These are the C&SC team’s 2019 highlights

New Year’s resolution

There are several must-see events I’ve never managed to get to; this year I plan to rectify that. Top of the list are the Festival of the Unexceptional and Zoute Grand Prix.

Jack Phillips, deputy editor

Car of the year

To see Bentley’s Blower standing silent and alone in the middle of Longcross test track was surreal. It had stopped on its way to tackling the Mille Miglia, kindly permitted by Bentley, and has lost none of its stature. The history it’s seen, the people it’s carried, remain with it in an unmistakable aura.

Best drive

Having dreamed of them since I was a child, it has to be the Renault 5 Turbo 2 (above) around a sun-baked Aérodrome de la Ferté Gaucher. It could have been terrible and I’d still have climbed out happy, but instead it was brilliant – albeit too short.

Best event

I’ll whisper it, but I like the Silverstone Classic more than the Goodwood Revival… The racing has no frills, it seemingly never stops and is always entertaining. Yes, Silverstone is big, concrete and characterless, but with thousands of cars on display and almost as many on track, it’s a staple of my year.

New Year’s resolution

To finally take my Volvo on a long-distance run with the family. It’s the whole reason we bought it – to head off to the Lakes, Wales, anywhere distant from London – but something has always conspired against it.

Greg MacLeman, features editor

Car of the year

One I previously didn’t know existed: the Denzel 1300 (above). I spent a hot summer’s day thrashing the little racer around the hills south of Lisbon and fell in love with it. Sadly, I didn’t win the Euromillions, or it would have come home with me after RM Sotheby’s Sáragga sale.

Best drive

Returning the first privateer Healey to race at Goodwood to the circuit, for the first time since its restoration, was a privilege. It was also the first time I’d driven the track, making the drive even more special.

Best event

Far and away the most memorable event of 2019 was the De Dion-Bouton Club’s Grand Prix, during which I took the controls of a three-wheeler for a series of endurance races on the hallowed Brooklands concrete. The enthusiasm of members and passion for keeping such historic machines on the road was really inspiring.

New Year’s resolution

After selling my MG and my Triumph being in pieces all year, I’m determined to make the most of my classic in 2020. Say “yes” to everything and drive there in the 2500 is my mantra. Who knows, I may even convince my wife to take it somewhere hot for our holidays…

Lizzie Pope, associate editor

Car of the year

They were in London for just four days in November, but getting to see a trio of outlandish ’50s BAT Alfa concepts was amazing.

Best drive

Driving a trio of classic Aston Martins to the Goodwood Revival was special, and the DB6 Volante (above) was the icing on the cake. It’s the perfect car in which to sweep into the Duke’s estate. 

Best event

The V&A’s ‘Cars: Accelerating the Modern World’ exhibition was thought-provoking and interesting – and it runs until 19 April. 

New Year’s resolution

I said this last year and I meant it (I had an entry and everything), but my health got in the way. So 2020 will mark my return to historic rallying. Promise.

Mick Walsh, international editor

Car of the year

The fashion for ‘continuation’ cars has no appeal, but recreating a lost design has to be applauded. The rebirth of the 1939 Bentley Corniche has been a drawn-out affair, but thanks to the passion of historian Ken Lea, the craftsmanship of Ashley & James and Bentley funding, this Derby MkV streamliner was completed for the centenary year.

Best drive

The Alfa Romeo 8C Long Chassis (above) lived up to all my expectations. Roaring around Cambridgeshire in this beauty confirmed its place on my dream list.

Best event

Being held every two years makes Vintage Montlhéry extra special. From two Jappic cyclecar replicas to the Alfa theme, the weekend was heaven for pre-war machinery.

New Year’s resolution

To finally finish the definitive Bugatti Type 59 book, now aided by an expanded team with top marque experts Mark Morris and Julius Kruta.

Simon Taylor, editor at large

Car of the year

The HWM-Jaguar Coupé (above). This forgotten rarity looked even hornier than in period photos, and drove better than it should for a one-off based on a redundant racing chassis.

Best drive

Almost any time I was in my Stovebolt Special, but particularly on the B4077 in the Gloucestershire moonlight.

Best event

Drive for June was the first event I’d organised: half a dozen nice cars on nice roads in aid of Alzheimer’s Research UK.

New Year’s resolution

Get down to the best Shelsley time I did in the Stovebolt 10 years ago, when I was younger and braver.

Damon Cogman, art editor

Car of the year

Restomod pioneer Ringbrothers’ 890bhp ‘Valkyrja’ (above) takes a ’69 Chevy Camaro and makes it better in every way. It blew away the judges at the SEMA show. 

Best drive

Heading to Le Mans in my BMW 525e, flanked by friends in a Mustang and a Mitsubishi Evo, was an odd mix, but that sense of inclusivity and adventure is what makes our hobby. We took the long route, got lost, ate lunch on the bonnet… and nothing fell off!

Best event

The FIA Euro Finals at Santa Pod: it’s the most visceral experience, with four wheels and an engine expressing themselves in the most antisocial way possible.

New Year’s resolution

It’s another ‘I’ll definitely finish my car’ story. I have two VWs in component form, so completing at least one of them shouldn’t be too hard, should it?

Martin Buckley, senior contributor

Car of the year

I surprised myself by being as impressed by the Jowett Javelin (above) as I was by the Lancia Aprilia in May’s C&SC. Only 50 years after the motor car had been invented, in the intelligently packaged flat-four Javelin we already had something comfortable, refined and recognisably ‘modern’ to drive.

Best drive

Taking my Oldsmobile Toronado, five-up, to the Rally of the Giants. It’s less than 40 miles from where we Iive, but every journey in this car is an event. Coming back at dusk, with the headlamps raised, we wafted home for an appointment with a Chinese takeaway and The Iron Maiden on YouTube.

Best event

A trip to Monterey has to be the highlight. I enjoyed the relaxed street events the most, and where else would you see the Aga Khan Maserati 5000GT coming the other way in traffic?

New Year’s resolution

Use my old cars as much as possible, and try to buy a couple more (cheap) things from ‘The List’.

Julian Balme, senior contributor

Car of the year

Two cars have been on my radar for years: the first-generation Ford Bronco and the MG TC. At Hershey I saw examples of both, which did nothing to dilute my interest. Bronco prices have gone through the roof, but the car that led the US post-war fascination with sport cars remains affordable.

Best drive

An early morning run to Bicester in my Lincoln Continental (above) after two years in hibernation. The weather and lack of traffic combined to make the journey a delight.

Best event

Seeing my toys all lined up in a row, no doubt for the first and last time, at the London Concours was special. 

New Year’s resolution

To finally drive an MG TC and (hopefully) get it out of my system.

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