An idyllic autumnal trip to the far south-west of Wales… Kim Henson drove westwards in a Maestro that has been family-owned since new. (Kim adds: DO NOT GO THERE NOW!! Of course I realise that as I write this – during the 'Covid-19 lock down' – in February 2021, at the moment long-distance ‘motoring for fun’ and touring on holiday in Britain is not possible, nor even permitted. However, I feel … [Read more...]
Classic Driving Impressions
Motoring for Fun – A classic adventure in Normandy with a 1954 Austin A40 Somerset and a 1939 Amilcar Compound
Kim Henson describes a happy week in Normandy in his 1954 Austin A40 Somerset Coupé… together with friends in a 1939 Amilcar Compound. Note: This trip took place in September/October 2016; this article about the holiday is intended to cheer readers while the current lockdown applies, and to help everyone look forward to the time when we can once again undertake pleasure motoring. However, for … [Read more...]
Motoring For Fun – A dawdle in south Devon in an Austin A35
‘Lazing on a Sunny Afternoon (in Summertime)’… Kim Henson describes a relaxing meander on a hot day through a west country landscape where time has (almost) stood still. (Kim adds: Of course I realise that as I write this (April 2020), sadly for the time being ‘motoring for fun’ in the real world is not possible. INDEED THE ADVICE TO "STAY AT HOME AND SAVE LIVES AND HELP THE N.H.S." IS VITAL. … [Read more...]
Mitsubishi Classics – On the Road Today
Kim Henson samples a few of the most significant Mitsubishi models ever produced. Here are his impressions… (Words and photographs by Kim). I was recently privileged to be given the opportunity to briefly test drive some of Mitsubishi’s Heritage Collection vehicles, which represent some of the most important of the company’s cars ever to have been brought to the UK, and thoroughly enjoyed the … [Read more...]
‘Golden Oldies’; Retrospective Road Test No. 2 – 1991 Peugeot 205 1.1 Trio S.
Peugeot 205 – “le sacré numéro”… In the second of our new series on Wheels-Alive, Kim Henson test drives Peugeot’s 205, in this case a 1991 1.1 litre Trio S three door version. (All words and photographs by Kim). Note: "Wheels-Alive gives you more..." If you would like to turn back time 26 years (on a temporary basis!), at the end of this feature are direct 'interactive' links to enable you … [Read more...]
Ford’s Fiesta – a look back at more than 40 years of this winning model
Ford's Fiesta versus the sands of time... by Dave Moss. In 2006, 30 years on from the original launch of the Fiesta, Ford gave selected motoring journalists the opportunity to compare original models with the then current car. Dave Moss was one of those who enjoyed a drive down memory lane... The original Fiesta, its name chosen by Henry Ford himself – and which very nearly became the Ford … [Read more...]
Honda NSX ‘old and new’ plus Civics ‘classic and modern’ – Kim’s Impressions
Kim Henson revisits Honda’s sensational first series NSX – and drives the latest car bearing this revered name, also taking brief outings in Civics old and new too! All words and photographs by Kim, with the exception of the main front and rear shots of the 2017 Civic Type R – these courtesy of Honda). As a motoring writer, one of the questions I am most often asked is, “What are your … [Read more...]
Motoring for Fun – ‘Wirral Going on a Summer Holiday’ (and to the Austin Counties Car Club Rally) – in a 1954 Austin A40 Somerset, says Kim
Wirral Going on a Summer Holiday – in a 1954 Austin A40 (Somerset) Coupé… Kim Henson explains... I have to admit that until 2014 I had never before visited the Wirral peninsula, nor indeed Liverpool, but twice in that year I made brief visits to that part of the world, and was keen to return to explore in more detail. For those who may not know, the Wirral peninsula sits between (to the west) … [Read more...]
Latest Volkswagen Beetle – Road Test
Nearly 80 years of ‘Beetling’ about… David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) test drives the 2017 VW Beetle. With more and more volume produced cars these days looking more and more alike, there are very few iconic core designs left to tempt those owners who do not want run-of-the mill designs. These buyers are independent minded, aloof to what is the latest must-have – me-too fashionable car, … [Read more...]
NEW SERIES! ‘Golden Oldies’; Kim’s Retrospective Road Test No. 1 – 1996 Vauxhall Astra 1.7 LS turbodiesel (Isuzu engine).
Astranomical! In the first of a new series on Wheels-Alive, Kim Henson assesses Vauxhall’s family hatchback of the 1990s, in the form of a 1996 Vauxhall Astra F (‘Mark 3’), powered by Isuzu’s fuel-sipping 1.7 litre turbodiesel engine. (All words and photographs by Kim). “Astra from Vauxhall. It’s every car you’ll ever need – or want.” So proclaimed Vauxhall when promoting their 1996 Astra … [Read more...]
Happy Days in South Africa with an Austin 11-55
Glen Smale recalls his Austin 11-55 in South Africa… Glen operates Virtual Motorpix and his recollections about his own 11-55 first appeared on own his website blog: http://blog.virtualmotorpix.com (Kim says: “Just to set the scene, it may be helpful to explain a little about the Austin 11-55. This was a South African version of BMC’s 1100 (ADO 16) that was introduced in the UK in 1962, and in … [Read more...]
Motoring For Fun – ‘On Top of the World’ in a Maestro
A HAPPY TOUR OF NORTHERN ENGLAND IN A ROVER MAESTRO... Kim Henson was in the driving seat… As with previous articles in this series (so far, covering separate trips to south Devon, north/mid Wales, and the Isle of Wight), this one (Number 4) is all about having fun on a motor tour in a fascinating part of the world. What inspired me to start and build this series were the similarly-themed … [Read more...]
Book Review: No Speed Limit – Sixty Years of Road Testing Classic Cars
A ‘Must read’ title for all motoring enthusiasts, reviewed by Kim Henson Author: Stuart Bladon Published by: The History Press (www.thehistorypress.co.uk) 272 pages (paperback) UK Price: £14.99 ISBN: 978-0-7509-6491-3 I was very much looking forward to reading this book, not least because Stuart Bladon is one of the most accomplished, knowledgeable and … [Read more...]
Early Discoverys in the South West
Dave Moss reflects on the introduction of Land Rover's first Discovery, in 1989. Looking down the time tunnel to the Plymouth-based UK launch of the Land-Rover Discovery in October 1989, 26 years now feels like several lifetimes in automotive history. The launch was masterminded by the marque's new owner, British Aerospace, which had somehow recently been persuaded by the government to buy … [Read more...]
Ford Model T – Classic Driving Impressions
‘T’ TIME! CLASSIC DRIVING IMPRESSIONS – FORD MODEL T Given the lucky opportunity to drive a 101 year old Ford Model T, Kim Henson grabbed the chance (and the wheel) with both hands… The Ford Model T. It’s one of the most memorable automobiles ever conceived, and in the history of motoring is certainly one of the most important. While this article is primarily about driving a Model T, before … [Read more...]
Classic Skodas
CLASSIC SKODAS Kim Henson takes a look at some Skodas from decades past… ILLUSTRIOUS HERITAGE Before talking about some specific models, first a little history… Today’s individualistic Skodas successfully incorporate engineering elements common to cars across the Volkswagen Group, blended with innovative styling and the use of many components/systems unique to Skoda models. Most buyers … [Read more...]
Volkswagen Golf (third generation) Ecomatic 1.9 Diesel
Kim Henson goes back to the future in a fascinating Golf... Such is the rate of change in terms of technologies built into the latest cars, that I feel often it is useful to drive an older model to appreciate just how much things have altered. In any case, as friends and colleagues will testify, I need little excuse to drive any part of automotive history! To me, a car built in 1994 is not … [Read more...]
