For Your Bookshelf – Porsche Boxster – The Practically Free Sportscar... ...Reviewed by Kim Henson. (Book cover and Boxster photographs provided by Robert McGowan). Title: Porsche Boxster – The Practically Free Supercar (‘The beginner’s guide to owning the ultimate roadster’) Author: Robert McGowan Published by: Independently published 277 pages; paperback Price (typical): £13.75, … [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.
STOLEN! Please keep a look out for these two beauties…
TWO much-loved modern classics stolen – have you seen either or both? Kim Henson appeals... These two much cherished modern classics have both been stolen from Chatteris in Cambridgeshire, a red Rover 214 G899 UYP (it disappeared on Sunday 22nd), and a dark blue Volvo 760 estate, F723 FEC (which was taken yesterday, Monday 23rd). If you see either of these vehicles, or have any information … [Read more...]
Esso launches Synergy Supreme+ 99 premium petrol (and currently it’s ethanol-free)
Esso ups the game in the field of higher grade unleaded petrol... Kim Henson reports... Kim writes, "I have long been a believer in using the 'premium' or superior grades of fuel produced by the main players in the forecourt industry, both petrol and diesel, in my own vehicles. I use these fuels where available because, quite simply, I find that typically performance is noticeably and … [Read more...]
For Your Bookshelf: Beneath the Trees of Eden
Reviewed by Kim Henson. Title: Beneath the Trees of Eden Author: Tim Binding Published by: Bloomsbury Publishing; www.bloomsbury.com 420 pages; hardback, eBook ISBN: HB: 978-1-5266-1660-9 TPB: 978-1-5266-16586 eBook: 978-1-5266-1656-2 Price: Hardback £16.99 (but online price via Bloomsbury, £11.89); eBook £11.89 (but online price via Bloomsbury, £7.13). The approach of … [Read more...]
Latest Suzuki Ignis 1.2 Dualjet Hybrid SZ5 ALLGRIP– Road Test
Suzuki’s revised Ignis Hybrid, in top of the range SZ5 ALLGRIP form… …test-driven by Kim Henson. (All photographs by Kim). About an hour ago, a relatively small but big-hearted blue car departed from my home after spending a week in my care, and I was as sorry to see it go as the summer skies that have also recently gone away. Here’s why… During the last few years, since its introduction … [Read more...]
Kim’s (Classic) Tips – Check your S.U. petrol pump for leaks
S.U. electric petrol pumps, used on many classic vehicles, usually survive and operate for many years, but potentially dangerous fuel leaks can develop… Kim Henson advises making frequent, regular inspections – for safety and reliability. S.U. petrol pumps have been giving sterling service for many decades on a wide variety of classic cars and light commercials, including Morris Minors, MGs … [Read more...]
Suzuki looks ahead – and introduces new models
Suzuki reveals future plans – and launches a revised Swift line-up plus a new light commercial version of the Jimny. Kim Henson tells all… In the company’s centenary year, Suzuki is planning ahead with positivity, and in an online UK ‘webinar’ (press conference) yesterday (8th September 2020), the firm provided to motoring writers a summary of their plans as they currently stand. I was … [Read more...]
For Your Bookshelf: The MGC GTS Lightweights
Reviewed by Kim Henson. Title: The MGC GTS Lightweights – Abingdon’s Last Racers Author: David Morys Published by: Veloce Publishers www.veloce.co.uk 144 pages; hardback ISBN: 978-1-787114-45-6 Price: £35.00 (but check the Veloce website for special offers) When I started reading this book, I imagined that its coverage would closely focus on the works racing MGCs, as its title … [Read more...]
Latest Suzuki SX4 S-Cross 1.4 Boosterjet Hybrid SZ5 ALLGRIP– Road Test
Suzuki’s new SX4 S-Cross Hybrid, in top spec SZ5 ALLGRIP form… …put through its paces by Kim Henson. (All words and photographs by Kim). Slightly larger than the Vitara SUV, the S-Cross ‘Crossover’ SUV (the first examples of which were sold in 2013) is intended to be a family-friendly practical multi-purpose vehicle, and, like the latest versions of the Vitara and the Swift Sport hatchback, … [Read more...]
A rare and unusual Morgan 4-4, now ready to be enjoyed again after a four decade rest…
Kim Henson and Nick Riley tell the story of Nick’s 1947 Morgan 4-4 and the fascinating history its bodywork was hiding. First, Kim sets the scene with a few words about the famous firm of Morgan and the revered models that the company produced in the early years (and of course the firm is still building its much-in-demand unique sports cars today, more than 110 years down the line). Morgan … [Read more...]
Suzuki offers buyers summer savings – and announces prices for their new 48 volt self-charging Hybrid models
Suzuki helps buyers with special summer deals, zero per cent finance on most models, new 48-Volt self-charging Hybrid drivetrains and a unique 7- day return offer for all retail customers... Kim Henson reports, and says, "As reported yesterday on Wheels-Alive, Suzuki is open for forecourt sales again from 1st June, and has set up a groundbreaking 7-day return system to reassure retail buyers. … [Read more...]
For Your Bookshelf – Motor Coaches and Charabancs
Reviewed by Kim Henson... Title: Motor Coaches and Charabancs Author: James Taylor Published by: Shire Publications, www.shirebooks.co.uk 64 pages; softback Price: £8.99 (but currently offerd for an online price of £6.29, representing a discount of 30 per cent, through the Shire Publications website; link above). ISBN: 978-1-78442 412 1 The wonderful series of motor vehicle and … [Read more...]
For Your Bookshelf – Austin Cars 1948 to 1990
Book Review – Austin Cars 1948 to 1990 – A Pictorial History. Reviewed by Kim Henson. Title: Austin Cars 1948 to 1990 – A Pictorial History Author: David Rowe Published by: Veloce Publishing www.veloce.co.uk 112 pages; softback Price: £12.99 ISBN: 978-1-787112-19-3 There is a huge amount of detail in this compact but informative volume. From writing motoring books myself I … [Read more...]
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...]
Classic Clubs Series – No. 2 – The Austin Counties Car Club
Are you interested in, or do you own… any of the Austin models built between 1939 and 1954 (and some commercial versions were produced until 1957)? If the answer is yes, it would be a good move to contact and join this club… With regard to this series of articles, Kim Henson says… “Over time Wheels-Alive will be looking at the many enthusiastic organisations that exist to help their members to … [Read more...]
Keeping your car healthy (and ready to run) during these difficult times
Kim Henson offers advice to avoid vehicle problems, due to lack of use… The strange and difficult times in which we are living are of course a challenge to everyone, not least as we need to stay at home apart from essential journeys. This necessarily means that many vehicles are covering very low mileages, and indeed many more have not moved at all during the last month or so. Now motor … [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...]
Keep Your Wheels Alive – We Visit Austin Morris Services at Freshwater, on the Isle of Wight
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...]
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...]
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