Modern Classics Magazine May 2020

A truly great GT offers the ideal mix of aspiration and driver engagement for a sensible price. The worst just deliver terrifying running costs. That's why we've done the leg work, so you don't have to. Our selection of 1990s contenders for all budgets get put through their paces on the way to and around mid-Wales. There were a few surprises too... On a serious note for a change. In the event you're struggling to find Modern Classics, don't forget the magazine is available on digital platforms. Please consider downloading our free app from the iOS or Android stores. We have some superb one-off subscription offers with discounts of up to 50%. If you are a print subscriber and we cannot deliver issues to you, owing to the Covid-19 situation, please visit…

JOHN-JOE VOLLANS EDITOR Turns out planning for the breakdown of society isn’t easy. Though fear not, we’ll still get your favourite read to you regardless. NATHAN CHADWICK ASSISTANT EDITOR Got very close to trading in the GTA for a Maserati Ghibli GT, in Chadwick Racing Silver. LHD and autobox acted as deterrent. SIMON RUSSELL ART EDITOR Thought about buying a 911. Sadly the RS 2.7 pedal car is out of budget. Considering the Turbo S push car from Wilkos instead... JETHRO BOVINGDON COLUMNIST Announced his new TV show, in addition to his other new TV show. Well, at least he didn’t need to go to Geneva this year. TIFF NEEDELL COLUMNIST Joined the chorus of bemused disapproval prompted by Aston Martin’s decision to make a multi-million pound collector car. LEWIS KINGSTON MARKETS EXPERT Slightly nonplussed by Alfa Romeo’s decision to photoshop the Giulia GTAm press shots. He could…

Wales, a land of myths Charlie Magee demonstrates his Lightsabre skills as the light falls on day one of our trip to Wales in the GT cars. Sadly JJ’s light stand was no match for Charlie’s mastery, so he bought dinner. Doing it properly... for once Those who have been on an MC shoot in the past will know, we usually clean our own cars... badly. This month Shane Slatcher of Auto Pro Glow did a far better job. Thanks for that mate. Ups and downs The Citroen Xantia Activa uses a sophisticated suspension system that gives it Porsche 911 GT3-beating abilities, so we took it to a pumping station in Lincolnshire that’s similarly impressive. A boxer that isn’t in a Sud Nathan spent a day with The Alfa Workshop in Royston (more on that next month)…

CHARLIE MAGEE PHOTOGRAPHER Charlie returns to Modern Classics and was just the man to turn our cover shoot from the bleak midwinter to a winter wonderland, but better due to cool cars. DEAN SMITH PHOTOGRAPHER Dean’s usually to be found shooting brand-new Audis or Aston Martins, but took a different step with a couple off-road infused estate cars from Volvo and Audi. JONATHAN JACOB PHOTOGRAHER A Ferrari on Scottish roads is a great idea. But when it’s a very expensive 288 GTO... Jono captured the majesty of both mechanical beast and scenery with aplomb. WILL BEAUMONT WRITER Will’s often happiest going sideways in rear-wheel drive machines but he utterly relished his time with the our distinctly four-wheel-drive Audi and Volvo pairing.…

Avenue change for any event is a big deal. When that event happens to be the capital's premium classic car show, it's a monumental change. It can make or break a show. Relax, London Classic Car Show's move to Olympia can certainly be classed as the former. For its first five outings LCCS took place at Excel and, despite the Grand Avenue procession (absent from 2020's event), the new historic location, which hosted the British Motor Show from 1905-1936, makes a much more fitting venue. We did overhear some show goers saying that they missed the processions mind... Though primarily a traditional classic car show, there was a host of newer machines on display. Audi UK, for example, showed off most of its heritage collection of Ur quattros, marking the model's 40th…

Auto tests offer what must be the most cost-effective route into competitive motorsport. From less than the cost of your average Friday night takeaway you can pitch yourself and your car against a field that's both welcoming and friendly, yet fiercely competitive. JJ's wanted to give it a go for years, and after he bought his Celica ST202 last year, it gave him the ideal excuse (more on page 86). Despite the apocalyptic weather nearly 70 competitors turned up to sling their machines around a car park full of cones. It was more fun than it sounds… honest. And queue... Nearly 70 participants all needed to get their cars through two scrutineering bays, and this inevitably caused a delay. Though it did give people a chance to chat and admire. Cost effective If you don't…