BRAND-SPECIFIC MAGAZINES
While magazines like Max Power covered the broader modified car scene, these three UK tuning magazines each focused on a specific brand and developed huge cult followings in their respective scenes. They offered deep dives into builds, culture, and performance for enthusiasts loyal to Volkswagen, Vauxhall, and Ford.
What set these publications apart was their specialized knowledge and dedicated coverage of the unique characteristics, challenges, and communities surrounding each marque. While Max Power captured the wild side of car culture, these magazines focused on precision, technical expertise, and scene loyalty.
Performance VW (1996–present)
Timeline & Culture
Performance VW magazine has been the definitive publication for Volkswagen enthusiasts in the UK for over 25 years. Dedicated exclusively to the VW scene, PVW covers everything from Golfs and Polos to Lupos, Caddys, Passats, and Transporters.
Known for showcasing clean Euro styling, air ride setups, immaculate show builds, and OEM+ perfection, the magazine has documented the evolution of VW modification culture from its roots to the sophisticated scene it is today.
PVW has provided extensive coverage of iconic events like Wörthersee in Austria, Edition 38 in the UK, and Ultimate Dubs, serving as both chronicler and tastemaker for the community. Featured builds often balance stance aesthetics with serious engine work, including 1.8T upgrades, VR6 swaps, and R32 conversions.
Key Features
Feature Builds
Showcasing meticulously prepared VWs with shaved engine bays, wire tucks, and rare OEM+ parts sourced from across Europe. The magazine has helped define the aesthetic standards of the VW scene.
Photography & Layout
Known for high-quality visual presentation with distinctive photography and clean, modern layouts that complement the vehicles being featured.
Technical Content
Regular technical features including air suspension installation guides, engine swap walkthroughs, and brake upgrade procedures with real-world advice.
Longevity
While many other publications have ceased, PVW has continued in print into the 2020s and maintains an active digital platform, testifying to the strength of the VW community.
Sample Feature Builds
Mk2 Golf G60 with VR6 Turbo
A classic Mk2 platform transformed with a VR6 turbo engine swap, delivering serious performance while maintaining period-correct styling cues.
Mk5 Golf R32 on Air
Modern classic featuring Rotiform wheels, air ride suspension, and custom leather interior work, balancing show-winning aesthetics with the R32's performance credentials.
Mk1 Caddy with Porsche Brakes
Restomodded pickup featuring Porsche brake calipers, a meticulously detailed engine bay, and period-correct touches that showcase the versatility of VW's platforms.
Total Vauxhall (1999–2014)
Timeline & Culture
Total Vauxhall stood as the only UK magazine exclusively dedicated to Vauxhall builds, creating a vital resource for enthusiasts of this popular marque. From its launch in 1999 until its closure in 2014, the magazine covered the full spectrum of Vauxhall models including Novas, Corsas, Astras, Cavaliers, Carltons, and the VXR performance range.
The publication skillfully bridged the gap between old-school "redtop" engine enthusiasm and modern turbo tuning technology, documenting the evolution of Vauxhall modification culture through a critical period.
Total Vauxhall provided extensive coverage of key events like the Performance Vauxhall (PV) show and Trax, helping to foster a distinct community identity among Vauxhall enthusiasts in a scene often dominated by other brands.
Key Features
Engine Expertise
Specialized content on redtop engine builds, LET conversions, and XE turbo swaps, providing readers with technical information specific to Vauxhall's unique powerplants.
Readers' Rides
Popular section that celebrated home-built street and track cars, highlighting the ingenuity and dedication of everyday enthusiasts working on their Vauxhalls.
Performance Testing
Practical content featuring drag strip results, BHP figures, and real-world tuning tips that gave readers actionable information for their own projects.
Enthusiast Legacy
Though the magazine ceased publication in 2014, its impact continues through online forums and enthusiast groups dedicated to preserving Vauxhall's performance heritage.
Sample Feature Builds
C20LET Nova on ITBs
Lightweight Nova featuring a C20LET engine conversion with individual throttle bodies, showcasing the popular "small car, big engine" formula beloved in the Vauxhall scene.
400bhp Z20LET Astra Coupe
Heavily modified Astra Coupe pushing 400bhp through a built Z20LET engine, representing the high-performance potential of Vauxhall's modern turbocharged platforms.
Cavalier Turbo 4x4
Versatile road/track weapon utilizing the rare Cavalier Turbo 4x4 platform, modified with period-correct performance upgrades and track-focused suspension.
Fast Ford (1985–present)
Timeline & Culture
Fast Ford holds the distinction of being the UK's longest-running Ford-only tuning magazine, with a history dating back to 1985. This remarkable longevity has allowed the publication to document multiple generations of Ford performance vehicles and the evolving culture surrounding them.
The magazine has become iconic for its comprehensive coverage of legendary Ford models including RS Turbos, Escort Cosworths, Zetec-S variants, Focus ST/RS models, and more recently, the EcoBoost performance range.
Fast Ford has maintained strong connections to the Ford club scene and events like those at Santa Pod Raceway, serving as both a technical resource and community hub for enthusiasts. Its consistent presence over decades has helped maintain continuity and knowledge transfer within the Ford performance community.
Key Features
Event Coverage
Regular reports from major Ford events including Ford Fair, Classic Ford Show, and Ford Fest in the Park (FITP), documenting the community's gathering points.
Technical Guides
Specialized content on Cosworth tuning, YB engine building techniques, and ST modification options, providing model-specific technical knowledge.
Project Builds
Ongoing features including project diaries, club showcases, and technical breakdowns that tracked builds from start to finish over multiple issues.
Continuity
Maintaining publication into the present day, Fast Ford continues to serve as a bridge between classic Ford performance and the modern era.
Sample Feature Builds
2.3 Duratec Mk2 Escort
Classic Escort shell reimagined with a modern 2.3 Duratec engine and Quaife sequential gearbox, blending Ford heritage with contemporary performance technologies.
YB Turbo Track Build
Escort or Sierra Cosworth built for track use with carbon fiber aerodynamic components and a highly developed YB turbo engine pushing significant power.
Focus ST225 on Air
Modern performance Focus combining show-car aesthetics via air suspension with serious performance upgrades including a hybrid turbo and Syvecs engine management.
Publication Style & Media
Clean Visual Identity
All three magazines maintained clean layouts with standout feature photography and professional presentation. Each had a distinct visual identity built around their brand's traditional colors: yellow for VW, red for Vauxhall, and blue for Ford.
Digital Transitions
Some later issues included DVDs featuring rolling road sessions, event coverage, owner interviews, and car flybys. Performance VW remains active online, while the others continue to exist through enthusiast archives and social media communities.
Technical Depth
Unlike more general publications, these magazines offered deep technical content specific to their featured marques, with detailed engine specifications, tuning parameters, and model-specific modifications.
Community Focus
Each publication fostered a sense of brand community through readers' rides features, club spotlights, and extensive show coverage, strengthening the bonds between enthusiasts of each marque.