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GTG Training opens in Edinburgh

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GTG Training– a top quality training and conference centre owned by Arnold Clark – announced that an all new, purpose-built training and conference centre was officially opened on Wednesday 4th February by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh and long-distance cyclist Mark Beaumont.

GTG has been established in Edinburgh for over 20 years, and will continue to offer expert tuition and education through four training divisions; transport, automotive, health & safety and business skills. The new centre offers apprenticeship programmes and vocational training, with initiatives to get young people into employment after training is complete.

Carol Henry, Group HR Director of Arnold Clark and Director of GTG Training said: 'The opening of the new GTG Training and Conference Centre aims to bring greater education and learning opportunities to the Edinburgh area.

The opening of the new GTG Training and Conference Centre aims to bring greater education and learning opportunities to the Edinburgh area.
'It will bring work-relevant educational experiences for young people, and also give employers the chance to offer first class training to staff, improving workforce skills and encouraging professional development.'

At the Edinburgh launch event, guests heard from record-breaking long-distance cyclist Mark Beaumont, who shared his exiting stories from around the globe and how teamwork and passion has helped him to succeed. Event guests also took part in taster sessions and experienced GTG Edinburgh's expert training courses for themselves.

GTG's new training and conference centre is larger than the previous site by 3000sqm, the extra room will allow for an increase in training courses being offered. Liam McGeevor has been appointed as the manager of the new facility, and will bring Edinburgh in line with the other training centres in Glasgow and Wolverhampton.

In addition to GTG's extensive training facilities, the centre has plenty of flexible space ideal for conferences, events and meetings. It can accommodate up to 200 guests and is available for hire by anyone, not just businesses. With an advantageous location close to Edinburgh Airport and the M8, GTG Training & Conference Centre is perfect for commuting and easily accessible to visitors.

Other highlights of the modern new site include:

  • Four training suites

  • A training workshop area

  • A driver training area

  • 8617sqm of training space

  • Professional and experienced instructors

  • Onsite restaurant

  • In-house event caterer

  • Free Wi-Fi

  • Free onsite parking

For more information on the new venue, please call 0131 333 6833.


Arnold Clark purchases Ness Motors

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Arnold Clark Automobiles (ACA), which celebrated its 60th anniversary last year, will acquire 104 employees and sites in Inverness, Elgin and Perth. All of the branches will be Renault, Dacia or Citroen franchises.

Eddie Hawthorne, Managing Director of Arnold Clark said:

‘We are delighted to welcome Ness Motors to the Arnold Clark family. As a company, we share many of the same values as Ness Motors, and look forward to continuing to offer great value and excellent service to customers at the new showrooms.’

Sir Arnold Clark established ACA in 1954 and now employs over 9000 staff nationwide, with branches located in Scotland and England. The company has been awarded the title of Retailer of the Year by Automotive Management for the past three years, and had a turnover of £2.9bn in 2014.

With more than 15,000 cars to choose from at any one time, Arnold Clark Automobiles offers its customers a wide selection of new and used cars. The company is committed to supporting charitable causes including Radio Clyde’s Cash for Kids and The Prince’s Trust.

Ness Motors was founded in 1960, and was purchased by company accountant Scott Lauder in the early 1980s from retiring owner and chairman Bill Gilbert. The business expanded through the years by acquiring a number of franchises for the North of Scotland, including Renault.

Why is my car vibrating?

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Whether your car is vibrating at high speeds, when idle, when accelerating or when braking, chances are the fault can be put down to one of these five reasons.

When your car vibrates, it’s a mild but consistent annoyance that only those who have experienced it will understand. It doesn’t help if you have no idea why it’s happening! There are a few reasons why your car may be vibrating or shaking, and some are more obvious than others.

We’ll start with the most likely reason first, leading up to the grand finale for you poor souls out there who have come to the end of your tether.

1. Tyres

First thing’s first; check your tyres. This is the most common source of vibrating, and is most obvious if you are experiencing vibration when driving at speed.

Wheel balance

Tyres that are out of balance will cause a vehicle to vibrate at higher speeds (usually around 50–70mph). A tyre is out of balance when one section of the tyre is heavier than another. Out-of-balance tyres can cause vibration in the steering wheel, through the seat, and through the floor (steering wheel – front tyres; seat/floor – back tyres). An experienced mechanic can balance tyres, using a computerised wheel balancer that will measure the imbalance before weights are added to correct it.

Wheel alignment

Tyre balancing should not be confused with wheel alignment– wheel alignment is to do with the angle at which your wheels hit the road.

If you feel a vibrating steering wheel, it is likely that the vibration is coming from misaligned wheels. Your wheels can become misaligned from something as simple as hitting a pothole.

A mechanic will be able to align your wheels using a wheel alignment machine.

Faulty tyres

Vibrating or bouncing could be caused by a broken or slipped belt, which would cause uneven wear on your tyres.

Your tyres may need replaced if the vibration is left too long, and tyres have uneven wear. Poor quality tyres are likely to wear out sooner, and worn tyres can be dangerous, so it is important to keep on top of them.

2. Brakes

If the vibration only happens when you hit the brakes, then that is probably where the problem lies. Don’t worry, this sounds a lot scarier than it is.

You may find that your brake discs have become warped over time, which means that the brake pads and callipers can’t get enough grip when you apply the brakes. To fix this you can either get the brake parts machined again so they sit true, or you may have to replace them if they have worn down too much.

3. Worn parts

There are several other parts that can wear out over time, and can cause vibration. These are struts or shocks, upper strut bearings, ball joints and tie rod ends. These parts would need to be replaced in order to fix the problem.

4. Resonance in the exhaust

This problem may occur following a change in exhaust system (changing muffler/tailpipe), a bent pipe that touches the chassis, or a broken pipe. Also, if the original tuning weights have been removed or are missing, an annoying vibration may occur.

5. Powertrain

OK, so you’ve looked at your tyres, your brakes and other parts. If everything looks like it’s in good condition, and your tyres are balanced, you need to check the powertrain next. This is a bit of a bigger job, as the powertrain is made up of the engine, clutch, gearbox, drive shaft and differential.

The first step here will depend on whether your car is an automatic or manual.

Automatic: Start by checking transmission fluid level and condition. If low, top it up, and try and find where the fluid went. (Vibration caused by this will usually occur upon acceleration.)

Manual: Start by checking operation and condition of the clutch. A slipping/glazed clutch can sometimes cause vibrations.

For a proper inspection of the powertrain, you may need to book a service with an experienced mechanic, as the cause of the vibration could be an issue with the inner CV joints– which can be hard to diagnose, especially in a rear-wheel vehicle. Problems with inner CV joints will usually also occur at higher speeds (60mph+), so if your car is vibrating at high speeds, and you’ve checked your tyres, unfortunately you might have a powertrain problem.

We hope this guide goes some way to helping you diagnose why your car is vibrating. However we do advise that you take your car into a garage to have a professional mechanic look into it, as they will know exactly how to test your car to find the fault and fix it.

Arnold Clark announces Group-wide rebrand

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Fresh colours

Arnold Clark’s striking new logo and branding concept has already been unveiled in locations such as the Leeds Motorstore and Glasgow South Street Motorstore. The new dark grey and yellow design will be rolled out throughout 2015 at the remaining Arnold Clark Motorstores.

New headquarters

The company’s headquarters will also move to new premises. The new Hillington base in Glasgow will be a flagship site for the new Arnold Clark branding, showcasing the dramatic new look that has been developed by the Group throughout 2014. Louise Bishop, Head of Branding at Arnold Clark commented:

‘The classic blue and yellow logo has been synonymous with Arnold Clark for a number of years now. After spending last year celebrating our 60th anniversary, we felt 2015 was the perfect time to breathe new life into our brand and really highlight the design talent we have within our team.’

Stephen Millar, Head of Creative at Arnold Clark also commented:

'The rebrand project has been ongoing since last year and we are proud to showcase our new visual identity at our Hillington headquarters later this year. The design process has been very collaborative with input given from across the Company. Our designers have worked hard to create a striking new brand that fits well with our company ethos.'

New campaign

The rebrand announcement from Arnold Clark coincides with the launch of Group’s new campaign for 2015. Arnold Clark has created targeted marketing messages that speak to all its customers. The new campaign focuses on customers motivations, needs and individual qualities; leading with the tagline 'it’s about you'.

Improved customer experience

The new campaign, together with the new brand strategy, puts a major focus on creating an exceptional customer journey across all platforms with Arnold Clark.

The rebranded dealerships will include private consultation booths, a spacious and comfortable waiting area with complimentary hot and cold drinks and free Wi-Fi access. For those with young children, there will be a 'Kids’ Corner', a designated children's play area equipped with iPads with games and a colouring area with table and chairs.

Old versus new

Although the new branding at the Hillington headquarters will provide a contemporary feel, the site will still reflect the history and success of the Company throughout its design. The welcome foyer will showcase the history of Arnold Clark with a nod to significant moments from the past 60 years. The foyer will also be home to one of the beautiful classic cars from Sir Arnold’s collection.

The rebrand will be rolled out across all of Arnold Clark Motorstores throughout 2015 and work will begin on the new Hillington headquarters in April.

More information on the new development will be published on the Newsroom throughout the year, so keep an eye out!

Arnold Clark Toyota gets funny for money

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Beep beep! Get your horns at the ready because Toyota has been announced as an official partner of Red Nose Day 2015 and Arnold Clark Toyota dealerships will be getting into the swing of things too.

Arnold Clark Toyota is joining in the fun with the ‘Make Your Face Funny For Money’ theme and the dealerships are also helping to make your car funny for money with the official Red Noses for the front of your car.

The red noses are available to buy from all Arnold Clark Toyota dealerships until the 13th of March. Your local Arnold Clark Toyota dealerships will also be organising plenty of fun activities that you can support. From skydiving to ‘wear your pyjamas to work days’, the Arnold Clark Toyota employees are pulling out all the stops to fundraise for Red Nose Day.

Two employees of Toyota Stirling, Brenda and Diane, are bracing themselves for a skydive on the 21st of February. The brave pair will be jumping out of a plane in the name of charity and hope to help their dealership reach their fundraising target of £2750.

If you feel like getting in the comedy mood, Aberdeen Toyota will be at the Breakneck Comedy Club for one week selling the official red noses for your car so pop along, enjoy a few laughs and make your car ‘Funny For Money’ in Aberdeen.

Not only can you purchase an official red nose for your car from our dealerships, but Arnold Clark Toyota can also fit your nose for you. If you’d prefer to be a bit more hands on, here’s a few tips for fitting it yourself.

When you donate to Red Nose Day, you will help transform people’s lives in the UK and across Africa. Comic Relief uses the cash raised through Red Nose Day to make a huge difference to people living incredibly tough lives, and you can help make all the difference.

Each branch has their own fundraising target and you can help them achieve it.

If you would like to help with the Red Nose Day fundraising, you can do so by visiting the branch or via text message buy using the individual code for the branch you wish to support.

Text 70070 to donate

The number for text donations is 70070. The body of the text should include the individual branch code, and the amount you wish to donate in pounds, eg ‘TOYO85 £5’.

The individual branch codes are:

  • Arnold Clark Aberdeen – TYTA81
  • Arnold Clark Ayr – TOYO85
  • Arnold Clark East Kilbride – TOYO74
  • Arnold Clark Glasgow – TOTA80
  • Arnold Clark Kilmarnock – TOYO59
  • Arnold Clark Mount Vernon – TYTA49
  • Arnold Clark Paisley – TOTA48
  • Arnold Clark Stirling – TYTA58

If you can’t make it to your local Toyota dealership to buy your car a red nose, you can purchase one through the Toyota e-Bay store (free post and packaging) or on the Red Nose Day website.

Free brake check for Renault customers

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At Arnold Clark we don’t have to remind you how important it is to check your brakes are working efficiently and at Arnold Clark Renault we are inviting Renault customers to take advantage of a free brake check until 28th February.

To help improve your braking performance the following components will be checked:

  • Operation of the foot brake and hand brake;
  • Measure the boiling point and water content of your brake fluid;
  • Visually inspect the condition of your brake pads, discs and hoses;
  • Brake lights, indicators and all other lights; and
  • Measure the tread depths of your tyres.

This offer is only available at Arnold Clark Renault branches.

Contact your local branch to book an appointment.

How to escape from a sinking car

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When it was announced today that a woman in New Zealand almost died as her car sank into the harbour, we decided to write a guide about how to survive a sinking car.

Stay calm

The thought of being stuck inside a sinking vehicle is absolutely terrifying, but it is important to remain calm if ever you found yourself in this situation, as most deaths of this kind can be a result of panic.

Act quickly

There will be no time to delay. Before you even hit the water you need to act, by putting yourself in the brace position to avoid injury upon impact. Place your hands at either side of the steering wheel, so that if the airbag is activated, it won’t force your hands into your face causing harm.

Do not open the door

This is the worst thing you could do. The car will rapidly sink if you open the door, as the water will fill the inside of the car immediately. The window is your best chance of escape.

Undo or cut your seatbelt

Attend to your own seatbelt first, then help others if there are more people in the car. It is important to be able to move. Professor at the university of Manitoba and expert on cold water survival, Dr Gordon Giesbrecht came up with the motto: Seatbelt, children, window, OUT. This is a good structure to follow.

Get out through the window

Lower the window. Electric windows will still work for a short time after the car is submerged in water. If you can’t get the window open, try to kick it through, or use your emergency hammer if you have one. Don’t even bother to open the car door, you will waste precious time and energy, as the air pressure within the car won’t allow the door to open once you begin to submerge.

If you don’t have any implements to smash the window with, you should aim your kick near the front of the window. It is extremely hard to break a car window by kicking it, but aiming for this breaking point will improve your chances.

Remember that if the waterline is rising above the window, you will be hit by a flood of water once the window breaks, but you should still be able to swim out.

If there are children in the car, push them out through the window first, then follow after.

Wait for the pressure to equalise?

It has been suggested that the wise thing to do is to wait for the pressure to equalise, however, two TV shows have proved this to be false; Mythbusters and Top Gear. Whilst it is technically true that you can open the door when this happens, the likelihood is that you would have to wait until it is too late. Also, if you were to open the door with passengers inside, you might escape, but they won’t. You are better to act quickly on the window.

Swim to safety

Get out through the window as quick as you can and swim to safety. If you are disoriented and panicked, look for the direction of the air bubbles, and follow them to the top.

Seek help

Be aware that any injuries you have attained may not be immediately evident to you, as you will be full of adrenaline and are likely to be very disorientated. Hypothermia is also a real risk after being submerged in cold water for a period of time.

7 Hollywood celebrities and the expensive cars they drive

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Hollywood celebrities drive the most expensive and luxurious cars that money can buy. While some of them use cars as a status symbol (Jay-Z), others are more concerned with environmental issues (Leonardo DiCaprio), and some have even admitted having a car addiction (Jay Leno and Robert Downey Jr) – either way, we think you’ll agree that they’re all pretty good to look at!

Robert Downey Jr – Audi R8

Tony Stark, the fictional character in Iron Man, has his own amazing supercar collection, but so does the actor who played him. Robert Downey Jr is one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood, and he confessed his love affair with cars to Vanity Fair last year. He revealed his collection, which includes a Porsche, a Corvette, a Ford F150, a Bentley, a Volvo Woody, a 1970 Boss 302 Mustang, a 1970 Mercedes-Benz Pagoda, Audi A8 and A7, a Mercedes-Benz wagon, and a 2011 VW GTI. Phew! That’s a lot of cars. Downey Jr admitted that he has a soft spot for Audis, and we’re not surprised, when he gets to drive one as nice as the R8, which is pictured above. The R8 has all-wheel drive, and a 4.2-litre engine that delivers 430bhp at 7900rpm. 0–60mph takes 4.2 seconds and top speed is 186mph.

How much does it cost? $246,000

Arnold Schwarzenegger – Bugatti Veyron

Arnold Schwarzenegger and Simon Cowell drive a Bugatti Veyron. The oil change alone costs $21,000! The Veyron can reach 0–60mph in 2.6 seconds and the huge 8.0-litre engine has four turbochargers. Four! That’s crazy. The car has 1200bhp and will also be used in the Furious 7 movie later this year.

How much does it cost? $2.25million

Jay Leno – Mercedes SLR McLaren

Jay Leno is famous for a whole host of things, including being an actor, writer, producer, voice actor and television host. But what we’re interested in is his incredible car collection. Leno has his own YouTube channel called Jay Leno’s Garage which features car and motorcycle reviews, car comparisons on everything from super cars to classic cars and racing cars, and everything in between!

Jay Leno’s favourite car is his Mercedes SLR McLaren pictured above (which Beyoncé also owns). There were only 3500 of these made, which hikes the price up considerably. Whilst the SLR McLaren isn’t the most expensive car in Leno’s collection, it is still his favourite.

How much does it cost? $500,000

Jay-Z – Maybach Excelero

Image: By Simon Davidson, CC by 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Jay-Z drives the most expensive car in Hollywood. His Maybach Excelero has 700hp and a twin-turbo V12 engine, and can reach 0–60mph in just 4.4 seconds. The car was custom-made in 2013, and is one-of-a-kind. Rapper Birdman used to own the car, until he wasn’t able to pay off the huge sum. Jay-Z bought the car from him and featured it in his video, ‘Lost Ones’. The Excelero is the most expensive car in this list by far.

How much does it cost? $8million

Ashton Kutcher – Ferrari California

By Klausnahr (Flickr) CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ashton Kutcher drives a Ferrari California, a hard top convertible that can go 0–60mph in just 3.6 seconds. It has a 3855cc 32v V8 turbo engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The California was the first Ferrari to feature a seven-speed dual clutch transmission, a folding metal roof and direct petrol injection.

How much does it cost? $202,000

Leonardo DiCaprio – Fisker Karma

Image: ‘Fisker Karma 2’ by IndianhilbillyCC BY-SA 3.0

Leonardo DiCaprio bucks the trend in the Hollywood car game, by opting for environmentally friendly cars. DiCaprio owns the Fisker Karma, pictured above, and a Lexus hybrid. In an interview with Top Gear, he said: ‘Ever since I learned about hybrid vehicles, that's all I've really owned.’

‘Ever since I learned about hybrid vehicles, that's all I've really owned.’
The Fisker Karma is a plug-in hybrid, which can reach 0–60mph in 6.3 seconds, and can do up to 50 miles on electric power, and up to 250 miles on gas power. It has a combined horsepower of 255 and is a single-speed automatic.

DiCaprio loves Fisker so much that he invested in the company a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, it was announced that Fisker Karmas that originally cost $660,000 each have only been selling for $103,000.

How much does it cost? $660,000

Kim Kardashian – Ferrari 458 Italia

Image: Ferrari 458 Italia via Flickr

Both Kim Kardashian and Justin Bieber own a Ferrari 458 Italia in white. The 458 Italia is one of the most desirable super cars around. It can go from 0–60mph in just 3.3 seconds, and its 4.5-litre engine gives out an impressive 562bhp. Top speed is 201mph and the 458 Italia has a seven-speed dual-clutch automated-manual gearbox that is incredibly quick. The Berlinetta version will appear in Furious 7 later this year.

How much does it cost? $275,900 – $340,000


How to check and top up your engine oil level

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Regularly checking your engine oil is one of the most important things you can do to look after your car and is just one of the things that is checked during a service. You shouldn’t have to completely change your oil every time you check it, just a top up should be fine until the oil goes bad.

What you’ll need to check and top up your oil:

  • Rubber gloves
  • Kitchen towel
  • Engine oil
  • Funnel

Oil can stain your hands so you’ll be glad of the gloves, and the kitchen towel is great for wiping the dipstick after you’ve used it. The funnel is a lifesaver for not spilling oil everywhere.

Make sure you have the correct oil for your car. Consult your owner’s manual to confirm the oil type.

Step 1: Park your car on flat ground

To start with, make sure your car is parked in the right place, on flat ground. If the car is on a slope, the readings won’t be accurate.

Step 2: Locate the dipstick and wipe clean

Open your car’s bonnet and locate the dipstick. This is usually brightly coloured with a round or T-shaped handle.

Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean. Once you’ve wiped the dirty oil from the dipstick, re-insert it until it clicks back into place.

Step 3: Remove the dipstick again and check level

You should then remove the dipstick again to check the oil level. There will be two marks on the dipstick to show the optimum level that your oil should be at. Your oil level should be somewhere between the two.

If your oil level is below the bottom line, or if there isn’t any oil on the dipstick at all, you should immediately top up your engine oil.

Step 4: Fill up your oil using the funnel

To fill up your oil, you first need to locate the oil filler cap in your engine bay. This should have the word ‘oil’ marked on it, or an outline of an oil can.

Then, position your funnel at the top of the spout and pour your oil in. Make sure that you are using the correct oil for your car.

To get an idea of how much oil you need; the gap between the marks on the dipstick usually represents around 1 litre of oil, so you know that if your oil mark was at the minimum, you need around a litre to top it up. If it’s only halfway down, you probably need around half a litre.

Try not to overfill by pouring a bit at a time, and checking your dipstick using the method I just told you about.

All done…

That’s you sorted. Now you just need to pop the dipstick back in and clean your hands!

How do I know when I need to change my oil?

You’ll know when this happens if the colour of your oil is black and gritty, your engine is louder than normal, you can’t remember when you last changed your oil, or your check engine light won’t go away. Also, if you keep topping up your oil and the level keeps dropping quickly, then your oil is probably too old and needs to be changed.

5 car hacks designed to make driving less stressful

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Driving can be tough. Sure, it looks easy – push pedals with your feet and turn a big wheel around and around. But the drivers amongst us know there’s a lot more to it than that.

In fact driving can be pretty stressful and, at times, quite costly. To try and relieve some of the stresses of motoring, we’ve trawled the internet to bring you a selection of the best car hacks there are.

Drop a pin

When you park your car in a town or city you’re unfamiliar with, drop a pin on your phone’s map app. This means when the time comes for you to go back to your vehicle, you’ll be able to navigate your way to it with ease.

There are lots of other apps that can help your driving experience.

Steamy windows

Windows steaming up is a common bugbear for motorists. It usually occurs in the colder months and is caused by hot air inside the car (your breath) meeting cold surfaces (your car windows).

Steamy windows can often mean having to sit and wait for them to clear, adding time to your journey and potentially even making you late for work or an appointment.

One way around this is to fill an old sock with cat litter and leave it inside the vehicle. This will absorb the moisture in the air giving you a steam-free windscreen.

Scroll to the bottom of this page for a demonstration video!

Car mats

Now and again, living in the UK, we’re faced with some pretty horrible weather. It can come in all shapes and sizes. Rain, wind, snow, and hail. You name it; we’ve probably had it.

On occasions the weather has been so bad that cars have got stuck in either snow or mud. The wheels just spin. They don’t gain any traction at all. Anyone who has suffered this will tell you, it’s a nightmare. Winter tyres are a huge help, but there are some situations where you need a handy car hack.

You may not know that your car mats can come in pretty handy here.

If you find yourself in the position where your car’s stuck in the snow or mud, put your car mats out just in front of your wheels and they will help you gain traction, getting your vehicle moving again.

Protect your car doors

We’ve all been there, you’ve opened your car door just a touch too far and you’ve hit it off the wall in your driveway or garage. Now you’re left with a horrible chip in your car’s paint job.

We’ve a relatively cheap way to avoid such an occurrence. Buy a pool noodle, or water log, (the kind you see kids using when learning to swim), cut it in half, and then attach it to the wall next to where you park your car.

Now when you open your door too far it will simply hit the soft, foamy noodle instead of a hard, coarse wall. And your car’s paint job will remain perfect.

Filling up your tank

When filling your car’s fuel tank hold the trigger on the pump halfway. This will ensure you get more fuel in your tank and less air, resulting in fewer trips to the filling station.

Remember, these are only a selection of great car hacks. If you have more or ones that you think are better, feel free to share them with us.

We have a wide range of parts and accessories, such as car mats, which are available for most makes and models.

Perfect for helping you carry out some of the hacks we’ve touched on and making your driving experience much more enjoyable.

Best cars for a gigging musician

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Although it might be tempting to daydream about stepping off a private jet to a horde of screaming groupies, or singing along to ‘Tiny Dancer’ in a tour bus à la ‘Almost Famous’ – you might not have quite enough cash together to live the jet-set lifestyle just yet. The reality of gigging is likely to be pretty different when you’re just starting out.

There are some musicians, like Nick Andrew, who have gone as far as to live in their car to save money.

There are certain things you need to be thinking about when shopping for a car to take on tour, namely: storage space, comfort, safety, security and fuel economy. Doesn’t sound very rock ‘n’ roll, does it? But everyone has to start somewhere…

Hyundai Santa Fe

The Hyundai Santa Fe is a good all-rounder that hits most of the marks you need to be thinking about. Whilst Hyundai offers a five-seat Santa Fe with a huge load bay, it’s worth forking out a bit more for the seven-seater, due to the two third-row seats that fold up from the boot floor. Whilst these extra seats might not make the Santa Fe the perfect car for tall people, smaller adults will be fine, and boot space is still huge with the third row of seats up. This is just in the back though, so rest assured there’s plenty of head- and legroom in the first two rows of seats.

Boot capacity is a whopping 969-litres with the third row of seats, and extends to 2,257-litres when they’re folded down.

Safety-wise, the Santa Fe got a five-star Euro NCAP rating, and has seven airbags, a strengthened body shell and electronic stability control (ESP). You also get a five-year unlimited mileage warranty so you’ve got peace of mind, too.

Running costs aren’t bad for a car of this size. See below for the different engine options and their corresponding running costs:

With six speed gearbox and front-wheel-drive

2.2-litre CRDi – 194bhp – 155g/km – 47.9mpg

With six speed gearbox and four-wheel-drive

2.2-litre CRDi – 194bhp –159g/km – 47.9mpg

4x4 with automatic gearbox

2.2-litre CRDi – 194bhp –178g/km – 41.5mpg

Mercedes-Benz E Class estate

The Mercedes-Benz E Class estate is the most expensive car on this list, but it is also unbeatable on boot space. The E Class estate has almost 200-litres more boot capacity than the Ford Focus, sitting at a huge 695 litres – which is best in class. You can also create a completely flat floor by folding the back seats down, which ups the boot space to 1,855 – 1,905 litres.

Tinted rear windows also provide peace of mind if you need to leave your gear in the back at any point.

Fuel economy is also great considering the size of this thing (on the E300 Bluetec hybrid model). The combination of the 2.1-litre diesel engine with electric motor makes the E Class estate E300 hybrid unbeatable in its class for fuel economy. Saying this, the regular diesel engines aren’t much to shout about on that front.

Example running costs:

E 300 Bluetec hybrid– 204bhp – 119g/km – 62.8mpg

E220 BlueTEC AMG– 177bhp – 129g/km – 56.5mpg

Ford Transit

We know it might be difficult to take the plunge and become a ‘White Van Man’, but for a trusty classic, you’ll find it hard to beat a Ford Transit.

If you need to fit the whole band, that’s no problem – the Ford Transit has second- and third-row seating options to fit seven adults (and more comfortably than the Santa Fe). If you’ve got more gear than friends, just fold the seats down and revel in the 6.0m3 load capacity of the short wheelbase model, or the even bigger 6.8m3 SAE of the long wheelbase model.

Not only is there a shed-load of space, but there are also innovative features built-in, with transporting equipment in mind. Ford have included a deployable integrated roof rack, a load-through hatch in bulkhead (for tall items), locking check arms that allow doors to be locked in place at 90°, repositioned tie-down hooks and fixing points, easy-clean load floor liner and ultra-bright LED loadspace lighting for those late nights. Phew! You really will be hard-pressed to beat that.

The Ford Transit also has excellent fuel economy, with low CO2 emissions and low running costs thanks to the lighter body and aerodynamic shape.

Engine options:

ECOnetic 1.6-litre TDCi – 95PS – 44mpg – 169g/km

2.2-litre Duratorq diesel – 153bhp – 36.2mpg – 174g/km

Skoda Octavia

If you don’t have enough gear to warrant buying a van, but need something with a bit more room, the ŠKODA Octavia estate is a solid choice. There’s ample room in the boot at 610 litres with the seats up, and with the seats folded, it’s nothing short of cavernous with 1740 litres of space.

You have the option of getting a super-green diesel engine that achieves 88.3mpg and 85g/km, not bad for those long road trips! However, do bear in mind that there’s a step in the boot when the seats are folded, so you don’t get a nice flat load area which is easier to move things in and out of.

The Octavia estate was awarded a five-star Euro NCAP rating and comes with an impressive safety spec as standard, including post-collision braking.

Engine options:

(There’s loads of engine and trim options for the Octavia estate, so here’s just a few of the best.)

1.2 TSI petrol – 105PS – 55mpg – 114g/km

Greenline III 1.6 TDI CR diesel – 100PS – 88mpg – 85g/km

2.0 TDI CR – 105PS – 67mpg – 119g/km

VW Camper

Image: by Ben.H CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr

Let’s be honest, there’s something irresistible about the idea of carting the band and gear around the country in a classic VW camper.

But beware, they aren’t the most inconspicuous of vehicles, so you might attract some unwanted attention from people looking for a free guitar or two; and with classic car thefts on the rise you might want to reassess the hippie dream from the very un-rock n’ roll perspective of safety and security.

Car insurance for musicians

I’m sorry to be the one to break this to you, but unfortunately, you have one of those professions that car insurance companies just don’t like. If you haven’t found out already, as soon as you mutter the word ‘musician’, your premium is likely to jump up significantly (I’m talking hundreds here).

Try altering your title slightly to ‘composer’ or ‘classical musician’ to get a lower quote. Money Saving Expert has a great tool for comparing job titles in relation to insurance costs. Check out our 7 savvy tips to keep car insurance costs down for more ways to get around this.

Winners of the Real Sale selfie competition with the Daily Record

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During Arnold Clark’s annual Real Sale which ran from Boxing Day until Valentine’s weekend, readers of the Daily Record had the chance to win £1000 by submitting a Real Sale selfie.

The number of entrants was staggering and there were some great efforts made by everyone who entered.

Each week, staff at the Daily Record chose a winner, who was then presented with a cheque for £1000!

Each of the winning selfies was fantastic, we’re sure you’ll agree. They can all be seen in the main image at the top of this page.

The winners were:

Week one – Nicola Stott

Week two – Kalle Karppa

(Unfortunately Kalle was unavailable for a cheque presentation photoshoot.)

Week three – Suzanne Kelly

Week four – Karen Brown

The competition was a great success, and we’d like to thank everyone who got involved.

Make sure you keep an eye out on our Facebook and Twitter pages for upcoming competitions.

Technology blamed for increase in road accidents on British roads

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Department for Transport has released information from research carried out towards the end of 2014. Observations were carried out at 60 sites across England and Scotland last October.

It was found that drivers were more likely to be observed with a mobile phone in their hand rather than to their ear. People are more likely to check their social media, emails or text messages.

The types of drivers, by percentage, observed using their phone while driving were:

  • 1.4% of car drivers
  • 2.7% of van drivers
  • 1.2% goods vehicle and lorry drivers
  • 0.4% bus, coach and minibus drivers

Even though law was passed in 2003 making the use of hand-held mobile phones while driving illegal, drivers are clearly still flouting these laws. Mobile apps have been developed to help prevent the use of mobile phones while driving.

Perhaps it is because the law is unclear, particularly when it comes to the use of hands-free devices; even though these are permitted if the police believe you are distracted and not in control of your vehicle they may stop and charge you.

It’s not just mobile phones that are distracting drivers; sat navs and digital music systems have been to blame. Research from the DfT revealed that the number of deaths and serious injuries increased by 4% in Britain, BCA (British Car Auctions) has since conducted additional research suggesting in-car technology is to blame.

Through consumer research BCA found that 52% of people surveyed had admitted to using their sat nav instead of paying attention to the road at junctions or roundabouts. In addition 83% of people surveyed had observed drivers texting or emailing from behind the wheel.

Does the increase in phone and technology usage call for a change in the legislation, what do you think?

Children improperly restrained in 2014

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In the UK, the law states that seat belts must be worn when in a travelling vehicle. However, the recent statistics show that many drivers are ignoring these laws.

Surveys were conducted in 40 sites in England and 20 sites in Scotland. These surveys also looked into mobile phone usage while driving which also brought out some startling results.

Observers recorded the following types of restraints: seat belt, rear facing baby seat, child seat, booster seat, booster cushion or unrestrained. Restraints that observers deemed as being used incorrectly were recorded as ‘unrestrained’.

For a restraint to be considered incorrectly used, it would not be fastened properly, or not correctly fitted. (This includes only wrapping the seat belt around the waist, wearing a seat belt but not fastening it, child seats incorrectly fitted or an improperly fastened integral harness.)

The findings showed some interesting results and the difference was mostly visible between front seat and rear seat passengers.

Overall, in 2014, 95.3% of drivers were observed using seat belts in England and Scotland.

Results for England and Scotland in 2014:

Front seat passengersRear seat passengers
All vehicles: 94.6% used seat belts or restraints All vehicles: 90.3% used seat belts or restraints
Only cars: 96.7% used seat belts or restraintsOnly cars: 90.6% used seat bealts or restraints
Specifically taxis: 79% used seat belts or restraints

The overall rate for car drivers and front seat passengers wearing a seat belt has increased since 1999.

However, the most worrying statistic is that the wearing rate for child car rear seat passengers has declined from 96% in 2009, to just 91% in 2014.

The rest of the results, however, seem to be reassuring, such as an increase in the proportion of car drivers wearing seat belts on major and rural roads.

Another concerning statistic was taken from gender, where it was discovered that all male front seat passengers are 6.4% less likely to wear a seat belt than females.

Despite the concerning figures regarding seat belt usage in children, the Department for Transport reminded us to read these results with caution, as the results were only taken from a small data set, and there could be random variation in the results.

However, it is still rather unsettling to hear that in 2014 (when travelling in the back of a car):

  • 2.3% of children under one were unrestrained;
  • 7.2% of children aged 1–4 were unrestrained;
  • 7.9% of children aged 5–9 were unrestrained; and
  • 12.2% of children aged 10–13 were unrestrained.

Many of these results are likely to be a result of incorrect usage of seat belts or restraints, rather than no restraint at all.

Make sure you're clued up

We have covered some important information about child seats on the Newsroom in the past, which is a must-read to make sure your kids are belted up safely!

Gear Up For Sport 2014 winners

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It’s almost that time of year again; Gear Up For Sport is about to return!

Last year’s Gear Up For Sport was hugely successful with 100 teams throughout the UK winning a kit for their sports team. Hundreds of youngsters aged between five and 14, who are part of youth sports clubs, won a kit from Arnold Clark.

Thanks to some very creative entries, teams from Cheshire to Dunblane were winners of Gear Up For Sport.

Some of last year's winners:

The Valley Knights, Barnsley

The Walbottle U11s

Pollock United

2015 set to be bigger and better!

The competition was such a success that we have decided to double the number of winners this year to a staggering 200 sports teams. That’s 3000 kits!

Who is eligible to enter?

You could be in with the chance of winning your entire team a kit if you are in an U14 sports team for one of the following sports:

Netball | Basketball | Rugby | Cricket | Football

You will be competing against other teams in your region – more information coming soon.

Watch this space for the competition start date and details on how to enter this year’s competition!


2015 another successful year for the Snowman Rally in Inverness

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The highlands – the perfect home for the Snowman Rally

Arnold Clark was once again the proud sponsor of the Highland Car Club’s Snowman Rally, which takes place in Inverness, Scotland.

The Snowman Rally celebrated its 60th year this year, one year after Arnold Clark.

The rally’s home in the highlands is a stunning setting for the race, and the environment is one of the factors that makes the Snowman Rally hugely entertaining. Over 100 cars have to battle the elements and testing roads on the course, to become the winner.

Peugeot Inverness used as scrutineering base

Prior to the rally, organisers take the rally cars to the Arnold Clark Peugeot branch in Harbour Road to be scrutineered.

The scrutineering involves completing safety checks to ensure that all cars are ready for the race, and comply with rally regulations.

The cars leave the branch the day before the rally begins.

GTG Training in Glasgow is also involved in the scrutineering of the cars for the Monte Carlo Rally, which took place last month.

Arnold Clark proud to spread the word

Every year, Arnold Clark Peugeot Inverness holds the rally programmes, which can be purchased from the branch during the event.

Snowman Rally results 2015

Overall Classification Awards

First place: Jock Armstrong/Paula Swinscoe (Subaru Impreza)


Second place: Bruce McCombie/Michael Coutts (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo)


Third place: Mike Faulkner/Peter Foy (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)


Fourth place: Donnie MacDonald/Andrew Falconer (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)


Fifth place: Barry Groundwater/Sean Donnelly (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)


Class 1

No finisher eligible.

Class 2 – 2WD cars up to 1450CC

First place: Thomas Gray/David Law (Toyota Yaris)


Class 3 – 2WD cars up to 1650CC – 8 valves or less

First place: Scott Beattie/Fraser Gellan (Talbot Sunbeam)


Class 4 – 2WD cars up to 1650CC – more than 8 valves

First place: Carl Tuer/Rob Tuer (MG ZR S1600)


Class 5 –  2WD cars up to 2050CC – 8 valves or less

First place: Duncan MacDonald/Neil Ross (Ford Escort MK2)


Class 6 – Historic rally cars

First place: Willie Stuart/Neil Ewing (Ford Escort MK1)


Class 7 – FWD cars up to 2050CC – more than 8 valves

First place: Ross MacDonald/Matthew Johnstone (Honda Civic)


Class 8 – RWD cars up to 2050CC – more than 8 valves

First place: Malcolm Buchanan/Iain Nicoll (Ford Escort MK2)


Class 9 – 2WD cars over 2051CC

First place: Robert Harkness/Russell Fair (BMW 316i)


Class 10

No finisher eligible

Class 11 – Other 4WD cars not classified in class 12 or 13

First place: Mark McCulloch/Michael Hendry (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9)


Class 12 – GROUP A 4WD cars – super 2000 cars – R4 cars

First place: Shaun Sinclair/Chris Hamill (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 8)


Class 13 – WRC cars and R5 cars

First place: John Rintoul/Ross Hynd (Hyundai Accent WRC)


The images attached to this article may be reproduced copyright-free solely for editorial use (providing credit is given to www.lindsayphotosport.co.uk).

Any additional commercial use must receive the specific approval and permission of LindsayPhotoSport.

EXCLUSIVE: The New Fiat 500X Preview Weekend

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Fiat 500X sneak preview

Ahead of the official April launch of the new Fiat 500X crossover, Arnold Clark are delighted to invite customers in to their local branch for a sneak peek at this exciting new model.

In addition to checking out the distinctive design and sophisticated technology, attendees at our preview events can immerse themselves in a virtual reality experience. By putting on the virtual reality headset, you find yourself on a magical test drive alongside world famous magician Dynamo.

Arnold Clark branches will have a full virtual reality kit on hand to give a realistic test drive experience in a 360-degree environment presented in ultra-high resolution 3D.

For a lucky few, your local branch will have a limited number of Google Cardboard Glasses on hand to give away. These glasses are combined with the free-to-download Fiat Power of X App to give a virtual reality experience to enjoy at home.

Fiat 500X engine options:

  • 1.4-litre turbo petrol – 138bhp
  • 1.6-litre turbodiesel – 118bhp
  • 1.6-litre petrol – 108bhp
  • 2.0-litre turbodiesel – 138bhp

Find your local branch and event dates below; we look forward to seeing you there!

27th February – 1st March 2015

  • Broxburn– 70 West Main Street, Broxburn EH52 5DW
  • Dunfermline– 171 Halbeath Rd, Dunfermline KY11 4LF

6th March – 8th March 2015

  • Aberdeen– Whitemyres Place, Aberdeen AB16 6HZ
  • Ashton– Wigan Rd, Ashton-in-Makerfield WN4 9ST
  • Ayr– 8 Galloway Avenue, Ayr KA8 9NT
  • Dundee– 40 Balfield Rd, Dundee DD3 6AH
  • Elgin– Edgar Rd, Elgin IV30 6Y
  • Rutherglen– 241 Glasgow Rd, Rutherglen G73 1SU
  • Falkirk– Falkirk Road, Grangemouth FK3 8XP
  • Kirkcaldy– Carberry Rd,Kirkcaldy KY1 3NE
  • Paisley– Renfrew Road, Paisley PA3 4AR
  • Perth– St Leonard’s Bank, Perth PH2 8EB
  • Sighthill– 16–18 Bankhead Drive, Edinburgh EH11 4DJ
  • Springburn/ref/arneh/) – 915 Springburn Road, Springburn G21 1LZ

Hydrogen fuel: The future or a passing phase?

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Hydrogen fuel is the buzz topic in the automotive industry this year, with ambitious car manufacturer Toyota introducing its first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in 2015. The Mirai (which means future in Japanese) will be available to the UK market in the summer at a reported cost of around £40k.

Toyota is not the first to launch a fuel cell vehicle (FCV), as Hyundai led the way with the ix35 in 2010. But are hydrogen fuel cars really the future? And what are the pros and cons? We take a look in more detail.

What is hydrogen fuel?

Hydrogen is a natural element that carries energy. The energy is delivered to fuel cells, which then generate electricity that can power vehicles.

Benefits of hydrogen fuel

So let’s start with the arguments for. Hydrogen fuel is seen as a fundamental way to sustain motoring in the future, and reduce our need for finite fossil fuels. This will be welcome news to anyone that has a desire to reduce his or her carbon footprint and live a more ‘green’ lifestyle.

Hydrogen is seen as a clean fuel as it does not produce any toxic emissions after burning, unlike carbon. Its impact on the environment is minimal as it releases harmless water vapour.

As a renewable energy source, hydrogen fuel can be produced when needed. If comparing hydrogen to petroleum, like-for-like, hydrogen can take a car twice as far. A kilogram of hydrogen is the equivalent to one gallon of petrol and currently costs less.

Disadvantages of hydrogen fuel

There are many challenges that need to be overcome if we are all to start using FCVs. Even though hydrogen fuel is cheaper per gallon than petrol, FCVs are generally more expensive than their petrol equivalents.

In comparison to oil and coal, hydrogen fuel is expensive to store and to transport. It is also pricey and complicated to create, as it requires a process that isolates it from other elements. This process relies on the use of fossil fuels, meaning that hydrogen fuel would not exist without the finite resources it is seeking to replace. Due to recent research, we asked the question previously could coconut kernels be the key to hydrogen-powered cars?

At the moment, there are around thirteen hydrogen fuel stations currently in operation in the UK, most of which are located in Southern England and the Midlands. There are plans to create more in 2015, with the government pledging £11million towards the cause. However the lack of stations in populated areas would be a cause for concern for anyone regularly on the road.

There are also safety concerns around using Hydrogen as fuel as it is extremely flammable. If it comes in direct contact with skin, it can cause frostbite due to the extreme cold temperatures that are needed to store it.

Toyota leading the way

Car manufacturers will be encouraged to learn that Toyota announced it is tripling its Japanese production of the Mirai in 2016 due to demand, highlighting that consumers do see the value in FCVs.

The Mirai is also making its European debut at the Geneva Motor Show, happening this week. This will be the first public appearance of the Mirai in Europe so far.

The Toyota Mirai uses the Toyota Fuel Cell System (TFCS), which uses both fuel cell and hybrid technologies to make use of Toyota’s fuel cell stack and high-pressure hydrogen tanks.

The Mirai emits no CO2 emissions or pollutants when driven.

Toyota’s main concern with the Mirai was safety, as a hydrogen leak could cause some serious damage. The measures taken to reduce this risk are:

  • High-pressure hydrogen tanks that are strong and durable to prevent permeation.
  • Sensors are able to detect a leakage, provide the driver with a warning, and stop the tank’s stop valves to prevent further leaks.
  • The hydrogen tanks are placed outside of the cabin, so that if a leak does occur, it will dissipate easily.

The Mirai looks good, too. The left and right-hand grilles that have functionality to cool the hydrogen system add to the car’s individuality. The Mirai really stands out and looks just as futuristic as it is. We’re sure it will be a hit at Geneva, and we hope it spurs other manufacturers on to make improvements in fuel cell research so that the barriers to a fuel cell future can be overcome.

Toyota Mirai vehicle specs:

  • Acceleration 0-62 mph (s) – 9.6
  • Maximum Speed (mph) – 111
  • Fuel Economy Combined (mpg) – TBC
  • CO2 Combined (g/km) – 0

Fuel cell vehicles are an exciting prospect but there is still a lot more research, testing and development to be done before they are accessible to all. The infrastructure here in the UK needs to be vastly improved to support hydrogen vehicles, which means they are not a reliable option at the moment.

Only time will tell how much hydrogen cars will change the face of motoring.

5 of the hottest rumours about the Geneva Motor Show

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Top 5 Rumours

Rumour One: Fiat will debut their retro-style 1957 500, limited-run 50s style model with 16-inch alloys and a 50s style Fiat badge. Said to go on sale in the UK from April 2015 with a 1.2-litre and 0.9-litre TwinAir petrol.

Rumour Two: The Volkswagen Touran will be shown with a facelift; a compact MPV, bigger yet lighter than its predecessor, making use of Volkswagen’s MQB platform architecture. The aerodynamics have been improved therefore improving the mpg to up to 68.9, it has 7 seats and a high-end infotainment system. Launching in September 2015, deliveries by year end.

Rumour Three: Toyota Auris and Avensis facelifts will be revealed at the show. The Auris facelift includes new headlights, interior upgrade and inner-city crash prevention technology.

Rumour Four: 3rd generation ŠKODA Superb is to be showcased. It’s being compared to the Audi A6, four infotainment system options. Impressive cabin size with masses of legroom and 625-litres of boot space. Arrives in the UK this autumn.

Rumour Five: Finally one of the biggest rumours of the show is that Apple may be making an entrance into the motor industry! It has been reported that Apple are developing a rival to the Google car. It’s got to be noted that Apple has failed to comment publicly about this rumour.

We’ll soon see whether any of these are true, watch this space for updates!

7 of the best books for car lovers

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Go Like Hell: Ford, Ferrari and their Battle for Speed and Glory at Le Mans, by A.J. Baime

Go Like Hell on Amazon

‘“Fourth isn’t bad,” Shelby said. “Maybe America didn’t hammer any nails in Ferrari’s coffin this time. But we threw a scare into him. Next year we’ll have his hide.”’

Go Like Hell tells the story of a time in history where the giant of the automobile world, Ford Motor Company, was set to fall off its perch, as new giants were emerging. It was the 1960s, and Ford’s cars for the masses just weren’t cutting it anymore. People wanted style, and they wanted speed. And who better to fit that bill than Ferrari. Ford Motor Company was struggling to keep up, but the healthy competition led them to compete in one of the most prestigious and dangerous races in the world, the 24 Hours of LeMans.

Young Henry Ford wanted to create a car that would beat Ferrari at his own game, and in order to do so, the two went to battle with an intoxicating disregard for safety and sanity. Go Like Hell reads more like a boxing match than a story about the automotive industry. Two giants go toe-to-toe, one at the peak of his game (Enzo Ferrari, making ‘science fiction on wheels’), the other trying to get back there (an enthusiastic Henry Ford II, taking the reigns from his famous father).

Drive On!: A Social History of the Motor Car, by L.J.K Setright

Drive On! on Amazon

‘So was there a beautiful intensity in the tiny cigar-bodied single-seaters of the early 1960s, their waxing tyres strangely remote on fragile suspensions summoning an image of water boatmen, those slender insects which go skimming the surface with oars that seem barely to touch the water’s meniscus.’

L.J.K Setright chronicles the history of the automobile in its social, historical and technological setting. No one could be better placed to write this than Setright, who was a motoring journalist for CAR magazine for over 30 years. Setright was famous for his wit and intelligence, and this shines through in Drive On! the last book he wrote before his Sobranie Black Russian cigarettes got the better of him in 2005. Drive On! documents the deeply emotional attachment we have with cars, and how the relationship between man and machine can be equal parts exciting and terrifying. Setright’s prose style is beautiful, and while this might not be the easiest book to read on this list, it is certainly one of, if not the most rewarding. And you don’t have to be a car fanatic, either; the decade-by-decade account of sociological change and its affects on the automobile is a fascinating read for anyone interested in social history.

The Art of Racing in the Rain: A Novel, by Garth Stein

The Art of Racing in the Rain on Amazon

‘There is no dishonor in losing the race. There is only dishonor in not racing because you are afraid to lose.’

The Art of Racing in the Rain is something a bit different. This fictional novel written by Garth Stein is told from the perspective of Enzo – a dog. Enzo is the pet of Denny Swift, a car mechanic and aspiring race car driver. Stein was a Spec Miata racer, so his knowledge of cars really comes through. Although the main focus of the story is Denny’s life, as he falls in love, gets married, and has a child, the racing theme really drives the course of the narrative. Of course, things aren’t always smooth, and his life’s struggles as told through the perspective of Enzo are really touching, and if you love dogs as much as you love cars, you’re really on to a winner with this one. While there’s not a lot of first-hand ‘racing action’ as such recounted in the novel, Enzo often references famous races and strategies for race car driving that are in no way dumbed down; the overall racing theme does feel authentic. (Enzo loves racing just as much, if not more than Denny.) While this is a book that anyone can enjoy, there are little nuggets of goodness in it specifically for auto enthusiasts.

The DeLorean Story: The Car, the People, the Scandal, by Nick Sutton

The DeLorean Story on Amazon

‘Nobody knew very much about the factory and the history, so I decided to write this book. I’d been waiting for somebody else to write it, but nobody did, and there aren’t many people out there qualified to write it… DeLorean was a playboy. If he’d just left the factory alone we could have made it, but he interfered and the cash ran out. We had a four-seat sedan on the table, still with gullwings, that never saw the light of day.’– Nick Sutton, American Car Magazine.

The DeLorean car became iconic when illustrator Ron Cobb and artist Andrew Probert updated the DMC-12 for the Back to the Future movie. But DeLorean was almost a complete failure. Nick Sutton, author of The DeLorean Story, was a DeLorean executive, who was one of the first 16 employees at the factory, and one of the last 10 when the company went bust in 1983. The book tells the sad story of what could have been a great car, if it wasn’t for the questionable behaviour of its owner, John DeLorean, who struggled to rise back from the ashes of his soiled reputation following rumours of fraud and a high profile drug sting. Sutton gives a frank account of how employees felt at the time, when Thatcher’s government pulled its investment, and how his opinions on the enigmatic owner have changed over time as a result of Sutton’s diligent research. Never before seen photographs make this a must-buy alone, but the tragic tale of the now iconic car’s owner makes for a fascinating read.

The Limit: Life and Death in Formula One's Most Dangerous Era by Michael Cannell

The Limit on Amazon

‘Danger and fear have become anonymous and invisible — radioactive clouds floating around us. That doesn't change the fact that there are people who thirst for action… who are born to fight.’ Cannell captures the grizzly world of Formula One before safety was a concern, when death danced with glory on a tight rope. In the years between 1957 and 1961, 14 drivers were killed in auto racing – an astonishing figure when you consider that no driver has died since 1994.'

Cannell focuses on two main drivers, Phil Hill and Wolfgang von Trips, as they go head-to-head for the Formula One World Championship in September 1961. It’s America versus Germany; if either wins, it will be a first for their country. Cannell’s prose is often very cinematic, as he paints Hill as the fair-haired, highly born, sensitive man with an acute awareness of the dangers he faces, pitched up against von Trips, the charming extrovert with a penchant for nightclubs and the ladies. Enzo Ferrari is also prominently featured, although not in his best light. This is a great read for anyone interested in the ‘50s and ‘60s era of motoring, although do take it with a pinch of salt – Cannell’s facts aren’t always accurate, but the story is so well told that we’re sure you’ll be able to forgive him.

Driving Like Crazy: Thirty Years of Vehicular Hell-bending, Celebrating America the Way It's Supposed To Be - With an Oil Well in Every Backyard, a Cadillac Escalade in Every Carport, and the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Mowing Our Lawn by P.J. O’Rourke

Driving Like Crazy on Amazon

‘There’s a lot of debate about what kind of car handles best. Some say a front-engined car; some say a rear-engined car. I say a rented car. Nothing handles better than a rented car. You can go faster, turn corners sharper, and put the transmission in reverse while going forward at a higher rate of speed in a rented car than in any other kind. You can also park without looking, and you can use the trunk as an ice chest. Another thing about a rented car is that it’s an all-terrain vehicle. Mud, snow, water, woods – you can take a rented car anywhere. True, you can’t always get it back – but that’s not your problem, is it?’ *

*Arnold Clark Car & Van Rental would of course contest the above statement.

Fans of O’Rourke will likely know much of the work compiled in this book, as many of the chapters are in fact articles from automotive magazines (mainly Car and Driver) from throughout O’Rourke’s career, that have been re-worked and re-issued. The much-loved humourist chronicles the golden age of the automobile in America, and tells tales ranging from his Florida to California escapade in 1978 to making his way through Kyrgyzstan on the back of an army surplus six-wheel-drive truck. Among the classic pieces included is the excellently titled: ‘How to Drive Fast on Drugs While Getting Your Wing-Wang Squeezed and Not Spill Your Drink’. This is a seriously fun read, full of O’Rourke’s trademark satire and hilarious knack for storytelling.

On Wheels by Michael Holroyd

On Wheels on Amazon

(Cars were) ‘significant parts of a magical new technology, full of excitement and mischief.’

Michael Holroyd’s On Wheels is a charming, short biography, which weaves together his personal relationship with cars, alongside historical anecdotes. The short chapters are easy to digest, and make On Wheels the perfect coffee table book, or indeed a great gift for that hard-to-buy-for relative. Holroyd has a conversational tone and a quiet humour that makes this book an easy read, whilst still showing some insights into how car ownership changed society (although in a much more digestible manner than Setright!) This book lends itself well to being read in a single sitting with a hot cuppa. On Wheels has bags of charm within its few pages that a lot of car enthusiasts will be able to relate to.

What's your favourite car book? Let us know in the comments below!

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