Fast Car Magazine July 1996 180mph Ford Mondeo Renault 5 GT Turbo RS (1503)

Original Fast Car magazine – July 1996, a very strong mid-1990s UK tuning issue packed with modified performance cars, turbo tuning, rolling-road testing, technical features and period in-car entertainment coverage.

The striking front cover is dominated by a heavily modified green Ford Mondeo, photographed at an aggressive angle and promoted as the “180mph Mondeo”. The issue captures the peak of the 1990s British tuning scene, with everything from Renault 5 GT Turbos and Ford RS models to BMW M3s, modified Astras, Golfs, Metros and even a Trabant.

Magazine Details

Publication: Fast Car
Date: July 1996
Cover Price: £2.80
Genre: Modified Cars / Performance / Tuning / Styling / ICE
SKU: 1503

Main Cover Features

Prominent cover stories include:

• 180mph Ford Mondeo – the major cover car
• Renault 5 GT Turbo dyno shoot-out
• 150mph RS clash
• Nova 1.4 SR
• Monster exhaust test
• ’Ard Top Golf
• BMW M3
• RS2000 chip & cam
• Modified Metro
• 16-hole Golf head tuning
• 100mph Trabant
• Mega ICE features
• Brake testing
• Cheap audio filters
• Large subwoofer mounting test
• £1,000 IBL competition

This issue has a particularly broad mix of road-car tuning, engine work, styling and car-audio features, making it a strong period reference for enthusiasts of 1990s modified cars.

Feature Cars

The contents pages show an excellent selection of period builds:

• Tango’d Astra Trio – three modified Vauxhall Astras
• 150mph RS Clash – performance comparison involving Ford RS machinery
• The Cook Report – modified Fiat Uno Turbo
• Violent Violet M3 – BMW M3 feature
• ’Ard Top Golf – Mk1 Golf Cabrio
• Mean Morphed Metro – extensively modified Austin/Rover Metro
• 100mph Trabant – highly unusual tuned Trabant feature
• 180mph Mondeo – headline cover feature
• Renault 5 GT Turbo dyno shoot-out

The cover-story Ford Mondeo is shown inside the contents section as a green, lowered and extensively modified example wearing large five-spoke alloy wheels and a body kit. For anyone collecting unusual performance Fords, this is one of the standout features of the issue.

Technical & Tuning Content

There is plenty of hands-on mechanical and performance material, including:

• 16 Holes of Golf – 16-valve Golf tuning
• Project Bigfoot – styling, wheels and very large tyres
• RS2000 Chip & Cam – testing a tuning package for the Ford twin-cam engine
• Stop! Mega Brake Test – performance brake-pad testing
• Nova 1.4 Exhaust Test
• Renault 5 GT Dyno Shoot-Out
• Technical coverage aimed at improving power, braking, handling and appearance

This makes the issue particularly interesting for collectors of genuine 1990s tuning culture, when modifications were commonly based around naturally aspirated engine tuning, turbo conversions, cams, chips, exhaust systems, brake upgrades, suspension and aggressive body styling.

ICE / Car Audio

A substantial section is devoted to period in-car entertainment, another major part of Fast Car culture in the 1990s.

Features visible in the contents include:

• ICE Breakers
• Cheap Filter Tricks – making inexpensive crossover filters
• Huge Sub Mount Test – testing subwoofer enclosures
• Audio competition coverage

These features provide a good snapshot of the large-subwoofer and custom-install era of 1990s car audio.

Collector Interest

A great issue for enthusiasts of:

Ford Mondeo, Renault 5 GT Turbo, Ford RS2000, Vauxhall Astra, Fiat Uno Turbo, BMW M3, Volkswagen Golf, Metro, Trabant and 1990s modified-car culture.

The magazine's colourful layouts, bold graphics, period advertisements and technical features make it an excellent piece of UK motoring nostalgia.

Condition

Pre-owned vintage condition with clear age and handling wear.

Please study all supplied photographs carefully.

Visible condition points include:

• Front cover has general surface rubbing, scratches and handling marks.
• Noticeable creasing, particularly around the edges and corners.
• Spine wear is visible, with rubbing and small areas of surface loss.
• Bottom-left front corner shows creasing, rubbing and slight fraying.
• Bottom edge has general shelf/handling wear.
• Top edge and upper corners show light bends and age-related wear.
• Front cover retains strong colour despite the visible use.
• Interior pages shown remain bright, colourful and clearly legible.
• Contents spread shows some normal centre/spine creasing from use.
• Rear cover shows surface rubbing and edge wear, particularly along the spine and lower edge.
• Magazine does not sit perfectly flat, consistent with its age and previous handling.

Overall, this is an original and well-used but very presentable July 1996 copy, with strong content and plenty of appeal for collectors of early Fast Car, 1990s modified Fords, hot hatches and UK tuning culture.

Please use the photographs as the primary guide to condition, as they form part of the description.

SKU: 1503