Classic Cars December 2018

Learned motoring scribes will dutifully inform you that it’s 40-70mph punch, or some variation of, that really matters in a performance car. Technically they’re right. It’s what really helps you launch out of a slow corner or spear past a dawdling driver who thinks 45mph is the safest speed on a twisting B-road. Or through the next village where they inevitably catch you up. But like bhp per ton, 0-60mph is good old-fashioned performance shorthand that everyone gets. It even – almost – translates into the European 0-100km/h so we’ll still have some common ground with Continental car enthusiasts after Brexit. So, when I say that we went looking for the best choices for hitting the magic six-zero in just five seconds, within our £6000-200,000 budget, you know that they’re going…

December 2018 Issue 545 Welcome From blistering sprints to lazy wafts, our hobby can agitate every nerve ending we have. Bring it on, says Phil Learned motoring scribes will dutifully inform you that it’s 40-70mph punch, or some variation of, that really matters in a performance car. Technically they’re right. It’s what really helps you launch out of a slow corner or spear past a dawdling driver who thinks 45mph is the safest speed on a twisting B-road. Or through the next village where they inevitably catch you up. But like bhp per ton, 0-60mph is good old-fashioned performance shorthand that everyone gets. It even – almost – translates into the European 0-100km/h so we’ll still have some common ground with Continental car enthusiasts after Brexit. So, when…

Hear ye, hear ye! V8 Vantage X-Pack owner forgoes 410bhp to step into an Italian tiddler’ should go the cry around Autointegrale’s Berkshire-based workshop. Surely this month’s dream drive is the recipe for the ultimate anti-climax? But this is no ordinary Italian four-pot. It’s a homage – built on a later 1600 HF – to the 1972 International Championship for Manufacturers-winning works car driven by Harry Källström, Simo Lampinen and Amilcare Ballestrieri. Now owned by Autointegrale proprietor Keith Turner – who rebuilt the car’s engine – it’s a feast of monstrously large headlights, lightweight bodywork, a stripped-out interior and decals-a-plenty. ‘The neat cabin design draws my eye to the flowing lines of the main body that terminate in a neat, pinched off tail’ ‘If I’m honest I’ve always been more interested in the…

[ The List ] Your dream drive made real ‘What a technically beautiful machine’ Joe Kitney’s dream drive list is driven by a love of design. Will this wild rally-spec Lancia Fulvia 1600 HF prove to be more than just one mean looking Coupé? Words ROSS ALKUREISHI Photography SAM CHICK Hear ye, hear ye! V8 Vantage X-Pack owner forgoes 410bhp to step into an Italian tiddler’ should go the cry around Autointegrale’s Berkshire-based workshop. Surely this month’s dream drive is the recipe for the ultimate anti-climax? But this is no ordinary Italian four-pot. It’s a homage – built on a later 1600 HF – to the 1972 International Championship for Manufacturers-winning works car driven by Harry Källström, Simo Lampinen and Amilcare Ballestrieri. Now owned by Autointegrale…

Morgan Plus 8 ‘My wife calls it a ‘picnic car’. Quintessentially British in build, style and spirit’ Mercedes-Benz 280SL Pagoda ‘That air of solid sophistication that few cars can match’ Citroen DS19 ‘Pushed the boundaries in style and mechanical sophistication’ Dodge Charger ‘Awesome, menacing looks and plenty of power. Corners, so what?’ Bentley S3 ‘It simply exudes class, without the flashiness of the Rolls-Royce.’ Jaguar XJ 5.3C V12 ‘The coupé is simply stunning. Does it drive as well as it looks?’ Ferrari 512BB ‘Was going to buy one before I came to my senses and bought my Aston V8. What did I miss out on?’ Mini Cooper S ‘Had fun with Minis when younger, would love to try a speedy one.’ Karmann Ghia Cabriolet ‘Probably not the best driver’s car, but with fabulous style’ Lancia Fulvia 1600 HF ‘A truly beautiful car and one that I assume would prove…

JOE’S DREAM DRIVE LIST Morgan Plus 8 ‘My wife calls it a ‘picnic car’. Quintessentially British in build, style and spirit’ Mercedes-Benz 280SL Pagoda ‘That air of solid sophistication that few cars can match’ Citroen DS19 ‘Pushed the boundaries in style and mechanical sophistication’ Dodge Charger ‘Awesome, menacing looks and plenty of power. Corners, so what?’ Bentley S3 ‘It simply exudes class, without the flashiness of the Rolls-Royce.’ Jaguar XJ 5.3C V12 ‘The coupé is simply stunning. Does it drive as well as it looks?’ Ferrari 512BB ‘Was going to buy one before I came to my senses and bought my Aston V8. What did I miss out on?’ Mini Cooper S ‘Had fun with Minis when younger, would love to try a speedy one.’ Karmann Ghia Cabriolet ‘Probably not…