BSA Gold Star: the Brooklands gold star, domination of the Clubman’s TT, the 1956 DBD34 and how it became the symbol of London’s café racers.
BMW M3 E30: The Four-Cylinder Built for the Track That Won Over the Road
The first BMW M3 (E30, 1986–1991): a Group A homologation special, the 2.3-litre S14 engine, 17,970 built and the most successful touring car of its time.
Lancia Stratos: The First Car Built Purely to Win Rallies
Lancia Stratos HF: from Gandini’s Stratos Zero to three World Rally Championships (1974–76), with a Ferrari Dino V6 and a wheelbase of just 2.18 m.
Triumph Bonneville T120: The Motorcycle That Defined the Sixties
The 1959 Triumph Bonneville T120: a 650 cc twin with two carburettors, the Bonneville salt flats record, the Meriden factory and what to check before buying.
Fiat 500 (1957–1975): Five Hundred Cubic Centimetres of Italian Smile
Dante Giacosa’s Fiat Nuova 500: an air-cooled 479 cc twin, 13 hp, almost 4 million built and Italy on four small wheels.
Mercedes-Benz W123: The Taxi That Refused to Die
The Mercedes W123 (1975–1986): 2.7 million cars, taxis with 500,000 km, year-long waiting lists and a car we all remember.
Vincent Black Shadow: The Fastest Production Motorcycle of 1948
The 1948 Vincent Black Shadow: a 998 cc V-twin, 125 mph, black-enamelled engine, a 150 mph speedometer and Rollie Free’s famous swimsuit speed record.
Land Rover Series I: A Sketch in the Sand and a ‘Temporary’ Vehicle That’s Still Alive
The story of the 1948 Land Rover Series I: Maurice Wilks’s sketch, the aluminium body born of a steel shortage and the vehicle meant to last two years.
Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40: The Tool That Became a Legend Without Trying
The Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40 (1960–1984): the F six-cylinder, the ladder chassis, the low-range transfer case and why it now sells for sports car money.
Brough Superior SS100: The “Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles” and Lawrence of Arabia
The 1924 Brough Superior SS100: a written 100 mph guarantee, JAP V-twin power, George Brough, Lawrence of Arabia and why it is the holy grail of classic bikes.