Lewis Kingston
@roadsidetypist.bsky.social
Award-winning freelance motoring journalist, writer and author. Big fan of lightweight cars and forced induction. Often found trawling eBay for automotive oddities. Based in the UK.
Sending out a few review copies today. 😎👍
#History #Cars #Engineering #CarCulture #Books #BookRecommendations #NonFiction
#History #Cars #Engineering #CarCulture #Books #BookRecommendations #NonFiction
December 19, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Sending out a few review copies today. 😎👍
#History #Cars #Engineering #CarCulture #Books #BookRecommendations #NonFiction
#History #Cars #Engineering #CarCulture #Books #BookRecommendations #NonFiction
Did you know that, in 1900, almost 40% of the cars made in America were electric? You'll find more surprising facts like that in my new book, 'Cars: 10 Things You Should Know'.
Hardback, audiobook, and eBook versions are out now:
amzn.eu/d/4OTXvSH
#Cars #Books #BookRecommendations #Nonfiction
Hardback, audiobook, and eBook versions are out now:
amzn.eu/d/4OTXvSH
#Cars #Books #BookRecommendations #Nonfiction
December 18, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Did you know that, in 1900, almost 40% of the cars made in America were electric? You'll find more surprising facts like that in my new book, 'Cars: 10 Things You Should Know'.
Hardback, audiobook, and eBook versions are out now:
amzn.eu/d/4OTXvSH
#Cars #Books #BookRecommendations #Nonfiction
Hardback, audiobook, and eBook versions are out now:
amzn.eu/d/4OTXvSH
#Cars #Books #BookRecommendations #Nonfiction
I really like this. Absolutely no fuss to apply and it leaves a great finish.
December 18, 2025 at 9:50 AM
I really like this. Absolutely no fuss to apply and it leaves a great finish.
Here's the answer: this is what lurks beneath – a Carbodies Fairway Taxi. Yup.
Quite the transformation, no?
Quite the transformation, no?
December 17, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Here's the answer: this is what lurks beneath – a Carbodies Fairway Taxi. Yup.
Quite the transformation, no?
Quite the transformation, no?
I mean, if we're going in, let's go *all* in...
😁😂
😁😂
December 17, 2025 at 7:49 PM
I mean, if we're going in, let's go *all* in...
😁😂
😁😂
December 17, 2025 at 6:54 PM
A few other snaps. The #Barracuda was what I really wanted to come away with. The right kind of size and, interestingly, that particular car was also right-hand drive (possibly a Warwick Wright dealership car, factory built and imported, IIRC).
#Corvette #Supercharged #Plymouth #Ford
#Corvette #Supercharged #Plymouth #Ford
December 17, 2025 at 4:05 PM
A few other snaps. The #Barracuda was what I really wanted to come away with. The right kind of size and, interestingly, that particular car was also right-hand drive (possibly a Warwick Wright dealership car, factory built and imported, IIRC).
#Corvette #Supercharged #Plymouth #Ford
#Corvette #Supercharged #Plymouth #Ford
One from this year's NSRA Wheels Day show. Pretty wild.
Ten points if you can guess what it's based on (assuming you don't already know)...
#Cars #CustomCars #HotRods #HotRodding #ClassicCars
Ten points if you can guess what it's based on (assuming you don't already know)...
#Cars #CustomCars #HotRods #HotRodding #ClassicCars
December 17, 2025 at 3:56 PM
One from this year's NSRA Wheels Day show. Pretty wild.
Ten points if you can guess what it's based on (assuming you don't already know)...
#Cars #CustomCars #HotRods #HotRodding #ClassicCars
Ten points if you can guess what it's based on (assuming you don't already know)...
#Cars #CustomCars #HotRods #HotRodding #ClassicCars
And now for something completely different.
www.ebay.com/itm/15754690...
#Chevrolet #Corvette #Nissan #Skyline #RB25
www.ebay.com/itm/15754690...
#Chevrolet #Corvette #Nissan #Skyline #RB25
December 16, 2025 at 7:25 PM
And now for something completely different.
www.ebay.com/itm/15754690...
#Chevrolet #Corvette #Nissan #Skyline #RB25
www.ebay.com/itm/15754690...
#Chevrolet #Corvette #Nissan #Skyline #RB25
Time to buy a lottery ticket. This is one of only a few Callaway C4s that I've seen fitted with the 100+ package.
Claimed 525bhp+/650lb ft.
One of the few TH400-equipped automatic cars, too.
(Standard C4s from that era used the lighter-duty 700R4.)
www.ebay.com/itm/11692881...
#Corvette
Claimed 525bhp+/650lb ft.
One of the few TH400-equipped automatic cars, too.
(Standard C4s from that era used the lighter-duty 700R4.)
www.ebay.com/itm/11692881...
#Corvette
December 16, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Time to buy a lottery ticket. This is one of only a few Callaway C4s that I've seen fitted with the 100+ package.
Claimed 525bhp+/650lb ft.
One of the few TH400-equipped automatic cars, too.
(Standard C4s from that era used the lighter-duty 700R4.)
www.ebay.com/itm/11692881...
#Corvette
Claimed 525bhp+/650lb ft.
One of the few TH400-equipped automatic cars, too.
(Standard C4s from that era used the lighter-duty 700R4.)
www.ebay.com/itm/11692881...
#Corvette
Pictured: one of my favourite improvements and, if possible, usually among the first I make to any car.
(Please ignore the slapdash sound deadening – I was just using up some odds and sods I had scattered around. It's something I need to revisit in earnest in January.)
#Suzuki #Vitara
(Please ignore the slapdash sound deadening – I was just using up some odds and sods I had scattered around. It's something I need to revisit in earnest in January.)
#Suzuki #Vitara
December 16, 2025 at 11:39 AM
December 15, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Double Trouble.
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/26751085...
(Yeah, they're both slightly borked V10s. 😁)
At £460, for the pair, at the time of posting. Several days to go, mind.
#Volkswagen #Cars #V10 #Phaeton #TDI
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/26751085...
(Yeah, they're both slightly borked V10s. 😁)
At £460, for the pair, at the time of posting. Several days to go, mind.
#Volkswagen #Cars #V10 #Phaeton #TDI
December 15, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Double Trouble.
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/26751085...
(Yeah, they're both slightly borked V10s. 😁)
At £460, for the pair, at the time of posting. Several days to go, mind.
#Volkswagen #Cars #V10 #Phaeton #TDI
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/26751085...
(Yeah, they're both slightly borked V10s. 😁)
At £460, for the pair, at the time of posting. Several days to go, mind.
#Volkswagen #Cars #V10 #Phaeton #TDI
December 15, 2025 at 12:08 PM
This made me do a double take. The fitment looks quite good, from a few angles at least...
(I'd have to ditch some of the other aftermarket bits, though, like those headlight covers. Each to their own, of course, but yuck.)
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/35801116...
#Porsche #Boxster #eBay
(I'd have to ditch some of the other aftermarket bits, though, like those headlight covers. Each to their own, of course, but yuck.)
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/35801116...
#Porsche #Boxster #eBay
December 14, 2025 at 5:33 PM
This made me do a double take. The fitment looks quite good, from a few angles at least...
(I'd have to ditch some of the other aftermarket bits, though, like those headlight covers. Each to their own, of course, but yuck.)
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/35801116...
#Porsche #Boxster #eBay
(I'd have to ditch some of the other aftermarket bits, though, like those headlight covers. Each to their own, of course, but yuck.)
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/35801116...
#Porsche #Boxster #eBay
And now I'm thinking about the time I really wanted an R32 GT-R (still do) and I missed out on a stock grey metallic one for £6k in late '13. D'oh.
Instead, I ended up with this, which proceeded to be a thoroughly disappointing experience (for myriad reasons). Good box to tick, though, I suppose.
Instead, I ended up with this, which proceeded to be a thoroughly disappointing experience (for myriad reasons). Good box to tick, though, I suppose.
December 13, 2025 at 4:58 PM
And now I'm thinking about the time I really wanted an R32 GT-R (still do) and I missed out on a stock grey metallic one for £6k in late '13. D'oh.
Instead, I ended up with this, which proceeded to be a thoroughly disappointing experience (for myriad reasons). Good box to tick, though, I suppose.
Instead, I ended up with this, which proceeded to be a thoroughly disappointing experience (for myriad reasons). Good box to tick, though, I suppose.
I wanted to love this car, and I wanted to own it. But every time I looked at it, another £1,000 of costs appeared on my mental list. Too many red flags, too many question marks.
It sold for £18,144. Too much, in my opinion, especially for such an unknown quantity.
Next!
#NissanSkyline #GTST #R33
It sold for £18,144. Too much, in my opinion, especially for such an unknown quantity.
Next!
#NissanSkyline #GTST #R33
December 13, 2025 at 4:52 PM
I wanted to love this car, and I wanted to own it. But every time I looked at it, another £1,000 of costs appeared on my mental list. Too many red flags, too many question marks.
It sold for £18,144. Too much, in my opinion, especially for such an unknown quantity.
Next!
#NissanSkyline #GTST #R33
It sold for £18,144. Too much, in my opinion, especially for such an unknown quantity.
Next!
#NissanSkyline #GTST #R33
(Although I did just look and it appears the Concept kit isn't available at the moment. Still listed but 'temporarily discontinued'.)
December 13, 2025 at 4:37 PM
(Although I did just look and it appears the Concept kit isn't available at the moment. Still listed but 'temporarily discontinued'.)
I'm guessing the Ka's is the same as the Panda? (Not looked at the interior differences.)
If so, yeah – I've done that job a few times.
"Sure, I'd love to install the new filter by cramming it past the steering column! It's such an effortless process that surely won't damage the new filter!"
If so, yeah – I've done that job a few times.
"Sure, I'd love to install the new filter by cramming it past the steering column! It's such an effortless process that surely won't damage the new filter!"
December 13, 2025 at 12:53 PM
I'm guessing the Ka's is the same as the Panda? (Not looked at the interior differences.)
If so, yeah – I've done that job a few times.
"Sure, I'd love to install the new filter by cramming it past the steering column! It's such an effortless process that surely won't damage the new filter!"
If so, yeah – I've done that job a few times.
"Sure, I'd love to install the new filter by cramming it past the steering column! It's such an effortless process that surely won't damage the new filter!"
Here's a car I considered earier this year: a #Lotus Eclat V8 Spyder Donington (a conversion offered by Spydersport).
Was at a small auction. Rover V8, five-speed Toyota 'box, Jaguar IRS, Esprit panels, etc.
Needed everything. Went for £1,600.
Was at a small auction. Rover V8, five-speed Toyota 'box, Jaguar IRS, Esprit panels, etc.
Needed everything. Went for £1,600.
December 13, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Here's a car I considered earier this year: a #Lotus Eclat V8 Spyder Donington (a conversion offered by Spydersport).
Was at a small auction. Rover V8, five-speed Toyota 'box, Jaguar IRS, Esprit panels, etc.
Needed everything. Went for £1,600.
Was at a small auction. Rover V8, five-speed Toyota 'box, Jaguar IRS, Esprit panels, etc.
Needed everything. Went for £1,600.
Here's something I'd not considered before: what's the shelf life of a timing belt?
Probably quite long (untensioned, etc.). I only ask as I ordered this new kit and it actually looks to be about 9yrs old.
I'll be getting a new one, anyway (belt has taken a set, for one thing), for peace of mind.
Probably quite long (untensioned, etc.). I only ask as I ordered this new kit and it actually looks to be about 9yrs old.
I'll be getting a new one, anyway (belt has taken a set, for one thing), for peace of mind.
December 12, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Here's something I'd not considered before: what's the shelf life of a timing belt?
Probably quite long (untensioned, etc.). I only ask as I ordered this new kit and it actually looks to be about 9yrs old.
I'll be getting a new one, anyway (belt has taken a set, for one thing), for peace of mind.
Probably quite long (untensioned, etc.). I only ask as I ordered this new kit and it actually looks to be about 9yrs old.
I'll be getting a new one, anyway (belt has taken a set, for one thing), for peace of mind.
Here's a rarity: a #Mercedes-Benz A210 Evolution (LWB) with the Lamella sunroof.
Looks tired, but it shouldn't cost much.
ewbankauctions.co.uk/index.php?op...
1,165kg, 2.1-litre SOHC four, 138bhp, 8.7 to 60 (auto), 124mph.
22 on the road here, 29 SORN. Only 174 (all versions) on record still.
Looks tired, but it shouldn't cost much.
ewbankauctions.co.uk/index.php?op...
1,165kg, 2.1-litre SOHC four, 138bhp, 8.7 to 60 (auto), 124mph.
22 on the road here, 29 SORN. Only 174 (all versions) on record still.
December 12, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Here's a rarity: a #Mercedes-Benz A210 Evolution (LWB) with the Lamella sunroof.
Looks tired, but it shouldn't cost much.
ewbankauctions.co.uk/index.php?op...
1,165kg, 2.1-litre SOHC four, 138bhp, 8.7 to 60 (auto), 124mph.
22 on the road here, 29 SORN. Only 174 (all versions) on record still.
Looks tired, but it shouldn't cost much.
ewbankauctions.co.uk/index.php?op...
1,165kg, 2.1-litre SOHC four, 138bhp, 8.7 to 60 (auto), 124mph.
22 on the road here, 29 SORN. Only 174 (all versions) on record still.
I saw this example for sale recently, on that note...
(And now I can't help but keep an eye out for the/a suitable lamp pod...)
(And now I can't help but keep an eye out for the/a suitable lamp pod...)
December 12, 2025 at 10:30 AM
I saw this example for sale recently, on that note...
(And now I can't help but keep an eye out for the/a suitable lamp pod...)
(And now I can't help but keep an eye out for the/a suitable lamp pod...)
