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Welcome to Lancaster Insurance News
Keep up to date with the latest news and events from the world of classic cars.
MEET THE CLUB CHAIR - EDDIE FOSTER OF THE CAMBRIDGE-OXFORD OWNERS’ CLUB
- 18th November, 2024
When I bought my Wolseley 6/99 in 2021, one of my first thoughts was, “I must join the Cambridge-Oxford Owners Club”. This splendid organisation covers not only the 1 ½-litre and 3-litre British Motor Corporation ‘Farinas’ made between 1958 and 1971 but the 1954-1959 A40, A50, A55 Mk.
MEET THE OWNER – ROGER LENTELL AND HIS VAUXHALL MAGNUM 2300 SALOON
- 14th November, 2024
As a child, during that long-distant time when repeats of Here Come the Double Deckers was a highlight of the week, I regarded the Vauxhall Magnum 2300 four-door saloon. Every detail, from the quad headlamps to the dashboard with its seven dials, denoted ‘class’.
ONE OF MY FAVOURITE VAUXHALLS – THE CRESTA PB
- 14th November, 2024
It is always a pleasure to be re-acquainted with Ed’s 1963 PB-series Vauxhall Cresta, which is currently seeking a new home. This writer is sorely tempted by the car once promoted as possessing “all the qualities of a fine car”.
RARER THAN RARE – 1979 DATSUN 200 LAUREL
- 14th November, 2024
Way back in 1979, when The Buggles sang about how video killed the radio star, a Datsun 200L Laurel was the car of choice for discerning executive motorists.
THE DAIHATSU COMPAGNO – THE FIRST JAPANESE CAR IN BRITAIN
- 14th November, 2024
Sixty years ago, the fact that HM Customs and Excise registered an innocuous-looking two-door saloon was of little interest to the average British driver. 1964 was the year of the Ford Mustang, the Sunbeam Tiger and the 4.2-litre Jaguars E-Type and Mk. X.
MEET THE OWNER – MICHAEL CARPENTER AND HIS FORD ESCORT 1600 GHIA MK.2
- 14th November, 2024
It belonged to an old boy who does the local shows; he could not keep on top of the maintenance, so he decided to move it on. This Escort was not cheap and a bit rustier than I hoped, but it scratches that itch without spending thousands on an overpriced and overrated sporter model.
Introducing Emma Macphee, equine blogger for Lancaster
- 13th November, 2024
Hello, I’m Emma, a material planner based in Peterborough. When I’m not spending time with my horses, you’ll usually find me outdoors, hiking and exploring with my dog, Bonnie.
LAST OF THE LINE – SAAB 96 V4 SOUVENIR
- 13th November, 2024
A select number of limited-edition cars celebrate the demise of a long-running model with flair, style and dignity – such as the Saab 96 V4 Souvenir. Stuart Barnes’s example is not the last of the famous range to leave the production lines – but it is number 28 of the final batch of UK-market versions.
The Wolseley 6/90 at 70
- 13th November, 2024
“When Wolseley announce a new model there cannot be a more exciting expectation for that very typical Englishman, the man who likes his motor-car to be, in all things – in performance no less than appearance - exhilarating, discrete and distinguished.”
MEET THE OWNER – DEBS WADE AND HER TOYOTA 1000 ESTATE
- 13th November, 2024
It is Mission Impossible to select my favourite car of the recent Rustival 2 – but I can immediately identify the vehicle that evoked memories of Hampshire in the late 1970s.
Meet The Owner – Chris Salter and his Citroën GSA X1
- 13th November, 2024
I am the second owner and bought her over 25 years ago. Last year, I took her to Spain via Monte Carlo, and she clocked 100,000 miles just as she drove into Arommanches in Normandy.
THE AUSTIN A50 CAMBRIDGE AT 70
- 12th November, 2024
The Austin A40/A50 Cambridge represented a genuine departure for the British Motor Corporation on their launch in late 1954.
REMEMBERING THE 1984 MOTOR SHOW
- 12th November, 2024
This year’s Classic Motor Show is marking 40 years, as is Lancaster Insurance, and it evokes so many memories of the 1984 event for those of us of a certain age. So, what stands at the NEC might have tempted my 14-year-old self after investing £2 in the “Comprehensive Catalogue”?
40 YEARS OLD – THE VAUXHALL ASTRA MK.2
- 12th November, 2024
When Vauxhall launched the second-generation Astra on 17th October 1984, its main challenge was - “How we follow such a success?” In the first 9 months of that year, the 293,545 combined Opel Kadett and Astra sales represented 21% of all GM Europe’s car sales.
