CATEGORIES

Beanbag chair
Octane

Beanbag chair

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

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
McKeel Hagerty
Octane

McKeel Hagerty

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

time-read
8 mins  |
September 2024
FULL HOUSE
Octane

FULL HOUSE

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

time-read
10 mins  |
September 2024
RIGHT FIRST TIME
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

time-read
8 mins  |
September 2024
The winged warrior
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

time-read
8 mins  |
September 2024
THE SECOND COMING
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

time-read
10+ mins  |
September 2024
Back to a different future
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

time-read
9 mins  |
253 - July 2024
Rupert Keegan
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

time-read
8 mins  |
253 - July 2024
RED & GOLD
Octane

RED & GOLD

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

time-read
7 mins  |
253 - July 2024
NART BEFORE TIME
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

time-read
8 mins  |
253 - July 2024
FORCE FED
Octane

FORCE FED

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

time-read
3 mins  |
253 - July 2024
G FORCE
Octane

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

time-read
10+ mins  |
253 - July 2024
The Maestro remembered
Octane

The Maestro remembered

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

time-read
3 mins  |
253 - July 2024
Nathalie McGloin
Octane

Nathalie McGloin

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

time-read
5 mins  |
250 - April 2024
Atomium
Octane

Atomium

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

time-read
3 mins  |
250 - April 2024
The Valjoux 7750
Octane

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

time-read
3 mins  |
250 - April 2024
Lucy O'Reilly Schell
Octane

Lucy O'Reilly Schell

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

time-read
4 mins  |
250 - April 2024
OCTANE CARS
Octane

OCTANE CARS

OWNING+ DRIVING + MAINTAINING

time-read
9 mins  |
250 - April 2024
OUR MAN IN JAPAN
Octane

OUR MAN IN JAPAN

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

time-read
9 mins  |
250 - April 2024
LONG-TERM LEGENDS
Octane

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

time-read
8 mins  |
250 - April 2024
Micky Pople
Octane

Micky Pople

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

time-read
8 mins  |
250 - April 2024
LEADING FROM THE MIDDLE
Octane

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

time-read
8 mins  |
250 - April 2024
BACK AGAIN FOR MORE
Octane

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

time-read
10 mins  |
250 - April 2024
POWER TO THE PEOPLE
Octane

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

time-read
8 mins  |
250 - April 2024
OCTANE'S FAVOURITE 250s
Octane

OCTANE'S FAVOURITE 250s

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

time-read
2 mins  |
250 - April 2024
TINY GIANT
Octane

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

time-read
2 mins  |
250 - April 2024
WINNING WAYS
Octane

WINNING WAYS

A mainstay of Formula 1 grids for longer than any rival, the Maserati 250F powered the true greats of racing to championship domination. This is its story

time-read
8 mins  |
250 - April 2024
THE SPEED KINGS
Octane

THE SPEED KINGS

These are the brave knights of air, land, sea and two wheels who were first to crack the magic 250mph mark

time-read
7 mins  |
250 - April 2024
THE PACE RACE
Octane

THE PACE RACE

How the supercar arms race dashed from 200mph to 250mph - and more...

time-read
4 mins  |
250 - April 2024
RHAPSODY IN BLUE
Octane

RHAPSODY IN BLUE

One of the rarest and most beautiful Ferraris, this Zagato-bodied 250GT garners awards wherever it is shown. But its owner is not afraid to use it, as Mark Dixon finds out

time-read
7 mins  |
250 - April 2024