Classic Cars February 2020
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
The moment I saw Barbara Bach board the white Lotus Esprit in The Spy Who Loved Me, I was smitten. When this 12-year-old grew up, he was going to have one just the same, revealed from behind the electric garage doors of a Mid-Century Modern house with the touch of a button, because he was going to be an architect, black roll-neck sweater optional. Somehow life took a different path and I find myself with a Victorian house and Sixties Jaguar. And its garage door has to be opened manually. Apart from a near miss with a gold S2 that was ruled out by an intrusive aftermarket sunroof, I’ve never since come close. I thought they’d forever sit waiting for me in that slot owned by perpetually affordable junior supercars. That held…
‘it’s special to be behind the wheel’
Amystique hangs over the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, even now. Released in 1978 to cries of, ‘A true great’ and ‘Britain’s only supercar’, the substantial coupé makes a virtue of its extravagance but leaves drivers to guess at its most impressive figures. Newport Pagnell has never officially provided the UK market with horsepower or torque outputs for the mighty 5.3-litre V8. Today, Mark ‘It’s a car that is not only designed to go fast but also one that looks fast too’ Ward, the current owner of four British bent-eights, is about to tear away the shroud and discover just how potent a quartet of 48mm Webers feels on the open road. For Mark, it’s a dream come true. ‘I was a young man back in the early Eighties and Aston Martin was iconic, but the DB5…
mark’s dream drive list
Jaguar E-type ‘The iconic Brit. It went fast and looks fast. They’re worth all the money people pay today.’ Aston Martin V8 Vantage ‘A British muscle car that has hand-built heritage to match.’ Lotus Esprit V8 ‘Finally the car had the engine it deserved! A beautiful piece of engineering.’ TVR Chimaera ‘It’s the leather, the dash, the fact it’s a real sports car. And the thunderous noise.’ Alfa Romeo Montreal ‘Alfa playing in the big league with a V8 supercar from the days when they were in F1.’ Triumph 2.5 PI ‘Sounds wonderful; and few other production saloon cars had fuel injection back then!’ Dino 246 ‘My teacher’s father owned one and used to drive it to school. More recently, a vigorous passenger ride at Loton Park more than lived up to expectations.’ Bentley Turbo R ‘The…
1985 aston martin v8 vantage
Engine 5340cc V8, dohc, quad Weber 48 carburettors Power and Torque 380bhp @ 5800rpm, 380lb ft @ 4000rpm Transmission Five-speed manual with limited-slip differential, rear-wheel drive Steering Rack and pinion, power assisted Suspension Front: Independent with wishbones, coil springs and anti-roll bar; Rear: de Dion tube with Watt linkage, coil springs and trailing arms Brakes Servo discs front and rear Weight 1800kg Performance Top speed 165mph, 0-60mph 5.3sec Fuel Consumption 10mpg Cost New £57,000 Asking Price £265,000…
mark ward’s car cv
TRIUMPH STAG ‘This was a beautiful-looking car, it sounded fantastic and was something exotic in 1980. The head gasket went after 18 months, I met my girlfriend (now wife) and sold it in bits.’ CITROËN DYANE ‘I bought an Austin 1100 and didn’t like it, then saw the Dyane for £160. With some welding and resprayed wheels it took us to France four-up. Why France? Well, the locals may have been able to fix it if it broke!’ TRIUMPH STAG ‘I saw my first Stag on the owners’ club stand an event in Cheshire and decided I needed to buy another. I bought my current Stag less than four weeks later and we’ve been all over in it.’ TRIUMPH TR8 ‘My wife and I owned a TR7 in the Eighties; everyone was doing eight-cylinder conversions, which lit…
e-types ease downwards in price
Now might be the time to bag an E-type Jag. Values are still softening and there have been lots of no-sales at auction. The whole model range is down and only really exceptional Series I 4.2s or very early 3.8s are still making decent money. Hardest hit are the V12 Coupes, 2+2s and Series IIs. ‘E-type ownership could be yours for £25k- £35k’ November saw some low auction results that raised a few eyebrows. Bonhams at Bicester sold a British Racing Green 1970 4.2 2+2 – a US import with right-hand drive conversion, but very smart and usable – for £25,312 and a white ’72 V12 coupé (another sharp-looking ex-US car converted to rhd and ready to drive away) for £23,062. Both low numbers, even for US imports. H&H sold a blue rhd…
