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Gavin Braithwaite-Smith

Gavin is a freelance motoring writer whose words have appeared in a variety of serious automotive titles – the kind that pay actual money. He’s also the editor of Classic.Retro.Modern. magazine and has been chief waffler at this here blog since 2010.

When he’s not writing about cars, he’s usually browsing eBay for more of them – ideally from the 1980s or ’90s, preferably with velour trim, and almost certainly described as “an easy project.” He believes fun, character and a decent heater matter more than horsepower, and that some cars are so uncool they wrap back around to genius.

Approach with caution: may start talking about the Renault Safrane or Peugeot 406 Coupé without warning.

Articles

Petrolblog articles by Gavin Braithwaite-Smith

Driving #FrenchTat

Citroën Xsara Coupé VTS
Gavin Braithwaite-Smith Jun 07, 2018

The UN-spec Dacia Duster Access 4x4 bites the dust

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith Jun 05, 2018

The curse of the crossover is killing French tat

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith May 30, 2018

Why the Daihatsu Charade XTE is the best car in the world

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith Apr 28, 2017

Skoda's decision to kill the Yeti is abominable

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith Apr 27, 2017

Tangerine Dream: Renault 20 TS

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith Apr 20, 2017

Car industry admits: 'We've run out of names'

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith Apr 19, 2017

PetrolBlog dishes out awards at the New York Auto Show

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith Apr 13, 2017

Bricking it: PetrolBlog builds a LEGO Caterham 620R

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith Feb 22, 2017

Donald Trump has ruined Twitter for car folk

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith Jan 31, 2017

The charity shop: where Haynes manuals go to die

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith Jan 27, 2017

Level 42: the most irritating driver in Britain?

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith Jan 26, 2017

Happy New PetrolBlog: what next?

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith Jan 10, 2017

The end of the road for PetrolBlog?

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith Dec 14, 2016

Citroën's ConnectedCAM is Pokémon for car geeks

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith Oct 21, 2016

10 of the best: blue-collar shooting brakes

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith Oct 19, 2016
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