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Keep up to date with the latest news and events from the world of classic cars.
Rules, O-Kei? A potted history of how the light automobile put Japan on wheels
- 7th February, 2023
Small in size, sales surprise: born of governmental restrictions, the tiny Japanese Kei (pronounced ‘Kay’) class of cars trace their roots back to 1949
Rules, O-Kei? A potted history of how the light automobile put Japan on wheels
- 7th February, 2023
A rapidly growing phenomenon, the Kei car came to symbolise Japan at its most industrious; the formula was working, and more people could afford a car than ever before
Rules, O-Kei: Honey, I shrunk the modern car!
- 7th February, 2023
Kei cars were poorly prepared for the ‘seventies, but rule changes would see them flourish once more. The Kei was a beast of burden no more – it could be fun, too
THE NATIONAL CAR CLUB AWARDS RETURN TO NEC TO CELEBRATE ACHIEVEMENTS OF CLASSIC COMMUNITY
- 3rd February, 2023
Following the success of 2022, The National Car Club Awards, sponsored by Lancaster Insurance, will once again be held at the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show, with discovery+, held at Birmingham’s NEC from 24-26 March 2023. The awards ceremony will take place on Saturday afternoon on the Classic World stage – with all visitors invited to attend.
40 YEARS OF COMPULSORY SEAT BELT WEARING
- 31st January, 2023
Forty years ago today, the BBC broadcast this footage of motorists remembering – or not – to obey the new seat belt regulations.
VAUXHALL’S FIRST PURPOSE-BUILT ESTATE CAR
- 31st January, 2023
One of the many joys of watching Talking Pictures Television is spotting various cars that are now less frequently encountered than Halley’s Comet. Calculated Risk is a rather good 1963 B-film, and the final reel boasts a guest appearance from a Victor F-Type Estate.
60 Years of the Humber Sceptre by Andrew Roberts
- 27th January, 2023
On the 15th of January 1963, the Rootes Group made bold claims about their latest Humber. “Never before has there been a car so superbly equipped… with such performance… at so modest a price”.
Introducing our January Bright Young Spark – Katie Bushell
- 27th January, 2023
Our friends at Practical Classics magazine caught up with Katie Bushell a true mechanic, enthusiast, YouTuber and Bright Spark.
Staff Car Story - Triumph after Disaster: how a £30 engine saved my motor! By Steph Hoy
- 27th January, 2023
Classic car owners are supposed to be the more sensible people in the car community. We aren’t the ones doing burn outs, madcap speedy adventures and taking the risks some of the pluckier members of the car community seem to take.
Car Club Corner: Is a Triumph Toledo worth the investment?
- 27th January, 2023
Simply put… yes! The Triumph Toledo is the 70s saloon worth investing in for 2023. In a world of rising costs for 60s and 70s classics, the Triumph Toledo is the classic car which has quietly not budged too far out of the savvy buyer’s budget in the last few years.
Leylandprincess.co.uk seeks new staff to avoid closure
- 27th January, 2023
President and treasurer call it a day after 20 years; club could close if replacements not found. Britain’s largest club for the Austin-Morris-Wolseley 18-22 Series, Leyland Princess and Austin Ambassador, Leylandprincess.co.uk, needs your help.
A second set of eyes can save lives
- 27th January, 2023
Lancaster Insurance Services urges owners to ensure their classic is checked annually by an independent expert. The discussion of MOTs is once again in the spotlight with the announcement that a consultation has been launched into whether new cars may be exempt from needing an MOT for the first four years, an extension of a year from the current rules.
SADLY MISSED - THE LITTLE CHEF
- 23rd January, 2023
In 2017, a friend and I visited a Cambridgeshire branch of Little Chef to ask permission to stage a photo shoot in their car park. After two minutes, it became evident we could have produced a re-enactment of The Wicker Man outside their front door, and no one would have cared.
THE TVR VIXEN S1 – A CELEBRATION
- 20th January, 2023
A long time ago, in the year when Brotherhood of Man won the Eurovision Song Contest, I encountered a fascinating two-seater coupe in the village garage. Most of the time, the front yard seemed to contain a familiar array of decaying Singer Vogues and Vauxhall Viva HAs, so this was an entirely different form of car.
