Automotive
Octane
TOURING PARTY
Lamborghini 350 GT and Aston Martin DB4 Vantage: two 1960s super-GTs with a special Carrozzeria Touring connection. But which thrills the most?
10 min |
January 2025
Octane
The world's craziest road race?
Surprising history of the Targa Florio
2 min |
January 2025
Octane
THE COLOUR OF VICTORY
This Mercedes 2.0-litre Targa Florio was part of the winning works team on the fabled road race in 1924. Now it's back to tackle those same Sicilian mountain roads a century on
10 min |
January 2025
Octane
FERRARI'S HALO IS SHINING
Maranello’s so-called Big Five, both individually and as the ultimate set’, are riding out recent market fluctuations
2 min |
January 2025
Octane
GLORY BE
With the Ferrari 288 GTO, Enzo himself kicked off a series of supercars to reinvigorate his over-gentrified marque. Now, 40 years on, Octane examines a genuine legend
10+ min |
January 2025
Octane
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
China now dominates the automotive world in a way even Detroit in its heyday would have struggled to comprehend.Helped by Government incentives, the new car world is dominated by China's industries: whether full cars that undercut Western models by huge amounts, ownership of storied European brands such as Lotus and Volvo, or ownership and access to the vast majority of raw materials that go into EV cars, its influence is far-reaching and deep. However, this automotive enlightenment hasn't manifested itself in the classic world in any meaningful way - until now.
5 min |
September 2024
Octane
Jem Marsh
The hard-bitten Marcos boss was driven like few others and never knew when he was beaten. Thankfully
3 min |
October 2024
Octane
Vandamm House
A Mid-Century Modernist masterpiece that was immortalised on celluloid - despite never actually existing
3 min |
October 2024
Octane
Making light
Alfa Romeo's post-war renaissance began with the 1900 saloon - and matured with Zagato's featherweight coupé version, as Jay Harvey discovers
7 min |
October 2024
Octane
FULL OF EASTERN PROMISE
Is burgeoning classic car interest in the Middle East good for the global classic market? Nathan Chadwick investigates
5 min |
October 2024
Octane
Before the beginning
This rare Amazon Green pre-production Range Rover is Velar chassis number 4. James Elliott charts its historically revealing factory restoration
9 min |
October 2024
Octane
Ben Cussons
As the outgoing chairman of the Royal Automobile Club hands on to his successor, Robert Coucher quizzes him about the evolution of this great British institution
7 min |
October 2024
Octane
BULLDOG & THE PUPPIES
We gather five motoring masterpieces by avant-garde designer William Towns - and drive all of them
10+ min |
October 2024
Octane
Below the tip of the Audrain iceberg
As the Audrain organisation grows, we take a look behind the scenes at the huge car collection that feeds it
5 min |
October 2024
Octane
Flying the Scottish flag
Young Ecurie Ecosse driver Chloe Grant gets to grips with the Ecurie Ecosse Jaguar C-type at Goodwood. Matthew Hayward is Octane's witness
7 min |
October 2024
Octane
WITHOUT FURTHER ADO
Audi Tradition has unveiled the Auto Union Type 52 Schnellsportwagen - only 90 years since it was designed. Glen Waddington takes an exclusive ride with Hans-Joachim Stuck
9 min |
October 2024
Octane
MIDDLE CLASS
Ferrari's first V8 went on sale five decades ago. John Barker drives the 308 GTB, F355 GTS and 360 Modena, each defined by an evolution of that engine - and each with it mounted amidships. Which would you choose?
10+ min |
October 2024
Octane
Ian Burgess
This Formula 1 driver claimed shadowy connections were responsible for his big block of heroin. No one believed him
3 min |
September 2024
Octane
Fingers crossed for good weather
WELL, we had some for a while.
2 min |
September 2024
Octane
SHAPE SHIFTER
Only three genuine Lotus 26Rs were given the Shapecraft aerodynamic treatment. This little beauty is one of them
8 min |
September 2024
Octane
Beanbag chair
Water was unyielding, ping-pong balls too expensive, but expanded polystyrene pellets were just right for Gatti's 'big sack'
3 min |
September 2024
Octane
McKeel Hagerty
40 years ago, the Hagerty family started a hobby-focused specialist insurance company from its basement. It's grown a bit
8 min |
September 2024
Octane
FULL HOUSE
This collection of five vintage Bentleys covers every iteration of the WO era. Robert Coucher drives £17m of pure desire
10 min |
September 2024
Octane
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
8 min |
September 2024
Octane
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
8 min |
September 2024
Octane
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
10+ min |
September 2024
Octane
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
9 min |
253 - July 2024
Octane
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
8 min |
253 - July 2024
Octane
RED & GOLD
What's the best classic bang for your buck? A fire truck, says Jay Leno, especially when it has a V12
7 min |
253 - July 2024
Octane
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
8 min |