High Performance Magazine – Winter 1988 – Honda RC30 Special

Honda VFR750R RC30 | BMW M3 | Ferrari | Range Rover | Yamaha V8 | Microlights | Classic Performance Cars

Original British High Performance Magazine – Winter 1988, featuring an extensive cover story celebrating the legendary Honda RC30 motorcycle.

The front cover carries the headline:

THE BEST BIKE EVER BUILT

Why Honda's RC30 Leaves the Rest Standing

This vintage motoring publication covers high-performance motorcycles, sports cars, luxury vehicles, motorsport, aviation and specialist motoring interests.

The photographed contents page confirms articles about the Honda RC30, BMW racing driver Frank Sytner, Ferrari ownership, Range Rover performance, Japanese sports cars, mountain biking, microlight aircraft and classic motoring.

An interesting late-1980s publication for collectors of classic performance motorcycles, Honda Racing Corporation history, BMW motorsport and vintage automotive magazines.

Main Cover Feature – Honda RC30

The Best Bike Ever Built – Page 46

The magazine's principal feature focuses on the legendary Honda VFR750R RC30, one of the most celebrated homologation superbikes of the 1980s.

The contents page describes the motorcycle as an exceptionally well-engineered machine and highlights its standing among contemporary performance motorcycles.

The front cover features a large colour action photograph of a rider cornering on a Honda RC30.

Front Cover Motorcycle Photograph

The photograph captures the Honda leaning dramatically into a corner, with the rider positioned low behind the fairing.

Visible motorcycle details include:

• Honda's distinctive red, white and blue racing-inspired colour scheme.

• Twin circular headlights.

• Full aerodynamic front fairing.

• Large clear windscreen.

• Front indicators integrated into the fairing area.

• White front wheel.

• Performance road tyres.

• Visible front suspension and braking components.

• Side fairing with Honda branding.

• Racing-style motorcycle exhaust.

• Low, forward-leaning riding position.

The rider wears a red, blue and white motorcycle jacket, a full-face helmet, dark gloves and protective riding equipment.

The image is particularly effective at showing the motorcycle's sporting character and cornering capabilities.

Honda RC30 Historical Interest

The Honda VFR750R RC30 was introduced in the late 1980s as a road-going homologation motorcycle developed with racing competition in mind.

The model became famous for its V4 engine, sophisticated chassis, single-sided swingarm and close association with international superbike racing.

Its distinctive styling and racing heritage have made it highly desirable among classic motorcycle collectors.

This Winter 1988 magazine provides a contemporary perspective on the RC30 during the period when the motorcycle was still a relatively new and prestigious performance machine.

The contents page includes a smaller colour photograph of the Honda RC30 viewed from the rear three-quarter angle, showing the motorcycle parked on grass.

Visible details include its distinctive racing colours, stepped seat, rear bodywork and registration plate.

For Honda enthusiasts, the issue offers both an attractive front cover and a period article about one of the manufacturer's most important superbikes.

Detailed Magazine Contents

The photographed contents page identifies the following articles and features.

Page 6 – Home on the Range

A feature about three highly desirable Range Rovers.

The contents describe a selection of luxury off-road vehicles, including an uprated example powered by a Yank V8.

The article reflects the growing interest in luxury 4x4 vehicles during the late 1980s.

An interesting period feature for collectors of classic Range Rover and British off-road motoring publications.

Page 18 – Gadgets

A selection of gadgets and gift ideas.

The contents advertise electronic equipment, toys and other products associated with the Christmas shopping season.

This feature offers a glimpse of consumer technology and accessories available in Britain during 1988.

Page 26 – Money No Object

A feature about classic Ferrari ownership.

The contents describe the purchase of a Ferrari costing £650 some 20 years earlier, with the owner now considering selling it.

The article appears to examine classic Ferrari ownership and the changing value of desirable sports cars.

Of interest to Ferrari collectors and enthusiasts of vintage Italian performance cars.

Page 36 – Open Season

A comparison of two desirable Japanese open-top sports cars.

The contents describe Japanese manufacturers competing in the convertible market and ask whether the cars can match British weather conditions.

An interesting period comparison reflecting the development of Japanese sports cars during the late 1980s.

Page 46 – Superbike Sublime

Main Honda RC30 Feature

The principal motorcycle article examines the Honda RC30 and its exceptional engineering.

The contents state that few motorcycles have been engineered to such a high standard.

The feature is presented as an examination of the RC30's performance and desirability.

This is one of the strongest collector attractions of the magazine.

Page 54 – High Performer

Frank Sytner – BMW Motorsport

A feature about British racing driver and businessman Frank Sytner.

The contents describe Sytner as a successful racing driver who also operated at the top of the business world.

The contents page includes a colour photograph of a BMW racing car carrying prominent Mobil sponsorship.

The car is photographed on a racing circuit, with its front racing bodywork, headlights, aerodynamic components and sponsor graphics clearly visible.

The photograph is particularly interesting for collectors of BMW motorsport and late-1980s touring-car racing memorabilia.

Frank Sytner was closely associated with BMW racing during this period, making this a relevant contemporary motorsport feature.

Page 64 – Climb Every Mountain

A feature examining the physical demands and appeal of mountain biking.

The contents describe the challenges of cycling uphill and the rewards of the sport.

The article reflects the increasing popularity of mountain bikes during the late 1980s.

An interesting addition for collectors of early mountain-biking publications.

Page 70 – The Right One

A feature concerning Martini Bianco and its association with Italian leisure and lifestyle.

The contents refer to the famous drink and an Italian lake setting.

This article adds a lifestyle and travel element to the magazine's predominantly motoring-focused content.

Page 79 – Flight of Fancy

A feature about microlight aviation.

The contents describe microlighting as an accessible form of recreational flying.

A colour photograph on the contents page shows a small open-cockpit microlight aircraft on the ground.

Visible details include:

• A fabric-covered wing.

• Lightweight tubular airframe.

• Open cockpit.

• Small wheels.

• Propeller-powered aircraft configuration.

• Two occupants seated beneath the wing.

An interesting feature documenting the recreational aviation scene of the late 1980s.

Page 84 – Mad Dogs and Englishmen

A motoring feature involving veteran cars.

The contents describe a day spent with unusual and entertaining classic motoring enthusiasts.

The article appears to focus on the personalities and experiences associated with older vehicles.

Page 90 – Facts & Figures

A reference section containing performance information, dates, addresses and other useful details.

This section provides additional period motoring information.

Additional Publication Content

The contents page also refers to a What Car? special supplement.

This indicates that the magazine was originally associated with additional motoring material.

Please note: Any original separate supplements or promotional items are no longer included. This sale is for the magazine shown in the photographs only.

The magazine's editorial information identifies:

Editor: Nick Carter

Art Editor: Paul Kingett

Group Art Director: Derek Redfern

Group Editor: Kevin Whitchurch

Managing Director: Simon Taylor

These details help establish the publication's original editorial context.

Magazine Design and Photography

This Winter 1988 issue has a distinctive late-1980s motoring-magazine design.

The front cover features a predominantly cream-coloured background with a large blue HIGH PERFORMANCE masthead.

The word HIGH appears in red above the main publication title.

The central motorcycle photograph is surrounded by a blue rectangular border, providing a strong contrast with the light background.

Beneath the photograph, the main headline is printed in large red lettering:

THE BEST BIKE EVER BUILT

The secondary headline reads:

WHY HONDA'S RC30 LEAVES THE REST STANDING

The simple design places the Honda RC30 at the centre of the publication.

Unlike modern motorcycle magazines, which often feature numerous competing headlines, this cover concentrates almost entirely on the principal motorcycle feature.

The contents page continues the restrained design, using large blue typography, white backgrounds and smaller colour photographs.

Photographs visible on the contents page include:

• Three Range Rovers positioned near a dramatic coastal industrial landscape.

• A BMW racing car associated with Frank Sytner.

• A microlight aircraft.

• A Honda RC30 motorcycle photographed from the rear.

These photographs provide an attractive visual overview of the magazine's varied motoring content.

Publication Details

Magazine: High Performance

Edition: Winter 1988

Publication Date: Winter 1988 – exact day and month not specified

Country: United Kingdom

Language: English

Format: Printed Motoring and Performance Magazine

Main Cover Feature: Honda VFR750R RC30

Additional Subjects: BMW Motorsport, Ferrari, Range Rover, Japanese Sports Cars, Mountain Biking and Microlight Aviation

Featured Racing Personality: Frank Sytner

Editor: Nick Carter

SKU: 1595

Condition – Important Information

Pre-owned vintage magazine showing visible signs of age, handling and storage.

The supplied photographs show the actual magazine being offered.

Front Cover

The front cover remains attractive and retains its original printed design.

The large Honda RC30 photograph is clearly visible, with the motorcycle's red, white and blue colour scheme remaining distinguishable.

The blue masthead and red cover headlines remain legible.

However, several signs of wear are visible.

These include:

• Rubbing and scuffing along the left-hand spine.

• Noticeable wear at the bottom-left spine corner.

• Small areas of paper wear around the spine.

• Light creasing and bending along the left-hand edge.

• Slight corner wear.

• Minor rubbing along the top edge.

• Light surface marks and handling scratches.

• Small scattered marks on the cream-coloured background.

• Mild age-related discolouration and toning.

• Slight unevenness along the cover edges.

The bottom-left corner shows particularly noticeable wear, with a small area of fraying and distortion around the spine.

The upper-right corner shows minor wear and slight bending.

Interior Pages

The photographed contents page remains clear and readable.

The large blue heading, article descriptions and smaller colour photographs are well preserved visually.

Visible interior condition details include:

• Light page-edge wear.

• Minor handling marks.

• Slight curling and unevenness near the page corners.

• Mild age-related toning.

• Small marks and discolouration in some areas.

• Light wear around the inner fold.

The photographed contents page remains attached and opens normally.

Spine and Binding

The spine shows visible rubbing and wear, particularly towards the lower section.

There is some fraying around the lower spine corner.

The photographed pages remain attached, although the entire magazine has not been individually checked for completeness.

Overall Condition

Good used vintage condition, with noticeable spine and corner wear, light creasing, surface marks and age-related discolouration.

The magazine remains presentable, with an attractive Honda RC30 cover and clearly readable photographed contents.

It is an original vintage publication and should not be considered new, pristine or mint.

Please study all photographs carefully, as they form part of the condition description.

Original Supplements and Promotional Items

The contents page mentions a What Car? special supplement.

Any original separate supplements, promotional gifts, inserts or other accompanying items are no longer included.

The sale is for the magazine shown in the photographs only.

Packaging and Delivery

The magazine will be carefully packaged to help protect it during transit.

UK Orders: Sent in a protective hardback envelope.

International Orders: Sent in a sturdy cardboard mail-size box for additional protection during international shipping.

Collector Interest

This magazine may appeal to collectors and enthusiasts of:

• Honda RC30.

• Honda VFR750R.

• Honda Racing Corporation.

• Classic Honda Superbikes.

• 1980s Performance Motorcycles.

• Vintage Motorcycle Magazines.

• BMW Motorsport.

• BMW Racing History.

• Frank Sytner.

• Classic Ferrari Cars.

• Range Rover Classics.

• Japanese Sports Cars.

• Classic Performance Cars.

• Vintage British Motoring Publications.

• 1980s Automotive Photography.

• Historic Motorsport.

• Classic Motorcycle Engineering.

• Microlight Aviation.

• Vintage Motoring Memorabilia.

Summary

Original High Performance Magazine – Winter 1988, featuring a striking Honda RC30 front cover and the headline The Best Bike Ever Built.

The issue includes a dedicated Honda RC30 feature alongside articles about Frank Sytner and BMW motorsport, Ferrari ownership, Range Rovers, Japanese convertibles, mountain biking and microlight aviation.

The magazine offers an interesting contemporary record of the performance motoring scene during the late 1980s.

Condition: Good used vintage condition, with visible spine wear, minor creasing, edge rubbing, surface marks and age-related discolouration.

Important: Magazine only. Original separate supplements and promotional items are not included.

UK Packaging: Protective hardback envelope.

International Packaging: Sturdy cardboard mail-size box.

SKU: 1595