Tested this month
IMPACT PERSONAL ALARM TORCH
Classic car enthusiasts are a good-natured bunch in the main, but sadly there’s no accounting for other road users. With road rage an increasing problem, Redline Security’s John Fearnall decided to create a personal alarm torch to give motorists a legal means of defence should they be unfortunate enough to encounter an assailant. As well as functioning as a torch, the unit is also capable of emitting a dazzling 400-lumen, 20Hz strobe and an ear-piercing 130db siren – tactics used by the Dutch police for crowd control – to frighten off any aggressors. It’s available in two sizes: regular at 15.5cm and XL at 22.4cm. The larger unit we tried costs £24.95 and can operate in its low setting for 18 hours, with an eight-hour recharge time via a USB cable. It impressed on test, and we’re sure it would give any would-be attacker pause – even if it were never used, anxious drivers may take some reassurance in simply knowing it is there. Our one gripe is that you have to cycle through three brightness settings before being able to switch it off. GM redlinesecurity.co.uk
AUTOMATIC LOCKING PLIERS
When all else fails, a set of Mole grips is a great way to shift a stubborn or damaged bolt, but winding the jaws out to the required gap can be a pain. These 250mm-long locking grips from Laser Tools (part no 8022) get around that by neatly self-adjusting to the perfect size. Apart from it being awkward to fully open the 48mm jaws in a confined space, we found the tool worked brilliantly and felt really sturdily built – as you’d expect for £50.30. Invaluable. AC lasertools.co.uk
LYONS GARAGES COFFEE
Stuck for a gift idea for the petrolhead in your life? If they like a good cup of proper coffee, your prayers could be answered by Irish classic restoration specialist Lyons Garages. The operation based in Spanish Point, Co Clare – or, as Michael and David Lyons like to call it, “the Malibu of Ireland” – has released its own range of car-themed coffees. The 100% Arabica ‘Classicbeans’ and ‘Minibeans’ blends are mellow and smooth, the Frenchroasted ‘Mgbeans’ dark and powerful, but my favourite – unlike my motoring tastes – is the Indonesian Arabica ‘Bugbeans.’ All come presented in stylish and fun traditional oil tins that alone are almost worth the cost of entry (€15 for a 250g tin, or €28 for a two-pack). AC 00353 86 2604658; lyonsgarages.com