Classic Cars July 2016

WELCOME My strange friends who favour modern performance metal remain bemused by my unerring excitement at the sort of cars that fill the pages of this magazine. They do have a point when they compare classic power and 0-60mph figures with those of a modern 2.0 turbodiesel. But that’s like choosing extra-strong fighting lager over a microbrewed ale for its ability to get you drunk – rather missing the point. From the darty agility of a Lancia Delta HF Integrale to the catapult rush of a Porsche 911 Turbo on boost, driving any of the cars in our big test will create an indelible memory. It must be 15 years since I first experienced either car, but typing their names into my Macbook has me back in the driving seat,…

My strange friends who favour modern performance metal remain bemused by my unerring excitement at the sort of cars that fill the pages of this magazine. They do have a point when they compare classic power and 0-60mph figures with those of a modern 2.0 turbodiesel. But that’s like choosing extra-strong fighting lager over a microbrewed ale for its ability to get you drunk – rather missing the point. From the darty agility of a Lancia Delta HF Integrale to the catapult rush of a Porsche 911 Turbo on boost, driving any of the cars in our big test will create an indelible memory. It must be 15 years since I first experienced either car, but typing their names into my Macbook has me back in the driving seat, feeling their…

TAKE A BOW LAURENS PARSONS ‘The right location can really make a shoot sing if it suits the car. The Brecon Beacons set the scene perfectly for photographing the Alvis TD21,’ p6 MARTYN GODDARD ‘I use mirrorless micro four-thirds cameras for speed but the harsh sun and black car required two small fill-in flash units operated via wireless triggers,’ p68 STEWART PERRY It’s tricky trying to find any classic where we can track down previous owners back to when it was new, but Stewart scored this amazing Cobra Life Cycle, p86 DALE DRINNON ‘By the time I’m in top gear I’ve noticed a strange ripple in the laws of physics.’ And with that, the Bill Bryson of automotive writing takes us on a journey, p68…

LAURENS PARSONS ‘The right location can really make a shoot sing if it suits the car. The Brecon Beacons set the scene perfectly for photographing the Alvis TD21,’ p6 MARTYN GODDARD ‘I use mirrorless micro four-thirds cameras for speed but the harsh sun and black car required two small fill-in flash units operated via wireless triggers,’ p68 STEWART PERRY It’s tricky trying to find any classic where we can track down previous owners back to when it was new, but Stewart scored this amazing Cobra Life Cycle, p86 DALE DRINNON ‘By the time I’m in top gear I’ve noticed a strange ripple in the laws of physics.’ And with that, the Bill Bryson of automotive writing takes us on a journey, p68…

TONY SMITH Tony’s classic history is eclectic to say the least, ranging from a Fiat X1/9 to a total of five Range Rovers. But sports cars are his first love – he still owns the MGB his wife bought for him 34 years ago plus a BMW Z1, a 15-year-old Audi TT and a limited edition Lotus Exige S2 RGB. HIS WISHLIST Peugeot 504 V6 Cabriolet Riley Imp Alvis TD21 drophead Volvo 1800 ES Jaguar XK150S Roadster Toyota 2000GT Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Lotus Esprit Essex Turbo Bentley Continental R Usually it’s blatantly obvious why a car appears on someone’s wishlist for this feature and it tends to involve adrenalin. So Tony Smith’s specific request to drive an Alvis TD21 drophead – and not the later and faster TE or TF21 – piqued…

‘Its ride comfort shames most modern cars’ Tony Smith loves a sports car but has long coveted an Alvis TD21. Will a day spent driving this elegant Fifties cruiser realise his dream – or shatter it? Words RUSS SMITH Photography LAURENS PARSONS TONY SMITH Tony’s classic history is eclectic to say the least, ranging from a Fiat X1/9 to a total of five Range Rovers. But sports cars are his first love – he still owns the MGB his wife bought for him 34 years ago plus a BMW Z1, a 15-year-old Audi TT and a limited edition Lotus Exige S2 RGB. HIS WISHLIST Peugeot 504 V6 Cabriolet Riley Imp Alvis TD21 drophead Volvo 1800 ES Jaguar XK150S Roadster Toyota 2000GT Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider Ferrari 275 GTB/4 Lotus Esprit…