Austin A30/A35 – Read all about these small but big-hearted classics... Kim tells more... It is more than 50 years since the very last Austin A35 (a van version) came off the production line, but in fact the story of these cars dates back to the late 1940s, when the Austin Motor Company was instrumental in earning vital Dollars for Britain (following the financially crippling War effort), and … [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.
Suzuki Jimny in action off-roading
New Suzuki Jimny shows its off-road credentials... Kim says, "For those who are interested in the latest Suzuki Jimny, you may have seen our 'First Impressions' report, written by David Miles (Miles Better News Agency), which went live on this website yesterday evening (22nd November 2018). At that time we didn't have available any photographs of the vehicle in action off-road, but some images … [Read more...]
Citroën C4 Cactus Flair Puretech 110 – Road Test
Is the latest C4 Cactus a prickly proposition, or is it ‘softly softly’? Kim Henson finds out, during a week of test-driving… The current line-up of Citroën C4 Cactus models – all five door hatchbacks with a hint of SUV looks – arrived in Britain earlier this year, with price tags considerably higher than those of their predecessors (and now starting at £18,505 – previously from just under … [Read more...]
Want to be a motoring writer? – Here’s a real chance for you…
Are you aged between 17 and 25 and want to become a motoring writer? Here’s an opportunity not to be missed! Kim Henson encourages a cause dear to his heart… I always wanted to write about cars for a living, and in 1974 I heard about, and entered, the Sir William Lyons Award. At that time I had no idea how much it would change the pattern of my life for the better in the coming years. Indeed, … [Read more...]
Book Review – Setting Up a Home Car Workshop
Reviewed by Kim Henson... Title: Setting Up a Home Car Workshop Author: Julian Edgar Published by: Veloce; www.veloce.co.uk and www.velocebooks.com 160 pages; softback Price: £19.99 UK; $32.50 USA. ISBN: 978-1-787112-08-7 Since my schooldays I have been working in, planning, and hopefully improving my various home garages and workshops, all with the aim of making life easier in … [Read more...]
Peugeot 5008 GT Line Premium 130 PureTech 7-seater SUV – Road Test
Peugeot’s up-to-the-minute SUVs are proving very popular with UK buyers... Kim Henson puts through its paces, and carries lots of people in, the company’s latest 5008 seven seater large SUV… (All words and photographs by Kim). The compact 2008 and mid-range 3008 SUVs were already selling well for Peugeot in the UK before the larger 5008 SUV range was introduced here in the autumn of 2017 … [Read more...]
Brief Impressions – Cars driven at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ Test Day South 2018
Testing, Testing… Kim Henson assesses a few new models. Over many years I have found useful, and have enjoyed, the annual SMMT Test Days, which are held to provide accredited motoring writers with the opportunity to test drive a variety of new models from a wide range of manufacturers. (All words and photos by Kim). In the autumn each year the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders … [Read more...]
Latest Suzuki Swift Sport – Road Test
FUN ON FOUR WHEELS... The first two generations of Suzuki’s Swift Sport supermini were well-received by the motoring press and buyers… but the latest version is even better! Kim Henson test-drives the new Swift Sport… Suzuki’s original Swift Sport made its U.K. debut in 2006, with second generation models arriving in 2012, and the car has always been a serious contender in the sporting … [Read more...]
Suzuki Ignis 1.2 Adventure – Road Test
Kim Henson assesses a special edition of Suzuki’s compact five door ‘crossover’/SUV city car… (All words and photographs by Kim). Suzuki’s Ignis arrived in the U.K. early in 2017, at once appealing to buyers due to its ‘stand-out-from-the-crowd’ looks, also its sprightly performance and commendable fuel consumption. Buyers also like the car for its generous interior space (within a compact body … [Read more...]
Book Review – A fascinating children’s story about a long-dormant Jaguar XK120 and its re-awakening
The XK Files: 120. Reviewed by Kim Henson. Author: Jennifer Barker (and illustrated by Robin Lawrie) Published by: Porter Press International Ltd; https://porterpress.co.uk/ 128 pages; softback Price: £6.99 UK; $9.99 USA. ISBN: 978-1-907085-72-7 When I was a lad I used to love reading, as well as being interested in motor cars, and I was always excited to find books that heavily … [Read more...]
50 Not Out – The Great Dorset Steam Fair
From small beginnings in the late 1960s, the Great Dorset Steam Fair has grown to become the largest and most well known event of its type in the world. Kim Henson was there again this year for the unique '500 at 50' event… Loved for its huge variety of vintage and classic vehicles (including cars, commercials, military vehicles, motorcycles and bicycles), ancient machinery of all types, … [Read more...]
Suzuki tops the lot – according to ‘What Car?’ readers who are owners…
'What Car?' readers rate Suzuki as top of the tree for reliability. Kim Henson reports... Japanese cars in general have deservedly earned respect for their dependability, and, more specifically, for many years motor trade contacts and owners alike have been telling me about the real-world long-term reliability that has been rewarding the buyers of Suzuki vehicles. As one example, … [Read more...]
Beaulieu International Autojumble 2018 – Wheels-Alive was there!
Kim Henson has attended every ‘Beaulieu’ since 1978, and describes this, THE biggest autojumble in Britain. In fact Beaulieu Autojumble is the original such event, the biggest in Europe and widely acknowledged to be the best… (Photographs by Kim, plus additional shots, individually and gratefully acknowledged with thanks, provided by Chris Adamson). Enthusiasts (in their droves!) made their way … [Read more...]
Kia multi-model Driving Day – Brief Impressions
Kim Henson briefly samples a variety of Kia models… (All words and photographs by Kim, with the exception of the front and rear images of the Stonic; these two courtesy of Kia). In recent years interest in Kia motor cars has steadily gained ground, as the company’s available range in the UK has increased in terms of model type and ‘desirability’. This, coupled with a standard seven year … [Read more...]
Taking your car abroad? Let there be light – but ensure that your headlamps are legal and don’t dazzle others…
Venturing overseas with your vehicle? If your headlamp beams are not properly converted for driving in other countries, this can have serious and expensive consequences… Kim Henson reports. As with so many things in automotive life, things have become more complex in terms of modern headlamp design and operation, compared with the units of a few years ago. In turn this impacts on what you can do … [Read more...]
New Suzuki Jimny – on its way
‘The one-and-only small, lightweight 4WD vehicle’, as Suzuki describes it, will soon be available here… Kim Henson reports. The first Jimny made its debut in April 1970, and has always been widely regarded as a compact yet competent showcase of Suzuki’s 4WD technology. For the last 48 years the model has been an authentic off-roader that is small and lightweight, but providing the on and … [Read more...]
Book Review – The Test (Testing Times).
An absorbing novel centred on motor sport in the 1970s – Reviewed by Kim Henson. Title: The Test (Testing Times) Author: Jeremy Walton Published by: Independently published 320 pages; paperback Price: £7.00 UK ISBN-10: 1976989779 ISBN-13: 9781976989773 How to Buy: Shop in Amazon UK-books-Jeremy Walton-The Test (Average customer review 4.5 out of 5 stars, eight customer … [Read more...]
Beaulieu’s 2018 Spring Autojumble warms up the season…
Beaulieu’s 2018 Spring Autojumble warms up the season… Kim Henson and Chris Adamson were at this year’s Beaulieu Spring Autojumble. (Photos by Kim, Chris, and courtesy National Motor Museum, Beaulieu, as individually credited). Although not quite as large as Beaulieu’s famous September Autojumble, the Spring event is loved by many enthusiasts who welcome the fact that the whole event can be … [Read more...]
Latest Suzuki Swift Sport – First Impressions
Kim Henson samples the new Swift Sport… Suzuki’s eagerly-awaited new lightweight sports supermini goes on sale on 1st June with big savings for U.K. buyers during the first month… (All words and photographs by Kim Henson). News: Suzuki sales increasing… Before talking about the latest Swift Sport, it is interesting to take a brief look at how Suzuki is doing in the UK. In fact the firm is … [Read more...]
Hydrogen powered Toyota Mirai saloon – Brief First Impressions
Kim Henson test drives the future… (All words and photos by Kim) ‘Bringing the future into the present’ is how Toyota headlines its revolutionary Mirai, the company’s hydrogen fuel cell vehicle – and the world’s first to be mass-produced – that represents the culmination of 22 years of research and development. Of course Toyota is already long-famous for its pioneering work with hybrid models … [Read more...]
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