Steve Cropley | Autocar

Official fuel economy figures are rarely achievable, but nor are they the fault of the car makers

Opinion

Cropley on cars: Just ignore the official 'Government' fuel figures, ok?

Official fuel figures, set under a test regime required by the law makers, can rarely be obtained in the real world. But as we all know that, what's the point of getting vexed about it?

7 February 2014

Cropley on cars: Just ignore the official 'Government' fuel figures, ok?

Cropley on cars: which comes first, the house or the motor?

For car lovers, parking space can be more important than cupboard space in a new house

Opinion

Cropley on cars: which comes first, the house or the motor?

Estate agents seem to view cars as little more than driveway decoration during house sales, but for petrolheads good parking is a priority

6 February 2014

Cropley on cars: which comes first, the house or the motor?

Cropley on cars: Americans make the best cars? Don't make me laugh…

An Oldsmobile... still hankering after that BMW 3-series?

Opinion

Cropley on cars: Americans make the best cars? Don't make me laugh…

Claims by a US politician that the American car industry is the world's leader are wide of the mark

5 February 2014

Cropley on cars: Americans make the best cars? Don't make me laugh…

Cropley on cars: Remembering Bristol Cars saviour Tony Crook

Tony Crook raced this Frazer Nash-Bristol in the 1952 British Grand Prix

Opinion

Cropley on cars: Remembering Bristol Cars' saviour Tony Crook

As well as overseeing Bristol Cars for more than three decades, Tony Crook was an extremely talented racer and aviator

4 February 2014

Cropley on cars: Remembering Bristol Cars' saviour Tony Crook

Cropley on cars: Ross Brawn’s ‘retirement’ is F1’s loss

Ross Brawn has quit F1 and is going fishing in 2014

Opinion

Cropley on cars: Ross Brawn’s ‘retirement’ is F1’s loss

The technical mastermind behind many F1 successes is swapping the pit wall for the river bank, although whether he can stay away remains to be seen

3 February 2014

Cropley on cars: Ross Brawn’s ‘retirement’ is F1’s loss

Cropley on cars: the lasting effects of the BMW-Rover deal

BMW's influence helped make the Rover 75 one of the marque's best cars

Opinion

Cropley on cars: the lasting effects of the BMW-Rover deal

BMW's ownership of Rover is often viewed as a failure, but the deal had a lasting influence on the UK's automotive industry

31 January 2014

Cropley on cars: the lasting effects of the BMW-Rover deal

Land Speed Record winning Sunbeam runs again

The Sunbeam has been extensively rebuilt, after an experimental start 20 years ago damaged its engine

Opinion

Cropley on Cars: Sunbeam Land Speed Record car runs again

It was once the fastest car in the world, and yesterday the 18.3-litre V12 engine of Sir Malcolm Campbell's record-breaking Sunbeam started for the first time in 20 years

30 January 2014

Cropley on Cars: Sunbeam Land Speed Record car runs again