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  2. A comprehensive pictorial history of all Vauxhall cars produced from 1945 up to and including models in production in 1995. This really is the ‘go-to’ publication if you need to compare your Vivas, Victors, Ventoras or Viceroys! Breaking down the many models into several chapters, this is a trip down memory lane for any postwar car enthusiast. Comprehensively illustrated, the book includes line drawings, black & white plus colour period photographs, together with interior detail. All models are covered along with sports derivatives, limited editions, vans, estates, coupes. It includes a section on motor sport achievements and TV/movie appearances. Contemporary factory advertising slogans used is key throughout. Complimenting the historical content, technical specifications, key production changes and build figures are also detailed. Trevor Alder has been driving Vauxhalls and Opels for many years and has previously written and compiled several Vauxhall/Opel publications from his massive self-indexed magazine archive. The research for this book suggests this a bookshelf-must for anyone interested in a slice of Britain's motoring heritage. Vauxhall Cars by Trevor Alder ISBN: 9781787115934 UPC: 6-36847-01593-0 AVAILABLE NOW at £19.99 (plus p&p) from Veloce Publishing Ltd (www.veloce.co.uk) Tel: 01305 260068 Source: https://www.carbooks.store/blogs/news/vauxhall-cars-1945-to-1995
  3. This newly launched book documents in-depth the story of a car that took Audi to the forefront of endurance racing – Audi R8, chassis ‘R8-405’ The Audi R8 was the first in a line of world-beating sports-prototype cars from the Ingolstadt marque which would dominate Le Mans and would see Audi remain at the forefront of international sports-car racing for over 15 years. If such an award could go to a machine, Audi ‘R8-405’ – the car featuring in this book – was surely the ‘Man of the Match’ for the 2000 Le Mans 24 Hours. In the end it would finish second, behind one of its teammates which had a far less-troubled run, but it was not for want of trying by Allan McNish, his co-drivers Stéphane Ortelli and Laurent Aïello and their mechanics. At Le Mans, ‘R8-405’ led the race for almost six hours, McNish setting fastest lap of the race in the morning, still chasing his teammates in the eventual winning sister car. ‘R8-405’ would race on in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), winning twice in the hands of Frank Biela and Emanuele Pirro. In 2001, ‘R8-405’ competed for a further year in the ALMS, albeit in private – Champion Racing – hands, with regular drivers including Andy Wallace and Johnny Herbert. Despite its tender years, it would later go on to qualify as an historic car, and a host of new opportunities opened up as it became one of the most raced of all the R8s. Today, the Audi R8 series (of which ‘R8-405’ was one of the first) is revered as one of the most successful endurance-racing car designs of all time, with five Le Mans victories to its name. This lavishly produced book with 320 pages covering ‘R8-405’s racing career in-depth, is essential reading for all motorsport enthusiasts and devotees of the Audi marque. Fascinating and authoritative text from award-winning author Ian Wagstaff and published by Porter Press International is the fifteenth book in the acclaimed, award-winning Great Cars series. This book is extensively illustrated with over 350 images, including stunning period photography of the car in action during its two seasons of frontline competition, and a gallery of studio photographs depicting the car today. The book contains race-by-race coverage of R8-405’s two frontline seasons, as both a ‘works’ car in 2000, and as a privateer entry for Champion Racing in 2001 and includes interviews with the car’s leading drivers, including Allan McNish, Andy Wallace and Emanuele Pirro. Chapters documenting Audi’s motorsport heritage, the development of the R8, the car’s starring role at Le Mans in 2000, the car’s 2000 and 2001 American Le Mans Series seasons, biographies of the car’s drivers, Audi’s post-R8 endurance-racing story, and R8-405’s subsequent career as a ‘modern historic’ racer. The book has a retail price of £69.00
  4. Anyone have any hints and tips or all round general advice for storing your Classic Car during the Winter months? The first one comes to mind is to leave the handbrake off and park in gear to avoid the brakes binding during the extended lay-up period. Also, leaving the windows open slightly to allow air to circulate the interior cuts down on build up of mould on the leather seats, etc
  5. Hi Alfa4 The Mito uses an electric power steering rack which relies on quite a bit of battery power to function. When you first fire up the engine the battery is supplying power to the glow plugs, starter motor and a whole range of other ancillary items. With this demand on the battery the steering mechanism fundamentally has whats left of the power and sometimes it is not enough (less than 10.5 volts will cut the steering assistance as it registers as not enough power). Two things you can do is to check the battery condition and charge level and replace if necessary with the correct rated battery and the other is to cycle the ignition so the glow plugs come on twice on cold days and then try running the engine then to see if the power steering works as it should. Once the engine is running and warm then each start up should be fine and the electric power steering should then work each time.
  6. Hello my Alfa Romeo Mito 1.3 JTDM has a problem with the power steering not working when I start the engine. I have to switch it off and start if again for it to work Any thoughts please?
  7. Engine Oils and Fluids (click link below for offer) 25% off engine oils & fluidsTime to top up. Ends 14 Oct, 10am Car cleaning products (click link below for offer) 20% off car care & cleaning.  Save on kits & products. Ends 14 Oct, 10am.
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  10. Welcome to the Classic Car section of these forums! Older cars generally require more attention than modern vehicles but the operational principles remain the same Feel free to post you classic car issues in here and we will endeavour to offer the advice you need to get your car back up and running in perfect order
  11. New data has revealed Scotland's answer to Route 66 continues to garner popularity with Staycationers and visiting tourists alike The North Coast 500 (NC500) has once again topped a list of the UK's most popular road trips and even been named third in Europe. New data has revealed Scotland's answer to Route 66 continues to garner popularity with Staycationers and visiting tourists alike. The research by car parts specialist Euro Car Parts to find the best road trips across Europe has revealed the best UK entries on the list. The NC500 was joined by the Causeway Coast in Northern Ireland and the Atlantic Way in England. A spokesperson for the firm said: "With many Brits looking to get away this summer, and foreign travel chaos causing issues for those wanting to go abroad, people could turn to the UK for closer-to-home holidays. "Based on factors like route length, average petrol cost in each region, popularity on social media and Google, as well as the weather forecast for this time of year, the data has revealed the North Coast 500 route in Scotland to be the best in the UK, and third in all of Europe." On the top five Europe-wide list, the NC500 was only pipped by the 1600 mile Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland, which runs from Donegal in the north to Cork in the south, and Transfargasan in Romania, which is 56 miles from Cartisoara in the north to Bascov in the south. Speaking about the 516 mile road trip route, they added: "The first entry on the list is Scotland’s answer to Route 66. Starting and ending in Inverness, you’ll see the country’s stunning coastal scenery along the spectacular loop. "The North Coast 500 is one of the most popular routes in Europe when it comes to Google searches, amassing a massive 40,500 searches on average each month – suggesting the trip is grabbing the attention of many potential explorers. "Those that have visited the route are also quick to share their journey with the trip’s hashtag being used over 41,000,000 times across Instagram and TikTok." Speaking on the findings, Corporate Communications Director of Euro Car Parts, Helen Robinson, said: "Having access to these stunning roads across the UK makes the prospect of travelling around in your car all the more exciting. With so much choice, we hope our research makes it a little easier for people to choose their next destination. ”Once the choice has been made it’s also vital to ensure your car is in good working condition before you set off so that you can fully enjoy the experience without worrying about car troubles.” Original Article Source: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/scotland-now/nc500-named-best-road-trip-27658503 (Daily Record 05/08/2022)
  12. ROAD SAFETY and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist has published advice for staying safe and secure on holiday road journeys at home and abroad this year. The advice takes the form of six top tips covering planning, equipment, safety, legal matters and security issues Neil Worth, GEM’s chief executive, said: “Ensuring that you and your vehicle are ready for those exciting holiday journeys greatly reduces the risk of breaking down, getting lost or finding yourself on the wrong side of the law. “By using our tips as a starting point, you can go a long way to boost your safety and reduce the risks you face while you’re travelling. You can also guard against the inconvenience and expense of being unprepared if anything does go wrong.” GEM’s tips are summarised as follows: Wherever you’re heading, plan your journey so you can hopefully avoid the worst of the queues. Check your documents before you go, particularly if you’re leaving the UK. Know the rules for driving in other countries. Be sure to take the risks of fatigue seriously when you’re covering long distances on the motorway. Check your European toll road prices – and consider a windscreen tag to save time. Ensure a stress-free arrival by knowing where you can park. Pre-booking a space is a great way to reduce anxiety. 1. Plan your journey Make good use of web-based journey planners so you can see how long a trip is likely to take. You can also plan to avoid the times of day and days of the week when particular roads, airports and ferry terminals will be at their busiest. Make a note of any long-term roadworks that could add to the journey time. Building in regular breaks helps prevent fatigue, but sharing the driving where possible is an excellent idea. 2. Check your documents Is your driving licence valid? If you’re leaving the UK, make sure all the passports for everyone in your party are in date. This is particularly important for any children, whose passports last only five years and who may not have been away since before the Covid pandemic. Do you have appropriate insurance? Are you covered for the country or countries you’re visiting? Do you have breakdown cover as well? Run through all the necessary paperwork in plenty of time, so that you have everything to hand on your journey. 3. Know the rules The most basic rule for journeys abroad is of course that you will be driving on the right, not the left. This makes turns to the left more dangerous because you are crossing lanes of oncoming traffic. Make sure you understand the specific traffic rules and signs. Drink-drive limits across Europe are lower than in the UK, and police officers in most countries can issue and collect on-the-spot fines for traffic offences. When it comes to the equipment you need to carry, different countries have different rules. Most require that you have high visibility reflective jackets, a first aid kit and a warning triangle. Some countries also insist on replacement bulbs and fuses, a fire extinguisher or spare pairs of spectacles for any drivers who need them. Make a point of checking the specific requirements for each country you plan to visit, so that you won’t risk a fine if you’re stopped. Under the ‘Mutual Legal Assistance’ system, you are much more likely to be tracked down and charged for offences such as speeding, using a mobile phone while driving and running a red traffic light. If you’re in any doubt about local parking regulations, ask someone before leaving your vehicle. Remember, ignorance is no defence. 4. Take fatigue seriously Don’t ignore the early signs of fatigue when you’re at the wheel. Share the driving if possible, and take regular breaks. Fatigue-related crashes are most likely to happen between 2am and 6am, although there is also an increased risk during the afternoon, when our body clocks experience a natural dip in alertness. Don’t be tempted to press on when you’ve been at the wheel for several hours. Avoid heavy meals, as these can exacerbate the symptoms of fatigue, and certainly don’t drink alcohol during journey breaks. 5. Budget for motorway tolls The European motorway network is excellent and extensive; you can cover long distances quite easily – but there is a price. For example, the 760-mile motorway journey from Calais to Fréjus on the Mediterranean coast will cost you around £100. Toll tags such as the French ‘Liber-t’ device (www.emovis-tag.co.uk) can save time at tolls. Register your details online before you travel and you’ll receive your own tag which you place in the windscreen of your car. You can then drive through the toll plazas without needing to find coins or credit card, as you receive an invoice and pay shortly afterwards by direct debit. Other countries, such as Switzerland, operate a vignette system, where you pay for a windscreen sticker allowing you to use the country’s motorways. The vignette costs 40 Swiss francs (around £30) and is valid from December each year for up to 14 months. 6. Ensure a stress-free arrival The smoothest journeys for holidays and days out can be spoilt if you get to your destination and can’t find anywhere to park. Spaces in popular destinations fill quickly, so make it part of your planning to check you will be able to park somewhere convenient. Book ahead if you can. Check car park websites, and if you’re heading to a specific hotel or resort, check there will be parking available for guests, as well as any charges. Original Article Source: Gem Motoring Assist (Newspress article 04/08/22)
  13. With the Great British holiday getaway on the horizon, drivers of BEVs (battery electric vehicles) will be considering where to recharge on their journey. While motorway service stations are an obvious choice, Lexus has researched some more interesting alternative locations Read the full article here: https://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/news/articles/lexus-guide-to-interesting-ev-charging-locations-off-the-motorway-r153/
  14. Potentially millions of motorists could be unknowingly getting behind the wheel while over the drink-drive limit. That’s according to research commissioned by the UK’s leading independent road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart, which has revealed that up to four in ten drivers (42 per cent) of the 1,004 motorists surveyed do not know the legal drink-drive limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This potentially represents over 15 million of the 35 million people who possess a full driving licence in the UK. Alarmingly, only around one in five (23 per cent) of those surveyed knew the correct drink-drive limit in England, Wales and Northern Ireland - that being 35 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath. Meanwhile awareness in Scotland was higher with six in ten (60 per cent) of those surveyed knowing the limit which currently stands at 22 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. In addition, of the 585 who answered that they knew the drink-drive limit for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, less than half (40 per cent) actually answered correctly. These findings have concerned IAM RoadSmart, who are reminding drivers that while they may think they know how many drinks will typically tip them over the limit, that amount could actually fail a breathalyser test. Neil Greig, Director of Policy and Research at IAM RoadSmart, commented: “Our research highlights that there is still a real lack of awareness regarding how much alcohol is too much before it is illegal to drive. We would like to remind drivers that individual characteristics such as body weight, food consumption, gender and metabolism will also have an impact on the reading. This is why we will always recommend ‘none for the road’.” The survey’s findings have also led the charity to reiterate its plea to the government to roll out a smarter package of longer-term measures to help drive down the number of drink-drivers on Britain’s roads. This includes a lower drink-drive limit across the UK, in line with Scotland’s limit to reinforce good behaviour, a fast track of evidential roadside testing machines to release police resources and compulsory drink-drive rehabilitation courses for all drivers caught over the limit.  Neil concluded: “A prosecution for drink-driving will impact the rest of your life through public humiliation, loss of earnings, family break up and a criminal record, as well as adding real danger to our roads. At IAM RoadSmart we estimate that the last drink that takes you over the limit could cost you up to £70,000! If that isn’t a sobering thought, then nothing is.” To learn more about IAM RoadSmart, visit www.iamroadsmart.com.
  15. Hi autoevoke Thanks so much for that I had my partner top up the fluid and the problem has not recurred since, so fingers crossed this has been a simple and cheap cure.
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