Blogs

PHIL BELL, GROUP EDITOR: CLASSIC CARS

Resto or mod?

I love seeing the creativity and clever re-engineering that goes into a well-modified classic, but to own, I like mine largely standard with just enough subtle tweaks to make them drive better or more reliably.

Original patina or concours shine?

The way that gently faded and dulled paint, and burnished, creased leather speaks to me from a past well-lived is irresistible. But if we’re talking festering rust scabs and ripped upholstery, I’d choose restored to as-new every time.

Manual or auto for a classic daily?

Unless my commute involved a tediously lengthy grind through crawling traffic, the satisfyingly tactile joy of a manual gearshift for me please.

One car you wish you’d bought when it was cheap? 

Just one? What a cruel question – I wish I’d bought a 1967-70 Mustang Fastback, a TVR Vixen, a Ferrari 308GTB, and a…

SAM DAWSON, CONTENT EDITOR: CLASSIC CARS

Resto or Mod?

Neither, I'd rather have something original, just looked after properly throughout its life. But pushed one way or another, I'd have to say Resto. Very few Mods seem to improve on what they started with.

Original patina or concours shine?

Original patina. Nothing wrong with concours condition, but you often end up with a car that's just too nice to use.

Manual or auto for classic daily?

Depends entirely on the car, the engine and the gearbox. If it's something small and nippy, like an original Mini or some kind of hot hatch or sports saloon, then manual. Luxury saloons with big torquey engines suit automatic gearboxes, but would I drive one every day? Probably not.

One car you wish you'd bought when it was cheap?

Ford Sierra Cosworth. There was genuinely a time when you could get them for less than £3k, back when they were being bodged around by boy-racers, fitted with dodgy alloys and bodykits. All reversible, but now look at how much they go for - three-doors are £50k and even the less-loved four-door Sapphires are £30k.

DAVID SIMISTER, EDITOR: CLASSIC CAR WEEKLY

Resto or mod? 

How about a bit of both? Enthusiasts have come up with many subtle tweaks that improve day-to-day usability without spoiling a classic’s character. Electronic ignition. Sweet-shifting five-speeders like Ford’s Type 9 that can replace older four-speed ‘boxes. Seats lifted from MX-5s that are a far comfier than some originals on long runs. My own personal favourite is slotting the clock from an E36-gen BMW 3 Series into an MX-5’s cubby hole – whoever figured out that the former fits perfectly into the latter is a genius. 

Original patina or concours shine? 

I was once encouraged to enter my MGB GT into a concours – and it finished stone dead last, so I have massive respect for anyone who keeps a classic clean enough to win one. However, the idea of owning a spotless car fills me with horror because I’d never be able to park it anywhere without worrying about it. I’d much rather be out there driving a classic than polishing it, so an honest survivor that wears a few scratches with pride is much more my bag. 

Manual or auto for a classic daily? 

I’ll have to declare an interest on this one; there are currently two classics chez Simister and they’re both autos! So was my very first classic buy, an ‘84 Mini Mayfair that I bought from a mate not long after passing my test, although plenty of the cars that followed have been manuals. I spend a lot more time on motorways than I do scything through mountain switchbacks so I’m a big fan of a well-sorted auto. Jaguar’s J-gate is superb so I’d certainly stick an XJR on my classic bucket list. 

One car you wish you’d bought when it was cheap? 

Renault 5 GT Turbo. I used to run around in a Campus-spec Supercinq years ago and thought that even the base-spec model was grin-inducingly good fun on just about any road. Had I traded up at the time I could have had a tip-top example of its hot hatch cousin for less than £5k. The same GT Turbos are now changing hands for upwards of £15k – and I’ve seen a couple sell at the NEC’s auctions for more than £25k! Hot hatches are hot property at the moment but Fifties and Sixties sports cars are better value than ever, so maybe I’ll snap up a ‘Frogeye’ Sprite instead.  

JAMES WALSHE, HEAD OF CONTENT: PRACTICAL CLASSICS

Resto or mod Mod?

I use my classic every day, so I want it as safe and useable as possible. Anything from improved lighting to extra power that makes it easier to overtake tractors. I like to ensure my classic can handle the quickening pace of life.

Original patina or concours shine?

Patina, please. Who wants to worry about stone chips? Given that my 2CV serves as a daily, as well as European road tripper, I don’t want to drive a museum piece.

Manual or auto for a classic daily?

Auto is always relaxing but on older cars, would you trust an ageing automatic gearbox? I’ve had two 1980s Audi autoboxes fail on me – once in St Ives harbour in Summer. It didn’t make me very popular!

One car you wish you’d bought when it was cheap?

Citroën SM. I’m sure its Maserati engine would have bankrupted me eventually, but I’ve seen people fitting 4-cylinder DS lumps. Or… deep breath… maybe I would make it an EV. *Runs for cover*

DANNY HOPKINS, EDITOR: PRACTICAL CLASSICS

Resto or Mod?

We feature both in practical classics. These days it's almost impossible to do a nut and bolt restoration without some sort of modification whether it be modern oils, paints underseals or other gloop. I'm very much of the opinion that if you love your Classic and you want to modify it, particularly for regular use, that can't be a bad thing.

Original patina or concours shine?

Original or concourse... once again your car your choice. Personally, something 'perfected' would cause me too much stress. I like to use my Cars and that means inevitably sometimes they get scuffed or damaged.

Manual or auto for a classic daily?

The legendary road tester LJK Setright was very much of the opinion that an auto beats a manual car because you can simply concentrate on the drive. I prefer manual because I like to choose what gear I'm in and how I play with the rev range the engine. However. If I'm driving round the big town with lots of stop start... an auto wins every time.

One car you wish you’d bought when it was cheap?

Which car would I have bought when it was cheap? It's going to be a Lotus Carlton. I remember when they were passing hands for under 10 grand. Wish I had bought one then.