Passionate About Cars

It’s a car cast today as I ride with Steve back from the Brighton and Hove Breakfast Club – we discuss: Coil springs verses leaf springs The poor conditions of roads in the UK Not having to go back to the main dealer for repairs to your vehicle Wearing of valve seats and how this happens What causes pinking, what [...]

As Steve gets back into the throws of work after a bank holiday packed few weeks – we discuss: Growing hops in Steve’s workshop Steve and Andy’s new Bank Holiday regime Peaceful protests and Steve’s annoyance at the council’s welcoming attitude Volkswagen Campers Triumph Stag steering bushes Rovers and head gaskets A VW Beetle with a broken window mechanism A long journey for [...]

Steve is thrown into the hot seat as Kathleen is off today – so I chatted to him in his ‘Alan Sugar’ office. We discuss: The idea of using incontinence pads while at the front desk An update on the roof insurance story – insurance claims and how to write letters of complaint The art of complaining The slipping [...]

In today’s show Steve communicates the sad news that insurance companies prefer to use innaccurate methods to determine the severity of a weather event resulting in a claim. Andy: Hello everyone I’m with Steve Kennard on a very crisp November morning. Morning Steve. Steve: Yeh. Morning, Andrew. Andy: When I first arrived Steve was on the phone – [...]

In today’s show, Steve has become Alan Sugar and showed me his new board room! Also – some great news on a new community venture Steve has piloted – all coming up in Passionate About Cars… Andy: I’m with Steve from 1st Class garage. Today Steve is looking like Alan Sugar because he’s in his manager [...]

Today Steve shows me what can happen when an engine seizes up due to lack of maintenance  and then comes up with an interesting solution to unemployment… Photo: RobotSkirts Andy: So here I am at 1st Class Garage. Hello Steve how are you? Steve: Yeh. Fine Andy. Andy: So what’s been happening on the shop floor then? Steve: We’ve had [...]

Steve this morning showed me an article about cycle lanes in yesterdays newspaper. In todays show we discuss a Triumph Stag with engine trouble and daft cycle lane planning. Andy: Steve’s rushing around like a blue arse fly this morning and I walked in and he’s got a Triumph Stag on the rack with an over [...]

On a beautiful morning in Brighton, I tracked down Steve Kennard on the workshop floor at 1st Class Garage. After discussing a mysterious starter motor issue on a Volkswagen van, I noticed the rear end of an exotic looking Reliant Scimitar – brake cylinder problems. We finished the discussion was a rant from Steve on the [...]

In today’s show, Steve rants passionately about ho much he loves Peugeots, some observations of parking in Brighton, and an opinion about public transport and particularly the busses. Andy: So we’re with Steve, this is the third take, I’ve had a bit of a technical problem, a bit of equipment failure here going on with the old [...]

Steve talks about engine replacements and the new road widening at Handcross Hill in Sussex, UK. Andy White: Hello Steve, it’s been a couple of months because you’ve been otherwise occupied the last couple of times I’ve come to see you. We’re standing by your big RV. So, you’ve been out in it? Steve Kennard: Yes, we went out [...]

Amongst other things, Steve tells the story of how driving a mini through a ford resulted in a new engine. Andy: It’s Friday 29th January, I’m at 1st Class Garage with Steven. Steven’s just been playing – not dominos – that game where you have to move things around to make space with cars. Steve: Well, it’s almost like [...]

Steve talks about driving in wintery and snow conditions. Andy: Hello everyone, it’s Passionate About Cars. We woke up this morning to thick snow, well, I mean, for Brighton, it’s thick snow, three inches and I’m sitting in the main lobby, the main area where customers come at First Class Garage and Steve’s manning the [...]

Steve talks about his personal challenges during our hiatus and shows us his new project, an RV Andy: Hello everyone. We’re back with ‘Passionate About Cars’ and with Steve. Alright Steve? Steve: Yeah, hi Andy. Seems to have been a while doesn’t it? Andy: Yeah, we’ve been kind of off air – sorry Steve you lead the way. [...]

A whirlwind of political commentary from Steve in this show, including motorist persecution, the toll increase at the Dartford Crossing, police doing speed checks on Brighton Seafront and how some banks are not passing on the 2% interest rate change.  Oh, and we discuss driver safety, K-Series Rover head gaskets, Nissan rear door handles, and [...]

Steve talks about A class Mercedes starter motor problems, the Ford Galaxy phantom opening windows problem, his prize Cadillac loosing top gear and the indestructible Toyota Hilux. [

Steve talks about scored brake discs, fabric skins on cars, Japanese cars coming into the UK and how wonderful speed cameras are – not. [

Steve enthuses about the joy of two post ramps. What is a two post ramp you may well ask? Ever tried parking in Brighton? Steve gives us a wonderful example of why the parking regulations in Brighton, UK are more like a type of Human Error tax. Enjoy! [

Steve tells us about how modern cars can behave very strangely when their controller units go wrong. We hear tales of a Vauxhall Vectra with a dead indicator switch and gauges, and a Kia Sedona with an accelerator pedal that refused to function, until a completely and apparently unrelated issue was resolved. Strange indeed. [ buy [...]

Take one Vauxhall Calibre 16v 2 litre with a worn head gasket and add Steve Kennard and we have a vibrant tips and advice fest. Did you know, for example, that Rovers are prone to worn head gaskets? And don’t forget to check your water levels! [

Steve shows us a 1985 Mazda RX7 with a rust problem on the A-frames revealed when the windscreen needed replacing. Listen out for a few things to look out for when acquiring an older car. [