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This early Porsche 928 is a glorious celebration of 40 years of the model

Porsche 928

Porsche 928

It’s 40 years since the Porsche 928 was launched – and Porsche GB is celebrating the anniversary at this year’s NEC Classic Motor Show by displaying a 1978 example driven by racing legend Richard Attwood.

The front-engined 928 was a V8-powered grand tourer originally intended as a replacement for the 911. Revolutionary for its time, its lightweight construction used aluminium body panels rather than traditional sheet steel.

The 928 on display at the NEC has been prepared for the 2017 HSCC 70s Road Sport Championship by Porsche’s four Classic Partner Centres: Hatfield, Swindon, Leeds and Glasgow. One of the earliest examples to reach the GB market in 1978, this 928 is powered by the earlier 4.5-litre V8 engine producing 240hp.

With assistance from Road and Race Restorations of Manchester, a Porsche Recommended Repairer, the car has been completely stripped, re-conditioned, re-sprayed and prepared for the race. The engine has also been overhauled, while respecting the rules for the racing championship.

More NEC Classic Motor Show news on Retro MR:

Attwood is currently leading his class in the competition, with just two more meetings left before the end of the season.

“For us, tradition and innovation are bound closely together,” said Porsche GB’s business development manager, James Toye. “More than 70 percent of all Porsche vehicles ever built are still on the road and therefore play a defining role in shaping the fascination of the brand.

“Porsche Classic is highly committed to prolonging the service life of every classic Porsche, offering experts who combine service and advice with the relevant expertise and enthusiasm. Each Classic Partner showroom has a Classic Corner, featuring vehicle and parts displays that tell you at first glance that you and your classic car are at the right address.”

The car is on display at the NEC Classic Motor Show, on from now until Sunday.

In pictures: Porsche 928 at the NEC Classic Motor Show

>NEXT: Are these Britain’s best retro cars?

6 expensive future classics at the NEC Classic Motor Show

7 expensive future classics at the NEC Classic Motor Show

7 expensive future classics at the NEC Classic Motor Show

If you’re looking to buy a future classic car, sometimes it’s worth splashing out on the very best you can afford. A low-mileage example with a handful of previous owners and a stash of service history could be a much wiser investment than something with half the pedigree for half the price.

We’ve had a wander around the dealers’ hall at this year’s NEC Classic Motor Show, and there are some extremely minty (and with it, pricey) examples of future classics available to buy this weekend. The question is, would you spend this kind of money on any of these cars?

Volkswagen Golf: £8,995 – £9,495

Volkswagen Golf: £8,995 - £9,495

Can a beige fourth-generation Volkswagen Golf be seen as desirable? This V6 4Motion makes a good attempt. It’s covered just 22,000 miles, with full service history and, from our brief poke around at the show, it looks to be in ‘as-new’ condition – and we don’t say that lightly.

The catch? It’s up for sale between £8,995 and £9,495 depending on which sign you look at. Has the dealer had a change of heart and slashed £500 off the price on day one of the show?

Audi TT: £9,995

Audi TT: £9,995

The original Audi TT is ageing incredibly well – a definite future classic, in our eyes. So much so that some visitors to the NEC Classic Motor Show might question whether one deserves to feature at the show at all. Early examples are now nearly 20 years old, unbelievably, although this example we’ve hunted out is a relatively late one, registered on a 54-plate in 2004.

It’s the desirable 3.2-litre V6, with just 27,000 miles on the clock, backed up by full service history. It ticks all the boxes, but what would you expect with a £9,995 asking price?

Land Rover Discovery: £18,750

Land Rover Discovery: £18,750

While tidy, original first-generation Land Rover Discoverys are now like hens’ teeth, you’d think it’d be easier to find a good example of the Discovery 2, launched in 1998. You might be surprised, though – many of them suffer from rust, just like the earlier models, while the TD5 engine can prove to be costly when it goes wrong.

This example, being sold by specialist Graeme Hunt, was a press car for the Discovery 2’s launch in 1998. The dealer has given it a no-expense-spared respray in its original Zambezi Silver, while its V8 engine no doubt sounds as good as the day it left the Solihull factory. The price? Er, £18,750…

Nissan Almera: £3,795

Nissan Almera: £3,795

The market for 8,000-mile Nissan Almeras is no doubt pretty small, but the £3,795 asking price makes it one of the more affordable cars of the show. A facelifted second-generation model, this Almera is ‘the one to have’ if you really want a Nissan Almera.

Jaguar XJ8: £11,500

Jaguar XJ8: £11,500

Like the Discovery featured above, the X308 XJ is one of those cars that might be harder to find a nice example of than you might expect. This 2000 car looks a minter, having covered just 24,000 miles with a main dealer stamp in its service book for every year.

The seller, Robert Hughes Automobiles, sold it to its previous owner before buying it back from his estate following his passing. As a standard wheelbase 4.0-litre, it’s relatively rare… but is it worth £11,750?

Jaguar X-Type: £6,995

Jaguar X-Type: £6,995

We’ll end with another Jaguar: an X-Type. Some like to focus on its Mondeo roots, but it’s very definitely a Jag in our opinion. Did you know the X-Type estate, like this one, was one of the first Jaguars to be influenced by Ian Callum?

This is an all-wheel-drive model, making it the perfect winter hack – finished in Arctic Blue with Cashmere Hide. The seller describes its service history as ‘second to none’, with 11 stamps in the book with supporting receipts. It’s covered 54,000 miles since it was registered new in 2007.

>NEXT: The retro bargains you can drive to the NEC Classic Motor Show

50 years of the Rover V8: the iconic British engine celebrated at the NEC

50 years of the Rover V8

50 years of the Rover V8The Rover V8 has powered some legendary cars in its time. What started out as a compact V8 developed by General Motors for its Buick brand turned into one of the best known British engines ever. Standout applications range from the Rover SD1, Triumph TR8 and, of course, the Range Rover. TVR even turned to the Rover V8 for its Tasmin as an export-market-friendly alternative to a Ford V6, liking the engine so much that it used it in bored-out 3.9-litre guise for a number of its later models.

Launched in 1967, the Rover V8 has now been around for 50 years. The Rover Sports Register is celebrating this anniversary at this year’s NEC Classic Motor Show with an immaculate example of a P5B on its stand. The first car to be powered by the Rover V8, the ‘B’ in the P5B’s name stood for ‘Buick’, a nod to the engine’s previous life. Badged as the 3.5 Litre, the P5B was a favourite with Government ministers, including Harold Wilson, Edward Heath and James Callaghan. The final batch of P5Bs to be produced in 1973 were purchased by the British government and placed in storage, due to concerns that its successor wouldn’t be up to the job.

Even in 1979, six years after the last Rover P5B was produced, Maggie Thatcher entered Downing Street in a 1972 model.

Other highlights of the Rover Sports Register’s stand include a Rover P6B as well as a rare 1950 Marauder. Based on a Rover 75 chassis, the Marauder was developed by former Rover engineers George Mackie and Peter Wilkes. Only 15 were ever made.

Watch: Margaret Thatcher arrives at Downing Street in a Rover P5B

>NEXT: The retro bargains you can drive to the NEC Classic Motor Show

MR archive: Chrysler Crossfire review

Chrysler Crossfire

Chrysler Crossfire

Divisive styling meant the Chrysler Crossfire never sold in huge numbers, meaning it’s a rare sight on UK roads today. It shares a lot with the Mercedes-Benz SLK, including an engine, meaning it could make a surprisingly sensible used buy today. While we wouldn’t expect it to be a sports car in the same league as the Mazda RX-8 or Nissan 350Z, our review suggests it might not be as painful to drive as you may think.

This review on the Chrysler Crossfire was first published on MotoringResearch.com in 2003.

 
Model: Chrysler Crossfire
Bodystyle: 2dr Coupe
Engine: 3.2-litres, V6
Fuel: Petrol
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Date of Test: July 2003
By: Peter Burgess

What is it?

Interesting question. The Crossfire looks like a styling exercise for an outlandish motor show exhibit – which is exactly how it started out. Then, as the story goes, Chrysler big–wigs said “Gee, we just have to get this car into production real fast”. But designing a car from scratch can take up to five years, and Chrysler wanted to do it in two. So it drew on the car park of its owner, DaimlerChrysler, took the current Mercedes SLK and built the new body around it. The result is an awe–inspiring two–seater coupe that makes jaws drop wherever it goes.

Where does it fit?

There’s lots of competition in the £20–£30K coupe price bracket, including the Audi TT, Mazda RX–8, and Nissan 350Z, not to mention Mercedes’ own SLK. The big seller is not a compromised coupe like these cars at all, the BMW 3 Series Coupe offering realistic seating for four. The Crossfire goes to the other extreme with just two seats – the Mazda gets four, so does the Audi coupe, but you’d be hard pushed to fit anyone in the back. This is Chrysler’s only European sporting model, which it hopes will raise the profile of the rest of the range.

Is it for you?

The jury is out on the design of the front of the Crossfire – distinctive xenon headlights, for sure, but perhaps a bit too saloon car. There’s no doubt about the back though, highly distinctive with folds and curves, venturi-effect undertray and central exhaust. You may not like it but it gives the car unsurpassed character in this price range. The Crossfire comes complete with a Porsche 911-like pop-up rear spoiler. That looks cool but the whirring of the electric motor, as it continually raises and lowers at around 60mph, gets on your nerves. Unusually the Crossfire even has varying diameter wheels. With 19” at the back and 18” at the front, it gets a nose-down, more aggressive look. The cost of this is that there can be no spare wheel, just foam and a pump, but it allows those centrally-positioned tail pipes that would otherwise have been impossible.

What does it do well?

It’s actually a great car to drive. The V6 engine is gorgeous, as anyone who has driven the 3.2-litre SLK will know. It growls away enough to let you know it means business, never fully muted for comfort, with strong acceleration and immediate throttle response. This is a fast car in anyone’s language, and though the Nissan 350Z is quicker, many drivers will be pushed to notice the difference. The six-speed manual is a little notchy but generally fine. The five-speed auto is impressively smooth when changing up, a touch jerky on some down changes. It has a manual override with a nice feature whereby you tug the lever to the left, hold and it selects the best gear for max torque for you to power out of a bend. Grip in corners is exceptional.

What doesn’t it do well?

The use of the basic structure from the Mercedes SLK is a clever idea, but it has one major weakness – space. There’s a false floor on the passenger side behind which lurk all sorts of electronics, with the result that even those under six feet tall will feel constrained. It’s better for the driver, but not much. The bulkhead behind the seats stops enough rearward movement to compensate. The Crossfire is thus relatively claustrophobic, with the shallow screen, a header rail very close to your head and appalling rearward visibility adding to the issues. Chrysler has also taken switchgear from the SLK and painted it silver – all a bit tacky.

What’s it like to live with?

The seats are quality leather items, the dashboard is well-finished in crackly black and grey, the steering wheel is chunky leather that adjusts for reach. There is even a decent amount of storage space inside including a deep glove box and nets in the doors. So if you fit, the Crossfire makes a comfortable long–distance companion as well as a fun sports car. The boot is massive for a two–seater, although there is a very high sill and relatively narrow opening through which to place your luggage. The air conditioning system isn’t full climate control, but it is powerful and does allow independent control of the temperature on either side. And the stereo system has is just fabulous, with 240 watts, 4 regular speakers and two subwoofers.

Would we buy it?

Style is a personal thing but there can be no argument that the Crossfire makes a real statement, one which we rather like. The fact that it is as exciting to drive as it looks is another strong point in its favour – this is no mamby-pamby style statement but a real sports car. Price-wise it is spot on with the competition. The Crossfire looks more expensive than some, but the equipment makes up for that – except in the case of the bargain Mazda RX-8. So as long as you fit comfortably inside, and can live with dreadful rear visibility, we reckon the Crossfire should be a strong contender.

>NEXT: Porsche Boxster S 986 review

The 10 worst Ferraris ever made

The 10 worst Ferraris ever made

Everyone has an off day – and with a history spanning seven decades, even one of the most famous marques can get things wrong. For every iconic creation like the F40 or 250 LM, there are Ferraris that don’t hit the mark.

It’s worth remembering that this is all relevant; even the worst Ferrari still has a certain majesty. But not all live up to the high expectations created by that illustrious badge.

1971 Ferrari 365 GTC/4The 10 worst Ferraris ever made

Using the chassis from the legendary 365 GTB/4 Daytona should have endowed this V12-powered GT with panache. However, despite being styled by Pininfarina, the 365 GTC/4 managed to lose most of the design flair seen in the Daytona. Its 4.4-litre twelve-cylinder engine was actually detuned to 340hp to make it better suited to a GT car.

Adding extra seats to make the 365 GTC/4 a 2+2 certainly did little to help the proportions, making it appear more like a Toyota 2000GT designed with a ruler. The rubber-trimmed front bumper is perhaps the greatest offence to the eyes, though, losing all of the delicate detailing seen in the preceding Daytona.

1973 Dino 308 GT4 / 1975 Dino 208 GT4The 10 worst Ferraris ever made

Created in honour of Enzo Ferrari’s son, who died at the age of just 24, the Dino brand was applied to a range of cars intended to be affordable entry-level offerings. Following on from the 206 and 246 GTs introduced in the late 1960s, the 308 GT4 made a debut at the 1973 Paris Motor Show. It was notable for being the first Ferrari styled by Bertone, who created a wedge-shaped 2+2 mid-engined V8 machine.

Whilst the regular 308 GT4 featured a 3.0-litre V8 producing 252hp, the displacement of this engine pushed the car into a higher tax bracket in Italy. To get around this, Ferrari created the 208 GT4, reducing the bore of the engine to bring it below two litres in capacity. The result was a power output of only 168hp, with top speed falling from 155mph to just 136mph.

1980 Ferrari 208 GTB / 1982 208 GTB TurboThe 10 worst Ferraris ever made

Once the 208 GT4 finished production in 1980, Ferrari was quick to replace it with another tax-dodging 2.0-litre special. Clothed in the body of the new 308 GTB, the 208 looked identical to its bigger-engined brother. However, a power output of 153hp meant an un-Ferrari-like top speed of 134mph.

Although the idea of a turbocharged Ferrari might seem like a modern creation, Maranello experimented with forced-induction on road cars some 35 years ago. In order to address the performance problem of the 208 GTB, Ferrari fitted a KKK turbocharger to the 2.0-litre V8. Output was boosted to 217hp, bringing it somewhat closer to the contemporary 308 Quattrovalvole.

1980 Ferrari Mondial 8 / Mondial TThe 10 worst Ferraris ever made

Should a Ferrari ever really be practical? The modern GTC4Lusso might suggest so, but Ferrari also combined four seats and a mid-engined layout in the 1980s. Succeeding the 308 GT4, the Mondial has a reputation for being too rational, and lacking performance compared to contemporary offerings. American road tests in particular struggled to achieve 0-60mph in under 9 seconds, creating an long-lasting poor legacy.

Maranello continued to develop the Mondial throughout the 1980s, with a more powerful Quattrovalvole model introduced in 1983, along with a convertible version. Following a 3.2-litre upgrade in 1985, the ultimate Mondial was the T – introduced in 1989. The V8 engine was now mounted longitudinally, and produced some 296hp. The years of modifications emboldened the Mondial, but it still remains one of the most unloved and cheapest routes into Ferrari ownership.

1984 Ferrari TestarossaThe 10 worst Ferraris ever made

The 1980s were the era of excess, and nothing proves this more than the sheer ridiculousness of the Testarossa. Succeeding the pretty Berlinetta Boxer, the Testarossa had the styling of a door wedge, but with added side strakes. It was also wide, impractically so, at almost two metres across due to the desire to improve interior space and mount the radiators at the rear.

Being heavily featured in the Miami Vice TV series has perhaps not aided the questionable image of the Testarossa, but the car itself proved popular at the time. Over 7,000 examples were built, all powered by a flat-12 engine with 385hp. The revised 512 TR, introduced in 1991, fixed many of the problems of the Testarossa and attracts much higher market values today.

1985 Ferrari 412The 10 worst Ferraris ever made

Following a lineage that began with the 365 GT4 2+2 in 1973, the 412 was the final incarnation in a series of grand tourers. It’s greatest sin was looking so very un-Ferrari-like, with straight lines making it appear subdued to the point of being invisible. This wasn’t a Ferrari for wailing around the hills in, but designed to be used in a manner in line with its sober-suited looks.

The 412 even came with the option of a three-speed General Motors automatic gearbox for its 335hp 4.9-litre V12 engine. Doing so knocked the 0-60mph time down from the manual’s relatively credible 6.7 seconds to a more lacklustre 8.3 seconds. At least there was no external badging to tell everyone you had bought the slower self-shifting version.

1989 Ferrari 348 TB / 348 TSThe 10 worst Ferraris ever made

Creating a brand-new mid-engined V8 Ferrari from scratch should have delivered a world-beating machine. Following the successful 328 range, the new 348 used a 3.4-litre V8 with 296hp. Styling was borrowed, almost too much, from the larger Testarossa, with slats covering virtually every opening. The alloy wheels, although a classic Ferrari five-spoke design, also failed to be inspiring.

Styling aside, the greatest crime of the 348 was the fact it just wasn’t as good as the competition. The emergence of the Honda NSX demonstrated how brilliant a mid-engined supercar could be, leaving the 348 looking hamstrung. Ferrari was stung by the criticism, with the replacement F355 going on to be a world-beater – and showing just how poor the original 348 had actually been.

2004 Ferrari 612 ScagliettiThe 10 worst Ferraris ever made

Frank Stephenson has been responsible for overseeing the styling of some highly-commendable cars, including the first MINI hatchback, Maserati Gran Turismo, and much of the current McLaren range. The styling of the 612 Scaglietti doesn’t quite compare, though, with the all-aluminum bodywork appearing clumsy and unresolved – especially in lighter colours.

The tiny rear lights also looked lost in the bulk of the rear bodywork, while the deeply scalloped sides were meant to evoke a special coachbuilt 375 MM commissioned in 1954 for Ingrid Bergmann. At least performance from 5.7-litre V12, offering 533hp and 434lb ft of torque, means bystanders don’t need to spend too long looking at the 612 as it passes.

2006 Ferrari CaliforniaThe 10 worst Ferraris ever made

Designed to appeal to a different demographic from traditional Ferrari buyers, the California offered up a range of firsts for the Italian brand. It was the first front-engined V8 model, the first to offer a dual-clutch gearbox, and also the first to use a folding-metal roof. For purists, this was all too much, especially with suspension tuned to favour comfortable cruising over cornering.

There’s also the small matter of the styling, which was intended to channel elements of the 250 GT California from 1957. The shapely rear haunches and bonnet vent replicated the classic car, although we’re confident a 250 GT didn’t use vertically-stacked exhausts with fake tailpipes. Later developments would try to improve the styling of the California, and the replacement Portofino is a much better looking car.

2006 Ferrari 575 GTZ ZagatoThe 10 worst Ferraris ever made

What do you get the Ferrari collector who has everything? A specially-commissioned version of the V12 575M Maranello, wearing bespoke Zagato-designed bodywork. Yoshiyuki Hayashi already owned several Ferraris, including two Daytonas and an Enzo, but wanted something even rarer.

Taking the 1956 250 GTZ as a starting point, Zagato clothed the 575M in a new all-aluminum body. A double-bubble roof – a staple feature of Zagato designs – made an appearance, along with two-tone grey and silver paintwork. Hayashi-san actually ordered two examples of the 575 GTZ: one to drive, and one to stare at in his garage. We think the driving option sounds better, given the car’s rather challenging looks.

>NEXT: Are these Britain’s best retro cars?

God would drive an Allegro VDP says Beta Band singer

God would drive an Allegro VDP, says Beta Band singer Steve Mason

God would drive an Allegro VDP, says Beta Band singer Steve Mason

Ever wondered what God would drive? Former Beta Band lead singer Steve Mason has the answer… and it’s an Austin Allegro Vanden Plas.

OK, so a bit of context might help here. Steve Mason bumped into Primal Scream pianist Martin Duffy on a bus in Brighton one day and they decided to partner up, call themselves Alien Stadium, and collaborate on a mini-album. The album, ‘Livin’ In Elizabethean Times’, features just four tracks and is all about a message from outer space about how much the human race is hated elsewhere in the universe. Still with us?

The artwork for said album is a psychedelic image featuring the two musicians in period dress and a 1981 Austin Allegro VDP (or VDP 1500 to give it its correct name). So, erm, what’s the story behind that?

“We just tried to imagine what kind of car God would drive and own,” said Mason in an interview with BBC 6Music. “And you think, well, he’s probably working class. But he’s not going to have, you know, a Morris Minor. He’s going to have the working class Rolls-Royce. And the working class Rolls-Royce is the Vanden Plas. So, erm, we got ourselves one.”

Right. We’re still not entirely sure how a ropey old VDP 1500 ended up on an album cover, but we’re not complaining. Because more album covers need to feature retro cars, right?

Opinion: this retro Caterham isn’t rubbish, I am

Caterham Seven Sprint

Caterham Seven Sprint

A Caterham Seven is the car I always wanted to drive. When I finally had the chance, I hot-footed it to Wales to recreate all the magazine features I’d grown up reading, where heroic journalists leapt Caterhams through the air and wrestled with oppo on sunlit Welsh moors.

In reality, it rained (it was October). The lights stopped working and I hated it. It was cramped, the steering was heavy and I struggled to drive it without mashing all three pedals at once. I wrote this piece about what I’d learned in a bid to come up with sensible, objective reasons why the Caterham and I didn’t bond.

Fast forward a few months. “We’ve got another Caterham coming in,” my colleague Tim said gleefully. “You can take it for the weekend, Andrew.”

Whoop-de-flipping-doo.

While the last Caterham I drove was a 310R, packing 154hp from its 1.6-litre Ford engine, this is the entry-level Caterham 160 in Sprint guise. The ‘160’ bit relates to the engine, a three-cylinder turbocharged unit producing just 80hp (or 160hp per tonne). The Sprint model, for an extra £8,000 over the standard 160, gets various retro touches: individual rear lights, cream wheels with chrome hubcaps and a wooden steering wheel to name a few.

Dropping myself into the Sprint’s cabin, I remember everything I don’t like about Caterhams. At six-feet tall with size nine feet, I’m hardly a man mountain, but pushing the limits of the size of person who’d feel comfortable in a Seven.

It’s not exactly the incredible driving experience I expected, either. Or at least, it wasn’t at first. This isn’t a car that pampers the driver. You can’t jump in it and feel like a driving god. With no power steering, it requires muscles around town, while out of town, the feedback is instant but also mildly unnerving. Should you reach the limits of grip, a flick of the wrists won’t bring the Seven back in line. You have to be prepared to wrestle with the steering wheel – and that’s only possible if you have hands the size of Donald Trump’s.

The same could be said for the pedals. While cars like the Mazda MX-5 are designed to flatter the driver, the Caterham will make a song and a dance out of any poor pedal work. Like the steering, a meagre twist of your right foot won’t blip the throttle and reward your heel-and-toe action. Assertive inputs are needed if you’re going to drive a Caterham properly.

And then there’s the feeling of vulnerability. You’re tiny. You’re close to the road, and you’re not even protected by metal doorskins should you get it wrong and come into close contact with a tree. I avoided Wales on this occasion, opting for the closer (yet still far enough) Peak District, and a diesel Audi A3 was very happy to remain glued to my rear bumper at times. This wasn’t the Caterham’s fault, and nor was it entirely because my own skills fell short – instead, my sense of mortality was multiple times greater than Mr A3 with his traction control, crumple zones and air bags. I don’t mind admitting I wasn’t brave enough to exploit the Caterham Seven to its maximum potential on public roads.

Caterham Seven Sprint

But, when not being hassled by Audi drivers, the Caterham’s feeling of vulnerability adds to the fun factor. We like being scared – it’s the same reason some of us love rollercoasters and why people braver than me ride powerful motorbikes. Unlike more powerful models, the 160’s 80hp is true to the Lotus founder Colin Chapman’s “Simplify, then add lightness” philosophy. Its short gears means it still feels more than quick enough up to around 70mph. And you won’t particularly want to go any faster than that.

One section of my route, over the Cat and Fiddle Pass, has a blanket 50mph speed limit enforced by average speed limits installed by the fun police. Rather than ruining an enjoyable drive, the low-powered Caterham revels in it. Maintaining progress through the bends and trying to average 50mph on the twisty moorland road is a challenge in itself. Faster cars would be in danger of troubling my clean licence while also not being as fun.

You can read Tim’s wonderful, objective report on the Caterham Seven Sprint here, but I’ll end by saying I’ve never changed my opinion of a car over one weekend as much as I did with this. I don’t think I simply got used to the Caterham over my time with it – more, that I learnt to drive it properly. It was never a bad car, simply that, in an age of electrically-assisted steering and torque vectoring systems, I had to improve my driving to get the best out of it.

The lack of power wasn’t an issue, either. Sure, I wouldn’t drive one every day, but I even buzzed back down the M1 from the Peak District and didn’t hate every second of it. The Caterham Seven 160 has unexpectedly become one of my favourite cars ever. Just save your cash and don’t bother with the (sold-out) Seven Sprint.

>NEXT: God would drive an Allegro VDP says Beta Band singer

MR archive: Porsche Boxster S 986 review

Porsche Boxster S 986

Porsche Boxster S 986

An early 986 Boxster S can be picked up for less than £5,000 today. While it’s not something we’d go into without our eyes open, a secondhand Boxster is a desirable future classic and could make for an excellent used purchase. Do your homework on common issues – including IMS failure – and consider getting a potential buy checked over by a specialist.

This review on the Porsche Boxster S 986 was first published on MotoringResearch.com in 2002.


Model: Porsche Boxster S
Bodystyle: Convertible 2dr
Engine: 3.2 horizontally-opposed 6-cylinder
Fuel: Petrol
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Date of Test: September 2002
By: Peter Burgess

What is it?

This is the car that brought the Porsche brand within reach of a wider audience, without the compromises seen in earlier “budget” models like the 944 and 968. Unlike these, the Boxster is seen as a true Porsche, with a six-cylinder engine placed behind the seats, just like the 911. Except that the Boxster is strictly a two-seater with the engine in front of the rear wheels rather than behind them as in the bigger car. It also comes only as a convertible, though a hard top is a common option for the winter months.

Where does it fit?

The S is the top of a two-car Boxster range, with a 260bhp 3.2-litre engine. It costs under £40,000 but that is just a starting point, for the options list is long. For those on a tighter budget the 2.7-litre standard Boxster comes in at around £32,000 though much of the saving is accounted for by lower equipment levels. Competitors for the Boxster S are thin on the ground. BMW’s M Roadster was the right sort of package but a new version based on the Z4 is some way off. Honda’s S2000 looks right on paper, with 240bhp, but this is over £10,000 cheaper. Various TVRs and Mercedes’ forthcoming CLK convertible also provide chalk and cheese competition.

Is it for you?

£40,000 for a brand new Porsche may be comparatively cheap, but there is no escaping that this is still a great deal of money. Launched in 1996 it has receive a couple of very minor facelifts but it still looks as good and desirable today as it did then. Obviously the Boxster is performance machine yet it is also straightforward to drive, fitting the bill as a weekend toy or as an everyday commuter vehicle equally well. It is, however, a relatively common site on our roads, which counts against it. It is also not a Porsche 911, a car that many Boxster owners secretly hanker after.

What does it do well?

What the Boxster does so well is offering deep appeal to a wide range of drivers. For the real high performance driver the Boxster S measures up in many respects to the much more expensive 911. The engine has a charismatic howl when extended, the acceleration is vivid and the steering and handling are precise and finely honed. In fact it is the blend of abilities that makes this Porsche so attractive, for it is just as comfortable as a car to cross continents.

What doesn’t it do well?

It extremely difficult car to fault, so well judged is the Boxster package. We would have noted that fact that the rear window is made of plastic, but 2003 model year cars get glass with a heating element. Certain aspects about the style and interior switches could do with updating, but they are hardly problems. What is difficult to live with is the price of the optional extras, some of which verge on the criminal. Oh, and a TVR offers much more performance for the money.

What’s it like to live with?

A two seater sports car from any manufacturer is never going to have practicality high on the agenda but the Boxster shapes up well. A boot in front and back means luggage space is about as good as you’ll get in a roadster and better than in a 911. The roof powers into place in 12 seconds. It even does 26mpg and you can specify Porsche’s Tiptronic automatic transmission for a mere £1,759. The Boxster is comfortable for drivers of all shapes and sizes and while the suspension is firm the ride is generally very acceptable.

Would we buy it?

Wholeheartedly. We admire the blend of abilities the Boxster S has to offer, combining comfortable touring car and high performance sports car with very little compromise. Coupled to that it is still great looking and, as it was designed as a convertible in the first place, it’s style arguably has the edge over that of a 911 convertible. What’s more, the S is so accomplished that you have to question whether there is any real place left for the 911 convertible at all, notwithstanding the £20,000 premium.

>NEXT: Chrysler Crossfire review

The retro bargains you can drive to the NEC Classic Motor Show

The retro bargains you can drive to the NEC Classic Motor Show

The retro bargains you can drive to the NEC Classic Motor Show

This weekend, thousands of classic car fans will descend on the NEC for the Classic Motor Show. Around 2,500 classic cars and motorcycles will be on display in an area the size of 12 football pitches. But why turn up in something modern when, for less than the price of a deposit on a PCP deal, you could rock up in something retro? We’ve scoured Auto Trader to bring you the best options for less than £1,500.

Ford Mondeo: £300

Ford Mondeo: £300

To be included in our round-up, a car must have a current MOT, be built between 1970 and 1995, and be available for less than £1,500. There will be some who claim the Ford Mondeo has no right to appear in a list of retro classics, but we beg to differ. This was a game-changing vehicle for Ford, and it even inspired its own ‘Mondeo Man’ tag. This 77k-mile example looks tidy, but it has a short MOT. Worth a punt for a retro rep-inspired road trip?

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Renault Safrane: £325

Renault Safrane: £325

This is an awful lot of car for the money, but we appreciate that for some people it’s simply an awful car. But while large French barges have never been hugely popular in the UK – #depreciationdisasters – there’s a lot to like about the Renault Safrane. It will be comfortable, while the interior looks in good shape, even with a pair of ripped jeans lowering the tone. The heater blower isn’t working and the oil level gauge “has a mind of its own”, but you’d expect a few gremlins on a French car of this age and budget.

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Mazda 323F: £350

Mazda 323F: £350

A subhead of “Pop Up Headlights” suggests that this seller knows how to tug at the heartstrings of a wannabe retro car owner. Whether they ‘pop down’ again is another matter, but for £350, do you really care? Sadly, these things don’t drive as well as they look, but pop-up headlights will earn you some kudos points in the NEC car park.

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Peugeot 306: £450

Peugeot 306: £450

The Peugeot 306 might not have passed into classic status, but we doubt you’ll find a more honest example than this, especially for £450. The MOT history makes for excellent reading, while the fact that it has been owned by the same lady for 13 years is encouraging. Revel in what looks like an as-new interior and reminiscence about the days when Peugeot built terrific driver’s cars.

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Citroen ZX: £500

Citroen ZX: £500

If the Peugeot 306 doesn’t appeal, you’re unlikely to fall head over heels in love with this Citroen ZX, but just look at it! A one-owner car with just 63,200 miles on the clock, and a 1.9-litre diesel engine that could transport you to and from the NEC from just about anywhere in the UK on a single tank of fuel. Few £500 cars offer such a terrific blend of ride comfort and sharp handling.

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Ford Escort: £649

Ford Escort: £649

By the time this car arrived in 1995, the old Orion name had been gone two years, with the family saloon falling under the Ford Escort umbrella. We admit that this Escort – neé Orion – is about as exciting as a drizzle sandwich, especially in ‘John Major grey’, but it fits the retro tag. Just.

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Austin Metro: £700

Austin Metro: £700

A sensibly-priced low-mileage retro classic, whatever next? We think £700 is a fair price for a slice of British motoring history, especially when it has just 24,844 miles on the clock. A bit of TLC will have this Austin Metro City looking show-ready in no time at all. As for the sun-damaged rear seat – simply throw a rug over the top. Sorted.

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Audi 80: £750

Audi 80: £750

Built at a time before Audi’s image hit an upwards trajectory, the 80 was well-engineered, safe and dependable. In fact, this 1993 example could be used daily without a problem, with 200,000+ miles no issue. The best bit: there isn’t a single advisory listed on the MOT history.

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Volvo 740: £900

Volvo 740: £900

If you’re hoping to purchase some parts from the UK’s largest indoor autojumble, you could hire a van. Alternatively, why not buy the ultimate load-lugging estate? This Volvo 740 looks a little tired but appears to have done 48,974 miles. A new engine, perhaps? Certainly worth checking.

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Volvo 440: £999

Volvo 440: £999

Look. At. This. A one-owner from new, full Volvo service history, Volvo 440 with just 57,000 miles on the clock. Last serviced by Volvo just 300 miles ago, you can almost guarantee that it will come with a folder full of receipts and old MOTs. Brilliant.

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Mazda MX-6: £1,000

Mazda MX-6: £1,000

Cars such as this Mazda MX-6 won’t stay around for long. In fact, in the process of preparing this feature, three cars have been sold in the time it has taken to complete the job. The understated and elegant styling of the Mazda MX-6 is ageing very well, perhaps more so than its sibling, the Ford Probe. Yours for a ‘bag of sand’.

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Citroen XM: £1,000

Citroen XM: £1,000

Some would argue that the XM of 1989 was the last true Citroen: a technologically-advanced replacement for the CX. In truth. It was little more than a glorious failure, certainly in the UK, and was hampered by electrical gremlins and quality issues. The MOT history suggests that the milometer stopped working from 2007 to 2012 so the mileage might be higher than described.

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Vauxhall Nova: £1,195

Vauxhall Nova: £1,195

Described as a “much loved Vauxhall Nova,” does this prove Rihanna’s theory that it’s possible to find love in a hopeless place? Let’s not be too beastly to the humble Nova, because this little car provided transport to students, parents and old folk across the land. And it looks a damn sight more appealing than a new Corsa. The MW/LW push-button will provide the cracking and crackling tunes as you make your way up the M40.

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Mazda MX-5: £1,395

Mazda MX-5: £1,395

Finding good examples of the original Mazda MX-5 is growing increasingly tough, especially at this price point. This 1991 example has covered an impressive 181,000 miles and is seemingly in great condition. That said, it’s the second Mazda to leave us wondering if the headlights are stuck in their raised position.

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Toyota Supra: £1,400

Toyota Supra: £1,400

The Toyota Supra divorced from the Celica in 1986, with the former gaining more power and the latter going off in search of a new front-wheel drive future. In standard 3.0i form, the Supra is more grand tourer than sports car, but for a high-speed cruise to Birmingham, this £1,400 example holds strong appeal. Gold medallion and chest wig sold separately.

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Nissan QX: £1,484

Nissan QX: £1,484

You only need to take one look at this Nissan QX to know that it has been owned by a loving and fastidious owner. The 2.0-litre V6 has covered a predictably leisurely 58,000 miles, with the previous custodian enjoying a smooth and squishy ride behind the wheel of this flagship Nissan. It even comes complete with the original ‘Fred Coupe’ dealer number plates.

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Seat Ibiza: £1,495

Seat Ibiza: £1,495

“An absolute time warp classic presented in stunning Seat Indigo Blue, this is a beautiful 30,000-mile example, it’s in stock condition throughout and has been owned by the same lady all its life, so you can imagine how lovely it is.” Not our words, Lynn, but the words of the Volkswagen restorer selling this Mk1 facelift Seat Ibiza. What a gem.

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Honda Legend: £1,495

Honda Legend: £1,495

If a Lexus is too obvious and the aforementioned Nissan QX too subtle, have we got a treat for you. No, really, we have. This Legend is Honda’s answer to the ‘Japanese Mercedes’ formula, offering a big, lazy V6 engine, superb cruising potential and probably-shouldn’t-mention fuel economy. The ‘49 MS’ number plate now adorns a 2016 Peugeot 308.

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Ford Fiesta: £1,495

Ford Fiesta: £1,495

Remember when these were two-a-penny? The sheer number of Mk3 Fiestas sold means you won’t struggle to find a used example, but cars in this condition and with such low mileage will become increasingly rare.

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Peugeot 309: £1,495

Peugeot 309: £1,495

The British-designed Peugeot 309 was destined to be the Talbot Arizona before the bosses had a last minute change of heart. We can’t remember the last time we saw a 309, let alone one in such wonderful condition. It’s for sale at a dealer in Taunton and, judging by the number plates, it has spent its entire life in Somerset.

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>NEXT: Are these Britain’s best retro cars?

Acceptable in the 80s: 7 old videos to take you back in time

Acceptable in the 80s: 10 car videos to take you back in time

Acceptable in the 80s: 10 old videos to take you back in time

When was the last time you saw an Austin Metro, Ford Sierra or Renault 5? A while a go, no doubt, as many of these popular cars from around 30 years ago are disappearing from our roads.

If feeling nostalgic over these rusty relics from yesteryear is your thing, you’ll be pleased to discover a Youtube account that has been set up, featuring many archive clips from Thames News.

Thames News was the regional news programme of Thames Television, serving the Thames ITV region and broadcast on weekdays from 12 September 1977 to 31 December 1992. Here are some of our favourite clips featuring cars from the 80s.

Heavy traffic in St Albans

This junction at the top of Holywell Hill in St Albans is still gridlock-central today, but there’s a definite shortage of ‘jelly mould’ Ford Sierras and Citroen BXs in 2017. If you look closely, you’ll even spot a Leyland Princess.

Hounslow housing dilemma

This clip, from July 1984, is about a piece of land earmarked for housing that might be sold off – but we’re much more interested in the cars at the start of the clip. In front of the billboard advertising the recently-launch Fiat Uno, there’s a Saab 95 V4 and a yellow Vauxhall Chevette.

London roadblocks

This clip shows the chaos caused by roadblocks, seemingly in the wake of an IRA bomb attack. Stuck in the jams we can spy a whole host of 80s delights – including a Renault 5 GT Turbo, a Ford Fiesta XR2 and a Peugeot 305 van.

Chiswick Roundabout

We’re not sure why Thames TV wanted a clip of Chiswick Roundabout, but there’s plenty to keep 80s car aficionados entertained. The junction, where the North Circular and South Circular roads meet, was filmed in 1988 – with highlights including a Triumph Acclaim and a Baur 3 Series Convertible.

Trafalgar Square

The rounds around Trafalgar Square were just as congested in the summer of 1988, it would seem. Back then it was mainly polluting black cabs and ancient buses causing congestion… a bit like today, really.

Earls Court Road

This clip from Earls Court Road gives a real flavour of the sort of traffic on London’s roads in 1987. Remember a time when Rover SD1s and Citroen 2CVs were commonplace?

Night-time falls

This clip shows day turning into night, as Londoners make their way home in a variety of cars we no longer see: from Opel Mantas to Hyacinth Bucket Rover SD3s. Of course, there’s a healthy smattering of MGBs – a classic car that’s seemingly immune from extinction.

>NEXT: Are these Britain’s best retro cars?

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News

Ultra-rare MG XPower SV-R supercar is up for sale

One of only 42 examples built, this V8-engined MG XPower SV-R is a true piece of British motoring history – and you could own it.

Race and rally Ford icons head to auction this month

The Iconic Auctioneers NEC Classic sale features an array of legendary Ford performance cars, including a Sierra RS500 and a road-spec RS200.

Classic Jaguar bought by Madonna heads to auction

Pop icon Madonna has been photographed at the wheel of this Jaguar Mark X, which she purchased for her son, Rocco, to use in London.

Features

Britain’s favourite cars of 1995

We turn the clock back 25 years to reveal the 25 most popular cars in 1995. Where have all those Orions and Montegos gone?

BMW Garmisch: the reborn Gandini concept that predicted the future

Marcello Gandini's 1970 Garmisch concept seemed to be lost forever. Until BMW decided to recreate it in 2019...

Porsche Boxster at 25: a history in pictures

Launched in 1996, the Porsche Boxster introduced new generations to affordable driving fun. We tell its story – from original concept to new 25 Years special edition.

Reviews

1990 Vauxhall Nova review: Retro Road Test

We time-travel back to 1990 with a basic Vauxhall Nova 1.2 Merit. How does it drive and what should you know about buying one?

MR archive: Audi RS4 B7 review

We rewind the clock by 11 years for a drive in the new-at-the-time B7 Audi RS4

1987 Ford Capri 280 review: Retro Road Test

These are strange times. In March 2016, a Ford Capri 280 sold at auction for a world record price of £54,000. Think about that...