Practical Motorist Magazine – September 1969

Original Vintage British Motoring Magazine | Ford Cortina V6 Conversion | Bentley Buying Guide | BMC 1100 | Wheel Bearings | Classic Car Restoration

An original September 1969 edition of Practical Motorist, a classic British monthly motoring publication featuring automotive engineering, vehicle maintenance, technical guides, road tests and practical advice for motorists.

This particular issue features an eye-catching front cover showing a V6 engine being lowered into a Ford Cortina engine bay, accompanied by the headline "V6 Power for a Cortina".

Other highlighted subjects include buying a Bentley, renewing wheel bearings, understanding automotive adhesives and a BMC 1100 technical data sheet.

Published during an interesting period of British automotive history, the magazine offers contemporary information about vehicle ownership, modification and mechanical maintenance in the late 1960s.

An appealing addition to a collection of classic motoring literature, particularly for enthusiasts of Ford Cortinas, British engineering, vintage Bentley cars and period automotive restoration.

Magazine Details

• Magazine: Practical Motorist

• Publication Date: September 1969

• Original Cover Price: 2/6 (Two Shillings and Sixpence)

• Country: United Kingdom

• Language: English

• Publication Type: Monthly motoring magazine

• Subject: Vintage Cars, Automotive Engineering, Vehicle Maintenance and Restoration

• Format: Original printed magazine

• Condition: Pre-owned vintage condition

• SKU: 1584

The publication month and year are printed on the front cover and confirmed by the photographed contents page. An exact publication day is not shown.

Front Cover – Ford Cortina V6 Engine Conversion

The magazine features a distinctive late-1960s cover design, with an oversized orange Practical Motorist masthead against a white background.

A yellow banner beneath the title describes the publication as the most widely read motoring monthly.

The main cover photograph provides a fascinating look at a mechanical engine installation.

V6 Power for a Cortina

The large colour photograph shows a mechanic in green workshop overalls working beside the engine bay of a yellow Ford Cortina.

A substantial V6 engine is suspended above the engine compartment, apparently being positioned for installation.

Notable visual details include:

• A large V6 engine with prominent black rocker covers.

• Visible mechanical components, intake equipment and ignition wiring.

• Heavy ropes secured around the engine assembly.

• An orange lifting hook positioned above the engine.

• The yellow-painted Cortina engine compartment.

• A mechanic guiding the suspended engine into position.

• Visible hoses, wiring and other components inside the engine bay.

The photograph captures the practical engineering involved in fitting a larger engine to a relatively modest British family car.

The main headline "V6 Power for a Cortina" appears diagonally across the cover in blue, purple and orange lettering.

This feature is particularly interesting for collectors interested in classic Ford engine conversions, period performance modifications and the development of modified Cortinas during the 1960s.

The contents page identifies V6 Power for a Cortina as beginning on page 33.

Main Articles and Features

V6 Power for a Cortina – Page 33

A feature devoted to fitting V6 power to a Ford Cortina.

The cover illustration suggests a substantial mechanical conversion involving the installation of a larger engine.

This is one of the most interesting features for classic Ford enthusiasts, particularly those researching period modifications and engine conversions.

The article provides contemporary automotive journalism from an era when such conversions required considerable mechanical knowledge and ingenuity.

Do the Dirty Work – Page 37

A practical feature listed in the contents page.

The article forms part of the magazine's emphasis on carrying out mechanical work and understanding vehicle maintenance.

Lost Your Bearings? – Page 38

A feature relating to bearings and their maintenance.

The front cover specifically advertises how to renew wheel bearings, making this a relevant issue for readers researching traditional wheel-bearing servicing procedures.

Wheel-bearing replacement was an important aspect of maintaining older vehicles, particularly those requiring regular manual inspection and adjustment.

What's New – Page 40

A regular section covering automotive developments, products or motoring-related news.

This provides a period snapshot of the accessories and innovations being discussed in 1969.

Elementary Maintenance, Cleaning – Page 42

A feature focusing on vehicle upkeep and cleaning.

It reflects the magazine's practical approach to everyday motoring and maintaining a vehicle in serviceable condition.

If Your 1100's a Banger – Page 43

An article concerning the 1100, of potential interest to owners and enthusiasts of BMC 1100-family vehicles.

The front cover also advertises a BMC 1100 Data Sheet, separately listed in the contents on page 63.

Full Chat – Page 44

A regular magazine feature covering additional motoring discussion and information.

Make It Stick – Page 45

The cover highlights All About Adhesives.

The article listed as Make It Stick is relevant to automotive adhesives, bonding and repair applications.

This is a particularly interesting example of the materials and repair methods being discussed in the late 1960s.

Come Back Safe – Page 48

A feature concerned with motoring and safety.

Road Test – Vauxhall Ventora – Page 50

A contemporary road test of the Vauxhall Ventora.

The Ventora was one of Vauxhall's larger-engined saloon models of the period.

Original road tests are especially interesting to collectors because they preserve impressions of vehicles when they were new or current models.

Bring Round the Bentley – Page 52

The front cover advertises Buying a Bentley.

This article is particularly appealing to vintage luxury-car enthusiasts and collectors interested in contemporary advice about Bentley ownership.

It provides a glimpse into the considerations surrounding the purchase of a Bentley during the late 1960s.

Imp Drive Shaft Overhaul – Page 54

A technical feature concerning drive-shaft maintenance on the Hillman Imp.

The Imp is an important example of British rear-engined small-car engineering, making contemporary servicing articles interesting to enthusiasts and restorers.

Brightwork Renovation – Page 56

A practical article concerning the restoration and renovation of vehicle brightwork.

It may be of interest to owners of older cars with chrome and other decorative exterior fittings.

Make That Idler Work – Page 59

A technical maintenance feature dealing with an idler component.

Legal Notes – Page 60

Motoring-related legal information and advice from the period.

Data Sheet: BMC 1100 – Page 63

A technical data-sheet feature covering the BMC 1100.

This is a particularly relevant section for collectors of workshop literature and owners of vehicles from the BMC 1100 range.

Speed Desk – Page 67

A regular motoring section.

Continental Corner – Page 68

Coverage associated with continental European motoring.

Garage Mechanic's Diary – Page 71

A regular section devoted to workshop experiences and automotive maintenance.

Tips from Readers – Page 72

Practical suggestions contributed by readers.

Used Car Prices – Page 75

An interesting period reference showing the used-car market as reported in 1969.

This section may appeal to enthusiasts researching historical vehicle values and British motoring economics.

Tuning for Torque – Page 76

A technical performance-related feature focusing on engine tuning and torque.

Get Lit Up on Holiday – Page 77

An additional motoring feature listed towards the end of the issue.

Editorial – The Happy Prospect

The photographed opening editorial is headed "The happy prospect" and is signed by editor Harry Heywood.

It discusses changes in road use and motoring over the coming decades.

The article considers the possibility of increased vehicle ownership, greater traffic congestion and the consequences of motorists reducing spending on maintenance.

It also refers to research and predictions concerning traffic conditions, driving standards and future road use.

One interesting part of the editorial discusses the relationship between maintenance knowledge and accident prevention.

The writer argues that motorists benefit from understanding the mechanical condition and limitations of their vehicles.

The article also considers future traffic-management technology, including proposed systems intended to reduce traffic accidents and improve road safety.

This provides a fascinating contemporary perspective on how British motorists in 1969 imagined the future of road transport.

Additional Historical Interest – October 1969 Preview

The photographed contents page also contains a substantial advertisement for the following month's issue.

Headed "Be Prepared!", the preview promotes autumn and winter motoring advice.

Advertised subjects include:

• Guarding against floods.

• Setting vehicle lights for safety.

• Avoiding dazzle.

• Coping with fog.

• Preparing for the MOT test.

• Decoking a six-cylinder Triumph.

• Improving vehicle heater performance.

• Overhauling a convertible soft top.

• Fitting a car radio.

The preview also promotes a car-radio saving scheme and states that the October issue would be available on Monday 15 September.

This is an interesting example of period magazine advertising and the seasonal concerns facing motorists in the late 1960s.

Rear Cover – Period Lucas Advertisement

The photographed rear cover features a vintage automotive advertisement headed:

"Some picnic"

It includes a black-and-white photograph of several people gathered around a car with its bonnet open.

The advertisement uses a humorous motoring scenario to promote Lucas automotive electrical products and services.

The red advertising text includes the slogan "Lucas: making service make sense".

Period advertisements are an important part of collecting vintage motoring publications because they preserve contemporary branding, workshop culture and the products offered to motorists at the time.

The rear cover is particularly interesting to enthusiasts of British automotive electrical equipment and original 1960s commercial advertising.

Historical and Collector Appeal

This September 1969 edition is especially relevant to readers interested in:

• Ford Cortina V6 engine conversions.

• Classic Ford performance modifications.

• Bentley buying and ownership.

• Vauxhall Ventora road tests.

• BMC 1100 servicing data.

• Hillman Imp mechanical maintenance.

• Wheel-bearing replacement.

• Automotive adhesives.

• Engine tuning and torque.

• Period workshop practices.

• British motoring culture.

• Vintage Lucas automotive advertising.

• Historic used-car prices.

• Classic automotive engineering literature.

Unlike modern retrospective articles, the information was written when these vehicles and technologies were current.

This makes the magazine an interesting historical resource for collectors, enthusiasts and restoration projects.

Condition – Detailed Assessment

Pre-owned vintage condition, with significant age-related wear, particularly around the spine, cover edges and corners.

This is an original magazine from 1969 and shows visible evidence of age, storage and handling.

The following assessment is based on the supplied photographs.

Front Cover

• The original front cover is present and remains clearly identifiable.

• The orange masthead and main V6 engine photograph retain good visual definition.

• The cover has noticeable overall handling wear.

• The left-hand spine edge has substantial rubbing and scuffing.

• Small areas of paper loss and roughness are visible along the spine edge.

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

• There are several small marks and surface scratches across the cover.

• Light discolouration and age-related spotting are visible in some white areas.

• The top-right corner is creased and slightly folded.

• There is visible edge wear along the top and right-hand sides.

• The upper-left edge appears uneven and worn.

• The magazine does not lie perfectly flat, with slight waviness and curvature visible.

Spine and Binding

• The spine has clear age-related wear.

• There are several rough and abraded areas along the left edge.

• Small splits or paper damage are visible in places along the spine.

• The photographed front cover and interior remain together.

• The binding has not been fully inspected throughout the magazine, so the security of every page cannot be guaranteed.

Interior Pages

• The photographed editorial and contents page displays substantial age-related yellowing.

• The paper has developed a cream-to-brown tone.

• Darker discolouration is particularly noticeable along the top and outer margins.

• The top-right corner of the page is slightly bent.

• Minor edge wear and handling marks are visible.

• Light spotting and foxing-type marks are present.

• The text and page references remain readable.

• The editorial and contents page appear free from obvious handwritten alterations, apart from the printed editorial signature.

Rear Cover

• The original rear cover is present.

• The black-and-white Lucas advertisement remains visible and readable.

• Noticeable general discolouration is present, particularly around the edges.

• The lower and spine-side edges show rubbing, small creases and wear.

• The white background has minor marks, handling wear and slight surface discolouration.

• Some corner curling and minor waviness are visible.

Overall Condition

Condition assessment: Fair vintage condition, with noticeable spine wear, ageing and paper discolouration.

The magazine is not a pristine or mint-condition example.

The front cover, photographed interior and rear cover retain their original printed appearance, but the publication has visible signs of handling and storage.

The greatest wear is concentrated around the spine and lower-left cover area.

Only selected pages have been photographed, so the condition and completeness of every interior page cannot be fully confirmed.

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

Important – Original Extras and Supplements

This listing is for the original September 1969 Practical Motorist magazine only.

Any original free gifts, promotional items, detachable inserts, additional supplements or other extras that may have accompanied the magazine when first sold are no longer included.

No separate supplement is visible in the supplied photographs.

Only the magazine itself is included in the sale.

Packaging and Delivery

All magazines are packaged carefully to help protect them during transit.

UK Orders: The magazine will be sent in a protective hardback envelope to help minimise bending and handling damage.

International Orders: The magazine will be sent in a sturdy cardboard mail-size box for additional protection during international shipping.

Final Summary

An original September 1969 Practical Motorist Magazine, featuring a Ford Cortina V6 engine conversion, Bentley buying advice, BMC 1100 technical information, a Vauxhall Ventora road test and numerous practical workshop articles.

The striking colour cover showing a V6 engine installation, combined with the original motoring editorial, technical features and period Lucas advertisement, makes this an appealing example of late-1960s British motoring literature.

Suitable for collectors of classic automotive magazines, Ford Cortina enthusiasts, historic vehicle restorers and readers interested in original British motoring publications.

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

SKU: 1584