Kim Henson was there, and reports… (All words and photographs © Kim Henson). During the last weekend in May this year, the Austin A30/A35 Owners’ Cub held the organisation’s annual International Rally at the Stithians Showground, near Truro in Cornwall. This year the event marked and celebrated 70 years since the introduction of the A35 in the summer of 1956 (this uprated model replacing … [Read more...]
Features by Kim Henson
In life, sometimes there are things that you just have to do. In my case many of them relate to my twin loves of 1) motoring, and 2) using writing to convey to others (and share with) my fascination for the subject.
I have been passionate about cars for as long as I can remember, and have always had a thirst for knowledge concerning how and why they work, and how to keep them operating as they should. In addition, I’ve always enjoyed driving, and trying to fairly assess and compare the various good and bad points of different makes and models.
For Your Bookshelf: Lotus Europa
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...]
Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica – Brief First Impressions
Kim Henson reports… (All words and photographs © Kim Henson). On the occasion of a multi-vehicle driving day organised annually by the Western Group of Motoring Writers, I recently had the opportunity to briefly test drive Alfa Romeo’s Junior Elettrica Sport Speciale, a compact all-electric SUV. To put the model in context, the Junior models are offered with a choice of two electric … [Read more...]
Kia range driving day event
Kim Henson reports on a fascinating day driving contrasting models from the Kia line-up… (All words and photographs © Kim Henson). This year Kia is celebrating 35 years in the UK, and the ongoing rise and rise of the company is testament to the quality and variety of models produced by the firm. These days Kia offers vehicles across a multitude of market sectors and with a variety of … [Read more...]
Beaulieu’s 2026 Spring Autojumble – with sunshine, showers and automotive goodies galore…!
Kim Henson reports… All words by Kim Henson; photographs © Kim Henson and Chris Adamson, as individually credited. (Kim adds... My personal thanks to Chris for his invaluable help, as always, in contributing his photographs and notes to enable me to complete this report promptly at the end of the event). I always feel that May is a cheerful month, not least due to the arrival of warmer weather … [Read more...]
For Your Bookshelf: Skoda Octavia – The First One: 1959–71 (The Story of a Czechoslovakian Automotive Icon)
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...]
Kim’s Tips – Avoiding brakedowns with classic brake systems…
Kim offers a brief general (and personal) perspective on keeping problems at bay, in the hope that this information may help others. All words and photographs © Kim Henson. VITAL NOTES: Observe all safety precautions, including supporting the vehicle on sturdy axle stands, not just jacks, when working on it. If in any doubt about any aspect of working on the brake system, seek help from … [Read more...]
For Your Bookshelf: “BMC Farina Cars In Detail”
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’
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...]
Wheels-Alive visits Burlen Fuel Systems at Salisbury
Kim Henson takes a trip to Salisbury, the home of Burlen Fuel Systems, to see how the firm can help classic enthusiasts keep their cars’ fuel delivery equipment in top form. (All words and photographs © Kim Henson, apart from some photographs from Burlen Fuel Systems, as individually credited.) It was back in 1971 when Burlen Services was started in the city of Salisbury by John Burnett and Mike … [Read more...]
Motoring For Fun – A Welsh Adventure with two cars – and parting with a much-loved Jaguar on its way to a new life in Ireland…
Kim Henson describes how a planned long weekend trip to mid-Wales turned into a slightly more complicated excursion over a much longer distance... (All words and photographs © Kim Henson). The Wales Adventure – setting the scene Last week my wife Elaine and I went adventuring in Wales, initially for just one day in the company of fellow members of the Guild of Motoring Writers (and their … [Read more...]
Beaulieu International Autojumble 2025 – Wheels-Alive was there
Kim Henson reports on this year’s classic extravaganza for components and complete vehicles. (Words © Kim Henson; Photographs © Kim Henson and Chris Adamson, as individually credited). Each year, as we say goodbye to summer and autumnal hints arrive in the form of mellow-coloured leaves and morning dew-drenched grass, Beaulieu International Autojumble arrives. For me this has always been a … [Read more...]
Beaulieu International Autojumble – Happening THIS Saturday and Sunday, 6th and 7th September 2025
Kim Henson writes,"If you are interested in older vehicles, and/or need parts or indeed are looking to buy a complete classic car or commercial, Beaulieu International Autojumble is the place to be this weekend. It starts tomorrow morning (Saturday 6th September) and continues on Sunday 7th... (Words and photographs © Kim Henson). Classic components galore and whole vehicles (in anything from … [Read more...]
Suzuki’s 55 Years of ALLGRIP 4×4 Technology celebrated
(Four wheel drive) ‘Love on a mountain top’… Kim Henson reports on a landmark event staged by Suzuki to highlight 55 years of their clever and effective ‘ALLGRIP’ four wheel drive systems. (All words © Kim Henson; all photographs © Kim Henson, except eVitara image, from Suzuki). At a recent test drive session held in south Wales and centred on the ‘Monster Mountain’ off-road facility near … [Read more...]
Austin Counties Car Club 50th Anniversary Rally June 2025
Kim Henson reports on a fabulous Austins Counties Car Club celebratory get-togther for owners and enthusiasts of Austins produced between 1939 and the mid-1950s… (All words and photographs © Kim Henson and Wheels-Alive). It was in 1975 that Ian Wheater set up an organisation to support the preservation and enjoyment of Austin models built between 1939 and 1954 (and Austin A40 … [Read more...]
Standards Galore… at the Standard Motor Club’s 2025 International Rally at Daventry
'Standard procedure'… The Standard Motor Club’s annual International Rally took place over the long weekend of 13th to 15th June, and was based at Daventry. Kim Henson was there and reports on a delightful and varied event, with warm sunny weather to make it even better... (All words and photographs© Kim Henson and Wheels-Alive). Standard Motor Company vehicles were built over six decades from … [Read more...]
Toyota C-HR 1.8 Design – Brief Impressions
Kim Henson undertakes a short test drive in Toyota’s latest, recently-introduced second generation coupé-styled C-HR SUV… Renowned for technical innovation, everyday practicality and long-term reliability, Toyota has updated the firm’s C-HR line-up of 1.8 litre hybrid and 2.0 litre plug-in hybrid models. For many potential owners the C-HR range ticks all the right boxes in terms of striking … [Read more...]
Kia Picanto 1.2 – Brief First Impressions
Kim Henson takes the 1.2 litre version of the 2025 Picanto for a short test drive… (All words and photographs © Kim Henson and Wheels-Alive). Kia’s Picanto has been endearing itself to owners for many years, and the latest incarnation of the company’s smallest model is no exception. Deliberately compact, the Picanto is available with a 62 bhp 1.0 litre three cylinder power unit or a 77 … [Read more...]
Beaulieu Spring Autojumble 2025 – Sunshine, classics and components galore; another great weekend!
Kim writes: “Beaulieu’s Spring Autojumble is always in my diary as a ‘must-see’ event, and I was there again this year, thankfully with sunshine galore to help the weekend along. Here is how my visit worked out...” (All words © Kim Henson and Wheels-Alive; photographs © Kim Henson and Chris Adamson, as individually credited). This year I decided, “I will not buy any more cars or parts at the … [Read more...]
Don’t miss the Beaulieu Spring Autojumble – THIS weekend!
Kim writes: “Happening this coming weekend (17th and 18th May 2025) is Beaulieu’s Spring Autojumble – don’t miss it!” (Photograph and all words © Kim Henson and Wheels-Alive). This weekend will see enthusiasts arriving at Beaulieu to survey the stands packed with automotive components and ‘treasures’, plus a wide variety of vehicle and club displays. These will include a special line-up of … [Read more...]
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