Classic Cars February 2023 edition

classic cars february 2023 issue preview

by classic-cars |
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Preview the February edition of Classic Cars

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Driving

6 The List Will Bond fan Jon Ranwell turn out to be the spy who loves the Lotus Esprit S1?

We help reader Jon Ranwell put his 007 Lotus Esprit fantasy to the test

44 Smooth Operators We gather Citroën SM, Aston Martin V8, Bentley S2Continental Flying Spur, Mercedes 500SEC and Alvis TE21 for the automotive equivalent of a spa day PLUS Rolls-Royce engineer Dave Monks on how absolute tranquility can be engineered-in

From Citroën to Bentley, our smooth operators are a diverse bunch
Dave Monks spends his days engineering tranquility into Rolls-Royces. Wait until you see what he drives at the weekend...

64 Unleashed! Now you’ve found inner peace, let’s shatter that zen with a blast through Oxfordshire in the IMSA-veteran Porsche 911RSR 3.8 that contested Sebring and Daytona

This 911RSR 3.8 scored well racing in the US. Let’s see how it likes UK roads

76 The Solihull Secret We drive the prototype that sired the manual Rover P6B 3500S

This prototype Rover 3500S survived its test rigours. Time for another

Owning

84 Epic Restoration The tribulations of reviving a coachbuilt VW/Porsche-based rarity

How this rare VW cabriolet was turned from bodged wreck to beauty

92 Life Cycle Meet the one-family Mini that’s gone from hack to heirloom

This Morris Mini has witnessed nearly 60 years of one family’s history

109 Our Cars Quentin helps Steve Coogan tackle an important Jaguar project (p109), Stewart introduces his Porsche 911 (p110), and Nigel takes his Alvis on its annual mission (p112)

Buying

14 Quentin’s Hot Tips Our huntsman spots signs of Jaguar, Alfa and Mercedes movement.

Quentin notices an opportunity in the Jaguar E-type market

16 Russ Smith’s Market Analysis Bora bargains, F40 fortunes and a Rover in a death spiral

Russ Smith commends the brave soul who bagged a (potential) Bora bargain

18 Temptations Russ singles out a Ghia concept as his main flight of fantasy this month

20 Highlight A majestic Bugatti Atalante whose back-story deserves a Netflix mini-series

A Bugatti with a back-story even more beguiling than its curves

22 John Mayhead’s Market Insights Every wondered where all the McLaren F1s live?

100 Buying Guide How to buy a fine MG RV8 without fear

Buy MG's luxury V8 tourer without fear

107 Books & Models A revealing insight into the rise and fall of Shelby American

117 Ads on Test We test a Mercedes 280SE 3.5(p117),BMW 840Ci Sport (p118), R-R Silver Cloud (p121) and**Ford Escort 1600Sport** (p122) – which will you choose?

152 List your car for sale, for free

The month in cars

24 NEC Classic Car Show A bumper load of show-stoppers flock to Birmingham

Birmingham hosts show-stoppers from all churches

30 Rallye Prescott Rally extravaganza at historic hillclimb parties on into the night

32 Mauro Forghieri & Sue Baker RIP Motoring world loses engineer and journalist-presenter

32 Events Planner Dry January ahead? Find another way to be social: shows and scrambles

34 Barn Finds The curious tales and divergent fates of two forgotten TVRs

A pair of TVR barn-finds – but what will their respective futures hold?

38 Next Month We celebrate the thrill of touring the UK by classic. Which route will you tackle?

39 Letters A reader with first-hand experience weighs in on the simmering ICE vs EV debate

41 Quentin Willson overhears a pub-tale that turns up an £800 Aston DB5 Vantage

43 John Fitzpatrick on the spanners thrown – literally – when Lola upset Porsche in IMSA

162 50 Years Ago Today CAR pins the future of the sports car genre on the Fiat X1/9

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