FrontSeatPhil
@frontseatphil.bsky.social
Full-time automotive journalist for newspapers, magazines & web.
Also publishes Professional Van and Professional Pickup, Average Janes, Average Joes and CALIBRE.
#824307
Also publishes Professional Van and Professional Pickup, Average Janes, Average Joes and CALIBRE.
#824307
Car brochures and spec sheets that aren't available to download as a PDF are high on my list worst things in the world.
Looking at one today that's awful to use, and not accessible in any way. Truly dreadful.
I'm looking at you, Vauxhall.
Looking at one today that's awful to use, and not accessible in any way. Truly dreadful.
I'm looking at you, Vauxhall.
a man with a beard is wearing a red shirt that says ' ted talks ' on it .
ALT: a man with a beard is wearing a red shirt that says ' ted talks ' on it .
media.tenor.com
September 9, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Car brochures and spec sheets that aren't available to download as a PDF are high on my list worst things in the world.
Looking at one today that's awful to use, and not accessible in any way. Truly dreadful.
I'm looking at you, Vauxhall.
Looking at one today that's awful to use, and not accessible in any way. Truly dreadful.
I'm looking at you, Vauxhall.
I've been invited to share my views on a podcast.
I might pass on it, though, as I did when L'Oréal invited* me to talk about how a strong haircare regimen is the perfect expression of sustainable beauty.
* They didn't. Just to be clear.
I might pass on it, though, as I did when L'Oréal invited* me to talk about how a strong haircare regimen is the perfect expression of sustainable beauty.
* They didn't. Just to be clear.
September 2, 2025 at 11:30 AM
I've been invited to share my views on a podcast.
I might pass on it, though, as I did when L'Oréal invited* me to talk about how a strong haircare regimen is the perfect expression of sustainable beauty.
* They didn't. Just to be clear.
I might pass on it, though, as I did when L'Oréal invited* me to talk about how a strong haircare regimen is the perfect expression of sustainable beauty.
* They didn't. Just to be clear.
No photo, as I was too busy staring, but G-BEDF, or Sally B, the only remaining airworthy B-17 Flying Fortress in Europe, has just flown directly over my house on its way from RAF Syerston. I guess it's heading to Duxford...
Cool.
Cool.
August 20, 2025 at 2:33 PM
No photo, as I was too busy staring, but G-BEDF, or Sally B, the only remaining airworthy B-17 Flying Fortress in Europe, has just flown directly over my house on its way from RAF Syerston. I guess it's heading to Duxford...
Cool.
Cool.
As a freelancer, it pains me to threaten legal proceedings against a client for unpaid bills.
To do it twice in three months to the same client is oddly satisfying.
Unsurprisingly, I won't be working for them again.
(Also, I *absolutely will* follow through on the threat!)
To do it twice in three months to the same client is oddly satisfying.
Unsurprisingly, I won't be working for them again.
(Also, I *absolutely will* follow through on the threat!)
a woman in a wheelchair has a bandage on her head and says wait i don t get any money
ALT: a woman in a wheelchair has a bandage on her head and says wait i don t get any money
media.tenor.com
August 18, 2025 at 4:44 PM
As a freelancer, it pains me to threaten legal proceedings against a client for unpaid bills.
To do it twice in three months to the same client is oddly satisfying.
Unsurprisingly, I won't be working for them again.
(Also, I *absolutely will* follow through on the threat!)
To do it twice in three months to the same client is oddly satisfying.
Unsurprisingly, I won't be working for them again.
(Also, I *absolutely will* follow through on the threat!)
Opened an old box of toy cars for the boys to pay with, and found this mint Volvo 760.
Love the model and colour, but it's the number plate that makes it!
Love the model and colour, but it's the number plate that makes it!
August 15, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Opened an old box of toy cars for the boys to pay with, and found this mint Volvo 760.
Love the model and colour, but it's the number plate that makes it!
Love the model and colour, but it's the number plate that makes it!
Sat in Starbucks, listening in on a group conversation about EVs. Every talking point raised so far — terrible for the environment, only lasts five years, fire hazards, no chargers, etc. — is both angering and amusing me.
Time to put some earbuds in.
Also, my fab... what?
Time to put some earbuds in.
Also, my fab... what?
July 22, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Sat in Starbucks, listening in on a group conversation about EVs. Every talking point raised so far — terrible for the environment, only lasts five years, fire hazards, no chargers, etc. — is both angering and amusing me.
Time to put some earbuds in.
Also, my fab... what?
Time to put some earbuds in.
Also, my fab... what?
We. Are. Influencing.
June 11, 2025 at 4:34 PM
We. Are. Influencing.
Hey there, car people (but probably not journos!)
I've got a literal box full of automotive note pads. Lots in the box: no idea on brands, some small, some larger, some cheap, some really high-end.
Does anybody want them?
Free to collect from Huntingdon.
I've got a literal box full of automotive note pads. Lots in the box: no idea on brands, some small, some larger, some cheap, some really high-end.
Does anybody want them?
Free to collect from Huntingdon.
June 7, 2025 at 9:50 AM
Hey there, car people (but probably not journos!)
I've got a literal box full of automotive note pads. Lots in the box: no idea on brands, some small, some larger, some cheap, some really high-end.
Does anybody want them?
Free to collect from Huntingdon.
I've got a literal box full of automotive note pads. Lots in the box: no idea on brands, some small, some larger, some cheap, some really high-end.
Does anybody want them?
Free to collect from Huntingdon.
Logo design. I know nothing, but feel that the logos for Professional Pickup and Professional Van are... not great.
I need hand-holding through changing what we've got to better represent what we're doing.
The saying goes I can have 2 out of 3: cheap, fast, good. Anybody help with cheap and good?!
I need hand-holding through changing what we've got to better represent what we're doing.
The saying goes I can have 2 out of 3: cheap, fast, good. Anybody help with cheap and good?!
June 5, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Logo design. I know nothing, but feel that the logos for Professional Pickup and Professional Van are... not great.
I need hand-holding through changing what we've got to better represent what we're doing.
The saying goes I can have 2 out of 3: cheap, fast, good. Anybody help with cheap and good?!
I need hand-holding through changing what we've got to better represent what we're doing.
The saying goes I can have 2 out of 3: cheap, fast, good. Anybody help with cheap and good?!
A slightly random post, sure, but I wonder if anybody wants a pair of BenQ GW2270 21.5" 1080p monitors?
It's a cheap way into a dual monitor setup, and what I've used for years. They'll also attach to a 100x100 VESA mount.
Available to collect in Huntingdon. No idea of the value. £50 for the pair?
It's a cheap way into a dual monitor setup, and what I've used for years. They'll also attach to a 100x100 VESA mount.
Available to collect in Huntingdon. No idea of the value. £50 for the pair?
May 28, 2025 at 6:33 PM
A slightly random post, sure, but I wonder if anybody wants a pair of BenQ GW2270 21.5" 1080p monitors?
It's a cheap way into a dual monitor setup, and what I've used for years. They'll also attach to a 100x100 VESA mount.
Available to collect in Huntingdon. No idea of the value. £50 for the pair?
It's a cheap way into a dual monitor setup, and what I've used for years. They'll also attach to a 100x100 VESA mount.
Available to collect in Huntingdon. No idea of the value. £50 for the pair?
Fashion is fleeting, style is timeless.
Italians know style when they see it.
Italians know style when they see it.
May 8, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Fashion is fleeting, style is timeless.
Italians know style when they see it.
Italians know style when they see it.
Sipping an Aperol Spritz in an Italian hotel, celebrating a huge month at Professional Van and Professional Pickup...
269,990 unique users!
Thanks (a quarter of) a million to everyone who's clicked, read, or shared. I love you all. 🛻❤️🚚
269,990 unique users!
Thanks (a quarter of) a million to everyone who's clicked, read, or shared. I love you all. 🛻❤️🚚
May 6, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Sipping an Aperol Spritz in an Italian hotel, celebrating a huge month at Professional Van and Professional Pickup...
269,990 unique users!
Thanks (a quarter of) a million to everyone who's clicked, read, or shared. I love you all. 🛻❤️🚚
269,990 unique users!
Thanks (a quarter of) a million to everyone who's clicked, read, or shared. I love you all. 🛻❤️🚚
I'm in a hotel in Italy. I fancy a snack.
How much would you expect this pack of crisps and a Coke to cost from the minibar?
How much would you expect this pack of crisps and a Coke to cost from the minibar?
May 5, 2025 at 2:02 PM
I'm in a hotel in Italy. I fancy a snack.
How much would you expect this pack of crisps and a Coke to cost from the minibar?
How much would you expect this pack of crisps and a Coke to cost from the minibar?
It's the Hire Car "Or similar..." game!
I've arrived in Milan and picked up a hire car. I booked a Jeep Avenger EV, or similar, from Europcar.
What have I got?
I've arrived in Milan and picked up a hire car. I booked a Jeep Avenger EV, or similar, from Europcar.
What have I got?
May 2, 2025 at 11:47 AM
It's the Hire Car "Or similar..." game!
I've arrived in Milan and picked up a hire car. I booked a Jeep Avenger EV, or similar, from Europcar.
What have I got?
I've arrived in Milan and picked up a hire car. I booked a Jeep Avenger EV, or similar, from Europcar.
What have I got?
Anyway, bonkers cars. Tyler went to drive the weirdest British luxury car for CALIBRE...
calibremag.com/driven-by-vi...
calibremag.com/driven-by-vi...
Driven by vision: The Aston Martin Lagonda Series 2 revisited - CALIBRE
We revisit the outrageous Aston Martin Lagonda Series 2 from 1982 — the luxury saloon that split opinions and oozed 80s excess.
calibremag.com
April 22, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Anyway, bonkers cars. Tyler went to drive the weirdest British luxury car for CALIBRE...
calibremag.com/driven-by-vi...
calibremag.com/driven-by-vi...
Last week, there was a UN resolution (A/79/L.75) highlighting the need for UN/Council of Europe cooperation in response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
Nine countries voted against it.
Belarus
Eritrea
Mali
Nicaragua
Niger
North Korea
Russia
Sudan
USA
They're not even hiding it now.
Nine countries voted against it.
Belarus
Eritrea
Mali
Nicaragua
Niger
North Korea
Russia
Sudan
USA
They're not even hiding it now.
April 22, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Last week, there was a UN resolution (A/79/L.75) highlighting the need for UN/Council of Europe cooperation in response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
Nine countries voted against it.
Belarus
Eritrea
Mali
Nicaragua
Niger
North Korea
Russia
Sudan
USA
They're not even hiding it now.
Nine countries voted against it.
Belarus
Eritrea
Mali
Nicaragua
Niger
North Korea
Russia
Sudan
USA
They're not even hiding it now.
Apparently em dashes are now a telltale sign of AI-generated content. I’ve always used them, taught others how to, and even know the Chromebook keyboard shortcut.
Do I dumb down my writing to prove I’m human, or take it as a compliment that AI mimics good style?
(AI-generated image for irony.)
Do I dumb down my writing to prove I’m human, or take it as a compliment that AI mimics good style?
(AI-generated image for irony.)
April 15, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Apparently em dashes are now a telltale sign of AI-generated content. I’ve always used them, taught others how to, and even know the Chromebook keyboard shortcut.
Do I dumb down my writing to prove I’m human, or take it as a compliment that AI mimics good style?
(AI-generated image for irony.)
Do I dumb down my writing to prove I’m human, or take it as a compliment that AI mimics good style?
(AI-generated image for irony.)
We've been working on a big work trip to the US. We were supposed to spend a month there. Flights. Hotels. Thousands in spending.
Not anymore. It's cancelled.
After what happened today, I refuse to put my money into a country that sides with aggression and turns its back on its allies.
1/2
Not anymore. It's cancelled.
After what happened today, I refuse to put my money into a country that sides with aggression and turns its back on its allies.
1/2
February 28, 2025 at 11:08 PM
We've been working on a big work trip to the US. We were supposed to spend a month there. Flights. Hotels. Thousands in spending.
Not anymore. It's cancelled.
After what happened today, I refuse to put my money into a country that sides with aggression and turns its back on its allies.
1/2
Not anymore. It's cancelled.
After what happened today, I refuse to put my money into a country that sides with aggression and turns its back on its allies.
1/2
Judged to perfection. My wife was less impressed by my confidence in making it home.
February 25, 2025 at 6:39 PM
Judged to perfection. My wife was less impressed by my confidence in making it home.
Sooooo... Google Docs?
February 21, 2025 at 11:12 AM
Sooooo... Google Docs?
Trump says he wants to introduce tariffs for the EU because "they don't take our cars...they take almost nothing and we take everything from them. Millions of cars."
Here's the best selling car in Europe vs the best selling car in the US...
Here's the best selling car in Europe vs the best selling car in the US...
February 3, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Trump says he wants to introduce tariffs for the EU because "they don't take our cars...they take almost nothing and we take everything from them. Millions of cars."
Here's the best selling car in Europe vs the best selling car in the US...
Here's the best selling car in Europe vs the best selling car in the US...
Ok, who wants a Saab 93 Convertible? It's a 1.8t Vector in metallic sky blue over cream leather. I've had it for seven years, but the needing room for a pair of child seats means it's got to go.
Pictures taken a couple of days ago, without bothering to clean it - this is what it actually looks like!
Pictures taken a couple of days ago, without bothering to clean it - this is what it actually looks like!
January 28, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Ok, who wants a Saab 93 Convertible? It's a 1.8t Vector in metallic sky blue over cream leather. I've had it for seven years, but the needing room for a pair of child seats means it's got to go.
Pictures taken a couple of days ago, without bothering to clean it - this is what it actually looks like!
Pictures taken a couple of days ago, without bothering to clean it - this is what it actually looks like!
Anybody want a Saab 93 Convertible?
1.8t Vector auto, sky blue metallic, cream leather interior.
Everything works (apart from air-con).
104,655 miles (today).
MOT expires soon. Will *probably* pass. Might not.
Roof needs a clean!
£1,000?
1.8t Vector auto, sky blue metallic, cream leather interior.
Everything works (apart from air-con).
104,655 miles (today).
MOT expires soon. Will *probably* pass. Might not.
Roof needs a clean!
£1,000?
January 20, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Anybody want a Saab 93 Convertible?
1.8t Vector auto, sky blue metallic, cream leather interior.
Everything works (apart from air-con).
104,655 miles (today).
MOT expires soon. Will *probably* pass. Might not.
Roof needs a clean!
£1,000?
1.8t Vector auto, sky blue metallic, cream leather interior.
Everything works (apart from air-con).
104,655 miles (today).
MOT expires soon. Will *probably* pass. Might not.
Roof needs a clean!
£1,000?
Lifestyle stats blast!
Despite a drop in December, we're well up for 2024. Between our three lifestyle titles, we've served 3,503,824 unique users over the year.
Three-point-five million!
How does that break down?
Average Janes: 16,446
Average Joes: 2,491,164
CALIBRE: 996,214
Despite a drop in December, we're well up for 2024. Between our three lifestyle titles, we've served 3,503,824 unique users over the year.
Three-point-five million!
How does that break down?
Average Janes: 16,446
Average Joes: 2,491,164
CALIBRE: 996,214
January 8, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Lifestyle stats blast!
Despite a drop in December, we're well up for 2024. Between our three lifestyle titles, we've served 3,503,824 unique users over the year.
Three-point-five million!
How does that break down?
Average Janes: 16,446
Average Joes: 2,491,164
CALIBRE: 996,214
Despite a drop in December, we're well up for 2024. Between our three lifestyle titles, we've served 3,503,824 unique users over the year.
Three-point-five million!
How does that break down?
Average Janes: 16,446
Average Joes: 2,491,164
CALIBRE: 996,214
Opening the laptop for the first time this year with (for now, at least) lots of work to do :-)
Starting with a strong cup of coffee...
Starting with a strong cup of coffee...
January 6, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Opening the laptop for the first time this year with (for now, at least) lots of work to do :-)
Starting with a strong cup of coffee...
Starting with a strong cup of coffee...