LANCASTER CLASSIC CAR NEWS
THE SHORT BUT FASCINATING SAGA OF THE RENAULT R3
It goes without saying that when the R4 made its bow in 1961, it altered Renault’s future and small European cars per se. Not only was it the company‘s first car with FWD (the front-wheel-drive Estafette van debuted in 1959) it also popularised the five-door format for the mass market.
THE VW TREKKER – A CELEBRATION
The year is 1974, Volkswagen GB has initiated a competitor to re-name their latest import, the 182. The winner was a Mr. Nigel Purden of the Midlands with his suggestion of ‘Trekker’ – and it would be fair to say it was virtually sans rivals in the UK.
THE TRIUMPH ACCLAIM – AN APPRECIATION
This year marks the 40th anniversary of one of the most important cars to bear the Triumph badge. When the Acclaim made its bow on the 7th October 1981, it pioneered Japanese involvement in the British motor industry. It was also the right car launched at the right time – an accolade not shared by many other BL products.
CELEBRATING THE MG 1300 MK. II
The 1969 Motor test of the MG 1300 Mk II was headlined “At last – real performance”, and in the previous year, Autocar found it “great fun to drive”. They also regarded it as “refined and gentlemanly and will serve equally well the enthusiast driver and his not so enthusiastic wife”.
The Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire 346; An Appreciation
One of the stars of the 1952 London Motor Show was the Sapphire 346. “Truly a car of character” stated Armstrong Siddeley and this was not an exaggeration.
MEET THE OWNER – STEPHEN DAWES AND HIS ONE FAMILY FROM NEW FIAT 124
Sometimes, when writing about classic cars, you come across a vehicle that is incredibly rare – so rare, in fact, that you cannot remember seeing one on the road in the past three decades. Stephen Dawes’s 124 is not only one of the very few examples left; it is also a one-family-from new Fiat.
What is Bicester Heritage?
We'll be looking at a few of the brilliant businesses and organisations on site – but first, we're going to explore the site's own extraordinary story. Beginning as a key player in the Allied air war effort during World War II, this large former airfield on the outskirts of Bicester has now made the inspiring transformation into a central hub of the UK's thriving vehicle restoration business.
Hot hatches of the 80s and 90s
Yes, the 1980s and 1990s were a boom time for the hot hatch, and here are some of the best of them. Their relative age, not to mention their well-earned cult status, makes all of these cars candidates for specialist classic car insurance.
Best YouTube channels for motorhome and campervan owners
Phil and Izzy, aka The Gap Decaders, have spent many years of their lives taking road trips – indeed, they reckon on having covered some 30,000 miles across 28 countries. That’s some serious travelling experience – and Phil and Izzy are pleased to share all their hard-earned wisdom on their YouTube channel.
Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership – 2nd place goes to Brian Kent and his 1965 Humber Super Snipe Estate!
“I’ve had so many offers for the Humber Snipe, you wouldn’t believe it, but I’ll never sell, we’re going to enjoy it. That’s what I did it for!” Brian Kent couldn’t be prouder of his 1965 Humber Super Snipe Estate, though he says himself, he’s been blown away by the reaction to his immaculate restoration.
Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership – 3rd place goes to Shaun Hunter and his Escort 1.3 XL
“What a weekend we had”, says Pride of Ownership contender Shaun Hunter. “Honestly it was just amazing. I’d applied to be in the Lancaster Insurance Pride of Ownership competition before, but with covid, everything was on hold so it was 3rd time lucky.”