Jonny Smith Carpervert

23/06/2024

This latest Car Cave episode really blew my socks off, and judging by comments so far many of you too! What a private car museum Jane Wietzmann has. I say museum - but she uses them all. Even the £1 million Toyota 2000GT.

She's an inspiration/aspiration to all us

Be warned, I took many, many photos and vids during this shoot, so expect to see many more appearing on this feed (and
) this week.

10/06/2024

The new is (to me) a combination of retro design, alt-thinking packaging and city practicality. But it starts at £17,000. That's still less than an EV converted classic, but more than the projected starting price. Would you buy one or (feel free to add a comment if none of the options work for you!) ...

27/05/2024

Practical, classic, fast. That's the way Daryl Fletcher likes his . Bought for £800 in the millennium year and then 12 months later emerging as a true sleeper (beds and big boost), this Mk1 Es**rt Nimbus camper van has been his companion ever since.

If you like quirky project cars then you ought to head over to the YT channel and watch this one.

Thanks for all your support and happy bank holiday.

20/05/2024

The latest video is all about these legends. I don't sue that term lightly. Whether it has the n/a diesel six or V8 derv under the bonnet, the Series 70 Land Cruiser is the apocalyptic survival Toyota that remains on sale today, despite being distinctly 1980s in everything bar the optional Dab radio.

There's something amazing about that, and possibly future proof.

They aren't as uncivilised to drive as I expected, and they aren't as expensive when you factor in the longevity and mad residual values.

Question is, who would actually own one?

12/05/2024

I've got so much time and respect for Astra GTEs. They were built well and, during the 90s, offered unrivalled bang for buck hothatchery.

Nostalgia is an infectious disease, but one I'm happy to suffer from.

Thanks for all the fantastic comments on the latest video. Some brilliant fast Vaux memories.

09/05/2024

The new California camper is here, and it's not based on the Transporter. This is not the T7 (shared with Ford) this is based on the Multivan, and as such is a car. Even though it is called a can.

Diesel, turbo petrol and even PHEV options, with the latter being AWD.

Have a watch on and tell me thoughts.

25/04/2024

It is the production ready EV G. But it's not called that. It's got the catchy title of Mercedes G Class G580 with EQ Technology. Which no one will call it.

Lots of controversy on this one. Watch til the end for 's verdict.

20/04/2024

Belated Can-Am detail photo dump from last weekend's

14/04/2024

A lot of you have been patiently waiting, but the part 2 of my Bargain Boxster (the £1900 986) video just went live. In this vid I detail how we got it home, how we MoT'd it, and then how the water damaged electrical repairs took place thanks to .

Also shout out to for a service and full inspection report.

Part 3 is coming soon, where we fix the water ingress and the broken roof mech.

Hope you enjoy the vlog.

08/04/2024

What's it to be? Your own spec choice

01/04/2024

It seems 90s cars on scorching hot on the classic car scene at the moment. I decided the backstory and unsung hero nature of the SR20 engined Primera GT deserved to be celebrated, and that's why we featured this one owner car.

Cheers to everyone who has commented and enjoyed the main video on so far.

27/03/2024

Took so many pics during my 2CV ice race adventure with so must dump them in clusters. This was a hoot, and I knew it might have been a gamble to film, as it's niche. But we had an absolute blast. This is what grassroots motorsport and fun is like.

This weekend I embark on another but I have to share this stuff with you. If you haven't watched the film on then I stand to say it's one of the best we've made.

23/03/2024

The photo dump #2. This 6 wheeled Carmichael RR is actually the 2nd Range Rover ever made. Hard to believe, but it started as a Lincoln Green Velar and then was converted. In other words this is one of the oldest surviving Range Rovers, and it's now a fire tender. Prices for these have dipped so I'm actually interested again.

What about the mk3 Supra? Remember the body coloured rear badges? Always looked like bad overspray to me. This one is a manual turbo, so 👌🏾

22/03/2024

Photo dump #1 on the auction preview, of which the vid just went live.

That Alpina 7 series is manual.
The 993 was in perfect condition (but not manual)
Limo Classic Range Rover part of an enormous rare groove RR collection under the hammer.
Datsun Skyline GT had amazing bodywork.
G Wagens only look cool in non AMG or military spec.

18/03/2024

Buried under multiple thick tarps, beneath a rotten carport, this '73 Volkswagen bay window pick up has been the work truck since new for the west Mids VW dealership Jem. Other hoarded cars lingered, including a pre war Humber and 50s Riley special (ex ice cream van!). Thanks to for joining me for this - if you know of a car that's of interest then please email with details, photos, location and any backstory. It can be in a garage, driveway, hedge or actual barn!

14/03/2024

Another to March 2021. Me and my brother spent a working week on my beloved Beetle, and got it back on the road for the first time since 2004. A pile of new parts from and some incredible potions to rust proof the chassis and clean the fuel tank. Honestly, with life throwing a lot at me in the last few years, having the Bug back on the button has been a true mechanical comfort blanket.

14/03/2024

to almost exactly 3yrs ago when I dug out a rare 1950s Messerschmitt bubble car from a garden. Poor thing.

Although this can still be restored according to specialists. Which would you like me to try and buy to resurrect?

14/03/2024

to when I tried to dress similar to and help him launch the iPace in its Austrian factory (Magna Steyr). Had a right hoot actually.

I love my job.

11/03/2024

With 2wd and AWD options, performance of up to 380hp and 5 secs to 62, the EV9 comes with 7 seats as standard. But you can opt for 6 and let the middle row swivel for conference stuff (akin to the VW T7 Multivan, if you ever saw my review of that).

Range on the WLTP scale is up to 349, but even with the larger wheels and twin motors I was getting 260-270 miles in cold winter. Which isn't at all bad conserving the Bobba Fett helmet frontal aero.

This is an expensive car for a Kia, but for a capable, luxury, 7 seat fast EV it's something few other carmakers are getting near to. Why aren't Land Rover making this? Because I think they bloody well should instead of V8s and token PHEVs.

Before anyone moans about the 2.6 tonne kerb weight, consider the weight of many diesel and petrol full size SUVs at this moment in time. The former don't move any games on with tech or packaging. At least Kia brings to market BEFORE it promises dreams.

If you're going to buy a big car (which I wouldn't, but I don't have a dog or 4 children), at least make sure it has a capacious interior.

09/03/2024

Should have already uploaded an update on my 327,000 mile Honda Insight but been too busy with other stuff lately. Rest assured it is coming and it's a lot of reliable fun. Big update on the Kia Picanto (aka Project no such word as Cant) sooner, as that's about to compete in a serious historic motorsport event!

05/03/2024

As the current video seems to be going down so well, here is a photo dump of other shots we took on the day. A few people have said the R50 2002 Cooper isn't a real Mini. Well, for a new generation of car fanatics it's precisely a Mini (and much smaller than the current BMW Minis). Besides, it's getting on for 25 years old now.

Neither of these cars are on sale - both being recommissioned this summer and the yellow car will be used daily by Margaret. Hopefully the garage roof will get rebuilt pronto.

02/03/2024

29/02/2024

Happy day. Thought I'd combine too, with the landing compression shot of my 2004 (?) Max Power General Leigh-on-Sea Sierra jump attempt.

I think we know how it ended. No roll, but a bit of neck ache....

27/02/2024

The new video has gone down so well that I've decided to dump a load more photos from the launch event. I do genuinely think this is Renault's Mini One or Fiat 500 moment, and they've played it just right.

Thanks to everyone who has shared the episode - and those who have contacted me to say they are going to order one. Wish I was on commission...

26/02/2024

5 star. No one will drive it for a while, but here's everything I know about this new 5. I happen to think this is Renault's 'Mini' or 'Fiat 500' moment. They deserve to build on the EV experience fro. ZOE and Megane etc.

Head to YT now

23/02/2024

This Sunday will be a long awaited project update on my Allegro Type R turbo engined street sleeper. Visually not much has changed, but there has been much tubing carefully inserted into the structure - all in the name of rigidity.

Big shout to at .uk for the hours he's put in with the grinder and torch.

Our subscribers will read my vlog tmr morning and will also be able to watch in the afternoon.

18/02/2024

Alpinweiss. Decals that cost over £1000. Split rims. And THAT reg plate. There's a lot of love for this Hartge H5s 'barnfind', and bloody rightly so.

I believe the E34 and E39 were the highest highs in the BMW saloon bloodline.

I also love finding rare groove editions so beautifully preserved. The job is never a chore.

11/02/2024

The new film captures the afternoon I was unexpectedly given permission to drive a 4x4 unicorn. This is the Citroen 2CV 'Sahara' - one of the only (the only?) factory sold cars with twin engines.

It was made to survive and climb anything in African desert or French Alpine terrain, and was Citroen's rudimental answer to making a Land Rover or Willy's Jeep.

Today these are not only crazy rare, but a correctly restored car like this could be a €200,000 car.

But have you ever looked around one closely? And what do they drive like? Watch the new episode at 5 to find out. A huge thank you to and for making this happen.

04/02/2024

Later today a v special on . We've mentioned it is a BMW and it's a rare coachbuilt estate - in other words a Touring way before you could buy a Touring from the BMW factory.

Couldn't believe my luck when this one came to us. Shame the weather was absolutely pitiful.

03/02/2024

I do enjoy a bit of car cleaning therapy. It's one of the few times I can escape and re-engage with my machines on a level where I'm checking tyres, paint and topping up fluids.

It's also more important than ever in winter.

No, the Volvo 240 GLT is NOT mine. If you want to buy it then speak to