He’s having a go again – this time about people who don’t grease their old cars… Go on then, Grumpy Old Mechanic, what’s wrong now? You would never believe the number of classic cars that I have seen lately that have obviously not seen a grease gun for many a long year. Why is this important? Because in the good old days, manufacturers fitted grease nipples so that periodically fresh grease … [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.
Latest developments from Bridgestone/Firestone…
News Round-up from Bridgestone/Firestone... Including Bridgestone links with Maserati, golf and Alfa Romeo, plus two new Firestone tyre ranges; all summarised by Kim Henson… Bridgestone tyres selected for the first Maserati SUV Maserati has selected Bridgestone tyres for the new Levante, the luxury brand’s first-ever SUV. The all-wheel-drive SUV started leaving the Mirafiori plant near Turin … [Read more...]
Motoring For Fun – A Wonderful Road Trip in North Borneo (Sabah)
Kim Henson describes an unforgettable automotive adventure a long way from home… Of all the places in the world, I never imagined that I would be visiting North Borneo (Sabah). From 1946 known as ‘British North Borneo Crown’ (until as recently as 1963), today the state of Sabah is part of Malaysia. However, until a few years ago I must admit that all I knew of the country was what I had gleaned … [Read more...]
Shepton Show Shines! Happy Days for Enthusiasts at This Year’s Footman James (16th) Classic Vehicle Restoration Show
Kim Henson refreshes his enthusiasm for old cars at the Footman James 16th Classic Vehicle Restoration Show, Shepton Mallet. (All words by Kim, and all photos except that of Robert Webb's Healey 3000). Held at the Royal Bath and West Showground on the weekend of 5th and 6th November, this year’s Footman James 16th Classic Vehicle Restoration Show attracted enthusiasts from far and wide. Some … [Read more...]
Suzuki SX4 S-Cross 1.4 Boosterjet SZ5 ALLGRIP Auto – Full Road Test
Kim Henson takes the wheel of the facelifted 2017 version of Suzuki’s SX4 S-Cross, in petrol-powered 1.4 litre Boosterjet form. It is now three years since the original five seater, five door Suzuki SX4 S-Cross made its UK debut. This was the company’s first ‘C’ segment ‘Crossover’ model (aimed at families as well as corporate/fleet buyers) and it impressed motoring writers and buyers alike with … [Read more...]
Devon Classic Car Firm Open Day Raises Cash for Charity
KMJ Restorations Charity Open Day Helps Hospiscare Exeter… Words and Photographs by Kim Henson. It never ceases to amaze me how generous in spirit most classic car owners, clubs and firms are… In the last few days I have attended different events in the south and west of England, at which considerable sums of money have been unselfishly raised for charitable causes, by various individuals and … [Read more...]
BRIEF IMPRESSIONS – CARS DRIVEN AT THE SOCIETY OF MOTOR MANUFACTURERS AND TRADERS’ TEST DAY SOUTH 2016
The annual SMMT Test Days provide accredited motoring writers with the opportunity to drive a selection of new cars from a variety of manufacturers. Kim Henson enjoyed this year’s event, as always… Words and all photos by Kim. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) hosts an annual driving event specifically for motoring writers hailing from the south of the UK. I always find … [Read more...]
Poole Audi’s New Centre Sign Off
Poole Audi’s New Centre Sign Off Audi AG, the brand’s global head office, has given the final sign off to Poole Audi’s new £14.5m centre on Old Wareham Road in the Dorset town. The new centre, which occupies a 4.5 acre site, took 14 months to build, and was officially opened to its customers in August (to read about this sensational state-of-the-art centre, please CLICK HERE to see our … [Read more...]
Mitsubishi Mirage Juro 1.2 Manual Road Test
Mitsubishi Mirage Juro 1.2 Manual – Kim Henson test-drives the latest version of Mitsubishi’s ‘city car’. (Words and all photographs by Kim). The market for compact, fuel-efficient cars, often referred to as ‘city cars’, is a tough one in which to compete, but Mitsubishi has gone to great lengths to provide an up-to-date, well-equipped, economical, clean-running and practical offering within a … [Read more...]
DANGER – High Costs Ahead… THINK Before You Fill Up Your Car…
Accidentally filling your vehicle with the wrong type of fuel can cost you dearly in time and money – in addition to the price of the wasted fuel. A report by our special guest contributor Miss Fuelling… Many of us (including me!) have done it; others have come oh-so-close… I’m talking about filling your vehicle with the wrong sort of fuel. Today’s forecourts always seem to be ultra-busy and … [Read more...]
Mitsubishi L200 (Series 5) Club Cab 4Life Pick-up Road Test
Tough On (and Off) the Streets… Kim Henson assesses the Club Cab 4 Life version of Mitsubishi’s Series 5 L200 Pick-up. (All words and photos by Kim). The first time I drove a Mitsubishi was in 1984, when road-testing that vehicle as part of the team on the wonderful and much-lamented ‘Practical Motorist’ magazine. The then-current, first generation short wheelbase Shogun was the subject of … [Read more...]
Kim’s Tips: Check Your Nuts, Bolts and Screws for Tightness
Loose Fasteners are Bad News... Advises Kim Henson. It may seem obvious, but whenever a vehicle – old or new – is being worked on, fasteners have to be released/removed in order to take off ailing components so that they can be repaired or renewed. Equally these fasteners have then to be refitted/retightened when re-assembly takes place. The thing is… It is always wise to re-check the … [Read more...]
Bridgestone Helping to Keep an Iconic Jaguar Model on the Road
Bridgestone to develop new tyres for the XJ220... Thanks to a coming together of minds, Bridgestone has started working with Don Law XJ220 in the UK to develop a new generation of tyres for the legendary Jaguar XJ220. The original collaboration in the development of the tyres for the XJ220 is well documented. However, tyres of the size required for the car went out of production some … [Read more...]
Great Dorset Steam Fair Delights 2016
Steam power galore, vintage/classic cars and commercials, working horses plus an amazing World War I commemorative display – and much, much more… It all added up to the 2016 Great Dorset Steam Fair. Kim Henson was there with his cameras… With an event as vast in scope and size as the Great Dorset steam Fair, it’s a job to know where to start, when talking about it to people who have never yet … [Read more...]
Beaulieu Autojumble Celebrates 50 Glorious Golden Years
Beaulieu’s Magnificent Golden 50th Autojumble. All words and photos, except photos as noted below, by Kim Henson. (With further photographs, individually acknowledged with grateful thanks, provided by Chris Adamson, plus two courtesy of the National Motor Museum). Although at times the weather wasn’t kind, over 36,000 attendees strolled around the hallowed Autojumble fields at the National … [Read more...]
Audi Customers in Poole Take Advantage of a New Registration, a New Centre and a New Event
NEW REGISTRATION, NEW CENTRE, NEW EVENT From 10pm on Wednesday 31st August customers were welcomed into the brand new Poole Audi Centre on Old Wareham Road in the Dorset town, in anticipation of collecting their new Audis, all boasting the September 2016 66-registration plate. (For more information on this amazing new Audi Centre, as recently fetured on Wheels-Alive, please click HERE). More … [Read more...]
Suzuki Baleno 1.0 Boosterjet SZ5 Road Test
Suzuki’s New Baleno Looks Impressive… Kim Henson puts it to the test, and explains the Boosterjet Technology employed in the version test-driven. (Words and photos by Kim Henson). (If you are interested in a different view of the Baleno, as judged by David Miles, please click HERE). Suzuki’s first car, the 360cc Suzulight, was built in 1955, and six decades down the line the company is … [Read more...]
Amazing New Audi Centre Opens in Dorset
A Car Dealership – But Not as We Know it; Poole Audi’s State-of-the-art New Centre Opens its Doors to the Public. Words and photographs by Kim Henson. Poole Audi has been operating in the east Dorset town for the last 16 years, and has grown steadily during that time, to the extent that it has outgrown its previous premises. It has therefore relocated into a brand new, up-to-the-minute base, … [Read more...]
Grumpy Old Mechanic – “Because They Can…”
Why do Car Manufacturers Employ Such Weird and Wonderful Fasteners, When Nuts and Bolts WithTraditional Hexagon Head Profiles (etc.) Worked Perfectly Well? "Because They Can", of course... Our Grumpy Old Mechanic has been having a(nother) moan this week, due to the fact that in order to work on modern vehicles he needs to have at his disposal a wide range of various different types of spanner … [Read more...]
Kim’s Tips – Removing Debris from Car Bodywork Areas Normally Enclosed and Inaccessible
Leaf it Out… Kim Henson Advises on Getting Rid of Leaf Debris etc. from Car Bodywork Crevices, Whenever the Opportunity Arises. It is surprising how much leaf debris and silt can collect in nooks and crannies around car bodywork, especially in areas that are difficult to access and so usually are left undisturbed for long periods. Examples include hollows around and beneath scuttle panels, … [Read more...]
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