The problem is that we’re a very small team at Classic.Retro.Modern. and the relentless deadlines of putting together a monthly mag have been taking their toll, which is why we’re going bi-monthly from issue 22. 

You’d be amazed at how many of our fans have said that we’re too prolific – that we put too much into the mag and that it comes out too frequently, so it’s hard to keep up.

Well, we’ve listened and we’re going to produce six issues each year from now on, instead of 12, because running a magazine long-term is a (DAF 66) marathon and not a (Triumph Dolomite) sprint, or something.

That’ll give you twice as long to pore over the pages of the mag, it’ll give us twice as long to lovingly craft the issue, and it’ll give our new advertising agency twice as long to bring in the cash to pay for it all.

This change in frequency will also give us time to work on our personal projects, which have been neglected since the arrival of Classic.Retro.Modern.

Our publisher Ian also runs Diesel & Eco Car, which as a monthly print magazine has had to continue as before, so it’s been business as usual. But Gavin’s PetrolBlog and Richard’s Below The Radar channels haven’t received much love since the arrival of Classic.Retro.Modern.

People have noticed and asked for more frequent updates, and this will now be possible with the change in frequency of Classic.Retro.Modern.

Unlike most of the car mags out there, Classic.Retro.Modern. was created by a bunch of mates who wanted to try doing something different. We’d say that we’ve achieved that aim, but not being part of a much bigger publishing house means that we don’t have the economies of scale that they do. Things take longer to put together and they cost more, but we’re not going away.

Apologies if you like things just as they were, but we reckon that six issues are better than none, and hopefully we can look forward to your continued support.

Mark the date on your calendar now!

The first bi-monthly issue of Classic.Retro.Modern. will go on sale on 1 May 2023, then 1 July 2023 and so on.

Please don’t worry if you have already purchased a subscription or ordered issue 22 individually, as you will still receive the same number of issues as you have ordered. The frequency in which we publish may have changed, but our high standards will remain.

Rumours in the staff canteen suggest that there may even be a Renault Avantime on the front cover of issue 22, but keep that to yourself!

For those that would like to pre-order issue 22 in advance, or express their support for the magazine by subscribing, please check out all of our subscription offers or call 01268 906 800.

Every subscriber gets a bespoke subscription-only cover and FREE delivery to your door.

The post We’re making a few changes and going bi-monthly appeared first on Classic.Retro.Modern..

We’re delighted to announce that we’ve been invited to appear on the shelves of hundreds of Sainsbury’s supermarkets, kicking off with issue 18. Kicking off… World Cup… football… geddit? Moving on…

It all starts on 1 December 2022, when the Fiat Panda Italia ’90 on the front of issue 18 will be greeting shoppers as they brave the Christmas rush. We’re on trial, so if things don’t go according to plan, we’ll be booted out before Noel has finished delivering his presents. There’s another football reference in there. You may have missed it.

For us, it’s like Christmas has come early. Although we’re aware that it’s only a trial, we’re delighted to be given the opportunity to be stocked in Sainsbury’s. Breaking into supermarkets was near the top of the wish list when we first started talking about launching a classic car mag this time two years ago. That’s ‘breaking into’ in a business sense – we’re not about to stick some crowbars in the boot of a Mk2 Jag.

We won’t list every participating store, because it’ll take longer than the classified football results on Radio 5 Live. And we know what happened to that. But there are hundreds to choose from – a veritable A to Y of Sainsbury’s supermarkets. That’s Alnwick to York and Alton to Yarm.

The trial could last no longer than a week, so we’d be delighted if you could lend your support by sticking a copy of our mag in your basket or trolley. Around a tenner is enough for a Sainsbury’s meal deal and issue 18. Tasty.

Don’t forget, issue 18 is also available in selected Waitrose stores. No sleep until we’ve conquered Bejam, Fine Fare, Mainstop and Somerfield.

Just one more thing. Our new festive subscription offer means you can get 12 issues of our mag for just £49.99. Subscribe now to have something to look forward to when the World Cup and Christmas are over.

We’re off to buy an On the Go Turkey Feast sandwich.

Main image © Sainsbury Archive

Read more

Essential news! We’re now available in selected Waitrose stores
Special Christmas Subscription Offer – 12 issues for £49.99. UK only
We’re now available at Shell petrol stations

The post Issue 18 available in Sainsbury’s supermarkets appeared first on Classic.Retro.Modern..

They make great gifts, and are a perfect solution for Christmas when it’s difficult to come up with ideas for Secret Santa or that difficult-to-buy-for relative. Alternatively, you can just treat yourself. You’re worth it, or something.

Many of the earlier mags have sold out, but we have limited stocks of the latter issues and even a few subscription copies of issues 2, 5, 6 and 7. From issue 9 onwards we have small stocks of both the retail cover and also the subscription edition.

But if they are as popular as we think they may be, those stocks won’t last long, so hurry now and reserve the issues that you need to complete your collection.

The back issue sale ends at midnight on Monday 21 November, when the prices go up and our publisher turns into a pumpkin. Every back issue that we hold in stock is eligible for the special price, but you’ll have to pay full price for the current mag.

Thinking ahead, why not pre-order your copy of issue 18 for free delivery before it hits the shops? You know it makes sense.

The SEO expert has told us that we’re little short of the 300 words required to keep the search engines happy, so we’re just killing time. Nothing to see here. Move along.

Read more

Essential news! We’re now available in selected Waitrose stores
Where can you buy a copy of Classic.Retro.Modern. magazine?
We’re now available at Shell petrol stations

The post The back issue sale is NOW ON appeared first on Classic.Retro.Modern..

Our cover car is the Mk2 Volkswagen Golf GTI 16v, widely acknowledged as one of the best hot hatches of the 1980s. We’ve also got not one, but three drive stories, which tell you what it’s like to be behind the wheel, while giving you a brief history lesson on what made the car great (or otherwise). The cars? Austin 3 Litre, Tatra T97 and Matra Murena. We told you it was an eclectic issue.

Elsewhere, Richard Heseltine hero-worships the legendary Tony Pond, Richard Dredge tells you how to buy the right Fiat Barchetta, while Rich Duisberg introduces us to his Fiat 500 Abarthish. If that’s not all, Sam Glover takes us on another of his brilliant adventures, Gavin champions the Subaru B9 Tribeca, and Merc Carmode looks at The Yellow Rolls-Royce. Popcorn might be required.

Your Classics are a Ford Zephyr Mk2 Ute, Porsche 924, Range Rover P38 and Rover 75, while this month’s Six of the Best focuses on Triumph Spitfire specials. All of this, plus the Peugeot 307 CC, Ford Focus RS Mk1, TX Tripper and MGB Limited Edition. Not forgetting the usual period adverts, events update and the weird and wonderful we use to fill the Ignition section.

Click here to find your nearest stockists, but don’t forget you can order online for free delivery before it hits the shops. Subscription deals start from just £15.99 for three issues.

Read more

Kicking tyres: 1993 Fiat Uno Start
Richard Dredge’s top 10 fast Fords
We’re now available at Shell petrol stations

The post What’s in issue 16 of the magazine? appeared first on Classic.Retro.Modern..