Cars

Epic restoration 1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia SS. The roof had been walked on and half its rear wings were gone. Craig Jones hadn’t intended to buy an Alfa Romeo Giulia SS, but when he happened across this looking sad on a trailer, resistance was futile. Words MIKE RENAUT. Photography MATT RICHARDSON.

The Collector - I just don’t like small cars. Marcus Dean’s passion for XL-sized classics started with fine establishment names like Rolls-Royce and Bentley, but when his attention crossed the Atlantic, his collection blossomed. Words: NIGEL BOOTHMAN Photography: LAURENS PARS.

1959 Bentley Continental S1 epic restoration – the owner wanted a nine-month deadline. The car however had other ideas. I sought it might be possible – if we were lucky. It took one Bentley specialist six years just to buy this car - then he was asked to do a total restoration in only nine months. Words: Nigel Boothman Photography: Laurens Parsons.

One life, two chassis and countless beautiful memories for its owners. Life cycle. The life story of a Lotus Elan Sprint S3. After Scottish tours, rallies, daily use, then decades waiting for a new chassis it didn’t need, this Elan finally found its savior. Words: Russ Smith Photography: Rory Game.

When it comes to a tingle factor, many feel that no Mercedes-Benz does it quite like a classic SL. And to make sure we don't short change you, this issue serves up no less than six of them, from a 300SL Gullwing to a 500SL from the R129 era. My part in it was to do the 190SL W121, our cover story, and what a joy it was, especially one this pristine.

Starting life with a five-cylinder turbodiesel engine, this 123-series coupe soon found itself on the receiving end of a five-litre M117 V8 conversion. The 123-series Mercedes-Benz arguably represents the pinnacle of Mercedes' over-engineering, and bridges the gap between classic and modern. That explains, at least in part, why so many enthusiasts covet good ones - especially the coupes. Here in North America, the vast majority of C123s came to us in diesel form - first as the naturally aspirated OM617 and subsequently the OM617 turbodiesel. We got a handful of M110 powered 280CEs, but those came in a lethargic, detuned US specification that made the diesels the more Appealing proposition. And that’s how this car started life, as an OM617 turbodiesel powered, US spec C123. Needless to say, it's come a long way since.

Work in progress - 1967 Austin A40 Farina. Family keeping. Father, mother and two daughters – the Hanley family are all pitching in to get this little Austin back on the road - words and photography by Eric Richardson. As the owner of any A40 Farina will tell you, once you get into a conversation about your car, there is about a 90 per cent chance you’ll hear one of two sentences. The first is usually: “I learned to drive in one of those”, a sentence delivered by those closer to their 60th birthday than they’d care to admit to. The second: “My dad had one of those”, is usually uttered by those enthusiasts who are somewhere in their forties.

Bugatti in detail. I have just read Mick Walsh’s article on the Bugatti EB110, and had not realised that the company had such a short life - only 1993-’95 in the UK!

I think it’s fair to say that I have a level of tolerance with the Scimitar – there are only a certain number of things that aren’t as I’d like them to be – before something else happens and tips the balance.

Not spinning in the rain. One of the good things about only racing Wooly Bully once or twice a year is that I haven’t been lured into trying to make the car, God forbid, competitive. If I was out there week in, week out, no doubt there would be plenty of self-imposed pressure to do this or that in an attempt to keep up with the rest of the pack.

Martin wonders if the tragic death of a Union Minister last month will finally cause people to buckle up? Some call it stupid. Others think it an idiosyncrasy. And yet others tell me "it's not needed." But every time I get in a vehicle (front or rear), I first reach for the seatbelt. It's almost instinctive. When I think about it (and my countrymen compel that to happen more often than I would like), it just seems like common sense. To me, it's the right thing to do - not morally, or by the law. Just something that may save my life one day.

If you find yourself living in the Manawatu, I strongly suggest you turn straight to the Federation of Motoring Club's page. If you have a couple of parts cars stashed away on your property, beware, as new Council by-laws will affect you, especially if you don’t get on with the neighbours!