Thirty-seven years after production of the legendary Jaguar E-type ceased, we’re still waiting for a descendant with worthy credentials. But the XJ Spider – designed by Pininfarina for the 1978 British Motor Show – stimulated Jaguar to seriously explore the idea of an ‘F-type’ spiritual successor...   read more >>

UK-based Land Rover specialist Twisted Performance claims to offer the perfect remedies for the increasingly apparent ailments of the elderly Discovery – so Classic Driver takes a look at its trio of special edition models to find out whether it’s worth waiting for Land Rover’s 2015 replacement or not...   read more >>

Fear not – Classic Driver isn’t going to prolong the lamentations over the demise of Saab. We prefer to reminisce about the smart ideas from Trollhättan, the EV-1 design study of 1985 being a perfect example...   read more >>

Seventies American glamour meets Italian lifestyle grandeur: in 1979, Cadillac collaborated with Gucci to create the ultimate edition of the Seville. Even 33 years later, the car seems to have inspired some of the 'fashion' cars of the present...   read more >>

In the first of a new series examining the way manufacturers maintain and promote ‘heritage’ operations, we spent some time in Newport Pagnell, visiting Aston Martin’s legendary service department, now known simply as ‘Aston Martin Works’...   read more >>

BMW’s M performance arm is turning to tri-turbo diesel power for its forthcoming 550d M xDrive, the first of BMW’s new ‘M Performance’ badged cars. The new super-saloon rebels not only against the petrol-only tradition of M-badged cars – but also breaks the taboo of four-wheel drive...   read more >>

As we start another new year, Simon Kidston looks at the classic car market in these financially troubled times. By analysing auction results from the last 17 years, rather than relying on hearsay and anecdote, Kidston comes up with some compellingly simple advice for collectors looking to invest in 2012...   read more >>

It's claustrophobic in here, writes John Simister, and loud. Into first gear in the sequential transmission, and off we surge and fluff down the pitlane. Now out on the track, Guy Smith applies full noise and the Speed 8 hurtles away as though weightless...   read more >>

The official Ferrari museum in Maranello is a sacred place to Ferraristi. Here, at No. 43, Via Dino Ferrari, are housed some of the most beautiful GT sports cars and single-seaters in automotive history. Classic Driver decided to make a visit...   read more >>

‘Safety first’ seemed to be the theme at the Frankfurt Motor Show of 1981. But as well as the occupant protection issue, Mercedes was also already addressing environmental concerns: the Auto 2000 was a pioneering concept with frugality high up on the agenda...   read more >>

The 1968 Alfa Romeo Carabo concept car was based on the race-derived mechanicals of the exclusive 33 Stradale from the previous year, but that wasn’t its only claim to fame: it also inspired two of last century’s most iconic cars...   read more >>

“The stuff of Land Rover legends,” is how a company spokesman describes the 500-acre estate in the Malvern Hills that has played a vital role in developing Land Rover and Range Rover 4x4s since 1961. I’ve just spent one of my most enjoyable days of 2011 there, driving all-new and classic models, many of which in the extreme off-road conditions for which the venue is so famous...   read more >>

Narrowly losing a place in Aston Martin’s product portfolio to the DB7, the Lagonda Vignale concept could have given the manufacturer a quite different image to the one we know today – and what’s more, that wasn’t the only case of sibling rivalry in the fateful tale...   read more >>

While Sir Richard Branson was throwing a soirée for 800 of his closest friends, writes Patrick C. Paternie, Aston Martin was demonstrating its latest example of automotive rocket science, the One-77...   read more >>

Announced in 2008, Aston’s once-in-a-lifetime flagship redefines the expression ‘no expense spared’. With just a few cars to go before the magic ‘77’ have been produced, Classic Driver was given a tour of the model’s bespoke production facility at Gaydon...   read more >>

With the production-run of Aston’s super-exclusive 750bhp GT nearing ‘sold out’, we had a chance to chat with the man responsible for engineering on both the One-77 and the forthcoming V12 Zagato...   read more >>

Though often ignored in favour of more famous 1970s concept cars, the one-off 1971 Matra Laser still has styling that can grab the attention of a crowd, 40 years after its maiden appearance...   read more >>

Making its debut at the 1967 Geneva Motor Show, the Lamborghini Marzal concept’s revolutionary styling sent shockwaves through the automotive industry. Today, some of the design cues are still apparent in the most contemporary Lamborghini supercars...   read more >>

In 1955, renowned photojournalist David Douglas Duncan took a Mercedes 300 SLS prototype across the Alps. Half a century later, author Scott Grundfor has rediscovered the story in Collier's Magazine...   read more >>

On first glance, the voluptuous curves of the Alfa Romeo C52 ‘Disco Volante’ could momentarily be mistaken as those of a Jaguar E-type; and indeed, had its cash-strapped manufacturer not shelved the project in favour of other pursuits, it might have become Alfa’s magnum opus...   read more >>

How times have changed. In 1973 Porsche introduced the infamous G-series ‘rubber bumper’ 911 to meet new US safety regulations. Now, five generations of 911 later, the company is celebrating the earlier car alongside the very latest 911...   read more >>

Nowadays, 300bhp from a turbocharged engine in an executive saloon is hardly unusual. In 1979, though, the combination was enough to make the BMW Alpina B7 Turbo one of the fastest four-seaters in the world. We’ve just spent some time in one, an example for sale at German dealer Pure Classics in Bonn...   read more >>

Ladies and gentlemen, last orders! After more than half a century as the world’s chosen workhorse, the Land Rover Defender has finally reached its twilight years. It might have followed today’s common downsizing principles, but does that make it the best Defender ever?   read more >>

The luxury super-saloon is nowadays considered a must-have model for the majority of prestige manufacturers. But the legendary designer Giorgetto Giugiaro was working hard on perfecting a car that combined performance and luxury with four-door practicality back in the mid-70s...   read more >>

Aptly given the alias ‘The Mother of All Roads’, the legendary Route 66 from Chicago to Los Angeles was the road to the promised land in the 30s and 40s. A trip in the new Mercedes SLK55 AMG shows that not much has changed...   read more >>

Having inspired the legendary C2 ‘Sting Ray’ Corvette of 1963, the 1959 Corvette Stingray concept car was one of the forefathers of an American icon. However, the story of its gestation is just as interesting as the outcome; for it was originally conceived as a race car, rather than the concours queen it has become...   read more >>

At the EICMA 2011 in Milan, Ducati presented its new superbike, the 1199 Panigale. Classic Driver caught up with Ducati CEO Gabriele del Torchio to discuss the new model, Chinese Ducatisti and vintage motorbikes...   read more >>

The 1980 Aston Martin Bulldog was a radical departure from any Newport Pagnell car before it; or indeed since – so much so, in fact, that despite being more than three decades old, it still has many unique characteristics yet to be revisited...   read more >>

Classic Driver caught up with CEO Stephan Winkelmann recently to discuss the future of Lamborghini...   read more >>

Ferrari claims that its new 458 Spider is the first mid-engined sports car with a retractable hard-top, but this isn’t entirely true: the 1976 Bertone-styled Ferrari Rainbow concept car employed the same layout and a similar folding roof setup – 35 years ago...   read more >>

Following the news of the electric DeLorean DMC-12, another manufacturer has decided to travel ‘back to the future’. This time it’s Australian manufacturer Holden, which has just given its Hurricane concept car a new lease of life 42 years after its debut...   read more >>

Gearbox Gifts, a business that’s just over a year old, offers a varied and immensely creative range of gifts and merchandise – all related to classic cars and historic motor racing...   read more >>

Unveiled in 1963, Porsche’s 911 has constantly kept up with the times. A classic 911 may be even more desirable than the latest model but market conditions suggest that prices will continue to rise. There are plenty to choose from in the Classic Driver Marketplace...   read more >>

Put Alain de Cadenet, Jochen Mass, Emanuele Pirro and historian Doug Nye on the same rostrum to debate the ‘125 years of the automobile: An inside view on motorsport history’ and the result is likely to be memorable...   read more >>

“Committed in body and soul” is how racing-driver-turned-TV-commentator Alain de Cadenet describes Credit Suisse’s involvement with the world of classic cars. Over four days last weekend, clients were treated to that promise at the year’s most high-profile car meeting: the 61st Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance...   read more >>

Design expert Chris Hrabalek reckons the new GT3 RS 4.0 is the most desirable 911 ever to come out of Zuffenhausen; and, yes, that includes the divine 2.7 RS...   read more >>

In 1953, the Fiat 8V Supersonic was unlike anything else seen before. Even the most radical Ferrari or Maserati looked dull by comparison. One of only 14 examples will be on display at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance...   read more >>

Pebble Beach, Goodwood, Monaco – these are not just places on the map for classic car enthusiasts. Historic cars’ roaring engines, chrome glinting in the sunlight, the smell of gasoline in the air – this is what draws thousands of visitors, passionate classic car drivers and Credit Suisse customers...   read more >>

When Classic Driver reader Roy Spencer saw our coverage of Gooding’s forthcoming Pebble Beach auction, he got in touch with a fascinating personal story about the 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, chassis 0666TR. This is what he told us...   read more >>

Covering nearly 900km of Styrian roads, packed with numerous special stages plus fog, rain, sunshine and lots of applause – welcome to the 19th Ennstal Classic. Read our rally report from the cockpit of a 1963 Austin Mini Cooper S...   read more >>

Wolfgang Porsche, youngest son of company founder Ferry Porsche and Chairman of Porsche´s Supervisory Board, took part in this year’s Ennstal Classic. Classic Driver met the scion of the legendary family on the first day of the rally for an interview...   read more >>

Just three months after its purchase by the Frazer-Nash technology company, Bristol Cars organised a run from its famous High Street Kensington showrooms to the new owner’s high-tech offices in Surrey...   read more >>

Quo vadis, Ferrari? At the awards presentation for the Ferrari World Design Contest 2011 in Maranello, Classic Driver exclusively talked to Flavio Manzoni, Ferrari's new Head of Design...   read more >>

One should never lose heart: Classic Driver dealer Dirk Libeert of Classic Motor Action in Belgium tells the story of the Villa d'Este-winning Siata 208 CS Berlinetta, found as a seemingly hopeless case...   read more >>

Last month, Danish automotive company HBH announced the development of a mid-engined Aston Martin supercar. We talked to their Head of Design, Christian Brandt, about the creative process and the influence of Aston Martin’s design heritage...   read more >>

For the 1960s huntin’, shootin’ and fishin’ set, a bespoke estate by Radfords was the perfect way to access their, er... estate...   read more >>

Porsche Experience Centre, Silverstone; ‘Evolution 911’, the Kick Plate, the Ice Hill and more...

Many of us will have been to ‘driving days’ with instructors on hand for guidance. But if something has a Porsche crest on it, well, it should be slightly different…   read more >>

Sports Car Project HBH: Technical Highlights

Last month we announced a new series of one-off supercars from Danish company HBH, starting with a mid-engined development of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage. In a fuller interview with the men behind HBH (Jesper Hermann, Christian Brandt and Torben Hartvig), Classic Driver learns more about the technical issues involved..   read more >>

Sports Car Project HBH: Men on a Mission

Denmark is not a country that normally brings sports car manufacture to mind, but Jesper Hermann, Christian Brandt and Torben Hartvig could soon change all that. Their company, HBH, is planning a series of one-off supercars. The first project: a mid-engined version of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage...   read more >>

Geneva 2011: A Designer's View

Our design guru Chris Hrabalek, never a man to mince his words, takes a highly personal look at the best and worst of the Geneva Show...   read more >>