FORD ESCORT MARK I – STOLEN AND STILL MISSING: PLEASE CAN ANYONE HELP? A much-loved bronze-coloured Ford Escort Mark I two door saloon, registration UFX 365L, was stolen on April 12th, 2022 from a private driveway in Wallisdown, east Dorset. It is believed that it was taken in the early hours of the morning. This car is still missing and the owner, Graham King, is appealing again to see if … [Read more...]
Latest Toyota RAV 4 PHEV – Road Test
The new Toyota RAV4 PHEV Dynamic plug-in petrol/electric hybrid put through its paces by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Toyota’s original SUV is now its flagship hybrid and most powerful. However, it’s not all about power as it also delivers excellent economy and a long electric-only range with good real-world performance. For the new model year 2023 it’s sold in Design, … [Read more...]
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
At Wheels-Alive, together with the nation we are deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and extend sincere condolences to all members of the Royal Family. Her Majesty was, of course, much-loved in Britain and around the world. She had many motoring connections too... As Princess Elizabeth at the time, she became a member of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS) … [Read more...]
Beaulieu International Autojumble 2022 – 55 not out!
This year’s Beaulieu International Autojumble went ahead and those attending seemed very happy to be there. Kim Henson reports… (Words by, and copyright, Kim Henson; photographs by, and copyright, Kim Henson and Chris Adamson, as individually credited). Many classic vehicle enthusiasts were looking forward to the 2022 International Autojumble at Beaulieu, the 55th event (sponsored again by … [Read more...]
Great Dorset Steam Fair is back at last…
The Great Dorset Steam Fair, knocked out by Covid for 2020 and 2021, came back in 2022, much to the deep joy of participants and visitors. Kim Henson reports… (All words and photographs by, and copyright, Kim Henson). They say that you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone, and it has certainly been the case that the much-loved Great Dorset Steam Fair has been much missed by devotees. … [Read more...]
Fascinating lectures at Beaulieu this coming autumn and winter
The half-century history of the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu is showcased among the lectures on offer there this coming autumn and winter... (All photographs from the National Motor Museum). They tell us: Get an insider’s view of the National Motor Museum’s fascinating half-century of history, with a celebratory golden anniversary presentation as part of the National Motor Museum … [Read more...]
Honda Civic e:HEV self-charging hybrid – First Impresssions
FIRST UK DRIVE OF THE NEW HONDA CIVIC e:HEV… …By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). News If you’ve ever spent a night sleeping in your car it can be a very disconcerting place to wake up, but that was one of the tests engineers set themselves creating the new Honda Civic e:HEV petrol electric self-charging hybrid. Sleeping on the job took on a whole new purpose for them to … [Read more...]
The British Motor Show (starting 18th August 2022) set to become the ‘greenest’ motor show ever?
Coryton fuels and the 2022 British Motor Show... They tell us: ANDREW WILLSON, CORYTON CEO, says: “As a company we’re committed to creating world-leading sustainable fuels, raising the profile of these options and helping people to understand the impact they could have on reducing carbon emissions in the immediate future. The British Motor Show is the perfect platform for this … [Read more...]
Wheels-Alive ‘Hand Wash Only’ book competition… and the winners are…
Our competition, enabling two of our readers to win a copy of the new book ‘Hand Wash Only - A beginner's guide to Detailing and Car Care’ has now ended… Thanks to all of you who entered the competition, and to those who didn’t win, we’re sorry, but hope that you have better luck next time. We are very grateful to the publishers of the book (PD Publishing) for kindly donating the two copies. … [Read more...]
Tips for new car buyers from The Motor Ombudsman
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...]