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Old cars, new cars, borrowed cars & blue cars. If it steers it's here!

Old cars, new cars, borrowed cars & blue cars. If it steers it's here!

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Classic Profiles

Our look in the rear view mirror at cars from the past

“Okay, I know it’s not a recent photograph, but it’s a classic, isn’t it?”

In this website we deliberately cover cars new and old. While it is true that modern motor cars are becoming ever more sophisticated (and complicated!), and to fulfill their daily transport needs most motorists tend to drive vehicles built relatively recently, equally there is growing respect for, and interest in, the crucially important ‘heritage’ models which represent stepping stones along the path of automotive progress.

If it wasn’t for the technical and styling innovations of the cars of the past that are now regarded as classics, we wouldn’t have been able to arrive at the models produced today.

There are classic models to suit all tastes, and there are many reasons for buying an old car, ranging from ‘sentimental’ nostalgic memories, to purely practical considerations.

While some old cars are little used these days (so in reality they are ‘toys’ brought out just for high days and holidays), it’s a fact that many classics are very easy to own and to operate, are inexpensive to run and are still capable of providing effective, enjoyable ‘real world’ transport in the 21st Century.

Ownership can provide fun in terms of the sheer enjoyment of driving an ‘oldie’ that is different, as well as a whole new social scene, for those who want it.

So whether you are already an enthusiast, or are contemplating taking the plunge, we hope that you will enjoy, and find useful, our features on cars from the past…These will grow in number and scope, as we progress.
Buy With Care

Each of our ‘Profile’ features concentrates on an individual classic car. In each case, if you are thinking of buying one but are unfamiliar with the model, it’s wise to take the advice of fellow owners (join the club(s) if it/they exist) or specialists for the vehicle, and if possible, when viewing vehicles for sale, take with you an independent third party.

While restoration can be rewarding and enjoyable if you are deliberately starting with a project vehicle, purchased for an appropriate price, you definitely don’t want to end up with a expensive ‘basket case’ that has been disguised to make it appear to be a sound example. This still happens today. Mistakes like this can await the unwary, and can cost huge amounts to put right.

In general, the structural condition of classic cars is far more important than their mechanical state. Proceed with caution, and view as many examples as you can, to get a feel for prices asked versus condition levels.

Don’t rush into a purchase; do your research and be patient. In this way you should be able to find the classic of your dreams, at a fair price.

Are you sitting comfortably? If so, then we’ll begin…

World Land Speed Record breaker Sunbeam 1000hp starts journey to America for centenary celebrations

1st July 2026

The National Motor Museum tells us: (Photograph and all words from The National Motor Museum). Restored World Land Speed Record breaker Sunbeam 1000hp has been ‘waved off’ from Beaulieu and started its journey to America for a series of centenary celebrations. National Motor Museum engineers carefully loaded their pride and joy into a 40ft shipping container to be transported to … [Read more...]

Standard Motor Club International Rally – classic fun in the sun

29th June 2026

Standards enjoyed in the sunshine... From 26th to 28th June Standards and their owners met near Gloucester to enjoy the Club’s International Rally. Kim Henson reports… (All words and photographs © Kim Henson). The Standard Motor Company produced well-respected vehicles during six decades from 1903, and the much-loved surviving examples are celebrated (and enthusiastically enjoyed) each year … [Read more...]

20 year old run-out special stays A Special One!

23rd June 2026

In this eleventh instalment of a popular series, Jeremy Walton updates us on the enduring 7-year appeal of his 103,000 mile Audi TT quattro sport following 18,000-miles of ownership  (All words and images © Jeremy Walton). Jeremy tells us… I must apologise for the absence of this part work since August last year, but it is not for dramatic reasons. I have simply been busy writing what should … [Read more...]

For Your Bookshelf: Lotus Europa

18th June 2026

Book review: Lotus Europa – 'Colin Chapman’s mid-engined masterpiece' Author: Matthew Vale Reviewed by: Kim Henson Published by: Veloce (in June 2026) www.veloce.co.uk 160 pages (softback), 250 x 150 mm format UK price £25.00 ISBN: 9781836440949 As a car enthusiast I have long been fascinated by the wide variety of models produced by Lotus over the years, and personally I have always … [Read more...]

The history of Laurin & Klement (Skoda since 1925), recorded for posterity by an enthusiast in Bulgaria

12th May 2026

Laurin & Klement type FC at the start of the Bosnian Rally 1908. Wheels-alive reports on a remarkable story of an automotive passion, determination and artistic skill… Kim writes, “Over to Stefan Ivanov, who contacted us with his fascinating true tale"... (All words and images © Stefan Ivanov). Kim adds: The images included within Stefan's text represent a selection of Stefan's … [Read more...]

For Your Bookshelf: Skoda Octavia – The First One: 1959–71 (The Story of a Czechoslovakian Automotive Icon)

18th April 2026

Book Review by Kim Henson: Skoda Octavia – The First One: 1959–71 Author: Miroslav Synek Published by: Veloce (in February 2026) www.veloce.co.uk 128 pages (softback), 210 x 148 mm format UK price £19.99 ISBN: SKU  9781836440406 I always find it interesting to learn more about cars that here in the UK we seldom see, and to find out more of the history behind them. Skoda’s Octavia is a case … [Read more...]

Classic Clubs Series – No. 5 – The Standard Motor Club

17th March 2026

‘Dedicated to the preservation of all Standards and their derivatives’. All main text words and all photographs from David Shadbolt, Publicity Officer for the Club. (Kim adds that the photographs included in the article, and shown in several 'era' sections, represent a selection of Standards and other models associated with the Standard Motor Company, which operated for 60 years from 1903. All … [Read more...]

For Your Bookshelf: “BMC Farina Cars In Detail”

21st February 2026

BMC Farina Cars In Detail – Book Review Reviewed by Kim Henson Author: Anders Ditlev Clausager Published by: Herridge & Sons Ltd. https://www.herridgeandsons.com/ 192 pages (hardback), large format (270 x 210mm), and including 360 illustrations UK Price: £45 (but currently on offer from the publishers at £32.50, with free shipping on all UK … [Read more...]

Austin A30/A35 book, ‘Enjoying Your Austin’

29th November 2025

Kim Henson writes… If you own, or are considering buying, an Austin A30 or A35, this book may be of interest, and helpful, to you... My A30/A35 book (Enjoying Your Austin A30/A35) is available direct from me. I wrote and published the book in 2004, and it can still be purchased direct from me if you wish, and until the end of December 2025 is on special offer… This is an unused 'new old stock' … [Read more...]

Toyota’s fascinating history – notably concentrating on the enduringly popular Corona model, which arrived in Britain exactly 60 years ago, on 1st October 1965

6th October 2025

Long lives, big anniversaries - and big numbers - by Dave Moss (All photographs © Toyota). Though just pre-dated by the original Land Cruiser, Toyota's first post war passenger car was also the first to have been entirely designed and built in Japan when it appeared on its home market during 1955. Badged as the Toyopet Crown - named after the long established loom manufacturing company from … [Read more...]

British Motor Museum will host the ‘Great British Model Railway Show’ on 25th/26th October 2025

24th September 2025

Model railways on the right track at Gaydon... The British Motor Museum tells us: (All words and photographs from The British Motor Museum). The British Motor Museum will host the Great British Model Railway Show on Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 October supported by some of the biggest names in the industry, including Hornby and Bachmann. This dedicated weekend will feature over 40 model … [Read more...]

Jeremy Walton takes his Audi TT quattro sport to the top side of 100,000 miles… and still loves the car

12th August 2025

'Surviving 100,000 miles and delivering plenty of smiles'... In this tenth instalment of his ever-popular series on Wheels-Alive, Jeremy Walton updates us on how his 19 year old Audi TT quattro sport endures pockmarked Britain and still provides fun a-plenty with each drive...  (All words and images © Jeremy Walton). Jeremy writes… Maintenance-modest, individually stylish and at least … [Read more...]

‘Pitch Up and Carry On’… Exhibition at the National Motor Museum will explore and celebrate the role of caravans during the Second World War

7th August 2025

The National Motor Museum tells us: All words from the National Motor Museum; all photographs in the exhibition from the Museum and © Courtesy of Caravan magazine and Caravan and Motorhome Club Collection The Caravan and Motorhome Club Collection, in partnership with the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, are to present Pitch Up and Carry On, a new exhibition opening 13 September 2025 … [Read more...]

Legacy of Austin pedal cars honoured with Blue Plaque at original factory site in Bargoed

7th July 2025

Austin Pedal Cars tells us... Historic Blue Plaque unveiled to celebrate Austin pedal cars factory in Bargoed, Wales Austin factory produced the J40 and Pathfinder pedal cars from 1949 until 1971 and continued to make parts up to its closure in 1999 Blue Plaque unveiling attended by councillors, dignitaries, former employees and children from the Tir-y-Berth Primary School … [Read more...]

National Motor Museum to take Sunbeam 350hp Blue Bird to Wales for the World Land Speed Record centenary

5th July 2025

The National Motor Museum is taking the iconic Sunbeam 350hp vehicle to Pendine in Carmarthenshire, Wales to celebrate the centenary anniversary of its World Land Speed Record in 1925. The Museum tells us: (Photograph and all words from The National Motor Museum). The car christened ‘Blue Bird’ by its driver Sir Malcolm Campbell MBE, was the first to exceed 150 mph (240 km/h). The World … [Read more...]

Daihatsu – Gone, but far from forgotten…

1st July 2025

Dave Moss tells the story of Daihatsu in the UK... (All words © Dave Moss). Some car brands seem like unshakeable fixtures on the British market... while others, in blink-and-you-missed-it existences - like UMM, Sao, and Lonsdale - have briefly been, and quickly gone, and seem unlikely ever to return. Then there's Daihatsu, which began building trucks in 1919, placing it amongst Japan's oldest … [Read more...]

This very special Ford Capri has stood the test of time in many guises… and is still going strong

28th February 2025

  Jeremy Walton tells the fascinationg story of a unique survivor Capri that still delights more than half a century down the line... (All words © Jeremy Walton; photographs © Peter Osborne and Jeremy Walton). One Ford’s 50-year Promise delivered From Royalty to World Champions, this Capri served them all… Here we tell the story of just one original Ford Capri with an extraordinary … [Read more...]

2024 Morgan Plus 4: Radical wild-child or faithful follower of tradition? Ancient and modern compared…

24th September 2024

The new Morgan Plus 4 is visually very similar to a rich bloodline of cars from Malvern. Putting it head-to-head against a 1956 example, what does a 68-year age gap look like? George Loveridge reports… (Words and photographs by and copyright ‘Driving Around’, operated by George). Once upon a time, it was seen as revolutionary to equip a Morgan with 4 wheels, let alone heated seats. Morgan has … [Read more...]

Retrospective Road Test – 1992 BMW E34 520i

16th September 2024

Kieron Fennelly takes the wheel of a 32 year old BMW 5 Series – and rates it as a still-competent classic saloon. (All words and photographs by, and copyright, Kieron Fennelly.) The 1988-95 BMW E34 was the company’s third 5 Series and consolidated BMW’s reputation for this model as the class-leading executive saloon. By the time of the launch of the E34, BMW had three distinct model ranges, … [Read more...]

British premiere of new feature documentary ‘Vincenzo Lancia and the Birth of Modern Motoring’

7th August 2024

British premiere of a new feature documentary 'Vincenzo Lancia and the Birth of Modern Motoring' takes place in  Leamington Spa... The British premiere of the new feature documentary ‘Vincenzo Lancia & the Birth of Modern Motoring’ took place on Saturday 20th July at the Royal Spa Centre Cinema in Leamington Spa. Hosted by the Lancia Motor Club, Motul and the Federation of British … [Read more...]

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Recent Posts

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World Land Speed Record breaker Sunbeam 1000hp starts journey to America for centenary celebrations

Ford Mustang ‘Dark Horse’ – Brief First Impressions

The UK’s pothole crisis is getting worse – why?

Standard Motor Club International Rally – classic fun in the sun

The new Mitsubishi Outlander arrives!

Contributors

contributors

Our well-respected contributors live and breathe motor cars; aren’t we lucky?

Contributors to the site include talented, highly-respected people (so they tell me) on the hallowed membership list of the Guild of Motoring Writers, and from the similarly well thought-of Western Group of Motoring Writers. In addition there are valued contributions from other knowledgeable and capable motoring writers who have something useful to say about all aspects of driving and running vehicles in the 21st Century. All of our team are passionate about motor cars!


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