Lancaster News

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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.

Classic car

“It is a leader amongst cars of today” – The Ford Zephyr-Zodiac Mk. I

  • 15th April, 2024

Sometimes, the connoisseur of 1950s popular culture, such as this writer, is faced with automotive temptation, such as this 1956 Zephyr-Zodiac offered by Craner Classics. The young Arthur Daley would have craved this car, which would have also been the object of admiration among Teddy boys at the Hammersmith Palais.

Brown car

Meeting An Old Friend – 1983 Austin Ambassador Vanden Plas

  • 15th April, 2024

Sometimes, the world of Ebay is one of surprises – including finding the Austin Ambassador Vanden Plas I once owned. And now Bob Farrington hopes it goes to a good home.

Yellow car

RARER THAN RARE – 1979 FIAT 131 1300CL

  • 15th April, 2024

Sometimes, the most seemingly minor detail about a car remains in the memory: the Wolseley’s illuminated ‘Ghost Light’ grille badge or the Humber Hawk and Super Snipe’s fuel filler hidden behind the offside rear reflector.

Blue car

Stars of The Lancaster Stand No. 1: Vivian the Vauxhall Viva HC

  • 15th April, 2024

During the 2024 Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show, one car on the Lancaster Insurance Stand evoked some entertaining reactions from the showgoers. Visitors to the NEC circled Annie Redshaw-Lloyd’s Glacier Blue Viva HC and peered into the vinyl-trimmed magnificence of its interior.

Brown car

STARS AND THEIR CARS - THE PETER SELLERS BENTLEY S2 CONTINENTAL DROPHEAD COUPE

  • 10th April, 2024

Any 1960 Bentley S2 Continental Drophead Coupe with Park Ward coachwork is a car to beguile and mesmerise. So, when H&H offered such an exquisite machine that was the property of one of our finest actors, the temptation to place family members on eBay to raise the necessary funds was quite acute.

Black car

Meet The Owner – Mo Ali and his Fiat 128 Estate

  • 10th April, 2024

Many of you are familiar with this experience: scanning the Facebook page of a well-known car club when you suddenly see pictures of a vehicle you long believed vanished from British roads. This writer was looking at the Fiat Motor Club GB’s Facebook site only yesterday when Mo Ali’s 1978-model Fiat 128 Estate appeared to leap from the screen.

Red car

THE WORLD’S RAREST WEDGE? – A 1975 MORRIS

  • 10th April, 2024

This is not just one of the very few surviving Morris-badged Wedges but the first made on the production line. Chassis Number 00099 left Cowley in 1975 and Leyland despatched it to Longbridge to assess the factory’s build quality. Alas, the Morris became lost in the system but was eventually registered and sold in January 1977 – hence the ‘R’ suffix.

Two people at show

CELEBRATING THE BRIGHT SPARKS

  • 10th April, 2024

The scene: four classic car owners sat in deckchairs at an event: Classic Car Owner (CCO) No.1: “Young people today, eh? When I was their age, I restored a Bugatti Royale I found in an abandoned shed in Southampton Eastern Docks.

Red car

MEET SVEN - THE 1964 SAAB GT850

  • 10th April, 2024

It would be fair to say that Sven, the 1964 Saab GT850, was one of the stars of the 2024 Practical Classics Classic Car and Restoration Show at the NEC. He dominated Hall 4, his twin aluminium stripes gleaming in the artificial light.

Yellow Car

LEYLAND PRINCESS 2200HL – DEFINITELY NOT AN AVERAGE CAR

  • 10th April, 2024

One of the most pleasing developments in the classic car world over the past twenty years is the Princess’ Wedge’ at least receiving praise due to such an innovative design. This 1977 2200HL, recently advertised on eBay, is enough to make one re-enact “Great Scenes from Terry and June”.

Grey car

Meet The Owner - Will Hollands-Smith and his Citroen BX 19TRS Mk.2

  • 10th April, 2024

Will Hollands-Smith is a most determined young man. Owning the only roadworthy BX Mk. 1 Estate in the country was not enough to satisfy his craving for this very fine model. So, he is also the custodian of a 1986 ex-Citroen UK Mk.2 press launch/dealer demonstrator 19TRS.

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THE 2024 PRACTICAL CLASSICS RESTORATION SHOW

  • 8th April, 2024

The Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show was an electrifying event, drawing 26,912 attendees to Birmingham’s NEC over the 22-24 weekend. Witnessing over 160 car clubs come together to showcase restoration demos was truly heartening.

Car Club

Introducing the Lancaster Car Club team!

  • 8th April, 2024

Hello All, We’ve had some developments on the Car Club team front which I am happy to share with you this month. We have some new members of the team...