Classic Sports Car UK – October 2026

Summary

Ford versus Ferrari — 60 years after the Blue Oval's 24 Hours of Le Mans victory, Classic Sports Car UK's October 2026 issue (Volume 45 No 7) pits the Ford GT against the Ferrari F430 (p68) in a grudge match that revisits the 1966 showdown. The Cervical 66 Le Mans rematch theme extends to the cover, which features both cars, while the "birth of the modern SUV" triple test (p100) — Jeep Wagoneer, Range Rover and Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen — traces the genre from utilitarian origin to luxury status. Classics at Magnolia 2026 (p10) reports on 38 cars from 1960-1964 gathered on Madeira, and the Abarth-Simca feature delivers a flat-out Italian-French hybrid driving experience.

The Ford GT versus Ferrari F430 comparison (p68) tests both cars on road and track, focusing on the engineering philosophies that separated Detroit from Maranello then and now. The SUVs feature (p100) positions the Wagoneer, Range Rover and G-Wagen as the three founders of the modern SUV segment, each approaching off-road capability from a different starting point. The "Musclebound Mercedes" (p78) profiles a forgotten homologation special from AMG's early days — an R129 SL73 that carries the DNA of everything Mercedes-AMG builds today.

Regular columns maintain the high standard: Mick Walsh (p45) considers the cultural impact of the Italian coachbuilding tradition, Simon Taylor (p47) recalls driving a Ferrari 330 P4 at Monza, and Martin Buckley (p49) argues against the rising trend of trailer-queen concours cars that never see a road. The Magnolia classic show (p10) provides a photo-rich opening spread that captures the social and automotive atmosphere of the event.

—————

Content Guide

▸ Cover Story
p.68 · Grudge Match – Ford GT vs Ferrari F430
A road-and-track comparison of the two cars that symbolise the Ford-Ferrari rivalry, 60 years after the 1966 Le Mans result. The single engineering decision that gives the Ferrari an edge on track — and the Ford counter-argument that wins on the road. The lap-time gap between them, measured at the same circuit on the same day.

▸ Features
p.78 · Musclebound Mercedes – R129 SL73
The story of AMG's early partnership with Mercedes-Benz, told through the R129 SL73 — a 7.3-litre V12 roadster built before AMG was a full manufacturer. The production number (fewer than 100 units) and why it's undervalued relative to the later SL65 Black Series.

p.100 · Let's Off-Road! – SUV Origins Triple Test
Jeep Wagoneer, Range Rover Classic and Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen driven back-to-back on and off road, with each representing a different design philosophy for the same concept. The one that still offers the best value in today's market.

p.XX · Flat-Out In An Abarth-Simca
A driving story that puts the Abarth-Simca 2000 through its paces on mountain roads, capturing the noise, vibration and character of a rarely seen Italian-French hybrid. The single handling quirk that demands respect from any driver.

▸ Events
p.10 · Classics at Magnolia 2026
A photographic report from the Magnolia classic car show on Madeira, which assembled 38 cars from the 1960-1964 era. The best-in-show winner and why it earned the judges' vote over more obvious contenders.

▸ Regulars
p.45 · Mick Walsh – From the Cockpit
Walsh examines the economic forces driving classic car prices and why the middle market is where the real opportunity lies for 2027.

p.47 · Simon Taylor – Full Throttle
Taylor recalls the first time he drove a Ferrari 330 P4 at Monza and what the experience taught him about the difference between fast and memorable.

p.49 · Martin Buckley – Backfire
Buckley argues that concours-grade restorations are pricing a generation out of the hobby and that "driver-quality" cars are the more honest buy.

—————

Editor's Take

The Ford vs Ferrari grudge match delivers exactly what the cover promises — a definitive, data-backed comparison that doesn't shy away from picking a favourite. The SUV origins triple test is the surprise hit: a genuinely original concept that connects three vehicles rarely considered as a group. However, the Abarth-Simca piece, while enthusiastically written, amounts to a 4-page drive story without enough mechanical detail to satisfy the readership. The Magnolia event coverage, while beautifully photographed, takes up 6 pages that could have gone to a technical feature. The regular columnists (Walsh, Taylor, Buckley) continue to produce the best commentary in the classic car press. The advertising load is moderate for an autumn issue, with no single advertiser dominating the layout.

Strengths
• Ford vs Ferrari comparison provides definitive data
• SUV origins triple test is a genuinely original editorial concept
• Regular columnists produce consistently strong commentary

Weaknesses
• Abarth-Simca piece lacks mechanical depth
• Magnolia event coverage is too long for its news value

Verdict: Recommended — the cover story and SUV test make this a strong issue, though the filler content reduces its overall density.