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...]
News & Views
Our take on what’s been happening in the world of motoring
We appreciate that these days there are vast quantities of motoring news items freely available to all, from huge numbers of global sources. It would be impossible to bring them all to you through these pages – so we are not even going to try!
Instead, we will include selected motoring-related stories which we feel will be of interest. Depending on the item, we hope that they will also inform, encourage, entertain and provoke further thought!
Each item will be dated, and as new stories arrive, older posts will be archived chronologically.
Hard times in the motor trade – according to poll results from The Motor Ombudsman
A survey conducted by The Motor Ombudsman reveals difficult times for those in the motor trade... A Motor Ombudsman summer study has shown that rising operational costs have been the most significant challenge for nearly 80% of independent garages and dealer workshops since the start of 2022 Nearly three-quarters of survey respondents (72%) stated they also had to contend … [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...]
Classic cars galore travel to Le Mans via Brittany Ferries
"Le Mans Classic here we come..." Classics in quantity from Britain headed south for the much-loved event; this year's was the first to be held post-pandemic. All photographs copyright and courtesy of Barry Hayden. Brittany Ferries tells us: Hundreds of beautiful and valuable classic cars were heading to France with Brittany Ferries last weekend. They belong to Brits and other nationals … [Read more...]
UK car sales fall even faster than expected…
New car sales take a massive dip in June 2022. Robin Roberts (WheelsWithinWales and Miles Better News Agency) reports... UK new car registrations fell -24.3% in June, according to the latest figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The month saw 140,958 new vehicles registered, the weakest June performance since 1996. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) … [Read more...]
Charging session numbers on GRIDSERVE motorway charging network triple in 12 months
Electric vehicle (EV) charging sessions on GRIDSERVE – the biggest charging network on U.K. motorways – triple in number in one year following major upgrading... They tell us: Number of charging sessions on UK’s biggest motorway charging network has tripled since June 2021, with a quadrupling of energy supplied, saving more than 20,000 tonnes of CO2 Up to 99% availability of chargers … [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...]
Swifts and all Suzuki models are offered as hybrids – and with a straightforward specification structure
All offered as hybrids, and with all the technology you need as standard, says Suzuki about this summer's line-up... They tell us: "Suzuki is one of very few brands that offers Hybrid technology as standard across its passenger vehicle range together with a high specification and all the tech you need. With Suzuki there is no need to tick countless option boxes as its all there for you from a … [Read more...]
E-fuels’ environmental credentials under discussion in Europe
Could synthetic fuels help us? Kim says: "In Germany, across Europe and elsewhere – including in the U.K. – there is much discussion about carbon-neutral e-fuels/synthetic fuels as an alternative to fossil-based liquid fuels, working alongside electric propulsion to help arrive at 'net zero' more quickly than a change to electromobility alone. You might like to read about the recent exchange … [Read more...]
Austin Seven Centenary celebrated this summer at The British Motor Museum
A much-loved small British car with a great history and wonderful legacy... The British Motor Museum is inviting families to help celebrate the 100th birthday of the Austin Seven with 7 marvellous activities from the 22 July – 5 September. Visitors can uncover this great little car’s history and look at some of its exciting adventures with the chance to explore the new exhibition ‘Small car. Big … [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...]
Are electric cars the answer to today’s higher than ever cost of motoring?
Interest in electric cars is increasing as the price of fuel skyrockets, BUT it can take more than 310,000 miles of electric propulsion motoring to make it as cost-effective as buying and driving a conventional internal combustion engined vehicle... Forbes Advisor (https://www.forbes.com/uk/advisor/) tells us... Interest in electric vehicles more than doubled (+113%) during the first … [Read more...]
Ford Escort Mark I – Stolen; has anyone seen it?
STOLEN: PLEASE CAN ANYONE HELP? This car was stolen in April but still no trace of it; does it ring any bells with anyone? Ford Escort Mark I two door saloon, registration UFX 365L, stolen on April 12, 2022 from a private driveway in Mossley Avenue, Wallisdown, Poole, Dorset. It is believed that it was taken in the early hours of the morning. At the time it was stolen, it had a car cover … [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...]
Queen’s Baton Relay to visit The British Motor Museum in July
On Friday 22nd July the Birmingham Queen's Baton Relay will visit the British Motor Museum, as part of the relay route around Britain... The British Motor Museum tells us: The Baton will spend 10 days in the West Midlands during its final journey through England this summer. During its time in the Stratford-on-Avon District, the Queen's Baton Relay will also visit the Recreation Ground in … [Read more...]
Amazing vehicles attend Beaulieu’s 2022 Hot Rod and Custom Show
On display at Beaulieu were awesome machines created with incredible skill, enthusiasm and attention to detail... (All photographs from Beaulieu). Beaulieu tells us... Over 5,400 visitors and participants took part in Beaulieu’s vibrant Hot Rod and Custom Show, with a busy line-up of impressive customised cars and bikes, dancing, music and trade stands making it an enjoyable Father’s Day … [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...]
Government Plug-in car grant comes to an end
Robin Roberts (WheelsWithinWales) reports... The government is today ending the plug-in car grant allowance for new orders after successfully kickstarting the UK’s electric car revolution and supporting the sale of nearly half a million electric cars. The scheme has succeeded in creating a mature market for ultra-low emission vehicles, helping to increase the sales of fully electric cars from … [Read more...]
Car buyers turn to electric propulsion as fuel prices rocket…
All-time high fuel prices are persuading would-be car buyers to move towards electric power... A poll commissioned by The Motor Ombudsman has shown that nearly half (48%) of UK car owners are concerned about owning a petrol or diesel model in the face of record fuel prices, increasing the likelihood of them making the switch to battery power only for their next vehicle … [Read more...]
Custom car builder Andy Saunders becomes Beaulieu’s Hot Rod and Custom Show ambassador
Andy Saunders to attend the Hot Rod and Custom Show at Beaulieu as show ambassador... Beaulieu tells us... Renowned custom car builder Andy Saunders will be returning to Beaulieu’s Hot Rod & Custom Show as show ambassador, bringing one of his astonishing creations along as part of the packed show on Sunday 19th June. Famous in the motoring world for his incredible car builds, combining … [Read more...]
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