With '72' plate registrations about to arrive, The Motor Ombudsman provides some useful tips for would-be car buyers... They tell us: With the introduction of the “72” plate in England, Scotland and Wales on 1st September, The Motor Ombudsman is offering consumers tips to take into account when buying a new car Shopping around, budgeting for maintenance and running costs, … [Read more...]
For Your Bookshelf – and a Competition Prize; you can win a copy – ‘Hand Wash Only – A Beginner’s Guide to Detailing and Car Care’
YOU could win one of two copies of this top class book; please see below for details of our Wheels-Alive competition… So what is the book all about? We review the book, but first The publishers of ‘Hand Wash Only’ tell us… Car enthusiasts all over the world know that washing their vehicle by hand is the best way to keep it looking its best. In recent times 'detailing' has become the … [Read more...]
Wheels-Alive Competition, starting at 9am Tuesday 2nd August; you can win a copy – ‘Hand Wash Only – A Beginner’s Guide to Detailing and Car Care’
This comprehensive new book on vehicle 'detailing' will be reviewed at 9am tomorrow, Tuesday 2nd August 2022 on Wheels-Alive, with the chance to win a copy in a free to enter competition which closes at 8.59am on Friday, 12th August. … [Read more...]
Classic Car Loan Project – ‘A’ Success Story
'From loaning to owning'... A heartening story, thanks to the Classic Car Loan Project. The excellent, highly respected Classic Car Loan Project (CCLP) exists to introduce young newcomers to the world of classic car motoring, and to encourage them in this by loaning a vehicle to them for a year, as an extended driving experience. Here’s the happy true story of how the scheme has changed the … [Read more...]
Austin Seven Exhibition opens at The British Motor Museum
Celebrating 100 years since the Austin Seven arrived, The British Motor Museum is hosting a new exhibition about this truly iconic model... They tell us: The British Motor Museum is to host a brand-new exhibition entitled ‘Small car. Big history: 100 years of the Austin Seven’ which will open on 22 July to mark a century of the small car that made such a big impact. From its launch in 1922, … [Read more...]
BMC and Leyland Show attracted classics galore on a very hot summer weekend
Enthusiasts flock to the BMC and Leyland Show… …Kim Henson reports. (All text and all photographs – except one as individually credited – by, and copyright, Kim Henson). The British Motor Museum at Gaydon played host to this year’s BMC and Leyland Show (held annually, Covid-apart) on Sunday 10th July. On a blistering hot day, more than 800 classic vehicles produced by BMC BL, Leyland and … [Read more...]
Classic Car Loan Project hands over Morris Ital to new young custodian for a year
Morris Ital saloon goes to a young driver as part of the much-respected Classic Car Loan Project... Yesterday Dan Tompkinson became the recipient of the 1980 Morris Ital at the BMC/BL Show at The British Motor Museum, Gaydon. The one owner car, which had been bequeathed to the Morris Marina & Ital Owners' Club, had been under preparation by members starting at the NEC Restoration Show in … [Read more...]
Latest Mazda CX-5 – Road Test
Mazda CX-5 165 PS 2.0 Newground 2WD mid-sized Crossover… …sampled by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). While not having a huge range, Mazda has a well-defined line up in significant sectors. Most people will blurt out MX-5 if asked to name their most identifiable model, so you may be surprised to learn that the crossover CX-5 has been their global best seller since 2014. Over … [Read more...]
The National Motor Museum celebrates half a century… plus ‘The Story of Motoring in 50 Objects’ unveiled
The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu reaches its 50th anniversary – and 'The Story of Motoring in 50 Objects' is launched... Kim says, "I have been visiting the 'Beaulieu' motor museum since I was eight years old and still enjoy the sheer 'motoring magic' of the place. In 1971/2, when the then-new National Motoring Museum was being built, I was a frequent visitor to the area and watched the … [Read more...]
Toyota Aygo X Edge – Road Test
The Toyota Aygo X Edge Crossover, small car with chunkier styling… … tried and tested by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). With more people than ever now living in urban areas car makers are considering how they meet their requirements and the Toyota Aygo X is the latest from one of the world’s biggest manufacturers. It first gave us the Aygo in 2005 but time and tastes change so … [Read more...]
Splendid Standards at Cranfield
This year’s Standard Motor Club International Rally attracted a wide variety of models and was enjoyed by participants from far and wide. Kim Henson reports… The worldwide curse of Covid meant a gap of three years since the Standard Motor Club was last able to hold its International Rally, so that there was even more than usual eager anticipation for rally-goers ahead of the 2022 event. Over … [Read more...]
Synthetic fuels evaluated in historic racing car
The Historic and Classic Vehicles Alliance (HCVA), CKL Developments and Sustain by Coryton team up to commence synthetic fuel testing for the historic sector... The HCVA tells us: Tuesday 21st June 2022 saw the achievement of a significant milestone in the progress towards future fuels for the Historic and Classic vehicles sector. CKL Developments, Jaguar racing specialists, a … [Read more...]
Thruxton Historic Festival – classic motor sport much enjoyed
Exciting classic racing at Thruxton's Historic Festival – Report by Chris Adamson. (All photographs copyright, as individually credited and with thanks to their creators for their use here). Famous names from the glory days of post-war British motor racing heritage were in action once again at the Thruxton Historic Festival in Hampshire. Marques such as Jaguar, Aston Martin, Lotus, Lister, … [Read more...]
Kias galore – briefly test driven in one day
Kim Henson samples the latest model range from the go-ahead firm of Kia… (All words and photographs copyright Kim Henson). Kia’s progress in the U.K. in recent years has been nothing short of sensational, with an ever-broadening line-up of cars offering ‘something for everyone’, from the compact Picanto to the sophisticated Sportage (mid-size) and Sorento (large) SUVs to the gloriously sporty … [Read more...]
Honda CR-V Hybrid – Road Test
The Honda CR-V 2.0i MMD AWD hybrid large SUV... ...put through its paces by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Honda tends to hide its qualities very well, which probably explains why it may not be the first go-to brand for an SUV, and that would be a mistake for any motorist to make. Korean, German and British brands tend to hog the limelight and sales in this section of the … [Read more...]
Audi e-tron GT – Road Test
The Audi e-tron GT – Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency) tests the all-electric newcomer… Audi is on a charge into the pure-electric luxury car sector. For almost a decade the brand has dabbled in the EV market with plug in hybrid models of existing series but the dedicated pure battery e-tron series clearly shows its future intent. The e-tron programme is part of the parent … [Read more...]
Honda Jazz Crosstar – Road Test
The Honda Jazz Crosstar EX – music to the ears of road tester Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency)... One of the enduring models in the Honda UK lineup for two decades has been the Jazz series of superminis, which morphed into the additional Crosstar crossover model a couple of years ago, effectively a taller hatchback with sudo SUV looks. Ironically the taller car comes with less … [Read more...]
A welcome return for Beaulieu’s 2022 Spring Autojumble
This year’s Spring Autojumble was held at Beaulieu over the weekend of 14th and 15th May, and to the joy of attendees and stallholders, was dry for the Saturday of the event, although cloud and rain made their presence felt on the Sunday. Kim Henson was delighted to be there again, following the springtime show’s absence since May 2019, due to Covid-19 lockdowns etc. Here’s how he saw … [Read more...]
National Motor Museum invites 1970s classics and their owners to help celebrate 50 years of the Museum
50 years on from the opening of the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, owners of 1970s cars are being invited to join in the celebrations... They tell us: Beaulieu is inviting owners of Seventies classics to join a party to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Motor Museum. If your pride and joy is the glamorous Ford Cortina Mk III of its day, popular Escort or Mini, or even a … [Read more...]
Used car sales thrive while new car sales stall
There's good news and there's bad... New car sales crumble again, solid sales of used-models. by Robin Roberts New car sales are still crumbling under the weight of supply shortages, rising costs and concerned buyers facing higher costs of living. UK new car registrations fell by -15.8% to 119,167 units in April, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Despite … [Read more...]
