Octane

Octane is the authoritative guide to the best classic cars in the world.

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Octane

IGNITION EVENTS + NEWS + OPINION

COMING UP… • For the first time in a long while we’re relatively confident that many of these events will happen. Still best to check, though

Autodrome de Montlhéry • The banked circuit to the south of Paris is one of the wonders of the vintage motoring world and still hosting festivals

THE FUTURE OF LIQUID FUELS • Nigel Elliott of the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs tells us what’s in store

NEWS FEED • Stylists honoured at London Concours; nominate your Historic Motoring Awards heroes; win a car cover; E-type birthday bash and museum display; RIP Kas Kastner and David Sutton

Any other business…

Do you St Tropez? • Legendary South of France hotspot will be the venue for a new ‘world-class’ concours

Join Octane on track

Murray Walker OBE b.1923

Robert Opron b.1932

Johnny Dumfries b.1958

Sabine Schmitz b.1969

Better than the real thing? • Lee Marshall’s Jaguar C-type replica isn’t too valuable to use

Lock-up garages

Philip Porter • Multiple Jaguar owner, club founder, author, book publisher – and Silver medallist in the European Hot Air Airship Championships!

JAY LENO • The Collector

DEREK BELL • The Legend

STEPHEN BAYLEY • The Aesthete

ROBERT COUCHER • The Driver

Why Lotus is special

SPYDER’S BITE • This works Porsche 718 RSK raced at Le Mans and more, and often punished its driver. John Simister takes his chances

Violet tendency • Of the limited-edition versions of the Lancia Delta Integrale, the Club Italia is one of the most sought-after – but the Viola is the ultimate, according to Werner Blaettel

SO GOOD HE BOUGHT IT TWICE • In the 1930s, the ultra-exclusive Cadillac Sixteen was one of the most technologically advanced luxury cars in the world. Massimo Delbò tracks down a rare survivor whose owner went back for more

Rodger Dudding • Dubbed ‘king of the lock-ups’, this self-made tycoon has built up the largest collection of classic cars in the UK

SOLVING AN IDENTITY CRISIS • The most successful example of the legendary Lotus 72 Formula 1 car was chassis no.7, driven in 1972 and 1973 by Emerson Fittipaldi – and at last the real 72/7 has been found, as Johnny Tipler explains

THE SHAPE OF WATER • Meet ‘Thelas’, the historic yacht that captured the heart of one of Italy’s most prominent car collectors

MINDING THE GAP • If a collector car is damaged in an accident, it might be worth less as a result of its repairs. Here’s how to negotiate the concept of compensation for diminution of underlying value

A REAL CRACKER • The tiny MG Midget ‘Cream Crackers’ team cars were famed in their heyday for tackling endurance trials of unlikely scale. John Simister drives a unique survivor

Touring class • This immaculately restored Alfa Romeo 1900C Super Sprint by Touring has an Aston Martin flavour about it – which isn’t surprising, once you’ve met its owner…

GREAT ESCAPES • Your guide to motoring adventure

THE 2021 CALENDAR • Pandemic permitting, 2021 will be chockfull of rallies, tours and concours. Here’s a selection of events to look forward to…

Northern exposure • You really don’t have to head overseas to experience a truly epic drive. Octane tackles the North Coast 500, reputedly the UK’s Route 66

Zoute alors! • Right on the border of Belgium and the Netherlands is a fashionable coastal resort that hosts a fabulous long weekend of classic motoring

Dancing on ice • Revived in 2019 and set for a big return in 2022, the Zell am...