CMTS TET a Te Nae a a REINVENTING ASTON MARTIN How William Towns gave the British marque its cutting edgee ine | 21@LAMBORGHMI AVENTADOR Catalogue now online | 22#9taMBonaiin avenTaD Italy | 18 November 2022 1,100,000 - 1,400,000 * S c 0 T T s DALE John Whit of Trane Adan Deign Stay and American Cae Now accepting consignments Arizona | 26 January 2023 Tite Pabie Beach Concours o'Eagance entant he ofp exams mad, with 6 feown 10 exist 41954 CHRYSLER GHIA GS-1 COUPE The Tern and New Yok Motor Shaw! Sirkng,ea-ovcking one-off concept car 1957 CHRYSLER GHIA SUPER DART 400 The 1952 New Yer ample Stunningy preserved oil paint aa itor 41962 CHRYSLER GHIA.L6.4 On hand to provide expertise on buying and selling. Bring your car to Bonhams, we'll sell it to the world.fs i . 3 3 ‘GEFERED FROM THE COLLECTION $ (OF THE LATE MALCOLM BISHOP The Bond Street Sale Final call for entries New Bond Street, London | 16 December 2022 No Reserve ENQUIRIES uK usa Catalogue subscriptions 40) 2 subscriptions motors us@b00m bbonhams.com/motorcarsSHIFTING DOWN 4+ ALPINE TREASURES 10-11 JUNE | A GENERATIONS RALLY 6-9 JULY | ICONIC PASSES AND HIDDEN GEMS o aa Just launched for 2023, tacular roads and Open to pre-war and classic cars. @acvillars Visit www.aevillars.com to find out more.Issue 234 / Dea Na yA a | =) IN 2023 FATHE a eats (ere Ch FATHERSSON’ CAE ecg era “ATHERS + SON: dw Ene ore Niro INFORMATION + APPLICATION Re re RaIssue 234 / December CONTENTS FEATURES WILLIAM TOWNS’ ASTONS Page DBS, Lagonda and Bulldog - plus the inside ‘try of he man with the cal pan FERRARI 33061 Page 64 How to win your cass at Salon Prive PORTUGAL Page 74 Listy whe SURF WAGONS, of the Alani coast MONTEVERDI BERLINETTA Page 82 ‘Swiss sice of VE-powered exotica THE OC Page 92 Robin Shute, who tack Pikes Pek by storm NTERVIEW MERCEDES-BE Page 98 {50 years of he S-Class. We dive the best OSEL 69 BUGATTI TYPE 354 Page 106 Driving a stunsingly osgina protoypeIssue 234 / December 2022 CONTENTS REGULARS 'S & NEWS| rage 1S “The month in picturos; cary dates; intemal combustion fights back GEARBOX Page 36 [Aston Martin specialist Nicholas Mee COLUMNS Page 39 Jay Leno, Derek Bel, Stephon Bayley ‘and Robert Coucher speak ca sense 138 LETTERS Page 47 Memavies of mishaps in an Austin Seven i OCTANE CAI Page 118 Hllekmbng in Daimler Conquest Gi ae ere OVERDRIVE Page 126 Land Rover producte with a diference GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTE Page 130 Fritz Todt, dovloper of the Autobahn ICON Page 132 French postal sonice's'Red Maranns' stamp SHROXO, rage 134 The pres and cons of WW1 trench watches 150 CHRISTMAS Page 138 Ten page spec! Plus Books and Models MFT GUIDE ‘THE MARKET Page 155 Sold, sling, and how to buy a Toyota MR2 DAY IN THE LIFE, Page 202 Motus mobile ol doctor, Alex Horo12° Edition | 25-27" August 2023 Ask who was there For further information and registration: wwwpassione-engadina.ch © | Taito 2 Se ED | sen at & bul Ce enc Aer) ennaEDITOR'S WELCOME Breaking convention MY BIGGEST COMPLAINT clectrifcation is that our Government (and most others, to be fir) plunged headlong into ‘to the exclusion ofall ele. Sue, ia shrewe ‘many millions of cars to be scrapped and new ones to be built and ‘bought inthe UK alone —butit never seemed a truly environmentally conscious one. In fact, given the current fuel esis and the dictness of battery and EV manufacture, the day when building, fuelling and maintaining for life (and then scrapping and replacing) an electric caris anywhere near st environmentally justifiable 36 continuing to run the nations current flee, even on fossil fuels, never fel further of. It ‘makes existing policy seem at best ignorantly blinkered and at worst wily reckless, ‘What has become clear is thatthe powers that be are not given to listening, of reconsidering, but while they pursue their Lasedise solution we must make sure the case for sustaimbilty gathers so much strength that even they must hear. Yes, there ae issues aplenty with sustainable and biofuels, but having just run a car on synthetic fel on lly (see Neve), it atualy feels asf we could be far nearer @ pump-based solution than a credible clectrie one. about BRITISH STYLISTS HAVE never had the profleoftherltalianor American counterparts ‘Admittedly, none has been quite so prolifically succesful as Gandini oF Giugiro, oF quite so dept at self promotion as Raymond Loewy or Harley Ear, bu the quietly overlooked likes of John Blatchley, David Bache and Frank Feeley really deserve to be Tar more celebrated. Another worthy of such recognition is Willam ‘ovens, Hence this issue's cover story ‘On the surface his oeuvre may look slender and his journey fom mainstream (DBS) to leffild (Aston Martin Lagonda) shockingly short and rapid, but think of him as Picasso ‘Afr all, the Spaniard’ early paintings were ‘normal’ (yet still brillant). Tong before e blue periods, cubism etal that smothered his output. That Towns determinedly and relentlesly pushed the envelope to. such tstrmities asthe Bulldog, the Minisima and the Microdot, when he could s0 easly have settled into a comfy and safe design career, ae the hallmarks of restless genus, tue pioneer. James Eliot, editor in eiet all FEATURING PETER TOMALIN “Wiliam Towns’ designs have never looked better. Bringing togthor tho tio of cara he designed for Aston Martin seemed a fiting ‘way to pay tute to one of Briss reat talents. A passonger ride inthe Bulldog supercar was just the icing on the cake ter spoketo those who knew Towns best. Sethe ‘DBS, Lagan nd Bulldog onpoge 52-62. ‘We GERARD BROWN 1m more used to chasing rally cars through ‘the wider pars ofthe world, so jumped at the chance to photograph extica onthe ‘Salon Pivé Tour, keeping the Fora 330GTC in my vewinder at made its way through the Cotswolds ath Octane editor Jes Eliot atthe whee! err 330GTC at Salon Pri: pages 64-72 SAM CHRISTMAS. ‘felt exhilarating ~ and appropriate ~to approach this project wih le to no plan, ‘We simpy cruised along the coast, hoping fora chance encounter with a local ure, thon asked thom to suggest tho next subject or local st spat ‘Sse Som! abu pictaresofPoruguse urns ‘nd thera carson pages 74-80A Classic UTatU cela Bsa) A much-loved collection demands the right insurance Si ‘ aw = Y Collectors’ Insurance - from single, high value cars to large, globally renowned collections Yv Motor Trade Insurance - for prestigious, classic and specialist motor trades Find out more: 020 7655 8040 | classicinsuranceservices.comNC a MINI-COOPER S USEFUL CONTACTS ADVERTISING ADVERTISING PRODUCTION Tei:+44 (0:20 2800.2014 Deu race IL SUBSCRIPTIONS, BACK ISSUES, HELPLINES Tee Rn CRU NERC or SC Pee RC CeO UC eee LcaeCg stomercare Gsubseribe.octane-magezine.com This iatue onsale 26 October. CERES ESIC SET ansry 2023 nave onsale 23 NovemberGOODING&.COMPANY AUCTIONS & PRIVATE BROKERAGE GOODINGCO.COM —_—+1.310.899.1960 Geared Online Bugattiana Automobilia NOVEMBER 7-18 ONLINE ONLY BIDDING OPENS NOVEMBER 7 LOTS BEGIN CLOSING NOVEMBER 18 OVER 300 LOTS (OF AUTOMOBILIA Including: RARELY SEEN ORIGINAL FACTORY POSTERS. Amelia Island Auction ANEW) NOW INVITING ireN CONTACT OUR SPECIALISTS TO LEARN MORE INQUIRY@GOODINGCO.cOM quality is our styleGet 3 issues of Octane for just £5! OR OE ee rue Pee eee urea Bierce nar eis ET at eae neue eel or call +44 (0)330 333 9491 and quote code DOCT2 ety Prec Peer err Brees ceed Ere) Pero = ‘Apple and you wil beable PUBLISHING AND MANAGEMENT via Autovia is 31-82 Aled Pace, London WIE 7DP, UK OCTANE WORLDWIDE Ifyou like Octane, you'll love. Mating th 1000 annvareary with sme tronine rom mogscct oakthe house SPECIALITY Mi?iiele HISTORIC MOTORING Formers eels cata 2022 eg nee W Classic oP RN AAR Uo) BUC IC oe Ce RLM url ed “The shortlist has been announced for the 2022 Historie Motoring Awards. The winners will be selected by an international pane! of expert judges. Join us for a night of celebration at The Londoner Hotel. Tickets are on sale now. please scan the QR code or visit i Kinola tetera lic MAC Re Neen 4 Borer} aod a Bonhams i co ponte os ice Boma Cole eA CURL VP lass AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER _—CLASSICCARAMBASSADOR OF THEYEAR INDUSTRY SUPPORTER OFTHE YEAR ace Cet Hagery ae pone eee ea eae ene Mon ree Perini Peet Sad Sees coedBeale Clog wa CUT 2022 shortlist (continued) Rear ay arene eter panera Peery Pe Rétromable As Peete tara’ eennny Sonne on ees ead reer Coe acy Cl Pred Deed Ce eet Roe ae Pea gtete or tae ae ond es oes Simon Kidston Tom Harte or { Sea! ee eee ens foment tet eee rrr cones Coe ee ee ro Oe Soa ac aie eee cnet Jack Langley — Richards of England ae ec tee em ery enters eens Pee eee? De ee a Se Ree CNC) ood eed eee Seen Sad rena ai’ Ate Ce ee nee a at eee Peetoectaes pani ee en cane seat SC ait eon cone eee Longstone Tyres Percn ad Sem Si ee eons ey ces cy nan sity ‘Austin Seven Chibs' Association Cemented) Denotes iene Peery Peo e Nery Angela Hucke Coenen eee Rn Ra ee Een eae ry pone ee Peed Pee poe CeCe ‘Audrain Newport Concours & Motor Week eee Footman James Coffee & Chrome Collective erent aray Seer td eee Soa aia! eer en ras ees eee ee tee ees ees See ey Deo aT AS ce eee Coenen eal ea a ee See Deere See eo Cara ee Pee rete Eee eer eee ated eee Ree) Poe eee tented eee aca eae eee ees Peers Teeter kee eedIGNITION / oh in PeresGoodwood Revival, 16-18 September The 2022 Goodwood Revival was an astounding success, Ye (On the tack the rents acton was purclualed ony bya seties ‘. ‘of wonderful parades, including 100 years ofthe Austin Seven, "75 years of Ferran and 60 years snc» Graham Halls frst championship. Elsewhere, the new Rive & Tivo vlage was ‘a irumph,Prtres, clock, from main: peri simosphere before the off inthe Blue band roa, the RAC TT Calbation: the Freddie March Memorial Trophy field pouring down the Lavant ‘Stright lowards Woodcote at dusk; Mr Le Mane’ Tom Kristensen ‘guides the Listor Jaguar coupé trough th Chicane; determined i Yyoungstrs undorway in the Satngton Cup. Nt Images: Rolex / Nik HarveyIGNITION / orth PetesNEW OFFICE NOW OPEN Close Automotive Relocation Serves IN MIAMI SEA AND AIR FREIGHT WORLDWIDE CUSTOMS BROKERAGE TK INTERNATIONAL STORAGE THE AMELIA UK AND EUROPEAN TRUCKING = z VEHICLE REGISTRATION T0R POLI a wl noe sOcleIGNITION / orth Petes Fin EURO FINALS, -11 SEPTEMBER ised woth gest te 280 teas ite SertaPod. taking part1955 JAGUAR D-TYPE inosgalcenaon sd til aes ‘ecing Sabacor Cup epered nd igi fora the very bet lee FISKENS 14 Queers Gate Pace Mis onaon Sv? S60 aang 73608 i wsenscam WOR EcoattstonscomIGNITION / orth PetesTHE AMELIA — AUCTION — COMING THIS MARCH 2023 INVITING CONSIGNMENTS Broad Arrow Auctions is pleased to announce that we hhave expanded our auction event calendar in 2023 as the official auction house of “The Amelia: We invite you to consign your collector car or collection to The Amelia Auction, taking place this March at the Ritz-Carlton in ‘Amelia island, Florida. Please contact one of our team members to discuss selling options and stay tuned for more Information about this exceptional collaboration.IGNITION / Ents Dry COMING UP... Your guide to what's left of a very bus} y year, plus some highlights jrom the first jew weeks of 2023 28-30 October Las Vegas Concours Elegance Jay Leno wl serve a grand ‘marshal at tis year even, ‘which is se to include special ‘celebration of the err F40, Tasvegasconcours.com 2-6 November Classic Daytona A wonderfl opportunity to see some ofthe old monster of motorsport thundering around the famous Florida creut. hsrace.com 36 November RAC Rally ofthe Tests For the 0th edition ofthe ally, ‘organiser HERO has chosen a rote that rns from Blackpool to ‘Torguay and features 30 ests for the 70-plis entries Ris open to vehicles ofa type availble before 1991, but only pre“68 cars willbe lige forthe overall rests hheroevents.ca 5-12 November ‘TransMaroe Itbegins and ends in Marrakesh, Dat this aly takes entrants far foe bigeity trnae, through ‘mountains and into Moroceo’s desert, Dont be daunted, though: you canhirea 4x4 fyou dont own ‘one, and instraction willbe given to those new to driving on sand, ‘anirol.com 6 November London to Brighton Veteran Car Run re-1905 cars gather ealy in Hyde Park and trundle to Brighton for one ofthe greatest traditions ~ and spectacles = in motoring. This years Run will serve asa Celebration ofthe frst British victory in international motorsport, which came 120 years agoin the Gordon Bennett Cup. ‘The race-winning Napier willbe Joined onthe journey to the South Coast by its surviving sister ca. veteranearrun.com 9-28 November Dakar Enduro Rally An epic adventure inspired by the Dakaeralles of ld, nd open to cars bikes and ads: Mountains and deserts feature on the journey ftom Jrezin Spin to Senegal via Morocco, Wester Sahara and Mantas, ‘espokeralies.com 11-13 November Classic Motor Show ‘The UK's biggest indoor show returns to Birmingham cavemous NEC with cars ofall kinds and ‘many attractions besides. Cub display trade stand an autojumble, live demonstations and music are all on the mens. necclassicmotorshow.com, 12.November SCC Lakeland Til The VEC’ penultimate tia of 2022 takes divers and bouncers to the wild ofthe Lake District. sees. 16 November Historic Motoring Awards. “The old-car work comes together at The Londoner Hotel in Lecester Square fr this year's slitering invards ceremony. historiemotoringawards.coak 18-20 November Interclassies Brussels errr wil take centre stage the Belgian capitals Interel celebrates the marque’ 75th anniversary and its relationship with Ecucte Francorchamps interelasscs.vents 25-27 November Gulf Historic Dubai GP Revival FL cars sports prototypes and GTs fom the 70s, 80s, 90s and 00s sather at Dubal Autodrome fora ‘weekend of racing in the sunshine ‘glE-istoric.com 30 November - 4 December Classic Sebring CCassic competition cats do batle {na 12-hourrace a Sabring International Raceway in Florida, where vintage aieraft alto vie for the attention ofthe spectators. hsrace.com 2-4 December Rotro Classics Bavaria “The organisers of Retro Classics, Stuttgart take their brand of ‘otertxinment eas to Nuremberg Expect themed displys, large club presence, good grab ‘and many opportunites tolighten your wallet: cars parte and sutomabila will lle on of. retro-classice-bavariade 3. December SCC Winter Driving Tests Bicester Heritage hosts the VSCC' cartain-lover in which entrants Attempt car control challenges in ‘conditions that are often not conducive t precision diving! vecescok 3-6 December LeJog ‘The Lands End to John O'Groats Reliability Tia sees crews drive through the night on notoriously teicky regularity sections. One of the toughest rallies around - but ‘one ofthe mos satisfying, to. heroevents.eu‘anuary 1245 January Brooklands Now Year's Day Rallye Neige ot Glace MRT facile) Classic Gathering the wheel of a classic. The UK biggest New Year Day _Malbusson, ths one does wat t iuevy with over 1000chuvic cum, says thei serving wp wintry lve muse and a barbecue fan for 80 crews and thelr cas ae ase teoohlandemscam.com zanlealcos {January 16-30 Jenuary Vintage Stony Si Lanka Classic Despite the name this event in Twentylucky crews wil spend 15 Stony Suatordalways tracts days motoring around Sean, tnd-enturyand modem clasics the 17S0km route taking them arwellarvintagecavandbikes,clodovise around the country Wehices tart Tevingst 2pm, from Wala to Colombo. sodontralloutottedtooiute, deaieationellzcom tagestony.conk 24 January ~1 February 8 January Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique Bicester Heritage From cites across Burope (Bad Sunday Scramble Homburg, Oslo, London, Tain Enthulets lo vay the and Reims thitime), crews et cobwebs at thet Sunday out forthe French department of Scrambleof the year enjoying Dre, where the el fun begins Glplysofdascevehcesand Competitors wil ald roi pokingeroundthe workshops sections and 1000m-pls peaks chemnany specialists based ts they liter tovarde Monaco sttheste Port Here Uecertecheritage tak seme 12.15 January 26-29 January Autosport international Cavan Classic There's something for fansofjut__This Palm Beach events cei aboctereymatecopert diipline _liowm a atop-drevet moons axBirminghams NEC, pus yre- for Foran, but also features Sokingshenanigansinthe Live good Historic racing t Palm ‘Aton Arena Beach Intemational Raceway. sctooprtictemationslcom ewralinasoma 1248 January +-5February Interciassies Maastricht Retromobile Zandvoor mightnotbebackon _Theshowpece Pars vent that theFlelendar quite yetbutthe Lek ofthe European dase cat cleat nditshsoey inpeed the ‘aon Hage chewhallefsture Intrclsic Maasicht tanto” vat ever and manufacturer inake Fl earsthe main strsction dips, while there ar auctions the 2023 shove both onsite and aroun Pats. tecclasicsmaastricht.nl retromobile.comIGNITION / News Big progress on new fuels historic car: uggest they could be a viable alternati to rampant electrification PUMP-READY environmentally friendly fuels that can be used in internal combustion engines with litle or no adjustment are the slverbule solution that enthusiasts have been praying for. Once the staf of science fiction, the actual fuels now seem to be a workable reality but they stil face raft of obstacles: not least pic, scaling up of production, and huge tacand legislative hurdles, However, the exrbonneutrl fuel manufactures, PL Performance Fuels, says the cost of its fossil-ftee, carbon-neutral fuels ould become significantly more affordable from next year Its sales and partnerships representative, Benjamin Cuyt, siys prices of the fuel ould fill from the current €5-C6 per litre (£439-5.27) to between €2.50°3 0 per lite when it ramps up. The Berin-based firm, cearrently produces three million litres of synthetic fuel annually but aiming toincresse volume to 20 million litres during the next yest David Richardson, of UK-based Coryton Advanced Paes, says his company aso hs the Capacity to prodoce around 20 malin Hires pet year, subject to demand. On curent volumes of about 200,000 lites the cost sin the region of £4.50 per litre. Current prices reflec the fact that synthetic Fel i il taxed and, in the UK, a lite of Corytons fuel is ‘subject to fuel duty at exactly the same rate as conventional pump fuel. Richardson agrecs that there is confusion ‘over terminologies, be it ethanol to gatoline, synthetic or eels, but the end result should all be the same. ‘All ofthese processes make a Inydrocarbon liquid he says. "We're just ying to mimic what we take out ofthe ground but from sustainable sources? Carbon-neutral fuels can be a ‘drop-in’ replacement forthe likes of “Star with no ethanol content, suiting classics without theneedforconversionor adjustments In the broader context, iti also blended with ethanol inthe se way as petrol, Richardson, says the adltion of ethanol lso makes it easier and cheaper to achieve a higher octane rating PL manufactures its fuels generation bio-materil, which means crops secon axenot grown especially to make't. Instead, the Company sources waste Biomass rawr material from com-growing and papermaking. Synthetic fuel ean also be manfets carbon capture taking carbon dioxide stmosphere or asa by produc from industry. it has not been possible to test all cas swith our fuel yt; explins Cay, “bat a mumber of major manefactorers are testing it. What wwe would like to see is manufscturers Thomologating our fuel for use in thei ars and listing tin the drivers handbook asa suitable fuel, That wood help convince legislators to make it more readily avalable PI's synthetic fuel has already been proven in a number of high-profile classics, When the 1922 Aston Martin Green Pe’ celebrated the 100th anniversary of the marque's Grand Prix debut, driven by Sebastien Vestel at Cireuit Paul Ricard in July, it did so on PI carbon- neutral uel, When Nigel Manel demonstrated his own 1992 FWLAB at Silverstone eater this year, Red § was alto running on P1’s fully fyathetic fuel without any” modifications ‘Groen Pea’ curently holds the record fr the les car ever to be fuelled by synthetic, but (Gand Pv cara Pu ler Fanon ngsays Coyt:"We are hoping to break that record soon by running the world’s oldest production «at on our fae an 1889 Bens ‘Apart from the advantage of COs neutrality, synthetic fuels have the benefit of alvays meeting the same quality standards Conventional petrol doesn't and fuel quality varies substantlly across the world However, the development of carbon-neutra fuels is hampered by legislation that promotes battery electric technology and weicle electrification to reduce eathon emissions. n the UK, the Historic & Clasie Vehicles Alliance was inited to join the Goveenment’s Transport Select Committe. ‘We have been eT IRS] eee eer eee Pepin Pepereeenets mie Pere ei erat near ponerse ener rene rhe) Wate eee Teer acne Corr eccee eerie making representations to the Government through the Department for Business, Energy and. Industrial Strategy and through the ‘Automotive Council UK, to make some ofthe funding given to electrification and hydrogen available to the development of synthetic fuels says HICVA CEO, Garry Wilson, ‘Wark is also underway to estimate demand In the dlasie car community, which could accelerate production, "We are puting » plan together for more testing, which i ‘more interes, and ei commission a study on ‘what the demand curve might be! The aim sto finalise the plan by Chaistmas, witha clearer picture emerging by mid-2023, ali, co-dving eee oe eee eee ee : mere eer en meer perry Frazer Nash marks its centenary in style ‘The Frazer Nash Car Cub celebratd the fortnight of celebrations mlucing an tish intemational race, ral an sumer bal (Canis Arche Frazer Nash started manufactiong lightweight sports cars developed in eonunction wth Ron Goalrey trom his previous GN car business mn Kingston-on Thames in 1022 They use arange of engines fom Phos Power and Ansan ta Meadows, Blackburn, Gough and BMW/Bristo 'Nashos and GNs gathered in Dubin in ine: August, enjoying a day deing the ‘Wieklow mountains belo a weekend o racing at the famous Mondello Park circu. The Freddie Giles Memorial raphy ‘was won by Patrick Blakeney Eawarde, and th second FN afd the Bolzano “Trophy. was won by Mark Walker. ‘Onretun tothe UK the cars tok part inthe Stanly Cup, a 2¥day road rly in ‘ural Leicestershire that incorporates & mv fsights00ing and motorsport. With ‘he rivalry wae intone, but the apo want to Mathow/Bcky Parkin, Richard Wil Marsh and Richard/Lovise Save, lin stands ros ca The oficial end tothe centenary celetrations was a ball fr 250 people fat Stonehurst Family Farm and Motor Museum in Mountsorel but some owners canted ton nto the net day by comping a the VEC» Mallory Park necting. Patrick Blakeney Ecards won both the vintage and prewar aces, and Jo Blakeney Ecards took aacond sportscar ‘Ciub captain Dougal Cawley sai: wonderful people and machinery, eg ave of compete red tthe Mondello Park Historic Featval was fabulous. To spend the next ‘wook land around Stonehuret Farm, topped of witha bal den racing at Mallory Park, says plenty about the Frazer Nash car and the people atractsGNITION / Nws NEWS FEED Rhode Island wonder; Beaulieu champs; Grand Prix Delages meet; Hayes’ honour; MG gears up (o party; Brian Culcheth; faith of the Defender; CKL changes at the top; charity boost Medcalf wins at Audrain -ABish-owned Benue Sped Sic won Best of Show at the Aura ‘Newport Concours The matchig-numbers 1930 Martin Walter Sports Saloon, dabbed a Folkestone dose coupled salon by the coachbuller, ‘wo fit bought hy Viseount Mandevil tet Dake of Manchester, nd te the second of ony two but G] 75S ha led an nei i, bing in the family of op restorer and specialist Willam Medal oe lor 40 yeas, dang which me thas been driven acroethe gle inclading {he US, Canada New Zealand, Australis, Japan and Earope,Atsome Point had been separated fom ts origi ody but was ened with that coachwork after a thee year restoration several eas aga Other wines were Michie! Schudrof 1963 Chewoet Carvete Ronde Coupe (the Design Award), 31953 Berar 250 MM Spyder Vignal (Sporting Choice), Brian Ros 1939 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 B Coupé Toring (Founder Ava) and the Netherett Colton 1931 ‘Bugis Type 1 Coupe Dubos Carssee (Peoples Choice) Beaulieu 100 gongs Brooklands Delages gle Baypes'Henry Pearman, A one-off reunion at Brooklands ‘who slo founded the Historic & -Maseurn brought together three (Cassie Vebcls Alliance, and ‘examples of the all conquering motorcycle adventure Jack Delage 15 $8 GP cars, 95 years Groves were given awards by Lord after th second British Grand ‘Montagu at Benuliew 100dinner Prin which Delages tao a clean atthe Royal Automobile Club, sweep at Brooklands, Brookland’ ‘The 100 ean organistionthat___own car (bequeathed by Alan does vital work supportingthe __‘Burnard) was joined by Abb "National Motor Museum, Kogansand Paul-BmileBessade'. Octane scoops award ‘featur atl n Octo imagine has won apresigions Ia fom the Socey of ‘stoma Historian in Britain Raral Hays tory Aston Forgot ome n Orta 222) vrunanimenst je the Minne te Male fl ard Keninthe words ofthe udges, ting tighten nmpect ct ‘Aston Martin nd aged erage that was completely new usa } CENTENARY MG heads into 100th Huge plans are being made to honour the centenary of MG next yeat. Main events include mass oad runs and gathering at the British Motor Maseum on 27 May, an Oxford showroom | celebration on | June ~ to mark, 100 years to the day since the ist Raworth ca left the shoveroom ~plusthe mammoth MG Live at Sivertone in mid-June. A special -MG100 website iso planned, Brian Culcheth RIP ‘British ally reat Brian Culcheth has died. ARer giving up career 82 footballer he was bes known asa Triumph and BMC/BL works “river Hie ist works drive wasin the 1962 RAC for Mercedes and his 20 year career included more than 125 lis. He became the first non- Scandinavian to win Finland's infamous 1000 Lakes Rally (ina Moris Marina) and was 1978 British Rally Champion nan Opel, buthad become synonymous with competing in ‘marathon global endurance events in big Trumph saloons Tecnia’s charity Defender ‘Aone-of Land Rover Dsfender ‘ised £120,000 forthe Royal Air Forces Assocation when sold by Bonhams at Goodwood Revival The specially commissioned Q40 Defender had boon re-engineered by Teenig in sion with 18(B) ‘Squadron at RAF Odihar, packing turbocharged Ford ‘Mustang engine and taking design ‘ues from the conic twin-rotor (Chinook helicopter CKL appointments (CKL Developments hat sppointed Mark Hews snd ‘Tim Mason asjoint managing directors to work alongside founder Chis Keith-Lacas ‘Keith-Lucas will continue to work forthe business on aredaced fourday week while otgoing MD James Francisisto be retained sea consultant, Fundraising pages Acopy ofthe fir issue of Belgium quarterly Tazio smagizne signed by Nigel ‘Mansell, Derek Bel, Hans Joachim Stuck, Bernd Schneider ‘nd others alsed SFr12,000 for charity when twas auctioned bby RM Sotheby's during the Intemational St Moritz ‘Automobile Week.SIIVERSTONE —AVETIONS— — The NEC Classic Motor Show Sale The NEC, Birmingham, B40 1NT Register to bid in person, online or via commission BE THERE. BID THERE. BUY THERE. +44 (0)1926 691 141 | silverstoneauctions.comRoaring start for Alpine club Motorsportlinked Si SIR JACKIE Stewart and his son Paul, Giacomo Agostini, Craig Pollock and Claude Sage were among the honorary guests who attended the launch ofthe exclusive new not- for-profit Automobile Club de Villas in the Swiss Alps The club is the brainchild of classic ‘eat specialist Jonathan Procter, who wanted to reinvigorate the village's long motoring history He is backed by entrepreneur Miguel Ernand, Dsinessman and investor Jan Bagshaw, journalist Mimi Bertmark and ex motorsport sponsorship manager Teny Pascarella, Since the 1950s this village of just S000 people, set against » picture backdcop of ‘Mont Blanc andthe Dents ds Mi, has hosted the famous Ollon Vis hillelimb (originally run to 1971, and then revived in the 19905). Ie twas also the ste for the founding of the Chub International des Anciens Pilotes de Grand Prix Formala I by the legendary Jusn Manel Fangio, Louis Chiron and Toslo de Grafenried. Many top-flight drivers atthe time had chalets there and some of them stil do Tera also home tothe Festival des Neigs, winter sports gala attended by Graham Hil, Emerson Fitipald, Sir Jackle Stewart and mor, in which petrotheads took to the snowy village rejuvenates a pres ‘gious past slopes to race Meyers Manx beach buggies and Ski-Doos, and take part in skijouring ‘The new clubs oficial launch was held during the 83km OllonVilas Hilimb Festival It is open to all ages and nationalities ‘of racing drivers, owners, collectors and fenthusiasts, but membership is only by pplication at acvilaracom, It promises ‘monthly breakfast club mests hosted at tino at Pace ot waa ay wel tended lferent Alpine destinations, a range of events including > generational rll President rally, and Sits driving tour, family dever taining days for the younger generition and socal doceasions atthe Villars Palace HQ. (Club president Jonathan Procter said: ‘We originally conceive the idea of re-establishing an automobile club in Vilaes about six years ago, in onder to shine a light on the rich ‘motoring heritage that our prety mountain village as to offer, ‘We finaly Launched our Automobile Club de Villas at our new HQ in the luxurious Villars Palace Hotel on 20 August 2022 i the presence ofa few of out honorary members, = ‘wellas over 100 club members and guests? ‘Club VP Miguel Erand added: ‘Its ‘extraordinary to think that the launch of the ‘Automobile Club de Villars takes place on the very same day as Le Club Internationale Aanciens des Piltes was created back in 1962. Same day, same place, sime track, 60 years later Iwas nine then and dreaming of racing cats, Now I'm 69, and stil dreaming of cars Octane and Awards pick prime insurance partner OCTANE IS DELIGHTED to announce a new partnership with leading industry light Classic Insurance Services. Not only is the company now responsible for covering all the «ars featured in Octane (as wellas Autovia sister title eo), butt is also the nev title sponsor of the Octane-hacked Historie Motoring Awards “The awards, now in their 12th year and due to take place at The Londoner hotel on 16 November, ateashowpiece event onthe clasic car calendar and the only truly global awards ‘etemony recognising the ertme dela crime of both the casi cr industry and hobby. Headed by Carole Pearson and famed forts personal service and disretion, Classic Insurance Services has for years provided specialist insurance forthe motor trade and Private owners and collectors. It currently overs over Elbilion of cars and, because everyone wants to keep their policies to a rinimiam, often extends covert client’ other properties and valuables. ‘Octane and the HMAs would also lke to ‘welcome aboard Bonhams as offal suctions partner. Is contribution will include ronning a ‘hat sale n favour of Mision Motorsport.NUENLU SS Vista LSU ILS Rear ONO gts] a WO CARS = ATMs SAI MERCEDES-BENZ WORLD, BROOKLANDS, SATURDAY 26" MIs See cn Geno) Ue ee me Seton HISTORICSAGNITION / Man & Mactine MAN & MACHINE True Brit’s American muscle Meet John Hogan and his daily-driven V8 Jaguar } “MBP 2)" WAS ORIGINALLY a silver Jaguar XJ6 with grey tim, had a manal overdrive gearbox and was fit cgistered to a lady in Sussex. The Jaguar Dalinler Heritage Trust ‘etitcate shows that Chichester Automobiles waved it of thei forecourt on § January 1971, and it remained local for most ofits lif, The silver coat was replaced witha red one in the ealy '905 and then the dark Blue that its currently wearing about ten years ago. It appears on an archived page for a vehicle suction in 2018, after which it underwent {bit ofa transformation. | ound ton Facebook and bought tin June this year The chap I got it fom isa hot od sgoy who, while buiking this, realise that old 6 “Jaguars and modern dies BMW motors make 2 great combination, so he advertised tis ext tormake space for another BMW bald. I paid closer fo five grand than the ten Iwas recently offered fri, Receipts show that all the major Arivetrain parts have been replaced new discs, shocks, springs, wishbones, radi arms, ant. roll bars and assoclatd lines. It was polybushed and the ride quality sfntastic ‘he 4.2-litre straight-st was removed and a small block Oldsmobile 380i VS went ny along with a TH400 three-speed automatic transmission, The twin tanks were retied in favour of fuel cellinthe boot. The V8 breathes in through a four-borel Holley carb and out hough in straight pipes. I make no apologies ta the neighbours forthe sound, or for loving that sound ‘We have four daughters at home so T've riven sic seater cars fora decade, JDM people carriers have been the most practical; the ‘Toyota Lucida wasn't as willing to dif as the Nissan Elgrand, but neither f those made me smile ike the GMC Suburban we ran fr afew years. Our eldest heading off to university ‘opened up the iden ofa five-seater agnn and, ‘nti this one found its way into my hands, I was looking at ether an E39 BMW 830i or an ES3 48is XS. Both were quickly forgotten ‘when I srolled upon the car you can sein the picture. I's ULEZ compliant as well as being tax-and MoT-erempt, When you factor in the savings there along with the cheap classic car {insurance and squint, the man maths adds up. T changed the belts within a week of picking sup and have done litle more than check the Tevels and run a rag over the chrome I also swapped the original stering wheel for one fom an 83 Etype, simply because I wanted ta, Externally its tied bustaight. Some people call tpatna, just thinks needs some lve. furs the paint the vinyl roof and the rock: hard window sealsat the sme time; your guess {sas good as mine ato when that might be. Id ‘make fens also to do the headlining and Sethe nev carpet se Lhave while the glssis out Drivingtisalvays fun; ove the connection that a manual choke and just the right amount of accelerator pumping delivers when I arti ‘ap. the steering is divect and there’ more general poise than I expected from a $1-yer ‘old ea, particulary onthe brakes, T dout fee the need to drive ie fast; 've been amotorcylejouralstfor 17 yearsand am head ‘of communications at Norton Motorcycles, so that sratches my speeditch more than enough! Slipping 3 set of Pesols on, rlling doen the windows, lighting asmoke with my old Dunhill lighter and mechanically mooching is what thie caris all sbout for me. With that in ming ‘hinkits pretty mach perfect WHY WE LOVE. Driving vans ‘snot as though | wanted to make a career of ‘tut, years ago, curing university holidays (and fora coupe of yout aftr university), used 0 five van. otk was the highlight of an ‘otherwise mundane stop-gap while | worked ‘out just exactly how the hack you gt fo become ‘ motoring journalist Which happened: ‘Sometimes mie i. Of course hess dye | get to erie al grt of wonder machinery, ‘old and new. And-wth thal, ofcourse, comes ‘huge sense of responsibilty, privege and ‘obligation, Which every fai Inthe old days it was just me, akrackered billonmile1.3-ire Ford Escort van (no need forthe cute you timed your sifteright) and ‘tank of vel Nomobile phone, no satay, ‘moray a regula test of my sense of erection, ‘alveting whatver was suddenly needed to ‘various shop unit cous and warehouse ‘contruction sites allover tha UK. Soch freedom, the open road, discovering cross ‘country rues fo avoid matory ena upe ‘Sometimes t's bo a Transit even a 78 tonne Ford Cargo. The adventure waa alway the ‘same, And whenaver ve hired van since, ‘enjoyed it equally aa much, Remind me ofthe ‘ext ime you read eomething Ive wren on & ‘mulimiian-poundesr Glen WaddingtonaU aLaELy ‘only 45.000 km from new aed . etc Ready to drive and enjoy Pee ea) ‘I RDAY 19 NOVEMB fo NSSTo ATT WUE ta) Catalogue online early November Specialists: x b Jacopo Villa, Enquiries: z is jxilla@wannenesgroup.com 439.02 72023790 “e Damiano Fianco info. lano@wannenesgroup.com difianc vannenesgroup.com WANNENES wannenesgroup.comGMITION / Goartox GEARBOX Nicholas Mee Having started in the motor trade in the 1960s and served Aston Martin from 1976, he set up his eponymous Aston business in 1991 — — Sa 1 1vo kopt most badges irom ovents Sve attended including Louie Vuiton ‘at Huringham and Goodwood, Thee ‘great reminder of some grea mes. 2 Thistle so-and-so et go.on me on the kingston Bypass in about 1980. was on ‘shot Goll bought rom Dania Poor, an ‘exworks driver om the '50s. {Tis catalogues om the first Bonhams ‘Aston Martin auction in 2000, We had to Underwrt t but it was a great sucoess land the fat of 1 or 19 auctions that ‘mado us 2 substantial prof 41 was givon Cis Nuon’ book Mon ‘Ami Mato when left Aton Martin in 1993, "knew Chis and this wondertus book ‘hes the reedera tue nigh into Mike Hawthorn and Peter Colin's rendehip. {5 From 2009 t2 2011 Nicholas Mae Racing campaigned an Aston Marin GTA inthe manulacturers! challenge series, ‘lu thee 24chour races and endurance fvents We won the challenge outright in 2008 and 2011 and hs top is one of cenly a couple wo sl have. The ohare ‘wore stolen from our London showroom. 6 1wae par of a Mile Migla support ero {or Viet Gaunt and hs san when they cdtove a Lagonca Repide and an MG K3, ‘They cn hang abut! "7 Hermés made a special ie each yor for the Le Mans 24 Hours, They were sold from a boutique inthe Cicud Vilage and ‘were expanve, but ought some every years gilts formyeoh colleagues nd ‘ends. The lat gave away was to the voi of Ras Le Mane Jonry Hindhaugh. {This ie whore my passion for care comes ftom. My great randisther lnpreticed as a wheolaright ang ‘couchsaer in London nthe 19th Century Dotore setting up a businoss in Hat He later became AA and RAC accreted, {aking on Austin and Morris dealerships, 9 We wore very proud to win Specialist of the Year a the Histone Matring Award in 2019. It meant even more coming ster ‘urdevelopment of fandrelacaton fo) our HO in Essendon, Herts 10 For 25 years we organised a programme of Le Mane 24 Hours partion land hospitality, thee days of petro! hedonism for cons and Wands. The CTR passes we produced wore vaio, but the {carbone one was my favour, 11 owned my Rapid fra your and it's one of he best drving AMS over 12 saved these handmade acrylic signs ven the Aston Matin showrooms in Kighlsbridge were closed inthe 1080s.ARTCURIAL // Motorcars Consignements invited RETROMOBILE 2023 SUA G TUR TL cere RIDEULTHE WORLD'S GREATEST COLLECTOR CAR AUCTIONS’ PUTCO at Pa sg ey | a ys SEA a laa COC aR Ue eC eC) Con Lm aly Or Sa SCC ese LCR uy CO RS Ieee eeNITION / in ian JAY LENO The Collector his year I finaly attended a ear show I've been trying to get to for years. One of my pet peeves that all he big events seem to take place on the same weekend. This i especially true of Pebble Beach and the Woodward Dream Cruise, in Detroit, Michigan. The two couldn't be more diferent. For the past 40 years I've attended Pebble Beach; sometimes asan entrant, even won Bestin Cassa couple of times, but mostly as a spectator. To cal it sensory overload is puting it mildly. Nothing prepares you for the sheer volume of vehicles on deploy, ost when you think you've seen everything there is to see, you come across ext you've never hese of "A few years ago there I saw Myron Vernis's Hofman X-8 on the lawn, Built by Roscoe C Hoffman in 1935, the earhas a mid-mounted engine with eight cylinders in an X pattern and overhead cams. Thad never seen anything ike it. Pebble will shake your confidence in wat you think you know. The Dream Ceulse is the opposite: it takes you Jpack to what you remember. As much as 1 enjoy seeing the Latest offerings ffom MeLaren, Pagani, Aston Martin and Ferrari, there's something comforting about seeing 2 pristine 1968 Dodge Dart, stil withthe ginal owner, and hearing its story. ‘At Pebble you havea few owners with alot of ars; in Detroit you have alt of ears each with ast one owner, many of whom were the original buyers who had purchased it out of high school. And these were over 40,000 ofthem, mostly muscle cas from the 60s. Avery popular car this year was a white 1960 Chevy Impala vith a sineylinder engine, threeon-the-ree and red plaid intecor. I was owned by a 81-year-ald man who boughtit nev: He got marred and raised five kid in that cat, and had the pitures and stories to back t up. “Another vehicle you probably wont see a Pebble was 211974 Ford Bronco, Built with all donated parts, twas tovered with photos of veterans from bumper to bumper, Called the Stone Soup project, named ater the idea of making something good from nothing, the Bronco wil be raffled off with al he proceeds going to returning home veterans One guy brought his 1961 International Scout all the way from Independence, Kentucky, where he'd spent the last 30 years restoring it He drove itall the way, just tomake the Cruise. But what Inad to he the strangest thing T save dive by was an ‘THE UPSIDE-DOWN VAN HAD ELECTRIC MOTORS SPINNING THE WHEELS SO IT LOOKED LIKE IT HAD ROLLED OVER’ ‘upside-down van, a mid-80 GMC van that had been flipped on is roof. It even had electric motors spinning the whcels soit looked ike it had jst rolled over. Unlike Pebble, Woodward salle. You just show up. ‘Held onthe third Saturday in August, the cruise lat for 12 hours from 9am until 9pm, but in reality you could go all night long, The route i 16 miles long and goes through nine municipalities, and well over a milion people line the strets, making tthe biggest one-day Automotive event inthe work. ‘Although there is wall-to-wall nostalgia, T saw a slimpse ofthe fture, once again Detroit style. stopped ‘at Dodge headquarters to see my fold frend Tim Kuniskis, the ‘company’ CEO. Tim hae used the Dodge brand to reinforce the muscle car mindset in the United States, If you see two back stripes fon the road, hear tyres squealing and sce a few puts of white smoke, its probably ether a Challenger oF 4 Charger. Tim loves puting that ‘gandion of the HEMI ~ called the Hellcat - in just about everything ‘they build In 2015 I bought one of the very first Challenger Helleats, black with tan interoe, manual. Lever regretted it 1% «big car with big seats (no buttock-clenching Recaros ‘this baby) fora great American road trip with afew well fed frends. Put your foot tothe floor and aim for ‘Vegas. That's always been Tim's focus, He says they ‘would eather shut down than produce a vehicle that does rot embody the Dodge brand, 1 was one ofthe frst to soe its new electric muscle ar, ‘the Dodge Charger Daytona SR2, a concept ear 'm told is very close to production. Unlike most electric cars this one will have a transmission and be loud, Nether of those things is necessary in an electric vehicle but says they want to recreate the muscle car feel and ‘xstement, I's reminiscent ofthe 1968 Dodge Charger ‘but with better aerodynamics anda smoother lok, 1t will have allwheel drive and feature something called fratonic chambered exhaust. You know hove they always say an electric vehicle should have some noise so the hearing impaired ean hear them? This one will alse the dead at around 126 decibels it should be like the VS Hellat at ful throttle. That's about as loud. asyou can legally go [think it’s fic to say Detroit will nt go quietly into that good night. da somloerdey ano neater nthe USA. Hetcals os peteoad, ‘tears and hoe {sjeroegerage omClassic aeons] SST UT TCU Saba (ue MARCH 17TH TO APRI FROM CAPE TOWN TO JOHANNESBURG, "ws Luu scone TOURS TEPC VEIN SOME OF STHAFRNs US CME PAS. [HHT GAME DRIVES INCLUDED AS WELL ‘AS YOUR 4X4 CAR HIRE ro Pod CLASSICDRIVINGTOURS.COM ‘BREATHTAKING SCENERY AT EVERY TURN. Tui THe CANYONS OF AMERICA ROM ‘COLARADO SPRINGS ON OUR WAY TO THE ATES CUISSC CA VET THE USAT BLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA CCAR IRE INCLUDED cr pi Hee DA Herre our roe agus ROUTE 8 Frou ccago FLES WE OLLON THEOMNAL "ROUTE WaT UNFORCETTALE OAD TP THEME ‘OF THEUSA. CAR HIRE INCLUDED cr Ped [CeresAGNITION / Opi ian DEREK BELL The Legend ll, 1 am nothing if not inconsistent. 1 remember a while ago saying that I probably ‘wouldn't ace again I think reaching 80 had omething to do with it, but, perhaps more than anything ese, wast sure I wanted to take sks jus fora jolly Button the Goodwood Revival Meeting came around and I was offered a last-minute drive in Carlos Monteverde’ Ferai 750 Monza. Gary Pearson was preparing the ca and he would also be ay wingman, 1d made a pact with myself a year or s0 ago that Iwas dane unless the drive wasn something really amazing. [know that made my wife Mist happy. She has ‘been incredibly supportive over the years, but ow Thad retired in the dictionary sense ofthe word. ‘But this was a Ferrari, 30 ow could say no? Thad driven a Group 4 Daytona for Carlos befor, and 1 know Gary is very handy and proper bloke, s0 ofcourse I sid yes. Hovweve, didnt dive the er unt practice on the Friday, and then Gary dd the fst thee laps of the race that evening nd I took over as wwe headed into dask, by which time there was a problem with the searbox. It became a voyage of discovery thereat. “There were afew other isues with theca, asis 3 often the way with anything ofthis age. We dia get the sort ofreslt we had hoped for, which was ashame. I may bbe more ‘wintage’ than “youth” but 1 still have competitive streak a mile wide. Nevertheless, I derived some personal satisfaction fiom Knowing that I am still being asked to drive amazing car ike these in my ninth decade; that Laced 4 Ferrasi more than half a century ater I campaigned ray frst forthe works team. What's more Tdi on such amilestone yea forthe marque ‘Speaking of which, 1 also ad the gest pleasure of diving Lord Bumfoe’s ex Maranello Concestonsires 2S0GTO in the 75 Yeas of Feta and Graham Hill “Tribute demonstrations. What a fabulous machine, nd ofcourse one that Graham memorably raced in period He was peshaps past his best when I competed against him way back when, but always admired his vessatlty. “That was something I was keen to emulate, although Tinust admit L was always more of Jim Clark fan! While 1am on the subject of Goodwood, 1 cannot let this opportunity pass without mentioning. the remarkable job the Duke of Richmond and his team did ‘| MAY BE MORE “VINTAGE” THAN “YOUTHFUL’ BUT | STILL HAVE A COMPETITIVE STREAK A MILE WIDE” merely in holding the event. The Revival Meeting is always spectacular, but this year's running was ofcourse ‘aged just eight days after the death of HRH Queen Elizabeth Tl, As such, question marks lingered over whether it would go ahead, and I am sure the Duke fagonised over what was the correct thing t9 do, Ass transpired, Goodwood paid a wonderful tribute ¢0 an amazing monarch, Everyone on site was incredibly espectul and 1 think many overseas” vistors were ‘moved by proceedings. Not only that, the famous Goodwood ball changed ‘oat of all recognition into something more reverent, following the Queen’ passing. T think the original theme was Sar Wars. I have no idea how they pulled it off at such short notice Really, it beggars belief, but T suppose that has always been the sway ith anything “Goodwood: related. The impossible as a habit ‘of being made possible. AS to whether Twill compete at Goodwood again next yeas, who knows? I sure a heck don't. I jst know that willearryon supporting my home’ track jst as Thave done ever since ny days spent marshalling a young pup. Since the Revival 1 have, of course, participated in “The Derek Bell Toor, It atacted a wonderfal bunch fof people and an eclectic array of cars, from classic ‘Chevrolet Corvette Sting Rays to modern-day hypercars. We enjoyed some fabulous Provencal sceners, great