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The main musts forme in such a car are ease of use,silence, space, and a ride softerthan a Disney Princess's bed. OVERDRIVE / Other Cars 2022 MERCEDES-BENZ S350DL SEEMS I'M OUT of sync withthe luxury car market. Ratheras Octane readers tend to preferreading a paper product insteadof logging-in for an online fix,I prefer to be disconnected fromrude reality. [Extracted from the article]

This article is an interview with Micky Pople, a 95-year-old former racing driver from Bristol. Pople discusses his experiences racing cars and interacting with famous figures in the racing world, such as Jochen Rindt and Stirling Moss. He also talks about his time in the military and his involvement in the Berlin Airlift. Pople's racing career began in 1949, and he was part of the Monkey Stable racing team. He retired from racing in 1955 after the deaths of two fellow drivers. Pople still visits racing tracks like Spa and the Nürburgring for track days. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph, the last Rolls-Royce car to be produced in Crewe. The car was launched in 1998 amidst the separation of Rolls-Royce and Bentley, with Rolls-Royce coming under the ownership of BMW. The Silver Seraph featured elegant styling and a powerful BMW-sourced V12 engine. Despite facing competition from other luxury car brands, the Silver Seraph still holds its value and is considered a special and enjoyable car to own and drive. The article also touches on the complex history of Rolls-Royce and Bentley's ownership changes. [Extracted from the article]

The article explores the history of micromodels cut-out racing cars including the 1954 micromodels of ‘Three Dimensional Volumetric' Set M.C1.

The article discusses the history of the Tetra Pak packaging. Tetra Pak first appeared in Great Britain in 1958 when Calypso introduced an orange drink called Jubbly. The Jubbly carton was considered a manufacturing breakthrough that made Tetra Pak the biggest packaging maker in the world and its Swedish manufacturer, Ruben Anderson, one of world's richest people. In 1963, the tetrahedron was joined by the more traditionally shaped Tetra Brik, which became Tetra Pak's biggest seller.

The article focuses on automobile racer Stuart Turner who talks about his journey of racing and his favorite car racers. It informs that turner was appointed as competition chief following a paper presented by him on the future of Ford automobiles in motor sport. It mentions his favorite automobile racers including Erik Carlsson, Hannu Mikkola and Jackie Stewart.

I published a paper in 2008 explaining thatclassic car culture could be a blueprint formaking cars last longer. Day in the life Author, academic, sustainability expert,environmentalist and petrolhead AS AN ACADEMIC I've worked a lot fromhome, but always commuted on foot or bicyclebecause I've lived nearby. Legislators just think of cars as old technologyto be phased out, but it's not that simple: it's anemotional, cultural, social and economic thing,and consumers won't give up cars voluntarily. [Extracted from the article]

Now it'sdeemed missing in action ON THE MORNING of 5 May 1945,Kapitänleutnant Herbert Nollau of theKriegsmarine turned U-534 north in theKattegat sea, just east of Denmark. The cold water of the northern seas, and anair pocket in the sunken boat, meant a haul ofartefacts has survived, including perhaps theonly operational paper record of that signalfrom Dönitz, transcribed by U-534's radiooperator. U-534 had a chronometer -- a large,precise, gimbal-mounted, hand-wound watch- acting as the on-board reference. [Extracted from the article]

However, justlike VW itself, he turned tofront-engined fare - and in2006 co-authored VW Golf:Five Generations of Fun. The preamble on VW'sfumbling inability to replacethe Beetle, not to mention thepeople involved, is the mostcompelling element. Books VW Golf MK 1-IVRICHARD COPPING, Amberley,£15.99, ISBN 978 1 3981 1337 4 Copping is well-known as aVW authority, mainly in theair-cooled world. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the history of a 1936 Aston Martin Ulster and its previous owner, Major Robert William Fenton 'Tony' Mellor. The car was originally a long-chassis MkII but was later converted to its current Ulster specification. The article reveals that Major Mellor may have used the car for smuggling gold and silver out of pre-war Germany on behalf of Jewish friends, and it suggests that he may have been involved in espionage missions into Nazi Germany. The car also had a secret compartment and a German-style whistle to help Mellor evade German checkpoints. The article speculates on potential connections between Mellor and Ian Fleming, the author of the James Bond novels. After Mellor's death, a hidden compartment was discovered in his former home, containing a Walther pistol, ammunition, and grenades. The article concludes by describing the driving experience of the Aston Martin Ulster. [Extracted from the article]

The article announces the winners of the thirteenth Historic Motoring Awards, which recognize achievements in the classic car industry. The winners and runners-up are acknowledged in various categories, including Apprentice of the Year, Bespoke Car of the Year, and Motoring Event of the Year. Notable winners include a restored 1964 AC Cobra, the Noosa Concours d'Elegance event, and the 1954 Maserati A6G/54 Zagato. The Lifetime Achievement award is presented to Merle and Peter Mullin for their passion and contributions to the automotive industry. The article also acknowledges the sponsors and supporters of the awards. [Extracted from the article]

David Jack, the founder of Aston Engineering, reflects on his career in an interview with Octane. With a long association with Aston Martin, Jack has extensive knowledge of both road and race cars. He began his career as an apprentice engineer and eventually joined forces with Robin Hamilton to build and race Aston Martins. Jack's company, Aston Engineering, has become a renowned specialist in restoring, maintaining, and racing Aston Martins, and has worked on iconic cars such as DP212 and the John Pope Special. Despite his age, Jack remains involved in the engine side of the business. [Extracted from the article]

The 1953 Kurtis Sorrell SR-100 prototype car broke with American design trends of the time and made a significant impact at the Fourth Annual International Motorama. The car featured innovative design elements, such as a unique body shape and the absence of a hood or trunk parting line. The prototype was built with high-quality components, including a GMC engine with a specially designed crossflow head. After being hidden from public view for nearly 70 years, the car underwent a six-year restoration and debuted at the 2023 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, where it won a First-in-Class trophy. The SR-100 prototype is a visually impressive and powerful roadster that challenges traditional perspectives on car design. [Extracted from the article]

LOTUS ELEVEN Fresh from restoration and wearing its seventhdifferent primary colour, this Lotus Eleven S2 is theideal Goodwood weapon, says James Elliott Weighing in at less than half a tonne(officially), propelled by arepurposed lightweight off-the-shelffirepump engine and clothedin a ground-hugging, air-cheatingbody from master aerodynamicistFrank Costin, in the entire historyof Lotus it's the Eleven that has best encapsulated theChapman mantra of "simplify, then add lightness". That was followed byWilliams & Pritchard carrying out chassis tube repairs and supplying anew 18-gauge aluminium body, plus a respray, this time to Rolls-RoyceRegal Red. After some 3000 man-hours by Laurence, his father Jamesand the team, 313 is making its post-restoration debut onthe sort of Goodwood day that Roy Salvadori waxed lyricalabout, the owner taking it out on the jovial Classics on Trackfor Charity trackday, Octane graciously accorded thelunchbreak for photography and a few laps. [Extracted from the article]

COUNT TROSSI MERCEDES The streamlined Count Trossi SSK is one of the mostfabled of 1930s Mercedes-Benzes. Trossi was fundamental in the founding ofScuderia Ferrari, of which he was president from 1932until 1934, and was responsible for Enzo Ferrari's passionfor 12-cylinder engines: the 'American 12-cylinder car'often referred to by Ferrari was Trossi's 1937 PackardTwelve. Today, on the 17-Mile Drive close to Pebble Beach, Ican only begin to imagine the impact Trossi's SSK madeon people back in the 1930s, when cars in Italy were stilla rarity and, to most, even a Fiat Balilla was a distantdream. [Extracted from the article]

Gear Pages packed with stuff we'd love to findunder the tree this year JIM CLARK BY EMMA CAPENER Bad luck dogged reigningF1 champion Jim Clark at thebeginning of the 1966 season. Despitethe fact that his 2-litre Lotuswas underpowered comparedwith the 3-litre cars in the field,an inspired Clark took the leadon lap 24 and opened a goodgap to Jack Brabham. £525. renauld.co.uk SCALEXTRIC FORD ESCORT COSWORTH WRC The Repsol-livered car with which CarlosSainz Snr won the 1997 Acropolis Rally isthe coolest Ford of the modern era, andhappily Scalextric has done it justice. [Extracted from the article]

The article offers the author's insights on the status of historic automobiles associated with the new guidelines from the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). Topics discussed include the late automobile racer Roy Salvadori, Aston Martin DBR1 automobile, and a 1928 Bentley 4½ Litre Tourer automobile. He also explores the new form for historic cars issued by the FIA which is the 26-pages Historic Technical Passport (HTP).

BRUBAKER BOX Only 28 examples of the Brubaker Box kit van wereever made -- but it influenced a whole generation. Rear: swing axles, torsion bars, telescopic dampers Brakes Drums Weight c900kg Top speed 80mph (est) Clockwise, from above'Wooden' bumper is actually madefrom composite; huge sliding doorprovides the sole means of access;stock VW flat-four gives adequateperformance; rear ottoman isperfect for sprawling. Sadly, the economics of Brubaker having to buy new VW Beetles toconvert into Boxes didn't make sense, and just three vehicles werecompleted by Curtis's company. [Extracted from the article]

Now thatHugh Conway has marked his own 20thanniversary as chairman, he's stepping down sothat trustee Allan Rippon can take the reins,but Conway will continue as a trustee. In black and white (from far left)"HG" airborne in his blown Austin 7 at the crest ofBrooklands Test Hill, 1934; Hugh Conway with hisfather's Type 43, plus his mother and legendaryracer Louis Chiron on the Côte d'Azur, 1964;"HG" and his wife Eva Conway in 1935. THEOCTANEINTERVIEW As the chairman of theBugatti Trust retires after20 years' service, he showsus around its HQ -- andreflects on his late father HGConway, the noted Bugattiauthority who co-founded it Few families have done more torecord, research and promote thehistory of a marque than theConways have with Bugatti. [Extracted from the article]

While several examples were raced successfully,one 450S is memorable for its uniqueness, andthat's the car you see here, the only Berlinetta:the infamous 450S Costin Zagato. UNDER THE Arizona sun at the Apex MotorClub circuit, the Maserati 450S Costin Zagato'sblack livery gives its swoopy lines a sinisterlook. MASERATI 450S COSTIN ZAGATO The unique Maserati 450S Costin Zagato was raced atLe Mans by Stirling Moss in 1957 -- yet its maker thencast it aside. Costin arrived at Le Mans just before therace began. [Extracted from the article]

Move off and the GT's modest 1120kg weightand low first gear ratio mean you don't noticethe relatively low peak of 130lb ft of torque at ahigh 5000rpm, but the car is cold and you're notabout to rev it so high anyway. As with many classic cars, the head-onaspect is not its best, as the GT appears a bit geeky, withmyopic headlights and skinny 165-section tyres that lookas under-nourished as they sound. TOYOTA 2000GT Rare, stylish and exquisitely engineered, theToyota 2000GT revolutionised Japan's motorindustry -- and charmed Robert Coucher "Imitation is the sincerest formof flattery", so it's said, and fordecades the Japanese carindustry has been dismissedas a copy-and-paste operationincapable of original thought. [Extracted from the article]

The article reports on the decline of classic car market shown according to the HAGI Top Index and mentions how automobile companies including Porsche and Ferrari indices have all once more converged to within a fag paper of one another.

PHOTO (BLACK & WHITE): With 35 boxes of Goldie Gardner's personal effects kept at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, Mayhead was able to discover and collate this MG's impressive background role in record-breaking history. Then his MG TC came up for sale... GOLDIE OPPORTUNITY: Purely by chance, one man became obsessed with record-breaker Goldie Gardner. [Extracted from the article]

There are three separate tests: a slalom betweencones, a braking test into a marked-out "box", and acombined quarter-mile acceleration test followed by aflying 250 yards. Try entering the Vintage Sports-Car Club's Pomeroy Trophy, suggests Mark Dixon For the last few months I've been privileged to have theuse of Simon Blakeney-Edwards' Frazer Nash, as featuredin Octane Cars, and Simon was very keen that I shoulddo The Pom in it. [Extracted from the article]

Rowntree's of York took a punt and introduced four foil-and-paper-wrapped fingers of wafer biscuit coated in milk chocolate and bearing the descriptive but uninspiring name "Rowntree's Chocolate Crisp". Rowntree's had trademarked the name Kit Kat (and Kit Cat) in 1911 but did not immediately use either on a product. Then, in 1933 and on the brink of bankruptcy, Rowntree's focused its efforts on Black Magic chocolates and Kit Cat was parked, only for the brand to re-emerge in 1937 with the catchier double K. During WW2, the Churchill government endorsed Kit Kat as a cheap and healthy source of nourishment, but a milk shortage resulted in the chocolate coating being replaced with dark chocolate. [Extracted from the article]

'I've always been fascinated by Gordon Murray so it was an honour to be invited to interview him about his new car. TIM ANDREW 'What a great opportunity to photograph the VW XL1 - basically a techy show car that actually made it into production - alongside the less extreme Honda Insight. To rev this pure-bred racer's six-cylinder engine is a privilege'. [Extracted from the article]

IGNITION / News IN THIS MONTH SEPTEMBER 1862 The first free flight of a balloon carryinghumans was in 1783, using a balloon madeby the Montgolfier brothers in France andachieved by hot air filling a paper and silkenvelope. In his report, Glaisher describes theballoon "rising too quickly" and "going roundtoo quickly"; the spinning tangled the valverope and pilot Coxwell had to climb outonto the balloon at 37,000ft in the rarefiedair and -50°C temperature to release thevalve so they could descend. [Extracted from the article]

Dexion was the brainchild of theLondon-domiciled Australian-Greek engineerDemetrius Comino, known to one and allas "Dimitri". Icon AT 11.23 and 55 seconds local time onWednesday 12 August 1953, the Greek islandof Kefalonia was struck by a devastating 7.2magnitude earthquake that raised the islandout of the Ionian Sea by 60cm. Virtually everybuilding was flattened, 600 people died and93,000 were made homeless. [Extracted from the article]

EDITOR'S WELCOME THE LAST TIME a Porsche 996 featured onthe cover of Octane was the October 2017issue (172), when it was trumpeted with theheadline "Bargain 911". After all,five years ago (April 2018, issue 178) a copy ofOctane cost £5.50 on the UK newsstand. Except that the996-generation Porsche 911s are still a bargain. [Extracted from the article]

The postcards were sold in Decemberby Automobilia Ladenburg Marcel SeidelAuctions, the frenzy prompted becauseonly a handful of each had been printed,making them the holy grail for the mostardent Ferrari collectors. IGNITION / News Early Maranello ephemera prices enteranother realm A TRIO OF Ferrari factory postcardssmashed all known records when theymade sky-high prices in an online auction. All three depict the first Ferrari - the125S - and the auction house reports thatmore than 1000 bidders from across theglobe took part in the sale, many of themspecifically chasing the postcards. [Extracted from the article]

The article offers information on the hot metal printing of old car for advertising by car manufacturers. Topics discussed include spreading of desktop publishing revolution on even smallest of paper, reuse of the melted down rare metals used in printing plate, and negative image displayed by the shape of cars which is pleasingly heavy and industrial quality.

BUGATTI CENTODIECI Bugatti celebrated its 110th anniversary in 2019 byannouncing the 1600bhp Centodieci. Another car marked Bugatti's rebirth in1991: the EB110 was revealed on the occasionof Ettore's 110th birthday, its blue touch paperlit by the Italian entrepreneur Romano Artioli.The 212mph, four-wheel-drive EB110 wasamong that first wave of hypercars: XJ220, F1,F40 and so on. Clockwise, from rightChiron bodywork hasbeen reinterpreted as anhomage to the EB110;scale comparisonsbetween Centodieci andEB110 are comedic; everysurface is sculpted. [Extracted from the article]

The article explores the history of the design of automobiles from German car manufacturer Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW). Design director Adrian van Hooydonk shared the company's archive how its car design changed over the years. The company provided details of the design of the BMW 507, the BMW Neue Klasse Sedan and the BMW 3 Series E21.

The article in Octane magazine discusses the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro 4Matic+, highlighting its improved usability and track performance compared to its predecessor. The car features upgrades such as increased power, improved aerodynamics, and better cooling for drivetrain and brakes. The Pro model aims to strike a balance between track performance and everyday usability, making it a competitive option in its class. Pricing is estimated to be around £180,000, making it a worthwhile upgrade for those interested in track driving. [Extracted from the article]

The AVUS, a legendary racetrack near Berlin, was known for its incredible speed and treacherous banked turns. Built in 1921, it was Europe's first motor-vehicle-only road and a showcase for Nazi technical strength. The track saw record-breaking speeds and tragic accidents, with racing ending in 1998 and the circuit gradually being demolished for development. Despite its historic significance, the AVUS now serves as a reminder of a bygone era, with its remnants incorporated into the modern autobahn network. [Extracted from the article]

The article in Octane magazine discusses Jay Leno's experiences with various McLaren cars, highlighting his preference for the P1 model over newer releases like the Speedtail. Leno praises the P1 for its reliability, performance, and timeless design, while expressing skepticism about the newer W1 model's ability to match its predecessor. He appreciates McLaren's focus on lightweight design, aerodynamics, and driving experience, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a connection between the driver and the road. [Extracted from the article]

The article from Octane magazine recounts a story from the 1960s involving the introduction of parking meters in the UK and the emergence of specialized parking meter watches. A local jeweler made a fortuitous trade, exchanging three unsold parking meter watches for a Rolex Cosmograph that was considered unsaleable at the time. The Rolex, now highly valuable, was worn daily for over 40 years before being acquired by Oakleigh Watches. The trade, initially equal in value, has since greatly favored the Rolex, which sold for £70,000 in contrast to the parking meter watches valued at £6000-6500. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses Povilas Eitutis, the founder of Automuziejus Vilnius, a Lithuanian motor museum with 110 exhibits that opened in 2023. Eitutis shares personal stories and connections to various items in the museum, highlighting the history of Lithuanian motorsport and vintage motoring. The museum showcases a range of artifacts, including number plates, vehicles, and memorabilia, reflecting the rich heritage and passion for motorsports in Lithuania. [Extracted from the article]

The article in Octane magazine discusses the increasing value and collectability of the Mercedes-Benz 300SL 'Gullwing' coupé, highlighting its rich history and iconic design. The values of these cars have nearly doubled since 2020, with a peak in late 2023/early 2024, followed by a flattening of prices due to economic uncertainties. Factors such as demographics and the US economic situation will play a role in determining the future outlook for this sought-after collectible car. [Extracted from the article]

They coverdifferent timeframes in theSpeedster's evolution but alsofascinating digressions suchas Speedster advertising andephemera, and celebrityassociations - including newinformation about JamesDean's Speedster (his firstPorsche racer, not the 550Spyder in which he tragicallyand infamously died). Books REVIEWED BY OCTANE STAFF AND CONTRIBUTORS Collector'sbook Porsche Speedster Typ 540 VARIOUS AUTHORS, Big Lake Media, 2004, value £595 This bookwas a labourof love byUS PorscheenthusiastSteveHeinrichs,who owned and restored threevery early examples. Among the usefulappendices towards the end ofthe book are production dataon the 17 America Roadsters,4145 Speedsters and 1330Convertible Ds that werebuilt, plus information onbody colours and even carpetspecs. [Extracted from the article]

1979 Aston Martin V8Tecnomodel £116.95 Available in other race liveries, too, theBell/Preece/Hamilton Aston is nicelypresented here in Silverstone 6h guise. Checkout this great diecast model of a Monza500km European Touring Car racer. 2022 Alpine A522Spark £69.95 Spectacularly fine model of Alonso'sBahrain GP car, produced just a fewmonths after the actual race. [Extracted from the article]

The article offers information related to the renew vehicle tax or tax disc of Great Britain issued by the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Topics discussed Vehicle Excise Duty under the tax disc, legal fine to display a period tax disc and appearance of the tax disc after the Roads Act and Finance Act in 1921.

It's likely that Fioravante Zanussi, in a bid to speed up the registration process, kept the original Alfa Romeo chassis number, and the related numberplate, too, for his new chassis. The car was officially described as an Alfa Romeo Type Zanussi, with a Siluro Sport two-seater body, equipped with a four-cylinder engine of 1089cc -- the latter detail is important, as that is the exact cubic capacity of the Fiat Type 1100 B engine, manufactured since 1949. [Extracted from the article]

Silvia's first car was a 1963 Cisitalia 850 GT Coupé, the last model manufactured by Cisitalia and now part of the museum. The first car Luciano Nicolis bought for his collection was a 1903 Cottereau Populaire, a symbol to him of the moment when the automobile left behind the carriage style and become an independent entity. If you remember Penelope Pitstop of the Wacky Races, when you meet Silvia Nicolis you can't help but smile. [Extracted from the article]

The article offers a preview of luxury collectibles including the Aerolithe driver's wristwatch from Parmigiani, art deco posters from Pullman Editions gallery, and the Legend Series of fountain pens from Montegrappa.

The article reports the discovery of exotic and expensive car spare parts by car auction house executive Chris Routledge inside shipping containers, which comprised of spares of automobile models including Ferrari, Maserati and Abarth.

Bill Stout was an inventor, engineer, and journalist who made significant contributions to the fields of automotive and aeronautical engineering. Despite his talents, some of his humor and behavior may not be well-received in today's PC culture. Stout built a flying machine before the Wright brothers and designed innovative motorcycles and cyclecars. He founded the Illinois Model Airplane Club and edited Aerial Age, the first magazine of its kind in the US. Stout later became the chief engineer of Scripps-Booth and Packard's aviation division, where he championed new aircraft designs. He also developed the legendary Ford Tri-Motor airplane. Stout's innovative thinking extended to the automotive industry, where he designed the Stout Scarab, an Art Deco masterpiece. He retired to Phoenix and continued experimenting with flapping-wing flight until his death in 1956. [Extracted from the article]