Author: Rhys Gregory

One of the great debates when owning a classic car is whether to keep everything completely original or venture into the world of restomods by upgrading parts of the car with modern tech to improve performance, reliability, or usability. With my 1966 Gilbern GT 1800, I’ve been toying with this question ever since I bought it. My original plan was to keep things largely authentic. I love the character of the Gilbern, and with it being a rare Welsh-built classic, I feel a certain responsibility to preserve its identity. But I also want to drive it more regularly — potentially…

If you’ve been following the blog, you’ll know I recently bought my first classic car: a 1966 Gilbern GT. In case you missed it, I wrote about why I bought this rare Welsh-built car and the story of its previous owner here:Why I Bought the Welsh Car You’ve Probably Never Heard Of As a first-time classic car owner – and Gilbern owner – I’ll be totally upfront: I have no idea what I’m doing. Modern cars have made me soft. I’m used to power steering, Bluetooth, touchscreens, air con that works… The Gilbern has none of that. It’s like stepping…

I’ve gone and done it. I’ve bought my very first classic car. Not just any classic, but one that’s steeped in heritage, rarity, and proudly Welsh. Say hello to my 1966 Gilbern GT 1800 — a car that turns 59 this year and has completely captured my heart. For those who know me, you’ll know I’ve had a long-standing love affair with cars. But this is a different kind of romance. The Gilbern isn’t about outright speed, 0-60 bragging rights, or who has the latest tech. This is about legacy. About preserving something truly special. A Piece of Welsh Automotive…

When I bought the BMW i8, I knew I wasn’t just buying a car – I was buying into a concept. A plug-in hybrid sports car that looks like something out of a sci-fi film, yet offers usable performance and economy in the real world. It ticked a lot of boxes. But, less than five months into ownership, things haven’t quite gone to plan. The Early Niggles From day one, I noticed a few minor niggles. Nothing serious – just the kind of quirks you half expect when you buy a used car that’s a few years old. But then…

There are car shows… and then there’s ShedFest. The grassroots automotive celebration founded by AutoAlex returned in 2025, and this year it dialled things up to eleven – with a new venue, a new format, and a bigger crowd than ever before. Now hosted at the legendary Goodwood Motor Circuit, ShedFest has grown from a cult YouTube fan event into one of the UK’s most-loved petrolhead pilgrimages. And this year, I finally made the trip. I’ve seen plenty about ShedFest online – usually pictures of clapped-out, dodgy-looking motors with hilarious MOT histories parked next to high-mileage heroes, dodgy diesel dailies,…

When you’re heading to Goodwood for a car event, it only makes sense to stay as close to the action as possible. So this spring, when we made plans to visit the iconic Goodwood Motor Circuit, we booked into The Goodwood Hotel—a four-star stay located right on the Goodwood Estate in Chichester, West Sussex. Location, Location, Lap Time You can’t get much closer to the track than this—literally a two-minute drive, or a brisk walk if you fancy stretching your legs before a day surrounded by horsepower. The hotel sits within the estate, so you feel part of the Goodwood…

For those of us who live for the journey just as much as the destination, there’s nothing better than a good old-fashioned road trip—especially when it ends somewhere like this. Tucked away on the Gower Peninsula, Oxwich Bay Hotel isn’t just a seaside escape; it’s the perfect stopover for petrolheads looking to stretch their legs, breathe in some sea air, and explore some of the most scenic (and twisty) coastal roads in South Wales. Pull Up, Switch Off Let’s get the essentials out of the way first: parking is easy and plentiful. Whether you’re rocking up in a hot hatch,…

Colour: Roasted & Marlin | Price Paid: £99.45 inc. delivery (with discount) I’ll be honest—there was a time when I’d chuckle at the sight of someone wearing driving gloves. Yet here I am, eating my words with a pair of Café Leather Triton gloves tucked neatly into the glovebox. As I’ve grown more passionate about driving, especially spirited motoring, I’ve come to appreciate the very real benefits these gloves provide. Not only do they offer improved grip—especially when cornering—but they also provide protection for both your hands and your steering wheel, which is a genuine concern for those of us…

If you’ve been following the Mini Clubman JCW journey on Cornered, you’ll know this car has been through quite the transformation—from subtle mods to full-on bespoke Japanese spoilers. And now, it might just be finished. I think. Maybe. Possibly… Let’s rewind a little. A while back, I splashed out nearly £2,000 on a GIOMIC spoiler imported from Japan (yes, really), and if you missed that drama, you can catch up on it here: How I Spent Nearly £2,000 on a Spoiler – and Why It Was Totally Worth It. What I didn’t mention at the time, though, was that I…

Car enthusiasts and families alike are gearing up for the South Wales Car Festival 2025, set to take place on Sunday, 4th May, at the picturesque Chepstow Racecourse. Running from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, this annual event promises a day filled with automotive marvels and family-friendly entertainment, all in support of St David’s Hospice Care. Automotive Extravaganza The festival will showcase an impressive array of vehicles, including: Supercars from renowned brands like Porsche, Lamborghini, and Ferrari Classic and vintage cars Modified vehicles and car club exhibits Motorcycles Emergency service vehicles Each year, the event sees an increasing number of…