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...]
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…
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...]
More information on new MoT regulations relating to vehicles over 40 years old
Ch Ch Changes... Amidst some confusion among enthusiasts, more information has come to light about the new rules relating to MoT exemption for certain vehicles more than 40 years old, and in particular those where the date of MoT expiry does not coincide with the road tax renewal date. We have revised the text in our original article published in March, as the result of clarification by the … [Read more...]
‘Need to Know’ Series No. 4: Threads, spanners and things.
Nuts, bolts, threads and spanners – essential for all motor cars, notably including classics. Dave Moss explains... (All words and photographs by Dave). There's a long, deep, and in places dark and slightly mysterious history behind the remarkable cornucopia of nuts and bolts and their threads encountered when working on old vehicles. Despite standardisation efforts stretching back almost two … [Read more...]
MoT Test – All change for modern cars – and, especially, classics!
Changes to the MoT test coming up on 20th May 2018... Dave Moss comprehensively explains what's happening. Various changes to the MOT test rules in England Scotland and Wales come in to force on Sunday May 20th 2018. Most of them affect all light vehicles over 3 years old, but there is also a big change for owners of classic vehicles. From that date, cars, vans, motorcycles and other light … [Read more...]
‘Need to Know’ Series, No. 3: SU Carburettors – Part 1 – The History
Find out more about the SU carburettor… ...a clever instrument found under the bonnets of many classic vehicles. Our three part series explains its history and construction, and how to maintain/overhaul the unit to optimise performance and minimise petrol consumption. Part 1 looks at the origins and development of this amazing and efficient instrument. Dave Moss is your guide… The Lilley and … [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...]
BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo – First Impressions
The grand BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo makes its UK debut. David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) has been driving it… Launched to the UK’s motoring media last week, aptly in the Valley of the Racehorse, Lambourn, Berkshire where fine breeding and horsepower of the four legged variety are commonplace, was the new BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo which makes its official sales debut on 11 November … [Read more...]
Coming soon… MoT exemption for vehicles more than 40 years old…
Decisions made following consultation on Historic vehicle testing – by Dave Moss. Last Autumn, the Department for Transport ran a public consultation about reforming requirements for the testing of "vehicles of historic interest," (VHI) which covered all historic vehicle types. The Government announced in mid-September how it intends to proceed in the light of the 2,217 responses … [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...]
‘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...]
MoT Test Confusion Ahead – If You Drive an Older Car You Need to Read this and act NOW!!!
Have your say on changes to MoT Testing of older vehicles – but act NOW to make your views heard... by Dave Moss. Testing of vehicles of historical interest (VHIs) is a part of the new, innocuously titled European Directive 2014/45/EU which sets changed and updated rules on vehicle and trailer roadworthiness testing generally, repealing a directive dating from 2009. The obvious question … [Read more...]
Ethanol and Classics Don’t Mix! Vital Information You Need to Know… Our Must-read Final Episode of Three.
Ethanol and the Classic Car Fuel System – Part 3, by Dave Moss. Photos by Kim Henson and Dave Moss (as credited individually). Since 2011, suppliers have been blending a gradually increasing ethanol content into UK fuel – reaching the level around 5% known as E5 early in 2013. Official approval already exists to continue raising the proportion to 10% – the E10 level, and quite simply, none of … [Read more...]
Danger Ahead! Ethanol and Classics – Part Two of our Three Part feature
Ethanol and the Classic Car Petrol Engine... Part 2 – An Overview, by Dave Moss. (Photos by Kim Henson). For owners of older vehicles, the rising amount of ethanol in fuel raises concerns falling broadly into two distinct areas. One is ensuring the continued overall integrity of an ageing fuel system, considered in part 3. The other, outlined here, is the range of possible adverse effects on … [Read more...]
Danger ahead!! A must-read for all classic car owners! Increasing ethanol content in petrol threatens major difficulties for older vehicles…
Ethanol and Classic Cars... An Uneasy Mixture – by Dave Moss. Do you run a classic car and wish to continue driving it in the future? If so, our Wheels-Alive guide to ethanol in petrol is ESSENTIAL reading… Part 1 – The Background Ethanol is alcohol, which, but for the fact that it’s chemically modified, would be drinkable. In its original form, dating back into the mists of time, it was often … [Read more...]
Rover’s Fascinating Post-War History – from the P4 of 1949 to the last SD1 in 1986
Auntie's Legacy… by Dave Moss. (Grateful thanks to Virtual Motorpix for the use of many of the photographs shown in this feature). As it went on sale in 1949, the Rover P4 – later often referred to as "Auntie" – represented everything the company had stood for in its pre-war days – brought up to date. However, before moving on to the details of the new P4 models which were to take the … [Read more...]
Jet powered cars – a fascinating history (so far!)
Retired and forgotten old lady now 66 - by Dave Moss Time to reflect on a story which began in 1941, when the Rover company received a wartime invitation to help make the experimental jet engines dreamed up by inventor Frank Whittle production-ready. Despite lacking experience in the field, Rover dutifully began work at sites in the midlands and northern England, but friction between the parties … [Read more...]