Its only taken five months of ownership, but Mike Humble finally puts the last of the project 75 running faults to bed and is highly receptive of the improvements! Having just spent a moment thumbing through the paperwork for my mobile drawing room – the project 75, some very interesting facts have come to light. Firstly [...]

Keith Adams continues AROnline’s series devoted to celebrating the great and the good that used to be familiar UK street furniture. Who remembers the Astra Mk1, a blisteringly capable, fun-to-drive small car that redefined Vauxhall’s standing in the small car field? We do, and we love ‘em! A quantum leap The Astra was a landmark [...]

Mike Humble recounts a strange and troubled soul he once worked with. While promising to make no reference to the fact that creating an essay… is rather like making love to a beautiful woman! One of my all time favourite TV shows since reaching adulthood was The Fast Show. Readers of a younger generation may [...]

Mark Mastrototaro casts a fond eye over one of the UK’s favourite imports during the 1970s, the Datsun 120Y. Why was it so popular? Striking British factories, waiting lists for Morrises, and an increasing disillusionment with home-made products meant the Sunny’s success in the UK was something of a home goal for the Brits. But [...]

AROnline takes a another look at the decent metal which once adorned the highways and by-ways of our green and pleasant land. Mike Humble again, snatches the keys to one of Rovers finer cars. Far from being the most spacious or cheapest hold all on the market, this one had that vital ingredient that placed [...]

We take another lighthearted look at some of the cars which will be forever remembered for all the wrong reasons. Mike Humble takes another journey back in time and recalls the car which should have put him off BL related products for life, but instead, got him hooked…. The Morris Marina and Ital. Practical classic, [...]

Mike Humble once again, casts a spotlight onto the many cars that seemed commonplace on the UK roads in this ever popular section. The Rover 3500 SD1 is without a doubt, a legend and even today, still held in high regard, but what about the six pot siblings of the 2300 and 2600? has time been a healer for the lesser [...]

Keith Adams celebrates yet another car that currently resides in the doldrums of the Bangernomics world But the Jaguar XJ40 was possibly the best car in the world when it was launched… even if it set Jaguar down a  course of Retro design that lasted until 2008! Credit where it’s due Right now, Jaguar is [...]

AROnline peeps behind the office door in the car showroom to see what skeletons lurk in the shadows: Mike Humble pays respect to the many people who inspired and nurtured his young passion for the motor trade rather than kicking him out of the showroom, while reckoning some sales staff of today, could stop and think about [...]

Uncovering the myths and incidents behind those showroom windows with a light hearted view! When it comes to part exchange valuations, everyone considers their car to be top book and mint condition. Of course, it’s a salemans job to give as little away as possible, but you would be amazed at what people expect their unwanted [...]

Another look into the dodgy world of car dealers in Sales Talk with Mike Humble: A couple of tales of the regarding the motor trades most loathed customer – the messer!  The 75 and the Black Rat: Just as turf accountants have their own language and tick-tack gesticulations, the motor trade has its own list [...]

AROnline takes a another look at the cars which once littered the streets of blighty which now are vanishing fast. We love the Rover Metro/100 and the mildy-sporting GTa proved that power isn’t everything when cheeky charm is in abundance. Mike Humble grabs the keys… The little bounder As cute as a Labrador puppy yet [...]

Another guest blog comes from Chris North, a sole trader and ex Sales Manager with Austin Rover – Honda – SAAB & Vauxhall. This man knows his onions (and his cars for that matter) I should know by the way… I worked with him!   My name is Chris North and this year marks an [...]

AROnline takes a look at some of the automotive blunders from both our own and rival makes. Your Driver: Mike Humble This one really deserved to win, even after 30 years, the Doyen looks amazing and fresh, but sadly a lack of experience, company ownership and changes in the sector trashed any chance of success. [...]

AROnline takes a look back at some of the memorable automotive blunders in more recent times from both our own, and rival makes. This time Mike Humble offers you a treat from our very own Austin Rover. Pray silence please for the Maestro HLE… The miracle Maestro? Now don’t get me wrong, but the Maestro is by no [...]

AROnline takes a look back at some of the memorable automotive blunders in more recent times from both our own, and rival makes. Mike Humble feels the pain of the people carrier driver and recalls Vauxhall’s answer to to the large MPV… The Vauxhall Sintra Gone, and probably best forgotten The Vauxhall Sintra: not a bad looking MPV [...]

Surviving 30 years in the parts specialist business these days is no mean feat, but to flourish in the way that Rimmer Bros has is a real achievement. Here’s their story of how they did it – and how the company continues to support its wide array of British classic cars. Thirty years and counting [...]

We take yet another look at the cars which once littered the highways and by-ways of the UK. This one is often regarded as a talented machine which was handsome, refined, well built and astonishingly capable when driven hard. Mike Humble  explains all – and gets emotional. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury… The Rover 620ti The quiet [...]

  AROnline gets down in the dirt as we take another look at the T45 cab system Leyland introduced back in the early 80′s. Another big seller in the commercial vehicle sector was the Leyland Constructor – a range of 6 or 8 wheel vehicles up to 30 tons GVW.   Mike Humble gets into gear and takes [...]

Coupés are cramped, impractical, noisy… and a whole lot of fun. That’s the whole point of them, yes? MINI obviously thinks so, and has introduced a crackerjack Coupé to prove it. Keith Adams takes one up to Yorkshire and experiences something even more cramped and noisy. Coupés, trains, and the Coopermobile It’s fair to say [...]