Sometimes, in order to build something that truly holds meaning, you have to lose everything first.
‘I Love You, Man’ an origin story
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Chasing the #cultofmachine
Peak SL? Jake’s bagged R129 Mercedes
Taking Bruno Sacco’s minimalist ’90s masterpiece, the R129 SL, and applying a few personal touches and period-correct mods, Jake has created one of the cleanest bagged builds we’ve ever seen.
Shane, fame and automobiles: Shane Lynch on cars, racing and his musical side projects
Before he joins us for December 2023’s I Love You, Man, we caught up with former Boyzone member Shane Lynch on all things automotive.
Autumn/winter 2023-24: what’s happening in the Yards?
A rundown of Caffeine&Machine’s events calendar as we head into the autumn and winter months and beyond.
Origin Stories: Daikoku Nights
This is the story of Daikoku Nights, Caffeine&Machine’s ever-popular celebration of Japan and its car and bike culture.
Ben Pearson: the pursuit of happiness
Not long after he became a TV personality thanks to his appearance on Police Interceptors, traffic officer Ben Pearson found himself at breaking point.
Building The Bowl
What does it take to transform a run-down pub into a brand new Caffeine&Machine location? The right location, a lot of hard work and just a little bit of luck.
Richard Woolmer: old British cars, but not as you know them
Richard Woolmer and his crew at The Washroom are helping breathe new life into the classic British car scene. We caught up with them at the soft opening of C&M’s new site, The Bowl.
Don’t Be a Dick: the importance of keeping car culture alive
Sometimes, we see something at Caffeine&Machine that makes us, quite frankly, angry. If we want to be able to keep enjoying our brilliant, joy-bringing, life-affirming machinery, we, as enthusiasts, have a responsibility to act in certain ways in certain situations.
NSU Sport Prinz: the fresh Prinz of cooled air
Often forgotten amongst the swollen ranks of car manufacturers that came and went during the 20th century, NSU always dared to be different, and Alex’s Sport Prinz is now a left-field air-cooled classic that marries German engineering with Italian design.
Alpine A110: a French fancy
The Alpine A110 remains a rare sight on UK roads, despite receiving nothing but glowing praise in the five years it’s been on sale here. What makes this lightweight gem so special, and just why doesn’t it have a bigger audience?
Sam Fane: through the looking glass
YouTuber, content creator, influencer – however you want to label him, Sam Fane, AKA Seen Through Glass, has mastered his art, and is being rewarded with a massively successful channel approaching its 10th anniversary.
Behind the scenes at The Bowl
We’re beyond excited to open up C&M’s new venue, The Bowl, and start welcoming the Cult of Machine to the second Yard. In the meantime, we’ve put together a little behind-the-scenes look at the build process to whet your appetite.
Estate of the art: Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo
The V8-engined Turbo S E-Hybrid Sport Turismo sits at the very top of the Panamera tree. Does the performance advantage make a compelling enough case for it over its V6-powered little brother?
Alfa Romeo SZ: Il Mostro di Milano
The Alfa Romeo SZ has always split opinion – while the recipe of a lightweight, rear-drive coupé with a brawny Busso V6 has universal appeal, those bizarre looks are too much for some. For owners Jacob and Stacey, none of that matters: their SZ is part of the family.
Trois is a magic number: Renault Sport Spiders
One Renault Sport Spider is a rare sight, and three together is almost unheard of outside of owners’ meets. We united a trio owners to find out what life is like with Renault’s quirky, oft-forgotten 1990s sports car.
Mitsubishi’s other Evo: a Pajero pairing
One Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution is a rare sight, so we couldn’t resist the chance to get an identical pair together and chat to the owners about what makes these homologation specials, erm… special.
Audi R8: beginning to end
Twenty years on from its conception, the Audi R8 will soon be retired. How far has Audi’s mid-engined flagship come, and how does old compare to new?
Abarth 500e: a very difficult Italian job
With its artificial exhaust noise, the Abarth 500e has been nothing if not controversial. Is this a true EV hot hatch, or does it serve a new purpose?
The joy of six: a Subaru-swapped Transporter
Meet ‘Leroy’, a 1989 VW Transporter saved from a life of rot by a dedicated owner, and given a new lease of life via Japan.
Lotus Driving Academy: on track in the Emira
Where do you go if you want to really get the most out of the Lotus Emira? The track it was developed on is a good start.
Hertz Team Jota: Hypercar hunting
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is a famously unpredictable race. Nobody knows this better than modern-day endurance veterans Jota Sport, who’ve seen their fair share of both triumph and heartbreak at the Circuit de la Sarthe. This is the story of their 2023 race, as they re-enter the top category after a 15-year break.
Jndia Erbacher: queen of speed
1,000 feet in less than three seconds, from a standstill. This is what it’s like to drive a Top Fuel dragster, as told by Swiss racer Jndia Erbacher.
Old Beginnings England: the new old car scene
Combining customisation, fashion and events into one all-encompassing brand, Nathaniel Warth of Old Beginnings England is helping shape a new wave of classic car enthusiasm.
Lotus Emira: progress report
We’re three months into our time with our long-term, pre-production Lotus Emira. Here’s what we think so far, and what we’d like to do next.
Dura’s Dominic Wishlade: where form meets function
You might not know it, but you’ll find workshop equipment built by Dura Manufacturing everywhere from C&M to Bugatti’s ultra-exclusive dealer network. We chatted to their founder Dominic Wishlade, to find out what makes them such a fascinating cog in the automotive machine.
Mutt: motorcycles for the masses
Crafting attainable, small-capacity bikes shot through with an eye for details and a love for motorcycling culture, Mutt Motorcycles are helping keep the Midlands’ long tradition of bike-building alive. This is their story, as told by their founders.
Caterham Seven 360S: the sweet spot?
The Caterham Seven has been around for 50 years, and there’s been no shortage of engine options, trim levels and power outputs in that time. We think that this, the 360S, might just be one of the sweetest of them all.
Nathalie McGloin: driving change
At the age of 16, Nathalie McGloin sustained life-changing injuries in a car accident. This set her on a path to become the first tetraplegic female racing driver in the world.
Morgan: designing the Super 3
We take a deep dive into the striking design of Morgan’s latest three-wheeler, the Super 3, with help from chief design officer Jonathan Wells.
Jonny Ambrose: a focus on form
After a successful career in video game design, C&M Emporium-featured artist Jonny Ambrose went all-in on his passion project in 2016: gorgeously minimalist sculptures inspired by the automotive form. We chatted to Jonny to find out the driving forces behind his work.
In conversation with Matt Dawson
Rugby legend Matt Dawson is known as part of England’s iconic 2003 World Cup winning squad, and as a beloved media personality. How do so many years in the limelight shape his outlook on life?
David Mountain: the fast Ford master
From tweaking classic Minis to building a tuning and motorsport empire, David Mountain has taken Mountune on quite the journey. It’s only just beginning.
Radical: a cutting-edge tradition
It started with a tanning spray. Now Radical is a tech-filled racing car factory, but with a very traditional vibe. This is the story.
Golf + nitrous: a winning formula
Concours darling, drag-strip beast, track-biased corner hunter – this Mk1 Volkswagen Golf has lived many lives.
997 RSR: so good, they named it twice
What happens to a race car when its natural career ends? If it’s lucky, it gets a second lease of life as a historic racer.
The SR10: Radical’s lockdown project
Partially developed remotely over Zoom, is the Radical SR10 the ultimate lockdown project?
The Z8: BMW’s retro roadster
Is the Z8 the best-looking BMW of all time? That’s debatable, but it sure beats an X6.
C&M Garage: our Lotus Emira
We’ve got ourselves a Lotus. And we have some big plans for it.
Caffeine, machine: Cast Iron Coffee
Ever wonder about the origin of C&M’s coffee? This is it.
An icon, upgraded: Al’s Honda NSX
Never meet your heroes. Or, in the case of this Honda NSX, meet your heroes, then make them better.
Car journalism’s godfather: Steve Cropley
Autocar’s editor-in-chief tells us about his career path from a remote Aussie mining town, and the future of motoring journalism.
Britain’s Impreza: the P1
Take rally hero Subaru. Give to rally expert Prodrive. Make more power. Enjoy.
A Hyundai fun day in the Elan Valley
What do you do if you’ve got two of the best hot hatches on the market at your disposal for the day? Get out and drive them, obviously.
Back once again for the Mini Remastered
Six figures is a lot for a classic Mini – or is it?
Aston’s competitive ad-Vantage
That time a top-tier Aston Martin factory racer stopped by the Yard.
N-thusiast cars: Hyundai’s hot hatches
Want enthusiasts to take notice of your brand? Better build the i20 N and i30 N – a pair of killer hot hatches.
Karim de Mynn: The Caretaker
Still think the world of classic car restoration is stuffy and old fashioned? Meet Karim de Mynn, and think again.
A home far from home: Jess’s Wrangler
Want to live in a Jeep for weeks on end? Here’s how to do it in style.
Track spec: Al Clark’s 996 GT3
Is Al Clark’s GT3 the swan to the maligned ugly-duckling Porsche 996?
Making THAT Bugatti video: Al Clark
Want to make the most-viewed car commercial on YouTube? Call Al Clark.
C&M Garage: Phill’s BMW 330d Touring
An E46 BMW 330d Touring seemed like the ideal affordable, stylish daily for Phill. What could possibly go wrong?
A lasting legacy: the Ken Block Safari 911
We helped pay tribute to Ken Block with a rip across the countryside in his safari rally Porsche.
Perfection, perfected: the JCR GR Yaris
Surely the feisty Toyota GR Yaris is nearly perfect? Our friends at JCR Developments weren’t so sure.
In praise of the hardcore winter drivers
We’re praising the hardcore who laugh in the face of cold weather and salty roads.
Silvia linings: Helen’s Nissan S14
Clean, purposeful and built to be used: is this Nissan S14 the perfect drift car?
A legend revisited: Callum’s Vanquish 25
What if a car designer could have another crack at an iconic project two decades on?
Welcome to C&M’s clothing lines
What’s the story behind our new range of clothing and accessories?
Cruising the UAE in Toyota’s workhorse
How do you go coast-to-coast across the UAE on as little tarmac as possible?
C&M People: Phill Tromans
What does it take to oversee C&M’s digital content output?
No half measures: Ben de Chair
What’s it like looking after Pink Floyd star Nick Mason’s car collection?
C&M People: Amélie Boileau
What drives Amélie, one of our friendly Team Leaders in Training?
Oli Cable: Pursuit Racing’s dream maker
Want to be a historic racing driver? You provide the car, Oli Cable can help sort the rest.
Better than real? Allora “Stratos”
About 35 times rarer than the real thing, could this 1980s Allora replica be a more inviting prospect than a real Stratos?
A Klasse of its own: BMW 2000CS
Why were BMW’s Neue Klasse saloons and coupés of the 1960s so important?
C&M People: Marcus Lau
Marcus, our Assistant General Manager, helps to run the bar at Caffeine&Machine. How did he work his way up to senior management in less than two years?
Unsung heroes: Prodrive’s Group A cars
Group A rallying was long seen as the poor relation to Group B. Is it finally having its moment in the sun as people rediscover the category’s variety and intrigue?
Northern powerhouse: the Top Gear Hilux
This big red truck has been to some of the toughest environments on Earth. What does it take to deal with the rigours of the North Pole and, erm, rural Warwickshire?
In search of adventure: Jess Gray
What inspires C&M Emporium-featured artist Jess Gray to create her beautifully minimalist artwork?
Delta blues: the Integrale’s final form
The Delta HF Integrale Evo 2 is the final evolution of Lancia’s legendary homologation special. What’s made it such a desirable collector’s car?
Perfect one-car garage? Porsche’s estate
Is the Porsche Sport Turismo hybrid all the machine you’ll ever need?
Little big cat: Ford Racing Puma
What made Ford’s little early 2000s road racer so special?
Forbidden union: 4AGE-powered Datsun Violet
Is this Toyota-powered Datsun Violet raly car the perfect embodiment of the Cult of Machine?
Snow way to drive
December 2022 brought savagely cold weather to the UK, and travel chaos with it. Why are drivers in this country are so ill-equipped to deal with snow and ice?
C&M Garage: Phil’s Porsche 964 RS
Meet the Porsche 964 RS that C&M founder Phil has used for just about everything over the past 20 years.
Middle child syndrome: Ferrari 430 Scuderia
The Ferrari 430 Scuderia sits in a trinity of lightened, track-oriented Ferrari V8s, and often feels overlooked. Does it deserve more of the spotlight?
C&M People: Tom Searle
Tom’s Caffeine&Machine career started as a customer and quickly moved to Senior Retail Assistant.
20 years of the Porsche Cayenne
The Porsche Cayenne broke with over half a century’s worth of tradition when it launched in 2002. Two decades on, how far has it come?
Crafting our identity: Jake Yorath
Ever wondered where Caffeine&Machine’s distinctive look comes from? A lot of it is borne from the mind of Jake Yorath, a graphic designer with years of experience in the world of motorsport. Where else does he draw inspiration from?
An untraditional tradition: McLaren GT
The McLaren GT represents a fresh take on the traditional grand tourer formula – can a mid-engined package really work for a car like this?
A twist in the tale: Twisted T110 Series IIA
The engineers at Twisted Automotive know their way round the classic Land Rover Defender better than most. But how do a few choice tweaks improve the driving experience?
NYE @ C&M
Come join us for a get-together in the Yard to ring in 2023 in the right way.
A whole lotta car: JCR Porsche 911 GT2 RS MR
A GT2 RS as a base, and not one but two lots of performance focused upgrades – is JCR Developments’s Porsche 911 GT2 RS MR the most extreme 911 out there?
Last of its breed: Jaguar F-Pace SVR
Is the raucous Jaguar F-Pace SVR the last of the truly wild big cats?
Discovery-ing the Cult of Machine
We’ve spent just over two months with our long-term Land Rover Discovery 5. Is it the perfect workhorse for Chasing the Cult of Machine?
Don’t call it an Escort: MST Cars Mk1
We headed to the hills of north Wales with the MST Mk1, a brand-new reinterpretation of a rally legend. Could it be the ultimate driver’s car for modern Britain?
Dedicated to Defender: Twisted Automotive
The original Land Rover Defender is now hot property among modifying and restomod firms. Yorkshire-based Twisted Automotive have been doing it longer than most – what does it take to build up a reputation like theirs?
Mythology and machinery: Brett Breckon
Illustrator Brett Breckon’s artwork has been a regular sight on the walls of the C&M Emporium for a while now. Where does the multi-talented artist take his inspiration from?
The fury that lurks beneath: Audi RS2
Nobody does fast estates quite like Audi. They’ve been dominating the space for nearly three decades, but how did that domination begin?
Say hello to my little friend: Citroen Ami
Tiny, French, electric and not technically a car – the Citroen Ami came to visit us in the Yard. But who exactly is it for?
Meet the women engineering change at McLaren
Holly Yeomans and Ella Podmore are two of the automotive experts challenging the traditional view of a male-dominated industry.
Mythical monsters: Audi’s legendary Quattros
Two extraordinary examples of Audi Quattro came to see us at the Yard. Say hello to the Quattro S1 E2 rally car, and the homolgated Audi Sport Quattro.
Marginal gains: JCR’s Porsche 911 GT2 RS MR
What if you were to take an already highly modifed Porsche 911, and then eke out even more performance? You’d end up with this monstrous performance car from JCR Developments.
It’s good to be bad: Emory’s Porsche 356 Outlaw
Before Singer, before Magnus Walker, there was Rod Emory. His incredible cars are ground zero of the modifed Porsche 356 scene.
Paradoxical: Bowler’s Fast Road Defender
The Land Road Defender and the character of “fast road” car seem very, very far apart. But nobody told serial Land Rover modifiers Bowler that.
Chats to soothe the mind: I Love You, Man
I Love You, Man is our monthly focus on mental health in the form of a jolly good car chat. Each month, we speak to a well-known figure from the automotive world about their struggles, highs and lows.
Perfectly period: Beinn’s BMW E12 5 Series
The BMW E12 is the genesis of the 5 Series. This bit of ’70s chic belongs to Beinn, who has lovingly restored and tweaked it since 2014.
Retroactive recognition: the Porsche 968 CS
Were it not for the 911, Porsche’s four-cylinder transaxle cars would get a LOT more love. And this 968 Club Sport is proof.
A life well-lived: Sam’s Chevrolet C10 truck
Some people want to get rid of patina and make their classic car look new. Sam is not one of those people, as his beautiful Chevy C10 truck can attest.
Rotary rasp: Amber’s Mazda FB RX-7
Think of the Mazda RX-7, and, likelihood is, you think of the FD generation. The compact, curvaceous coupé, produced between 1992 and 2002, became a...