF THE MONTH

Ferrari al fresco: no longer fresh

GTO is no longer the GOAT

Fifty years in shed for glam but glum Derby Bentley

LIFE’S BETTER WITH CLASSICS

Next Month

AVO memories

CLASSIC CARS

QUENTIN WILLSON • The Manx beach buggy – the car that kicked off a craze – is making a comeback, in confidently modern style. I can see it becoming instantly collectable

JOHN FITZPATRICK • Remembering the Lotus Cortinas I owned new took me back to the days when you could enjoy a bit of gratuitous speed on the public highways

THE HOT 30

On His Majesty’s SECRET SERVICE • Back in the UK after more than half a century undercover, this Lagonda V12 Rapide once belonged to a top British spy. But as we discover, it may have inspired fictional escapades too

‘The previous owner made it look presentable, but it hid major maladies’ • After finally realising her childhood VW dream, Lisa Tunnicliffe was soon informed her Golf GLi Cabriolet needed a full restoration. Some would cut their losses; Lisa doubled down and sold her modern daily

BLOWN AWAY? • Martin Cliffe developed the engine for the Lotus Turbo Esprit, yet he’d never owned one until recently. Today we both drive it, then compare notes on how it shapes up retrospectively

‘We arrived in Italy with an average speed of 91mph’ • The Esprit needed supercar performance to give itself – and Lotus – afuture. Here’s the inside story of the Turbo Esprit, from those who created it

THE LIFE STORY OF A Ford Escort XR3 • Bought to use as a van, then cherished in the same ownership for nearly 40 years, this fast Ford’s condition belies its history of hard use

‘It was quick out of the box, and that terrified Ford’ • The Mercedes 190E was created as an efficient compact car in response to a fuel crisis, yet ended up creating a racing legacy via a failed Group B tilt. We speak to three key figures to get the inside line on its motor sport...