Richard Heseltine · Articles

Join Octane at Monsanto Park, Portugal, to drive the ex-Manuel Nogueira Pinto 1961 Jaguar E-type racer – the most successful of its era.

Flachbau holds a special place in the lexicon of Porsche language. Developed for aero effect on the racetrack, the flat-nosed 911 Turbo styling it described became a 1980s icon. With less than a thousand examples built, the real deal is both rare and expensive, which is where this stunning replica comes in...

Starting as a motorcycle manufacturer in 1948, Honda expanded its business operations to include automobiles in 1963. Prior to that, founder Soichiro Honda (1906–1991) had his people construct the Suzuka Circuit in 1962, believing that a car could not be improved upon unless it was being raced. The first foray into this four-wheel avenue was the T360 truck, followed by the S500 sportscar in October 1963. Predictably, motorsport became embedded in Honda’s vision for his company, which included the automaker’s first participation in Formula 1 from 1964–1968, with only two victories coming in 1965 and 1967.

The updated 2024 Audi Q8 range marks a significant shift in performance and design. With smarter headlamp technology and a transition from diesel to petrol power in the SQ8 variant, Audi has raised the bar yet again. Curiosity lingers: is the RS Q8 still on your radar?

Gary Simpson’s 1969 Plymouth GTX isn’t just a lairy Mopar muscle car – it’s also family transportation and after a succession of slightly less family-friendly Mopars, this one seems to offer the best of both worlds…

Jeremy Davies was captivated by nostalgia when he acquired his 1964 Buick Wildcat four-door hardtop. Little did he know, this vehicle arrived with an extraordinary backstory woven into its history.

The 1959 Buick remains an icon of Fifties automotive design, albeit not as revered in Britain as in other regions. However, Jon Gillman stands as a notable exception, keeping three of these classics road-ready. His latest restoration, a remarkable 1959 Buick Invicta Convertible, unfolds a tale of timeless allure and meticulous preservation.

Richard Heseltine takes a look at AMC’s last hurrah of a concept, the groovy-looking AM van…

The List Reader Stephen Marshall steps into a Roger Moore-style Lamborghini Islero. From a list filled with movie and TV show star cars, will Stephen Marshall’s ultimate choice of the Lamborghini Islero 400 S haunt him for ever, or produce a special bond?

Chrysler briefly re-energised the concept car phenomenon in the Nineties, something that launched nameplates as familiar as the P/T Cruiser, the Plymouth Prowler and the Neon. And it was this latter model that was used as the basis for a concept that never made production: the Aviat…

Alejandro de Tomaso rescued Maserati from the wreckage of the Fuel Crisis and based the new Ky alarm on a car of his own marque. Richard Heseltine says the surgery worked.

Abarth’s 124 Spider is often overlooked as a rally hero. Richard Heseltine reckons it’s time to set the record straight.

Automotive archaeologist Richard Heseltine unearths automotive oddity… this one even has wreaths, crests and references to a mythical city of gold… How could they?!

When is a Shelby Mustang not a Shelby Mustang? When it’s a Shelby Mustang Europa GT500… only it was a Shelby Mustang, well, sort of…. Richard Heseltine explains.

In the early 1980s, a designer sought a calling card. With backing from The Observer newspaper, this unique glass-topped BMW 635CSi E24 show-car was the result.