What’s in issue 43 of Classic.Retro.Modern. magazine?

The clocks have gone back, but there’s something to look forward to: the new issue of Classic.Retro.Modern. magazine has just hit the shelves. If you’re a subscriber, it’ll be taking up valuable space on your doormat by now, assuming your postie is on the ball.

Taking up valuable space on the cover is a very yellow AC 3000ME, which represents a dream come true for our resident youngtimer Ben Hooper. It’s Ben’s first cover feature – congratulations, Ben – and the 3000ME was the car he dreamed about as a kid, so the opportunity to drive Shaun Matthews’ pre-production Rooster Turbo conversion was too good to turn down. Needless to say, Ben’s desire to own one is now stronger than ever.

With the nights drawing in and the weather becoming more unpredictable – have we moved on from Storm Austen and Boelo already? – few people will be thinking about buying a roadster. That hasn’t stopped us serving up a double helping of MX-5 goodness, courtesy of Antony Ingram. First, he explains why the first-generation MX-5 (NA) could change your life for the better, then drives Rocketeer’s V6 conversion, which might be one of our favourite restomods of the moment. Does Antony prefer it to an early, unmodified MX-5? Read his fine words to find out.

If that’s not enough, our editor tells the story of a very personal restoration of a Jaguar E-type before attempting to explain why the AX deserves a place at the top table of Citroën’s greatest hits. We suspect he’d rather own an AX Spree than an E-type, but that’s just him. 

Elsewhere, Graham King picks six of the best Ford Escort derivatives, Dimitri Urbain lifts the lid on a pair of Citroën AX transformations, and Picture Past focuses on cars that had a tough act to follow. 

There’s also room for your usual favourites, including several postcards and a trio of Your Classics in the shape of a Fiberfab FT Bonito, a Škoda Estelle and an MG Midget. Our editor reveals a surprisingly clean MOT pass for his Fiat Coupé, while our man about auctions picks his favourite upcoming lots, including several classics with star appeal at the forthcoming Iconic Auctioneers sales at the NEC Classic Motor Show. 

Thinking ahead to Christmas – sorry for mentioning the C-word this early – stay tuned for our fourth Commercial Break book. The new one is perfect for fans of French cars. Prefer Fords? Take a look at our Classic.Retro.Modern. Presents Ford bookazine, available now while stocks last. 

And don’t forget to check out our new range of dealer-style car stickers.