Octane June 2025

FEW CARS DEFINED upmarket British motoring better during my youth than the Aston Martin V8. Introduced when I was four and finally killed off just as I formally became an adult, it was an ever-present symbol of bespoke British brilliance, embodying a sense of cultural and social superiority that had otherwise evaporated along with those rusty UK cars further down the foodchain. To some there was something a bit brassy about the Aston, while others mentally formed the perfect two-car garage with it sitting alongside an R107 Mercedes SL – unhelpfully, the highest praise or the greatest condemnation, depending on your perspective on who might own such a garage. There was certainly something rather louche about the V8 and V8 Vantage, and they were more likely to be seen wallowing…

AMY SHORE ‘What could be better than working with rare Porsches on mountainous roads under blue skies and by warm seas? Roaring through the Greek hills with this incredible convoy reminded me that I have the best job in the world.’ Amy’s beautiful photographs illustrate Robert Coucher’s feature on pages 118-126. MATT HOWELL ‘I’ve been rebuilding cars since I was 15 but I’m definitely not brave enough to take on the AC Aceca in this issue. However, I’m hoping in a couple of years I’ll get to photograph it again – looking a bit smarter than it does now.’ This ex-Monte Carlo Rally AC was hidden away for 56 years. Turn to pages 88-96. DAVID LILLYWHITE ‘I’m fascinated by the way car museums are evolving, and I’ve been following the plans for…

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Espíritu de Montjuïc 21-23 March Peter Auto’s historic racing season kicked off at the 4.7km Barcelona-Catalunya circuit in Montmeló, Spain, in weather the origanisers charitably described as ‘capricious’. The ten grids ranged from 90-minute 2-Litre Cup to Group C, and featured some 300 cars and big-name drivers such as Emmanuel Collard (Ferrari 550 Prodrive) and Jan Magnussen (Lola T70 Mk3B GT). Winners included Oliver Bryant (2.0L Cup), Belgian Emile Breittmayer, who tiptoed through a late shower to win Classic Endurance Racing 1 in a Lola T70 Mk3B, and Emmanuel Brigand (Classic Endurance 2) in his Porsche 935. Porsche 962s dominated Group C, Ralf Kelleners and Ivan Vercoutère winning Race 1 and young Austrian Lukas Halusa taking Race 2. Rally The Globe Generations Rally 27-30 March The event’s fourth running took…

24-26 April Manx Classic On the Isle of Man, roads are closed to allow competition on three hillclimb courses. manxmotorracing.com 24-27 April Anantara Concorso Roma A new concours d’elegance for 2025, held in central Rome and open exclusively to Italian cars. anantaraconcorsoroma.com 25-27 April La Jolla Concours d’Elegance Classes this year include one for ‘Iconic American Hot Rods’. lajollaconcours.com 25-27 April Veterama Hockenheim Germany’s Hockenheimring hosts a giant autojumble that attracts upwards of 2500 traders. veterama.de 25-27 April GP de France Historique At Circuit Paul Ricard, with a special appearance by the R25 that helped Renault win the F1 Constructors’ title 20 years ago. grandprixdefrancehistorique.com 26 April Air/Water Porsches of all eras and types are displayed at the Orange County Fairgrounds in California. air-water.com 26-27 April Classic Car Boot Sale…

Alentejo and Extremadura Tours September and October 2025 Bookings are open for these classic car tours in an MGA Roadster through Portugal and Spain’s fascinating border regions, from specialist guided tour company Vintage Tours. There are two routes, promising big landscapes, high-level gastronomy and top-tier accommodation. vintage-tours.com Generations Rally 20-22 March 2026 No sooner has the most recent Yorkshire-based Generations Rally (see page 18) ended than entries are invited for the next. The event is open to any two generations of the same family, and for 2026 is based at the St Pierre Country Club, near Chepstow, with a route via the border country and the Cotswolds, and tests on military grounds and private estates. rallytheglobe.com Magical Madagascar 5-28 June 2026 A 25-day touring rally, timed to slip between the…