Some aspects can be tackled at home... Kim Henson explains. If you are prepared to invest a little time and cash (but not much of that needed!) it is not difficult to smarten up your car by dealing with unsightly minor bodywork damage, and at the same time helping to protect against future deterioration… Earlier this week I was approached by a colleague (we’ll call him Richard, as that’s his … [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.
Peugeot Rifter GT Line LONG BlueHDi 130 S&S seven seater MPV – Road Test
For some buyers in need of a seven seater, a more spacious MPV is a better bet than an SUV... Kim Henson test-drives the long wheelbase version of Peugeot’s diesel-powered Rifter, with seven adults aboard… (All words and photographs by Kim). As we have been reporting on ‘Wheels-Alive’, currently there is a huge UK market for SUVs (‘Sport Utility Vehicles’), seen by many as ‘fashionable’, and … [Read more...]
Book Review – Making Tracks
Book Review – Making Tracks – A whistle-stop tour of railway history. Reviewed by Kim Henson. Title: Making Tracks – A whistle-stop tour of railway history Author: Peter Saxton Published by: Michael O’Mara Books Limited 192 pages; softback Price (UK): £7.99 for printed version ISBN: 978-1-78243-768-0 in paperback format; 978-1-78243-332-3 in e-book format Of course Wheels-Alive … [Read more...]
Post-War ‘Baby’ Austin A30/A35s galore to visit Dorset…
The ‘Jurassic Rally’ in Wareham is the destination for A30/A35 enthusiasts from around Britain and Europe (and beyond) to get together in May… Kim Henson reports. Each year the Austin A30/A35 Owners’ Club holds its annual International Rally in a different part of the UK. This coming May, over the late Bank Holiday weekend (Friday 24th to Sunday 26th, with the main rally day being the Sunday), … [Read more...]
A sad day for the British motor industry as Honda announces the closure of its Swindon facility
The end of an era for Honda in Britain... by Kim Henson. This morning it has been confirmed by Honda that the company will be closing its Swindon plant in 2021, with the loss of approximately 3,500 jobs. This devastating news for those involved, and in the supply chain, and of course in the local economy in the Swindon area, amounts to one of the saddest ever days in the history of car … [Read more...]
John H. Haynes OBE, creator of Haynes Manuals and founder of Haynes Publishing Group, passes away…
Legendary creator and publisher of technical motoring books, John H. Haynes OBE, will be sadly missed by countless do-it-yourself enthusiasts and mechanics he has helped over many decades... Kim Henson pays tribute... I was extremely sad to hear this evening (11th February) of the news of the passing of John H. Haynes OBE. Countless car owners (including me, on many occasions) and … [Read more...]
Stolen Ford Anglia recovered….
Delighted to say that the Ford Anglia 123E 1200 Super stolen last night near Exeter has now been recovered... Further to our feature on Wheels-Alive earlier today about the prized possession Ford Anglia 1200 Super stolen last night from near Exeter, thankfully the car has now been traced and recovered... The widespread and immediate power of social media came into play, and incredibly, a friend … [Read more...]
Have you seen this Ford Anglia, stolen last night 31st January (near Exeter)?
STOLEN! THIS LOVELY FORD ANGLIA 1200 SUPER Just in case any Wheels-Alive readers spot this car, I am very sad (and even more angry) to report that this excellent condition, and much-loved, Ford Anglia 1200 Super, belonging to a friend, was stolen last night between 7pm and 8pm from his driveway near Exeter in Devon. If you spot this vehicle, anywhere, or if you hear anyone talking about it in … [Read more...]
Technical – Diagnostic Diversions…
When carrying out diagnostic checks, it is essential to go back to basics – and it pays NOT to assume... Kim Henson reports on another expensive mis-diagnosis... Recently I wrote on this website about the necessity for taking great care when assessing what 'stored' automotive fault codes (i.e. those saved in the memory of the Electronic Control Unit or ECU) are telling the technician or vehicle … [Read more...]
Lofty Dreams – Flying Taxis?!
Flying cars – Really? Well, the future might be closer than you think... Since the earliest days of motoring, people have dreamed of taking to the air in motor cars. These days we already have drones, of course, but what about flying taxis? Could this actually become a reality? For some interesting perspectives from the U.S.A. on future possibilities please click HERE... … [Read more...]
MG ‘Z’ models disappearing fast… Don’t let yours be one of them!
MG CAR CLUB & ZED REGISTER LAUNCH CAMPAIGN TO SAVE OUR ZEDS Kim Henson reports... It is widely known that MG ZR, ZS and ZT models are disappearing from our roads fast; however, recent figures show just how rapid the decline has been – and continues – with over 78% of the cars ever built already gone. I was fortunate enough to be invited to the original press launch of the 'Z' … [Read more...]
Retrospective Book Review – Around France in an 8 H.P. Car
Reviewed by Kim Henson. Title: Around France in an 8 H.P. Car Author: Jackson Budd Published by: Stonevale, London, in 1949 212 pages; hardback Availability: Long out of print, but used copies (only) are often available on the internet Price (UK): Typically between £7 and £25 ISBN: Pre-dates ISBN system! There are, of course, many fascinating new motoring books available, but … [Read more...]
Technical – Diagnostic fault codes can be misleading…
Running problems with your car? Accurate diagnostic assessment is vital... Kim Henson reports. A modern motor car is a complex machine, and in every case, like it or not, it relies on a computer-controlled electronic management system in order to keep running. That's usually fine when the vehicle is new-ish and everything is working as it should. However, as we know computer systems are not … [Read more...]
Austin A30/A35 book – available via Kim at Wheels-Alive…
Austin A30/A35 – Read all about these small but big-hearted classics... Kim tells more... It is more than 50 years since the very last Austin A35 (a van version) came off the production line, but in fact the story of these cars dates back to the late 1940s, when the Austin Motor Company was instrumental in earning vital Dollars for Britain (following the financially crippling War effort), and … [Read more...]
Suzuki Jimny in action off-roading
New Suzuki Jimny shows its off-road credentials... Kim says, "For those who are interested in the latest Suzuki Jimny, you may have seen our 'First Impressions' report, written by David Miles (Miles Better News Agency), which went live on this website yesterday evening (22nd November 2018). At that time we didn't have available any photographs of the vehicle in action off-road, but some images … [Read more...]
Citroën C4 Cactus Flair Puretech 110 – Road Test
Is the latest C4 Cactus a prickly proposition, or is it ‘softly softly’? Kim Henson finds out, during a week of test-driving… The current line-up of Citroën C4 Cactus models – all five door hatchbacks with a hint of SUV looks – arrived in Britain earlier this year, with price tags considerably higher than those of their predecessors (and now starting at £18,505 – previously from just under … [Read more...]
Want to be a motoring writer? – Here’s a real chance for you…
Are you aged between 17 and 25 and want to become a motoring writer? Here’s an opportunity not to be missed! Kim Henson encourages a cause dear to his heart… I always wanted to write about cars for a living, and in 1974 I heard about, and entered, the Sir William Lyons Award. At that time I had no idea how much it would change the pattern of my life for the better in the coming years. Indeed, … [Read more...]
Book Review – Setting Up a Home Car Workshop
Reviewed by Kim Henson... Title: Setting Up a Home Car Workshop Author: Julian Edgar Published by: Veloce; www.veloce.co.uk and www.velocebooks.com 160 pages; softback Price: £19.99 UK; $32.50 USA. ISBN: 978-1-787112-08-7 Since my schooldays I have been working in, planning, and hopefully improving my various home garages and workshops, all with the aim of making life easier in … [Read more...]
Peugeot 5008 GT Line Premium 130 PureTech 7-seater SUV – Road Test
Peugeot’s up-to-the-minute SUVs are proving very popular with UK buyers... Kim Henson puts through its paces, and carries lots of people in, the company’s latest 5008 seven seater large SUV… (All words and photographs by Kim). The compact 2008 and mid-range 3008 SUVs were already selling well for Peugeot in the UK before the larger 5008 SUV range was introduced here in the autumn of 2017 … [Read more...]
Brief Impressions – Cars driven at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ Test Day South 2018
Testing, Testing… Kim Henson assesses a few new models. Over many years I have found useful, and have enjoyed, the annual SMMT Test Days, which are held to provide accredited motoring writers with the opportunity to test drive a variety of new models from a wide range of manufacturers. (All words and photos by Kim). In the autumn each year the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders … [Read more...]
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