I’m a writer, editor and contract publisher, specialising in automotive, travel and watches – and whatever else takes my fancy.
I’m also editorial director of Hothouse Media, a contract publishing company with specialists in project management, data and subscriptions, automotive and luxury goods advertising, design, website design, SEO and content creation (editorial, videography, photography, illustration).
I’ve been a motoring journalist since 1992, scarily. I trained as an electronics engineer, specialising in radar, but a job on Practical Classics tempted me away, and I’ve never looked back.
In 2003 I became co-founder of Octane magazine, following – of course – a ‘what if’ conversation in a pub. With backing from then-chairman of Crystal Palace FC Simon Jordan, we launched Octane and four years later sold it to Dennis Publishing. I stayed with the magazine, later helping to launch Vantage and Enzo magazines, and overseeing Land Rover Monthly.
In 2017, with fellow Octane founder Geoff Love, I was launch editor of AutoClassics.com, which in nine months became the world’s biggest classic car website in terms of the number of cars for sale on the site.
After a year I left to form Hothouse Media with fellow Octane founder Geoff Love, and we’ve now launched new print quarterly Magneto and become global news contributors to Petrolicious – including organising the first ever Petrolicious Drivers’ Meeting.
September 2018-present day: writer and editorial consultant. Editorial director at Hothouse Media, editor of Magneto magazine and consultant and contributor to Petrolicious
August 2017-2018: global editor-in-chief of new launch AutoClassics.com, part of Motorsport Network
2012-2017: editorial director of Octane, Vantage, Enzo, and Land Rover Monthly magazines
2009-2012: editor of Octane magazine
2003-2009: co-founder and managing editor of Octane magazine
2001-2003: freelance editorial consultant to The Telegraph (Motoring), Auto Express, Motorcycle News, Practical Classics, Classic Cars, Bike, Performance Bikes, Revs, Max Power and more
1998-2000: deputy editor Bike
1996-1998: deputy editor Classic Cars
1992-1996: staff writer & later deputy editor of Practical Classics.
Dear Mr Lillywhite
I purchased the 2020 edition of classic car price guide and found my car. A Nissan GTR v spec missing. Is this for any reason or just an oversight as I would like to know roughly what they’re worth?
Hi Andrew, I left Octane (which publishes the guide) in 2017, so I’m afraid I can’t answer that. I’d recommend the Hagerty price guide, or contact james@octane-magazine.com.
https://www.hagerty.co.uk/valuation/
Sorry I can’t be more help
David