Kim Henson describes a happy week in Normandy in his 1954 Austin A40 Somerset Coupé… together with friends in a 1939 Amilcar Compound. Note: This trip took place in September/October 2016; this article about the holiday is intended to cheer readers while the current lockdown applies, and to help everyone look forward to the time when we can once again undertake pleasure motoring. However, for … [Read more...]
Wheels-Alive Visits…
Keep Your Wheels Alive – We Visit Austin Morris Services at Freshwater, on the Isle of Wight
Kim Henson makes the Wight move and heads to Freshwater to see how Frank Phillips helps the owners of BMC/BL classics (plus other makes and models) to keep their prized vehicles on the road and looking good… (Words and photographs all by Kim, except the Escort Harrier shots – courtesy Frank Phillips). In the course of my work I visit a multitude of vehicle workshops, and it is always cheering … [Read more...]
Beaulieu International Autojumble 2019
It’s the ‘big one’; time once more for the Beaulieu International Autojumble. Kim Henson was there again, and asks himself why… (Photographs by Kim, with many more, individually acknowledged with thanks, provided by Chris Adamson). Why do people attend the Beaulieu Autojumble, and what is it that keeps them coming back, year after year? Well, for starters of course there are the vintage and … [Read more...]
The 2019 Great Dorset Steam Fair – the hottest in its history
This year’s Great Dorset Steam Fair, the largest event of its type in the world, was sun-bathed and VERY hot throughout, but enthusiasm was undiminished by the heat, as Kim Henson explains… It is unsurprising that with exceedingly high temperatures each day (well into the 90s Fahrenheit/30s Celsius), some would-be visitors chose to take their families to the Dorset beaches rather than to this … [Read more...]
Summer activities at the British Motor Museum
Plenty of fun this summer at the British Motor Museum! The British Motor Museum is laying on plenty of fun for all the family this summer from 20 July – 2 September, and they say... Explore the new exhibition entitled ‘The Car. The Future. Me.’ and take part in a number of futuristic themed activities including family tours and trails, Summer Science Shows and STEM Activities with MOD … [Read more...]
Standard Motor Club Diamond Jubilee Rally – Event Report
KEEPING UP STANDARDS AT THE CLUB'S SPARKLING DIAMOND JUBILEE RALLY IN OXFORDSHIRE... Kim Henson was there… (Words and Photographs by Kim). The Standard Motor Company produced a huge variety of models from 1903 until 1963. (It is also worth noting that with Standard having taken over the Triumph company at the end of World War II, from 1963 models built by the concern, in the Standard … [Read more...]
Entries now invited for this year’s annual car show at The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth, Devon
Entries open for this year's car show at The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth... Entries are being invited for The Donkey Sanctuary’s popular annual car show on 7 July. From Astons to Alfas and Minis to Mercs, the show is a must for all motoring enthusiasts and a chance to show off your motor. Held at the charity’s main international headquarters in Sidmouth, the show promises an … [Read more...]
Renting a Fiat 500 in the Costa Blanca
Rachel Henson drives a diminutive car in a big country... ...and provides some helpful advice (which could save you some money) about renting a car abroad. Renting a Fiat 500 in the Costa Blanca When I decided to visit Sella, a small village near Benidorm in Spain, my first thought was to take a taxi. Being driven to the village would mean not having to worry about parking, driving on the … [Read more...]
Post-War ‘Baby’ Austin A30/A35s galore to visit Dorset…
The ‘Jurassic Rally’ in Wareham is the destination for A30/A35 enthusiasts from around Britain and Europe (and beyond) to get together in May… Kim Henson reports. Each year the Austin A30/A35 Owners’ Club holds its annual International Rally in a different part of the UK. This coming May, over the late Bank Holiday weekend (Friday 24th to Sunday 26th, with the main rally day being the Sunday), … [Read more...]
Half-Term powerful automotive fun at the British Motor Museum
Explore the Science of POWER at the British Motor Museum! Throughout the half term from 16 – 24 February the British Motor Museum is encouraging children to explore POWER and the science behind it! Children of all ages will be able to find out all about the jet powered cars at the Museum, as well as have a go at making their own ‘jet’ car, and enjoying daily science shows, family trails and … [Read more...]
Festive Fun at the British Motor Museum
Plenty of Festive Family Fun on offer at the British Motor Museum! The British Motor Museum is inviting families to join in with plenty of motoring-themed festive fun from 8 - 23 December. Activities include a Christmas Trail, Elf Tours, Christmas craft weekends and ‘Meet the Explainers,’ whilst in the New Year there is lots on offer including a brand new Mini Trail celebrating the iconic car’s … [Read more...]
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Exhibition opens at Beaulieu
This is a ‘Must see’ – It’s fantasmagorical, in fact… Chris Adamson was there to see the display unveiled… (Words by Chris; photos by Chris except where individually credited). Say the name Ian Fleming to anyone and they will automatically link the English author with his James Bond novels forever immortalised on the silver screen – but how many will remember that Fleming also penned the … [Read more...]
Low mileage 1968 Ford Anglia donated to the British Motor Museum
A fine example of an Anglia goes on show for the nation to see and enjoy... A rare, low mileage 1968 Ford Anglia 123E Super has been kindly donated to the British Motor Museum by Chris and Michael Gates. The car, which is in fantastic condition with only 32,000 miles on the clock, has been in their family since new and was originally owned by Chris's Grandmother. It is now located on the Museum’s … [Read more...]
Beaulieu International Autojumble 2018 – Wheels-Alive was there!
Kim Henson has attended every ‘Beaulieu’ since 1978, and describes this, THE biggest autojumble in Britain. In fact Beaulieu Autojumble is the original such event, the biggest in Europe and widely acknowledged to be the best… (Photographs by Kim, plus additional shots, individually and gratefully acknowledged with thanks, provided by Chris Adamson). Enthusiasts (in their droves!) made their way … [Read more...]
Hevengham Hall Concours d’Elegance set for its third year, Saturday 30th June/Sunday 1st July
Beautiful classics galore set to shine at Heveningham Hall… The Heveningham Hall Concours d’Elegance will return this summer for a third year from Saturday 30th June until Sunday 1st July. The concours will see 50 of the world’s finest and rarest cars on the dramatic Kim Wilkie-designed grass terraces in the 5,000-acre parkland of Suffolk’s finest Georgian mansion. These including Pink Floyd … [Read more...]
The Guild of Motoring Writers features in a new permanent exhibition at the National Motor Museum
The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu now has a new display all about the Guild of Motoring Writers, including its long history and what it does today... Chris Adamson reports. The Guild of Motoring Writers’, the world’s oldest and largest organisation for automotive journalists has a new expanded and updated permanent exhibition at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu. The display, in its own … [Read more...]
Sun-drenched Dorset Delight
Kim Henson looks back happily on the 2017 Great Dorset Steam Fair… (All words and photographs by Kim, who adds, "Of course this is a motoring magazine website but I have also included photographs of 'non-wheeled' aspects of the Show, hopefully to illustrate its wide appeal to everyone in the family). The magnificent, five day long Great Dorset Steam Fair is a huge annual event that takes place … [Read more...]
Motoring For Fun – A Wonderful Road Trip in North Borneo (Sabah)
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...]
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...]
Motoring For Fun – On the Road Enjoying the Fall (Autumn) in New England, by Rachel Henson
Touring (Autumnal) Vermont in a Chevrolet Cruze LT… Rachel Henson reports ‘live’ from the U.S.A. during an adventure that has seen her driving in north America for the first time. A visit to the United States of America had been looming on the horizon for months, so the actual departure almost took me by surprise when it eventually came. The plan was to visit Vermont in New England, from late … [Read more...]