Despite the social backdrop of picket lines, industrial unrest and political infighting that defined BL, from its formation in 1968 right up until the end of MG Rover Group in 2005, there’s a huge amount of love for the cars that came out of the company’s many factories. The merger created – at the time – the largest car manufacturer outside of the USA, with brands ranging from Mini (as it was rebranded when the Austin and Morris versions of the same car were dropped in 1969) to Leyland Trucks and Buses. Read more in the September issue of Practical Classics….

The Blue Oval’s sporting models are cars that transcend age, gender and social class and stand out as icons of their own eras. But then, Ford is part of Britain’s social history. As the country’s best-selling car brand for 40 years, it’s impossible to find someone who hasn’t driven, travelled in or experienced a Ford of some description during their life, whether that’s being driven to school in the back of Dad’s Granada, or learning to drive in a downtrodden Anglia, Fiesta or Ka. As such, performance Fords have always been iconic, right back to the days of hand-made specials and rodded Ford Pops. Get the full story in the September issue of Practical Classics….

Given its Dolomite-esque snout and bottom, at first glance you might imagine the Apache is Triumph-based but as Ian points out: ‘Look at that centre section and it’s pure ADO16’. BMC’s ‘Amalgamated Drawing Office project number 16’ was better known to Brits as the best-selling Austin/Morris 1100/1300 ranges, with Riley and MG badges slapped onto the bonnets of other variants in the UK. Issigonis’ best-selling design made its mark in Europe too, with examples being built in Belgium, Malta, Italy (as an Innocenti) and Spain (as the curiously named Authi) and later surfaced in Australia as the Morris Nomad (a Maxi-like hatchback). The South African Apache was to be the final incarnation of the ADO16, built between 1971 and 1978. Whilst that familiar centre-section was a bit of a giveaway, the brand new Michelotti styling elements incorporated Toledo headlamps and tail lights from the Triumph 2000, turning it into a handsome little notchback. But what must it be like to restore an Apache? We talk to a man who did, in the September issue of Practical Classics…

We’re excited to announce that we’ll be restoring this amazing Riley RMA live on stage at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show this November. Owned by PC editor Danny Hopkins, it’s not going to be easy… Full details in the September issue of Practical Classics!