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...]
Classic Car Loan Project – A Success!
2022 April Gathering at The British Motor Museum... (All photographs copyright – from The Classic Car Loan Project). The Classic Car Loan Project (CCLP) celebrated 5 years of success with a gathering at The British Motor Museum, Gaydon, sponsored by Peter James Insurance and The FBHVC, with BMM providing excellent facilities. Some 15 of the 20+ cars in the current phase, ranging from 1929 … [Read more...]
Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible – Road Test
Open top luxury – The Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible… …An Easter treat for Robin Roberts (Miles Better News Agency). When you cut off the top of an Easter egg, you still have chocolate and it’s the same with the Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible. Photograph credits (all images): © Images by Mediaphotos.co.uk The basic egg is good enough but if you’re lucky there will be some … [Read more...]
Ditch your modern car for a more cost-effective classic?
Mini-mise your motoring costs with a classic car... 'The Great British Car Journey' tells us: With petrol prices continuing to soar, could swapping your modern motor for a classic car be the answer to bringing your motoring costs down? The Derbyshire-based classic car visitor attraction Great British Car Journey has done the sums and believes an original 1970s 1000cc classic Mini could … [Read more...]
Fuel’s gold – but for how much longer?…
A detailed look at alternative synthetic ‘e-fuels’, what they are and how they may (or may not) fit into the future of transport, classic and otherwise. By Dave Moss. Kim says: “Here is Dave’s very comprehensive article, in its entirety and as written by him and representing his own views following his in-depth ‘free rein’ analysis of the subject. I should mention that this was written … [Read more...]
Genesis G70 ‘Sport Line’ Shooting Brake (2.2 diesel) – Road Test
Kim Henson assesses the Genesis G70 Shooting Brake, in 2.2 litre turbodiesel form… (All words and photographs by, and copyright, Kim Henson). Introduced to Britain in November 2021, The G70 ‘Shooting Brake’ from Genesis was designed and developed specifically for Europe, and was the fifth Genesis model to arrive here. As explained in my Genesis ‘range sampling’ article in December, and in … [Read more...]
Kia EV6 – Road Test
The award winning Kia EV6 GT Line S 77.4kWh AWD... ...Extended drive by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). It’s official, Kia’s new generation pure-electric EV6 is the top-performing Car of the Year 2022. Earlier this month it beat 60 other new cars, electric and with internal combustion engines, to the coveted CoTY award judged by 59 motoring journalists from 22 European … [Read more...]
Genesis GV80 large SUV (petrol) – Road Test
Kim Henson test drives the Genesis GV80 large ‘premium’ SUV, in this case with 2.5 litre turbocharged petrol power. (All words and photographs by, and copyright, Kim Henson). If you are in the market for a roomy high class SUV, of course you will find a variety of models on offer from the established makers in this sector of the market. However, there’s a relatively new contender to consider, … [Read more...]
Kia Ceed 1.0T-GDi – Road Test
The latest Kia Ceed 1.0T-GDi 6-speed manual hatchback on test... ...By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). The Ceed has over many years sown success for the Kia brand in Britain. The new Ceed range launched at the end of 2021 is the third generation five-door hatchback to be built in Slovakia, the first was in 2007. As before it gives nothing away to rivals and beats most with its … [Read more...]
Genesis G80 saloon – Road Test
Luxury meets practicality… Kim Henson test drives the largest premium saloon from the Genesis line-up, the G80, in this case with 2.2 litre turbo diesel power. (All words and photographs by, and copyright, Kim Henson). When driving the G80 saloon for a brief spell during a driving day last December, I liked the way that ‘new kid on the block’ (in the U.K. at least) Genesis has cleverly … [Read more...]
Latest Suzuki Vitara Full Hybrid – First Impressions
The new Suzuki Vitara Full Hybrid... ...tried and tested by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). Seven years from launch and two years after it added a mild hybrid model to the Vitara range, Suzuki has not skimped on kitting out their new-age Full Hybrid Vitara SUV. The wait has been worth it as it represents much better value than its closest eight rivals. Prices are from £23,499 … [Read more...]
Genesis GV70 SUV – Road Test
Kim Henson lives with a petrol-powered Genesis GV70 SUV for a week – here’s how it went… (All words and photographs by, and copyright, Kim Henson). As I reported in December 2021 on Wheels-Alive, my first impressions after briefly sampling examples from across the Genesis line-up of vehicles, were that they were all cleverly thought-out, well-engineered, carefully put together, pleasing to … [Read more...]
Advice from The Motor Ombudsman for new car buyers
Thinking of buying a new '22' plate car? The Motor Ombudsman offers some comprehensive advice to help you... They tell us: With the arrival of the new 22 registration, The Motor Ombudsman has published key tips for consumers when buying a new car Checking whether a retailer is accredited to The Motor Ombudsman’s Vehicle Sales Code, and looking at delivery times, the cost of … [Read more...]
Latest Honda HR-V – Road Test
The 2022 model year Honda HR-V self-charging hybrid... ...sampled by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). The new Honda HR-V is a step-change for this conservative car-maker. While its head-turning, but now discontinued NSX sports car, and still in production hot Civic Type Rs stand out from more run of mill models in showrooms, they made progress with the new Jazz – but have really … [Read more...]
Beaulieu seeks storytellers to join their team
Beaulieu is looking for storytellers for visitor engagement hosts... They tell us: Beaulieu is searching for talented storytellers with a passion for bringing history to life, as it looks to recruit new visitor engagement hosts for 2022 to join its busy team. Could you play the role of a loveable 1930s mechanic in the National Motor Museum, ready to drive any number of historic vehicles … [Read more...]
DON’T drive tomorrow, Friday 18th February, unless your journey is essential, says RAC
WILD WEATHER AHEAD – AVOID DRIVING TOMORROW UNLESS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL, warns RAC... With the severest possible Red weather warning issued by the Met. Office, meaning 'danger to life' from the high winds associated with Storm Eunice, about to hit the U.K. tomorrow, Friday 18th February 2022, the RAC is advising people not to drive until conditions improve. RAC Breakdown spokesperson Rod … [Read more...]
Valentine’s Day Special Feature – Which classics were favourites for ‘first or memorable dates’ between 1960 and 1990?
Cheeky survey ahead of Valentine's Day shows that small classic cars were as popular as large ones (and in some cases more so!) for romantic encounters... Despite the fully fold down rear seats and ample boot space, the Austin Maxi has been placed bottom in a poll of British classic cars favoured by drivers for a first date between 1960 - 1990. Instead, in an online survey by Great British Car … [Read more...]
Sir John Black birthday celebrations at The British Motor Museum
Standard and Triumph enthusiasts gathered with their cars today, 10th February 2022, at The British Motor Museum, in honour of Sir John Black... Today the British Motor Museum hosted around 50 Triumphs and Standards which turned up as part of the ‘Drive your Triumph Day’. The Museum displayed both the last Stag and the last TR7 (from their collection) outside the Museum for Triumph … [Read more...]