Frontera still knows no boundaries 30 years on – by Dave Moss. (Images from Vauxhall Heritage). During the 1980s the so-called "world car" concept began to take hold. Vehicles were increasingly becoming truly international products, as technology, joint ventures and improving component supply allowed design, development, and manufacture in different places. This approach facilitated sales … [Read more...]
Features by Dave Moss
Dave has a lifetime connection with the world of motoring. His father was a timeserved engineer from an age when car repairs really meant repairs: he ran his own garage from the 1930s to the 60s, while Mum was the boss’s secretary at a big Austin distributor. Both worked their entire lives in the motor trade, so if motor oil’s not in Dave’s blood, it’s surely a very close thing.
Though qualified in Electronics, for Dave it seemed a natural step into restoring a succession of classic cars, culminating in a variety of Minis. Writing and broadcasting about these, and an ever widening range of motoring topics ancient and modern, gathered pace in the 1970’s, and has taken over since, embracing books, magazines, newspapers, radio programmes, phone-ins and guest appearances – not forgetting hard graft on the garage floor. Latest book: The Efficient Driver’s Handbook. Latest project: That 1968 Mk 1 Mini Cooper S will one day move again…
Higher doses of ethanol arriving – the reasons (we are told…), and the potential dangers
E10 petrol is coming soon – to filling stations near you... by Dave Moss. Why E10, and why now? The British government's ambition to drive down carbon emissions to net-zero by 2050 involves ever-tightening targets, which last December stood at a 68% reduction by 2030 compared to 1990... However, in April, days before the US climate summit, rumours began circulating that yet another emissions … [Read more...]
Stonehenge – Which way around it? That is the question for the A303
Stonehenge and the motorist: A 6,000 year old story... so far – by Dave Moss. (All images from Highways England). On November 12th 2020, permission was granted to join up existing dual carriageways on the A303 in Wiltshire via a new dual carriageway section, running via a twin-bore four-lane road tunnel just south of Stonehenge. The decision reignited controversy which has raged over roads … [Read more...]
Driving in Europe post-Brexit…
Dave Moss is your guide to what's now required when driving on the other side of the Channel... Britain's departure from the EU has prompted a flurry of information and advice from the Department for Transport, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency and the DVLA on rule changes affecting Britons driving in Europe from January 1st 2021. Here we round up some important changes affecting British … [Read more...]
A look (in amazement, astonishment and wonder) at Lada, then and now… Part Two: The capable four wheel drive Niva
Niva say never... as little known best seller reaches 40 – by Dave Moss This story begins on April 5th 1977, when LHD Russian market sales of what was known there as the VAZ 2121 began. Right hand drive examples were badged "Lada Niva", with a list price just over £5000, at their 1980 British International Motor Show launch, where they were heavily overshadowed by the introduction of BL's Austin … [Read more...]
A look (in amazement, astonishment and wonder) at Lada, then and now… Part One: The story so far
Records set in a 21st century Russian Revolution – by Dave Moss. On September 24th 2020, the 30 millionth Lada rolled off a production line at one of the worlds biggest car factories – the Autovaz plant in Togliatti, on the Volga riverside almost 600 miles south east of Moscow. The plant also celebrated 50 years of production in 2020, adding up to a remarkable manufacturing performance – an … [Read more...]
Standard’s Vanguard Story
Standard’s Vanguard Story First World Car to final swansong in under 20 years. Dave Moss describes the history of this boldly-conceived model... Kim adds: Please note, this feature is intended to provide a general outline of the history of all the Vanguards produced, to help those who may be unfamiliar with Standards bearing the name, rather than a detailed description of each version. (All … [Read more...]
Metro-spective – 40 years since the launch of the Austin miniMetro
40 years on – a Metro-spective. Dave Moss reflects on the life and times of BL's biggest selling car... It’s 40 years this Autumn since the most important new car to appear during the British Leyland years first broke cover at the press presentation ahead of its official launch on October 8th 1980 (exactly 40 years ago to the day) – a date carefully chosen to avoid being "one of a crowd" at the … [Read more...]
Mini More Facts (Mini Happy Returns – 60+ years on)
A dozen things you (probably) didn't know about the Mini – looking back at more than 60 years of one of Britain's best loved diminutive classics... ...by Dave Moss. It took three years to produce half a million Minis – the 500,000th rolled off the production line on 12th December 1962. The Mini was the first car to win the European Rally Championship. The Mini … [Read more...]
Classic Profile – Alvis 3 litre
Elegant, competent and well-respected, Alvis 3 litre models are fine classics, as Dave Moss explains… The history of the Alvis company dates back to 1919, and the firm's models have long been loved by enthusiasts, with some of the 1930s designs being especially attractive; these cars are much sought-after today. The photographs below illustrate just how stylish these models … [Read more...]
Ford Probe into Cougar – Future Classics?
Ford has produced some fascinating modern classics, some of which have not yet fully emerged the limelight. Dave Moss delves into the Probe (and Cougar) story… Prior to 1994, even the most dedicated European followers of the world's motor industry would have been aware of no more than two cars called ‘Probe.’ One was a 1981 Ford concept vehicle - Probe 3, unusual because it was developed after … [Read more...]
BMC/BL Mini – The Clubman and 1275GT Scenario
Mini Clubman and 1275GT history and development… …Dave Moss describes what happened. In the mid 1960s, agonising began at BMC over how best to update or replace the Mini, which was turning into one of its most successful cars. The decision was ultimately overtaken by the mergers which first created British Motor Holdings and then the British Leyland Motor Corporation – bringing all the BMC … [Read more...]
Volkswagen’s iconic Transporter clocks up 70 years
Transporting through time... or a transporter of delight – by Dave Moss. In this feature Dave describes the history and development of the VW Transporter, and looks at contemporary competitor vehicles... (Photographs from VW, also Audi – DKW images, and as individually credited). Europe has produced some much loved, long lived, and high volume cars in over a century of existence, but very … [Read more...]
Hole in One (or two, or many millions more?) – Potholes galore!
Growing cost of roads going nowhere Road repair funding faces a deepening pothole Local road repair British local road network continues to decline... Britain's local roads head downhill as pothole problems get worse Potholes forever! – by Dave Moss. Every Spring, the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA) publishes its Local Authority road maintenance survey results, and the report for 2020 … [Read more...]
News – More (‘chapter and verse’) on the MoT test moratorium
Coronavirus emergency brings MoT extensions for many vehicles… …by Dave Moss. With the Coronavirus crisis continuing to unfold, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has announced extensions to the duration of MoT certificates for some cars, vans and motorcycles. The extensions will apply to vehicles registered across England Scotland and Wales, and will continue until confirmed … [Read more...]
‘Smart’ motorways, or not so smart? – Latest news
Action plan promises improved safety on Smart Motorways… ...by Dave Moss. Following five months work by the DfT on a smart motorway ‘evidence stock take,’ Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has this week reacted to growing concern about safety on so called "smart" motorways. A specific 18 point action plan has been published, aimed at improving both safety and public confidence. So called … [Read more...]
MG F – 25 years of this modern classic and it’s still looking good
MG F - 25 years is a long time - by Dave Moss, who tells the fascinating story of this model (and the TF)... The MG F, which passed the 25th anniversary of its Geneva Show announcement on March 7th 2020, was a remarkable car. Developed to capitalise on a long and formidably successful heritage defined by its world famous (and subtly reworked) octagon badge, it has left a fitting and indelible … [Read more...]
Festive Reflections… on Gallons and Litres
A festive Noggin and Natter – by Dave Moss. If you're seeking to exercise the mind a little after days spent eating drinking and being suitably merry... what better festive feature could there be than liquid measures? In the 21st century, most of us encounter gallons only as a measure on a trip computer's fuel consumption readout – but next time you press that mpg button, pause and reflect: … [Read more...]
Need to Know 5 – Vehicle Batteries (for cars and commercials – classic and modern)
Regardless of age and type, your vehicle relies on electrical power in order to function properly, and the battery is vital in storing/providing it. Dave Moss explains how to look after your battery and keep you on the road. (Photographs by Dave Moss and Kim Henson, as individually attributed). This feature was prompted by the ten year old battery in the author's 19 year old diesel Fiesta van … [Read more...]
Mini Happy Returns – 60 Years since BMC’s baby was introduced
Small Wonder... Britain's favourite small car of the 1960s and 70s, celebrated by Dave Moss. It was exactly 60 years ago this week, on 26th August 1959, that the Mini was introduced to the world. In this first instalment of a series about the BMC/British Leyland/Rover Minis, Dave describes the background to, and development of, this small but revolutionary car, dubbed 'Wizardry on Wheels' in … [Read more...]
