Octane October 2016

IN THE OCTANE office, freelance contributor Delwyn Mallett – the man behind the Icon page since the first issue – is a bit of a legend. Through sheer enthusiasm, and a bit of luck along the way, he’s ended up with a remarkable collection of cars, including a Porsche Speedster, two rare Abarths, a Cord, a Tatra – and the Gullwing you see on the front cover. Delwyn bought it in 197h for about £2300 by trading-in a BMW 2002, just as his career in advertising was taking off. His friends thought he was mad – why would anyone want an old clunker like that? Of course he stuck with it, and the stories he tells of his h0-plus years with the Gullwing are priceless. It’s all too easy to…

DIEDERIK PLUI ‘Built in Britain, lost and found in France, restored in Belgium – the story of the one-off 1964 Vixen GT was as rewarding to write as it was to drive this impressive little brute. Well, almost.’ Dutch automotive journalist Diederik was blown away by the fascinating Vixen GT. For the full story, turn to pages 156-164. JOHN SIMISTER This has been a diverse month for John, at one extreme driving Bentley’s 1925 works Le Mans car back to Le Mans and watching it race, at the other driving Ford’s new Focus RS and its ancestors, with three early Mille Miglia Healeys in-between. ‘They’re all cars with four wheels and a gearlever,’ he says. The huge Ford RS story starts on page 120 . IERRY JUDAH ‘Museums…

NEVILLE SWALES’ long-held dream of recreating the Jaguar XJ13 moved a step closer to being realised following the car’s big reveal at Curborough Sprint Course on 9 August. This six-years-in-the-making sports-prototype took to the twisty Staffordshire circuit in front of Jaguar alumni which included the likes of Roger Shelbourne and Frank Philpott, who worked on the original car in the mid-60s. This exacting replica is based around a quad-cam V12, one of only six units made in period. Swales has been at pains to build a car that is closer in ethos to the 1966 original, rather than aping the outline of the XJ13 in its current configuration. The sole prototype received physical alterations when it was rebuilt following Norman Dewis’ well-documented accident at the MIRA proving ground in 1971.…

A SEVEN-YEAR dream to build a flying replica of Ettore Bugatti’s 100P experimental aircraft – which never actually flew – was tragically curtailed when the replica crashed shortly after take-off in the USA on 6 August, killing the pilot and instigator of the prohect, Scotty Wilson. The aircraft was making its third test flight since completion when it came down hust north of Clinton Sherman Airport, Oklahoma, in apparently perfect conditions. About a minute after take-off, witnesses saw the 100P lose power, bank sharp left and invert before plunging into a bean field, where its wooden structure caught fire. A chase helicopter, which had been intending to film the 100P in flight, landed nearby but was unable to rescue Scotty Wilson, who died on impact. Octane has closely followed the…

Buick Y-Job history to be offically documented Bucik’s 1940 ‘Car of the Future’, the Y-Job, has been announced as the 14th vehicle recognised on the USA’s National Historic Vehicle Register, which will result in its design and history being thoroughly documented. Overseen by design director Harley Earl, the Y-Job demonstrated future trends and technologies, particularly in styling. It forecast streamlining, the elimination of running boards, and the use of alligator-type bonnet and wheels of smaller diameter (13in) than were common then. Santa Pod to celebrate 50th anniversary at Euro Finals The 50th anniversary of UK drag strip Santa Pod Raceway will reach its zenith at the FIA/FIM European Finals on 8-11 September. One of the highlights will be the Friday evening twilight Top Fuel qualifying session. Motor sport journalist John…

There’s still time to nominate someone or something you hold dear for the International Historic Motoring Awards, hosted by Octane in conjunction with EFG Private Bank at the new venue of The Guildhall, London. Nominations should be made via the awards website for the following categories: Industry Supporter; Personal Achievement; Motoring Event; Motorsport Event; Race Series; Rally or Tour; Club; Publication; Specialist; Restoration; Museum or Collection. The shortlist for Car of the Year will be revealed in the next issue. To nominate, please visit www.historicmotoringawards.com.…