By Bruce McCulloch
Tired of the same old repetitious and uninteresting newspaper clippings and/or common mainstream magazines about automobiles? Want a magazine offering entirely different perspectives on your favourite automobiles? If so, I’ve got five magazines which I’d like to recommend, and they happen to be ones which I guarantee will fuel every North American sports car enthusiast needs.
My list includes five paper-back products which I believe offer exciting and entertaining journalism on vehicles commonly not spoken of in most North American magazines.
‘EVO’
Origin: Great Britain
If you’re expecting a roster of reviews on vehicles such as the Opel Astra and Peugeot 407 you’ll be sorely disappointed. On the other hand, if you’re interested in the world’s most thrilling and exciting drivers’ cars, then EVO is the magazine for you. In addition to unique humour and writing, you’ll get a chance to see what is arguably the best photography of some of the world’s rarest and unknown vehicles.
Where to Purchase: Barnes & Noble, Chapters, Borders, etc
Price: Anywhere from $8 to $13 (depending on country)
*Note: Occasionally shipped a month late (IE. June issue arriving in July)
Website: http://www.evo.co.uk/
'Sport Auto'
Origin: Germany
Sport Auto is most definitely a magazine which all ‘performance buffs’ should check out. This magazine, which is written entirely in German, offers what is arguably the best performance test in the world. The monthly ‘Supertest’ is in fact what set it apart from all other performance oriented magazines.
In Europe the Supertest has become a benchmark not only among automotive enthusiast groups, but also among the automotive companies themselves. As Sport Auto is a monthly magazine, they choose to restrict output of the Supertest to one vehicle per month – as a result, the waiting lists for automotive companies to get a spot in this exclusive test can easily build towards the length of a year!
This comprehensive performance test includes two different racing circuits. The first is the world famous Nürburgring Nordschliefe (which spans over 13 miles), the other a much shorter, twisty 2 mile circuit referred to as the “Hockenheim Ring”. The advantage of offering two entirely different circuits is important as it gives us a look at those vehicles that can tackle the fast and sweeping corners of the Nürburgring Nordschliefe and those that are able to adapt to the tight and challenging corners of the Hockenheim.
Furthermore, this amazing test also includes: various slalom courses, braking tests, acceleration figures (standing and rolling acceleration) and last but not least, a wet-handling circuit.
Where to Purchase: Availability is scarce in North America, but there are a few select shops which choose to sell it. Although I’m afraid I cannot point you to any specific distributor as I’m not aware of the retail locations that may carry the publication where you live. If you truly desire Sport Auto, but are unable to find it any of your local stores, I’d suggest ordering from such websites as websites as Ebay, etc.
Price: Anywhere from $5 to $10 (depending on country)
Website: http://www.sportauto-online.de/
‘GT Purely Porsche’
Origin: Great Britain
For any Porsche enthusiast, ‘GT Purely Porsche’ remains the undisputed ‘king’ for information and subjects on the Stuttgart firm. Not only does it offer a wide of assortment of newer vehicle tests, but also offers useful additions such as a buyer guides, complete specifications for every vehicle Porsche has produced as well as information and tidbits on the rarest of Porsche automobiles.
Where to Purchase: Barnes & Noble, Borders, Chapters, etc
Price: Anywhere from $8 to $15 (depending on country)
Website: http://www.gtpurelyporsche.com/
‘Sports Car International’
Origin: United States of America
Sports Car International (or alternatively known as ‘SCI’), is often viewed as the American magazine which reads and looks European. That being said, SCI provides information and test reviews of vehicles not commonly covered in North American magazines. Thanks to a large variety of journalists from around the world, it’s both well written and informative. This magazine is among the best at providing cultural differences and opinions.
Where to Purchase: Borders, Barnes & Noble, Chapters, etc
Price: Anywhere from $5 to $8 (depending on country)
Website: http://www.sci-mag.com/
‘European Car’
Origin: United States of America
Contrary to what its name may suggest, European Car is actually a product of North America, and it certainly covers more than just European automobiles! For those with the interest in high performance tuner vehicles (Brabus, Nismo, Ruf, etc), as well as a general interest in regular exotics (like Porsche and Ferrari), European Car may well be the magazine for you.
Where to Purchase: Borders, Barnes & Noble, Chapters, etc
Price: Anywhere from $5 to $8 (depending on country)
Website: http://www.europeancarweb.com/
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