Looking at the past is something I have no problem with - so long as it's true to the SPIRIT of the original. For example, the oh-so-gorgeous Jag XF is a car that captures the spirit of the MK2: An up-to-the-minute, cool, posh motor. The S-Type got it wrong. The Rover 75 works as a retro car because whilst it looks like the P6, it captures the spirit of the Princess IMO perfectly - a soft, biggish, British saloon car. The little Fiat captures the spirit of the 500 perfectly. The Panda, that Read more [...]

As those of you who keep up with motoring news are probably aware, Tata Motors, creators of the Nano I referred to in an earlier blog, have bought Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford. This sale includes the Rover nameplate, and also those of Daimler and Lanchester. With such an armoury, I wouldn't leave two names languishing in the history books, and one more so under-promoted and seemingly undervalued it may as well not exist. I would create a full range of Western cars with the names at my disposal. My Read more [...]

There is an ebay seller who has occupied my dreams for the last year. He goes by the name of thedoctor102, and almost every time I visit eBay he has at least one car from the 60s, 70s, or 80s with the sort of mileage and in the sort of condition you'd expect from your brand new Ford Focus. When I looked today, he had a mint 331-mile Morris Ital HL, and a 9000-mile Hillman Super Imp. In the past, he has had several Minis, Avengers, another Ital, Jag XJs, an early 316, and a late Dolomite 1300. All Read more [...]

  Elsewhere on the Interweb, I have made the case to back up a belief I have held for months: namely, that the real new Mini is the Mitsubishi i. And it's a solid case, it is a small car, intended for city use, with 4 seats, a tiny engine/drive package, and a boot. Is also is in keeping with trends, and I would imagine it appeals to younger buyers too. But yesterday, I saw an article on the news about the Tata Nano. This is not, as those of you not up to date with Indian cars will Read more [...]

I know it's an old subject on this blog, but I'd like, if I may, to reflect once more upon the Jaguar XF. Since my last blog upon the subject, I have read several road tests, and seen my namesake's review for BBC Top Gear. And it's promising; here, it seems, we have a car that has set a new benchmark, the car the next 5-Series has to beat. I'm pleased. No, I'm ecstatic. I've always been a Jag man, and now we have the XF, I know that Jag has a good future. It's done exactly what they should Read more [...]