The story of the 1955 British Grand Prix and participating teams... Reviewed by Kim Henson Author: Tony Bagnall Published by: Douglas Loveridge Publications: https://www.facebook.com/automobiliaauctions/ 152 pages (hardback) UK Price: £30 ISBN: 978-1-900113-21-2 The starting point for this book is 1946 and the fresh basis for Grand Prix racing (known ever since as ‘Formula One’) … [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 – “The Automotive Alchemist”
'The Automotive Alchemist'... Reviewed by Kim Henson Author: Andy Saunders Published by: Dalton Watson Fine Books; www.daltonwatson.com 463 pages (hardback; 290 x 219 mm) UK Price: £90 including UK delivery, details via: andysaunderskustoms@hotmail.com Availability from Andy as above, or from Hortons Books, Marlborough: https://www.hortonsbooks.co.uk/ ISBN: … [Read more...]
Grumpy Old Mechanic – Beware using very old fuel and ‘E10’ petrol in your classic
Fuel – be careful what you use in your classic... Our motor technician has had many decades of motor car experience and always tries to help car owners keep their vehicles on the road and running well… This time he offers a few words of advice about petrol… He writes: "I have always advised my classic car customers to use the best quality fuel they can find, and ideally these days to avoid … [Read more...]
Test-driving recent new models at the SMMT Test Day South 2023
Kim Henson reports from this annual event that he rates as 'invaluable'… For many years the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders or SMMT (the U.K.’s industry body representing the automotive sector) has provided annual opportunities for motoring writers to attend regional events, in the north and south of England respectively, primarily to assess a wide variety of models showcased by the … [Read more...]
Kia goes from strength to strength with a wide variety of models
Kia goes from strength to strength with a wide variety of models Kim meets Kias… Kim Henson samples four Kia models from the current range – and is impressed. There are many good reasons why Kia is enjoying sales success in the U.K. These include the firm’s famous, market-leading seven year warranty, the very wide range of models and propulsion types – including, of course, hybrid and fully … [Read more...]
The sun shone on classic enthusiasts all weekend long at this year’s Beaulieu International Autojumble
Kim Henson visited the sun-bathed 2023 Beaulieu International Autojumble… Here’s what he found… What follows is my own personal perspective on the event. The words are my own; the photographs were taken by me and by my colleague Chris Adamson (grateful thanks Chris, for your help), as individually credited. (Copyright Kim Henson and Chris Adamson, respectively). As I headed for this year’s … [Read more...]
The Motor Ombudsman records a small increase in the number of EV complaints in the second quarter of 2023
A small rise in the number of consumer complaints about electric vehicles has been noted by The Motor Ombudsman. They tell us: (All words and images from The Motor Ombudsman). Electric vehicle (EV) complaints submitted by consumers to The Motor Ombudsman rise in the second quarter (Q2) of 2023 to 291, versus the total of 273 recorded between January and March this year … [Read more...]
Seven Heaven – The 60th National Austin Seven Rally at Beaulieu
Austin Sevens and Big Sevens galore, plus their enthusiastic owners, descend on the New Forest… Kim Henson reports. (All photographs by, and copyright, Kim Henson, except for the view from the air of the '60' formation image, copyright Beaulieu Enterprises Ltd.). Over the weekend of 1st and 2nd July, The Pre-War Austin Seven Club held their 60th National Austin Seven Rally at the National … [Read more...]
High Standards at Daventry… in the sunshine
Kim Henson gives his personal assessment of the 2023 Standard Motor Club’s International Rally, celebrating 120 years of Standard cars… Over the (mostly) sun-bathed long weekend of 23rd to 25th June, enthusiasts of Standard vehicles met at the Daventry Court Hotel in Northamptonshire, coming from far and wide to celebrate the marque, to admire the cars and to enjoy each other’s company. While … [Read more...]
Beaulieu’s sun-bathed 2023 Spring Autojumble ticks all the boxes for classic enthusiasts
Kim Henson reports on his day there, giving his personal view of his visit… (All words by, and copyright, Kim Henson. All photographs by, and copyright, Kim Henson and Jeff Carter, as individually credited. Kim adds, “Grateful thanks to photographer Jeff for his assistance at the event”.) After weeks of ‘variable’ weather, the sun shone in earnest for this year’s Beaulieu Spring Autojumble, … [Read more...]
Latest Honda Civic Type R – First Impressions
Kim Henson briefly samples the newest version of the Type R… It is more than three years since I enjoyed a week of test driving Honda’s Civic Type R, liking its overall competence and its distinctly sporting personality, which also, cleverly, didn’t detract from everyday family motoring practicality. Fast-forward to 2023 and the latest incarnation of the Type R is with us, some 22 years after … [Read more...]
Suzuki Swace (updated) – First Impressions
Kim Henson briefly samples the latest, updated version of Suzuki’s British-built Swace estate car… When I road-tested the first generation mid-size Suzuki Swace, in 2021, I rated it highly for its interior space, comfort, practicality and cost-effective economy of running (achieving nearly 60 miles per gallon in almost 500 miles of ‘real life’ motoring). I also enjoyed it dynamically; the Swace … [Read more...]
Road Test – ‘Roots’ Bamboo Bikes
Kim Henson reports on test-riding Roots Bamboo Bikes in and around Lostwithiel in Cornwall… In an article published on Wheels-Alive on 6th January this year (2023) on Wheels-Alive I described how the Roots Bamboo Bikes (which use sustainable bamboo – ethically-sourced and fairly-traded – for their frames) were developed in Ghana and how they came to be sold in Lostwithiel. In that feature I … [Read more...]
Efuels Report Europe takes an in-depth look at the current state of play with carbon-neutral synthetic fuels
Given their chance, efuels (synthetic fuels) could help us and the planet!! Kim Henson writes: The German fuelling association ‘UNITI’ has very recently presented the second edition of the European magazine “Efuels Report Europe”, and I have just studied in depth its 28 pages… This comprehensive document sets out in detail, and in a balanced manner considering many aspects, the challenges … [Read more...]
Bamboo Bikes – Made in Ghana, sold from Cornwall
Kim Henson describes an alternative form of bicycle construction which employs sustainable bamboo for the main frame assembly, and provides work for people in Ghana… (Photographs by Roots Yard/Roots Bamboo Bikes). My wife and I were recently enjoying a short break in Cornwall when a chance encounter with Jacqueline Ababio introduced us to the concept of bicycles constructed using bamboo. This … [Read more...]
For Your (Christmas and New Year) Bookshelf – Seven Years With Samantha (Around the World in a Vintage Austin Seven)
For Your (Christmas and New Year!) Bookshelf – Seven Years With Samantha (Around the World in a Vintage Austin Seven) Reviewed by: Kim Henson Author: Clive Ball (with black and white photographs by the author, plus drawings by Cedric Baxter) Published by: Patrick Stephens Ltd. (First edition September 1974) 248 pages (hardback) UK Price: Varies (no longer in print but used copies are … [Read more...]
Suzuki Vitara ALLGRIP Full Hybrid SZ5 – Road Test
Kim Henson assesses the Full Hybrid all wheel drive (‘ALLGRIP’) SZ5 version of Suzuki’s latest Vitara. (All words and photographs by, and copyright, Kim Henson). The Vitara compact SUV has long been a favourite among buyers, offering good performance, affordable running costs and top notch reliability, in addition to everyday versatility for family motoring. From the spring of 2022 the … [Read more...]
Austin A30/A35 book; Accessible Classics, ‘Enjoying Your Austin’
If you are own, or are interested in buying, an Austin A30 or A35, or are just fascinated by the vehicles, this book may be useful and enjoyable for you... says Kim. Okay I'll declare an interest at once – since I wrote this book and it was a labour of love, taking six years to put together. Several 'Wheels-Alive' readers have been in touch to ask if this Austin book is still available; the … [Read more...]
Suzuki S-Cross Ultra ALLGRIP Full Hybrid – Road Test
Kim Henson test-drives the latest Full Hybrid all wheel drive ‘Ultra’ version of Suzuki’s S-Cross SUV, during a week of stormy weather… (All words and photographs by, and copyright, Kim Henson). A well-respected model within Suzuki’s line-up, the practical S-Cross SUV has evolved through the years and within the last 12 months there have been many changes. Before looking in detail at the … [Read more...]
For Your Bookshelf – Herbert Austin’s Heavy Twelve-Four – ‘A very dependable motorcar’
Reviewed by Kim Henson Author: Jim Stringer Published by: Herridge and Sons Ltd. 128 pages (hardback), with colour and black and white photographs (over 300 illustrations) UK List Price: Offer price for signed copies, £32.50 (£7.50 off the normal price of £40.00) ISBN: 978-1-914929-00-7 Available from: Herridge and Sons Ltd; www.herridgeandsons.com At the outset I should declare … [Read more...]
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