Here we have it, my #a-haMusicChallenge2026 #1: The Swing of Things. youtu.be/b9rbcr04uSI?... Tho @bob-p-dj.bsky.social beat me to the punch, I knew this one had to score highly with him. This song is one of the most meaningful to me without question...

Want more Talbot Matra Rancho content? @grandthriftauto.bsky.social's channel is your next stop. His Talbot Matra Rancho is slowly returning to the road after a 31 year holiday. Here's your weekend playlist: www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...

One final note: I can't mention The Living Daylights without touching on what might have been. Had the Pet Shop Boys gotten their way and did the whole soundtrack for the film, we would have had something truly extraordinary. This track is all that remains of that timeline. youtu.be/1FBnwA_JFb8?...

My #a-haMusicChallenge2026 #2: The Living Daylights youtu.be/aXM4eIoPZUU?... Yes, a shocker given all I have said about it, but this actually comes in at number 2 for me. It had a troubled birth, but such is the way for so many greats. This song and in particular the single mix is electrifying.

My #a-haMusicChallenge2026 #3: The Sun Always Shines on TV youtu.be/LwUEb8Q-qAA?... THE track that defined them far better than Take on Me IMO. Everything comes together in a perfect balance of self-scathing lyrics and cutting synths.

My #a-haMusicChallenge2026 #4: I've Been Losing You (normal or extended) youtu.be/y6kGq5h2ZyI?... This was the song that got them the Bond Gig imo. Palpable tension, moral ambiguity and a sophisticated nihilism create a track with an unforgettable atmosphere.

My #a-haMusicChallenge2026 #5: Weight of the Wind youtu.be/aAsuki-lqyM?... This one really hit me on my first solo road trip. Driving the Audi up through north Provence towards Gap, mountains either side and switchback motorways (pretty much). Laying eyes on the city, the lyrics narrated my mind...

My #a-haMusicChallenge2026 #6: Scoundrel Days youtu.be/qaEcXLFNtUw?... The opener to my favourite album from them, the titular Scoundrel begins his tense journey into paranoia and questionable morality. Best enjoyed piloting a square edged 80s coupe while wearing a leather jacket...

My #a-haMusicChallenge2026 #7: Here I Stand and Face the Rain youtu.be/jPk9FhbSexs?... This one haunted me at a difficult time, but I can still appreciate the beauty of a song with an arrangement that drives like a monsoon

My #a-haMusicChallenge2026 #8: Train Of Thought youtu.be/7vdOgObQvz8?... I have done 9-5, if I somehow find a way to not have to do it again, that would be pretty much all the autonomy I could ask for

My #a-haMusicChallenge2026 #9: The Soft Rains of April youtu.be/5lQsjXJ6s88?... One of the most haunting tracks they did. I have always seen the Scoundrel Days album as something of a narrative, and this intimate yet mysterious conclusion stays in your head as you blast down lonely Autoroutes...

My #a-haMusicChallenge2026 #10: Summer Moved On youtu.be/oVl4qvHuY8g?... I stunning renaissance, with a great song, but one I feel I won't truly appreciate until I hear it while driving through an Arctic summer in a Saab 9-3 Viggen

My #a-haMusicChallenge2026 #11: Lifelines A wistful track from the year I was born. I listen to it to remember the time I was born into. When I look back I see the landscape I have walked through. But it is different... youtu.be/DCkbfyk6XGc?...

First car I drove from each country, using the broadest terminology of that word are as follows:

My #a-haMusicChallenge2026 #12 Stay On These Roads I did always find the production on this album a tad overdone, but it had some wonderfully evocative tracks. This is a core Volvo 480 track for me, as it couldn't be more 1988 if it tried. Another one I learned to drive to...

My #a-haMusicChallenge2026 #13 Once again real life getting in the way so a day missing youtu.be/uAw4_W6J7DE?... The Blue Sky - "I've lived on borrowed strength now my supplies are cut". A song that has resonated at various points in my life

My #a-haMusicChallenge2026 #14 - This Alone is Love I am choosing the earlier, Scoundrel Days era cut of this song, sometimes referred to as a demo - not sure on the provenance, as I feel the pared back production complements the stark imagery of the lyrics. youtu.be/yU7HTmWIl08?...

youtu.be/QaleMPKp7ZE?... My #a-haMusicChallenge2026 #15: East of the Sun LOVE this track, its roots in Norway's cultural tapestry enriches it but has something to say beyond that. I promise myself that one day I will listen to it while driving through a fjord.

Missed a couple of days with IRL stuff youtu.be/DKfeic6P6bM?... My #a-haMusicChallenge2026 #16 Crying in the Rain The only cover on this list, but it fits so naturally with them it could well have been written for them imo.

#a-haMusicChallenge2026 #17 Tonight, it is Dark Is The Night youtu.be/PInnL2kCHRs?... Last gasp of the original era, always found this track delicate and well put together, with a measured morbidity. Underrated, shame I wasn't able to get a decent playing cassette of the album

#a-haMusicChallenge2026 #18 Today it is Velvet youtu.be/-e27RghNjow?... A pretty, reflective track, I nevertheless will always remember one of the underwriters I dealt with at my last job would have a-ha tracks as holding music. This still sounded good coming down the phone line on a cheap headset

My #a-haMusicChallenge2026 #19 would be Out of the Blue Comes Green youtu.be/B-BQR5aJqQA?... Haunting arrangement, love the off-beat keys - it really cuts deep on lonely summer drives in a Volvo 480...

Alright I'll do it, will jump in from now as I only have the first 3 albums on cassette so my knowledge beyond that is patchy. My #a-haMusicChallenge2026 #20 would be The Blood That Moves The Body youtu.be/0t9MVplqCNM?...

Just watched Godzilla Minus One. Don't normally do big monster flicks but the Avgeek in me was enamoured with its sensual recreation of the Kyushu J7W1, finally giving it some limelight along with other WW2 Japanese tech. Really well done story, proper heart to it and handles tough themes well

Very much wishing I had my 480 working at the moment, can't have someone else muscling in on my patch!

Evening #weirdcarbs, got a request from a photography student friend of mine. He is looking for a studio that can accommodate one or more cars for a photo shoot, ideally between Oxford and Brum. Does anyone know of anywhere that might suit? Cheers all

I should say this only applies to the R32 gen

Absolutely this. There's a reason why I consider an Austin Allegro 1750SS a sporting car, because that is what it was designed for in the product lineup, and it is still plenty fast enough to have fun. Speed limit is 70 lets remember, so you can't technically slag something off if it can do that...

How I'm turning up to the Bluesky Christmas party

Anyone on here got the books about Alan Fearnley's art, which might reveal the inspiration behind the Auberge painting as used by Chris Rea for the album cover? #CarBluesky #WeirdCarBS

If anyone happens to know where the backdrop to this was inspired from, or even if it is a real place, I'd love to know. I am thinking Southwest France (Pau) or maybe Northern Spain. Chris Rea always managed to capture the escapism of driving, and I have always wanted to try to recreate this image

👍 www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ifzo...

Yes it doesn't have That song, but still played in honour of an undersung legend tonight

Another brilliant video from @grandthriftauto.bsky.social just hit the YouTubes 👌🏻#weirdcarbs youtu.be/tr8SDY8W33M?...

Surly Bonds

I do not think it is possible to be any more despicable than Liquid Glass

See it quite often with Volvo 480s, just because its rare and has pop up lights doesn't mean its valuable. Yes they are brilliant cars, but £5k will buy the best one

Just finished watching eXistenZ, can't remember exactly where I discovered it but it wasn't bad for 99p on Amazon Crime. Features a Canadian Market Land Rover as the main vehicle which was curious, which is on theme for an otherwise curious film

Why are we spunking billions on GenAI, the digital equivalent of a bint from HR replying with 'Sorry you feel that way?' GenAI tells people to jump off bridges; to use glue for sticking cheese back on pizzas. Algorithmic AI: detects cancer quicker Investors: [...] Clown world.

Sometimes in marketing, you just have to go for the jugular.

How it should look. Colour matched wheels are always the correct answer

www.facebook.com/share/1GrpSM... I don't do Yank Tanks often, but this Cutlass 350 Rallye is one of my favourite specs. An overlooked model as it was technically all show and no go, but that's a bit of a relative term really

1985/6 Audi 80 B2 Sport 1987 Ginetta G26 1987 Mitsubishi Starion Turbo 1988 Volvo 480ES 1994 Rover 220GSi 3dr

www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/... Since when were these sold here?

I just had a read through the budget to search for changes in VED for cars and there is no change regarding the 40 year rolling exemption for classic vehicles. A lot of debate and consequent division was sparked by a rumour by an MP and some Youtubers seized on it. Shame on you!

If we are going to do this whole Lancia's that should have made it thing then I have to bring this to the table. The Fulvia 1600HF Competitzione

What do we need on these dark autumnal nights? A video looking through brightly coloured (and mostly orange) cars of the NEC Classic Car Show courtesy of @grandthriftauto.bsky.social youtu.be/E7fgtRSAEps?... #WeirdCarBS

2nd Exasperation of the Evening: My friend texted me to say that her Vauxhall Adam refused to open the fuel filler flap. As I knew cars I was supposed to know what to do. She came round and I discovered to my disdain that the fuel flap was a "push-to-open" job, which now didn't open when pushed

Seriously how hard is it to find a decent protective phone case that doesn't pretentiously advertise that I have an iPhone, and is made decently and isn't made of cheap plastic. Have settled on this Aztec pattern "wood" case, which is very 1988. Will see if it can last...