LANCASTER CLASSIC CAR NEWS
Meet The Owner – Peter’s tells his story of a 38-year journey with his Iso Grifo GL350 1966
In my late teens I spent four years in New Zealand and worked for a couple of years in the workshop at the Ferrymead Trust Historic Transport Museum.
Meet The Owner – Craig Piercy and his Triumph Toledo
Craig is a classic car enthusiast aged 29 who one day decided to take a walk on the mild side.
We’re celebrating with a 40th Birthday Giveaway at this years’ Classic Motor Show!
As the anticipation builds for this year’s Lancaster Insurance Classic Motor Show, we’re thrilled to share some of the highlights that promise to make this year truly special.
FIATS & FRIENDS 2024
When Gavin Bushby of the Fiat Motor Club GB invited me to the first ‘Fiats & Friends’ event – https://fiatsandfriends.co.uk/ – at the British Motor Museum on the 3rd of August, I predicted it would be good. But the sheer array of cars is nearly impossible to describe, so here are just 25 highlights:
Why go direct to a classic car insurance broker?
We’ve been in the insurance business since 1984 and in that time we’ve arranged cover for some truly fantastic cars. Whether it’s a rare model, has a fantastic story, or simply fills you with pride and joy, we understand that your classic needs to be protected and have the correct cover in place should the worst happen.
MEET THE OWNER – MEL NEALE AND HIS SIMCA 1501 ESTATE
I've had the Simca for five or six years. My father had a saloon in the 1970s, so I got to the stage when I was in a position to purchase one – albeit an estate version. When I bought it, I didn't register how rare the 1501s were. I purchased the Estate via eBay from a guy in Norfolk who had bought it off a farmer a month previously. It had sat in a barn for 29 years after the father passed away.
MEET THE EXPERT – SARAH CRABTREE
Readers will instantly know the name of Sarah Crabtree, as the director of Evoke Classics, from the television series Bangers and Cash, and from meeting her at events in the company of Ivan, her Morris Ital. This writer has had the great privilege of witnessing Sarah pilot this fine machine around the Silverstone circuit – an experience never to be forgotten!
MEET THE OWNER – PHIL CAUNT AND HIS HEINZ 57 WOLSELEY HORNET CONVERTIBLE
“I must first say I did NOT restore it myself—I purchased it with it needing 'minor amendments' to make it how I wanted it, including removing some extra work that the previous owner wanted, plus adding some overriders, going over the fuel system, and other 'tweaks'. It is a lovely car, but of course, unless you know it's a 'Heinz,' Joe Public thinks it is a Wolseley Hornet that has just had a chop job!”
RARER THAN RARE – 1966 RENAULT 16
When Renault GB introduced the 16 to British motorists in the autumn of 1965, it would be fair to say it did not resemble any UK family saloon. To quote the advertisement: “The Renault l6 is a new breed of car. Compare the looks of the new Renault 16 with other 1 ½ litre cars”. This 1966 De Luxe is believed to be the oldest surviving British market example.
MEET THE OWNER – MICHAEL DICKENS AND HIS LADA RIVA
“I found it in a scrap yard in Kempston. The old lady that owned it from new had crashed it into her house and stopped driving. Her family scrapped it, and I bought it blind for £300 to cannibalise it for parts for my 1994 Riva Estate. It was immaculate when it turned up (aside from a dented wing and smashed headlamp), and I just couldn’t break it up.”
MEET THE OWNER -ABDUL SHAIKH AND HIS VAUXHALL VENTORA V.I.P.
Some limited-edition cars were to clear the showroom of stocks before the launch of a replacement model. Others marked the end of a long and distinguished production run, while a third group enhanced the appeal of a recently introduced line-up. The Ventora V.I.P. falls into this last-named category, and there are now believed to be only two on the road.
MEET THE OWNER – CHRIS JAMES AND HIS ROVER 623SLI
The 623 popped up on FB Marketplace locally in Middlesbrough when I was on holiday in France. I messaged the vendor, and she said someone was going to view it the next day. He did view, but then could not sort insurance on it. She messaged to say her husband was taking it off sale, but I gave her my number should that change. She got in touch just before we returned from holiday to say if I wanted it, I could have it for £450!!.