Clearly focussed on coaxing cash out of the thrusting, ambitious gentleman of the era, Jaguar, Reliant and Triumph concluded the 1960S with the offer of brawny horses and alluring 6-cylinder soundtracks – which consequently resulted in three of the best-loved classics of all time. Moving forward in time to the searing heatwave of Summer 2018, our aim was to bring all three stars of ’68 together in order to make some appropriately memorable noises in the English countryside. We would begin our journey in Tamworth - the home of Reliant – and we’d woofle onwards to Coventry, the hometown of Jaguar and Triumph. Heading out of the Midlands, the plan was to head south through the Cotswolds and Wiltshire to Thruxton circuit – also celebrating 50 years in 2018. Find out what happened in the new issue of Practical Classics…

Stranded in France, our Deputy Editor would have been happy hopping on a plane or a train. But that’s too easy, isn’t it? He wondered how much fun it would be to drive home in a car… bought for pennies from a local French person keen to ditch their banger. Legislation means it’s costlier than ever to drive older cars in France so they’re being mercilessly kicked off the road in their masses. That nagging voice in James’ head was suggesting he might just take advantage. A plane ticket would be the cheapest way of getting home but at least with a car, he could sell it when he got there. As if by magic… along came a rather tasty Renault 25…

Outbid on a 1.8S Magnolia White Hatchback, Neil Boylan had decided he would not lose out when another example came up on eBay. When the car you see here presented itself, Neil was on the case straight away. ‘The guy was a classic car buyer and seller – the ad had two grainy pictures. I asked him what it was like, he said: “it could do with a good paint job and two new rear arches, but it’ll make a nice car.”’ Neil paid £500 and another £100 to have it transported. ‘When it arrived I got in, and it stank of wet dog – the floors were absolutely rotten. It allegedly had three months MOT so I caned it quickly it round my village. Despite pulling heavily to the left, I thought I love this – it’s staying.’ Having purchased a secondhand MIG welder for £70, Neil now set to work...

We are restoring a Riley RMA live on stage at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show this November. Owned by Practical Classics editor Danny Hopkins, it’s not going to be easy… Full progress report in the new issue of the magazine.

After a long and intense restoration - and an even longer road trip to Paris a few months ago - find out what happened when our James said farewell to his 2CV...