Interestingly, the main market for VSPs is not so much older people in the country and small towns who haven't got a licence but rather those who had licences but lost them for drink driving. You can hire a VSP for the duration of your ban.

If you think about it, why would you not advertise this price inclusive of all taxes? They're not optional!

One other point though: the clutch wasn’t quite conventional because it was centrifugal. Accelerate and the clutch gradually engaged. This wasn’t much use to you when changing gear so there was a hydraulic system as well to release and engage at the appropriate moment.

Mais oui.

Top one's the Uyuni Salt Flats

Suicide by train is very much a thing. I guess people know that the train isn't going to be able to stop and they assume that it will be quick. Thinking about the driver or those with the grim job of cleaning up afterwards isn't sadly top of their priorities.

I'd have thought the train driver would only get a green light if the barriers were down but what do I know?

And I live in a place where it's just the opposite. Want an automatic? No basic model for you, you're getting a bigger engine and higher spec so you end up spending thousands if you don't want to change your own gears.

Further point of note: the USAAF and RAF were both involved. There were more RAF planes if that makes any difference.

That’s what Nissan's ePower does. In the real world it's good in stop start driving, less so at a steady speed when the engine has to run almost all the time and you have the inefficiency of electric drive with little opportunity to recover energy.

Isn’t that with hybridisation though? Two stroke marine diesels manage better than 50% without it, albeit running at an almost steady speed and with the benefit of being really big.

Ah, but that might be real wood!

Ooooh, I remember one of those. Specifically, one of these. Mk1 Escort.

No mention of the PHEV so maybe not sold over there. That model was I think the first of its kind.

Ooooh, the Maestro! Haven't seen one in an incredibly long time. The Montego was more common but I recall that it would rust as you watched.

Pedestrian safety regulations.

To be pedantic, the 95RON fuel that you get as the basic option in Europe is nearer to 89 or 90 by the American method of showing the octane number.

I know nothing of gauge either, but 1mm or so to 3mm is a heck of a jump and ignoring anything else gives you a body that's three times the weight for no obvious gain. More work for the presses too.

It’s a scrappage scheme, so no, you don’t trade in your old car. Yes, of course dealers in Europe or anywhere else take trade-ins.

Glad to see the wheel on the period correct side.