Innholdsfortegnelse for 12/14/2022 i Classic Car Buyer

Just a couple of weeks on from our last 64-page bumper issue, we’ve done it again! This week’s CCB also features an extra 16 pages, with a whole section dedicated to the fascinating subject of modern classics – and our 23 best-buy recommendations for next year. To get to the final 23, everyone in the CCB team put their heads together, went through an exhaustive list of models, narrowed it down to a sensible shortlist, disagreed, adjusted the shortlist, disagreed again, and finally reached a consensus. There may have been beer involved. Still, the end result is pleasing. Not only are there options to suit just about every budget, each of the 23 cars we’ve chosen offers something special on today’s modern classic market – plus, in most cases, we…

Sign up to our newsletter at www.classicsworld.co.uk Thousands of drivers with medical conditions are continuing to face long delays having their driving licence applications or renewals processed. Julie Lennard, chief executive of the DVLA, told MPs last month that 168,000 medical driving licence applications were still being processed at that time. Medical driving licences are issued to any drivers experiencing a condition that needs to be declared to the DVLA, which can include diabetes, epilepsy and heart conditions. In its 2022-2023 Business Plan, the DVLA had intended to return to “normal” processing times for medical driving licence applications by September, following long delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and strike action. Prior to the pandemic, 90 per cent of medical driving licence applications were processed within 90 days. However, the…

Bentley has begun testing of its latest low-volume Mulliner coupe, the Batur. The launch of the limited-run model signals the end of production for the ubiquitous 6.0-litre Crewe-built W12 engine, which has powered its cars since the launch of the original Continental GT in 2003. Just 18 examples of the Batur will be built, with the prototype – known as Car #0 – currently undertaking many weeks of European testing across Germany, Italy, France and Spain. The first production Batur will reach its Bentley client in mid-2023. The two-door fixed-head coupe is based around the latest Continental GT but features exclusive new bodywork. It boasts the most powerful version of the W12 produced to date, pushing out at least 730bhp and 740lb.ft of torque – making it Bentley’s most potent…

The Octagon Theatre at the Pavilion Gardens in Buxton was the venue as 89 lots went under the hammer for H&H’s final classic car auction of the year. The Grade 2 listed building was bustling with attendees, but it was absentee bidders who proved to be the biggest spenders. With vehicles to find new homes ranging from a 1925 De Dion-Bouton Fire Engine that sold for £9675 to a 2007 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG that made £15,833, the variety in the sale was clear to see. However, the biggest figure was achieved by a 1960 Mercedes 190SL, which drew the attention of Swiss and British collectors before eventually selling to a buyer in Dubai for slightly above its mid-estimate at £110,750. Room bidders also lost out on a 1973 Alpine Renault…

Finally revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in 1998, the Silver Seraph underwent an extended gestation period that lasted nearly a decade. One of the first all-new cars to emerge from the brand in decades, the Seraph shared its platform and shell with the Bentley Arnage of the same era, with each model being hand-built at Crewe. The Silver Seraph was powered by BMW’s mighty M73 5.4-litre V12 engine, familiar from the 7 Series, here linked to a five-speed automatic transmission. It was the first 12-cylinder Rolls-Royce since the Phantom III of 1939. A shell some 65 per cent stiffer than what had come before was joined by modern technological advents, including adaptive damping. Inside came lashings of wood and leather, as one would expect of a Rolls-Royce. On paper…

One of BMW’s most successful sports cars, today the Z3 is affordable and fun – and we think it’s aged rather gracefully. Launched in 1995, our first look at the Z3 came in the James Bond film, Goldeneye; the roadster subsequently arrived on UK shores in the summer of ’96. The original 1.9-litre car had all the correct ingredients: a six-cylinder engine powering a lightweight rear-wheel drive two-seater sports car, though initially some felt it missed the mark. The 136bhp 1.9-litre 16-valve M44 engine was partly blamed; in fact, it was a revised version of the M42, as found in the revered E30 318iS. The same model donated its five-speed Getrag gearbox with the option of a four-speed automatic, while the Z3’s chassis was decent enough – comprising parts borrowed…

Its stablemates might garner much of the modern-classic attention, but the Chimaera was TVR’s bestselling model. Debuting in 1992, the two-seater roadster remained on sale until 2003. Like the fire-breathing mythical Greek creature after which it was named, the Chimaera is a wild prospect in comparison with its peers of the same period – and there are few better motoring options guaranteed to put a smile on your face in 2023. The Chimaera borrows its chassis from the Griffith, bringing a pliant Bilstein suspension set-up beneath each corner of its glassfibre bodywork. Powering the show is the ubiquitous Rover V8 – its final fling. Initially offered in 4.0- and 4.3-litre guises, the all-aluminium motor put out 240bhp and 280bhp respectively, with the larger-capacity motor taking the Chimaera to 60mph in…

In modern times, we’ve all become so accustomed to SUVs dominating UK roads, it’s easy to forget just how much of a trailblazer the first-generation Freelander really was when it launched in 1997. Surfing the tricky line between rugged off-roader and stylish town transport, today the early Freelander offers an affordable entry route into Land Rover – and SUV – ownership. As it enters its 26th year in our lives, the Freelander has become a genuine modern classic in our eyes. While diehard Land Rover enthusiasts were initially a little unsure about the Freelander, the general public considered it an instant winner. Back in the late 1990s, a Freelander would set you back about the same as a Defender Td5, but today you can pick one up for peanuts. Two…

With BMW’s sale of Rover Group to the Phoenix Consortium in 2000 and the subsequent creation of MG Rover, the new firm’s management wasted no time in maximising the potential of the MG brand. The Rover 25, 45 and 75 became the basis of three sporting MGs, with development beginning almost as soon as the ink was dry on the contract. Taking the 75 saloon and ramping it up in almost every way, the resulting creation was the flagship MG. The MG ZT was revealed in early 2001, initially available with the 2.5-litre KV6 six-pot in two states of tune: 160bhp and 190bhp. It was soon followed by the ZT-T estate, based on the Rover 75 Tourer. A ZT 180 Sports Auto came next, with the ZT diesel not far…

Without doubt a saviour for Porsche at launch in 1996, the Boxster worked in part on an economy of scale, borrowing its front end from the 996 generation of 911. As a result, it shares much with the 911 of the period, including those controversial ‘fried egg’ headlamps – once ridiculed, they’re today widely accepted. The purity of the original Boxster (internal codename 986) should not go unnoticed. Its mid-engined layout delivered exceptional handling, while a range of water-cooled six-cylinder engines provided the genuine Porsche experience. Early examples employ the 2.5-litre flat-six engine producing 204bhp, mated to either a five-speed manual or Tiptronic automatic gearbox – the former providing the most engaging prospect. While the early 2.5 engine is not the Boxster’s finest hour, it remains a pleasure to use,…

You’ll be accustomed to seeing Fords featured in Classic Car Buyer, though most tend to be rather older than this particular Blue Oval offering. Still, when it comes to modern classics, we simply could not ignore the first Focus. Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2023, the Ford Focus Mk1 makes our top five picks for good reason. A groundbreaking car at launch in 1998 and crowned European Car of the Year in ’99, the Escort’s replacement raised the benchmark for a family car, with its New Edge styling and high levels of practicality being allied to top-notch ride and handling. Today, the Focus offers all of these things while providing exceptionally affordable and reliable transport. There are countless models to choose from, with three- and five-door hatch, four-door saloon and…

It’s said that you can’t call yourself a genuine car enthusiast until you’ve owned an Alfa Romeo – and the front-wheel drive GTV that makes our number two slot for what’s hot in 2023 is a good way to get started. Launched in 1996, the GTV (and Spider convertible) arrived with two engine options: a 230bhp 3.0-litre ‘Busso’ V6 24-valve, and a four-cylinder 2.0-litre derived from the Fiat Barchetta’s 1.8-litre lump. Two years on from launch came a mild facelift, with another taking place in 2003. The JTS boasted another four-cylinder engine, this time direct-injection with 165bhp, while the 240bhp 3.2-litre V6 was lifted from the 156 GTA. Production came to an end in 2005. The 916 range wasn’t a huge seller on UK shores, which makes it a particularly…

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF Mk1 (1974-1983) It wasn’t just about the GTI. The Golf, along with the Passat, brought Volkswagen into the modern age and provided the basis for the company that flourishes today. Before the Golf’s 1974 launch, VW had tried – and conspicuously failed – to build a series of cars (large and small) that would also replace the Beetle outright in the hope of stemming losses that began in the late ’60s. As the Type 3 and 411/412 failed to succeed the Beetle in sales and outlook, it had the K70 from recently acquired NSU to act as a stop-gap – but it was realised as early as 1969 that outsourcing the styling might be the way to go. It was make or break: unlike Volvo, VW had no…

Like the majority of Triumph TR3s (indeed, the majority of classic British sports cars), this TR3A was built with left-hand drive and sent abroad – we don’t know where to, but the best chance by far is the USA. That was where a huge proportion of TR3 production ended up and the TR3A (with its full-width grille, external door handles, lockable boot and other small refinements over the original TR3) was one of the bestselling of the breed, bested only by the TR6 and the TR7. In fact, the TR3A sold so well that the tooling wore out, so in 1959 the body was renewed with minor differences including a one-piece boot floor pressing, doors with a radiused rather than square rear lower corner, and bonnet and boot hinges raised…

An early example of the ‘low-light’ Series MM Morris Minor has hit the market – a rare right-hand drive survivor that was built in 1949 and shows just 29,704 miles. Described as “very solid and original with all the early features present”, the sidevalve-engined Morris is said to have been running recently. The engine turns by hand and is likely to start and run again “with minimal work”. The Minor has been in dry storage for several years and appears to be structurally good. A previous owner sprayed the bodywork in a light primer at some point, and the car has no shortage of ‘patina appeal’. Its next owner could choose to preserve the look of the Minor in its current ‘barn find’ state or restore it to its former…

What’s likely to be the last brand new Lada Niva ever available in the UK is now for sale via Mark Key, the specialist who recommenced small-scale imports of the rugged 4x4 in early 2021. The unregistered Niva currently in stock is the final one ordered prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February of this year. The Bronto Prestige is a top-of-the-range Niva, coming complete with air conditioning, extended wheelarches, a 50mm suspension lift and all-terrain tyres. It has 30 delivery kilometres on its odometer and is priced at £22,342 plus VAT – reclaimable if the buyer is VAT-registered and takes the Niva as a two-seater commercial. All profits from the sale are being donated to the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. Commenting on his cessation of Niva imports,…

The 1973 Jaguar E-Type Series 3 that starred in an early episode of the BBC’s Only Fools and Horses, as featured in CCB (November 16), has sold for £102,375 including fees at the final Hampson Auctions sale of 2022. The E-Type appeared in the second episode of the first series, entitled Go West Young Man, owned by Del Boy and Rodney’s car-dealing friend, Boycie. Although the Jaguar carried a pre-auction estimate of £140,000-£160,000, its sale price represents an impressive achievement for a Series 3 – generally the most affordable member of the E-Type family. It was a successful event overall for Hampson Auctions, with a sale rate of over 65 per cent at the time of writing. Fast Fords did particularly well, with a painstakingly restored 1987 Escort RS Turbo…

The Little Car Company, manufacturer of limited-edition hand-built electric cars for children, has launched a new funding round following a rapid expansion of its business to meet global demand. Since launching in March 2019, the Bicester-based company says it’s “experienced ever-increasing momentum”, producing over 200 authentic to-scale electric cars in partnership with car manufacturers such as Bugatti, Ferrari and Aston Martin. Responding to international demand, The Little Car Company has scaled up its business, with the recent acquisition of a neighbouring manufacturing facility to treble production capacity. The latest round of funding will allow it to grow even further. The Little Car Company currently employs 60 people, including experienced automotive engineers from McLaren, Williams, Jaguar Land Rover, Aston Martin and Lotus. For details of its new funding round, visit…

MINI COOPER (1961-1970) Changes from the standard Mini in the original Cooper were surprisingly few – a bespoke twin-carb 997cc engine making 55bhp, front disc brakes, vented wheels and close-ratio gearbox with a remote floor-mounted lever. Nevertheless, the Mini Cooper quickly began winning races and rallies at almost every level, establishing its reputation as a ‘giant killer’. BMC soon upped the game with the bigger-engined Cooper S, and the regular Cooper switched to using a tuned version of the standard 998cc engine. The S hogged the limelight, but the standard Cooper remained available for those who didn’t need its extra performance or didn’t want to pay its higher price. The smaller-engined car was less ferocious and finnicky in daily use, didn’t overwhelm its brakes as easily, and many felt the…

Think of the Toyota MR2 and we’d wager that your mind will flick directly to either the first or second-generation cars. However, the third-generation iteration (codename W30), produced between 1999 and 2007, has much to offer as an affordable modern classic sports car. It should be on your radar in 2023. Weighing less than the model it replaced, the MR2 Mk3 model range is quite simple to understand. All markets received the 138bhp 1.8-litre DOHC 16v VVT-i 1ZZ-FE engine, the same all-alloy twin-cam unit found in the seventh-generation Celica. With the highest power-to-weight ratio in its class, the mid-engined Mk3 was quick enough and well balanced with it. Breaking new ground in 2001 was the option of a five-speed Sequential Manual Transmission (SMT), the first sequential gearbox fitted to a…

The replacement for the RX-7 was first glimpsed in 2001 and, like its forebear, was powered by a rotary engine flying in the face of convention. Produced between 2002 and 2012, the RX-8 was available in two guises, 190 and 230, with brake horsepower outputs via the normally aspirated 1.3-litre motor weighing in at just under those figures. Thanks to the nature of the Wankel engine, the redline is a staggering 9500rpm. Light in weight with its heft split evenly front to rear, the rear-wheel drive RX-8 is popular for its rewarding driving experience and unusual (yet practical) take on the traditional sports car recipe. Adding to the unorthodox came the coupe-cumsaloon’s rear-hinged doors providing access to the back seat, though some find them gimmicky and difficult to use. In…

When Volkswagen bought Bentley in 1998, few knew what to expect next. However, any real concerns over the future of the Crewe car maker melted away in 2003, when the first fruit of the union emerged: the Continental GT. Some 25 years on from VW’s takeover, the classy design of the Conti GT contributes to its place here as an outright modern classic. Today, this luxury car is a relative bargain that few rivals can challenge. The first Bentley to employ mass-production techniques, the Continental GT was powered by the mighty 552bhp 6.0-litre W12 engine (as used by the VW Phaeton). With two turbochargers and four-wheel drive, it propelled the car to 60mph in just five seconds. Here was a luxury GT cruiser with supercar levels of performance. A coupe…

If you can forgive sitcom The Inbetweeners for poking fun at the Cinquecento, then you’ll find Fiat’s spiritual successor to the 126 – and in many ways the Panda, too – is worthy of attention, especially in Sporting guise featured here. A characterful city car, the Cinquecento was launched in 1991 and came to the UK in ’93; it majored on affordability, yet the model really found its feet in 1994 when the Sporting was revealed. Tapping into Fiat’s past glories and its ability to build fun small cars, the Sporting is best described as a mild ‘hot hatch’. It adopted the 1.1-litre FIRE engine used in the larger Punto, allied to that model’s five-speed gearbox alongside a raft of new chassis upgrades. While power is far from earth-shattering at…

Squeezing into our Top 10 is an appreciating Jaguar loved by many. The replacement for the iconic XJS arrived in 1996, available in both coupe and convertible guises from the outset. The X100-generation XK8 was powered by an all-new 294bhp 4.0-litre V8 (codename AJ-V8), combined with a fairly archaic five-speed ZF automatic transmission. Despite this, the package was good for dispatching the standard 0-60mph sprint in 6.4 seconds. However, those requiring a greater level of performance were soon catered for, with the supercharged XKR arriving with a punchy 370bhp. It looked the part too, thanks to more muscular styling. Although the XK8 and XKR proved popular from launch, Jaguar revised both models in 2002, gifting them a 4.2-litre engine (AJ-34) engine. Customers could now enjoy either 300bhp in their XK8…

Values of the first Lotus Elise, the Series 1 (S1), have been climbing steadily for several years now, making 2023 perhaps your last opportunity to jump on these revered modern classics before asking prices rise to stratospheric levels. At a time when contemporary sports cars are getting heavier, the 723kg Lotus Elise S1 is a reminder of just how far from base manufacturers have strayed in the last 30 years; when it arrived in 1996, the Elise dragged Colin Chapman’s famous ethos into a modern era, as well as being a triumph of design in so many different ways. Its aluminium chassis was bonded together rather than being welded, with a glassfibre bodyshell sat atop, while underneath came double wishbone suspension and aluminium disc brakes – further nods to the…

Heralded as a ‘future classic’ from birth, the first iteration of Audi’s TT is nothing less than a styling masterpiece – one that’s all set to reach its milestone 25th anniversary in 2023. Using the underpinnings from the Mk4 era of Volkswagen Golf, from a mechanical point of view the TT isn’t out of the ordinary. However, its swooping lines, diminutive dimensions (by modern standards) and attention to design detail make it stand out for all the right reasons. Borrowing the same platform used by its VW Group stablemates of the period, the Mk1 TT wasn’t a desperately exciting driver’s car, but it was a capable daily steer. Powered largely by the popular 1.8T engine, the four-cylinder 20-valve turbocharged unit came in three states tune: 150, 180 or 225bhp. Fundamentally…

Affordable modern classics don’t come much more tempting than the Jaguar S-Type – our top pick of cars you should consider buying next year. Launched in 1999, the retro-styled four-door saloon took both its moniker and its styling influences from Jaguars of old, although the modern S-Type shared nothing with its 1960s namesake, offering contemporary levels of luxury and reliability. And today it’s available at a bargain price. Developed when Ford was at the helm of the Coventry-based outfit, Jaguar’s new executive saloon was designed with the intention of challenging the German dominance epitomised by the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Those Ford roots saw the S-Type share its rear-wheel drive platform with the Lincoln LS. And in the beginning it was available with either a V6 or V8…

JAGUAR X300 Paul Wager, Group Editor The model that succeeded the XJ40 was described by many as the car it should have been in the first place. Essentially grafting on a traditionally Jaguar-styled nose and tail, the X300 generation addressed most of the older car’s shortcomings while retaining its virtues, and was also much better put together thanks to Ford input. They’re currently as cheap as they’re going to get, with values where the XJ40 was a while ago. MERCEDES-BENZ W124 Adrian Evanson, Lancaster Insurance The first car to be marketed officially as the E-Class, the W124 paralleled the XJ40 in its lifespan and top-end models were priced at a similar level. Today, the W124 remains affordable – and being a Mercedes of the old school, it’s an easy car…

A leading auction house is currently reporting high demand for Japanese modern classics. According to Classic Car Auctions (CCA), there’s soaring interest in Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) models, particularly from Subaru and Mitsubishi. CCA’s Gary Dunne commented: “We’re often asked: ‘How is the car market doing at the moment?’ A simple answer is that changing trends and economic fluctuations mean some things naturally plateau or come down in value, whereas others will rise. No one could have predicted the rise in the Japanese Domestic Market but for a generation who grew up watching Fast and Furious, playing Gran Turismo and Need for Speed, these JDM halo cars have fond memories and are becoming increasingly desirable.” The rise of the JDM car is similar to what happened with the fast Ford…

An immaculate Ford Escort Mk3 RS1600i has sold for what’s believed to be an auction record price, with the recent Car & Classic sale seeing the virtual hammer fall at £40,250. This stunning example had been restored to a very high standard twice in the last decade. Its rebuilt engine was to ‘fast road’ spec, but the car’s original – and increasingly rare – twin-coil ignition system was retained. Car & Classic’s head of editorial, Chris Pollitt, commented: “It is clear that models which fired up the imagination of car enthusiasts in the 1980s and ’90s, who perhaps couldn’t afford them when they were launched, are becoming increasingly popular and commanding premium prices.” The entire Ford Escort range continues to be popular on Car & Classic, taking second place in…

Darling of the 1990s rally scene, master of car park cruises up and down the country, the Subaru Impreza boasts motorsport heritage, practicality and pace. While there is more to the Impreza than just the Turbo models, these are the ones most enthusiasts want to own. Launched in 1993, the first Impreza (codename ‘GC8’), continued the work of the Legacy model that came before it. The Impreza’s robust EJ20 ‘boxer’ engine and permanent four-wheel drive were a boon for those in search of a workhorse, especially in estate guise. And when the turbocharged WRX version officially arrived in the UK in 1994, it caused a stir – although the Impreza 2000 Turbo AWD (as it was known here) had a problem. Thanks to UK regulations, it was strangled from the…

You won’t need us to explain the legacy of the Golf Mk1, as the enduring icon remains one of the most popular classics of all time. Its replacement, the Mk2, enjoys an equally passionate following in the classic car world, but the Mk3 is widely regarded to have fallen somewhat short. It’s therefore worth reminding yourself that its replacement, the Mk4, is now over 25-years of age – and so it makes our cut as a bona-fide modern classic. The Mk4 addressed many of the shortcomings of the Mk3 – a return to form in so many ways, with Volkswagen making a conscious effort to improve build quality with its fourth iteration of Golf. Offering a huge range of models with a choice of trim levels and excellent engines, it’s…

In many respects, the Saab 9-5 didn’t represent a giant step forward over the outgoing Saab 9000. However, thanks to exceptional build quality and a somewhat timeless design, this thinking man’s executive transport has evolved into a modern classic – one widely considered as the ‘last real Saab’ at that. Introduced in 1997, the first generation 9-5 received a controversial facelift in 2006, while its final incarnation of 2010-2012 is also worthy of consideration. One year on from launch in 1997 came an estate version – Saab’s first load lugger since 1959. Taking its looks from the second-generation 900, the 9-5’s design was clever and quirky in places. From its cool clamshell bonnet to an evolved version of the 9000’s aircraft-style dashboard (surrounding its driver), it was engineered with pure…

How could we exclude the humble Mazda MX-5 from our list of hot modern classics for the coming year? In at number 12 is the second-generation model, manufactured between 1998 and 2005. Boasting many of the elements we all loved from the first iteration wrapped in an updated package, the Mk2 (codenamed NB) offers fun, wind-in-the-hair motoring on a budget. According to Mazda, 60 per cent of the Mk2 MX-5 was new, its lack of pop-up headlights being the biggest gripe for many enthusiasts of retro rides (you can blame US legislation for that one). Stronger than the Mk1, the second-gen is said to be 40 per cent more rigid. Previewed at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1997, the NB was launched in ’98 with 109bhp 1.6 and 138bhp 1.8-litre…

New Mercedes-Benz cars often appear stylish, cutting-edge, even ground-breaking, but a short few years later they can suddenly seem dated and less appealing. It takes around a decade, sometimes longer, for Mercedes designs to emerge out the other side. You’ll spot one driving around one day and you’ll wonder when its design suddenly turned the corner, transitioning back from crud to cool. The W208-generation CLK has navigated this same patient process, having emerged from Mercedes no man’s land to be seen as a respectable, stylish and desirable modern classic – and now is the time to buy. Launched in 1997, the first CLK was based on the C-Class (W202) platform, but it borrowed parts and its overall aesthetic from the more upmarket E-Class (W210). Replacing the W124, the first-generation CLK…

In at number six is the humble MINI, with the R50 and its supercharged Cooper S relation – the R53 – being the focus of our attention here. Making its motor show debut in late 2000 and on sale early the following summer, the reinvention of the Issigonis classic was well received. Its R-prefixed codename wasn’t the only Rover reference, as most of the R50’s development work was carried out in the UK during BMW’s six-year ownership of the firm. The sale of Rover in 2000 saw BMW keeping hold of the MINI brand. Two R50s arrived: the 90bhp One and 115bhp Cooper, both using the 1.6-litre Tritec engine, the product of a joint venture between BMW and Chrysler. The sportier Cooper S (R53) used the same engine with the…

Thanks to natural evolution and development, it’s often the case that the last iteration of any model of car is the best. And many would argue this includes the MG TF, MG Rover’s definitive take on the modern British sports car. A facelift version of the earlier MGF, the MG TF arrived in 2002 sporting three main K-Series engine options: the 116bhp, 1.6-litre (TF115), and two 1.8-litre Variable Valve Control (VVC) motors comprising the 135bhp TF135 and the 157bhp TF160. The rare TF Stepspeed, with its 120bhp 1.8-litre engine and CVT auto gearbox borrowed from the Rover 75, is probably best avoided. Based heavily on its predecessor, the MG TF actually moved the story on considerably, and today makes a top alternative to the MX-5 as a modern-classic sportster. Revised…

Taken almost exactly 60 years ago, this classic shot of Liverpool’s Lord Street – looking towards Derby Square – shows late afternoon Christmas shoppers scurrying through heavy rain, while a lone policeman directs the traffic that’s passing beneath the festive lights. And of course, it’s a pretty typical city street scene for the time, featuring a mix of traffic – including a couple of double-decker buses, with what’s believed to be a Leyland PD2 heading away from the camera and a Leyland Atlantean coming towards us. Parked at the kerbside to the right of the photo, there’s an Albion van delivering yet more Christmas stock to one of the shops. And car-wise we have an interesting mix too, with (from left to right) an Austin A50 Cambridge, a Ford Zephyr…

We’ve referred to ‘forgotten Jaguars’ before in CCB – generally cars of the ’60s, like the S-Type and 420 – but none have been so comprehensively swept under the carpet as the XJ40. Only just emerging from its lengthy tenure in that twilight zone between cheap old prestige smoker and modern classic, the XJ40 represents more Jaguar per pound than it’s ever been possible to buy. But it also potentially represents more trouble per pound than you’d ever want to buy. The main difficulties facing the XJ40 are simply that its predecessor, the Series 3, was so very good and so well-loved that it continued in V12 form as a special order until 1992. At the other end of its lifespan, the XJ40’s successor – the X300 – was so…

MG 1300 If you want an affordable all-weather classic MG that’s not a ’B GT, then the front-wheel drive 1300 fits the bill nicely. At the same price level as this GT, you’ll be able to pick up an excellent example of a late-1960s 1300, probably in a lovely two-tone paint combo. Not as fast or as obviously sporty to drive, a 1300 is still huge fun and will stand out far more than any MGB. FORD CAPRI Mk3 This sort of money won’t get you an early Mk1 Capri, but the Mk3 in four-cylinder form will provide much of the same traditional rear-wheel drive character and year-round practicality as the MGB GT in a more stylistically modern package. The 1.6-litre will feel a bit gutless by comparison, but you…

Project owner found Regular readers will remember The Big Image that we published in our November 9 issue, showing a ripe-for-restoration Austin A35 Countryman photographed at the NEC Classic Motor Show of 2012. We’ve since heard from reader Steven Hames, who is the proud owner of the Austin – a car that’s still unrestored 10 years later but is very much part of the family. “My late father bought the Countryman in around 1980 for the grand sum of £100,” recalls Steven. “It was a one-owner vehicle with 37,000 miles on the clock. Foolishly though, he let me start working on it when I was about 12 years old, hence its poor condition!” Steven, who also owns a slightly modified A30 saloon, reports that the Countryman is a surprisingly solid…