CAR Magazine – June 1990 – Rover Metro, Alfa Romeo SZ & BMW 850i Coupé

Original June 1990 edition of CAR Magazine, featuring an extensive Rover Metro road test, the first British test of the Alfa Romeo SZ and an early assessment of BMW's impressive 850i Coupé.

This vintage British motoring magazine offers an excellent snapshot of the automotive world in 1990, covering new vehicle launches, European road tests, manufacturer developments, technical innovations and contemporary motoring journalism.

The main cover story, "Metro Marvel!", follows Rover's reborn Metro on an ambitious 15,000-mile journey around Europe, examining the capabilities of the updated British supermini.

Other major features include the striking Alfa Romeo SZ sports car, BMW's technologically advanced 850i Coupé and a selection of road tests, manufacturer interviews and industry reports.

The original cover artwork features three prominent vehicles: a silver Rover Metro photographed in motion, a red Alfa Romeo SZ and a silver BMW 850i Coupé.

An appealing original publication for collectors of classic British cars, early-1990s performance vehicles and historic automotive magazines.

Main Cover Feature – Rover Metro: Metro Marvel!

Page 92 – Capital Car

The principal feature of this issue is an extensive examination of Rover's newly updated Metro.

The magazine undertakes an ambitious 15,000-mile journey around Europe, placing the British supermini through a substantial real-world driving assessment.

The contents page describes the journey as taking place over approximately one month, providing an unusually demanding test of the car's comfort, durability, practicality and everyday usability.

The cover photograph shows a silver five-door Rover Metro being driven on the road, with its distinctive compact hatchback body, black bumpers, simple wheel trims and late-1980s/early-1990s styling clearly visible.

The article captures an important period in the history of the Metro, when Rover was working to modernise the successful British small car.

This feature should be particularly interesting to enthusiasts of the Austin Metro, Rover Metro, Rover Group and British automotive history.

The magazine's contents page also includes a photograph of the Metro outside a European building, documenting part of its long-distance journey.

Alfa Romeo SZ – First British Test

Page 114 – Ugly as Sin, and Just as Tempting

One of the standout features of this issue is a British road test of the remarkable Alfa Romeo SZ.

The front cover describes the car as Alfa's outrageous SZ, highlighting its unconventional appearance and distinctive performance-car character.

The SZ, also known as the ES30, was a limited-production Alfa Romeo sports car developed with Zagato involvement.

Its dramatic angular styling, unusual headlights, aggressive proportions and V6 performance made it one of the most distinctive Italian sports cars of its generation.

The cover includes a photograph of a red Alfa Romeo SZ being driven on a road, showing its distinctive front-end styling and unusual headlight arrangement.

The contents page identifies Russell Bulgin as the writer associated with the British test.

This is an especially interesting contemporary feature because the magazine was published during the period when the SZ was a new and highly unusual performance car.

A desirable article for collectors of Alfa Romeo, Zagato, Italian sports cars and 1990s automotive design.

BMW 850i Coupé – Early Road Test

Page 104 – Not the Ultimate Driving Machine

Another major feature examines BMW's then-new 850i Coupé.

The cover describes the car as good, but not that good, suggesting a critical assessment of BMW's ambitious luxury grand tourer.

The BMW 850i was part of the original 8 Series generation and featured a V12 engine, distinctive aerodynamic styling and advanced technology for its time.

The magazine's contents describe the vehicle as large, technologically advanced and visually impressive, while questioning whether its driving experience matched expectations.

The front cover includes a photograph of a silver BMW 850i, displaying its low, wide body and characteristic front-end styling.

An interesting period review for BMW 8 Series collectors and enthusiasts of 1990s luxury performance cars.

Additional Features and Articles

The photographed contents page reveals an extensive selection of motoring features and regular editorial sections.

News and Industry Coverage

Page 5 – Agenda

Coverage of developments in the automotive industry, including Rover's future and the BMW 850i.

Page 6 – News

Contemporary motoring news discussing new vehicle developments, the Jaguar F-Type and other automotive industry stories.

Page 50 – Oracle

Coverage of the Geneva Motor Show and automotive developments in Eastern Europe.

Page 53 – Sir!

The magazine's regular motoring commentary and correspondence section, including discussion of the TVR S and BMW models.

New Vehicle Reviews

Page 64 – Newcomers

An extensive selection of contemporary vehicle reviews and driving impressions, including:

• Metro GTi – Page 64

• Reliant Scimitar SST – Page 66

• Better to drive than be seen in – Page 67

• Mercedes G-model – Page 67

• Mitsubishi Starion GTO – Page 69

• Toyota Starlet – Page 71

• Kit-built cars and specialist motoring coverage

These articles provide valuable contemporary opinions about vehicles that are now recognised as classics or increasingly uncommon examples of 1990s motoring.

Page 77 – Frontline

The magazine's regular motoring opinion section, featuring commentary on the automotive world, driving and contemporary motoring culture.

Page 102 – In Britain

A feature concerning Jaguar's Sir John Egan and the company's future under Ford ownership.

The article examines Jaguar during an important period of transition following Ford's acquisition of the British manufacturer.

Page 112 – Alfa Better

An article concerning Giovanni Razelli and Alfa Romeo's position within the Fiat Group.

The contents describe efforts to preserve Alfa Romeo's independence and identity.

An interesting feature for collectors interested in the business history of Italian car manufacturers.

Further Road Tests and Features

Page 120 – Bolognese Force

Coverage of Lamborghini and its relationship with Chrysler, examining the Italian supercar manufacturer's future.

Page 122 – After the Revolution

A feature looking at motoring and road travel in Czechoslovakia during a period of major political and economic change.

Page 128 – Wheels

Coverage of the newly introduced Citroën Light 11, with a look at the history and character of the classic French model.

Page 130 – Rising Fun

An article concerning Nissan's S-Cargo, the distinctive retro-styled Japanese commercial vehicle.

Page 136 – Turin Show

A report on the Turin Motor Show, including future plans and concept vehicles from Ferrari, Alfa Romeo and Maserati.

Page 140 – We Never Said It Was Sensible, We Only Said It Was Fun

An article by Richard Bremner and Paul Horrell discussing Alfa and Fiat Spider models.

Page 148 – Inside Line

Motorsport and automotive commentary.

Page 152 – Marketing the Metro

An article examining how Rover was promoting its updated Metro, including the advertising and marketing strategy behind the car.

Page 164 – Pre-Owned

Coverage of used European cars and the difficulties of purchasing inexpensive second-hand vehicles.

Page 169 – The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

A contemporary assessment of developments within the new-car market.

Page 171 – Sales Pitch

An article discussing British car sales and the changing popularity of coupé models.

Page 182 – Nuts and Volts

Automotive technology commentary, including discussion of vehicle aerodynamics.

Page 184 – Dogs

The magazine's regular motoring commentary section, featuring the Mercedes 250.

A Snapshot of Motoring in 1990

This issue is particularly interesting because it captures several important developments in the automotive industry at the beginning of the 1990s.

The Rover Metro feature documents a significant chapter in the history of one of Britain's best-known small cars.

The Alfa Romeo SZ road test records contemporary reactions to an unusual limited-production Italian sports car.

The BMW 850i review captures the arrival of BMW's ambitious V12-powered luxury coupé.

Elsewhere, the magazine examines Jaguar's future under Ford ownership, Alfa Romeo's relationship with Fiat, Lamborghini's relationship with Chrysler and developments at major European motor shows.

The original photographs, period advertisements, editorial design and road-test commentary all contribute to the magazine's appeal as a historical automotive publication.

Collector Interest

This original June 1990 CAR Magazine may appeal to collectors and enthusiasts of:

• Rover Metro and Austin Metro

• Rover Group and British Leyland history

• Alfa Romeo SZ and Zagato

• BMW 850i and the original BMW 8 Series

• Classic British hatchbacks

• 1990s Italian performance cars

• Jaguar and Ford automotive history

• Lamborghini and Maserati

• Vintage automotive road tests

• British motoring journalism

• Classic car magazines and motoring memorabilia

Magazine: CAR
Date: June 1990
Original UK Cover Price: £2.00
Language: English
Format: Original printed motoring magazine
Condition: Pre-owned
SKU: 1569

Important – Original Extras and Promotional Items

Any free gifts, loose inserts, additional supplements, promotional materials or other items originally supplied with the magazine are no longer included.

The sale is for the magazine only, as photographed.

Any historic competitions, subscription offers or promotional advertisements appearing inside the publication are no longer valid.

Packaging and Delivery

UK Orders: The magazine will be carefully packaged and dispatched in a protective hardback envelope.

International Orders: The magazine will be packaged in a cardboard mailing-size box for additional protection during international transit.

Please examine all supplied photographs carefully, as they show the actual magazine being offered for sale.

Condition: Pre-owned vintage magazine showing age-related handling and storage wear.

This original June 1990 edition of CAR Magazine is a used publication and shows visible signs of age.

The supplied photographs show the front cover and an interior contents page.

Front Cover

The front cover retains its original artwork featuring the silver Rover Metro, red Alfa Romeo SZ and silver BMW 850i Coupé.

The magazine title, June 1990 publication date and principal cover headlines remain clearly readable.

Visible imperfections include:

• Fine surface scratches and light scuffing, particularly noticeable against the darker printed background.

• General rubbing and handling marks across the glossy cover.

• Slight surface creasing and waviness.

• Minor wear along the cover edges.

• Light wear and softening to the corners.

• Small areas of rubbing along the printed surface.

The cover remains visually presentable, although it is clearly not in new or mint condition.

Spine and Left-Hand Edge

The left-hand edge shows light age-related wear and rubbing.

Some minor whitening and handling marks are visible along the edge.

The complete spine has not been photographed separately, so its full condition cannot be confirmed.

Top Edge and Corners

The top edge shows slight waviness and signs of previous handling.

The upper-right corner has a small bend or curl, while the upper-left area shows light edge wear.

Right-Hand Edge

The right-hand edge appears slightly uneven, with minor curling and wear to the paper.

There are small signs of handling along the outer edge.

Bottom Edge and Corners

The lower edge shows light rubbing and wear.

The bottom corners appear slightly softened, with minor bending consistent with previous use and storage.

Interior Pages

The photographed contents page remains clearly readable, with the original text and photographs visible.

There is some age-related yellowing and discolouration to the paper, particularly around the margins.

Minor handling marks and slight paper waviness are visible.

The lower-right corner of the photographed contents page shows a small amount of curling and bending.

The photographed interior page appears attached and intact.

Binding

The magazine is shown opened to its contents page.

The visible pages appear to remain attached, although the entire binding and every individual page have not been inspected in the supplied photographs.

Back Cover

The back cover has not been photographed, so its condition cannot be verified.

Writing, Tears and Completeness

No obvious handwritten annotations or major tears are visible in the photographed areas.

The photographs do not establish the condition or completeness of every interior page.

Original Extras

Any originally supplied free gifts, loose inserts, additional supplements, promotional materials or other accessories are not included.

The sale is for the magazine only.

Overall Condition

An original vintage motoring magazine from June 1990 showing general age-related wear.

The main visible imperfections are light cover scuffing, fine scratches, minor edge and corner wear, slight waviness and some discolouration to the photographed interior paper.

The cover artwork and photographed contents remain clearly readable.

Suitable for collectors who appreciate original motoring publications and understand that a magazine of this age may show signs of previous reading and storage.

Please study all photographs carefully before purchasing, as they form part of the condition description and show the actual item being sold.