INTRODUCING RETRO CARS - A NEW TYPE OF CAR MAGAZINE FOR YOUNGER, AFFORDABLE CLASSIC CARS
A brand new type of classic car magazine is set to hit the shelves, concentrating on a rapidly growing but under-represented area of the scene often frequented by younger enthusiasts.
Retro Cars is a reinvention of one of Kelsey Media’s established titles, but rather than focusing on modified cars the title is going back to its roots, with modern classic cars from the 1980s through to the mid-2000s being the heart of its content.
In the first issue, the Retro Cars team take an in-depth look at the Ford Focus to determine if it truly was the best car of the 1990s, pit the Mk 2 Mazda MX-5 against the Mk 3 Toyota MR2, look at cheaper alternatives to modern classic icons, compare VW Golf Marks 1 to 4 and even take a Mazda Demio out to compete in the Sunday Cup - something that the PlayStation Generation will instantly relate to.
Retro Cars will be published every eight weeks and will be edited by established motoring writer Craig Cheetham, who was Deputy Motoring Editor for Auto Express back when most of the cars that star in the mag were brand new.
He said: “There are so many groups on social media platforms these days that concentrate on affordable cars from the 80s, 90s and 2000s and this tells us that there’s an appetite there for preserving these vehicles as future classics. These are probably the last generation of cars that are within the scope of straightforward home maintenance, while still being rewarding to own and drive.
“The 1990s, in particular, were a golden era for the car industry, with the pace of development and quality of car dynamics evolving rapidly. As nostalgia evolves at the same time, we’re seeing the best examples of these cars being increasingly more cherished by car enthusiasts, who see them as an inexpensive way of having an unusual and enjoyable car that’s perfectly suitable for everyday use. These enthusiasts are the core of the market we’re aiming for.”
The magazine will be published by Kelsey Media, which is a well-known brand within the enthusiast automotive sector of the magazine market - one of the few areas of the print publishing industry that remains strong in an increasingly digital era.
Kelsey Media Managing Director Phil Weeden said: “There are other titles out there that serve enthusiasts of the more modern generation of classic cars, but they tend to focus on high-end, thoroughbred models. Retro Cars is very different. These are the cars that we grew up with, that our readers will remember owning and driving, or being driven to school in, or craving for during their teenage years. There’s a big gap in the magazine market for the increasingly popular enthusiasm for these new-age future classics and I’m hugely excited by the potential that Retro Cars has to grow and serve this market.”
Among the editorial team on the new magazine will be Tom Barnard, formerly Auto Express Motoring Editor, Ian Seabrook, a YouTube sensation with his Hubnut videos, Sam Skelton, a highly regarded enthusiast of modern classic and executive cars and Paul Walton, a former Top Gear journalist and editor of Retro’s sister title, Jaguar World.
The first issue of the new magazine appears on newsstands on May 17th, but those who want to sign up early can take advantage of an amazing launch subscription offer, which includes a fabulous 40-piece BlueSpot socket set and six issues of Retro Cars for just £21.99. You can view the subscription offer here shop.kelsey.co.uk/rca175
