Octane March 2025

THE CLASSIC CAR market is a win-win as far as I can see. Even though I am one of the many for whom making any kind of profit from a classic car is a (very) occasional but welcome by-product rather than a pre-requisite – and only then if I conveniently ignore most maintenance and running costs – I do understand those financial forces that drive the top end of the market just as much as passion does. Lower down the foodchain, and that probably applies to anything under £200,000 nowadays, the main benefit of a bull market is to lubricate the man maths and help persuade significant others that a purchase is a solid business decision rather than mere self-indulgent whimsy. Do they ever really believe us? I suspect not.…

JULIAN BALME ‘1950s and ’60s Californian road racing introduced me to a stellar cast of characters. Dave MacDonald was famed for his legendary driving for Shelby American, Max Balchowsky for his audacious junkyard specials. Hollywood script-writers couldn’t make this stuff up.’ Dave MacDonald Corvette: pages 114-120. JOHN-JOE VOLLANS ‘Classic models pulled back into the orbit of their original manufacturers are often special, but upon hearing that Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera was restoring a Maserati 3500 GT without compromise, I couldn’t book a flight to Milan fast enough. The results were well worth the journey.’ Find out more on pages 74-82. NATHAN CHADWICK ‘I’d always admired BMW’s E30 M3 for its looks, competition success and chassis balance, but felt disappointed by its engine. Alpina’s introduction of the gloriously soulful straight-six could have corrupted everything…

Hot hatch extravaganza Didn’t we have it better in the old days? This group of affordable superstars suggests we did Plus Aston Martin ‘Razor Blade’ At the wheel of this unique 1920s record-breaker Gumpert Apollo Behind the scenes in the prototype supercar AC 427 Competition Robert Coucher braves the ultimate Cobra Fractional ownership explained How part-sharing a car gets you a slice of the action (Contents may be subject to change)…

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29 January – 5 February Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique Crews set out from cities across Europe and convene in the French department of Drôme before motoring towards Monaco on spectacular and often snow-covered roads. acm.mc 31 January – 2 February Grand National Roadster Show At the Fairplex in Pomona, California, 500 hot rods compete for the title of America’s Most Beautiful Roadster and the famous, nine-foot-tall trophy that goes with it. rodshows.com 31 January – 2 February Bremen Classic Motor Show All eras and most marques are represented at the Bremen show, which is attended by more than 700 exhibitors. classicmotorshow.de 2 February Motorcar Cavalcade At the Miami Turnberry resort in Florida, cars contest classes themed by design features – so there’s one class for cars with noteworthy engines, another for…

Le Mans Classic 3-6 July The mammoth must-do event for Brits and others in which it is essential to convoy to the Circuit de la Sarthe in classic cars with pals and preferable to camp, though seeking comfort (and especially a shower) elsewhere is understandable. There are near-endless options, from club trips to many professionally organised packages. lemansclassic.com/en/ Midnight Sun Rally 11-12 July Dating back to 1950, this is Sweden’s biggest historic rally and one of Europe’s finest. For 2025, routes for both day-long stages will run around Katrineholm in Sörmland, based from Katrineholm and Ericsbergs Slott. midnattssolsrallyt.com Traversée de Paris 20 July The recently held January edition, organised by the Vincennes en Anciennes Club and hosting some 700 teams in a wide range of vehicles over 30 years old,…