Classic Cars November 2019
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.
in this issue
welcome
Too school for cool? Apart from using up all of the ‘oo’s in today’s vowel allowance, it’s a question that you could happily level at the cars that helped move motoring advancement along without risk of setting motorists’ pants on fire with desire. There’s always the danger that they were and are considered a little too worthy, other than by that friend you have, you know, the one who’s a genuine qualified engineer. But fashions change, and we’re seeing ever more of the smart money chasing clever cars, classics that do something beyond looking great and performing well. From self-seeking radios that saved drivers the occasional burden of twiddling a tuning knob to the brutally effective marriage of four-wheel drive and turbocharging, the six radicals in our big test are becoming…
‘this is not your average aston’
Martin Gee is standing in front of a 1958 Aston Martin DB MkIII, staring. ‘It’s unmistakable. The grille, the dash, the overlay lines – they’re all styling cues that carry through to the DB4, 5 and 6. The proportions are just ideal – see a DB MkIII and you think, “this is a classic Fifties British sports car.”’ Owner Bruce Wellings is equally effusive. ‘I’ve always thought Astons were fantastic but the point is to drive them – and enjoy driving them.’ Today, we’ve arranged for Martin to do just that. Right now, however, all attention is on the car’s paperwork. When you read ‘2/1/1959: Monte Carlo rally plates fitted to front and rear of car’ and it’s clear that this example is special, even by MkIII standards. Bruce also reveals…
martin’s dream drive list
Jaguar XK150 ‘I’m rebuilding my own but I’ve never driven one’ Ford GT40 ‘I can count the American cars I like on one finger – it’s this!’ Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7RS ‘To find out how the real one has the edge over my old replica’ TVR Grantura MkIII ‘I’ve searched for one for years – I had a Vixen and yearn for something older…’ McLaren F1 ‘A well-designed, well-engineered road car that won Le Mans’ Ferrari 250GT SWB ‘I first saw one at a Ferrari Owners Club meet – I love the idea of a car where I’d want to change nothing’ Jaguar C-type ‘Mesmerised me when I got close to one in the Goodwood Revival pits’ Ferrari 512BB ‘The 365BB and the Countach were the best in the Top Trumps pack. In 512 form, it’s an absolute dream car’ Aston DB MkIII ‘Puts the DB concept…
1958 aston martin db2/4 mkiii
Engine 2922cc inline-six, dohc, twin SU HV6 carburettors Power and torque 162bhp @ 5500rpm, 180lb ft @ 4000rpm Transmission four-speed manual with optional overdrive, rear-wheel drive Steering Marles worm-and-roller steering box Suspension Independent with coil springs and Armstrong dampers front, live axle with Panhard rod, trailing links, coil springs and Armstrong dampers rear Brakes Girling discs front, Alfin drums rear Weight 1270kg (2800lb) Performance Top speed: 120mph; 0-60mph: 9.3sec Fuel consumption 10mpg Cost new £3076 CC Price Guide £115k-£220k…
martin gee’s car cv
MG MIDGET ‘My wife comes from a petrolhead family. When I met her I had this – if I’d still had my Fiat 126 first car, she wouldn’t have gone out with me!’ GINETTA G15 ‘I thought why not? Let’s be different! When it worked – which wasn’t often – the Ginetta was actually a very nice car.’ TRIUMPH TR5 ‘My favourite – the one I want back the most. The shape, the sound, the Surrey hard top.’ PORSCHE 911 2.7 CARRERA RS REPLICA ‘Away from my norm but engineered beautifully. Somehow it managed to take three of us and our camping gear to Le Mans!’ JAGUAR XK150 FHC ‘My late dad loved Jaguars but never had one – I bought this for him. It’s my first project – the sensible thing would’ve been to buy a complete one…
shadow back in bargain limelight
A while ago I mused in these pages that if fine Rolls-Royce Shadow IIs continue to make twenty grand then all is well with the classic car market. Like the R107 Mercedes SL, these last-of-the-line Shadows were seen as a benchmark and bellwether of market health. For years the posh London carriage trade did very nicely selling mint cars for £20k-plus to gentlemen of a certain age. And there are still dealers out there trying to persuade punters to pay last year’s money. ‘For years the trade did very well selling Shadows for £20k-plus to gentlemen of a certain age’ But, sadly, the prevailing wind has changed. These days even proper cars with long histories, low mileages, perfect wood, leather and paint seem to struggle to make £10k at auction. In August…
