Classics Galore at Studio434... Kim Henson travelled to the Home Counties and counts himself very lucky to have visited a ‘dreamworld’ private collection of 325 classic cars plus 65 motorcycles. He was delighted by the variety of vehicles, the numbers of which are increasing all the time. However that’s only part of the story. Here’s what he found… Hertfordshire is famous for many things, … [Read more...]
Classics Information
Hot classic investments? Buy now while you can!
The hottest classic car investments this summer… Robin Roberts reports. Always with one eye on the market, leading classic car insurance specialist Heritage has selected four of this summer’s hottest investment tips, with the value of the following motors set to rise along with the temperature. Heritage’s Mark Wilkinson, Managing Partner of the family-run business, says, “There are a few … [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...]
Beaulieu’s 2017 Spring Autojumble enjoyed in sunshine…
Kim Henson reports on this year’s 24th Beaulieu Spring Autojumble. Wind, rain and cool temperatures are unwelcome visitors for the organisers of, and attendees at, any outdoor motoring-related show. Yet as people arrived in droves on the morning of Saturday 13th May for this year’s Spring Autojumble at Beaulieu, initially the sky darkened, there was a cool breeze and nature liberally sprinkled … [Read more...]
Arranging loans against classic cars gains in popularity…
Robin Roberts reports on the growing trend for loans to be taken out against classic car values. As widely reported, the values of classic cars have been increasing in dramatic fashion over the last few years and such vehicles are currently seen by lenders as good bets as assets against which to loan money. HNW Lending is one example; here are the headlines: HNW Lending has now … [Read more...]
Classic prices achieved at South Western Vehicle Auctions sale…
Some ‘modest’ classic commercials and cars, as well as more exclusively machinery, fetched far more than anticipated at the recent classic vehicle sale arranged by South Western Vehicle Auctions in Poole. Chris Adamson was there with his camera and notebook… (Words and photographs by Chris). A bid of £21,000 for a classic car is not normally the stuff of headlines – but it was at the recent … [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...]
Dave Randle goes ‘Back to Basics’ with his trusty Xantia…
BIT OF A BLOW. Dave Randle explains how it pays NOT to think the worst if an unusual breakdown occurs... So we made space in the schedule and booked up the first caravan holiday of Spring. Not an epic; just far enough away to be off the intermittent communication lines of Romney Marsh and sequestered among the Surrey Hills several times as far above sea level. We’re just getting back into … [Read more...]
‘Need to Know’ Series No 2… BS AU 7 (classic vehicle wiring standard)
‘Need to Know’ Series No 2... BS AU 7 (British classic vehicle wiring standard) – Dave Moss explains all... Note from Kim: Our 'Need to Know' Series aims to provide information about various (and sometimes-overlooked!) aspects of classic car design and construction, to help owners today in better understanding, maintaining and enjoying their vehicles. Watch this space for further articles in … [Read more...]
30 Not Out! New Forest classic event makes history – A ‘good news’ story!
On a beautiful spring Sunday in April, two south coast based UK classic car groups made happy history. Kim Henson was there with his camera (as he was in 1987!)… During the past 30 years, so many things in life have changed, and of course world events have been turbulent, but for two separate groups of classic car owners in Dorset and Hampshire respectively, an enduring and tranquil annual event … [Read more...]
Classic Information (Kim’s Tips) – Think positive during vehicle restoration!
Classic vehicle restoration... Don’t give up! You CAN do it… Kim Henson advises. When trying to restore, recommission or even just re-invigorate a classic car, van or pick-up, to get the vehicle to its rightful place back out on the road where it can be enjoyed, there will almost certainly be times when the scale of the task weighs heavy. Indeed things can build up to the extent that sometimes … [Read more...]
Jaguar XJ220 tyres available once more…
The XJ220 legend lives on – Extraordinary work for an extraordinary car (you can watch the video too...). Kim Henson explains… New tyres for Jaguar’s truly iconic XJ220 were not available for more than 10 years. However, the Bridgestone tyre company has worked together with Don Law on the development of new tyres for the model, so that enthusiast drivers can finally get back on the road without … [Read more...]
An ‘easy fit’ new Mazda-based transmission kit arrives to ‘up-gear’ your MGB
A new five speed conversion for MGBs can make the car even more enjoyable. Robin Roberts reports… Few would argue that the MGB remains Britain’s favourite classic sports car or that it is almost as at home in modern traffic as it was in that of the 1960s/70s. However, it can nevertheless be updated to advantage and British Motor Heritage (BMH) is now stocking the superb Vitesse Global five speed … [Read more...]
Fiesta time from Monaco to Maesteg…
Who owns the Ford Fiesta, and where are they? Robin Roberts tells all… Maesteg is motor-city for the Ford Fiesta, although in fact the car was launched in Monaco…. (Kim adds… "and a younger version of our Robin was there for the occasion of that very launch!"). You are most likely to see one of the 40-versions of the car launched since 1976 on the streets of the South Wales town. The … [Read more...]
Jaguar XJ220 on its way to having new purpose-developed Bridgestone tyres
Iconic Jaguar XJ220 undergoes extensive testing in the development of new Bridgestone tyres. Kim Henson reports... In recent months engineers from Bridgestone, working with Don Law and the legendary XJ220, chassis No. 004, have been developing all-new perfectly fitted tyres, taking full advantage of 25 years of technological progress at Bridgestone. During continuous testing, the car has been … [Read more...]
Cutting Costs: The Art Of Fuel-efficient Driving
Cutting Costs: The Art Of Fuel-efficient Driving The personal views of guest contributor Giles Kirkland... Cars are rarely cheap and, of course, the more you drive yours, the more you have to spend. This is why many drivers value vehicles that offer plenty of miles to the gallon, but what about the car you currently have? Fortunately, there are ways to improve your fuel efficiency. Also known … [Read more...]
Golden Oldies? Many recent and future classics are not currently being used and enjoyed…
Many modern and future classics are among the nearly two million cars in Britain registered as being ‘off the road’… Kim Henson reports. A national study carried out earlier this year for Kwik Fit, one of Britain’s leading automotive service and repair companies, brought to light the fact that many of the most popular car models sold in the UK in the 1970s, 80s and 90s are currently off the road … [Read more...]
Kim’s Tips: A Good Start?
Winter's coming: Make sure that you can always get your car started. Kim Henson (with input from the Grumpy Old Mechanic) advises… Typical British winters inevitably bring with them cold and damp conditions, and it is during such times that motor cars can sometimes be reluctant to perform, or even to start at all. Of course, you cannot blame them, for if you had been sat outside all night in … [Read more...]
Grumpy Old Mechanic says… “Grease It!”
He’s having a go again – this time about people who don’t grease their old cars… Go on then, Grumpy Old Mechanic, what’s wrong now? You would never believe the number of classic cars that I have seen lately that have obviously not seen a grease gun for many a long year. Why is this important? Because in the good old days, manufacturers fitted grease nipples so that periodically fresh grease … [Read more...]
‘Need to Know’ Series No. 1 – Instrument Voltage Stabiliser
Mysteries of the Instrument Voltage Stabiliser revealed… Dave Moss explains and advises, in the first feature of his new 'Need to Know' series, covering various aspects of classic vehicle technicalities… (Words and all images, including hand-drawn diagrams, by Dave). If you have a car made by BMC or its successors anywhere between the 1960s and mid-1980s, it may have an instrument voltage … [Read more...]