Practical Motorist Magazine – January 1972

Original Vintage British Motoring Magazine | MGB Clutch Renewal | Ford Escort Sport Road Test | Hillman Minx Steering Overhaul | Classic Car Maintenance

An original January 1972 edition of Practical Motorist, the British monthly motoring magazine dedicated to vehicle servicing, mechanical repairs, road testing, driving advice and practical car ownership.

This issue features a striking night-driving cover photograph and a substantial selection of technical articles covering some of Britain's best-known classic vehicles.

The major features include an MGB clutch renewal, Ford Escort Sport road test, Hillman Minx steering overhaul, BMC 1100 timing-chain modification and DAF transmission-belt maintenance.

The magazine also explores the difficulties of winter driving, including reduced visibility, dark roads and seasonal motoring hazards.

A particularly interesting publication for enthusiasts of classic British cars, vintage automotive engineering and original 1970s workshop journalism.

Magazine Details

• Publication: Practical Motorist

• Publication Date: January 1972

• Original Cover Price: 15p

• Publisher: IPC Magazines Ltd

• Editor: Harry Heywood

• Country: United Kingdom

• Language: English

• Format: Original printed monthly motoring magazine

• Condition: Pre-owned vintage condition

• SKU: 1584

The full date available on the magazine is January 1972. An exact publication day is not stated.

Front Cover – Winter Motoring in the Early 1970s

The front cover has a distinctive black background with a large pale-blue Practical Motorist masthead.

Directly beneath the title appears the magazine's familiar slogan:

"The Most Widely Read Motoring Monthly"

The main photograph features a night-time urban driving scene, photographed from the perspective of a motorist travelling behind another vehicle.

The image includes:

• A light-coloured estate car travelling along an illuminated road.

• Period registration plate SPF 17F.

• Streetlights stretching into the distance.

• Illuminated shopfronts and town-centre buildings.

• Reflections and contrasting light levels associated with night-time driving.

• A partial view of a vehicle dashboard and illuminated instruments in the foreground.

• Dark silhouettes and lighting that create a particularly atmospheric period motoring image.

The large white headline reads:

"Coping With Dark Nights and Winter Hazards"

The photographic style is very characteristic of British motoring publications from the early 1970s, when vehicle lighting, road safety and winter-driving preparations were important subjects for everyday motorists.

Additional Pages – Pocket Manual

A prominent circular graphic in the upper-right corner reads:

"EXTRA – 8 More Pages of Our Unique Car Pocket Manual Inside"

This refers to additional printed reference material within the magazine, rather than a separate physical accessory.

The extra pages form part of the publication's practical maintenance coverage.

Featured Articles and Technical Content

Hillman Minx Steering Overhaul – Page 496

One of the principal cover features concerns a steering-system overhaul for the Hillman Minx.

The contents page confirms the feature under the heading:

"Hillman Minx Steering Overhaul"

This is of particular interest to owners and restorers of Rootes Group vehicles.

Traditional steering mechanisms require careful inspection and servicing, making original period articles valuable sources of historical mechanical information.

The feature reflects the magazine's emphasis on helping motorists undertake repairs rather than automatically replacing major assemblies.

MGB Clutch Renewal – Page 476

The cover prominently advertises:

"MGB Clutch Renewal"

The corresponding contents entry is "Renewing an MGB Clutch".

This technical feature concerns clutch servicing on the classic MG sports car.

The MGB remains one of Britain's best-known classic sports cars, and original workshop coverage is particularly appealing to MG enthusiasts.

A useful historical reference for understanding how clutch replacement and maintenance were approached during the vehicle's original production era.

Ford Escort Sport Road Test – Page 500

The cover highlights an Escort Sport Road Test.

The contents page confirms an article listed as:

"Road Test – Escort Sport"

This is a notable feature for collectors of early Ford Escort material.

The Ford Escort was an important part of Britain's motoring landscape during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Contemporary road tests provide valuable insight into how cars were assessed when new, including the driving impressions and expectations of motoring journalists.

This feature will appeal to collectors of classic Ford publications, original Ford Escort literature and period automotive road tests.

BMC 1100 Timing-Chain Modification – Page 514

The cover advertises:

"1100 Timing Chain Mod."

The contents identify the corresponding technical article as:

"Caravans or Tents – Timing Chain Mod" on page 514, with the BMC A-Series timing-chain modification named in the feature listing.

The technical subject concerns modification of the BMC A-Series engine's timing-chain arrangement.

This is relevant to enthusiasts of vehicles using versions of the A-Series engine, including classic BMC and British Leyland models.

Original workshop articles of this type document the maintenance and modification practices commonly promoted during the period.

DAF Transmission Belt Maintenance – Page 480

The magazine features an article titled:

"DAF Belt Know-How"

DAF vehicles are particularly remembered for their distinctive Variomatic continuously variable transmission system.

The feature is relevant to collectors of unusual classic car engineering and enthusiasts interested in the development of early continuously variable transmissions.

This is an interesting example of the variety of European automotive technology discussed in Practical Motorist.

Winter Motoring and Road Safety

The main cover story concerns coping with dark nights and winter driving hazards.

The contents include a feature titled "Our Two" and other seasonal motoring guidance, alongside the magazine's wider practical advice.

The winter-driving theme is particularly relevant to the period, when vehicle lighting, tyre condition and mechanical preparation played an important role in everyday motoring.

The cover's dramatic night-time photograph reinforces the practical road-safety subject matter.

Fitting an Air Cleaner – Page 484

The contents list "Fitting an Air Cleaner".

This is another practical maintenance subject concerned with engine air filtration.

It offers a period perspective on an important aspect of engine servicing.

Anti-Theft System – Page 494

The contents include "PM's DIY Anti-theft System".

This feature reflects the growing interest in automotive security and owner-installed electrical accessories.

It is particularly relevant to collectors interested in vintage car electronics and early vehicle-security equipment.

Engine Up the Amps – Page 486

The contents identify a feature titled "Engine Up the Amps".

This forms part of the issue's broader technical and electrical maintenance coverage.

Steering Column Anti-Carburettor – Page 488

The contents also include a feature headed "Stromberg/CDSE Carburettor".

This is relevant to enthusiasts of period carburettor technology and traditional fuel-system servicing.

Road Tests and Workshop Features

Other material identified in the photographed contents includes:

• Read Test / Road Test: Additional contemporary motoring assessment.

• PM's DIY Anti-theft System: Owner-built vehicle-security equipment.

• Fitting an Air Cleaner: Practical engine maintenance.

• Engine Up the Amps: Technical automotive feature.

• Full Chat: General motoring discussion.

• Caravan or Tents: Motoring leisure-related coverage.

Together, these articles demonstrate the magazine's combination of repair guidance, owner advice and general motoring subjects.

Editorial – "Crazy, Man!"

The photographed editorial page is headed:

"CRAZY, MAN!"

Written by editor Harry Heywood, the article discusses vehicle safety, driver behaviour and the increasing use of road-safety measures.

The editorial considers the contrast between vehicles designed for high-speed travel and the practical restrictions of Britain's road network.

Topics discussed include:

• Road and vehicle safety.

• The risks associated with vehicle design.

• Motorway and traffic restrictions.

• Accident prevention.

• Driver responsibility.

• The development of increasingly sophisticated motor vehicles.

The article offers an interesting insight into road-safety concerns during the early 1970s.

It also demonstrates the magazine's editorial style, combining technical commentary with opinions about contemporary motoring policy.

Additional February 1972 Issue Preview

The photographed editorial page contains a substantial advertisement promoting the following month's magazine.

The preview includes several workshop and maintenance topics:

Travel-Weary?

Advice concerning an 1100 engine and associated maintenance problems.

Carefree Capri

The magazine advertises clutch renewal work involving a Ford Capri.

Build-Up the Pressure

A modification relating to the BMC B-Series engine's oil-filter arrangement.

Special Tools

Ideas for tools and workshop accessories that motorists could construct themselves.

Beat Those Cold Start Blues

Advice about improving vehicle starting during cold weather.

Stop the Draught

Practical guidance concerning draughts and vehicle comfort.

Beetle Maintenance

Technical maintenance information concerning the Volkswagen Beetle.

The advertisement also announces another eight pages of the Practical Motorist pocket manual, this time covering brakes, steering and suspension, in the February issue.

This page is an interesting example of how the publication promoted successive workshop features to its regular readers.

Regular Departments and Contents

The photographed contents page identifies a variety of recurring features, including:

• Candidly Speaking – Page 449: Editorial commentary.

• It's Your Opinion – Page 450: Reader opinions and correspondence.

• Our Experts Advise – Page 458: Technical motoring advice.

• A to Z of Winter Motoring – Page 467: Seasonal driving and maintenance guidance.

• MG & Dutch Overhaul – Page 471: Practical motoring feature.

• Road Tests – Escort Sport – Page 500: Contemporary road test.

• Continental Corner – Page 504: European motoring coverage.

• Garage Mechanic's Diary – Page 507: Workshop-related material.

• Tips from Readers – Page 508: Practical advice from readers.

• What's That Car Worth – Page 511: Contemporary vehicle-value information.

• Caravans or Tents / Timing Chain Modification – Page 514: Additional motoring coverage.

The inclusion of period used-car values and technical advice makes the magazine particularly interesting as a historical reference.

Collector and Historical Interest

This January 1972 edition offers several collecting themes:

• Classic Ford Escort Sport road tests.

• Ford Escort Mk1-era motoring journalism.

• MGB sports car maintenance.

• Hillman Minx restoration.

• BMC 1100 mechanical modifications.

• BMC A-Series engine technology.

• DAF Variomatic transmission servicing.

• Stromberg carburettor maintenance.

• Early automotive anti-theft systems.

• 1970s winter-driving advice.

• Vintage British car workshop techniques.

• Contemporary used-car values.

• Period automotive advertising.

• Original British motoring journalism.

The magazine is particularly appealing because it combines popular British vehicles with less-common technical subjects such as DAF belt-drive technology and early DIY vehicle-security systems.

It also captures a period when home servicing and component-level repairs were a normal part of car ownership.

Condition – Detailed Assessment

Pre-owned vintage condition with visible age-related wear, spine rubbing, surface marks, corner wear and discolouration of the interior paper.

This magazine dates from January 1972 and shows evidence of handling and long-term storage.

Front Cover

• The original illustrated front cover is present.

• The pale-blue masthead and main headlines remain clear and legible.

• The night-driving photograph remains clearly visible.

• General rubbing and scuffing are visible across the glossy cover.

• Small surface scratches and handling marks can be seen, especially over darker areas.

• There is noticeable wear along the left-hand spine edge.

• The upper-left corner shows a slight bend and wear near the spine.

• The top edge has minor waviness and handling wear.

• The right-hand edge shows light rubbing and minor corner wear.

• The bottom edge displays general rubbing and scuff marks.

• The lower-right corner has a small amount of wear.

• Some subtle cover waviness is visible.

Spine and Binding

• The spine shows age-related rubbing and wear.

• Several small stress marks and areas of abrasion are visible along the folded edge.

• A small split or nick appears near the upper spine area.

• The magazine remains together in the photographed views.

• The binding has not been checked throughout every page.

Interior Pages

• The photographed interior pages have noticeable yellowing and browning.

• The paper has a warm aged tone consistent with a publication from the early 1970s.

• Some discolouration is more pronounced near the outer margins.

• The contents page displays slight waviness and minor corner wear.

• General handling marks and small spots are visible.

• The editorial text and contents remain readable.

• No obvious handwritten annotations are visible on the photographed page.

• The editor's signature is printed as part of the publication.

Overall Condition

Condition assessment: Good to fair vintage condition.

The magazine displays ordinary age-related wear and some additional spine and surface imperfections.

It is not a mint or near-mint copy, but the photographed cover and interior remain presentable and readable.

Only selected pages have been photographed. Complete page-by-page condition and completeness cannot be 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 January 1972 Practical Motorist magazine only.

The cover advertises an additional eight pages of the magazine's pocket manual.

These are described as pages inside the magazine, rather than a separate loose booklet.

Any original removable supplements, loose inserts, free gifts, promotional items, detached technical sheets or other extras that may originally have accompanied the magazine are no longer included unless clearly shown in the photographs.

No separate accessories or workshop equipment are included.

Only the original magazine shown in the photographs is being sold.

Packaging and Delivery

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

UK Orders: Sent in a protective hardback envelope to help reduce the risk of bending.

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

Final Summary

An original January 1972 Practical Motorist Magazine featuring an atmospheric winter-driving cover and an interesting range of classic British motoring articles.

The issue includes an MGB clutch renewal, Ford Escort Sport road test, Hillman Minx steering overhaul, BMC 1100 timing-chain modification, DAF transmission maintenance and additional pocket-manual material.

A collectable example of early-1970s motoring journalism, particularly suitable for classic vehicle enthusiasts and collectors of original automotive publications.

You will receive the actual vintage magazine shown in the photographs.

SKU: 1584