Retro

Retro cars road test

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El Maestro’s 1956 Maserati 300S driven by Juan Manuel Fangio

The Maserati 300S driven to sports car victories by Juan Manuel Fangio is a rush of racing history restored to its original, long-nose glory.

1273
1952 Rolls-Royce Silver Dawn by Ghia

This 1952 Silver Dawn wears advanced Italian coachwork that could have signalled a new style for Rolls-Royce’s standard bodies, but instead it remains a glorious one-off.

1342
1985 Fiat Strada Abarth 130TC

Fiat’s rev-happy Strada Abarth 130TC may not be the most exalted hot hatch, but it has character to spare. We try a rare survivor and come away smitten.

4937
1965 Toyota Sports 800

The Toyota Sports 800 is as small in size as it is big in stature, but its significance is only appreciated in its homeland. Could it have succeeded outside Japan had its makers been braver? We encounter two-cylinders of pure fury and try to keep a straight face.

1060
1973 Austin Allegro 1300 Deluxe

The Allegro is the ultimate anti-style statement – which pleases Colin Corke greatly

1813
1955 Škoda 1200

Fancy owning classic Škoda built in the days when the Iron Curtain hung heavily over Eastern Europe? Then look no further as this rare 1200 is looking for a new home.

1278
1977 VAZ 2102 Lada 1500ES Estate

How a pair of Ford enthusiast brought a forlorn and forgotten Lada 1500 back to life and thanks to their attention to detail, this top of the range model is a gem.

1932
1964 Lotus Elan 26R that kick-started Jackie Oliver’s career

As he heads into retirement, former F1 driver and team owner Jackie Oliver recalls the Lotus 26R that kick-started his stellar career.

1240
1927 Salmson GS8 Brooklands

This ultra-rare 1927 Salmson GS8 Brooklands racer might be compact but, as Zack Stiling finds, it’s no angel to drive.

1743
The brand new 1967 Alvis 3.0-Litre Graber Super Coupé

Not a restoration but a brand new car: this is the Alvis Graber Super Coupé, and Mark Dixon drives it exclusively for Octane

1837
1963 Auto Union 1000 SP Roadster

Kevin Newman and Rich Briggs-Price have a wonderful collection of extremely desirable cars, but it is this Auto Union 1000 SP that remains closest to Kevin's heart.

1542
1953 Vauxhall Velox

Mick Johnson was handed a large pile of boxes when he took on a Vauxhall Velox in 2014, but he has turned it into a beautiful car. Phil Homer tells the story, and speculates as to why so few of this marque and model survive.

2900
1935 SS 1 Airline Saloon

Although it used a chassis and engine sourced from Standard, it can still be argued the S.S.1 was Jaguar’s first car. We explain its history before driving an example of the rare Airline model from 1935

2608
Driving a Fifties F1 paddock fixture - Tony Vandervell’s 1956 Bentley S1 Continental

Patriotic Vanwall Formula 1 boss Tony Vandervell favoured Bentley road cars. We try his 1956 S1 Continental – an ultra-rare manual gearbox example, and the last Bentley he owned.

1514
1950 Chrysler Town & Country Newport Coupé

Built for one year, the Chrysler Town & Country Newport Coupe was the last of marque’s true ‘woodies’. We drive one in the UK, and we’re stirred by its sense of wanderlust.

2009
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