Classic Cars March 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
Based on my own progression from Dinky and Corgi car obsessed toddler to practising enthusiast, appreciation of a car’s handling takes time and experience to acquire. First, car obsession is all about how the shapes and colours look when pushed around on the living room carpet, then it becomes a numbers game – top speed, how many cylinders and litres, and eventually 0-60mph acceleration, the more gut-churning the better. Until that first drive in a car that makes corners something to relish, an enthusiastic partner in a nerve-tickling quest to dive into a bend and pop out the other side with minimal loss of momentum. And if it loves a series of linked bends, there are few ways of feeling the same buzz without resorting to illegal chemicals. Like a…
‘it’s the smoothest engine in the world’
‘The ride quality is superb. It’s even more effortless than the DS. You just point it where you’re going and it’ll deal with whatever it encounters, smoothly’ Growing up in the Eighties and reading car magazines, I recall realising how special V12 engines are,’ says Classic Cars reader Chris Brown as he enjoys a tour of Jaguar restoration specialist WinSpeed’s engine workshop with proprietor Peter Hugo. ‘Only a few manufacturers made them – Ferrari, Lamborghini, Jaguar and then later on BMW – and the Jaguar V12 had a reputation as the smoothest engine in the world. Added to that, of course, Jaguar put them in such beautiful cars.’ Chris appreciates good aesthetics and Jaguars with equal enthusiasm; his garage contains a Citroën DS21 and he drove from Scarborough to Surrey today in…
chris’s dream drive list
Aston Martin Lagonda ‘Utterly outrageous looks and electronics – and Aston Martin went ahead and built the thing!’ 1959 Cadillac Series 62 ‘If ever a car represented the mood of a country, this is it. Nothing could stop the American dream in 1959.’ Citroën SM ‘More amazing to look at with each passing year. Didn’t let reality get in the way of technical optimism.’ Citroën CX Prestige ‘Space-age looks, a collection of clicks, hisses and wheezes from the hydraulics – this is the car Darth Vader would drive!’ Citroën XM ‘In 1989 my dad bought one of the first in the country. This car introduced me to the world of big, hydraulic Citroëns.’ Ferrari 456GT ‘I never really ‘got’ Ferraris until this came along. This first of the Luca di Montezemolo era cars wowed me with its looks and reviews.’ Jaguar XJ12 ‘A…
1978 jaguar xj12c
Engine 5343cc sohc per bank V12, Lucas OPUS electronic fuel injection Power and Torque 244bhp @ 5250rpm; 269lb ft @ 4500rpm Transmission Three-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Brakes Servo-assisted discs front and rear Suspension Front: independent, wishbones, coil springs, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar. Rear: independent, wishbones, trailing arms, dual coil springs, dual telescopic dampers Steering Power-assisted rack-and-pinion Weight 1902kg Performance 0-60mph: 8.8sec. Top speed: 139mph Fuel consumption 13mpg Cost new £11,755 Classic Cars Price Guide £9000-£26,000…
chris’s car cv
CITROËN AX10 DEBUT ‘My first car, bought to go with my first job. It did everything I needed, proved cheap to own and run, and I learnt about the importance of maintaining momentum at all times.’ CITROËN DS21 PALLAS IE ‘I’ve wanted one ever since 1989 when my dad bought an XM. It’s more than lived up to my expectations. Just an utter joy.’ ALFA ROMEO 156 ‘Bought nearly new at a substantial discount. A great-looking car and surprisingly reliable in the five years I owned it – the notorious Selespeed gearbox never went wrong!’ PORSCHE CAYMAN S ‘Everything I read about them suggested it was the perfect car for me. It was great in so many ways, but it did prove to me that I wanted a bit more long-distance comfort.’ FERRARI 456 ‘I loved the 456 from…
tracking the rover’s return
Rover’s P5B coupé is doing well. I remember when fine examples used to make between £10k and £15k – but you can double that now. Exceptional low milers are making £40k and in August CCA sold a spectacular Zircon Blue ’72 coupe with a warranted 20,000 miles and continuous confirmatory history for £39,405. In December CCA sold another ’72 coupe, this time in Admiralty Blue, with 53,000 miles, seven-year ownership, Ziebarted from new and with ten Rover dealer stamps in its original Passport to Service booklet for £32,190. ‘I think we’ve fallen back in love with the P5B coupé’ Percival Motor Company in Kent has a Silver Birch ’70 coupé ‘extensively restored’ and with 95k miles for £24,750, while in May Historics sold a ’73 in Zircon with 78k for £19,040. Clevewood…
