Practical Motorist Magazine – August 1975

Original Vintage British Motoring Magazine | Volume 21 No. 12 | Triumph 1300 | Datsun 120Y | Toyota 1000 | Polski-Fiat | Classic Car Repairs

An original August 1975 edition of Practical Motorist, a British automotive magazine featuring detailed mechanical repair guides, classic car servicing, contemporary road tests and practical advice for motorists.

This issue features a striking orange and black front cover with a large colour photograph of a mechanic working inside a dismantled Triumph 1300, illustrating the magazine's main feature on gearbox removal and servicing.

Other highlighted subjects include cylinder-head overhauls, estate-car woodwork restoration, Datsun 120Y maintenance, vehicle weatherproofing and a comparison between the Toyota 1000 and Polski-Fiat.

Published in August 1975, this magazine provides an authentic look at the mechanical techniques, vehicles and motoring concerns of the mid-1970s.

A particularly interesting publication for classic car restorers, Triumph enthusiasts, Datsun owners and collectors of original British automotive literature.

Magazine Details

• Publication: Practical Motorist

• Date: August 1975

• Volume: 21

• Issue: No. 12

• Original Cover Price: 20p

• Publisher: IPC Magazines Ltd

• Editor: Harry Heywood

• Country: United Kingdom

• Language: English

• Format: Original printed motoring magazine

• Condition: Pre-owned vintage condition

• SKU: 1584

The publication month and year are confirmed on both the front cover and the photographed contents page. No specific publication day is visible.

Front Cover – Original 1975 Workshop Photography

The front cover features an eye-catching orange background with a large black PRACTICAL motorist masthead.

The main photograph shows a mechanic wearing a blue top and tan trousers, leaning into the interior of a partially dismantled classic car.

The vehicle's dashboard, steering column, wiring and transmission-related components are exposed.

The mechanic holds a gear-lever component while working around the transmission tunnel, with removed interior trim and carpet visible.

The photograph illustrates the main cover feature:

"Triumph 1300 Gearbox Strip"

The exposed dashboard and interior components make this a particularly interesting example of period automotive workshop photography.

The cover also advertises several additional features.

Overhauling a Cylinder Head

A technical maintenance feature covering cylinder-head work.

The contents page identifies the related article as Got a Bad Head?, beginning on page 34.

The article concerns dismantling, servicing and overhauling a cylinder head.

Useful historical reference material for anyone interested in traditional engine repair techniques.

Is Your Car Waterproof?

A practical feature examining problems associated with water entering a vehicle.

The contents identify Raincoat? on page 40, dealing with tracking down leaks and carrying out repairs.

This is an especially relevant subject for owners of older vehicles, where deteriorating door seals, window seals and bodywork can allow water into the interior.

Renovating Estate Woodwork

The cover highlights the restoration of wooden trim found on traditional estate cars.

The corresponding article, Chips with Everything, appears on page 46.

It concerns renovating a weary traveller's woodwork.

An interesting period feature for collectors and owners of classic estate cars featuring wooden decorative or structural trim.

Datsun 120Y Superservice

A major servicing feature covering the Datsun 120Y.

The article Over to You appears on page 57 and introduces a series of maintenance and servicing tests involving the vehicle.

This is particularly relevant to collectors of early Japanese cars and original Datsun workshop literature.

Toyota 1000 vs Polski-Fiat Test

The cover advertises a comparison between the Toyota 1000 and Polski-Fiat.

The contents page lists the corresponding article on page 54:

"Special Road Test – Polski-Fiat 125P or Toyota 1000?"

This is an interesting comparison of two very different vehicles available to motorists during the 1970s.

Original period comparisons are useful for researching historical road-test opinions and consumer expectations.

Main Articles and Features

The photographed contents page gives a comprehensive overview of the issue.

Brief Impressions – Page 3

A short feature sampling Volkswagen's Polo and BL's Allegro.

This offers a contemporary look at two familiar European cars from the period.

A Poor Selection – Page 21

An examination of the gearbox in a Triumph 1300.

The article accompanies the cover's main mechanical workshop feature and covers difficulties associated with the gearbox.

Of particular interest to owners and restorers of the Triumph 1300.

Economy Car Care – Page 25

A practical motoring article examining vehicle maintenance and economy.

It introduces methods for maintaining a car without unnecessary expense.

New on the Bookshelf – Page 28

A review of recently published motoring books and manuals.

An interesting feature for collectors of vintage automotive reference books.

Our Leisure – Page 29

An article concerning DIY maintenance and servicing.

Got a Bad Head? – Page 34

A technical guide covering the dismantling and servicing of a cylinder head.

A useful example of traditional engine repair instruction.

Meet PM's New Escort – Page 37

A feature introducing the magazine's Ford Escort.

The article describes how the team approached the vehicle and its suitability as a used-car purchase.

New Cars Lately – Page 38

A round-up of recently introduced vehicles and developments in the automotive market.

Raincoat? – Page 40

A practical guide to tracing and repairing vehicle water leaks.

The article focuses on finding where water enters a car and taking corrective action.

Making a Recovery – Page 44

A motoring feature concerned with recovering costs following a non-fault accident.

Chips with Everything – Page 46

A guide to renovating worn estate-car woodwork.

Especially interesting to enthusiasts of classic estate vehicles and period restoration techniques.

The Light-Foot Page – Page 52

An economy-focused article reporting on additional fuel-saving developments.

Reflects the importance of economical driving during the 1970s.

Special Road Test – Page 54

Polski-Fiat 125P versus Toyota 1000.

A contemporary comparison of the two cars.

This is one of the particularly collectible features of the issue for enthusiasts of historic Japanese and Eastern European vehicles.

Over to You – Page 57

A Datsun 120Y servicing feature.

The magazine explains that readers can submit servicing questions for consideration.

This is a noteworthy feature for classic Datsun enthusiasts.

PM Puzzler – Page 58

A mechanical problem-solving feature involving a Ford Escort that refused to idle correctly.

The Boom Is Over – Page 61

An article concerning the Renault 16 and additional motoring advice.

Seal of Approval – Page 62

A report on developments in gasket cement, gasket substitutes and stop-gap repair products.

Useful for understanding the materials and products available to mechanics during the 1970s.

Bridge That Gap – Page 64

A technical discussion of ignition maintenance, including spark-plug leads.

Hit the Sealing – Page 66

A practical maintenance article describing a method of renewing Maxi drive-shaft oil seals.

Our Readers Write – Page 67

Reader correspondence concerning Triumph 2000 transmission vibration and Fiat carburettor problems.

An interesting record of mechanical issues experienced by contemporary owners.

Regular Magazine Features

The contents page also identifies the following recurring departments:

• What We Say – Page 1: Editorial commentary.

• What You Say – Page 2: Reader letters and opinions.

• Our Experts Advise – Page 4: Practical motoring guidance.

• Full Chat – Page 24: General automotive discussion.

• PM Preview – Page 43: Forthcoming magazine content.

• What's New – Page 49: New motoring products and developments.

• Garage Mechanic's Diary – Page 60: Workshop-related features.

• Tips from Readers – Page 69: Practical advice submitted by readers.

These regular sections provide an interesting insight into everyday motoring and vehicle ownership in Britain during 1975.

Editorial – August 1975

The photographed editorial is titled "What We Say" and is attributed to editor Harry Heywood.

It announces two forthcoming special features in the September issue of Practical Motorist.

The first is a motorway map covering England, Wales and Scotland.

The second is a new series of car-specific servicing data sheets, initially covering smaller economy cars.

The editorial explains that the data sheets are intended to help home mechanics identify essential servicing information without repeatedly searching through workshop manuals.

Subjects mentioned include:

• Routine servicing schedules.

• Ignition timing.

• Carburettor settings.

• Valve adjustments.

• Brake adjustments.

• Component identification.

Readers are encouraged to remove and retain the technical data sheets in protective plastic bags.

The editorial also explains that additional data sheets would appear in future issues.

This provides a fascinating insight into how motoring magazines supported home mechanics before digital workshop manuals and internet repair guides became widely available.

Classic Car and Historical Interest

This edition will appeal particularly to collectors interested in:

• Triumph 1300 gearbox maintenance.

• Datsun 120Y servicing.

• Toyota 1000 road tests.

• Polski-Fiat 125P motoring history.

• Ford Escort repairs.

• Austin Allegro and Volkswagen Polo.

• Renault 16 maintenance.

• Triumph 2000 mechanical problems.

• Morris-era British automotive history.

• Classic vehicle cylinder-head repairs.

• Traditional workshop tools and servicing techniques.

• Classic estate-car woodwork renovation.

• 1970s British motoring publications.

The issue is a useful contemporary reference for understanding the maintenance requirements and running costs of vehicles in the mid-1970s.

It also captures the practical, hands-on approach encouraged by motoring magazines of the period.

Condition – Detailed Assessment

Pre-owned vintage condition with noticeable age-related wear, handling marks, creasing and paper discolouration.

This is an original magazine from August 1975 and shows evidence of long-term use and storage.

Front Cover

• The original orange front cover is present.

• The black masthead remains bold and clearly legible.

• The central colour photograph remains clear.

• General surface scuffing, scratches and handling marks are visible.

• There is noticeable rubbing and wear around the left-hand spine.

• The lower-left corner shows more pronounced wear, with creasing and abrasion.

• The bottom cover edge has small scuffs and signs of handling.

• The upper-right corner has a visible crease and slight bending.

• The right-hand edge has minor age-related wear.

• Some small scratches and surface marks are visible around the cover.

• The cover has slight waviness and does not lie completely flat.

Spine and Binding

• The spine shows noticeable age-related rubbing and handling wear.

• Some wear is visible around the lower spine area.

• The photographed pages remain attached and can be opened.

• The complete binding has not been inspected page by page.

Interior Pages

• The photographed contents and editorial page shows considerable age-related yellowing.

• The paper has developed a cream-to-brown tone typical of older magazine stock.

• The top and outer margins show darker discolouration.

• Small spots, marks and areas of uneven colour are visible.

• The top-right page corner has minor curling.

• Some handling wear is visible along the page edges.

• The original printed text remains clearly readable.

• The photographed editorial contains the editor's printed signature.

Overall Condition

Condition assessment: Fair to Good vintage condition.

The magazine retains its attractive original cover and readable interior, but it clearly displays the effects of age and previous handling.

The most noticeable imperfections are the worn spine, lower-left cover wear, creasing, surface marks and yellowed interior paper.

This is a used vintage publication and should not be considered mint or as-new.

Only selected pages have been photographed, so the condition and completeness of every page cannot be independently guaranteed.

Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.

Important – Original Extras and Supplements

This listing is for the original August 1975 Practical Motorist magazine only.

Any original loose supplements, free gifts, detachable servicing sheets, inserts or promotional extras that may have accompanied the magazine when first sold are not included unless clearly shown in the photographs.

The photographed editorial mentions future motorway maps and servicing data sheets. These relate to forthcoming issues rather than extras confirmed to accompany this August 1975 edition.

Only the magazine shown in the photographs is included in the sale.

Packaging and Delivery

The magazine will be packed carefully to help protect it from bending and handling damage during transit.

UK Orders: Dispatched in a protective hardback envelope.

International Orders: Dispatched in a sturdy cardboard mail-size box, offering additional protection during international delivery.

Final Summary

An original August 1975 Practical Motorist Magazine, Volume 21 No. 12, featuring a Triumph 1300 gearbox workshop article, a Datsun 120Y servicing feature, a Toyota 1000 versus Polski-Fiat 125P road test and numerous practical mechanical maintenance guides.

With its bold orange vintage cover, detailed workshop articles and original 1970s editorial content, this is an interesting piece of British motoring history.

Suitable for classic car owners, restoration enthusiasts, automotive researchers and collectors of vintage magazines.

You will receive the actual magazine photographed.

SKU: 1584