Car Mechanics Magazine

[sierraman]

Started banging on about this on another thread but do any autoshiters still read Car Mechanics? Used to like the issues years ago when you got practical advice about keeping old bangers running. Still got some good articles on buying though!

[dollywobbler]

I shall have to declare an interest as I sometimes write for it. What staggers me is how folk seem to be embracing the DIY diagnostics world of moderns. Page after page of electrickery that I don't really understand (which is why I write the buying info instead!).

 

Amazing that it's still going - launched 1958 and it has just constantly evolved along with cars themselves.

[mrbenn]

Bought my first copy in 1999 when at university! IIRC it was the first installment of the Citroen XM project and had editor Peter Simpson leaning out of the drivers window.

 

Got every issue since, even gave them a project car a couple of years or so ago!

[sierraman]

I've got all the back issued dating back to around early 1990s much to my wife's annoyance. It's still a good read though.

[Bobthebeard]

Yep, still read it! It has evolved/aged extremely well IMHO.

[purplebargeken]

Good mag, I buy as and when.

[Bren]

Get it every month x type jag project starts this month.

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Even I have to admit its a pretty interesting read this mag, I never buy it but its full of interesting information, its probably the best magazine for shiters I'd say.

[New POD]

I buy it about as often as I buy retro mag, or practical classics. (About 1 in 3)

[Rocket88]

usually some interesting chod in the "for sale" section

[PiperCub]

Have done for about 20+ years, it's the only mag that I buy monthly (along with Practical Classics). What I like about it is that even if I don't like/have any interest in some of the cars, I think the mag is good for keeping me up to date with technology and other stuff that now infects our cars whether we like it or not.

[PiperCub]

Bought my first copy in 1999 when at university! IIRC it was the first installment of the Citroen XM project and had editor Peter Simpson leaning out of the drivers window.

 

Got every issue since, even gave them a project car a couple of years or so ago!

Remember the maroon XM well.

 

What car did you give them as a matter of interest/nosiness?

[tooSavvy]

Brave but well informed opinions expressed about DMF... tried to be scientific about rough running & munching boxes - when 'shockabsorber' effect is deleted.

 

Something about taxi drivers dumping solids and going 'pattern' DMF replacement instead.

 

Very good read.... I like it (down the TESCO aisle) but am not into "Titties & 'Innit" attitude auto mags anyway.....

 

FEB 2013 ..

"..There's an article on DMF's in the current issue (Feb 2013) of Car Mechanics magazine. It explains why vehicles have them, how they work, common problems and possible causes and what to do about them.."

 

 

TS

[MrBiscuits]

I remember the XM project (wasn't it originally a HMRC seizure?), and Peter Simpson's 190e. I used to enjoy the 'tales from the trade' and the stories from owners who'd. cracked 200k. Still a good read, although a short one these days.

 

The 70s issues are great if you can find them. Written for proper home mechanics like my dad, who'd think nothing of dropping a gearbox at the side of the road or starting a head rebuild on a Sunday morning knowing full well he needed to drive it to work the next day.

[mrbenn]

Remember the maroon XM well.

 

What car did you give them as a matter of interest/nosiness?

It was a Daewoo Matiz. They collected it during November 2011 and it ran as a project car in 2012.

[r.welfare]

I have it on subscription, it's not quite what it was when Peter Simpson edited it but it's still a good read.

[Ghosty]

Old Man reads CM sometimes, and stashes copies with articles relevant to cars that he or my mum own(ed), for example one with a blue Metro on the front. I agree that it's a good read.

 

He got a question about Merc 190Es published in the Help! section in about 2008 or 9 - by the time his question was published he'd fixed the problem and sold the car - a year or two had passed!

[PiperCub]

It was a Daewoo Matiz. They collected it during November 2011 and it ran as a project car in 2012.

 

Remember that one, I think in the other month's editorial piece, the editor stated he still owned it.

 

Also recall with the XM project, it was a Customs seizure car (booze/baccy) and when Simpson checked it over he noted it had best part of a full tank of diesel, anyway, he had it delivered home/wherever and saw it now only had a quarter of a tank despite not being driven. The reco driver had the best excuse (OK, utter bullshit) I've ever heard when he stated it was illegal to transport that much fuel in a recovered vehicle!!! Brilliant BS - should've been an MP.

[UltraWomble]

I prefer it far above Practically Brassic magazine, but dont buy it unless there is something on the cover that floats my boat.

[Shep Shepherd]

I've been reading the magazine since every month since the summer of 1996

 

Shepfact: I bought The Volvo and TV2 off Peter Simpson - really nice bloke.

[UltraWomble]

 

 

Shepfact: I bought The Volvo and TV2 off Peter Simpson - really nice bloke.

WomblePhact: I bought a DMM off Mr Simpson that was used in a bench test, still have it and its a fab bit of kit. I especially like the temp sender function.

[sierraman]

I did prefer the mag when Peter Simpson was editor, some brilliant articles about buying older cars. He seemed a real advocate of using bits and bats from the breakers to keep your banger on the road. There ought to be an honory doctorate in Autoshite for him.

[srad34]

My dad used to buy this back in the 80's.

 

As I found out in later life, this was a cunning 'outer wrapper' to hide his monthly copy of Razzle....I don't think he actually read CM, it was just as disguise! 

[sheffcortinacentre]

have these from late 60's to early 80's along with practical motorist & I think its popular mechanics or similar.

[Vin]

CM is not a magazine I get, but Peter Simpson is currently editor of 'Classic and Vintage Commercials' which I do get every month...

 

He was recently on 'George Clarke's Amazing Spaces'. His wife turned the passenger shelter on the platform of the old station they live in, into a dog grooming parlour business...

 

There was lots of old rammel parked up in the background...

[Guest Lord Sward]

I *think* Peter Simpson may be about to appear on a Radio show?

[sierraman]

Which one?

[scruff]

CM is not a magazine I get, but Peter Simpson is currently editor of 'Classic and Vintage Commercials' which I do get every month...

 

He was recently on 'George Clarke's Amazing Spaces'. His wife turned the passenger shelter on the platform of the old station they live in, into a dog grooming parlour business...

 

There was lots of old rammel parked up in the background...

 

Yea, we take our dogs there... all sorts of old tat usually parked up! 

[Essex V6]

I remember seeing that one but didn't realise that was his place

[sierraman]

I was surprised when i read the recent project on the Jaguar x type, theyd spent nigh on 4 grand doing up a 54 plate example, it sounded madness when the finished article cant have been worth £1500. Judging by what was uo with it they would have been as well chucking it and getting another