Magazine Review: Practical Classics

The thing about practical CLASSICS is that it's so ... how to say it ... unformal. Not super-glossy Aston Martin Bentley-ish like CLASSIC & SPORTS CAR (pass the Grey Poupon), not somewhat snobby Dolomite Sprintish like TRIUMPH WORLD (pass the crumpets), not TR2 kinda' elitist like TRIUMPH OVER TRIUMPH (boy was it cool to be there then ... ), but greasy, in the garage MG and TR-ish (pass the damned flame wrench - NOW!!). I mean practical CLASSICS is the blue collar, on a budget, let's all share our experience kind of mag.

Each issue starts with a complete restoration article (July was a '64 TR4) with great photos, narrative and costs, this followed by a little piece entitled "You Can Do It Too!". Another monthly feature is "Readers Restorations - short war stories with photos sent in by readers. The author of each month's best article ("Star Restoration") gets a bunch of free Castrol products. There was a nice TR250 in October's issue. "What's Going On" chronicles news, club news and events. At the moment, they're in quite an uproar across the pond at the prospect of losing their beloved "four star petrol" (read LEADED) in 2000. I say: Don't worry! Another feature "Memory Lane" shows photos of cars on the streets around England during various time periods in the not so distant past - fairly boring to this reader.

A cute monthly feature "Rust in Peace" shows photos of readers' discoveries of abandoned cars and junkyards filled with classic heaps in various states of disrepair some for sale and some not. A cash prize is awarded to the best find, with December's being in Baltimore, MD, USA!! "Classic Helpline" features Peter Simpson ("Britain's top classic car technical expert") addressing a huge variety of readers' problems - pages and pages. There are always some Triumph questions and answers in there. This is great stuff. Monthly "Staff Car Sagas" details running reports and projects taken on by practical CLASSICS staffers. At last count the nine staffers copped to owning some thirty-three cars, so you know there'll usually be a TR war story in the bunch. "On Your Marque" runs down the entire history of whatever marque is being featured.

Each month features some kind of "Side by Side" comparison. One month was Pre-war Tourers, another was Big Square Luxury Saloons (okay, there was no Triumph here...), another was Luxury in Miniature (Triumph 1300). Last March was "Shootout: Four Seater Convertibles" which had our Stag kicking some serious butt. Each month you'll find a full buyer's guide to one particular model, showing what to look for before buying, and what to pay.

Each issue has tool and product tests, a very useful reference. Also each month seems to teach some skill: Balancing Dual Carbs; Making Flanged Repair Panels, Replacing Wheel Bearings, and so on - nice stuff to know.

Now add outstanding feature articles to this fine monthy repertoire. "New Age TR", a step by step unleaded conversion; "Engine Expert -Triumph Slant Four"; "Top Twenties Tourers"; "Classic Rallies"; and a whole slew of fascinating reading concerning classics other than Triumphs. "The Oldest Surviving TVR"; "Jaguar XJ6 Series 1 Complete Restoration" (six issues so far on this step by step project); "The Magnificent Caterham"; just to name a few.

The final touch is that this mag speaks with fondness, obsession, and an especially fine sense of humor. Under the first of a series of five photos of Jaguar XK's rusting in peace is the caption: "Grown men may start whimpering at this point..."

Now, that kind of humor certainly speaks to me. I'd say practical CLASSICS was written with ISOAers in mind.

Mike Blonder
January 27, 1999