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Buyers Guide Aston Martin DB7
The chances are that there’s an Aston Martin or two in your dream garage, but with marque values going through the roof in recent years, the only realistic way that you’re going to buy into the brand is with a DB7. It’s the Aston Martin that remains resolutely affordable to buy, if not necessarily to run. The DB7 is the car that saved the brand, because when it burst onto the scene in the mid-1990s, production from Aston’s Newport Pagnell factory had slowed to a trickle.
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Technology explained Porsche 911 964’s extending rear spoiler
The 964 was the first 911 to utilise an active rear wing, but why is it there and how does it work? The 964 model, introduced in 1988, may have given the appearance that little had changed over the previous G-series model. In fact that was partly true for the design, which maintained the existing shape and gave it a clean up, smoothing bumpers, and adding an engine undertray.
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Are Tiptronic Porsche 911s a hard sell?
The PDK double-clutch automatic gearbox is so good, the decision between manual or automatic can be quite a dilemma for 911s from 997.2 onwards. But where does that leave models that have the previous incarnation of automatic technology, the Tiptronic models? Are they tougher to sell, and take up valuable forecourt space? “In short, no,” says Philip Raby, of Philip Raby Specialist Cars. “We had two in lately, both 996; a Cab and a Coupe. Both sold within 24 hours,” he says.
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Buying Guide Honda Beat PP1 1991-1995
Great things come in small packages – and affordable ones, too THE MARKET  Buying Guide Zebra-patterned seats are a peculiar thing to be remembered for, but it’s one of the reasons the Honda Beat remains so widely adored 31 years after it was launched. Designed within the confines of the tax-beating ‘kei-segment’ city car regulations, this roadster was aimed squarely at the Japanese domestic market, pushing the very limitations of what could be packaged within such confining parameters.
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Gary Bartlett’s original-paint 1966 Jaguar E-type was green
It’s only original once. Long ago, Gary Bartlett’s original-paint E-type was green. Interview and portrait Paul Hardiman. This Jaguar E-Type Fixed Head Coupé was purchased new, in opalescent dark green with black trim, on 24 March 1966 by Don T Hughes of Grosse Point, Michigan. My guys knew I was looking for a 4.2 covered-light fixed-head E-type – but it had to be completely original. I was working at the GM design studio in Warren, Michigan, and one of my guys called me from Muncie, Indiana.
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Buyers Guide BMW M3 E36
It is 30-years since the iconic E36 M3 made its debut. Is it more desirable than ever in 2022, and what do the experts think prospective buyers need to know? Words: Ben Barry. Buying BMW's modern classic M car in 2022...E36 M3 AT 30 Ten years ago, Munich Legends boss Dan Norris had a tidy E36 M3 saloon parked round the back of his workshops. “It was Techno Violet with about 40k miles and in pretty good condition,” he recalls.
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Buyers Guide Jensen Interceptor 1966-1976
The life and times of the West Bromwich answer to Aston Martin. Words: Paul Wager. 1966-1976 FACTS, FIGURES AND HISTORY ON THE GLAMOROUS ’70s GTJENSEN INTERCEPTOR DATABASE: Facts, figures and history on the stylish grand tourer which was built in West Bromwich using American muscle and Italian style. The story of Jensen Motors is a fascinating one, even without any mention of the Interceptor.
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Buyer’s Guide M119 V8-engined Mercedes-Benz 500SL/SL500 R129
The M119 V8-powered SLs from the 129-series are among the greatest modern classic buys for those on a reasonable budget, combining robust quality with effortless performance and high-end cabin appointments. Words David Sutherland. Images Eric Richardson.
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Buyers Guide MGC/’B V8
Seven steps to buying an MGC and ’B GT V8 Sporting appeal with the thrust to match the looks for as little as £6500. Words Richard Dredge. Photography John Colley. MGC and V8 buying made safeRemove the doubt of MGC/’B V8 buying Buying Guide Get yourself a big-engined MG roadster or coupé with confidence While MGB values have been on a steady decline of late, less ubiquitous variants have remained solid. This makes a decent MGC or ’BGT V8 seem a safe and compelling buy.
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Buyer’s Guide Porsche 911 Carrera S 993
Mixing a wide body with traditional rear-wheel-drive, the 911 Carrera S is a highly desirable 993. Here’s your complete dossier of information on this collector’s gem. Written by Kieron Fennelly. Photography by Damian Blades. Buyer’s Guide Porsche 911 Carrera S 993  AIR-COOLED  HISTORY AND TECHIn Porsche nomenclature, ‘S’ usually denoted sporting or ‘Super’ and its first application to a 911 was in 1966. The 911S would set the standard as the fastest 911 until the 2.
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Buyer’s Guide Porsche 911 Carrera 4S 996
The 996 has its detractors, but the C4S is an affordable route into wide-body ownership. It's time for a more in-depth look… Written by Chris Randall. Photography by Neil Godwin. Background to the 996 C4S Turbo look’ is a familiar part of the Neunelfer enthusiast’s parlance, but you have to head back to 1984 for its first appearance. Back then, it meant the M491 option for the 3.
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Buyer’s Guide Porsche 911 Turbo 997.1
The 997.1 was the last Turbo that could trace its origins to the original 930, and makes for a great-value buy today. Total 911 presents everything you need to know about it… Written by Kieron Fennelly. Photography by Damian Blades. HISTORY AND TECHThe first-generation 997 inherited its engines from the 996.
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Porsche 911 996
What better way to celebrate the first water-cooled production 911's twenty-fifth anniversary than buying an example of this game-changing Porsche to call your own?! Words Dan Furr, Danny Kaye, Emma Woodcock, Russ Stanley. Photography Dan Sherwood. 1997-2004 Porsche 911 996 BUYING GUIDEWhat to look for when considering a buy. Owning a 911 has never been a more attainable dream, primarily thanks to the current low prices and easy availability of the 996.
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1961 Abarth Monomille Coupe
From early days in school, I have been fascinated by the Abarth marque. Abarth was the first entry in my Observer’s Book of Automobiles and I was drawn to it almost hypnotically. The mother of my best friend at school had a Fiat-Abarth 595, and I remember thinking what a special little car that was. Whenever possible, I would persuade my father to stop for petrol at Anthony Crook’s Hersham Garage, which had the concession for Abarth, Bristol and Zagato-bodied cars in the late 1950s and ’60s.
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Buying and tuning guide Mini R50
Now considered a modern classic, the first-generation one and Cooper still look great, are well made, fun to drive, have modern safety features and will never be cheaper. Words Martyn Collins. Photos MINI, 24Seven photography. BUYING AND TUNING GUIDEHow do you replace a car that’s been on sale for four decades? That was the headache facing Rover, especially when BMW took the helm in 1994.
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