1983 Lotus Esprit S3 review: Retro Road Test
Tim Pitt drives the Lotus Esprit S3, a wedge-shaped British sports car that shines despite its flaws. A certain James Bond drove one, too.| Retro Motor
Tim Pitt drives the Lotus Esprit S3, a wedge-shaped British sports car that shines despite its flaws. A certain James Bond drove one, too.| Retro Motor
From military workhorse to Chelsea clothes horse, the Mercedes G-Wagen is certainly versatile. We tell its story.| Retro Motor
A classic car auction at the Oulton Park Gold Cup proved the scene remains in good health in 2025 with more than 4 in 5 cars sold.| Retro Motor
With a 3.0-litre Ferrari V8 under its bonnet, the Lancia Thema 8.32 might be the ultimate Q-car. Rowan Atkinson owned this one, too.| Retro Motor
Chrysler has made several attempts at UK success, starting with the Rootes Group in the 1960s and ending with some dismal rebadged Lancias.| Retro Motor
A Seven with added style and civility? It sounds appealing, so why was the Caterham 21 a Great Motoring Disaster? We tell its story.| Retro Motor
Faced with the original Ford Focus, the Stilo didn't stand a chance. And this instantly forgettable hatchback would lose Fiat billions.| Retro Motor
The Cadillac Allante's body was made in Italy, then flown to the USA on a Boeing 747 for final assembly. Unsurprisingly, it didn't make money.| Retro Motor
The Austin Maxi could have, and probably should have, been a great car. Sadly, even before it was launched, some were questioning it...| Retro Motor
Fiat withdrew the Croma from UK sale just two years after its 2005 launch. We investigate why it was a Great Motoring Disaster.| Retro Motor
At best, just 40,000 Austin 1800s were sold each year – well short of the 200,000 hoped for. This was a Great (British) Motoring Disaster.| Retro Motor
From the Sierra RS Cosworth to the Fiesta ST, everybody loves a fast Ford. We pick our 20 all-time favourites.| Retro Motor
A Lotus Turbo Esprit owned by company founder Colin Chapman – and driven by British PM Margaret Thatcher – is being restored to its former glory.| Retro Motor
Patrick Peal, former Head of Communications at Lotus, recalls the day when the Elise was revealed to the world. Will we see its like again?| Retro Motor
A gloriously basic 1992 Skoda Favorit has been crowned winner of the Festival of the Unexceptional Concours de L’Ordinaire The post 1992 Skoda Favorit wins 2025 Festival of the Unexceptional appeared first on Retro Motor.| Retro Motor
One of the first modern superminis, the Austin Metro makes for a practical and very affordable classic car. We get behind the wheel. The post 1983 Austin Metro review: Retro Road Test appeared first on Retro Motor.| Retro Motor
We remember the disastrous Chevrolet Volt and its British cousin, the Vauxhall Ampera – the world's first plug-in hybrid cars.| Retro Motor
Many Vauxhalls have worn a huge variety of different badges, from Cadillac to Daewoo. Here are some cars that will probably look familiar| Retro Motor
We drive the final Ford Capri – the special edition 280 'Brooklands' – to discover how this much-loved classic coupe stacks up today.| Retro Motor
After it breaks another auction record, we revisit the Ford Sierra RS Cosworth – one of the most iconic fast cars of the 1980s.| Retro Motor
As the manufacturer celebrates more than two decades of its ever-popular Focus, we take a look at the history of Ford's family favourite.| Retro Motor
Launched in 1968, the Ford Escort consistently topped the UK car sales chart for 42 years. We chart the highs and lows of a popular hero.| Retro Motor
Features| Retro Motor
The original Ford Focus RS is a modern classic that continues to divide opinion. We get behind the wheel – and offer advice about buying one. The post 2002 Ford Focus RS review: Retro Road Test appeared first on Retro Motor.| Retro Motor
In 1947, the Jowett Javelin looked like the family car of the future. Sadly, the Bradford-based company travelled too far, too fast... The post Great Motoring Disasters: Jowett Javelin appeared first on Retro Motor.| Retro Motor
The woeful CityRover was a desperate attempt to keep MG Rover afloat. But it was lambasted on Top Gear and rejected by the British public.| Retro Motor
A rarity fitted with many desirable options, this classic Aston Martin goes under the hammer at the Iconic Sale in September.| Retro Motor
Designed with America in mind, the wedge-shaped Triumph TR7 was hobbled by poor build quality and industrial strife. We tell its story.| Retro Motor
This week's auction choice is a wonderfully original Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen – from back when it was a rugged 4x4, rather than a luxury SUV.| Retro Motor
The venerable MGB is one of Britain's most popular classics. We revisit this British sports car to discover how it drives today.| Retro Motor
If you wanted to be noticed in the 1980s, you needed a Ford XR. We look back at the hot hatches that became cult classics.| Retro Motor
Driving two very different versions of Peugeot's hot hatch icon: one a standard 1.6 GTI in concours condition, the other an Mi16 conversion.| Retro Motor
The 1994 Ford Scorpio was perhaps a car ahead of its time. However, few buyers got past its bug-eyed styling and it was swiftly canned.| Retro Motor
Coming up for online auction soon, this 911 GT3 RS (991.1) is a low-mileage example of one of Porsche's most coveted modern sports cars.| Retro Motor
Microcars don't come much cooler than the Bond Bug, a three-wheeler sold in the 1970s – and only available in orange.| Retro Motor
Celebrating the world of old cars you might actually be able to afford. We enthuse about the cars you grew up with, from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.| Retro Motor
The replica of the twin-engined Mini prototype is on display at the London Classic Car Show held at the Excel this weekend.| Retro Motor
Restored by Tolman Engineering, this 1981 Ford Escort XR3 is even better than when new – and comes complete with period 1980s accessories.| Retro Motor
Kept in storage for 33 years, the low-mileage 1970 Mini 1275 GT will be sold at the Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show.| Retro Motor
Touring car specialist CNC Motorsport AWS has restored this 1986 Eggenberger XR4Ti back to race-winning ETCC specification.| Retro Motor
To celebrate five decades of the Volkswagen Golf, here’s a brief rundown of the story so far.| Retro Motor
The fifth-generation VW Golf GTI is arguably the best of the breed, with a punchy engine, agile handling and no-compromise practicality.| Retro Motor
Fragile, fast and fun, the Renault 5 GT Turbo lives up every cliché about French hot hatches. We drive one – and offer up some buying advice.| Retro Motor
Gavin Braithwaite-Smith liked the Mercedes-Benz W123 so much, he bought one. Find out why it makes for such a brilliant classic car.| Retro Motor
Volkswagen spent many years and vast quantities of Deutschmarks trying to replace the Beetle. We travel the rocky road that led to the Golf.| Retro Motor
With a lightweight aluminium structure and advanced aerodynamics, the Audi A2 was years ahead of its time. Sadly, buyers weren't ready for it.| Retro Motor
These cars struck it lucky the second time around, including Mk2 versions of the Ford Escort, Toyota Prius and Porsche Boxster| Retro Motor
This concours-winning Ford Escort RS Cosworth is the basis for a Corgi die-cast model. And it goes under the hammer next month.| Retro Motor
Modern Audis owe much to the 1967 NSU Ro80. The elegant saloon was ahead of its time, but a radical rotary engine proved to be its downfall.| Retro Motor
As the Volkswagen Polo celebrates its 50th anniversary, we revisit the little car that kick-started five decades of sales success.| Retro Motor
A Porsche 911 3.2 Carrera Supersport with exceptionally low miles is this week's auction choice. It will be sold at Supercar Fest on 17 May.| Retro Motor
Swedish carmaker Saab started a long, slow decline after it was bought by General Motors in 1989. We reveal how it all went so wrong.| Retro Motor
Great Motoring Disasters| Retro Motor
The Alfa Romeo 156 turned heads when it came out in 1997, and sales were strong. So where did it all go wrong?| Retro Motor
We get a nostalgic reminder of the back-to-basics brilliance of the classic Mini, driven here in 1998 Rover Cooper Sport guise.| Retro Motor
The Ferrari F355 offers up visceral driving excitement and prancing horse glamour for comfortably less than six figures. We drive it.| Retro Motor
The Cooper S XXL proved that the reborn Mini marque had a sense of humour. We revisit this crazy, six-wheeled concept car from 2004.| Retro Motor
Birth of an icon: how a team of engineers worked long into the night to prepare the Lotus Elise for its maiden journey on Christmas Eve 1994.| Retro Motor
We drive the 176mph super saloon that outraged the Daily Mail. How does the legendary Vauxhall Lotus Carlton stack up today?| Retro Motor
A true 'world car', the Mondeo changed Ford for the better – and became familiar to millions. We drive a well-preserved 1995 Mondeo 1.8 LX.| Retro Motor
The Volkswagen Golf GTI has been the benchmark hot hatch since 1975. We drive the first three generations – which is the best of the breed?| Retro Motor
Richard Aucock drives the retro roadster famous for its drop-down doors. But there are plenty more reasons to recommend the BMW Z1, too.| Retro Motor
Launched in 1963 as the 901, the original Porsche 911 stayed in production until 1989. Read on for a pictorial history.| Retro Motor
Richard Gooding drives a classic Porsche 914 – a mid-engined sports car launched nearly three decades before the Boxster.| Retro Motor
The Ford Fiesta XR2 isn't as poised or polished as a Peugeot 205 GTI, but we still want one. Read our review of this classic hot hatchback.| Retro Motor
News| Retro Motor
First owned by Nigel Mansell and then by Brian Sewell, this classic coupe was later displayed at Mercedes-Benz World in Surrey.| Retro Motor
Built especially for Chris Rea, the EV-converted classic Mini will be sold directly from the Teesside-born singer's ownership.| Retro Motor
First used on the 1991 Paris-Dakar Rally, this competition-spec Range Rover was later driven by Dakar legend Patrick Tambay.| Retro Motor
With its power output almost doubled, Tolman Engineering has overhauled this Mini Cooper S while preserving its classic character.| Retro Motor
A sporting saloon and forerunner to the Golf GTI, the Audi 80 GT is a rare and desirable classic car. We put it through the Retro Road Test.| Retro Motor
An early-production Porsche 901 has been restored to its former glory and become the oldest 911 in the official Porsche Museum| Retro Motor
This 'backdated' Porsche 911 imitates the legendary Carrera 2.7 RS for a fraction of the price. How does it compare to drive?| Retro Motor
Built to a bespoke specification, the last 993-generation Porsche 911 Turbo will be auctioned at the Goodwood Revival in September.| Retro Motor
Driven by Tom Cruise in the 1983 movie, Risky Business, this classic Porsche 928 is being auctioned by Bonhams as part of Monterey Car Week.| Retro Motor
Retro Road Test| Retro Motor
A beautifully built recreation of a classic 1960s racer, this Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe is as evocative to drive as it looks.| Retro Motor
