Alastair Shephard

Content Writer

Alastair Shephard | Author

Joseph Law

Bumper Content Writer

Joseph Law | Author

For most of us the biggest alterations we make to our cars are popping on a set of winter tyres for the colder weather. Whilst it’s not clear if the King takes his car to the local garage for the same reason, there are some more maverick modifications he’s made to his motors.

 birthday, this Seychelles blue Aston Martin has had some eco-friendly modifications made to it. Back in 2008, the environment-conscious then-Prince didn’t like how much fuel the vehicle guzzled so had it converted to run on cheese and wine. 

Well, not exactly cheese and wine. Bioethanol is made from surplus wine and whey, a cheese by-product; which the King says, “smells delicious when you’re driving along.” 

Whilst the King made a very serious eco-friendly decision with this Aston Martin, he can never let us forget his sense of humour. That’s why he’s placed a fake ejector seat button on the dashboard to make his passengers feel a little nervous. 

Another gift, this time from the Emir of Bahrain, the Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante was modified to make the vehicle appear much sleeker. After complaining the car looked too “beefy” he had Aston Martin remove the boot spoiler and side skirts. Features that marked this car out as a Vantage. 

and changed the colour to “balmoral green”. We think maybe the Emir should try a voucher next time! 

The King’s preferred transport in the mid-90s was a green Aston Martin Virage Volante. Upgrades the king made to this vehicle included changing the engine from 5.2 to 6.3 litres (allowing it to reach speeds of up to 175mph), an added police radio and a second rear-view mirror so his protection officer could keep an eye on any tailing vehicles. 

But perhaps the most eccentric change was a fitted leather jar, custom-made to store sugar cubes for his ponies.

The Odd Quirks of King Charles III's Automobiles

In what has often been considered a masculine industry, it’s important to remember that women have also played an important part in the automotive industry’s rich history of innovation. To celebrate International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating 5 female inspirational inventors from the last 150 years. 

Bertha Benz – pioneer and inventor of the brake lining

Early one summer morning in 1888, Bertha set off to make the 65-mile journey from Mannheim to Pforzheimin, Germany in her husband’s car. The car was the world’s first and was invented by her husband Karl Benz who was convinced it wasn’t ready for the open road, but Bertha believed otherwise and believed the world was ready for a woman to set a new course. 

Running out of petrol mid-journey, Bertha was undeterred and stopped to purchase ligroin (a petroleum-based solvent) from a pharmacy in Wiesloch which is now considered the first petrol station in history. Similarly, when the engine overheated, Bertha stopped and collected water from a ditch to cool it and when the fuel line became blocked, she cleaned it with her hat pin. 

Bertha is also the inventor of the brake lining. During the trip, the brake pads became worn, so she used her garter as a temporary measure to insulate them until she was able to reach a cobbler, who she paid to cover the brake shoes in leather. 

Margaret Wilcox - inventor of the car heater

On the 28th of November 1893, Margaret Wilcox patented her solution to the often cold, open-air driving which was enjoyed by early drivers of the motor car. The solution was the world’s first in-car heating system. 

The idea of the heater was considered luxurious, even once motorcars were developed with enclosed bodywork and glass windows, but eventually, carmakers warmed to the idea. In 1929, the Ford Model A became the first vehicle to offer in-car heating. 

As well as this being a turning point in history (because quite frankly, who wants to forgo in-car heating during winter months?) this was a turning point for Margaret herself. This was the first design that had been patented in her own name rather than her husband’s, a practice which had previously been the law in the United States.

Dorothee Pullinger – engineer and inventor of the car designed for women, built by women

Having been refused entry to the Institution of Automobile Engineers on the grounds that “the word person means a man and not a woman”, Dorothee became manager of Galloway Motors, a car factory run by a female workforce that adopted the colours of the suffragettes, by the early 1920s. 

Galloway Motors had an onsite engineering college, offering women apprenticeships over the course of 3 years, as opposed to the usual 5 years for men, with the belief women were faster learners. 

With gear levers placed inside of the car rather than outside to make them easier to reach, added storage space, a smaller steering wheel and a lower dashboard, Dorothee designed and built the Galloway – the world’s first car developed specifically for women. 

Mary Anderson – inventor of the windscreen wiper

Having full-functioning windscreen wipers is an essential part of car maintenance and safety. We all know that if you don’t have decent wipers, your car will not pass its MOT, and worse, you could be placed in a dangerous situation should your visibility be decreased. This makes Mary Anderson’s story even more poignant as a woman in automotive history. 

Mary recognised the need for a windscreen wiper for assisting with clearing ice from the windscreen, to save the driver from having to open a window and chilling the cabin in the process. 

She invented a spring-loaded arm with a rubber blade which would move back and forth across the window to clear it. The design was patented in 1903 but Mary’s invention was not used in car manufacturing straight away as a wiper was considered too distracting for drivers.

Mary did not profit from the invention, which is rather frustrating considering our reliance upon this device for all vehicles on the road. 

Helen Clifford – London's first female bus mechanic

In 1983, Helen qualified as London Transport’s first female bus mechanic after completing a course at West Ham garage at the age of 18. 

Up until this pivotal moment in history, there had only been two brief periods where women were called upon to take responsibility for a so-called man’s duty in stations, depots, garages and engineering works, namely during the first and second world wars. 

Not only was Helen a bus mechanic, but also qualified as a bus driver. This role was not opened to women until 1974. 

Celebrating Women Inventors in Automotive History

The 1.5 million potholes on UK's roads cost motorists £1 billion a year in repairs. 

Drivers reported 1.5 million potholes on roads to 51 UK authorities between April 2018 and June 2021; this figure would undoubtedly be far higher if potholes on major highways and motorways were also reported. So we started to wonder: how tall would the hypothetical skyscraper be if all of the reported potholes in the UK were placed on top of one another? 

According to data gathered by the RAC from 190 of the 207 local highway authorities in Britain, three out of four local authorities (or 75%) have switched to a "risk-based approach" to repairing potholes. This means that councils will take into account the type of road, the amount of traffic the road carries, and the mix of road users in addition to the size, width, and depth of a pothole. All municipal highway administrations are accountable for the upkeep of their individual road networks under the terms of the Road Traffic Act of 1980. Surprisingly, there isn't a nationwide legal standard that specifies what constitutes a pothole. 

A pessimist would say that a local government short on funds might just change the categorization of a pothole to avoid filling and repairing the damaged road. 69% of local transportation authorities only look into potholes that are 40 mm or deeper. 

The hypothetical tower reaches 11,250 metres, which is roughly the cruising altitude of a civil aircraft (10,000–12,000 metres), comfortably taller than Mount Everest (8,849 metres), deeper than the Pacific Ocean (11,022 metres), and nearly 100 times taller than the London Eye. If even one-quarter of the reported potholes on local roads were, for example, 30mm deep, this would mean that over two-thirds of local highway, authorities would not investigate further (13,500 metres). 

Given that the majority of local traffic authorities in the UK only investigate potholes that are at least 40mm deep, the cumulative depth of the 1.5 million reported potholes on local roads is 60,000 metres. This sum will get you halfway there. The Kármán Line is an invisible line at 100,000 metres above sea level when the atmosphere becomes too thin for conventional aeroplanes. 

According to earlier data, 32% of UK drivers experience damage from hitting a pothole, which forces them to replace at least one tyre every year. Given that the average cost of replacing four tyres is £397, or £99.25 per tyre, owners of the 40.8 million licenced vehicles in the UK must pay a yearly replacement cost of £1,127,352,960 due to pothole damage.

Tips for reducing damage caused by potholes 

Always leave a two-second gap between you and the car in front, as they may brake or swerve to avoid a pothole if it suddenly appears. This way you will have a clear view of the road and more time to react. 

If possible, slow down and steer away from a pothole 

Sometimes it's impossible to completely dodge a pothole. If you can see one coming, attempt to slowly approach it without braking abruptly and gently veer away. 

The expected lifespan of a car tyre is 10 years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. Regularly examining your tyres, especially before a lengthy trip, should help you spot any issues in the earliest stages. The centre three quarters of every tire's tread must measure at least 1.6 millimetres across in order for it to comply with current UK driving regulations. 

Split the cost of tyres, repairs, and services into interest-free monthly payments with Bumper, and choose from 1000s of dependable service partners. 

 has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his five cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.

How tall is the combined depth of the potholes on UK roads?

A romantic getaway is what many people dream of for Valentine’s Day. It’s an opportunity to spend some time with your loved one, and romantic road trips in the UK can be an ideal way to visit lots of unique locations and make special memories. 

If you’re looking for ideas for Valentine’s drive, we’ve come up with a selection of locations that can offer a truly unforgettable experience for just two people. From the northern reaches of the Scottish Highlands to the south coast of England, whether you want to get back to nature or enjoy the finer things in life, there is something for everyone. 

If you want to head out on a road trip that’s not too challenging then the Cotswolds is a fantastic place to start. They’re easily accessible from lots of major cities and have a great combination of offerings. 

If you’re the sort of couple who want to indulge in some luxury then there are plenty of spa hotels or high-end restaurants to choose from. For a really luxurious weekend away try Lucknam Park, which has a choice of two restaurants and an award-winning spa. However, if you want to switch off from the hustle and bustle of everyday life there are equally quiet spots where you can do that. To keep your creature comfort, why not try a shepherd's hut at the Fish Hotel?

There’s no shortage of romantic villages in the Cotswolds, stretching from the quaint locations of Stow-on-the-Wold, Bourton-on-the-Water or Chipping Norton. Tie these locations with a drive on the B4425 and stop off at Upper and Lower Slaughter villages along the way. 

Alternatively, there’s the Windrush Valley, which runs from Bourton-on-the-Water to Burford and offers stunning scenery as you drive the road that follows the River Windrush. From here you can join the A429, which runs from Stroud to Cirencester and offers breathtaking views of the Cotswold Hills, and stop off at the charming villages of Painswick and Slaughters along the way. 

For those located in the south of England, a romantic getaway to the Highlands might seem like a bit too much of a reach. Although it can be a long drive to get there - or alternatively jump on a train overnight - once you’ve arrived in Scotland it’s easy to see a huge amount in a short space of time. However, sometimes it’s still not enough! 

If a romantic road trip away from it all is what you’re looking for, there’s little else like the Scottish Highlands to get lost in. The vast open spaces are unlike any other rural landscape in Britain. 

The route up the west coast and onto the Isle of Skye called the ‘Road to the Isles’ is something everyone should put on their bucket list. Stop at romantic spots like Glenfinnan, Mallaig, and Kyle of Lochalsh, and enjoy the stunning views of the coast and the hills. 

On your way, you’ll likely take the A83 and this is equally stunning. This scenic route takes in the beauty of Argyll and the Trossachs National Park, including the stunning Loch Lomond and the village of Inveraray. You can drive the famous winding road called the Rest and be Thankful, visit Inveraray Castle or the Falls of Dochart. 

The A9 might not sound like the most romantic place to take your partner this Valentine’s Day but this scenic route really takes in the beauty of the Scottish Highlands, including the Cairngorms National Park and the city of Inverness. There are breathtaking views if you stop off in Aviemore where you can follow the train line - or even have dinner on board. If you head all the way to the coast there are unmissable views from the beach in Nairn, where you’ll be able to see across the sea and the cliffs of the land beyond on a clear day. 

The Jurassic Coast is a 95-mile stretch of coastline in the south of England. It’s known for its stunning views, and geological wonders, but its proximity to the sea and extensive history make for some extremely romantic locations. 

In fact, the coastline is bursting with romantic spots to visit, from Durdle Door to Lulworth Cove and Studland Beach. Durdle Door’s natural arch is one of the most recognizable features of the Jurassic Coast and a popular spot for picnics and walks - ideal for a romantic stroll along the beach and enjoying the stunning views.

As you continue west, the B317 begins at Weymouth and offers spectacular views out across Chesil Beach as you approach Bridport. From here you can continue following the Jurassic Coast on to Charmouth Beach and Lyme Regis. Charmouth is a long sandy beach, known as a popular spot for fossil hunting.

When it comes to romantic locations in England, not a lot compares to the Lake District. Come rain or shine there is a historic pub to curl up by the fire and enjoy a drink or make your own memories on remote walks. 

If you love history, the Lake District is home to Dove Cottage where poet William Wordsworth used to live. The house, located in Grasmere, is now a museum dedicated to his life. However, if stories are more your thing, the home of Beatrix Potter is also now a museum. You can take a romantic walk through the gardens of the farmhouse where the author used to live. 

As well as history and scenery, the Lake District is also packed with fantastic driving roads. Some of its most famous include Honister Pass, which runs from Keswich to Borrowdale, the challenging Hardknott Pass, from Eskdale to Duddon Valley, and Kirkstone Pass, from Ambleside to Patterdale.

It wouldn’t be a visit to the Lake District without driving to some of the lakes though. The second largest is Ullswater, and you can drive the Ullswater Way that follows the shore of the lake. Buttermere is to the west of Ullswater and is surrounded by rolling hills. Here you can hire a boat and take in some of the views from the water. The largest though is Windermere. This lake is in the heart of the town where you can stop for a romantic meal or take a trip on the water.

Rebecca Chaplin is a motoring journalist and owner of 

. She’s written about cars and the best places to drive them for nearly 10 years.

Top 4 most romantic road trips in the UK 

 has revealed a unique insight into the most convenient addition to our country’s fast-food joints – the drive-thru. 

So, roll down your window, prepare to shout your order, and feast on this list of the best and worst the UK has to offer. 

The list looks at two key areas a successful drive-thru performs well in. The first is speed. Drivers on long, or short, journeys want burgers, and they want them now. The second, is customer service. We want our food quickly, but a friendly and polite service is a must have. 

Reviews from drive throughs of the most populous UK cities were searched for positive key words such as ‘good service’ and ‘quick’, and negative key words such as ‘long queues’ and ‘slow’ to give us our list. 

With an incredible score of 10 out of 10, drive-thrus in Bristol and Leicester are ranked first. From Costa Coffee to KFC, Bristol and Leicester have you covered with every fast-food option you could need. McDonalds and Burger King are the highest rated in these areas. 

With a disappointing score of 0/10, Edinburgh is the worst place for drive-thrus, with KFC coming bottom of the pile when it comes to speed and service. 

So next time you’re on a junk food jolly around Blighty you’ll know which areas to avoid, and which are a safe bet. If not, you could also park up and head inside – but we'd rather go hungry. 

UK cities with the best and worst drive-thrus

We’ve scoured the internet for the best novelty car accessories you can buy online. 

Some people feel that certain cars just exude feminine energy and therefore like to empower them with fake eyelashes. You may remember that these became very popular around the early 2010s, but we think they’re due for a comeback. Full throttle or full glam? 

If you’re in the mood for scolding yourself with boiling hot water on your morning commute, why not go for an in-car Espresso Machine? Having said that, we would risk it all for our morning coffee. 

Some would say the casual car sleeper is a person at their lowest. But we disagree, the back seat bedtime is the resting place for the most resourceful of people. So why not curl up on this comfy-looking air mattress? You might need to pop your legs out the window if you’re tall. 

Cars just weren’t designed for how much fast food we need to eat in them. Whilst you’re tackling the burger, where do you put your fries? And who thought of putting three cup holders in a car that seats four? It just doesn’t work. Alone, these products don't solve the problem, but together you’re onto a winner. Just make sure to only use this whilst parked! 

If you agree with our list, the items listed above are available to purchase online now. But we suspect your money might be better spent elsewhere. 

Best novelty car accessories found online

To mark Remembrance Day, Bumper remembers those who fought so valiantly during conflict. We’re proud to share the following story of Joseph Hammond, a mechanic from Ghana who served in the armed forces during the Second World War.

Joseph Hammond, 95, was at school in Ghana when the Second World War began in 1939. Having always wanted to join the army, he signed up to be a mechanic in July 1943 and began his training. 

After his mechanical training he was posted to the Third Advanced Based Workshops in Takoradi, the western region of Ghana. Then in November 1943 along with ten others he was drafted to the war and taken to the harbour. 

They boarded the HMS Circassia with 2,500 other troops and were sent to India attached to the 3

 Gurkhas Regiment, 3rd Infantry Battalion. When the troops reached India they began training for combat in Khulna in Bangladesh. 

Joseph said, “All the troops were trained in India. You’ll be trained how to kill, no fears, so that when you go to the war you don’t fear. We trained for six months…after our training we went to Chittagong [Bangladesh]” 

The troops were made up of two divisions, the 81

. As they had been training the longest the 81

 division was sent to fight the Japanese forces first with the objective of pushing them back. The 81

 division was out for six months, and then it was time for Joseph’s division to join them. 

Joseph explains how fighting the Japanese armed forces was much worse than fighting with the German and Italian forces in Europe. “It was terrible because the Japanese were the most ferocious human fighters that I have ever seen,” he said. “If a Japanese soldier is captured in the war, as a war prisoner, he has disgraced his family. But when you die it’s an honour to your family - this was their mentality." 

When his troops reached the Irrawaddy River, they held the Japanese forces back from crossing. When the Japanese moved south, Joseph and his troops began to follow them. He remembers how at a point at the river near Ma-Ubin, the fighting was so terrible 6 men lost their lives. 

Occasionally they would become short of food for 3 or 4 days. The troops would live off biscuits and corned beef until a parachute would be dropped, replenishing their supplies and ammunition. 

In one small town, they encountered a difficult point in the fighting with snipers hiding in the trees around the river. The fighting was devastating, and many people were killed. When the battle became so intense, they asked for help from the artillery. The positions of the Japanese forces were bombarded heavily whilst the ground shook violently. 

During the conflict, Joseph realised he had been injured, with one eye protruding. Not knowing what would happen, he was flown to Pune City, India, and sent to the hospital for treatment. Specialist Lieutenant Crocket, an eye specialist, told Joseph the issue could have been contaminated blood; that he had possibly touched the blood of a wounded soldier and rubbed his eye. 

Joseph stayed in the hospital until the end of the Second World War. At the end of the conflict, he was still confined to the hospital. Other troops later told him they had been congratulated by General Slim for their efforts in the war. 

“And I feel proud today that I also defended the British Empire. We fought ferociously, we fought very well against the Japanese, we conquered them. And I’m happy that I took part in it. I Joseph Hammond, I also took part and I feel very proud I contributed a lot during the war." 

The troops arrived back home to Ghana in December 1945 and the first to bring the green battle dress back to the country. Joseph was part of 600,000 soldiers from across Africa who served with the British Forces during the second world war. 

Following the war, he pursued jobs in hospitality, construction, and fishing. He retired in 2006. He continues to live in Ghana, recently raising £500,000 for front-line workers and vulnerable veterans during the Covid-19 pandemic across Africa. 

You can watch Joseph's full interview with the British Legion 

Joseph Hammond's memories of the Second World War 

This Halloween we are celebrating some of the most iconic cars featured in movies fit for Halloween! We’ve narrowed them down to our top 5 favourites – some due to their looks and others because of their heroic nature! Take a look at the cars and their movies listed below and see if you agree: 

It would be impossible to write this list without including the wonderfully colourful Mystery Machine! It isn't completely clear what this green and blue van with orange daisies is, but it is often believed by fans to be either a Dodge A100 or a Chevy G-Body. 

Usually driven by the character Fred Jones, this famous ‘van’ features in the Scooby-Doo TV series since 1969 and then later in two movies. The Mystery Machine earns its place in our Halloween list not only because of our fond memories of the Scooby-Doo franchise but also because in one early episode it comes to life and goes rogue! 

4. Cadillac Series 62 - Nightmare on Elm Street 

Featured in this beloved classic of the horror genre, this beautiful red 1958 Cadillac Series 62 really is a car to die for.

Well, perhaps not. Belonging to Glen, the boyfriend of the leading character Nancy, this car plays a vital role at the end of the film when all appears calm again and Freddy Krueger has evaporated. On an innocent journey to school, the car becomes possessed by Freddy and the green and red striped top of the car suddenly comes down and locks them in before driving uncontrollably down the street with Marge dragged in through the window! 

Ok, so this isn't really a Halloween movie, but this magical car from the wonderful world of wizardry surely deserves its place on the list. Originally a standard Ford Anglia until bewitched under the ownership of Arthur Weasley and used to fly (not drive!) his family around. 

The car becomes a star of its own right in the second Harry Potter film of the series, The Chamber of Secrets when it is stolen by Arthur’s son Ron along with Harry and used to take them to school. 

The car becomes entangled in and then engulfed by the famous Whomping Willow on the grounds of Hogwarts School. It features again later in the film when it comes to the rescue of Harry, Ron and Fang the dog from the vicious Aragog’s family.

Appearing in all four films from 1984 to 2021 as well as the animated television series and video games, we think it’s fair to say that everyone recognises this car! 

The Ectomobile, AKA the Ecto-1 is based on a 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor Sentinel. This fictional vehicle was originally designed by Steven Dane who is quite rightly, listed in the credits as Hardware Consultant. 

Featuring several gadgets as well as its ‘proton cannon’ mounted on top, this car is responsible for transporting the Ghost Busters and their ghost-busting equipment on their missions around New York City. 

Due to its popularity, a miniature replica of this car has been mass-produced and sold as toys all over the world. 

Taking our number 1 spot in the list is this hero of all hero cars. The Batmobile! A heavily customised armoured tactical assault car relied upon for its speed during a pursuit, it's fair to say that Batman would not be Batman without this car.

First appearing in the comic series in May 1939 as a red car, it has featured the iconic bat motif and has had many customisations and facelifts throughout the years reflecting the evolution of technology. The several iterations from the comic books and TV series to the films and video games have kept the car current and incredibly popular. 

The Batmobile as we know it now is a sporty and mean-looking black car that can also self-drive.

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