James Elliott · Articles

The Jensen brothers of the West Midlands became famous for their GT cars, but the story began with the 1935 White Lady – newly restored to its former glory.

This ‘frogeye’ Sprite was an early works rally car that was later much-modified to compete on the Targa Florio, Circuito del Mugello and at the Nurburgring.

Take a rookie concours entrant, an obsessively restored Ferrari, a curious Octane editor and set them loose at Salon Prive. James Elliott reveals all.

Since this incredibly original 1934 Aston Martin MkII was dragged out of a barn, a year-long operation to preserve it is has been completed. Time to revisit.

This Buick had lived in South Africa and Holland before it was acquired by Mark Hatton, who has driven it all around Britain and to France. And it’s the perfect car for long-distance touring, as he tells Zack Stiling…

Ok, so the wing on the back, BMW Individual Special Fire Orange paint, big, black wheels and so on were going to attract a certain demographic, but still I was a bit bewildered by how many thumbs-up signs came from young lads. And then a neighbour told me that her 14-year-old son knew the M3 GTS from Forza. A computer game, apparently.

It is incredible to think that the Mini Marcos was first launched in the mid-1960s, and its concept is slightly older if you factor in its inspiration the DART.

As The Saint, Roger Moore made a certain Volvo famous. But this Marcos screamed into shot in 1969, and now it’s back in the limelight.

Not all the early history of this sinfully attractive Alfa is recorded. But maybe that’s a force for good, reckons

This Aston Martin DB2/4's Monte Carlo Rally history was deliberately buried. Decades on it was revived by the original owner's son

Do you have to be a Jinancier to buy a derelict Dino and restore it as a daily driver? Well, yes as it turns out, but there are lessons for all of us here.

Two cars have been 'HWM 1 The second was the last racer the company built… and it’s still competing. Sam Hancock tries it

Project complete, James takes his CX back to the place it was discovered. But after 24 years dormant, will the car make it?

Max Mosley’s Lotus Elite Driving the late motorsport maven’s first love. This Lotus Elite was bought new by the late one-time FIA president Max Mosley – and Octane played a small role in reuniting him with his first motoring love, six years ago.