Kim Henson describes an unforgettable automotive adventure a long way from home… Of all the places in the world, I never imagined that I would be visiting North Borneo (Sabah). From 1946 known as ‘British North Borneo Crown’ (until as recently as 1963), today the state of Sabah is part of Malaysia. However, until a few years ago I must admit that all I knew of the country was what I had gleaned … [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.
Shepton Show Shines! Happy Days for Enthusiasts at This Year’s Footman James (16th) Classic Vehicle Restoration Show
Kim Henson refreshes his enthusiasm for old cars at the Footman James 16th Classic Vehicle Restoration Show, Shepton Mallet. (All words by Kim, and all photos except that of Robert Webb's Healey 3000). Held at the Royal Bath and West Showground on the weekend of 5th and 6th November, this year’s Footman James 16th Classic Vehicle Restoration Show attracted enthusiasts from far and wide. Some … [Read more...]
Going, Going… Sold! – South Western Vehicle Auctions Classic Sale, 28th October 2016.
Much Interest as Buyers Galore Flock to this October’s Quarterly SWVA Classic Car Sale… Chris Adamson reports for ‘Wheels-Alive’ (and didn’t come home with another classic…). MGs dominated at the recent South Western Vehicle Auctions quarterly classic car and motorcycle sale in Poole Dorset, with no les than 12 of the 75 lots carrying the Octagon badge. Pride of place went to an immaculate … [Read more...]
Devon Classic Car Firm Open Day Raises Cash for Charity
KMJ Restorations Charity Open Day Helps Hospiscare Exeter… Words and Photographs by Kim Henson. It never ceases to amaze me how generous in spirit most classic car owners, clubs and firms are… In the last few days I have attended different events in the south and west of England, at which considerable sums of money have been unselfishly raised for charitable causes, by various individuals and … [Read more...]
McLaren News – Future Direction – and 570GT Coupé Road Test
McLaren outlines the firm’s way forward – plus the new 570GT Road Test. All by David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). McLaren Automotive Limited has just undertaken what they called ‘The Tour 2016’ to outline to the UK’s motoring media the company’s plans for the next six years. Although the McLaren name has been synonymous with motor racing for over 50 years, their Automotive Limited … [Read more...]
Poole Audi’s New Centre Sign Off
Poole Audi’s New Centre Sign Off Audi AG, the brand’s global head office, has given the final sign off to Poole Audi’s new £14.5m centre on Old Wareham Road in the Dorset town. The new centre, which occupies a 4.5 acre site, took 14 months to build, and was officially opened to its customers in August (to read about this sensational state-of-the-art centre, please CLICK HERE to see our … [Read more...]
On a pinnacle of success – Jeep’s 75th Anniversary Range Review
Jeep Range Roundup, on the firm’s 75th Anniversary. By Keith Ward, reporting from the top of the North York Moors... IT is 75 years since the birth of Jeep as an iconic World War II US military vehicle. And the celebrations are in full swing over here, this side of the pond. Last year the Yank brand, now owned by the FIAT group, recorded its best-ever sales in the UK. So far in 2016 they have … [Read more...]
BMW’s 2017 Models Introduced – Plus First Impressions of the New 240i Coupé
BMW Wheels out their 2017 Model Year vehicles. David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) reports, and test-drives the 240i Coupé… News 2017 model year changes At their annual end of year UK automotive media briefing, BMW released images of their new 5 Series Saloon and Touring estate ranges which will be in the UK from February next year. Although not their largest-selling model ranges the 5 … [Read more...]
Hot News – Circuit of Wales Update at 16th October 2016
The Circuit of Wales Development is Moving a Step Closer to Reality. Report by Robin Roberts (WheelsWithinWales). WheelsWithinWales understands that promoters of the £370m project at Ebbw Vales have now raised additional private capital for the scheme, which should meet Welsh Government requirements. Two previous bids for Welsh Government support to fund part of the project were rejected as … [Read more...]
New MINI Seven First impressions
MINI Brand now with Maxi UK Sales and More New Models for 2017. By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). News MINI has just enjoyed their best ever UK September sales with an 18% increase over September last year. This has resulted in a near 10% increase for the year-to-date as the brand heads towards another record year with an expected 70,000 registrations. The UK remains the number one … [Read more...]
MoT Test Confusion Ahead – If You Drive an Older Car You Need to Read this and act NOW!!!
Have your say on changes to MoT Testing of older vehicles – but act NOW to make your views heard... by Dave Moss. Testing of vehicles of historical interest (VHIs) is a part of the new, innocuously titled European Directive 2014/45/EU which sets changed and updated rules on vehicle and trailer roadworthiness testing generally, repealing a directive dating from 2009. The obvious question … [Read more...]
Infiniti QX30 First Impressions, plus Motor Industry Update
Keeping Calm and Carrying On… The UK Car Manufacturing Industry. British built Infiniti QX30 first drive. By David Miles (Miles Better News Agency). Good news from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is that despite the uncertainty of the Brexit vote to leave the EU, the UK’s car production for global markets achieved a 14 year high in August and a 12% increase year to … [Read more...]
Toyota Mirai (Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car) Test-driven
Chris Adamson tests the 2016 World Green Car – the new hydrogen powered Toyota Mirai… (Words and photos by Chris). Dwindling and increasingly expensive reserves of petroleum products and increasing pollution of our planet from burning fossil fuels means that a cheaper, cleaner and more efficient way of using the earth’s resources is needed if we are to retain our access to personal transport… ie … [Read more...]
DANGER – High Costs Ahead… THINK Before You Fill Up Your Car…
Accidentally filling your vehicle with the wrong type of fuel can cost you dearly in time and money – in addition to the price of the wasted fuel. A report by our special guest contributor Miss Fuelling… Many of us (including me!) have done it; others have come oh-so-close… I’m talking about filling your vehicle with the wrong sort of fuel. Today’s forecourts always seem to be ultra-busy and … [Read more...]
Ethanol and Classics Don’t Mix! Vital Information You Need to Know… Our Must-read Final Episode of Three.
Ethanol and the Classic Car Fuel System – Part 3, by Dave Moss. Photos by Kim Henson and Dave Moss (as credited individually). Since 2011, suppliers have been blending a gradually increasing ethanol content into UK fuel – reaching the level around 5% known as E5 early in 2013. Official approval already exists to continue raising the proportion to 10% – the E10 level, and quite simply, none of … [Read more...]
Danger Ahead! Ethanol and Classics – Part Two of our Three Part feature
Ethanol and the Classic Car Petrol Engine... Part 2 – An Overview, by Dave Moss. (Photos by Kim Henson). For owners of older vehicles, the rising amount of ethanol in fuel raises concerns falling broadly into two distinct areas. One is ensuring the continued overall integrity of an ageing fuel system, considered in part 3. The other, outlined here, is the range of possible adverse effects on … [Read more...]
Poole Accident Repair Paints a Picture of National Success
Poole-based car bodywork and paint specialist Poole Accident Repair is delighted to announce the recent success of apprentice Sam O’Shea, 22, who has worked at the prestige repair centre since he left school in 2010. 2016 has seen Sam win the highly acclaimed title of VW Group Paint and Body Apprentice of the Year – a national award that saw him top his category against the country’s best … [Read more...]
Kim’s Tips: Check Your Nuts, Bolts and Screws for Tightness
Loose Fasteners are Bad News... Advises Kim Henson. It may seem obvious, but whenever a vehicle – old or new – is being worked on, fasteners have to be released/removed in order to take off ailing components so that they can be repaired or renewed. Equally these fasteners have then to be refitted/retightened when re-assembly takes place. The thing is… It is always wise to re-check the … [Read more...]
Ford to Reduce Investment at Bridgend Plant
Ford will cut its next stage of investment in Bridgend Engine Plant. Report by Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). It planned to spend £180 M to safeguard 750 new jobs when 250,000 Dragon petrol engines went down the lines from 2017. But a year after making the announcement, Ford said yesterday it would now put in £100 M to build 125,000 units and protect 550 jobs. The Welsh … [Read more...]
Bridgestone Helping to Keep an Iconic Jaguar Model on the Road
Bridgestone to develop new tyres for the XJ220... Thanks to a coming together of minds, Bridgestone has started working with Don Law XJ220 in the UK to develop a new generation of tyres for the legendary Jaguar XJ220. The original collaboration in the development of the tyres for the XJ220 is well documented. However, tyres of the size required for the car went out of production some … [Read more...]
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