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...]
Classic Driving Impressions
2024 Morgan Plus 4: Radical wild-child or faithful follower of tradition? Ancient and modern compared…
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
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...]
Audi TT quattro Sport – More miles, more fun, lower costs!
Driving on to Happiness... More driving miles, fewer repair bills=More private owner happy places! In the sixth instalment of this series, Jeremy Walton updates us with news of his quattro sport’s repairs, updates and miles munched. Back in September 1995, two significant sporty automotive newcomers were unveiled in the vast halls of Germany’s Frankfurt international motor show. Both proved … [Read more...]
For Your (Christmas and New Year) Bookshelf – Seven Years With Samantha (Around the World in a Vintage Austin Seven)
For Your (Christmas and New Year!) Bookshelf – Seven Years With Samantha (Around the World in a Vintage Austin Seven) Reviewed by: Kim Henson Author: Clive Ball (with black and white photographs by the author, plus drawings by Cedric Baxter) Published by: Patrick Stephens Ltd. (First edition September 1974) 248 pages (hardback) UK Price: Varies (no longer in print but used copies are … [Read more...]
Audi TT quattro sport – just so much fun
Further improvements and fixes while enjoying the ownership journey… In the fifth instalment of this series, Jeremy Walton updates us with news of his quattro sport’s repairs, continuing improvements and use. (Kim adds: If you are interested in reading the four previous instalments of Jeremy’s story of his ownership so far of this car, please enter ‘Audi TT quattro sport’ into the search box on … [Read more...]
Motoring For Fun – MSV’s ‘Drive!’ at Donington Park in Three British Classics.
George Loveridge describes an enjoyable 'classic' day out to Donington Park... Giles Dive, Jim, Guy, and George Loveridge take their classic British cars to Donington Park for trackside action at one of Motorsport Vision’s ‘Drive!’ events. All words and photos ©George Loveridge At the close of 2020, I was checking my emails when a notification from MSV (Motorsport Vision) popped up, … [Read more...]
Audi TT quattro sport – modern classic ownership continues to be fun
Progress! In the fourth instalment of this series, Jeremy Walton tells us that he has been enjoying his Audi TT quattro sport, while continuing to improve it... (Kim adds: If you are interested in reading the three previous instalments of Jeremy’s story of his ownership so far of this car, please enter ‘Audi TT quattro sport’ into the search box on our Wheels-Alive website, to find and … [Read more...]
Motoring For Fun – A tour in south-west Wales in a Rover Maestro
An idyllic autumnal trip to the far south-west of Wales… Kim Henson drove westwards in a Maestro that has been family-owned since new. (Kim adds: DO NOT GO THERE NOW!! Of course I realise that as I write this – during the 'Covid-19 lock down' – in February 2021, at the moment long-distance ‘motoring for fun’ and touring on holiday in Britain is not possible, nor even permitted. However, I feel … [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...]
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...]
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...]
‘Golden Oldies’; Retrospective Road Test No. 2 – 1991 Peugeot 205 1.1 Trio S.
Peugeot 205 – “le sacré numéro”… In the second of our new series on Wheels-Alive, Kim Henson test drives Peugeot’s 205, in this case a 1991 1.1 litre Trio S three door version. (All words and photographs by Kim). Note: "Wheels-Alive gives you more..." If you would like to turn back time 26 years (on a temporary basis!), at the end of this feature are direct 'interactive' links to enable you … [Read more...]
Ford’s Fiesta – a look back at more than 40 years of this winning model
Ford's Fiesta versus the sands of time... by Dave Moss. In 2006, 30 years on from the original launch of the Fiesta, Ford gave selected motoring journalists the opportunity to compare original models with the then current car. Dave Moss was one of those who enjoyed a drive down memory lane... The original Fiesta, its name chosen by Henry Ford himself – and which very nearly became the Ford … [Read more...]
Honda NSX ‘old and new’ plus Civics ‘classic and modern’ – Kim’s Impressions
Kim Henson revisits Honda’s sensational first series NSX – and drives the latest car bearing this revered name, also taking brief outings in Civics old and new too! All words and photographs by Kim, with the exception of the main front and rear shots of the 2017 Civic Type R – these courtesy of Honda). As a motoring writer, one of the questions I am most often asked is, “What are your … [Read more...]
Motoring for Fun – ‘Wirral Going on a Summer Holiday’ (and to the Austin Counties Car Club Rally) – in a 1954 Austin A40 Somerset, says Kim
Wirral Going on a Summer Holiday – in a 1954 Austin A40 (Somerset) Coupé… Kim Henson explains... I have to admit that until 2014 I had never before visited the Wirral peninsula, nor indeed Liverpool, but twice in that year I made brief visits to that part of the world, and was keen to return to explore in more detail. For those who may not know, the Wirral peninsula sits between (to the west) … [Read more...]
Latest Volkswagen Beetle – Road Test
Nearly 80 years of ‘Beetling’ about… David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) test drives the 2017 VW Beetle. With more and more volume produced cars these days looking more and more alike, there are very few iconic core designs left to tempt those owners who do not want run-of-the mill designs. These buyers are independent minded, aloof to what is the latest must-have – me-too fashionable car, … [Read more...]
NEW SERIES! ‘Golden Oldies’; Kim’s Retrospective Road Test No. 1 – 1996 Vauxhall Astra 1.7 LS turbodiesel (Isuzu engine).
Astranomical! In the first of a new series on Wheels-Alive, Kim Henson assesses Vauxhall’s family hatchback of the 1990s, in the form of a 1996 Vauxhall Astra F (‘Mark 3’), powered by Isuzu’s fuel-sipping 1.7 litre turbodiesel engine. (All words and photographs by Kim). “Astra from Vauxhall. It’s every car you’ll ever need – or want.” So proclaimed Vauxhall when promoting their 1996 Astra … [Read more...]
Happy Days in South Africa with an Austin 11-55
Glen Smale recalls his Austin 11-55 in South Africa… Glen operates Virtual Motorpix and his recollections about his own 11-55 first appeared on own his website blog: http://blog.virtualmotorpix.com (Kim says: “Just to set the scene, it may be helpful to explain a little about the Austin 11-55. This was a South African version of BMC’s 1100 (ADO 16) that was introduced in the UK in 1962, and in … [Read more...]
Motoring For Fun – ‘On Top of the World’ in a Maestro
A HAPPY TOUR OF NORTHERN ENGLAND IN A ROVER MAESTRO... Kim Henson was in the driving seat… As with previous articles in this series (so far, covering separate trips to south Devon, north/mid Wales, and the Isle of Wight), this one (Number 4) is all about having fun on a motor tour in a fascinating part of the world. What inspired me to start and build this series were the similarly-themed … [Read more...]