Ian Burgess

This Formula 1 driver claimed shadowy connections were responsible for his big block of heroin. No one believed him

Fingers crossed for good weather

WELL, we had some for a while.

SHAPE SHIFTER

Only three genuine Lotus 26Rs were given the Shapecraft aerodynamic treatment. This little beauty is one of them

WILL CHINA CHANGE EVERYTHING?

China is tearing up modern motor manufacture but is yet to make more than a ripple in the classic car world. That could be about to change dramatically

Beanbag chair

Water was unyielding, ping-pong balls too expensive, but expanded polystyrene pellets were just right for Gatti's 'big sack'

McKeel Hagerty

40 years ago, the Hagerty family started a hobby-focused specialist insurance company from its basement. It's grown a bit

FULL HOUSE

This collection of five vintage Bentleys covers every iteration of the WO era. Robert Coucher drives £17m of pure desire

RIGHT FIRST TIME

With this long-hidden prototype, Marcello Gandini defi ned the shape of the seminal Maserati Khamsin. Marc Sonnery explores its history – and uncovers the detail differences that establish its provenance

The winged warrior

This 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona has been in one family since 1970. Octane charts its history and discovers a highway hero steeped in dirt tracks and ovals

THE SECOND COMING

It's 40 years since Audi launched the Sport quattro, with which it prolonged its dominance of Group B rallying. Glen Waddington celebrates with legendary driver Stig Blomqvist

Back to a different future

Pontiac's Tempest was packed with improbable engineering and ingenious bodgery from a young John DeLorean. Sam Glover drives an early survivor

Rupert Keegan

A life in motorsport, from Formula 3 to Formula 1, via frustration with Sir John Surtees to turning down an offer from Paul Newman

RED & GOLD

What's the best classic bang for your buck? A fire truck, says Jay Leno, especially when it has a V12

NART BEFORE TIME

Unseen in public since 1988, this ultra-rare and forward-thinking Ferrari 365 GTB/4 NART Spider will soon be unleashed at The Quail, Monterey. David Lillywhite got to see it first

FORCE FED

The 911 Turbo also celebrates 50 years this year and it all kicked off with the G-Series

G FORCE

From under-the-radar collector status to realistic daily-drive prospect, the G-Series is the air-cooled 911 of the moment. As it hits its 50th anniversary, Porsche authority Steve Bennett tells us why

The Maestro remembered

A huge memorial service for Sir Stirling Moss OBE brought central London to a standstill

Nathalie McGloin

The only female tetraplegic racing driver in the world and co-founder of Spinal Track, charity supporting disabled drivers

Atomium

An iron molecule, 100m tall and scaled-up 165billion times, was the future in ’58

The Valjoux 7750

Rendered obsolete in the late 1970s, Edmond Capt's wonder movement is not only back, but selling 200,000 units a year

Lucy O'Reilly Schell

The first American woman to compete in a Grand Prix was also a distinguished rally driver and team owner

OCTANE CARS

OWNING+ DRIVING + MAINTAINING

OUR MAN IN JAPAN

James Elliott joins an exclusive Japanese classic tour in an exquisite Alfa Romeo Junior Zagato 1600

LONG-TERM LEGENDS

These two SS100 Jaguars have been in the hands of well-known and dedicated enthusiasts for five decades and more. Chris Mann divulges their entertaining histories

Micky Pople

Octane meets the 95-year-old and talks about his life with the stars as one of Bristol's Filton Fliers'

LEADING FROM THE MIDDLE

The René Bonnet Djet was the world's first mid-engined production road car. Glen Waddington enjoys a momentous French Lotus rival

BACK AGAIN FOR MORE

This Le Mans-winning Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Zagato Spider appeared in the very first issue of Octane. More than 20 years on, Robert Coucher acquaints himself and finally gets behind the wheel

POWER TO THE PEOPLE

Two legends of the rally stage also make for democratically enjoyable road cars: the Subaru Impreza Turbo and Mistubishi Lancer Evo

OCTANE'S FAVOURITE 250s

No celebration of Octane's 250th issue would be complete without venturing a little off-piste!

TINY GIANT

Only 250cc, but ten straight race victories thanks to six cylinders, six carburettors and six exhaust pipes! This is the rival-slaying Honda RC166