LANCASTER CLASSIC CAR NEWS
Staff car stories – Aaron bought a 1983 TVR 280i – Part 2
In our last newsletter, our Car Club Liaison Aaron Prior told us all about his purchase and restoration of a 1983 TVR 280i. Part two of his TVR journey begins with making (more) poor financial decisions, with the TVR project moving from a light restoration to a full body off restoration.
Introducing our September Bright Young Spark…
Over the next few months we’ll be shining the spotlight on six ‘Bright Young Sparks’ who represent the younger generation of classic car enthusiasts – all of them nominated by you! You can find out more about the initiative here.
Club of the Month - 40th Anniversary of the Rover SD1 Vitesse
As the Rover SD1 Vitesse celebrates a milestone anniversary this month, we’re thrilled to announce that the Rover SD1 Club is our October Club of the month! Below the Club takes us through the iconic car’s history and we can’t wait to see their display at next month’s Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show.
Our friends at StarterMotor have one of the first ever hybrid cars – a 1917 Woods Dual Power!
The Woods Dual Power was built in Chicago in 1917 and shipped to the UK where it was first sold by Harrods the same year. Woods was one of the most important and long-lived manufacturers of electric cars in the USA.
SELLING THE DREAM – TEN BRITISH ENTRY-LEVEL MODELS
Or, ten of the finest examples of the author stretching the meaning of the words “luxury” and “comfort” to their very limits. Austin Metro Standard - The basic Metro was, according to British Leyland, “extremely well-appointed inside and out, in a style that puts many so-called ‘luxury hatchbacks’ to shame”.
MEET THE OWNER – CHRIS WILSON AND HIS FRAZER TICKFORD METRO
Forty-one years ago, the Sloane Range motorist searching for a town car in the spirit of the Radford Mini Cooper S De Ville needed to look no further than the ‘Frazer Tickford. The GRP body kit, alloy wheels, tinted glass, sunroof, and four (!) Marcal fog lamps proclaimed this to be a hatchback of distinction.
MEET THE OWNER - STEVEN GRAY AND HIS VAUXHALL CHEVETTE SUN HATCH
Any surviving example of the Vauxhall Chevette invariably causes double-takes when seen on the road. Steven Gray’s model looks especially radiant in metallic ‘Silver Beige’ – and then you notice the glass sunroof and realise this is the exclusive limited edition, Sun Hatch.
MEET THE OWNER – STEPHEN GREEN AND HIS WOLSELEY 6/99
When the British Motor Corporation introduced the 6/99 in July 1959, they claimed it was “Undoubtedly the finest of Wolseley of all”. Stephen would no doubt agree with the brochure and his stunning example is one of only two known survivors in duotone green.
MEET THE OWNER – RICHARD BIRCHENOUGH AND HIS 1976 RENAULT 12TL
“My fascination with Renaults began in 1976 when my father bought a 1969 16TS. I bought a 12TS to restore many years later, which I sold to a friend in Northern Ireland in 1997 – a decision I still regret!” And so, earlier this year, Richard acquired this splendid red 12TL.
A WOLSELEY 6/99 AT SILVERSTONE
“Will you stop moaning, Andrew” said Stephanie, as she pressed the Wolseley’s accelerator. “We are only doing 30 mph”. “It is not so much the speed as cornering”, was my reply as the big car lurched around another corner on the Silverstone racing track.
40 YEARS OF THE FORD SIERRA
On the 19th January 1982, BBC2 broadcast a memorable edition of their Arena documentary series - The Private Life of The Ford Cortina. The host of this tribute to one of Dagenham’s most famous products was Alexei Sayle as the world’s least reassuring travelling salesman.
THE PIONEER ELECTRIC CAR - THE ENFIELD 8000
Today, electric cars are a hot topic in the news, but those with long memories will recall a battery-powered vehicle that dates nearly 50 years. The Enfield 8000 debuted to a considerable amount of publicity and, on paper, seemed to be the ideal vehicle for motoring in the post-OPEC fuel crisis era.