LANCASTER CLASSIC CAR NEWS
Seven near extinct cars
All of them even rarer than your average Bentley S3 Continental - ALFA ROMEO 90 - Today the 90 is almost as forgotten as the works of Doctor & The Medics. On its launch in 1984, it suffered from a significant challenge – its appearance. In essence, the latest Alfa Romeo combined the Alfetta Berlina with the 2.5-litre engine from the Six and looks that harked back to The Protectors. Autocar thought ‘there was a good car looking to get out’, but the 90 would ‘mainly interest the dedicated Alfa Romeo enthusiast’.
DO YOU REMEMBER - THE MORRIS MARINA AND ITAL VAN?
There are certain sights and sounds that can immediately recapture the past – Nigel Planer singing Hole in My Shoe, the opening to The Comic Strip Presents... – and the sight of a well-preserved Marina or Ital Van. It would not be a typical month in 1980s suburbia without seeing a BT Morris attending to yet another malfunctioning telephone box.
MEET THE OWNER – MICHAEL SPINK AND HIS FORD CORSAIR GT CONVERTIBLE
Back in 2005 Michael Spink was presented with one of the finest wedding presents for any car enthusiast - his wife had commissioned the restoration, ‘in secret’, of his 1965 Corsair GT Convertible. He had actually acquired MML 443 C in 1988, but it was garaged in 1996 following transmission issues. Incredibly, the refurbishment process took just 12 weeks, and today the Ford looks fit for a journey to Carnaby Street, preferably accompanied by the sounds of The Yardbirds singing For Your Love.
How to make sure your classic car value is reflected correctly
How can you ensure that the agreed valuation really reflects what it would cost you to replace your car? What are the key things that valuers look for? Read on for our guide.
Meet the owner Ian Mackenzie and his Wolseley 1100
Read the latest article in the Lancaster Insurance meet the owner series, we talk to Ian Mackenzie and his Wolseley 1100.
Where to store your classic car
Putting your classic into ‘hibernation’ is well advised as it’ll help to protect it from the elements – but where’s best to store it? Not everyone has access to a secure garage, while those that do will be wondering whether to use it for their everyday car or vacate it for their classic.
How to get a birth certificate for your classic car
When you’re the owner of a classic car, history matters. Your car is a remarkable survivor from an earlier age, with its own story to tell and secrets to keep. A vehicle birth certificate (also known as a heritage certificate) is a useful document confirming the origins of your classic car.
6 reasons to buy a classic as your first car
Everyone remembers their first car – some stick in the memory for good reasons, while others are remembered less fondly. If you’re in the market for your first car, make sure you choose wisely – and that includes considering a classic.
Meet the Owner - David Henderson and his Saab 99 GL
The Turbo almost inevitably dominates the Saab 99 story, but during the 1980s you were far more likely to encounter the cheaper but equally appealing GL. In June 1978 Car praised its ‘unexpectedly lively performance’, ‘crisp handling’, ‘good riding comfort’ plus the Saab’s ‘solidity and roadworthiness’. Few could ask for more in a family saloon – especially one equipped with a heated driver’s seat.
Why should you sell your car at auction?
If you’ve decided that now is the time to sell your classic car, you’ve got a few options to weigh up. You can sell it privately, take it to a specialist dealer or try your luck at the auction.
6 reasons to buy a classic as your first car
Everyone remembers their first car – some stick in the memory for good reasons, while others are remembered less fondly. If you’re in the market for your first car, here are 6 reasons to buy a classic as your first car.
The Jensen 541S - A Celebration
The year is 1960, the venue is the London Motor Show, and the place is Stand 134. Of course, any car that hailed from the West Bromwich factory was an object of desire, but the new Jensen 541S was especially eye-catching. It was not just that it was four inches wider than the outgoing 541R or that it boasted a conventional grille, rather than the familiar adjustable panel. The Jensen on display at Earls Court was Britain’s first car fitted with seat-belts as standard equipment.