Classic Cars August 2021

Christmas 1973 was the last that I received Corgi/Dinky models as presents, the cars – a mid-green metallic Porsche 911S Targa and a dark blue metallic Mercedes 350SL. At the time I was drawn to their styling and the sense that they were something special. Neither was exactly a common sight on the roads of rural Nottinghamshire. The nuances of their dynamics, engineering and place in the world order wouldn’t mean much until magazine road tests read later filled in a few of the blanks. Only decades later did I get to try either for myself, thanks to the privilege of being a motoring writer. The 911 came first, and after a few hundred yards of vigorous acceleration followed by just one bend I was hooked on its eccentric behaviour. But…

Price Guide [Buying] Price Guide Our quarterly guide brings you freshly updated prices for 1400-plus classics WHAT’S IT WORTH? Whether you’re buying or selling, our guide illustrates how the market is treating that model. We consult specialists, clubs and dealers, scour auction results and pool knowledge with classic car insurance specialist Hagerty to ensure our guide is as accurate as possible. But an individual car’s value can only be assessed in person. Cars with exceptional mileage, history, unrestored originality or fresh restorations can be worth disproportionately more. On ‘bluechip’ models our price spreads reflect the importance of provenance and history over condition. USING THE GUIDE in partnership with HAGERTY CLASSIC CAR INSURANCE NEED TO SEE PRICES EVERY MONTH? Our price guide is in every issue of our digital edition. Subscribe…

Your dream drive made real The Lamborghini Urraco looked like nothing else in Sorrento, Italy. Parked next to a beach buggy in a sea of Fiat 500s, the turquoise supercar bewitched nine-year old Paul Bushby and started a lifelong passion for Sant’Agata’s mid-engined supercar. ‘Seeing it there was like an impromptu car show and a highlight of my holiday,’ he remembers. ‘A film error meant I didn’t have a picture to look at afterwards, so the Urraco has been stuck in my mind ever since.’ Almost 50 years after his first roadside encounter, Paul will discover whether his childhood dream makes a beguiling reality. Today we’ve arranged for him to drive a Lamborghini Urraco P200. ‘The Urraco still stands out,’ Paul grins as we meet in Henley-on-Thames. ‘I spotted it as soon…

Welcome The R107-generation Mercedes-Benz SL has a special place in motoring history, so we decided to celebrate in style Christmas 1973 was the last that I received Corgi/Dinky models as presents, the cars – a mid-green metallic Porsche 911S Targa and a dark blue metallic Mercedes 350SL. At the time I was drawn to their styling and the sense that they were something special. Neither was exactly a common sight on the roads of rural Nottinghamshire. The nuances of their dynamics, engineering and place in the world order wouldn’t mean much until magazine road tests read later filled in a few of the blanks. Only decades later did I get to try either for myself, thanks to the privilege of being a motoring writer. The 911 came first, and after…

The List Lamborghini Urraco ‘It just hit me... I’m driving a Lamborghini!’ Paul Bushby has spent almost half a century thinking about the Lamborghini Urraco. Today we facilitate his boyhood fantasy Words EMMA WOODCOCK Photos TONY BAKER Your dream drive made real The Lamborghini Urraco looked like nothing else in Sorrento, Italy. Parked next to a beach buggy in a sea of Fiat 500s, the turquoise supercar bewitched nine-year old Paul Bushby and started a lifelong passion for Sant’Agata’s mid-engined supercar. ‘Seeing it there was like an impromptu car show and a highlight of my holiday,’ he remembers. ‘A film error meant I didn’t have a picture to look at afterwards, so the Urraco has been stuck in my mind ever since.’ Almost 50 years after his first roadside encounter, Paul…

Citroën SM ‘I saw one in Paris once and the shape stuck with me’ Lamborghini Urraco ‘Because it’s a manual V8 with an unusual gearbox’ Range Rover 3.5 ‘I remember sliding around the cabin at a Goodwood motor show when they were new’ Austin Allegro Estate ‘I like the quartic steering wheel and I like the square wheelarches’ Jensen Interceptor ‘For the noise and for the styling of that rear window’ Chevrolet Camaro 4.1 ‘Because everyone drives an auto’ V8. A manual inline-six is so different from the American norm’ Renault 16 ‘My father had one. I was fascinated by the adjustable headlights’ Citroen GS Bi-Rotor ‘I used to marvel at a neighbour’s GS rising on its suspension. The Bi-Rotor is even quirkier.’ Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham ‘All about ambience. Button-back seat, pull-down gear selector and a body as long as a football pitch.’ Rolls Royce Silver Shadow ‘Like driving…