The Austin-Healey 100 and 3000 are pitted against each other in the October issue of Classic & Sports Car, which goes on sale today in the UK (4 September). The British bruisers are joined by an incredible Targa Florio Alfa Romeo, Honda's own NSX, plus a squadron of Gordon-Keebles.
For the dreamers, there's a buyer's guide on the Mercedes Ponton, while a Wolseley 1500 and Singer Gazelle twin test bring things back down to earth. That's not all – we've also got a bonkers Fiat 600, plus an exclusive interview with the man who drives his vintage Ford across continents.
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If you like your tea strong and the wind in your hair, you'll love our Austin-Healey twin test. Britain's finest sporting dynasty is remembered from its humble beginnings with the 100, through to the range-topping 3000 that joined the party in 1964. Simon Charlesworth charts the roadsters' progress, finding out just how much DNA is shared between this two instant classics.
Mick Walsh returns to 1923 and the dirt roads of Sicily – in mind if not body – to drive a famed Alfa Romeo RL, the model made famous for its stunning victory in that year's Targa Florio. Walsh discovers what it takes to get to grips with the ton-up Grand Prix machine, following in the footsteps of Ascari, Campari and Masetti, and transporting us back to that magical seven hour Italian enduro. Get your goggles on!
Gordon-Keebles are a rare breed – you'll be lucky to see one on the road in your lifetime. Which makes it all the more magical that 48 of the 99 cars produced gathered together to celebrate the model's 50th anniversary. Of course, we were there. David Evans remembers his first encounter with the 5.4-litre V8 beauty, and fulfils a lifelong ambition by getting behind the wheel of a stunning driver. Don't take our word for it, though; we've assembled the best owners' stories from a memorable weekend.
The Honda NSX provides a more modern take on performance, as Greg MacLeman takes the firm's very own sensible supercar for a blast on the backroads. Discover the fascinating history behind Soichiro Honda's impossible dream, and find out what it's like to get behind the wheel of the '90s technological marvel. Not only that, we tell you what to look for when buying the car today.
If the NSX is sensible, the Tornado-Fiat 600GT tested by Richard Heseltine is sheer lunacy. Born of the '60s specials movement, the John Bekaert-built machine makes Abarth's efforts seem tame. Heseltine delves into the history of this amazing car before getting behind the wheel for a breakneck drive.
You'd expect a 71-year-old to take life at a more sedate pace, but not Rod Wade. The Vintage Adventurer, as he's become known, has dedicated his time to undertaking driving challenges in his 1931 Ford Model A – most recently crossing Australia from coast to coast to raise money for his Kidney Kamper charity project. James Elliott interviews a fascinating man to find out what drives him on his ever more ambitious adventures.
It's not all supercars and adventures: John Pressnell looks to the '50s for inspiration as he tests the Wolseley 1500 and Singer Gazelle to see which car takes the small family saloon crown. The conservative and nimble 1500 tests its mettle against the heavier, but more powerful and modern offering from Singer. But will it come down to more than weights and measures?
Julian Balme made his biennial pilgrimage to the Le Mans Classic this year, but he wasn't just going to watch. Read all about our man's on-track adventure in the Lister Tiger that hadn't been to the circuit since testing there 50 years ago. La Sarthe wasn't kind to the Coventry firm in period – find out if history repeats itself in our packed new issue.
