James Elliott

Winner of the Popular Classics class (which I was judging) at Valletta was this fantastic Toyopet Tiara, fresh from a three year restoration, handed down two generations and thought to be the first Japanese car in Malta.

And Best of Show at the Valletta Concours is Anthony Axisa’s 1939 SS 100, the last 3.5 made, built in 1939 and dispatched in 1941. Before coming to Malta a few years ago, this car spent time in the USA and then in the UK with collector Peter Neumark.

My Valletta Concours heroes for 2026 are, again, Eric Simpson and Barry Pickup who drove to Malta from Barnsley. Last year they arrived in a Citroën DS, this year in an ex-Works support vehicle from the London to Sydney marathon, an Austin Ute converted into a panel van.

We’re at the wonderfully eclectic Valletta Concours in the Maltese capital today. Results and report to follow.

Off to Malta for the Valletta Concours for a few days so here's a catch-up on recent spots I haven't yet posted.

The one-of-a-kind 1937 BMW 328 ‘Bügelfalte’ secured the top prize at the 2026 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. Full report here. hubs.la/Q04hjkt40

Porsche 917 chassis 013/034 – one of the most historically significant examples in existence – will appear at the inaugural Concours des Légendes at Wilton House on 19-21 June. hubs.la/Q04hg_4k0

Good morning! Happy Tuesday! It's cold and miserable in the UK so allow this French fancy to cheer you up.

FuoriConcorso returned to Lake Como this weekend with a distinctly German theme for 2026, bringing together 72 cars across the gardens of Villa del Grumello, Villa Sucota and Villa Olmo under the title ‘KraftMeister’. hubs.la/Q04gZBDR0

@ParrotLegal 🤣

@OctaneJames Did it come around and back into the petrol station to top up again?

Can't seem to stop spotting Astons at the moment. This one was exiting the petrol station as I pulled in the other day.

Nice spot to start the week down by the Thames at 6am. I've never actually driven an S2 and am told they are very different to S1s, but I love the way they look. Still sharp.

@MPS51240162 🤣

@OctaneJames Has it occurred to you 007 maybe tailing you .. 😜

This stunning Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster, original right down to its snow chains and skis, won the Coppa d’Oro people's choice award at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este yesterday. More to come from this glorious weekend at Lake Como inc Villa Erba and Fuori Concorso.

Great free-to-enter classic and supercar charity run to Goodwood on Sunday 9 August. I'll be on it, but if you want to join despite that, DM me and I'll help you get registered. There were 250 cars last year and it has so far raised £15,000 for @AnthonyNolan.

JCB is vying to set a Land Speed Record at the Bonneville Salt Flats with the Hydromax, a 32-foot car powered by a hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engine. hubs.la/Q04gcG930

Can someone please help this poor old Bristol? It's been static for years. If you are an "old school mechanic" prepared to make house calls in South West London, message me your details and I'll drop them through the owner's door.