Cars

Mercedes-Benz W123. Survivor’s guide Stuttgart battleship. The ultimate expression of what a classic Mercedes is all about, the W123 has a reputation for being indestructible. However, that’s not quite the case, so here’s how to keep one running on for many more years. Words Jack Grover.

Take the hugely capable 335i, throw in a few choice performance mods and 4WD and you’ve got yourself an awesome all-season road rocket. Words: Elizabeth de Latour. Photos: Kevin Choi.

Pure & Simple Air-Ride E3 3.0 Stunning retro beauty This is no cluttered or over-complicated build. Jesse Sipola’s retro E3 simply accentuates its purity of design by moving everything closer to the ground… Words: Daniel Bevis. Photos: Jape Tiitinen.

Beast mode. Wild 820hp F10 M5. Is there such a thing as too much power? Is there such a thing as too fast? According to this M5, the answer is no. We agree. Words: Elizabeth de Latour Photos: Matt Richardson.

Built specifically to tackle the Nordschleife, this awesome E36 is as focussed as they come. Track BMW E36 M3 Ferocious full-on ’Ring beast. Words: Elizabeth de Latour. Photos: Matt Richardson.

Drag king 823hp turbo drag BMW E30. Quarter-mile monster. Built for the strip and with 823hp on tap, this turbocharged drag E30 is a quarter-mile monster. Words: Elizabeth de Latour. Photos: Jape Tiitinen.

Simple pleasures. Striking slammed F80 M3. With a car as good as the F80 M3, it only takes a few choice mods to bring out its very best and get it exactly to your liking. Words: Daniel Bevis. Photos: Mike Crawat.

Slammed, shown, driven estate agent… BMW E34 540i Touring transformed into awesome S38 3.8 wagon. Kiyoto Furuyama’s 3.8-litre, S38-swapped 540i Touring melds shakotan style with real grunt and practicality. Words and photos: Chris Nicholls.

Nine steps to buying a Reliant Scimitar GTE. As prices start to move, now is the time for a GT bargain. Buying Guide Expert buying advice for a Scimitar GTE. Words Malcolm McKay. Photography Tom Wood.

Lotus with 2.4-litre Ford Duratec. Taking the rough with the smooth. The rulemakers banned Stuart Deeley’s first Lotus 62 replica from rallying. That wasn’t going to stop him – he’s built another for racing Words & Photography Emma Woodcock. 360bhp Europa Lotus Europa Duratec Banned as a rally car for winning too much, it’s now a successful racer.

La 504 familiale. Perennial Peugeot The story of a 504 cabriolet that’s been in the same family since new. This magnificently restored Peugeot has been in the same family since new. Having seen it in the metal, Malcolm Thorne understands why. Photography Tony Baker.

Alfa Romeo 164. Alfa’s big saloon is a joy to drive but buying one needs care – here’s how to do it. Words Russ Smith. Photography Julian Sandiford. Buying Guide Seven steps to choosing the best Alfa Romeo 164.