Cam belt catastrophes and other (usually avoidable) horrors... Our Grumpy Mechanic says what he thinks about ignored maintenance. Every day I see the expensive results of vehicle maintenance being ignored. Notably these include engines that are clogged up internally because the oil and filter are not changed frequently enough, also written-off valves and cylinder heads because the cam (timing) … [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.
‘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...]
Cars in Films – A website that will help you search for your favourites!
Find your favourite cars/movies within a fascinating website (microsite) taking you to a wealth of motoring adventures from the big screen... Kim Henson is your guide... For motoring enthusiasts, there is always something special about the multitude of iconic cars used in films, and the scenes in which they appear. To cater for these, this 'Pop Culutre Cars' website (please click HERE) provides … [Read more...]
Kim’s Tips: Haven’t the foggiest? Take extra care if visibility is poor…
Driving in fog? It’s vital to see and be seen, and not to be mesmerised by the murk… advises Kim Henson. Driving in fog can be a frightening and potentially dangerous experience, but foggy weather is not unusual (in the UK at least), especially in winter, and it is worth taking extra care to try to ensure that you stay safe if you are obliged to drive in such conditions. These tips for … [Read more...]
Winter weather news: TAKE CARE OUT THERE; it’s more slippery than you think…
As freezing, snowy weather arrives with a vengeance, Bridgestone hopes flurry of winter driving messages will stick... With the temperatures plummeting across the UK in recent days and heavy snow falling in parts of the UK, Bridgestone is urging motorists to take some simple driving tips to stay as safe as possible. With a marked drop in temperatures now being felt, Bridgestone’s managing … [Read more...]
SERIOUS DANGER!!! Zafira rust nightmare revealed by our Grumpy Old Mechanic!
If you drive an older Zafira, you NEED to read this. Our Grumpy Old Mechanic reports... Our Grumpy Old Mechanic avoids sensationalism but feels it important to reveal a safety-critical problem of which most Zafira owners/operators are almost certainly unaware… Last week a very tidy-looking first generation (‘A’ Series) Vauxhall Zafira 2.0 DTi dating from late 2003 was brought in to our … [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...]
Book review: Gullible’s Travels – About two extraordinary ‘against all odds’ journeys, 70 years apart, undertaken in 1947 Austin Sixteens
Kim Henson reviews this entertaining book, and says, “If you like motoring adventures you really won’t want to put down this fascinating book, until you have finished reading it…” Title: Gullible’s Travels… Authors: Alan C. Hess and Guy Loveridge (with a Foreword by Leonard Lord). Published by: Douglas Loveridge Publications, 85, Warburton, Emley, West Yorkshire, HD8 9QP. 214 pages … [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...]
New or older cars best overall for the environment?
Buy new or carry on with the devil you know? Kim Henson provides some food for thought on this… (Note from Kim: The two photographs in our heading sequence are depicting current and older –1996 – Vauxhall Astras, just as examples). There is much debate currently taking place regarding vehicle emissions, the clean air/pollution issue and the environment in general. There is also much … [Read more...]
Sun-drenched Dorset Delight
Kim Henson looks back happily on the 2017 Great Dorset Steam Fair… (All words and photographs by Kim, who adds, "Of course this is a motoring magazine website but I have also included photographs of 'non-wheeled' aspects of the Show, hopefully to illustrate its wide appeal to everyone in the family). The magnificent, five day long Great Dorset Steam Fair is a huge annual event that takes place … [Read more...]
Suzuki ALLGRIP models – Getting to grips with them during road (and off-road) tests
Kim Henson heads off to the Welsh hills to test drive examples of vehicles equipped with Suzuki’s ALLGRIP four wheel drive system technologies, the details of which vary according to the model... (All words by Kim; photographs by Kim and – where indicated – Matt Kimberley). For many decades Suzuki has been associated with producing highly effective and very reliable four wheel drive vehicles, … [Read more...]
Brief Impressions – Cars driven at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ Test Day South 2017
Testing Times! Kim Henson reports. I have always found useful and enjoyable the annual SMMT Test Days, which provide accredited motoring writers with the chance to sample a selection of new models from a variety of manufacturers. This year was no exception… All words and photos by Kim, with the exception of the main heading photograph, kindly provided by Jeremy Walton. Each year the … [Read more...]
Classics News – First female workshop apprentice appointed at National Motor Museum, Beaulieu
Classic car enthusiast Emily follows her dream… The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu has appointed a new workshop apprentice as an investment in the future of its historic vehicle collection, at a time when few specialist workshops are taking on trainees. New apprentice Emily Leese, aged 18, joins the museum’s experienced workshop team to help maintain and restore its collection of more than … [Read more...]
News: FairFuelUK campaign demands fairness to motorists in air quality legislation
On Wednesday, at 8am - 13th Sept 2017 - FairFuelUK launches a Crowd Justice Funding Campaign to raise funds for a 2-part legal challenge: To convince the Mayor of London to reverse the implementation of his cash grabbing unwarranted ‘T-Charge’ on drivers. To get the Prime Minister and Defra to set up an Independent Public Inquiry to fairly investigate other more effective ways to improve … [Read more...]
Kia Driving Day, notably including the latest Picanto – First Impressions
Driving Kia's latest Picanto (and other models). Kim Henson reports… (with all photographs by Kim). Arriving in Britain in 1991, Kia, part of the south Korean Hyundai Group, has been posting increasingly good sales figures here. Indeed the UK represents Kia’s largest market in Europe, and the fourth largest in the World after South Korea, China and the United States. More than a … [Read more...]
Event Report – Beaulieu International Autojumble 2017
Classic car enthusiasts flocked to the National Motor Museum for this year’s Beaulieu International Autojumble. Kim Henson, who has attended every ‘Beaulieu’ for the last four decades, reports on this, THE biggest autojumble in Britain – the original such event, and widely acknowledged still to be the best… (With some photographs, individually acknowledged with thanks, provided by Chris … [Read more...]
Event News – ‘Lincolnshire Props and Pistons’ (28th August) to help a Leukaemia charity
The sky’s the limit for Props & Pistons! Up to £20 million worth of planes and cars to take centre stage in Lincolnshire Props & Pistons, to feature the classic Jaguar XJ220 for first time at the August 28 Bank Holiday event, and with Bridgestone ,making its presence felt at the event for another year. One of the Midlands’ most popular automotive and aviation shows is promising to be … [Read more...]
News – A security flaw on many or most recent cars can take out safety (and other) systems… Is this really progress?
The internet/world-wide web is a wonderful means of communicating, but now that many modern cars are linked to it, the potential for attacking and disabling vehicle computer systems is very real… Yesterday, researchers discovered a security flaw that could potentially (and probably does) affect all new vehicles. It allows an attacker to turn off safety features, such as airbags, ABS brakes, and … [Read more...]
News – Servicing and repair costs – Great variations between makes?
Cheap and Cheerful or Expensive and Exclusive? Your motoring costs will be significantly affected by your choice of car make. Kim Henson takes a look at the figures… Does the brand of my car make much of a difference on the cost of maintenance? Whocanfixmycar.com have studied their own data and found the cheapest and most expensive brands for common service and repairs. If … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- …
- 19
- Next Page »