Rust in pieces: Austin Minivan
Ever wondered what would happen if you leave an Austin Minivan exposed to the elements on Dartmoor for the best part of 25 years? Well wonder no more as I’ve recently discovered this circa 1970 Minivan near my home. Surrounding evidence suggests that it has been laid up since 1986 and it is in such a bad way that pretty much every single part is unsalvageable. Read more 
Real World Reviews: Jaguar XJ-S V12
I’m delighted to say that the latest Real World Review has been penned by none other than ‘Sir’ Ralph Hosier. Some say that Ralph’s heart is shaped like a V12 engine and that he has engine oil pumping through his veins. All we know is that he’s evo magazine’s resident tuning and engineering expert and that he also appears in Practical Performance Car, Practical Classics and Classics Monthly. Read more
Real World Reviews: Renault Vel Satis
In the latest Real World Review, Oliver Hammond gives a rather brilliant account of his Renault Vel Satis, a car he’s owned for three years. A true ‘Marmite’ car, I have to say that I fall into the ‘love’ category for simple fact that Renault dared to be different. Along with the Avantime, the Vel Satis represents a radical and bold statement and I for one applaud them for it. Just a shame that the rest of the public weren’t so welcoming. Whenever I see one on the road, I’m amazed at how large these things are. The photos give no clue to the huge proportions of the Vel Satis. I saw one recently on the A303 alongside Stonehenge and I could have sworn it cast a shadow over the stones! Read more
Real World Reviews: Daihatsu Charade GTti
In the third episode of PetrolBlog’s Real World Reviews, Simon Ford (@sf4d74) remembers his old Daihatsu Charade GTti. The little GTti is respected as an 80s cult car, verging on classic status. It had a power-to-weight ratio of 122 bhp, helped by being incredibly lightweight at just 808kg. It also had a tiny 1.0 3-cylinder engine producing a rather unique soundtrack. I’ll let Simon tell his story, but would suggest following Simon on twitter for great automotive chat and plenty of car photos!
Buying and selling cars: Petrolhead logic
To most people, buying and selling cars is a straightforward and rational procedure. A decision to buy or sell is probably driven by either a change in lifestyle, financial loss or gain or the simple fact that the current car is broken. When buying a car, a shortlist is drawn up, a means of payment is agreed and the car is bought. Simple. As long as the car is reliable and does everything is expected to do, then no more is thought of it. The whole process is completed with about the same level of emotion as you’d expect when buying a sofa or a new fridge freezer. Read more
PetrolBlog looks at…Bangernomics
When it comes to used cars there’s one man who stands as a giant over us mere mortals. In fact I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he is one day rewarded with a knighthood for his services to pre-owned motor cars. The man in question is James Ruppert, or to use another name, Mr Bangernomics. James has been a mainstay of the used car section of Autocar magazine for years and is the kind of guy you’d want to take with you when you’re viewing a used car or visiting an auction. Quite simply, James Ruppert is the man. Read more
L@@K! PetrolBlog’s guide to buying a car on eBay
Buying a car on eBay is a risky business. More often than not you have to trust the seller’s description and take a leap of faith that the car in question is a good’un. For sure, there’s a get-out clause should you find out that the car fails to match the description, but that’s normally after a long and expensive journey on a train. Or worse still, after you’ve had the car delivered by Shiply. Read more
PetrolBlog looks at…Mini Coyote V2
In all my years of driving I’ve never owned a speed camera alert thingy. I’m also tempted to say that in those same years of driving I haven’t picked up a single speeding ticket. But for fear of tempting fate, I won’t mention this. Instead I’ll say that for the past couple of weeks I’ve been living with the Mini Coyote V2. No, this is not yet another new variation of the Mini unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show. It is in actual fact a speed camera alert thingy. Read more
Real World Reviews: MK2 Vauxhall Astra
Craig was the inspiration that led to getting these Real World Reviews off the ground, so it seems fitting that here he is giving an account of his old 1980s Vauxhall.
You can follow Craig on twitter at @KuangEleven or read Torquesteer, his rather excellent blog. Sadly Craig doesn’t have any photos of his car, so you’ll have to make do with library shots! Read more
Brief encounter: Suzuki Swift 4×4
In truth, the Swift 4×4 shouldn’t really have been at Suzuki’s recent press event. The invitation spoke about the revisions to the Splash and waxed lyrical about the new Kizashi, but there was no mention of the Swift. Read more
Real World Reviews: Mini Clubman
In the first of the new series of Real World Reviews, Rob Griggs-Taylor (@robgt2 on twitter), takes a reflective look back at his first car – a Mini Clubman.
Your first car is a rite of passage. You choose something that projects an image, carefully cultivated within the limits of a tight budget and ludicrous insurance quotes. It will be an extension of your personality, the first impression when you arrive. No matter what the car is, or in what condition, many people fall in love with their first car and often go the extra mile when fiscal restraint and common sense are screaming logic, but the heart is committed to insane and costly action. Read more
Shatchbacks IV: Salvation
Something has been troubling me recently – I’ve had the feeling that something is missing from PetrolBlog. Not the usual problem of a lack of Hobnobs, but a serious problem all the same.
Then it dawned on me – there hasn’t been a Shatchback update for six months. Read more
Survivor: Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.4 SZ5
Cast your mind back to 1988. In the film world, Rain Man outgrossed Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Bruce Willis donned a white vest for the first ever Die Hard movie. In the pop charts, Cliff Richard claimed the Christmas number one with Mistletoe and Wine, whilst Milli Vanilli were still claiming to actually sing their own songs. Read more
FailCar does…the Geneva Motor Show 2011
As ever for PetrolBlog I thought I would just stick to covering some of the more obscure stuff at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show as you will have probably seen the other stuff from more mainstream outlets. Read more
Real world reviews of real world cars
I’ve been planning a new section for PetrolBlog for some time now but everyday life keeps getting in the way. But then I read this article on @KuangEleven’s blog, Torquesteer: Read more
Suzuki Swift Sport: successor to the throne?
There’s been lots of talk recently about the new offerings from Ferrari, Aston Martin, Pagani and Mini, to name but a few. But if I’m honest, there’s one car that is exciting me more than anything else and that’s the replacement for the Suzuki Swift Sport. If I’d managed to get to Geneva 2011, this would be the car I’d be hunting down. Read more
