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.

VAUXHALL ASTRA 1200S

MEET THE OWNER – MICHAEL CARPENTER AND HIS VAUXHALL ASTRA 1200S TWO-DOOR

  • Andrew Roberts |
  • 26th April, 2022

A few weeks ago, Michael Carpenter - a connoisseur of fine yet neglected 1970s and 1980s cars – contacted this writer with some exciting news.

Tax

Did you know that classic cars can be subject to inheritance tax?

  • 25th April, 2022

Depending on your circumstances, your classic could be subject to 40% inheritance tax, which is why it’s important to ensure that you’ve considered what will happen to your prized possession after you pass away. Without putting the right plans in place, your car may not end up in the care of the person you would have chosen.

La Femme

A CAR FOR THE LADIES – THE STRANGE STORY OF THE DODGE LA FEMME

  • Andrew Roberts |
  • 25th April, 2022

1950s Detroit publicity often reads like a parody of Mad Men – none less so than the car “By Special Appointment to Her Majesty... the American Woman”.

1965 LONDON METROPOLITAN POLICE WOLSELEY

MEET THE OWNER – DAVID BUTLER AND HIS 1965 LONDON METROPOLITAN POLICE WOLSELEY 6/110

  • Andrew Roberts |
  • 25th April, 2022

London-set British films and television programmes of the 1960s usually featured a regular cast of vehicles.

Vauxhall Viva

Ford Escort Popular v Vauxhall Viva E Coupe

  • Andrew Roberts |
  • 14th April, 2022

The year is 1975, inflation is rampant, and the aftermath of the OPEC Fuel Crisis is felt at every petrol station. But Ford and Vauxhall have the answer to these motoring challenges – the Escort Mk. II Popular and the Viva E Coupe.

Peugeot 504

20 rear-wheel drive classics

  • 13th April, 2022

Front-wheel or rear-wheel drive? That's been one of the liveliest debates over the course of motor manufacturing history. Each format brings its own advantages. For example, front-wheel-drive (FWD) cars tend to have slightly simpler engineering than their rear-driven counterparts.

London Concours

What is the London Concours event?

  • 13th April, 2022

Presented by high-end watchmakers Montres Breguet, the London Concours is a luxurious automotive garden party that takes place right in the heart of the City of London every summer.

Classic Car Parked on Road

Where to find a classic car online

  • 13th April, 2022

There are a few websites out there that we’d particularly recommend adding to your bookmarks, either for their ease of use or for the sheer range they offer, and we’ll run through these briefly below. And the good news is that, whatever your classic and wherever you find it, our vast experience in the sector means we’ll be able to find the classic car insurance you need.

SAAB 95

THE SAAB 95 TWO-STROKE; A CELEBRATION

  • 7th April, 2022

It is sometimes forgotten the 95 made its bow in May 1959, nine months before the 96 saloon. British sales commenced in the following year when the Saab cost a formidable £1,199 – or only £23 less than the much larger Velox PA ‘Friary’ Estate.

fiat 127

PROJECT CAR – IAN MACKENZIE’S FIAT 127 1050CL

  • Andrew Roberts |
  • 6th April, 2022

Ian Mackenzie is an intrepid classic enthusiast whose fleet already includes a Wolseley 1100 and a Ford Escort Ghia. However, as we all know, there is always room for one more vehicle and he came across this second-generation Fiat 127 entirely by chance.

RELIANT SCIMITAR GTE

THE RELIANT SCIMITAR GTE – A CELEBRATION

  • Andrew Roberts |
  • 6th April, 2022

When Reliant announced the GTE to the press in August 1968 there was, quite simply no other British car like it. The MGC GT may have been over £400 cheaper and had a similar sized engine to the Scimitar’s 3-litre ‘Essex’ unit, but it was less well-appointed.

AUTOCAR ARCHIVE

THE MANY JOYS OF THE AUTOCAR ARCHIVE

  • Andrew Roberts |
  • 6th April, 2022

Many of you have probably already heard about The Motoring Archive which will eventually access the back catalogues of many titles from Classic & Sports Car, Motor to What Car and Autosport.

Austin Metro

20 front-wheel drive classics

  • 6th April, 2022

In the early decades of motoring, almost all cars adopted the rear-wheel drive principle, with the back wheels propelling the car while the front wheels handled the steering.