The birth of BMW's M Power dynasty is the main story in the packed March issue of C&SC (in the UK shops from 6 February).
We test all of the cars that created the desirable lineage of ultimate driving machines that continues to this day. James Page's first-generation greats include the M1 supercar, nimble M535i, family fun M5, continent crushing M635CSi and the ever-roguish M3 Evo II.
Plus, for those for whom one era of nutty BMWs isn't enough, Alastair Clements analyses some of the other hot Munich motors, ranging from 2002 turbo to 1M Coupé.
Of course, considerate as always, we have given plenty of thought to what to lay on for those who are not fans of BMW and we reckon we should be able to provide something for everyone in one of the most eclectic ever issues of C&SC.
First up, after all that BMW drama, Dep Ed Page gets the opportunity to make some rather more stately progress in pitting against each other a pair of early-1930s gentlemanly rivals, the Rolls-Royce 20/25 and Daimler ELS24.
There's less of a quiet life for Mick Walsh who takes to the track (and road) in a pair of rapid racers for two different features. Calmer of the two by quite some way is the speediest Alfa Romeo Giulietta, the long-tail SZ. Rather more frenetic was his time in the magnificent ERA E-type. With (slight) visual echoes of the Silver Arrows, this British-built monster was a flop in period but is a winner in historics today. Walsh finds out why.
C&SC's professional northerner Martin Buckley may be the least "yee-ha!" person you can imagine, but he had a whale of a time on his recent trip to the States. This month he really gets into character by blasting a pair of trailblazing classic Jeep Wagoneers across a ranch.
