Lewis Kingston

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.

272 followers132 following785 posts

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Lewis Kingston
@roadsidetypist.bsky.social

*flicks switch* This thing on? Hello! My name's Lewis and I'm a freelance motoring journalist, writer, and author, from the UK. I'm primarily into classic and modified cars – well, anything that moves under its power, to be honest – and I'm often found at auctions, on eBay, or in the garage. 1/2

Lewis Kingston
@roadsidetypist.bsky.social

Spotted this first-gen #Skoda Octavia vRS on Marketplace. A rare car to see these days, especially in unmodified form. Doesn't look in bad shape, either. It's covered 126k and has a few advisories (and there's no mention of belt history), but it's up for just £2,000. Still a box I'd like to tick.

Lewis Kingston
@roadsidetypist.bsky.social

This just triggered a flashback of my dad looking at E23 and Granada microfiches on a reader in his attic. Always fascinated me to see all those details and drawings.

I Drive a Miata@idriveamiata.bsky.social

There's quite a bit to take in on this listing. Like that's a Microfiche reader. Seriously, when was the last time you saw one of those? And there's diagnostics for an SLR McLaren. [ #mercedesbenz #bringatrailer ]

Lewis Kingston
@roadsidetypist.bsky.social

If you want to support a Ukrainian charity, I would like to highlight a foundation called Cotton, which supports the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the police force, and the state emergency service. See what it's up to, and find out more, here: www.facebook.com/bawowna www.instagram.com/cf.bawowna/

Lewis Kingston@roadsidetypist.bsky.social

In April, I drove my Ford Ranger from the UK to #Ukraine (1,450 miles) and gave it to the military. Last week, an update: it's still going! The cats (warm Ukrainian slang for soldiers – котики, kotyky) say it's been amazing, and is doing its job without fault. 😎👍 Слава Україні! #StandWithUkraine

Lewis Kingston
@roadsidetypist.bsky.social

In April, I drove my Ford Ranger from the UK to #Ukraine (1,450 miles) and gave it to the military. Last week, an update: it's still going! The cats (warm Ukrainian slang for soldiers – котики, kotyky) say it's been amazing, and is doing its job without fault. 😎👍 Слава Україні! #StandWithUkraine

Lewis Kingston
@roadsidetypist.bsky.social

I'm not one for replicas but this Mercedes-Benz 300 SL recreation is very impressive. One of ~50 built by former MB employee Tony Ostermeier. Square-tube chassis, alu/fibreglass panels, and modern running gear. Up for auction at Humer, Granner & Co: €50k start, no reserve. #GermanCars #Mercedes

Lewis Kingston
@roadsidetypist.bsky.social

I can't wait to drive my #Suzuki again. It failed its MOT on a spot of corrosion a while back and I couldn't attend to it at the time. However, I've finally got some new metal stuck to it – and it'll be back on the road soon! 😁 In the meantime, I've been busy collecting things... #JapaneseCars

Lewis Kingston
@roadsidetypist.bsky.social

The failure caught me off guard, to be honest – the underside's in good shape, all things considered, but it'd got weak in one area: end of the sill, behind the kit. Classic grot trap. Hadn't holed, but I put my thumb through it. Other side is fine, fortunately. Just a few odd jobs left to do. 😎👍

Lewis Kingston
@roadsidetypist.bsky.social

Five years ago today: my first standing-mile event. My '89 #Corvette hit 144.239mph, which I thought was great going for an old #Chevrolet with 245bhp and a when-new top speed of ~150mph. Did several 130mph+ passes, zero issues. Such a fab car, that one. Still miss it. #OldCarBS #WeirdCarBS #V8

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Lewis Kingston
@roadsidetypist.bsky.social

Five years ago today: my first standing-mile event. My '89 #Corvette hit 144.239mph, which I thought was great going for an old #Chevrolet with 245bhp and a when-new top speed of ~150mph. Did several 130mph+ passes, zero issues. Such a fab car, that one. Still miss it. #OldCarBS #WeirdCarBS #V8

Lewis Kingston
@roadsidetypist.bsky.social

Here's a Papaya Orange one for sale in the UK! One of only ~40 here. Reputedly, only 200 were offered globally in this colour – but I've never looked into that myself. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/19866883... #Audi #AudiTT #GermanCars #OldCarBS #WeirdCarBS

Lewis Kingston@roadsidetypist.bsky.social

Papaya! I saw the owner getting out of this and managed to employ my limited Ukrainian to express my appreciation of it. "Доброго ранку! Дуже круто!" – Dobroho ranku! Duzhe kruto! (Good morning! Really cool!)

Lewis Kingston reposted

Rory
@norwichgiant.bsky.social

Less than a week until my little weird car social in a lovely Norfolk country pub. It's going to be a nice group of people, interesting cars and great food so why not come along? #WeirdCarBS

Rory@norwichgiant.bsky.social

Reposts appreciated! Looking for one last nice, friendly car show before the end of the year? All are welcome at The Heron in Stowbridge (near Kings Lynn) on Sunday 11th October from 4pm, come for a lovely roast dinner and evening by the river! Any additional details please reach out!

Lewis Kingston
@roadsidetypist.bsky.social

Seeing these has instantly increased my desire to buy an early RX-7. (Alternate option: build a Wankel-powered NA and put these on it. Think I'd need some adapters, though.) #Mazda #Miata #RX7 #OldCarBS #WeirdCarBS #JapaneseCars

Lewis Kingston
@roadsidetypist.bsky.social

This sold for £350 (£470 after fees, I think). A project, for sure, but unquestionably a very interesting piece of machinery for not much money.

Lewis Kingston@roadsidetypist.bsky.social

This #Honda Insight's evidently had a hard life. Some 237k on the clock and a short MOT (with advisories, including one for a leaking water pump). However, it's up for auction this weekend (Anglia) with no reserve. Could be a cheap and interesting project. angliacarauctions.co.uk/auctions/278...

Lewis Kingston
@roadsidetypist.bsky.social

My old Fiero's on Marketplace! I sold it in '13. Spotted it driving around London a few times afterwards, then it disappeared. Doesn't look in bad shape, especially considering it's done 164k (miles) now. Some corrosion noted on its last MOT in '25, though. #Pontiac #OldCarBS #WeirdCarBS #IronDuke

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Lewis Kingston
@roadsidetypist.bsky.social

My old Fiero's on Marketplace! I sold it in '13. Spotted it driving around London a few times afterwards, then it disappeared. Doesn't look in bad shape, especially considering it's done 164k (miles) now. Some corrosion noted on its last MOT in '25, though. #Pontiac #OldCarBS #WeirdCarBS #IronDuke

Lewis Kingston
@roadsidetypist.bsky.social

What it looked like when I owned it. I really quite liked it. It was a neat little runabout. Always thought it a real shame that the Fiero got canned before it got a suitably sporting engine. An extra ~50bhp, another ~2,000rpm, and it would have been transformed into something far more noteworthy.

Lewis Kingston
@roadsidetypist.bsky.social

This MX-5 just popped up on Facebook. Looks spicy, right? And it is: it packs a stroked 3.7-litre #Honda J32 V6 (7,800rpm/360bhp/328lb ft)! Over £50k in receipts. Restored in ’19, too. Seller wants ~£20k. Cheaper and more powerful than some Rocketeer alternatives. #Mazda #Miata #JapaneseCars

Lewis Kingston
@roadsidetypist.bsky.social

Someone built the car I used to draw when I was a kid! (It's a 1970 AWS Shopper, apparently, and it's up for grabs at Anglia Car Auctions in November. Estimate of £3,500–£4,500.) #OldCarBS #WeirdCarBS

Lewis Kingston reposted

737 max [spooky]
@bluebookvalue.bsky.social

Wow I didn’t realize *whose* car this is when I first saw it That mans obsession with extra cylinders continues to amaze

Lewis Kingston@roadsidetypist.bsky.social

Why have eight when ten is great? www.broadarrowauctions.com/vehicles/zt2... #BMW #W10 #OldCarBS #GermanCars #WeirdCarBS