The modern classic theme continues with an in-depth look at Porsche’s unsung 996, a full roundup of the top 10 hot hatches of the 1990s, an interview with design maverick Chris Bangle.
Richard Burns and Tommi Makinen were two of the greatest rally drivers of their generation, and their exploits on the world’s competition stages inspired a pair of equally impressive special editions, Subaru’s Impreza RB5 and Mitsubishi’s Evolution Tommi Makinen Edition. Greg MacLeman takes to the back roads to see whether the older Impreza has what it takes to run alongside the more powerful Evo.
For Sixties glamour, it’s difficult to argue with either Alfa Romeo’s 1600 Sprint GTC or Lancia’s beautiful Flavia Vignale. Each offers lively performance, striking good looks and enough space to take your friends cruising through the Riviera – but which one has the edge? Martin Buckley takes two wonderful examples for a spin to decide whether it’s the upmarket Lancia or more sporty Alfa that proves the more tempting proposition.
The Volvo Amazon celebrates its Diamond Anniversary this year, and what better way to celebrate than by testing three stunning examples, comprising a 122S, 221 and 123GT? Sweden’s most robust and dashing export stood the test of time better than most Detroit-inspired cars of the era, and interest in the rally contender is now at an all-time high. Andrew Roberts enjoys all three variants, from two-door coupé to practical and handsome estate.
We all have a special connection to our classics, but few are as fascinating as that of historics ace Willie Green and his Lea-Francis TT Hyper. The tale begins with his modest – yet quick – racer father Wilf, and eventually leads to a lock-up garage in Bracknell and clandestine bidding at one of the UK’s top auctions. Mick Walsh tells the full story before taking the famous classic for a full-blooded drive.
Considering his modest budget, Dick Protheroe made an incredible contribution to Jaguar’s history. An extensive racing career saw him pilot a staggering array of the Coventry firm’s machines, but he is most famed for his association with the E-type. He campaigned four fixed-head-coupés in his time, including his first and last – CUT 7 and CUT 8. We reunite the two cars at Goodwood, where Julian Balme puts the machines through their paces during a series of high-speed laps – but the cars are only half the story.
As a symbol of utter excess, it’s difficult to beat a Rolls-Royce Camargue. Not only was it incredibly expensive, but it also went on sale in the aftermath of the Oil Crisis. None of that bothers Martin Buckley, who reckons that the mammoth coupe’s stock is on the rise. We give the Pininfarina classic a proper leg stretch before delving into its fascinating history.
Ferrari’s don’t come much more exclusive than the 365 California. The final car in a distinguished line of coachbuilt Prancing Horses combines the sublime power of the Lampredi V12 with daring Tom Tjaarda-penned Pininfarina bodywork. It stands as one of the most desirable Ferraris of its generation, offering styling cues that would influence the firm’s designs for decades to come. We photograph an immaculate example in our studio, under the warm light of a setting sun.
