Articles by Mark Hinchliffe

And it was Tony Conroy's first love. "I began my love affair with the Karmann Ghia as a schoolboy," the 52-year-old says."I remember vividly asking my dad 'What's that?' when I saw my first one as a youngster. I was eight or nine at the time, and this one particular Karmann was always traveling behind the old school bus.The beautiful shape of the car could almost make it a poor man's Porsche, if not a rich man's Vee Dub."Conroy spent years searching for a suitable car to buy, but they were either outside his budget or needed too much restoration. He even considered importing a left-hand-drive version from the US.In 2005, he found a 1959 model while passing through Sydney on his way home from holidays, bought it for $12,500 and had it shipped home to Adelaide."The body work was pretty good but it just needed a bit of work inside," he says. "I must confess the Karmann Ghia is only a pretend sports car. Although it has gorgeous drop-dead looks and oozes elegance, it has the running gear and engine of your standard early '60s VW Beetle."However, the body is styled by designer Luigi Segre of the famed Italian Ghia design studio with hand-built bodywork by German coach-builder Karmann."In my model's case, it left the factory with a 1192cc (25kW) engine, however as the original died I have taken the opportunity to upgrade the engine's performance to a more respectable 1600cc," he says."My son-in-law, Adam, effectively rebuilt the engine, and Adam also comes in handy as he is a specialised VW mechanic." The Karmann Ghia came with a four-speed floor-shift gearbox and Beetle air-cooled rear engine.The spare wheel, fuel tank and small boot area are under the bonnet while there is compact luggage space behind the rear seats. The spare tyre also plays an integral role in the overall weight distribution and balance of the car."The car is beautiful to drive, you are seated quite low and the car itself is low and for a car of its age it's extremely smooth and zippy on the corners," he says. "I know it is just a car but the way our lives have been changed with the ownership of this vehicle is simply amazing and there are too many stories to tell."The one highlight was my daughter having it as her chauffeured limousine on her wedding day with dad being the driver, of course the front passenger seat had to be extracted so Kathleen with her wedding gown could squeeze in and sit on the rear seat."Conroy uses the car as a daily driver and would never sell it. "If you let it slip through your fingers you'll never get another one," he says. "It took about seven years for this one to fall in my lap."Karmann GhiaYear: August 1959Price New: $3000Price Now: $12-30,000 (valued at $25,000)Engine: 1200cc (original), 1600cc (replacement)Body: 2-door coupeTransmission: 4-speed manual.Got a special car you'd like featured in Carsguide? Modern or classic we're interested in hearing your story. Please send a pic and brief info to mark.hinchliffe@carsguide.com.au

Polaris, which makes all-terrain vehicles and Victory cruiser motorcycles, has been busy this past year buying or investing in several companies which provide the American company with the technology to move into EVs. They invested in Brammo electric motorcycles and bought Gaupil, a French electric truck maker, as well as Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) from Chrysler. Polaris spokesman and key player in the acquisitions, Mark Blackwell, says the move to acquire new powertrain providers came after years of relying on Subaru manufacturer Fuji Heavy Industries to provide their engines. "To be too dependent on someone else for the heart of your vehicles was too risky," he says. So the company began making their own engines and is now expanding with new powertrain providers. "Now we want to diversify beyond that," he says. Polaris is a big company doing $2.7bn in business last year and spending $106m on research and development. In Australia, alone, sales were up 42 per cent last year and are expected to grow at least 16 per cent annually over the next five years. Sales vice-president Mike Dougherty also expects global sales to quadruple by 2016. He says the company's move into India and China in the next few years will drive growth. "Goupil will be big," Dougherty says. "It will be the next big thing in our business." But it is the acquisition of GEM from Chrysler that gives the company the greatest potential to move into EVs. At the moment, GEM is only making small volumes of people movers in Iowa that are basically big six-seater golf carts which can be legally driven in the US on roads with a 60km/h speed limit. Blackwell says their future in electric vehicles is "probably more niche market". "We won't go head to head with the major players but we will be in small urban vehicles," he says.

Mid-sized cars are not too small and not too big; they're just right. A perfect balance of power and efficiency, comfort and agility, and performance and environmental consciousness.

THE baby in the stroller is crying and mum and dad are trying to placate the child until their attention is distracted by the vision coming down the street. Like the Monaro, Mini (the first one) and E-Type Jag, Land Rover's baby Range Rover Evoque has the ability to distract passersby - even from crying babies - and evoke a mixture of envy and admiration. It is an icon on any street. But there is a price to pay for this adulation.VALUEThis is a capitalist's dream car and a consumer's nightmare with a choice of two body shapes, two drive systems, three trim levels, three engines and two transmissions. In all, 30 model variants, ranging in price from $53,395 to $77,395. And in July there will also be an entry level eD4 110kW diesel model available with two-wheel drive from $49,990. The price range overlaps the BMW X1 and X3, and starts cheaper than the slightly bigger Audi Q5.The Pure trim level has 17-inch alloys, LED front fog lights, leather-trimmed seats colour audio display with eight-speaker sound, rear parking sensors, driver information centre, climate control airconditioning, push-button start, Bluetooth with audio streaming and an "Oxford leather" steering wheel with controls for phone, audio and cruise control.Prestige adds full leather interior with real wood trim, xenon headlights and touchscreen for the 380-watt Meridian sound system with 11 speakers and two USB ports. Dynamic has a sporty feel outside and in, but has no extra equipment.Just like the Germans, it's the added extras and sometimes even the most basic of options that sends the price soaring. Try $1300 for metallic paint, for starters. That's pretty steep when most charge about $500 and Subaru doesn't charge extra at all. And how about $1495 for keyless entry which is now standard with some small cars?There are a couple of feature bundles which save on buying some of the items separately, but do you really need things like "mood lighting" and special mats? The only option box I would tick out of pure indulgence is the Meridian sound system. Meridian Audio is a British boutique hi-fi manufacturer and the aural results are simply stunning. One of the best in-car audio systems you can get.We tested two models - Pure SD4 automatic at $59,875 and Dynamic SD4 automatic at $73,375 - but with various option packs, plus a few extras, the retail price (minus on-road costs) leapt to $68,375 and $94,284, respectively.TECHNOLOGYThere are two turbo engines - petrol and diesel - but the 2.2-litre turbo diesel comes in a choice of 110kW peak power output or 140kW. They are available with either a six-speed manual transmission or the tried-and-true ZF six-speed automatic. The new 2.0-litre Si4 petrol engine has output of 177kW. It combines direct fuel injection, turbocharging and twin variable valve timing and comes only with the ZF transmission.All are offered with all-wheel drive, which has the same Terrain Response electronic system used in the Freelander on which this car is based. This system is exceptionally effective and easy to use. Just dial in the terrain surface (gravel, snow etc) and away you go. Sort of four-wheel driving for dummies.The two-wheel-drive model will be powered by the 110kW diesel engine. The touchscreen satnav is a bit cumbersome at first, but basically foolproof and the Bluetooth was easy to pair and reliably hooked up first time, every time. All controls have a quality feel.STYLINGSome vehicles are stunning only from certain angles or are let down by their interior. Evoque is simply stunning from ever angle and is supported by a modern but comfortable interior in all trim levels. Gone is the ostentatious "English country gentleman's club" feel. The three-door model looks sleeker and almost "pimped" with a sloping roof line and slitty rear windows.Unfortunately, it's form over function with very difficult rear access and a claustrophobic rear compartment. The coupe comes with two back seats or a no-cost three-seater bench option.SAFETYThis is a five-star safety car with seven airbags and a host of driver aids such as hill launch assist and hill descent control in the four-wheel-drive models, plus chassis electronics, corner stability, rollover stability and trailer sway control.They come with reversing parking sensors which are vital as there is very little rear vision. A reversing camera does not come standard. However, you can get the $900 Surround Camera System with tow assist that helps you guide on to the hitch without getting out of the car or you can get it as part of the $5900 Tech Pack with the Prestige and Dynamic trims.Vision out the front is no better with massive truck-sized wing mirrors that blot out the view of cyclists, bikers, pedestrians, dogs and street kerbing. Even if you don't run over a little old lady with a dog, you are likely to clip a kerb or two.DRIVINGWe first tested the petrol model in the Carsguide Car of the Year judging at Ford's You Yangs proving grounds in Victoria. It is a smooth, refined and lively unit that ably punts the car along the worst of the country's back roads.Despite our best efforts, it was difficult to wrong-foot the SUV that doesn't have the lurching effect of many others in its class. It's not quite up to the X3's driving dynamics, but it isn't far off. Despite its commendable off-road characteristics, ride is still comfortable. The turbo engines are also quite potent and have minimum amounts of lag. When the boost does come on, it isn't uncontrollable. The diesel is very quiet, except for a gentle clatter at idle.The cabin is also quiet and it is a pleasant place to be, especially when the Meridian sound system is cranking out some classic rock.VERDICTThis is a decision for the heart, not the head. Turn your neighbours' heads and indulge your senses. If you hate your passengers, get the three-door model." high safety and simple cabin layout are highlights''

Just as Subaru launched its new all-wheel drive XV featuring a two-litre petrol engine with CVT and a thrifty fuel economy figure of 7L/100km that beats even the opposition's two-wheel-drive models, Mazda released its economy figures for the upcoming diesel CX-5 competitor. The CX-5 will arrive in showrooms in March with a choice of two-litre petrol and 2.2-litre diesel engines, but Mazda has so far only released its economy figures for the SKYACTIV-D diesel which comes in with 5.7L/100km. Subaru does not have a diesel variant. The new Mazda sub-compact SUV is the first to feature the full range of the company's new SKYACTIV engine, drive and transmission technology. The diesel models will all feature all-wheel drive and SKYACTIV-Drive automatic transmission.  Mazda Australia national marketing manager Alastair Doak says there has been "demand for a diesel-automatic combination, particularly in the SUV segment". Company spokesman Steve Maciver predicts the diesel model will "grab a larger share of the mix than we've seen on our passenger range previously". "We're not in a position yet to share any further details on petrol fuel economy or on pricing," he says. "What I can say is that we expect the CX-5 line-up to offer great value across the range and present a very appealing proposition for anyone in the market for an SUV."

BMW Blog says car will be a front-wheel-drive car like the Mini.Just as BMW refers to its SUVs as SAVs (Sports Activity Vehicles), it is apparently referring to the 1 Series Gran Turismo as a Compact Activity Tourer (CAT) and will be the first of many front-wheel-drive BMWs, says the blog.BMW Blog is an American-based enthusiast website with no affiliations to BMW. Its credentials are dubious, however, as they reported the April Fools Day joke last year that BMW was about to release an M3 pick-up (utility).BMW Australia spokesman Piers Scott says they have "no information on such a car at this stage"."But we definitely do have exciting new concepts to be revealed in the compact class within the next 12 months," he says.The blog says the CAT will follow a 3 Series GT PAC, or Progressive Activity Coupe. The 3GT is allegedly sleeker than the frumpy 5 Series GT with less rear glass area.The CAT is claimed to be powered by turbocharged three- and four-cylinder turbo engines, plus hybrid and have all-wheel-drive (xDrive) versions.With its higher driving position it would possibly compete against the Mercedes-Benz B-Class, but that seems strange as the B-Class has been an under-achiever, particularly here. The blog says the car will hit showrooms in 2014.

British police have begun testing the $18,500 laser speed camera that catches drivers using a mobile phone from a distance of almost 1km and provide crystal-clear video evidence.  The Concept II camera will also be able to see if drivers or passengers are not wearing their seatbelts. There is no indication yet whether the camera will be used in Australia, but the website of manufacturer Tele-Traffic UK says they sell to police forces around the world.  The camera uses a laser speed detection device and video camera with a professional-quality 50-500mm zoom lens and DVD recorder.  It will operate in temperatures from minus 22 to 60 degrees centigrade and record up to 3997 offences per DVD. Tele-Traffic says it will also record red-light violations and can be used in conjunction with automatic number plate readers.  The first to use the cameras is the rural-based Dorset police force who bought two as part of a zero-tolerance campaign on traffic violations. A Dorset police spokesman said the cameras caught one driver playing a harmonica with both hands.  The crackdown follows road safety calls this week for Queensland to step into line with other states and introduce lower speed camera tolerances of 3 km/h.  A spokesman for anti-speed camera campaign group Dorset Speed rejects the cameras as "another tool for making money". Traffic officers are testing the Concept II cameras but are not yet using the video evidence.

David Egan, 46, of Newcastle, has just finished restoring a 1935 Alvis Speed 20 SC. "I always had a plan to have a significant car from each decade," he says. His collection also includes a 1911 Underslung Roadster, 1925 Bentley, 1927 Lancia Lambda, 1954 Austin Healy and 1965 Mustang coupe. "I'm slowly plugging the gaps," he says. His current project is restoring the three-litre Bentley, then he wants to buy a 1940s MG TC and a 1970s Ferrari Dino. "That will give me something from each decade," he says. "I bought them all because they are standout cars from each of their eras. I'm not worried about the '80s and '90s. They're modern cars as far as I'm concerned." Egan says he has been "fiddling with cars since I was in nappies almost". "I have a good grounding in classic cars and appreciation because I was born into it. My father, Terry, collected them - mainly American vintage. I started with a 1932 Austin 7 when I was 15. I got my licence in it and drove it to school. Everyone in our country town (Gunnedah) knew the Egans had old cars so it was not really considered unusual." Egan's favourite - at the moment - is the recently restored Alvis. "They're a big, powerful, luxurious car," Egan says. "If you couldn't afford a Rolls or a Bentley, the next level down was the Alvis and it wasn't that far down." The Alvis features the world's first all-synchro four-speed manual gearbox, shock absorbers that are adjustable on the fly from a button on the dashboard, an independent jacking system, one-shot lubrication from a button on the dashboard and twin ignition magneto. The cars were imported from Britain as a chassis. This one has a body built by Melbourne coach builders Martin and King. Egan says the Melbourne police used Speed 20s for pursuit cars. "It will easily cruise at 75mph (120km/h)," Egan says. "It drives very stately-like with plenty of performance. It still has no problems cruising along the highway at 110km, but the fuel economy is dreadful - 19mpg (15L/100km) - but that's not what it's all about." The car was bought new by a Brisbane doctor who used it daily until the early '70s. After chasing the car for about 10 years, Egan bought it four years ago for $40,000 as a partly restored rolling chassis in pieces. He spent about $20,000 on finishing the restoration which included painting, trim, assembly, wiring, bodywork; "basically everything". Egan does all the work, except for the painting which is handled by his brother, Michael. "I spend what ever time is left after running a supermarket," he says. "I started off as a trolley boy and now I'm a supermarket manager. There wouldn't be too many trolley boys around with a Bentley and an Alvis." ALVIS SPEED 20 SC Year: 1935 Price new: $895 Price now: $150,000 (insured) Body: coach builder Martin and King, Melbourne Engine: 2.7L 6-cylinder, triple-SU, twin ignition OHV Transmission: 4-speed manual with synchro.

Heaney described the car as "stunning metallic brown with matching chrome, and her allow shoes sparkling". Very poetic. But his partner at the time told him not to touch the car as it'd be too expensive to run."I did the opposite and I bought her anyway," he says."I was looking for an old Benz or something European. I'm an interior designer; that's why I like cars with classical lines. It has a beautiful shape with a shark nose at the front and a short back. They were designed by hand back then and these days they are designed by computer, I think."Heaney bought the car in 1992 for $7500 and has insured it for $10,000."But I'm thinking of getting it insured for more because they are becoming really rare," he says."These models are like hen's teeth; the model that every one has forgotten. It was a daily driver for a while, but then I realised it was rare when I did some research, so I decided to keep the mileage down. It's done 200,000km. They are significant as they were the first 528s to begin the very successful 528 models today."The E12 began in 1972 as a four-cylinder model replacing the 1500/200 series. It was known as the "new class of cars" targeting the American market. They arrived in Australia in 1974 in small numbers."They only started becoming popular in the 1980s. In the '70s they just brought it in to test the waters so there are not many around at all."Heaney calls his BMW Bernadette after a 1980s movie the name of which he can't recall. It features an evil Chrysler called Bernadette."The guy called his car Bernadette and he was in love with it, so I thought Bernadette the Bee-Em sounded good," he says.Bernadette had a small role in the Underbelly TV series."I'm on the cars commercial register and they were looking for cars made in the '70s," he says. "It's in the same condition it was back then, so they chose it, but they cut the scene and you can just see a little bit of it in one of the shows."In 2003, Heaney returned from a six-month overseas trip and picked up Bernadette who had been in the care of family members."But she was not exercised," he says."While driving merrily down the freeway with the music on and a bright sunny day, windows down, I heard a noise. I looked at the bonnet and saw steam coming from all directions."Bernadette coughed and spluttered to a terminal halt."Everybody said it's too expensive to get fixed and she's old, parts are hard etc, etc."But just like when he bought the car against his partner's advise, Heaney had it fixed and reckons it's now good for another 200,000km and another 29 years.BMW 528Year: 1975Price New: $15,000Price Now: $10,000 (insured)Engine: 2.8L, 6 cylinder, double-barrel carburettorBody: E12 four-door sedanTransmission: ZF three-speed auto.

What stories it could tell. The odometer on this 1956 Austin FX3 reads "92434" miles (148,758km)", most of which were done in service as a taxi in London until 1971 when it was decommissioned.  Rolls-Royce engineer Rainer Keissling bought the taxi in 1971 for 120 pounds (about $177) and drove it to Germany where he lived. He then brought it to Australia in 1984 when he emigrated with his family.  "He just had a love of vintage cars," says one of his three sons, Chris. "Every time he went to England on business, he'd come back with spare parts like a starter motor in his luggage."  When his father died about five years ago, the car was given to the three sons - Rainer, Christian and Bernard - who set about restoring it to its original condition.  "It had been sitting in a shed and just slowly fell into disrepair," Keissling says. "Dad couldn't do any more to it because his health was failing.  "So we took it upon ourselves to restore it. Bit by bit we've repaired it and put it back into running order."  Keissling also ran an engineering business like his father, so most of the spare parts that were unavailable were fabricated by him, right down to the steering box bushes.  One of the biggest jobs was replacing the notorious "Prince of Darkness" Lucas Electrics.  "They never really worked properly from the start, but we've got it working properly now," Keissling says. "Over the years we've spent at least $5000 to $10,000 restoring it. It's hard to say just how much we've spent. It's been a passion thing rather than a cost thing."  Current value is estimated to be between $15,000 and $20,000. "It's hard to find an accurate value. It's not super rare, but has a lot of sentimental value." The brothers have used the car for family and friends' weddings, including Chris and his wife, Emily.  "It drives really well," he says. Like all London taxis, the front wheels turn almost 90 degrees giving it a small turning circle of 7.6m diameter so it can negotiate tight London streets and tiny parking spaces, but it has no power steering.  A unique feature is the built-in Jackall hydraulic jacking system which is similar to the on-board system used by V8 Supercars. There is also a mechanical override to pump up the jacks by hand.  The FX3 is fitted with mechanical drum brakes with rod operation and is suspended by beam axles on leaf springs. It was the first model with a separate driver compartment with the luggage riding shotgun. In the back is a bench seat with two single rearward-facing seats.  Keissling says the taxi meter was unhooked from the gearbox when it was decomissioned, but has now been reconnected to drive the meter which ticks over at six pence for every one and one-third miles. He says fuel economy is "pretty good because it's a low rpm diesel" and the car has a top speed of 100km/h.  "It's not fast, but it has good pulling power in first and second gear," he says. "It's hard to drive with no synchro on the downshifts and no power steering, but once you get the hang of it it's not too bad." Austin FX3 Year: 1956 Price New: 1010 ($1500) Price Now: $15-20,000 Engine: 2.2-litre, 4-cylinder diesel Body: 4-door, 5-seater (plus driver) Trans: 4-speed manual with no synchro in first. Got a special car you'd like featured in Carsguide? Modern or classic we're interested in hearing your story. Please send a pic and brief info to mark.hinchliffe@carsguide.com.au