WELCOME TO THE WORKSHOP

Where the team pauses for Christmas joy/humiliation

The world’s gone mad hasn’t it? We’re all doomed, there’s no future and everything has gone to hell in a handcart. I am the first to admit that our industry likes to indulge in a spot of communal hand-wringing, although we do our best at Practical Classics to balance out any negativity by accentuating the positive.

It wasn’t always so gloomy. Back in 1969 we embraced technology for the benefits it was bringing to us. We looked forward to a better future where we could go faster, longer and in greater comfort. The world was an exciting place full of possibility.

Positivity was the secret then and it still is. So, we don’t have Concorde anymore and the last man to leave the Moon, Gene Cernan, is now no longer with us. But we still have extraordinary technology at our fingertips and, even though we might not be able to perform a roadside clutch change, cars are at a fascinating point in their development. There such a lot to be excited about, and lots to remember fondly from 50 years ago… from the year that we walked on the Moon, went twice the speed of sound in a passenger aircraft and drove the car we always promised ourselves.

So, don’t even think about giving up. Enjoy this festive issue and look forward with the

PC team to the year ahead.

‘Keep away from me you lot, or I’ll kick you in the snowballs’ Lisamarie ‘Christmas spirit’ Johnson ‘I’m an elf-taught mechanic!’ Danny ‘elven’ Hopkins ‘This is the last time I’m coming here!’ Mac ‘Santa’ ‘I used to have a respectable career, you know’ James ‘Xmas tree’ Walshe ‘Would you like me to jingle your bells?’ John ‘Humbug’ Simpson ‘I can feel your presents’ Matt ‘Sithmas’ Tomkins ‘This pullover is banned in 26 countries’ Matt ‘Xmas jumper’ George ‘Guys, have we got a weigh in this manger?’ James ‘Drill Sergeant’ Jefferson