Octane

Octane is a premium monthly magazine celebrating over 100 years of automotive design, from classic Bentleys to the latest BMW. We have been at the heart of the motoring industry for seventeen years, so we know our stuff when it comes to classic cars. Written by enthusiasts for enthusiasts, the magazine captures the exclusivity and excitement of the classic car world so you can experience it all wherever you are.

Not just for the record

FEATURING…

Ferrari’s Le Mans legend •  Up close and personal with a very special 275P: the only car ever to win the 24 Hours twice

Octane

GET 3 ISSUES OF OCTANE FOR JUST £5! • To take advantage of our special offer and get three issues of Octane for £5, either visit octane-magazine.com/subscribe or call +44 (0)20 3966 6695

Ignition • EVENTS + NEWS + OPINION

Dates for your diary

BOOK NOW! • Secure your place; make travel plans

It’s time to vote! • Nominations announced for the 2026 IHMA Car of the Year trophy

Concours events return • Savile Row and Wilton show are back for 2027

Bristol and Jensen revived

Three Castles expands for anniversary • The Welsh rally is adding new events for its silver jubilee

3 ISSUES FOR JUST £5*

Jay Leno • Time to celebrate! Analogue is back in the supercar world

Derek Bell • Feeling grateful for a career of variety and success

Stephen Bayley • Why the best days are now behind Volkswagen

Robert Coucher • Not all the greatest Bentleys happened on WO’s watch

The Smart choice if viewing cars as art

The art of racing • Known for its distinctive livery, this McLaren F1 GTR was the prototype for the racers that targeted Le Mans glory in 1996. Now it’s broken every auction record for a British car. Damien Smith explains why

MAKING HISTORY. AGAIN • The ‘Allen Grant’ Cobra Daytona Coupe CSX2300 is now the most expensive US car ever sold at auction. Harry Hurst explores its rich history

Movers and shakers • The annual Monterey sales define the collector car market – but is this year’s story quite so simple? John Mayhead examines the results

TOP OF THE GAME • With Lancia’s illustrious 120-year history in danger of becoming a footnote within the Stellantis Group, Octane drives a 1960 Flaminia Sport Zagato and recalls the peak of the marque

War effort • A humanitarian convoy from the UK to Ukraine takes much-needed vehicles to the frontline – accompanied by a 1963 Rolls-Royce that adds much-needed visibility

WHAT’S IN A NAME? • Alastair Caldwell and a car named after his mother

HISTORY LESSON • Former Jaguar Racing boss Tony Purnell scored a Pebble Beach trophy with his Jaguar C-type – and learned so much along the way

David Lapworth • Meet the unsung Prodrive hero who for four decades has been engineering the winning steeds of McRae, Burns and Solberg

FIT FOR A FILM STAR • This Duesenberg SSJ Speedster is inextricably linked with silver screen idol Clark Gable. Now it’s won at Pebble Beach

LAST CHANCE SALOON • Renault has doubled down on the retro hatchback revival, with stellar results. But the only way to get your old-school Régie super-saloon fix is to go back 40 years…

TRUE ONE-OFF • Eddie Hall’s solo Le Mans effort in 1950 has never been repeated. This faithful recreation pays homage to his heroic feat – and his Bentley’s unique spirit, too

A FRANK ACCOUNT • The centenarian biographer of Eddie Hall personally recalls the unique racer

Finding a new direction home • 1969 VW Karmann Ghia Convertible

OCTANE’S FLEET • These are the cars run by Octane’s staff and contributors

To begin again… again • 1968 Jensen Interceptor

Early...