Octane June 2019

‘Or is it?’ The pay-off du jour for anything contentious, three little words with zero standing in law, but a question mark that the writer hopes might be enough to buy their way out of trouble if their judgment is questioned or if they are shown to be consciously ignoring the fact that something is contested. Well, here at Octane we say phooey; we are happy to acknowledge that one of this month’s star cars has been the subject of conjecture in recent years. Indeed, we’d revel in it because it illustrates what is best about our world: two great collectors behaving as great gentlemen. The car in question is the Million Franc Delahaye, and, much like those old masters whose provenance depends on the say-so of whatever expert last…

Simon kidSton ‘Beautiful people, beautiful cars, beautiful scenery… and did I mention five-star food and service? It’s hard to put your finger on exactly what made The Ice stand out in a crowded calendar of motoring events, but those were all pretty good ingredients.’ The equally beautiful Simon reports back from exclusive St Moritz on PAGES 132-140. david burgeSS-wiSe ‘The transformation of Delahaye in the mid-1930s was nothing short of miraculous. Designer Jean François is an unsung hero and the “Prix du Million” V12 racer was his masterpiece. Such a pity it wasn’t better-looking!’ Find out more about France’s heroic Grand Prix challenger on PAGES 88-94. robert hefferon ‘I love being around cars that others rarely see first-hand, the buzz of press week, and being in artistic control of a…

Goodwood Members’ Meeting 6-7 April The 77th Members’ Meeting, actually the sixth since its revival, was spared the snow that blighted the super-select spring event in 2018. There was fabulous on-track action – including an all-Mini three-part anniversary challenge, The Betty Richmond Trophy; five Porsche 917s circulating to mark the model’s half-century; McLaren hypercar parades; and a prototype demo that included Bentley’s 2003 Le Mans-winning Speed 8. Pioneer run, 24 march this brighton run for bikes is for pre-1914 motorcyles, including the long-lost likes of excelsior and douglas. this year marked the 80th staging of the event and 307 riders left tattenham Corner, epsom, with all but 22 making it to brighton. ctcrc oulton park, 23 March top-notch racing from the classic touring car racing club’s pre-66 and pre-83 group.…

There’s an old saying in politics: if you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu. And if you own a modern classic car built between 1979 and 2005, over the next few years you’re about to get properly carved up. In the UK and across the rest of Europe, low-emission zones, urban car bans, permits and access stickers are popping up faster than speedbumps. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has just brought in his new Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) covering the area of the congestion charge. Thanks to a gap of 26 years – a sort of automotive no-man’s land – for modern classics too young to fit the historic tax class but too old to comply with Euro 4 legislation, drive into it in any car…

If you live outside the Capital and think that the threat of the Ultra Low Emission Zone is being exaggerated, please think again because the long-term threat as ULEZ expands and spreads to other towns and cities is placing a whole generation of cars in grave danger. And not just emerging classics, but copper-bottomed cars that have been part of our scene for years such as TVRs, Lancia Delta Integrales, Jaguar XJ-S, the Lamborghini Countach, early Lotus Elise and so many more. Plus, think of those cusp classics (Ford Racing Puma?) that now may not survive to have that status. Overdramatic? We don’t think so. When this scheme rolls out, if people across the country no longer have the freedom to use their cars as they want and when they…

Fancy driving a Hhiron? In Yolsheim? Then read on… Bugatti has responded to a charity request by offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience in a lot for an auction. The winner will find out what it is like to be one of the company’s ‘favoured customers’ with a private tour of the factory at Molsheim, a test drive of the Chiron, lunch and drinks, plus transfers to and from the airport or station. The company shocked charity bosses with the generous donation when it was approached for a contribution to the Esmee Godwin Fund Auction. Toddler Esmee Godwin died in 2007 when she was just over two years old, following three tortuous weeks of serious illness brought about by a combination of chicken-pox and a heavy winter cold. Her father set up…