News

As the Land Rover Defender has recently passed into motoring history, it is timely to remember one of the British pretenders to its crown. The Austin Champ now seems to belong to a black and white past of National Servicemen in Pathé Newsreels and low-budget science fictions films about alien beings invading Chobham Common. - Written by Andy Roberts

The Little Chef was a part of British motoring for 29 years, the original branch being a US-style diner on Oxford Road in Reading. The first branch was aimed at those respectable motorists who had just bought their first Ford 100E Prefect or Morris Minor and who would not be seen dead in a Hell Drivers style transport cafe... Andy Roberts shares his memories.

In the latest instalment of our Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show interviews, we speak to Dave Youngs, Lancaster’s Car Club Manager, on what makes the show special to him.

1. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO The 250 was designed to race. However, while competition rules stipulated that 100 examples had to be built of each model racing, Ferrari somehow managed to get away with only making 39.

This year the Toyota Corolla reaches its 50th anniversary, another leap for the world’s most popular car.

Lancaster Insurance, headline sponsor of the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, has announced a ‘Best of British’ focus on its stand, with the iconic BLOODHOUND SSC show car taking pride of place. Show attendees will also be able to see a variety of exceptional classic models on the stand, each with their own unique story.

Whether your classic has been in the family for years or is a new addition, being the victim of vehicle theft can be devastating. As classic car values soar, this is becoming common. Whilst we may not be able to stop every vehicle being stolen, there are a number of ways we can help reduce the chance and here at Lancaster, we’ve created a list of helpful hints and tips that may help.

In 1965 ITC, the television production company that specialised in men of mystery pursuing fez-wearing villains across ‘Somewhere foreign’ (aka Elstree Studios’ car park), commenced filming of The Baron. This was their first colour adventure show and it co-starred Steve Forrest as one John Mannering, a square-jawed antiques dealer/solver of crimes, with an Oyster Grey Jensen CV8 Mk. II. - Written by Andy Roberts.

With this year’s Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show only a month away, we’ve caught up with some of the Lancaster team to find out what makes the show so special to them. First off is Andrew Misseldine, our Car Club team liaison. Andrew has been with us for over 20 years and is a season regular at the show!

Was it really 30 years ago that Jaguar launched one of its most important ever models? Take My Breath Away was apparently being played on the hour by every radio station, ITV was still screening 3-2-1 to non-discriminating viewers and, on 8th October 1986, the XJ40 was unveiled. - Written by Andy Roberts.

In recent weeks I’ve spotted an Audi A1, BMW 123d and a new Mini Cooper as driving instructor vehicles in my local town. Feeling rather cheated as I passed my driving test in a battered Vauxhall Corsa just eight years ago, I shared my bewilderment with work colleagues who were only too happy to reminisce about the cars they learnt to drive in.

Before the last race of the Carbon8 Coupe Cup we catch up with our driver, Alex Cursley, to see how the second half of the season is going.

At classic shows, I occasionally encounter those cars with the instant power to return me to the time of three channel television, Adam Ant and Diana Dors in the Prince Charming video and when the Sony C7 video-recorder was a major status symbol. The 35 year-old Triumph Acclaim, launched on the 7th October 1981 and promising ‘sheer driving pleasure’ is one such vehicle. - Written by Andy Roberts.

It has been another cracking year for classic car anniversaries – celebrated in brilliant fashion by clubs across Europe – and the Classic & Sports Car Club Awards 2016 are an opportunity to recognise all of your hard work over the past 12 months.

This month, for Club of the Month October 2016, our spotlight falls on one of our newest club partners, 300ZX.co.uk.

This month, for Car of the Month October 2016, our spotlight falls on the Mercedes-Benz R107, more commonly known as the Mercedes SL.

Indian summer drives and complimentary B&B at luxurious Wroxall Abbey – probably the UK's finest classic car meeting place and club venue.

If in the late 1970s you were in the market for a new car, needed four doors and a reasonably sized cabin, but had only the funds for a Mini 850, you may well have been attracted to the Škoda Estelle. - Written by Andy Roberts.

In a new series each month we’ll be focusing on a different area of insurance and explaining how it may be relevant to you and your policy, and this month we’re talking about agreed value.

Entries are now being accepted for the Meguiar’s Club Showcase, with the grand final taking place at the Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, held from Friday 11th to Sunday 13th November at Birmingham’s NEC.