Is Classic and Sports Car the most interesting UK magazine

Is Classic and Sports Car the most interesting UK magazine

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BlueMR2

Original Poster:

8,731 posts

209 months

Tuesday 8th December 2009
quotequote all
I've noticed a while ago there were a few threads on evo and car magazine and the changing of writer line ups etc.

However i think the most interesting mag is C&SC. Every month they have a number of interesting cars that you are unlikely to catch on the road either due to rarity of numbers built or rarity of survivors.

The cars in the magazine are often restored, with nice close up photos showing some good detail. Together with some information about the model and details of numbers built at the time, its cost then and value now, as well as performance, so you can get an idea of the performance of these models when they were new.

The current issue has a piece on DR_EVIL_FISH's gorgeous blue Diablo. The last issue had plenty of TVR's. They seem to get a nice balance between different types of car in each issue.

You get to read about what classic cars went through auction and what kind of money they made.

People who have found rare cars left unused for years and the odd barn find story.

Interesting letters from people the world over with interesting tales of ownership.

Some writers ability to buy dogs, with the ensuing work trying to get them running, and you cant wait to get a glimpse of them when they are back to former glory.

Having a car restored by a college so people can learn practical skills

TRUE green motoring of keeping a car going, not scrapping it to save money on a new shopping cart but paying more and giving them your car than you would have spent pre scrappage. (Although in one edition the interviewed dealer offered a crappage scheme, £2k off any classic, for cars under a year old hehe).

As well as loads more.

There always seems plenty to read, and when your done with all the written content, there are all the adverts with some amazingly rare cars for sale to search through as well.

Top read and very interesting every month.

Its nice to know that some people still get pleasure from driving for the sake of it and driving itself rather than being dictated to by electronics like most modern cars do.

Not sure what will happen in future though. Can't imagine anyone redesigning the electrics of a current 7 series to keep it going when its only worth £1,000.

tr7v8

7,302 posts

235 months

Tuesday 8th December 2009
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This is the only classic car mag that I sub to. Have read it for years & always enjoy it. Great journalisim as well.

RicksAlfas

13,654 posts

251 months

Tuesday 8th December 2009
quotequote all
BlueMR2 said:
Is Classic and Sports Car the most interesting UK magazine
Yes.

L100NYY

35,496 posts

250 months

Tuesday 8th December 2009
quotequote all
Classic & Sportscar and Octane are my two favourites, never miss an issue and they are the only magazines that have a long coffee-table-life in my sitting room, Evo et al I seem to be done with after about half an hour.

Huntsman

8,206 posts

257 months

Tuesday 8th December 2009
quotequote all
I find C and SC excellent, I've been subscribing for years. the articles I find to be very well researched.

I also read The Automobile, I like the style and the focus on pre 1960 and vintageants.


Truckosaurus

12,047 posts

291 months

Tuesday 8th December 2009
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I think C&SC gets a good balance between the sheds of Practical Classic and the higher end "lifestyle" of Octane.

slippery

14,093 posts

246 months

Tuesday 8th December 2009
quotequote all
I too enjoy reading C & SC and although it's really only the modern classics that appeal, there's always enough reading material to keep me interested.

I always really enjoy thumbing through the classified section too, looking at pristine Mercs from the 80s and very early 90's. You know, the ones that look so expensive in one hand, but such good value in the other. Is a mint 560 SEL from 20 years ago a ridiculous way to spend 10 grand, or is it one of motoring's biggest bargains?

Either way, I want one, so I can park it next to the mint 928 of the same vintage that I am hankering after too!

Looking back, I wonder why when I had the means, I ever chose to sometimes spend over 25k on just one car.

AndyBe

6,690 posts

214 months

Tuesday 8th December 2009
quotequote all
L100NYY said:
Classic & Sportscar and Octane are my two favourites, never miss an issue and they are the only magazines that have a long coffee-table-life in my sitting room, Evo et al I seem to be done with after about half an hour.
Here's a gent with good taste.

shouldbworking

4,773 posts

219 months

Tuesday 8th December 2009
quotequote all
Nope, far too much of it is beyond the reach of mere mortals. So many of the cars advertised are > £100k frown

slippery

14,093 posts

246 months

Tuesday 8th December 2009
quotequote all
shouldbworking said:
Nope, far too much of it is beyond the reach of mere mortals. So many of the cars advertised are > £100k frown
There are a fair few that are £100k plus but I would say there are many, many more that aren't. I think you may be thinking of Classic Cars magazine?
Edited to clarify.

Edited by slippery on Tuesday 8th December 09:11

shirt

23,474 posts

208 months

Tuesday 8th December 2009
quotequote all
C&SC or Octane for me. I'll have a flick through and sometimes buy both. Occasionally buy practical classics and the odd classic ford, but haven't bought any of the 'moderns' in years. Used to subscribe to evo but simply not interested any more.

Re: the classifieds, my fave toilet reading game is setting an imaginary budget and finding the best car for the price.

L100NYY

35,496 posts

250 months

Tuesday 8th December 2009
quotequote all
AndyBe said:
L100NYY said:
Classic & Sportscar and Octane are my two favourites, never miss an issue and they are the only magazines that have a long coffee-table-life in my sitting room, Evo et al I seem to be done with after about half an hour.
Here's a gent with good taste.
I do have my moments wink

LuS1fer

41,753 posts

252 months

Tuesday 8th December 2009
quotequote all
BlueMR2 said:
Every month they have a number of interesting females that you are unlikely to catch on the road either due to rarity of numbers built or rarity of survivors.

The females in the magazine are often restored, with nice close up photos showing some good detail. Together with some information about the model and details of numbers, cost then and value now, as well as performance, so you can get an idea of the performance of these models when they were new.

People who have found rare females left unused for years and the odd barn story.

Interesting letters from people the world over with interesting tales.

Some writers ability to admire dogs, with the ensuing work trying to get them running, and you cant wait to get a glimpse of them when they are back to former glory.

There always seems plenty to read, and when your done with all the written content, there are all the adverts. Top read and very interesting every month.

Its nice to know that some people still get pleasure from reading for the sake of it.
Sounds like Razzle now.... rofl

silverthorn2151

6,310 posts

186 months

Tuesday 8th December 2009
quotequote all
shirt said:
Re: the classifieds, my fave toilet reading game is setting an imaginary budget and finding the best car for the price.
A fabulous game indeed. My variation on a Saturday is to decide which one I'm going to go buy for cash on Monday when my numbers come up. I'm still playing that game however. frown

I do sometimes wonder though about the number of a particular type of car that is for sale. For example Astons. There always seem to be a disproportionate number featured in the classified. There can't be that many of some of the varients around, couple of hundred DB6's??? (a simple guess) but if there are then 20 advertised for sale that's 10%. Is that a lot?

I really need to spend less time on the loo!

Oh, and Octane is my preferred 'modern', streets ahead of the others in terms of the writing IMHO. Although I buy them if they have pretty things in them.


aarondrs

649 posts

203 months

Tuesday 8th December 2009
quotequote all
LuS1fer said:
BlueMR2 said:
Every month they have a number of interesting females that you are unlikely to catch on the road either due to rarity of numbers built or rarity of survivors.

The females in the magazine are often restored, with nice close up photos showing some good detail. Together with some information about the model and details of numbers, cost then and value now, as well as performance, so you can get an idea of the performance of these models when they were new.

People who have found rare females left unused for years and the odd barn story.

Interesting letters from people the world over with interesting tales.

Some writers ability to admire dogs, with the ensuing work trying to get them running, and you cant wait to get a glimpse of them when they are back to former glory.

There always seems plenty to read, and when your done with all the written content, there are all the adverts. Top read and very interesting every month.

Its nice to know that some people still get pleasure from reading for the sake of it.
Sounds like Razzle now.... rofl
Excellent clap

I get Classic and Sports Car and think it is an excellent read, I also get Practical Classics and enjoy stories of the world of Jay Kay from CSC and the world of Jack Miggins from PC. I haven't read Razzle since leaving boarding school so can't comment on the accuracy of Luc1fers post but defer to hsi greater knowledge.

LuS1fer

41,753 posts

252 months

Tuesday 8th December 2009
quotequote all
Boarding school? Say no more... wink

aarondrs

649 posts

203 months

Tuesday 8th December 2009
quotequote all
LuS1fer said:
Boarding school? Say no more... wink
Having mentioned it without thinking I was then thinking of all sorts of lines of defence and explanations but knew the hole would only get deeper.


Streetrod

6,468 posts

213 months

Tuesday 8th December 2009
quotequote all
I too love both C&SC and Octane. They both manage to get the balance just right. As for the adverts I have spent many an hour on the loo putting together my shopping list. One particular car that has intrigued me is a Maroon 300SL Gullwing (the ex Bernie car). Other the last 10 months its price has increased from £450k to £600K whilst it has been at the same dealer having not appearing to have been sold during that time??????


aarondrs

649 posts

203 months

Tuesday 8th December 2009
quotequote all
Streetrod said:
I too love both C&SC and Octane. They both manage to get the balance just right. As for the adverts I have spent many an hour on the loo putting together my shopping list. One particular car that has intrigued me is a Maroon 300SL Gullwing (the ex Bernie car). Other the last 10 months its price has increased from £450k to £600K whilst it has been at the same dealer having not appearing to have been sold during that time??????

The dealer is a socialist and ex trade unionist and refuses to believe in the supply and demand theory. When he draws his supply and demand curves they look completely parallel. Thus, put up price more demand and put up cost of labour, more jobs.

Emsman

6,974 posts

197 months

Tuesday 8th December 2009
quotequote all
Octane for me.

Plenty of great cars, good guest columns (although used to be better!) and the odd article on watches or in the last issue, the luger pistol.

Very good read.