15 years young – and counting
‘OCTANE IS A NEW magazine for those who appreciate the world’s greatest cars. The publication effectively taps into the zeitgeist of the historic car world: the people, the events, the action, the excitement.’ That was the opening shot I wrote for the Editor’s Note in issue one, July 2003, 15 years ago.
A lot can happen in 15 years and it certainly has for Octane. Magazine launches generally have an 80% failure rate and we arrived into the digital storm that is tearing print media to shreds. But we realised that the classic car world was changing fast. A tinkerer’s hobby no more, the international historic car scene was expanding into racing, rallying, concours and collecting, and the standard of restoration and preparation was improving vastly, all since fuelled further by the massive increase in values of classic cars over the past 15 years.
We also realised that classic car enthusiasts are not one-dimensional but appreciate quality in items other than vehicles, so Octane brought watches, design icons, Spitfires, even cigars, shotguns and fishing rods to the editorial mix. Other automotive publishers thought we were mad, but everyone who appreciates a double-overhead-cam engine is going to love a flyback chronograph!
So, how did we go about it it? Simple: we sought out the very best motor cars, writers, photographers and designers. Many of our features are written by expert racing drivers, collectors, restorers, warbird pilots and, of course, owners. Issue number one featured a Ferrari 250 GTO and a Bizzarrini on the cover. To hand over the keys for both of these iconic cars to an unknown and new magazine was the first expression of an extraordinary generosity by owners that continues today.
We have been told that Octane is the best classic car magazine in the world, and we on the team appreciate the plaudit. We also know it is only possible thanks to you, our incredible readers.