The September issue of Classic & Sports Car is bursting at the seams with classic content, from the Brit V8 showdown of the Aston Martin V8 and Jensen Interceptor, through to the best bargain modern classics. As always, there's something for everyone: Richard Heseltine bags an exclusive drive in a Ferrari 212, while Mick Walsh is on the maps, navigating in the ex-Betty Haig AC 16/80 on the Alpine Trial.
Our cover story features a clash of British muscle: both the Aston and Jensen have the cubic capacity to put a smile on even the stoniest face, but one costs half the price of the other. Martin Buckley road tests the two cars to discover whether the Aston is worth the extra cash, or if the budget West Bromwich contender is too good to pass up. Find out his conclusions in the September issue.
Next up is a slice of true Italian exotica – the Ferrari 212 Inter Coupé. The Vignale-bodied beauty was created just six years into the company's story, and represents a fruitful but short-lived partnership between Maranello and Turin. Richard Heseltine gets behind the wheel of this fascinating classic ahead of its debut at Salon Privé in September.
We've rounded up four of the Playstation generation's hottest roadsters: Renault Sport Spider, Mazda MX-5, Lotus Elise and BMW Z1. Each of these 1990s machines offers the excitement of roofless motoring, but with prices varying from £2000 to £30,000, they deliver it in very different ways. Whether you want to fly under the radar or stand out from the crowd, James Page guides you through four of the best sports cars money can buy.
Considerably more powerful is an ex-works Rover P6B racer which, with its massive bonnet scoop and flared wheel-arches, bears little resemblance to the sensible family saloon. Weighing just 950kg and boasting more than 350bhp, it's clear to see why Simon Charlesworth can't take the smile off his face. A full and detailed history awaits – it really is fascinating.
You could be forgiven for never having heard of the Amilcar Compound – just 872 were made – but you'll not want to miss John Pressnell's superb article on the ill-fated aluminium wonder. From its humble beginnings through to the outbreak of WW2, we're taken on a tour of the twists and turns in the car's troubled development. Why did such an exciting model become such a liability? Pick up this month's magazine to find out.
Staying in France, Mick Walsh retraces the route of the Alpine Trial – a recent revival of the legendary pre-WW2 rally through the Jura mountains and the Alps. Everything from Jaguar SS100s and Low Chassis Invictas to Peugeot 402s turned out for the event, and we have interviews with all the main contenders. Find out the highs and lows of the event from those who took part.
David Render also has a story or two to tell, from leading the Allied charge to Bremen atop a Sherman tank to winning the British Sprint Championship. The great friend of Colin Chapman regales us with tales from his incredible career, and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most well-known and intriguing characters in British motor sport. It's not to be missed.
