‘ We fit aluminium valve seats and guides, so they swell up at the same rate as the cylinder head’
‘ We fit aluminium valve seats and guides, so they swell up at the same rate as the cylinder head’
Jaguar XJ-S Convertible While the XJ-S never found the same love as its predecessor, and its AJ6 engine never the same admiration as the XK, its low and slender body has aged well. Few cars, even on this list, would waft along to the Riviera with such panache.
BMW Z1 The Z1’ s 2.5-litre M20 straight-six, taken from the E30 BMW 325i, might be the most conventional element of this roadster. Not only do its doors slide downwards into its sills, but it featured BMW’ s first multilink rear suspension, removable plastic body panels and integrated lift-reducing aerodynamic devices.
Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster The Gullwing may have stolen all of the attention, and the SLR might be the most desirable open-top car there is – it’ s currently the most expensive car ever to be sold at auction – but the Roadster can take the title as the classiest 300SL. Maybe the classiest car ever.
Autumn / Winter 2026 The Engine Rebuilder 31