As 2024 draws to a close, the Magneto magazine team reflect on 12 months that have been nothing short of extraordinary. They’ve been a whirlwind of jaw-dropping cars and incredible events that have kept the motoring world buzzing with energy. To capture the spirit of the year, we asked the crew to share their standout moments.
WAYNE BATTY (DEPUTY EDITOR)
Car of the year: Tuthill GT One. In a crowded Porsche restomod market, this feels as though it’s from a parallel universe. Instant top-tier collector status and painfully desirable.
Moment of the year: Mercedes-Benz Gullwings and concepts. My high point of the year was gathering seven decades’ worth of Mercedes-Benz gullwing cars and concepts in a Stuttgart studio for our gullwing issue. Huge thanks to Mercedes-Benz for making it happen.
Media of the year: The Last Eye Witness by Doug Nye. A brave, significant and mesmerising snapshot of motor sport’s origins.
GEOFF LOVE (HOTHOUSE MEDIA CO-FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR)
Car of the year: 1964 Old Red Meyers Manx. It just seemed to be everywhere I went: The Quail, Goodwood Revival, International Historic Motoring Awards… And Hothouse Media was privileged to write a book on 60 years of the Meyers Manx this year.
Event of the year: ModaMiami. Despite the fact that the event was probably born out of Broad Arrow replacing RM Auctions as the official sale at The Amelia, the team created a launch event that made a real impact: great location, easy to get to and with plenty of accommodation locally. Rob Myers used his connections to get some major collectors, and an amazing and eclectic group of cars, into the event. The vibe was very chilled, with live music and great dining. A fabulous addition to the concours circuit.
Moment of the year: Patrick and Sylviane Peter’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The point at which Patrick and Sylviane Peter were handed the Lifetime Achievement Award at the International Historic Motoring Awards at the Peninsula London hotel. Being presented with it by their three sons was something really special.
Media of the year: Millanta on Ferrari 1947-1952 by Corrado Millanta. Corrado Millanta’s book on Ferrari is beautifully produced, elegantly simple and features stunning photography.
ELLIOTT HUGHES (STAFF WRITER)
Car of the year: Auto Union Type 52 Schnellsportwagen. This will be the first time my personal car of the year isn’t something I’ve actually driven, which says a lot about how much the Schnellsportwagen captured my imagination. I saw it in the metal for the first time at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, and was simply astounded that this fast, mid-engined and Grand Prix-derived road machine was devised almost 100 years ago. If Auto Union had built it in period, it would surely have gone down as the world’s first supercar.
Event of the year: As always, I’m spoiled for choice. Goodwood’s flagship trio of events never disappoints, and it was brilliant to see the Festival of Speed make a triumphant return after the weather disruptions of 2023. Other highlights include the ever-sophisticated Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace and April’s Bicester Scramble. The latter was a particular treat, as I attended with a close friend – a rare novelty on work outings – and we were both captivated by the incredible variety of cars and the informal, enthusiast-driven atmosphere.
Moment of the year: Taking part in my first Historic rally, HERO-ERA’s Rally for the Ages, was an unforgettable experience – made all the more special by driving a Lancia Delta Integrale in full rally-spec Martini livery. For a rallying novice, the event was as exhilarating as it was challenging, and I’m already itching to do it again. Next time, I’d love to dive even deeper into the world of Historic rallying by tackling one of HERO-ERA’s more demanding, multi-day events. If you ever get the opportunity, seize it – you won’t be disappointed.
Another highlight was the chance to interview Mr GT-R himself, Shiro Nakamura, for Octane. As a member of the PlayStation generation, I’ve always yearned for a Nissan GT-R, so it was a privilege to talk to the man who helped to create it.
Media of the year: This was a tricky one to pin down (aside from Hothouse offerings, obviously), such is the quality of what has been released in 2024. As a lifelong Ferrari and Michael Schumacher fan, I must give a mention to the book World Championship Cars – Michael Schumacher. Authored by Schumacher’s manager, Sabine Kehm, and motoring journalist Elmar Brümmer, the book examines the German’s legendary title-winning cars and offers insight into his complex character both on and off the track.
For nostalgia’s sake, I have to include the final episode of The Grand Tour. While its conclusion wasn’t surprising – the format had grown stale, and the trio had already achieved more than anyone could reasonably expect with cars over the past two decades – it was still a bittersweet watch. For someone who grew up with Top Gear at its peak, the flashbacks to their first special were particularly poignant, seamlessly transitioning to the present day as they recreated old scenes.
SARAH BRADLEY (MANAGING EDITOR)
Car of the year: Fritz Burkard’s 1934 Bugatti Type 59. I’d already admired an eclectic selection of Pearl Collection machinery at Hampton Court Palace in 2023, where the Concours of Elegance honoured the cars’ owner, renowned Swiss enthusiast Fritz Burkard, as The Collector. However, my favourite remains his highly original Bugatti Type 59. In period it took third at the Monaco Grand Prix and overall victory in Belgium, it was also once owned by King Leopold III, and today it is preserved in fabulously and evocatively patinated condition.
Clearly I am in good company in my appreciation: among other accolades in 2024, this unique example of Bugatti’s last GP car was declared Best of Show at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance – the first time the honour had gone to a Preservation class car – as well as Car of the Year at the International Historic Motoring Awards. Fritz’s unabashed, boyish enthusiasm for his cherished machinery speaks volumes, too.
Event of the year: Vintage Hot Rod Association Pendine Sands Races. When it comes to my own classics, I’ve always been more about driving than showing, and you can’t get much more dynamic than racing vintage machinery at the original home of the Land Speed Record, Pendine Sands in Wales.
The unique VHRA Hot Rod Races have taken place on the hallowed beach course annually since 2013, and I’ve driven the 500-mile round trip to, and competed at, every one so far in my flathead V8-powered 1929 Ford Model A roadster. Fun, friends and an unparalleled motor sport legacy: this event never fails to bring a smile to my face.
Moment of the year: Sandra Button’s speech at the International Historic Motoring Awards. What is our collector car hobby without passion? The point was made eloquently and with unashamed emotion by Pebble Beach chairman Sandra Button at our very own IHMA gala ceremony in November 2024. Collecting the Motoring Event of the Year award, this most admirable and tireless ambassador for classics spoke passionately about the future of the hobby.
It brought a tear to my eye – and I would wager also left a lump in the throat of the 400-odd car restorers, specialists and designers, motor sport stars, event organisers and other personalities from ‘our world’, reminding all present what lies at the root of everything we do.
Media of the year: Hothouse Media. From a personal viewpoint, I am proud of everything we have achieved at Hothouse Media in 2024. As a small but perfectly formed team supported by a host of top contributors, we punch well above our weight, publishing the world-class quarterly Magneto, its renowned sister magazine Octane and the beautiful annual Concours Yearbook. Among other projects, we also work closely with concours organisers to create top-drawer event catalogues (some in several languages), produce high-quality customer magazines for the likes of Hagerty, Radical Motorsport and M1 Concours, and publish informative collector car websites with news-driven content, as well as stage our own prestigious Concours on Savile Row.
Something really special for this year? The stunning 220-page hardback book we produced for Meyers Manx to celebrate 60 years of the iconic dune buggy. I loved everything about it, from editing writer Basem Wasef’s authoritative words to working on creative director Peter Allen’s super-stylish layouts. The pink glitter highlights on the cover, specially matched to a classic Meyers Manx body colour, were the icing on the cake. We all love a bit of 1960s-style razzle-dazzle!
DAVID LILLYWHITE (HOTHOUSE MEDIA CO-FOUNDER AND EDITORIAL DIRECTOR)
Car of the year: Aston Martin Valour. I’m often a little ambivalent about new supercars and hypercars. Sometimes they feel too extreme or too ‘PlayStation’ for me – all paddles and no action. And of course I get to drive so many of the great classics. But this year, I fell in love with the Valour’s brutish styling and its no-nonsense V12 and manual transmission combination.
Event of the year: My view of events can be a little skewed, because I’m there to work as much as to play. All the same, Rétromobile, The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering and Pebble Beach Concours of Elegance stood out. But the most fun I had was October’s Scramble at Bicester Heritage, for the atmosphere, the mix of cars and the many great people I chatted to. Shame I didn’t get to drive my grandad’s old Saab 96 to it, though (in hindsight, maybe I shouldn’t have decided to fit electronic ignition the night before…).
Also, if you’ll excuse the self-indulgence, our own International Historic Motoring Awards, which we bought back in December 2023. It was a huge amount of work to relaunch, but – as you’d have witnessed from mine and Geoff Love’s slightly deranged introductory speech – a huge relief and buzz to get underway on the night.
Moment of the year: Sitting in Fritz Burkard’s Bond DB5. I didn’t get to drive it for our big 007 Aston Martin feature in Magneto issue 24, due to bad weather in Switzerland while I was there, but switching on the ignition to see that famous ‘radar’ display in the centre console whirr into life gave me the shivers. As photographer Sam Chick pointed out, there was something special, and rather parochial, realising that it features the home counties in which both of us were brought up. Him in Kent, me in Hertfordshire.
Media of the year: Well, Magneto and Octane surely! And anyone on the team who says differently is in big trouble. But I also found huge enjoyment in so many books – Spy Octane is the latest – and videos. The stand-out in the YouTube selection was The Late Brake Show’s Jonny Smith meeting Martin Overington and The Beast. Two people I know and like, and a legendary car from childhood. I also watched the new Senna series to the end, despite much of it being utter nonsense.
NATHAN CHADWICK (CONTRIBUTOR)
Car of the year: Touring Superleggera Veloce12. My favourite Ferrari to drive is the 550 Maranello, and this cultured update enhances the excellent fundamentals in both engineering and aesthetic terms. A controversial car, no doubt, but one that respects the original.
Event of the year: Heveningham Hall Concours. Great cars, a wonderful setting and a chilled-out atmosphere, plus the hugely entertaining Horsepower Hill. A lovely, less formal approach to a concours that’s the highlight of every year.
Moment of the year: Marcello Gandini speaking at the Politecnico di Torino. Just a few months before his passing, watching the master speak surrounded by his peers, enthusiasts and his cars in the beautiful city of Turin was very special. Of course, I didn’t understand a word until a later translation, but just seeing the love for the man in the room will live with me for a long time.
Media of the year: Henry Catchpole, Kimera Evo37. I’m too tall, too fat and too unskilled to drive it in the way Henry can, but I’ve never envied him more. Given the other videos he’s done, that’s quite a claim, but the Kimera – in that green – is top of my Christmas wishlist.
