#BrownCarGuy – News, Views & Reviews!
I remember driving the Škoda Octavia vRS when it first came out. It was brilliant and delightful, because it was completely unexpected. If you think back to the history of the brand, it was never really taken seriously in the UK at that time, despite the success of its compact rear-engined saloons in rallying. Then Volkswagen bought it, and customers warmed to the solid and sensible, quality cars it started offering.
Can you believe it’s been nearly 25 years since Škoda surprised drivers with a solid and sensible saloon that gave hot hatches a fright? (Actually, it might have looked like a saloon, but it featured a “liftback” hatch rather than a boot lid.)
In a bold move, Jaguar has ceased all new car sales in the UK as of November 2024, marking the first time since World War II that the storied marque’s vehicles are unavailable in their home market. This decision is part of Jaguar’s strategy to transition to an all-electric lineup by 2026, aiming to reposition itself as a luxury electric brand.
Continue reading “Jaguar Halts New Car Sales”
As a motoring journalist and avid tech enthusiast, I’ve find myself fascinated and captivated by the evolution of AI and robotic technology and, of course, its impact on our lives. Chiefly in the context of being a car guy, it raises an additional concern for me – where does it leave the now relatively humble automobile if we have a super-intelligent all-singing, all-dancing robot to do all our bidding, and essentially eliminate our need to even leave the house?
This year marked a monumental occasion for West London Classics as the club made its debut at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2024. I had the chance to catch up with club founder Kirpal Singh Randhawa and long-time member Dave – two passionate petrolheads who brought with them not only stunning classic cars but also a true enthusiasm for sharing the classic car lifestyle.
At the 2024 NEC Classic Motor Show, I had the pleasure of chatting with Ben Marshall, the man behind DadCars, a YouTube channel with a mission to show that family life doesn’t have to mean giving up on exciting cars. With four kids in tow, Ben’s out to prove that petrolhead parents don’t have to trade passion for practicality.
If you’re a muscle car enthusiast or a Mustang aficionado, you’re going to love this one! I recently caught up with Peter Cavallo, the man behind Classic American Car Sales in Essex. He is well-known for importing and selling beautifully restored 1965-1968 Mustangs and other iconic American classics. His experience and insight into the classic car market, particularly the Mustang, are second to none.
Picture it: rows of gleaming chrome, that nostalgic smell of petrol and leather, and the unmistakable chatter of classic car fans, congregating around an open bonnet outdoing each other with facts and trivia. It’s the NEC Classic Motor Show, a slice of paradise for any petrolhead. But as Ralph Hosier and I walked the halls this year, an unsettling thought crept in – could we be witnessing the last breaths of classic car culture as we know it?
The 2024 Volkswagen Golf R Estate – yes, estate. Why not? It’s like the ultimate Q-car Golf. Seemingly a practical family load-lugger. But oh boy, are you in for a treat if you floor that throttle!
The NEC Classic Motor Show has returned to Birmingham, marking its 40th anniversary as the UK’s biggest classic car event. This year’s show brings together over 3,000 iconic cars and motorcycles, with a record 330+ clubs on display, showcasing the best of the UK’s motoring heritage.
