Letter of the month
CAR ‘AS GOOD AS IT USED TO BE’ SHOCK + SAVE THE BMW i3!
I just had reason to scan back through some of my old editions of CAR as I contemplate another purchase of something old, interesting and probably doomed. I happened upon the classic ‘Setright Decides’ edition of December 1987.
I was, of course, informed by the other car tests in the issue, but absolutely transported by the LJK Setright article and the Phil Llewellin piece where he took a Bentley around the country in the footsteps of Brunel. The writing quality throughout, and especially the way the history was brought out in the Brunel article, make it timeless and the absolute essence of CAR. It is just a great, great read.
I can see myself diving into the May 2022 issue again in 20 years while I contemplate buying a modern classic GT4 RS, or, more likely, a battered and discharged ID.3.
You’ve still got it. Please don’t lose it.
Absolute essence of CAR? Our new branded aftershave. CO
Who cares? I care!
It’s great to see brand new metal from Maserati, one of the most stylish and romantic of car brands. In response to Chris Chilton’s challenge (Insider, May) on whether Maserati still matters, the answer is an emphatic yes!
Through the decades it’s produced some of the most beautiful cars in automotive history – the A6G models of the ’50s especially – but more recently the 3200 GT and reimagined Quattroporte are both wonderful.
Even ’80s Maseratis now look good.
As brands go it’s massively cool. It’s a stylish, leftfield choice at a time when £100k Mercs or Audis look little different to their £30k stablemates. Just saying the name is so evocative. And unlike Ferrari, it’s not a brand that’s as much about T-shirts, caps or mugs as it is about cars.
Yes, Maserati matters. It’s a name that’s linked to a past of stunning design and great engines, of style and performance. Such a heritage can’t be bought and shouldn’t be allowed to die. There has to be room in Stellantis’ portfolio for this great brand.
BL reborn Chris Chilton is quite correct when he implies that Maserati and Jaguar – as well as Alfa Romeo – are pointless and dying brands about which very few buyers care. Their glory days have been and gone and what they really need is a dignified funeral. The Giulia is a fine swansong for Alfa before it falls into the abyss of overweight electric appliances. Grecale is about as Italian as I am. Nobody is fooled. This seems to be indicative of Stellantis, a ’70s British Leyland-style ensemble of dying brands competing with each other. VW bosses can sleep easily! That said, I’m not so sure about BMW – what are they doing?
Understatement of the month Nicely put, Tom Clarkson. The Hall of Fame piece about Adrian Newey (May issue) includes the deligh
