MO NOW

LY
NTH

CORRADO VS INTEGRA
High-rev thrills or low-down
grunt, which is right for you?

Golf
GTI ALFA GT
Hidden gem
MkV takes on and cheaper
B-road Britain than a GTA

GROUP B Tiff
GREATS
Lancia 037
Needell
Our man
and Delta S4... on racing
On the road! BMWs M1

BMW M5 | AUDI RS6 | MERCEDES E63 AMG | JAGUAR XFR | MASERATI QP | VAUXHALL VXR8

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 27th - 30th July 2017

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The Wing, Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire NN12 8TN consignments

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 INTRO

Meet the team

What would be your
ideal supersaloon?

JOHN-JOE
VOLLANS
EDITOR
Lotus Carlton
So much power that the home
counties wanted to ban it.

NATHAN
CHADWICK
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Alpina B10 BiTurbo
'Toasting Testarossas on the
autobahn, with room for the in-laws.

SIMON
RUSSELL
ART EDITOR
Audi V8
Almost bought one from Audi
Heritage; 15mpg put me off...

TIFF
It's Japan versus NEEDELL
Germany, in our tussle HIM OFF THE TELLY
of the compact coups. BMW E60 M5
All M5s are top driver's cars,

WELCOME TO MODERN CLASSICS

but that V10 does it for me.

There was a day, not that
long ago, when a four-
door saloon capable of
nearly 200mph was a
fantasy. But then BMWs
M5 effectively created the
supersaloon market. It took a while until
the Bavarians got any real competition.
Audi brought forth the RS6, Mercedes-
Benz the E63 AMG, Jaguar the XFR,
Maserati the Quattroporte and Vauxhall
the VXR8. All monumentally fast four-
doors, but which is best? We find out.
Lancias '80s Group B efforts have gone
down in history as giving us some of the
greatest competition machines ever
made. Initially the 037 proved that, on
tarmac at least, the four-wheel-drive boys
werent going to have it all their own way.
RUSS
SMITH
MARKETS EDITOR
Then there was the almighty Delta S4 Merc-AMG E55
You got from Southampton to
that decimated all-comers on all surfaces. King's Lynn HOW quickly?!
Road-going examples of these rally titans
are few and far between, and command TONY
huge prices as a result. We take both S4 MIDDLEHURST
DELIVERER OF WIT
and 037 to Spain to see if they work as Monteverdi 375-4
well on-road as they do off it. Makes you wish youd chosen the
Lagonda for that London trip.
Two cheaper performance rivals are the
Integra and Corrado. These coups both KEITH
have a fanatical following but both make ADAMS
FOUNDING EDITOR
their power in very different ways; grunt Citron XM V6 24v
from the VW, thrashy enthusiasm from 'I can play at Ronin without
resorting to an Audi or BMW.'
the Honda. Which floats our boat today?
Oh, and one last thing. Thanks to all
DAN
who entered our survey. Your thoughts, BEVIS
complaints and compliments were all NEW BOY
Rolls-Royce Ghost
gratefully received; were now working Ludicrous power, with carpets you
even harder to bring you the best mag could easily lose your shoes in.
we can. John-Joe Vollans, Editor

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Call 01858 438884 or order online quoting ref EDAA
*

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MODERN CLASSICS 3
 INSIDE JULY 2017 | ISSUE 14
24
Furious four-door saloons that do
60mph in under five seconds.
THE REGULARS...
014 EVENTS 074
JJ takes in the historic
racing talent at the
Donington Historic, while
Nathan heads to
Doncaster for the Spring
Alfa Day. Did we spot your
car, though? 122 NEXT MONTH
022 INBOX
How our Seat Leon buying
guide proved irresistible
088 SUBSCRIPTIONS
Get the magazine
delivered and enjoy
it before anyone else
4 MODERN CLASSICS
66
COLUMNS
Tiff Needell races an M1,
Keith Adams tries to buy a
Vauxhall Astra GTE and
Tony Middlehurst muses
on the Honda Concerto
We celebrate 40 years
since the Audi Quattro's
genesis, taste the Alfa
Romeo 75 Turbo
Evoluzione and tell its
World Touring Car
Championship Story, and
we head to Staffordshire in
a Ford Focus RS
 42 DRIVING
COVER STORY
024 Supercar Supersaloons
Four doors, 400bhp and from 14k,
starring Audi, BMW, Maserati, Jaguar,
Mercedes-Benz and Vauxhall
Group B greats driven on Spanish roads
COVER STORY

60
052 Forward Charge
The finest front-wheel-drive cars of their
generation, head-to-head VW Corrado
VR6 and Honda Integra Type-R DC2

BUYING
020 Products
Get a grip! The best tyres right now
COVER STORY
066 Alfa Romeo GT 3.2 V6
One of the last MkI Vauxhall Astra GTEs Half the price of a similar low-mile GTA but
for how long? It's our Clever Money Car...

52 090 Markets
The latest ups and downs in cars for sale

094 Buying Guide

Want a Renault Twingo 133? Read this first

096 Ads on Test

Z3M, Subaru Impreza, Bentley Continental
GT and Maserati Ghibli II tested for you

ENJOYING
'90s coup face-off - grunt vs high revs
COVER STORY

94
006 Great British B-road
Alfa GT Off to the Peak District in a Golf GTI
V6 Busso
thrills for 042 Group Beasts
The Lancia 037 meets the Delta S4 we
less than stock up on brave pills and let loose
you might
COVER STORY
think...
060 Endangered Species
Fewer than ten MkI Vauxhall Astra GTEs
remain we go from nought to naughty
Renault to find out why you should care
Twingo
Sport How 080 Your Drives
to buy this The best readers' cars revealed
pocket
rocket 084 Our Drives
Nathan buys a modern classic...

MODERN CLASSICS 5
 GREAT BRITISH B-ROADS
The finest routes in the best modern classics

PEAK DISTRICT:
STRINES PASS
Modern Classics is all about great cars on brilliant roads.
This month, we get a taste of Snake Pass and a full helping
of a lesser-known tributary in a Volkswagen Golf GTI MkV
ords Nathan Chadwick hotography Dean Smith

6 MODERN CLASSICS
MODERN CLASSICS 7
 GREAT BRITISH B-ROADS
f youre a keen cyclist, youve probably already
I
heard of the Strines Pass, just at the foot of the
infamous Snake Pass that flows through the
Peak District between Sheffield and Glossop.
It formed part of the British leg of the Tour de
France a few years ago and is known for its
steep climbs and perilous descents. It even
challenged Sir Chris Hoy, who once tweeted
that traversing the hills around here only took
twice as long as expected.
Happily the only pedals were getting near today are
those in the Volkswagen Golf GTI MkVs footwell. Reader
Tom Rhodes very kindly offered us his GTI to sample his
favourite B-road in, and it seems perfect for the tight,
twisty roads weve got in store.
We begin by turning off the A57 on to Mortimer Road,
so-named after Hans Winthrop Mortimer, who obtained
an Act of Parliament to improve the bridleway between
Penistone, South Yorkshire, and Bamford, Derbyshire.
You quickly get a sense of what this roads about. Tight,
bumpy tarmac that requires quick wits, compliant
damping and incisive steering. As the road sweeps
upward, ignore the road peeling off to the right and youre
soon met with a grand vista over Strines Reservoir below.
It's a fantastic sight just you, the road, a mixture of
greens and browns and a huge sky. Its an arrow-straight
8 MODERN CLASSICS
section, with plenty of visibility, so it presents our first
opportunity to open the taps on the Golf.
It soon becomes apparent that though it packs a
turbocharger, the Golf is no laggy lump-hammer. The fun
begins at around 3000rpm, and keeps building all the way
to 5500rpm; while Im sure you could short-shift to ride
a few boost thumps, the Golf's power delivery is so linear
it almost feels naturally aspirated.
The 2.0-litre TFSI engine squeezes out 197bhp, which is
more than enough for this pass, which quickly tightens
around some blind corners watch out for the passing
place on the right just before a crest; the road drops away
and pulls left. Happily the Golfs brakes are more than up
to the task you really dont want to be going too quickly
past the Strines Inn to your left; 30mph or slower. There's
been a settlement here since the 13th century, though the
pub is slightly newer it served its first pot of ale in 1770.
As you come out of the hamlet of Strines theres a tight
left-hander that flows under the trees and down towards
a stone bridge over a stream. Get on the power too quickly
and you risk falling victim to one of the few criticisms of
the Golf's driving position; those with wide feet may find
themselves mashing the right-side footrest.
The road then starts to open out, allowing you to take in
some of the cars character traits it may not sound quite
as engaging as an Alfa Romeo 147 GTA, and nor does it
IT'S A FANTASTIC SIGHT
JUST YOU, THE ROAD, GREENS
AND BROWNS, AND A HUGE SKY
 STRINES The residents
PASS don't think
GOOD FOR it's funny.
Hot hatchbacks,
small roadsters.
NOT SO GOOD FOR
A628 Anything with low
ground clearance.

A6102

A57

Another

A6103 SHEFFIELD hairpin dealt

with nicely.

A6187
SNAKE
PASS
GOOD FOR
Everything
but the widest cars.
NOT SO GOOD FOR
Anyone for whom A621
50mph is too slow.

Nathan
knitted it
himself.

MODERN CLASSICS 9
 YOU WILL RELISH
THE GOLF'S QUICK,
PRECISE STEERING

There's little
room for
driver error.

MkV Golf is
well appointed,
but rather sober.

WHERE TO STAY WHERE TO EAT WHAT TO DO

THE DOG & PARTRIDGE Four stars,
90/night, Flouch, dogandpartridge.co.uk
PADLEY FARM B&B Four stars, 80/
night, Dungworth Green, padleyfarm.co.uk
HAMPTON BY HILTON Three stars, 60/
night, Sheffield, 0203 450 6788
LADYBOWER INN Three stars, 90/
night, Hope Valley, 0203 027 9779
OLD HALL HOTEL Three stars, 101/
night, Hope Valley, 0203 450 6788
MARCO AT MILANO European.
marcoatmilano.com/index.htm
THE STRINES INN Contemporary British
food. thestrinesinn.webs.com
THE NURSERY TAVERN Grill.
thenurserytavernsheffield.co.uk
RAFTERS European and British.
raftersrestaurant.co.uk
CUTLERS SPICE SHEFFIELD Indian.
cutlersspice.co.uk
MEADOWHALL SHOPPING CENTRE
meadowhall.co.uk
DELTA FORCE PAINTBALL
paintballgames.co.uk
EMERGENCY SERVICES MUSEUM
emergencymuseum.org.uk
MAYFIELD ALPACAS
mayfieldalpacas.com
CRUCIBLE THEATRE
sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

10 MODERN CLASSICS

howl like a Honda Civic Type-R, but there is a rasp to
usher you along. The interiors roomy, even in five-door
form, and theres excellent visibility all the better to see
Strines Reservoir again, this time from the other side of
the water as the trees start to drop away.
Theres a long straight section, but as soon as you see the
double bend sign dont be fooled into thinking its a light,
gentle change of direction. Soon youre hard on the brakes
as you spot a T-junction on a corner going left. Theres no
margin for error here, as you head down and across
another stone bridge over Emlin Dike. It's beautiful here
open the windows and you can hear birds tweeting (no,
not that), water streaming and the odd sheep bleating.
Then you rise steeply on to the top of Bradfield Dale, and
again theres good enough visibility to stretch that TFSI
unit but only briefly. The road quickly dips and turns left,
tightening too. Its here that youll relish the Golf 's quick,
precise steering. Theres plenty of feedback on whats
coming through the tyres, allowing you to place the car
excellently useful if somethings coming the other way.
Thats what this route is all about; quick reactions and
small, short bursts of acceleration. The Golf really is great
Making the
most of the for that. Its rare that youll get out of third; this route is
Golf's punch. more about low-speed manoeuvrability.
As you continue to ease left and down, youll notice the
road starting to undulate before the next bridge. Be very
GREAT BRITISH B-ROADS
careful here, especially if your cars lowered in any way.
Take a close look at the road and youll see evidence of
many an undertray and sump slaughter. As you rise
steeply into the trees, youll relish the accurate, solid but
light gearshift. Its perfect for the quick, punchy moves you
need to get the best out of this road.
As you crest the hill the road opens out; keep going past
the junction with Agden Side Road and then the farm on
the left. Theres a brief tunnel of trees as you ascend still
further, passing the turning on to Penistone Road, where
theres a sharpish left-right sequence. As you move
through a long straight section, you can see the oddly
named village of Wigtwizzle ahead, which sounds like
a Harry Potter plot device, and a glimpse of Broomhead
Reservoir. The road curves gently left and right before
dipping below the treeline; watch out for the junction on
to Moor Lane as you go past, as its a little hidden.
Past the walled forest you'll see the light streaming
through the trees; the road breaks up here but it doesn't
unsettle the GTI. Though the ride is slightly firm in the
Golf, its certainly compliant and rides the bumps well
you're not fighting undulations, as you might in a Civic
Type-R. The road gets better as you descend, but as the
stone walls appear on both sides its time to ease off as
theres a really sharp left turn and theres nothing to stop
you heading off into the trees if you overdo it.
MODERN CLASSICS 11
 GREAT BRITISH B-ROADS

Then you descend into the valley and theres another The Modern Classics view
sharp corner over water. The route tightens considerably If youre of the view that you cant have fun at anything
here before rising steeply into a very tight hairpin. You less than silly speeds, these roads arent for you. But if you
climb again, flashing past a farm to your left. There's relish the challenge of tight, technical corners, with speed
another couple of hairpins to test those by now well- only an afterthought, then youll love the routes.
warmed brakes, before hitting the top of the dale. Up here As for the Golf it may not be the most emotive car but
you can see across the valley and the descent into it majors on other qualities. It feels nimble and precise,
Stocksbridge and to Sheffield's steel plants. and perfect for the job in hand. Its also remarkably
It seems remiss to do Strines Pass and not mention practical as an everyday car too. Its no wonder Tom loves
Snake Pass (even if it is an A-road). Engineered by this car on this great British B-road we do too.
Thomas Telford in 1821 and crossing the Pennines
between Glossop and the Ladybower Reservoir, it is
restricted to 50mph these days, and its well stocked with SPECIFICATIONS VOLKSWAGEN GOLF GTI MKV
Engine 1984cc/4-cyl/DOHC
speed cameras. But it really is one of the UKs best roads.
Transmission FWD, 6-speed manual
Doing this For the most part its hard to see why you might want to
Power 197bhp@5100rpm
route? Send try to exceed the speed limit, given how tight and technical
pictures to Torque 207lb-ft@5100rpm
editorial@ certain parts of it are. Because it's part of a main route Weight 1336kg
modern between Sheffield and Manchester, it's a busy road, so if
classics PERFORMANCE
magazine.
you want a modicum of clear traffic we suggest going in 0-60mph 6.9sec
co.uk the week, during the day. But whenever you go you'll be Top speed 146mph
blessed with some epic views and some challenging turns Economy 35.3mpg
on both of the passes even well below the speed cap.

YOU'LL BE BLESSED WITH EPIC

VIEWS AND SOME CHALLENGING
TURNS ON BOTH OF THE PASSES

THANKS TO
Tom Rhodes.

12 MODERN CLASSICS
 classic car auctioneers

British Heritage,
Classic & Sports Cars
Tuesday 13th June 2017
Sandown Park, Esher KT10 9AJ

Consignments and bidder registrations now invited.

Contact us: 023 8066 8413 / info@barons-auctions.com
www.barons-auctions.com

Online, telephone and pre-sale commission bidding available.

Competitive commission rates - sellers 5%, buyers 10%
 THE SCENE
Great modern classics in the wild, rocking our world
DONINGTON HISTORIC
A packed grid of Super 2000 touring cars brings back some
Playstation generation nostalgia at the Donington Historic
lain Menu, Tim Harvey, Rickard
A Rydell and who can forget Frank
Biela and his silver Audi A4? These
titans of Touring Car Championships past
conjure up fond memories of an era when
the BTCC felt closer than ever before.
Crucially from 1997, TOCA Touring Cars for
the Sony Playstation actually allowed you to
take on these greats well digitally anyway.
How many of us spent our spotty youths
with sweaty thumbs nestling on analogue
sticks, taking our yellow Elf-liveried Laguna
to pole position before the Craner Curves
and then inevitably crashing at the top of
Rare DB7
At first glance we
thought this was
a normal DB7 GT.
It is in fact a
much rarer
DrivingDynamics
special edition.
14 MODERN CLASSICS
McLeans. Such memories came flooding
back at the Donington Historic, with a
packed grid of the finest Super 2000 metal
jostling for position into one of the most
famous first corners on earth. It was as if the
97 season had never ended.
Super Touring cars werent the only
former BTCC machines in action; there were
also saloons from the 80s battling for
podiums in the Historic Touring Car
Championship. Rover SD1s and Ford Capris
were some of the most numerous but there
were a few surprise models found further
down the field. We especially loved the trio
BTCC MG
MG ZS proved to
be a capable
touring car,
winning the
independent title
in 2004 in the
hands of Colin
Turkington.
of MG Metros in Computer Vision livery.
Other Modern Classics competing for the
winners laurels included a Renault 5 Turbo,
MkI VW Golf GTI, several E30 M3s and Alfa
Romeo GTVs.
This year marked the 40th anniversary of
Donington Parks re-opening and the tracks
new management (MSV) was keen to
celebrate. There were 19 races over three
days, with hundreds of cars from the 1920s
to the 1990s in all road-going and open-
wheel classes and formulas. There was even
a chance to compete in your own car as Go
Motorsport had setup an autotest. Or if you
wanted to wreck someone elses tyres, you
could borrow a Caterham from Bookatrack
and sling it around the Melbourne Loop.
 Metro fest
The eyecathcing trio
of Computer Vision
MG Metros, one of
which had to retreat
back to the pits for
urgent rectification
work when its
bonnet refused to
close properly.
DTM homage
This BMW E30 M3, in
Warsteiner livery, is a faithful
replica of the '91 season car
driven by Otakar Kramsky.

Supertouring Alfa 156

An Alfa being towed, what a
shock! In truth most of the
Supertouring machines were
being pushed through the
pits. This owner just saved his
effort and used a quad bike.

Carlos Sainz Escort

This was one rally car that certainly wasn't a
replica. This real deal 1997 WRC car slid with ease.

VW Golf R32
A track support
vehicle with a
difference. This
2003 MkIV Golf
R32 was a nice
pace change
from all the
classic racing
machinery. It
was tidy too.
 THE SCENE

SPRING ALFA DAY

Alfa Romeo Owners' Club's season-starter
drew more than 300 cars to Doncaster
very rare South is now 3.5 litres and it puts
A African
homologation
out 280bhp. It was making
its show debut after a year- GTV Cup
This is one
special was just one of the long restoration. Other V6 of 155 RHD
rare treats that was on V6 special
rarities included a 3.2-litre editions built
display at the Alfa Romeo Phase 3 916 GTV Spider to celebrate
Owners' Club's Spring and two SZs. the GTV Cup
race series.
Alfa Day. The GTV6 But it wasn't just the
3.0-litre looked stunning, six-cylinder selection that
but other rare-groove Alfas caught the eye the four-
made an appearance. cylinder contingent put on
We spotted a 164 Q4, a great showing too. We
which marries that same loved the quality on offer
3.0-litre V6 to a 4WD from the 33 crowd, who
system. However, this 164 brought along what must
had been tuned by Dutch be the last remaining four-
specialist Sam van Lingen wheel-drive 33 Sportwagon
back in the day capacity in the UK.
We shot far more cars than we can show here head
to modernclassicsmagazine.co.uk to see more.
164 Q4
Fresh from
restoration,
this rare Q4
packs a
Alfa Romeo 75 3.0-litre Cloverleaf Alfa Romeo GTV6 280bhp punch
Powered by the same V6 in the SZ below, this is one of Normal GTV6s use a 2.5-litre unit but this is one of thanks to
the 82 or so 75s of all kinds left running on UK roads. just 200 built in South Africa to use a 3.0-litre. period mods.

Alfa SZ
Just 1036 SZs
were built, based
on the Alfa Romeo
75, and two of 8c Spyder
them made the One of 500 built, this 8C
trip. Are you a fan? Spyder was brought
Let us know... along by event sponsors
Pentagon Alfa.

16
 LEGENDS OF BRANDS HATCH

SAT 1/SUN 2 JULY 17

Waltz down memory lane on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit, with a stunning weekend
of historic single-seaters, sumptuous classic GT cars, and 90s Super Touring Cars.

ONLINE ADMISSION PRICES

Weekend (sat & sun) 29*
EACH DAY (sat/sun) 19*

0843 453 9000 * Advance tickets available until midday

Wed 28 June. Postage fee applies.

BRANDSHATCH.CO.UK Calls will cost 7p per minute plus your

telephone companys access charge.
 GRAPEVINE
The latest in the world of modern classics

Struggling to find bits

for your R32 GT-R?
Help is on the way...

BMW NATIONAL DAY

TICKETS ON SALE
Tickets for the BMW Car Club UKs
National Day are now on sale. The
event is due to take place on August 13
at the British Motor Museum. Tickets are
13 for club members and 17 for adult
non-members, which includes entry to the
British Motor Museum itself. Advance ticket
sales end on July 31. The concours and club
dinner/awards are at Ettington Chase Hotel
the day before. bmwcarclubgb.uk

NISSAN TO OFFER HERITAGE PARTS

Skyline GT-R R32 parts to be remanufactured by NISMO
ales of remanufactured parts for
S the Skyline GT-R R32 are due to
begin towards the end of this year.
Details are still sketchy on the precise nature
of what will be made available although,
depending on demand, items for R33 and
R34 GT-R models could also reappear.
Industry experts have largely welcomed
the news, but have pointed out that parts
supply is already good. Most common parts
are still available through Nissan dealerships
in the UK, but youd need to call them armed
with the right part number, says Tristan
Longden of JDM import specialist
Torque-GT (torque-gt.co.uk). Prices can be
steep depending on where you buy them, so
you need to shop around to save money.'
Tristan believes that the most difficult
items to find for the R32 are interior or
exterior trim. Most of these have now been
discontinued and they tend to be the parts
that really show the age of the vehicle, he
says. The only thing you can do is to get a
specialist to import them from Japan.
Transmission components are also a bit of
a headache, with some parts no longer
available from the marque. Fingers crossed,
Nissan will reintroduce gearbox parts.
Nissans move into heritage parts follows
the trend set by Mercedes-Benz, Porsche
and Jaguar, reflecting a change in tastes
among Skyline collectors. There are certainly
more people looking at R32s as an
investment, and these people want the car
as original as possible, Tristan says. There
are still many who want to fit performance
parts to really unlock the full potential - which
is what these cars became legendary for.'
Renault 5 is alive
In response to European demand for a
high-performance Renault 5 Turbo
tyre, Vintage Tyres is to release a
195/55 R13 in a period-correct spec. The
tyre will be made in the UK. Vintage Tyres
MD Ben Field says. We can supply the right
road, fast-road and track day tyres for the
majority of modern classics. If we havent
got it, we may end up making it if theres
enough demand. To register an interest,
call Vintage Tyres on 01590 612261.

Bitesize news
PROJECT CARS 2 ON WAY CAR RALLIES MOVE THIEVES PRIORITISE
The next instalment of Project Cars is The monthly car rallies at Ashby SUB-20K CARS
now available to order. The game, in PS4, Folville have moved to the Langton A recent study by Tracker has
Xbox One and PC flavours, features Greenhouse and Garden Centre, revealed that three out of four cars
everything from supercars to rallycross Melton Road, East Langton, Market stolen are worth less than 20k. Of
machines, plus touring cars and GTs. Harborough, Leicestershire. Theyre that figure, 33 per cent of the cars
Special launch editions are available. held every third Thursday of the taken but later recovered are worth
projectcarsgame.com month, and it all kicks off from 5pm. less than 5000. tracker.co.uk

18 MODERN CLASSICS
 PRODUCTS
Enhance your driving with better rubber

WANT IT
MICHELIN PILOT SPORT 4
Designed for supersaloons the 4
features an ultra-reactive tread pattern LEGO TECHNIC PORSCHE
design that adapts to the road 911 GT3 RS 259.99
continuously. It uses bi-compound Honouring one of the worlds greatest technical
technology with a hybrid elastomer for car makers, Technic Lego has created this kit of
dry grip and specific functional the Porsche 911 GT3 RS. The level of detail in
elastomers and silica for wet grip and this kit is what weve come to expect from
braking. Its available in wheel sizes 19in Technic, with this GT3 model featuring a flat six
to 21in, though more will be added engine with moving pistons and even a working
soon. michelin.com gearbox. lego.com

NANKANG NS-2R
This is a great all-round track option,
with consistent grip levels and great
wet-weather performance. It's designed for
track-day drivers so theres no need to
change tyres to get home. It has proved its
worth in proper competition too it's used
in the Nankang Tyre BMW Compact Cup.
nankangtyre.co.uk

TOYO CLARKE MIG 145

PROXES NO GAS/GAS WELDER 203.98
R888R This dual-purpose unit offers the benefits
This has larger of a standard MIG welder without the
YOKOHAMA ADVAN tread blocks on need for gas bottles. It works on steel
SPORT V105S the outer area for up to 4mm thick, and has a non-live
This uses an orange oil nano- enhanced dry torch that can be put down safely while
blend rubber compound to cornering. The working without the risk of sparking. It
keep the tyre flexible and give compound has also has electric wire speed control and
extra grip. An asymmetrical been specified thermal overload protection. It comes with
tread design adds stickiness. for a quick flux-corded wire and a heatshield.
yokohama.co.uk warm-up time, machinemart.co.uk
allowing you to
get stuck in
faster. toyo.co.uk ESSENTIAL
BUYERS
GUIDE TO THE
MERCEDES-
BENZ SL
MICHELIN TRX R129 12.99
Hard to find and often Julian Parishs
replaced for inferior pocket guide offers
imperial tyres, simple advice on
Longstone Tyres has this appreciating
metric fitments for the modern classic. In
220/55 VR390 size addition to a guide
ideal for owners of to the different versions, he shows you the
1980s BMWs who possible issues to look for with the oily bits. He
want restorations to also explains what the running costs are really
be ultra-perfect. like in the real world. It also offers advice on
longstonetyres.co.uk aftermarket upgrades. veloce.co.uk

20
 INBOX
Tell us what you think
Paul Drake
loved our
Rover Tomcat
feature in the
May issue he
owns this
K-Series-
powered 216
Coup.
STAR LETTER
Purr-fect Tomcat
I have just got the May issue and
turned straight to the five-page
article on the Rover Tomcat. It didnt
disappoint! What a great read and I am
very pleased to finally see a significant
article on the Tomcat in a mainstream car
magazine. In July 2009 I bought a 1998
Rover 216 Coup with the K-Series engine.
Hopefully your brilliant article will help to
spur others to help rescue a Tomcat while
there are still a few left!
Paul Drake
More love for the Renault 19
In response to last month's star letter, Simon,
no, you are not the only one to have a soft
spot for the Renault 19 16v! I still kick myself
for missing out on a cracking Phase 1 five
years ago and I still scour the ads in the hope
of finding it again the one that got away...
Oliver Cordier
Seeking Seicento
I have just opened my copy of the May issue
of MC and to say I'm disappointed is a
understatement. The Bring Back The Fun
story was going to feature the Fiat Seicento
Sporting but it has mysteriously disappeared.
I was excited that a magazine had picked up
on the Sporting as a cheap fun car!
Mark Maltby
Sorry about that, Mark space dictated its
removal, but hopefully last month's buying
guide made up for it. Ed
22 MODERN CLASSICS
CLK63 deserves respect
I'm in the very fortunate position of owning
both an M3 CSL and an AMG CLK63 Black
series. I've been trying not to bite since
reading the letter in the March issue but have
demonstrably failed.
The letter denigrated the AMG as little
more than a German hot rod. I think that's
wrong. The CLK63 Black series is a
wonderful car. The steering is fast,
communicative and very precise. The
suspension fully adjustable, remember is
surprisingly compliant and deals with most
situations well, while still giving you lots and
lots of feedback.
The engine, well that's great. The CLK is
the better all-rounder than the CSL. It's
faster, more comfortable, has better steering,
a better interior, is more fun and allows you
to spend more time in it.
The CSL sounds better, and is an
extremely exciting car with a better gearbox
and balance in a different league to the CLK.
My view is that the CSL is as good as your
reader believed it to be. It's just that the CLK
is better still and is worth the premium.
Peter Gray
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I'm driving in the sun, it's a hell of a way down south.
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 00S SUPERSALOONS

BMW invented and ruled the supersaloon sector with its M5 but, by
the turn of the millennium, it finally got some serious competition
Words John-Joe Vollans Photography Matt Howell

24 MODERN CLASSICS
From left: Audi RS6, Jaguar XFR,
BMW M5, Mercedes-Benz E63,
Maserati Quattroporte and
Vauxhall VXR8.

MODERN CLASSICS 25
 00S SUPERSALOONS

Yes, it's brutally fast but does the

V10 RS6 have more up its sleeve?

MODERN CLASSICS
 he RS moniker had quite the lineage
T
by the time it arrived in 2008. The
world had been blown away by the
phenomenal RS2 and the legend only
deepened with the RS4 and first-
generation RS6. Put another way, the C6
generation RS6 had a lot to live up to. But its ultimate aim
was always to get a shot at the reigning champ, the M5.
Audi had always fallen short when trying to take on the M
Division so does the RS6 come close to Munich's golden
child? Well, it's got the right amount of cylinders for a start.
The RS6 is the second-newest design here. It's a
trademark Audi of the era clean-shaven with just the
subtlest of styling changes to differentiate this range-
topping monster from a rep-spec diesel. We wouldnt go so
far as to describe the RS6 as a sleeper, but its certainly
subtle. Those in the know will give it a nod but it's invisible
to those who arent. The interior gives more of a clue of the
latent performance potential on offer, however. The wheel
SOON YOU'RE PUSHING HARD INTO
LICENCE-LOSING LAND & YET THE
CARS STILL EGGING YOU ON
is shaped like something youd expect to see in a Le Mans
WHAT contender, cut off at the bottom and fitted with sculpted
TO PAY thumb rests. The paddles for overriding the automatically
selected ratios are large and ideally placed on the back.
Concours Theres just the right amount of carbon fibre and leather to
40,000 give the perfect mix of performance and luxury. At night,
Good the dials emit a menacing red glow that leaves you in little
35,000
doubt as to the cars intended character.
Usable
30,000
The headline-grabbing 572bhp twin-turbo V10 is at the
Project
forefront of my mind as I find the START button nestled
20,000 in the centre console. Pressing it deals out a delicious roar
from the back end that instantly becomes a muffled
rumble. Not for long, though. As we gradually build up the
confidence (which comes quickly) to extend the rev range,
Introducing were greeted with pulse-quickening aural rewards a
the two-car, bass-heavy warping noise akin to spacecraft accelerating
20-cylinder
orchestra. through a stargate. You'll be going almost as quickly too.
The RS6 takes a leaf out of the American military
tactical handbook spine-tingling shock and awe is the
game here. The first time you fully plant the throttle, the
sheer momentum beggars belief. In that very instant,
your blood stream is bombarded with adrenaline and
your stomach tries to escape through your belly button.
Passengers caught unawares reach for the nearest grab
handle while screaming expletives. Full throttle for the
first time in an RS6 is one motoring experience that will
stick with you for life.
Familiarity comes quickly with the RS6, and you find
yourself pushing harder and harder. Sadly, you very
quickly discover that the original rush gets diluted with
every heavy use of the right pedal. Soon youre pushing
hard into licence-losing land and yet the cars still egging
 00S SUPERSALOONS

you on. Gri f

driven con t s
as the hold of a limpet at low tide. You
will simply run out of road or balls
before the RS6 lets go. When the laws
of pyhsics do inevitably start to come
into play, youre just met with huge Not doing
dollops of fun- ndersteer. warp speed?
Herein lies b rs greatest Oh, we've
nodded off.
strength and it akness. Its
just too competent! How can a chassis
be too adept? Well, bear with us, theres
some sound reasoning here. trying, either the limits are pushed at such silly speeds
Most of the fun to be had from driving a performance that if you even try, youre guaranteed to be met with
car involves threading that knife-edge balance between scathing looks from your passengers.
being in control and leaving the road backwards. The Its all hugely impressive on paper but sadly we wish
Audi just refuses to even give the slightest hint that its Audi had paid a bit less attention to the mathematics and
about to let go. Were not saying this without a lack of more to the theatrics.

AUDI RS6
Purposeful i r
with superb y
finish. Carb e
conso dash
inserts a nice
fl h.

BMW M5
Clean, precise &
sharp-looking. Just
like a Bavarian bus
station. Ugly wheel
does work well
in the hand.

28 MODERN CLASSICS
BMW M5 E60
The original master, but does it deliver
enough fun to justify ownership hassles?
he M5 has been the performance four-
T
door yardstick by which all others are
measured for 30 years now. For the E60,
maintaining that stellar lineage posed
quite a problem. Its predecessor, the
E39, was (and for some still is) regarded
as the finest supersaloon of all time. BMW upped the
cylinder count to ten, but that wasn't what caused most
controversy. It was the styling.
Chris Bangles take on the 5 Series was a dramatic break
from the norm, turning his back on the well-established
BMW DNA. Gone were the Hoffmeister kink and the
centre console that faced the driver. In came flame
surfacing and Deconstructivism. And at the time, BMW
and Bangle himself were hit with waves of criticism. But
it's a design that's proved the test of time, and looking at
an E60 now, it just looks so right. The combination of
natural flowing curves and blunt edges, which was so
revolutionary at the time, seems to have been reflected in
almost every saloon design since.
The interior is a two-tone split between black plastic
and silver brushed aluminium, which extends over the
centre console and door cards, and is reflected in the
instrument bevels. The centre console carries the usual
BANGLES TAKE ON THE
5 SERIES WAS A DRAMATIC
BREAK FROM THE NORM
heater controls and a CD/DVD drive (the latter links to the
navigation system for updated maps), but for the first time
it doesnt face towards the driver. The wheel isnt the
neatest and the paddles are a touch on the small side, but it
fits in your hands well and the thumb bulges provide a
meaty feel it's got proper substance.
Now for the bad news the cars set-up process. The
iDrive system (technically MDrive in this case) has had a
load of negative press, but its not as bad as its made out to
WHAT be. Yes, there are too many menus and yes, the common
TO PAY stuff you want to alter is pretty well hidden unless you
think like a computer science graduate, but after a
Concours decade's worth of getting used to such systems reaction to
25,000 the iDrive has mellowed. If you want to simply jump in a
Good car and drive it ten tenths from the off, then this is not the
18.000
car for such spontaneity. But well get to that later.
Usable
14,000 There's some acclimatisation to do, anyway after all,
Project this is a naturally aspirated V10. It was the first four-door
12,000 saloon to take its cylinder gluttony to the power of ten and
though the RS6 adds two turbochargers to its recipe, the
M5's flavour is still remarkably potent. There's a full-fat
500bhp on offer but getting to it presents a problem.
You can only extract this once the car lets you it's the
first of many niggles that interrupt the car-to-driver
experience. On start-up you only have a mere 400bhp and
a rev limiter with all the permissiveness of a Sunday
Cornering school teacher. Of course, this is to protect that delicious
ability can engine and in truth it only lasts for a few miles, but once
put most
roadsters the timer expires you have to go into MDrive to manually
to shame. select the full-fat 500bhp mode.
The tinkering doesn't end there, either you then have
to set up the suspension, steering and transmission. The
MODERN CLASSICS 29
 00S SUPERSALOONS

suspension settings range from normal to sport which is

ludicrously harsh, as per the Audi and to be honest the
normal setting works best. The good news is that you can
have all the power in the comfort setting, but you still have
more playing to do. Gearchange speeds are altered with
an additional +/- button below the shift knob another
needless fiddle and if you leave the box to change on its
own it feels like an arthritic 80-year-old is doing it for you.
There are 11 modes for the gearbox alone but why?
Almost all of these irritations are forgiven once you
finally find a good road to launch the M5 along. That
engine... wow! Wrung out to redline it howls like an old F1
car, while propelling the M5 forward with such ferocity
that you have to double-check the heads-up display to
believe it. Your entire being tingles to the vibrations, hairs
raise on the back of your neck and you find your pulse
racing, your system shocked into a heightened state from
the adrenaline rush. The first heavy use of the brakes feels
like we've caught a landing wire on an aircraft carrier
deck; controlled but violent.
The way the M5 flicks through bends belies its near
two-ton weight the steering is perfect. That's not an
overstatement; I can't see how it could be made any better.
The car reacts to even the smallest input and broadcasts

MERCEDES-BENZ
what's going on with the road surface beneath you as if the
road wheels are part of your anatomy.
The M5 might frustrate at first but it is certainly worth
persevering with. Would I buy one? No. It was the second- BMW comes

E63 AMG
least reliable car over three years old, according to close to
matching the
Warranty Direct figures. Factoring in the inevitable Audi for
gremlins with the iDrive, and the likelihood of cripplingly outright pace.
expensive work being just one weekend thrash away, the
E60 M5 needs very deep pockets and patience to enjoy.

It may have a 6.2-litre naturally aspirated

V8, but can the Benz do it in the bends?

I
f the M5 delivers driver adrenaline like
a surgical cruise missile strike, then the
E63 AMG prefers the old-fashioned
theatre of a full naval broadside.
As with the E60 M5, the E63 AMG
had a tough act to follow the utterly
bonkers, supercharged E55 AMG.
First impressions for E55 fans werent great. The
entirely new, and first to be fully AMG-built, 6.2-litre V8
relies on good old-fashioned natural air pressure. Torque
is down too, from 516lb-ft to just 465lb-ft because the
new adaptive sequential seven-speed gearbox can't handle
the E55's supercharged heave.
Power is up, though a blistering 507bhp at a
vertiginous 6800rpm (with a redline of 7200rpm) but it
is the way it's delivered that boggles the mind from
2000rpm you're chasing the needle around the dial with
ever more gobsmacking speed.
But you wouldn't really guess all that from the outside.
There's plenty of classic Mercedes-Benz styling to take in.
The chrome trapezoid grille, the hood star like most of

the cars here it's all very understated. Yes, you do get four
exhaust tips and the odd 6.3 AMG badge here and there,
plus some 18in AMG alloys, but that's about it.
All the effort's clearly gone into the underpinnings, and
in particular the AMG-tuned adaptive suspension. It's
controlled via a simple button on the centre console, with
just three settings comfort and two sportier varieties.
Unlike the M5 and the RS6, even the hardest setting
provides good ride comfort and won't leave your
passenger's lunch plastered across the interior.
Good job, really, as the E63's cabin is tidy and well
laid-out, if not overtly exciting. It's a much more luxurious
feeling than the other straight-laced Germans, with plenty
of leather and wood. Classic MB touches, like the electric
seat adjusters on the door and the handbrake lever under
the steering reinforce that this is an E-Class first and a
performance car second. Were you to fail to notice the
minor exterior bling you could easily mistake this for just
another E220 diesel.
But turn the ignition key and it's impossible to be fooled
for even a second. The AMG 6.2-litre V8 isnt shy about
AMGS V8 SOUNDTRACK IS
MORE NASCAR THAN F1
flexing its vocal chords. Even at idle it sounds deep and
menacing, a soundtrack throbbing with the promise of
Take away devastating power lurking just under the surface. Think
the huge
alloys and it concentric ripples in a plastic cup as a T-Rex approaches.
would be Despite all the low-rev bluster, it really doesn't feel any
hard to tell
this AMG different to a taxi-spec E220D when pootling around; the
from a diesel. ride comfort is exemplary and the engine settles down to a
subservient whisper. Then you notice you're using about a
big toe's worth of throttle input.
Delve deep into the footwell and there's a lung-
WHAT puncturing leap forward as the engine seems to want to
TO PAY take leave of its mountings, the nose rising as the baritone
roar blasts a deep bassline through your ears. It seems the
Concours power unit isn't moving the car we're holding it back,
20,000 stopping it from escaping from behind the grille. The
Good AMG 6.2 V8 soundtrack is more NASCAR than F1; youre
17,000
greeted with that delicious bellow from just 2100rpm all
Usable
14,000
the way up to a climax-inducing 7200rpm.
Project
Straight-line drag races are the E63s party piece, taking
10,000 you from rest to 60mph in just 4.5 seconds. Your main
issue from there, apart from losing your licence, is finding
MODERN CLASSICS 31
 00S SUPERSALOONS

MERCEDES-
BENZ E63 AMG
Comfortable, classy
and well-featured,
it's a lovely place
to be.

JA

Red le
wood? ,
but mo
options are
available.

a road long en ploit the E63s top end. Though its Okay, so the E63 isnt the finest handling here or the
limited to 155 the factory, customers could have most powerful, but it hasnt lost its sense of theatrics in
this removed and its reported that top speeds in the region favour of a top-trumps win. There isnt enough grip from
of 190mph have been achieved. the rear tyres to contain the savage power and the chassis
Though the chassis is softer than the RS6 and M5, it shows its limitations when pressed; but as an instrument
does feel lithe when pushed. The special AMG-tuned of full-bore entertainment, it's perfectly in tune with us.
Airmatic adaptive suspension does a good
job of balancing ride comfort and body
control, but there's no escaping that this is Mercedes-
Benz leaves
a 1840kg saloon, with 200 of that being the Jaguar in its
engine itself. It does roll more than the M5 wake.
and the RS6 and doesnt even get close to
the same level of grip as the BMW, let
alone the Audi. Its most apparent in the
tight bends when you try and chuck it in
like you would in the RS6 or M5. Theres
understeer as you push on and then a big
kick of oversteer as you use the throttle to
correct the line. As such, it's a hell of a lot
more fun, too. There's so much torque that
this car could turn your mum into a drifter.

32 MODERN CLASSICS
No pheasants
were harmed
during this
road-test.

JAGUAR XFR
A Jaguar saloon that wholeheartedly puts performance and handling on top of the agenda
hough Jaguar has been producing fast The cabin continues this theme though the red and

T
saloons since its earliest days, the
aesthetic didn't really keep in tune with
modern needs well, unless it was
Classic FM. Performance luxury in the
1990s echoed to a German techno beat
modernity, clever design and forward-looking shapes.
Jaguar tried to hold on to the past, often to the detriment
of credibility, handling and performance.
The XF, introduced in 2007, was aimed directly at
redressing this balance. The new saloon was smaller,
lighter and nimbler than its XJ cousin, and much more
dynamic-looking than the S-Type it effectively replaced.
Once equipped with the superb supercharged version of
WHAT black leather pews look racy, they're blended with classy
TO PAY items such as a Bowers & Wilkins stereo system, a wood
veneer console and suede headlining. The only downside
Concours is that, as tested, the red leather doesn't quite match the
26,000 wood, and the silver dash doesn't match either though
Good other colour treatments are available. A few of the plastics
23,000 on offer still feel a bit flimsy and cheap. Overall, though,
Usable
19,000
this is a cabin that feels properly sorted rather than
Project
chucked together from bits in the parts bin like Jags of old
15,000 (X-Type, were looking at you).
You can feel the dust being shaken off the Jaguar recipe.
You don't even twist a key there's a big red start button,

IT FEELS AGILE AND IS SURPRISINGLY

the XKR's AJ-V8, it finally had all the right ingredients to
take Munich on in a straight fight.

KEEN TO CHANGE DIRECTION WITH

The XFR is handsome yet restrained its the least
shouty range-topping model here. There are 20in alloys,

EXCEPTIONAL TORQUE DELIVERY

quad tailpipes, subtle R-badging and the merest hint of
a bodykit. The most overt nod to power is the bulging
bonnet with flared nostrils. More McCartney than Goldie.

MODERN CLASSICS 33
 00S SUPERSALOONS

and the gear selector rises out of the centre console,

bathing the interior in super-cool blue light. Even after 10
years, the XF interior theatre still raises a smile.
That smile grows into a naughty grin when you hit the
red button. It's more of a gentlemanly thrum than the
Mercedes-Benz, and it's certainly the most decorous when
not pressing on. Definitely the most refined here, with
plenty of sound deadening and wonderfully compliant
damping. It's even more cosseting than the E63.
The Jaguar does have a darker side, and the first open
road we find gives us the chance to explore that. Engage
Dynamic mode on the JaguarDrive control system by
hitting a chequered flag button near the gear selector. This
clever computerised overlord adapts the engine response,
gearchanges and braking to road conditions, and all in a
subtle manner. For example, theres an electronically
controlled rear differential that can send 90 per cent of
power to the outer (rather than braking the inside) wheel.
Although its the newest car on test here and carries
the latest generation of gadgets and driver aids, theyre
purposely kept in the background so they dont interfere
with the driving experience. The antithesis of the M5, yet
similar to the E63, you can jump into the Jag and get
driving right away. When you want to press on, you just hit
one button that sharpens everything up and thats that. In

MASERATI
UATTROPORTE
Can the Italian really deliver enough
substance to live up to the style?
t would be wrong to test performance

Subtle Jag
conceals its
prowess well.
tighter bends the XFR belies its near 1900kg weight. It
feels agile and is surprisingly keen to change direction,
with exceptional torque from the supercharged V8.
In-gear acceleration is blistering, with Jaguar claiming
the XFR gets from 50-70mph in just 1.9 seconds nearly a
second faster than the RS6!
The XFR is a solid contender in this fight but it lacks the
sledgehammer power delivery of the E63, the scalpel-
sharp handling of the M5 and standing-start narcotic of
the RS6. Having said that, it's a great sleeper and the car
we'd be happiest using every day.
I
saloons without including a Maserati
Quattroporte. Its origins date back to
the 1960s; the first car used the same
engine as the glorious Ghibli, wrapped
up in a Pietro Frua-styled body. Four
generations and decades later the world was treated to the
achingly pretty Pininfarina-styled QP V in 2003. Still
featuring four-doors and a V8 engine, just like the original,
the Quattroporte for the new millennium was better
equipped, faster and louder than ever before.
The 4.2-litre V8 (built by Ferrari for Maserati) makes
395bhp, which means it's the least powerful here. But
come on it's still 395bhp so it can sprint to 60mph in 5.6
seconds. And while all the others slam into an electronic
buffer at a 'mere' 155mph, the Maserati screams on to
nearly 170mph. It does lack the ultimate torque thrust of
the others here, but we have been rather spoilt today...
But that doesn't really matter especially when you
first set eyes on it. Just look at it. Its a clich, of course, but
the Italians certainly know how to design a beautiful

34 MODERN CLASSICS
 performance car. You need to keep glancing at those
rear door handles to remind yourself it isnt a coup.
Maserati split It doesnt disappoint on the inside, either for cabin
office opinion
most we all
aesthetics this Maserati is head and shoulders above
agreed it was the other machinery here. Getting inside this
the sexiest, Quattroporte is like nestling into a Riva wood
however.
speedboat lazily rocking in a swell on Lake Como. With
the tasteful and gorgeous hand-stitched leather you can
feel the glamour oozing out of this car. Suddenly, I feel
somewhat under-dressed.
Ergonomically its far from perfect, though there
are too many buttons, and they're often in peculiar
places. We had to hunt for the electric window controls
they're buried under the sculpted interior grab handle.
And does the glovebox really need a button to release
the lid? What was wrong with a handle?
It doesn't take long to forget all that, however.
Switching the key provides a familiar V8 thrum, though
this is much more refined than the AMG and loutish
V10s. It's an eight-cylinder that's gone to finishing
school. And what a distinguished engine it is bypass
valves in the exhaust give you the full majesty of a
WHAT Ferrari-built V8 when you childishly prod the right
TO PAY pedal. It's by far the best-sounding power unit here.
On the road, the Maser feels well-damped and stable,
Concours but its steering feels very light until youre up to speed.
32,000 It does weight up well once you start pushing it a little
Good harder, but it takes a little longer to inspire confidence
27,000
than the others here. The full orchestra nestling under
Usable
23,000
the bonnet likes to exploit the upper octaves and
Project
rewards you as you pile on the revs. Off the throttle and
20,000 cruising you do notice more wind noise than the others,
but you'll have more wind noise from the open window
 00S SUPERSALOONS
well you have to, to savour the engine note. Then you just
kick down and let the eight-cylinder symphony drown it
out. It's an addictive experience.
But it is in the corners where it doesn't quite add up. The
Maser feels every bit the leviathan it is and doesn't seem
inclined to reward enthusiastic driving. Its much happier
steadily powering through long, well-sighted A-roads and
VAUXHA
Can the old-s hool outsider punch abov
its weight and be the best social climber?
here's something loveable about the
T
Monaro/VXR8 it sounds like
petrolhead nirvana. Big, simple V8
pleasure with 400bhp on tap, with
plenty of room for the family. It also
looks like an Australian V8 touring car,
which helps. Its legend has been formed by huge power
slides and a bellowing V8. But it's not just as simple as that
is it capable of standing up to the stiff competition here?
It's certainly not subtle. If theres an automotive
equivalent of an ASBO then the VXR8 would be wearing
an ankle tag with pride. Its deep intakes in the front,
muscular side skirts and spoiler that would make an
36 MODERN CLASSICS
motorways than it is attacking Cambridgeshire B-roads.
It does a fair job but when you weigh up the iffy chassis
dynamics with the over-assisted, slightly numb steering,
its clear that this is not the Quattroportes forte.
Theres plenty of charm oozing from the styling, the
soundtrack and that stunning interior to make up for it,
though. Ultimately, on a long journey, we can think of few
better places to be.
Impreza blush, add up to a machine that wears its
performance credentials on its sleeve.
While the exterior may be a matter of taste, it's difficult VXR8 plays
street brawler
to defend the cabin especially considering it cost 35,000 to Maserati's
when new the interior plastics are simply terrible. That aristocrat.
was still half the price of the others here but nowadays the
M5 and E63 are less expensive. We'd forgive the VXR8's
bargain-bucket cabin if it was indeed a bargain, but it isn't.
It's all well laid out, though theres a nice pair of white
dials in the dash with the rev counter taking pride of place
in the drivers view. Theres also a triple set of auxiliary WHAT
gauges at the top of the centre console (like an 1980s' hot TO PAY
hatch), giving us information on oil pressure, temperature
and battery charge. Concours
The problems don't end with the cabin. It all continues 25,000
with the gearbox. As with all the others here, it's an Good
18,000
automatic but it's the first time we're missing a manual
Usable
shifter. The VXR8's character suits a hands-on approach 15,000
anyway, but this autobox is terrible. It's as dim-witted as a Project
concussed lemming; if it had paddles it might be better but 12,000
the manual override leaves a yawning chasm between
 MASERATI
QUATTROPORTE
Elegant and classy
it's just a shame the
underpinnings
aren't quite
as bright.

VAUXHALL
VXR8
We've been in better-
appointed kebab
houses. It's roomy,
however.

shift and mechanical action. Still, once you do find
yourself in a favourable ratio (often accidentally) with a
clear stretch of road ahead, the chance to unleash the LS3
is irresistible. The point-and-squirt acceleration is
impressive if not neck-snapping. If you can focus hard
enough as the horizon floods towards you, it's actually
VXR8
convinces in
the corners
the QP
doesn't.
possible to see the fuel gauge dropping as fast as the
speedometer neeedle races around the dial.
More impressive still is the way you can pile the VXR8
in to bends; it's lighter on its feet than the Maser and E63
but cant match the Jag, Audi or M5 for chassis nuance. It
feels well planted with plenty of mechanical rather than
electronic grip. We cant help but imagine
ourselves lapping Sydney 500s tight street
circuit as the howl from our LS3 bounces
off the buildings. Sadly, the tight curves of
our test route arent quite as evocative, and
time and again we cursed that gearbox.
The chassis and ride in the VXR8 arent
bad by any means but its outdated tech
compared to the clever computer-
controlled gismos in the Jaguar and M5.
You may see this as a positive, as the VXR8
was a bit of a palate cleanser inbetween the
other saloons. But ultimately, we cant
forgive the gearbox, which spoils what
should have been a worthy contender.

MODERN CLASSICS 37
 00S SUPERSALOONS
The Modern Classics view
We gathered these machines together to see if, with a
budget of 15k-30k, you could buy a better supersaloon
than the E60 M5. The simple answer is yes. Yes, you can.
Lets remove the Vauxhall right away. That LS3 engine
is wonderful and the chassis is a lovely, compliant
old-school mechanical grip masterclass, but the automatic
gearbox is too sluggish and the interior quality is too poor
to justify the price.
Next to bow out gracefully is the Maserati Quattroporte.
Its a lovely thing to look at and listen to, but behind the
wheel the experience is much less satisfying.
The gap closes significantly for the survivors and in
truth the Audi RS6 could occupy this slot were it not for
the German's astonishing power delivery and grip.
So, unsurprisingly, the Audi's next up. Its a ballistic
missile that does everything you could ask of it, except
provide a lasting, entertaining drive. The first time you
experience its power youre blown away but its so
ludicrously competent that youll find yourself forever
trying to get back that adrenaline hit. That proves just too
elusive at anything except trip-to-court speeds.
The top three gets very tight indeed but for its
frustration in setting the thing up and the needless
complexity of its iDrive system, the BMW has to be
relegated to the bottom step on the podium. Its a triumph
'WITH A BUDGET OF 15K-30K
YOU COULD BUY A BETTER SUPER
SALOON THAN THE E60 M5...
38 MODERN CLASSICS
of technology and once youve spent the time working out
which are your favourite damper, gearbox and engine
settings youre rewarded with an astonishing
performance car. But by this time youve probably lost
interest in that fast weekend drive or its started to rain.
Runner-up honours go to the XFR as it makes effective
use of all its electronic tricks without the driver knowing
about it. The engine produces a wonderful sound and is all
the better for that twin-scroll Eaton vortex supercharger
screaming away above the V8 bellow. Its also the saloon
that can be most realistically used on a day-to-day basis,
yet it still rewards with a satisfying dark side when
needed. It misses out on top honours because our favourite
does everything the Jag does, just that little bit better.
So the E63 AMG is top of the pile. Its the most fun to
drive hard within the limits of its chassis, its engine is
pure magnificence and it doesnt take any time to mess
with settings to get the best out of it. Yes the BMW
handles better and yes the Audi is faster, but the lower
levels of grip in the Benz only adds to the theatrics behind
the wheel. Its a classy saloon that can waft along without
We loved the breaking a sweat at 30mph in town or top 150mph on the
E63 AMG, but
which is your
autobahn, and yet when you want to drive it like a
favourite? hooligan, its a proper performance brawler squatting
and launching to the horizon at every opportunity with its
back end squirming and V8 bellowing...
THANKS TO
Junction 17 Cars, where the Vauxhall and
BMW are for sale (junction17cars.co.uk),
Mark Carden for bringing along his
Maserati, Centurian Automotive, where the
Jaguar is up for sale (centurianauto.co.uk)
and Ryan Nelson from QualityCarsToday
(qualitycarstoday.co.uk) where the
Mercedes-Benz is up for sale.
1995 Porsche 911 (993) Turbo Est: 60,000 - 70,000

1979 Lada Niva 2001 Ferrari 456 M GTA 2002 BMW Alpina B3 3.4 S
Est: 5,000 - 7,000 Est: 40,000 - 45,000 Est: 7,500 - 8,500

1993 Saab 9000 Aero by Abbot racing 1991 Jaguar XJS Le Mans 1991 Subaru SVX
Est: 4,500 - 5,500 Est: 7,000 - 9,000 Est: 2,750 - 3,750

Modern Classics Auction

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Regularly with over 100 modern classics on offer, many at no reserve

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are available at brightwells.com.

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 00S SUPERSALOONS

SECOND OPINION

THE E63 IS SO MUCH

MORE ENTERTAINING
JJ's had his say but the final line-up
fired office debate. Nathan had other ideas
We all know what opinions
are like, and I'm one of
those too. However, JJ
is right to choose the
Mercedes-Benz as the
overall winner though
the M5 may be technically
more accomplished, and is
perhaps purer-handling, the
Merc is just so much more
entertaining, in spite of and
because of its flaws.
For me the second rung is a
toss-up between the M5 and
the QP. The M5 takes it for the
V10 scream and handling but
only just. It's not a particularly
interesting place to sit when
you're not hooning about, and
as these are now weekend
playthings, I want to feel good
everywhere not just the
outside lane of the A1(M). Oh,
it's not that hard to set up...
I rate the Quattroporte third,
although it would place higher
if it was a more powerful S or,
even better, a GTS. JJ's
comments on the handling
don't chime with me, though I
do have a bias for the trident
badge. I found the light
steering when pootling along
relaxing, and liked that it
tightened properly when I
started pushing at the
extremities. I also love
the styling and interior,
though who wouldn't?
And as for running costs,
they're not that much
more than the others here, and
on par with the BMW M5s.
Next up comes the Jaguar.
Not because it's demonstrably
worse, it's just that the others
manage the shift between
barge and ballistic missile
better the Jag never shrinks
around you. You're always
aware you're in a very big car
a very good one, however.
Now, the RS6. It's technically
competent but to a fault. It's
shockingly fast, but really that's
the only plum card in its deck.
At normal or even moderately
abnormal speeds it's
uninspiring in the real world,
you might as well buy an S6
and save yourself a fortune in
fuel and maintenance bills.
And as for the VXR8? I really
wanted to love it and channel
Australian V8 touring car thrills
to rural England. And if it were
a manual, maybe I could have
but that autobox ruined the
party like a kangaroo track
invader at Bathurst.

AUDI RS6 BMW M5 (E60) MERCEDES-BENZ E63 AMG

Engine 4991cc/10-cyl/DOHC/twin turbo Engine 4999cc/10-cyl/DOHC Engine 6208cc/8-cyl/DOHC
Transmission 4WD, 6-speed auto Transmission RWD, 7-speed auto (SMG) Transmission RWD, 7-speed auto
Power 572bhp@6700rpm Power 500bhp@7750rpm Power 507bhp@6800rpm
Torque 479lb-ft@6250rpm Torque 384lb-ft@6100rpm Torque 465lb-ft@5200rpm
Weight 1985kg Weight 1830kg Weight 1840kg
PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE
0-60mph 4.5sec 0-60mph 4.5sec 0-60mph 4.5sec
Top speed 155mph (limited) Top speed 155mph (limited) Top speed 155mph (limited)
Economy 20mpg Economy 20mpg Economy 19mpg

NEED TO KNOW NEED TO KNOW NEED TO KNOW

Loose or fractured oil cooler pipes were
reported on early cars, replacements are widely
available and if theres no history showing the
fix, then its best to get it done asap.
Intercooler seals can perish, which can lead to a
loss of boost and overworking of the turbos,
causing them to fail prematurely.
The Dynamic Ride Control electronic dampers
do fail and are often replaced with aftermarket
coilovers. The DRC springs will be black any
other colour and the change has been made.
Fuel consumption is as low as seven mpg
when youre driving enthusiastically and only
gets to 23mpg when cruising on the motorway.
Pre-56 registered cars can suffer from SMG
pump failure that was the subject of a recall. If
untreated it can cause clutch failure. Gearboxes
also suffered from release bearing and guide
bush failures if used hard.
Early iDrive software caused a lot of problems
with owners who couldnt fathom the interface.
Its not intuitive but its not as bad as made out.
Early versions suffered from head bolts
snapping, which could lead to head-gasket
failure. ARP alternatives are recommended by
owners as a sensible precautionary upgrade.
Listen out for tappet noise as there was a recall
due to incorrectly adjusted intake camshaft
adjusters and valve tappets it could be either.
Check that the car is sat correctly at rest and
with the engine idling. Problems with the
Airmatic suspension have been reported and
theyre expensive to put right.

40 MODERN CLASSICS
JAGUAR XFR MASERATI QUATTROPORTE VAUXHALL VXR8
Engine 5000cc/8-cyl/DOHC/s.charged Engine 4244cc/8-cyl/DOHC Engine 6162cc/8-cyl/SOHC
Transmission RWD, 6-speed auto Transmission RWD, 6-speed auto Transmission RWD, 6-speed auto
Power 503bhp@6000-6500rpm Power 395bhp@7000rpm Power 425bhp@6000rpm
Torque 461lb-ft@2500-5500rpm Torque 339lb-ft@4250rpm Torque 405lb-ft@4400rpm
Weight 1891kg Weight 1990kg Weight 1831kg
PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE
0-60mph 4.7sec 0-60mph 5.6sec 0-60mph 4.8sec
Top speed 155mph (limited) Top speed 167mph Top speed 155mph (limited)
Economy 22mpg Economy 17mpg Economy 20mpg

NEED TO KNOW NEED TO KNOW NEED TO KNOW

That clever electronic rear differential can
cause problems with fault codes thrown up
usually traced to the diff-locking motor. A
replacement costs 536.40 without the labour.
As with all of the heavyweight saloons weve
gathered for this test, the XFR is hard on its
suspension. Clonks are usually traced to worn
lower damper bushes.
High-mileage examples are now having their
lower suspension arms front and rear replaced.
It's 500 for the front and 700 for the rears.
Recalls for the QP included electrical shorts
on the door handles making it impossible to
access the car, front suspension arm failures
and rear tie-rod failures causing loss of control.
DuoSelect boxes have glitches, occasionally
not selecting due to hydraulic failure. The only fix
is to replace (2500) or swap for the later ZF
transmission thats a lot less trouble.
Erratic running can be due to failing airflow
meters. Crankshaft oil seals have been known to
weep or seep.
The rear indicators tend to flash slowly in wet
weather. It's usually worse in colder climates.
Front suspension arms are under a lot of stress
with that heavy LS3 sat above it.
Belts whining and pulleys that sound rough
when cold is a common complaint but not that
much to be bothered about.
The VXR8 has a reputation for being
bulletproof, but check if the one you're buying
has tested this theory scour the paperwork for
regular servicing.

MODERN CLASSICS 41
 LANCIA 037 vs DELTA S4

42 MODERN CLASSICS
The rally versions of the 037 and Delta S4 are wild and wicked. We
stock up on brave pills and see if the road-going versions stack up
Words Richard Heseltine Photography Lyndon McNeil

MODERN CLASSICS 43
 LANCIA 037 vs DELTA S4
O
ur 50-decibel conversation over the
walkie-talkie is of the staccato variety. Its
all very stop, start, stop again. The
language barrier doesnt help, either, but
there is no need for a direct translation.
The gist is clear: kindly get a move on.
Some way ahead, and dicing with dawdlers
in early morning Madrid rush hour traffic,
is a Lancia Delta S4 Stradale, the same car
that in Corse trim was arguably the most
radical vehicle ever to win the World Rally
Championship. Its driver is clearly in a
hurry, hence the radio message.
The British contingent of our party is, by
contrast, still trying to make sense of his
surroundings. The S4s predecessor, the
utterly fabulous 037, makes few
concessions to user-friendliness, thats for
It may look a bit like
a Montecarlo, but
it's far removed...
44 MODERN CLASSICS
sure. If the vinyl-wrapped rollcage and
chunky door bars dont alert you to the fact
that this is a competition tool, the black
anodised aluminium dashboard, profusion
of screw heads and exposed fuses
unquestionably will. Yes, there are some
token nods to civility: there are carpets
and seats trimmed in corduroy, but it
doesnt exactly scream style and
sophistication. The 037 just screams.
Soundproofing was clearly not an option.
Function over form is the mantra here.
Ahead of you, there are odd-looking pull-
switches, a smattering of warning lights,
while the rev counter and speedo are
flanked by gauges for oil temperature, oil
pressure, fuel, turbo boost, and water
temperature. Its all a bit parts bin special
in here, the steering wheel having been
robbed from a Fiat 131, the Vegliaflash
clock acting as a reminder of just about
every mainstream Italian saloon car of the
1970s. Your view ahead is reduced by the
stout tube across the top of the windscreen
which ties the A-pillars together, although
the two small bumps in the roof ensure
that your head doesnt make intimate
contact with what passes for headlining.
What is noticeably lacking, however, is
ventilation. The 037s cabin is a mite
toasty, which makes you appreciate the
efforts of the star wheelmen of the day all
the more. They must have had superhuman
levels of stamina. The Group B era was
unquestionably the most extreme of any
period of rallying, and one that continues
to be clouded in myth and rumour. For five
glorious seasons back in the 1980s,
rallying was anything but dull.
The 037 was the first car built explicitly
to class regulations rather than adapted to
fit. Abarth, which had become Fiat and
Lancias defacto competition department,
was responsible for its design and
construction, but, contrary to popular
belief, the 037 owes little to the Montecarlo
production car save for the mid-engined
layout and the centre-section.
For starters, its iron-block four-banger
with its four-valve twin-cam head was
turned through 90 from a transverse
placing to a longitudinal position, and
allied to a ZF five-speed transaxle. A
supercharger was chosen over a turbo to
eliminate lag and improve throttle
response. Period figures quoted a power
output of 265bhp, but this jumped to
300bhp in Evolution 1 trim, and 325bhp in
Evolution 2 spec. Independent double-
wishbone suspension featured front and
rear, along with dual Bilstein gas dampers
out back, while steel subframes were used
fore and aft of the centre section, with
bodywork being mostly made of Kevlar.
The 037 was bloodied in competition on
the 1982 Rally Costa Smeralda, and Lancia
went on to claim the 1983 manufacturers
title. However, the arrival of the four-wheel
 037 Stradale
kicks out
205bhp.

'FUNCTION OVER FORM

IS THE MANTRA HERE.'

Just 2.8 turns

lock-to-lock.
Biceps needed.

Provision for
harnesses,
even in the
road version.

Supercharger
whine eggs you
ever forward.

MODERN CLASSICS 45
 LANCIA 037 vs DELTA S4 Orange dials are
similar to the
Lancia Thema's.

drive Peugeot 205 T16 partway through

the following season blunted its challenge
thereafter. The Turin marque already had
a new weapon in development, though.
Work began on the S4 in January 1983.
While notionally related to the production
Delta hatchback, beneath the outline it was
a different beast entirely. And it really was
bestial thanks to a mid-mounted DOHC
1759cc four-cylinder engine which boasted
a turbo and a supercharger or volumetric
compressor in Lancia speak. The S4 was
reputedly the first car ever to feature this
patented twin-charging arrangement
whereby a bypass valve opened to allow
the turbo to operate once it had spooled up
and the blower had provided charge at low
rpm. Lancia initially claimed a power
output of up to 480bhp, but 620bhp was
available for the 86 Swedish Rally.
Lancias marketing team may have
insisted that the S4 resemble a production Delta S4's
interior has
model, but the bodywork had carbon fibre lovely soft-
front and rear bodywork and doors made of touch
Alcantara.
Kevlar. There were also numerous
aerodynamic aids including a front splitter
and winglets incorporated into the front
bumper/spoiler. The one-piece, flip-up
rear end also featured a sizeable aerofoil.
Underpinning the S4 was a tubular
spaceframe with double-wishbone
suspension front and rear.
Performance-wise, the 4WD Delta S4 in
full-house works spec could sprint from
0-60mph in less than 2.5sec... on gravel. As
for homologating the model for production,
Lancia engaged in a certain amount of

037 is
delicate,
Delta uses
brute force.
'IT IS BRUTALLY UGLY IN
THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE.'
chicanery. As few as 65 Stradales were
made, some way short of the requisite 200.
Not only that, some may have been
converted to rally-spec to confuse future
historians. The S4 was an instant winner
at the end of 1985, too, and claimed three
WRC wins in 1986. Sadly, the model is
perhaps remembered more for the crash on
the Tour de Corse, which claimed the lives
of Henri Toivonen and co-driver Sergio
Cresto, than for its competition prowess.
Our test route comprises a series of
twisty roads on a disused industrial estate;
one often used in testing by the cars
owner, Teo Martn. It soon becomes clear
that the 037 and Delta S4 are diametrically
opposed in appearance and temperament.
Up close, the 037 wears its Pininfarina
badges with pride. Its almost pretty. The
stance is spot-on, the surprisingly long
wheelbase and lack of rear overhang
ensuring that theres less chance of the
dreaded pendulum effect; of the flailing
tail connecting with something immovable
should you find yourself on a forest stage.
The lift-up, one-piece rear bodywork is
also light to the point of feeling flimsy.
The same cannot be said of the S4 Delta
Stradale. Tilting its rear bodywork
forward is almost a two-man job (the road
version featured rather more glassfibre
than carbon fibre). It is also brutally ugly
in the best way possible, but oddly feels
less of a rally weapon once inside. Yes, the
door bars ensure that threading your way
in isnt the work of a moment, and theres a way up to 7000rpm. According to Lancias
roll-cage structure, but the cabin is almost
luxurious by contrast with the 037. The
extensive use of Alcantara ensures this.
Its positively tactile. The groovy orange
and black instruments appear to have been
carried over from the Thema saloon and
Body is largely
made from
carbon fibre.
theres less of a scattergun approach to
their placement relative to the earlier car.
It even has reasonable all-round visibility.
Scroll forward a few hours and its
abundantly clear that neither car has been
tamed for road use. Yes, they have less
horsepower than the rally versions, but
they still require absolute commitment.
The 037 in road-going trim produces a
claimed 205bhp at 7000rpm, and 172lb-ft
of torque at 5000rpm. This doesnt sound
particularly impressive by modern day
standards, but the torque curve is virtually
flat at 5000rpm. It revs hard, too, all the
PR bumf, the 037 Stradale could cover the
quarter mile in 18.5sec in fifth gear,
starting at 25mph. Its an odd boast, but
one that is entirely believable.
The 1995cc four is such a willing little
unit, if not the sort of scalpel-sharp,
MODERN CLASSICS 47
 LANCIA 037 vs DELTA S4
maxi um Al
Markku Aln tamed both 037 & S4 in period
Maximum Attack was his
mantra, and few drivers
ever tried harder than
Markku Aln. 'I spent 16
years rallying for the Fiat
family, of which eight were
with Lancia. I had a lot of good
times with the 037 and the Delta
S4, plus a few bad ones.
'The 037 was very different to
the Stratos. They were both
mid-engined but that was about
as similar as they got. The 037
was quick straight away, and I
won a lot of rallies in 1983 and also
its last one, the 84 Tour de Corse.
It was a good car on asphalt, but
having RWD cost us on snow or
gravel. That was a big handicap
against the Audi Quattros with
48 MODERN CLASSICS
BODYWORK
Though the 037 looks
like a hyped-up
Montecarlo, much of the
bodywork was bespoke
kevlar. Some parts bin
raiding did go on,
though...
ENGINE
In road form the 037
had 205bhp, but for
rallying the Evolution 1
version boasted 265bhp,
while the Evo 2 made a
mighty 325bhp.
How an 037
should be
driven...
4WD. It was fun to drive,
though. The 037 changed
direction well, and the
power delivery was good.
Turbo cars in the 1980s
tended to have on-off power
delivery; like operating a light
switch. You didnt get that with a
supercharger.'
The S4 with its blower and
turbo was something else entirely.
'That engine was the first by Fiat-
Lancia to be built purely for delays in getting the car done, He adds: 'We had one full
rallying,' he says. 'The and we werent really ready for year with the S4 before Group B
supercharger worked on its own the 1985 RAC Rally, but our was banned. People say that we
to 3500rpm. From there to rivals hit trouble and I led the were mad to drive these cars,
5500rpm, the turbo gradually rally. I then had a few problems, but we didnt think that at the
came in, and past that to including a fifth-gear spin at time. You want the fastest car
9500rpm the supercharger was Olivers Mount, and ended up and the S4 was very fast, but
bypassed. There were a lot of second to Henri Toivonen.' there was more to come...'

ENGINE
With a
turbocharger and a
supercharger, the S4
had much more
potential than the
250bhp Stradale.
620bhp's worth of
potential...
rev-happy competition engine you expect.
But then in Stradale trim it is only packing
a single twin-choke Weber carburettor.
There is no fuel-injection, as on the rally
cars, nor fancy electronics. With greater
familiarity, though, the 037 is great fun to
steer. A belt drives the twin Roots rotors
that pump the supercharger, and, at the
right revs and with the right boost, it
accelerates keenly even if ultimate urge is
blunted by its slightly hefty (all things
being relative) kerb weight of 1097kg. If
the boost gauge is to be believed, a
maximum of 0.9bar is available.
The 037 proves to be non-threatening so
long as you concentrate. The five-speed
'box snicks into gear with the faintest
ker-klunk, with minimal movement
across the gate. The steering, with just 2.8
turns lock-to-lock, is heavy at pottering
speeds but feels deliciously light and
positive at speed. Then theres the whine
from the supercharger which gets louder
the faster you go. Its hypnotic, even if the
engine note isnt exactly tuneful.
The key weapon in the 037s armoury is
its neutral chassis. Theres the occasional
bump-thump from the fat Pirelli P7s, but it
isnt difficult to get the tail to step out of
line. Even then, you dont need to be a
Group B god to gather it all up again. Its
just so clean, fluid and delicate in all its
movements. Its poles apart from the
Stratos; you dont feel as though youre
constantly on a knife-edge between joy
and calamity. Here its mostly joy.
Step, stoop and fall into the Delta S4,
and its a different story. An embarrassing
bunny hop off the line is followed by rapid
acceleration as all four wheels hook up.
Traction is of the molten variety. Once the
fluids have had time to warm up, the cars
COOLING
Twincharging
produces huge amounts
of heat. The Delta S4
uses two intercoolers to
keep temperatures
down.
breeding shows. The cars owner insists
that it will be horrible to drive unless you
rev it hard. It thrives on revs, so this is no
great hardship, but the manner in which
power is delivered takes your breath away.
At low speeds, the supercharger chimes in
and pick up is instantaneous. Then at
4000rpm, the turbo kicks in abruptly. It
takes a while to get accustomed to this, not
least because it is so brutal.
If period stats are to be believed, the S4
Stradale produces 250bhp at 6750rpm, and
215lb-ft of torque at 4500rpm. It also tips
the scales at around 1200kg. With the
boost gauge spinning off its axis, theres a
sustained surge forward. Its utterly
addictive. The five-speed 'box is a little
argumentative, however. Theres so little
movement between planes that its all too
easy to 'grandma' a gearchange. Once
acclimatised, and ramming the lever
MODERN CLASSICS 49
 LANCIA 037 vs DELTA S4
home, the baulkiness departs and the The Modern Classics view
changes smooth out. With older cars, you Unfortunately, a crowd soon appears so
want to coax the best out of them, so this play ends a little prematurely. Theres just
does feel a little bit sadistic, but the S4 the small matter of deciding which car to
simply doesnt respond to tactility. drive back to base.
The pedal arrangement is also close- It isnt the Delta S4. Its a remarkable car,
coupled, which doesnt help. Not only that, but it is also something of a blunt
the throttle action is unyielding. Then instrument, and one which only the
there are the brakes, massive ventilated bravest of the brave can fully exploit.
discs with servo-assist. The 037s similar When you get it right, its sublime, but
set-up was something of a weak link in its a car which requires absolute
that the pull-up was uneven. Here, its all commitment at all times to master. That,
or nothing. Theres little movement until and weeks rather than hours to learn its
the last few inches of travel and then it innermost secrets.
stands on its nose. Again, its something
you get used to, but its unnerving the first
time you call upon the anchors in a hurry. SPECIFICATIONS LANCIA 037
Engine 1995cc/4-cyl/DOHC
Once you get attuned to the all-or-
Transmission RWD, 5-speed manual
nothing nature of the S4, it proves
Power 205bhp@7000rpm
toweringly capable. The steering is ultra- Torque 172lb-ft@5000rpm
responsive. Its not in the least bit nervy, Weight 1097kg
despite there being relatively little weight
PERFORMANCE
over the front wheels. Turn in without first 0-60mph 6.6sec
doing a Scandinavian flick and it will Top speed 137mph
understeer; markedly so. Try too hard and Economy 24mpg
the tail soon starts to wag the dog.
'ITS A CAR WHICH REQUIRES
ABSOLUTE COMMITMENT AT
ALL TIMES TO MASTER.'
50 MODERN CLASSICS
The 037, by contrast, is a car which
is rewarding to drive in a way that requires
less in the way of driving talent to enjoy.
Its far from perfect but its flaws only
reinforce the positives. Its an utterly
beguiling experience. The 037 is a rally car
pin-up which, for the most part, lives up to
the billing in road-going trim. Its
two-parts inspiring, one-part maddening
and wholly engaging. The S4, by contrast,
doesnt cast such a poetic spell. You ache
for the 037s continued company, which
says it all, really.
LANCIA DELTA S4
1759cc/4-cyl/DOHC
4WD, 5-speed manual
250bhp@6750rpm
215lb-ft@4500rpm
1200kg
6sec
140mph
23mpg
 HONDA INTEGRA TYPE-R vs VW CORRADO VR6

T
CFrenzied Japanese lunacy or solid German
grunt? We spread a little wasabi on our wurst
while contemplating two contrasting coups
Words Dan Bevis Photography Neil Fraser

52 MODERN CLASSICS
W e admit it this is a pretty offbeat pairing. In the black
corner, we have Volkswagens iconic Corrado VR6, the car
that took the MkII Golf platform (and bits of Passat) and
skyrocketed it upmarket, with rumbling six-pot aggression.
In the white corner, Hondas hyperactive Integra Type-R a stripped-
down, bare-bones track terror with balletic poise and a rev counter with
silly numbers on it. How can two such contrasting coups be rivals? Well,
for starters, similar money will buy you either one of these cars today.
Their 0-60 times are also just a couple of tenths apart, with near-identical
top speeds. But, most importantly, both cars have been heralded as the
finest front-wheel-drive models from their respective makers.
The Integra arrived as the Corrado bowed out, but the decades have
muddied the lack of overlap to smoosh these machines together as unlikely
but surprisingly appropriate sparring partners. As smallish, four-seat
liftbacks with hair-raising performance potential, they force you to
prioritise: do you want to be exhilarated or cosseted? Pampered or
prodded? So its Minato versus Osnabrck. Let battle commence after
all, there can be only one to claim the title of finest FWD '90s coupe...

MODERN CLASSICS 53
 HONDA INTEGRA TYPE-R
vs VW CORRADO VR6
I BOUGHT ONE
HONDA INTEGRA
This Integra is part of
Honda UKs heritage
collection. Press Fleet Exec, Tom
Lynch, is the brains behind its addition
to the fleet. 'We found this car last year
for 7000, with around 50,000
on the clock,' he explains. The rear
arches had suffered some iffy
repairs, so we sorted that out in
the bodyshop. On the whole,
its a delight to run. Its
very popular!

Lets look at the numbers. Here we have a pair of cars
offering nigh-on identical height and width dimensions,
the Integra being just slightly longer, and both with a pair
of rear seats for ferrying the kids around if necessary. The
Integra accelerates from 0-60mph in 6.5s, with the
Corrado just 0.2s behind, and they go on to top speeds of
145mph and 146mph respectively. Furthermore, there are
around 1000 examples of each scampering about the UK
today. More similarities than you might expect, then.
The Integra certainly presented an intriguing
proposition back in the late 1990s. The stratospheric halo
of the NSX-R filtered beautifully down to this more
affordable proposition, the first Type-R officially offered
in the UK. Contemporary sales literature for the DC2
Integra proudly stated that The "R" stands for "Racing",
and this was evident throughout the car. The Japanese
market had enjoyed the DC2 from 1995, and it officially
came to UK dealerships in 97. Honda effectively took the
B18C1 engine from the regular Integra GS-R and
reworked it for more of a road-racer application
molybdenum-coated aluminium pistons, a bigger throttle
body, stronger conrods, reshaped intake valves and a
bigger exhaust transmogrified the powerplant into the
B18C Spec-R. These were hand-built engines, ported and
polished, and revved harder than most people could have
ever expected. The numbers on the tacho go all the way up
to 10! Peak power 187bhp arrives at 8000rpm, with
Quad round
headlights your safety-redline set at a quite silly 9k.
denote a The car was intended for Group N racing homologation,
genuine UK
Integra. so the Minato boffins put a lot of thought into chassis
specs. The entire bodyshell was strengthened with thicker
steel along any potential stress points; suspension was
lowered, the bushes and anti-roll bars thickened up,
aluminium strut braces fitted either end and a helical LSD
bolted in. With no-nonsense weight-saving, the DC2
tipped the scales at just 1140kg. It was an instant legend.
Rewind back to the late '80s, and VW were looking to
sex-up the Golf and push their sports coup up a notch
NEED TO KNOW HONDA INTEGRA
Clichs generally exist for a reason, undersealed/Dinitroled too, which will
and when people say that a Honda is a cost 180. Worn engine mounts can
safe used purchase as they just dont cost between 100-300 depending on
break, theres something in it. location and number of mounts, and
That said, there are a few things to worn seat bolsters on the drivers side
watch out for, as Tristan Longden of can be 100-200 to rectify.'
import specialist Torque GT confirms. The most expensive potential issue
Check for rust, he says, particularly in Tristan highlights is notchy synchros,
the rear arches the cost of rectifying which can lead to an 800 bill to fix.
this entirely depends on the severity. Check out next month's issue for a
Imported cars need to have been comprehensive buying guide.

54 MODERN CLASSICS
from the Scirocco achieving all this with the Corrado
VR6. Marketed as the European sports car with the
Volkswagen difference, here was a car that built on a base
familiar to millions, refracted through a premium lens. To
justify the 50 per cent price increase, the Corrado bristled
with model-specific developments, like the pop-up rear
spoiler, initially set to deploy at 70mph, then quickly
re-engineered to emerge at closer to 45mph (because
nobody wants a device that shouts Hey, Im speeding!).
Belligerently chunky, it defied the sylph-like styling of
the era, the G60 rocking a supercharger while other
manufacturers were dabbling with turbos. There were
options galore, from air-con and ABS to heated washer
nozzles you name it, VWs luxury sports car offered it.
However, the engines 1.8-litre 16v and supercharged
G60 didnt set everybodys pants on fire. The Corrados
entry into the big league came in 1992 with the VR6
engine. Whether this motor counts as a true V6 (of course
its not, count the cylinder heads, say some; the two banks
sit at distinctly different angles, theyre 15 adrift, others
retort) is a debate to be had elsewhere. Suffice it to say that
the combination of Corrado and VR6 was a game-changer.
In line with VWs enthusiasm to differentiate the
Corrado from its stablemates and justify its price-tag, the
model received a unique 2.9-litre version of the engine, as
opposed to the 2.8 used in the Golf and Sharan. The
European-market 2.9-litre VR motor delivered 190bhp,
TOP: Hello
howling revs and the cars wider track necessitated broader front wings
and power and a new bumper assembly. It also had acquiescent Koni
peaking at
8000rpm. dampers (the G60 had Bilsteins), a rakish bonnet bulge
and true tectonic-plate-swallowing ability.
ABOVE: Lairy
seats lift the
Fast-forward to the present day, and its soon clear my
greyscale expectations of the Integra are awry. I expected the DC2
scheme of the to be broadly similar to the EP3 I use as an everyday toy,
Integra cabin.
albeit less powerful and, due to its age, probably a bit looser
but it turns out they arent really similar at all. Sure, they
share the same race-inspired effervescence, the same
spirit, but the Integras in another league entirely.
The feeling of specialness washes over you as soon as
you plonk your backside into the lithe and lissom little
Honda. Youre immediately hugged by a chunkily-
bolstered Recaro that caresses your kidneys. The front
seats are lipstick red, in defiance of the rest of the
interiors greyscale palette a classic Type-R tell-tale that
this car intends to satisfy drivers rather than passengers.
Most of the sound deadening has been junked, the glass
is thinner than in its humdrum siblings, and the gearknob
is made from titanium. Best of all, for a generation who
grew up on hot hatches and B-road mischief, its got white
wheels and a whacking great spoiler on the back.
MODERN CLASSICS 55
 HONDA INTEGRA TYPE-R vs VW CORRADO VR6
Twisting the key awakens the B18 four-pot with a
cheeky bark from the tailpipe, and it settles into a busy idle
thats just perky enough to suggest that the cars ready for
mischief. A gentle trundle towards the rush-hour traffic of
roundabout-heavy Bracknell allows the fluids to warm
through, and gives time to get to know the controls. Unlike
a lot of Japanese cars, the indicator stalks in the right
place, the push-button heater makes sense, and the
stereo well, theres no point using that, is there? Not in a
car like this. The gearbox soon confirms its status as the
drivers friend, with the Integras cogs all exactly where
you want them rather close together, decisively thunking
home every time. Peachy.
After a while the South Downs begin to unfurl, the
speed limit relaxes, and all hell breaks loose. When the
rev needle sweeps to a place where, in other cars, youd
normally be thinking about shifting up, you simply keep
the throttle pinned into the VTEC zone. Around
5500rpm, the cam lobes switch to their second, racier
profile, and when you think youve used up all the power,
suddenly theres loads more of it. The engine is
immediately more urgent, revving furiously until it sounds
like its going to burst. VTEC is a highly addictive drug,
and in the Integra its so much more hilariously, mind-
warpingly pronounced than in my Civic.
56 MODERN CLASSICS
I BOUGHT ONE
VW CORRADO
'Ive had Corrados since
the 90s,' says Barrie Jones.
'This one Ive had for a year it
had nasty aftermarket wheels, but I
spotted that the seller had the original
Speedlines stacked up in the corner, so
they went back on!' Finding parts can
be tricky, Barrie says some are
simply unavailable. Model-
specific parts can be pricey,
like 150 for a front
foglight
The helical LSD seems to have supernatural powers
wherever you point the nose, at whatever speed, at
Styling is
brutalist and whatever angle, it just pulls you into the apex like an eager
the torques puppy. The perfectly-damped chassis then cheerfully
brutal too.
stabilises things, egging you on to monster the next corner,
tickling the brutally effective brakes before chasing down
the horizon. A brief foray into the realms of VTEC in the
Type-R will leave you breathless and with a desperate
urge to do it all again. Spend a couple of days driving one,
and youll feel like youve been relentlessly pounded by
Mike Tyson. And youll be desperate to go back for more.
After the furious barrage of delicious sucker-punches
delivered by the Integra, entering the Corrado is a
NEED TO KNOW VW CORRADO
One of the Corrados main lures is that possibility of a cam chain and
its comfortable without being soft, so tensioner replacement at a cost of
to maintain the cars very essence its about 800; the clutch comes out
important to ensure that everythings when this is carried out, so you might
tip-top chassis-wise. Make sure theres as well renew it while youre in there.
no knocking from the suspension. Beware of iffy heater matrixes too
The VR6 motor is generally VW Heritage tells us that damp mats
regarded to be pretty bombproof, and a lack of hot air is a bad sign and,
although it does need regular while the matrix itself isnt expensive,
servicing. If you spot holes in the the labour involved will bump the all-in
service history, be prepared for the cost up past 200.
somewhat sobering experience. But dont go thinking that
the sturdy, well-built Volkswagen is by any means a soft
option. If you need any further convincing, just remind
yourself of the cylinder count, the displacement and the
massive amount of torque that the Integra gives away to
the bull-necked, bruising Volkswagen. The result of this
fight is no foregone conclusion.
This was a proper upscale sports car for those who
didnt want to rub a Porsche badge in their neighbours
faces. Corrados were assembled at the Karmann
factory in Osnabrck, home of slippery VW sweethearts
for generations, and the justification for the Golf-plus-plus
price tag speaks for itself in the VR6s high-end
appointments. And dont go calling it a Scirocco, either
that will annoy owners no end. Indeed, the Corrado and
Scirocco were sold concurrently for a while, but the car
youre looking at here was way more than just a posh
Golf: it was, at the time, the most expensive car
Volkswagen had ever built.
You immediately get a sense of this as you slide into the
drivers seat. In stark contrast to the raciness of the
Honda, this is a car that envelops you in opulently-padded
luxury. The steering wheel is chunky, the dash is strictly
driver-orientated and the stubby gearlever is little more
than a handspan from the wheel. It immediately feels like
the sort of car youd be happy to throw an overnight bag
into and cruise down to the Costa del Sol. Not the Cte
dAzur, its not that sort of car, its not a pose-mobile for
showing off, but the GT credentials are strong in fact it's
TOP: Corrado
got a unique hard not to visualise booking the Eurotunnel already...
2.9-litre Theres a deep rumble when you turn the key the VR6
version of
VR6 engine. immediately makes its presence felt, even at idle. Pulling
away, the first impression is that the gearbox is nothing
ABOVE: Plush
interior for
like the Integras; its all buttery squidginess compared to
continent- slick precision, although theres a clear feeling that its a
crossing solid item up to the task. And when you point the bluff
comfort.
nose down a country lane and give the motor its head, you
realise what an astonishing engine this is.
The bald figures (0-60mph in 6.7s, 146mph) tell part of
the story the part that sees it pretty much keeping up
with a Porsche 968 but its the way the power is delivered
that really impresses. Its not frantic and jumpy like the
Honda, it meters out the acceleration in one steady,
relentless surge, all the while delivering the sort of
symphonious noise that only a six-cylinder motor can give.
Past 4000rpm the sound is utterly beguiling and, while
you find yourself changing up just beyond 6k, round about
the point the Integra would just be coming on song, the
torque of the VR6 keeps it pulling with tremendous,
tenacious urgency. This cars got a lot of heart.
The steering provides surprising feedback. Comfortably
ensconced in what appears to be a luxury grand tourer, its
MODERN CLASSICS 57
 HONDA INTEGRA TYPE-R vs VW CORRADO VR6

THE VOLKSWAGEN
IS BY NO MEANS
THE SOFT OPTION.

easy to forget youre in a pukka sports car, but it really is a The Modern Classics View
point-and-squirt terrier of a thing, and the handling is just Which one of these you prefer as a drivers car is entirely
divine. This is a taut athlete in a Savile Row dinner suit. Thanks to subjective; on the one hand you have continent-munching
Barrie Jones
The thing that keeps hammering at your subconscious and Honda torque in luxurious finery, on the other you have race-
is that vast swell of ready torque; the Corrado effectively UK for letting honed lunacy that means youll never stop smiling. For me,
us loose in
only needs two gears for 90 per cent of the time second the cars. its no contest it has to be the Integra. While the Corrado
takes you merrily past 60mph, third lets you enjoy the does everything superbly, the Integra is such an intensely-
post-4000rpm howl for endless B-road miles. This car focused experience it can transcend mundane reality.
may have been stymied in period by its high sticker price, The petrolheads of Instagram beg to differ, though
but those who took the plunge were fabulously rewarded. I posed the question and the results came back
overwhelmingly in favour of the Corrado. Retro
enthusiasts just love that VR6 motor the sound, the
SPECIFICATIONS HONDA INTEGRA VW CORRADO VR6 torque, even the smell. The cars relative obscurity also
Engine 1797cc/4-cyl/DOHC 2861cc/6-cyl/DOHC gives it big kudos today, with countless thirty-somethings
Transmission FWD, five-speed manual FWD, five-speed manual
wishing their dads had stumped up a bit of extra cash
Power 187bhp@8000rpm 190bhp@5800rpm
instead of following the herd into Golf GTI ownership. Its
Torque 131lb-ft@7300rpm 180lb-ft@4200rpm
Weight 1060kg 1240kg a genuinely aspirational thing.
How many left? 1000 (UK) 1000 (UK) But the Type-R is just on another level. And this is
largely attributable to that shockingly urgent, cartoonishly
PERFORMANCE
0-60mph 6.5sec 6.7sec violent VTEC frenzy. It really is like a drug. This
Top speed 145mph 146mph lightweight miscreant, with its huggy seats and sublimely
Economy 25-35mpg 22-32mpg masterful LSD, just wants to play all the time. Its one of
WHAT TO PAY that rare breed of cars, along with the 205 GTI and the
Concours 15,000 16,000 MkI MX-5, which makes every journey an adventure, even
Good 8000 8500 a humdrum trip to the shops for a pint of milk. It fills every
Usable 4500 4000 moment with joy, and thats the sort of thing we should all
Project 2000 1000 want in our lives. This brief flash of time we have on Earth
is too short not to drive a DC2 Integra Type-R.

58 MODERN CLASSICS
North Wales Honda
e about Honda
ar Sales. Service & MOT.
 ENDANGERED SPECIES
Household names that need saving

The Vauxhall Astra GTE MkI lasted 15 months, and has been
forgotten but now, with so few left, it's a true star
Words Nigel Boothman Photography Andy McCandlish

60 MODERN CLASSICS
 ancy it? Everyone seems to.
F Its hard to come up with any
other hot hatch of the era
that produces the same level
of phwoarr. An Astra GTE MkI, in
white, in near-perfect condition, seems
to be the one Luton product every car
nut of a certain age would like to try.
Maybe its the rarity. The first Astras,
with their origami styling and water-
soluble wheel arches, disappeared pretty
quickly. The MkI GTE was only offered
from April 1983 to August 84, so there
were never many of them to start with.
Yet enough were sold to form a
reputation for agility, speed and
all-round rightness that had many
owners of Golfs and Escorts wondering
if theyd made the wrong choice. Now
those same owners are still gagging for a
go in one.
How did Vauxhall do it? Its tempting
to suggest blind luck, because you cant
deny that the Astra GTE was an
afterthought. VW started selling the
Golf GTI with RHD in 1979 and Fords
new Escort came with an XR3 version
from launch in 1980, then from 82 the
RS1600i and XR3i. That year also saw
the first warm Astra, the 90bhp carb-fed
SR. It wasnt enough.
The solution involved dropping in the
1.8-litre, LE-Jetronic engine from the
Cavalier SRi. With 115bhp in a car
weighing under a ton, Vauxhall had
something to boast about. It wasnt the
finished article but found its market.
Two things helped: lairy marketing
slogans like NOUGHT TO NAUGHTY
NAUGHTY IN 8.5 SECONDS, and
glowing praise from mags.
Its due for a bit more of that shortly,
but before we climb aboard lets
remember something. There may be as
few as nine MkI GTEs on the road in the
UK. Among those, this one is unrestored.
Its had a bit of paint but its basically a
long-stored survivor carefully
re-commissioned, de-modified and
buffed to show-winning condition. A
Ferrari F40 is common by comparison...
ONLY
9
LEFT
MODERN CLASSICS 61
 ENDANGERED SPECIES

The moment Mark McClelland steers

his white GTE into the car park, Im back
in 1991. No, the Astra wouldnt have
been new then, but it was recent enough
to be respectable and yet old enough to
be within reach, at least in theory. I was
17 and in possession of my first car,
which just happened to be a white
Vauxhall. Only mine was a 1975 Viva SL
with a tiger-fur seat cover and radio-
cassette screwed to a piece of plywood
by my right knee. It was less than ten
years older than the GTE but might as
well have come from a different century.
So whenever I was putting a fivers
Astra feels planted
worth of four-star into the Viva and in the corners
some hair-gelled hero in a GTE growled stark contrast to
other hot hatches.
to a halt at the next pump, the over-
riding emotion was jealousy. And thats
what comes back now, until I suddenly of feet further forward is very the first ones were criticised for being
remember Im going to be driving this promising. Blimey, that unassisted overgeared, so when a close-ratio box
one. About time, too. steering you forget that even small cars came along, as fitted to this car, the
Having slapped the door shut, the could need a hefty effort through the overall gearing was lowered too. It helps
drivers environment takes me by wheel at parking speeds. The designers the GTE make the most of its power
surprise maybe its not as far from the probably didnt envisage boots as large there isnt a lot of torque but you need
Viva as I thought. The dash is a cliff of as these modest 185/60 R14s. to keep it boiling to travel fast. At one
hard black plastic and the wheel seems It soon lightens up once youre moving point, I drop it into fourth and Im
large and rather skinny, positioned down and the Astras preferred mode of travel surprised to see only 43mph. These
near my lap. But the bucket seats are becomes obvious: rev, change, rev, first-gen 1980s hatches certainly feel
superb and the rorty noise from a couple change, every few seconds. Apparently faster than they really are or do they?
Mark points out that the speedo is
under-reading by something between 10

YOURE EXACTLY THE RIGHT DISTANCE

and 13mph. That would explain it,
though on roads like this in the Ayrshire

FROM THE RAW DRIVING EXPERIENCE

hills around Kilmarnock, youre never
far from a bend that makes you think
hard about slowing down. Heres where
 Clockwise from
top left: three little
letters mean big
fun; no luxuries
but why would you
need them?;
engine sourced
from Cavalier SRi;
orange needles
best viewed
blasting through
the rev range;
seats are comfy
but they hold you
in place really well;
and where did we
put our rave
tapepacks?

the Astra scores. Its just as safe to chuck
around as a Golf but it has more poise
and less bias towards understeer. It feels
nimble, but never alarming in the way a
clumsily-handled 205 GTI can do. It also
stops very well and changes gear nicely,
albeit with a bit of a baulk between some
of the intermediate slots. Still, try
I BOUGHT ONE MARK MCCLELLAND
Mark McClelland has had eight MkI
Astras, mostly GTEs, and knows them
inside out. Someone new to MkIs
would struggle to find spares, but the
Owners Club has access to parts numbers from
original microfiches, and with a couple of
contacts in Germany you can get what you
need. Panels, like wings and tailgates, can be
the exception. Theyre very scarce and
expensive, though still cheaper than the
equivalent bit from an RS Ford.
finding an unrestored, 30-year-old Golf
thats any better.
How does it make you feel? Naughty, if
Im honest. A man emerges from a house
by the road, ostensibly to put the bins
out, but Im convinced hes actually
heard us blatting up and down and has
stomped outside to disapprove. It takes
all my self control not to screech round
on the handbrake and go haring past him
again with that tangerine tachometer
needle swinging clockwise.
On one level, the Astra feels dated
thanks to the drinks-tray cabin plastics,
wind-up windows and doors as thin as a
Rich Tea biscuit. It wouldnt be relaxing
on the motorway despite that fifth gear,
with 70mph nudging the 4000rpm mark
But on another level its a properly
exciting, well-balanced little tool that
still offers about as many thrills as you
can safely or legally use on a B-road.
Thats because youre exactly the right
distance from the raw driving
experience: its a practical, reliable,
comfortable car but everything
hands, feet, ears, arse receives
feedback from the road. Later hot
hatches increased power as well as
luxury, but almost all lost some of that
rawness and simplicity.
Maybe the Astras even more at home
tearing around the one-way system,
using the close-ratio box and neat
steering to carve up the traffic. Theres a
TV ad campaign running at the moment
for the Smart ForTwo Brabus,
describing the warmed over micro-
machine as an urban sports car. Sorry,
Smart youre about 35 years late to the
party. Hot hatchbacks defined that idea
and this Astra is as good as any of them.

MODERN CLASSICS 63
 ENDANGERED SPECIES

Modern Classics view

Weve nearly missed the boat with the
MkI GTE. No one would suggest that
MkI Golf GTIs are endangered, and
though the XR3i isnt an everyday sight
there are other hot Escorts to choose
from and a huge fast Ford scene to keep
them alive.
Vauxhalls following is more
fragmented; people who like Droop
Snoot Firenzas or 3-litre Senators
probably arent into FWD hot hatches,
and the MkI and MkII Astras have
different owners clubs.
And yet theres that reaction we
Weighing just under
mentioned right at the beginning. a ton means 115bhp
Everyone seems to love the GTE. When feels much faster
than the numbers.
the owner of this car put a photo of it
next to a Lamborghini on Facebook, it
went viral, attracting hundreds of
comments all saying much the same soon shock owners of MkI Golfs. At long
thing stuff the Italian machine, I want last, it looks like the Astra GTE is getting VAUXHALL ASTRA MKI GTE
Engine 1796cc/4-cyl/OHC
the Astra. the recognition it always deserved.
Transmission FWD, 5-speed manual
Some startling auction prices for But this is more than just an
Power 115bhp@5800rpm
1980s Escorts in the last 18 months tell appreciating asset. It's a trip back to Torque 111lb-ft@4800rpm
us all we need to know about where MkI when social networking meant Weight 950kg
GTE values are heading. Modified ones nightclubs and car meets. Though new
PERFORMANCE
are being put back to standard, rough hatches and the internet may be 'better', 0-60mph 8.9sec
ones are worth restoring and values will they're not as much fun, are they? Top speed 115mph
Economy 27mpg
WHAT TO PAY

AT LONG LAST, IT LOOKS LIKE THE ASTRA GTE Concours

Good
15,000
10,000

IS GETTING THE RECOGNITION IT DESERVED

Usable 7000
Project 2500

Did you own one back in

the day? Let us know via
twitter @mdrnclassics

64 MODERN CLASSICS
 CLEVER MONEY CARS
Driving the best automotive bets
BERTONE, BUSSO,
BELLISSIMA
With power and style from two Italian stars,
its time the Alfa GT became a five-star car
Words Nathan Chadwick Photography Chippy Wood
rices for good,
P
low-mileage 147 GTAs
and 156 GTAs have
been rising for the
past two years.
Reflecting just how
rare and entertaining GTAs are, weve
seen both push 15,000 for mint
examples. Scale it back a notch and good,
useable cars with around 70k miles are
now pushing 11k.
However, for a similar-mileage GT,
youre looking at just over half the price.
Were serious; you get that same engine,
the final incarnation of the Giuseppe
Busso-designed V6, wrapped up in a
beautiful Bertone body, for half the
price. For now...
Forget the fact that certain respected
motoring journalists seem to have lost
66 MODERN CLASSICS
some of their memory in the feverish
rush to praise the new Giulia
Quadrifoglio, asserting that no Alfa in
the past 30 years has passed muster
at all theyre all glorified Fiats,
according to them.
That journalists amnesia had spread
to the average punter, poisoning the
water for the likes of the GT. For many
years the Alfas of the 2000s that shared
the Busso V6 were on a steadfastly
downward trajectory.
But the times they are a changing
weve already seen a 24,000-mile GT
nudge 10k, although good, investable
cars can still be had for 7-8k. It wont be
long until the upward trajectory follows
that of the GTAs.
But of course, thats not the best bit.
Let us show you what we mean.
 VALUE NOW
7000
VALUE IN 2020
11,000

MODERN CLASSICS 67
 CLEVER MONEY CARS
Look at it. Just look at it. Take the badges
off and it could be a Maserati or even a
Ferrari. Of course, the red helps, but its
hard to think of a poor angle. Bertone did a
fine job the way the grille and lights peel
around the swept bonnet front makes it
look like a bird of prey, ready to feast on
unsuspecting BMW 330Ci owners.
Its fairly easy to do that well come to
that in a moment but if theres one
criticism of the GT in 3.2 V6 form its that
maybe it doesnt look all that different from
the diesels and smaller petrols in the
range. After all, part of the GTA appeal is
that theyre distinctly mean-looking. But
not everyone wants to be so shouty, which
is where the GT comes in. The GT trades
on simple elegance it has almost all the
power of its more aggressive GTA sisters,
but the only way people will know is the
discreet 3.2 V6 badge on the rump.
But its whats up front, under that long,
curvaceous bonnet, that really matters.
The 3.2-litre V6 dominates the car, and
WHAT
TO PAY
Concours
10,000
Good
7500
Usable
5500
Project
3500
68 MODERN CLASSICS
even just looking at it makes you want to stats say peak torque hits at 4800rpm, but
abandon your job and stand guard over it youll feel the thrust come from as little as
night and day. Some might say the 2000. Itll go all the way up to 6500rpm,
adoration over the chrome inlets is a little the V6 zinging, howling and screaming as
overplayed; trust us when we say they truly the revs ascend, with pure, smooth
enchant when the bonnet opens. analogue heave. In-gear shove is electric
Bussos engine first appeared in 1979, plant the throttle in third youll go from 50
powering the Alfa 6. Over the years it was to 70mph in just 3.7 seconds. Thats a full
at the heart of some of Alfa Romeos most second quicker than a BMW 330Ci and
memorable cars, such as the GTV6, 164, half a second quicker than a Vauxhall
SZ, 75 and GTV, and has quite rightly Monaro and that has two extra cylinders.
passed into legend as one of the finest- Youll never tire of pushing this engine
sounding engines that has ever been made. through the rev range. More modern cars
Theres no disagreement here when it will deliver bigger figures on paper, but
fires up. Though mildly detuned compared this feels much rawer at its extremities,
to the GTAs and a little less in your face helped along by that riotous sound from
(or ear canals), it sounds
naughty even at idle. Its not
a whine; its more of a low IT LOOKS LIKE A BIRD OF
PREY, READY TO FEAST ON
rumble. Of course, that
doesnt last long
BMW 330CI OWNERS
What strikes you first is
just how much low-down
muscularity it has. The

Quick Whatever the
steering revs, the V6
means you gives a
can hit glorious
every apex. soundtrack.
the engine. It feels much faster than it is
though to be fair, you can hit big numbers
pretty damn quickly anyway. A glance at
the statistics might disappoint, but trust
us on your favourite A-road you simply
will not care. This car delivers so much
entertainment you wont be bothered by
lap times or sideways grandstanding.
But its much more than an Italian
dragster; the super-sharp steering means
you simply need to look at an apex and the
GT eagerly follows. Theres a little less
feedback from the tyres to your fingertips
than you might like, particularly when you
transition between tighter left and right
Its not perfect, of
course. Interior
fitments are not
the most robust, to
say the least.
corners at speed, but trust in the GT and it
provides excellent mid-corner grip.
It gets even better with a Q2 or Quaife
limited-slip differential installed. First
debuted on the diesel GT, this has become
a must-have upgrade for all V6 front-drive
Alfas, and the transformation is exquisite.
As standard the GT wasnt known for its
understeer, but push hard enough and
youd find it. However, with the Q2 you can
pull straight through the apexes as if the
Big Friendly Giant is thumbing the roof of
the car across a big carpet. Its so planted,
so stable and so engaging youll soon forget
its front-wheel drive.
MODERN CLASSICS 69
 CLEVER MONEY CARS
NEED TO KNOW
Before looking for cars, get in touch with the Alfa Romeo Owners' Club
(aroc-uk.com), talk to specialists and sign up to the AlfaOwner forum
(alfaowner.com) with so few cars around its likely specific examples will
be well-known to them.
Prioritise cars that have the Q2
limited-slip differential upgrade. If
performed at an Alfa Romeo dealer,
a Q2 badge was often applied to
the rear of the car. Even so, check
its been done in the history. Some
specialists prefer to use a Quaife
ATB (750 fitted from Autolusso).
Cambelt services arent cheap at
around 600, but some specialists
do a tier 1 service. Autolusso
charges 845 for this (cambelt,
tensioner, two idler pulleys, two
cam cover gaskets, six spark plugs
and their gaskets and a metal water
pump). The cambelt needs
changing every three years. Alfa
Romeo suggest 72,000 for a first-
time change; specialists advise
48,000 miles. In most cases its the
tensioners that fail; the belt then
starts rubbing against the cam
covers. If you can hear a rubbing
sound from the engine, get it to a
specialist quickly. Cambelt
replacement requires cam locks
specific to the engine; non-
specialists may try to bodge it
look for Tipp-Ex marks and then
negotiate a discount.
At mileages closer to 100k, rear
bank head gasket failure has been
reported. Burned exhaust valve
seats have also been seen. If the
cars heading over the 100k hill, it
may be due a top-end rebuild at a
cost of 3000.
The water pump was fitted with a
plastic impeller, which is known to
split over time and fail. Its driven
off the auxiliary belt but replacing it
means taking out the cambelt.
Most cars have had the impeller
replaced with a metal one from the
916 GTV, but check for receipts as
its a labour-intensive job.
The mass airflow meter lasts
around 70,000 miles; failure is
heralded by flat spots, rough
running and poor idling. It
sometimes triggers an engine
management warning light;
sometimes the car will refuse to
move with the MAF installed.
If the orange engine management
light flashes up and it beeps on
start up its likely to be Motor
Control System failure, and
checking the lambda sensors
should be the first port of call. This
isnt a major problem, unless its the
rear bank sensor (fiddly to get to),
but if one goes all may need doing.
If the MCSF comes on and theres
an alarm every 20 seconds, it could
indicate a more serious fault, though
its worth checking if wiring to the
coil pack has worked loose.
The oil filter is a pig to get at, so
its possible some cars havent had
as many oil changes as they should
70 MODERN CLASSICS
have look for regular changes in
the paperwork. The Alfa-
prescribed oil is Selenia 10w60
semi synthetic not always easy to
find. Even some Alfa Romeo
dealers may not have it in stock
these days. Other viscosities are
suitable, but its worth talking to
a specialist.
Radiators tend to last up to four
years, and start to crumble at the
top corners and bottom. The
coolant pipe at the bottom of the
radiator can also corrode.
The pipes that feed the engine oil
radiator are known to corrode
between the braided hose section
and the radiator. Replacements are
no longer available from Alfa; you
have to order a pair of pipes and an
oil cooler from a 156 GTA and have
them adapted to fit. This is an
engine-out job.
Rear-bank spark plugs are hard to
get to; non-specialists have been
known to simply not bother
replacing them.
All Alfas of this era are known for
grounding out at the front, though
the GTs undertray is much better
connected. It can still droop if
worked free of its mountings.
If the car clicks on full left and full
right lock, the outer CV joints could
be in need of replacement.
The synchro can become weak,
especially on fourth gear. Check for
crunching from quick changes. A
crunch going into reverse is normaI.
Clutches last around 50-60k miles
a good specialist will supply and fit
one for 550. Slave cylinders have
been known to leak when the seals
go. A leak down the front of the
gearbox is likely to be brake fluid
(they use the same reservoir) from
the slave cylinder.
Look for rust in the front wheel
wells behind the suspension strut
and the side of the chassis leg. Take
a look at the state of the floorpan
under the drivers seat and the rear
passenger footwells.
The soft-touch covering on the
drivers door pull/window switch
are often scratched off. You can
buy new ones separately, and
fittings a DIY job.
Minor electric faults could be due
to a dying battery. The window
switch can suffer from water
ingress as can the ECU; the units
bespoke to the GT.
Clonks over bumps and tramlining
could be worn suspension bushes. If
the rear end wobbles over bumps,
the rear trailing arm bushes may
need replacing. Heavier knocking
noises are likely to be the front anti-
roll bar sliding after the bushes have
worn, a five-hour job to fix.
 The original-fitment front diff had a
reputation for self destruction,
vomiting its innards out through the
gearbox casing, but the Q2 is much
more robust. Wed go so far as to say its
a must-have feature when looking
most have already been converted, but
if you find a perfect original, budget to
have it done. Youll transform the
handling and do your wallet a favour
long-term.
Braking force is strong; theres a
little fuzziness in the pedal feel, but
thats something to which you soon
adapt. However, get a bit aggressive
with the 330mm Brembos at low speeds
and you may inadvertently say goodbye
to your back teeth. Reassuring, if
perhaps not quite as smooth as you
might like.
Shifting gears can be a little vague,
but the ratios are evenly spaced if you
do decide to go for aggressive changes.
However, theres so much torque
throughout the rev
range theres really no I BOUGHT ONE PAUL JONES
Paul owns this GT, and it's given him no trouble. 'Any
need and youll be
prospective owners should check that the car's got a
robbing yourself of full service history, and not just oil changed. Any car
that high-end shriek, of should also have had its cambelt and water pump
course. Its best to shift changed every 72k miles or five years. I use Chris Variava Alfa
Romeo in Nottingham for servicing. Join the Alfa Romeo
the ratios gently and Owners' Club as there is always someone to help out.' Paul's
enjoy as many revs selling the GT as he's bought his dream car 07714 208 052.
as possible.
That leisurely input
best serves the
e lumpiest B-roads being hit will soon become familiar to
the entire car wobbles and shakes over you. Smoother A-roads suit the GT
bumps and cambers, and that robs you better anyway, and for these the GT
of a little confidence to drive it as hard makes an excellent companion.
as you could. The interior is a great-looking place
Its not because the suspensions rock to be too, even if some of the materials
hard far from it, because the GT is dont inspire too much confidence in
well damped and comfortable their longevity hello, electric window
everywhere else its just that there console, were talking about you. But
doesnt appear to be enough suspension these are all minor niggles in what is a
travel to absorb these bumps very special cockpit from the scooped
comfortably at speed. The dashboard binnacles to the hand-
unmistakable sound of bump stops stitched leather seats, it feels so much
THE INTERIOR FEELS SO
MUCH MORE EXOTIC THAN
CONTEMPORARY RIVALS
MODERN CLASSICS 71
 CLEVER MONEY CARS
GTs natural
habitat is your
favourite A-road,
where it will never
fail to raise an
ear-to-ear grin.

ITS A LAST-OF-AN-ERA CAR.

THE LATER V6 LACKS THE
BUSSOS EMOTIVE FEEL
much more exotic than its contemporary
rivals. Yes, it does squeak and rattle the
suspensions foibles dont help matters
but that partially adds to the engaging
rawness of it all.
The GT's remarkably practical too not
something weve often bothered ourselves
with at Modern Classics but the editors
just spawned (I'm not a fish Nayf! Ed)
Theres room in the back for real human
beings, even if theyre not about to sit their
SATs yet, and plenty of room in the boot for
the shopping.
So it really isnt a B-road warrior, but
then it is called a GT. In fact Id go as far as
to suggest that its biggest rivals arent the
Mazda RX-8, Audi TT or Nissan 350Z,
which it was benchmarked against. Its
overall feel puts us in mind of the Jaguar
XK8 the leather, the big-hearted torquey
engine and pornographic styling.
Unlike the Jag, however, you can shift
the gears yourself, giving you a level of
engagement the XK8 just cant match.
Heretical? Trust us, you should try one.
The Modern Classics view
Its hard not to fall in love with the GT, low-mileage cars few and far between,
even if it isnt perfect. Once equipped with which will only drive values forward. We
a Q2 or Quaife diff, unless youre a expect the GT to top 10k in the next
passionate drifter you really wont care couple of years for 70k-miles examples.
that its not RWD. The steering is reflex- The GT is a last-of-an-era car, too. The
sharp, theres plenty of grip and the Brera's V6 used an Alfa cylinder head over
chassis, though not the tightest, does allow a GM bottom end, and lacks the emotive
you some play. And of course, theres the feel of the Busso. And though the Brera is a
engine the big-hearted, silky smooth, fine car, it lacks the GTs character.
gloriously naturally-aspirated V6. It only takes one stretch from 3500rpm
It also makes sense for your pocket. to get your blood up. Perhaps some hacks
There are just 322 left, with good, would like their memories jogged
ALFA ROMEO GT 3.2 V6 CLUBS & FORUMS
Engine 3179cc/6-cyl/DOHC Alfa Romeo Owners' Club aroc.co.uk
Transmission FWD, 6-speed manual Alfaowner alfaowner.com
Power 237bhp@6200rpm
Torque 221lb-ft@4800rpm SPECIALISTS
Weight 1410kg Autolusso autolusso.co.uk
PERFORMANCE
Alfa Aid alfaaid.co.uk
NJS njsalfaromeo.co.uk
0-60mph 6.7sec
Alfa Workshop alfaworkshop.co.uk
Top speed 151mph
Auto Sportivo 07946 548 727
Economy 23mpg

72 MODERN CLASSICS
  ALFA GIULIA QUADRIFOGLIO
 REMAPPING 
 DIAGNOSTICS 
 SOFTWARE UPDATES
 FAULTS BEFORE REMAPPING

 ABARTH 124 SPIDER UPGRADES

 200 BHP AFTER OUR STAGE 1 REMAP
 ABARTH LSD FITTING
 TIFF NEEDELL
Flat-out in modern classics on road & track
I DISENGAGED MY BRAIN
AND GOT STUCK IN
Unable to get into the British Grand Prix, Tiff instead
took a BMW M1 for a spin around Silverstone
hroughout my
T 30-odd years
of TV I doubt if
there was a single series
where I didnt manage to
get behind the wheel of a
BMW M car and destroy
yet another set of rear tyres
revelling in the sheer joy of a
superb-handling rear-wheel-
drive saloon.
What I loved most over
the years was the great
variety of engines. We've
had four cylinders, the
legendary straight-six and a
400bhp V8 that rewrote the
rule book in 1998, before
being eclipsed by my
all-time-favourite V10 an F1
74 MODERN CLASSICS
inspired engine in a family
saloon!
But its the M1 that
provides me with my
fondest memory - or
perhaps I should say the
BMW Procar M1, because
that was the version I
Tiff Needell actually got to race. Needing
After a long
career not to build 400 cars to qualify
only as a for international racing (a
motoring
broadcaster category later canned),
but as a racing BMW built 20 very special
driver, his
opinion on
versions and created its own
any car needs Grand Prix support race
to be taken series and had four cars
seriously
reserved for top-qualifying
F1 drivers!
I should have been a
Formula One driver at the
1979 British Grand Prix but I
became a pawn in Bernie
Ecclestones war with FIA
boss Jean-Marie Balestre.
Newly introduced Super
Licence qualifications
ignored British F3 race
results and, despite Bernies
best efforts, Balestre said a
firm non to my application
after I was offered a seat
with Team Ensign.
As some consolation
Bernie and Max Mosley fixed
me up with a drive in one of
the factory Procars for the
Silverstone race and what
an awesome bit of kit it was!
There wasnt really that
much of the standard M1 left.
A front spoiler, rear wing and
big wheelarch extensions
were added while it rode on
a full-race suspension.
Meanwhile, its power output
soared from 277bhp to an
amazing 470bhp!
Although Id done the odd
saloon car race this was my
first pukka GT drive, and my
first in a left-hand-drive car.
Out of the way,
Reutemann! A fresh-
faced Tiff gets to grips
with the M1 in 1979.
With no testing and
under such a spotlight my
qualifying effort was a big
disappointment. Trying to be
neat and tidy like the single-
seater racing driver I was, I
wasnt nearly aggressive
enough. Nervous of
clobbering the big apex
kerbs hidden away on the
right didnt help settle my
nerves either and 16th on the
grid was disappointing.
For the race I disengaged
my brain and got stuck in.
I hung on to every last rev
rather than worrying about
blowing the engine,
bouncing off the kerbs and
joining in with the pack. I
somehow caught a battle
between Clay Regazzoni
and Carlos Reutemann, got
past the Argentinian and
then threw it up the road
PHOTOGRAPHY BMW
with a wild, tyre-smoking
pirouette on the exit of
Becketts. Some bloke called
Lauda won the race while I
recovered to finish ninth, a
huge grin all over my face.
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 KEITH ADAMS
The cars I could have bought
IT TOLD ME IN BOLD LED
GRAPHICS JUST HOW FAST
The younger, less worldy-wise Keith finds himself
held to ransom over a Vauxhall Astra GTE
s someone who
A loves a spirited
drive along a
B-road, Im ashamed to
say that Ive not owned
nearly enough hot
hatches. But its not through
want of trying. Back in 1992,
aged 22 and with no points
on my licence, I decided to
chop in my beige Austin
Maestro 1.3L for something
way sexier.
The choice couldnt have
been more straightforward;
the Vauxhall Astra GTE. Ive
always had a soft spot for a
bit of Griffin action, and thus
I found myself heading to my
local used car supermarket,
76 MODERN CLASSICS
chasing a C-registered
MkII 1.8 GTE.
It was my first visit to a
proper showroom to
look at a proper car. With
that in mind, I wore a
grown-up suit, and brought
along my partner yeah, I
Keith Adams wanted to look the business.
was the
founding A quick kick of the tyres
editor of on this silver example, a sit in
Modern
Classics and is to admire the digital dash,
now editor of and I summoned the
parkers.co.uk
salesman. A young guy in a
shiny suit came over and
was more than happy to
hand me the keys. Wow. In
my head, this car was
already mine, and I was
working out which of my
colleagues cars I could
outrun. Which was all of
them, I reckoned.
Pulling out into the fast-
moving Preston traffic, the
crisp throttle response won
me over. This car was fast.
But it also told me in bold
LED graphics just how fast.
Even before Id made it to
the first set of lights, I knew
I was going to have it.
Eventually I headed back
to the showroom, fully
intending to sign my life
away to the monthly grind
Back in the dealership, I
was ushered into a back
room. The young, smiley
salesman offered us hot
drinks, and vanished. About
20 minutes later, an older,
more serious-looking man
walked in. He was smoking a
cigarette and holding our
drinks. OK, we have some
paperwork for you, he said.
Just sign on the dotted line.
Now Im not one to panic,
but the windowless office,
the length of the delay, and
This is what makes
you desire an Astra
GTE MkII not high-
pressure salesmen.
the earnestness of the man
rang alarm bells. Can I think
about it? I asked. No, we
need to do the deal now to
guarantee your monthly
payment of 199. If you
delay, that will go up, and
well give you less for your
Maestro. I sat on my hands,
and as the wall clock ticked
behind me, the silence built.
He broke first. Ill leave you
to think about it, he said.
He walked out, and as the
door closed, I heard a key
turn. Hed locked the door!
My partner and I looked at
each other, and wondered
what was next. After another
10 minutes (which felt like 10
hours), he re-appeared.
Have you thought about it?
I shook my head, grabbed
my partners hand and
barged past this
modern-day Dick Turpin
without a second look.
A week later, I bought a
Citron BX 16-Valve, and
never looked back. I think I
made the right decision
 Over

LLI
RO
 MODERN NOT CLASSIC
Tony Middlehurst on those that don't make the grade
NOT SO MUCH SYNERGISTIC
AS CANNIBALISTIC
Old Rovers have a dedicated following, but what
about the mechanically identical Honda Concerto?
his is a story
T about the
Honda
Concerto. Its worth
mentioning that now, in
case you start wondering
halfway through the piece
why theres been no mention
of the Concerto yet.
According to rheumy old
codgers at classic bike
meets, the Japanese were
responsible for the death of
the British motorcycle
industry. Cobblers. It signed
its own death warrant by
producing sub-standard
goods for too long, as the
game-changing Honda
CB750 showed in 1969.
78 MODERN CLASSICS
Now change
motorcycle to car. The
redirection of the British
motor industry started in
1979 when BL boss
Michael Edwardes signed
a deal with Honda to
co-develop a new family car:
Tony the 1981 Triumph Acclaim.
Middlehurst
has been Actually, the Acclaim was
writing about a Honda Ballade, but in a
cars for years.
Occasionally time when anti-Japanese
some good trade barriers were deemed
ones, too...
essential, BL called it a
Triumph. Intended as little
more than a prelude to the
Montego/Maestro, we see it
as a turning point.
The Acclaim was a reliable
machine with a handy talent
to get you from A to B, more
often than not. It held the
record for the lowest
percentage of BL warranty
claims. Its hard to overstate
how exciting this all was for
buyers whose lives had been
blighted by hope-for-the-
best Allegros and Marinas.
Which brings us to the
Concerto, the successor to
the Ballade/Acclaim. Built in
the UK as the Rover 200, this
had a five-door, six-light
layout and decent handling.
Concertos had double-
wishbone front suspension
while 200s had MacPherson
struts, but Rover had a
trump card a new engine,
the K Series. Hmm.
The Rover tried to be
more luxurious, as befitted
or indeed befat the marques
Mrs Bucket image, whereas
the Honda had a cleaner
look inside and out. Post-1991
Concertos were physically
cleaner too, thanks to their
catalytic converters. Rover
wasnt bothering with cats.
The Honda Concerto or a
Rover 200 without the
chintzy wood.
Well, they werent
compulsory (thats best said
in a Brummie accent). UK
Concerto fans were happy
to buy into the idea that the
Honda was a more precisely
engineered creation than the
(as they saw it) clumped-
together Rover.
The other big difference
was that Rover 200s werent
sold in Japan. The tie-up
could have been a mutually
beneficial precursor to the
kind of brand segmentation
we now see within the
Volkswagen Group, but this
one-sided partnership
wasnt so much synergistic
as cannibalistic.
The Rover/Honda did lead
to the Rover 400 and 45
decent little cars that kept
MG Rover going but the
Concerto was axed when
Rover was taken over by
BMW in 1994. We wonder
what might have happened
if that spiky relationship
between East and West
(Bromwich) had matured.
 Use
discount code
CLASSICS
for 10% off
online

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@sales@performanceenginecomponents.com www.PerformanceEngineComponents.com
 YOUR DRIVES
Email us your drive at editorial@modernclassics.co.uk
LEXUS GS300 SPORT
Barry Clow 'It has a custom-made exhaust, which gives the
car a nice subtle burble any petrolhead would appreciate'
Year 1997
Acquired 2014 and again 2016
Mileage 141,000
Dream trip The Ring Road,
Iceland
Why the Lexus?
Back in the 1990s I was working
as a salesman in a Toyota/Lexus
main dealer in the West Midlands
and thats where my love affair
with the Lexus brand began. At
the time Lexus was just
beginning to establish itself as a
luxury car brand in its own right,
and with only two models to
choose from, LS or GS, it was a
real left of field choice.
The Sport wasnt a factory
model. Based on a standard GS
300 it was a bespoke package
that could be ordered by UK
customers; the vehicles were
converted by UK dealers.
80 MODERN CLASSICS
What's the best bit?
The GS 300 Sport package was
all about less is more; the only
real giveaway was if a customer
chose the bigger rear wheels,
which set the car off beautifully.
There werent many converted
and now they are as rare as hens
teeth. The straight-six 2JZ
engine is unburstable (it's similar
to the one used in the Supra
MkIV) and its been ultra-
reliable; so much so this is the
second time I have owned it.
The build quality is superb,
even with 141,000 miles on the
clock, and the premium
Nakamichi stereo system puts
many modern in-car systems
to shame.
What do I like the least?
The dashboard is boring to look
at, and the rear tyres Pirelli P
Zeros dont last long, especially
if you have a heavy right foot.
Boot size isnt much to shout
about either.
What mods does it have?
It has a custom-made exhaust,
which gives the car a nice subtle
burble that any petrolhead
would appreciate.
Any advice for buyers?
Make sure the rear main crank
Barry fell in
love with Lexus
in the 1990s.
seal isnt leaking; its a common
problem on this model and its a
gearbox-out job. Check the rear
arches for corrosion, and dont
lose the magazine for the boot-
mounted CD player because you
will never find another.
Whats it like to run?
Fuel consumption averages
around low-20s mpg in the real
world but I dont do many miles
so frankly its not a concern. All
the powertrain, brakes and
suspension parts are readily
available. I use Adrian Flux for
my insurance and this year it's
260 fully comp.
GS300 Sport was
a dealer special.
 VW GOLF GTI MKII
Joel Townley 'I keep a '91 Nokia in the glovebox. Just need
to find a shell suit and it'll be like a trip back to the 1990s'
Year 1991
Acquired 2013
Mileage 162,000
Best car film Back to the Future
Dream car Porsche 911
What drew you to it?
I've always loved the MkII I
remember them from when I
used to see them new in
Volkswagen showrooms. When
my wife left me I thought the
ideal course of action would be
to replace her with a project.
I was at my boy's playgroup
chatting to one of the fathers.
He said his dad was selling a
black Golf GTI MkII. He'd had it
for 14 years and was still using it
daily I nearly fell over when I
heard him say it. I went to see it
that afternoon, and paid 1400.
The car needed work but it was
a great rollingproject.
What do you love?
After years of getting
everything together, I love its
This or married
life? Joel chose
Golf GTI love.
originality. There are not many
left that haven't been messed
around with. It's also a great car
to drive lots of fun.
What do you dislike?
I don't like the fact I'm not
happy leaving it anywhere. I'm
sure most people who read the
magazine, who have worked
hard on their cars themselves,
will understand. It's great to
take out on a blast, but parking
it and leaving it somewhere fills
me with anxiety.
Any modifications?
I've only fitted a set of Apex
lowering springs, as I've always
thought the 8v sat a bit too
high. I've also sourced a 1991
Alpine stereo the theory being
that I could have driven it from
the showroom and had that
exact stereo fitted. I also keep a
1991 Nokia phone in the
glovebox. I just need to find a
shell suit and it'll be like a trip
back to the early 1990s.
Any advice for buyers?
Wait for the right car it will
come up eventually.
Any mishaps?
Well, there's the time I took
the speedo cable out of the
gearbox and dropped the
drive wheel into the gearbox I
spent six hours trying to fish it
out of a 20mm hole. I finally
gave in and was about to
remove the gearbox. I had a
final look, and there was the
cog, floating in the oil. One grab
with my wire tool later and out it
came. I had a few beers in
celebration that night.
FIAT UNO TURBO
Mark Bridges
'It gives me the grin
factor it turns heads'
Year 1987
Acquired 2015
Mileage 72,000
Dream car Lancia Delta Intregrale
Best car film Italian Job
Dream trip To take the Uno Turbo
around the Isle of Man
TT circuit
Why the Uno Turbo
I owned seven in my younger days
I liked them because they were
underestimated and something
different from the norm. When I
turned 40 I decided I wanted another
toy (call it a mid-life crisis if you want).
The Uno was top of the list, but the
problem was finding a good one. So I
joined the Fiat Uno Turbo Owners'
Collective (fiatunoturboowners.
forumotion.co.uk) and found the one
that I own now.
What do you love?
It gives me the grin factor it's light,
quick and handles well. It turns heads
and gets a lot of respect from most
petrolheads.
What do you dislike?
The effort required to keep it dry and
free from corrosion.
Any modifications?
It's completely standard apart from
uprated suspension, dump valve and
K&N filter.
What's it like to run?
I've had very few issues; just had a
couple of perished tyres and fuel
hose. Parts are out there but they're
getting increasingly hard to source.
Quite a few Uno Turbos are being
restored now, so obviously there's a
demand. The best place for parts and
advice is to join the Fiat Uno Turbo
Owners' Collective Facebook page.
Everyone on there is so helpful in
every way it's a great little
community with different characters,
all with a view to keeping these
pocket rockets alive.
MODERN CLASSICS 81
 YOUR DRIVES
MITSUBISHI STARION
Ashley Wensak 'I love looking in the door mirror
and seeing the curve of the wide arches'
Year 1987
Acquired 2007
Mileage 133,000
Dream car Delorean DMC12 or
a big old Mustang
Dream trip To Italy via Basle
and the Stelvio Pass
Why a Starion?
When I was at primary school,
my parents bought a widebody
Starion. My dad gave it plenty
of boost on the way home from
picking it up and I can
remember not being able to
stop smiling. I promised myself
I'd have one when I grew up
and I bought my first one on
my 25th birthday (when my
insurance became slightly more
realistic). I've had six but I
currently own two.
My white 2.0-litre is
supposedly one of the earliest
manufactured widebodies, but
it wasn't registered in the UK
until 1989. It may have done
some press work for Mitsubishi
overseas or been owned by a
UK member of the armed
forces serving abroad. It is also
quite rare, because most of the
white cars had a sunroof but
this one doesn't.
82 MODERN CLASSICS
What's the best bit?
I love looking in the door mirror
and seeing the curve of the
wide arches. I also love the
wheels, the quirky door-
mounted front seatbelts and
the general 1980s-ness of the
interior. Then there's the
pop-up headlights, of course!
The Starions, along with the
Lancer Turbo, gave birth to the
four-door rally Evos because
they used the same engine.
What's it like to run?
Service parts like oil and fuel
filters, air filter elements, brake
pads and so on are still available
from motor factors. Like many
1980s and 1990s Japanese
Ashley loves the
huge arches of
his widebody
Starion.
cars, the biggest problem is
battling rust. There are no
replacement panels available
and the GRP front spoiler is
notorious for getting damaged
on speed bumps, even at
standard ride height. Engines
and electronics are reliable, and
the Mitsubishi Starion Owners'
Club has plenty of parts and
help on offer.
Performance Autoworks in
Fairford and MitsiArt in
Portsmouth are knowledgeable
for all things mechanical. One of
our members is restoring the
Starion used by Jeremy
Clarkson in Top Gear and two
others have genuine Ralliart
Group B rally cars.
This is one of
two Starions
Ashley owns.
FORD FOCUS
RS MkI
Andrew Brannan
'I love the aggressive looks
and the white-knuckle ride'
Year 2004
Acquired 2015
Mileage 69,000
Dream car Ford Sierra RS500
Cosworth
Best car film Italian Job
Why did you choose the RS?
It all started when I was still at
school. One of my dad's best
mates took me along to the Granite
City Rally in Aberdeen. He picked me
up in his RS and from that day on I
vowed I would have my own one day.
One day my dad was getting a
windscreen chip repaired and noticed
this car sitting at the back of the
workshop. He made the mistake of
telling me how good it was, so the
next day I bought it.
What do you love about it?
I love the aggressive looks and the
white-knuckle ride it gives me on a
back-road blast. It also pops
andbangs on the overrun the car
gives me a smile every time I drive it.
What do you like least?
I hate seeing it in its Carcoon over the
winter and not being able to use it.
Any modifications?
It has a full Miltek exhaust, Bluefin
map, Aero front splitter and a K&N
panel filter.
What's it like to run?
Finding parts isn't too tricky being
in the motor trade helps but some
are now becoming expensive. I am
a member of mk1focusrsoc.com,
which is a very useful site with good
discounts and the possibility of
group buys.
Any advice for buyers?
Try to find one with a full dealer
service history, like my example, as
they're more likely to have had the
common issues fixed early on.
 Mid Beds Vehicle Restoration
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 OUR DR The latest on our cars
MY NE SIX TOY
Nathans looking forward to a life of heightened
thrills hes gone and got his own bit of Busso
So here she is. Busso engine, and the Honda
Finally. Ive got Integra Type-R DC2 was a bit
my own modern too hardcore for my taste.
classic. And, Paul Jones, the very nice chap
more importantly, who let us borrow his Alfa
its an Alfa Romeo GTA. I didnt Romeo GT 3.2 V6 for this
think Id get one with decent months Clever Money Cars
miles for my budget, but it all feature, happened to mention
happened by chance that he also had a 147 GTA. And
Id almost given up on the GTA that it might be up for sale
plan. Each one I saw for less than Most 147 GTAs up for less 10k
10k needed work or had have covered 90,000 miles or
questionable history. Id more, but this ones only done
considered a BMW 330Ci, but 72,000 miles. It has received the
though thats a great car its all-important Q2 differential
straight six lacks the zing of a upgrade, it has just had a new
84 MODERN CLASSICS
S
radiator and thermostat, an oil
and filter change, fresh spark
plugs and a new trailing arm. The
clutch master and slave cylinders
have been replaced too. Paul has
also refreshed the gorgeous 17in
alloys in dark grey, repainted the
brake calipers and fitted fresh
Pirelli P-Zero Nero rubber.
Ill be honest, I was pretty
much sold before I made the
trek to Burton-on-Trent to look
at it. Paul had to work in the
morning and was bringing the
car back to his home, so I jiggled
from foot to foot in anticipation
as I waited in the glorious April
sun. I wasnt to be disappointed.
I heard it before I saw it the
aftermarket stainless steel
exhaust system adds a
wonderful low-speed grumble.
Normally Im not too enamoured
with silver cars, but as the
metallic paint reflected the sun
I was converted. There may well
have been dribbling.
I did a brief check around the
car, and though there were a few
minor marks here and there, all
the panels matched up and
there were no dents. There was
a light smattering of surface rust
on the door frames, but nothing
too concerning.
The interior was also good
news. Nothing was broken, and
though the drivers side switch
panel has lost some of its soft-
touch plastic covering, it wasnt
 Nathan proves
that although
you can buy a
cool car, you
cant buy style.

No bits of
interior trim
hanging off
a result for a
13-year-old Alfa.

Nathan took a shine to

the refurbed alloys and
repainted calipers.

Chrome inlet
pipework needs
a bit of tidying.
Stainless pipes
are a sound
musical conduit.

wiggling about. The leathers me enjoying it this summer Im

showing a few minor marks, but already planning a trip to Wales.
again, nothing to be too However, I'm keen to hear
concerned about especially from fellow GTA owners who
given the price. have any tips and tricks to keep
Now to the test drive and it mine in fine fettle get in touch
didnt take long for the deal to at nathan.chadwick@
be sealed. No peculiar noises, no bauermedia.co.uk
strange vibrations through the
wheel and the 3.2-litre V6 pulled ALFA ROMEO 147 GTA
through the gears beautifully. It Year 2004
also sounded glorious. The deal Acquired April 2017
was very quickly done, insurance Mileage 72,400
bought from Hagerty for 316 Economy 20.4mpg
Other cars Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec
(hagertyinsurance.co.uk) and I
(my wife thinks its
joined the Alfa Romeo Owners'
hers) and a Peugeot
Club (aroc.co.uk). 406 Estate
Any buyers remorse? Dream car: Maserati GranSport
Absolutely not. There are a few (realistically)
jobs to do, but nothing to stop

MODERN CLASSICS 85
 OUR DRIVES
SI N SAYS... NO MORE TTs
Art editor Simon Russell likes the Audi TT Quattro Sport but not enough to actually buy one
The TT Quattro
Sport I've been
driving for a few
months has gone
back home to Audi
UK's Heritage Collection. And
predictably, returning to my
tedious but dependable daily
driver has rekindled my need to
find something more exciting.
The TT was high on my 'I want
list as an affordable alternative to
my dream car, a Porsche 911. The
Porker will probably always be
beyond my means, but
on paper at
86 MODERN CLASSICS
least the TT satisfies a lot of my
911 desires good looks, a cool
brand and everyday practicality
at a fraction of the Porsche's
price. Audi UK's 2005 Quattro
Sport gave me the chance to see
whether the TT answers my real-
life needs before I sink my hard-
earned into one of my own.
So having now lived with a
Quattro Sport for a while, is the
TT still on that list? Yep. Will I be
buying my own to replace the
daily driver? Well...
I can certainly say that I won't
be buying a QS. Audi's limited
edition, performance-orientated
version of the TT is an amazing
piece of kit that makes you feel
special every time you see it
sitting on your driveway. But
despite being capable of
regular everyday use,
there are certain
things that might discourage
you from doing just that.
First, the lightweight Recaro
Pole Position seats. They may
look stunning with Alcantara
and leather fabric and body-
coloured backs. They may also
help towards the 75kg weight
saving the QS has over a regular
222bhp Quattro TT, and help
get you in the zone every time
you plonk yourself in them, but
they're awkward to get in and
out of and they aren't very
comfy. It doesn't take long
before their novelty wears off
you'd soon be tempted to trade
them in for some normal pews.
The same goes for the strut
brace gripping the suspension
turrets in the back. It screams
trackday refugee and looks
great, but before long the
convenience of having a couple
of rear seats, even token gesture
ones, outweighs the looks.
Lastly, there's the increasing
rarity. With only 800 Quattro
Sports sold in the UK and 637 on
the road currently, interest and
prices are growing. The QS is
fast becoming a second car to
buy, love and cherish rather than
abuse as a daily commuter
even more so when regular TTs
are so inexpensive.
So is the jury still out on
buying a regular TT? Its size suits
me and my lifestyle, boot space
is perfectly fine for the weekly
shop, andit would do everything
I needed it to do, and more. But
even the QS isn't the most
engaging of drives.
Through flowing A-roads it
feels solid and composed, giving
great confidence, but it doesn't
set my world on fire; it just gets
A clear A-road
is where the
boosted QS
excels.
Enough room
for shopping...
But not for rear
passengers.
on with things without any sort
of drama and it's the theatre
I'm missing. I want every drive
to feel like an event.
OK, so the four-cylinder
1.8-litre turbocharged engine is
more dramatic than the chassis.
Packing 237bhp, the VAG unit
doesn't do very much below
2750rpm but then the power
'The QS just gets on
with things without
drama and it's the
theatre I'm missing'
kicks in with a proper 'whoosh'. It
makes things a little more
exciting. But I prefer lumps with
lots of power low down. I really
struggled to fall in love with that
turbo engine's characteristics.
On those A-roads with the turbo
spinning the engine is a joy, but
for the most part the turbo is
something to work around.
And with the TT achieving less
than 32mpg on my regular
400-miles-a-week commute, it
simply isn't joyful enough to
make up for that expense.
Yes, of course there are more
economical TT options, but
the QS has rather dulled my
enthusiasm for a lesser model.
The TT hasn't fallen off my
wish list, but it has dropped a
little way down it. I'm grateful to
Audi UK for lending me the QS
as it gave me a proper chance to
try the brand before buying.
However, I would now have to
come across a TT at just the
right money, and it would have
to be absolutely perfect.
The 'I want that' list is still fairly
long, but at least I now know
what I don't want a turbo'd
charger. I think there are at least
a couple of other candidates that
may suit my needs better than
the TT, so what I need to do now
is get out there and drive some
more cars.
AUDI TT QUATTRO SPORT
Year 2005
Acquired March 2017
Mileage 5652
Economy 31.7mpg
MODERN CLASSICS 87
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 IN THE TRADE The latest ups and downs in the market

STOP THE PRESS Trending: Renault 5 GT Turbo

Everybody knows about
the Peugeot 205 GTI's rise
One to to prominence why,
Buy! even the Daily Mail has
documented its journey
to treasured trinket.
There's another 1980s French hot
hatchback that's been on the up, but
this one's been under-reported the
Renault 5 GT Turbo.
Though as equally modified in period
as the 205 GTI, the association with Ali G
means that though not forgotten, it's
not remained in the collective
consciousness as much. Auction results
bear this out. A one-owner 1986 car
Bonhams unleashes
hard SL all 7.3 of it
Mercedes-Benz AMG SL72,
that had never seen rain but had seen
the end of an aftermarket spray gun
and a bodywork catalogue sold for
8800 at Classic Car Auctions at the
start of April, despite having 30k spent
on it. However, a Renault 5 Turbo Raider
in good condition but without mods
sold the same month at Anglia Car
Auctions for 10,080 against a high
estimate of 8500. It's clear where the
market is going for these.
But we feel prices are due to rise
taxed 5 GT Turbos have dwindled from
10,000 in 2001 to 329 now, according
to Howmanyleft? It won't be long until
the market wakes up to this.

A one of just 35 built, is to be

auctioned at Bonhams sale
at the Goodwood Festival
of Speed on June 30th.
Using a 1995 SL 600 as its basis, AMG
bored the V12 engine out to 7.3 litres, which
meant that the performance grew to 525bhp
and 553lb-ft of torque. That means the SL
can surge to 185mph, with 60mph just a
memory after 4.6 seconds. It was such a
potent package that Horacio Pagani chose
the engine to power his Zonda supercar.
It also caught the eye of the Sultan of
Brunei, who ordered 25 of them in one go.
This, however, is one of only 10 sold privately,
and is one of very few badged as an SL72.
The car was serviced last year by a main
dealer, whose technicians declared it to be
'faultless'. That's the latest entry in a fat,
leather-bound history file that goes all the
way back to the initial ordering
documentation and includes evidence of
a full main dealer servicing regime.
Bonhams has given the AMG a pre-sale
estimate of 70k-100k.
This Renault
5 GT Turbo,
one of 329
left taxed on
our roads,
sold for 10k
against an
8500 upper
estimate.
Merc glut means falling prices
Many classic auctions are
bolstered by a liberal
Auction sprinkling of modern
action! classic Mercs and
recent evidence
suggests their numbers
seem to be growing further still.
There are only so many buyers, so
market forces come into play: prices
have to drop to tempt more people to
go three-pointed. Even then, Barons
shifted only three of 12 they had, which
left a lot of missed opportunities.
Brightwells did better, even though we
lost count of how many Mercs were
included in their Modern Classics sale.
Some stood out as very good buys,
though. It might not be the most
exciting ride, but how about a 98
W140 Merc S320 saloon with under
79,000 miles and a full MoT for 672?
If thats too much, how about a 99
W210 E240 with 89k miles and recent
service for 560?
But our favourite has to be the 98
W140 CL500 photographed below
an 88,000-miler with AMG alloys, top
spec, huge history and a recent MoT
with nothing more than an advisory on
tyre wear. At the well-below-estimate
2352 paid, you could afford to add a
pair of Continentals.

A lot of
car-park real
estate for the
money this
marvellous
Mercedes-
Benz CL500
sold for just
Looks like a normal SL. Doesn't go like one... 2352.

90 MODERN CLASSICS
 THE AUCTION FINDS THAT GOT AWAY
2004 Saab 9-3 2.0 Turbo Cabriolet
THE GAMBLE THAT PAID OFF
Sold for 1008 at Brightwells
Almost everyone backed away from this when
they realised it had inexplicably been submitted
for sale with just ten days of MoT. Well, a gov.uk
MoT history check would have revealed almost
perfect past scores and confirmed its 97,000
miles. A simple inspection showed it was a good
un. It did fail the subsequent test on a rear
suspension bush. Someone bagged a bargain.
1997 BMW 750iL
BY ROYAL APPROVAL
Sold for 2750 at Barons Auctions
This car was bought new by the Sultan of
Brunei and was loaded with gadgets electric
rear recliners and headrests, electric soft-close
boot, dual aircon, double glazing. Its better than
the MC office. History showed a steady 5000
miles a year then no use for the past five. So, a
genuine 77k in all, that super-smooth V12 engine,
and sold for the price of a needy 3 Series.
1986 Toyota Supra
GOOD HORSEPOWER PER POUND
Sold for 1534 at South West Vehicle Auctions
If you could live with the odd colour choice and
teddy-bear-plush upholstery, this Supra had a lot
going for it. The seller had traced all its previous
owners, though not yet the missing service
history. It had also been recently fitted with new
brake calipers. Only let down by a small bumper
scuff and miscoloured nose panel, it was offered
at no reserve and could easily have made more.
AUCTION SCHEDULE
Fancy a flutter on a modern
classic? Then head here...
JUNE
Tuesday 6
H&H Classics
RAC Club, Woodcote Park, Epsom, Surrey.
handh.co.uk
Thursday 8
Dorset Vintage & Classic Auctions
Athelhampton House, Dorchester, Dorset.
1999 Rover 820 Si auto dvca.co.uk
AT THIS PRICE WHO CARES?
Sold for 767 at South West Vehicle Auctions Saturday 10
Heres a lesson in how to bag a cool car for no Classic Car Auctions
money. Condition and unfamiliarity alone are Warwickshire Exhibition Centre,
sometimes enough to draw admiration. This had Leamington Spa, Warwickshire.
both. A genuine 57k-miler, every aspect looked classiccarauctions.co.uk
so sharp most people wouldnt notice that it's
the less desirable auto. These cars are vanishing Tuesday 13
fast, and this was one of the last built, well worth Barons Auctions British Heritage Sale
preserving. At this price it was an absolute steal. Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey.
barons-auctions.com
Saturday 17
Anglia Car Auctions Classic Sale
Kings Lynn, Norfolk.
angliacarauctions.co.uk
Sunday 18
Charterhouse Auctions
Royal Bath & West Showground,
Shepton Mallet, Somerset.
charterhouse-auction.com
Thursday 22
2001 Citron Saxo VTS Brightwells Modern Classics
THAT WAS A BULLET DODGED Easters Court, Leominster, Herefordshire.
Sold for 336 at Brightwells brightwells.com
The Saxo VTS was a late 1990s hot hatch
legend. At this (no reserve) price it would have Saturday 24
been easy to bid just for the blast of nostalgia. Brightwells
After all, nice body and interior, 97k, recent Bicester Heritage, Bicester, Oxfordshire.
cambelt. How bad could it be? As the post-sale brightwells.com
MoT failure points out: front spring mounting rot,
airbag light on, excessive CO reading, leaky Friday 30
exhaust In this case, beauty was skin-deep. Bonhams Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale
Goodwood House, Chichester, W Sussex.
bonhams.com/cars
JULY
Saturday 8
Historics at Brooklands
Brooklands Museum, Weybridge, Surrey.
historics.co.uk
Sunday 9
Essex Classic Car Auctions
Crowne Plaza Resort, Tolleshunt Knight,
Maldon, Essex.
1997 Jaguar XK8 Convertible essexclassiccarauctions.co.uk
V8 MUSCLE FOR MX-5 MONEY
Sold for 3360 at Brightwells Wednesday 12
Where else are you going to find this much Brightwells
flash for this little cash? Any heads not turning at Easters Court, Leominster, Herefordshire.
its black Jag-ness certainly will at its snarly brightwells.com
aftermarket exhaust. It had clocked 143k miles
but thats not out of the way for one of these. Tuesday 18
The short MoT and suspicions of front floorpan Barons Auctions Connoisseurs Sale
corrosion put buyers off, but its surely worth Tattersalls, Newmarket, Suffolk.
breaking out the MiG-welder for. barons-auctions.com
 IN THE TRADE

CAUGHT OUR EYE

The team's favourite cars
on sale this month

1989 ALFA ROMEO 75

On sale at: Private sale
(via classiccarsforsale.co.uk)
Price: 6000
It might not float everyones boat but
this former course car from
Donington Park certainly does it for
me. Despite its motorsport history, simply
finding a 75 of any kind for sale in rust free
condition is unheard of, plus it's a manual
and has Alfa Romeo racing graphics! JJ
Bag a Fiat Coup while you can
Usually its a tricky game to spot the
next rising stars in the classic world, but
this one is up there in widescreen with
surround sound.
But not any old Fiat Coup, because
there are still some fairly dubious ones
about in the sub-2000 range; quite a
bit sub in some cases.
Where we know the smart money is
already going is into the best stuff. Last
year you would have struggled to pay
more than 5000 for a top example,
but were not even batting an eyelid
at the 5000-7000 estimate for the
Coup Turbo being sold at Classic Car
Auctions next sale on June 10th. Given
that one with similar mileage (61,000)
and good condition just sold for over
Nothing
6k, this is actually right on the money. mellow about
And trust us, it will soon look cheap. the need to
There arent many like that left, theyre scratch that
fast, and time has been kind to that Fiat Coup
controversial styling. itch now's
CCA's car has just had its belts, the time to
brakes and oil cooler done plus a indulge.
full service and an FC Performance
Stage One remap and is MoT'd until
February. It's not for the shy, though
it's finished in Broom Yellow paint,
similar to the car above.

HOT PICKS FROM CLASSICARSFORSALE.CO.UK

1998 NISSAN 200SX

On sale at: AMS Vehicles
(via classiccarsforsale.co.uk)
Price: 7750
Heres a proper turn-up for the books
a completely unmodified 200SX.
Cant be many of these left. Even
fewer in this condition too 13 stamps in the
service book, one owner and 46,200 miles.
Worth buying before a drifter ruins it with
enormous wings and splitters.' Nathan

1990 Mazda 323F 1000 1994 TVR Chimaera 500 17,500

So, here are the rules: anything with pop-up Early example of the full-burrito 5.0-litre
headlamps is cool. The now-rare 323F also has version that's done just 58,500 miles and has
a 137bhp twin-cam, and this 93,000-miler a loaded history file. Recent clutch, front
looks good in black. Nice at the price. wishbones, screen and roof. Ticks all the boxes.

2001 MGF
On sale at: KGF Classic Cars
(via classicarsforsale.co.uk)
Price: 2995
'Hands up, I'm not an MG fan. I don't
see the attraction at all with them, so
this MGF must be pretty special to
catch my eye. With 21,878 miles, one owner 1995 Nissan 300ZX Fairlady 3600 1989 Maserati 222E 9000
and history that reads like a beautiful novel, Non-turbo model imported to the UK in One of just seven left on UK roads and with
it does seem that good. Studying hi-res pics 2003. Fresh MoT, said to have no rust and a great history serviced by McGraths for past
on the dealer's website, it looks so minty genuine 79,000 miles. Only mod is a stainless 20 years. Powered by 245bhp twin-turbo 2.8
mint that three grand seems cheap.' Simon cat-back sports exhaust. Lose the stripes? V6. Current owner for 17 years is emigrating.
 AutobahnStormers Car Club
Visit us at the new venue for the

VBOA Annual Rally

Market Harborough Showground
8th & 9th July

Lotus Carlton Lotus Omega

Carlton Commodore
Monaro Monza
Omega Omega A
Royale Omega B
Senator Senator
VXR8 Pre-1980 Opel
Holden HSV : Bitter

For more information please visit:

www.autobahnstormers.co.uk
www.thewheelrestorer.co.uk email secretary@autobahnstormers.org.uk

Rustproong
centre
 BUYERS FIL
Expert buying advice to help you choose your perfect car
Cup pack optional) and the
Silverstone 133 (silver/black,
Cup-spec). There arent a lot of
133s out there, but the spread of
intricacies is pretty broad.

ENGINE
200 2013 WHICH VERSION? There are no commonly

RENAULTSPORT
COST NEW
12,045 Essential The first choice you reported issues with the engine.
VALUE NOW
7500
CHECKS need to make is
whether youre after
Cambelts should be changed
after five years or 72,000 miles,

TWINGO 133
the 133 or the 133
Cup. The latter enjoyed
700-worth of chassis upgrades
that provided stiffer springs and
dampers, a 4mm lower ride
Rare, riotous and lightweight, the Twingo height, and 17in anthracite alloys
133 is a great tiny hatch to latch on to with 195/40 tyres. The 133 Cup
also boasted various weight-
saving measures, including a
The second-gen Twingo was a robust little thing, based single-piece rear bench seat
on the Clio II platform and the 2008 launch of the instead of the independent-sliding
Why rears. Fripperies such as the
you wan Renaultsport 133 brought a welcome shot in the arm to air-conditioning, automatic wiper
one the junior hot hatch market. Quiver in your boots, and headlamp operation were
Suzuki Swift, as the perky little Renault defies physics in unceremoniously thrown in the
ways you can only imagine! bin, along with even the tint film
on the rear windows.
The Twingo II was on sale from 2007-14, with this perky 133 However it was also possible
variant only offered between 2008-13, a facelift occurring in to buy a 133 with the Cup pack,
mid-2011. There arent many about just 534 of them in the UK so which was basically the full-fat car
along with the wheels and
you may need to be flexible when it comes to spec. Who knows
suspension upgrade. Confused?
when you might find another one? Especially if youre eyeing up a You may also see the Gordini 133
Liquid Yellow example, as it was a 1300 option! (fully-optioned, leather interior,
so check that this has been
carried out at the appropriate
time. Renault will charge around
1200 for a cambelt combined
with a major service, but a
specialist such as K-Tec Racing,
will charge a far more reasonable
420 for the cambelt change and
375 for the service.
A knocking sound under
acceleration isnt uncommon,
and is most likely the engine
mounts, which will cost around
200 to have a new set fitted.
Its not unheard of for the
exhaust to rust through with
gusto. If youre looking at a 133
with an aftermarket exhaust, it
may not necessarily be a
boy-racer upgrade it might
just be that a more efficient
stainless-steel system actually
works out cheaper than a
replacement from Renault!

I BOUGHT ONE
KEENAN NEGUS
OWNING 'Why did I decide to
buy one? Because Im a
young lad, Im 18, and
before this I had a terrible
little Clio that I hated,'
Keenan admits. 'Basically,
I just wanted to go faster! But I
wanted something similar to
what I knew, and it turned out that
young drivers can get insured for
reasonable prices on the 133.'
Keenans happy to report that he
hasnt had any major problems; the
only issues have been long motorway
journeys and wonky wheel alignment.

CLUBS & FORUMS INFO

Renault Sport Club
renaultsportclub.co.uk
Twingo133 twingo133.net

SPECIALISTS
K-Tec Racing k-tecracing.com
Prima Racing primaracing.com
Rentech ren-tech.co.uk
DDC ddconline.co.uk

94 MODERN CLASSICS

GEARBOX
Some cars especially earlier
ones have been known to make a
troubling whirring, grinding noise,
attributable to a rattly clutch
release bearing. If this needs
replacing then you might as well
do the whole clutch, so budget
500 all-in for that.
Some gearboxes have been
known to crunch between first and
second this is largely deemed to
be a problem with youthful
inexperience and exuberance,
rather than a fault with the
gearbox. It's probably best to buy
a car from an older owner, if you're
purchasing privately.
Only thing you
need to worry
about is right in
front of you.
BRAKES & STEERING
The Twingo is a robust little
creature some race schools
used them to train budding
Alonsos but steering columns
have been known to fail. Most will
have been done via the warranty
but some may have slipped
through the net. Budget around
1000 plus labour to have the
column replaced.
BODY & STRUCTURE
The main thing youre really
looking out for with a hot Twingo
is any sign of rambunctious,
youthful abuse. This is a pukka,
bona fide Renaultsport product
thats also generally insurable for
young, fresh-faced drivers, so
you need to keep an eye out for
wonky panel gaps, just in case the
poor things been bumped into a
bus stop or farm gate.
Rattling from the rear? Thatll
probably be a misaligned boot
striker causing the tailgate to
wobble about, so that should just
need a little adjusting to fix.
The scuttle panel in front of the
windscreen has been known to
leak from the driver's side. Where
the joints between two sections
meet, fluid can leak beneath and
corrode the spark plugs and coils.
Try to check the condition of both
before buying. Sealant has been
known to fix the problem. Fixing
the coils and spark plugs would
cost around 250.
SUSPENSION
If you're hearing a knocking
sound it could be coming from the
bushings in the ball joints having
perished a common fault, and
new lower arms will cost around
200 each side to replace. If the
dampers are feeling spongy and
past their best, K-Tec are able to
swap all four for 75 plus the cost
of the units; stock dampers are
about 70 each.
SPECIALISING IN CARS UP TO 50,000
classiccarauctions.co.uk +44 (0) 1926 640888
WHA IMPROVING
TO THE BREED
M The fun thing about buying
a Renaultsport product is
that theyre already pre-modified
from the factory, and some more
so than others. When it comes to
improvements, youre already working
with a strong and proven base. The
Cup chassis pack is naturally a logical
bolt-on upgrade to non-Cup-
equipped cars, although youd better
consider how you use the car before
taking the plunge the stiffer set-up
can make the Twingo quite bouncy;
great for B-road blasts and track
adventures, perhaps not so brilliant on
the school run or taking your nan to
the Lyons Corner House.
For somewhere around the 2500
mark, K-Tec can utterly transform the
performance potential of the 133s
motor. K-Tec will replace the exhaust
system with a freer-breathing
alternative, adding their own tubular
manifold. Theyll also drop in a Cat
Cams upgrade and remap the ECU to
suit, beefing the figures up to 163bhp
and 142lb-ft, with peak power
appearing a few hundred RPM further
around the dial. The resulting 158bhp/
ton ratio is close to that of the
Renaultsport Clio 200, which gives
you a decent pub boast.
30mm lowering springs will bring
the centre-of-gravity down a bit and
can be had for 230 fitted. Many
owners swap the OE 195/40 tyres for
205/40s, bringing a broader footprint
along with a much wider and more
affordable selection of tyre options.
Engine can
be uprated to
trouble Clio
200 owners.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine 1598cc/4-cyl/DOHC
Transmission FWD, five-spd man
Power 131bhp@6750rpm
Torque 118lb ft@4400rpm
Weight 1049kg
PERFORMANCE
0-60mph 8.7sec
Top speed 125mph
Economy 32-40mpg
WHAT TO PAY
Concours 7500
Good 4000
Usable 2500
Project N/A
 ADS ON TEST
COST NEW
35,845
PRICE
22,000
BMW
Z3M ROADSTER
M Power thrills combine with open-top
motoring and good looks. Whats not to love?
he Z3 is a car that
T divides opinion. While
it's certainly a
handsome car, for many
enthusiasts, its image has never
really melded well with BMWs
ethos. The ultimate driving
machine? Hmm not with a
1.9-litre 140bhp engine installed
it isn't. Weighing in at nearly
1200kg and utilising the E36
Compact (therefore E30 rear
end) running gear was hardly
going to stir the soul of a
genuine petrolhead.
However, they sold by the
veritable bucketload to those
who liked the image of driving
a sports car without actually
having to drive one. But that all
CHOOSE YOUR BMW Z3M ROADSTER
The Z3M debuts at the 1996
Geneva Motorshow. Production
is initially limited to left-hand
drive with the right-hand-drive
models coming on stream in 97.
In September 1998 a powered
folding hood becomes standard
equipment.
96 MODERN CLASSICS
changed with the arrival of the
Z3M Roadster in 1996.
M Roadsters were blessed
with a stiffer chassis and running
gear that was a mixture of M
Power goodies from the parts
bin. This gave the car a much
more focused ride that favoured
performance driving. Body
styling modifications were also
carried out to give the car the
latent aggression that the new M
bits added to its performance.
Bumpers and rear wings were
altered, the former to give a
wider track, the latter just to look
cool. A limited-slip diff, revised
suspension and quad exhaust
exits finished off the treatment
to give the Z3 more machismo.
From 2001, the E46 M3 engine
(S54) replaces the E36 (S50)
unit. At the same time, BMWs
switchable DSC traction control
system is fitted as standard.
May 2002 sees the end of Z3M
production; the replacement
Z4M doesnt arrive until 2006.
Initial impressions of this Z3M
Roadster, for sale at Auto
Classics in Northampton, are
favourable. It looks honest with
some age- and use-related signs,
such as faded badges and side
repeaters, plus a few stonechips
to the front end (most notably
on the drivers side). Theres also
some mild gravel rash to that M
Tech bodykit. On the whole,
though, the car looks lovely and
BMW Z3M ROADSTER
Year 1999
could be easily brought up to a Mileage 55,000
show finish should you wish, but On sale at Auto Classics
auto-classics.co.uk
wed sooner leave it as it is and
enjoy driving it. SPECIFICATIONS
While were on the subject of Engine 3201cc/6-cyl/DOHC
Transmission RWD, 5-speed manual
driving, this Z3M Roadster is
Power 317bhp@7500rpm
huge fun out on the road. The
Torque 258lb-ft@3250rpm
E36 M3 engine is a sonorous Weight 1350kg
masterpiece and pulls hard. The
stiffer chassis and relocated PERFORMANCE
0-60mph 5.2sec
suspension make a big
Top speed 155mph
difference; this doesnt handle Economy 25mpg
like a normal Z3 at all. Sadly, you
cant escape the fact that the
INSURANCE QUOTE
roof has been lopped off and Policy 250, with an
there is still scuttle shake, but excess of 200. Legal
thats true of most convertibles. cover included.
Quote based on a 39-year-old
More importantly, though, it feels
self-employed male, no points on his
great from behind the wheel, its licence, living in Peterborough.
a true drivers car and its terrific Car is garaged, 3000 miles per year
and its comprehensive cover.
fun. This one has all the right
Call 0800 085 5000 for your quote.
history and, from the condition
of the engine bay and its
performance on the road, its
clearly been well cared for where
it counts.
 FERRARI 360M Spider
79,990.00
2001 Y Reg Ferrari Spider MANUAL
convertible nished in Argento
Nurburgring with Blu Scuro
leather interior. Having covered
just 32,544 miles and minimal
use over the past three years, this
vehicle is in top class condition.
AUSTIN A40
12,995.00
This spectacular Austin A40 has
been sympathetically restored
back to standard condition.
BMW M5 (BLUE)
15,995.00
This model of M5 is fastly appreciating
and highly desirable. It is an
outstanding example of this awesome
car which many believe to be one
of the best cars of its era. This M5
was lovingly cared for by its previous
owner with fastidious cleaning.
JAGUAR SPORT XJR
14,995.00
An immaculately presented and
rare Jaguar Sport nished in
blue with like new leather interior
believed to be 1 of just 37.
Our full workshop facility offers
maintenance, service and restoration/
upgrade services to our client vehicle
or purchased vehicles prior to delivery.
MERCEDES G WAGON
(BLACK) 24,995.00
A LJ
Upgraded
Mercedes
G Wagon
- fully
customised
quilted
interior and
matt black
paintwork
with S/Steel
side exit
exhaust.
MERCEDES SL CONVERTIBLE
WITH GLASS ROOF 9,995.00
Usable classic in fantastic
condition complete with
panoramic glass hardtop
Silver with black leather.
HOLLAND AND HOLLAND
(Green) 9,995.00
A very nice condition
P38 Range Rover from
Holland & Holland.
Full specication and
service les.
MGBGT
7,995.00
An absolutely wonderful example
with subtle upgrades, fantastic
condition and lots of history.
Showroom Telephone: 01621 850 602
info@londonjames.co.uk | www.londonjames.co.uk
London James, Unit 3-3a Leigh Industrial Estate, Causeway, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4LJ
XJS V12 ALFA 4C (RED)
(LIGHT BLUE) 12,995.00 50,000.00
Great looking example in A very special vehicle with just over
wonderful condition. Fully 450 miles from new. Presented
inspected by ourselves as expected in immaculate
and full service le. condition and full service history as
required by Alfa Romeo. Fantastic
performance and looks to match.
XJS (SELECTION WHITE/ VW CAMPER
GREEN) 4-20,000.00 19,995.00
A Selection of XJS models
available including celebrations,
4.0 and V12 examples. Contact Full Danbury Conversion
us for more information. and in fantastic condition.
MERCEDES 400 SE JAGUAR XJR (BLACK)
14,995.00 9,990.00
This stunning Mercedes- Wonderful condition Jaguar
Benz 400 is a 4.2 SE Four XJR presented in black over
door automatic and has only piped cream leather.
done just over 50,000 miles.
The car is in a spectacular
condition inside and out.
LANCIA FULVIA MERCEDES C63 AMG
12,995.00 28,500.00 ONO
An original and extremely well A well presented example in
presented import yet to be black with black leather.
registered in the UK. With all
papers present including the
original vehicle paperwork and
with all relevant documents.
A selection of usable vehicles
available for rolling restoration
and to suit all budgets.
Please contact us for more information.
 ADS ON TEST
COST NEW
29,835
PRICE
19,995
SUBARU IMPREZA
WRX STI WR1
Rare, riotous and in wonderful condition.
Nathan went to channel his inner Solberg
here are almost as
T many Impreza special
editions as there are
days in the year, but the WR1
does deserve respect.
This is one of just 500 UK cars
built to commemorate Petter
Solberg's 2003 World Rally
Championship victory.
This particular example has
covered just 28,000 miles and
has clearly been dotingly looked
after. The paint absolutely pings,
the panels are in perfect
condition with no bumps or
creases, and there are no
window rubber maladies.
There are a few very tiny
stonechips and a very light
scrape on the passenger's-side
CHOOSE YOUR SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI
The second-generation
Impreza receives its first facelift
in 2002 after the original's
round headlights prove to be as
popular as a skunk lap dance.
Standard WRX STI chucks out
300bhp and 300lb-ft.
WR1 model arrives in 2004,
98 MODERN CLASSICS
skirt, but that's it and we had to
search hard to find them, plus
we're told they'll all be attended
to before sale.
The gorgeous seven-spoke
alloy wheels are devoid of any
kerbing marks or corrosion,
though there is some minor
flaking to the logos on the wheel
centres. The Brembo calipers
could do with a little paint, but
there's nothing to really concern
you here. This Impreza wears
Continental ContiSport Contacts
at all four corners, and all have a
good level of tread remaining.
Under the bonnet all the fluids
are up to the maximum mark
and none made a break for the
border in our presence. The well-
boasting an extra 20bhp and
10lb-ft over standard STI. The
500 UK cars are sent to Prodrive
for bespoke springs, Pirelli
P-Zero Nero tyres, mesh grilles
and Ice Blue paint. ECU and
exhaust not homologated for EU
so are added after registration.
stamped service book points to
regular fettling from Subaru
main dealers and specialists, and
there's a recent receipt for a
thorough mechanical refresh at
Roger Clark Motorsport. The
1090 bill included an oil and
filter change, refreshes to the
suspension and exhaust system.
The interior is near-perfect if
we're being really picky there are
a few minor marks to the
SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI
Year 2004
gearknob. That's it and Mileage 28,000
everything works as it should. On sale at Nick Johnson Motor Co
nickjohnsonmotorco.co.uk
We couldn't find any wear to the
seat bolsters either. SPECIFICATIONS
On the road, performance is Engine 1994cc/4-cyl/DOHC
Transmission AWD, 6-speed manual
ballistic as you'd imagine. There
Power 320bhp@5800rpm
are no peculiar noises from the
Torque 310lb-ft@4000rpm
suspension and nor are there Weight 1470kg
any dead zones or sloppiness in
the steering.
PERFORMANCE
0-60mph 4.2sec
The brakes are sharp yet
Top speed 155mph
predictable, and the engine Economy 25mpg
doesn't search for revs at idle.
The gearbox moves through the
INSURANCE QUOTE
forward ratios cleanly. Policy 400, with an
The turbo kicks in when it excess of 300. Legal
should, thrusting you deeply into cover included.
Quote based on a 39-year-old
the driver's seat it's hugely
self-employed male, no points on his
addictive fun. licence, living in Peterborough.
It's a truly special car, this (see Car is garaged, 3000 miles per year
and its comprehensive cover.
left), and one that's been
Call 0800 085 5000 for your quote.
lavished with love and attention.
We are being very picky to find
anything wrong with it at all, and
as such represents one of the
best of the breed.
 01235 553038

SOLD

www.nickjohnsonmotorco.co.uk
 ADS ON TEST
COST NEW
124,805
PRICE
51,280
BENTLEY
CONTINENTAL GT
This ex-press car looks just as sharp as it did in
the period promo shots, confirms Nathan
his is not just any
T Continental GT for
those who fancy a
slice of history with their ultra-
capable super GT, a brief look at
the service history reveals its
interesting past.
This is an ex-Bentley press car,
and as such was serviced at
Pym's Lane up to 1000 miles.
You may recognise it from
magazine features of the time.
It still looks as good as it must
have done when it was the
darling of the motoring press in
2009. All the exterior panels are
as Crewe intended and the paint
has a lovely sheen. There are
no signs of pitting to the
chromework and there are only
CHOOSE YOUR BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT
Unveiled at Geneva Motor
Show in 2003, the CGT is
offered with six body colours
and eight hide colours. More
trim options follow a year later.
Continental GT goes on a diet
in 2007, shedding 35kg. GT
Speed model launches the same
100 MODERN CLASSICS
minor stonechips to the
Bentley's broad front; the door
rubbers are in fine nick too.
The wheels show no signs
of kerbing or corrosion
(somewhat rare for the breed,
that), and the Pirelli P-Zero
275/35 Z20 tyres that adorn
each one have a good level of
tread remaining.
Under the bonnet there isn't
much to see but all the fluids are
up to their maximum marks and
the oil is a rich brown colour. We
saw no leaks its four owners
have looked after it well.
Looking at the service history,
after its time on press duty was
up, it covered the rest of its
34,000 miles in Scotland, with
year, with 602bhp and uprated
suspension.
Zagato-bodied special called
the GTZ launches in 2008.
Series 51 models of 2009 add a
plethora of trim options.
Supersports appears in 2009
with 621bhp and 590lb-ft.
Bentley Glasgow service stamps
up to October 2017 backing up
the mileage.
The interior is in largely
excellent condition, with no wear
to the driver's seat bolster. There
are a few minor scuffs to the
entry sill and to the inner door
pull, but nothing to be too
concerned about. The rear seats
look unused and the Piano Black
wood is free from scratches
BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT
Year 2009
throughout. All the dials light up Mileage 34,048
when they should, and the air On sale at Centurian Automotive
centurianauto.co.uk
conditioning is blissfully cool.
The engine fires up straight SPECIFICATIONS
away to a whispery idle, with no Engine 5998cc/W12/DOHC
Transmission AWD, 6-speed auto
rev searching. Get up to speed
Power 552bhp@6100rpm
and there are no flat spots
Torque 479lb-ft@1600rpm
through the gears, and it does Weight 2350kg
feel capable of fulfilling all those
impressive performance stats.
PERFORMANCE
0-60mph 4.7sec
The six-speed gearbox moves
Top speed 199mph
through the ratios seamlessly, Economy 17mpg
and the paddleshifts work well,
with no undue hesitation. There
INSURANCE QUOTE
are no peculiar noises or Policy 500, with an
vibrations from the steering or excess of 500. Legal
suspension, and the brakes are cover included.
Quote based on a 39-year-old
sharp yet predictable, as they
self-employed male, no points on his
should be. licence, living in Peterborough.
Overall this is a very fine Car is garaged, 3000 miles per year
and its comprehensive cover.
example of the Continental GT
Call 0800 085 5000 for your quote.
breed that has done relatively
few miles. The performance
figures are monumental and it's
not everyone who can say they
have an ex-press car, is it?

1989 JAGUAR XJS 2DR AUTO SPORT
CONVERTIBLE Red, 9600 miles, one private
owner from new, full history, leather seats,
power hood, air conditioning.............49,999
2007 LAND ROVER FREELANDER,
2.2 AUTO 5DR ESTATE Silver, 0 miles,
automatic, power steering, cruise control,
central locking .................................... 5999
1991 LAND ROVER RANGE
ROVER VOGUE EFi 4dr 4 Door
4x4 ....................................... 5999
1988 X Jaguar V8 XJ Series SJ8 3.2 4 Door
Saloon, One keeper, only 75,000 miles from
new with full service record from new.3999
2008 08 CHRYSLER 300C 3.0 V6 CRD SRT
DESIGN 4DR AUTO 4 DOOR SALOON Auto,
Diesel, PAS, Air Con, leather seats, R/C/L, 2
Keys....................................................... 6699
SOME VEHICLES WITH FREE DELIVERY AND SOME WITH 50%
PX POSSIBLE AND CREDIT CARDS TAKEN
TRINITY
FORD FIESTA XR2 MK1 (1983)
65000 miles a truly cherished and rare car in
fabulous condition
15,995
HONDA INTEGRA DC2 (1998)
Two Owners, full history, in very orginal rust free One owner, a super rare car with only 3600 miles Rarer than hens teeth and exacting condition
condition, 96000 miles
11,495
Kinson Motor Company
1978 T LOTUS ELITE SPORT 2DR
SALOON Blue, 43000 miles, 4 former
keepers, full service history, manual, electric
windows, alloy wheels ........................ 8999
1938 TALBOT OTHER 2 DOOR COUPE
Silver and red, 0 miles, Sunbeam Talbot
10 hp model, convertible, historic vehicle.
.......................................................... 14999
OLDSMOBILE LHD CONVERTIBLE Power hood,
H Reg, Pristine condition inside and out, Californian
import, all history, tax exempt, Finished in white
with blue soft top , always garage kept...... 11,999
1995 ROVER MINI MAYFAIR 2 DOOR
SALOON 0 Miles, green and white roof, alloy
wheels, manual, long mot, drives well... 5999
2000 LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER
2/5 DSE 4DR AUTO. Red, 89000 miles,
diesel, power steering, leather seats,
cruise control .................................. 3499
CAR SOLUTIONS
RS FOCUS MK1 (2003) SIERRA COSWORTH ROUSE 302R
from new, highly collectable 60000 miles
1985 B BMW E3 E30 C1 ALPINA LEFT
HAND DRIVE, 2 DR SALOON White, 0 miles,
Automatic, Power Steering, Alloy Wheels,
many new parts ................................. 19,995
1983 A DAIMLER 4.2 AUTO 4 DOOR SALOON
GOLD, 90000 Miles, Daimler Sovereign,
Power Steering, Electric Windows ........ 5999
1934 AUSTIN SEVEN SALOON 0 Miles, 2 Door, Fitted Wire Wheels,
Finished In Black And Blue With Black Trim, This Little Car Is In Beautiful
Condition Throughout Which Has Had A Massive Amount Of Money
Spent On It, Also New Tyres And Tubes Fitted. 54,950 Mileage.. 14,999
MERCEDES 200 SLK COMPRESSOR AUTO, Power
Hood, Lady owner, 37k miles, Silver with black leather.
4HU` TVYL P[LTZ [[LK [V[OPZ4LYJLKLZ......7699
JAGUAR V8 XJ8, 4.0 Auto in Blue,
2000 W reg, Full leather, S/History,
E/Seats, Aircon ......................3875
WWW.TRINIT YCA RSOLU TIONS.C O. UK
FORD ESCORT RS TURBO SERIES ONE (1986)
Breathtaking condition RS Series One.
65000 miles
26,995
36,995
1972 MG 1300 2DR CONVERTIBLE Red,
83000 miles, MGB Roadster, low keepers,
leather seats, chrome wheels ............. 9750
1993 L MERCEDES-BENZ E CLASS E320 2DR AUTO 2 DOOR
COUPE Silver, Auto, Power Steering, Electric Windows and
Sunroof, R/C/L, 2 Keys, Electric Leather Heated Seats, Black
Leather, 4 Head Rests, CC, Alloys, Alarm, Headlamp Wash/Wipe,
Electric Mirrors, Climate Control, Sportline Model, 1993, FSH All
Books And Bills And Old MOTs, Above Average Condition.5999
2006 NISSAN PATHFINDER SVE MODEL
0 miles, 7 seats, sat nav. Reversing camera,
manual, power steering, heated seats, air
con........................................................5999
1997 R MERCEDES SL320 AUTO SPORTS. Blue, 59k
miles, Power Steering, Hard And Soft Top Panorama
Roof, Blinds, Full Cream Leather, Electric Seats, R/C/L,
2 Keys, Walnut Wood, Head Rest, CC, Alloys Headlamp
Wash/Wipe, Comes With Old MOTs, Service Records
Manual Books, Smart Looking Sports Car........... 9999
1966 D MORRIS MINOR SALOON Green,
61000 Miles, 1100cc, One private owner ...........
.................................................................. 4999
02380 766870/07545 703474
07771677943
SALES@TRINIT YCARSOLU TIONS.C O.UK
1972 LAND ROVER OTHER 4X4 UTILITY
2DR White, 0 miles, green soft cover, drives
well, long MOT ................................... 7999
PEUGEOT 206 ALLURE 2 DOOR COUPE.
A choice of 2, one black with 77k, one in
silver. p/hood from ............ 1299 or 1599
RANGE ROVER VOGUE SE 1991 4X4 Auto, PAS, Bills
for over 10k spent , full leather interior, E/Windows,
Alloys, This vehicle just been overhauled by Land
Rover Specialist, comes with book and history ..6999
FORD SIERRA SAPPHIRE COSWORTH
2.0 RS 1990, Well over 20k worth of bills,
White full black leather trim, VGC ..19,995
1995 N JAGUAR V8 XJ SERIES 4.0 SOVEREIGN
4DR AUTO SALOON 5Blue, 21232 miles, 1995,
Automatic, Power Steering, Electric Windows,
Alloy Wheels, Air Con, Cruise Control ..........8999
HONDA INTEGRA DC5 (2001)
Rare low mileage example in
pristine condition
12,995
54,995
1995 N FIAT COUPE 16V 2DR COUPE
Green, 0 miles, power steering, electric
windows, alloy wheels ........................ 2999
LOTUS ELAN SE TURBO 1990 Convertible, Comes with lots
of Service history, Bills and MoT. new cam belt tted in 2015,
Red Leather/seats, Fun, fast car for the driving enthusiast
0-60 Mph in 6.5 seconds, Top speed 137 mph..............6999
2003 53 MINI HATCHBACK 1.6 COOPER
3 Door Hatchback. Silver, 0 miles, 3 door
hatchback, panoramic sunroof, manual, power
steering, electric windows, alloy wheels ...1899
MERCEDES W129 SL 500 CONVERTIBLE 1993
Hard and Soft top, Auto, PAS in Pearl Grey, Leather
trim,17 Stamp in Service book, Alloys, Aircon, R/C/L,
Good example to be used on daily basis .........4999
MERCEDES 280-SL SPORTS
CONVERTIBLE LHD 1970, 26000 miles,
Hard and Soft tops .................... 79,999
 ADS ON TEST
COST NEW
42,813
PRICE
12,950
MASERATI
GHIBLI II
Despite covering 70,000 miles, this Ghibli II is
wonderfully well looked after, says Nathan
f the Ghibli II in last
I month's issue
prompted you to scour
the classifieds for 1980s/1990s
Maseratis, you'll have noticed lots
of left-hand-drive Japanese
imports with patchy service
history on the market.
Happily, this example is
certainly not one of these: it's a
proper UK car with a paperwork
trail going right back to its
original bill of sale. Its first owner
was a well-known member of
the Maserati Club, who collected
it from the factory. The car has
been cared for regardless of
cost, judging by the thick
paperwork file. It's been looked
after by marque specialists such
CHOOSE YOUR MASERATI GHIBLI II
Ghibli II appears in 1992. UK
gets a 2.8-litre V6 with 5-speed
manual or 4-speed auto.
1994 facelift adds 17in alloys,
adjustable suspension and ABS.
Ghibli Cup appears in 1995
with 2.0-litre V6, 325bhp and
chassis kit. Ghibli KIt Sportivo
102 MODERN CLASSICS
as Meridien Modena (its selling
dealer), Autoshield Maserati and
McGrath Maserati bills for work
performed in the past six years
amounts to an astonishing, and
very encouraging for the buyer,
28,000. In addition to this
already huge recent history, it's
recently had its belts changed,
its alloy wheels refurbished and
paintwork blemishes fixed.
As such, the Dark Aqua Blue
paint presents beautifully it
really gleams in the sun with no
chips or scrapes to be found
anywhere. The window rubbers
are all in good order and the
glass is free from cracks. The
Hankook Ventura rear tyres have
plenty of tread remaining, as do
available the same year
introduces sportier kit to
non-Cup cars.
Another faceliift appears in
1996, and the name changes to
Ghibli GT, with suspension and
transmission modified. Primatist
special edition appears in 1996.
the Falken fronts. Under the
bonnet it's tidy, with all the fluids
up to the maximum marks and
none dribbled out during our
time with the car.
The Cloud Grey interior is in
great condition too there are
only signs of gentle age-related
wear to the leather and nothing
to be concerned about, and the
driver's seat bolster is in good
condition. We couldn't find any
MASERATI GHIBLI II
Year 1994
major scratches or scuffs in the Mileage 70,000
wood panelling either; there's On sale at Richard Grace Cars
richardgracecars.co.uk
just a minor nick in the leather
dashboard. All the electric items SPECIFICATIONS
work and the aircon blows ice Engine 2790cc/6-cyl/DOHC
Transmission RWD, 4-speed auto
cold. The clock works too.
Power 280bhp@6000rpm
The car fires up instantly to a
Torque 305lb-ft@3500rpm
steady idle, and as you start to Weight 1406kg
exercise the 2.8-litre V6 there's a
lustrous bellow. The four-speed
PERFORMANCE
0-60mph 6sec
automatic gearbox moves
Top speed 155mph
through the gears without Economy 25mpg
hesitation and with no peculiar
noises. The suspension is free of
INSURANCE QUOTE
clonks or rattles, and the steering Policy 300, excess of
has no dead zones. The brakes 200. Legal cover and
kick in hard yet predictably. agreed value included.
Quote based on a 39-year-old
This has to represent one of
self-employed male, no points on his
the finest Ghibli IIs currently for licence, living in Peterborough.
sale. Though it has covered Car is garaged, 3000 miles per year
and its comprehensive cover.
70,000 miles, each one of those
Call 0800 085 5000 for your quote.
has been done with loving care,
with the bills to prove it. With
most of the expensive work
already done, this is well worth
further investigation.
Old Colonel Cars

BMW F11 5 SERIES 520D MSPORT TOURING AUTO BMW E36 3 SERIES 316 SE AUTO SALOON
Only 75,000 miles, lovely spec, excellent economy. Efcient
Dynamics. November 2010 60 Registration. Low Mileage For
Year Only 75,000 Miles From New. Excellent Example.
Excellent Deep Shine Carbon Schwarz Metallic Paintwork.
Excellent Oyster Cream Msports Leather Interior. Excellent 19
Inch Msport Alloys. Full Service History. All Manuals / 2 Keys /
Folder Full Of Old Mots / service receipts / stamped service
book / HPI clear / sat nav / heated seats / efcient dynamics /
DVD player / phone / parking sensors / cruise control /
air conditioning etc. Will Have Years MOT On Sale 12,995
Only 84,000 miles, full history, years mot May 1994 L
registration, low mileage for year, family owned for 23 years
Still has supplying dealer number plates, lovely condition
throughout, excellent artic silver paintwork, excellent black
leather interior, excllent BMW alloys with matching tyres. Spec
includes auto / sports gearbox / electric sunroof / original
stereo / remote central locking etc. Fully stamped original
service book all original manuals / mot history / HPI clear
etc recently serviced will have years MOT on sale Aston Martin Virage LE Coupe 1 of 9 Cars
3,295

Milton Keynes

BMW E46 M3 CSL 54995 BMW E31 8 SERIES 850 V12 AUTO
Only 52,000 miles, full history. Amazing example BMW E46 M3 Excellent example, only 77,000 miles, full history. August 1991
CSL. December 2003 53 registration. Very low mileage for J registration. Low mileage for year only 77,000 miles from
year only 52,000 miles. Very rare CSL lightweight model. new, excellent deep shine brilliant red paintwork, excellent black
Immaculate example throughout. Excellent black sapphire extended leather sports interior, lovely alloys with all tyres just
paintwork. Excellent CSL Msport interior. Unmarked CSL alloys. been replaced, full service history, all manuals / 2 keys / folder
Fully documented service history. We have all original manauls full of old MOTs / service receipts / original stamped service
a fully stamped original service book both keys folder full book / HPI clear / electric sport seats / electric sunroof / air
of Service receipts and old MoTs. Full pre sales checkover by conditioning / rear spoiler / original BMW stereo, lovely example
A1 BMW will have years MoT on sale 54,995 of fast appreciating car. Will have years MOT on sale 12,995
Jaguar XJS Convertible
DELIVERY TO YOUR DOOR AVAILABLE ON ALL CARS - PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL FOR PRICE
QUALITY BMWS, MERCEDES AND INTERESTING CLASSICS WANTED NOW! Aston Martin Virage Coupe man Bentley Continental Convertible
Aston Martin Virage Volante Auto Bentley Continental R
Contact: Andy Miller on 07407 477 843 or Email: info@oldcolonelcars.co.uk Aston Martin V8 Volante Man Jaguar E Type S3 Roadster
www.oldcolonelcars.co.uk www.facebook.com/oldcolonelcars Aston Martin DB7 Driving Dynamics Jensen CV8 MKIII

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 ADS ON TEST
COST NEW
42,813
PRICE
12,950
MASERATI
GHIBLI II
Despite covering 70,000 miles, this Ghibli II is
wonderfully well looked after, says Nathan
f the Ghibli II in last
I month's issue
prompted you to scour
the classifieds for 1980s/1990s
Maseratis, you'll have noticed lots
of left-hand-drive Japanese
imports with patchy service
history on the market.
Happily, this example is
certainly not one of these: it's a
proper UK car with a paperwork
trail going right back to its
original bill of sale. Its first owner
was a well-known member of
the Maserati Club, who collected
it from the factory. The car has
been cared for regardless of
cost, judging by the thick
paperwork file. It's been looked
after by marque specialists such
CHOOSE YOUR MASERATI GHIBLI II
Ghibli II appears in 1992. UK
gets a 2.8-litre V6 with 5-speed
manual or 4-speed auto.
1994 facelift adds 17in alloys,
adjustable suspension and ABS.
Ghibli Cup appears in 1995
with 2.0-litre V6, 325bhp and
chassis kit. Ghibli KIt Sportivo
104 MODERN CLASSICS
as Meridien Modena (its selling
dealer), Autoshield Maserati and
McGrath Maserati bills for work
performed in the past six years
amounts to an astonishing, and
very encouraging for the buyer,
28,000. In addition to this
already huge recent history, it's
recently had its belts changed,
its alloy wheels refurbished and
paintwork blemishes fixed.
As such, the Dark Aqua Blue
paint presents beautifully it
really gleams in the sun with no
chips or scrapes to be found
anywhere. The window rubbers
are all in good order and the
glass is free from cracks. The
Hankook Ventura rear tyres have
plenty of tread remaining, as do
available the same year
introduces sportier kit to
non-Cup cars.
Another faceliift appears in
1996, and the name changes to
Ghibli GT, with suspension and
transmission modified. Primatist
special edition appears in 1996.
the Falken fronts. Under the
bonnet it's tidy, with all the fluids
up to the maximum marks and
none dribbled out during our
time with the car.
The Cloud Grey interior is in
great condition too there are
only signs of gentle age-related
wear to the leather and nothing
to be concerned about, and the
driver's seat bolster is in good
condition. We couldn't find any
MASERATI GHIBLI II
Year 1994
major scratches or scuffs in the Mileage 70,000
wood panelling either; there's On sale at Richard Grace Cars
richardgracecars.co.uk
just a minor nick in the leather
dashboard. All the electric items SPECIFICATIONS
work and the aircon blows ice Engine 2790cc/6-cyl/DOHC
Transmission RWD, 4-speed auto
cold. The clock works too.
Power 280bhp@6000rpm
The car fires up instantly to a
Torque 305lb-ft@3500rpm
steady idle, and as you start to Weight 1406kg
exercise the 2.8-litre V6 there's a
lustrous bellow. The four-speed
PERFORMANCE
0-60mph 6sec
automatic gearbox moves
Top speed 155mph
through the gears without Economy 25mpg
hesitation and with no peculiar
noises. The suspension is free of
INSURANCE QUOTE
clonks or rattles, and the steering Policy 300, excess of
has no dead zones. The brakes 200. Legal cover and
kick in hard yet predictably. agreed value included.
Quote based on a 39-year-old
This has to represent one of
self-employed male, no points on his
the finest Ghibli IIs currently for licence, living in Peterborough.
sale. Though it has covered Car is garaged, 3000 miles per year
and its comprehensive cover.
70,000 miles, each one of those
Call 0800 085 5000 for your quote.
has been done with loving care,
with the bills to prove it. With
most of the expensive work
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CLASSIC BMW INSURANCE
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 INSURANCE

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At Adrian Flux we have over 40 years experience in arranging insurance for Classic Cars. We have numerous specialist Classic Car schemes enabling us to tailor
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Flux we were the pioneers of limited mileage policies and we introduced Cherished policies on cars as young as 5 years old. We also offer agreed value classic
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our panel off over 40 insurers. Dont waste your time ringing round dozens of companies when we can do it for you.

CALL US TODAY TO OBTAIN A FREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTE 0800 085 5000 WWW.ADRIANFLUX.CO.UK
Carole Nash Hagerty Classic Car Insurance
Tel: 0800 093 5500 / www.cherished.carolenash.com Tel: 0333 323 1383 / www.hagertyinsurance.co.uk

Price: Monthly Payment: Price: Monthly Payment:

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Lancaster Insurance Cherished Vehicle Insurance

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Footman James Adrian Flux

Tel: 0333 207 6012 / www.footmanjames.co.uk Tel: 0800 085 5000 / www.adrianux.co.uk

Price: Monthly Payment: Price: Monthly Payment:

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As with all insurances, terms and conditions apply. *Terms and conditions apply, visit cherished.carolenash.com/terms-and-conditions
Carole Nash Insurance Consultants Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, rm reference no. 307243. Carole Nash is a trading style of Carole Nash Insurance
Consultants Ltd, registered in England and Wales no. 2600841.
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From iconic models to future classics
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 CLASSIC CAR INSURANCE?
Ring an insurance broker thats not Hagerty. Spend half an
hour explaining why your classic isnt just an old banger.

Politely decline home, pet and travel insurance. Patiently

explain that you only need agreed value classic car
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for your home in the near future.

Go out to the garage, pull off your cars cover, snap several
photographs. Email photos but hear back that the photos
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Cough up a 15-50 certification fee, on top of your

policy premium.

Wait on hold half an hour while their staff reviews the

information. Lose the connection. Ring back, get transferred
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The Agreed Value certification finally arrives. You begin

looking forward to repeating the entire tedious, maddening
process, fee included, if you want to increase your value again.

CLASSIC + MODERN CAR CLASSIC + MODERN BIKE

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*All cover is subject to insurers terms and conditions, which are available upon request.
Footman James is a trading name of Towergate Underwriting Group Limited. Registered in England No. 4043759. Registered Address: Towergate House, Eclipse Park, Sittingbourne
Road, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3EN. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Telephone calls may be monitored or recorded. Sign up to our newsletter at
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5J
AUGUST 2017 | ISSUE 15

FOUR RINGS
TO RULE
THEM ALL
QUATTRO LEGACY CELEBRATED

VW Beetle RSI Alfa Romeo 75 Turbo BMW E46 CS

This is one Beetle that's certainly Forget all the fuss over the new Want a go-faster M3 but think
shaken its hairdresser image. A Alfa Giulia QV! We drive a much the CSL is a bit over the top? Well,
3.2-litre V6 engine kicking out rarer RWD Alfa the unicorn- we have the answer the BMW
224bhp with 4-wheel drive helps. like 75 Turbo Evoluzione. E46 M3 Clubsport.

122 MODERN CLASSICS