Old Gold Top Gear
Nothing divides opinion quite like Top Gear. There are those who cherish the hour of entertainment on Sunday night and there are those who would rather shoot themselves in the knee caps in front of their family than watch the show. Then there’s another group who will watch it and then mutter a few grumbling words as the closing credits roll up the screen. Normally the mutterings will be bemoaning the fact that Top Gear is no longer a car show, merely an entertainment show. Some will go as far as calling for a return to the days when Top Gear occupied the 8.30 slot on a Thursday evening. The days of William Woollard, Sue Baker, Chris Goffey and Tony Mason. Or perhaps more recently, the days of Tiff Needell, Quentin Willson, Vicki Butler-Henderson and Mr Clarkson himself. Read more 
Charlie Johnson’s Real World Dream Barn
Another Real World Dream Barn and I’m delighted to say that it’s the turn of none other than Charlie Johnson of Retro & Classic Cars fame. If you’re into old cars, I suggest you take a look at his site, but not before you’ve checked out the ten cars that will be fighting for space in his barn. It’s a rather eclectic mix. Nice one, Charlie.
It’s taken me a long time to gather these thoughts. And thoughts, even when published, may leave a certain amount of uncertainly in one’s mind once they’re live on PetrolBlog. The Real World Dream Barn involves a lot of thought, or so it would seem to me. Followers of my twitter feed will know that I have a habit of going through a number of cars throughout a day. Why? Well, once I’m distracted by something else that appeals, the first car mentioned is shoved to the back. Read more
Darren’s Audi 80 1.8S: an update
Darren has been back in touch with PetrolBlog with a quick update on his wonderful Audi 80. It has been totally plain sailing recently…
No sooner had I mentioned in the original review that the car had generally been reliable, when Mr Sod made an unwelcome appearance, complete with legislation. Read more
FailCar visits the NEC Classic Motor Show
Last weekend, FailCar took a trip to the Classic Motor Show at the NEC. Here he does his best for marital harmony by putting together a list of cars that should be part of our eBay watch lists. I’m sure I once read that divorce rates went up in the winter and that Christmas is a big contributor to this fact. Personally, I think the Classic Motor Show is to blame. But whatever, here’s FailCar…
I do love the classic car show, but for me it’s always a dangerous time of year. The nights draw in and all of a sudden the idea of having another winter project starts to pop into my head. I never really get that excited by the ‘exotic’ stuff on display, but what does get me excited is all the stuff that’s within reach. You know the sort of classics that can be had for a couple of grand, tops.
And it hardly seems fair that I have to go through the punishing temptation, so I figured this time round I would focus on all the stuff that’s ‘attainable’. Read more
Car Geek Alert: Ullo John! Gotta New Motor?
Don’t ask me how I stumbled across this Alexei Sayle ‘classic’ from 1982 as I couldn’t tell you. But it has to be said, the video is a retro and classic car fanatic’s dream. I’ve counted 22 cars that could or should be identified by an avid car geek. Some are easy to spot, but others are a little tricker as either the glimpse is fleeting or the car is masked by something else. After two viewings, I’ve managed to identify 13 definite cars. See if you can do better. Read more
Black Magic VW: Gary’s Volkswagen Santana
When was the last time you saw a Volkswagen Santana? According to How Many Left? there are just seven left on Britain’s roads, making the 4-door saloon quite a rare sight. It was actually no more than a B2 Passat sedan, making the Santana some kind of retro Shatchback hero.
Amazingly, some 194,000 Santanas were produced between 1981 and 1985, before the Santana name was dropped in favour of the Passat saloon. Three years later, in 1988, the B2 Passat was replaced by the B3 and the Santana was banished, in the UK at least, to automotive history. In China the name may live on, but in the UK, you’re more likely to hear Santana on the Ken Bruce show than see one on parked on your local high street. Read more
The Rancho’s back – courtesy of Duncan McVitie
One of the first cars to feature on PetrolBlog was the delightful Talbot Matra Rancho. You can see the update from March 2010 here.
But now, perennial French car fan, Duncan McVitie has put together this short video to show the Rancho in all its glory. Look out for a daring motorway exit, some aerial acrobatics and a trip through the jungle. Sadly, there’s no appearance this time from Rancho fan, Johnny Mathis. Read more
Ryan’s Italian Job: Fiat Strada & Lancia Beta Spider
I was recently contacted by a chap from the States who felt encouraged to email PetrolBlog having read this earlier piece on the Fiat Strada. Turns out that the chap, a Mr Ryan Kooken, has a rather brilliant taste in motor cars. Not only does he own a Fiat Strada himself, but he also has a delightful Lancia Beta Spider. So that’s two Italian cars from the 1980s. Mr Kooken, PetrolBlog salutes you sir. Read more
Duncan McVitie remembers the MK1 Ford Fiesta XR2
PetrolBlog has another guest blogger, this time in the shape of Mr Duncan McVitie, a rather apt name given our love of the Hobnob biscuit. Fortunately, Mr McVitie also shares our love of interesting cars, so for his first post he has chosen to write a few words on the Fiesta XR2. Over to you, Duncan…
I was thinking about cool cars the other day, when my uncle’s Fiesta XR2 came to mind. Now, I know the warmed-up version of Ford’s motorised shopping trolley isn’t everyone’s idea of chilled motoring, but hear me out on this one. Read more
Rover 216: Pass the bucket or bouquet?
Petrolheads have a long and established relationship with the world of television. There can’t be many car lovers who haven’t fancied themselves as Bodie or Doyle behind the wheel of a Capri, or Gene Hunt as he fires up the quattro with ‘Bolly’ by his side. Or perhaps it’s Inspector Morse in his Jag, Michael Knight in KITT or Starsky’s Ford Torino. Admit it, there’s a TV car you’ve always fancied driving. Read more
The Fuego rises from the flames
Back in April 2010, I asked the question, What ever happened to the Renault Fuego? I knew they were endangered, but I had no idea they were on the verge on extinction. But now, thanks to the ever-brilliant How Many Left? website, I know that, aside from the GTS model, the number of different Fuegos left on British roads doesn’t even make double figures. Situation critical for the Fuego then? Read more
Bangerwatch: Fiat Uno Turbo i.e
In the market for an ’80s hot hatch, but would prefer something different to the ubiquitous Golf GTi or 205 GTi? Well, if you’re feeling brave, you might be tempted by this little Italian rocket found in the classifieds. Signore e signori, I give you the Fiat Uno Turbo i.e. Admit it, you weren’t expecting one of these to be for sale today, were you? Read more
A game of Charades
Like a first kiss, everyone remembers their first car. Along life’s journey, learning to drive and getting behind the wheel of your own car is a significant event. It represents a coming of age, a rite of passage.
Personally I couldn’t wait to drive and I booked my first driving lesson the very day I turned 17. Four months later I passed my test and the road was finally mine. I’ll never forget the moment, just a few minutes into my very first solo drive, when I glanced across to the passenger seat and it was empty. A feeling of complete panic and horror washed over me as I realised it was just me now. The panic didn’t last long though and I went on to complete 500 miles of pointless driving over the next two days. It seems a world away now, a period of my life almost completely free of responsibilities and concerns. If nothing else, the fact that a litre of fuel cost just 40p in those days was somewhat of a bonus. Read more
Bangerwatch: Renault 11 Turbo
French performance cars from the 1980s just look better when they’re painted black and come complete with yellow fog lights. Throw in a red pinstripe around the plastic bits and add some shouty red decals and we may as well be in petrolhead heaven.
Not since the Renault Fuego Turbo have we seen such gloriously over-the-top side decals on a car.
I therefore give you, the Renault 11 Turbo.
The hunt for Sao Penza
According to howmanyleft.co.uk, there is only one Sao Penza left (legally) roaming the streets of Britain. That’s right, just one Sao Penza. And you’d forgotten all about them, hadn’t you?
When I wrote this article last year, I had no idea that the Sao Penza was so close to extinction. But for all its faults and obvious flaws, the fact remains that as a nation we’re down to a single Sao Penza. Granted, there appear to be three laid up, but I think we can safely assume that these are probably sat surrounded by weeds, spiraling into the abyss, never to feel the warmth of Britain’s tarmac again. I’m also pretty certain that the last time I visited the Beaulieu Motor Museum, there wasn’t a Sao Penza mingling with the F1 cars or sat alongside a Ford Sierra Cosworth. Read more
PetrolBlog looks at: The German Car Industry
On the face of it, a book by James Ruppert on the subject of German cars from the 1980s is always going to be of interest to PetrolBlog. The Bangernomics Bible has already inspired me to purchase the PetrolBlog Shed and I’ve got a long standing love affair with cars from the 1980s, particularly those from Germany, France and Italy. So you would hopefully excuse the mild excitement when I got my hands on a copy and clapped eyes on the cover, resplendent in the colours of the German flag and featuring an E30 BMW convertible. Read more
Real World Reviews: Audi 80 1.8S
Darren has been a good friend of mine for as long as I can remember and I’ve been on at him for some time to pen a review of his wonderful old Audi 80. I’m pleased to say he has finally caved in and written the following article for PetrolBlog. It really is a peach of a car and a credit to Darren and his father. If he ever contemplates the ridiculous and puts it up for sale, I’ll be at the front of the queue.
Read more
Car magazines: Olden but golden?
Being of a certain age, I’ve built up quite a list of things that I like to be ‘just so’. For example, I happen to think that Coke tastes best when chilled and poured into a long glass with ice. It just doesn’t taste as good straight out of a bottle, or worse still, straight from a can. I also like a glass of fresh orange juice with my weekend breakfast. Let it be said that I will also choose a BBC radio station over a commercial equivalent as I cannot stand advertisements interrupting my music. Not to mention the drone and forced jollity of a commercial radio DJ. All insignificant things to the majority of people, but to me they represent a small selection of factors that go towards making the world a happier place.
What ever happened to…Top Gear challenge cars?
Love it or hate it, Top Gear is a great British success story. Messrs Clarkson, Hammond and May, along with the production team, have taken a little motoring show and turned it into a global brand. If I owned a hat, I’d doff it to them. But I don’t, so I won’t.
For me, Top Gear can blow hot and cold. The show is capable of moments of pure brilliance, but can also deliver periods of decidedly lukewarm output. For example, the ‘Star in a reasonably priced car’ feature is my cue to go and make a cup of tea and grab a Hobnob. Read more
In pictures: FailCar’s Peugeot 205 GTi
The 5th of November 2010. A date I shall always remember. Maybe. Sending e-mails back and forth to someone on eBay while my girlfriend suggested I might want to be looking at the bloody fireworks display we had gone to see.
The next morning at the crack of dawn I was out the door to go and see it. That night a very original but a bit tatty Peugeot 205 GTi (57,000 miles) with one owner from new was in my mate’s storage barn. Read more
