Beige Lagonda, dusty Ferrari

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW how to induce fear, and probably a touch of loathing, into the heart of a magazine publisher, there are few better ways than to present him with a cover featuring a beige car of ‘challenging’ appearance. And yet, there’s always been something about Aston Martin’s ‘wedge’ Lagonda that has attracted the car enthusiast, and they’re suddenly becoming really hot property – so I’d like to think this month’s Octane will be another best-seller, beige or not. We love it!

Another reason that we chose this month to feature the Lagonda is that we finally got our hands on Aston Martin’s new Lagonda Taraf. To get the two cars together, and drive both, was fascinating; you can read about them starting on page 62 for the ‘wedge’ and page 74 for the Taraf.

While we’re talking cover cars, you may remember the Baillon Collection Ferrari 250 GT California Spider that featured in Octane, first in its barnfind state a full year ago (where did the time go?) and then in the autumn, after it had been recommissioned to appear at the Pebble Beach concours.

We asked at the time what you thought of its appearance, because the bodywork was still sporting the layer of dust that had accumulated while it sat unloved in France. We had plenty of responses, including a very comprehensive comparison between the curation of cars and historic buildings by building conservationist and broadcaster Kevin McCloud of Grand Designs fame. You can read his, and others’ opinions, from page 118.

My view, not that you’ve asked for it, is that the Ferrari was presented at Pebble Beach in an interim state, and that the dust was simply part of the theatre – and I rather enjoyed it for that.