OCTOBER 2000 (ISSUE 79)

It’s hard not to run into interesting parallels in the space/time continuum that is Time machine. Flicking through the pages of this October 2000 issue, its editor, Chris Horton, putting the then new 996 Turbo through its UK paces some six years prior to Brett Fraser opposite in the 997 Turbo, with both cars wearing the enduring 911 HUL number plate. ‘Simply the best,’ Chris called it. Hard to argue really, and certainly the 996 Turbo was a game changer in terms of perception of what a 911 could ultimately be. Chris also came down firmly on the side of the Tiptronic, too, as the transmission of choice, something most 996 Turbo buyers of the day seemed to agree with.

Clearly Chris had managed to get his 996 Turbo drive in the bag before angry truckers managed to blockade the UK’S major oil refineries in early September 2000, bringing the country to a grinding halt. Remember that? Quite rightly, we made comment on the whole affair, prompted by spiralling fuel prices as petrol hit 80p a litre.

It’s almost a cheap shot to look back at the classifieds and the Tried & tested slot (still going strong, 18 years on) in the back of the mag, but it’s hard to resist, particularly when there’s a 2.7 Carrera RS getting a bit of a tyre kicking. The car in question was at RS gurus, Autofarm. An RS Touring it was up for £37,995. A bargain now but pricey compared to the 924 Carrera GT in the classifieds at £8750!