We’re really excited about the awesome restorations we’ve had the chance to profile - in partnership with Car Facts Disc. Last month, we chronicled Roger’s emphatic tale of a 1977 Triumph Stag - worthy of a Jack Kerouac novel. This month, we won't be embarking on another Petrolhead odyssey. We’re going from epic Grand Tourer to the ultimate chill mobile. Antony Persuto owned a '59 Commer Karrier ice cream van for 40 years. If you hung around Walsall Market, you probably glimpsed it a fair few times. When Antony hung up his cones in 2011, Ian Smith of Leeds rescued the van and got to work on a 3-year restoration. Here’s Ian and his Ice Cream Van! Bring on the sunshine, searing temperatures and a familiar jingle announcing the arrival of a cone and lolly extravaganza… "Working on Walsall Market 1990" Scrap metal in Derby "As purchased in Derby 2010" "Arrived in Leeds first job was cab removal" "Engine Overhaul" "September 2011 engine in place and time to replace braking system and pipes" Coach-building "November 2011 now time to start the coach-building. Replacing the hardwood framework" "December 2011 framework completed" "Rear doors" "Aluminium panelling onto framework" "February 2012 as far…
Motorsports enthusiasts, pay attention. The awesome new Extreme E off-road racing series kicks off its inaugural season in Saudi Arabia on 3 and 4 April. Extreme E has caught the eye of some big guns. Among them, 10 current and former world champions from various motorsport disciplines. Formula One titans Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg will be participating as team founders. While former champion - Jenson Button - will be participating not just as a team founder, but as a driver too! “The anticipation among everyone involved is huge. And the excitement is increasing with every day that the premiere gets closer,” says founding partner Continental's Sandra Roslan. “It’s clear that Extreme E will offer first-class racing and the best possible entertainment from the outset. This is not least due to the exceptional ODYSSEY 21 electric SUVs - specially developed for the racing series. And the prominent names behind the wheel.” A scenic escapade It will be a gruelling test of skill and manoeuvrability through the spectacular oasis city of Al Ula - 150 kilometres South-West of Tayma and 400 kilometres North-West of Medina. Standing on the site of the Biblical city of Dedan - once the capital of the…
Patina: an appearance or aura that is derived from association, habit, or established character. Driving across 48 States in the US of A in a beat up ‘57 wagon isn’t everybody’s idea of a good time. But for Blake Evans, it’s more than a Power Tour joyride from one car show to the next. A physical therapist by day, Blake wanted to give back to the community - especially after befriending Bernard Rudler; a regular client with ALS. Blake combined his passion for old family rods with his genuine desire to help people and set out on a mission to drive a ‘57 Chevy 4-door Wagon across 48 states. Beyond car shows As an avid Power Tourer, Blake was used to cross-country drives aboard some golden oldies. But on the way back from a Power Tour in 2016 - having driven 13 states in the Texan and Mississippi areas - Blake wanted to do more than just jump from one car show to the next. He confided his desire to Bernard - saying he’d love to do a fundraiser for ALS...by driving across 48 States in a ‘57 Chevy! Now 42 states down - and with 6 to go -…
2020 was a challenging year - not in the least for the automotive industry. The UAE auto market - for reference - experienced a 29.1 per cent drop from 2019. Carmakers had to seek innovative solutions to remain steadfast amidst the crisis. Automobili Lamborghini rose magnificently to the occasion. With great energy, flexibility and determination, they recorded a positive commercial and financial performance. Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, said: “Our immediate responsiveness, an ideal model mix, and the growing demand for customisation of our products pushed profitability to the highest levels. In such a difficult year, the brand demonstrated great strength and continued its growing appeal, bucking the trend in the global luxury industry.” Beating the odds 2020 was Lamborhini’s second-best ever year for both turnover and the number of cars delivered. Lamborghini ended 2020’s fiscal year with a 1.61 billion euro turnover, just 11 per cent down from 2019. The 70-day production stoppage in spring was to blame for this decline. But the company reacted with promptness and flexibility to respond in the emergency period through careful cost management, ensuring continuity in the launch plan. Lamborghini delivered 7,430 cars worldwide in 2020 - their second-best sales…
https://youtu.be/mLbaXDflCVE From toy to the real McCoy A local Hot Wheels collector approached me to build a van in the spirit of the redline Hot Wheels Super Van. Like so many of us, his love for cars started with a $0.97 die-cast at a young age. As an adult, he wanted to have a life-sized one. That’s where I came in. With a toy van in my hand - and an actual van in front of me - the wheels were set in motion to build one of the coolest rides you’ll ever see. End to end in 6 months The ’78 Chevy was the perfect candidate to bring the iconic Super Van to life. With the right paint, stance and wheels - it would be easy to nail the look of a life sized Hot Wheel. The project took about 6 months to complete from start to finish. The build We started the project by dissembling and sand blasting the entire vehicle - proper surface prep is so important. For the best results, do not paint over old paint work and body repairs. Then we started on general body and some rust repair. We needed very little because this…
Tucked away in the picturesque Eifel Forest, the great Nürburgring Nordschleife - Northern Loop - is the Mecca of endurance Motorsport. With its hazardous corners, challenging crests, inclines and sharp gradients, it's a test of endurance and sheer driving skill - an intense 20.8KM through the hills of Western Germany. Not for the faint hearted. When Sabine Schmitz was growing up in the "Hotel am Tiergarten", close to the fabled motorsports complex, nobody would have dreamed she'd one day get behind the wheel of a BMW M3 - and conquer an arena dominated by men. But in 1996, after honing her skills in lower-level categories, Sabine Schmitz - and her co-driver, veteran Johannes Scheid - took on one of the most dangerous and demanding racing tracks in the world aboard a BMW M3... ...and won. Becoming the first - and only - woman to do so. It didn't end there. She did it again in 1997. And then won the VLN championship of endurances races in Nürburgring in 1998. If someone masters a skill with 10,000 hours of dedicated effort, Sabine Schmitz was a grandmaster of the Nürburgring - with more than 20,000 rounds of the track under her belt...including…
Okay, how’s this for a restoration story? Britain’s original Formula One team – British Racing Motors (BRM) – took a massive step forward with plans to build 3 authentic ‘new’ 1950s V16 race cars…with the successful dyno test of an original engine after a painstaking restoration! Hall and Hall, BRM’s technical partners, used the original ‘engine number two’ – a V16 dating back to the 50s – to help engineers overcome technical challenges around one of the most complex Formula One engines of the day – each with over 36,000 restoration parts. It really has been painstaking – with little to no margin for error. Rick Hall, one of the founders, gives the example of a Rolls Royce supercharger – built from scratch. It proved troublesome. But through trial and error, they managed to “flush out” the issues. And learn "a great deal about how this engine behaves.” As they say, no pain, no gain. All the effort has been key to the central manufacturing plans of 3 all-new power units - at the heart of this exciting new project. Nostalgia on the testing ground It was a return for the engine to Hall and Hall’s dynamometer at RAF Folkingham,…
Hyundai has teased a glimpse of the all-new KONA N without its camouflage disguise. Finally, fans and enthusiasts can enjoy a first look at the latest member of the brand’s high-performance N range. It's the first N Model with an SUV body type. As the first images reveal, the stylish SUV has a sporty appearance, emphasised by its wide, low stance. First time collaboration For the first time, the Hyundai N division and Hyundai Design Centre worked together to develop this SUV - representing power and drivability. The all-new KONA N combines the modern design of the recently launched KONA with the dynamic language of the company’s N models. Aggression meets power Large, sporty and iconic air intakes dominate the front view. The new light signature gives Hyundai’s latest high-performance model an aggressive, powerful appearance. Bumper fascia The lower grille defines the character of the bumper fascia: inspired by an aeronautic fuselage, and extending to the side of the car - emphasising its aerodynamic efficiency and speed. An N logo on the unique upper grille completes the look. Double-wing roof spoiler At the rear, a large double-wing roof spoiler for enhanced downforce gives spice to the rear view. It also…
When Khalil Dagher graduated from the Lebanese American University of Beirut, he thought he would end up working at the United Nations full time. Born in the United States - he’s lived in Sierra Leone, Guinea, the UK, and Lebanon before settling in the UAE - definitely earned his Globetrotter badge! Now a leading PR executive in the automotive sector, Khalil’s journey has brought him full circle. Avid writer. History buff. Geography aficionado. Hardcore Man United fan - Mikaniki went behind the scenes with the petrolhead himself in an exclusive scoop featuring: Automotive influencesWhy a Renault Megane RS is his car of choiceWhy he doesn’t add performance mods to his rodsAdmiring Yoshihiko MatsuoAnd more! Give it up for Citizen of the World: Khalil! Oh and, COVID notwithstanding, if you can’t get him on his cell - he’s either at a car meet or at a museum. Born a Petrolhead I got into cars at an early age because of my uncle and father - who were also into cars. They used to say that as a 5- or 6-year-old, I was able to name different cars with ease. Growing up in Africa, it was all about SUVs. But I remember…
(10 Mar 2021, Dubai, UAE) PEUGEOT has unveiled the facelifted 5008 SUV in the GCC - establishing the design codes of tomorrow at a higher calibre. With a redesigned front end, Full LED rear lights and new body colours, the new PEUGEOT 5008 is a spacious SUV - enough room for the entire family. Rakesh Nair, Managing Director for European Brands at Stellantis ME, said: “We are proud to introduce the bold 5008 SUV for customers in the region. The family hauler has been redesigned to offer exciting new features for those looking for style, space, power and efficiency. "With this addition, we hope to continue our mission of leaving a mark in the region’s SUV market. "We are delighted to further strengthen our line-up by integrating our signature cutting-edge technology into a spacious interior, providing the utmost comfort for our customers in the GCC.” Unchallenged fuel economy The new 5008 is offered with a 1.6 litre turbo engine coupled to a 6-speed automatic transmission - producing 165 hp and 240 Nm of torque. Manual and sports mode available for a dynamic driving experience. The engine is in-line with the latest Euro 4 standards. And has undergone stringent and successful hot…