I bought the UK’s cheapest Rover P4, and if I’m honest, it wasn’t because it made perfect sense at the time. It wasn’t a carefully planned purchase, and it definitely wasn’t the kind of car most people would look at and think, “Yes, that’s the one.” But there was something about it that stuck with me. I didn’t buy it because it was a good idea……Read More

Here are a few more photos from the last video:

I think I can safely say this was, by far, the best car experience I’ve had at Prescott Hill Climb. Even though it wasn’t a proper race, I can’t really imagine racing a car like this. Just knowing its value would be enough to add a bit of pressure. And to be hones…Read More

This isn’t a Bugatti you see every day…
it’s a Bugatti… with a built-in trailer 😳

Not mine, nor Colin’s, just stumbled across this absolute oddity.
Long-distance touring, 1930s style.
Because apparently luggage space wasn’t negotiable.
Would you actually use this… or is this where elegance went a bit too far? 😏

New video is live on my YouTube channel!

It was meant to go up tomorrow, but I accidentally set the wrong date 😅

This was my first drive in the Type 51 at Prescott during the Garden Party, and it was absolutely incredible, a big thank you to Colin for all his support and for trusting me to drive such a special car.

Here are a few photos…Read More

+2

The Bugs are ready for day 2..and so are we. So far, the sun is shining! Sun or not, surely will be a good day! 😍

Having an absolute blast surrounded by pre-war Bugattis…while working on fresh content that I’ll be sharing with you very soon.
Our main character is the Joker.
And together, we’re taking on modern roads… and unforgiving conditions.
The Joker series starts on the 27th of January.
Stay tuned 😉

Today we took Black Betty and her sister to a car meet! The silver XK120 FHC hasn’t been out for over a year; we were almost sure it wouldn’t start… but she didn’t disappoint. Since it still doesn’t have a name, I’m thinking ‘Holy Moly’ 🙂 and yes, she’s a keeper but we have some work to do on it. Over 50mph, the electric power steering is quite scary :))

I tried something new on Saturday …my first livestream on the channel.

I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it actually turned out really well.
I was genuinely surprised by how many of you joined, interacted, and asked questions, it made the whole experience much more enjoyable.

I’m really glad you enjoyed it.

If you missed it, you can…Read More

New video on the channel! We finally finished with the brakes on the Talbot lago, AKA Jessica Rabbit! Of course, we are still missing one drum, but we’ve been promised, after months of waiting, that we should get the new drum in a couple of weeks!

Link here:

A fantastic day out with Betty, surrounded by fascinating cars — most of them Triumphs! I love garage open days, as we get to meet interesting and very knowledgeable people.

+7

I’m very excited to share this news with you!
Last weekend at Prescott was the Annual Prize Giving, and I was awarded the Elizabeth Junek Trophy — for a BOC lady driver, for meritorious performance during the season, not necessarily while driving a Bugatti.
It feels like yesterday when I was standing at the start line for the first time — nervo…Read More

+4

Retromobile is full of extraordinary machines.

I came here for a challenge — hunting small parts and value — but it’s impossible not to stop and admire what’s around you.

From beautifully restored classics to things you rarely see in one place… including the Bugatti railcar.

This place reminds you how wide the world of engineering really is.

Bugatti railcar! From the 88 trains built by Bugatti, today, only one example remains – “Le Présidentiel”, which was one of the first railcars delivered by Bugatti to be operated by ETAT

After miles of walking through Retromobile and trying my very best negotiating skills, I realised something quite quickly…
If you’re looking for rare parts, this really is the place to come.
But it also comes at the right price — and often more than that.
When you see how much the sellers have to pay just to stand here, it suddenly makes sense…Read More

+10

Episode 1 is live.

I’m trying to turn scrap into £1,000…
so I can buy my first classic car to restore.

No sponsors.
No safety net.
Just machines nobody wants and a lot of work.

This is the first step in that journey.
Full video here:
👉

More updates coming soon.

We have a new beauty in our garage, Black Betty! This is one of the only 2 ever made Triumph Dolomites 8c ever made and the first video is like on my youtube channel, link here:

The Lagonda had her first proper public moment this week.

I shared a few photos and thoughts in her group — felt right to keep it there.

This was Courage’s first proper drive.

A pre-war Lagonda.
A crash gearbox.
No synchromesh. No rushing.

Nothing works the way you expect.
You listen. You wait. You learn — usually the hard way.

This wasn’t about getting it perfect.
It was about understanding where the limits are,
and choosing when not to push.

We’ll take our tim…Read More

+3

This was my first proper drive with a pre-war Lagonda — and yes, it has a crash gearbox.
There’s a reason they’re sometimes called dog crash boxes:
no synchromesh, no forgiveness, and absolutely no rushing.

Nothing works the way you expect.
You listen. You wait. You learn — usually the hard way.

This video isn’t about getting it perfect.…Read More

This year marked my first full year on YouTube —
and in many ways, the beginning of something much bigger.

I arrived here curious, slightly nervous, and determined to do things properly —
even if I didn’t yet know what properly meant for me.

Over the months, I learned not just how to film or edit,
but how to listen —
to the cars, to the…Read More

As the year draws to a close, it feels like the right moment to pause.
Blacktag Octane started as a simple idea — to document the work, the learning, the patience, and the quiet moments that come with keeping historic cars alive. Along the way, it has become something shared.
To everyone who has followed this journey, watched the videos, read a…Read More

New Year’s Day at Vintage Stony – 1 January

If you’re not drinking too much on New Year’s Eve — and can manage an early wake-up — we’ll see you at Vintage Stony in Stony Stratford on 1st January 🕘

It’s one of our favourite ways to start the year: vintage cars, cold air, warm bacon rolls, and the sound of engines echoing through the tow…Read More

A new episode of Jessie’s adventure is now live on Youtube! Let me know your opinion about it!

Before/after her first wash

+11

Episode 1 is here:

This is my first barn-find project, which we’ve named Jessie, after the stunning Jessica Rabbit. Jessie is a lovely Talbot Lago T26 coupe, and this is the first ambitious project I am undertaking. As for how long it will take to get her back on the road, we’ll have to wait and see! Here are some photos showing the state we found Jessie i…Read More

+9

Gromit on the rolling road 🙂

Gromit, it has been really busy this year! :))

IBM 2025 Belgium

Some photos from the Belgium rally! The video is live on YouTube! Have you seen it yet? 🙂

A water tower house and the most eccentric garage I have ever seen. All in one place 🙂

We had many adventures during this local cultural rally.

+12

Here are some more pictures from Gromit’s restoration.

+3

Although we aimed to save everything, some parts were too damaged to be saved.

+3

The side panels require some attention as well.

+17

The undertrays presented significant challenges as we aimed to restore Gromit’s patina while preserving it.

It was a long project, but it was all worth it. With new energy, Gromit is prepared to continue bringing smiles to people’s faces for another 100 years… at least :).

Here are some additional pictures showcasing Gromit’s restoration!

+9

some more photos with the engine restoration

+13

Gromit is getting his heart young again. Due to numerous issues, including leaks, the roller bearing crankshaft out of balance, bearings in poor condition, and everything being significantly out of specification, a complete engine restoration seemed to be the best option. more photos coming up