70th Anniversary Hog Roast - Sunday 16th August 2026

The Institute of Advanced Motorists is celebrating it's 70th anniversary this year!

To celebrate we are offering members of Southampton Advanced Motorists together with our friends at IAM Solent Bikers, a hog roast.

Classic Car Hunting In Cuba

My wife and I were walking along the sea front in Havana (Cuba) in November when this little procession presented itself. I’m not a huge fan of big American cars normally, but this was a very nice example of “keeping the old cars going forever” culture in Cuba, and not letting them languish in museums or barns, or end up in land-fill.

Actually, our holiday in Cuba was primarily an organised part cycling tour of the western half of Cuba – it was fortunate to only be the west half, because Hurricane Melissa hit the eastern end while we were in the west. Excellent holiday, but for Southampton Advanced Motorists’ consumption, I’ll limit my report to some of the cars I saw.

I was expecting the American cars – it was definitely one reason I was keen to visit Cuba for a holiday, but I was curious whether I may find a few British cars as well – the quick answer to that is very few!

Apart from engine swaps to something more modern (see below for one example), a number of the old cars have LED headlights and digital instrument modules – I don’t like either, but if that’s what the owners like, that’s fine by me!

There were lots of Ladas (especially the old Russian-ised Fiat 124), Moskviches, Polski Fiat versions of the Fiat 126, Peugeots, Renaults, reasonably modern Hyundais, Kias, Chinese MG6(?) saloons, VW mainly Beetles (made in Brazil, probably?), one or two early Golf GTi, etc, etc – too many to recall or photograph them all!

Here are some highlights:

One British car: Ford Zephyr, series II –it has clearly been quite well maintained, but not totally as original

I wasn’t very surprised to hear from the owner of this “Yank” that the engine was courtesy of a Hyundai.

Off street parking, just, for this project.

Off-street parking for this Renault Dauphine – I like these old rear-engined Renaults after my mum had a Renault 10!

Mercedes from a time that they weren’t very popular in Britain – I don’t think I’ve seen one before. Bumpers could do with re-chroming though!

A Rali, according to the decals on the side. 3-wheeler utility vehicles are very common, whether pedal-powered, small petrol motors, or battery electric, like this one. Interesting!

Even my wife Sue was interested in this one, being on her own second Nissan Note; was this made in Sunderland (UK), or somewhere else?

There were lots of small bikes of various makes and nationalities, especially around 125cc engines – this one apparently a 200cc machine; it was the name that I had to record – a “Missile CSG” – I reckon it may have been made on Cuba…!

Using your vehicle lights

With this first issue of SIDELIGHT, I think it’s timely to ask a few questions about when you might use sidelights, and all your other vehicle lights…! I should say that the Highway Code does tell you which lights you must show and when, and which lights you should use and when; also which lights you must not use to avoid dazzling other road users. These requirements are simple and listed in HC rules 113 to 116. I should also point out, especially to associates, that these requirements do not cause any problems in observed drives or tests! – partly because you obviously know your Highway Code, and partly because tests and observed drives generally take place in daylight and reasonable weather.

But the Highway Code does not mention daytime running lights, automatic headlights or electric handbrakes. Does that matter? In itself, no. But what matters more is the lack of awareness of too many drivers what their vehicle lights are actually doing at all times – I think!

Daytime running lights: (in our Nissan Note at least) DRLs are 2 white 13 watt bulbs at the front of all cars that are lit as soon as you switch on the ignition, with the side and headlights off. If the sidelights are turned on, the DRLs are switched off. It is useful to remember that sidelights are 2 (5w) white lights at the front and 2 (5w) red tail lights at the rear. When headlights are switched on, they are 55w & 60w dip and high beam.

Automatic headlights function: the automatic function requires a light sensor in or on the windscreen to detect when the light level from the sky above is low enough to justify headlights on. Do they work as well as they should? I don’t really know, because I always use the lights manually.

Electric handbrake: Nothing to do with lights, I hear you say! But as you know, rule 114 states that “In stationary queues of traffic, drivers should apply the parking brake and, once the following traffic has stopped, take their foot off the footbrake to deactivate the vehicle brake lights.” (to minimise glare to road users behind). If your vehicle has “stop-start”, you may find that the engine doesn’t stop with the handbrake applied, but does with the footbrakes applied and brake lights lit.

(Regarding brake lights, I should apologise on behalf of all motorcyclists! If on a hill in a traffic queue, one of the brakes will have to be applied (front wheel with right hand lever, rear wheel with right foot pedal) to hold it on the hill (there is no parking brake on motorcycles).

Headlights too bright…? There’s been quite a lot of discussion in recent years about brightness of headlights, and a number of people who prefer not to drive at night due to being dazzled by lights that are either badly adjusted or simply too bright. And I haven’t mentioned light emitting diodes (LED) yet! Filament bulb brightness is defined by its wattage (as described above, headlights are standard at 60 and 55 watts. I am not aware how the brightness of LED lighting is defined; and I am not aware how the light beam is controlled – i.e. how the dip beam is cut off to prevent dazzling oncoming drivers. But I feel that some drivers think that the brighter their own lights are, the more visible they are which helps their own safety. If you are able to help, please advise!

All of the above facts are correct to the best of my knowledge, but I know with technology developments, some things may have changed on newer cars, etc! Any updates or corrections will be gratefully received!

Sunday 1st February: Electric Vehicle awareness day at Otterbourne

Electric Vehicle awareness day at Otterbourne

The Hendy Group based in Eastleigh sells cars and vans from a number of manufacturers. They have kindly agreed to bring a range of electric vehicles to Otterbourne so that observers and volunteers can take short test drives, to familiarise themselves with the new technology, primarily to help observers observe associates with EVs. Other members who are interested in finding out more about EVs are welcome to come along to find out more, whether from the Hendy sales personnel or from our observers and committee members.

Some of the possible cars that Hendy will bring to Otterbourne:

Renault 4

Renault 5

Dacia Spring

Alpine A290 and A110

Ford Puma Gen-E

Army Flying Museum visit

Army Flying Museum at Middle Wallop visit

In October we visited Middle Wallop for a guided tour of the Army Flying Museum. Army aviation began in 1878 with the Royal Engineers, evolving into the Royal Flying Corps in 1912, Air Observation Post Squadrons from 1941 and the Glider Pilot Regiment from 1942, both giving way in 1957 to the current Army Air Corps.

Apart from over 35 aircraft we saw in the museum are the collections of smaller items such as uniforms, medals, and equipment which tell numerous inspiring stories about those involved in Army aviation. A fascinating museum to visit!

(Many thanks to Duncan Smith for taking the following photographs.)

First World War reconnaissance– before satellites and drones!

Second World War Horsa glider

Post-WW2 army helicopters

Completed in 2017, the memorial in the Middle Wallop Army Aviation Centre is the only memorial to those who have died during service of British Army flying over 100 years.

CHAIR'S LETTER

Dear Members,

Happy New Year!

I’m pleased to write to you as the new Chair of Southampton Advanced Motorists and introduce myself.

It’s a privilege to take on this role and to follow in the footsteps of those who have worked so hard to promote safe, skilled and responsible driving.

I’ve been a member of the group now for nearly 4 years, joining as an associate with the intention of getting confirmation of what a great driver I was!! It quickly became apparent I had a lot to learn. It was a hard road (excuse the pun) for me on occasion, with consideration to giving up a regular occurrence. But I didn’t, and now am very involved with both Southampton and Bournemouth and District groups and have signed up for my Masters!

That route has now driven me (Sorry) to be passionate about helping other drivers continually improve their knowledge, awareness and confidence on the roads.

I look forward to continue working alongside our dedicated committee, observers and members to build on the club’s strong reputation and support new and experienced drivers alike. Thank you to to the committee members who have stepped down – for the work they’ve done, and congratulations to the committee members that have taken on new roles. Good luck with them. Many, many thanks to those that “tyrelessly”* put so much into their existing roles which keep everything we do in motion.

Please excuse a small recruitment drive: There are always opportunities for anyone willing to join our journey forward with roles as diverse as events organiser, if you have the drive! - or someone to cruise into publicity making a Facebook page the place to be...!

Thank you for the warm welcome I have already received. I am keen to listen to any ideas that we can navigate and explore about any aspect of the group.

Safe travels…!

Yours sincerely and with very best wishes,

Wendy

*No, that's not a spelling mistake, but a pun!

AGM

AGM 2025

This event will be held on Tuesday 4th November at Otterbourne Village Hall, Cranbourne Drive, Otterbourne, SO21 2ES at 7.30pm (to approx. 8.00pm)

After the AGM at approx. 8pm Shaun Cronin, IAM Regional Service Delivery Team Manager – South, will talk to us talk about things from his past and present and all matters of driving and riding, including his time driving a ‘Police’ liveried Prodrive Group N Subaru Impreza on the National Gravel Rally Championship! It is highly likely that he will tell us about other interesting cars he has created into Police vehicles, and what it was like to take out national treasure Mary Berry to assess her driving!

Shaun retired from Dorset Police in late 2014 after 30 years’ service and joined the IAM full time team in 2015. Approaching 10 years of service for IAM RoadSmart, you may have seen Shaun running the highly successful IAM Skills Day programme at race circuits around the UK. He also serves on the Technical Committee of the FIA European Best Young Driver competition and has recently been out to Sarajevo in Bosnia Herzegovina to deliver the international final.

I am sure there is so much more he has to tell so come along and hear what he has to say.

Please put this date in your diary and come and join us for an informative evening.

As part of our ongoing commitment to the environment and sustainability, there will be no paper copies of any documents issued at the AGM, unless specifically requested.

Looking forward to seeing you there, coffee, tea and light refreshments provided.

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