September 2002
One of the most iconic images in Sport Compact Car history, the in-dirt slide has been accomplished with such cars as the 323GTX and the Lancer Evoluion VI. But the slide with Project '03 Subaru Impreza WRX remains one of our favorites, roof rack and all. | 
September 2002
Following an impressive earlier test of the Bozz Speed Lancer Evolution VI at Buttonwillow Raceway, staff editors Josh Jacquot and Dave Coleman traveled to Japan to re-test the updated EVO at Tsukuba Circuit. Jacquot managed to capture Coleman mid-drift as the Bozz EVO pulled a four-wheel powerslide and lit it up with 450 whp. | 
August 1997
Early photography at Sport Compact Car wasn't exactly what we would call artistic or stunning. It wasn't until skilled photographers and changes in art direction came about that photography began to shape the way the magazine looked. Then-photo editor Les Bidrawn captured this 3000GT, painted up with sparkling light, using a long-exposure shot. |
March 2008
On hand for a top secret factory test session of the '09 Nissan GT-R at the infamous Nrburgring circuit, former editor Ed Loh circumvented the camera ban by utilizing only a black-and-white film camera and ensuring the photos wouldn't surface before the car's press debut. Honestly, the image wouldn't be the same any other way. | 
September 2003
A truly one-in-a-million image. As the photograph used to represent the Nissan 350Z in the September 2003 issue's Eight Great Rides article, this shot juxtaposed the then-new 350Z against the #83 Nissan GTP racing car. Both cars carry significance to many people, but seeing them together in the waning dusk can still bring many grown men to tears. | 
February 1999
Celebrating the arrival of Project Subaru Impreza 2.5RS, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's training skidpad was wet down for some sideways, rally inspired photography. Built in the pre-WRX days to promote the 2.5RS model,this Impreza was actually the first '98 2.5 RS ever built, bearing VIN #00001. This Subaru is no longer with us, but we can't forget the indelible image of it sliding at full lock, with streams of water and light bouncing off of its fenders. WRC here we come. |
November 2006
In one of his last appearances in the U.S., rally legend Colin McRae came sideways off the jump during the super special stage in X Games 12 and proceeded to roll his WRX STI. Eventually landing shiny-side-up, McRae continued to hustle the STI through the course, eventually taking the Silver medal with the crowd cheering. It was an impressive showing from one of the most memorable drivers in World Rally Championship history. | 
December 2006
Used as the cover shot for the December 2006 issue, Barry Hathaway caught Danny Young's Ultimate Street Car Challenge-winning, 650 whp Acura NSX in the midst of a ring of USCC competitors. The shot required a cherry picker, multiple lights, and lots of positioning, but it's the image's spotlight on one of the most dedicated USCC cars that we remember most. | 
November 2001
With news of the Lancer Evolution VIII due in 2003, a test of the Lancer Evolution VII was carried out to signal what would be encompassed in the anticipated car. Jacquot captured this image of the Evolution VII catching air in the desolate backroads of Southern California. The image gives the feeling of speed, power, rally compliance and driving thrills-everything the Evolution VIII offered once it arrived on sale in the U.S. |
November 1996
Printed in 1996 in an article entitled Speedzone, E. John Thawley III's images of an innocuous, yellow, second-gen Acura Integra were some of the first in Sport Compact Car to be handled by a dedicated photographer. This photoshoot signaled a new trend in SCC toward feature photography and soon all feature articles would draw closer to the composition and style of these images. | | |