Índex per February 2026 a Practical Classics

It was fantastic meeting so many of you on the PC stand at the NEC Classic Motor Show despite your boisterous behaviour! One thing that came across was the fact that you trust the mag to deliver real content, not AI generated, and always carefully researched. When we run a news story in PC, we always check facts by consulting with a variety of sources and corroborate what we give you. We check for evidence, in other words, and you seem to recognise the fact. So, the recent panic-laden posts on social media regarding historic vehicle tax exemption have been pretty depressing… based, as they all were, on nothing more than rumour and hearsay. In the week running up to the budget, online, and in some quarters of the classic…

After months of speculation that Rachel Reeves’ budget would roll back rolling tax exemption, the chancellor has left classic owners alone, with no changes planned. Speculation reached fever pitch online before the budget on November 26, with certainty, in some quarters, that classics would be subject to to road tax once again. This did not come to pass. Coupled with a freeze on fuel duty until September 2026, the budget could be seen as a good one for classic owners. The continued exemption is seen as a victory for the classic car industry and, in particular, for the Federation of Historic British Vehicle Clubs, who have been lobbying behind the scenes for months. The recent publication of its National Historic Vehicle Survey, has been heralded as pivotal in keeping parliamentarians informed about…

What inspired your interest? ‘I remember seeing a Mini in a car park and being completely mesmerised, it was the only car I could see the roof of from my wheelchair. My grandad’s stories about the Minis he owned added to that spark. It wasn’t until 2017, when I bought my own Mini, that things really took off. Owning that car gave me something to focus on at a time when life was tough. It became a symbol of freedom. The Mini wasn’t just transport, it was part of my journey, both physically and mentally. It’s been with me through so much, and it’s the reason SH3DART exists today. My Mini, with its modifications, is my passport. It became a way to express myself, too.’ Where did the art start?…

‘For the first year of ownership, it drank more oil than petrol!’ This isn’t Mick Wallis’s first dalliance with a Datsun, having owned his first at just 19 years of age. He recalls: ‘It was rotten, painted matte black, lowered with bull bars and looked like something out of Mad Max. But when I was 19, and all my mates were driving round in XR3s and XR2s, that big straight-six, 2.6-litre was so different from the norm. I loved it, but it was so rotten that I ended up selling it to a mate and it got banger raced.’ It’s clear that this meant unfinished business for Mick. ‘Ever since, I’d been looking for another, but they’re rather rare in the UK – howmanyleft shows just six on the road…

Love Practical Classics — my no.1 mag!Graham I buy a lot of car magazines, but none seem to have the incredible variety and mix of articles that you regularly coverPeter Shop UNMISSABLE winter deals now! ✓ Save on shop prices ✓ FREE UK delivery ✓ Unlock bonus content & rewards in the app ✓ Enjoy the exclusive monthly ‘PC Tea Break’ e-newsletter Get this limited time deal! greatmagazines.co.uk/practicalclassics or call 01858 438 884 SCAN HERE Terms & Conditions: Trials auto renew on six-monthly payments thereafter. See website for our complete range of magazine subscriptions and prices. Your subscription will start with the next available issue. Cost from landlines for 01 numbers per minute are (approximate) 2p-10p. Cost from mobiles per minute (approximate) 10p-40p. Costs vary depending on the location. You…

If you’re expecting a guide on how to make money from classic cars, you’re going to be quite disappointed. While profit isn’t a dirty word, per se, the concept of it is quite alien to us here at Practical Classics. Five decades of buying, restoring and maintaining old cars at the PC workshop has shown little evidence of financial gain by any number of writers past or present; in the most authentic way imaginable, we – like you – buy old cars because we love them. But is there a way that you can reward yourself with the classic you’ve always wanted without losing money – or indeed losing out? The answer is an emphatic ‘yes’, we reckon, because unexpected opportunities have recently arisen in the classic market. Now is…

Classic Fords, hot BMWs, rare Mercs and fast Audis… most command a big premium. Sticking with marques that pull a more niche following is a fine way to buy a rare, satisfying speed machine, something like the 2002 MG ZT 190 recently sold by Hampsons in an online sale closing on November 2. It went for just £1800 despite a modest 84,000 miles on the clock, six months’ test and a very smart black and yellow interior – not bad for a manual 187bhp V6, even if the sills needed catching before they got much rustier. Vauxhall, a brand even more venerable than MG, also has classics that struggle to reach what seem reasonable sums. This 1984 Cavalier SRI ought to be a cult item like any Sierra XR4i, but despite a…

Why you want one BMW’s bigwigs began discussing plans for a ‘baby BMW’ in the early Sixties and, following development of a shortened version of its elegant ‘Neu Klasse’ series, the 1600-2 was unveiled at the 1966 Geneva Motor Show. With the new two-door car lighter and faster than its bigger sister, it would cement the firm as the maker of fine sports saloons – further boosted by the introduction of the 104bhp 1600 TI a year later, as well as a full drop-top Baur-produced cabriolet (1682 of those were made). Recognising the desire for a more powerful version and to address the twin-carb 1600 TI’s failure to meet the USA’s strict emissions regulations, BMW announced the 2002 in 1968. If you’re on the hunt for an 02 Series, you’ll…

Chrysler Neon MkI 103 LEFT ON UK ROADS Some of you may not know that Chrysler officially offered the Neon in the UK from 1996. The famous American firm is no stranger to our shores, of course, but most would likely have leapt to the PT Cruiser when asked to name a retro pentagon-badged offering. Surprisingly successful, it’s rumoured that UK Neons were used to test the water for an entry into the Japanese market (also right-hand drive). Whatever the reason, the ‘compact’ – at least by US standards – Neon sold well here, offering equipment and performance in a relatively cheap package. Economy and handling weren’t up to Ford or Vauxhall standards, but fully loaded LX models made up for much of that. Barely three-figure survivors remain taxed in…

STARTING DIFFICULTIES Why’s my car slow to start? Q My Peugeot 205 1.1 is always threatening to not start. Why? Jamie Short, Edinburgh Ed says A We'll generalise. First, the basics. Try a known good battery. Some pretend to be OK while producing low voltage during cranking. The engine turns slowly; the fuel pump can't prime; the ignition sparks weakly. Clean and gap plugs; clean HT leads with petrol-damped rag; check rubber HT caps for splits; look at HT lead ends and sockets of the distributor cap or coil for corrosion (scrape clean or replace). If rubber caps are stuck, WD40 (etc) will free them up. Check or change points where fitted and set gap correctly. Set ignition timing. Check all connections from ignition switch to coil and coil to distributor.…

On a glittering night at the RAC Club, the annual historic awards delivered a powerful reminder of how healthy the classic car industry is. With eight independent judging panels – one for each category – a long list of strong nominations were slimmed down to 24 outstanding finalists. These were then whittled down to eight exceptional winners, who were revealed at a celebration in Pall Mall on November 20. The RAC Club’s Lifetime Achievement award went to motorcycling legend, Sammy Miller. Young Achiever award went to Samantha Ruff, a genius trimmer. The British Motor Museum won the Museums and Collections award for its pioneering work to encourage engagement from young people, illustrated by its expanded STEM Career Days programme, and the new 'Brick Bank', which has already seen over 1.5million…

Rust blaster! PNEUMATIC NEEDLE DESCALER £252 With its simple pistol-grip action, this pneumatic descaler from Laser Tools works with a compressor to deliver heavy rust and scale removal in confined areas. Unlike grinders or wire wheels, the needle descaler attacks corrosion and weld spatter mechanically, with 11 specially shaped needles that chip away scale without excessive heat or material removal. The result is fast, low damage preparation for welding, coating or component inspection – especially where access is limited. Ideal for prepping your winter project.  lasertools.co.uk Cars and coffee MAESTRO AND Z CAR MUGS £10.99 Enjoy a classic British brew in the company of some classic British cars, with these two new mugs from RJW Auto Graphics. Admire the many faces of the Maestro when you enjoy your tea and…

When did the obsession begin? ‘My first Alfa was a 164 – a car that had it all. It was beautiful, quick and superb to drive. However, I needed something to take the load off it as I was doing high mileages at the time. So, I bought a 75 Twin Spark for £1100 – from a guy selling it at an Italian car event in 2000. It needed some mechanical work to get it up to scratch but, as you may have read in a recent issue of this magazine (PC, November 2025), the 75 has since become the cherished one!’ And you’ve got a new toy. ‘Yes, my 156 – it’s a scratch that I’ve wanted to itch for ages. Numbers have really started to fall dramatically now,…

1 STRIPDOWN  AUG 2023 Removal of the oil-burning engine heralded the start of the Datsun’s total rebuild, in a perfect example of ‘mission creep’. The cylinder head was cracked and required replacement. Bottom end was totally overhauled. 2 FACE OFF  MAR 2024 Mick removed and replaced the rotten original steel before stripping the engine bay for respray 3 BRONZE AGE JUN 2024 Bay was painted in Mick’s garage, so that the car could be safely transported to the bodyshop on its own four wheels. 4 BACK TO BASICS JAN 2025 Mick stripped the vast surface area of the car himself, using paint stripper and an orbital sander. Once back to bare steel and the front subframe refitted, car went for paint. 5 LET IT SHINE MAR 2025 Resplendent in its final colour coats, the…

Chances are, you’ve committed the same faux pax as members of the PC team have on countless occasions – bypassing Dover Transport Museum in your haste to catch a ferry. Well, at long last, we’ve righted that wrong – and we were not disappointed. It’s an absolute must for any car enthusiast. Located on the edge of town, just off the A2, with a large free car park, the museum has been around for over 40 years. Visitors are greeted with an extraordinary variety of cars, buses, motorcycles and numerous other vehicles such as caravans and fire appliances. The displays are brilliantly detailed, with many of the replica shop fronts sporting the names of genuine businesses once found in Dover’s town centre. ‘It’s the detail of the social history that…

A proper owners’ club should be a place of sanctuary – where everyone is welcome – from the experienced, die-hard fan to the uninitiated. That’s exactly what the 02 Register is. Richard Stern has run the group since 1996 and has since harvested a wealth of information for use by fellow BMW enthusiasts. ‘It’s a worldwide community now, as part of the BMW Car Club GB. We help people from all around the planet with their 02s.’ But how did he find himself as this BMW’s ultimate champion? ’Thirty years ago, I had an E28 5 Series and was looking at E9 BMWs, but CS values had gone through the roof.’ So, he began looking at the 02. ‘They were still quite cheap back then. However, I inspected a few…

We will assume you know about that sort of race of champions event in 1984… the one that ushered in the go-faster ‘baby Benz’ in the best possible way, while also helping cement Senna’s legend in the process. Beyond the hype that surrounded the first compact Mercedes-Benz to take on BMW at its own game was a model range that had been meticulously and extensively planned and executed. It’s easy to forget today that the 190E was only its firm’s third entirely new saloon range since the war. Yes, it’s true M-B made several sexy sporting offerings during that same post-war period, but these were sold in numbers so tiny as to be all but insignificant. By the Eighties, M-B needed an entry-level 3 Series-like contender that would bring in young,…

Do you remember big displacement, naturally aspirated six-cylinder 3 Series models? For many, these are now a distant memory. For the youth, they’re utterly unheard of. The E90 3 Series swansong for BMW’s sonorous sixes came way back in 2011. Almost 15 years since this near crime against petrolhead kind means wringing out a Bavarian-built beast, so equipped, is now the preserve of the purist. Some of the latter equipped 3 Series models – arguably chief among them, the oh-so-right looking E46 330Ci – are now attracting serious collector attention. And how can we argue with the appeal of a thunderous 3.0-litre naturally aspirated straight-six-equipped Bimmer that can shoot to 60mph from rest in 6.5 seconds and top out at 155mph? For many years these were ten a penny, but…

GET GOING TYPES OF HAND SNIP Straight snip Straight snips are used for cutting along a straight line or shallow concave or convex curved line. These are always right-handed; designed to cut from right to left. Right-hand snip These are designed for cutting from right to left along a concave curved line. The right-hand side blade of the snip will be sitting on the top of the panel during cutting; waste material on the left. Left-hand snip These are designed for cutting from left to right along a concave curved line. The left-hand side blade of the snip will be sitting on the top of the panel during cutting; waste material on the right. Aviation snips These make cutting physically less demanding as the design provides extra leverage. They are…

My daughter refuses to go in my Ford Cortina, due to the alarming variety of rattles and clonks that it makes. She actually thought it would fall to pieces when we were diverted down a country lane while on holiday! What can I do? Jon Firth, Bristol 1 Homing in Look for and cure one noise at a time. A few basic tools and simple packing materials are usually all that’s required. A passenger’s useful to listen out for, prod and poke at things. 2 Small irritations Interior rattles can often be solved by tightening screws up, pushing clips fully home, or inserting padding. Speed-dependent dash squeaks and clicks may be the speedometer or its cable. 3 Self-inflicted noise Don't forget that the glovebox and ashtray accumulate all sorts of…

Old cars are worth a whopping 7.3bn to UK GDP, it was recently revealed. That’s a lot of spending; somewhat staggering given my point of view as someone who aims to tackle as many aspects of repair, restoration and maintenance myself as I possibly can. But recently, while overwhelmed with written work, welding and other such fripperies as family life, I was forced to put my hand in my pocket and pay someone else to work on my daily driver. It was a strangely liberating experience. It goes against the grain, but at twenty years-old, my BMW X3 is the second newest car I’ve ever owned. It’s big, it’s heavy and it does ‘car’ very well indeed. But working on it is out of my comfort zone and, for a…

The Sunbeam 1000hp will make its post-restoration debut at the 2026 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 16, before attempting a centennial run at Daytona the following spring. It is currently being restored at the National Motor Museum, the aim being to return the British engineering icon to Daytona Beach, Florida, in 2027, 100 years since it broke the 200mph Land Speed Record in 1927. Significant milestones in its restoration have been met including having the first of its colossal 22.4-litre Matabele V12 aero engines roar to life once again. The National Motor Museum is to capitalise on the Sunbeam’s presence in the US to garner support for its role in telling the story of Britain’s automotive heritage.…

Classic car fans in West Sussex have raised more than £3000 for men’s health charities by taking part in The Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive 2025. The global charity event, with participants in 64 different countries, raises funds and awareness for prostate cancer and mental health charities, working alongside charity partner Movember. It’s hoping to raise £1 million in 2025. The organisers of the Winchester drive enlisted the help of Goodwood Motor Circuit for their fundraiser this year, where participants were able to perform a parade lap, with all owners dressed in dapper attire in the spirit of the event. Darren Collins, local drive host for West Sussex, said: ‘This was the fifth year of the Distinguished Gentleman’s Drive, and we’ve made it our best one yet in terms of fundraising.’ The Winchester Distinguished Gentleman’s…

This isn’t something you see every day. Dozens of Citroën 2CVs shriek under a cold, cloudless blue sky, wildly slithering around a mountainside racing circuit made entirely of ice. As the cars jostle for position on the glassy surface, a passing gaggle of skiers stops nearby to observe. One drops his mask and looks to his associate, face scrunched up; it’s the expression of sheer incredulity. For those visiting this exclusive ski resort for some peaceful winter sporting activities, it is clear they don’t appreciate their eardrums being pummelled by the sound of several twin-cylinder tin snails reverberating around the craggy, snow-capped summits of Alpe d’Huez. As the displeased skiers stomp off to a nearby gondola for a day on the slopes, I turn back to take it all in.…

ACROSS 1 Cavalier successor (6)  4 A car in ruins (5) 7 Old Isuzu saloon (7) 8 Zagato Flaminia (5) 10 Maserati 2+2 model of the Seventies (5) 11 Maserati Shamal designer (7) 13 French car maker that built the Adler Trumpfunder licence (9) 17 See 3 down 19 Homeland of Hindustan Motors (5) 21 Its 164 came well before Alfa Romeo’s (5) 22 Honda-badged relative of the Triumph Acclaim (7) 23 Surname of the Marcos co-founder together with Frank Costin (5) 24 A name for a canvas DOWN 1 Maserati put 32 of them in the Shamal’s engine (6)  2 Late-Eighties follow-up to the Volkswagen Scirocco (7)  3 & 17 across Like the Fiat 600’s engine, position-wise (4-7) 5 A fast Skoda nameplate? (5) 6 See 15 down 9…

Some cars shrink around you, their external dimensions becoming irrelevant as taught chassis dynamics encourage you to attack each corner with increasing confidence. That is not the case for the Datsun, whose mass makes itself well-known, while soft springs encourage it to lollop along the road. It’s far from an unpleasant experience, however. As revs increase from that silky smooth six and the auto box shifts through the ratios, it’s with a sense of imperiousness that, sunk into one of the most comfortable drivers seats I’ve experienced and with the lightest of steering inputs, I direct the path of travel. As we turn in the road, those carburettor concerns Mick raised earlier raise their head – I suspect rich running at idle as the car conks out and an approaching…

Decca Records turning down the Beatles, everyone alive back then for not buying Microsoft shares c1975 and the classic movement for failing to bag storage facilities when they were affordable. All missed chances, one of which is going to cause problems for some clubs that face having to discard rare spares as there’s nowhere to keep them. Borne witness by a truly sad accommodation-related tale – unless we can provoke a mini miracle. Our story begins in 1905 when the Sunderland District Tramways Limited and the Durham Colleries Power Company had a baby in the form of a power station at Philadelphia, in what is now Tyne and Wear. After WWII the premises were used as a garage by the National Coal Board for years but stood vacant until 2014…

When reader Sam Taylor got in touch to tell me a deceased extended family member’s MkIII Cavalier needed saving, I was immediately interested. With property sold, the car had to be moved. Sam had been offered £150 for scrap, but it was too good for that, with full history. Sam even got it started after some fettling. It needs a new ignition barrel and welding, but a great project. Thanks to previous owner’s stepdaughter for selling it to me. ASKING PRICE £200 PAID £200 VERDICT New Griffin project for this happy Luton boy…

What other nation has produced such a variety of grand tourers with styling so handsomely restrained, cabins that exude such charm and a throbbing V8 under the elegant bonnet? The Gordon-Keeble was conceived in Slough by John Gordon and Jim Keeble, styled by Giugiaro, built in Hampshire and powered by a Chevrolet V8. Exclusivity is assured; they only made 100 between 1964-1967. Same goes for the debonair 1967-69 Bristol 410. Just 82 rolled off the line at Filton, the car bristling with the usual Bristol refinements and character, as well as the 5.2-litre V8 lump originally fitted to the 407. Aston Martin introduced a more muscular look to the British GT in 1969 with the DBS and then turned up the volume knob three years later. The Aston Martin V8’s ability…

1999 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY TD5 John Duff, West Sussex Pampered by its older former keeper, John reckons his Disco is an analogue joy for the digital age. 2001 BMW Z3 Paul Mayers, UK Surprised it’s stayed with him as long as it has – Paul loves top-down time with his Z3. 2003 BMW M3 (E46) Chas Randhawa, Warks Owned for nearly a decade, Chas still falls head over heels for his M3 on a daily basis. Katie says… ‘Modern classics are essential for a thriving future. That’s why FJ is right behind JJ and the team at PC, bringing modern classics to life every four weeks.’ Katie Delamain-Blunt, Head of Marketing…

Why you want one You know you’ve hit the PR jackpot when your new car sparks outrage in the press, gets talked about in Parliament and there are calls to ban it by the Association of Chief Police Officers. Reportedly, one police force was furious at how a stolen example of this new car had managed to evade its officers for weeks. It was later found dumped in a canal. Unfortunately for those outraged by it, the campaign to ban the Lotus Carlton failed and it hooned effortlessly into the history books as one of the greatest performance cars ever built. Like all the most memorable classic supercars, it was a ridiculous idea in the first place and a car that nowadays wouldn’t be permitted; a 180mph family car equipped…

PAY LESS AND NEVER MISS A COPY! See p56 Three Graces In-depth guide to buying a MkII Consul, Zephyr or Zodiac Tech tips! From patina preservation to solenoids, we’ve got it covered Nash-Healey resto Exotic Pininfarina beauty revived at home in a Sussex garage PLUS The huge restoration of a tiny Honda Z600 and the astonishing story of an Austin-Healey 3000. There’s also a celebration of the Ford Focus, an in-depth guide to the Jaguar X-type, a bunch of Seventies stars from Range Rover to Dolomite Sprint and VW Golf GTi, along with pages of helpful advice on restoring and maintaining your classic. Plus news, views, nostalgia and much more! MARCH ISSUE ON SALE JAN 14 MISSING US ALREADY? Come join the conversation at Practical Classics on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram…