Reviews

Glance back at some of the classics, the collectables, and the once forgotten gems.

Retro Road Test

1983 Lotus Esprit S3 review: Retro Road Test

Tim Pitt - 17
We review a classic Lotus Esprit S3, a wedge-shaped British sports car that shines despite its flaws. Did we mention James Bond drove one?
Retro Road Test

1984 Ferrari 308 GTS review: Retro Road Test

Tim Pitt - 10
We follow in the tyre tracks of 1980s TV detective Magnum P.I. by driving a classic Ferrari 308 GTS. Read on for our Retro Road Test.
Retro Road Test

1984 Volkswagen Golf GTI Mk1 review: Retro Road Test

Tim Pitt - 1
The story of how the Mk1 Golf GTI came to be is well trodden. Mid-1970s Volkswagen engineers install a punchy 110hp fuel-injected 1.6-litre Audi...
Retro Road Test

1986 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth review: Retro Road Test

Tim Pitt - 0
After it breaks another auction record, we revisit the Ford Sierra RS Cosworth – one of the most iconic fast cars of the 1980s.
Retro Road Test

1986 Toyota Corolla GT AE86 review: Retro Road Test

Tim Pitt - 1
Tim Pitt drives the famous forerunner of today's Toyota GR86 sports car: the classic 'Hachi Roku' Corolla AE86.
Retro Road Test

1987 Ford Capri 280 ‘Brooklands’ review: Retro Road Test

Retro Motor team - 2
We drive the final Ford Capri – the special edition 280 'Brooklands' – to discover how this much-loved classic coupe stacks up today.
Retro Road Test

1987 Ford Capri 280 review: Retro Road Test

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith - 5
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...
Retro Road Test

1988 Bentley Turbo R review: Retro Road Test

Andrew Brady - 0
A turbocharged brute in a suit, the Bentley Turbo R was the fastest luxury car in the world in the late 1980s. How does it stack up in 2023?
Retro Road Test

1988 Ferrari 328 GTS review: Retro Road Test

Tim Pitt - 0
The 328 GTS is at the more affordable end of the classic Ferrari spectrum. We get behind the wheel – and look at how best to buy one.
Retro Road Test

1988 Land Rover 90 review: Retro Road Test

Andrew Brady - 0
This Land Rover 90 is an exceptionally rare special edition. But the qualities that make it great are the same for any classic Defender.
Retro Road Test

1988 Peugeot 205 Rallye review: Retro Road Test

Andrew Brady - 0
The Peugeot 205 Rallye distils what is great about the GTI into a lighter, more focused package. Your biggest problem will be finding one.
Retro Road Test

1989 Audi 80 review: Retro Road Test

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith - 0
The Audi 80 is an affordable modern classic, with typically German build quality and sleek, aerodynamic styling. We drive a 1989 80 1.8 S.

News

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.

First new Group A-spec Ford Sierra RS500 is ready to race

CNC Motorsport has delivered the very first reborn Andy Rouse Engineering Ford Sierra RS500 to its lucky owner.

Features

Classic Golf GTIs: driving Volkswagen’s hot hatch icons

The Volkswagen Golf GTI has been the benchmark hot hatch since 1975. We drive the first three generations – which is the best of the breed?

The story of Japan’s tiny kei cars

Your pocket guide to Japan’s tiny, quirky and brilliant kei cars – including some of our favourite models

Mercedes-Benz 190: the story of a modern classic

The forerunner to the Mercedes C-Class was launched in 1982. We look back at the baby Benz and why it's a great modern classic today.

Reviews

1996 Mazda MX-5 Mk1 review: Retro Road Test

The original Mazda MX-5 has now attained modern classic status. It's affordable to buy, reliable and fun to drive.

1983 Lotus Esprit S3 review: Retro Road Test

We review a classic Lotus Esprit S3, a wedge-shaped British sports car that shines despite its flaws. Did we mention James Bond drove one?

2005 Skoda Fabia vRS Mk1 review: Retro Road Test

A diesel-engined hot hatchback? What were they thinking? We drive the sporty-but-sensible Mk1 Skoda Fabia vRS.