At any time… how far, in total, would you and your car travel if you need to stop? You should know! Kim Henson slows down and investigates… Whenever you are driving, for any given speed you really do need to know the distance it would take your car to come to a halt, including your ‘thinking’ time and actually operating the brakes to bring the vehicle to a standstill. Indeed this information is … [Read more...]
Features by Kim Henson
In life, sometimes there are things that you just have to do. In my case many of them relate to my twin loves of 1) motoring, and 2) using writing to convey to others (and share with) my fascination for the subject.
I have been passionate about cars for as long as I can remember, and have always had a thirst for knowledge concerning how and why they work, and how to keep them operating as they should. In addition, I’ve always enjoyed driving, and trying to fairly assess and compare the various good and bad points of different makes and models.
Halfords Autocentres 2019 Roadworthiness Report – an in-depth analysis of motoring in Britain
Halfords Autocentres 2019 Roadworthiness Report... ...Kim Henson has studied with interest this enlightening document. A very comprehensive new report from Halfords Autocentres (https://www.halfordsautocentres.com/advice/blog/roadworthiness-report) highlights and explains a multitude of facts and figures relating to many aspects of motoring in the UK today. Notably they include accidents, … [Read more...]
Book Review – Brunel – The Man Who Built the World
Book Review – Brunel – The Man Who Built the World Reviewed by Kim Henson Title: Brunel – The Man Who Built the World Author: Steven Brindle Published by: Weidenfeld and Nicolson 200 pages; paperback Price: £9.99 ISBN: 978-0-7538-2125-1 The extraordinary engineering achievements of Isambard Kingdom Brunel (following those of his father Marc Isambard Brunel) were as … [Read more...]
Standard Motor Club Diamond Jubilee Rally – Event Report
KEEPING UP STANDARDS AT THE CLUB'S SPARKLING DIAMOND JUBILEE RALLY IN OXFORDSHIRE... Kim Henson was there… (Words and Photographs by Kim). The Standard Motor Company produced a huge variety of models from 1903 until 1963. (It is also worth noting that with Standard having taken over the Triumph company at the end of World War II, from 1963 models built by the concern, in the Standard … [Read more...]
Suzuki Vitara 1.0 Boosterjet SZ-T – Road Test
Suzuki Vitara 1.0 Boosterjet SZ-T – Road Test. Kim Henson test drives the latest version of the 1.0 litre three cylinder Vitara... (All words and photographs by Kim). The Vitara has been a popular Suzuki model for more than 30 years since the original was launched, and the previous generation SUV (which made its debut in 2015) continues the trend in being a well-respected vehicle. The latest … [Read more...]
Book review – An Austin Anthology II
Book Review – An Austin Anthology II. Reviewed by Kim Henson. Title: An Austin Anthology II Author: James ‘Jim’ Stringer Published by: Veloce Publishing Ltd; www.veloce.co.uk 112 pages; hardback Price: £15.99 UK; $25 USA. ISBN: 978-1-787114-26-5 Regular readers may remember that some time ago on this website I reviewed James (Jim) Stringer’s fascinating book entitled ‘An Austin … [Read more...]
Ford’s Bridgend engine factory to close
End of the Road for Ford engine production in Bridgend... Today, 6th June 2019, it has been confirmed that Ford is to close the company's engine factory at Bridgend, after nearly 40 years of building motors there. In a statement, the firm said, "After detailed consideration, Ford today confirmed the start of a consultation with its unions concerning the potential closure of the Ford Bridgend … [Read more...]
Beaulieu’s Spring Autojumble celebrates 25 years…
Beaulieu’s 2019 Spring Autojumble is just the job to start the summer… Kim Henson and Chris Adamson were both there. (Photos by Kim, Chris, and the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu – all as individually credited). This year Beaulieu’s Spring Autojumble, which took place on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th May, celebrated 25 years of this event, which is very comprehensive but a little less huge … [Read more...]
Very Brief Impressions – Cars driven at the Guild of Motoring Writers’ ‘Big Day Out’, 2019
Kim Henson samples a few of the latest models... On the occasion of the Guild of Motoring Writers’ ‘Big Day Out’ event, held recently at Castle Combe in Wiltshire, I was able to briefly test drive some of the latest offerings from different manufacturers… (All words and photos by Kim). Suzuki Vitara 1.4 (latest, 2019 version) The previous generation Vitaras (which arrived in 2015) were well … [Read more...]
Wheels-Alive Weekend Workshop Job – Bodywork Minor Tidying
Some aspects can be tackled at home... Kim Henson explains. If you are prepared to invest a little time and cash (but not much of that needed!) it is not difficult to smarten up your car by dealing with unsightly minor bodywork damage, and at the same time helping to protect against future deterioration… Earlier this week I was approached by a colleague (we’ll call him Richard, as that’s his … [Read more...]
Peugeot Rifter GT Line LONG BlueHDi 130 S&S seven seater MPV – Road Test
For some buyers in need of a seven seater, a more spacious MPV is a better bet than an SUV... Kim Henson test-drives the long wheelbase version of Peugeot’s diesel-powered Rifter, with seven adults aboard… (All words and photographs by Kim). As we have been reporting on ‘Wheels-Alive’, currently there is a huge UK market for SUVs (‘Sport Utility Vehicles’), seen by many as ‘fashionable’, and … [Read more...]
Book Review – Making Tracks
Book Review – Making Tracks – A whistle-stop tour of railway history. Reviewed by Kim Henson. Title: Making Tracks – A whistle-stop tour of railway history Author: Peter Saxton Published by: Michael O’Mara Books Limited 192 pages; softback Price (UK): £7.99 for printed version ISBN: 978-1-78243-768-0 in paperback format; 978-1-78243-332-3 in e-book format Of course Wheels-Alive … [Read more...]
Post-War ‘Baby’ Austin A30/A35s galore to visit Dorset…
The ‘Jurassic Rally’ in Wareham is the destination for A30/A35 enthusiasts from around Britain and Europe (and beyond) to get together in May… Kim Henson reports. Each year the Austin A30/A35 Owners’ Club holds its annual International Rally in a different part of the UK. This coming May, over the late Bank Holiday weekend (Friday 24th to Sunday 26th, with the main rally day being the Sunday), … [Read more...]
A sad day for the British motor industry as Honda announces the closure of its Swindon facility
The end of an era for Honda in Britain... by Kim Henson. This morning it has been confirmed by Honda that the company will be closing its Swindon plant in 2021, with the loss of approximately 3,500 jobs. This devastating news for those involved, and in the supply chain, and of course in the local economy in the Swindon area, amounts to one of the saddest ever days in the history of car … [Read more...]
John H. Haynes OBE, creator of Haynes Manuals and founder of Haynes Publishing Group, passes away…
Legendary creator and publisher of technical motoring books, John H. Haynes OBE, will be sadly missed by countless do-it-yourself enthusiasts and mechanics he has helped over many decades... Kim Henson pays tribute... I was extremely sad to hear this evening (11th February) of the news of the passing of John H. Haynes OBE. Countless car owners (including me, on many occasions) and … [Read more...]
Stolen Ford Anglia recovered….
Delighted to say that the Ford Anglia 123E 1200 Super stolen last night near Exeter has now been recovered... Further to our feature on Wheels-Alive earlier today about the prized possession Ford Anglia 1200 Super stolen last night from near Exeter, thankfully the car has now been traced and recovered... The widespread and immediate power of social media came into play, and incredibly, a friend … [Read more...]
Have you seen this Ford Anglia, stolen last night 31st January (near Exeter)?
STOLEN! THIS LOVELY FORD ANGLIA 1200 SUPER Just in case any Wheels-Alive readers spot this car, I am very sad (and even more angry) to report that this excellent condition, and much-loved, Ford Anglia 1200 Super, belonging to a friend, was stolen last night between 7pm and 8pm from his driveway near Exeter in Devon. If you spot this vehicle, anywhere, or if you hear anyone talking about it in … [Read more...]
Technical – Diagnostic Diversions…
When carrying out diagnostic checks, it is essential to go back to basics – and it pays NOT to assume... Kim Henson reports on another expensive mis-diagnosis... Recently I wrote on this website about the necessity for taking great care when assessing what 'stored' automotive fault codes (i.e. those saved in the memory of the Electronic Control Unit or ECU) are telling the technician or vehicle … [Read more...]
Lofty Dreams – Flying Taxis?!
Flying cars – Really? Well, the future might be closer than you think... Since the earliest days of motoring, people have dreamed of taking to the air in motor cars. These days we already have drones, of course, but what about flying taxis? Could this actually become a reality? For some interesting perspectives from the U.S.A. on future possibilities please click HERE... … [Read more...]
MG ‘Z’ models disappearing fast… Don’t let yours be one of them!
MG CAR CLUB & ZED REGISTER LAUNCH CAMPAIGN TO SAVE OUR ZEDS Kim Henson reports... It is widely known that MG ZR, ZS and ZT models are disappearing from our roads fast; however, recent figures show just how rapid the decline has been – and continues – with over 78% of the cars ever built already gone. I was fortunate enough to be invited to the original press launch of the 'Z' … [Read more...]
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