Practical Classics - 90's Coupes

Just been informed, this will be in the September issue. This should hit the shelves early next month.

Have just seen a preview of the September issue, no sign of the 90's coupe article

Proved wrong, obviously!

it's just been posted through my door this morning (unfortunately - I tried to cancel a subscription with no luck).
The article is in there - it's reminded my I need an MOT and to drive it again soon, and also how relatively shabby mine is looking

is the article in the practical classics mag this moth or not.... confused now after reading the last two posts.... if it's in the mag then i will go get one.

Sept issue - 90's coupes. Le126 looking very nice

Excellent news, off to Tesco now!
LE 0126 is mine by the way

It won't be in the shops until Wednesday or Thursday Ross.

Subscribers get it a couple of days earlier.

Just been onto my dad who is a subscriber. I'll go over there later and take a look. Is everybody happy with the representation of the make and model?

Rust shouldn't be a problem
I thought this was now the biggest issue.
The rest is fine and its still the best car by a mile.

Having now read the review, I'm pleased with the pics and the write up. I think the review of my Coupe is pretty fair I quite like my 3000rpm power band, it allows me to drive along with the dozy crowd and when I need to get past I'm on the money rev wise. Although I made no comments re. rust. Squeaks and rattles!? Not in my car Brake discs warping? Not had any issues with mine. Electrical issues, well they are Italian 90's cars after all and 16 years old

The other cars were good on the day so it would have been a tough choice to choose. My other favourite of the day was the Celica, it did look good.

I'm very pleased with shine achieved for the pics, especially as I had driven 140 miles to get there in the rain and had about 20 mins to wipe down before the main pic was taken. Thanks for those who gave me the opportunity to take part

Did anyone proof read this??

Quote "Chassis-wise the Fiat is much like the Alfa, apart from having a simple torsion beam rear axle"

OUT NOW! - at a good news stand near you!

Just read it. Cool photos & article Ross - very impressive write up. Blows the other 90s models away by a mile.

I have written to the editor pointing out the mistake.

I would also want to ask why they only ever feature the Turbo versions ?

Don't get me wrong, I love the turbo, but the NA is even more of a "practical" classic and everyday car, so deserves to be included.

Yes, I know most of the other Coupes in the group were turbos or had nearly 200bhp, but they could compare the NA versions of the Calibra, the 2litre twin spark Alfa etc..

Also, a few corrections needed:

"Rust shouldn't be a problem" - not true these days. The chassis can really suffer. How many have been scrapped due to rust ?

"What to look" for ignores some of the classic Coupe faults - smokey turbos, dodgy wishbones, low oil pressure. Rusty chassis..... and when was the cambelt/aux belt changed last.

Just my 2p.

Overall, a very positive article though, and great to see the Coupe being formally recognised as a classic. There are no arguments now !

If it's any help, my 16NA was covered in an Autoitalia article and described as 'the perfect car'...

















(to begin the test with)

I did also make that very point.

There are other versions?
Sorry couldn't resist!

Managed to pick up a copy this afternoon on the way home, great read and LE 126 is looking might fine Ross, well done

Not sure if it's been mentioned already but on page 151 there's a company offering car covers from £25.50.

http://www.cardustcovers.co.uk/carcovers/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqWRlf9MGe0

I picked up a copy yesterday. A great article and your coupe is looking mighty fine!

Is 23mpg the stated mpg for 20v Turbos? I rarely see below 28mpg and am currently getting 31mpg+ on my daily commute!

Thanks for the comments guys
It took some time to get the car ready
Thanks go to the wife for her patience
I'm still waiting on my "Official" copy and photos of the day on a disc. I'm looking forward to seeing what the other pics are like as it's only a fraction of what was taken for the shoot.

My Official Pics of the day (best ones):






There will be a few more of the outside stuff to come when the final disc arrives

Fair play mate, they look superb.

Tidy engine bay

Car looks stunning, is this what envy feels like?
Love the front end shot with the rippling reflections on the bonnet.

oooohhh very nice are you showing off at Honnington on the 7th?

Lovely pics and an interesting read in Practical Classics.
I thought the article was very objective.
Back then I was a huge VW fan and I would never have looked past the Corrado as a coupe I would have invested my own hard earned, but my recent ownership of the 20VT means I suspect I would now find a Corrado disappointing.
Still, I would have loved to own one when back in the day.
A colleague of mine back in 1998, chose a Peugeot 406 Coupe V6, as a company car, which whilst a good looking car at the time, dynamically never appealed to me. But the 90's at least offered diverse choice, which we lack now.
The most dominate coupe of the time was probably the 3 series? Not a true coupe I know, but still the one most people aspired to?

No, sorry Dave, the coupe is not with me at the moment
I might wander down in the Subaru though, I'm still undecided


Yes, I fell that way about the article too. I think John Simister was very fair in his judgement of all the cars and he spoke a lot of sense when chatting to him. Personally, I too would feel the Corrado a little staid and sensible. I enjoy the full on shove of turbo boost and the much more attractive styling over all of the cars in the article

I loved the article. I always forget those Rover Tomcats, the article was a bit off on pecs though In Autocars test it ran a 6.201 second 0-60 and 152mph. Most are now either 10 second drag cars or barry mobiled. So hard to find a good one. I will one day.

The Fiat looked epic and summed it up well, " [Fiat] doesn't handle great but so what, come out of the corner, put your foot down and get ready to hit the back of your seat!"

I thought the guy in the article said it had been modified but only as far as a remap. And now produces 300hp.

Nah, "bigger turbocharger and an ECU remap"
It's running a 60 trim hybrid with a covert FMIC to add a bit of spice

My favourite lines are "Once on boost, though, there is hardly anything it can't overtake. All this and the best interior of the lot"

Atta girl