Practical Classics

Practical Classics magazine has a 30-year tradition of delivering the very best, hands-on classic car experiences to its readers. Every staff writer and contributor works on and restores their own classics. Each issue is packed with: * Rigorous buying advice * Real-world product tests * Inspirational classic driving features * Fascinating historical insight Practical Classics is also a campaigning title, taking the concerns of classic car owners to Parliament and keeping its readers' classics where they belong - on the road. So come and join PC in the workshop - the kettle's on.

WELCOME TO THE WORKSHOP • Where 90 years of Reliant is being celebrated

Tom Matano RIP • Legendary Mazda designer passes away aged 78

THE MONTH IN 5 PICS

Starting HANDLE • Tom Matano (1948-2025) recalls his favourite part of the MX-5

Luton farewell • ‘Last Chance’ visit to doomed plant

MY MONTH IN 5 PICS • James shows us where he has been

PC at the NEC • Make sure you come and see us in Hall 4 to claim your freebie

MONTE 100TH AT JOG START • Centenary celebration in January

NEWS IN BRIEF

VWT breaks 16k barrier • Dad and lad duo up to £28,000 for CALM – and they’re not done yet!

TOURER TOPPED • Local enthusiasts cheer up retirees

‘I love a classic’s simplicity’ • Braden Gookey is on a classic journey inspired by his stepdad

Latest kits • Our selection of the latest new kit to market this month

NEC Classic Motor Show • End of year jamboree is coming up fast

Where to go this weekend…

MEMORY LANE • South west London: dangerous for Fords, it seems

Plastic fantastic! • Danny Hopkins heads to Tamworth to celebrate 90 years of an extraordinary manufacturer

RELIANT 90TH PARTY BY JAMES HOLLAND

JAMES HOLLAND TELLS THE RELIANT STORY

YOUR SHOUT • Classic email, letters tweets, post & threads

YOUR CROSSWORD

Practical Classics

YOUR CARS • The classics you love, drive and restore

‘It reminds me of my first car, my wife of hers, too!’ • 1985 Fiesta 1.1 MkII Paul Biggs, Derbyshire

SPOTTED • Older cars in everyday use

NO SMALL TASK • Microcar obsessive Tony Shepherd’s Vespa 400 couldn’t remain a stalled project…

Here’s how Tony did it…

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE

Who says autumn isn’t classic season? • With plenty of tech advice and how-to guides, PC helps you keep your classic on the road in all weathers. Subscribe or get ahead of the game this Christmas – PC makes a great gift!

‘Radical, practical and quick’ • Tom Rock’s Dolomite hides an absolutely extraordinary secret

‘From bum bags to Tamagotchis indeed!’ • Nick’s shocked by the rise of nostalgia for the Nineties…

‘I never drove these Stateside mutants’ • John recalls Saab’s awkward American cousins…

‘Shows are about so much more than cars’ • Classics help ease the male loneliness epidemic

RUST IN PEACE • We cross the Channel for a mooch around French shrubbery!

AT THE END… • In 2005 MG Rover collapsed, some of those who were there look back on a sad time spent with some great people

Your first classic • Looking for your first classic? We choose the cars we reckon will ease you into an exciting new world

FIRST CAR FORECOURT • Danny Hopkins chooses six of the best

WIN! THIS 22K-MILE ROVER 75 TDI! • Prove it’s a first classic, we will feature you!

Sweet spot • Think Alfa’s best era was the Sixties? Try the Nineties…

Light entertainment • Variety provides Matt with oodles of spice at his first Vintage Sports Car Club race meeting

1911 DEDION TYPE DE COURSE • Tim Harrison (R)...