Kim Henson makes the Wight move and heads to Freshwater to see how Frank Phillips helps the owners of BMC/BL classics (plus other makes and models) to keep their prized vehicles on the road and looking good… (Words and photographs all by Kim, except the Escort Harrier shots – courtesy Frank Phillips). In the course of my work I visit a multitude of vehicle workshops, and it is always cheering … [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.
Classic Clubs Series – No. 1 – Ford Anglia 105E Owners’ Club
Classic Clubs Series – No. 1 – Ford Anglia 105E Owners’ Club Do you own, drive, or are interested in… an Anglia 105E or 123E, or a Prefect 107E? If so, this club is for you… Kim Henson explains… In this new Wheels-Alive series, over time we shall be looking at the multitude of enthusiastic organisations that help their members to keep their classic vehicles (of various makes, models and types) … [Read more...]
Fiat 500 X – Road Test
Aiming to combine the appeal of the retro-styled 500 with the practicality of a compact SUV, Fiat’s 500X has plenty going for it. Kim Henson samples the turbocharged four cylinder petrol-powered 1.3 T4 DDCT Cross Plus version. (All words and photographs by Kim). When Fiat introduced the ‘modern’ 500 in 2007, the company pulled a masterstroke in applying appealing retro styling to the … [Read more...]
Alfa Romeo Giulia 2.0 Super – Road Test
Distinctively sleek styling, excellent performance and character in keeping with generations of Alfa Romeo classics, today’s Giulia provides all this and more… …Kim Henson test drives 2.0 litre petrol-powered Super version. (All words and photographs by Kim). Through the years Alfa Romeos have always been highly regarded for their high performance credentials and rewarding driving dynamics. … [Read more...]
Jeep Renegade Trailhawk 2.0 MultiJet-II Auto9 4x4LOW – Road Test
Jeep vehicles have been renowned for their toughness and off-road abilities for more than 70 years... …Kim Henson test drives the Trailhawk version of the Renegade. (All words and photographs by Kim). Jeep’s Renegade is a direct descendant of the Willys MB four wheel drive military vehicle of the 1940s, and with a pedigree like that its off-road credentials should be – and are – good. Yet for … [Read more...]
Honda Civic Type R GT – Road Test
Just how good is Honda’s current Civic Type R? Kim Henson test drives the top line GT version, to find out. (All words and photographs by Kim). In the late summer of 2001 Honda introduced their original, first generation performance-orientated Civic Type R, and I was fortunate enough to be invited to the launch event for UK motoring writers, held on the Isle of Man. Unfortunately the weather … [Read more...]
Honda HR-V Sport (CVT) – Road Test
Sporty in nature, innovative and so very user-friendly with its wonderful ‘Magic Seats’ – it’s Honda’s HR-V. Kim Henson test drives the Sport version, with seven speed CVT transmission… (All words and photographs by Kim). Boldly styled, with impressive performance credentials and excellent practicality, the latest versions of Honda’s HR-V have much to offer in today’s crowded market for … [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...]
Honda CR-V Hybrid EX AWD – Road Test
Honda’s CR-V has been a tough, reliable contender in the SUV market for nearly 25 years... Kim Henson assesses the latest 2019 Hybrid version, in range-topping EX form, with all wheel drive and CVT automatic transmission. Before I describe the current CR-V in self-charging Hybrid form, I’d like briefly to reflect on the history and reliability of the models bearing that name so far. At the … [Read more...]
Honda Civic 1.5 VTEC Turbo Sport Plus – Road Test
Honda’s well-respected Civic line-up has been winning friends for decades. Kim Henson test-drives a current model, in 1.5 litre VTEC turbocharged ‘Sport Plus’ guise… (All words and photographs by Kim). The overall competence of Honda’s Civic models, in each of their generations, shines through when you talk to owners past and present, and, importantly, in conversations with sources in the … [Read more...]
Brief Impressions – Cars driven at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ Test Day South 2019
I have always valued, and enjoyed, the annual SMMT Test Days, arranged to provide accredited motoring writers with the chance to test drive a selection of new models from cross the spectrum of manufacturers. (All words and photos by Kim). Every year the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) holds an autumnal driving event for motoring writers from the south of the UK. I always … [Read more...]
Flying Standards – A Transformative Range
Kim Henson sheds light on a seldom-told pre-War success story for the Standard Motor Company… (Words and all photographs by Kim). Complex and very wide-ranging, the 'Flying' Standard line-up found buyers galore keen to own the boldly styled models. This is what happened... Since the last Standard-badged car for the UK was produced well over half a century ago, it is perhaps unsurprising that … [Read more...]
Beaulieu International Autojumble 2019
It’s the ‘big one’; time once more for the Beaulieu International Autojumble. Kim Henson was there again, and asks himself why… (Photographs by Kim, with many more, individually acknowledged with thanks, provided by Chris Adamson). Why do people attend the Beaulieu Autojumble, and what is it that keeps them coming back, year after year? Well, for starters of course there are the vintage and … [Read more...]
Early Standard Vanguards brought together…
A variety of Standard Vanguard Phase I and II models, and their owners, took part in a recent event celebrating these enjoyable and competent vehicles… Kim Henson was there... (All words and photos by Kim). During the late 1930s the Standard Motor Company produced a very wide range of ‘Flying Standard’ models that proved to be popular with buyers and it is no exaggeration to say that these … [Read more...]
WiseDriving – Braking Distances Quiz
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...]
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...]
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