Classic Cars October 2016

On the drive home from the last classic car night at London’s Ace Café I had plenty of time to mull over the conversations I’d had about the eclectic variety of cars with their similarly eclectic mix of owners. Everyone I spoke to had either completed a restoration (Lotus Seven) and was contemplating the next, or had just bought a classic (Mercedes 560 SEC). Some were the product of a mission to own a long-held dream; most were a compromise between desire and the need to seek out good value classics. Tales of missed opportunities abound at the Ace, Dragstalgia, Goodwood and any of the other places where I’ve been hanging out – cars that were within reach ten, five or even just two years ago have jumped. So what to buy…

Welcome Planning your next classic buy? Our Hot 30 will help you through the maze – if you buy with your heart and head On the drive home from the last classic car night at London’s Ace Café I had plenty of time to mull over the conversations I’d had about the eclectic variety of cars with their similarly eclectic mix of owners. Everyone I spoke to had either completed a restoration (Lotus Seven) and was contemplating the next, or had just bought a classic (Mercedes 560 SEC). Some were the product of a mission to own a long-held dream; most were a compromise between desire and the need to seek out good value classics. Tales of missed opportunities abound at the Ace, Dragstalgia, Goodwood and any of the other…

The List ‘I’ve been driving a MkI MX-5 for the past seven years. I love it, but I’d like to see how it compares to Chapman’s finest’ Words SAM DAWSON Photography JONATHAN JACOB ‘This is a proper sports car and with the roof off nothing else comes close’ Mini Cooper S MkI ‘Seeing Michael Caine push three of them down a mountain in The Italian Job had a traumatic impact on me while I was saving for my first car.’ Triumph GT6 ‘I owned a Spitfire before my first child was born – I’d like to see how much better they are with six cylinders.’ Jaguar S-type ‘Robbery and The Sweeney – need I say more?’ Triumph TR8 ‘I’ve owned two TR7s and have happy memories of watching Tony Pond…

‘This is a proper sports car and with the roof off nothing else comes close’ Mini Cooper S MkI ‘Seeing Michael Caine push three of them down a mountain in The Italian Job had a traumatic impact on me while I was saving for my first car.’ Triumph GT6 ‘I owned a Spitfire before my first child was born – I’d like to see how much better they are with six cylinders.’ Jaguar S-type ‘Robbery and The Sweeney – need I say more?’ Triumph TR8 ‘I’ve owned two TR7s and have happy memories of watching Tony Pond rally a TR8 – but I’ve never driven one.’ British sports cars may not always have stood on Dave Handley’s drive but I get the strong impression within moments of meeting him. We’re on the forecourt of Lotus specialist Paul Matty, and…

1962 ELAN 1500 Styled by Ron Hickman, the first Elan features a Harry Mundy-designed twin-cam cylinder head mated to a 1498cc Ford cylinder block. It’s sold either fully built or as a kit to avoid £400 purchase tax. 1963 ELAN 1600/S2 Prompted at least in part by a need for more torque for the US market, a new 1558cc version of the Lotus twin-cam becomes standard in late 1963. Interior trim improvements in November 1964 earn it the S2 tag. 1965 ELAN S3/SE A more luxurious coupé, the S3, joins the range in September 1965 followed by a 115bhp Special Equipment (SE) package. By June 1966 the addition of electric windows justifies the S3 name on the drophead too. 1968 ELAN S4 Fitting wider wheels and Stromberg carbs in place of Webers brings about the first body…

THE IMPORTANT MODELS 1962 ELAN 1500 Styled by Ron Hickman, the first Elan features a Harry Mundy-designed twin-cam cylinder head mated to a 1498cc Ford cylinder block. It’s sold either fully built or as a kit to avoid £400 purchase tax. 1963 ELAN 1600/S2 Prompted at least in part by a need for more torque for the US market, a new 1558cc version of the Lotus twin-cam becomes standard in late 1963. Interior trim improvements in November 1964 earn it the S2 tag. 1965 ELAN S3/SE A more luxurious coupé, the S3, joins the range in September 1965 followed by a 115bhp Special Equipment (SE) package. By June 1966 the addition of electric windows justifies the S3 name on the drophead too. 1968 ELAN S4 Fitting wider wheels and Stromberg…