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...]
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.
Repair costs compared between different makes within the Volkswagen Group
Thinking of investing in a Volkswagen, an Audi, a Skoda or a SEAT? The comparative cost of repairs within the Volkswagen Group makes interesting reading... By Robin Roberts and Kim Henson Volkswagen has been in the news a lot lately, and not always for the right reasons. However, the German manufacturer still reigns supreme when it comes to car sales, with the company shifting 10.3 … [Read more...]
Air-free bicycle tyres on track for arrival in 2019…
Wot, no air for your bike tyres (and, possibly in the near future, tyres for other vehicles too...)? Kim Henson reports. In Tokyo the Bridgestone Corporation has announced that, together with the Bridgestone Cycle Co, Ltd, the company has developed a next-generation bicycle tyre in an effort to realise practical application of their “Air Free Concept”, a technology for creating tyres that do not … [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...]
Volvo V90 D4 AWD Cross Country – Kim’s (brief) First Impressions
Kim Henson briefly samples Volvo’s state-of-the-art V90 D4 AWD Cross Country estate. In line with developments in engineering and computer systems generally, the rapid pace of change in terms of automotive technological innovation is clear when driving any vehicle produced in the last year or two, and especially so in the case of so-called ‘premium’ brands. This generalisation is certainly … [Read more...]
Firestone Music Tour 2017 takes to the road
Keep calm and festival on! Kim Henson tells more... With so many different languages actively used across the continent, music is the one language that has the power to bring together people from different countries and cultures. The Firestone Music Tour gives Firestone the opportunity to connect with music-lovers from across Europe via authentic music experiences. Firestone will be … [Read more...]
Latest Honda Civic – Kim’s First Impressions
Kim Henson samples contrasting examples of the latest (10th generation) Honda Civic… (All words and photos by Kim). Ask any Honda Civic owner, or anyone in the motor trade, or any diagnostic specialist, who has had anything to do with the model, or Hondas in general, and I am convinced that nearly all (if not 100 per cent) of these people will tell you that the Civic is an excellent motor car … [Read more...]
First Stop fast fit network boosted by Hickleys partnership
The First Stop fast fit network is continuing to evolve and expand, courtesy of an innovative approach to new member recruitment… Kim Henson reports. After increasing to a total of 72 centres by the end of 2016, the First Stop network has attracted another new outlet in the form of Hickleys in Taunton, who will now be boasting a tyre offering for motorists to benefit from, for the first … [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...]
Don’t give up! Bridgestone UK announces Olympic Partnership Campaign: “Chase Your Dream, No Matter What”
Bridgestone’s “Chase Your Dream, No Matter What” campaign heroes are Olympians who have overcome adversity to get where they are today… Kim Henson reports. Bridgestone – the world’s largest tyre company – has launched its UK activation of this campaign as an official International Olympic Committee Partner through to 2024. The motivational campaign aims to encourage people of all ages, … [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...]
Book Review: “The Railway Experience”
Wheels-Alive is happy to cover all sorts of transport, and in a change from motor cars Kim Henson has been studying a book covering 150 years of Britain’s once revered railway system… Published by: Shire Publications Ltd: www.shirebooks.co.uk 112 pages (paperback) UK Price: £9.99 ISBN-13: 978 1 78442 123 6 PDF e-book ISBN: 978 1 78442 190 8 ePub ISBN: 978 1 78442 189 2 I read … [Read more...]
Suzuki New Swift First Impressions (and hot off the press Suzuki news)
Kim Henson test drives Suzuki’s latest and technically advanced Swift on a variety of roads in and around the French Riviera… (All words and photographs by Kim). To say that Suzuki has been going from strength to strength in recent years is a major understatement. In fact the firm is now the ninth largest car manufacturer in the world, and in sales terms is ahead of (for example) Mercedes-Benz … [Read more...]
Book Review: “Triumph Sports Cars”
Kim Henson enjoys reading a potted history of Triumph’s wide range of sporting models, the first of which was produced almost a century ago, and the line continued until the 1980s… Published by: Shire Publications Ltd: www.shirebooks.co.uk 64 pages (paperback) UK Price: £7.99 ISBN-13: 978 1 78442 041 3 PDF e-book ISBN: 978 178442 106 9 ePub ISBN: 978 1 78442 105 2 Graham Robson … [Read more...]
Under Pressure then, or are you just tyred out?
Some 8.1 million UK motorists could be on the roads with dangerously soft tyres… Kim Henson reports, and shares some of his tips to help you... According to new research by AA Tyres (the AA’s mobile tyre fitting service), more than one in four UK drivers (27%) – potentially in charge of up to 8.1 million of the 30 million licensed cars on our roads – haven’t checked their tyre pressures in the … [Read more...]
Bridgestone at Geneva Motor Show
Bridgestone has a strong presence at this year's Geneva Motor Show... Kim Henson reports. Bridgestone is back at the Geneva Motor Show (open until 19th March) with a strong message of supporting every individual through innovation and partnership. The Bridgestone booth in Hall 6, Stand 6253, spotlights Bridgestone and Firestone brands’ latest developments in … [Read more...]
Bridgestone’s innovative, motorist-friendly Driveguard tyres now available to fit more cars…
Driveguard tyres can enable a car to remain controllable and be driven for 50 miles after a puncture; many more sizes are now available... Kim Henson reports. Bridgestone’s award-winning DriveGuard tyre is now available for thousands more motorists, with 19 'summer' sizes (i.e. not the 'winter' range) being made available from the original 10 last year. Since its launch in 2016, the … [Read more...]
Kim’s Tips – Get it Taped!
Keep a roll or two of tape in your vehicle – it can come in very handy… Says Kim Henson. I have often been thankful for the various ‘get you out of trouble’/emergency aid things that I endeavour to keep in my car’s boot, wherever I travel. I am not talking about a need (usually impractical) to carry huge tool kits, etc, but (usually) compact items that could just help you get home, or perhaps … [Read more...]
Diesel drivers unfairly penalised…
The latest money-making scheme to fleece drivers receives a hostile reception from the FairFuelUK Campaign and many people... Kim Henson elaborates. For many years British drivers have been encouraged to spend their hard-earned cash on diesel-powered vehicles, being told that they were 'Cleaner, greener, more economical, etc, etc...' As a result, many buyers have done just that, with … [Read more...]
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